Ann M.'s Profile

I'm giving 5+++ stars to the person/agency that created Wahlburger's brand identity. The logo, tag line, and online presence [website, blog & social media outposts] are beautifully executed. And I've got to mention the differentiated color palette that includes that electric, eye popping Green - it gives sensation.

The restaurant uses every touchpoint imaginable [from bathroom door signage, to paper liners in the burger baskets, to creative Nomenclature - "writing on the wahl"] to strengthen the brand & communicate the essence of Wahlburgers:   "Our Family, Our Story, Our Burgers." Given the frenzy of burger competitiveness in Greater Boston right now, this well done brand design makes a notable contribution to a special guest experience.

But Yelp is about Real Talk on food & service:

My party of 5 arrived 12:30 on a Sunday & had the luck of the Irish -we were seated immediately left for a service'd table. Everyone raved about the burgers and my kids loved the Coca-Cola in glass bottles.

I was pleased to stick to my quasi-Paleo eating regime and enjoyed the Salmon burger, no bun; side order of Sweet Potato Tater Tots & house chardonnay. We were all satisfied & well fed as we headed out for a breathtaking walk at nearby World's End.

The value of our meal was excellent. Our bill came to just $57 and we tipped our sunny server generously. In sum, this spot entertains & serves good, juicy burgers.

We'll be back.

Attending a Best of Boston magazine event early this week at The Opera House, I used the occasion to check out the New Artisan Bistro at Boston's Ritz Carlton Hotel.

All staff members delivered the Gold Standard service and hospitality we have come to enjoy and anticipate from the Ritz brand.

I want to point out the New Avery Bar, which sits straight ahead off the lobby and boasts an elevated fireplace that is ultra captivating on a cold New England night.  What a terrific spot to enjoy a drink before or after a near by cultural event.

But the Avery Bar was not our destination and we banked right to Artisan Bistro.

My first impression was disappointment in the design, and regret over the loss of Jerne - a beautifully designed space that I enjoyed being in on many occasions.

The new bistro leaves one with a chill. Maybe it was the white leather banquettes combined with the black walls and elements of shiny metal that created that first impression, but I am admittedly a traditionalist and only on occasion find the modern design trends popping up everywhere in our city appealing.

But our gracious server took our minds off all of that, and we enjoyed a most delicious meal and excellent service.

I strongly urge you to order their signature Croque Monsieur sandwich. It is without a doubt one of the best sandwiches I have ever eaten. Ultra delicious, beautifully presented, in 2 words - DOUBLE WOW. I can not stop thinking about it.

For my next visit, I'd like to park myself in front of the beautiful fireplace in the cozier Avery lounge and implore the staff to serve me their Croque Monsieur there.

Now that would be 5-star heaven!

2 industry greats have come together at the newly opened Salon Astante on lower Moody Street. After years of mastering their skills at Boston legacy salons, Katie Astone & Gina Galante have recently joined forces in a new business venture aimed at delivering transformative hair care services in Greater Boston.

I speak from experience;  Gina & Katie have been interchangeable in styling and coloring my hair for more than 10 years. Whether I need a sporty layered cut to keep up with my kids at the beach, or a smart, sophisticated blow dry for a business photo shoot, I always turn with confidence to this dynamic duo.

These ladies listen carefully to your needs and are always up to date on the latest techniques for healthy haircare. What impresses me most is their ability to tune into your lifestyle and consistently deliver a signature look that is all yours.

At Salon Astante you'll enjoy the comfortable, spacious spa space and like the convenient, free parking behind the shop. Right now I'm thinking about when to take advantage of the other, right-priced spa services with skilled staff members like Mary.

If you're in Greater Boston and a man or woman considering a change in hair stylists, then you must check out Katie and Gina. The bottom line is, you'll leave their chairs feeling like a million bucks.

Restaurant Da Emma was the highlight of a quick visit to Montreal, and the recommendation of our hotel concierge.

It was a cold and rainy night, so being unfamiliar with the city, we took a cab.  We found that the cab rules are more relaxed in Montreal than you find in spots like NYC, and were able to easily and without extra charge load 5 people into a sedan for the 10 block ride.

The entrance to the restaurant is a dark, descending staircase. We held the cab thinking that the restaurant must be closed. Happily, the door opened and so began a delicious and memorable meal.

The interior design of the restaurant is very pleasing and full of character, adding to the specialness of the visit. The menu is delivered in French and table side on a chalkboard. A flavorful bruschetta is served up pronto to tide over hungry patrons - you'll appreciate the offering since you'll need time and reflection to consider all the options.

My children wanted to modify their orders with "hold this" & "can I substitute that..". Our waiter's voice of reason came to my rescue, explaining to the children with directness that they would be wise to enjoy these special dishes in the way the chef intended.

A mother wanting to expose her boys to worldly cuisines will appreciate the intervention;  it gets tiresome when you're constantly talking your kids into new culinary experiences.

Happily, my children took our waiter's advice and enjoyed their meals just as designed by the chef. One son thoroughly enjoyed the Lamb, another enjoyed Gnocchi for the first time, "they're like little pillows of deliciousness Mom", and my 3rd son enjoyed the Swordfish which was prepared with an unexpected, savory sauce. It was more food than we could eat, the portions are most generous.

If you follow me on Yelp, you know I favor Italian restaurants; I loved this place and will return on my next visit to Montreal.

After an excursion to Saint-Anne for some adventure tourism in the form of dog sledding, we came to Le Cochon Dingue for our Christmas dinner.

Located on the most charming of Rues in the snow covered Lower Village of Quebec City, you couldn't ask for a more cozy spot.

The place was packed when we arrived, yet we waited just 5 minutes for our reserved table. Everyone was full of smiles and a warm welcome.  I appreciated the collective good cheer from the staff as they all were working extremely hard this holiday. We were surrounded by many families, who like us, were celebrating Christmas in a more casual & relaxed fashion.

Here you'll find bistro fare at its best. The standout on the menu was undoubtedly the Ribs, which my children devoured. Whatever their secret recipe is, my 3 mad, hungry boys agreed that these were the most delicious ribs EVER.

I could have taken them for the grand feast at the Hotel Frontenac, but their holiday was More perfect because they'd experienced the best ribs of their life.

For Moms reading this, I promise you'll enjoy the grilled Salmon as I did. And, for Dads, you'll favor the Steak Frites. Later you'll smile when the check arrives, reminding you that Le Cochon Dingue is one of the the best deals in town.

After a long 8-hour trek from Boston, we arrived to Quebec City tired and hungry on Christmas Eve. Located a short 2 minute walk from Hotel Frontenac, Conti Cafe was the spot we selected to celebrate the beginning of the holiday week-end. We were eager for a delicious meal and needed sustenance to see ourselves through the evening Mass to follow at Notre Dame - located also nearby.

The restaurant was every bit as wonderful as our concierge suggested. It was a busy night at Conti and we appreciated our table being ready for our arrival. The ambiance was festive with pleasing holiday music, and we enjoyed excellent service and outstanding food.

My 3 sons loved their dishes which included Salmon and a variety of pasta dishes. I enjoyed an outstanding preparation of Spaghetti Carbonara which I'm still thinking about with great affection. My husband, who orders soups often, remarked that the Minestrone was the best he'd ever tasted. He shared some with me, and I couldn't agree more.

We were tempted to return to Conti again during our visit, but decided with all of Quebec's culinary offerings we shouldn't narrow our focus. Looking back, I wish we'd returned.

Sometimes when you find a good thing, you shouldn't fight your intuition. I highly recommend Conti restaurant;  a genuine stand out for the staff's hospitality & talent for serving fine, classic Italian fare.

Centrally located along 128 on Floor 2 of Nordstrom's at the Burlington Mall, Blue Stove is a convenient spot for week-day meetings. Tables & booths are spaciously positioned & allow for welcomed privacy for your business talk.

The interior design is pleasing and puts you in a relaxed mood. If I'd been there later in the day and for different occasion, I'd have swam in their selection of jewel colored wines that adorn the bar wall.

The menu is short, simple & Tapas style. Don't expect to be satisfied with ordering one item, even if you are a light lunch eater. Portions are lilliputian and you'll need to order at least 2, and maybe 3 selections, if you arrive with a serious appetite. Then, be prepared to brace yourself for a lunch tab above what you might want to spend on a Mall Meal.

But I was there to meet, not eat. So, it was terrific. My business partners were comfortable sharing, so we sampled one another's dishes. Everything was good.

After your meeting, the added bonus of course is that you can run an errand or make a quick store return.  As you exit Blue Stove, you can slide right into the the skinny jeans department of Nordstrom's. Or, perhaps like me, you'll end up at lululemon athletics gazing at yourself in a pair of their stylish groove yoga pants.

In either case you'll be happy to be light on your feet, even if there's a grumble in your tummy.

Once again, Legal Seafoods delivers a guest experience that makes the grade. At Legal Harborside you'll enjoy Boston's new view in the emerging Seaport neighborhood.

Tenured Bostonians will appreciate how beautifully the Berkowitz Family has carried on the heritage of Jimmy's Harborside. And, out of towners should beat a path to the best fried clams anywhere.

The gleaming, exposed kitchen is nothing short of an operational marvel, and a fitting visual balance to your Boston Harbor vista. There's really no bad seat in the place. And, weather permitting, you can opt to dine al fresco on the deck/dock.

Maureen is captain of the front desk and manages a team of hosts to seat the room fearlessly. Our server Gabrielle was pure sunshine, and took great care of our multigenerational party.

The food is everything you would expect: fresh, delicious, and generous in proportion. Honestly, it's one of those menus where you want to eat everything.

We had fun sharing plates of Truffled Egg Salad, Whipped Gorgonzola & Fig Jam Bruschetta and Kalamata Spread with Grilled Pita. My entree of White Clam Pizza with Arugula was innovative and over the top yum.

It's hard to imagine the place getting any better, but it's about to. In early June they'll open the 2nd floor formal restaurant & a roof top lounge. I call that 3 stories of happiness.

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A trip to Boston's North End is incomplete without visiting Polcari's Coffee Shop. Doesn't matter if you've never been before, when you walk through the door of this cozy corner, aromatic coffee & spice emporium, you're warmly welcomed like a dear friend.

The guys here are warm and gracious, making it hard not to linger and make conversation with the steady stream of people coming in the door.

My orders for Copenhagen and House are mixed & measured on a 100-year old scale, as great attention is given to grinding the beans to a specification matching my brewing methodology. You're not just buying coffee, you're having a conversation with someone genuinely interested in learning how he can enhance your morning routine.

Whether you're Bruins defenseman Andrew Ference stopping in to show off your shiny new banana seat bicycle, or someone like me there to stock up and reminisce about her days living on Salem Street, it's all in the family at Polcari's.

Everyone is greeted and treated like an honored Boston sports figure, and that's a rare quality we can all appreciate.

If I rated Grotto on the food alone, it would be 5 stars hands down. We thoroughly enjoyed: Fontina Cheese Fondue w/Beef Tenderloin; broth slurping Mussels in Garlic, Lemon & White Wine; Potato Gnocchi w/tender, melt in your mouth Short Ribs & Gorgonzola; a Delightful Bolognese Veal Dish, finishing off with the Lemon Panna Cotta & the Banana Bread Pudding w/Caramel Ice Cream. With the exception of the cornmeal bread service, it was completely yum from start to finish.

Without a doubt, the price fixed 3-course menu delivers maximum value (as well as that uncomfortably full Thanksgiving feeling), and I'm not even factoring in the nicely priced quartinos of wine.

The fall off for me was in the guest experience. You sort of tumble into the place from Beacon Hill's Bowdoin Street, along precarious cement stairs that are in dire need of restoration.

There is a fine line between cozy bistro and eating on top of strangers, and Grotto crosses the line in this regard. Many of the tables and chairs are uneven, rocking and jolting as servers squeeze through to deliver large plates to Lilliputian table tops.

Everything appears loosely managed. I don't think there was a manager there, probably because there is simply no room for another body in the room.

The staff is pleasant enough, but no one is consistently greeting patrons or serving your table. Collectively, they all look like they just rolled out of bed, happy to see you - but wrinkled.

The most uncomfortable part was how frigid it was down there. I never took my coat off, and was tempted to wrap myself in the abundant amount of fabric hanging from the walls. At one point I was hoping that the body heat from the jam packed room would work in my favor, but that didn't happened.

If I lived on Beacon Hill, I'd be grateful for this little gem serving up delicious food at their doorstep, and secretly hope they'd advance to a slightly larger, more comfortable space to showcase their culinary magic.