William S.'s Profile

With options for every palate, Shabu Zen is a great idea for a small group of adventurous eaters. The basic options of thinly sliced meat (chicken, beef, lamb, or pork) is of great quality, and there are plenty of possible additions (beef tongue, tripe, etc). Personally I prefer the surf & turf platter, as the seafood is of a remarkable quality.
That said, the vegetable options cannot be overlooked. While every platter comes with a standard side of assorted greens, mushrooms, etc., it's hard not to add a few more from the menu.
While it's easy to get carried away with exotic cuts and extra portions, $20-25 will provide enough for 2 people if you stick to the standards. This estimate, however, does not include drinks - of which there is a colorful assortment.
The only odd duck here is the decor, with TV being projected on the walls and vibrant posters featuring their cocktails, is obviously geared to the college-aged population of the area.

This would be a 2-star review if it weren't for one thing: the donuts. Light, airy, and sweet - they are a welcome change to the leaden circles we have all grown accustomed to. The rest of the baked goods (muffins, filled croissants, etc.) are quite good and decently priced, but the glazed donuts steal the show.
That said, the coffee is awful. I drink it black and it's far too diluted. I tried it again on a different day in case it was a fluke but I'm sad to say that it's just bad. Essentially a cup of brown water. I can only assume this is to target the average patron you find there, who tend to be a bit older.
The atmosphere is somewhat spartan, but can be a welcome change from the modern artsy cafe motif.

First visit back after Ken's Ramen closed.

With memories of Ken's packed tables, We made sure to visit on an off night (Thursday) toward closing time. There was only 1 other party at the time, and the sounds of them merrily slurping away was as good a sign as the vigorous Japanese welcome proffered by the staff as soon as the door opened.

Redecorated in a more modern fashion, the space actually seems larger., though I suspect there may be fewer tables than what Ken had.

I had a bowl of Pika Miso Ramen. The noodles are just the perfect texture - chewy yet firm, and carry the flavor of the broth but stand on their own. The broth (this was miso, but they also offer salt and soy) was flavorful and well bodied. The meat (pork) was supple and juicy, the vegetables well prepared. I had them include a seasoned egg and was grateful for it.

My counterpart had the Chee Buta Don (pan fried sliced pork with onions and mozzarella in  a yakiniku sauce over rice). The mozzarella was something neither of us had ever seen included in a -don dish before, but it brought a nice flavor and texture to the dish. Both the rice and meat were cooked to near-perfection.
Also tried two sides - kaiso and takoyaki. The kaiso (your standard seaweed salad) was a disappointment - not properly re-hydrated, making it slimy. The takoyaki was well textured and definitely flavorful, but would be better without the glop of thick mayo on the side of the plate.

The service was quick and attentive, the staff just this side of hovering (possibly because we were the only customers for half our meal). But the most notable thing - the speed! Our meals were on the table within 5 minutes of our order. From walking in the door to paying and leaving took about 20-25 minutes. And at no point did we feel rushed or that the speed reduced the quality of the meal or service. This factor alone bumps my review from 3 to 4 stars. Truly remarkable!

I find myself in this shop at least once a week. With helpful staff and a well stocked selection of comics, indies, and trades, the Allston New England Comics is a wonderful place to spend part of the afternoon. And there is a surprising selection of older, often out of print, comics for the more savvy comic collector missing an issue. Searching through the boxes on a whim, I found a series that's been out of print for three years and was never able to finish.

This map spot must be an error. Even so, I don't want to live anywhere else. Can you say "Greatest city in the world"?

Symphony Seafood/Sushi is one of the best Japanese restaurants I've found in the Boston Area. The food - be it sushi, sashimi, or one of their cooked dishes - always has a clean look and taste. The flavors always come through amazing and I've never once had a service that was anything less than enjoyable.

In my dozens of trips here since they opened I have yet to find anything on the menu I don't enjoy - and I've tried it all. Even the friends that visit from Japan seem to enjoy themselves here.

The best meal of the day (in my opinion, obviously) is lunch. There's nothing quite like a bento box to set the rest of the day in perfect harmony. Some people don't like the salad dressing used, but I personally find it fine.

While the TV over the Sushi bar doesn't quite fit the style of this establishment, it gives you something to look at if conversation is dying out.

If doing take out, everything is packed neatly separated by dish and, while lacking the atmosphere of the place, is just as great in quality and quantity.

I end up here at least once a month for a quick treat. By far the best red bean buns/pastries I've found outside of Cambridge. I like to try something new every time I go - last time was almond cookies. Simply amazing.

I've been going to Woody's for 5 years now. It is the best pizza I've had in Boston. They are always more than willing to customize toppings. The appetizers are always fresh. Every time my friends and I patron Woody's we come away surprised how low the bill is considering the quality of the food and service.

If you're looking for a meal in a smaller grill/tap setting, you can't get better than Woody's.

Great staff - Friendly and knowledgeable, these guys are pros.
Great service - They had my bike fixed a day and a half before they had it due.
Great selection if you're serious - Yes, they are pricey (I bought a $650 bike). But these bikes are some of the best and after checking out other stores in the nearby area (ski market, Landry, EMS, and a few others), International was by far the best.

Arnold Arboretum is by far the best park in the city area. It's large paths and options for off-trail exploring are great. The park is large enough to find a quite spot to be alone or host a large gathering. Housing a wide variety of small critters, it's a great place to sit, relax, and absorb nature (only chipmunks I can find in the city).

My friends and I have incorporated the Arboretum into our biking circuit. Typically we start at Northeastern University on Columbus's Southwest Corridor Path, which follows the Orange Line. This leads to Forest Hills, at which point we enter the Arboretum via the dirt path leading to the South Street Gate (beware traffic, it's a blind turn). We make our way through the Arboretum before exiting via the Arborway gate. From the Arborway we bike north to Jamaicaway and along the paths at Jamaica Pond. The hill down Jamaicaway to the baseball fields is a thrill. From there you cross the western edge of the baseball diamond along a dirt path or continue following the road. Either way you reach Route 9, where you cross to enter Riverway. This takes you to the Landmark Center, and if you wish to extend your ride, you have the option of cutting across Kenmore to the Charles or entering the Fens.

From Northeastern to Landmark along this route takes about an hour at a leisurely pace and covers roughly 6 to 7 miles (estimate). And this path works great in reverse as well.