Minado

   Still the king of buffets in MA, Minado rarely disappoints.  Now I know most people don't hold the quality of food at buffets to a very high standard but Minado is the exception in the realm of bland tasteless portions.  Despite the buffet moniker the food is always fresh, not overly salted or heavy, and full of flavor.

   Aside from the quality the variety is pretty exceptional as well, I mainly go for the seafood and sushi but there's a wide assortment of hot entrees too.  There are some food snobs that scoff at the very notion that a buffet can be any good but ignore them, sometimes you just want to relax and chow down until your button bursts and there's no better place to do it than Minado.   The establishment itself is quite large, located right by the Natick Mall with plenty of parking which makes convenience a huge advantage.  Unlike some mainstream buffets Minado offers waiter service for beverages including alcohol, the servers are very attentive and provide little necessities such as drawn butter and claw crackers.

   Overall if you're looking for a buffet in MA, there's no where better than Minado.  Some small notes that people should be aware of is that Oysters go fast and they ask you to only take 5 at a time so please respect the rules for the sake of other patrons.  The quality is great, the price is right, the drive is convenient and the service is pleasant, so what's stopping you from trying this restaurant?

Score: We Loved it! (8/10)

"Raw Oysters"

 

"Alaskan Snow Crab Legs"

 

"Short Ribs and Miso Soup"

 

"Assorted Sushi"

 

"Assorted Sushi"

 

"Unagi Hand Rolls"

 

Capital Grille

   Consistency is the name of the game and Capital Grille constantly takes the crown.  I've been to a fair share of Boston's high end steakhouses and every time the bar is set by Capital Grille.

    I'll go on the record and say it, Capital Grille is probably the best in town followed closely by Ruth's Chris, better than Grill 23, Moo..., S&W, and Abe & Louie's etc.  Pricing is normal for the niche market they're in, expect to pay at least 40.00$ a steak but that's pretty much what you'll find at any high end steakhouse.  The real glory for CG lies with the three most important dining attributes: food, service, and consistency.

   The cuts at CG are always fresh and mouthwatering, bursting with just the right amount of flavor and tenderness. You know Capital Grille is serious because they have a sophisticated dry-aged chamber on display at certain locations to display culinary arts.  Aside from the food being outstanding any time you dine at Capital Grille you'll find that service is always their number one priority,  I've had special occasions at different locations and each one always took care of our parties going above and beyond the status quo, whether it's taking pictures for you or doing something special on the house.  Some readers might think that I'm putting too much emphasis on consistency however they must realize that steak can be a huge hit or miss.  I'll admit that there are times where Moo... can have the best steak ever but then there are days where they'll have steak that tastes like it came from Texas Roadhouse, and for the price that you're going to pay you don't want to play the blind hit or miss game. 

   Even though I'll always rave about how good Capital Grille is, after visiting the next tier of Steakhouses in cities such as Las Vegas and New York I simply can't give them the perfect 10/10 but they're pretty darn close.  I think it's important to note that the ambiance of certain locations might turn some of the younger readers away, this establishment is definitely targeted towards the older wealthier demographic, however that shouldn't be a deterrent from one of the best steakhouses around.  I would say the most modern atmosphere can be found in Burlington while the retro classic vibe can be found in Chestnut Hill and Boston.

Score: We loved it! (9/10)

"Delmonico Steak"

"Assorted Bread"

"Clam Chowder"

"Lobster Roll"

"French Onion Soup"

Men Tei Noodles

   Chinese comfort food disguised as a Japanese Ramen house, Men-Tei was one of those places we always walked by growing up in Boston but never tried, well that is until this week.  I'm a sucker for tasty Ramen but only the Japanese style, unfortunately despite it's name and decor this establishment is 100% Chinese.  I chalk it down to comfort food because it's pretty simple, quick, greasy, and cheap.  The only time I would truly enjoy dining here is if I were hung over or drunk, that oil and MSG would be a nice cure.  Even with my criticism I must say it wasn't too bad, it was just very disappointing.  I had the Spicy Beef Ramen while the Mrs. ordered the Tonkatsu Ramen, our appetizers were house made Gyoza and Takoyaki.  As mentioned before, the food isn't bad but it's like going to a Chinese Take-out restaurant, you have to lower your expectations.  I feel like one of the only reasons they remain in business is simply due to location,  just off of Newbury street Men-Tei enjoys the benefits of attracting tourists and hungry students because it's cheap for the area and easy.

Score: Disappointing...  (5.5/10)

"Spicy Beef Ramen"

"Takoyaki"

"Tonkatsu Ramen"

"Gyoza"

Le's

   For some of the best Vietnamese food in MA, the only cities that truly stand out are Worcester and Dorchester.  Although these neighborhoods might seem a bit rough for some people, it's pretty safe as long as it's not late at night so don't let that deter you from trying some amazing restaurants.  Le's restaurant is located in the heart of Dorchester just 10 minutes outside of Boston.  There's always a lot of arguments on what the "best Vietnamese" establishment is among locals however I felt like Le's gives the best overall approach, followed by Anh Hong.  Some great perks to mention are that it's a new facility so everything's nice and clean, especially the bathrooms, the food is always fresh and delicious, the service is very friendly and probably most importantly for commuters there's plenty of parking spaces available.

   I'll be the first to admit that no cooking compares to home cooking, especially when it's my mom making Vietnamese food, but Le's is still pretty darn good especially when we feel like going out for a change.  We received the usual staples on our most recent trip, "Banh Xeo" aka "Vietnamese Crepe" and "Goi Cuon" aka "Summer Rolls" as appetizers and of course a steaming bowl of Pho.  A big criticism people will give out to Pho restaurants is that they might skimp on the beef and noodles, all broth but no goods, it's the complete opposite at Le's though.  After eating a XL bowl at Le's I'm just about ready to explode, and this is one of the few restaurants that gives such a good portion size that the Mrs. has to order a small bowl. 

   The broth is amazing if you come at the right hours, I know every restaurant tries to cook a big pot so I won't hold it against them but if you come when it's just cooked it's an easy 10/10 however sometimes it'll drop to an 8/10, it all depends but hey 8/10 on a bad day is great in my book.  Another caveat that many people will enjoy are the authentic fresh garnishes that are provided, most restaurants provide you with just the bare minimum of mint and bean sprouts but Le's kicks it up a notch and adds more variety of herbs.  They also expand their menu beyond the status quo, offering up authentic specialties like roasted quail.

   Overall Le's has to be my favorite Vietnamese restaurant in the Boston-Dorchester area and remember that this establishment will not be the same as others such as "Pho Le's in Allston" which is far inferior so don't make the mistake of grouping the two together because the level of quality is drastically different.

Score: We loved it! (9/10)

"Banh Xeo"

"Pho Xe Lua"

"Goi Cuon"

Showcase Superlux

   Ever wonder how the 1% go out to enjoy movies?  Look no further because Showcase Superlux located in Chestnut Hill shows that you don't just go to the theater to watch a movie but you go for the complete experience.  Normally I try to feature only restaurants on the blog but Superlux is tied with a professional kitchen so it's worth the exception.  The main advantages of Superlux are simple, it's 21+ meaning no pesky kids but also meaning there's alcohol available, you pick your seats ahead of time so there's no hustle and bustle of seat saving or waiting in line, you get high end recliners with table trays and utensils, there's an excellent waiter service and there's a premium kitchen menu available at a reasonable price.

   Now some people might scoff at the idea of paying (20-30$) for a movie ticket but they should note that with this ticket comes a 5$ voucher to spend on drinks/food and that popcorn is not only free but unlimited.  If you compare that to the fare of a normal theater at night admission is priced about 15-20$ and popcorn and drinks are priced 5-10$ each as well so it's not too far off in terms of paying for the premium.  Seeing how this is a food blog lets get down to it, the food at Superlux is no joke, it's not typical salty movie theater junk and it's made fresh to order.  The menu ranges from burgers and fries to duck and Korean beef.  We tried the steak and cheese rolls for an appetizer along with the seared duck as an entree.  The steak and cheese rolls were a safe pick but comfort food is always welcoming especially when it's made fresh.  The duck was easily the favorite though, it was on par with bistro quality and was served with quinoa.  My biggest disappointment had to have been the dessert, it was a big let down and wasn't anywhere near as good as the main dishes.

    Overall if you're looking for a more mature and intimate theater than Superlux is the way to go.  We watched "Prisoners" and the theater was empty which was actually pretty awesome, no chit chat, no one on their phones and no one watching you pig out either.  The premium perks are definitely worth the money and I think everyone should try the Superlux experience at least once because it makes going to the movies really special.  I know I'll be back to watch more movies in the future.

Score: We Loved It! (9/10)

"Full Reclining Leather Seats"

"Electronic Ipad Menu"

"Pan Seared Duck"

"Cheese Steak Rolls"

"Free Unlimited Popcorn"

"Strawberry Shortcake"

"Chocolate French Macarons"

"Service Buttons for Waiters and Silverware"

"Caramel Macchiato"

Super Fusion Cuisine 2

   Probably one of the best additions to Watertown, MA, Super Fusion Cuisine offers fresh affordable sushi without the hustle and bustle of going downtown.  What most people don't realize that is the majority of sushi restaurants in America are actually not Japanese owned, but Chinese, and Super Fusion continues that trend.  If you can get past the fact that it's Chinese people creating Japanese dishes while playing Korean Pop music then you'll be in for a treat.

   The decor is very minimalistic, simple but clean, let's be honest though you're here for the food not to admire the interior design.  Sushi is the specialty at Super Fusion and they execute it beautifully.  Some people will say places like "Oishii" in downtown Boston are better however those people should also consider that a dinner at "Oishii" can cost as much as 500.00$ for 2 where as Super Fusion will run about 40.00-60.00$.  My favorite dishes would have to be the foie gras and the chu-toro (fatty tuna), it's a true delight that they offer these items because usually they can only be found at a select few of establishments because it's more expensive and exotic.  The tempura Ice cream is a hit or miss, it's made on the spot so it really boils down to who the chef is, it's tasted perfect on some trips but at other times the batter has been too thick.

  Overall Super Fusion is great, it's simple, fresh, and tasty.  They remain pretty consistent throughout although sometimes they run out of toro and chu-toro due to the limited market.  It's a nice surprise when you consider how many mediocre california roll shops open now so I would highly recommend going if you're in the area.

Score: We Loved it! (8.5/10)

"Double Plus Maki"

"Chu-Toro Sashimi"

"Torched Otoro"

"Tuna Ball"

"Asian styled Foie Gras"

"Bento Sashimi Box"

"Tempura Fried Ice Cream"

Scoring System

   There have been some suggestions by my readers and I've taken them into consideration.  The most notable change that you'll see is a new scoring system, it helps the audience get a better sense of the overall experience and is a good measure for just how much we liked a certain establishment.  Pending update would be bullet points or a summary for those that don't want to read a full review.

   The new scoring system will be based out of 10 points, 1 being the worse and 10 being the best.  In addition to the scores they will match up in the range of either a "Disappointing, okay, like, or love" rating.

Scores
0-5 : Disappointing
6-7 : It was Okay
7-8 : We Liked It
8-9 : We Loved it
9-10 : Perfection

Belle Isle Seafood

   Of all the choices that Boston has to offer, Mr.Anthony Bourdain chose Belle Isle Seafood to dine at.  His presence was both a blessing and a curse to be honest, on one hand he brought a lot of attention to the establishment which attracts more customers, however on the other hand, the exposure lead to price increases and more tourists trafficking through.  So aside from the infamy that Belle Isle has gained, the real question is, does it live up to the hype?

   I'll admit I regret not trying out Belle Isle sooner because for years I was convinced that the only good dockside seafood came from New Hampshire and boy was I wrong.  Not only does it live up to the hype but it's actually better than people say.  The cold Lobster Roll is arguably the best in Boston, easily the largest overflowing with meat.  The fried seafood is fresh but the main star of that dish is the tartar sauce, just the right amount of pickling and absolutely delicious.  The tartar is good enough that I would buy a jar if I could just to bring it home.  Although it's pricey the value and portion sizes are justified so don't be scared off because with the amount they give, I guarantee you won't be able to finish the food.

   Overall I was very impressed, clean establishment, great portions, fresh, delicious and great location.  Of course they're not perfect but they're pretty darn good, the main cons would be price, and lack of variety.  Although the items that they offer are delicious I wish there was boiled shellfish as an option, especially a New England one like Steamers.  Go try Belle Isle, not just because Bourdain did but because it's an amazing experience.

Score : We Loved It! (8.75/10)

"Mixed Lobster Roll"

"Fried Seafood Platter with Lobster"

"Nice Waterfront Views"

"Crab Cakes"

"Lobster Shaped Pager"

Commonwealth BBQ

   I feel like a fool for not visiting Commonwealth BBQ earlier, having lived in the Boston area my whole life this gem has been hidden for far too long.  Unfortunately this restaurant has been hidden from the general public for a while now, it's located in Wrentham, MA so most Bostonian's probably haven't had a chance to try it out.  I was speaking to the owner and told him he should open one up downtown because it would put a lot of the other "BBQ" restaurants in Boston to shame.

   Commonwealth tries to stay true to the southern BBQ culture, providing outdoor picnic style seating only, using large smokers and smoke rings cooking low and slow for that perfect pink moist tenderness, and making many dishes on the spot like their pork belly, jalapeno poppers and sweet tea.  Comfort food at it's finest, the BBQ dishes here are like nothing you'll find elsewhere in MA, sure any real southerner will tell you that it's not the same as Memphis or St.Louis however they'll also tell you that it's pretty damn good for New England.  I know a lot of locals like "Blue Ribbon BBQ" but if you try Commonwealth you'll see the difference in authenticity immediately and realize that there's no comparison.

   The Mrs. and I stopped by after shopping around the Wrentham Outlet Mall which was only a couple of minutes away, we were surprised by how many cars came in and out for the lunch rush.  We ended up getting the Sampler which consisted of every meat they have to offer as well as every side, and of course we didn't finish it all but it was hella good, good enough to make me drive almost an hour to get on a big Sunday game day.  For anyone planning on visiting Gillette Stadium, be sure to stop by because it's hosted quite a few famous faces from ex-players to front office staff of both the Patriots and the Revolution.

   The ribs were cooked with just the right amount of smoky flavor and of course they were fall off the bone.  The juicy tenderness was amazing and I had to order some extra to take home, easily my favorite item on the menu.  Coming in second would be the pulled pork, just as tender but it goes better with the sauces they provide, they offer 5 special variation of BBQ and mustard.  The sliced brisket was like beef bacon, a little meaty, a little fatty but full of flavor.  My least favorite item had to be the pulled chicken, to me chicken is chicken, so the main flavors were the spices used and there were too many little bones so I wasn't a big fan.  My favorite side had to be the jalapeno poppers then the sweet potato fries, but that was about it, I really wish there were better side options like potato salad or macaroni salad.

   Overall Commonwealth was an amazing surprise, I came in with low expectations based on the other BBQ joints in MA so to find one that had some true southern flares was very welcoming.  If you want great comfort food and delicious BBQ, be sure to visit Commonwealth, no one in MA does it better.

Score: We Loved It! (8.5/10)

"Exterior Restaurant View, Outdoor Seating only"

"Side orders, Corn, French Fries, Sweet Potato Fries, Jalapeno Popper, Cole Slaw and Beans"

"Fall off the bone pulled Chicken"

"Low and Slow, Smoked St.Louis Ribs"

"Beef Brisket"

"Pulled Pork and Grilled Sausage"

"Front Counter"

 

 "Someones cool vintage car"

 

Gene's Chinese Flat Bread Cafe

   Gene's came highly recommended, originally based out of Chelmsford their second location recently opened in Boston this summer.  My brother in-law had told me about the hand pulled noodles, the limited seating and the tight window of operating hours so naturally Gene's was added to my must try list.

   I would say their unique attributes are a double edged sword.  Like many contemporary establishments these days the cafe has a very limited menu, only about 7 items.  I'm all for niche specialties but in this case I wish there was more variety offered.  Because they're located in downtown Boston, parking is tough to find for non-commuter and the hours of operations are also restricted, Mon-Fri from 11-4 only, catering mainly to employees in the financial district looking for a hearty lunch.   Before you try this restaurant you should be aware that it won't be your run of the mill Americanized Chinese food but instead it's authentic flavors from the city of Xi-An.

   So just how good are these always fresh, made to order noodles?   Well they're great but the real star of the show is the flat bread sandwich.  I loved the actual noodles but the seasoning wasn't my style, a lot of tangy flavors.  I believe many of the sauces available as well as the soup contained vinegar which is good in moderation but in this case it was too much for me to handle.  It's unfortunate that the noodles steal the spot light because the flat bread sandwich is much better all around.  It might not be complex but the simplicity and natural flavors of fresh pork and grilled flat bread creates a delicious dish, similar to comfort food.  I hope they add some more variation of the noodles, possibly in a dry stir fry.

   Overall it's great for foodies, I know many people love what they do but from a pragmatic perspective I'll admit that it was a bit underwhelming.  The potential is there for sure but the execution was lacking and despite all of the little flaws I would definitely go back to try it again.  The experience was really fun because no one else in Boston has really done what Gene's has and it's always refreshing to experience innovation.  So even though it's a hit or miss with consumers it's still a must try.

Score: We Liked It. (7/10)

"Hand Pulled Noodles made fresh"

"House special noodle soup"

"Pork Flat bread Sandwich"

"Cumin Lamb Hand Pulled Noodles"

"Tea eggs and Marinated Lamb Skewer"