I went here for the $2 Taco deal (on Tuesdays). I ordered one of the fish and one of the pulled pork. But when my order came it was on the same plate as my date's and it seemed like they were all pork, no fish. Or maybe the fish was salty?
There must be something about $2 tacos, because when I ordered them at the Bonfire restaurant they also got my order wrong. So maybe I should stay away from tacos altogether. Although I LOVE the fish tacos at PICCOs, also on Tremont, so go there instead.
I've had brunch at Tremont 647 at least twice so far, and each time was great. I love that the wait staff all dress in their pjs!
I think they need more lighting in their bathroom though. I just remember it felt really dark. Maybe it's really dirty and they don't want me to know?
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Sunday, November 23, 2008
House of Siam on Tremont
Kudos to this restaurant on their new renovation. Although it used to be called "Thai Village," so I think they are under new ownership. The walls are a cool bamboo wallpaper, and the place is smaller and cozier feeling since they took down a large mirror in the back. At least I think there used to be a mirror there. I know it used to be this ugly peach color, because I went there for takeout once. I don't remember the food from back then, I guess it wasn't memorable.
And I don't know if it's gotten any better. When I ordered my pad thai, the waitress said that the man at the other table just said that they had the best pad thai in Boston. And let me tell you, that NO, they don't. It was wet, too sweet, didn't have enough egg or sprouts in it. It seemed like it came out of a box mix that you might buy at the supermarket. Yes, in fact I bought one of those once, and it is EXACTLY the same taste. I finished my meal because I was extremely hungry, but at the end I really wish I hadn't. It was a waste of calories. Since this place is so close to where I live, perhaps it's good that I don't like their pad thai. It will make me venture into more of their fish dishes.
My friends and I also tried their fried pork dumplings. These were not good. Again they tasted like they came from a supermarket, from the freezer. I am willing to give the rest of their menu another chance though and I will definitely go back. If even to just sit at their cute 4 seat bar and have a drink with some of the other appetizers.
One of my big pet-peeves with restaurants centers around their bathrooms. If a bathroom isn't clean and maintained it makes me wonder about their kitchen. And I am always bummed out when a place doesn't "design" their bathroom as they do their main room. Sure, renovate where everyone sits to eat, but not where they also sit to......
See, that's another chance for a restaurant to make a good impression. And 95% of their customers are going to go in there. Why not make it just as enjoyable as the rest of the experience?
By the way, the best pad thai that I've ever had is in Wellesley. At Amarin of Thailand. www.amarinofthailand.com The noodles are fluffy, there are eggs and other yummy things in it to give it bulk, and tons of crushed nuts on top. And just a hint of sweetness, not too cloying.
And I don't know if it's gotten any better. When I ordered my pad thai, the waitress said that the man at the other table just said that they had the best pad thai in Boston. And let me tell you, that NO, they don't. It was wet, too sweet, didn't have enough egg or sprouts in it. It seemed like it came out of a box mix that you might buy at the supermarket. Yes, in fact I bought one of those once, and it is EXACTLY the same taste. I finished my meal because I was extremely hungry, but at the end I really wish I hadn't. It was a waste of calories. Since this place is so close to where I live, perhaps it's good that I don't like their pad thai. It will make me venture into more of their fish dishes.
My friends and I also tried their fried pork dumplings. These were not good. Again they tasted like they came from a supermarket, from the freezer. I am willing to give the rest of their menu another chance though and I will definitely go back. If even to just sit at their cute 4 seat bar and have a drink with some of the other appetizers.
One of my big pet-peeves with restaurants centers around their bathrooms. If a bathroom isn't clean and maintained it makes me wonder about their kitchen. And I am always bummed out when a place doesn't "design" their bathroom as they do their main room. Sure, renovate where everyone sits to eat, but not where they also sit to......
See, that's another chance for a restaurant to make a good impression. And 95% of their customers are going to go in there. Why not make it just as enjoyable as the rest of the experience?
By the way, the best pad thai that I've ever had is in Wellesley. At Amarin of Thailand. www.amarinofthailand.com The noodles are fluffy, there are eggs and other yummy things in it to give it bulk, and tons of crushed nuts on top. And just a hint of sweetness, not too cloying.
Saturday, November 22, 2008
Pigalle
Now this place has it right. It's cozy, french, and they make you feel like you're the only customer in the room. I wish I could say all that about my date!
Of course when we went it was a Tuesday night. But I walk by there all the time and everyone inside always looks satisfied.
Of course when we went it was a Tuesday night. But I walk by there all the time and everyone inside always looks satisfied.
drink
What kind of bar makes itself hard to find?? I walked by this place TWICE, looking for the door. Because it's in a basement, I could see all the diners through the windows, but no door. I almost went up to the windows to knock and say, "What the fuck? how do I get in?" And it was SO cold out, I just wanted to get inside.
So finally I see my friend standing inside a doorway that says, "Sportello." Not the bar we're going to, but whatever, she looks warm. She tells me that the name is on the door. Yes, but at knee-level, and in small dainty type. Who are the clientele, children? I'm an adult, I want to be able to find my way around. When we finally entered the bar, I was in a PISSY mood. (and for those who go there, it's DOWN the stairs, around the corner, NOT the first hallway on your right.) I went out to relax, not feel like I failed some scavenger hunt. I'm disappointed in Barbara Lynch, and I'm a big fan of hers.
Other ways she has failed me:
No purse holders/hooks under the bar. So we were worried about our purses knocking over our GREAT drinks. And yes, they were great, kudos to our bartender.
Shot glasses for your water. What a great way to make the bartenders spend more time filling my water glass than on concocting my actual drink that I paid for. Good way to lower your ROI.
Not enough coat check/hangers. This is BOSTON, land of coldness. You build a cool bar, only to have it clogged up with all those coats laid everywhere? How about a side room filled with cool industrial looking small lockers, where all you need is a quarter to stow your stuff while you drink. Yes, it sounds like a ski-lodge, but it would get the focus OFF the coats, and back ON the drinks. In the off-season you could turn that "locker" area into a mini-store where you sell tshirts and cool summer stuff.
The vibe. It felt more suitable for a sushi bar. A STERILE sushi bar. I can understand not wanting to have art cluttering up the place, but warm it up somehow.
So finally I see my friend standing inside a doorway that says, "Sportello." Not the bar we're going to, but whatever, she looks warm. She tells me that the name is on the door. Yes, but at knee-level, and in small dainty type. Who are the clientele, children? I'm an adult, I want to be able to find my way around. When we finally entered the bar, I was in a PISSY mood. (and for those who go there, it's DOWN the stairs, around the corner, NOT the first hallway on your right.) I went out to relax, not feel like I failed some scavenger hunt. I'm disappointed in Barbara Lynch, and I'm a big fan of hers.
Other ways she has failed me:
No purse holders/hooks under the bar. So we were worried about our purses knocking over our GREAT drinks. And yes, they were great, kudos to our bartender.
Shot glasses for your water. What a great way to make the bartenders spend more time filling my water glass than on concocting my actual drink that I paid for. Good way to lower your ROI.
Not enough coat check/hangers. This is BOSTON, land of coldness. You build a cool bar, only to have it clogged up with all those coats laid everywhere? How about a side room filled with cool industrial looking small lockers, where all you need is a quarter to stow your stuff while you drink. Yes, it sounds like a ski-lodge, but it would get the focus OFF the coats, and back ON the drinks. In the off-season you could turn that "locker" area into a mini-store where you sell tshirts and cool summer stuff.
The vibe. It felt more suitable for a sushi bar. A STERILE sushi bar. I can understand not wanting to have art cluttering up the place, but warm it up somehow.
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