gini

I do two beef appetizers: filet minion on toast points with horseradish cream fonduta with grilled steak tips and mushroom - so old school, but hey, it works for me!

Wow, really neat gadget - I've always taken a cork screw and a knife sperately, but this gives me ideas! Any of the tea drinkers out there have a link for an excellent water heater/teapot for travel?

Former FOH and BOH person here too - 20% is pretty standard for me, but if the service is terrible, I'll leave nothing. Or a penny just to let them know that I didn't forget, I just noticed how terrible the service was. Vindictive? Maybe. I did make a living through tips at one point in my life though, and it isn't that hard to be a decent server.

Has anyone on this board tried Ivy? Every bottle of wine on their menu is supposedly 24$.

I prefer Neptune's hot lobster roll to B&G's monstrosity. For the most part, the food in the South End seems to be overpriced and mediocre. Not really a great value for your money over all. There are some gems though... I second Troquet. Oleana is indeed lovely, as is Craigie St. The latter's chef's whim for $40 some odd dollars on Wednesday and Sunday nights is such a treat. B&G does have a nice selection of oysters, but again, I urge you to try Neptune. Most of what's been mentioned here doesn't seem to mesh well with being broke. I see that you asked for dinners under $100 - Craigie Street, Oleana, Grotto, and Gargoyle's spring to mind. I assume at some point you'll have to eat lunch or run out of money: Most anything in Chinatown - dim sum at Hei La Moon, anything from Taiwan Cafe, Wing's Kitchen to name a few. Dinner at Petit Robert in Kenmore - many people have had bad experiences, but I've never had anything but the best experience - and the ROI - jesus. Dok Bua for Thai in Brookline. Michael's for deli in Brookline. Bazaar for takeout Russian in Brookline - grab some for a picnic in a nearby park. One of the Portugese restos in Inman Square. Aneka Rasa in Allston for Malaysian. Hometown (Dok Bykung) in Union Square as well as the second incarnation in Brookline for Northern China's take on Korean - the noodle dishes are a standout. I agree that Boston does not do breakfast well - there are a few bakeries, however, that seem to be good - Clear Flour, Hi-Rise, Flour. Many people like Soundbites in Ball Square, Somerville for breakfast, but that's rather far if you don't have a car. Have fun on your honeymoon! Don't forget to take a ducktour - it's campy and ridiculous.

Scones - good lord do we make scones. We've found that making a batch, cutting them into wedges and then freezing works best. In the morning, we can take individual pieces out of the freezer and bake them. Senseo actually gave us a free coffee-pod gadget for the guest quarters. They're hoping it will work as free advertising for them. The guests seem to enjoy it - and it didn't cost us a dime. Perhaps it's something you could look into.

Thanks for this blog. My family owns a bed & breakfast in the states and it's always interesting to see how similar business flourish on the other side of the world!

We use rosewater in my house to cure the common cold - Mix half a shot rose water, the juice of one lemon, a good spoonful of honey and hotwater in a glass and drink. Really helps open up your sinuses. Our bottle is clear and has arabic writing on it, not western characters.

That is, in my experience, the way the word is commonly used in NYC. A "bagel with cream cheese" often seems to have a half inch thick layer of cream cheese, whereas a "bagel with a schmear" has just the small amount that can be spread with a swipe of the knife. ← We were just discussing this very thing Saturday morning! My mom (from Manhattan) agree with your definition, slkinsey. As well, a schmear NEVER involved butter - only cream cheese.

Mexican: Mambo Burritos or Isabel's Not in answer to your question, but... Loatian: Phien's Kitchen Vietnamese: Pho 88 Cambodian: South Eat Asian

Daniel - that photo spread makes me salivate at the mouth and at the same time become very nostalgic for my time spent in the dirty jerz. Chubs....sigh....

In Billerica: Sichuan Gourmet. Probably one of the better Sichuan places in Boston metro, even.

That reminds me of a Clue quotation: "Men should be like Kleenex: soft, strong, and disposable." Sorry, couldn't resist.

Peanut oil! 1/3 cup plain yogurt 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice 2 teaspoons curry powder 1 teaspoon finely grated peeled fresh ginger 3/4 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon black pepper 2 tablespoons vegetable or peanut oil Mostly just so I can make a curried yogurt dressing for not only quinoa salad, but much, much more. I'll admit it. I'm addicted.

Jelly Fish - Dried and Salted A little more detailed There's pretty much nothing in them...although I've yet to see a nutritional chart for non-dried-salted-jellyfish.

Could you recommend a few Israeli wines? Each one I've tried I've completely failed with. Would love your help! I make my haroset with dried fruits too. I love the texture and the concentrated taste. Especially the dates and apricots. YUM.

Actually, chicken soup with rice would be more traditional, but mom has some friends who are of the Eastern European descent over, and they love their matzah balls. I really hate it, but what can you do? Also, for eating during the week - matzah fritters (I think this is like matzah bry?) and lots of almond cakes. Oh, and artichokes. My god do we eat artichokes.

Our menu: Cold poached salmon on a bed of aspargus Matzah ball soup Grilled marinated lamb served with saffron rice Whatever green veggie is in season Maccarone - Almond macoroons Incidently, we've always had brisket for Hannukah, never for Passover. I don't know why. Oh and our seder plate favors green onions over horseradish. I think our haroset might be different too - we use dates, apples, walnuts, and apricots. I think ashkanazi only uses apples and raisins? That's a cute tradition you have there regarding current event plagues. Our table talk always seems to turn to politics anyway!

Ditto on the deep frying. Messes of tarter sauce. Chicken salad. Dish pickle relish for hotdogs and sausages.

Oh man, my mom LOVES cow brains (and she's 100% born and bred in America). And I've really gotten into whole fish - including the heads - but admit that I first tried them from our family from Shanghai.

I like my jelly fish chopped up and mixed with strips of cucumber and garlic.

Ah....yes the man has an opinition on this: "What he means is adding as many chilies as humanly possible. Whoever eats the most in a bite wins. I have done it, and it is painful, and wont do it again, i had heartburn for a week after."

For pizza - Antico Forno, Pizzeria Regina (famous North End Local) or Santarpio's for a unique Boston take on pizza. If going to Santarpio's - it's in East Boston off the Blue line - don't forget to get an order of lamb and sausage to start. The place a real "eastie" feel. For Chinese - I would take Taiwan Cafe, Peach Farm then King Fung in that order. King Fung has good peking ravioli and noodle dishes, but their pre-order $32 duck is not great - just a good value. Taiwan Cafe is AWESOME. Peach Farm has some excellent seafood dishes. Other places to try: Dok Bua for Thai in Brookline, Aneka Rasa for Maylasian in Brighton, Audobon Circle of burgers in Kenmore, or Bartley's for burgers in Harvard. I've never been to Giacomo's. A better option for Italian might be Trattoria Toscona in the Fenway.

I'm pretty sure there's a study out there somewhere about how men prefer pie to cake. I love souts! What I don't like is carbombs, but take away the shot and bring me the Guinness! What is cometitive chili tolerance?

Made Salmon and Dill Chowder last night. It came together really quickly and was mighty tasty. Of course it was tasty - it had bacon in it!