Restaurant Reviews

Koi Japanese Cuisine

June 11, 2018 by Rich 13 Comments

If you want to try something different, want to go somewhere “foreign”, and love spicy hot pot, I strongly recommend this place. It’s a small ma and pa type of restaurant. My GF and I have been going here for almost 2 years now!

Food: See pic (65%)
Taste to price 5/5
Quality to price 4.5/5
Portion to price 2.5/5
Average = 4

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

Cleanliness (15%)
Bathroom 3.5/5
Dining area 5/5
Kitchen area 4/5
Average = 4.17

Overall Score = [F(.65)]+[S(.20)]+C(.15)]
= [2.6]+[0.8]+[0.63]
= 4.03

What else to know: Be ready. The prices here seems to be getting more expensive. After the price of the broth and a few items, it can easily become expensive so monitor your orders. Besides that, this is my favorite place to get hot pot. They have some things in their menu you just cannot find anywhere else in Boston. They also have a self-serve mini sauce bar (similar to Spring Shabu Shabu) that’s got to be taken advantage of. My go-to sauce mix is minced garlic, chili peppers, scallions, sesame oil, soy sauce, red vinegar, and a bunch of cilantro. You can also ignore the word “sushi” in their name because there’s nothing sushi about it. They actually removed their sushi menu because their customers only go there for one thing, Spicy Hot Pot!

BAB Korean Bistro

May 24, 2018 by Rich 17 Comments

It seems like I’ve been going to Coolidge Corner a lot recently. I guess I’m getting Allston fatigued. After awhile Allston can be limited especially if you live there so nearby is Coolidge Corner, not as hip but a more grown version. I was craving for Korean and honestly, just looking for my next new restaurant to victimize, I mean, review 🙂

Food: See pic (65%)
Taste to price 4/5
Quality to price 3.5/5
Portion to price 5/5
Average = 4.17

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

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

Overall Score = [F(.65)]+[S(.20)]+C(.15)]
= [2.71]+[0.65]+[0.7]
= 4.06

What else to know: So what can one expect going to a 2 month young restaurant on a Friday night? Hmmmm… chaos and slow service? But on the positives, nice waiters and delicious food? Yep! All the above applies for this restaurant. I ordered the Sundae Gopchang Jeongol (serves two). My, oh my it was quite delicious and filling. That’s all I needed. No apps and dessert. I was with my GF and we couldn’t finish the whole thing. We had to take the rest home which made another great meal at home. My one gripe is the speediness. It was rather slow and you know with Korean food, I drink lots of water so having it constantly refilled is a must. Not to worry as I expect them to improve over time especially since they are new. I will update my review accordingly. Overall, very promising and I’ll be back.

One Pot Malden

May 23, 2018 by Rich 40 Comments

We ended up here because we couldn’t find any parking in Chinatown. Should we have known better than to try finding parking on a Sunday? No, because days like that wouldn’t have allowed us to find hidden restaurants like this 🙂

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

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

Cleanliness (15%)
Bathroom 4/5
Dining area 5/5
Kitchen area 4/5
Average = 4.33

Overall Score = [F(.65)]+[S(.20)]+C(.15)]
= [2.49]+[1]+[0.65]
= 3.24

What else to know: Once again, I entrusted our hand dandy Yelp app to guide us to a nice restaurant for lunch. We ended up here and I was pleasantly surprised. This place is like Hello Kitty cute. A lot of effort was put into constructing this place. Nice decorations and pretty much new (this place opened a couple of months ago). Immediately we were greeted by what appears to be the owner who was very nice and accommodating. My GF and I got a 3 course meal because we were simply starving after making the trip here from our failed Chinatown voyage lol. The food was good. With so much more on their menu, I know I’ve only scratched the surface. I will have to come back to try other dishes and will update accordingly. Good luck to the business, you guys will do well!

The Daily Catch Brookline

May 23, 2018 by Rich 23 Comments

I came here for the Lobster Fra Diavolo. It seems like everyone comes here for that dish. I verified when I glanced over the other tables and saw the same thing. The question is, how hungry are you and how much do you love seafood?

Food: See pic (65%)
Taste to price 3.5/5
Quality to price 4/5
Portion to price 5/5
Average = 4.17

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

Cleanliness (15%)
Bathroom 3.5/5
Dining area 3.5/5
Kitchen area 4.5/5
Average = 3.83

Overall Score = [F(.65)]+[S(.20)]+C(.15)]
= [2.71]+[0.9]+[0.57]
= 4.18

What else to know:

You will never hear the words “I wish there was more food”. The portions here are plenty to go around. My GF and I ordered the Small Fried Calamari for apps and the Lobster Fra Diavolo (for one) for our main entree. By the end of our meal, I was struggling to get up and my belt may have stretched a few centimeters. I also loved they kept the door open as it was a lovely sunny day. Our waitress was so nice and I enjoyed her a lot. Keep in mind that because the place is so small, there can be quite a wait time. For instance, I arrived on a Monday at around 6:30 pm and waited about 20 minutes so not too bad but if I had came in 15 minutes later I could have easily been the couple staring at me waiting to take my table instead.

Tim Ho Wan NYC

May 18, 2018 by Rich 12 Comments

There’s Tim Ho Wan, and a mile below are the rest. I’ll make it easy for my readers, Tim Ho Wan is the best dim sum restaurant I’ve ever been to. Keep reading if you want to know more.

Food: See pic (65%)
Taste to price 5/5
Quality to price 5/5
Portion to price 4/5
Average = 4.67

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)]
= [3.04]+[0.75]+[0.7]
= 4.49

What else to know: Prior to coming here, I was a little skeptical considering my last experience was a huge disappointment at another Michelin acclaimed dim sum place (cough cough Din Tai Fung). To be frank, I was expecting watered down Americanized dim sum and to my surprise, when I saw chicken feet I was immediately calmed knowing this place may have not lost its roots. There, I ordered pretty much a quarter of the menu because I just didn’t know when the next time I’ll be able to make a visit. Looking back, I wish I had ordered everything because there was not one item I didn’t like. This is the king of all dim sum places, coming here on an empty stomach is mandatory. You will thank me later.

Pho Le Dorchester

May 16, 2018 by Rich 33 Comments

Come here if you want the classic pho experience. I’ve been coming here for years and no matter what, they’ve managed to stay consistent all this time. Pretty amazing if you ask me.

Food: See pic (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 3.5/5
Dining area 3.5/5
Kitchen area 3.5/5
Average = 3.5

Overall Score = [F(.65)]+[S(.20)]+C(.15)]
= [2.71]+[0.85]+[0.53]
= 4.09

What else to know: It’s become somewhat of a tradition for me. Whenever I’m in the South Shore area, I have to drop by. Prices are pretty good given the amount of food you’re getting. This is how you do pho; pho restaurant owners, please take notes. They do not skimp out on anything. Generous portions and I get along very well. Lots of thai basil, bean sprouts, and lime wedges. Heck, if it’s not enough ask for more and they’ll gladly bring it over. Friendly service and I like when you walk in the owner has such a nice big smile. Solid place for pho. I recommend it.

Ittoku Brookline

May 12, 2018 by Rich 18 Comments

I don’t go to izakaya’s often but when I do, it’s this one in Boston. Come here for the sake and grab some skewers! Their menu is like a tour of Japan with all the different varieties which alone make it worthwhile to visit. The menu pictures are great for those who need more than a description of words.

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

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

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)]
= [2.49]+[0.75]+[0.53]
= 3.77

What else to know: I lived in Japan for half a year so I’ve been to quite a few izakayas in my time. When this place first opened, I was excited to finally visit and try some Japanese foods I can hardly find in Boston. I was amazed with the menu. There is a diverse selection of foods from your traditional izakaya eats like yakitori, to sushi, and hotter meals like ramen and rice bowls. On top of that there is a large selection of sake. I prefer my sake dry and full bodied 🙂 Kudos to the taste profile chart. It makes ordering sake easier. If you’re unsure, ask for a sample. Overall, this place is pretty good and a solid choice if you’re craving for some hard to find Japanese dishes. Come here if you miss Japan, it’s as good as it will get in Boston.

Xiang Yu China Bistro

May 7, 2018 by Rich 16 Comments

What used be Takusan Sushi is now Xiang Yu China Bistro. After my first visit, I will say I was pleasantly surprised. This place brings it! Food here is simply delicious!

Food: See pic (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 3.5/5
Average = 3.5

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

Overall Score = [F(.65)]+[S(.20)]+C(.15)]
= [2.6]+[0.7]+[0.7]
= 4

What else to know: I happened to be at Trader Joe’s and suddenly craved for something spicy. I go on my Yelp and Xiang Yu China Bistro with 5 stars pops up. That immediately caught my eye and after trying a couple of dishes I have no regrets. With so many Hunan and Sichuan restaurants popping up everywhere, this place was refreshing. For once the food was actually spicy. You see, I’ve built a tolerance over the years and my lips do not get numb anymore from Sichuan peppercorns. After a few bites, it was quite satisfying (for a spicy food lover) having the need to gasp for air. To my surprise, there was only one waiter that day. With over 10 tables to himself, he brought the food out pretty fast. Kudos to that man 🙂 Although he was fast, understandably we had to wait for some time for water. Trust me, you will need it!

Steamed Soup Dumplings
Spicy Beef Hot Pot
Chicken in Chili Oil
Spicy Pork Kidney

New Sushi Allston

May 7, 2018 by Rich 18 Comments

As solid of a sushi/poke place can be. Prices are reasonable and portions are good. This is the value pick for sushi lovers. If you’re in need of a quick and light lunch this is the place for you.

Food: See pic (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 3.5/5
Average = 3.5

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

Overall Score = [F(.65)]+[S(.20)]+C(.15)]
= [2.6]+[0.7]+[0.7]
= 4

What else to know: This place opened up not too long ago. I’m glad Allston finally has a fast casual sushi restaurant. The only other similar place is in the Super 88 food court which is just OK in my book. What I really like is the ability to customize and see my orders made in front of me. They’re set up much like a Chipotle where the sushi is made via assembly line. Go in, grab an order sheet (by the window) and check off the items you want. Trust me, it’ll make the process much faster. Head over to the counter, pay and watch them make it for you. There you will see the decent selection of ingredients. They’re usually fresh and well maintained. My one gripe are the sauces. I wish they had sriracha or low sodium soy sauce as I’m not really a fan of the mayonnaise or sweet sauces. Overall, as mentioned before this place is very solid. They will see me more often for my lunches with my own bottle of sriracha.

Pot Bar

April 24, 2018 by Rich 41 Comments

This placed was once a Hookah Bar, then it became a “Pot” Bar… I thought to myself, “Wow, this is a Boston first.”

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

Service (20%)
Friendliness 3.5/5
Promptness 2/5
Average = 2.75

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

Overall Score = [F(.65)]+[S(.20)]+C(.15)]
= [2.28]+[0.55]+[0.75]
= 3.58

What else to know: I was sort of right on the first pot bar thing but wrong on so many levels of my imagination :$ This place is a Hot Pot Full Service Restaurant. Something was lost in translation from Chinese to English.

I actually came here on their soft opening back in March so I will have to come back for another review. I’m sure they’ve streamlined their processes and changed menu items since then. This place is a little bit of a different twist to your typical hot pot. Instead of throwing the veggies and meat yourself into your pot, they bring the pot to you already mixed. In otherwords, DIY hot pot became DIFM hot pot. I ordered the House Special Hot Pot which took quite some time to arrive. I will give them the benefit of doubt and label this a soft opening hiccup. As for the soup, it was pretty tasty considering I’m a fan of mala flavored foods but I did notice the price. At $12.95 with the selected veggies and meat, it was a little steep factoring in the portion and time of the day as I came in during lunch hours. Could a lunch menu be in development 🙂 ? I think it would help them a lot. I conclude by wishing this place best of luck and I look forward to my second visit. Good luck guys.

House Special
Fried Fermented Tofu

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