Union Sqaure Cafe

Union Square Cafe

www.unionsquarecafe.com

21 East 16th Street
New York, NY 10003
(212) 243-4020

So I've been meaning to go here for a while. I went to Maialino a few months ago and loved it (I promise one day I will review all the restaurants that I've eaten, in NY, Hawaii, and Boston... but it takes a bit of time...It will get done though..). The other and original Danny Meyer restaurant did not disappoint. First came a tuna tartare that was good (a little salty for my taste though). My dining partner enjoyed it immensely however, I'm just not the biggest fan of capers so I just accept that I was biased to begin with... For my main course, I ordered the pork lasagna. The Lasagna used fresh pasta and balanced the meat and cheese well. Surprisingly, that balance came in not using too much cheese at all. The dish was comprised with a savory tomato based sauce with well seasoned pork, layered between perfectly cooked pasta. For dessert, I decided against something sweet, and decided to go with the cheese plate. I loved one of their raw cow's milk cheese (forgot the name). But this cheese was perfectly harmonized with the honeycomb honey on top of the walnut toast. Delicious.

In all, the beauty of the Union Square cafe was not the overwhelming flavors, or the wonderful service. The beauty was in the balance.

Bond St

BONDST
6 Bond Street
New York, NY 10012

The food here at Bond St is outstanding. All the dishes we had were masterfully created and wonderfully executed. What makes this dining establish truly exceptional are the sauces. The chef ingeniously blends the flavors and perfectly compliments the sauce/coulis/puree/dressing to the main item. The result is not an over powering flavor, but rather a taste that is a perfect balance and harmony in one's mouth.

I did the tasting plate and there were perfect bite sized options that were little bundles of joy in my mouth--each different and truly a unique experience in itself. The chilean see bass was amazingly complimented with a sake infused sauce that was mind blowing. What was truly marvelous was the ginger salad. Now, if you've been to ay sushi restaurant, you've had the ginger salad with dressing that is a pale yellow and slightly pasty. The flavor is either too bland or too much. But the ginger salad at BondSt blew my mind! Do not expect your run-of-the-mill, in the bottle experience here. The flavors from the ginger salad were deep and plentiful- yet not overpowering. I am merely mentioning the salad, not because it was the best dish I had (I had too many "best" choices to choose from!), but becuase it is the only tangible way I know to reach across to a wide audience about how truly exceptional this dining experience was.

Go to Bond St. Don't get the normal, plain rolls. Venture out. You won't be dissapointed.

North Square

North Square
103 Waverly Place
New York, NY 10011

I had brunch here and in tough times like this- the brunch menu was fiscally AMAZING. First, I love that chicken sausage is the staple here. Second, the prices are affordable and the food is of very high quality. I was very happy with my Pumpkin Pecan pancakes (fruit and chicken sausage included) and truly had a tasty and affordable meal! I was expecting the pumpkin flavor to be overpowering but I was surprised at the subtle flavors of the pumpkin (I was expecting pumpkin bread, in pancake form). I was pleasantly surprised at the mild cinnamon and pumpkin flavor. I could actually taste the buttermilk!

Moreover, I'm a huge fan of bread baskets. I love variety and a mix while I wait for my meal. The bread here was wonderful. There was a cranberry walnut loaf that had a good balance of sweet and nutty yet neither the walnuts nor the cranberries were overpowering. Usually, fruit/nut breads are so strong in their "fruitiness" or "nuttiness" that they overpower the yeasty/yumminess that is bread. Many people do not realize that fruits and nuts are meant to compliment and not to star in the bread. Here, there was a perfect balance. Yes, I did just write an entire paragraph about the table bread. Man, it's late!

Jane Restaurant

Let me preface this entry with the fact that my favorite meal is brunch. I don't know if it's because I can choose a salty or sweet way to start my day, or if it's just the sleep in late, and eat enough for 2 meals mentality that makes me look forward to my weekend brunches.

Jane Restaurant
www.ctrnyc.com

100 W Houston St
New York, NY 10012-2547
(212) 254-7000

One of my FAVORITE brunch spots in the City. The lobster benny is DELISH(Maine lobster, poached eggs, buttermilk biscuit, spinach, hollandaise). The Vanilla Bean french toast is always a winner--Creme Brulee, brioche bread, need I say more? Oh, wait, HUGE portion, too. (crème brûlée battered brioche, warm maple syrup). I also just flat out love their bread basket.
I also recommend Roasted Shrimp “Ranchero” (baked eggs, Vermont cheddar, black beans, avocado, flour tortillas, chipotle salsa).

Last time I went, I ordered the Benedict Jane (poached eggs, crab and crawfish cakes, spinach, tarragon hollandaise) and my brunchmate ordered the Benedict Johnny (poached eggs, maple chicken sausage, corn pancakes, roasted tomato hollandaise). I ended up liking the Johnny and my brunch mate liked the Jane. If you have to choose between the two, I recommend the Johnny--Mmmm sausage, even if it is chicken- I promise, you can't tell.

Make sure you make a reservation (Opentable is fast, convenient, and iphone friendly!) Lines even in the dead of winter during a recession were out the door during Sunday brunch time (known from experience).

Mulligans

Mulligans
101 Causeway St
Boston, Massachusetts, United States
617-720-4241

Great Cheap eat! There's a reason why the lunch line is out the door! But don't let this discourage you--the line moves very quick, just make sure you know what you want when you get there! Sandwiches are a heaping size and prices fit nicely for the frugal eater. My fave-- Agusta National--fresh roasted turkey breast, pepperoni, melted mozzarella and cheddar cheese, lettuce and marinated tomato on a baguette. Yes-- FRESH roasted turkey-- think thick thanksgiving style sliced turkey. YUM!

4/5

Tapeo

I went for Tapas at Tapeo on Newbury St. There were no tables outside so we were a bit bummed. Oh well. Here is what we ordered:

Tapas:
Vieiras al Azafrán
Scallops in Saffron Cream
Ravioles de Mariscos
Lobster/Crabmeat Ravioli w/Langostino Sauce
Butifarras con Brevas
Pork Sausage w/Figs
Costillitas de Vaca
Beef Short Rib in Rioja Wine Sauce
Chuletillas
Baby Lamb Chops w/ Apricot Sauce

Main:
Paella Valenciana
Spains Classic Spanish Rice Dish Prepared with Meat, Poultry and Seafood

Review:
Overall I was expecting a little more flavor and a little more bang. We didn't order the Garlic shrimp or the potato pancake which are the signature tapas. Because of the small nature of tapas dishes, the flavors should compensate--with bursts of flavor and savory goodness. These tapas fell a bit short. Let's start from the top:
Scallops-- the sauce was good but the scallops were a bit tough.
Lobster ravioli- I did like this dish. The sauce was savory and the crab added a varying texture from the lobster.
Pork sausage- This was good. The fig added a pleasant sweetness.
Short ribs- Now, I'm biased.. I am a HUGE short ribs fan--but not these... I felt that these were a little too tough. I like short ribs that fall apart. I also wasn't a fan of the sauce that they were stewed in. I usually love red wine braised short ribs, but this reduction just wasn't savory enough.
Lamb- No comment, I'm not a lamb fan in general. My party of 3 other diners said they like it.
Paella- the dish was a bit small, but the pan was deep (not like the traditional shallow but large pans). This was decent, nothing stellar. Just your average Paella.

Overall rating: 3/5

Mistral

Mistral Boston

http://www.mistralbistro.com/

Cost: $$$$$$

What we ordered:
Appetizers
Seafood soup
Foie Gras
Main:
Black Sea Bass
Pork Chop
Dessert:
Profiteroles
Banana chocolate torte

Comments:
Seafood soup-- I think it was sitting on the stove a little too long stewing because the flavors were a little too strong. They should have gone easier on the salt (and I like salty things)

Foie Gras-- FANTASTIC. It was set on top of a brioche and had stewed apples. Every last bite was perfection. The brioche was a little on the hard side but if it was any softer, the juices it picked up would have made it soggy. This way, it still had bite to it.

Black Sea Bass- There was one item in here that made it unpleasing. It gets points for presentation, and you get the whole fish, deboned. Think upscale Chinese style with different sauces and no bones. I'd give it a 2 out of 5. I wouldn't order it again. It was not the most pleasing to the tongue. The sauce took away flavor, rather than compliment, the flavor of the fish.

Porkchop-- Definitely you get a lot for your money. This chop was huge. It was also perfectly cooked. I like mine med rare. I would have liked to see a little more flavor to compliment the chop. There was a small relish but not enough for the whole chop (yes it was that big).

Profiteroles-- Too hard. The puffs were almost stale. I was afraid, that as I was stabbing into the puff to eat it, that it would shoot across the table and onto the next. Just mediocre.

Banana chocolate cake-- nothing stellar. I don't even remember this dish. I just know it was chocolate and had some bananas.

Overall rating-- 5 out of 10- No consistency with the quality and standard. Some good, some bad. For this price, everything should be good.

Would I go back? No. Though the Foie Gras was amazing...

Rialto

Rialto
1 Bennett St
Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States
617-661-5050
www.rialto-restaurant.com

When looking at their menu, I wasn't too excited. However, every dish that was brought to our table was phenomenal. The flavors were perfectly harmonized and amazingly concocted. My dinner partner had an amazing appetizer of La Quince aged ham antipasto. The ham, figs, and cheese all blended perfectly in your mouth. My Sweet Corn Risotto with basil puree was packed with flavor without being overpowering. For the second course, I had milk braised port tenderloin that had a mild flavor that accentuated the natural flavors of the pork. Every bite was tender and mouthwatering. My friend had the thickest cut of salmon I had ever seen at a restaurant. This did not affect the perfection of the cooking! The salmon was perfectly cooked (meaning just somewhere in between rare and medium rare). He and I were dumbfounded at the amazing technique and brilliance of the flavors of each dish. The desserts were above average-- a chocolate torte for my friend and I had the berry shortcake w/ chantilly cream. The shortcake was made of cornmeal which added a pleasant extra sweetness. This restaurant was truly a pleasant surprise and one of my best dining experiences. I would go back in a heartbeat.

Rating: 5/5

Carlo's

Carlo's Cucina Italiana

131 Brighton Ave.
(bet. Harvard Ave. & Linden St.)
Allston, MA

Went to this little Italian Restaurant that had a very North End feel though all the way in Allston. It was good and the pasta was fresh. The calamari was perfectly cooked (not chewy) and the stuffed veal was delicious. Though I must admit, out of the whole meal, my favorite was the side of potatoes that came with my stuffed veal. It was perfectly tender with a beautiful hint of sweetness.

Rating: 4.5/5

The Blue Room

Blue Room
1 Kendall Sq
Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States
617-494-9034
www.theblueroom.net
blue-room
The Blue Room
Vouched on Aug 19, 2007 7:43PM 5/5 stars
BEST SUNDAY BRUNCH!!! A little steep at $22 but it's a nice special Sunday treat. The spread here is amazing (all you can eat!!!).

Look!: Buttermilk pancakes with bananas and brown sugar, Scrambled Eggs with Spinach & Feta Cheese, Fried Pork Chicharrones with Tamarind BBQ, Enrique's Famous Home Fries, Blue Room Pork Sausage
Veal & Peppers, Roasted Vermont Lamb with Garlic~Basil Sauce,
Moroccan Spiced Chicken, Chinese Noodle Salad, Mesclun Greens with Mango Vinaigrette, Pineapple Upside-Down Cake, Apple Tart Tatin, Dark Rum~Orange Cheesecake, Mango Muffins, Banana~Walnut Bread Pudding, and fresh fruit spread.

These are just SOME of the choices!!! The Mango Muffins were PHENOMENAL. They were perfectly crisp on the outside and soft on the inside. Spread some butter on that and you're in HEAVEN!

Rating: 5/5

S & S

1334 Cambridge St
Inman Square
Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
617-354-0777
www.sandsrestaurant.com

I've returned here a couple times because of the awesome seafood casserole. Scallops, shrimp, fish, baked in butter and white wine, topped with cheese and bread crumbs-- YUM. Everything else that my dining partners have tried (believe me, there's been a lot) have just been ok. Though I liked the Boursin Burger, anyone can make that at home. Come for the seafood casserole.

Rating: 3/5

Super Fusion Cuisine

Super Fusion Cuisine

690 A Washington Street
Brookline, Massachusetts 02446,
United States617-229-5310


OMG. Don't let the small size of the restaurant fool you. This 3 table & sushi bar tiny place has more flavor than restaurants 5 times its size. Zagat says this: Move over, Oishii demand Brookliners not that it needs to make much room: all of three tables and a tiny sushi bar delineate this "offbeat" Asian fusion "shoebox" in Washington Square, whose owner (a chatty former FuGaKyu chef) fittingly enough conceives his "raw and cooked" innovations way outside the box, where the value happens to be astonishing and where the cutesy name remains the only barrier to its discovery.

Now-- this place was ranked a 27 out of 30 on Zagat... which is pretty hard to do. But man, this place is damn good. Try the appetizers. Try the banana eel tempura. I know it sounds weird but the sweetness of the banana really brings out the flavor of the eel-- A must try: The soft shell crab roll is super cheap and you get a whole large soft shell crab. This place is a definite MUST for sushi lovers! The fish is so fresh it practically melts in your mouth (try the toro, hard to come by and very fresh here!). The varieties and choices are endless. Try to sit at the sushi bar and you can chat up the owner, who tells you about all that he's making (if you ask!). A-M-A-Z-I-N-G. Even if you stick to your California rolls, try at least one of the fusion rolls-- you won't be disappointed!

Rating: 5/5