With an array of ah-maz-ing toppings and condiments at Amsterdam Falafelshop.
You go in. You order your falafel (I like the small wheat pita pocket – only $5.50 but filling). You crush the balls (yup, you’re expressly instructed to do so). Then you top up with fillings. Mine has tahini, hummus, dill yogurt sauce, pickled beets, Thai hot sauce and jalapeño cilantro. Yum.
248 Elm St., Somerville, MA 02144
P: 617-764-3334
Sun-Wed: 11a.m. – 10:30 p.m.
Thu – Sat: 11 a.m. – 12 a.m.
As a longtime fan of East Somerville’s hidden gems, I am really excited about the foodie crawl tonight organized by East Somerville Main Streets. Look’s like there will be 12 restaurants covering three continents and dessert parties afterwards – how cool is that?!
Visit them on Facebook; Check out their VIDEO from last year; their recent Greater Somerville interview, or press release. Tickets are available here or at the following locations: Mudflat Studio (81 Broadway), Vinny’s (76 Broadway), Taco Loco (44 Broadway), Sullivan Square Liquors (30 Broadway), or D-Squared (Davis Square).
The event starts at the Mudflat studios at 5:45 p.m. — don’t be tardy and bring a good appetite!
A potent margarita with a side of skull, hot and sweet crispy pork belly, spicy Chingon cucumbers, a perfectly grilled yet juicy street cart style half chicken, and the three-cheese and meat baked fundido. These are some of my favorite dishes off the dinner menu at at The Painted Burro Mexican kitchen and tequila bar.
Chef- owner Joe Cassinelli of Posto features a unique seasonal menu highlighting the diverse regional cuisines of Latin America from delicious moles and 10 types of tacos to a mind boggling list of 100 craft tequilas.
He is specially proud of the street foods he found throughout his travels that he has incorporated in the menu, like the cholo corn and street cart chicken.
As a huge chicken snob – I truly believe Americans don’t know how to cook chicken – this is one of few restaurants I’ve found in the area that cooks a mean one – like the chicken at Machu Picchu Charcoal Chicken and Grill in Union Square, or the pan roasted boneless half chicken at Highland Kitchen. I highly recommend any of these if you’re in the mood for chicken that isn’t boiled, rubbery or just plain tasteless.
The restaurant opened in March by jazzing up the old Gargoyles space, putting the bar up against the window and opening it up for a bigger dining space with some heavy old refurbished wood furniture.
After six months of popularity but complaints about the noise level, they recently added some sound proofing that has definitely improved the casual and funky atmosphere.
Still, expect to raise your voice – it kinda goes with the mood of the place and honestly, the food is so good, you won’t mind anything. I’m yet to order something I didn’t find amazing. Especially the sweet endings like the mango-jalapeno popsicles – they have special ones daily, so ask.
The Painted Burro
219 Elm St., Davis Square
Somerville, MA
P: 617.776.0005
Hours: 5 p.m. – 1 a.m.
After closing its doors for the summer for a complete renovation and rebranding initiative, John Harvard’s Brewery & Ale House will reopen to the public today in Harvard Square, according to a press release.
At the new John Harvard’s, history will meet modernity with a fresh take on decor, comfort cuisine and an unparalleled in-house brewing program. True to its mission, John Harvard’s Brewery & Ale House will continue to draw on the story and fabled recipes from John Harvard and William Shakespeare and push forward the tradition of craft beer as the center of life and community.
Here’s a great option for that rib cravin’ – Pigskin Party Packs from the dependable and innovative East Coast Grill for 6 to 30 people, ranging from $149 to $450. That’s a lot of ribs, wings, pulled pork, brisket, beans, slaw, cornbread and that awesome BBQ sauce.
Just in time for the arrival of football season, East Coast Grill offers up a play that can’t be missed with Pigskin Party Packs,available for all your game day gatherings. Barbecue dishes are prepared and ready to enjoy, containing all the necessary ingredients for an afternoon of football fun, so you can watch the game instead of the oven. Available for pick up, the party packs will feed the whole team with pulled pork, brisket, sides and more so there is no fumble.
“When the game is on, no one wants to be spending all their time in the kitchen,” explains Chef Jason Heard. “But then again, no one wants to just order the same old pizza every time either, We offer up an opportunity to enjoy both a great barbecue meal and hopefully, a great game too.”
I don’t think I need to wait for games. Especially since I have never had anything that wasn’t totally delicious there. Even when I almost burned my face off gobbling down that killer spaghetti on Hell’s Night.
And don’t even get me started on that Sunday brunch – smokehouse double thick bacon, sweet potato fries with Inner Beauty hot sauce, molasses glazed grilled banana, fruit with chile and lime… and of course the help-yourself Bloody Mary bar!
East Coast Grill
1271 Cambridge St., Inman Sq.
P: 617.491.6568
Sunday-Thursday 5:30 – 10:00 pm
Friday & Saturday 5:30 – 10:30 pm
NEW Saturday lunch 11 am – 2:30 pm
Sunday brunch: 11 am – 2:30 pm
It came, it conquered, it left and Somerville has lost what for a brief three weeks was the best darn barbecue around. Shocking news for a new restaurant that was churning out some serious pulled pork and ribs in Somerville and drawing a pretty good fan following.
The last time I spoke with Florida native Chef Michael Schmidt, he said they were running out of food every night. I know I had been getting the pulled pork and brisket sandwiches on a regular basis. I also enjoyed a slab of ribs with my colleagues there with the some mouthwatering mac and cheese, a three-bean side with a tangy original sauce and a sweet home-made mustard and I truly cannot think of anything that compares in the area.
After opening July 30 at 445 Somerville Ave., it looks like they shut shop temporarily but then decided to close for good last Tuesday.
All we know is that they had a problem locating their pit. The latest tweet said, “We have been unable to secure new smokehouse location. We are now permanently closed. Have loved being part of Union Square”
Terrible news for rib lovers in the area and we hope he at least continues the catering business they had. It’s hard to find quality Southern BBQ in the area.
Thanks to Restaurant Week Boston foodies like me get an amazing opportunity twice a year to dine out at the area’s best at a reasonable price. Running Sunday-Friday for two weeks gourmet pre fixe three-course meals are offered at the almost 200 participating restaurants this year:
2 course lunch – $15.12
3 course lunch – $20.12
3 course Dinner – $33.12
The Insider’s Guide to Restaurant Week and Open Table helps you browse menus and make reservations. Get on it because the slots fill up fast. If you have groups bigger than five it is better to call the restaurant directly, as Sir Eatsalot knows from prior experience. Happy chowing!
