Rose, me and two of our friends have started a new winter initiative here in freakin' freezin' Boston - sampling one Boston area BBQ restaurant a month. Tonight was our second tasting. Just to catch everyone up, I'll tell you about restaurant #1 first.
Brookline Village Smokehouse
Rose and I enjoy the Smokehouse. It's got a good vibe, good cornbread and ribs (that's my reason). We hit Brookline in November as BBQ Tasting #1. I got ribs, Rose chicken, Jill, our supportive vegetarian, got something not worth mentioning, Stevie got a meat sampler of sorts.
The Smokehouse is cool because the kitchen is open and they bbq right in front of you. Overall the ribs were good and I love the cornbread.
Stevie was not blown away by the Smokehouse. I can't remember her specific issues but she raised some valid concerns.
Blue Ribbon BBQ - Arlington
Tonight we went to Blue Ribbon BBQ. The restaurant itself is mostly for takeout with a few seats.
I liked the feel of the space though - minus the fact that it was freezing. But I guess I can't hold BR accountable for the "Arctic Blast" in New England right now.
I liked the menu b/c everything was a platter - a meat + cornbread + two sides. I ordered pulled bbq chicken, greenbeans, mashed potatoes and cornbread. Rose ordered pulled pork + double green beans. Stevie went for another meat sampler - ribs + brisket + sausage + mashed potatoes and cole slaw. Jill, again our supportive veggie friend, ordered the "side sampler" with mashed potatoes, rice and beans, collard greens and cornbread. She was thrilled to be able to cobble together a real meal!
Overall, we were all in agreement that BR was better than The Smokehouse. The sauce was better and the sides were better. Also, they had a "sauce bar" of various bbq sauces and their hottness and some vinegars, pickles etc. I liked that everything came on a cafeteria style plate with divisions. However, I did not like that the cornbread was placed with the meat - meaning that the "au jus" soaked the bottom of my cornbread. I thought it would be awesome but it was not. The greenbeans were good and spicy and the mashed potatoes were yummy as well.
Stevie seemed to enjoy all her meats and also got some crazy pudding that looked amazing. Sadly, she ate it at home so unless she posts a comment on this blog, we won't know how it was.
So that's it for BBQ Tasteoff. Next up... Red Bones in Somverville. Cannot wait for fried pickles!
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Saturday, January 23, 2010
Parish in the South End? God Bless America!
1) the state of this blog is pathetic. Come on Birch D-ers -- for the amount of food we eat and like -- write something witty and entertain me and Schmat!
2) I am guilty as well so I am now posting.
3) I like to make lists.
Okay so..something amazing has happened in the South End neighborhood of Boston. A few months ago I drove down Mass Ave with a friend of mine (who was still new friend at the time, so somewhat shocked by my enthusiasm for this small piece of news) and stopped him mid sentence and yelled "Oh My God!" in response to a sign in an empty storefront window..."Parish Cafe...Coming Soon."
For those of you who know us or have read Schmat's past blog post (see Wedding Edition), Parish Cafe is one of the best places to eat in Boston for something good and casual. It's all sandwiches all the time and you know how much we like sandwiches. It was on my "pro list" when I thought about returning to the Commonwealth from the Empire State.
Let's be clear. It is no Roma's - these are somewhat fancy sandwiches. But they are awesome. My two favorites are the Zuni Roll (turkey rolled up with havarti and bacon, served warm with a little cranberry sauce or something you dip it in) and the Regal Regis (marinated steak and mushrooms on french bread). Each sandwich is created by a local chef here in town and served with your choice of potato salad or cole slaw. Oh and when they have it - the Flour BLT is f-ing awesome.
The current Parish is located in Back Bay on Boylston Street. It's not too far from here and it's been good to us over the years. But now to have one located seriously 5 minutes around the corner from my house...it's just more than I could ever ask for.
Rose and I went last night to finally try the new digs. The space is fine - open - and it looks like the windows will open garage style (a la the icehouse) in the summers. The staff...was confusing...but fine. And the food (Rose = Zuni Roll + potato salad; Julie McCoy = Regal Regis + cole slaw) was excellent. Rose was a bit concerned about the cheese in her sandwich but I am happy to say Parish II seems to be off to a good start. We lived on the edge and started with onion rings - a new addition to the menu - that came with an aioli of some kind. They were greasy and good.
Rose and I wrapped up by 9 and I was home in bed and asleep by 10. Another perfect Friday night as far as I am concerned.
So that's it. Parish in the South End! Makes the election of Scott Brown ALMOST tolerable. It's been a heckuva week, folks.
2) I am guilty as well so I am now posting.
3) I like to make lists.
Okay so..something amazing has happened in the South End neighborhood of Boston. A few months ago I drove down Mass Ave with a friend of mine (who was still new friend at the time, so somewhat shocked by my enthusiasm for this small piece of news) and stopped him mid sentence and yelled "Oh My God!" in response to a sign in an empty storefront window..."Parish Cafe...Coming Soon."
For those of you who know us or have read Schmat's past blog post (see Wedding Edition), Parish Cafe is one of the best places to eat in Boston for something good and casual. It's all sandwiches all the time and you know how much we like sandwiches. It was on my "pro list" when I thought about returning to the Commonwealth from the Empire State.
Let's be clear. It is no Roma's - these are somewhat fancy sandwiches. But they are awesome. My two favorites are the Zuni Roll (turkey rolled up with havarti and bacon, served warm with a little cranberry sauce or something you dip it in) and the Regal Regis (marinated steak and mushrooms on french bread). Each sandwich is created by a local chef here in town and served with your choice of potato salad or cole slaw. Oh and when they have it - the Flour BLT is f-ing awesome.
The current Parish is located in Back Bay on Boylston Street. It's not too far from here and it's been good to us over the years. But now to have one located seriously 5 minutes around the corner from my house...it's just more than I could ever ask for.
Rose and I went last night to finally try the new digs. The space is fine - open - and it looks like the windows will open garage style (a la the icehouse) in the summers. The staff...was confusing...but fine. And the food (Rose = Zuni Roll + potato salad; Julie McCoy = Regal Regis + cole slaw) was excellent. Rose was a bit concerned about the cheese in her sandwich but I am happy to say Parish II seems to be off to a good start. We lived on the edge and started with onion rings - a new addition to the menu - that came with an aioli of some kind. They were greasy and good.
Rose and I wrapped up by 9 and I was home in bed and asleep by 10. Another perfect Friday night as far as I am concerned.
So that's it. Parish in the South End! Makes the election of Scott Brown ALMOST tolerable. It's been a heckuva week, folks.
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