Wednesday, August 31, 2016

Sichuan Taste Malden

Sichuan Taste in Malden opened recently and I couldn't wait to pay them a visit after looking at their online menu. The lunch menu alone sports about 50 items. Disregard what looks like Thai dishes on the online menu.



There is free on-street parking and there is also a public lot across the street.



Lunch is served in the nice and bright bar area. The interior was very nice and so was the furniture. The manager can be seen behind the bar and he was a really nice guy and happy to talk to you. Most of the clientele at lunch seemed to be Chinese.



I know, another picture of an H&S soup but the soup was very good with a rich and complex flavor. I also wanted to show the nice table top with, I think, mother of pearl inlays.



I decided to try a couple of classic dishes from the lunch menu and started with the Cheng Du Spicy Chicken ($7.95). This was executed really well with nice crispy and tender chicken and there were Sichuan peppercorns in the dish. Despite all the chilis on the plate, it was just mildly spicy but very tasty.



The second dish was the Twice Cooked Pork ($7.95) appropriately made with pork belly. The pork was savory and tender and even the leeks were cooked properly and there were some fermented black beans hiding in there. I was really happy with both dishes and will be back. Not sure if I ever will get around to try the Mala Pork Kidney or the Pork Intestine with Pepper but there are lots of good stuff on the menu!



The dining room was also nice and bright and there is a big function room to the left. 

Address 290 Main Street, Malden, MA 02148
Phone number (781) 480-3671

Sichuan Taste Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato

Tuesday, August 30, 2016

Buffalo Wild Wings Burlington

It's 70¢ wings again at Buffalo Wild Wings in Burlington and since I was dying to try one particular flavor that had been recommended to me, off I went.


I somehow got talked into the lunch special, a soft drink, wings and a side for $7.99. You also get celery, carrots and blue cheese dressing that you have to pay extra for on Tuesdays. Since I wanted to try the fries I went for it. Now, the fries was dry! Not sure how they managed that since they didn't look over cooked. They had a sauce on special that I decided to try. "BLUE MOON BBQ SAUCE With hints of valencia orange peel and coriander, Blue Moon adds full-bodied flavor to our rich, tangy BBQ sauce." The sauce was nice, BBQ sauce with added flavors. I also found out that they will let you have all flats if you want. This place just gets better and better.



Here they are! MANGO HABANERO that takes you into the exclusive RED territory. This is hotter than the HOT wings I had on my last visit. "Feel the burn, savor the sweet: Two sensations, one sauce." This was almost too much for me so it was more than seriously hot. Phuii! I was glad that I got two containers of blue cheese, it was needed. Will I have them again? Nope, even if the sauce was very tasty I think my limit is the HOT Buffalo version. Service was again very nice and my waitress was terrific. 

Monday, August 29, 2016

Kashish Belmont

Kashish in Belmont is located in the center and is easy to find and I picked it for my weekly Indian lunch today.



There is free parking both in front and in the back. Not really sure how you get to the back parking.



The inside was very nice and modern looking with a glass-enclosed area in the back where the tandoori oven resides.



Lentil soup is included with the lunch. It was thin with crushed lentils that might have needed some more cooking. They made the soup a bit gritty. Linen napkins but glass topped tables. The lunch menu could have been a cut and paste from Punjab in Arlington.



I picked the Chicken Vindaloo ($8.95) from the lunch selection. Plenty of rice and a good sized portion of the vindaloo. That was the good part. The vindaloo completely lacked acidity and heat. I ordered it medium and it some out mild. As a vindaloo, it failed altogether, it was just chicken in a mild tomato sauce. The chicken was mostly dark meat, so that was good but the potatoes lacked seasoning. They should have been cooked in salted water. The rice was fragrant and cooked well. My water was refilled promptly.

Address 61 Leonard St, Belmont, MA 02478
Phone number (617) 484-5111


Kashish Indian Cuisine Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato

Saturday, August 27, 2016

Besito Burlington

I had to go to the Burlington Mall and it was time to revisit Besito.



I parked in the back of Sears and took a stroll inside to get to Besito. Much to my surprise, Sears are now only occupying one floor. How the mighty have fallen.



They used to have some dishes starting at $8.95 but for that, you now only get a Vegetarian Quesadilla, everything else is $11.95 and up. The menu has also seriously shrunk down with a lot of old favorites missing. The fresh chips and salsa are very good, the salsa was less garlicky than on my last visit. From the Street Taco's menu, I picked the Camarones ($11.95). "Crispy shrimp, salsa chipotle crema, salsa molcajete, queso fresco." They have now scaled it back so you only get one tortilla per taco. The tacos were very tasty and the shrimp was crisp and cooked nicely. The complimentary black beans and rice were also very good, both cooked perfectly. The rice was nicely flavored with green onions and pumpkin seeds. The service was indifferent but I had a male waiter.

Address 75 Middlesex Turnpike, Burlington, MA 01803
Phone number (781) 272-9900

Thursday, August 25, 2016

Artistry on the Green Lexington

I wanted something elegant for lunch today and Artistry on the Green in Lexington have that in spades. They are also part of the Boston Dine Out week and offer a three-course lunch for $20.



As with everything else, the sign is understated but elegant.



They have managed to make a big square room into something very pleasant. Enough sound absorbing on the ceiling to make the noise bearable even during a busy lunch service.



Look at the place settings, dare I say elegant again? I started with the Chilled Corn Soup. "Chili Oil, Roasted Corn." The soup was excellent with a rich taste of corn.



This was followed by Duck Confit Sandwich. "Swiss Cheese, Pickled Ramps, Tomato, Spicy Beer Mustard." You had a choice of salad or fries. The sandwich was very good and really tasty. The mustard was not overwhelming but just an added touch. The house made fries was excellent and a seriously big serving.



I had no idea what the Butterscotch Pot de Crème was but sometimes you have to take a chance. "Crème Fraiche, Coconut Crumble." I was glad that I did since this was very enjoyable from the soft custard to the crunchy Coconut Crumble. Service from the nicely attired staff was, as usual, impeccable.

Address 2027 Massachusetts Ave, Lexington, MA 02421
Phone number (781) 301-6660

Wednesday, August 24, 2016

The Porch Wakefield

I had a craving for some real good chicken, so I headed out to The Porch in Wakefield to see if my lunch idea would work out.



The menu is still on the blackboard and the prices are including tax, nice. The meatloaf sandwich is gone, sadly. 



The inside has changed somewhat, the display case is gone replaced by a cooler with taps. They just got a full liquor license and beer and wine will be on sale shortly.



I have to wait until another visit to see if my plan for lunch would work since they had a wing and thigh with two sides as a special for $10. Since the Mac & Cheese is outstanding, I went for that and the equally good Collard Greens. The chicken was cooked perfectly, crisp on the outside and really moist on the inside. I really like the collard greens, they are not overcooked and a bit tart. Reviewers from the South also raves about them. I really appreciate that everything is cooked to order and SEASONED.

Address 41 Tuttle Street, MA 01880
Phone number (781) 245-4445

Tuesday, August 23, 2016

La Casa de Pedro Watertown

I had heard good things about La Casa de Pedro in Watertown, so I was looking forward to my lunch here.



I couldn't find parking anywhere until I realized that parking in the nearby parking garage was free. It was still very busy and I ended up on level 4.



They had a really nice outdoor seating and I managed to get a table in the shade.



So I had to try their famous roasted chicken. Victoria’s Pollo en brasa ($11.50). "The best roasted chicken in the state! Served with yuca, plantains, and black bean rice". You get a quarter and unfortunately I got a breast quarter. The skin was nice and the chicken was very tasty and still juicy but it was very salty. I like salt but this was over the top salty. When I mentioned this to the waiter he said he would tell the kitchen but I really doubt that he did. The deep fried yuca was a pleasant surprise and I really liked it. Rice with black beans was tasty. I either don't get the plantains concept or just don't like them.


Nice bar inside but very few customers.



The inside dining area was very pleasant and bright.



More seating with the open kitchen in the back. 

Address 343 Arsenal St, Watertown, MA 02472 
Phone number (617) 923-8025


La Casa de Pedro Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato

Sunday, August 21, 2016

Davio'S Lynnfield

There is something comforting about going to Davio'S in Lynnfield since you know everything is going to be excellent. Much to my surprise, this is the second week of Boston Dine Out and I completely missed it last week.



Plenty of free parking and the patio looked really inviting today.



The dining area is nice and doesn't get overly noisy. One of these days I have to sit at the counter and watch the kitchen in action.



They do a couple of things right, they serve from the Boston Dine Out menu on Sundays and they have a different menu for each week. I started with the Parma Prosciutto, Melon, Olive Oil. A classic but still soo very good.



This was followed by Pork Chop Milanese. "Frisée, Apples, Pinot Noir, Bacon Vinaigrette." The apples were missing but I got cherry tomatoes instead. I think the bacon vinaigrette was also missing. The bone-in pork chop was perfectly cooked and really good as was the sauce.



I finished with the Watermelon Sorbet, Champagne Soaked Watermelon, Mint. Excellent and you could really taste the champagne in the watermelon.



The little cookie tray was a nice surprise and of course, they were all delicious especially the chocolate truffle.

Friday, August 19, 2016

Casa Vallarta Saugus

Going to Casa Vallarta in Saugus just reinforced again why I don't go to anything on Rte 1 in this area but I had a craving for something Mexican-like food.



Easy to get to assuming that you are going the right direction on Rte 1 and of course, plenty of free parking.



The inside was clean and pleasant enough but it didn't get much busier than this today at lunch.



Small dining area and the bar where the staff was hanging out watching the Olympics. The bar got some customers later.



Warm chips and salsa and one of the reasons to go here, the bean dip. Just refried beans but it was tasty and a nice touch.



SEAFOOD ENCHILADAS ($9.99) from the lunch menu. "Two enchiladas stuffed with a blend of shrimp, crab, scallops, fish and fresh vegetables. Served with rice, refried, black, rancho beans and garnished with sour cream, avocado, lettuce and tomato". I went with the rancho beans that was pretty bland. The rice was nice but the avocado was so unripe that it wasn't edible. The enchiladas were very pleasant and stuffed with seafood. Service was good but the place was empty, so that wasn't surprising. 

Address 114 Broadway, Saugus, MA 01906 (Northbound side) 
Phone number (781) 813-3980

Casa Vallarta Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato

Thursday, August 18, 2016

Seta's Cafe Belmont

I took a peek into Seta's Cafe in Belmont when I had lunch nearby and really liked what I saw and since today a perfect day for a cruise, off for a visit I went.



Looks really neat from the outside. There is free on-street parking as well as a lot behind the restaurant.



The inside is nice and impeccable clean. There is limited seating available, so it's best to get here early, or late.



There were all kinds of baked goods on display. You order at the counter and then pick up your food when it's ready. You also bus your own table and get your own water and silverware, so there is no need to tip.



Roast Chicken Individual Meal (14). "Air chilled & raised without hormones or antibiotics plain with salt & pepper or with seasonal flavor served with french fries, green salad, hummus, garlic sauce, lavash." The french fries was house made and excellent. The salad was very nice and properly dressed. The bread was fresh and very light and tasty as was both the hummus and the garlic sauce. They didn't hold back in the garlic either! The half chicken was cooked nicely and still tender and moist. I can't make up my mind if this was expensive or not, I will get a dinner out of the leftovers. The quality of all the ingredients was top notch and the seasoning was spot on. The soup and half sandwich option looked really good with a big cup of soup.

Address 271 Belmont Street, Belmont, MA 02478 
Phone number (617) 484-7823

Seta's Cafe Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato

Wednesday, August 17, 2016

Comella's Bedford

Comella's chain of restaurants seems to be opening locations everywhere these days so it was time to check them out and I headed out to the newly opened location in Bedford.



They are located in the newly renovated plaza where Whole Foods resides. Plenty of parking.



The inside was surprisingly pleasant even if the floor needed sweeping and the tables needed a dusting. I have peeked into a few ones and they didn't look nearly as nice as this one. They do have table service.



There was also a nice bar with plenty of bar or table seating.



I started with a Caesar Salad ($4.99). I have no idea why they serve the dressing on the side, it only makes sense for takeout. What's wrong with this picture? Right, where is the romaine lettuce? The dressing was very bland but the croutons were really tasty and light. There was just a light dusting of parmesan on top. 



After a personal pizza appeared and got sent back, I finally got the 16" Cheese Pizza ($5.99). The crust was very good, nice and thin and pretty tasty. Sauce and cheese were fine as well. This certainly beats Domino's et al cardboard pizzas. Despite being really busy the service was very good. I did see some of the pasta dishes at nearby tables and they looked like they come out of a bucket. Not very good looking at all. 

Address 158 Great Road Bedford, MA 01730 
Phone Number (781) 276-7911

Comella's Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato