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 Fri, Apr 10, 2009 @ 12:31 PM
I had a few minutes to update my blog and wanted to tell you about a great place near my office in Kendall Square. I cannot believe I overlooked this place and their business model for 5 years while working at Akamai. For those who have not visited Kendall Sq or worked in Kendall Sq, aka the "Dude Ranch", there really is a shortage of good lunch places especially if you just want to grab a quick bite....
Zigo's tagline is "Good food for busy people" and I love it. No food court for this guy!
I have only been here a handful of times since starting my new job, but I am super impressed with the fact that they deliver on what they promise. In addition to being good, it is also pretty healthy which is something I find myself looking for especially since I am slowly being brainwashed by my girlfriend.
Yesterday I tried the Sesame Chicken over Soba noodles, added some soy sauce and was in heaven. I probably should have heated it up, but even cold, it was delicious. The food just seems so fresh.
As described on their website: Sesame crusted chicken, sliced and served over glass noodles, with napa cabbage, snow peas, broccoli, scallions, carrots, red peppers and a spicy Thai peanut sauce.
It seems Zigo really does well catering to local students from M.I.T and techies as they have 2 locations within Kendall Square. Speaking of catering, they also do that.
Ok, well as the tagline says, busy people......back to work now. If your not busy, get out there and try Zigo. http://www.zigo.biz/index.htm
Enjoy!
Brian aka The Boston Food Critic