Latest reviews in Massachusetts, United States of America

new - new one by raj_kataria13

raj_kataria13 — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 05:12:42 +0000

Review by raj_kataria13

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 1111

Website: 1111

Tags: brazilian, romantic, vietnamese

very nicevery nice

O Ya - O No by chrisp

chrisp — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 10:27:53 +0000

Review by chrisp

Rating: 3.00

Phone: (617) 654-9900

Website: www.oyarestaurantboston.com

Tags: expensive, japanese, pretentious

In some ways I'm glad it's been a few days now since my visit to O Ya, because it's taken me this long to really decide how I feel about the place. For the unitiated, this unlikely spot near South Station in Boston has been recently voted Best New Restaurant by the New York Times, and like any good foodie I was desperate to get in on the act before, as usually happens with these things, it gets all popular and you can't get a reservation unless you're a celebrity or a billionaire. One of the potential pitfalls of visiting a new restaurant is that the service can sometimes be a bit green behind the gills, and one can only hope the kitchen's fresh enthusiasm is enough to win you over. However I'm sorry to say that although the food at O Ya was generally pretty good, often excellent, the service was the worst I've had to endure almost anywhere in the world - never mind the usually stellar levels I'd come to expect in the US. And it's this massive gulf between service and food that has made an assessment of the whole experience so difficult.

Problems began as soon as we were seated, where we were forced to wait around ten minutes before our menus appeared, then another dreadfully long wait before the orders were taken. Our waiter had a habit of disappearing for fifteen minutes at a time without warning, and although I appreciate the flow of dishes was reliant upon the kitchen (some arrived two at a time, then nothing for ages) it doesn't explain why two members of front of house were there to greet people walking in off the street but there was nobody to get me a glass of tap water. It was all very frustrating.

I'm not going to attempt to describe every dish I ate at O Ya because like similar Japanese restaurants the dishes were many and mind-bogglingly varied. But highlights included an astonishing bitesize portion of Uni (sea urchin), bright orange and tasting of the ocean, and a spectacular plate of chanterelle and shiitake mushrooms nestling in a sesame seed froth.

Where some dishes tripped up was when they'd tried to make sushi out of luxury European ingredients - a nice idea on paper perhaps, but these things very rarely work. The homemade potato chip with perigord black truffle would have been lovely, for example, had it not been perched on top of sushi rice which made for an unpleasant muddle of textures - a bit like eating a potato chip sandwich. Also there's very little you can do to fois gras to make me not want to eat it, but O Ya managed it by putting a chunk of lovely seared and honeyed fois on top of some sushi rice, which in the mouth dissolved into something resembling savoury rice pudding. Pretty nasty - and a real waste of premium ingredients.

In all we had around ten or so dishes each over the course of a few hours, and as you can imagine this number of individually crafted mouthfuls didn't come cheap. The damage came to almost $160 each, an eye-watering amount for us Brits, never mind those on a dollar wage. Plus we'd trimmed down the usual 20% tip so it could have been even more. However although I've been moaning about the service and the odd duff plate of food I can just about see what has been getting the critics so excited about O Ya. It's top-end Japanese cuisine, labour-intensive and precise, and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it if the service had been anything other than dire. As it stands, I would say wait a few more months before O Ya gets its house in order - it's potentially a thrilling evening out. Just avoid the fois gras sushi.In some ways I'm glad it's been a few days now since my visit to O Ya, because it's taken me this long to really decide how I feel about the place. For the unitiated, this unlikely spot near South Station in Boston has been recently voted Best New Restaurant by the New York Times, and like any good foodie I was desperate to get in on the act before, as usually happens with these things, it gets all popular and you can't get a reservation unless you're a celebrity or a billionaire. One of the potential pitfalls of visiting a new restaurant is that the service can sometimes be a bit green behind the gills, and one can only hope the kitchen's fresh enthusiasm is enough to win you over. However I'm sorry to say that although the food at O Ya was generally pretty good, often excellent, the service was the worst I've had to endure almost anywhere in the world - never mind the usually stellar levels I'd come to expect in the US. And it's this massive gulf between service and food that has made an assessment of the whole experience so difficult.

Problems began as soon as we were seated, where we were forced to wait around ten minutes before our menus appeared, then another dreadfully long wait before the orders were taken. Our waiter had a habit of disappearing for fifteen minutes at a time without warning, and although I appreciate the flow of dishes was reliant upon the kitchen (some arrived two at a time, then nothing for ages) it doesn't explain why two members of front of house were there to greet people walking in off the street but there was nobody to get me a glass of tap water. It was all very frustrating.

I'm not going to attempt to describe every dish I ate at O Ya because like similar Japanese restaurants the dishes were many and mind-bogglingly varied. But highlights included an astonishing bitesize portion of Uni (sea urchin), bright orange and tasting of the ocean, and a spectacular plate of chanterelle and shiitake mushrooms nestling in a sesame seed froth.

Where some dishes tripped up was when they'd tried to make sushi out of luxury European ingredients - a nice idea on paper perhaps, but these things very rarely work. The homemade potato chip with perigord black truffle would have been lovely, for example, had it not been perched on top of sushi rice which made for an unpleasant muddle of textures - a bit like eating a potato chip sandwich. Also there's very little you can do to fois gras to make me not want to eat it, but O Ya managed it by putting a chunk of lovely seared and honeyed fois on top of some sushi rice, which in the mouth dissolved into something resembling savoury rice pudding. Pretty nasty - and a real waste of premium ingredients.

In all we had around ten or so dishes each over the course of a few hours, and as you can imagine this number of individually crafted mouthfuls didn't come cheap. The damage came to almost $160 each, an eye-watering amount for us Brits, never mind those on a dollar wage. Plus we'd trimmed down the usual 20% tip so it could have been even more. However although I've been moaning about the service and the odd duff plate of food I can just about see what has been getting the critics so excited about O Ya. It's top-end Japanese cuisine, labour-intensive and precise, and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it if the service had been anything other than dire. As it stands, I would say wait a few more months before O Ya gets its house in order - it's potentially a thrilling evening out. Just avoid the fois gras sushi.

Caffe Vittoria - Godfather by sbicket

sbicket — Fri, 16 May 2008 19:18:09 +0000

Review by sbicket

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 617-227-7606

Website: http://www.vittoriacaffe.com/

Tags: lively, crowded, italian

This is a little like stepping into a Marion Puzo fantasy land, except it is true life and I expected Don Corleone to appear at any momentThis is a little like stepping into a Marion Puzo fantasy land, except it is true life and I expected Don Corleone to appear at any moment

James Hook & Co - The place to buy lobsters by Hugo

Hugo — Fri, 16 May 2008 16:17:56 +0000

Review by Hugo

Rating: 4.00

Phone: (617) 423 5500

Website: http://www.jameshooklobster.com/

Tags: fish, helpful staff, lobster

An oddly placed and old style warehouse building right between the bridge to South Boston and next to the new parks which replace the big dig, is James Hook & Co - the place to get lobster, shell fish and all things fishy in Boston.

The shop itself is full of live critters that you can choose from. Perhaps the largest lobsters I have ever seen in my life and perhaps worth a visit in its own right.

I got a take-away lobster roll, which is highly recommended, but am waiting for the right opportunity to order the full monty from this excellent establishment.An oddly placed and old style warehouse building right between the bridge to South Boston and next to the new parks which replace the big dig, is James Hook & Co - the place to get lobster, shell fish and all things fishy in Boston.

The shop itself is full of live critters that you can choose from. Perhaps the largest lobsters I have ever seen in my life and perhaps worth a visit in its own right.

I got a take-away lobster roll, which is highly recommended, but am waiting for the right opportunity to order the full monty from this excellent establishment.

L'Aroma Cafe - Favourite Cafe in Boston by Hugo

Hugo — Fri, 16 May 2008 15:13:11 +0000

Review by Hugo

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 617 424 0951

Website: www.laromacafe.com

Tags: cosy, busy, quiet & relaxed

L'Aroma Cafe is my favourite coffee shop in Boston.

It has a great location on Newbury Street, just out of the hustle and bustle. It is popular but not crazily so and I have always been able to find a perch.

L'Aroma has a relaxing atmosphere and is an ideal place to grab sustenance whilst walking the Back-Bay or on a shopping mission.

Great coffees, teas, cakes and croissants! Ideal.L'Aroma Cafe is my favourite coffee shop in Boston.

It has a great location on Newbury Street, just out of the hustle and bustle. It is popular but not crazily so and I have always been able to find a perch.

L'Aroma has a relaxing atmosphere and is an ideal place to grab sustenance whilst walking the Back-Bay or on a shopping mission.

Great coffees, teas, cakes and croissants! Ideal.

Bertucci's - Cheap and cheerful by Hugo

Hugo — Fri, 16 May 2008 14:49:05 +0000

Review by Hugo

Rating: 3.00

Phone: (617) 227 7889

Website: http://www.bertuccis.com/

Tags: italian, cheap, good value

Bertucci's is a chain but I have only ever been to the one next to Faneuil Hall.

The food is good value and the staff super efficient. The food is simple but tasty.

Perhaps the most exciting feature (for salad geeks like me) is that the complimentary salad bowl they provide with the meal is bottomless...how very American. The staff were friendly enough to point out to me that buying a side-salad was about the most bogus thing you could order. Bertucci's is a chain but I have only ever been to the one next to Faneuil Hall.

The food is good value and the staff super efficient. The food is simple but tasty.

Perhaps the most exciting feature (for salad geeks like me) is that the complimentary salad bowl they provide with the meal is bottomless...how very American. The staff were friendly enough to point out to me that buying a side-salad was about the most bogus thing you could order.

Johnny Cupcakes - Zero Fat, Zero Carbs Cupcake Specialist by Hugo

Hugo — Fri, 16 May 2008 14:19:59 +0000

Review by Hugo

Rating: 4.00

Phone: (617) 375-0100

Website: http://www.johnnycupcakes.com/

Tags: quirky, fun, not cupcakes

Ok, so this was the message that stopped me as I pottered along Newbury Street. Just at that moment, I thought, well Cupcakes seem to be all the rage on TrustedPlaces, so I really should investigate, just in case I am onto something new. Right at that moment a passerby swooned "I love Johnny Cupcakes". Right, that was it. I had to investigate, despite not being a huge Cupcake fan.

When i entered the shop I had a moment of bemusement as I scanned the shop for food delights and was met by an assortment of T shirts, boxer shorts and other paraphernalia.

Johnny Cupcakes had a bit of Company history on the wall. Apprently he started the company as a joke in 2000 as a college drop out.

"Even if people hate the fact that I don't sell real cupcakes, every time they see a bakery or a cupcake they're going to think about my brand and Johnny Cupcakes will come up in conversation. The word of mouth will continue to spread..."

Oh dear, it seems i have fallen prey to the word of mouth machine that is Johnny Cupcakes. So, if you like cupcakes then perhaps you will enjoy Johnnys mission.

The shop was a fun place to visit but I confess that I didn't buy anything. The four star rating is really homage to his entrepreneurial and amusing spirit...Ok, so this was the message that stopped me as I pottered along Newbury Street. Just at that moment, I thought, well Cupcakes seem to be all the rage on TrustedPlaces, so I really should investigate, just in case I am onto something new. Right at that moment a passerby swooned "I love Johnny Cupcakes". Right, that was it. I had to investigate, despite not being a huge Cupcake fan.

When i entered the shop I had a moment of bemusement as I scanned the shop for food delights and was met by an assortment of T shirts, boxer shorts and other paraphernalia.

Johnny Cupcakes had a bit of Company history on the wall. Apprently he started the company as a joke in 2000 as a college drop out.

"Even if people hate the fact that I don't sell real cupcakes, every time they see a bakery or a cupcake they're going to think about my brand and Johnny Cupcakes will come up in conversation. The word of mouth will continue to spread..."

Oh dear, it seems i have fallen prey to the word of mouth machine that is Johnny Cupcakes. So, if you like cupcakes then perhaps you will enjoy Johnnys mission.

The shop was a fun place to visit but I confess that I didn't buy anything. The four star rating is really homage to his entrepreneurial and amusing spirit...

Biltmore-Green Luggage - Best luggage store in Boston by Hugo

Hugo — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 19:22:08 +0000

Review by Hugo

Rating: 5.00

Phone: (617) 542-9522

Tags: helpful staff, exclusive boutique, brand bargains

This is a prime/ classic/ authentic TrustedPlaces shop; a traditional luggage shop to beat all luggage shops.

The proprietor, who has operated this legendary Biltmore-Green Luggage shop for 50 years, offers personal service and a direct guarantee that you won't get a better price in Boston.

The shop and keeper are utterly charming; after a visit you would not want to purchase luggage elsewhere and you are pretty likely to make a spontanious purchase.

This luggage shop is the recommendation of every hotel doorman worth his/ her salt in Boston...This is a prime/ classic/ authentic TrustedPlaces shop; a traditional luggage shop to beat all luggage shops.

The proprietor, who has operated this legendary Biltmore-Green Luggage shop for 50 years, offers personal service and a direct guarantee that you won't get a better price in Boston.

The shop and keeper are utterly charming; after a visit you would not want to purchase luggage elsewhere and you are pretty likely to make a spontanious purchase.

This luggage shop is the recommendation of every hotel doorman worth his/ her salt in Boston...

Anthem - Anthem Rocks! by shayan

shayan — Sat, 26 Jan 2008 14:53:50 +0000

Review by shayan

Rating: 5.00

Phone: (617) 523-8383

Tags: american, lively, romantic

First of all, I'd like to say thanks to Eli G. It was my last night in Boston, and he told me where to go. As far as closure is concerned... I really couldn't have landed with better. Cheers, mate.

Anthem is AWESOME. RADICAL. BEAUTIFUL. ORGASMIC.

I went armed with Eli's advice, and fellow ##### reviews. Had the fondue, the meatloaf, and the fried twinkies. Zinfandel 2002 (can't remember what). Green Line (fancy schmancy appletini).

Fondue: to die for. Contains roasted garlic, so if you don't like garlic, simple, don't order this (oh, and we may never become friends, not that that's important). I took the optional crab pieces with it, which doesn't really add much, so save yourself the 5 extra bucks for a pint at the pub after grub. The bread they serve the fondue with is plain & simple ADDICTIVE. They saute the bread in extra virgin olive oil and garlic. You could really just eat it on its own. I ate ALL of it.

Meatloaf: crazy good... just crazy crazy good. Different meats, great mash, really crunchy green beans... I couldn't finish it the portion was so large.... but I really wish I could have, but I needed to safe space for the twinkies...

Fried Twinkies: see, I'm not even American, so technically, I wouldn't even order this dish for nostalgia's sake. But I've had non fried twinkies in the past, and I know I don't like 'em. Yet, when in Rome, do as the Romans (kind of like smores are a must have if you're on a camping trip ;-)... so I ordered them. Oh. Mah. Gawd. Have I died and gone to heaven ? Is this a heart attack I'm having or are my arteries just collapsing from the hyper caloric contents of this life altering dessert ? I'm convinced that I will only have twinkies fried from now on. Not raw. Fried. This thing is just out of this world. Love it. But it did nearly kill me.

Washed this all down with a robust full bodied Zin (half bottle, Redwood 2002, Fiddlewood), and a double shot espresso to help me back home.

Damage: 92$ inc. tip. Ouch. I'm glad I'm going back home... that expense account is now officially in the red ;)

GO THERE. DON'T THINK. ACT. EAT. DRINK. COLLAPSE.

BOSTON, I SALUTE YOU. YOU ROCK.First of all, I'd like to say thanks to Eli G. It was my last night in Boston, and he told me where to go. As far as closure is concerned... I really couldn't have landed with better. Cheers, mate.

Anthem is AWESOME. RADICAL. BEAUTIFUL. ORGASMIC.

I went armed with Eli's advice, and fellow ##### reviews. Had the fondue, the meatloaf, and the fried twinkies. Zinfandel 2002 (can't remember what). Green Line (fancy schmancy appletini).

Fondue: to die for. Contains roasted garlic, so if you don't like garlic, simple, don't order this (oh, and we may never become friends, not that that's important). I took the optional crab pieces with it, which doesn't really add much, so save yourself the 5 extra bucks for a pint at the pub after grub. The bread they serve the fondue with is plain & simple ADDICTIVE. They saute the bread in extra virgin olive oil and garlic. You could really just eat it on its own. I ate ALL of it.

Meatloaf: crazy good... just crazy crazy good. Different meats, great mash, really crunchy green beans... I couldn't finish it the portion was so large.... but I really wish I could have, but I needed to safe space for the twinkies...

Fried Twinkies: see, I'm not even American, so technically, I wouldn't even order this dish for nostalgia's sake. But I've had non fried twinkies in the past, and I know I don't like 'em. Yet, when in Rome, do as the Romans (kind of like smores are a must have if you're on a camping trip ;-)... so I ordered them. Oh. Mah. Gawd. Have I died and gone to heaven ? Is this a heart attack I'm having or are my arteries just collapsing from the hyper caloric contents of this life altering dessert ? I'm convinced that I will only have twinkies fried from now on. Not raw. Fried. This thing is just out of this world. Love it. But it did nearly kill me.

Washed this all down with a robust full bodied Zin (half bottle, Redwood 2002, Fiddlewood), and a double shot espresso to help me back home.

Damage: 92$ inc. tip. Ouch. I'm glad I'm going back home... that expense account is now officially in the red ;)

GO THERE. DON'T THINK. ACT. EAT. DRINK. COLLAPSE.

BOSTON, I SALUTE YOU. YOU ROCK.

The Daily Catch - Worth putting up with the usually awful service (if you like vongole) by Hugo

Hugo — Mon, 05 Feb 2007 23:09:41 +0000

Review by Hugo

Rating: 4.00

Tags: crowded, delicious, small

One of my favourite places in Boston whilst I spent over 3 years there.

Things to note:
- Cash only
- Often seriously grumpy service!
- Plastic glasses, even for wine
- Small, crowded and often claustrophobic
- Often share a table
- There is usually a queue at meal times
- You eat main courses out of the pan it was cooked in (Actually this is a bonus in my book)

So, why eat there?

They have some seriously tasty dishes. Mostly fish and pasta.

Their specialities are squid ink pasta, lobster mix thing etc but my favourite is the red spagetti vongole with some tabasco...my mouth is watering just thinking about it. Best vongole I have had on the planet and I have had a few...

Worth an experience, you will either love it or loathe it.
One of my favourite places in Boston whilst I spent over 3 years there.

Things to note:
- Cash only
- Often seriously grumpy service!
- Plastic glasses, even for wine
- Small, crowded and often claustrophobic
- Often share a table
- There is usually a queue at meal times
- You eat main courses out of the pan it was cooked in (Actually this is a bonus in my book)

So, why eat there?

They have some seriously tasty dishes. Mostly fish and pasta.

Their specialities are squid ink pasta, lobster mix thing etc but my favourite is the red spagetti vongole with some tabasco...my mouth is watering just thinking about it. Best vongole I have had on the planet and I have had a few...

Worth an experience, you will either love it or loathe it.

The Harvest - An old classic in Cambridge by Hugo

Hugo — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 22:20:49 +0000

Review by Hugo

Rating: 4.00

Phone: (617) 868-2255

Website: www.harvestcambridge.com

Tags: cosy, outside, tasty

A good friend with good local knowledge in Cambridge ushered us into the The Harvest, which apparently is an old classic in the area.

It has an unassuming entrance but don't let that fool you. It has a modern but calming and stately design with a very pleasant outside area with heaters.

Good one to have up your sleave. Oh and I did I mention that the food was super tasty too? Excellent soup and scallops to follow (see photo).A good friend with good local knowledge in Cambridge ushered us into the The Harvest, which apparently is an old classic in the area.

It has an unassuming entrance but don't let that fool you. It has a modern but calming and stately design with a very pleasant outside area with heaters.

Good one to have up your sleave. Oh and I did I mention that the food was super tasty too? Excellent soup and scallops to follow (see photo).

Bobby Byrne's - Good food, good prices by MHeckscher

MHeckscher — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 16:06:55 +0000

Review by MHeckscher

Rating: 4.00

Tags: american, crowded, good value

If you like informality and a pub setting, this place is very good. Actually, they have a dining room on one side and the pub on the other. During the summer, there is outside dining as well. The prices are quite reasonable and the food is very good. There are always fresh specials usually involving seafood. Their kale soup is the best I've tasted
and the mussels are out of this world. My favorite, however, is the ahi tuna salad.If you like informality and a pub setting, this place is very good. Actually, they have a dining room on one side and the pub on the other. During the summer, there is outside dining as well. The prices are quite reasonable and the food is very good. There are always fresh specials usually involving seafood. Their kale soup is the best I've tasted
and the mussels are out of this world. My favorite, however, is the ahi tuna salad.