On Wednesday Ann and I grabbed a quick dinner near her work in downtown Boston at Samurai Kuang Eatery. We needed to eat quickly to make a 7pm showing of the touring broadway show In the Heights which was playing at the Boston Opera House. Ann had acquired us half price tickets through BosTix.
For dinner we both ate:
Deluxe Combo Box: Chicken Teriyaki - served with california roll, tempura, white rice, salad, miso soup
The food was decent and reasonably priced for a hole-in-the-wall Japanese restaurant.
Friday, January 15, 2010
Qdoba Mexican Grill
On Monday night I was looking for a quick dinner for Ann and I. We had a narrow window to eat between Ann getting home from work and my Cluster meeting (Small Group Leaders I coach) beginning at 7:30pm. After shopping for groceries at the Porter Square Shaw's Supermarket, I headed to Qdoba Mexican Grill. I had a gift card from perhaps two years ago that I had purchased cheap through the online non-profit auction site Bidding for Good.
I used my last two free entree to pick-up:
2 Grilled Chicken Naked Burrittos (served without the tortilla in a bowl) - Cilantro-lime rice, slow-cooked black beans, corn salsa, bit of salsa fresca, and cheese. Sour cream on the side.
Very tasty. We reheat the bowls at home. I added some additional cherry tomatoes, avocado, and a few dashes of Frank's Redhot Chile 'n Lime Hot Sauce (a Hungry Bakun favorite!)
Quite enjoyable meal!
I used my last two free entree to pick-up:
2 Grilled Chicken Naked Burrittos (served without the tortilla in a bowl) - Cilantro-lime rice, slow-cooked black beans, corn salsa, bit of salsa fresca, and cheese. Sour cream on the side.
Very tasty. We reheat the bowls at home. I added some additional cherry tomatoes, avocado, and a few dashes of Frank's Redhot Chile 'n Lime Hot Sauce (a Hungry Bakun favorite!)
Quite enjoyable meal!
Gran Gusto
(Saturday continued...) After decompressing for a time, we headed to dinner at Gran Gusto. Our barber has consistently recommed their Italian food to us and we decided we'd finally try it. I had purposely eaten a lower calorie breakfast to accommodate this dinner. :)
We ordered:
* Scialatielli (Pasta Fresca) – Shrimp, radicchio, cherry tomato
* Margherita (Pizza) – Tomato sauce, bufala mozzarella, basil
Food and service was sub par. First the tables were very tightly packed and our (large) waiter kept hitting my chair when passing by. We moved our table about 6 inches and he still was bumping me. Then he strongly recommended the Scialatielli pasta as their signature dish. The bowl arrived with one jumbo shrimp on top and abundance of "shrimp pellets." They were either chopped up shrimp or popcorn shrimp. In either case they were overcooked. The handcut pasta was nice, but the dish had an off, fishy flavor. The pizza arrived lukewarm and had clearly been sitting for awhile. We sent it back, and it returned warmer and crispier. Pretty tasty, but more expensive and not as good as other pizzas on my pizza poll. (See the left bar of the blog.)
Perhaps they had a bad night, but there are too many good restaurants in Boston to return here. Scratch Gran Gusto off the list!
We ordered:
* Scialatielli (Pasta Fresca) – Shrimp, radicchio, cherry tomato
* Margherita (Pizza) – Tomato sauce, bufala mozzarella, basil
Food and service was sub par. First the tables were very tightly packed and our (large) waiter kept hitting my chair when passing by. We moved our table about 6 inches and he still was bumping me. Then he strongly recommended the Scialatielli pasta as their signature dish. The bowl arrived with one jumbo shrimp on top and abundance of "shrimp pellets." They were either chopped up shrimp or popcorn shrimp. In either case they were overcooked. The handcut pasta was nice, but the dish had an off, fishy flavor. The pizza arrived lukewarm and had clearly been sitting for awhile. We sent it back, and it returned warmer and crispier. Pretty tasty, but more expensive and not as good as other pizzas on my pizza poll. (See the left bar of the blog.)
Perhaps they had a bad night, but there are too many good restaurants in Boston to return here. Scratch Gran Gusto off the list!
Thursday, January 14, 2010
1369 Coffee House
(Saturday continued...) From Union Square, we walked 1/2 mile to Inman Square. We looked in at the new restaurant East by Northeast, but it was only open for dinner.
Grabbed hot beverages at the 1369 Coffee House. Ann enjoyed her extra hot earl grey latte. (Earl grey tea bag in steamed milk.) My extra hot chai was mediocre. Note: extra hot is key on these cold Boston days. Only way for a beverage to withstand the frigid temperatures.
We finished our walk via Harvard Square (1 mile) and then along Mass Ave to home (2 miles).
Grabbed hot beverages at the 1369 Coffee House. Ann enjoyed her extra hot earl grey latte. (Earl grey tea bag in steamed milk.) My extra hot chai was mediocre. Note: extra hot is key on these cold Boston days. Only way for a beverage to withstand the frigid temperatures.
We finished our walk via Harvard Square (1 mile) and then along Mass Ave to home (2 miles).
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Machu Picchu Charcoal Chicken & Grill
(Saturday continued...) After breakfast, we went to Lyndell's Bakery to order the perfect cake for the Zority baby shower. Can't wait!
Then we began our walk. 1.5 miles later we were at the main branch of the Somerville Public library. Hung out there for awhile. Then proceeded 1/2 mile to Union Square.
Sat down for a snack lunch at the Machu Picchu Charcoal Chicken & Grill. This is the small original location of Machu Picch which specializes in chicken. There is a larger sister restaurant down the street named simply Machu Picchu.
We shared:
* Peruvian tamales
* 1/4 chicken (dark meat) served with house salad and fried plantains
The tamales weren't great, but the chicken was amazing! Deliciously seasoned. Great dipping sauces, one way too spicy and the other just right. Plantains and salad were fabulous sides. Highly recommended!
Then we began our walk. 1.5 miles later we were at the main branch of the Somerville Public library. Hung out there for awhile. Then proceeded 1/2 mile to Union Square.
Sat down for a snack lunch at the Machu Picchu Charcoal Chicken & Grill. This is the small original location of Machu Picch which specializes in chicken. There is a larger sister restaurant down the street named simply Machu Picchu.
We shared:
* Peruvian tamales
* 1/4 chicken (dark meat) served with house salad and fried plantains
The tamales weren't great, but the chicken was amazing! Deliciously seasoned. Great dipping sauces, one way too spicy and the other just right. Plantains and salad were fabulous sides. Highly recommended!
Ball Square Cafe
On Saturday morning Ann and I had our 6-week ritual. We had our haircut at Salon Cu by the Umberto and then headed to breakfast at Ball Square Cafe.
Wanting to eat a bit lighter, I ordered the hot oatmeal (steel cut oats) with fresh blueberries. Tasty, but without any sugar. After I got some brown sugar the taste greatly improved.
Ann got a side of french toast with fruit. She graciously gave me more of her fruit for my oatmeal. We also both partook of the self-service bottomless coffee. A great start to the day!
Wanting to eat a bit lighter, I ordered the hot oatmeal (steel cut oats) with fresh blueberries. Tasty, but without any sugar. After I got some brown sugar the taste greatly improved.
Ann got a side of french toast with fruit. She graciously gave me more of her fruit for my oatmeal. We also both partook of the self-service bottomless coffee. A great start to the day!
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Max and Dylans Restaurant
Friday Night, Ann and I went to Max and Dylans Restaurant with the Zoritys. Used a gift card we got a good deal on from the Phantom Gourmet at last spring's Hot Dog Safari.
The four of us shared everything and quite enjoyed the food, though somethings stood out more than others.
Top Tier
* Prosciutto Mac and Cheese - Parma Prosciutto, Truffle
* Philly Cheese Steak Spring Rolls - All Natural Sirloin, Chipotle Ketchup
* Mini Kobe Sliders - Lemon Dressed Greens, Gouda, Balsamic Onions
Middle Tier
* Grilled Pear Salad - Great Hill Bley, Spiced Pears, Lemon Vinaigrette
* BBQ Chicken Flatbread - BBQ Sauce, Jack Cheese, Scallions
Lower Tier
* BBQ Pork Sliders - Slow Cooked, Cole Slaw
* Pear Hot Hot Dog Mac and Cheese - Grilled and Sliced Pearl Hot Dog
The four of us shared everything and quite enjoyed the food, though somethings stood out more than others.
Top Tier
* Prosciutto Mac and Cheese - Parma Prosciutto, Truffle
* Philly Cheese Steak Spring Rolls - All Natural Sirloin, Chipotle Ketchup
* Mini Kobe Sliders - Lemon Dressed Greens, Gouda, Balsamic Onions
Middle Tier
* Grilled Pear Salad - Great Hill Bley, Spiced Pears, Lemon Vinaigrette
* BBQ Chicken Flatbread - BBQ Sauce, Jack Cheese, Scallions
Lower Tier
* BBQ Pork Sliders - Slow Cooked, Cole Slaw
* Pear Hot Hot Dog Mac and Cheese - Grilled and Sliced Pearl Hot Dog
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