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Sumiao Hunan Kitchen Cambridge

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[4.18/5] I was wrong, like dead wrong. When I first came to Sumiao Hunan Kitchen for their soft opening last year, I was not impressed. Mainly because it had the makings of a PF Changs clone. You know very well what I mean, overly fancy interior decor serving small portioned, okay chinese food at ridiculous prices. I told myself I would not go back there. That was then. A year later, to my surprise a few friends of mine convinced me to go back. Read more to find out how they’ve changed my initial impressions.  

Review #057
Restaurant Type: Casual Dining. 

Food (65%) 
Taste to price 4/5
Quality to price 4/5
Portion to price 4/5
Average = 4

Service (20%)  
Friendliness 4.5/5
Promptness 4.5/5
Average = 4.5

Cleanliness (15%) 
Bathroom 4.5/5
Dining area 4.5/5
Kitchen area 4.5/5
Average = 4.5

Overall Score = [F(.65)]+[S(.20)]+C(.15)]
 = [2.6]+[0.9]+[0.68] 
 = 4.18

The Pluses…  
+ Great place for any occasion and any time of the day, really. Lunch, Dinner, Seasonal, as well as Drinks Menu galore. Perfect restaurant for dates, family, and friends. The AMBIANCE makes this a special one. You’ll see a mixed crowd of both Chinese and non-Chinese which tells me this restaurant offers something for everyone. The energy is great and when I went, they had LIVE MUSIC playing. I couldn’t ask for a better night out. 
+ Free WIFI. What Chinese restaurant offers free wifi do you know of?
+ QUALITY dishes. Each one was actually SPICY which is what I liked. None of that weak sh*t! I had the BEEF STRIPS W. PICKLED RADISH, HOMETOWN SAUTEED EEL POT, and the HOT KISS. They were all oh so delicious. Because these plates were so good, I wouldn’t change a thing. I’d get these dishes again within a heartbeat. 
+ For a restaurant of this caliber, I was surprised by the PORTION SIZES. Lets just say ‘skimping’ is not in their vocabulary.
+ CUSTOMER SERVICE. Full wait staff with knowledgeable bartenders. You will see lots of staff walking around available for any need. They’re also friendly which can make a difference. Waiting 30 minutes for water shouldn’t be an issue.
+ Full Service Bar. Great variety of Chinese themed cocktails, both Chinese and local brews. Try the JASMINE TEA LAGER, the beer I never knew I wanted. Ever since then, I’ve been looking for it but have come up disappointed at the packaging store. Tell me where I can find this!
+ CLEAN! It’s just as clean as it first opened and a year has passed. Amazing job.
+ Somewhat open kitchen over by the corner. Open kitchens are always a plus for me and even better when staff are fully uniformed because it tells me they take cooking seriously. 

The Negs…
– No major negatives here.

The Neutrals…
o PRICEY. Be warned that it is on the pricier side but for good reasons, not without merit. You get exactly what you pay for here which means a fully staffed restaurant, quality, authentic foods, and extra clean facilities. If you can find me a restaurant that offers all that at low prices feel free to call me out!

In Conclusion…
Do not underestimate the power of word of mouth and restaurants listening to their customers needs. It’s amazing to me what Sumiao has done the past year. It’s like they read the reviews and have a team working to make adjustments. That, to me, speaks volumes. Prices maybe high, but honestly I can’t think of another Chinese place that offers a similar overall package as Sumiao Hunan Kitchen. They really outdid themselves here. I don’t see another restaurant contending with them for years to come.  Until then, I will keep coming here for one of the best Chinese food the Boston area has to offer. 

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Ganko Ittetsu Ramen – Brookline

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Ganko Ittetsu

[4/5] I’ve been coming here for quite some time. I first heard about this place in an article from Eater Boston ranking the top ramen shops in the area. After trying out a few places, I was getting disappointed but kept on trucking trying to find my go-to ramen joint. Does Ganko Ittetsu deliver? Well, you’ve stumbled across the best review. Read more below.

Review #056
Restaurant Type: Casual Dining.

Food (65%)
Taste to price 4/5
Quality to price 4/5
Portion to price 4/5
Average = 4

Service (20%)  
Friendliness 4/5
Promptness 4/5
Average = 4

Cleanliness (15%)
Bathroom n/a
Dining area 4/5
Kitchen area 4/5
Average = 4

Overall Score = [F(.65)]+[S(.20)]+C(.15)]
 = [2.6]+[0.8]+[0.6]
 = 4

The Pluses…  
+ Simple, easy MENU to follow. It’s literally a piece of paper printed on both sides. Nothing fancy or gimmicky. Just 6 types of ramen soups, sides, and a beer section. They don’t waste time trying to sell anything else, they know exactly what they are. I like it!
+ Clean, nice, modern interior and AMBIANCE.
+ I only come here for the GANKARA MISO RAMEN. I don’t even need to try the other soups. This one is nicely spiced and rich in pork flavor. The egg is perfectly cooked, and the egg noodle texture has the right amount of chew for my liking.
+ For a tiny place, they are very efficient with handling the WAIT TIME. You can join the wait list on Yelp, check in, and walk around the area. They’ll text you when the table is ready. Fortunately there’s lots of window shopping and people watching in the area to kill time.
+ The wait team works really well together. Speedy, responsive, and harmonious like synchronized swimmers 🙂

The Negs…
– No major negatives here. If I had to knit pick it would be that the broth can be salty but I found this to be true at 95% of ramen places I’ve been to.
– Parking can be difficult. There’s public parking in the back and street parking but these fill out quick especially during weekends.  
– This place is small. Anticipate sitting close to strangers and moderate wait times.

Shake it off!

In Conclusion…
Yep, all it took was one visit to Ganko Ittetsu and I was hooked. Ganko Ittetsu Ramen, imo, is one of Boston’s best ramen shop. It’s no surprise why people keep coming back here including myself. They offer a very solid experience: delicious ramen, ambiance, service, and speediness. They know exactly what they are and they don’t try to be anything else. I’ve been coming here for years so I’d say it’s worth a stop.

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  • Ganko Ittetsu - Gankara Miso
    Gankara Miso
  • Ganko Ittetsu - Shio
    Shio

Sheger Cafe – Cambridge

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[4.21/5] This is part 2 of my quest in search for Boston’s best Ethiopian Restaurant (you can check out my other review of Habesha by going to my profile). Who would have known, a conversation with an Ethiopian Uber Driver got me here. At first, seeing the scarce number of reviews I was a little skeptical but this is what I do to help my fellow restaurant enthusiasts. How did Sheger Cafe do?

Review #055
Restaurant Type: Casual Dining.

Food (65%)
Taste to price 4/5
Quality to price 4/5
Portion to price 4.5/5
Average = 4.17

Service (20%)  
Friendliness 5/5
Promptness 4/5
Average = 4.5

Cleanliness (15%)
Bathroom 4/5
Dining area 4/5
Kitchen area 4/5
Average = 4

Overall Score = [F(.65)]+[S(.20)]+C(.15)]
 = [2.71]+[0.9]+[0.6]
 = 4.21

The Pluses…  
+ GREAT MENU. Easy to read. Simple layout with just enough images to make a sound decision on the order. Good variety for Ethiopian food beginners and authentic cuisine seekers alike.
+ Awesome customer service. I was greeted with a nice smile and the waitress answered my questions and even recommended me her favorites.
+ Feels much like a family business which I always have a soft spot for.
+ For the main entree, I had #18 THE ULTIMATE COMBINATIONS OF SHEGER CAFE and THE KITFO SPECIAL. See attached video. That explains it all.
+ Keep in mind, the KITFO SPECIAL is raw. If you’re going to have Ethiopian food, you have to accept going raw (lol). I thoroughly enjoyed it. Lots of flavor and fresh, red meat. The KITFO SPECIAL has got to be a staple to the order.
+ Great portions. If I’m at an Ethiopian restaurant and I don’t take anything home, then it ain’t an Ethiopian Restaurant.  
+ Great ambiance. Just like Habesha, there is a big screen TV playing contemporary Ethiopian music. Various Paintings/Photos on the wall are cool.  
+ Very CLEAN restaurant and bright atmosphere due to lights and interior colors.

The Negs…
– Not really their fault, but parking in the area can be a little tricky.

The Neutrals…
o They don’t have a real sign outside. It may be a little difficult finding this place since the previous tenant’s sign (Oriental Market)  is still up.
o I had the HONEY WINE. That was my first time having it. My best description is it tastes like a mix of apple cider vinegar and honey. A little too sweet for me as I prefer my drinks on the dryer side. Spoiler alert: there is no alcohol in it.
o When you walk in you’ll see a Traditional Ethiopian Coffee Ceremony Set which was pretty darn cool. Makes me wonder if they hold a ceremony on some days. I’d love to watch and drink it.  

In Conclusion…
They opened about 5 months ago and it’s still a relatively unknown. At less than 20 reviews, I have to say this place is very underrated and a very much a hidden gem. I’m glad I was one of the first to step foot. I owe that Uber driver a glass of Honey Wine and I will gladly come back here. In all, Sheger Cafe is a must visit if you’re into Ethiopian foods.

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Mala Restaurant – Allston

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[3.95/5] Mala Restaurant holds a special place in my heart. No really it does. This restaurant along with some other ones made up some memorable, euphoric times I had when my GF and I first met. This was one of our go-to restaurants and after a long stint, we recently went back. What are my thoughts? Should you visit? Here we go.

Review #054
Restaurant Type: Casual Dining.

Food (65%)
Taste to price 4/5
Quality to price 4/5
Portion to price 4/5
Average = 4

Service (20%)  
Friendliness 3.5/5
Promptness 4/5
Average = 3.75

Cleanliness (15%)
Bathroom 4/5
Dining area 4/5
Kitchen area 4/5
Average = 4

Overall Score = [F(.65)]+[S(.20)]+C(.15)]
 = [2.6]+[0.75]+[0.6]
 = 3.95

The Pluses…  
+  HUGE MENU. I can’t say I’ve tried everything as I usually skip all the hoo-ha and go straight to the MALA SPECIAL POT and BARBECUE aka the lone menu page that comes with a black marker.  
+  The black marker is for making your own MALA XIANG GUO. Use it wisely my friend. See my picture for a cheat sheet of what I usually get. I would also add some meats such as LAMB, GIZZARD, SAUSAGE, and/or QUAIL EGGS.
+  Flip over the SPECIAL POT Menu and you’ll find the BARBECUE side which I also highly recommend. Their skewer beats most places specializing in Chinese BBQ. You can’t go wrong with any of the meats.
+  Great for groups. Dishes are generally served FAMILY STYLE here. This is the type of place you want to try as much food as possible and the only way to do that is to (1) have a Kobayashi stomach, or (2) bring a group of 4 or more.
+  Because I had the luxury of being in a group, we ordered the FRESH FISH WITH CHILI SAUCE. I have high tolerance for spice and if you do too, then I’d suggest the EXTRA SPICY option. If you’re a fan of TILAPIA and SPICY OILS then this is a good one to get.
+  I love the CHINAWARE. They make great photos and it adds onto the ambiance (see pics).

The Negs…
– Flavoring of foods can be inconsistent at times. In the past I’ve had my dishes overly salty and bland on other trips. Either way, it still tastes good, just be aware.
– No alcohol here. This is kind of a bummer but it’s pretty common in most modern Chinese restaurants. I would love to see some Peppercorn Bloody Mary’s in the future 🙂

The Neutrals…
o You can count on this place being packed. Plan accordingly during lunch/dinner times especially on the weekends.
o You can always tell what kind of restaurant a place is based on the customers and for this one, it’s as authentic as a small city like Boston can offer. You will find the majority of customers, international students from China. They’re friendly and nice 🙂

In Conclusion…
After coming here for years, I look at Mala like the start of a phase, much like what Iron Man is to the MCU. The success of this restaurant opened doors for the Chinese hot pot and spicy bowl type of restaurants. Nowadays you see a plethora of them on Harvard Ave and they are difficult to miss. If you don’t know where to start, Mala Restaurant is not a bad place to begin. After years of coming here, they still got it. And if you’re on a date much like I was, grab some rolled ice cream or bubble tea afterwards and explore the bars. There’s a lot to do and make the night a memorable one.

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Habesha Ethiopian Restaurant – Malden

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[3.78/5] An Uber conversation brought me here. What started off as the usual Uber ride turned into a discussion of the best places for Ethiopian cuisine in the Boston area. The driver was from Ethiopia and he revealed, I mean mentioned (:P), Habesha along with Addis Red Sea and Shegar Cafe. Now if you know anything about me, then you will know this means I need to go on a mini Ethiopian restaurant tour. First stop, Habesha.

Review #053
Restaurant Type: Casual Dining. Full Service Restaurant.

Food (65%)
Taste to price 4/5
Quality to price 4/5
Portion to price 4/5
Average = 4

Service (20%)  
Friendliness 3/5
Promptness 3.5/5
Average = 3.25

Cleanliness (15%)
Bathroom 3.5/5
Dining area 3.5/5
Kitchen area 3.5/5
Average = 3.5

Overall Score = [F(.65)]+[S(.20)]+C(.15)]
 = [2.6]+[0.65]+[0.53]
 = 3.78

The Pluses…  
+ I enjoyed the presence of the owner. He came to our table and asked us how the food was and whether we needed anything. Much appreciated!
+ We ordered the HABESHA SPECIAL and the GORED GORED.  
+ The HABESHA SPECIAL was cooked to my liking, lots of flavor and spices which were so comforting and earthy. INJERA was warm too!
+ As for the GORED GORED, that was my daredevil move of the day, as (1) it was my first time having it and (2) it’s raw! I’m usually hesitant and finicky when it comes to the unfamiliar and raw, but this one here turned out to be a great decision. Think of a spiced up beef tartare. Lots of turmeric, spice lovers rejoice!
+ They have Ethiopian Beers and HONEY WINE (TEJ)!
+ When I go to an ethnic restaurant, I always enjoy and desire to learn more about the culture and traditions. For that reason, I liked that the wait staff had on traditional clothing and the TV blasting Ethiopian music videos.

The Negs…
– As others mentioned, the wait staff appeared a little disinterested. Service was not slow by any means, but some enthusiasm and a smile could go a long way.
– Menu could have been written clearer. For instance, some of the entrees were for two people. Some language denoting this and pictures would help a lot.
– This is minor, but I wished there were more traditional themes and decor throughout the restaurant.

In Conclusion…
I haven’t been to many Ethiopian restaurants, but I can say I’ve ventured enough to call myself a fan of Ethiopian Cuisine and this is prior to my food tour. The uniques use of spices and food prep always brings me back to the Ethiopian restaurants. Habesha delivers in the food and did not disappoint one bit. Come here for the food. However, if you want ambiance, a place to feel like you’ve escaped to Addis Ababa for a split second, there are better options…

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Crying Thaiger – Malden

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[4.78/5] I don’t go to Malden often but when I do it’s for Boda Borg, meeting friends, or shopping at Hunt’s Photo. I have yet to find my go-to restaurant when I’m in the Malden area and the search have continued for some time. The next stop is Crying Thaiger. Are you the one?

Review #052
Restaurant Type: Casual Dining.

Food (65%)
Taste to price 5/5
Quality to price 5/5
Portion to price 5/5
Average = 5

Service (20%)  
Friendliness 4/5
Promptness 4.5/5
Average = 4.25

Cleanliness (15%)
Bathroom 4/5
Dining area 5/5
Kitchen area na
Average = 4.5

Overall Score = [F(.65)]+[S(.20)]+C(.15)]
 = [3.25]+[0.85]+[0.68]
 = 4.78

The Pluses…  
+ AMBIANCE, Ambiance, Ambiance! The moment you walk in, you start to realize this isn’t your typical Thai Restaurant. This place is gorgeous. Designed with instagram in mind, there’s a backdrop for group photos and Halloween themed decorations which all play a role into building great ambiance.
+ ATTENTION TO DETAIL. Whoever designed their interior, picked out the dinnerware, tables, and wall art deserves an applause. The balance between modern and traditional decor is not easy to do.
+ Real flowers were used on the table. I always admire restaurants that do this. It’s a small detail but it can be an expensive one for restaurants. This tells me how serious the owner is to the customers.
+ MENU. I could spend hours going through the menu. There’s so much to discuss but I’ll keep it short. Lots of pictures, easy eye navigation, lots of creative concepts you do not usually see at a Thai Restaurant.
+ A SPECIAL MENU and LUNCH MENU are major pluses. The DRINK MENU is icing on the cake. Yes, they serve staples like Thai Iced Tea and most importantly alcohol, as in, CRAFT BEERS, THAI BEERS as well as a decent list of WINE varieties. How many Asian restaurants offer this?!
+ With so many positives, I haven’t even mentioned the food yet. I ordered the SPICY NOODLE SOUP and the SUKI SEAFOOD SOUP. Both were fresh, flavorful, and with a good variety of meats. They tasted exactly as described in the Menu.  
+ Awesome PRICES! Wow, a place that doesn’t overcharge. If anything, I wonder given all the cosmetic work and overhead costs, why we’re not charged more. I’m used to the other way around where restaurants go cheap on everything yet charge premium prices for food. This is rare for a restaurant to do this. I admire the integrity.
+ Quick, friendly, attentive waiters/resses. They were always aware of customer needs.

The Negs…
– There’s really no major negatives here, but if I had to nitpick, the COLOR CHANGING PURPLE DRINK is indeed a cool concept as it literally changes color once you squeeze some lime in but it tasted a little off. It’s missing a couple of more ingredients to get right. To me, it was like sugar water; I admire the effort though. Don’t let my opinions stop the creative work, keep it up!

In Conclusion…
The Crying Thaiger left me bawling at their brilliance. This restaurant is a rare site balancing the intricacies of traditional and modern Thai elements. I love the Metal Thai Cups and the contemporary bowls the foods they’re served in. The dishes were delicious offering quality ingredients at more than reasonable prices. These little things add up together compiling a memorable experience for me. As a restaurant enthusiast, I was geeking out. There’s so many positives and talking points of this place, I can’t even fit it all in trying to keep it under 600 words. You have to visit for yourself. Earlier, I was going on about not having a go-to in Malden. Well, look no further, I’ve found it.

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Xi’An Street Foods – Allston

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[3.51/5] I recently went to Xi’an last summer and I enjoyed every bit of it. It was truly a one of a kind city. Not to put such a high expectation for a restaurant but I started missing the ancient capital and anything that came close would do. Enter Xi’an Street Foods.

[3.51/5] I recently went to Xi’an last summer and I enjoyed every bit of it. It was truly a one of a kind city. Not to put such a high expectation for a restaurant but I started missing the ancient capital and anything that came close would do. Enter Xi’an Street Foods.

Review #051
Restaurant Type: Fast Casual Dining.

Food (65%)
Taste to price 4/5
Quality to price 4/5
Portion to price 2/5
Average = 3.33

Service (20%)  
Friendliness 3.5/5
Promptness 4/5
Average = 3.75

Cleanliness (15%)
Bathroom na
Dining area 4/5
Kitchen area 4/5
Average = 4

Overall Score = [F(.65)]+[S(.20)]+C(.15)]
 = [2.16]+[0.75]+[0.6]
 = 3.51

The Pluses…  
+ I ordered myself Combo #2 which was the PORK ROUJIAMOU, HOT & SOUR SOUP NOODLES, and DRINK. I usually enjoy food on the sour side and love black vinegar (there’s a lot of that in there). As for spiciness, I didn’t find it spicy at all but then again, I have a high tolerance.  
+ Nice interior decor! I like the bian lian masks on the wall although it reminded me more of Sichuan but that’s ok too because I love Chengdu. On the other side of the wall is a modern design bridging the two worlds together.
+ Nice menu. It’s beautifully laid out on a digital screen with lots of pictures for those preferring visuals over words. I like that its minimized making it pretty clear of their specialties.
+ Loving the ambiance. They play some pretty cool Chinese acoustic and folk music.  

The Negs…
– With a high price tag, expectations tends to be raised with it. For their roujiamou, it was good but not for that price. I expected the pork to be bursting out of the bread. The same can be said about their soups.
– I’m not really a fan of plastic bowls and utensils for soup. It takes away from the experience. It’s all about congruency where the impression of the food should match the ambiance and brand. When I think of plastic bowls and utensils, I think of instant noodles which I’m sure is not the message they want to convey to customers. As a suggestion, I’d like to see them use ceramic dinnerware for customers eating in and plastic for those taking out.

The Neutrals…
o Just like the many restaurants along Brighton Ave. this place is tiny. Just wanted to forewarn you.

In Conclusion…
Overall I enjoyed my time at Xi’an Street Foods. I liked their soup and ROUJIAMOU (Chinese burger for those not in the know) but my biggest gripe is the price. At that price point, portions should be larger and shouldn’t be served in plastic dinnerware. If those two things can be addressed, then this place would have a much higher rating. Those are really the only setbacks here. I would love to come back again.

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Garlic ‘n Lemons – Allston

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[4.04/5] I think it’s about time I’ve reviewed Garlic ‘n Lemons. I’ve been coming here for years. I’m pretty routine when it comes to food and I find myself at Garlic ‘n Lemons when I’m in the need for something tasty, quick, cheap, and somewhat healthy. Does this place hit those areas? Let’s find out.

Review #050
Restaurant Type: Casual Dining.

Food (65%)
Taste to price 4/5
Quality to price 4/5
Portion to price 4.5/5
Average = 4.17

Service (20%)  
Friendliness 3.5/5
Promptness 5/5
Average = 4.25

Cleanliness (15%)
Bathroom 3/5
Dining area 3.5/5
Kitchen area 3/5
Average = 3.17

Overall Score = [F(.65)]+[S(.20)]+C(.15)]
 = [2.71]+[0.85]+[0.48]
 = 4.04

The Pluses…  
+ VALUE, VALUE, VALUE. Garlic ‘n Lemons is the value pick here. This place is like a factory for SHAWARMA and KEBOBS. They just crank them out like nobody’s business.  
+ ROTISSERIES laid out right in front of you to pick your meat with lots of variety between Beef, Spicy Beef, Chicken, and Spicy Chicken.
+ Speedy and accurate. Their setup is similar to a Chipotle or Subways assembly line. You pick and choose what you want.
+ Great PORTION size especially for the price at $12.50 for a plate of shawarma.
+ I love the MAGIC SAUCE. I can’t find it anywhere else and it goes so well with the BEEF SHAWARMA.
+ Spacious dining area. Tables are spread apart at a reasonable length, and not too loud.
+ Great sides. Lots of options to choose from. The ingredients are all there for you to pick. You can customize your plate however you like it. I like that they have different salads, veggies, and some Mediterranean staples like Grape leaves and Falafel.
+ Very VEGETARIAN friendly.
+ The municipal parking behind their building is a huge convenience if you like to drive into Allston.

The Negs…
– The SHAWARMA meat can be a little dry at times.

The Neutrals…
o I have to confess the portion size is so good, sometimes my girlfriend and I would split a shawarma plate order. We would do the extra meat, add another side, and it would come out under $20. Not bad at all if you’re on a budget.

In Conclusion…
After having a bad experience somewhere else, I’ve come to appreciate them more than ever before. There’s not much not to like about this place. They deliver in the areas of quality, speediness, and prices. What I like most about them is Garlic n Lemons knows exactly what they are and it shows the moment you walk in making this a worthwhile repeat for me over and over again.

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Tarboosh – Boston

by 18 Comments

[2.83/5] What do you do when your go-to like the Super 88 Market Food Court is packed and you just want a quick comforting bite of food?  Naturally, one would browse the area for something similiar and just like that my cravings travelled thousands of miles from something Asian to Mediterranean within a split second. I wanted some slices of protein on a bed of rice. This is where Tarboosh came into play. With promising reviews and takeout options, this was the best option given the circumstances. My journey begins…

Review #049
Restaurant Type: Casual Dining.

Food (65%)
Taste to price 2/5
Quality to price 2.5/5
Portion to price 3/5
Average = 2.5

Service (20%)  
Friendliness 3.5/5
Promptness 4/5
Average = 3.75

Cleanliness (15%)
Bathroom n/a
Dining area 3/5
Kitchen area 3/5
Average = 3

Overall Score = [F(.65)]+[S(.20)]+C(.15)]
= [1.63]+[0.75]+[0.45]
= 2.83

The Pluses…  
+ The staff was nice. There were 2 guys behind the counter. The one that took my order seemed like a cool dude, like someone I’d hang out with.  
+ OPEN KITCHEN. Customers can see everything going on. The only problem is that it’s a double edged sword. You’ll see what I mean when you read below. I admire their transparency though.
+ I liked the seasoning they used on their RICE which made it pretty delicious.
+ Their SALAD was fresh. Their tomato, pickles, and lettuce looked really good. Lots of color.

The Negs…
– I don’t think I’ve ever been to a Sharwarma place without the presence of a ROTISSERIE. Most places have them out in the front for the customers to see what they’re getting. At first, I was thinking they hid it in the back but standing there, I saw my server open the fridge behind the register and pulled some raw meat out. He then ran to the microwave to thaw it out (I’m guessing), and as the grill warmed up he threw it on there. At first, I didn’t think it was mine but once he put it in the plate and handed it to me, you know I couldn’t speculate any further 🙁
– When most people order a Sharwarma Plate for dinner. Most expect layers of sliced meat on top of a bed of rice. When I got my order, I was surprised to see slices of a wrap placed on the side with rice and a few pieces of lettuce, and pickles/tomatoes slices. When I bit into the wrap, there was very little meat in there. Not what I expected especially at $14 plus tax.
– PRICEY, PRICEY, PRICEY. I could get the same thing but with larger portions and equal quality at Garlic ‘n Lemons for $12.50 and Azama Grill for $12. I’m sorry but what I got that day was not $14 worth of food.

The Neutrals…
o Not much here.

In Conclusion…
The reason I enjoy shawarma plates is because of the balance of macronutrients. I know I can get my fiber, carbs, and protein in one plate. At Tarboosh, I felt I was committing carbacide. I can only comment on the LAMB SHARWARMA, so I am hoping their other entrees are better. From the pictures alone the MIX GRILL, and some of their Syrian delicacies looks really good. I’d come back again but I’d have to say my journey was not worth the risk of getting my car getting towed at the 88 lot.  

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Ma Maison – Boston

by 5 Comments

[4.11/5] So Boston doesn’t have much for French Cuisine. We’re known more for Italian, Seafood, and Chinese. At times, I will want some French and when I had a sudden craving for foie gras I knew Ma Maison would be next on my list. How does this Beacon Hill favorite stack up? Let’s find out.

Review #048
Restaurant Type: Fine Dining.
My 1st Impressions: Mi casa es su casa? Whoops, wrong language.

Food (65%)
Taste to price 4/5
Quality to price 4.5/5
Portion to price 4/5
Average = 4.17

Service (20%)  
Friendliness 4/5
Promptness 4/5
Average = 4

Cleanliness (15%)
Bathroom 4/5
Dining area 4/5
Kitchen area 4/5
Average = 4

Overall Score = [F(.65)]+[S(.20)]+C(.15)]
   = [2.71]+[0.8]+[0.6]
   = 4.11

The Pluses…  
+ Prices were very decent. French food is known for higher priced dishes. For everything you get, this is truly a value pick and then some. The prices here are not out of the ball park ridiculous.
+ If the restaurant was trying to achieve an intimate setting, they’ve excelled at that. It was very romantic with dim lights, cozy furniture, and warm settings. I felt like I was welcomed to a second home.
+ The Dinner Menu may just be a page but there’s enough variety there to keep you exploring and coming back for more.  
+ I usually don’t socialize with my neighbors, but man we were sitting so close to each other it was inevitable. This was a positive experience as we practically shared food with each other and exchanged entree suggestions.
+ SIX BURGUNDY ESCARGOTS IN GARLIC PARSLEY was good. It was still hot 15 minutes in because of the cast iron pan. When you bite into it, it was so tender and juicy. I was an experience more so than a dish.  
+ PAN SEARED FOIE GRAS WITH RED PEARS was pretty good. Sweet, but not overboard and it surprisingly balanced well with the foie gras. Pair it with a KRONENBOURG.
+ Couples galore! Great date night or even going solo.

The Negs…
– No major negatives here.

The Neutrals…
o Bread was ok. I can’t really complain since it’s complimentary with the meal but I would expect it to be more like a french baguette; crispy on the outside and soft, airy in the middle.
o I generally prefer foods with as little salt as possible so for me, I thought the SAUTEED RAY WING was a little salty perhaps due to the capers. Besides that, it was cooked the way I liked it.

In Conclusion…
Just like the name implies, I felt very welcomed like an honored guest. The ambiance felt like another home, as it was tiny cute and intimate. I also enjoyed interacting with other guests. Even if you’re not in a social mood, it’s difficult not to ask the neighbors what they ordered or to stir up a small talk. I was welcomed every step of the way, and they did a great job hosting. I felt like an honored guest and for that, plus the good food, I will come back.

#ChowYouLater