7 Beach St
Boston, MA 02111
617-422-0501
Highly Recommended
Xinh Xinh (or as we call it "double-X) is located on Beach Street in Chinatown, about a half a block off of Washington Street. This tiny restaurant squeezes as many patrons in at lunch as possible so get there early or arrive after 1:30.
The menu is predominantly Vietnamese Pho (noodle soup). I have had the Pho Dac Biet, which is a soup of rice noodles with rare eye round, soft tendon, brisket and tripe and the Pho Sate Dac Biet; a fiery hot beef soup with noodles and herbs. Both were excellent and by far the best examples of Pho in Chinatown. The menu also incorporates vermicelli and rice dishes, hot pots and porridges. The Duck Porridge (the server was worried when I ordered it) was the consistency of thin rice pudding with a pale, bland look but looks can be deceiving. The porridge was amazing! Hot and savory with generous amounts of roast duck and herbs, this excellent comfort food that was perfect on the cold winter day I ordered it. The vermicelli dishes are wonderfully interactive that are perfect for sharing. Hard disks of rice vermicelli are brought to the table with a plate of fillings and a bowl of hot water. The diners soften the disks in the hot water and fill them themselves. The shrimp paste grilled on sugar cane is particularly delicious. The Pork Hot Pot was spicy and sweet and totally addictive.
The only down side to “Double X” is the tiny size and the cold wind that blasts through the place during the winter every time the front door opens. Go early and leave your hat on but definitely go!
Showing posts with label Boston MA. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Boston MA. Show all posts
Saturday, February 6, 2010
Taiwan Cafe
34 Oxford Street
Boston, MA 02111
617-426-8181
Highly Recommended
Taiwan Cafe is the sort of place you would walk by without giving it a second look. In fact, you probably wouldn't give it a first look. Perched at the top of a flight of stairs and looking out over Oxford Street the location does not exactly jump out at you. Once you find it, however, it will quickly become a favorite. I consider myself a regular, going at least twice a week with a group of friends from work. We try to get there no later than 11:45 to avoid the lunch rush that begins daily at noon. The service is fast, efficient and friendly though the servers' command of English varies.
If you order from the lunch specials list you will receive a bowl of soup and a side of rice to accompany your meal. My friends and I have nicknamed the thin, salty broth (typically served with a small piece of pork "knuckle" or some dried fungus or a thin noodle) "dishwater" soup due to the light grey, sometimes greasy, appearance. However, it is hot and tasty and is a nice starter to the meal. In addition, quite often a complimentary daikon radish or cucumber pickle is offered before the entrees arrive.
This is not your typical "Asian American" board of fare. The lunch menu runs the gambit from Chinese Mushrooms with Green (sic) to Spicy Pork Intestine with Mustard. Meals arrive as they are finished in the kitchen but rarely do we wait more than a few minutes for our table to be full. We normally go with 1 lunch entree per person and approach the meal family style. The eggplant with basil is a staple on the table. Sweet and spicy it arrives napalm hot. The sweet and sour pork is fried crispy and laced with onions and tossed with a sharp, vinegar sauce. The spicy pork kidneys are minerally and delicious made up of thin sliced of fresh kidney sautéed with slices of ginger and chili peppers. The lunch menu is very extensive and wholly interesting.
The lunch specials are all about $6.95 and we never leave wanting. If there is an adventurous culinary bone in your body, Taiwan Cafe is a great place to indulge it.
Boston, MA 02111
617-426-8181
Highly Recommended
Taiwan Cafe is the sort of place you would walk by without giving it a second look. In fact, you probably wouldn't give it a first look. Perched at the top of a flight of stairs and looking out over Oxford Street the location does not exactly jump out at you. Once you find it, however, it will quickly become a favorite. I consider myself a regular, going at least twice a week with a group of friends from work. We try to get there no later than 11:45 to avoid the lunch rush that begins daily at noon. The service is fast, efficient and friendly though the servers' command of English varies.
If you order from the lunch specials list you will receive a bowl of soup and a side of rice to accompany your meal. My friends and I have nicknamed the thin, salty broth (typically served with a small piece of pork "knuckle" or some dried fungus or a thin noodle) "dishwater" soup due to the light grey, sometimes greasy, appearance. However, it is hot and tasty and is a nice starter to the meal. In addition, quite often a complimentary daikon radish or cucumber pickle is offered before the entrees arrive.
This is not your typical "Asian American" board of fare. The lunch menu runs the gambit from Chinese Mushrooms with Green (sic) to Spicy Pork Intestine with Mustard. Meals arrive as they are finished in the kitchen but rarely do we wait more than a few minutes for our table to be full. We normally go with 1 lunch entree per person and approach the meal family style. The eggplant with basil is a staple on the table. Sweet and spicy it arrives napalm hot. The sweet and sour pork is fried crispy and laced with onions and tossed with a sharp, vinegar sauce. The spicy pork kidneys are minerally and delicious made up of thin sliced of fresh kidney sautéed with slices of ginger and chili peppers. The lunch menu is very extensive and wholly interesting.
The lunch specials are all about $6.95 and we never leave wanting. If there is an adventurous culinary bone in your body, Taiwan Cafe is a great place to indulge it.
Sunday, January 31, 2010
O Ya
9 East Street
Boston, MA 02111
617-654-9900 or 617-654-9909
http://www.oyarestaurantboston.com/
Not Recommended (sort of)
Maybe I don't get it...I had heard so much about O Ya...The press was great; critics raved; my expectations were high and and so was my disappointment! Sure the atmosphere is intimate and romantic, small without being crowded, dark without being dim (the interior designer did a good job)...sure the service was good (but clumsy; the server brought the check before the last course) but all of these things I would expect from a high end restaurant in Boston.
As a walk-in getting a seat at the bar was lucky. The matre'd was hesitant because there was a reservation two hours later and wanted to be sure there wouldn't be any conflict. I appreciated the consideration. The waiter was prompt, efficient and knowledgable. The menu was extensive and interesting. The prices were high. Again, all of these things I would expect from a high end restaurant in Boston.
My problem was with the food. The presentation was striking, the quality was high and the selections were creative but the execution was poor. The Scarlet Sea Scallop ($8) with white soy yuzu sauce and yuzu tobiko sounded great but marinating the scallops in beet juice made them taste kind of mouldy. The Warm Eel ($12) with thai basil, kabayaki and fresh Kyoto sansho was nice and the addition of the fresh herbs was an interesting twist but otherwise was almost indistinguishable from Unagi I have eaten elsewhere. The Hamachi Belly ($18) with yuzu soy marinated sea urchin was torched and tasted like acetaline rather than fish belly but the Wild Bluefin Chu Toro ($12) was excellent. One dish out of four really grabbing my attention is not a success. The $70 price tag (which included two glasses of sake but not the tip) was also hard to justify. I might go back just because everybody else seems to think so highly of O Ya. I might go back because there are other items on the menu I would really like to try. Maybe I will wait until I win the lottery.
Boston, MA 02111
617-654-9900 or 617-654-9909
http://www.oyarestaurantboston.com/
Not Recommended (sort of)
Maybe I don't get it...I had heard so much about O Ya...The press was great; critics raved; my expectations were high and and so was my disappointment! Sure the atmosphere is intimate and romantic, small without being crowded, dark without being dim (the interior designer did a good job)...sure the service was good (but clumsy; the server brought the check before the last course) but all of these things I would expect from a high end restaurant in Boston.
As a walk-in getting a seat at the bar was lucky. The matre'd was hesitant because there was a reservation two hours later and wanted to be sure there wouldn't be any conflict. I appreciated the consideration. The waiter was prompt, efficient and knowledgable. The menu was extensive and interesting. The prices were high. Again, all of these things I would expect from a high end restaurant in Boston.
My problem was with the food. The presentation was striking, the quality was high and the selections were creative but the execution was poor. The Scarlet Sea Scallop ($8) with white soy yuzu sauce and yuzu tobiko sounded great but marinating the scallops in beet juice made them taste kind of mouldy. The Warm Eel ($12) with thai basil, kabayaki and fresh Kyoto sansho was nice and the addition of the fresh herbs was an interesting twist but otherwise was almost indistinguishable from Unagi I have eaten elsewhere. The Hamachi Belly ($18) with yuzu soy marinated sea urchin was torched and tasted like acetaline rather than fish belly but the Wild Bluefin Chu Toro ($12) was excellent. One dish out of four really grabbing my attention is not a success. The $70 price tag (which included two glasses of sake but not the tip) was also hard to justify. I might go back just because everybody else seems to think so highly of O Ya. I might go back because there are other items on the menu I would really like to try. Maybe I will wait until I win the lottery.
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Hi-Rise Bakery
56 Brattle Street, Harvard Square (in Boston)
617-492-3003
Map
Recommended
This is a great little independent bakery amongst the increasingly chain restaurant presence of Harvard Square in Boston. It is on a side street which feels relatively private, despite its close proximity to the hustle and bustle of the square proper. In the warmer months there is ample seating outside on a large patio partially shaded by large trees. In the colder months there is seating upstairs (I didn't check this out so am not sure how many people it holds).
I came for breakfast on the Boston Globe's recommendation of their Green Eggs and Ham breakfast sandwich ($6.50), though they also offer lunch. It was worth the drive to Harvard for this unique breakfast sandwich. It consisted of a fresh egg fried layered with fresh sauteed spinach and thick pieces of bacon. I also tried an offering from their bakery, a small ginger roll which was also excellent and not overly sweet with a great ginger taste. Their coffee was good, even the decaf seemed fresh.
Overall, I'd certainly recommend the Hi-Rise Bakery if you are out and about or staying near Harvard Square for both their food and the lovely outdoor seating in the summer.
617-492-3003
Map
Recommended
This is a great little independent bakery amongst the increasingly chain restaurant presence of Harvard Square in Boston. It is on a side street which feels relatively private, despite its close proximity to the hustle and bustle of the square proper. In the warmer months there is ample seating outside on a large patio partially shaded by large trees. In the colder months there is seating upstairs (I didn't check this out so am not sure how many people it holds).
I came for breakfast on the Boston Globe's recommendation of their Green Eggs and Ham breakfast sandwich ($6.50), though they also offer lunch. It was worth the drive to Harvard for this unique breakfast sandwich. It consisted of a fresh egg fried layered with fresh sauteed spinach and thick pieces of bacon. I also tried an offering from their bakery, a small ginger roll which was also excellent and not overly sweet with a great ginger taste. Their coffee was good, even the decaf seemed fresh.
Overall, I'd certainly recommend the Hi-Rise Bakery if you are out and about or staying near Harvard Square for both their food and the lovely outdoor seating in the summer.
Saturday, March 8, 2008
Meyers and Chang
1145 Washington St
South End, Boston
617.542.5200
http://www.myspace.com/myersandchang
Map
Highly Recommended
This new addition to Boston's Chinese restaurant scene is quite different from the more traditional Chinatown restaurants not too far away. It has almost a diner-meets-Asia feel to it with plastic bar stools and tables reminiscent of '70s kitchen tables but with a modern flair. The large windows looking out to the corner of Washington Street and East Berkley Street are covered with large stylized red dragons that make an impression while still allowing in plenty of light (though it was dark on our visit there).
The food was also not your traditional Chinatown fair, it is a mix of food inspired by different Asian regions. The waiter pointed out that the plates are small, and therefor meant for sharing and mixing. He recommended that we get 4-5 plates for the two of us. Although we had snacked some before heading out, that estimate was much too high. The plates may be small, but the food is rich and filling. We ordered three plates and found they were more than enough. The prices are reasonable at $4-$13 per plate. This restaurant serves a mix of wine, beer and saki as well.
We ordered Mama Chang's pork and chive dumplings ($11), a plate of decently sized pot-sticker style dumplings made with fresh fillings and dough, served with a side of soy sauce. They were delicious with perfectly browned and crispy sides filled with a fresh pork and chive filling that wasn't watery or greasy like similar dumplings from other restaurants. We also ordered the wok-charred udon noodles ($11) made with chicken and baby bok choy. This dish was filling and tasty, and showed off the versatility of the udon noodles when taking on the charred/browned taste of the pan and sauce it was cooked in. Last was the traditional scallion pancake ($7) which was good, but my least favorite of the plates. It was a little doughy for my taste, though the flavor was enhanced by the thin, reddish sauce served along side (though the salt content of the sauce was probably not good for me).
The server brought our bill with small dishes of lemon and ginger mouse, the perfect way to end this meal with just a touch of sweet and tart. The bill came tucked into a little golden pig, a nice change from the ubiquitous black folder usually found in restaurants.
I look forward to visiting Meyers and Chang again to try some of the other tempting dishes on the menu, though it may be difficult to get a large group into this relatively small space. Parking is limited in that area, though there is a lot on Harrison Ave a couple of blocks away that we were able to get into.
South End, Boston
617.542.5200
http://www.myspace.com/myersandchang
Map
Highly Recommended
This new addition to Boston's Chinese restaurant scene is quite different from the more traditional Chinatown restaurants not too far away. It has almost a diner-meets-Asia feel to it with plastic bar stools and tables reminiscent of '70s kitchen tables but with a modern flair. The large windows looking out to the corner of Washington Street and East Berkley Street are covered with large stylized red dragons that make an impression while still allowing in plenty of light (though it was dark on our visit there).
The food was also not your traditional Chinatown fair, it is a mix of food inspired by different Asian regions. The waiter pointed out that the plates are small, and therefor meant for sharing and mixing. He recommended that we get 4-5 plates for the two of us. Although we had snacked some before heading out, that estimate was much too high. The plates may be small, but the food is rich and filling. We ordered three plates and found they were more than enough. The prices are reasonable at $4-$13 per plate. This restaurant serves a mix of wine, beer and saki as well.
We ordered Mama Chang's pork and chive dumplings ($11), a plate of decently sized pot-sticker style dumplings made with fresh fillings and dough, served with a side of soy sauce. They were delicious with perfectly browned and crispy sides filled with a fresh pork and chive filling that wasn't watery or greasy like similar dumplings from other restaurants. We also ordered the wok-charred udon noodles ($11) made with chicken and baby bok choy. This dish was filling and tasty, and showed off the versatility of the udon noodles when taking on the charred/browned taste of the pan and sauce it was cooked in. Last was the traditional scallion pancake ($7) which was good, but my least favorite of the plates. It was a little doughy for my taste, though the flavor was enhanced by the thin, reddish sauce served along side (though the salt content of the sauce was probably not good for me).
The server brought our bill with small dishes of lemon and ginger mouse, the perfect way to end this meal with just a touch of sweet and tart. The bill came tucked into a little golden pig, a nice change from the ubiquitous black folder usually found in restaurants.
I look forward to visiting Meyers and Chang again to try some of the other tempting dishes on the menu, though it may be difficult to get a large group into this relatively small space. Parking is limited in that area, though there is a lot on Harrison Ave a couple of blocks away that we were able to get into.
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