MenuPages Blog :: Boston

Board at Work: CF Donovan's and Cheese Curds

Thu, 02 Jul 2009 17:00:00 -0500

• Maybe it would be best for all of us to just move on from waiting for C.F. Donovan's to open in Hyde Park. [Chowhound]

• You know, even if there were a food truck that served sushi, it probably wouldn't be a great idea to eat from it. [Yelp]

• FYI, Midwestern transplants: you can order cheese curds from Whole Foods. [Chowhound]

• Desperately seeking the Himalayan food vendor from the Wake Up the Earth festival. [Yelp]

• The Pepsi Throwback: not entirely disappeared yet. [Chowhound]

We're heading out to MP Chicago's turf for the long weekend, but we'll see you back here bright and early Tuesday morning! Happy Fourth!

[Photo: Woodvines/Flickr]

Thu, 02 Jul 2009 14:14:01 -0500

Brookline Burrito Battles Oh for Pete's sake. Now that they don't have a smoker, barbecue restaurant Roadhouse has started offering tacos. [Brookline TAB Blog]

The King Reigns in West Roxbury

Thu, 02 Jul 2009 14:00:00 -0500

The King, the West Roxbury venture from Shawarma King owner Hassan Kassab has opened in West Roxbury, reports the Parkway Blog. The King takes over the former spot of beloved Middle Eastern restaurant Samia's, which closed in April after fifteen years in business. Samia and Kassab were friends, so when she wanted to retire, he purchased the restaurant. Early reports on The King's food are positive. The King joins the pantheon of Middle Eastern rulers alongside Shawarma King, Grove Hall's Gyro King, and Falafel King.

The King and His Yumminess! [Parkway Blog]
Earlier: Samia's Shuttered

Thu, 02 Jul 2009 12:00:00 -0500

Deal of the Day The Greatest Bar lives up to its name by offering a pizza and five bottles of Narangansett for just ten bucks. Sign up for the deal with BuyWithMe, a group discount service that is mostly indistinguishable from Groupon. [BuyWithMe]

The End of Fresh Cheese?

Thu, 02 Jul 2009 10:00:00 -0500

Alleged mobster Carmen "The Cheeseman" DiNunzio's likely bribery sentence could be the end of his North End shop Fresh Cheese, reports the Herald. The Cheeseman (not to be confused with notable fictional organized crime fixture Cheese from The Wire) confessed to bribing an undercover FBI agent who he thought was a state Highway Department inspector to make sure he would be able to keep a Central Artery Project contract. Though he won't be formally sentenced until September, an agreement has already been struck that would give him six years of jail time and up to $500,000 in fines. Fresh Cheese is already in the hole and DiNunzio's lawyer says that without the attraction of DeNunzio behind the counter, the shop will likely close. The game is the game.

Cheeseman's Sentence Could Cut Biz [Herald]

Mediavore: Stop & Shop Sues; Tuna Recalled

Thu, 02 Jul 2009 09:00:00 -0500

• Stop & Shop is suing Big Lots for violating the trademark on its "Real Deal" slogan. [Herald]

• Boston-based North Coast Seafood is recalling their tuna steaks after reports of illness. [Herald]

• Mario Batali's genetic profile will be revealed in new PBS series Faces of America. [The Food Section]

• A federal court ruled that the Stella D'Oro cookie plant must reinstate its striking workers and pay them back wages. [City Room/NYT]

Review of the Week: That's Just Gross

Wed, 01 Jul 2009 17:00:00 -0500

The restaurant's name has been omitted to protect its reputation, as well as to prevent trauma for those dining at the back-corner table.

Nice place to take your date. She really liked the food and I loved the turkish beer. We had an intimate time at our back-corner table. :-) I'll surely be going back.

The Natural Bean Not Such a Natural Fit for Newbury

Wed, 01 Jul 2009 15:00:00 -0500

Newbury Street's Natural Bean has closed, reports M.Blog. The organic coffee shop had been open for less than five months. Though devotees praised the vegan treats, aesthetically pleasing water distiller, and free Wi-Fi, ultimately, the little coffee shop couldn't quite cut it in the crowded Newbury Street coffee market. Espresso Royale Cafe is practically across the street and there's a Starbucks not a block away. Natural Bean's former space is still up for rent.

The Bean Was Back in Beantown [M.Blog]

[Photo: javacolleen/Flickr]

Boston Loves Pizza

Wed, 01 Jul 2009 13:00:00 -0500

Though it's not widely known as a pizza town, Bostonians love a good pie just as much as New Yorkers, claims Devra First in today's Globe. First goes on to name several of the city's best pizzas, focusing both on the expected (Santarpio's Pizza, Gran Gusto and Emma's Pizza) and less obvious choices like Antico Forno and The Dogwood Cafe. Despite Boston's pizza credential snub earlier this year by Alan Richman, we've long believed that Boston is a great pizza city. First's list is great, but we'd add a few more favorites: Same Old Place in Jamaica Plain and Pini's in Somerville for great cheese-laden unfussy pies, and Cambridge's Beauty's for creative toppings.

What about you? What's your favorite neighborhood pizza place?

Any Way You Slice It [Globe]
Earlier Galleria Umberto & Santarpio's: The Best

[Photo: bucklava/Flickr]

Wed, 01 Jul 2009 12:00:00 -0500

Bargain Bites from BoMag Boston Magazine's annual Cheap Eats issue is out, and it's a service-packed doozy with information on everything from how to get the cheapest, most filling salad possible (pack your box with greens and boneless protein) from Whole Foods to the best family-style dining in the city (don't miss the deal at La Morra). The package is, of course, Food Editor Amy Traverso's swan song, as she was laid off last week. Reading this issue, the magazine's honchos should be sad they let her go. [Boston Magazine]

Inman's Montien is No Longer

Wed, 01 Jul 2009 11:00:00 -0500

Montien's Inman Square location has closed, reports a Chowhound poster. A call to the restaurant confirms the sad news. Fortunately, the well-regarded restaurant's Stuart Street location remains open for those who can't get enough of the curry. The news isn't quite as good for Inmaners craving Thai food - the nearest option now looks to be Central Square's Thailand Cafe.

Summer 2009 Openings and Closings [Chowhound]

Mediavore: Danger at Dunkin' Donuts; Roadhouse Quits Smoking

Wed, 01 Jul 2009 09:01:50 -0500

• Fearing salmonella contamination from the Minnesota factory where the bases are made, Dunkin' Donuts has temporarily stopped selling hot chocolate and Dunkaccinos. [Herald]

• After complaints about the smell from neighbors, Brookline's Roadhouse has stopped using its smoker. [Brookline TAB]

• Russian president Dmitry Medvedev to citizens: lay off the vodka. [Reuters]

• France's value-added tax on restaurant meals falls today to 5.5 percent from 19.6 percent. [NYT]

• Beer cocktails are cropping up on drink menus nationwide. [NYT]

Blogston Proper: Sel De La Terre and Stix Stumble

Tue, 30 Jun 2009 17:00:00 -0500

• Sel De La Terre's Natick location is solid, but not a "wow." [jglee's food musings]

• The portion sizes at Stix are just plain weird. [Fun and Fearless in Beantown]

• Craigie On Main is the perfect place for a special occasion. [FoodieMommy]

• Cool, refreshing treats were the favorites at the (hot and humid) Taste of Cambridge. [Forays of a Finance Foodie]

• FYI: the pecan pie is no longer on Tupelo's dessert menu. [The Passionate Foodie]

Banq Steps Up the Booze

Tue, 30 Jun 2009 15:00:00 -0500

Geoffrey Fallon has joined Banq as bar manager and sommelier, according to the restaurant. Fallon, winner of an Award of Excellence from Wine Spectator for the past seven years, has already revamped the restaurant's wine list to focus more on pairings with Banq's small plates. Fallon has also instituted Sunday Night Wine Club, where high-end wines are offered at a deep discount (think $64 for a $160 bottle). Banq's cocktail menu has also been updated and there's now a mojito deal on Thursdays, where five different kinds of mojitos are available for five dollars each. Fallon is also writing a charming blog for Banq where he discusses, among other things, his love for cheap wine and beer openers. It's definitely worth a read.

Banq Blog [Official Site]

Big Papi's Pops Up in Framingham

Tue, 30 Jun 2009 13:00:00 -0500

Big Papi's, a grill partially owned by David Ortiz, will open soon in Framingham. According to a Craigslist hiring post, the restaurant will offer steaks, seafood, and burgers in an upscale environment. We think they're missing a major opportunity if they don't run ads with Ortiz intoning "I love it when you eat at Big Papi's." Meanwhile, fellow baseball personality Jerry Remy's Fenway-area sports bar is still on indefinite hold.

Big Papi's New Restaurant Now Hiring [Craigslist]

Earlier: Jerry Remy's Restaurant on Hold

[Photo: Keith Allison/Flickr]