On a warm Saturday afternoon, what is better than enjoying a late lunch of a burger and a beer? Boston Burger Company offers about 22 flavorful burger concoctions along with chicken sandwiches, 11 kinds of fries with various toppings (think nacho cheese, sweet potato, or garlic), wings, and salads.  The friendly service, air conditioning, and the zero wait for a table were welcomed as a large art fair was in mid-swing just outside the restaurant’s door in Davis Square.  The beer list is fairly standard with a mix of bottled imports & domestic brands.

Two burgers were ordered.  First up was the Black & Bleu with a Cajun spice rub and bleu cheese.  I liked the simplicity of the beef, bun, spice, and cheese.  No extra toppings, like lettuce and tomato, to get in the way.  The potato chips made for excellent delivery vehicles for the extra cheese that dripped off the burger.  Salty and tangy are two descriptors that I like.

The Waikiki Beach Burger has grilled pineapple, ham, bacon, and teriyaki sauce.  The fried egg is an optional add-on.  This one had a great combination of sweetness from the pineapple and saltiness from the ham and bacon.  Both burgers came with a side of cole slaw that looked soup-y and tasted watery.  Not exactly an accompaniment I would rave about.

A non-food note to point out is the steep stairs to the restrooms – step carefully!

Boston Burger Company is worth checking especially for an easy going meal.

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Details:

Boston Burger Company

37 Davis Square

Somerville, MA

http://bostonburgerco.com/

Walking distance from the Davis T (Red Line)

Tucked into the residential neighborhood of South End, a cafe and coffee shop called South End Buttery serves breakfast, lunch and dinner seven days a week.  I visited the cafe on two separate occasions: once for an afternoon snack and another morning for breakfast.  South End Buttery uses organic and locally produced ingredients as well as implementing environmentally focused processes (i.e. recycling, Dyson hand dryers, biodegradable packaging/paper products).

For my afternoon visit, I ordered a latte and cranberry orange scone.  While a pretty standard order, I was impressed with the freshness of the scone and the creamy-ness of the latte.  I sat at the marble counter which faces the large windows and got to people watch while enjoying these treats.

Wanting to return to try breakfast, I pondered all the choices: oatmeal, breakfast burrito, frittata, baked goods, bagels … but I decided on the country biscuit with scrambled eggs and aged cheddar cheese.  I picked tomatoes instead of bacon (another option).  As you can see in the picture, the biscuit was huge, but it was buttery and delicious.  I would have liked the tomato slices to have been a little thinner, too.  A little awkward to eat like a typical sandwich, I needed a knife and fork.  None of these details really mattered because I made the right decision to eat this to kick start my day.

On another trip to Boston, I hope to check out South End Buttery’s dinner menu.

Details:

South End Buttery

314 Shawmut Avenue

Boston, MA 02118

617.482.1015

When in Rome ..err…Boston, fish should be eaten.  I knew that I had to satisfy my craving for a fried fish sandwich and had Post 390 marked on my list of restaurants to check out.  Post 390 is modern bar serving upscale American classics for lunch, dinner, and brunch on Sunday.  Opened in October of 2009, the restaurant can be found in the Back Bay area directly across the street from the Prudential Center and nearby hotels.  There are two levels marked by a pretty staircase: the main floor with the bar and seating area with floor to ceiling windows and a second floor for private events.

I arrived at Post 390 between lunch and dinner to find a limited bar menu.  Having reviewed the menu online prior to my visit, I knew that my hope of a fish sandwich would be fulfilled.  A fried haddock on brioche with Rhode Island tartar sauce and crispy fries was an effortless decision — I really liked the spear of peppers, black olive, and pickle.  The haddock was fresh, crispy, and flaky on a toasted brioche bun.  The fries were fairly standard, so I perked them put a bit with a squeeze of lemon that accompanied the fish.

I would definitely return to Post 390 for another meal to experience more of the menu.

Details:

Post 390

Boston, MA, 02116

http://post390restaurant.com

Twitter: @Post390

Being a bit of a food snob, I try to steer clear of big restaurant chains. But on my most recent trip to Boston, I found that some of the higher-end chains are nothing short of amazing for those who follow a gluten-free lifestyle. The three that come to mind that have completely separate GF menus are Legal Seafood, PF Changs and Uno Chicago Grill.  

Seafood obviously lends itself to GF dishes. If you grill fish simply and pair it with rice or potatoes, you’re right on the money. So what does it take for a restaurant to carve out their own menu for those with the allergy? Probably nothing. But Legal even goes the extra mile with GF bread and some of their delicious soups made without flour. I’d highly recommend trying the lite New England clam chowder and everything tuna complete with jasmine rice.

Want to put Asian food back in your life? Then stop by PF Changs the next time you get the chance. You wouldn’t think that Asian food has a full GF menu, but it does. Sadly, it doesn’t attempt a GF dumpling, but try the chicken lettuce wraps and some friend rice instead. As for entrees, the restaurant takes on one of their signature dishes, lemon chicken. If you blind fold one of you’re gluten-eating friends, ask them if they could tell the difference.

The last stop on the chain restaurant tour should be to Uno’s. They have a menu filled with GF pizza items like pepperoni, veggie and cheese and tomato. Each location has a separate GF menu with other items like steaks, salads and desserts. Can’t hurt to check them out. I find myself feeling deprived of some of the great culinary classics, but if I have the hankering for seafood, pizza or Asian cuisine, I know where I’m making my weekend reservations.

Newbury Street is synonymous with upscale and trendy restaurants and bistros, but Trident Booksellers and Cafe is a small, fairly priced cafe/bookstore in one that has held its own at its Newbury Street location since 1984.

Given that Trident is also a bustling bookstore, I didn’t think that a ton of attention would be given to the food. Alas, my expectations were blown out of the water. For starters, the menu is very extensive, and has everything from homemade hummus with pita chips and seafood gumbo to chicken or steak fajitas and meatloaf. If that is not enough to get your mouth watering, my favorite feature of Trident is that they serve breakfast all day. Breakfast is my favorite meal, so this is THE spot to go if I am craving eggs or a thick slab of challah bread french toast. In addition, Trident also has a daily special soup and entree. But save room for dessert- they have some original creations including deep fried s’mores.

Second to the food, one of the highlights of Trident is the atmosphere. The cafe portion of the store is not immense, giving it an intimate feel. When you eat at Trident, it feels like you are sitting down at your kitchen to a meal prepared by mom, and the servers are as friendly as your own family members. Another big hit at Trident is its weekly Trivia Night, where groups of friends come to chow down and test one another’s knowledge.

When you are done with your meal, be sure to check out the other side of the restaurant for an expansive array of both classics and bestsellers, and perhaps buy a good book to read on the couch when you are nursing that inevitable food hangover.

For more information, check out Trident’s website.

The chocolate chip cookie is the great unifier: enjoyed by all generations, this American classic is a go-to to fulfill even the strongest of dessert cravings.

The Boston Chipyard, located in the Faneuil Hall Marketplace, has been serving up warm, bite-sized, homemade cookies since 1976. The Chipyard was always a favorite destination for my brother and me whenever we went to Boston as kids, and over ten years later, the joy that comes from biting into a straight-out-of-the-oven cookie ceases to amaze me. While The Chipyard may be located in the heart of Boston tourist attractions, it is well worth the wait, whether you are visiting for a day or are a lifelong Bostonian.

Customers waiting in line at The Chipyard. Photo courtesy of TheChipyard.com

The Chipyard could put many bakeries to shame, and the key to their cookies is simplicity. They carry seven flavors, ranging from the original chocolate chip to oatmeal raisin chocolate chip. The chocolate-chocolate chip tastes like a warm brownie, and the mint chocolate chip cookie is a fresh twist on an old favorite. In honor of my love of peanut butter, I find the PB chocolate chip flavor to be out of this world. You can mix and match cookies as well, in amounts of a half dozen or a dozen, so feel free to mix and match or try one of each flavor. All the cookies are crunchy on the outside and chewy on the inside, and no matter what flavor you choose, I guarantee you will find these bite size morsels will be highly addictive.

For more information, including directions and hours, check out The Chipyard’s website here

The Middle East Restaurant and Nightclub is known mostly for the latter portion of its name, but beyond coming to hear music almost every night of the week, people also trek to the Middle East for its authentic Middle Eastern cuisine.

Vegetarians will enjoy an extensive menu catered to their tastes. I loved the fool m’dammas, a slightly spicy soup comprised of Middle Eastern staples like chick peas and fava beans, as well as diced tomatoes and onions. The falafel was also tasty, but I found the tahini accompanying it to have an almost musty taste.

The Middle East offers a variety of entrees including kabab dishes made with your choice of meat or tofu. Each kabab plate is served with rice pilaf, a small salad, and beans (the pilaf is to die for so order it as a side if you’re not going with the kababs!). Other Middle Eastern standards like cous cous served with chick peas and a tomato sauté, as well as lamb shanksappear on the menu.

Dinner prices are fairly reasonable, with most dishes falling in the ten to fifteen dollar range. Lunch (served from 11am to 4pm) is more of a bargain, but the menu is limited to mostly kabab dishes and a select number of vegetarian options. The Middle East also runs a weekend brunch from 11am to 3pm on Saturdays and Sundays.

Fool M'dammas

Be prepared for long waits and loud noises on nights when a crowd-drawing act plays. View The Middle East’s events calendar at http://mideastclub.com/scheduleall.html.

The Middle East Restaurant and Nightclub

472 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA‎

(617) 864-3278‎

Mention fish tacos to most New Englanders and you’ll probably receive a suspicious look followed by a slightly wrinkled nose. Luckily for Boston that is all about to change thanks to a crop of restaurants bringing this west coast staple to Beantown.

For those who are not familiar with fish tacos, they normally include a variation of fried white fish (such as Atlantic Pollock), cabbage, picked vegetables, salsa, radishes, and a spicy chipotle crema. The resulting flavor is a fresh, bold, texture-pleasing take on the Old El Paso standard tacos that were a part of our childhood.

As a transplant to Boston, I was introduced to fish tacos in Denver, at a lovely little place called Wahoo’s Fish Tacos. After moving to Boston, I thought I would have to permanently say goodbye to my favorite quick meal until a recent foodie awakening of the joy of the Baja style taco.  One of my favorites is Dorados, a recent venture by Chef Douglas Organ who became famous for his tacos at the Jamaica Plain restaurant Café D. The tacos are small, but perfectly sized for picking and choosing from variations including fish, shrimp, beef, chicken, and even their own house-made chorizo. Also of note are delicious Mexican sandwiches called Cemitas, which include black beans, chipotles in adobo, avocado, Oaxacana cheese, cilantro, as well as your choice of meat or veggies.

 Another place to try, while not quite new, offers surprisingly delicious Mexican fare on a street where gourmet means ordering your street sausage “city side” (love you Sausage Guy). La Verdad is Chef Ken Oringer’s take on a taqueria for those hungry Red Sox fans who want to try something a little different. While a few menu items are a little pricier than a traditional taqueria, it’s worth the extra dollar for some fresh flavors and killer margaritas. And if you happen to be one of those people who sip your tequila instead of shooting it like the rest of us, you’ll enjoy their upscale selection.  

Also, I would like to pour a little tequila on the ground for a fallen fish taco gem, El Pelon, who perished in a fire that took a string of favorite restaurants on Peterborough Street in Fenway. The good news is they have opened a new spot in Brighton and plan on reopening their Fenway location once the building is restored.

www.doradotacos.com

http://www.laverdadtaqueria.com

http://www.elpelon.com/updates.html

The Cousin Oliver Burger

Forget all the local pubs and famous steakhouses around Boston…one of the best burgers in town can be found at b.good, a local chain started by two best friends on a mission to serve healthy fast food. Just as the name suggests, everything on the menu is good for you, from the baked French fries to the low fat frozen yogurt smoothies. But, do not be fooled: taste is not compromised by healthiness.

My favorite item on the menu is the classic Cousin Oliver burger- an in-house ground patty on a whole-wheat bun with special sauce (a combination that tastes like mayo, relish, and ketchup), red onions, lettuce, pickles, and tomatoes. All the sandwiches have quirky names, such as the West-Side (avocado and homemade chipotle salsa) and the Adopted Luke (caramelized onions, Swiss and homemade BBQ sauce), that are taken from customers or family members. In addition, each sandwich can be made with as a beef burger, turkey burger, vegetable burger, or grilled chicken breast.

b.good's menu outside their Newbury Street location

For those that want to opt for something other than a sandwich, b.good offers an array of salads and sides. They also have a seasonal rotating vegetable (this month’s is grilled asparagus) that comes from local farms. The restaurant chain is extremely accommodating, and service is always friendly and outgoing. You can substitute a hamburger bun for vegetables, and can add vegetables or a side salad to any meal for less than $3.50

With locations on Newbury Street, Harvard Square and Dartmouth Street, across from Copley, b.good is a healthy place to refuel after a long day of shopping, and I guarantee it will keep you coming back for more.

For hours and locations, check out their website here

I’ve long held the theory that the measure of a great Mexican restaurant lies in the quality of its chips and salsa. If this is true (and I certainly hope it is), then Harvard Square’s Border Cafe has a leg up on most Boston-area Mexican eateries with straight from the fryer tortilla chips and fresh salsa with just the right amount of kick.

Photo courtesy Eric Wilbur

What sets Border Cafe further apart from said establishments is the variety of their menu. Besides offering traditional Tex-Mex dishes, diners can enjoy a number of Cajun inspired selections, including Crawfish Ettouffee and Blackened Swordfish.

Border Cafe shines with its Tex-Mex standards, including enchiladas and tacos made with insanely fresh corn tortillas. Both can be filled with your choice of marinated pulled chicken, beef, or cheese. The chicken burros are a delightful study in the best the southwest can offer and is served, as are all the Mexican Specialties, with your choice of rice and black beans or jambalaya. I found the rice strangely vinegary, and would recommend going with the jambalaya, which can be prepared as a vegetarian side or with traditional andouille sausage and chicken rice. Border Cafe also features an extensive vegetarian menu, including the Black Bean Tostada Grande salad and the Eggplant St. Charles, a wonderfully spicy dish.

Border Cafe does not take reservations and is frequently busy during lunch and dinner, but with two floors of dining space, tables free up pretty quickly. Worst case scenario: you end up spending time at the bar, downing a margarita or three. Service is normally extremely fast, which can either be a blessing for those who like to eat and run, or a curse for people looking to sit and chat for a while (though conversation can be hard to come by – this place is LOUD).

Border Cafe

32 Church Street

Cambridge, MA 02138

617-864-6100