Pressed for time a little bit today so I will just cut to the chase. Visiting colleges (in case my new career doesnt go as planned) was first priority, but snuck in a few good ones, and some mehs…
Island Creek Oyster Bar – A bit of a mixed bag but fine overall. Very good oysters (forgot what they were). Grilled Razor Clams were fresh, meaty, a little bland but fine. Excellent clam chowder. The best dish was the lobster roe noodles. Not quite the brilliance of Lincoln’s Strozzapreti (NYC) similar roe noodles, but a wonderful combination of tender short rib, heaps of grilled lobster, oyster mushrooms, and pecorino. Monkfish special was a a little dry and meh. The Black Bass from Virginia with gnocchi was more like it. Great flavor and perfectly cooked. Fish and chips the kids requested but hardly touched were average. A little too much batter.
Row 34 – Best meal of the short trip by quite a distance. More excellent clam chowder, Lobster Bisque. Mussels cooked well but on the small side. A very solidly juicy Buttermilk Fried Chicken. Nicely done. Warm Buttered Lobster was lobster roll perfection. Like best of Lobster in a beautifully buttered bun. $29 is french fries territory for us New Yorkers, but maybe its just not a Boston thing. The daily whole fish was nothing short of sensational Dorade smothered with a chick pea, farro, harrisa, olives and a touch of Tahini concoction. Silky smooth Butterscotch Pudding a nice and proper finisher.
Salty Pig (lunch) – Menu looked really great initially but lunch turns out only pizzas, sandwiches, and charcuterie. My bad for not inspecting properly prior. They tease you with their slow motion pasta making in the open. Charcuterie board is a poor value of 2 meat choices (4 pieces each), a sad tasting pecorino and pickled stuff. If you remove everything but the meat you are left with very little meat for $17, and not much of a shareable option. Calabrese pizza with Broccoli Rabe, Scamorza, Eggplant, Calabrian Chili, a combination that just didnt work. Excellent Funghi though – Hen of The Wood (Maitake), Fontina, Crema di Prosciutto, Farm Egg
Tenoch Mexican in Medford (Near Tufts) – Original plan was to stop at Courthouse Seafood on the way to MIT but 90 minutes turned into 60 and seafood mission was sort of accomplished by this point. Solid tacos and burritos in what seems like a popular stop.
Oggi Gourmet Foods (Near Harvard) – Did the trick with its fresh salads, sandwiches and jerk chicken.
Amorino gelato on Newbuty. Pricey but never disappoints.
Eating With Ziggy 