Anyone home?
13 years ago
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Somewhere to dream about...
Maybe for a post-baby date-night (so that I can enjoy the wine pairing)... a NEW restaurant in Boston by Barbara Lynch-- Menton!
Saturday, March 27, 2010
Burrrrrrrito Wars
Most Bostonians can easily answer the question, "Boca Grande or Anna's Taqueria" without pondering for even a second. I used to say, Anna's, hands down! But, after a recent last minute decision to actually perform a true comparison, I am now confident that the better Burrito is at Boca. Shocking, I know...
A couple of weeks ago, we bought two burritos. To make things fair, we ordered the same basic chicken burrito at both establishments. Regular tortilla, rice, pintos, extra 'salsa', hot sauce, cheese and chicken. Also, we got extra salsa for each.
We took these giants home, cut them in half, and devoured. As it turns out, not only was Boca the cheaper Burrito (about $7 versus about $8, with a salsa side for each) but it was the tastier one. It seems there was something smoky and yummy about the tomatoes that just was missing in the Anna's burrito. Overall, although Anna's burrito was yummy (and I will continue to eat them), we realized why we are always ordering extra salsa to go with it... It's sort of bland without it. The Boca burrito, on the other hand, was notably more interesting in the ole boca.
Kind of like the breakfast war in Somerville, the burrito war is a real thing.
According to the ever-trusted authority, wikipedia:
"Boca Grande was founded in 1986 by Mariko Kamio. The restaurant was modeled on Gordo's Taqueria, a successful San Francisco restaurant owned by Kamio's cousin. Mariko's brother, Michael Kamio, briefly joined the restaurant before founding his own chain of restaurants, Anna's Taqueria."
"The first Anna's Taqueria was founded by Michael Kamio and located in Brookline's Coolidge Corner in 1995 after a disagreement with his sister Mariko Kamio."
Rumor has it that the family feud continues. But, the competition, I can appreciate. My taste buds are pleased :). Either way, it's s gastronomic success-- just remember extra salsa at Anna's!! Oh yeah, and one extra bonus point goes to Boca Grande, where you can use a credit card. Anna's, on the other hand, remains a cash only business.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
A couple of weeks ago, we bought two burritos. To make things fair, we ordered the same basic chicken burrito at both establishments. Regular tortilla, rice, pintos, extra 'salsa', hot sauce, cheese and chicken. Also, we got extra salsa for each.
We took these giants home, cut them in half, and devoured. As it turns out, not only was Boca the cheaper Burrito (about $7 versus about $8, with a salsa side for each) but it was the tastier one. It seems there was something smoky and yummy about the tomatoes that just was missing in the Anna's burrito. Overall, although Anna's burrito was yummy (and I will continue to eat them), we realized why we are always ordering extra salsa to go with it... It's sort of bland without it. The Boca burrito, on the other hand, was notably more interesting in the ole boca.
Kind of like the breakfast war in Somerville, the burrito war is a real thing.
According to the ever-trusted authority, wikipedia:
"Boca Grande was founded in 1986 by Mariko Kamio. The restaurant was modeled on Gordo's Taqueria, a successful San Francisco restaurant owned by Kamio's cousin. Mariko's brother, Michael Kamio, briefly joined the restaurant before founding his own chain of restaurants, Anna's Taqueria."
"The first Anna's Taqueria was founded by Michael Kamio and located in Brookline's Coolidge Corner in 1995 after a disagreement with his sister Mariko Kamio."
Rumor has it that the family feud continues. But, the competition, I can appreciate. My taste buds are pleased :). Either way, it's s gastronomic success-- just remember extra salsa at Anna's!! Oh yeah, and one extra bonus point goes to Boca Grande, where you can use a credit card. Anna's, on the other hand, remains a cash only business.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Sunday, February 21, 2010
The Breakfast Wars
One thing I LOVE about weekends is the opportunity for going out to breakfast. Today we tried a "new" place, which is the second establishment of a New Hampshire hot spot right in the heart of Kendall Square-- The Friendly Toast. We had been meaning to go here for a while, and had tried to last October after the Breast Cancer walk, but it was WAY too crowded. As we are no longer college students, we have no trouble getting to breakfast earlier and earlier, so we decided to hit the Friendly Toast for a 9:30 AM Sunday breakfast. Indeed, the waiting list was only just forming when we arrived and the tables were filled with families enjoying their Sunday morning treats. We were fortunate to be a "party of two" and did not have to wait even one second for a table.
The decor is on the ridiculously kitchy side, each table even having its own animal-shaped 1970's ceramics class figurine sugar bowl. The staff is best described as edgy (in the style sense, not the unfriendly sense, because indeed, the Friendly Toast staff is friendly).
The menu was a little tough to read, in my opinion, because it's filled with graphics and varied fonts. While we probably should have gone for the more "signature" dishes, we decided to go for a breakfast staple-- which helps with comparing various breakfast joints in the city and around. We ordered (to share, as we often do at breakfast to allow for both sweet and savory satisfaction), three slices of french toast made with homemade cinnamon raisin bread, and an omelet of our own creation (artichoke hearts, fresh basil, sun dried tomato, and provolone-- they did NOT have mozzarella, but had nearly every other cheese you would want in an omelet). The omelet was served with, what I would consider, the best home fries you can find. A mix of red and white potatoes, chopped in varied fashion, with onions and a bit of spiciness to it. REALLY SUPER GOOD! The omelet was also served with slices of homemade bread, and I chose the "anadama," which was quite good as well. The toast slices are more than generously thick... and that's a warning on ordering french toast! We did not realize this and ordered three slices, which were gargantuan. Nonetheless, we managed to eat it all.
While the homemade bread was impressive, the best french toast in the Boston area is maybe a tossup between Zaftigs, where they invented (I think) the stuffed challah french toast, and Ball Square Cafe, which I maintain is the best all-around breakfast. Ball Square does a few things especially wonderfully - (1) Omelets with the mashed-potato style home fries -- the variety of fresh ingredients is awesome, (2) Waffles piled high with fresh fruit including mango, kiwi, watermelon and berries!, and finally (3) French Toast. SoundBites used to get the best breakfast award, but since they moved next store and went big, they just are not the same. For the old Sound Bites experience, go to it's old location and eat at Ball Square.
Finally, the BEST pancakes IN THE WORLD can be found right in Melrose. No kidding. Cappa's Trackside Kitchen on Grove street is unmatched. Don't even bother eating pancakes anywhere else. The blueberry are great, the banana are fantastic, and even the plain will knock your socks off. It's a traditional neighborhood greasy spoon -- no fancy ingredients like fresh basil or mile high fresh fruit waffles, but these pancakes are worth every calorie and worth the wait. They are the lightest and fluffiest and most delicious. But remember to order them sans butter (unless you want to have immediate cardiac arrest) because they'll bring it to you with a monstrous glob of butter.
For those that don't know the true breakfast war story, here is a link. If you are feeling adventurous one weekend, go ahead and try both spots-- one on Saturday and one on Sunday. I recommend getting to SoundBites such that your 35 minute wait for the table allows you to eat at 12 noon, and enjoy a Bloody Mary. Otherwise, get there on the early side (before 10AM) or be prepared to wait quite a while for a table-- and prepare to wait in the cold (though both allow you to bring some hot coffee outside to take the edge off!).
The decor is on the ridiculously kitchy side, each table even having its own animal-shaped 1970's ceramics class figurine sugar bowl. The staff is best described as edgy (in the style sense, not the unfriendly sense, because indeed, the Friendly Toast staff is friendly).
The menu was a little tough to read, in my opinion, because it's filled with graphics and varied fonts. While we probably should have gone for the more "signature" dishes, we decided to go for a breakfast staple-- which helps with comparing various breakfast joints in the city and around. We ordered (to share, as we often do at breakfast to allow for both sweet and savory satisfaction), three slices of french toast made with homemade cinnamon raisin bread, and an omelet of our own creation (artichoke hearts, fresh basil, sun dried tomato, and provolone-- they did NOT have mozzarella, but had nearly every other cheese you would want in an omelet). The omelet was served with, what I would consider, the best home fries you can find. A mix of red and white potatoes, chopped in varied fashion, with onions and a bit of spiciness to it. REALLY SUPER GOOD! The omelet was also served with slices of homemade bread, and I chose the "anadama," which was quite good as well. The toast slices are more than generously thick... and that's a warning on ordering french toast! We did not realize this and ordered three slices, which were gargantuan. Nonetheless, we managed to eat it all.
While the homemade bread was impressive, the best french toast in the Boston area is maybe a tossup between Zaftigs, where they invented (I think) the stuffed challah french toast, and Ball Square Cafe, which I maintain is the best all-around breakfast. Ball Square does a few things especially wonderfully - (1) Omelets with the mashed-potato style home fries -- the variety of fresh ingredients is awesome, (2) Waffles piled high with fresh fruit including mango, kiwi, watermelon and berries!, and finally (3) French Toast. SoundBites used to get the best breakfast award, but since they moved next store and went big, they just are not the same. For the old Sound Bites experience, go to it's old location and eat at Ball Square.
Finally, the BEST pancakes IN THE WORLD can be found right in Melrose. No kidding. Cappa's Trackside Kitchen on Grove street is unmatched. Don't even bother eating pancakes anywhere else. The blueberry are great, the banana are fantastic, and even the plain will knock your socks off. It's a traditional neighborhood greasy spoon -- no fancy ingredients like fresh basil or mile high fresh fruit waffles, but these pancakes are worth every calorie and worth the wait. They are the lightest and fluffiest and most delicious. But remember to order them sans butter (unless you want to have immediate cardiac arrest) because they'll bring it to you with a monstrous glob of butter.
For those that don't know the true breakfast war story, here is a link. If you are feeling adventurous one weekend, go ahead and try both spots-- one on Saturday and one on Sunday. I recommend getting to SoundBites such that your 35 minute wait for the table allows you to eat at 12 noon, and enjoy a Bloody Mary. Otherwise, get there on the early side (before 10AM) or be prepared to wait quite a while for a table-- and prepare to wait in the cold (though both allow you to bring some hot coffee outside to take the edge off!).
Monday, January 18, 2010
A great place to celebrate great things
I finally got my notes back from Delaware, where my notebook had been left in August! So, here's a belated (per the usual schedule) post...
After finishing the marathon that was the July Bar exam, and to celebrate our 3 year wedding anniversary, there was no better place to celebrate than Clio! DELICIOUS.
Of course, for such an occasion, we opted for the tasting menu. FANTASTIC.
Rather than do the wine pairing, which can land one in a ditch after just a few courses, we opted for a bottle of a really excellent 2005 Burgundy-- Chambolle Musigny Conrtolee Jaboulet-Vercherre. We had asked the waiter to recommend a good bottle that would take us all the way through the main course, and he did not disappoint. Excellent service, indeed.
The Amuse Bouche was a tomato-water martini. What is that, you ask? Tomatoes strained through cheesecloth, so that you get all of the flavor and no color, served cold with a big, pickled caperberry. It was dazzling, and defintely whetted the appetite for the gastronomic success that was about to ensue.
Next, onto the yellowfin sashimi w/ garlic oil, then smoked salmon (best ever) with mustard and scallion. Both were delicious dishes, but the salmon stuck out as really amazing in my book. The very next course was the most creative-- a "shades of red" dish that was made up of many different textures of beets and huckleberry. It looked like a sweet dessert, but was actually savory and wonderful. The beet foam was my favorite-- a surprising taste from what looked like a raspberry sorbet.
Yet another dish before the main course followed - butternut squash soup with creme freshe, cranberries, and some kind of toasted nut. As it was August, I enjoyed this so much because it reminded me that fall was coming -- and it would be, thankfully, my first fall without law school stress hanging over my head! The soup was followed by slow cooked cod with saffron broth, then by seabass with eel and crispy blue honey and mushrooms. The crispy honey added a very creative touch. Next, of course, no tasting menu should go without, fois grois. This time served with whikey foam and a poached peach. I loved it, tasted like a fireplace-- in a good way.
Finally, we had braised shortrib with quince and apple puree. I am not a fan of shortrib, but this was good, though my favorite parts of the meal were the fish courses. Oh, and not to be forgotten were the perfectly warm and yummy dinner rolls - I have a note here that "M liked them real bad."
All in all, this tasting menu was fantastic. It may be even our top tasting menu experience in Boston thus far.
After finishing the marathon that was the July Bar exam, and to celebrate our 3 year wedding anniversary, there was no better place to celebrate than Clio! DELICIOUS.
Of course, for such an occasion, we opted for the tasting menu. FANTASTIC.
Rather than do the wine pairing, which can land one in a ditch after just a few courses, we opted for a bottle of a really excellent 2005 Burgundy-- Chambolle Musigny Conrtolee Jaboulet-Vercherre. We had asked the waiter to recommend a good bottle that would take us all the way through the main course, and he did not disappoint. Excellent service, indeed.
The Amuse Bouche was a tomato-water martini. What is that, you ask? Tomatoes strained through cheesecloth, so that you get all of the flavor and no color, served cold with a big, pickled caperberry. It was dazzling, and defintely whetted the appetite for the gastronomic success that was about to ensue.
Next, onto the yellowfin sashimi w/ garlic oil, then smoked salmon (best ever) with mustard and scallion. Both were delicious dishes, but the salmon stuck out as really amazing in my book. The very next course was the most creative-- a "shades of red" dish that was made up of many different textures of beets and huckleberry. It looked like a sweet dessert, but was actually savory and wonderful. The beet foam was my favorite-- a surprising taste from what looked like a raspberry sorbet.
Yet another dish before the main course followed - butternut squash soup with creme freshe, cranberries, and some kind of toasted nut. As it was August, I enjoyed this so much because it reminded me that fall was coming -- and it would be, thankfully, my first fall without law school stress hanging over my head! The soup was followed by slow cooked cod with saffron broth, then by seabass with eel and crispy blue honey and mushrooms. The crispy honey added a very creative touch. Next, of course, no tasting menu should go without, fois grois. This time served with whikey foam and a poached peach. I loved it, tasted like a fireplace-- in a good way.
Finally, we had braised shortrib with quince and apple puree. I am not a fan of shortrib, but this was good, though my favorite parts of the meal were the fish courses. Oh, and not to be forgotten were the perfectly warm and yummy dinner rolls - I have a note here that "M liked them real bad."
All in all, this tasting menu was fantastic. It may be even our top tasting menu experience in Boston thus far.
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