Rich

Ming’s Seafood Restaurant – Malden

September 21, 2018 by Rich 9 Comments

[3.48/5] They say the third time’s the charm. You see I’ve been trying to eat here two times now, but failed on both occasions because the wait time was unbearable. Finally, on the third try I finally got the chance. When my number was called, I got so excited I wanted to twerk my way to the table. Sure, there was still a wait but at least, it wasn’t ridiculous at 20 minutes. How does the DIM SUM taste? Read more to find out.

Review #047
Restaurant Type: Casual Dining.
My 1st Impressions: I’ve wondered many times, when, and if I would ever lose my Ming’s virginity?

Food (65%)
Taste to price 3.5/5
Quality to price 3.5/5
Portion to price 3.5/5
Average = 3.5

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

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

Overall Score = [F(.65)]+[S(.20)]+C(.15)]
= [2.28]+[0.6]+[0.6]
= 3.48

The Pluses…
+ The ambiance is great. If you want an eye opening experience, come here during their peak hours; there’s a lot of culture to experience.
+ One of the nicer Chinese restaurants, in terms, of interior design. Elegant with touches of modernism intermixed with the usual themes of a Chinese Restaurant. I can dig it.
+ Very family and large group friendly.
+ Their fish tank is filled with aquatic creatures; clean and well maintained!

The Negs…
– The wait time. Not much else I can say here. I know it’s not the restaurant’s fault but don’t say I didn’t warn ya.

The Neutrals…
o Take this comment however you want, but the DIM SUM here was just OK for me. It’s neither horrendous nor great, just somewhere in the middle. And that’s not a bad thing either.

In Conclusion…
If you’re desperate for DIM SUM and the only option is Ming’s then, by all means stop by. But if you’re like me and live in Boston, the wait and anticipation does not match the food. It’s kind of a shame really because the wait unfairly places the DIM SUM on such a high pedestal which grew taller than Yao Ming every minute passed. With that said and out of the way, there are many better DIM SUM options in Chinatown with a shorter wait time. This review is solely for the DIM SUM, so I will have to come back to update you all with their lunch/dinner offerings because their fish tank looks too good to ignore!

#ChowYouLater

Mala Kungfu – Allston

September 13, 2018 by Rich 45 Comments

[3.86/5] When Refuge Cafe went down I was immediately pulled in, curious of what to come next. Like the nosey bathrobed neighbor I was, I would peer through the window hoping I’d get a glimpse of a clue. This is a prime location afterall, Allston’s version of Time Square. OK I’m exaggerating a little, but either way this is a major commercial intersection. Whatever came next had to be exciting. [Oh god, I’m beginning to sound like a townie.] Here we go!

Review #046
Restaurant Type: Fast Casual Dining.
My 1st Impression: First there was a KungFu Panda, then
KungFu Tea, and now Mala KungFu! *cue the music* Everybody
was kung fu fighting!

Food (65%)
Taste to price 3/5
Quality to price 3.5/5
Portion to price 4/5
Average = 3.5

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

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

Overall Score = [F(.65)]+[S(.20)]+C(.15)]
= [2.28]+[0.9]+[0.68]
= 3.86

The Pluses…
+ Very passionate and welcoming owner. As soon as I walked in I was immediately greeted. He walked us through and curated all the offerings of the restaurant. I appreciated that.
+ You make your own bowl here so if you like or despise anything in particular you can make it anyway you like. The choice is yours.
+ For the soft opening promo, he gave us complimentary seltzer water and beef toppings. That was a kind gesture 🙂
+ BBQ LAMB was how I liked it: Hot, tender, juicy, and heavy on the chili powder.
+ BROTH was delicious. Rich in flavor, and not overly salty. It was similar to the MALA TANG in China.
+ Spacious dining area, huge 4K TV! Lots of room to maneuver all
you want. If you have Invisible Lat Syndrome like me, this is a dream come true.
+ Lots of natural air flow as they keep their windows open (weather permitting). One of the few Asian soup themed restaurants to do so. Best view for people watching.
+ Very clean all around, new everything.

The Negs…
– With all that open space, I would like to see more for toppings much like the many MALA XIANG GUO places have it set up. I also think given the similarities, they could easily offer MALA XIANG GUO as an option.
– I’m all for the single item restaurant movement, but in this instance, I want more menu items. Nowadays, with so many soup options what is their Unique Selling Proposition (USP)?
– At checkout we were told, “Other restaurants require 15%, we only charge 10% for tips. It’s for the kitchen and this will help them.” I think that’s very kind of the owner to watch for his staff, but there must be some kind of cultural misunderstanding because in America, that’s not going to be well received, as many reviewers have pointed out.

The Neutrals…
o The owner is fluent in English, Chinese, Korean, and Japanese. I thought that was pretty cool.

In Conclusion…
Mala Kung Fu is one of the few restaurants in the area to serve MALA TANG or MALA SOUP. They are a solid choice if you’re craving for this particular item. With a highly visible location and high foot traffic, they should do well especially in the winter. I look forward to coming back.

#ChowYouLater

Porròn and Piña Hartford

September 7, 2018 by Rich 14 Comments

[3.95/5] So we’re not from the area at all and looking for a place to grub before heading to see the Lion King Musical at Bushnell. The positive reviews, interior, and an odd craving for cured ham brought us here. Did Porron and Pina satisfy? Read more to find out.

Review #045
Restaurant Type: Casual Dining.
My Short Summary Sentence: Yo no hablo español.

Food (65%)
Taste to price 4/5
Quality to price 4.5/5
Portion to price 3.5/5
Average = 4

Service (20%)
Friendliness 4/5
Promptness 2.5/5
Average = 3.25

Cleanliness (15%)
Bathroom 5/5
Dining area 4.5/5
Kitchen area 4.5/5
Average = 4.67

Overall Score = [F(.65)]+[S(.20)]+C(.15)]
= [2.6]+[0.65]+[0.7]
= 3.95

The Pluses…
+ Uber friendly hostess. We were immediately greeted with a big smile upon entering. I enjoyed that.
+ You’ll notice there’s a meat slicer at the bar out in the open. I don’t think I’ve ever seen that before and I kind of like it. I’m all for transparency.
+ I had the IBERICO DE BELLOTA (or Iberico Ham de Bellota) for a starter. It was good.
+ For my main entree, we split a PAELLA “VALENCIA”. The clams and mussels were cooked to my liking, succulent and free of sand.
+ For drinks I would recommend the RED SANGRIA. It did not taste like it came from some prebottled mix like many places often uses. It tasted the right way, as in using fresh fruits and real ingredients. We tend to like things on the dryer side, so if you have a sweet tooth you can always ask them to pour some more liquid sugar.
+ Ambiance was great. Lots of youth and energy. Interior was upscale and contemporary.
+ Overall, the whole place was spotless clean. I wish all restaurants were this clean.

The Negs…
– Service could use some work. I realize they were short staffed that day considering our waitress was both bartending drinks and waiting tables. Given the situation she did her best and I applaud that. However, the runners could be more attentive. There were many times I made eye contact with them and even flagged them but they just walked passed me. Hopefully, that was just Front of the House miscommunication that day.

The Neutrals…
o The menu was minimalistic which I can dig. Straight to the point. As a suggestion, I’d like to see a highlight square around some of their specialities for those not familiar with the Restaurant or Spanish cuisine.

In Conclusion…
If I’m ever in Hartford again, I would come back. There were some mishaps with service but I’m sure they’ll improve. There were some dishes I’m legitimately interested in based on the images I’ve seen such as the DUCK LEGS for starters, and the CHURROS for dessert. Those are enough to bait me back in. Overall, I had a good time. Thankyou for the meal!

Szechuan Mountain House (NYC)

September 6, 2018 by Rich

[4.57/5] So what do you do if you’re dying for good Sichuan food? I just came from Chengdu about a month ago and I’ve had this insatiable craving for Sichuan food ever since I left. I’ve tried many other Szechuan restaurants in the states but it just wasn’t the same and my stomach’s only gotten hangrier. You see, this craving is one not to mess with because it’s a like an addiction. The stomach, like a child, throwing tantrums until it has its way. Well, I believe I found the closest restaurant in the East Coast to quiet that rage.

Review #044
Restaurant Type: Casual Dining.
My Short Summary: You call yourself “Szechuan” but to me, it reminds me more of Sichuan 🙂

Food (65%)
Taste to price 5/5
Quality to price 5/5
Portion to price 4.5/5
Average = 4.83

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

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)]
= [3.14]+[0.75]+[0.68]
= 4.57

The Pluses…
+ The Menu was quite extensive. It was like a picture book and I enjoyed going through it. The best part was how the pictures actually looked like the actual dishes!
+ Dinnerware was exceptional. China plates and tea mugs were not generic!
+ One of my favorite is the BRAISED FROG W SPICY CHILI BROTH. They did it right. Cooked to perfection, no lingering “fishy” taste.
+ Another one of my favorites was their FRIED CONY MEAT W HOT PEPPER. Again, cooked to perfection: meaty, tender, and moist (that’s what she said).
+ Sichuan Food in America that is actually spicy!
+ The presentation of the food was done very nicely. I started to drool the moment they sat the dishes down. Lots and lots of red and peppercorn aroma!
+ The SLICED PORK BELLY WITH CHILI GARLIC SAUCE is a must starter. A little gimmicky but otherwise, fun and different.
+ Beautiful decor and ambiance. The little pond and koi fish was a nice touch. It could have easily been another table but I respect the decision to put a pond there. It adds to the Chinese theme.

The Negs…
– Bring your favorite mahjong set because the wait time can be a bummer. We waited for about an hour. If you’re patient, then I’d say the food is well worth the wait.

The Neutrals…
o I haven’t been to a restaurant that charged for a second round of pickled veggies provided at the table. Must be a NYC thing? Someone please confirm.

In Conclusion…
Come here. This place is worth repeating over and over again for your Sichuan fix. I don’t mind the wait. If you’ve ever had dishes from Chengdu you will know what I mean. Somebody do me a favor and take me to a Sichuanholics Anonymous session!

Tasty Pot Allston

August 31, 2018 by Rich 16 Comments

[4.38/5] I would be one wealthy dude if I got a dollar for all the times I’ve passed Tasty Pot waiting for them to open. So many “hot pot” themed restaurants in the area, yet all offering their own take on it. This one may just be the one to stand out.

Review #043
Restaurant Type: Casual Dining.
My short summary sentence: Tasty Pot has got it going on!

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

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

Cleanliness (15%)
Bathroom 3.5/5
Dining area 4.5/5
Kitchen area 4/5
Average = 4

Overall Score = [F(.65)]+[S(.20)]+C(.15)]
= [2.93]+[0.85]+[0.6]
= 4.38

The Pluses…
+ The wait was worth it. How can this restaurant with the most unsuspecting exterior be so drastically different inside. When you walk in, it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to know how much effort was put in building the space. I mean, they got brand new furniture, brick busting dragons on the wall, and an open kitchen right in the middle as you enter. That’s when I knew this place was serious.
+ I ordered the TAIWANESE SUPREME SPICY HOT SOUP which is their flagship entree. At $17.99 split between 2 people, that is a steal!
+ Portion sizes are out of this world. Just look at the pictures, they look they’re on steroids.
+ I chose the FLAMING SPICY option which is the spiciest of them all. I have to warn you that when they say its the spiciest, they really mean it. They don’t hold back and my tolerance is pretty high. Just something for you to consider.
+ Food came out lightning quick. Thor must have been cookin’ in the back.
+ Waiters were everywhere waiting to service you.
+ Definitely a place worth repeating for me.

The Negs…
– No major negatives here.

The Neutrals…
o The baby octopus was not really baby octopus. They were more like College Freshman 15 sized 🙂
o My GF likes their soundtrack. We suspect the owner came from the same generation. Lots of Jay Chou and JJ Lin 😛

In Conclusion…
Tasty Pot is for real. If they keep up and maintain the quality of their soft opening, I can see them escaping with the crown for best hot pot in Allston/Brighton. I’ll be back. Chow!

Darbar Brighton

August 30, 2018 by Rich 11 Comments

[4.12/5] We originally stopped by the day before and one of the owners told us to visit the following day for their Eid Al-adha buffet. I was intrigued how passionate and kind he was, as he took the time to teach me what Eid Al-adha was about. Although we were starving, we decided to wait and boy was I glad because the food turned out to be amazing!

Review #042
Restaurant Type: Casual Dining with Buffet Options.
My short summary sentence: Eid Mubarak! A time for celebration with lots of food!

Food (65%)
Taste to price 4/5
Quality to price 4/5
Portion to price 5/5
Average = 4.33

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

Cleanliness (15%)
Bathroom n/a
Dining area 4/5
Kitchen area 3.5/5
Average = 3.75

Overall Score = [F(.65)]+[S(.20)]+C(.15)]
= [2.81]+[0.75]+[0.56]
= 4.12

The Pluses…
+ For $18.99, it’s a steal given the variety of dishes you get. They had a little bit of everything that day. I easily ate over the value I paid for.
+ The owners were very nice. It’s a family environment. As soon as you walk in, it feels like a family runs the place which makes me feel at home in some ways.
+ The food was luscious. My favorite were the GOAT BIRYANI, BEEF KORMA, and TANDOORI CHICKEN. The TANDOORI CHICKEN tasted freshly grilled. Can’t beat that.
+ Waiter was pretty attentive. I like that my water was constantly filled. If you don’t know me, I drink a lot of water :p

The Negs…
– I’ve been here other times before and it can be a hit or miss. At times their buffet is good and other times it’s ok. One thing’s for sure is I’ll be coming here every Eid Al-adha 🙂

The Neutrals…
o The prior times I went, I was always asked if I wanted Nan. Maybe there was some miscommunication by the wait staff or maybe Nan did not come with the day’s special? Either way, it wasn’t communicated to me.

Hulun Beir Mongolian Food Somerville

August 29, 2018 by Rich 18 Comments

[3.84/5] I never had a restaurant that specialized in Mongolian Cuisine before. The only Mongolian coined foods I had in the states are Spicy “Mongolian” Hot Pot Broth or PF Chang’s “Mongolian” Beef. I came here out of curiosity because I swear by my motto of trying anything (food, that is) once.

Review #041
Restaurant Type: Casual Dining.
My short summary sentence: Genghis Khan’s name could make a great rap hook. Mark my words, one of these days it will happen.

Food (65%)
Taste to price 4/5
Quality to price 3/5
Portion to price 4/5
Average = 3.67

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

Cleanliness (15%)
Bathroom 4/5
Dining area 5/5
Kitchen area 5/5
Average = 4.67

Overall Score = [F(.65)]+[S(.20)]+C(.15)]
= [2.39]+[0.75]+[0.7]
= 3.84

The Pluses…
+ Minimally designed menu and streamlined operation. The food is quick and easy on the tongue.
+ Great for lunch and takeout.
+ Since it’s across the street from the Davis T stop, it makes great takeout dinners for those coming home from their commutes. Easy parking too.
+ Prices are very decent 🙂

The Negs…
– The rock pot is not new as it’s been around for thousands of years but we’re starting to see it more in and around Boston which is great for Asian Cuisine but both rock pots I had (ROCK POT PORK RIBS and ROCK POT BEEF) was just OK. It could be more flavorful imo.

The Neutrals…
o I think if you’re new to Asian cuisine this is a pleasant gateway.
o This place has a lot of promise. I expect them to make adjustments along the way as I came during their soft opening. Good Luck to the owners!

Trattoria II Panino Boston

August 29, 2018 by Rich 7 Comments

[3.94/5] It’s a midsummer Friday night in Little Italy. The area is lively, and I’m having the time of my life due to the beautiful Bawwwston weatha. I’m here for date night with the lady and I’m starving Marvin. Can the restaurant complete what looks to be an almost perfect night?

Review #040
Restaurant Type: Casual Dining. You may want to dress a little nicer here.
My short summary sentence: Italian food and Romantic vibes. What’s there not to like?!

Food (65%)
Taste to price 3.5/5
Quality to price 4/5
Portion to price 4/5
Average = 3.83

Service (20%)
Friendliness 3/5
Promptness 4/5
Average = 3.5

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

Overall Score = [F(.65)]+[S(.20)]+C(.15)]
= [2.49]+[0.7]+[0.75]
= 3.94

The Pluses…
+ Mom’s Meatballs was delicious. The ricotta was a perfect complement. This is a must have starter!
+ If you know me, I love natural airflow. With the open window, it set the tone for the night quite nicely.
+ Impressive, vast wine selection.
+ Great ambiance. Dimly lit lights, lots of people, and busy energy. Great for groups, date night, and dinner in general.
+ Food came out at a good speed.
+ You would expect this, but I love that the staff are all wearing white; it’s clean and professional.

The Negs…
– Charcuterie could be more inspiring. Presentation is nice but the meats and cheese could be of better variety.
– My GF found a fly in her drink. When she told the waiter, he shrugged it off and nonchalantly told her, “It’s ok. It’s normal for flies to go inside.” Then walks off without asking to replace her glass. We were quite shocked by his response. This is unacceptable no matter how you look at it.

The Neutrals…
o The Lobster Fra Diavolo (House Special) was ok. It was missing another ingredient imo. I’d skip and get the Paccheri ai Frutti di Mare instead.

Happy Lamb Hot Pot Cambridge

August 27, 2018 by Rich 17 Comments

[4.11/5] I was getting tired of my usual hot pot stops and wanted to try something different for once. Happy Lamb, you guys have great reviews and I happen to be in the area so, why not?

Review #039
Restaurant Type: Casual Dining.
My short summary sentence: Keep the lambs happy and you’ll keep me around.

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

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)]
= [2.71]+[0.8]+[0.6]
= 4.11

The Pluses…
+ Great Lunch Menu at approx. $13!
+ You get to choose a protein, broth, and comes with a set of veggies.
+ The variety of veggies is pretty good.
+ Large selection of meats and veggies.
+ Great portion sizes. Not too much and not too little.
+ The slices of the meat was nice. Not overly frozen like some places.
+ Friendly waiter and a clean kitchen.
+ Broth was full of flavor :). Lot of herbs and spices most notably cumin.
+ Delicious Lamb Skewers! They were perfectly tender and hot! They should make a Chili Powder option. I would have loved it sprinkled all over.

The Negatives…
– No major negatives here.

The Neutral…
o Broth was a little salty which make sense since dipping sauce is not encouraged.
o I repeat, this is not the place for dipping! In case you absolutely need to dippity-dip, they have Sesame oil, Sesame Sauce, Minced Garlic, and Chili.
o Despite having only one waiter (who was also, strangely, the host) for the whole restaurant, he was pretty efficient. I don’t recall needing to find the waiter to get my water filled or something else. He always came before I needed anything.

Hanmaru Allston

August 16, 2018 by Rich 8 Comments

When you’re craving for Korean and live in an area that’s become a breeding ground for the newest and hippest Asian Restaurants, I had to go on a little adventure. Hanmaru was next on my list.

Review #038
Restaurant Type: Casual Dining.
Good for: Meeting Friends and Dinner.
My short summary sentence: 1 word, 3 syllables: Gamjatang!

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

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)]
= [2.71]+[0.8]+[0.6]
= 4.11

What else to know: When I looked through the window, I was glad to see a lot of people inside. Having never been there before, I had no idea what the restaurant’s flagship dish was. When the waitress walked me to my table, it was pretty obvious at that point what it was, Gamjatang. “Ah ha!” I said to myself. Pretty much, everyone was eating Gamjatang which made an indecisive person like myself, an easy order. Overall, the food was as delicious as the pictures look. Vegetables were so fresh & clean. The pork was oh so tender and flavorful. In addition, I really enjoyed their Banchan. I would go back there within a heartbeat, even on these hot humid summer days.

Rich

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