BostonFoodGuy

Archive for the ‘Pub Food’ Category

This one will be short – as I really don’t have many good things to say about the Red Hat.  Our jalapeno poppers were still frozen in the middle – totally gross.  Our service was extremely slow – even though it was at lunch time and maybe 8 other people were in the entire place.  My fries were cold and the pub food – was well – standard pub food.  Nothing special.  Yea I get it – all of you Suffolk and Emerson kids will be all mad that I’m hating on your ‘trivia’ spot with great 10 cent wings… but come on – live a little – go to a better bar with better beer prices with better food.   

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.

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. 

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.

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.

This hidden spot near the state house always seemed more of a lunch spot to me than a dinner place. Emmets seems to typically have a good crowd and good vibe every time I’ve been, and the staff has always been very friendly and quick to seat you. The beer selection is very good with a good mix of imports to wet your whistle. Some of the traditional Irish dishes like the Shepard’s pie are really very good, better than one might expect due to the prices. All in all this is a place that if you are looking for a pint near the state house and want to warm up with some good traditional comfort foods – it’s one of the best deals you’ll get for your money.

This has got to be the best place in Metro Boston for wings. End of discussion. The Honey BBQ and Honey hot wings are unreal, and the regular hot wings are hot enough to make you want more beer, but not hot enough to clear our your sinuses. By the way, if you like wings that make steam come out of your ears, they can do that too. The wings are cheap, the service is fast, and the beers are plentiful. At least 10 HD TV’s line the walls, which serve to be good entertainment while you wait for a table. The only down side of Buff’s – is always packed. The place is tiny and word is out that this is the best, so come prepared to wait. Good beers to keep you busy. (Cash only)

Good beers, bad service, ok food. I guess if you really like french fries then this is a good spot to go before a Bruins or Celtics game. But let’s be honest, only a few of the microbrews are really all that special. The fruitier ones are actually pretty good, if you like fruity beer, watermelon is very good actually. The stout is also a good catch on the other end of the beer spectrum. But overall the burgers are what you’d expect, good not great. I will give them that their portions are pretty big. Their signature dish though, to me has to be those fries. They come in all sorts of flavors and that’s were the good stuff is. So grab some fries and try a few beers, just don’t expect much and you’ll be happy.

You will be surprised at the quality of the food here, plus I have always been very big on the service here.  You know I love anyplace with good service and the Blackstone doesn’t dissapoint.  The swordfish was a bit small, but cooked just right, the veggies on the side were also done right.  The apps were out of the kitchen fast and were quite tasty.  My beer was never down too low before offered another.  Plus the price was right.  All in all a better than you mike expect for a place hidden among all the other tourist traps.  Get the steak tips those are great.  Save some money and try the Blackstone.