Lindsey "Linji" M.'s Profile

If Deluxe Town Diner had a hotter, fitter, more food-lifestyle considerate hipster younger brother, Allston Diner would be it. I went for the first time today and had the hash and eggs. If your breakfast food memory only recalls hash from a can, get ready for your socks to get blown off! These thin and crispy tendrils of corned beef with shredded carrots and tiny potato morsels are that of irish boy's dreams. The eggs on top were caressed over easy with real butter and were full of drippy yolk goodness. Oh and then there were the rosemary potatoes,  these thin silver dollar potatoes were so perfectly seasoned that I dared not to dip them in ketchup. Rather I surgically opened my egg yolks with the tip of my fork scooping out all of the yolk with these large rosemary potato slices.

If this restaurant were a person, our Facebook status would read: deep-deep like. While I'm not a vegan, there are a number of options for them. My hope is that as they grow they may offer more gluten-free options. The meal I had today was gluten-free since I 86-ed the toast, but I hope they may explore some gluten-free pancakes or maybe offer it as an add-on for toast in the future. Needless to say, Allston Diner is officially entering my brunch rotation. Don't believe it could possibly be THAT good, check out the hash and eggs pictures to follow and let your eyes do the deciding .

They offered some nice vintage accessories gloves, hats, etc. though overall the offering was underwhelming for the square footage. I suppose the disappointment was rooted in the fact that I'd been looking forward to going in for months (it was always closed by the time I got home) once I finally stopped in I was extremely underwhelmed. It's kind of like the Galleria mall, there a handful of quality offerings but nothing so great you'd go out of your way for it. Meh.

Super-extra-fat is the way I feel after a shake from Shake Shack. I'd recommend the caramel flavour and 100 laps around the block. If you get one you'll need to jog-it-out after waiting in line and drinkin' up that shake.

It's probably fine if this is a once in a very long while thing, but I wouldn't recommend it often, dangerously delicious. Proceed with caution!

Chilean Seabass, salsa verde, sweet plantain mofongo, & grilled tomatillo bliss! This spot has some of the most delectable & inspired mexican food I've experienced in the longest time, so many restaurants are tex-mex that this place really shines for allowing more delicate flavours have a voice.  

I also spied the fish tacos and noted the use of quality corn tortillas. Albeit messy, they looked delicious. (Unfortunately I could not try them, as I am allergic to the salsa)

I'm also the princess of food allergies so I can attest to the fact that the wait staff was accommodating, experienced and professional in helping me navigate the menu.

I tried my bf's Elderflower Martini (Gin) and ordered my own passion fruit margarita. I'll testify to the fact that nothing beats fresh fruit purees when it comes to mixed drinks and my margarita paired extremely well with the sea bass entree.

I'm sure I'll have the cornbread squares & black bean dip visit me in my dreams, whoa! The texture was fantastic with the perfect chewy/crispy balance with a touch of sweetness that complimented the fresh cilantro, onion, and green pepper garnish in the black bean dip.

If you're anywhere near Hell's Kitchen it's well worth a spin. If I go again I'll be sure to try the sangria.

Since everyone raves about the lettuce wraps, I thought I'd give them a shot. I ordered take out and carried my lunch up to my office to eat in the company of my computer monitor's ambient glow.

I was nearly finished mowing down all my wraps when I discovered, *GASP* a small winged bug and several pieces of dirt on the final leaf of iceberg. I nearly PF-up-chucked my lunch after finding it & wonder if the rest of their cleanliness standards are as substandard. Needless to say it will be a long, long time before I can stomach the thought of returning.

When I complained later than day they were sincerely apologetic and accommodating, however I get that stomach-curling mouth-water feeling every time I contemplate eating there. My gag reflex has been triggered, they are now banished to my avoid list for the foreseeable future.

While poking around downtown we stopped in for brunch, yelp almost never steers me wrong!

I had the Scollay Square special with scrambled eggs and bacon, & I really liked the scallions on top and the texture of the eggs was light and fluffy. The lemon dressing on the side salad was also excellent. My boyfriend raved about the lobster eggs Benedict but since I'm allergic to shellfish, I was unable to confirm. The blueberry stuffed french toast also looked good but the consensus was that the cream cheese was tasty on the first slice but became a bit too sweet to finish the other two.

The bloody mary bar will be something I'd love to try in the future, I had a mimosa but wasn't blown away. I'd rate the drink three stars, but everything else was excellent.

The Copper Onion is a stellar place for groups or intimate dining, both the food and the service are 5 stars all around.

Ordinarily I'd probably mock someone that told me that cauliflower rocked their world, but here I am about to rave. I tried the specials which featured braised lamb short ribs and a German-style cauliflower, red onion, and potato salad on the side. No detail was compromised, the short ribs were braised to perfection and fell off the bone with the slightest touch. While cauliflower, is not my favorite vegetable this potato salad dish made me recant my prior labeling of it as a lame duck veggie.

I also have very nice things to say about the drink selections. While I'm gluten-free I did notice a beer selection that pleased the beer aficionados of the group. As for gluten-free drink offerings they had a great Alamos, Torrontes which had light floral notes, reminiscent of a high quality jasmine tea. I also tried the stellar merchant cocktail which featured a white bourbon mixed drink with jalapenos and cilantro.

Ohhhh and the starters... since we had such a large group there was a bit of a wait so we indulged in some of the apps. I recommend the pickles if you're a fan of NY style deli pickles and the mixed olives. Once seated we shared the oven roasted bone marrow. It had a scrumptiously rich flavor which made up for the booger-y mouth feel and while I passed on the bread it looked to have the perfect crunchy/chewy texture.

In the spirit of sharing, I swapped a bit of lamb meat for the steak filet my girlfriend choose and it was indeed melt in your mouth delicious. I'd give this place 10 stars if I could. Coming from a high-end small city it takes quite a bit to blow me away, but this place was like being in the Maxell audio tape commercials from the early 90's - it nearly melted my face off with it's awesomeness!

If you're looking to get brow beaten over an easily accessible commodity; this is the place for you. They practically froth at the mouth to "help" you. I often get accosted about samples just walking to and from work.

The reps give a desperate air of sleazy used car salesman. Trust me, that .05oz sample is going to cost you. I popped in today to check the price on a tea pot and I had to tell the rep NO about 5 times before walking out. I'm not a total brand hater, I've been known to grab some monkey picked white tea from the Pru location time to time but this new Copley Store is a total buzz-kill. The larger Pru location is too close to subject yourself to this kind of customer service, avoid!

I went on recommendation of a friend for a brow clean-up. I saw Caitlin who also works over at Grettacole near the Weston at Copley Mall. She was professional and did a great job. The staff was friendly, but I don't know if I can see paying $30 plus tip for a brow wax every couple of weeks. Honestly, I've had the same quality results at the cheap brow waxes from in & out nail salons salons minus the ambiance, all in all it's 3 stars.

I typically frequent this place on Thursday nights for Element's Drum and Bass. The cover is $5 unless someone big is playing like Evol Intent for example, then you can expect to pay $15 or $20. It's wise to bring ear plugs as well, they get it bumping and no one has qualms about shaking a tail feather. The music gets 4 stars, but today I'm rating the food. I have to say I was impressed by the food, I didn't have high hopes because it was a pub but everything was pretty good. I ordered a mushroom risotto that was creamy delicious but a bit on the rich side. The table service was so very slow, so it loses a star.

In my non-food experience... a few of the bar tenders tend to be heavy handed with the liquor drinks, so don't say that you haven't been warned. Another side note, what ever you do don't ask for an Irish Car Bomb, my friend made this mistake once, to which the reply was... "I don't come to your city and ask for a 9/11." The tough love from the bar is admirable.

I'm also glad they put new bathroom stalls in, investing back into your establishment really makes your frequent customers take note.  Bravo!