amytraverso

One other Cambridge recommendation for you: Far out on Mass. Ave., past Porter Square but before Arlington is a pretty great Chinese place called Quing Dao Garden. Some of the food is merely ok, but when they hit it, they hit big. I love the eggplant with meat sauce, and the spicy fried chicken (I think that's what it's called). For Japanese food, check out the Porter Exchange building in Porter Sq. Not the best sushi in Boston, but there are a whole bunch of noodle and sushi stalls in this one area, and a great Japanese grocery store. Have fun!

Re: Hi Rise. Has anyone else here noticed how incredibly rude and abrasive everyone is there? Not just the customers, but even the staff!? I live just a few blocks away and I can't bear to go in there because I end up fuming, "who are the people in my neighborhood? They're all assholes, that's who!" You can tell I've done a lot of thinking about this. And I've concluded that it comes down to a design flaw. The interior is quite pretty, with the mural and the natural light and all, but there really should be less space devoted to display and more space devoted to an extra cash register and serving counter. Plus, that one big table in the middle means people are on top of each other all the time trying to squeeze in. As for the food, I love the sandwiches, but I find the bread a bit dry. Anyone else notice this? Amy

Oh, and I meant to thank everyone for their welcomes...and for their honest replies. It's nice to be here. Amy

Well, I admit I'm more partial to her reported pieces than I am to her Latte pieces, but for me, the anti-Amanda thing raises a couple of interesting questions. One: how much of this is her seemingly perfect "package" (she's cute, thin, successful, young, powerful, married to a NYer writer, yaddayadda). Two: how much are readers willing to let young writers grow and learn and make mistakes? I met her this weekend at the IACP conference, and I confess I was suprised that she was so likeable. She was pretty open about the fact that she's still learning and taking chances and finding her way...and that the Times encourages her to do this. All that "this generation's answer to MFK Fisher" stuff isn't coming from her, and it seems to make her uncomfortable. So here she is, churning out dozens of stories a year and some are better than others. Perhaps people feel that the Times shouldn't invest so much in young, developing writers...that they shouldn't become staff reporters until they are as fully formed as, say, R. W. Apple. But as a relatively young writer myself, churning out story after story on tight deadlines for my employer, I find it kind of comforting to see other writers trying new things and sometimes even failing. One last thought: I think the intensity of the response to her seems to have more to do with her packaging. Same reason people like to see Martha Stewart fail...no one is allowed to seem so perfect. Because, really, why do we care so much more about her than we do about Marian Burros or Florence Fabricant or William Grimes, who have all fumbled on occasion...as all of us have? Why are we so much more invested in her?

Hi there- I'm relatively new to eGullet, and I have to ask: Are things usually this catty around here, or only when Amanda Hesser's name comes up?

Well, I'm back, so I'll answer my own question. Had a fantastic meal at Michael's on the Hill, a converted farmhouse on the road between Waterbury and Stowe. It's owned by a Swiss-born chef and his wife, and our meal was as good as any I've had in months. New American fare...European techniques with local ingredients, etc., and a strong sense that this place is run by grown-ups. Very careful, artful, and well-prepared. Great venison served with spaetzle. Also had a very good meal at Blue Moon, a bistro right in town. For lunch, I recommend Harvest, a gourmet market that makes excellent breads, salads, sandwiches, baked goods, and coffee. Also has a terrific cheese selection and lots of local products. For breakfast, try Gigi's breakfast sandwiches, or the pancakes at the Dutch Pancake place. Amy

Heading up to Stowe tomorrow. Can you guys recommend any places? I've heard of Blue Moon, Michael's, Miguel's....any favorites? I could go within, say, a 15 mile radius, but we don't want to have to run to Burlington for every meal! Would love advice on all price points...fine dining to road food places. Thanks! Amy

Primo is hands-down one of the best restaurants in New England. Melissa Kelly is obsessed with doing things authentically...she's almost puritanical in her work ethic, except that the food is so sensual! How many other restaurants make their own vinegar? My last visit was in late October, long past growing season, and yet everything was so fresh and so seasonal. The enclosed front porch was stocked so with crates of apples that the entry was perfumed with fruit. The service was fantastic, the food was thoughtful and perfectly executed. You get the sense that they're making every decision very carefully, holding it up against their ideal of what a restaurant should be and then acting accordingly. Definitely worth the trip.

"Damnit!" Fiona screamed as she slammed her cell phone shut on the blundering assistant who had blown her lunch with Si. Third such error in the past month, and she'd have fired the little bitch if Fiona hadn't noticed her taking conspicuous notes every time she left the office door open. Now she was stuck on Madison with no car and a 3-inch heel that was beginning to wobble. Hoping for a quick rescue, she called Thad, who sounded breathless when he answered. He promised to call back in twenty, but made no mention of their anniversary. And her hair was beginning to frizz at the ends. Nothing to do but wait for another car to come and get her. She rummaged around in her Kelly bag and found an apple. "At least this won't make me bloat"," she muttered as she bit in, peeling her mouth back to save the lipstick. She looked down to examine the loose heel, which would probably hold through dinner. It was only when looked up at the white flesh of the fruit that she saw the worm's other half.