Posted on Sat, May 16, 2009 @ 07:13 AM
Last night the Boston Food Critic made it out to dinner in Watertown. A nice walk down the street to the patio at local Italian restaurant Stellina. Stellina is a moderately priced Italian restaurant next to Not Your Average Joe's. They have a nice patio out back which was perfect for last night's cool breeze.
After a long week, it was time to start off with a nice bottle of sparkling Italian wine from Veneto. I was pleased that the Prosecco they brought to the table was not the usual one they sell in every liquor store in Boston area.
We started off the meal with their famous "3 Time Best of Boston" Warm Tomato salad, a perfect mix of tomatoes, basil, goat cheese and olive oil drizzled toast. Plenty for 2 people to share at $13.
For the dinner entree, I was super tempted to try the soft shell crabs that are delivered fresh daily, Here is the description: First of the year Maryland soft shells sauteed with garlic, parsley, capers, white wine and lemon. served with asparagus and fresh fettucine. I decided upon the Boar Ragu having been reminded of some wonderful meals in Tuscany consisting of wild boar ragu. Now I was not expecting Tuscany, but I must say they came pretty damn close. This dish was amazing and I could not stop eating even though the portion could have fed a small family!
At $19, this was a great value as well. Here is the description: robust sauce of farm-raised boar simmered with garlic, chopped vegetables, olives, fennel seeds, cream, herbs and Sangiovese wine. Tossed with fresh Speccatella pasta and parmesan cheese. I added some crushed red pepper flakes for good measure.
The lady had one of their seafood specials, Grilled Jumbo Shrimp that also sounded and tasted delicious. Here is the description: Extra large marinated shrimp served with garlic, lemon, white wine, sweet peppers, broccoli, baked parmesan risotto and a cool salsa verde.
I must say I was really impressed with last night's meal at Stellina. The food was super fresh, served warm and the price was right at just over $100 including tip and a $30 bottle of prosecco.
check them out online: http://www.stellinarestaurant.com/dinner-menu
They also do many special events including wine tastings, beer tastings, etc. during the week.
Enjoy!
Brian aka The Boston Food Critic
Posted on Tue, May 12, 2009 @ 08:38 PM
So I got busy, got lazy, etc.(note to self, publish new content regularly!) and Chronicle stole my thunder last night with a feature on The Best Bang for your Buck traveling around to moderately priced Boston restaurants with Mr. Tim Zagat himself. I am huge fan of Chronicle(I actually DVR it every night) and also a huge fan of Zagat. I really enjoyed watching last night based on the topic and also really loved the content. It seems based on the economy people are eating out less, but those who are eating out are looking for a deal and are also less apt to order a bottle of wine. Hence, the inspiration behind the Boston Food Critic!
Some of the featured cheap eats were right up my alley and I gained some great insight of places I need to try and review on the Boston Food Critic.
Here are a few of the places featured:
B-Good-http://bgood.com/- Great burger joint for the somewhat health concious. It seems the burger joint is becoming super trendy, but these guys were one of the first, plus the founder is a friend of a friend and a super nice, down to earth guy. These guys also get Social Media and you can follow them on Twitter or you can become a fan on Facebook.com. Hubspot is also a huge fan.
Taqueria La Mexicana-http://www.lataqueria.us/Cantina_La_Mexicana/Welcome.html -hidden gem in union sq somerville. this place used to be primarily take-out but recently remodeled and now has a full bar and dinner menu. Chronicle even mentioned my favorite dish here, the Enchilada Rellenos Combo which it seems is a best seller! The owner, Jim Baab is a super nice guy and someone I root for. He not only makes great authentic cheap mexican food, but also totally gets the internet. He has a Facebook page and is always updating me on their special events. Jim, I promise I will be coming by real soon and I will be bringing some of my amigos.
check out this great blog with reviews and pics from here: http://www.burritoblog.com/massachusetts/taqueria_la_mexicana/
Punjabi Dhaba-http://royalbharatinc.com/royalbharatincwebsite_017.htm- This place is a little hole in the wall, but the Indian food is great and very authentic. It was adapted after the little Indian food cafes found on the side of the road in India. I have brought many visitors from Bangalore to this place and I am sure they felt right at home. Great place for a late night meal after a few pops in Inman Square at Bukoski's.
Il Panino Express-http://www.thebostonchannel.com/chronicle/19431679/detail.html-another great place for take-out sandwiches and Italian food. They make one of the best prosciutto subs and also have an outstanding chicken parm. Although they featured the North End location, you can also check out their location on Mass Ave in Cambridge between Harvard Sq and Central Sq.
Bottega Brookline-http://www.bottegabrookline.com/- another place they featured that I have not tried. This place looked outstanding and the value seemed amazing. Wonderful looking Pasta Al Pesce and Spinach Gnoccih.
Here is a link to last night's video segments in case you missed it:
http://www.thebostonchannel.com/chronicle/19394308/detail.html
Enjoy,
Brian aka The Boston Food Critic
Posted on Fri, Apr 24, 2009 @ 06:52 AM
Let's face it Boston cannot touch NYC in terms of being the deli capital of the world. Having worked in downtown Boston for many years and more recently Kendall Square, I have struggled to find a great sandwich, sub, hoagie, etc. As Warren Zevon said when faced with death, "Enjoy every sandwich". Local Cambridge eatery, All Star Sandwich Bar even has a "no wrap" policy!
Definition From Wikipedia: In the United States, a court in Boston, Massachusetts ruled that "sandwich" includes at least two slices of bread. [2], and "under this definition and as dictated by common sense, this court finds that the term "sandwich" is not commonly understood to include burritos, tacos, and quesadillas, which are typically made with a single tortilla and stuffed with a choice filling of meat, rice, and beans."
So where are the best places in Boston and beyond to enjoy every sandwich?
Here is a list of my favorites:
Best of Boston:
Al's State Street Cafe: http://www.alsstatestreetcafe.com/
The Italian Cafe: http://italian-cafe.com/
Both places above have similiar menu's. You cannot go wrong with the Italian's Italian, Prosciutto, or the Steak and Cheese. The subs are huge and very reasonably priced. The best part is their bread and the neatness of every morsel. Bonus pts if you know the story behind these places and which one is owned by WEEI caller "Al from Everett"
The Parish Cafe: http://www.parishcafe.com/index2.html- you cannot go wrong with a sandwich menu designed by all the best chefs around boston and a great selection of microbrews. the wings here are also amazing.
Chacarero: http://www.chacarero.com/ -you know the drill....if you don't well, I cannot help you.
Sorry Sam LaGrassa's......way overrated.
Outside of Boston:
Linden Deli in Wellesley: http://lindenstore.com/ -favorites here include the Linden Special, Hot Italian and The Dude Ranch. Runner Up: Roast Beef, Bacon, Swiss w/ Russian Dressing
All Star Sandwich Bar in Camridge: http://www.allstarsandwichbar.com/-another genius idea from celeb chef Chris Schlesinger who owns East Coast Grille right down the street. My favorite here is the Atomic Meatloaf Meltdown. Bonus pts and cholesterol if you order the Poutine.
Bob's of Medford: http://www.bobsfood.com/ -favorites here include the Imported Italian, Chicken Parm and the Prosciutto subs.
The Meat Spot in Watertown: http://mymeatspot.com/ the daily specials are always good, but I also love the chicken and greek salad sub.
Convenient FoodMart in Westwood: no website, doh! This place is a hidden gem! very creative menu with decorative signs on the wall explaining each mouth-waterting sub. my favorite is the Buffalo Bill's sub. Buffalo chicken, blue cheese and jalapenos!
Carl's in Waltham: http://www.thecheesesteakguys.com/ one of the best steak and cheese places around! Go for the small because the large will set you back a few days. I usually get the steak and cheese with peppers, onions, mushrooms and pepperoni. Typically referred to as the "Steak Bomb" in some places.
"Every every sandwich!"- Warren Zevon
Brian aka the Boston Food Critic
Posted on Mon, Apr 06, 2009 @ 08:56 PM
Just finished a wonderful dinner of baked cod encrusted with panko bread crumbs served over some greens and topped with a mixture of roasted red peppers, eggplant, onions, etc.
Did you just at dine at Oleana, you might ask? Nope, but I did just dine at the super economical, Kat's Kitchen. Now sipping on one of my favorite varietals(Oyster Bay Sauvignon Blanc from the Marlborough region of New Zealand) and listening to Ellis Paul's newest album, Live at Eddie's Attic. Get it now as it is a limited edition. Did I mention I love music? Ok, Sorry. Story for another day, another blog, another website......
OLEANA. Another Kendall Sq. restaurant and winner of the James Beard Award in 2005. Arabic influenced foods of the Mediterranean. It is only my favorite restaurant in the Boston area.
I have eaten here about 3 times and each time, I have been "wowed". Every bite, Every sip of wine paired perfectly with the help of their super educated waitstaff.
The atmosphere can be very different depending on where you get sat and what time of year it is. Although I prefer sitting outside in the spring or summer on their newly designed patio, the inside in the winter can also be quite comforting especially if you get sat by the wood stove.
The menu also varies quite a bit depending on the season as they tend to use the freshest seasonal ingredients from their own local farm.
Ok, so I am sure you are wondering, what do I order?
For starters, you have to try the Fried Mussels, Hot Peppers & Turkish Tarator Sauce!
Dinner entrees tend to vary depending on season, but the specials always seem to be the way to go. I once had the most amazing mix of grilled pork, goat cheese, greens, etc.
Some staples that tend to stay on the menu include: Lamb Steak with Turkish Spices & Fava Bean Moussaka or Flattened Lemon Chicken with Za'atar & Turkish Cheese Pancake.
Oleana: www.oleanarestaurant.com
Although this place probably won't fit into the definition of a mid-level or moderately priced restaurant, you still have to EAT here!!
Enjoy!
-Brian aka The Boston Food Critic
Posted on Mon, Apr 06, 2009 @ 06:58 PM
Just got home and decided to crank up some Peter Bruntnell while I update my blog and get started with the topic at hand. I am sure you are begging the question, What is a mid-level restaurant? and Why are you picking mid-level restaurants? Boston has so many great, overhyped, overpriced and overpublicized restaurants, why not go there? Well, last time I checked we are in a recession and most do not have the discretionary income to eat out at Rialto every night.
In talking with a co-worker today, I gave him an overview of the idea behind my blog and gave him my best pitch on why The Helmand in Cambridge, (almost Boston) is a great example of a mid-level, moderately priced restaurant. Of course, he bought it.
So here goes. The Helmand, http://www.helmandrestaurantcambridge.com/
Great atmosphere, decent service, great food and most important, unreal value. I was introduced to The Helmand by a friend and former co-worker who actually helped inspire the idea behind this website and blog. So thank you Dmitry for your inspiration and for making me the 2nd pickiest food critic in Boston proper.
The experience at the Helmand begins the minute you pick up the phone to call and make a reservation. Not only are they hard to come by, but you might be greeted with what I like to call the "reservation nazi", inspired by the soup nazi on Seinfeld. Once you get past her, here is how your experience into the Afghan world will go.....
You will be sat in a very comfortable, homey feeling dining room, very similar to what you might find in some of the larger victorian houses around boston. There is although one exception, clay ovens.
Bread will soon arrive fresh from the ovens and will be accompanied by the best dipping sauce you have ever tasted. There are actually three of them, but the green one is all you need to worry about. It will change your life.
Upon first glance of the menu you might be a bit confused as you have probably not heard of many of the dishes. Keep in mind that the food is in some ways very similiar to Indian food and that if you have ordered Indian food, you will be able to survive. If you get confused, take a minute to check out the value priced wine menu. May I suggest one of my favorite Pinot Noir's, try the La Crema from Sonoma. I think they have it on the menu for just under $30 which is a great deal considering it costs $20+ in most wine stores.
First step, order the Kaddo. It is unreal and like nothing you have ever tasted, unless of course you eat pumpkin with yogurt and meat sauce around Halloween.
Secondly, I would recommend any of the lamb dishes as that is really their specialty. If you don't like lamb, then go with either the Mourgh Salata or Mourgh Kabab.
Ok, I will shut up now and let you enjoy your dinner. Don't forget to tip the waiter or waitress and remember to walk out with a smile on your face as you just had a memorable meal for just under $100!
Just don't tell the "reservation nazi" I sent you ;)
Enjoy,
Brian
Posted on Fri, Mar 20, 2009 @ 11:37 AM
I have always thought that many of Boston's restaurants are overrated, overhyped, overpriced, and way over publicized. It is hard to begin to compare a place like Boston to NYC, but it seems Boston restaurants are just not as consistent and volume is typicaly driven by good PR. Take for example every time you read The Improper Bostonian, Stuff at Night or Boston Magazine, turn on Phantom Gourmet, TV Diner, Chronicle, etc. All these local news sources tend to dictate and publicize these restaurants and create buzz. If your like me, upon reading and seeing these articles you begin to believe the hype only to find that upon eating at many of these establishments you walk away feeling disappointed. I have no problem spending money on food and paying $200 for dinner as long as I walk away saying "Wow"! Very rarely have I left a restaurant in Boston saying that...What I mean by "wow" is that every bite wowed me, every sip of wine paired nicely with my meal and everytime you needed something the waiter or waitress was there to lend a hand. I will digress from picking on some of the more overhyped and overpublicized places I have been in Boston, but I will point out a few "Wow" moments. Two places that come to mind happen to be located close to my place of work in Kendall Sq. for the last 5+yrs. The Helmand, an Afghani restaurant over by Cambridgeside Galleria and Oleana, an Arabic influenced Mediterranean restaurant.
Enjoy and I look forward to your comments on my first ever blog post!
-Brian aka The Boston Food Critic