Katie "the Italian Stallion" V.'s Profile
DateBoston, MA 02129
(617) 886-5112
Ultimate Cleaning
Categories:
Home Cleaning,
Office Cleaning
Service was good -- not intrusive. Minor snafu with dessert (wrong one was brought out and we had to send it back) but hey, it happens. Error was corrected quickly.
Somerville, MA 02144
(617) 764-1655
Five Horses Tavern
Categories:
American (Traditional),
Pubs
Neighborhood: Davis Square
The first time I attempted to go to 5 Horses, it was on a weekend night and it was mobbed -- the wait for a table was over an hour. I was successful tonight, a rainy Tuesday. Seated right away.
As soon as I looked at the menu, I wanted to order everything. And I was hungry so I knew it was going to be tough to narrow it down. I ended up sharing a pizza as an app with my friend (the one with confit duck, mushrooms and manchego). It was pretty good -- above average bar pizza for sure.
Friend got the fried chicken sammy and loved it. The raw honey really takes it to the next level. I got a couple of small things -- the brussel sprouts, one tuna taco and a side of jalapeño cheddar mashed potatoes. B Sprouts were delicious if a little overly salted and I could have done with less sauce (they got a little soggy). The potatoes were more spicy than cheesy, but that's ok. The taco was a slight disappointment -- I didn't care for the rub on the tuna and it was a little dry.
Drink-wise, I got a Gold Rush (which is basically an Airmail: rum, honey, and sparkling wine) and then a very reasonably priced glass of Malbec.
Desserts: nothing tempted. No chocolate option.
Price-point -- good, a bit less than Foundry/Saloon.
There are many things I want to go back and try. I had a good experience, almost a great one....consider this a strong 3.5 review.
Cambridge, MA 02138
(617) 492-0352
Cafe Pamplona
Categories:
Spanish,
Coffee & Tea,
Basque
Neighborhood: Harvard Square
Cafe Pamplona has a European cafe vibe and I can guarantee you will overhear some fascinating academic conversation. The space is small (making eavesdropping inevitable) and sparsely decorated. There is a tiny kitchen and usually just one woman both taking orders and preparing food and coffee.
The food is surprisingly good -- the sandwiches come on crusty bread and are simple, but delicious. And it's just a sandwich, for a normal price -- they don't charge $8 and give you a tiny scoop of lame pasta salad to justify the upcharge. Today's panini special was really tasty -- roast beef, provolone, tomato and garlic mayo. I've also had the tomato gazpacho and it's refreshing on a hot summer day. The patio is great when the weather is nice -- it faces a small side street that doesn't get too much traffic, so it's pretty quiet. Wifi is free as well.
All in all, a great alternative if you don't want to go to a chain coffee shop (Panera, Starbucks, Peets).
Cambridge, MA 02138
(617) 491-9851
PARK Restaurant & Bar
Categories:
American (New),
Bars
Neighborhood: Harvard Square
The space is beautiful: well-designed and cozy. The decor makes it look less cavernous than it is (and it is big). Looks like it could accommodate big groups/private parties, too. I know it's only a matter of time before this place explodes in popularity like Russell House did two years ago....I'm going to go as much as I can before I have to fight for bar seats!
Allston, MA 02134
Lone Star Taco Bar
Category:
Mexican
Neighborhood: Allston/Brighton
Allston, MA 02134
(617) 787-2337
Deep Ellum
Categories:
Pubs,
American (New),
Breakfast & Brunch
Neighborhood: Allston/Brighton
1: Service was comically slow/bad tonight on the deck. After 2 hours we still couldn't tell who officially was our server. Anyone we could wave down was what we ended up going with, but it took 15 minutes to get water and menus. And the waitress we tried to order food with could not answer basic questions about the menu, like what the daily sausages/sides were on the best wurst plate. Was I really the first person to ask? It was weird.
2: I burned the SH*T out of my hand on the skillet that the best wurst plate was served in. Server failed to warn me that the plate was HOTTER THAN HADES. So now I have a nice big red welt on my left palm. Boo.
3: They always run out of the BBQ brisket breakfast. Always. Often before noon. Here's a hint -- make more of it!!!!
Listed in: My Neighborhood, The Places I Go Out
2 Previous Reviews:
-
12/3/2011
God, the food here is good. When I first reviewed this place, I hadn't eaten much of the food, so I need to update my review in light of a few awesome things--
1) the duck confit hash that costs a mere $10 and contains a lot of duck
2) the pork meatball bahn mi
3) the reuben
4) the green goddess salad and the beet/goat cheese terrine (when you want to pretend to be healthy by getting a salad)
The service is always friendly without being pushy. Nothing is overpriced. I still think their french fries could be crispier/less generic and I wish they had more wines by the glass, but there's just too much to like to not give them 5 stars. -
7/2/2009
Deep Ellum has single-handedly redeemed the bar scene in Allston, in my opinion. If you're tired of watching bros do shots of Jager in between turns of Big Buck Hunter at Big City or White Horse Tavern, wander down Brighton just a little bit further to the beer sanctuary that is Deep Ellum.
The patio deck is great -- tucked away from the street and small enough to make you feel like you're in on a secret just by being there. The servers are super friendly and check in on you just the right amount. They seem to genuinely like working there and can happily recommend beers and/or munchies.
I've tried the cheese plate, which was awesome -- three types of cheese, including the "red dragon" with mustard seeds, and something called Drunken Goat Cheese. The selection changes daily, though. I also got an order of the vinegar/fleur de sel fries (addictive) and the best wurst plate, which featured a house-made spicy Southwestern style chicken sausage that was phenomenal.
Deep Ellum, I will be back soon...you can count on it.
Cambridge, MA 02138
(617) 497-0900
First Printer
Categories:
Bars,
American (New)
Neighborhood: Harvard Square
The space is pretty cool, esp. the weird little windowless bank vault corridor where some small tables are set up. I could imagine it being nice for solo diners to be tucked away in there with a book and away from the bar.
The menu has a little bit of everything and could use a little focus. There are the apps you see on every Boston bar/gastropub menu (calamari, beet salad, flatbreads). There are sandwiches. There are pricier entrees like lamb, fish, etc.
The calamari was not good. Too much breading, very dried out. The crab cakes were a bit better, though still more filler than crab meat. The drinks were a nightmare -- all too strong and too sweet. Look, I know no one wants to pay $10 for a watery weak drink, but there's still something to be said for a well-balanced cocktail with a good amount of booze. The drinks were too strong to be enjoyable -- I wasn't looking to be hammered after consuming half of my Ink Blot (or whatever it was called). It contained Hangar One Mandarin, Domaine de Canton, Lemoncello (all alcoholic) and a shot of some kind of blueberry liqueur. THAT'S A LOT OF BOOZE. A few sips and I was slurring my speech.
The entrees were ok, I think. I got lamb with mashed potatoes. Everyone else got sandwiches and seemed to like them. The vibe of the place is definitely still in process -- you could tell they've only been opened a little while. Our server was nice enough, but at one point disappeared for like 40 minutes.
Allston, MA 02134
(617) 783-2340
Le's Restaurant
Category:
Vietnamese
Neighborhood: Allston/Brighton
Listed in: My Neighborhood
1 Previous Review:
-
6/28/2009
Ok, so I didn't try to oft-raved-about Pho, but I did try some Bun (vermicelli) topped with shrimp, pork, and a cut-up spring roll. It was a hearty portion and very flavorful, even without being doused in nuoc cham (fish sauce). Traditionally, the noodles are served room temperature, so I opted to heat mine up some more in the microwave. Perfect dinner on a slightly chilly, rainy summer evening. Filling, but not too heavy.
I've also tried the "pad thai" which is not really pad thai, but still tasty. There are peanuts, but other vegetables and meat not traditionally found in the classic Thai dish (red and green peppers, broccoli, green beans, pork, beef).
But why would you order pad thai at a Vietnamese restaurant anyway? That's just silly.
Boston, MA 02134
(617) 202-5409
Refuge Cafe
Categories:
Cafes,
Sandwiches
Neighborhood: Allston/Brighton
2 Previous Reviews:
-
12/1/2011
I'm bumping them up a star because they seem to be constantly and intelligently evolving to please their customer base, which in a restaurant's first months of being open is admirable.
They went from stopping breakfast at 11 to offering it all day on the weekends to now offering it all day, every day. To which I say HOORAY (and hooray for rhyming sentences).
Also, initially, the free wifi was not available on the weekends and now it is.
Whether these things were changed because of complaints or suggestions, I don't know, but I respect a business that is flexible and genuinely interested in making their customers happy.
Also, the wait time for food has gotten much faster -- I never wait more than a few minutes. And the food remains very tasty, fresh, and innovative. -
10/4/2011
I too was a big fan of Allston Cafe/Herrell's and awaited the opening of Refuge Cafe with baited breath. And I think after my first lunch here, I will be a regular.
I barely recognize the space -- the charming claustrophobic chaos of Allston Cafe is gone but what has replaced it is lovely. The space is airy and clean, with lots of natural light and natural wood. It's a great layout.
The menu is exciting -- no Tiny Mighty for $2.40, but lots of breakfast and lunch options. I had the Pastrami Rama -- turkey pastrami, spicy honey mustard, caramelized onions, and swiss cheese on delicious PRETZEL bread. It was a fabulous sandwich. I can't wait to try the other sandwiches and salads. Sounds like breakfast is when things get crazy, so maybe I'll wait before attempting the crowds/insanity.
I also want to remind folks that sometimes the wait for breakfast sandwiches at Allston Cafe was epic as well....it's what happens when you have a small kitchen and lots of hungry hipsters!
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Allston, MA
Yelping SinceAugust 2008
Things I Lovekaraoke, vintage clothes, cats, board games, wine, cooking, poetry, thai food, sushi, VH1 and Bravo reality shows, theatre
Find Me InBoston, NYC
My HometownSt. Louis, MO
My Blog Or Website When I'm Not Yelping...I'm teaching college freshmen how to write essays.
Why You Should Read My ReviewsLet's face it, my taste is probably better than yours.
My Second Favorite WebsiteTelevision Without Pity
The Last Great Book I Readeither Crime and Punishment or Jane Seymour's Guide to Romantic Living.
My First ConcertBilly Joel (I think)
My Favorite MovieStrictly Ballroom
My Last Meal On EarthVagnino secret recipe spaghetti and meatballs
Don't Tell Anyone Else But...I hate crossword puzzles.
Most Recent Discoveryeasy Crockpot recipes
Current CrushColin Firth
Most egregious:
bathroom floor and shower. Floor not swept or mopped; shower not cleaned (hair still around the drain). The sink appears to have been wiped down hastily, as has the toilet.
and here's an especially HILARIOUS discovery -- the kitchen trash, which was not taken out, CONTAINED A SWEATER OF MINE. ??!?!?!?!?!? Why would a sweater end up in the trash? This is beyond bizarre to me. Did they use my sweater as a towel or something? Spill cleaner on it? WTF WTF WTF.
Kitchen floor looks ok, but not gleaming. Looks about as clean as when I lazily use a Swiffer Mop and water. They did do a good job with the stove and sink.
There are tons of places they didn't dust. Like, really obvious spots: the top of my dresser, my TV table. I have a cat and she sheds and there are still clumps of hair in not-very-hidden places. I'm kind of wondering what they did for 2 hours. I could have done this level of cleaning myself in about 30 minutes.
I wonder if it's because so many people have these coupons that they skimp on the services because they don't think any of us will turn into repeat business?
I'm having people over for dinner tomorrow and I was hoping not to have to do anything to get my apartment ready....not the case. Will definitely need to deal with the bathroom floor and dusting at the very least.
Sigh. These deals are always too good to be true. I won't hire UC again and I wouldn't recommend them. Especially if don't want to find a sweater that you like in the kitchen trashcan.