Category Archives: Restaurant Review

Restaurant review: Atlantic Fish Co.

Posted on November 23, 2011 | 2 comments

Last week I met my close friend and fellow blogger, Tracey, for lunch at one of my favorite seafood restaurants in Boston.  For years, this restaurant has consistently provided excellent seafood in a pleasant setting with skilled servers. When I lived in the Back Bay (where this establishment is located) I think I went here weekly.

Atlantic Fish Co. has been serving the public since the late 70s and is part of the Back Bay Restaurant Group, which also owns establishments like Abe & Louie’s which happens to be a few doors down on Boylston Street.  Despite the fact that I think this place may serve the best New England Clam Chowder in the city, I had not been here in quite awhile.  If you are on a budget and are afraid Atlantic might break your budget, consider joining them for lunch.  Day menus always seem to be cheaper than their evening counterparts and it is the same food.

Complementary bread / cup of New England clam chowder $5.00

Immediately after ordering lunch, a basket of warm breads arrived and shortly thereafter the chowder which I referenced previously.  The bread was soft and warm and the chowder was creamy with large chunks of potatoes and clams.  The combination of the two together was so satisfying I wished I had ordered a bowl rather than the cup. However, considering I ordered my standby “Fish and Chips” it was probably best since I can only ingest so many calories without feeling some pinch of guilt.  Like Atlantic’s chowder, I think their Fish and Chips is among the best in the city, but I’ll let the picture tell the full story.

Fish and Chips $13.00

We opted to lunch at Atlantic’s beautiful bar rather than requesting a table. Often one sacrifices a bit of attention and service when dining at the bar since bartenders can be harried making drinks for the floor while serving patrons who “belly up to the bar”, but this is one of the few places I’ve dined regularly and feel no slight.  The bartenders were friendly, attentive and extremely helpful going the extra distance by calling the kitchen when I had a question about an item not on their lunch menu. If you are looking for some delicious New England seafood on your next visit to Boston – check out Atlantic Fish Co.

Located at 761 Boylston Street in the Back Bay, (617) 267-4000

Reservations are strongly recommended
Atlantic Fish Co. on Urbanspoon

2 Comments

Posted in Back Bay, Restaurant Review

Tagged , , ,

Restaurant review: Lucca Back Bay

Posted on November 16, 2011 | 4 comments

Last January I shared a glowing review of Lucca Back Bay. I returned again for a visit in the spring of 2011 and had a similar experience so I was happy to go again this past weekend to celebrate a friend’s birthday.

Perhaps we had a new waiter, but at nearly every turn she detracted from the dining experience.  She did not offer the night’s two specials and actually forgot the second entirely.  Throughout the meal errors like not filling empty wine glasses or inquiring if we’d like to order another bottle when we ran empty all happened one after another, making me wonder if I was eating at a quiet discount Italian chain.

Problems with service were exacerbated because one of the friends did not care for the gnocchi they ordered.   To make sure he was not being overly critical I sampled his plate, and agree it was (at best) mediocre.   Lest you think I’m overly negative, I would like to assure you that we did have a good time (after all its the company that makes the evening) and the four other main dishes were delicious.

For those contemplating a visit, pasta plates range from $23-$36 and main courses or “secondi” range from $28-$36. Dinner for two (appetizers, main dishes and a shared dessert – not including drinks or tip) is ~ $90.00. 

Lucca in the Back Bay is at 116 Huntington Ave Boston, MA
Reservations strongly recommended, Tel: (617) 247 2400

Lucca Back Bay on Urbanspoon

4 Comments

Posted in Back Bay, Restaurant Review

Tagged , , ,

Restaurant review: Teatro

Posted on November 11, 2011 | 3 comments

Teatro is an Italian restaurant nestled between Boston’s theater district and Downtown Crossing across the street from the Boston Common.

The restaurant is part of the Columbus Hospitality Group which own several high profile dining establishments in the city and like many of it’s sister restaurants, has stood the test of time.

The menu is mostly comprised of handmade pastas and risotto dishes $20 (half portions for $10 available) and main dishes (all $22).  The average cost of dinner for two including a shared starter, two main courses, a shared dessert and one drink per person (not including tip) is $80-$90. The restaurant can be quite loud and bustling so one shouldn’t assume a fine dining experience when visiting Teatro, but the food is consistently good, reasonably priced and a fun place to meet friends for a good meal.

Depicted below is the Rigatoni with classic Ragu Bolognese ($20) and Chicken Milanese with tomatoes, arugula and Parmesan ($22). Dinner was very good and the portions are filling enough for even those with a healthy appetite.  However, we were undeterred and opted to also sample the dessert menu. Depicted below is the Gelato and Chocolate Crema, which is like a thick mousse and sure to please a chocoholic. (All desserts are $7.)

Teatro is open Tuesday through Sunday and located at 177 Tremont Street. Reservations are strongly recommended, 617-778-6841.
Teatro on Urbanspoon

3 Comments

Posted in Restaurant Review

Tagged , , ,

Restaurant review: Firebrand Saints

Posted on November 4, 2011 | Leave a comment

Last month I was invited to Firebrand Saints on the first night their kitchen was open and serving food to the public.  For this reason, I’m going to defer my customary review which takes into account the service and can be critical of the food.  This is not to infer that either the service or food was displeasing, but it was hardly a typical night that can provide an accurate review.

The restaurant / bar is located in the heart of Kendall Square in Cambridge and joins a handful of other new dining establishments in the area.  Local media has joked that Firebrand Saints is marketing itself to MIT, Mensa-types, and FBS plays this up with cheeky touches like bathroom signage written in Japanese, reminding employees to wash their hands.  The bar must have 20 outlets for one to charge your phone, tablet or laptop, and there is plenty of visual stimuli to keep even a dull date going with the ever changing LED programmed words racing behind the bar and distracting wall projections.

The menu is a bit pedestrian for my liking but the price point makes it a place you can visit a few times each week without putting a serious dent in your wallet. The bar serves an excellent assortment of ales and with John Drew (former bartender at the South End’s Anchovies) those who crave cocktails will find an adept mixologist who is quick, personable and excellent at pouring drinks.

Below are: FBS-styled deviled eggs ($4) cold poached lobster salad ($18) and sirloin burger ($9).  You can view their entire menu online here.

Firebrand Saints is located at 1 Broadway, Cambridge MA                                         (617) 401-3399 – Reservations accepted
Firebrand Saints on Urbanspoon

Leave a comment

Posted in Restaurant Review

Tagged , , ,

South End chocolate chip cookie tasting

Posted on October 25, 2011 | 2 comments

At the risk of expanding my waistline, I enlisted two friends this weekend to help me evaluate where the best chocolate chip cookies are sold in the South End.

The result of this sampling which included a weighted ranking system evaluating taste, appearance and size as key factors from three cookie connoisseurs may surprise you.  None of the locations were tipped off that this sampling was going to take place and cookies were randomly selected by the unsuspecting purveyors of chocolate chip cookies.  The locations included (alphabetically): Appleton Bakery, Flour, Francesca’s, Jaho, South End Buttery, South End Formaggio and Wholy Grain.

Although photos show the cookies labelled, during the tasting the labels were not visible.  Without a doubt the absolute best cookie (unanimously agreed upon by all) was from the bakery at Appleton Cafe with a ranking of 79.5.  This cookie scored high in all three categories: taste, appearance and size, and was soft with plenty of good chocolate chips. I had to fight the urge to dip it in my milk. The cookie from Flour bakery was the runner-up scoring 71 points.  In my opinion the chocolate used in this cookie was superior to all giving it a rich flavoring.

Listed below is the complete ranking of those bakeries and cafes sampled along with the cost of purchase and final score earned by each cookie.

Much thanks to Ben Samson and Ryan Losey two South End residents and chocolate chip cookie aficionados who helped in the blind tasting.

*Amsterdam Cafe, Berkeley Perk, Blunch, Greenlight Cafe, and Stella Cafe were not included either because they were not open or did not have chocolate chip cookies available at the time of purchase.

2 Comments

Posted in Restaurant Review, South End

Tagged , , , , , , , , ,

Restaurant review: The OTHERside cafe

Posted on October 20, 2011 | 2 comments

Always on the look out for a good cheap eats, the OTHERside Cafe has been a dive I’ve enjoyed since I moved to Boston in the late 90s.  The name refers to the location of the cafe which is on the “other side” of Mass. Avenue technically on Newbury Street extension, but its also a mindset for a place that clearly embraces its bohemian vibe and is more in line with a Cantabrigian than a Bostonian.

This cheap eats with oodles of personality is also vegetarian friendly with several options like their vegetarian chili (which I think is the best in the city). The menu is large and comprised of appetizers, salads, burritos, and sandwiches, ranging in price from $6-$12. If you like a cold beverage, smoothies as well as more than a dozen craft beers on tap make for great alternatives.  All are welcome, but the OTHERside mostly appeals to students and 20-somethings. All salads come on over-sized plates. Pictured below is the “Mozz Salad” a mozzarella salad with mixed greens, veggies and bread ($10) and the tuna salad which has mixed greens, veggies, apples and a heaping scoop of tuna ($10.75). Salad ingredients were fresh and very filling. Leaving us more than satisfied and happy with our respective choices. The OTHERside cafe is located at 407 Newbury Street and open 7-days a week (opening at 11:30am daily and 10am on Saturday and Sunday).
The Other Side Cafe on Urbanspoon

2 Comments

Posted in Restaurant Review

Tagged , , ,

Cheers to Union’s new menu

Posted on October 16, 2011 | Leave a comment

This weekend Union Bar and Grille shook things up by changing their menu, presumably to entice more patrons.  The new menu is essentially divided into four sections: Snacks ($2-$4), Salads and Appetizers ($6-$12), Main Plates ($15-$24).  The menu also has several sides (referred to as xtras) as well as a section noted by a large bold asterisk that includes a few raw options and a daily charcuterie plate. A number of new cocktails have been added, and I think tequila drinkers will definitely enjoy, Conquistador ($9), which is very smooth and fragrant with its citrus and clove garnish.

In an attempt to sample a bit of everything we ordered two “snacks” as the menu refers to them.  Maine crabmeat toast ($3) and pork & pickled onion taco ($4). The toast depicted bottom left was good but I preferred the taste of the grilled pork soft tacos which were served as a pair.We followed the “snacks” with another new plate, the squash gnocchi ($12), which is listed as a “first” (a.k.a. appetizers).  The buttery sauce combined with squash, “garlic fudge” and fresh cheese was to be my favorite plate of the night. Although this is listed as an appetizer, one could have this and a salad and leave very content for the night. It was refreshing to see so many new options, but I was curious to try the burger which had changed last year (they no longer include the ground sausage) and was one of the few items to be kept on the new menu.  I loved their original burger but found it hard to critique the option on the menu now.  Union still has one of the best burgers in town (albeit one of the more expensive ones too at $15).  We also tried a new entrant to the menu, the bourbon glazed pork chop with rice ($23).  I found this the least interesting of all the food we tried and a tad over cooked. While dining we were able to see several other plates served and the other options at least visually were far more interesting. The restaurant’s move is bold considering signature dishes like their 10K Tuna (which I thought to be one of the best in the city) is now gone.  Will long-time patrons be pleased with the changes? Will the new menu with a lower price point and more options win over new customers? Its hard to say, but the plates and price point puts Union more in line with many South End restaurants like the South End Gallows, Stephi’s on Tremont and Stella.

Union has a knowledgeable and friendly staff as well as a talented chef in Langlois so I’m hopeful that with a few tweaks the menu will be a hit.

Union is located at 1357 Washington Street (617) 423-0555                   Reservations are strongly recommended.

Union Bar and Grille on Urbanspoon

Leave a comment

Posted in Restaurant Review

Tagged , , , , ,

Restaurant review: La Barrique (NYC)

Posted on October 11, 2011 | Leave a comment

Last week during my visit to NYC, I was able to have a quiet dinner at La Barrique – a French wine bar in Midtown on 39th Street between 5th & 6th Ave. The place has a cozy vibe and when you walk in from the street the first thing you will notice is a long rustic bar that seems to attract a boisterous after work crowd.  The back of the restaurant is a bit less loud and depending on where you are seated provides an excellent view to people watch.

The French menu is divided into four parts; appetizers ($7-$13), main dishes ($20-$32), mussels and french fries (all $17) and burgers ($12-$14).  The wine menu is also very accessible with glasses $9 and bottles $32.

I started with a surprisingly good salad ($8.95) that came with clumps of goat cheese the size of quarters nestled between citrus, walnuts and greens.  It was brought to the table right after being served my wine and warmed bread.  The trio of salad, wine and bread really proved to be very satisfying.

While I enjoyed my main dish of fettucine with crab ($16.95) , I think I chose poorly and should have opted for one of the half dozen options for mussels and fries.  The “moules frites” looked delicious, were nearly universally ordered.

Dinner at La Barrique was very reasonable and I’m glad I came to this tiny wine bar.  My meal which included house greens, a large pasta plate and a glass of a Cotes du Rhone was $38.00 without tip. That’s tough to beat in a place like NYC.

La Barrique is located at 38 West 39th Street (212) 997-3910

La Barrique on Urbanspoon

Leave a comment

Posted in NYC, Restaurant Review

Tagged , ,

Restaurant Review: Remi (NYC)

Posted on October 5, 2011 | 1 comment

On occasion work brings me to New York City and earlier today I had the difficult task of identifying appropriate wines for an important program that my firm would be hosting.   Sometimes, I’ll admit, I’m a very lucky man.

To make certain I didn’t fall over we combined the tasting with a lunch.  The place we went to is an Italian restaurant called Remi. The lunch menu is divided into anti pasti ranging from $11.50 – $17.50;  insalate ranging from $9.50-$12.50; main plates (primi piatta) of homemade pasta ranging from $18.00-$24.50; and signature plates & entrees ranging from $19.50-$39.50.

The place attracts a large lunch crowd of business men and women, and features a nice patio.  The main room which is depicted above is nicely designed and comfortable.

Salmone dell’Atlantico – $29.50 (for lunch)

For lunch I selected the Atlantic Salmon.  Generally I prefer my salmon slightly rare and with as little on it as possible, but Remi’s plate came with potato crust, which added texture that complimented the fish.  Under the fillet was a sweet bell pepper sauce that did little for my taste buds, but was visually appealing and a side of sauteed garlic spinach that was so unbelieveably good I inhaled it all: caveat emptor, if you’re not a fan of garlic stay away from the spinach.

I’m not sure if I would venture to Remi’s on my own since I rarely choose to spend time in midtown when visiting NYC, but based on my experience here I would suggest it for a business lunch or dinner.

Remi is located at 145 West 53rd Street (between 6th and 7th Ave)    Reservations are strongly recommended (212) 581-4242
Remi on Urbanspoon

1 Comment

Posted in NYC, Restaurant Review

Tagged , , , ,

Restaurant Review: Temazcal Tequila Cantina

Posted on September 29, 2011 | Leave a comment

Temazcal is a trendy tequila restaurant located at Liberty Wharf in the Seaport District of Boston. The transformation of this block still surprises me when I visit Liberty Wharf, which also houses Legal Harborside (Legal Seafood’s largest restaurant), Jerry Remy’s Sports Bar and Grille, and Del Frisco’s Steak House.

Temazcal is a visually appealing destination. The large bar, dining room and patio make the most of the waterfront views available from Liberty Wharf.  When seated, patrons are provided iPads to review menu items which include delicious looking photographs (all the more to tempt you with I suppose).  You can view their menu online here.  Main plates range from $17-$32; the tacos, tamales and quesadillas (which are also quite filling) range from $14-$16.   While I’ve admitted in past reviews that I’m no authority on Mexican cuisine, I do feel like I am an authority on Fish Tacos which is a personal favorite dish, and Temazcal’s take on this staple plate did not disappoint.  Their fish taco is a beer battered mahi-mahi in a soft corn tortilla and dressed with pickled cabbage, watercress chipotle aioli, Julienned pickled jalapinos and thinly sliced radishes. A meal which includes a shared appetizer, two main plates and a shared dessert (no drinks or tip included) would range from $60 – $75. However, if you opt to eat the complementary chips and order tacos and quesidillas in lieu of ordering a separate appetizer or ordering from the full entrees the price drops to ~$40+; more than reasonable in my opinion.  I’ve heard mixed things about this restaurant, and I was not crazy about the Red Snapper which I was able to try, or several of the other main dinner plates, but overall I like space and neither our food or service disappointed.

Temacazal Tequila Cantina is located at Liberty Wharf 250 Northern Ave.  Dinner reservations are strongly recommended – Tel: (617)439-3502
Temazcal Tequila Cantina on Urbanspoon

Leave a comment

Posted in Restaurant Review

Tagged , , ,

Restaurant Review: Area Four

Posted on September 24, 2011 | Leave a comment

Area Four opened in late May in Kendall Square. By day it serves people who work in the labs and technology offices in the neighborhood, and by night it attracts a young, hip crowd.

Following a popular trend, Area Four strives to incorporate a sustainable model, serving locally grown food which causes it to change its menu regularly. However, the menu always includes a fair number of small plates, salads, and pizzas as well as a few main dishes.  Area Four has a full liquor license. Beer drinkers will be happy to see a number of tempting locally crafted beers.Dinner for two including two shared small plates / salad, pizza and a shared dessert will cost approximately $50 (drinks and tip not included). For our meal we started with the arugula salad with apples, beets, candied walnuts, and a cider vinaigrette, which was crisp and delicious. The meal followed with a decadently rich and creamy mac & cheese topped with croissant crumbs (mmm)…The two starters were my favorite part of the meal, but the thin crust pizza served from the restaurant’s wood fired oven was delicious too. We opted for the mushroom and fontina pizza.I normally skip dessert, preferring to imbibe my calories but tonight we splurged and tried the sundae made from homemade soft serve ice cream with marshmallow and candied nuts as well as an olive oil chocolate cake with creme fraiche, salted caramel sauce and cookie crumble and some deliciously rich coffee, which comes from a local roasting company called Barrington Coffee.Area Four is at 500 Technology Square (Kendall Square) in Cambridge             Tel: (617) 758-4444  Reservations only available for parties of 8 or more.

Area Four on Urbanspoon

Leave a comment

Posted in Restaurant Review

Tagged , , ,

Restaurant Review: Pigalle Boston

Posted on July 30, 2011 | 2 comments

Pigalleis conveniently located just blocks from the Boston Common and near where the Theater District and Bay Village meet. This weekend’s menu offers patrons the choice of a 3-course prix fixe menu for $40.00 or ordering a la carte. Dining prix fixe is the more economical choice with starters ranging from $14-$23 and main dishes ranging from $29-$44.

The staff is a bit formal but very helpful and the space is comfortable with ample sized tables and seats mixed with cozy banquettes all dimly lit with bossa nova playing in the background creating for a rather romantic setting.

Food was creatively prepared and delicious; exactly what I would expect from a French restaurant with entrees in this range. I started with gazpacho that was served in a teapot and poured into my bowl it came plated with grilled calamari, cherry tomatoes, avocado and basil infused oil. Sergio opted for the prix fixe and started with an arugula salad that exploded with flavor between the fingerling potato crisps, and fried (OMG!!) goat cheese croutons.I ordered the baked sole with potato gnocchi stuffed with horseradish potato on a bed of sautéed spinach and red onion with caper and buerre blanc.Sergio had a mushroom risotto with root vegetables and topped with pea tendrils. Although both meals were very flavorful, I think my meal was better. It was also one of the more creative I’ve had in a long time. We finished our dinner sharing Sergio’s dessert, vanilla bean crème brulee which was as consistently delicious as the rest of the food. Dinner is going to put a dent in your wallet, but I’ll come back again.             Pigalle is located at 75 Charles Street South (617) 423-4944                 Reservations strongly recommended.

Pigalle on Urbanspoon

2 Comments

Posted in Restaurant Review

Tagged , , , ,

Restaurant Review: : Zócalo Back Bay

Posted on June 29, 2011 | 1 comment

Zócalo, a Mexican restaurant recently opened in space previously occupied by Stix. The restaurant can accommodate 50+ inside but has a large patio for al fresco dining for lunch or dinner. Zócalo is owned by chef Erwin Ramos who also owns the very successful, Olé Mexican Grill in Cambridge.

Over the past year, Boston has seen several new Mexican restaurants open. Boston has not embraced Mexican cuisine and until recently, I could only name 2-3 Mexican restaurants in the area. So take my review with a grain of salt because my exposure to Mexican cuisine is limited at best. I’ve noted that the reviews of this new restaurant are very mixed, but my experience was pleasant from start to finish.

Dinner at Zócalo including an appetizer, main dish and dessert (no drink or tip included) will cost approximately $30.00 – $35.00 per person. Main dishes range from $17.00-$23.00.

Before our meal, I started with a delicious martini at the downstairs bar. My friends all indulged in a variety of margaritas; of which the passion fruit seemed the best. The service, starting with the bartender and including the patient waitress who helped us with our meal, was good from start to finish. While waiting for the main dishes to come out it was suggested we order sides of guacamole and salsa. These proved to be my favorite part of the meal. If dinner is not an option, grabbing some drinks and delving into the oversized portions of guacamole or homemade salsa is a great alternative.

For my main I opted for the chile rellenos. I thought the two roasted poblano peppers were very good. One was stuffed with cheese, spinach, raisins and almonds and the other with braised pork. The dinner also comes with a side of black beans and plantains, which strangely, I did not care for. The cheese on the beans tasted off and the plantains were too tough.

Chile Rellenos – $19.95

If you are looking to try someplace different or have a hankering for Mexican cuisine, give this place a try. The inside is very nice, the staff was friendly and in good weather you can make use of their oversized patio. Should you go, let me know your thoughts.

Zócalo is located at 35 Stanhope Street (617) 456-7849
Reservations not required but strongly recommended
Zocalo Cocina Mexicana on Urbanspoon

1 Comment

Posted in Back Bay, Restaurant Review

Tagged , , , ,

$2 Taco Tuesday Nights

Posted on June 15, 2011 | 5 comments

Every Tuesday, Tremont647 and adjoining Sister Sorel have a selection of $2.00 tacos you can order for dinner. Last night, I was going to join my friend and fellow blogger, 40Something Life, for dinner but plans changed when the weather did not cooperate so I opted to head over to Sister Sorel.

I’m a huge fan of cheap eats and one can have quite a dinner (beer included) all for about $10.00 on Tuesday’s at Tremont647 or Sister Sorel. That’s hard to beat. If you live in Boston or are visiting on a Tuesday night, its worth checking out. Although Tremont647 is larger and better known, I’m partial to eating at the shabby little sister restaurant, Sister Sorel and its candlelit bar.

What you see below are three tacos: lamb and yogurt; mushroom, cheese and poblano peppers; and finally fish and mango tacos. In addition, I ordered a delicious side of guacamole (paid extra for that bit) and my favorite redneck beer, PBR.

Tremont 647 on Urbanspoon

5 Comments

Posted in Restaurant Review

Tagged , , , , ,

Restaurant Review: Stephi’s on Tremont

Posted on June 12, 2011 | 1 comment

Almost without fail, every Sunday I go out for breakfast. It’s a routine that I very much enjoy and thanks to the neighborhood that I live, there are plenty of options all within just a few blocks.

Ever since Stephi’s on Tremont opened in March of 2009 it’s been embraced by the neighborhood. It was a welcome replacement to the predecessor, which had become run down. Stephi’s owners (also the owners of Stephanie’s on Newbury) transformed the space into a 60+ seat restaurant that is always busy.

The weekend brunch menu for Stephi’s will appeal even to the pickiest of eaters with an even number of breakfast and lunch options ranging in price from $10-$16. Portion size is large no matter what you order and service is consistent. If you make a reservation and don’t want to sit on their sidewalk patio, I always recommend requesting one of the oversized booths at the front of the restaurant that provide you a birds eye view of the pedestrian traffic that never seems to end and often is great for people watching.

My preferred breakfast item is Stephi’s 3-egg omelet filled w/ smoked salmon, fried capers and a side of home fries. I also ask for the cream cheese on the side (otherwise they stuff that in the omelet too – and its just too much for me).

Smoked Salmon Omelet from Stephi’s $12.00


Stephi’s on Tremont is located at 571 Tremont Street in the South End
Reservations: Not required but suggested (617) 236-2063
Stephi's on Tremont on Urbanspoon

1 Comment

Posted in Restaurant Review, South End

Tagged , , , ,