Restaurant Reviews, Boston Cheap Eats, Boston Places to Eat

Archive for the ‘American’ Category

So you are probably asking the same question that I did 0 the Bell in Hand serves food?  Yea they do – but don’t get too excited – no one is heading to here to get the Sam Adams burger or to munch on the popcorn shrimp.

So let’s all be honest here, you should go the the Bell in Hand to see drunk college kids and adults from the suburbs on a night out on the town – and enjoy the good beer selection.  But truth be told – as harsh as I sound – the bar service actually is typically pretty good (before it gets waaaay too crowded).  So avoid this place like the plague on a Sat Night unless you are a girl who already has on her tight black pants looking for some dude that works on State Street to wisk you off of your feet.

This place to me is always better as a lunch spot – great location to grab a brew and talk to some old friends.

So one of the first cool things you need to know about the Vault – is I am told that the owner also owns the Chicken Box on Nantucket.  The Chicken Box sometimes has some pretty good acts play, but typically it’s a drunken mess with lots of kids from NY ruining the Nantucket vibe.  That being said, both the Vault and to a lesser degree the Chicken box has it’s virtues.

But today, lets stick with the Vault.  I actually like the location of the Vault, right in historic Liberty Square, off the beaten track of State Street and Quincy Market.  It has a lively after work scene with a nice beer selection and tasty appitizers.  The dinner menu is limited, but it’s typical comfort food with Mac and Cheese, burgers, calimari, the typical Boston-Bar type grub.  All in all the service is always better that I would expect, with a friendly waitstaff and quick delivery on the goods.

Check out the Vault, but be warned on a Thursday after work it can be very busy.  Go early and enjoy.

This Charlestown gem is away from the touristy areas and in a wonderfully renovated old barracks.  One of the keys to this hot spot is the wonderful (and nicely priced I might add) wine list.  The waiter or waitress will be more than glad to help you pick a vino for the evening.  A real treat is the hanger steak on a bed of french fries- it’s a bit of a comfort food delight, along with the meatloaf.  But I would be remiss if I didn’t tell you about all of their wonderful fish offerings, my favorite was a special that they had which was a rainbow trout, cooked perfectly and it has nice sweet almost glaze sauce on top.

The desserts and apps will keep you coming back as well, with some wonderful calamari to start and some simple cakes and pastries to satisfy your sweet tooth.

It can be busy, and the place isn’t all that big so get there early on a Saturday night.

I know – some of you really love these burgers.  I have read the reviews on all the other sites and magazines – so I had to try it.  The burger is like a big meatball at this Somerville institution.  Yes you know the drill, the owner says that it’s up to you to squish the burger and that’s just how he makes them.

What everyone forgets to tell you is that the burger is as dry as cardboard.  I’ve tried two burgers there – both were unseasoned – dry- and boring.

The service was curt – and unfriendly.  We went on a very unbusy Sunday around 2ish – there was only about 6 other people in the place.  And still – service was slow – our glasses were dirty and the burgers were boring.

I actually don’t mind the roundness of the burger – that’s cool – but the lack of flavor and juices is what bothered me the most.

I don’t think I’ll be going back – there are much better burger places out there. 

Yea I know – this is the flagship of Todd English’s empire.  I want to say up front I think Todd English is a fantastic chef and that I typically have been impressed at his restaurants and menus.

I really don’t like Olives.  Don’t get me wrong – I’ve given it plenty of chances – I wanted to like it.  I really did.  But to me the single thing that was consistent wasn’t the food it was the terrible service.

Consistently bad service.  I have eaten at the bar – bad service.  Large dinner party – bad service.  And for an intimate dinner for two – (poor/average service that time).

Listen, the food is good – sometimes great (fantastic steak frites – and the pork chop was decent as well).  But what was always left in my mouth was the taste of a rude bartender – or rushed and thoughtless waitstaff.  I actually thought about telling the bartender how disappointed I was with him – but the BFG doesn’t like to confrontation.

Anyway, the decor is lovely – and it is almost always buzzing with people.  But just be prepared to wait – and wait.  Don’t expect your water to be filled – with a server that smiles – or anything else for that matter. At the end of the day – for the prices that you’re paying you expect quality service.

And it’s a shame because Figs just down the street is just to opposite – that wait staff is seemingly always cheery and helpful.  I don’t get it.

Executive chef Tom Holloway has done a tremendous job at this suburban gem of a restaurant.  I don’t know the whole back story behind the old Todd English Rustic Kitchen in Faneuil Hall and I don’t really care – this is Jim and Kathy Cafarelli’s and I couldn’t be happier.  I am not going to lie, I didn’t expect much considering the location in the outdoor shopping area of Derby Street in Hingham, but what lies inside is nothing short of a fantastic dining experience – especially considering the price.  I have to first comment on the service – because our waitress not only offered heartfelt and honest opinions (I always love it when they tell you what they don’t like on the menu) but was always helpful and attentive.  The ambiance was just lovely – you forgot you were in Hingham the moment you stepped in.  We split an appetizer of the Lobster and artichoke dip – not what I expected but it was delicious with the wontons being very flavorful and crispy.  The wine selection was descent but did offer good value – so I give them a hat tip to being smart for offering such a nice range of offerings.  Then came my pork chops – oh my – think – and juicy – with a wonderful sweetness.  They were brined in an apple cider.  Just perfect – the bostonfoodgal – had the squash ravioli – which were homemade and soft and full of a robust sweet flavor – with the sauce not overpowering the flavors of the ravioli which I liked.  I would highly recommend both dishes.   All in all – the Rustic Kitchen truly surprised me as I was going in not expecting much – but ended up leaving happy with a great meal at a reasonable price. 

Locke Ober is old Boston at it’s finest. Superior service in an elegant setting.  The menu has all of the best classics with some being tastefully updated with  modern touches. The lobster savannah is well worth the price – and while ordering please – ask for the Ward 8 cocktail as well as the lobster stew. I mean for those of us who see a visit to Locke Ober as a special event, why not go all out? For dessert make sure to get the baked Alaska. It’s to die for. Please understand that Locke Ober certainly isn’t inexpensive, but it does rate well on value – and that goes to show how great not only the food is, but the service is impeccable. The wait staff  is always present, but not hovering, and they never make you feel rushed. I could not have been happier.

Wine list is ample. Oh – and ask to see the Kennedy room it’s worth it.

And yes they did have Island Creek Oysters when I went.

This is probably my favorite spot for lunch in Boston. Everyone always calls this a “brunch spot,” but I’m not exactly sure why because the sandwiches are the real draw. Friggin good sandwiches I might add. If you’re a total foodie, you’ll fall for this place too – they get their sandwiches from other chefs in the city. There’s only about a dozen on the menu, so you have to be a little adventurous to love it like I do, but it’s well worth it. They have added new things to their menu recently, but the Zuni Roll is my favorite. It’s delicious! Visiting the Parish Cafe also wouldn’t be complete without experiencing the outdoor patio either – best spot in the city. If you go on a nice Saturday afternoon, be prepared to spend some time waiting for an outdoor table, but in that case, try one of their funky drinks – that menu is one of the best around as well!

I was pleasantly surprised by this restaurant. I had never been to the Federalist before, which was the restaurant prior to its closing a few years ago, but had heard great things. I now know people who frequently go to Moo, but I knew nothing about it. It is a steakhouse, so you have to try the steak. I say, feel free to fill up on the drinks and appetizers and go for a smaller steak. It was good, but if I’m going to spend $40 on a steak, I’d rather go to Abe and Louie’s. They have a good variety of food and the drinks are fantastic, but for me it didn’t break the top 5 or 6 of the best places for steak in Boston. The service, the ambiance, the drinks…all an A-plus though.

Eh, I have such mixed feelings about this place. It’s always packed, so it’s tough to get a table. The wine list is great – but is it worth the price. Yea it’s really cool inside and I feel like I’m in a really cool Crate and Barrel or something -but it’s still overpriced. For an app – I had a simple salad – it was fine. Yea the seafood is good, it’s better than average. I had the salmon – it was well cooked and not over seasoned it certainly was fresh. The service is pleasant but a bit rushed. I would have enjoyed to relax a bit more, and the noise level was a bit loud for my tastes. I don’t know – I guess the Boston Food Guy is in like with the place but not in love with it.