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Epic level Boston Noms
Frugus
PhotographerMontrealRegistered User regular
PhotographerMontrealRegistered User regular
Like many others I'll be traveling quite a bit for this!
Anyone has any suggestions on the best Nom Loot drops around Boston? Please do tell as I fear I will not survive for long without a Poutine from La Banquise*.
I've already tried Cheers AKA The Pub and Finch, not bad, I wast especially glad to go there for the "history" if you can call it that.
I was also on the lookout for the best Pizza in Boston but I did not get to hunt it down really well. I tried something called Bostone Pizza which was in the same mall/complexe where PAX 2010 was. However I've heard good things about a place called "Upper Crust".
The pour house: GREAT breakfast as far as we were concerned, though a bit on the ultra greasy side. I'd check it out again if I ever come across it.
Brasserie Jo: French place with actual French speaking staff (at least it was the case with us). Nice and a bit classy, but the price/worth did not feel right. Breakfast was not... enjoyable.
Please fill out as best as you can:
1- Best classy yet affordable (Caviar only goes so far)
2- Best grease spoon
3- Best Local (all categories aside)
4- Best Geeky
5- Best Breakfast
*
Anyone has any suggestions on the best Nom Loot drops around Boston? Please do tell as I fear I will not survive for long without a Poutine from La Banquise*.
I've already tried Cheers AKA The Pub and Finch, not bad, I wast especially glad to go there for the "history" if you can call it that.
I was also on the lookout for the best Pizza in Boston but I did not get to hunt it down really well. I tried something called Bostone Pizza which was in the same mall/complexe where PAX 2010 was. However I've heard good things about a place called "Upper Crust".
The pour house: GREAT breakfast as far as we were concerned, though a bit on the ultra greasy side. I'd check it out again if I ever come across it.
Brasserie Jo: French place with actual French speaking staff (at least it was the case with us). Nice and a bit classy, but the price/worth did not feel right. Breakfast was not... enjoyable.
Please fill out as best as you can:
1- Best classy yet affordable (Caviar only goes so far)
2- Best grease spoon
3- Best Local (all categories aside)
4- Best Geeky
5- Best Breakfast
*
I don't actually eat Poutine that much, this is just a clever attempt to show what my stomping grounds are. Also, La Banquise is good but not the best, however it wins because it's available 24/7. That is all.
Frugus Eggbeater
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Whatever you do, don't eat at Upper Crust. Not only is there better pizza elsewhere (Bostone if you're in the Back Bay), but they treat their workers like shit.
http://www.boston.com/business/ticker/2010/07/suit_alleges_up.html
http://www.boston.com/business/articles/2010/12/22/upper_crust_retaliated_in_pay_dispute_2d_suit_says/
http://www.boston.com/business/articles/2010/12/10/attorney_general_reportedly_to_probe_pizza_chain/
http://www.boston.com/business/articles/2010/12/05/harmony_gives_way_to_exploitation_charge_against_upper_crust/
... !!!
Dude, thanks for the heads up. Be it amazing or not I'll be staying away from that place for sure, they won't be getting my money.
Also, http://www.samlagrassas.com is billed as the worlds #1 sandwich place... and though I've only been there once I'd be hard-pressed to disagree (though I'm not a local, so I could be wrong).
Massive Crystal Cavern!
Gaming blog
@lamournumerique
There's quite a few around Boston. Do you prefer a specific type of ethnic food (Indian, Ethiopian) or any?
Pretty open to anything, to be honest. Veggie burritos or falafel would be good to source. In terms of ethnic preference, I'd prefer Indian.
Gaming blog
@lamournumerique
2- Best grease spoon: I don't know that I'd call it a Grease Spoon but UBurger has multiple locations, and they're all a very guilty nom.
3- Best Local: Herrera's Mexican Grill at 11 Temple Place. Don't go to one of the other locations. Get the Pollo Collorado Burrito. It is my favorite food.
4- Best Geeky: The Kinsale has some neat wall art, interesting music and big wooden tables. It makes me feel like a warlord when I'm eating a steak. Brunch on the weekend.
5- Best Breakfast: Hop on the train, Red Line to Davis Square, and go to Brunch at Johny D's.
6- best Pizza: The Original Pizzaria Regina in the North End. There's no comparing to its franchise locations at all.
Also, check out Gaslight and Beehive.
PAX East 2015: -Pass [X] -Hotel [X] -Time off[X]
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No questions asked, try The Other Side Cafe (www.theothersidecafe.com). It's near Hynes, if you came to last year's PAX. Either way, it's easy to reach via public transit. Hell, they ever have a raw menu.
Eastern Standard on Kenmore Sq is the first that comes to mind. (www.easternstarndardboston.com) They usually have 3-4 different types of oysters and I believe was voted as this year's best spot for them.
Onto the original questions:
1- Best classy yet affordable: my usual choice for birthdays and celebrations is Eastern Standard, mentioned above. Extremely varied food selection, and a cocktail menu that will make your head spin. You can get away with $25-30pp.
2- Best grease spoon: not that many, actually. Those that would count as diners will be quite a ways off from anything considered "downtown". I second a trip to UBurger. Honest, cheap, delicious burgers.
3- Best Local (all categories aside): Union Oyster House. On the pricier side, imo (at least considering the type of food), but it's as typical a Boston dining experience as you'll get. We're talking fresh swordfish, clam chowder, and baked beans while downing a Sam Adams.
4- Best Geeky: I second the Kinsale.
5- Best Breakfast: hop on the red line, get to Kendall/MIT and walk to The Friendly Toast. Here's their menu: http://www.docshare.com/doc/214361/new-menu-4-pdf Seriously, go and look at the menu. Is your mouth watering yet?
And pizza tends to be fairly unremarkable everywhere, but please avoid The Upper Crust. To say longtime customers have felt betrayed by the latest events would be putting it mildly.
PAX East '12 Team Totodile Gold - Professor
Gaming blog
@lamournumerique
Mamma Maria in the north end is fucking amazing.
If you're looking for a cheap lunch option in the north end I highly recommend Galleria Umberto. It's an old school italian place that only serves lunch. When they run out of food, lunch service is over. They have good (not great) pizza and super greasy arancini that... oh man, getting hungry just thinking about it.
If you like sushi, go to Ginza in chinatown. Everything is fresh, service is great, and they are the perfect "giant party, giant bill" type of place.
A side note: If you feel like taking a break from PAX on Friday or Saturday head to Haymarket and grab some fresh food to snack on for the rest of the weekend. It's near fanuel hall/the north end so there's plenty of restaurant options as well if you want to make a full meal trip out of it.
2- Best grease spoon
Totally the South Street Diner. It's at 178 Kneeland St, probably a 15 min walk from the convention center (or take the silver line to south station, it's a short walk from there). Open all night, takes reservations between 1 am and 5 am for parties of 3 or more. Typical diner food, menu's on their website.
Boloco (stands for BOston LOcal COmpany) is a local burrito chain. Good stuff, and you'll find several locations throughout. They occasionally have "free burrito hours" at some locations. It's exactly what it sounds like. Wouldn't surprise me if they had some kind of PAX-related promo. I'll keep an eye out for it.
PAX East '12 Team Totodile Gold - Professor
A friend of mine who subsides only on vegetables suggested the following places:
http://peaceopie.com/
http://www.grasshoppervegan.info/
Oh, and there is a slew of random places here: http://www.bostonveg.org/restaurants/index.html
http://twitter.com/h_e_e_l_s
www.reedpop.com
Red B/Gold Professor
[15:53] <+juju-work> ArsonIsFun is one of the best people I know.
The heavy hitters in town -
B&G Oysters
Neptune Oyster
Island Creek Oyster Bar
Red B/Gold Professor
[15:53] <+juju-work> ArsonIsFun is one of the best people I know.
Thanks a tonne.
Gaming blog
@lamournumerique
Doh! I was just about to wait until I read all the post before I said I would add them to the PAX map.
Heh, no worries. I had to recommend The Other Side cafe', since it's the only vegan-friendly place I will go out of my way to eat at. And when an unabashed carnivore says it...
PAX East '12 Team Totodile Gold - Professor
Damn it, you got me.
Gaming blog
@lamournumerique
There is a Boloco about a block from the Hynes T-station, went there last year. It was pretty good, your average burrito and salad joint. There are a bunch of fast food places along that same strip including pizza and hot dogs I believe.
www.team-sf.com
MD PAX Meet-Up - Events Calendar - G+ - @MD_PAX_Meetup - Facebook
The eats near BCEC are pretty thin unfortunately. I was just contemplating this matter this morning and concluded that there are probably only two or three places within walking distance that I'd be willing to eat at (which is why I'm disappointed that it's happening at the BCEC rather than the Hynes this year):
1. Flour Bakery: very good sandwiches and even better pastries. http://www.flourbakery.com/
2. No Name Seafood: fish and chips type place. It's really just a B+ restaurant, but, given the other boring chain options in the immediate vicinity, it's worth it to at least have lunch there.
3. I guess this means there are only two places I'd be willing to eat. The rest of the stuff around that area is crap.
On the other hand, if you're willing to hop on public trans, here's my take on the list:
1- Best classy yet affordable: Petit Robert Bistro
Outstanding lunch menu with a broad range of food to satisfy both the finicky (ham and cheese sandwich) and the foodie (calf brains).
2- Best grease spoon: UBurger
Burgers, fries, and shakes. All produced from whole ingredients. Reliably tasty.
3- Best Local: Top of the Hub
The food is good but not great, the drinks are tasty but overpriced, but you'll be eating in one of the tallest buildings in Boston with picture window views of the entire city. The one item on the menu that is, indeed, great is the cookie plate. They will literally bake the cookies when you order them and serve them straight out of the oven while they're still gooey.
4- Best Geeky: Oishii
I'm not sure what this category actually means, but I do know they have a dish at Oishii which is served in a glowing 8" block of ice. Oh, and it's sushi. And it's completely, decadently, expensive.
5- Best Breakfast: Charlie's Sandwich Shoppe
Charlie's could fall under best local and best greasy spoon too. It's a diner that's been around since 1927. Charlie's has the distinction of being one of the only restaurants in Boston that would serve black performers (like Sammy Davis Jr.) back in the day. All of the dishes are made in-house -- so you won't be paying for some formerly frozen piece of food that came off of a Sysco truck.
My office is in Back Bay and my co-workers are consummate foodies (no pun intended), so I could go on and on about different places to eat if anyone wants to listen.
http://www.urbanspoon.com/ps/4/14762/Boston/Landmarks/Boston-Convention-and-Exhibition-Center.html
first off, i'll second the other side cafe, and second third and fourth grasshopper, the all-vegan chinese place in allston. also, every vegan/vegetarian i know loves veggie planet in harvard square. they even do soy cheese vegan pizza! overall i think boston is pretty veggie friendly, and there aren't too many places (especially if you avoid major chains) where you can't find a veggie option or two.
i've also heard good things about the clover food trucks. vegetarian, local, mostly organic. they've got a few locations, one being right outside south station, which is the closest t station to the con.
Omg it's not
www.team-sf.com
MD PAX Meet-Up - Events Calendar - G+ - @MD_PAX_Meetup - Facebook
http://www.urbanspoon.com/ps/4/14762/Boston/Landmarks/Boston-Convention-and-Exhibition-Center.html
Definitely Eastern Standard. Not my favorite place, but it's large, easy to get to, and very delicious. The Mac & Cheese is the best anywhere.
2- Best grease spoon
Tastyburger. Without a doubt. It's leagues beyond UBurger, and they also serve booze there if you wish. :^: My favorite burger in Boston, hands down.
3- Best Local (all categories aside)
One of my favorite (reasonably priced) restaurants around is India Quality in Kenmore Sq. Best Indian food around. But if you want to feel all Bostonian, I'd actually recommend Legal Test Kitchen, which is super close to the Convention Center. It's owned by Legal Sea Foods, but this one is a sort of seafood Asian fusion, and it's really good. Seafood there is super fresh.
4- Best Geeky
Miracle of Science! It's between Central Sq. and Kendall Sq. in Cambridge, near MIT of course. Their menu is a periodic table. It's pretty sweet.
5- Best Breakfast
Lineage in Coolidge Corner in Brookline. It's a wee bit expensive, but it's fantastic.
Editor, GameKiq.com
XBLA: shattered aura
Wow, that sounds awesome.
Gaming blog
@lamournumerique
All these places are reasonably priced (less than $20 per person before drinks, mostly less than $15) except where noted.
Breakfast: Ball Square Cafe on Broadway in Somerville. Giant piles of thoroughly delicious traditional diner breakfast food for reasonable money. The Waffle Delight is a Belgian waffle with a pile of fresh fruit on it roughly the size of a toddler's head. As an extra bonus, the owner has an ongoing feud (which IIRC has escalated into a spitting match and an almost-fistfight) with the other breakfast place next door. Davis Square then 89 bus east
Luxury Burger: I know this is the hip fashionable place that everybody yaks about endlessly, but the burger at Craigie on Main (Main St, Cambridge, near MIT) is worth every penny of the $18ish they charge for it, and then some. Life-changing experience. Also the cocktails are awesome. Central Square or the 1 bus
Not Luxury Burger: I'm not a connoisseur, but the burgers at Boston Burger Company (Davis Square, Somerville) are pretty good. Extra points for a veggie burger that my wife loves and a turkey burger that isn't dry at all. Davis Square
Sandwiches and Coffee: Clover started out as a "vegetarian fast food" food truck near MIT. Now it's a food truck near MIT, one near South Station, and an actual restaurant in Harvard Square. They serve a narrow but regularly changing assortment of sandwiches, sides (including really good rosemary-tossed fries), seasonal drinks, and coffee -- every cup brewed on the spot. Harvard Square
Barbecue: Redbones in Davis Square, Somerville, has some very good points (giant piles of barbecued meat) and some not-so-good points (some of the sides, service, the feeling you get if you sit at the kitchen-edge bar in the back and watch the cooks prep your plate). Still, it's delicious barbecued pork and you sure as hell won't leave hungry. Davis Square
Cheap Japanese: Porter Exchange on Massachusetts Ave just south of Porter Square, Cambridge, has a food court with five little Japanese places and one Korean, plus one pretty decent sit-down Japanese place called Bluefin. The standout among the Japanese places is a tiny hole-in-the-wall called Cafe Mami which serves youshoku -- Japanese "western-style" food: stuff like the hamburger patty with the fried egg on top, or pork cutlet curry, or katsudon. It's absolutely delicious. Sapporo Ramen and ChoCho's, the Korean place, are also pretty good, particularly the sundubu (spicy soft tofu stew) at ChoCho's. I don't recommend the other three restaurants in the food court -- here "don't recommend" ranges from "kinda meh" to "violent buttsplosion". Porter Square
Chinese: Good Chinese is hard to find on the Cambridge/Boston side. One place my (Chinese-American) wife and I like a lot is Qingdao Garden, on Massachusetts Ave in North Cambridge. It looks like a Formica takeout place, but they have a lot of well-done authentic North Chinese and Sichuan food. As with many Chinese places, the good stuff is on the "regional specialties" part of the menu. Especially recommended is the Zhongqing hot fried chicken, with plenty of tongue-numbing Sichuan pepper. Harvard Square or Porter Square, then 77 bus north
Fun Neighborhood Restaurant: Highland Kitchen, on Highland Ave in Somerville, serves a variety of very tasty, largely southern-influenced American dishes and pretty good cocktails (not as special as Craigie, but pretty good). I don't know that this fits the "classy yet affordable" category exactly -- it's quite casual, but a little more upscale than most of these places ($13-20 entrees). Davis Square, then 88 bus east, or Lechmere, then 88 bus west
Chinese, Nice: JoJo TaiPei, on Brighton Ave in Allston. As you might guess from the name, many of the house specials are Taiwanese dishes. Worth a trip solely for either the soupy buns (xiaolong bao), which are better than Joe's Shanghai in New York, or the Taiwanese shaved ice, which is a giant bowl of snow cone covered with red bean, tapioca pearls, and grass jelly. And I mean "giant" -- the "small" is more than sufficient for dessert for two. Packards Corner or the 66 bus
Chinese, Cheap Late-Night: Taiwan Cafe, on Oxford St in Chinatown, has been our go-to cheap eats when we're out late in Boston for years now. It's nothing special, but it's reliably good and not drenched in cornstarchy brown sauce. Downtown Crossing, Chinatown, or South Station
Chinese, Dim Sum: Hei La Moon, on Beach St in Chinatown (it's on the east side of I-93), is our dim sum of choice. Like many dim sum places, it's a gigantic Hobbesian war of all against all to get in the door -- but once your party sits down, nonstop yummy arrives via cart. Beats the pants off of China Pearl, its better-known rival. We particularly love the dish called in Mandarin dou hua, which is a bowl of a substance somewhere between sweet soy milk and silken tofu, covered with a light ginger-sugar syrup. Downtown Crossing, Chinatown, or South Station
Tempura: At Ginga, on Beacon St in Coolidge Corner (Brookline), we had decent sushi and the best tempura we have ever eaten. It was almost feathery. Coolidge Corner [C]