tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6014855669380644322024-03-25T09:58:23.052-04:00The Daily LunchMy daily lunch adventures in and around Woburn, Mass.Peter Swardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12804232197023208945noreply@blogger.comBlogger2161125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-601485566938064432.post-63062871982827352932024-02-28T14:09:00.001-05:002024-02-28T14:21:40.056-05:00Pica's Pub and Grill MethuenPica's Pub and Grill in Methuen opened in 1939 and is now run by Pappy's great-grandson, Shane. It was fully renovated about 4 years ago. I have seen tons of great reviews about this place.There is parking in the plaza with some interesting spots available.There is a long bar and hightops at the windows and the dining room. I got the hightop you can see in the picture and had to take my sweater Peter Swardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12804232197023208945noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-601485566938064432.post-54299888281779782192024-02-07T13:21:00.001-05:002024-02-07T13:42:00.408-05:00Feast of Freebies: Indulging in Birthday Month Delights!Many places will give you something for your birthday if you sign up for their newsletter/club membership, etc. I'm a big fan of free stuff, so here's what happened during January.The Serenitee group will give you a free entree and dessert for the whole month, with no limitations.Maggie's Farm had a Seafood Casserole on the specials menu. "Lobster, shrimp, scallops and haddock. Served with Peter Swardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12804232197023208945noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-601485566938064432.post-58802383471374956922024-01-18T13:59:00.003-05:002024-01-18T14:24:51.682-05:00My lunches at Tashan in Bedford. Part 2 of 2.I have been very please with my lunches at Tashan. The chef usually comes out and checks on the tables. When i complimented him on the dishes, he said: We got lucky! Ha! A very experienced crew in the kitchen and they are not dumbing down the food. Part1 can be found HERE.There is plenty of parking, and while it's in Bedford, it's located just over the border from Burlington. Express Peter Swardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12804232197023208945noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-601485566938064432.post-23243175018059166072023-12-27T13:21:00.002-05:002023-12-27T13:40:01.087-05:00In search of the best Orecchiette dish.I love my pasta!Here we go with another lengthy write-up of a dish that I find exciting and very tasty.The name of this dish refers to the shape of the pasta. The traditional dish from Apulia is orecchiette alle cime di rapa, a dish of orecchiette and rapini, also called turnip tops. Generally, in this area, it’s made with sausage broccoli rabe and might or might not include beans. I Peter Swardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12804232197023208945noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-601485566938064432.post-74713393188227385192023-12-06T13:20:00.000-05:002023-12-06T13:20:26.197-05:00My lunches at Tashan Bedford Part 1 of 2.Tashan in Bedford opened about a year ago but was only open for dinner. Later, they opened for lunch but with the dinner menu. Now that they have a proper lunch menu, it was time for a visit. From the start, I have only heard good things about their food, so I was looking forward to this. Would it be a single visit, or would I go back?They are next to Panera, with plenty of parking.The inside is Peter Swardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12804232197023208945noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-601485566938064432.post-75336212978920668652023-11-16T13:26:00.002-05:002024-01-06T12:50:19.209-05:00Code 1 BBQ WilmingtonCode 1 BBQ in Wilmington opened in the former La Rosa's space. Plenty of parking in the plaza. Opens at 11:30 and is open until 7 or until they run out.It's a small place, and much to my surprise, they can have a smoker in the kitchen. THE TAKEOUT WAS FLYING OUT THE DOOR when I was here at noon on a Saturday. They must have also been busy yesterday since they had run out of pork belly. Their Peter Swardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12804232197023208945noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-601485566938064432.post-6138995437727594742023-10-25T13:22:00.001-04:002023-10-25T13:46:35.345-04:00Tatte Bakery & Cafe Arlington I visited the newly opened Tatte Bakery & Cafe in Arlington for lunch. They took over the space formerly occupied by NYAJ. The interior was, of course, completely redone. You order at one of the three registers and get a number, and then the hunt for a table is on. After my successful visit at 12:30 with no line, everybody had the same idea. Left Sunday at 12:30. Right Sunday Peter Swardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12804232197023208945noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-601485566938064432.post-52981843602644440272023-09-27T14:05:00.002-04:002023-09-27T14:20:45.040-04:00The Food Court in the Burlington MallI was going to do a write-up about the food court in Hmart, but there was nothing that appealed to me there or couldn't be had cheaper at a sit-down restaurant. When I heard that K-Style in the mall was serving Korean Korn Dogs, I had to take a trip to the mall. How long has it been since I visited the food court? Don't remember, but the escalators had been moved. Below, I have included the Peter Swardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12804232197023208945noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-601485566938064432.post-5474801427500072302023-09-06T14:24:00.000-04:002023-09-06T14:24:11.547-04:00Twice Cooked Pork This is another favorite of mine, but it has to be made with pork belly. After finishing my search for the best General Gau's Chicken, I decided to try this dish at the top finishers. That plan failed miserably since only a few places actually serve it. All dishes are from the lunch menu unless otherwise noted.Sichuan Gourmet in Burlington is a long-time favorite of mine since they do Peter Swardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12804232197023208945noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-601485566938064432.post-41031206166300185212023-08-16T13:28:00.003-04:002023-12-19T16:55:47.717-05:00My Quest for the best Mac & Cheese. Part 3 of 3.This is the last installment of the restaurants recommended to me on FB. There were many suggestions, but there isn't such a thing as a bad M&C. The pasta was cooked in unsalted water unless otherwise noted. Show me a cookbook that tells you to cook pasta in unsalted water. It's called Mac & Cheese for a reason. Macaroni & Cheese. Not random pasta shapes. From WikipediaPeter Swardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12804232197023208945noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-601485566938064432.post-91941027002107561832023-06-28T15:56:00.001-04:002023-07-19T13:20:42.120-04:00My Quest for the best Mac & Cheese. Part 2 of 3.Second installment. Nine were included in the previous write-up. All restaurants included here were recommended on FB.The pasta was cooked in unsalted water unless otherwise noted. Show me a cookbook that tells you to cook pasta in unsalted water. It's called Mac & Cheese for a reason. Macaroni & Cheese. Not random pasta shapes. From Wikipedia: "The word "macaroni" is often Peter Swardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12804232197023208945noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-601485566938064432.post-9102253936934355422023-06-28T13:28:00.000-04:002023-06-28T13:28:19.545-04:00My Quest for the best Mac & Cheese. Part 1 of 3.I started writing down places that I had already tried and places where I suspected that the M&C would be good. Then I asked for recommendations on FB and got a ton of suggestions, and a lot was local to me. Nine are included in this write-up, with 21 more on the list. The pasta was cooked in unsalted water unless otherwise noted. Show me a cookbook that tells you to cook pasta in Peter Swardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12804232197023208945noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-601485566938064432.post-19480823397534322572023-06-07T13:36:00.005-04:002023-06-07T13:37:36.114-04:00Taipei Gourmet Lexington (New ownership)Taipei Gourmet in Lexington has reopened under new ownership, and it's a delightful sight. The restaurant has been refreshed with a cleaned patio and a revamped interior, now featuring English translations alongside the handwritten specials. Lunch dishes are attractively priced at $10.95.On my first visit, I tried the lunch Spicy Fish Fillets ($10.95). No more of that excellent veggie fried Peter Swardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12804232197023208945noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-601485566938064432.post-52944189851831180622023-05-17T14:48:00.001-04:002023-05-17T15:09:25.602-04:00Mexican Restaurants. Part 3 of 3.It ended up being a lot of restaurants visited, so I had to break it up into three parts. Link to Part 1 and Part 2. This was a very pleasant Quest since all places I visited were good, apart from one in part 2. So far, I have not found any amazing places apart from Taqueria El Amigo in Waltham and Cafe Azteca in Lawrence.El Jalisco Mexican Grill in Beverly offers a Taco Tuesdays special of Peter Swardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12804232197023208945noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-601485566938064432.post-23983205800001872312023-04-26T13:34:00.004-04:002023-04-26T15:46:23.870-04:00Mexican Restaurants. Part 2 of 3. I had to stop adding to my first post, which can be found HERE because it got way too long.Here's the next installment. So far, I have not found any amazing places apart from Taqueria El Amigo in Waltham.La Santa in Tyngsboro was a great find after Tequila's in Chelmsford was closed. The restaurant is big, with beautiful decor and a lunch menu not available online. The warm chips were mostlyPeter Swardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12804232197023208945noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-601485566938064432.post-88660528887217200222023-04-05T14:41:00.003-04:002023-04-05T17:22:29.886-04:00Eleni's Greek Restaurant WoburnEleni's Greek Restaurant is a true gem that you don't want to miss out on!Appetizers $8-$18, salads $11-$14, dinners $18-$25, lunch $11-$15 Fri Sat only.The restaurant has a fantastic location on Main Street in North Woburn, and parking is available in the back. The elegant interior is adorned with beautiful pictures on the walls and a well-stocked bar with plenty of seating.I had the Peter Swardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12804232197023208945noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-601485566938064432.post-81773021343896122162023-03-08T15:20:00.001-05:002023-03-28T09:03:22.729-04:00Mexican Restaurants. Part 1 of 3. Tuesdays are Mexican for lunch for me. I wonder why since none of the places I frequent have Taco Tuesdays deals. If a "Mexican" place doesn't have Chile Verde on the menu, are they really Mexican?
It seems very common these days not to give you the lunch menu, even if it's available on the website. I know why they do it, but it seems dishonest and deceiving to me.Taqueria El Amigo in Waltham. NoPeter Swardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12804232197023208945noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-601485566938064432.post-67234122630898623262023-02-15T13:46:00.001-05:002023-02-18T14:53:41.894-05:00Indian Restaurants in my vicinity.Indian food is one of my favorites, and we are really blessed by all the excellent restaurants in the area. If anything could make me vegetarian, it would be Indian Cuisine. All dishes are from the lunch menu unless otherwise noted.Did I miss anyone that has a lunch menu? There are fewer and fewer around.Egg Curry (15) from the Treasury Kitchen in Burlington. This might look like your generic Peter Swardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12804232197023208945noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-601485566938064432.post-73326490268249025252023-01-18T13:23:00.001-05:002023-01-18T13:40:20.573-05:00Looking for the best General Gau's (Tso's) Chicken This is just about the only American Chinese dish I like if it's done right. It seldom is. It should be dark meat chicken with a very thin batter and just crisped up on the outside. How authentic is it? Apart from the rice, nothing traces back to China. Spring roll? Invented in NY City. Fortune cookie? San Francisco. The General Gau's (Tso's) chicken? Nope. There is no recorded connection to Tso Peter Swardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12804232197023208945noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-601485566938064432.post-31508673997759734532022-11-16T13:32:00.001-05:002022-11-16T13:33:57.018-05:00A lot of Spaghetti Carbonara was eaten.Spaghetti Carbonara is one of my all-time favorites. It's not complicated. Eggs, hard cheese, cured pork (Guanciale), and black pepper. Bacon is acceptable. Outside Italy, cream and garlic might be used. If you are going to argue about what goes into a carbonara, reread the preceding part. All dishes are from the lunch menu unless otherwise noted.I'm only saying this once. Show me a cookbook thatPeter Swardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12804232197023208945noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-601485566938064432.post-51702363140771210642022-09-14T13:01:00.001-04:002022-09-14T13:11:36.881-04:00I love my Potatoes! I'm done!If you have followed my blog, you know I'm picky about my potatoes. They have to be done right, or wrath will follow. You won't see any homefries here with slimy skins still attached. A few previously frozen French Fries might show up if they have any redeeming qualities.Celtic Nachos (Small - 12| Large - 13) from the Irish Cottage in Methuen. "Homemade Kettle Chips Smothered in Cheddar Cheese, Peter Swardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12804232197023208945noreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-601485566938064432.post-63457269194781830262022-09-07T13:28:00.002-04:002022-09-07T16:53:20.281-04:00Rosa Mexicano BurlingtonRosa Mexicano in Burlington took over the space where Besito resided. A chain restaurant replacing another chain restaurant. If you are looking for Tex-Mex in an enjoyable environment, welcome.They have a pleasant patio outside.The bar and the hostess stand haven't moved. They opened up the dining room, and it's much more inviting now.You get chips (cold) and a pleasantly looking salsa. Peter Swardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12804232197023208945noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-601485566938064432.post-63424484881816422452022-08-31T13:07:00.000-04:002022-08-31T13:07:11.917-04:00New Jang Su BurlingtonI went to New Jang Su in Burlington a couple of times, and it was before I even started the blog, so 10+ years ago. I never went back, and I have no remembrance as to why. Maybe no lunch menu? I just realized they are still in business, so they must do something right. Of course the big attraction is Korean BBQ. Not a fan of cooking my own food when dining out. The prices on the website are way Peter Swardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12804232197023208945noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-601485566938064432.post-89710397194676289422022-08-24T13:29:00.001-04:002022-08-26T07:01:11.076-04:00Floramo's (Dockside) WakefieldI went (once) to Dockside in Wakefield. The kitchen has now been taken over by Floramo's, whose Chelsea location is being demolished. They will also open a location in Malden. There is no more nonsense like "Fall of the bones BBQ ribs" on their website. Fall off the bones ribs is what you get when you boil, or steam, the ribs. Pouring BBQ sauce on them doesn't make them BBQ ribs.Big parking lot Peter Swardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12804232197023208945noreply@blogger.com27tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-601485566938064432.post-87659543357110496012022-08-19T14:09:00.004-04:002022-08-19T14:31:55.674-04:00Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ BurlingtonGyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ in Burlington opened recently. When I saw the AYCE menu for $31 if you are a senior, this needed to be checked out. I stopped by to ask some questions, and the front desk was very helpful. When I mentioned that I'm a fairly small eater and maybe the AYCE wasn't for me, they hauled out a lunch menu that is not mentioned on the website at all. 3 types of meat, soup, salad and Peter Swardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12804232197023208945noreply@blogger.com0