BostonFoodGuy

Archive for the ‘Comfort Food’ Category

You’ll drive right  by this local favorite in Tewskbury if you weren’t looking for it.  This place is a classic case of don’t judge a book by its cover.  The item to get here are the soups – most made on the premises while other s – well they are still good even if they aren’t.  They have over 12 at any given time – and that’s what counts.  Even a steak bomb soup… yum.  Yea they offer sandwiches and salads and even some fried clams – but trust us – this dive is worth the drive if you in the mood for some fantastic soup.  It’s just plain good.  The Formica tables and odd benches don’t make for great atmosphere – but the soups speaks for itself.   Check it out.

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.

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. 

This old time Jamaica Plain watering hole is a political spot for the ages.  You feel like at any moment a Mayor Flynn or Billy Bulger might walk in and order a point.  While the charm is still there – Doyles itself is showing it’s age.  The pints still flow – and the food – well the food is what you expect.  They have the basics down – the fish and chips – a burger- but what sells the place is the vibe.  It’s a walk down history lane with the Menino Room and some great pictures on the wall.  Anyway, Doyles has always had a special place in our hearts and it always will.

Yes, this place may get packed with a lunch and after-work crowd, but it’s worth it. The menu isn’t extensive, and you can’t get bottles of wine at a table, but the food is quality. The macaroni-and-cheese and burgers are two of the best dishes I’ve had in Boston, and the price isn’t bad either. It’s a small place, so be prepared to wait, but it’s worth it. I would also recommend sharing a few dishes among friends – there’s always enough to go around.

What else can be said about this Townie bar that hasn’t already been said? This is one of BostonFoodGuy’s favorite spots to go on a winter day, when it’s snowing outside and all you want is a Guiness and some chowder. The Warren Tavern offers some great deals on some traditional pub favorites like fish and chips, burgers, steak tips (the turkey tips are fantastic as well) and shepards pie. For apps, you need to try their homemade chips – very addictive and perfectly seasoned. All in all, this is such a familiar and cozy spot that it’s no wonder why it’s typically always pretty crowded. If you haven’t been to this spot in a while, it’s worth the tough parking to cozy up to the bar of this gem.