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Boston vs San Francisco Bay Area Restaurants

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Boston vs San Francisco

Why am I even comparing Boston and San Francisco (Boston vs San Francisco) is what you’re probably wondering. Well, the most obvious is because I’ve relocated and secondly, I found them sharing more commonalities than differences. For instance, both are on the coast featuring breath taking beaches, tech companies, high costs of living, and ridiculous amounts of traffic. Yes, that’s a thing. Boston was recently awarded the the worst traffic in the US. With so many similarities you’d think they were long lost twins like the Benedict Brothers. In addition, I want to say I feel like a part of history being amongst the groups of people to have made the westward journey circa 1849. I’m gonna strike gold one day dammit!

Besides the most obvious (like weather), I’ve been able to observe and experience nuances between the two cities. You’d be shocked to find how detail oriented I am. Let’s be real though, I’m not here to discuss the differences in PH values of water, the CO2 in air quality, or coastal sediment levels. I’ll spare you the micro hyper details. I’m here to discuss FOOD! 

Taken from my reviewing format, I’ll go over the differences I’ve found in Food, Service, and Cleanliness.

i. Boston vs San Francisco: Restaurant Foods

The Bay Area has one of the most diverse populations in the states. Naturally, with so much competition restaurants will bring out their best. With rent being so high and other factors playing a key role into a restaurant’s success, it’s not difficult to see why San Francisco is really a city like no other and in a class by itself when it comes to small businesses. These restaurants staying around longer are really the crème of the crop.

The Unicorn of Restaurants

I hate to refer to Yelp for reliable statistics but I’ve seen a few 5 star restaurants in the area. You can check out an article on that coming soon (link to be added). In all of my years in Boston, I have yet to find what I’ll coin the Unicorn Restaurant where one has 5 stars from over 100 reviews. It just doesn’t happen. Here in the Bay Area, there were a few unicorn sightings.

Ahhhhhh Sebastian

I’ve also began grocery shopping to fatten my kitchen and right away, I saw a difference in the variety of produce. Let’s make it fair and compare HMarts to HMarts, Whole Foods to Whole Foods, and Safeway (CA’s Grocer) to Star Market (MA’s Grocer)*. When walking in, immediately you will see the differences in groceries. There is just so much more the bay area has to offer. I saw fruits and veggies I’ve never heard of in my life. Like what the hell is Pummelo and Romanesco Broccoli??? And don’t even get me started with the Seafood Section of HMart. When I walked into the San Jose location I thought I saw a massacre of the Finding Nemo and Little Mermaid cast (I think Sebastian deserved better Disney!). For dry goods, cheese, and anything else its about the same on both coasts. Variety of produce goes to SF.

Dancing Noodles though

Next, I have to comment on the diversity of cuisines. Boston has the Italian Restaurants, Breweries, Pubs, Icecream, Pizza, and Seafood Shacks on lock. I’m going to be bias and say no other city can come close to those groups of foods. But the Bay area has, oh, so many Asian foods from Chinese province specific cuisines (like dancing noodles) I’ve never heard of to the more common favorites like ramen, pho, and sushi. Add in Hawaiian and Filipino Cuisines you rarely see in Boston and I think I’d have to go with the bay.

Warping packages?

With rising costs of rent and labor, the prices in the Bay area will jump and strangle you. Some of these restaurants have to find questionable, I mean, creative ways to keep costs down. From package warping to portion shrinking it’s really a shame such a beautiful city has to resort to this. I get it, that’s a whole ‘nother conversation above our powers. It is what it is! Pound for pound and ounces to ounces the dollar in Boston gets you a little more. This one’s easy. Boston takes this one.

*In case you’re wondering, Albertson’s owns both Safeway and Star Market. If you’ve ever walked into both, they are eerily similar from the layout to the dry foods carried.

ii. Boston vs San Francisco: Restaurant Service

Maybe it’s the sun or the avocados grown here but man people are a lot more friendly. I can’t tell you how many small talks I’ve had with strangers from the checkout line at Ikea to conversations at the urinal. People are just nicer here. I can’t say all my experiences have been pleasant but for the most part, staff is extra friendly and attentive. If you’ve ever walked into an In-N-Out Burger, you’ll know exactly what I’m referring to. Compare that with a place like Boston’s UBurger… Let’s just say adding an F in front of the U is more fitting. To be fair, FU in Bostonese is “Hey man, I love you, how can I help you?” It’s a term of endearment.

Despite the friendly service, I will say it comes with a small drawback. Service can be slow in San Fran. Not as slow as some of the Southern states but slower compared to anything in the East Coast. Where I come from, it’s common to be rushed by the restaurant as they want you out the door to cut the waiting times. People are hangry and cold, I get it! If you’ve ever been to a Dunkin Donuts, one glance at the line will tell you that everyone not only owns a watch but love staring at it. The slogan is “America Runs on Dunkin”, they don’t walk. Boston gets this one for promptness.

iii. Boston vs San Francisco: Restaurant Cleanliness

I know, this one’s not fair but we’re having a battle between the two areas. When you’re in a city of 4 seasons and a large majority travel on foot, over years and maybe decades, restaurants and establishments will lose their shine no matter how maintained it is. Think of all the yellow colored snow getting dragged into these restaurants! Throw in winter fatigue, sprinkle in a little bit of seasonal depression, and you’ll understand why there’s a Boston Mob. On the other hand, San Francisco has a poop epidemic. Go figure! Restaurant cleanliness goes to San Francisco by a slight margin.

Let’s Review: Boston vs San Francisco Breakdown

Boston vs San Francisco Restaurant Breakdown

There you have it. We made it! The score is a lot closer than it looks, I promise. Hopefully I didn’t offend my fellow Bostonians to the point of never coming back. Boston will always be my home. There is no place like it. I’ve earned my stars and stripes surviving years of frozen temperatures and horrendous drivers. These are my honest opinions (keyword: opinion) as someone born and raised in New England. Afterall, the geography may change but the spirit will always be around. You can take the boy out d Havahd Yahd but you can’t take d Havahd Yahd out the boy and Boston sports will always be greater than __________ (insert any city here). Are we cool now? And San Francisco, you’re all right with me 🙂

If you have any recommendations or places you want me to try. Feel free to leave some comments and I’ll give you my two cents on the matter.

Every Bay I’m Hustlin’

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Every Bay I'm Hustlin'

From the Bay State to the Bay Area. Every Bay has it’s day? All Bay, every bay! YOBO, You Only Bay Once!

I can keep going with these expressions all day and the longer I go, the cheesier it gets. Don’t tempt me. Trust me, just don’t. Nevertheless, you’re probably wondering where I’ve been. My blog’s been quiet, like unusually silent. There hasn’t been a review since December 2018.

One Cold Boston Day
My last memory of Boston. The view from my window.

First, let me address the rumors.

No, I did not die from this year’s winter nor was I kidnapped by a gang of spice-deprived sasquatches. Now that I got that off my chest, the correct answer is that I’ve moved from the mean, cobblestone streets of Boston to the always sunny “hella” blocks of Silicon Valley. In other words, in the last month I’ve made one of the most difficult moves by the modern man, migrating from the one coast to another. Let me walk you through the workload:

  • Liquidating my former apartment. I have new found respect for defunct(ing) companies like Brookstone and Toys R Us. I just thought it was a matter of throwing crap away and selling things at dirt cheap prices.
  • Shipping my car out. That wasn’t the hardest part. The most difficult was finding the right carrier. After word got out, millions of them started flooding my inbox. Let’s not forget to mention the anxiety associated with not knowing whether, Olivia (my car’s name), was going to arrive in one piece or not.
  • Saying my byes to friends and family. I was born and raised in New England so you know the quality of these ties are just a tad deeper than Tom from MySpace. Sorry Tom!
  • Packing up. I had to dig deep, like so deep Marie Kondo visited my nightmares, I mean, dreams. She told me, exactly, what ought to spark joy for me to throw into my suitcases.
  • Trying not to be homeless. In other words, trying to find a roof over my head and not having to worry about dropping soap in the showers or having to battle any trolls for a good spot under the bridge.

Mind you, while all the above was going on I had to balance work, survive another harsh New England weather, and attend the usual year end festivities.

And finally

On move-out day, mother nature decided to be a little dramatic and froze Boston to an arctic 4 degrees FML Fahrenheit. I was fortunate I didn’t bust my behind, loading the car. You should have seen the look of my face when I landed and saw this.

Sierra Vista
Ahhh, God’s land. One of the perks moving to Norcal.

Since Arrival…

I would be making you all proud of me. I’ve been eating out way more than I should and the scale hasn’t been nice ever since. Not having the ability to cook will do that afterall, which means some great things to come for this blog. The past weeks, I’ve been Kobayashi eating everything in site. The variety of cuisines here never ends and there are new cuisines for me to tackle which reminds me. Since I am no longer physically in Boston, Chowyoulater will shift gears and focus on the San Francisco Bay Area. I can’t wait to show you the best places to eat!

In the next few days

I will post my food adventures in the Bay Area. Reviews will come much later. I will need time to adjust to the Bay Area’s dining experience since it isn’t fair to compare. Afterall, I built this blog to be an honest guide for locals and visitors. I will always abide by my rating system. In the meantime, check on my Yelp Page and Instagram for my most up to date outings. Til then,

#chowyoulater

-Rich

Tarboosh – Boston

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[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.  

#ChowYouLater


Ma Maison – Boston

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[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

Trattoria II Panino Boston

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[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.

C Fruit Life Allston

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C Fruit Life. What could the C stand for? High Expectation Asian Father would not be happy, why not get an A in Fruit Life. Whatever the C is for, after trying their desserts I reckon the C’s got to stand for one of these, if not together: Cute Chinese Cafe. 

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

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

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

Overall Score = [F(.65)]+[S(.20)]+C(.15)]
   = [2.28]+[0.6]+[0.75] 
   = 3.63

What else to know: Going through their menu, I was pleased by the sheer amount of items they had. This is your one stop shop for sweets. It didn’t stop at desserts though as they carried pizza of all things. These pizza’s reminded me of the personal sized ones at Pizza Hut, except these may be better for the different varieties. For today, I had the Fried Milk Curd and Coconut Mango Season. The Fried Milk Curd, I could probably go without and the Coconut Mango Season I could order again on a hot summer day. It was delicious and subtle in sweetness which is what I like. As for the Fried Milk Curd, I usually don’t order fried desserts so this was a total wild card for me but the picture was enticing enough (I wasn’t ready for the mayo on the side). If you’re not a fan of fried desserts, then you can skip this one otherwise this is a must order if you love fried desserts. Kitchen and dining areas are clean as a whistle. This review isn’t really over until I try their other products such as their beverages, snowdaes, and pochette to get a better grasp. What a good way to keep me coming. 

Spyce Boston

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“Hmmmmm ‘Robotic kitchen’ sounds awfully like a gimmick to me” was what I thought… until I tried the food. This place is legitimate. I can’t think of a more ideal place for a weekday lunchbreak. Spyce meets all my criteria: relatively healthy, fresh, fast, cheap, and has all my macronutrients. Do you know how difficult that is to achieve??? 

Food: See pic (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
Average = 4

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

Overall Score = [F(.65)]+[S(.20)]+C(.15)]
   = [3.25]+[0.8]+[0.75] 
   = 4.8

What else to know: If you’re a picky eater, do not fret! As soon as you enter there’s a kiosk for you to order. Here you can order exactly what you want on or off your bowl of choice. What I love is the fact I could customize it anyway I like. Whatever new diet craze you’re on, you can literally have them make it that way. In the end, I got myself the Indian bowl plus a soft egg. Spoiler alert, it was under $10! With so much variety of fresh ingredients, I have no idea how they were able to keep it at such a low price point. That is amazing to me and I hope these MIT boys keep it that way. 


Clay Pot Café Boston

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Clay Pot Rice, you are the ultimate of all comfort foods! You know when you run out of places to eat and you can’t make a decision where to go? Well Clay Pot Cafe is the place if you’re feeling indecisive… You’re welcome. 

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

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

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

Overall Score = [F(.65)]+[S(.20)]+C(.15)]
   = [2.81]+[0.6]+[0.45] 
   = 3.86

What else to know: I haven’t tried everything on their menu because I didn’t need to. The Yellow Eel Claypot Rice is what stopped me from trying anything else. 3 days have passed and I’m still thinking about it (I generally, don’t even like eating eel). I just wish they gave more eel meat as these bowls tend to have a 1:3 ratio of eel to rice portions. Not to say the rice isn’t good, because it is delicious! The burnt rice is the best part. Wait a few minutes before digging in and the rice will reward your patience once it turns golden brown. Trust me 🙂


Temptations Cafe – Brookline

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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.