kelly001

Thanks. I ended up being able to try El Comal and it was a great experience. I never thought a vegetarian burrito could taste that good (oh! the combination of asparagusy Cactus and Cilantro!) The meat eaters were very pleased with their mole sauces as well. We were clearly the only gringos in the place. The staff was EXTREMELY friendly and they offered our toddler his meal for free. Great experience.

Will be in San Diego for the first time. Would like to experience some authentic Mexican food. I heard of Aquí es Texcoco. Any other suggestion that would have at least one vegetarian option on the menu? Thanks.

Well, what do you know. I started researching this problem last night after the first thing I put to my mouth yesterday (a glass of orange) juice produced a nasty bitter and lasting aftertaste and since then every food I've ingested has produced the same reaction. I was getting a little freaked out and last night I started to do some research. Guess, what I ate both on Sunday and Monday? Pine nuts purchased from Whole Foods Market. Does anyone know a remedy for this? I just had a croissant for breakfast and it was utterly ruined by the bitter taste. It's been a good 30 minutes since I stopped eating and I still have this horrible taste in the back of my mouth.

Hen of the Wood in Waterbury not exactly next door but doable for a special evening.

I know that they use mozzarella di bufala for the cheese.

I'm sorry about your experience though it echoes many reviews of late at Blue Ginger.

It gets a lot of mixed reviews on Chowhound's Boston board. So let us know what YOU think after your dinner.

What about the bargain prix fixe at l'Espalier for $30???

I find it very debatable that L'Espalier, for example, would not receive a 2 (maybe even 3) star Michelin rating. I guess we will see when they rate Boston (supposedly next year or the year after.) Oleana is a wonderful restaurant and one of the most interesting high-end destinations in the city. It is not as formal as L'Espalier, Clio, etc. but the cooking is very inspired. It would be on my short-list of not-to-be-missed restaurants in Boston.

Elements in St. Johnsbury, VT is probably your best option. Hen of the Wood in Waterbury, VT is another one though it's significantly farther.

I like their pizzas, which are classic European style pizzas that I grew up with, back on the old continent. I was never a fan of Regina myself and found some solace in the pizzas at Figs, Cambridge 1 and to some extent the pizza at Iggy's Bread of the World Bakery. But really Grand Gusto is much better than either one of those options. The crust is just right, the proportion of toppings, sauce and cheese is well balanced. The excellent ingredients are thoughtfully selected. It's quality versus quantity. It's a crust that isn't a cracker and is neither chewy or doughy. Give it a try... PS: their homemade tiramisu was excellent with a nice tang of coffee and alcohol.

OK. Please don't come down on me with boxes of Pizzeria Regina slamming me front all sides but I have to say that Gran Gusto in Cambridge (on Sherman Street) is by far the best pizza in the area. Let me clarify this, it's the best authentic Neapolitan pizza in the area. The owner worked in the restaurant industry in Naples until he moved to the States three years ago. He's very much into authenticity and doesn't cut any corners to reproduce the pizzas from his homeland. These are cooked in a wood-fired oven; he imports a special mozzarella cheese, etc. The pizzas are delicate with a lightly charred thin crust and a simple tomato sauce of San Marzano tomatoes. This is not your greasy and oversized “American” type pizza. I tried their homemade tiramisu and it was also one of the best examples of this dessert I had ever tasted. They also pulled a proper European espresso. On the downside, the service was kind of lacking and the décor is rather tacky. The prices are higher than your regular pizza joint, but this is not your regular pizza joint. To situate, it’s in the same price range as pizzas from Figs or Cambridge 1. They also offer other Italian dishes including homemade pasta dishes but I have not tried those.

West of Boston is kind of vague but for Mexican West of Boston, I would try Ole Mexican Grill in Arlington, MA.

This place opened in the past couple of months and it is a true gem. Farfalle specializes in refined and simple Italian food. They are all about the produce! They have made some outstanding choices regarding their ingredients and it shows. Their lunch and take-out menu changes daily. Soup and paninis are offered daily along with some other cooked dishes. Most dishes are cooked to order and very fresj. The emphasis is really on excellent produce over quantity. They are a tad bit more expensive than other places in town but worth every penny. It's so refreshing to see a place that cares so much about their craft. These people are proud and serious about their cooking. The small market also offers wine, cheese, dried meats, pastas, etc.

In case you haven't heard. Got a dinner reservation myself for the Hungry I and I'm looking for a good place for lunch. Any recommendations? Thinking about Henrietta's Table, Masa, UpStairs on the Square or Brasserie Jo. Open to other suggestions as well...

If it wasn't for your comment on Chang An (never been to), I'd swear I wrote that myself... Vintages in West Concord is a great wine shop. A selection that easily rivals with the best wine specialty shops in the city...

I've been to this place for a wedding. The food was quite good for wedding food. It's called the Barn at Gibbet Hill if memory serves me right. Never tried the restaurant itself.

Thanks for the link. That’s kind of my feeling about that area's restaurant scene. I lived in Acton 12 years ago and I can't remember anything outstanding in the area. We've been in Arlington for the past 3 years and have indulged in Cambridge and Boston's restaurants! Last year I went to Number 5 Strawberry Hill in Acton, which sells itself as a high-end French restaurant and it was a real letdown with a hefty price tag. I'm kind of bummed that Aigo closed... Moncef started L'Espalier.

My wife and I just bought a house in the suburbs, more precisely in Concord. Anyone know some good restaurants in the area (Acton, Maynard, Stow, Sudbury, Lincoln, etc.)? I know Moncef Meddeb's Aigo Bistro was supposed to be one of the nicer restaurants in that area but they closed last year.

In Harvard Square, I'd stick to Cambridge 1 or Bartley's for a quick grab. Casablanca for drinks or aperitif.

Indeed I apologize, I did misread your last sentence...

As an analogy take drinking for instance. Should it not be regulated in the workplace? In the name of personal freedoms and equality, should we allow workers to booze during their work hours? I think it is widely accepted that the health hazard to other workers is a reason enough to uphold this type of ban on alcohol in the workplace. Smoking is no different in my eyes. We have enough empirical data that confirms second-hand smoke to be a serious health danger. I think it is the duty of any government to intervene if employers refuse to protect their workers. When harm is inflicted to innocent bystanders, this debate leaves the personal liberties platform and enters the civic duties arena. I still don't understand how people view this issue as a "liberty issue" or a "l'égalité pour tous" issue.

I'll have to give the Green Street another chance. I was there a couple weeks ago and both the food and drinks were quite mediocre especially considering the price tag. After one very mediocre cocktail, I switched to beer. Maybe I should have tried something else... At least they have Iggy's bread I still think Casablanca has better cocktails than both the B Side and Green Street (never been to Eastern Standard). Another place that comes to mind for is the Independant in Union Square. Good food and cocktails.

One place that comes to mind is Casablanca in Harvard Square. If you like ethno-jazz, old funk, lounge music, etc. the music adds to the experience as well.

In theory I concur however after TSA opens your bag and decides to reclose the bag putting all bottles on top with no protection on one side, all bets are off. This scenario just happened to me and despite all bottles being still protected individually, two broke all over the place...