1/6/121

Cuisine:
American

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130 Dartmouth St, Boston
617-536-6200
Back Bay

Diner Comments: Despite its FF Favorite-earning scores, often hampered by "if only" or "but." Ultimately everyone agreed that you can't go too wrong with pork as it's, well, pork, but quibbles include the menu having "not a ton of selection" and "no interesting pairings" between the cheese, pork, and liquor/beers. What The Salty Pig lacked in selection, it was more than compensated for by the atmosphere of the place. Multiple reviewers mentioned they were impressed with the atmosphere and found it be fun and inviting. Some were upset by the loud music. $$$ [36] All Comments

2/3/12

Cuisine:
Afghani

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143 First St, Cambridge
617-492-4646
Lechmere

Diner Comments: The Helmand, by menu, was a unique combination of flavors reflecting Indian and Middle Eastern influence. However, business of the venue seems to have overwhelmed the other aspects of the meal. While food was "flavorful", with particular interest in the kaddo, the bread was cold, and some of the entrees were only lukewarm. While service accommodated the large number of people, the size of the venue did not, as a party of 6 was seated to a table that really was meant for fewer diners, and we were seated very closely to other diners. To say that the sentiments were mixed is somewhat generous; most of the previous diners were left with feelings of nostalgia for how the experience had been in the past. While the food remained interesting, it's perhaps more ideally suited to a quieter night of the week. $$ [33] All Comments

3/2/12

Cuisine:
American

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255 Elm St., Somerville
617-628-9999
Davis

Diner Comments:. Food: Three people got the steak frites, all were cooked perfectly to order. The ribs were delicious: smoky and sweet. The roasted chicken was well done, and the pork belly with broccoli rabe and polenta was tasty. The burger was overcooked, but the side of brussels sprouts made up for it. Cocktails were good and the beer list was interesting. Service: Foundry on Elm was able to accommodate a last-minute venue change and take our group, so they get points for that. Service overall was efficient; not spectacular but not intrusive, either, though it got a little slow as the evening progressed. Decor: Generally a "good vibe" and "pleasant", and "bustling, busy and packed, the way a bistro should be." $$$$ [47] All Comments

4/6/12

Cuisine:
Mexican

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858 Broadway Somerville
617-623-5411
Davis

Diner Comments:. "Diners were polarized in rating for this “homey” Mexican, with “friendly service; but agreed that “tables with a steel column in the middle” were “kinda small;” and the apps were mostly “delicious” (the sope) and “spicey and good” (the Mexican sausage), the main courses didn’t meet our “[high] expectations,” other than the “sublime chiles relleños.” $$$ [40] All Comments

5/4/12

Cuisine:
Thai

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63 Stuart St, Boston
617-338-5600
Boylston, Tufts Medical Ctr

Diner Comments:. Quite mixed reviews on the “generous portions” of food, from “flat” & “lackluster” to “great” & “spicy thai”, but most agreed the service was “haphazard”, “lackluster” and “slow”, especially the “long wait [for the] last dish” to be brought out, and the place was “congested” (but “clean bathrooms!”). Regardless, while many felt it was “not a good first impression,” on what might have been an “off night” and they’d “give it another shot because it had a lot of potential.” $$$ [41] All Comments

6/1/12

Cuisine:
Asian

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450 Mass Av, Central Square
617-661-4900
Davis

Diner Comments: “Those cocktails. damn.” Summed up the reponse for most, who thought the cocktails were "inventive," but foodwise, “small portions”, “not clearly explained” were a downside, though “flavors were excellent,” Our server did a “poor job” of "refilling drinks" (especially for the non-drinkers). Diners also mentioned “Patricia Yeo [should] quit trying so hard to be Joanne Chang.  Joanne is better at [it]. "$$$ [40] All Comments

7/6/12

Cuisine:
Italian

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336 Summer St, E Boston
617- 561-0038
Maverick

Diner Comments:. This neighborhood joint scored points for tasty "red sauce" dishes and "tender meatballs". Portions were large enough to feed an army and a "good value". The taste-bud obliterating fra diavlo, however, might as well be called hell on a plate it was so spicy. Italian Express' recently introduced cocktail menu was a big hit, with the Champello winning favorite of the night.  "Sassy [servers]" scored high points but the overall decor was lacking (except for "the Coco Peru photo!"). A leisurely walk through Piers Park and a watermelon martini at the Harborside bar capped of this breezy summer night outing. One diner summed it up perfectly -- "Good food, good value, great fun!" ” $$ [32] All Comments

8/3/12

Cuisine:
American

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991 Mass Av, Cambridge
617-230-5880
Central / Harvard, #1

Diner Comments: Unanimous agreement that the excellent food "...here is worth every penny." High marks for the mushroom crostini, poached lobster and tater tot appetizers. Main courses were equally as yummy, from "pillowy [lamb] gnocchi" and an "excellent vey moist smoked chicken" as well as grilled ribeye topped with yummy carrots. Unfortunately "...the drinks were weak and uncreative", probably best to skip them and order beer or wine. For all of the high marks and praise for the food there was a significant amount of dislike and mixed reviews for the service and decor. "Waitstaff seemed confused at times..." "Slow service and staggered app and entrees delivery was frustrating." The decor was average, and certainly not as creative as the food. "Liked copper tables but the wood banquets were uncomfortable. Overall "It was a little noisy, but a fun atmosphere." $$$ [42] All Comments

9/7/12

Cuisine:
Pizza

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111 Chelsea St, E Boston
617-567-9871
Maverick

Diner Comments:. “This…Boston institution is “a complete dump”, but “no pretension” and “gruff” (but not in a “durgin park way”) service combined with “stellar pizza” like the "cheese and garlic" makes for a place that does “simple, perfectly.” [Most diners note: Stick to “two-toppings, max” as more topping make things “topheavy” and “soggy.”) <$ [14] All Comments

10/5/12

Cuisine:
BBQ

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1381 Boylston St, Fenway
617-266-1300
Fenway, #1, #55

Diner Comments: Across the board, there were high marks for the food. There were special mentions of the "excellent biscuits and tender meat." The ribs, however, received mixed reviews with some calling them "tasty, meaty, and lean" but others thought they were "just ok." The sides were nearly universally disappointing. There were some service mix-ups with drinks but comments were generally positive. More than one mentioned the lack of water refills. Some noted the "douchy hipster plates" and "inauthentic" dinnerware. The "shared tables" and "uninspiring" decor were disappointing. $$$ [46] All Comments

11/2/12

Cuisine:
American

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48 Temple Pl,Boston
617-567-9871
Park/Park, DT Crossing, SilverLine

Diner Comments:. No review from organizer. Click "All Comments" for raw comments on Yelp $$$[48] All Comments

12/7/12

Cuisine:
Modern American

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89 Broad St, Financial Dist
617-348-1234
Aquarium, S Station

Diner Comments:.We were impressed with the "cool" "modern" (and "noisy!") "urban decor," and mostly "Inventive" and "tasty" food (especially the much-lauded "Lobster Caramel"), but the "uninspired drinks" and "atrocious" service leaving us "wondering if our waiter had been fired" means though we were "hoping to fall in love...Nix's Mate may only end up being a Friend with Culinary Benefits." $$$[46] All Comments