American

Midtown Oyster Bar (Newport, RI)

August 8, 2018 by Rich 18 Comments

All I wanted in Newport were some oysters. How hard can it be? After walking by several questionable places on Thames, I knew I had to revert to Yelp to assist me on this mission. The Yelpers brought me to Midtown Oyster Bar.

Restaurant Type: Casual Dining with loosely enforced dress code.
My short summary sentence: Have you ever seen Batman shuck an oyster?

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

Service (20%)
Friendliness 3/5
Promptness 2/5
Average = 2.5

Cleanliness (15%)
Bathroom 4/5
Dining area 4.5/5
Kitchen area 4/5
Average = 4.17

Overall Score = [F(.65)]+[S(.20)]+C(.15)]
= [2.93]+[0.5]+[0.63]
= 4.06

What else to know: For some reason, the exterior is dark, like Batman dark. Maybe the owners are huge Christopher Nolan fans. Whatever the case maybe, I can learn to dig the gothic look. When I arrived the host walked us to what was probably the best seat of the house, the roof top right in the corner facing Thames. Picture this man, the weather was around 85 and sunny heading towards sunset. I couldn’t ask for a better experience especially when my oyster shooters were besides me. I’ve come to this conclusion after being up there for some time: Sipping shooters on the roof top and people watching should be televised. I had a blast watching all the people walk by. Afterwards, I ordered half a dozen oysters, chilled lobster, and the seafood pan roast. One by one they came out and one by one I savored every bite. All of which were fresh, lush, and abundant. I could not ask for better seafood. You have to come here for the seafood.

Little Donkey

April 23, 2018 by Rich 5 Comments

Apartment hunting in Cambridge is a pain, but somehow it led me here so I’m glad I got something out of it.

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

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)]
= [2.49]+[0.9]+[0.6]
= 3.99

What else to know: This place was packed. I was here on a Saturday night. Luckily there was a table by the window for me. I was immediately greeted by the waiter who was uber-friendly and helpful. He talked me into having Percebes (Yeah, what the hell is that right?). I also had the beef tartar and the Matzo ball ramen. I was most excited for the ramen because it was listed as one of the top ramen by Eater to which I’ll confess is pretty good. For a tapas place, the portion size is decent. Ambiance and crowd gave me good vibes. Great place to chill if you’re looking for higher end food and drinks. At 3.99, Little Donkey is so close to 4 Stars yet so far. I can’t round up given my rating system and I wish Yelp would allow me to display a 3.99 instead of 3 stars. Next time, I’ll come back and order different plates. As for service and cleanliness, they’re top notch.

Percebes
Matzo Ball Ramen
Black Pepper Popovers

Primanti Brothers – Pittsburgh

April 23, 2018 by Rich 12 Comments

Our Segway tour guide recommended this place to us. It was that or Five Guys. With choices like that, it was quite obvious where to go for lunch (I can get Five Guys virtually anywhere).

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

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

Cleanliness (15%)
Bathroom 2/5
Dining area 2/5
Kitchen area 2/5
Average = 2

Overall Score = [F(.65)]+[S(.20)]+C(.15)]
= [2.9]+[0.7]+[0.3]
= 3.9

What else to know: If you’re in Pittsburgh, you have to stop by this place. French Fries and coleslaw in a sandwich, what’s that all about? Well, don’t knock it til you try it. Apparently, this is the blue collar choice of a lunch. You’re not going to get any plates or utensils, just sandwich and wrapping paper. It’s going to get messy but once you bite into the sandwich you’re going to tell yourself it’s all worth it.

Trying to make it pretty
Beast mode

Tony Luke’s – Philadelphia

April 22, 2018 by Rich

Bon Appétit’s Alex Delany brought me here. This guy ate 16 cheesesteaks in 12 hrs and said he’d go back here for more. After hearing that you know I had to stop by.

Food: see pic (65%)
Taste to price 5/5
Quality to price 4/5
Portion to price 4/5
Average = 4.3

Service (20%)
Friendliness 3.5/5
Promptness 4/5
Average = 3.8

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

Overall Score = [F(.65)]+[S(.20)]+C(.15)]
= [2.8]+[0.8]+[0.5]
= 4.1

What else to know: The cheesesteak here is delicious! A bit greasy but can you expect anything else? You have to get it with cheese whiz. Don’t let someone else tell you otherwise unless you absolutely love the other types of cheese. I love the condiments station. There’s a never ending amount of fresh pickles and pickled peppers. That’s a huge plus for me. Come here if you want the Philly experience. You can skip Geno’s and Pat’s.

Cleavers – Philadelphia

April 22, 2018 by Rich 37 Comments

4.5/5

I literally just had Tony Luke’s before this (you can check out my review there too). My Uber driver told me to come here for Philly’s best cheesesteak so here I am.

Food: See Pic (65%)
Taste to price 5/5
Quality to price 5/5
Portion to price 4/5
Average = 4.7

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)]
= [3.1]+[0.8]+[0.6]
= 4.5

What else to know: Pretty good. The steak was cut thin and ribbon-like. Quality steak was used here. Bread was nice and crispy. Good portion here; they didn’t over do it and it wasn’t small either. “Cleaner” tasting than Tony Luke’s. Great beer selection. I was not disappointed with this place. Will return.

Temptations Cafe – Brookline

April 22, 2018 by Rich 30 Comments

4.5/5

As solid as a cafe can be. Come here for the quality sandwiches and paninis. Clean all around, and a germophobe haven.

I was in the mood for a quick bite. I was driving around the area and came across this place. I didn’t know they had another location out here in Brookline. Since I’m a big fan of the one on Huntington Ave I knew I had to stop by.

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

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

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

Overall Score = [F(.65)]+[S(.20)]+C(.15)]
= [2.9]+[0.8]+[0.8]
= 4.5

What else: I love how clean the place is. I could literally eat off the floors. Friendly staff. Lots of tables and seats. Much larger than the Huntington location. Great for studying or getting work done. Come here for lunch.

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