Monday, December 28, 2020

Little India Express Lexington

I'm so happy that I found Little India Express in Lexington, and it has been my go-to for my Monday Indian lunches since the pandemic started. They have lunch specials 7 days a week for $9.95, and I really like the Rice Plate that includes 1/2 a Naan. All the dishes I have had here has been excellent, well spiced and the service is always very friendly.


They are in a small plaza just over the border from Woburn.


The cash register is set up to protect the staff. Takeout only with a few seats inside.


Lunch Rice Plate ($9.95) served with half a Naan. Today I got two portions of Naan. Today's choices were Lamb Vindaloo (extra spicy) and Baingan Bhartha (eggplant that is phenomenal). The vindaloo was extra spicy, but you could still taste the lamb vindaloo. Excellent basmati rice with every grain separated. The vindaloo is lamb with potatoes and not the other way around. How good is this for the price?

Address: 321 Woburn St, Lexington, MA 02420 Phone: (781) 862-5400

Monday, December 14, 2020

Molti on Moody Waltham

What used to be Moody's Delicatessen, The Backroom and the Pollo Club are now under the umbrella of Molti on Moody. They are geared towards quick takeouts and fresh food. The Backroom is only open for dinner on Saturdays with a prix fixe menu. The New England Charcuterie is wholly owned by Molti and is doing great.


Plenty of free on-street parking. I applaud the Mayor's effort in removing all parking meters and redoing the sidewalks, but I wish they would mark the parking spaces. You stand a good chance to get blocked in.
For now, it's just a temporary sign since this is a work in progress, and it really just happening this weekend. The websites are also a work in progress. I found it easiest to use Molti's Online Ordering and the same for the Pollo Club. The Pollo Club is now open all day for takeout Wednesday to Sundays, same as Molti. No more dinner only! Pickup for the Pollo Club is at Molti. One Restaurant, MOLTI Offerings.


If you remember the old Moody's, this is a major change that all makes sense in these trying times. People were reluctant to go out for dinner before, and it will only get worse, so going to a takeout model makes perfect sense. Stop by and pick up a pasta dish and a salad, and you are all set for a meal at home. All the food are restocked frequently. Pizza offerings can be seen to the right. The new interior is modern, sleek, open and impeccably clean. 
 

Despite being geared up for takeout, you can still order at the counter and then grab a table. You can also order drinks with your meal. It's weird to see Moody Street so empty on a Sunday at lunch.


This was Sunday's Brunch menu available 11-3. Of course you get good quality silverware and linen napkins.

 
You order their famous house-made truffle chips at your own peril because they are impossible to stop eating and might ruin your appetite. Good grief, but they are good!


Brunch Shakshouka. "Two Eggs, Spicy Tomato Sauce, Eggplant, House Made Yogurt, Herbs Za'atar Pita". I asked for the yogurt on the side since I don't like yogurt. I might have to stop stay saying that since this one was excellent. Really mild and well seasoned. The Shakshouka itself was really tasty, could have done with some more of that excellent tomato sauce. The bread was also super fresh and really enjoyable.


Crispy Chicken Sandwich from the Pollo Club. "Our Crispy Chicken Sandwich with pimento cheese, herb slaw, honey butter, and hot sauce". Of course they are using the thigh since that's the best part of a chicken. Using anything else in a crispy chicken sandwich should be illegal. This was a humongous piece, and I don't want to meet this chicken in a dark alley. It was spicy, but everything was delicious. The slaw added a nice texture. Even the thin part was perfectly fried. Turns out that they use a pressure fryer to cook the chicken and that way it comes out perfectly cooked and juicy.


They are also offering Pizza by the slice. Everything here is made in-house. This is the Coppola but the topping varies by what's are available. A really tasty slice (square?).


All the old favorites are back including the Corned Beef Sandwich. "A Moody Street classic! Corned Beef Sandwich made with Housemade Corned Beef, Swiss, Aged Sauerkraut, and Thousand Island Dressing", seen here, and the Katz. The breakfast burrito is also on its way back. They are using focaccia for bread, so I guess that's why they don't call it a Reuben, but it's really a Reuben with house-made corned beef brisket and all the traditional toppings. This was a really tasty sandwich, even if the red peppers and pickled cucumbers were a bit of a surprise.


The other new concept is Grab and Go. Ready-made meals that you simply take the top off, cover it in foil, and heat it up in the oven. This is the Lamb Meatballs "HARISSA TOMATO SAUCE, MINT AND DILL YOGURT, SIDE OF HOUSE MADE BREAD" that I haven't had a chance to taste yet. UPDATE: Tried them today and they are really excellent, light, really tender, and well seasoned. The sauce was also top-notch with nice acidity. I liked the mushrooms that also added texture. This is a far cry from the rubber balls that so often masquerade as meatballs.


Pork Bolognese "SOFRITO, PECORINO, RIGATONI" also looked really tasty. This was an excellent dish that was super tasty and serves two as a lunch, especially with the fabulous bread that accompanies the dish. However, it was just pork and the bolognese part was completely absent. The promised rigatoni was also not there.


Since they have a liquor license, drinks to go are available. The best thing Mass did was allowing drinks to go.

Address: 468 Moody St, Waltham, MA 02453 Phone: (781) 216-8732

Thursday, November 26, 2020

Boston Burger Company Somerville

Boston Burger Company in Davis Square is open for dine-in again. They are also in on the Seated app deal with 50% in rewards Mon-Wed. No table reservations, but you get a walk-in time when you can earn your rewards. 

Their newest location is in Salem, MA.


My free parking spot is now occupied by a pop-up place, so I had to pay for parking today. I forgot to include the outside seating in the picture.


The inside has a nice view of Davis Square and is also properly set up for dining in.


I went a bit overboard today and ordered THE BIG PAPI BURGER ($17.5). "Smoked bacon, griddled hot dog, fried egg*, guacamole, pickled red onions, lettuce, tomato, Papi sauce". I also ordered the Chili Cheese Fries ($10). "Homemade chili & melted cheddar jack cheese". The fries alone was probably enough for two lunches! The fries were more like steak fries, but they were cooked properly, crispy, and soft on the inside. The chili on top was really tasty. 
The burger was excellent and had a properly runny egg on top. It was also cooked exactly as ordered, and the beef was a very nice grind and it was tasty. The bacon was tasty and also cooked properly. The service was very pleasant.

Contact me for a Seated link that will give you an extra $15 in rewards.

Address: 37 Davis Square, Somerville, MA 02144 Phone: (617) 440-7361

Tuesday, November 24, 2020

The Smoke Shop Somerville

The Smoke Shop in Assembly Row in Somerville is the third location and was recently joined by a fourth in Harvard Square. They are also in on the Seated app deal with 50% in rewards Mon-Wed.


There is free parking in the parking garages, but the metered spaces are still in effect. Plenty of outside seating both in front and in the back.


The inside is the same, apart from table spacing and added shields.


I went with the Pit Boss ($27) "Choice of Three Meats & Three Sides". I was surprised that the price was only $1 more since my last visit two years ago. Turns out that the amount of protein has decreased significantly. I picked the Ribs, Brisket and The Smoke Shop BBQ's Famous HOT Wings. "fermented habanero, brown butter". The wings were HOT but very tasty. Unfortunately, they were seriously overcooked and bone dry. My sides were Pimento Mac & Cheese, Pit Beans and Crinkle Cut Fries. The mac & cheese was excellent, creamy with a little bit of heat. This is the first time, in any location, that I have gotten creamy M&C. The beans were also way better than the last time, well seasoned, and really tasty. Luckily, they are not the icky sweet Boston baked beans. The previously frozen fries were excellent, crispy, and with a nice seasoning. The ribs were good, as was the brisket and I asked for the brisket from the fatty end, it tends to be juicier that way. The service was OK.

I didn't realize that there was a voluntary 3% kitchen fee added on. I didn't bother to dispute it, but I really dislike this practice. Why should I help the owner pay the staff? If the restaurant does 1M in sales (they do way more), it would put 33K more in the owner's pocket.

Contact me for a Seated link that will give you an extra $15 in rewards.

Address: 325 Assembly Row, Somerville, MA 02145 Phone: (617) 623-7427

Wednesday, November 18, 2020

Minuteman Diner Bedford

Minuteman Diner in Bedford opened not that long ago, and I did run across a Groupon for them. Reviews looked good, so the deal was a go.


They are located just outside Bedford with plenty of parking. They also have a very nice outdoor seating area. Not useful today since it was a bit more than brisk outside.


The inside was nice and spacious with proper distancing and shields in place. It was also impeccably clean. They even have a liquor license. In a diner!


I went with my standby for a first diner visit. Corned Beef Hash & Eggs (12). "Served with two eggs, homefries and toast". All prices are +1. They had Scali bread, and that makes me happy. It was toasted and properly buttered, not just a smear in the middle. The home fries were seasoned and cooked really well. Despite having the skin on, they were fine since they were crispy and didn't have slimy skins. The hero was the house-made corned beef hash. Really tasty with a good texture. Prices might be a tad high for a diner, but the quality of the food makes it worth it. The service was friendly. Check their website for opening hours since they may change during these uncertain times.

Address: 363 Great Rd, Bedford, MA 01730 Phone: (781) 538-5728

Monday, November 16, 2020

Fiorella's Concord

Fiorella's in Concord are in on the Seated app deal with 50% in rewards Mon-Wed.


After walking down from the free parking at the rotary, I noticed that all the meters said Free Parking.


Everything is spaced properly, and the bar has dividers.


You get the pizza sticks with their excellent marinara sauce.


I started with their CALAMARI FRITTI ($10). "Tender calamari & cherry peppers flash-fried to perfection served with Fiorella’s signature marinara sauce". These are worth the trip alone. Perfectly fried and really tender. Of course you get both tentacles and rings. This and the pizza sticks would have made a nice lunch for me.


Here is the FUSILLI BOLOGNESE ($16). "Our delicious bolognese made om braised ground beef, veal & pork simmered with diced onions, carrots, celery & crushed tomatoes in a red wine tomato sauce, tossed with fresh fusilli pasta". The pasta was fresh, and the bolognese is excellent, really tasty and rich. The leftovers are good for two more meals.


I have almost forgotten about their Christmas envelopes. No peeking and they can be redeemed starting January 1st.

Contact me for a Seated link that will give you an extra $15 in rewards.

Address 24 Walden Street Concord, MA 01742 Phone 978.341.9999

Tuesday, November 10, 2020

Tu y Yo Somerville

I visited Tu y Yo in Somerville a long time ago and haven't been back since. They are offering a great deal available on the Seated app and are open for indoor dining.


There is free on-street parking. Not sure what happened but all the nice signs outside are gone. The owner said new signs will arrive next week.


The inside was nice and bright but very different from my last visit. The same taco's that is available on the lunch menu is also available as a Taco Tuesday special at dinner time.


I picked Carnitas, Carne Asada, Cochinita and Fried Avocado. Each was $2.50. The tortillas were very fresh and all the filling was really tasty and it was plenty of it. I really liked the fried avocado that was crunchy with a perfectly ripe avocado. I'll be back for this again. The left sauce was spicy (it was!) and the right one was mild but tasty. The owner was very friendly and gave me a jar of their salsa, which was really tasty with a hint of heat.

Contact me for a Seated link that will give you an extra $15 in rewards.

Address: 858 Broadway, Somerville, MA 02144 Phone: (617) 623-5411

Wednesday, November 4, 2020

The Millers Tavern Methuen

The Millers Tavern in Methuen had a great deal available on the Seated app. I downloaded the app before Covid and it promptly became useless, but are now active again and have quite a few locations outside Boston. On my last visit here I had a very good Reuben that was made with brisket. Well, it was really a Rachel since they use slaw instead of sauerkraut.


It's a big place with a heated porch on the right.


When I got here at noon, the place was empty. A few customers trickled in during my lunch. It makes me nervous about the restaurant seeing a big place like this empty.


I started with the French Onion Soup au Gratin (6.95). "Topped with seasoned croutons and melted cheese". There was nothing french about the soup. The cheese wasn't gruyere and the onions were just pale bits floating around that had not been properly caramelized. As a result, the soup lacked a depth of flavor and was quite bland. The croutons were tasty.


This was followed by The Millers Irish Nachos (Family Size $14.95). "A skillet of sidewinder fried potatoes topped with shredded corn beef, melted cheddar, Dublin sauce, sour cream and scallions". Hold the sour cream and the scallions didn't make it. The Dubliner sauce didn't make it either. Didn't notice until I saw this dish again on a later visit. Looking at this gigantic skillet, I should have stuck with the smaller potion. I had to google "sidewinder potatoes" and it obviously refers to the shape, but they were new to me. The potatoes were excellent, browned on the outside and fluffy on the inside. The cheese and the sauce were tasty as was the brisket, even if it was a bit sparse. This is a potato lover's dream and I was very happy, even if I now have potatoes for days. The service was pleasant. 

I'll update the post if and when I know if the Seated app worked. I contacted Seated and they made another reservation and the receipt scanned fine. 5 minutes later 50% of my bill showed up as rewards. Lesson learned, make sure the reservation shows up in the app. First time user... Contact me for a link that will give you an extra $15 in rewards.

Address: 105 Pleasant Valley St, Methuen, MA 01844 Phone: 978-208-8521

Saturday, October 24, 2020

Burtons Burlington

When you sign up for the Loyalty program at Burtons Grill & Bar they give you a $25 bonus and I headed out to their Burlington location today.


In addition to serving inside, they also have outdoor seating on two sides.


I took a seat in the bar and had the whole bar area to myself.


My plans for today were completely shattered when I saw that they are doing their own Dine Out week. Ends tomorrow. Two-course lunch for $20 sounded like a very good deal. I started with the Roasted Beet Salad. I'm not too fond of beets but enjoyed the salad nevertheless.


The Reuben showed up on the special menu. "Angus corned beef, local sauerkraut, imported swiss, russian dressing, griddled marble rye. Served with fresh cut french fries.". I ordered extra dressing. This was one of the better Reubens I have had. The corned beef was tender and very tasty. The sauerkraut was crunchy and tangy. The dressing was also very good. The marble rye didn't make it, but the light rye did. That was fine since I like light rye. The french fries were very good, but a tad overcooked. It turns out that in order to use the bonus, your bill has to be over $25, and much confusion arose, but the manager quickly sorted things out. There was a surprising number of guests dining in.

Address: Middlesex Commons, 43 Middlesex Turnpike #10b, Burlington, MA 01803 Phone: (781) 221-2281

Wednesday, October 21, 2020

Revolution Hall Lexington

Revolution Hall in Lexington is part of the Craft Food Hall project that currently has two locations. The third location in Chelmsford is closed at the moment. I found the concept very intriguing when I first heard about it. Having done sous-vide since Anova did crowdfunding for their first sous vide device, I really like this way of cooking. No chance of overcooking anything.


They are located as far from Lexington center as you can get, but the good thing is that there is almost no food competition in the area. Plenty of parking and they have a good amount of outside seating.


The big bar in the middle and the three food options can be seen in the back. To the left are the Vessel section (vegetarian), the Sousviderie, and hidden by the beams are the Project X Pizza. I really like the open space concept. Get a card and scan the appropriate menu section and order online.


Get your drink card, linked to your CC, and after that, it's pour your own. Need more info? Just tap the screen and more detailed info pops up.


I started with the Caribbean Pork Tacos (2 Tacos). "White Corn Tortilla/ 12 Hour Sous Vide Pulled Pork/ Avocado Lime Slaw/ Mango Salsa/ Sweet Pineapple Fire Sauce/ Cotija Cheese/ Cilantro / Lime Wedge". The thin corn tortillas were nicely torched and really fresh. This was a tasty taco! I'll be happy to try some of their other taco offerings.


I also got the Chipotle Burger 8oz. "House dust infused / torched havarti/ chipotle aioli/ lettuce/ banana pepper / sweet chipotle seasoning / potato bun". Add South West Fries for $2, they are worth it. Excellently cooked and well seasoned. The burger was cooked at 135° and was tender and juicy. La Frieda beef is a high-quality brand. The toppings were good and the potato bun was super fresh and tasty. I normally leave the bun, but not here. The "house dust" is a cinnamon chipotle rub.


This is the advantage of sous-vide cooking. Perfectly medium all the way out to the edge with a light sear put on before serving.


The Sousviderie in action. At least part of it.


The hangout area with air hockey and ping pong table.

Address: 3 Maguire Rd, Lexington, MA 02421 Phone: 781-778-7158

I was invited as a media guest, but all opinions are my own.

Friday, October 16, 2020

The Wardhurst Peabody

The Wardhurst Restaurant & Bar in Peabody is open for dine-in, dine-out and takeout. They are also participating in the Peabody Dine Out during October. Dishes are $20.20 with two sides and dessert.


The tent is now heated.


The bar is now enclosed and the dividers are in place in the dining room.


I had the Prime Rib (14oz) today, and it was excellent. It was a very generous 14oz. The Prime Rib was super tender. Also available are the Fried Chicken Plate and Stuffed Shrimp. Double Stuffed Potato Round was new to me, but they were really good. I got another order instead of veggies. Their fried chicken is excellent with an outstanding batter.


Chocolate Chip Bread pudding was more pudding than chocolate chip. I'll stick with the Lemon Mascarpone cake for dessert. It was very quiet at lunch today, but people were probably afraid of the rain. The service is always friendly and pleasant.

Address: 31 Lynnfield St, Peabody, MA 01960 Phone: (978) 531-9730