Fromage heaven last night in the South End

Lovely wine vendor with some great cheese samples too!

Left to right-Pecorino di Pienza (Tuscano, Italia), French mild Brie, French Clochettte






Last night, I visited the South End Formaggio which was a great place! I had to pick up some cheeses for a party last night around the corner. The counter person who helped me as great! I got three great cheeses at a reasonable price and all were enjoyed! Since we were not sure who was coming, I got a mild French Brie, Tuscan Pecorino (hard cheese from sheep's milk) and a French bell shaped (Clochette) goat's milk cheese. All were great and delicious! The wine vendor giving some wine tastings was very friendly and helpful! All the three wines she had me try were great and their prices were affordable! (I kept within budget and I loved having the different samples! The person who assisted me was awesome!) It was fun trying the various cheese and learning about a lot of different types and their tastes.

I love to take pics of wine labels of of signs about the foods I try. One woman behind me thought it was a great idea! She loves to try the various cheeses but always forgets the names. I said it is easier to take a pic than have a pen and paper. Plus it gives you a visual of the item you are trying to remember. (I am glad I helped someone out.)

The only other cheese shop I have been to is Cowgirl Creamery in San Francisco in the Ferry Building, I heard there is on in the Washington DC area.

Gourmet Dumpling House in Chinatown-new addition

Gourmet Dumpling House (in the former Quality Cafe space)

52 Beach Street

Boston, MA

This newly opened Gourmet Dumpling House in Chinatown had alot of customers the two times I visited this past week and weekend.

There is an extensive menu consisting of a hodge podge of dishes seafood dishes, Taiwanese (lots of stuff similar to Taiwan Cafe's menu actually) alongside with dumplings (made to order give extra 15 minutes) and tons of noodle, rice and other dishes.

The first day we got the Xiao Lung Bao (pork and crab). They were alright and I am not a XLB purist but the better ones were had at Joe Shanghai's in NYC for my mom. Of course I had some amazing ones in Shanghai. They were made to order and had a nifty hole on top to get the broth out. The dough was on the thicker side with a decent ginger, soy and vinegar dipping sauce. Then we got the eel stir fried ee noodles. They were delicious with a slightly spicy kick from Jalapeno pepper slivers in this noodle dish. The eel was not abundant but the dish was good.

Service was ok and the waitstaff did their best the first time to be pleasant, fast and good. The second time at lunch on a busy Sunday, we had three errors (thought we got a certain dish not once but three times) brought accidently to our town too. They have to work out the kinks here and there.

Third time, I got the Pork Chop Rice (Taiwanese style) with lots of crispy fried pork served with pickled cabbage, tea egg and a meatsauce over a bed of rice. UMMMM it was delicious and it is not on a loud kids sectioned off plate as they serve at Taiwan Cafe. I felt there portion was more generous and it was great fun and good. Then my friend got the seafood noodle with ee noodles (very good and simple with bits of seafood mainly shrimp and squid and no veggies). Her husband got the beef with noodles stir fried with egg noodles in a sa chay sauce. I love sa cha sauce and I loved it! My other dining pal got the mini chicken dumplings in a noodle soup opting for the thick fat Japanese Udon Noodles. The mini chicken dumplings were plentiful and good in a very simple clean broth (not laden with MSG).

This restaurant tries to cram alot of tables and chairs into this very small and humble space. Since it is new, the business has been brisk.

8 forks out of 10 forks

Kingston Station in Downtown Crossing

Kingston Station (former Peking Toms space)

25 Kingston Street, Boston, MA (between Summer and Bedford Streets)

(617) 482-6224

Recently went with some friends to the pretty new business in the Downtown Area (closer to Chinatown) to Kingston Station. I was greeted with the busy afterwork bar scene on a Friday night. I was lead to the back to a quieter dining room area off to the side. It was nice. I was very comfortable. Our server for the night was very affable, polite, friendly but at times forgot a few minor details (to even make the diner's experience even better).

While I waited for my friend, I tried the grapefruit martini (comes in two sizes and I got the larger size) and it was refreshingly delicious with a nice kick that I need to end my work week. By the time my friends arrived, we all agreed to forego the entrees and just subsist on the appetizer menu. One friend recommended alot of dishes as she has come over many times as it is conveniently located near her apartment.

Tuna Tartare avocado, prickly pear $13.00
Pork Ribs Ah-so with asian slaw $10.00
Chili Glazed Chicken Wings $8.00

Crispy Calamari cilantro, garlic and red chilli $10.00
Seared Scallops ginger-braised apple, lemon risotto $11.00
Truffle Frites* warm gruyere, and sliced scallion $7.00

Mussels* smoked chorizo, roasted jalapeno, tomato confit $ 11.00

Overall I had a lovely experience at Kingston Station. The appetizers varied in quantity in terms of the Tuna Tartare or the Seared Scallops but the Truffle Frites, Mussels, Calamari, Wings and Pork Ribs we had generous portions.

Other than everything more on the heavy side (being fried) the food was great. I loved the seared scallop over the delectable and divine lemon risotto (I couldn't get enough of the slightly tart and edgy risotto). The Truffle Frites were fabulous (who wouldn't love food with truffle oil on it!) and the mussels were good in a good broth. The tuna tartare had high grade sashimi grade tuna but I could care less for the rice base. The avocado slices were nice (as I love avocado) but the prickly pear was alright here. The ribs were good slightly sweet bbq sauce and the chili wings were not that spicy but good.

The bread pudding was excellent, good mix of rich and cream made an excellent ending for three spoons to finish off the dessert!

Service overall was good. Some minor things and kinks need to be addressed such as not clearing off dishes when people are not done eating, clearing off crumbs, etc. Our water glasses were always filled and we did get service with a smile from everyone including the bus people too.

Great afterwork hangout with good food!

9 forks out of 10 forks.

YoMa-taste of Burma in Allston

YOMA 5 North Beacon StAllston, MA 02134(617) 783-1372

I went last night with a friend on a humid summer night. The sign said they open at 5pm. It is a small restaurant so I can see why there have been long lines crammed to eat at this cute restaurant. The wall hangings are nice but it is simply decorated.

Not sure what to order, I got the Burmese Special Seafood Salad (Shrimp, Squid, crabmeat with lemon grass, lime, cucumber, grape, tomato, shallot, chili and cilantro) which was delicious, very fresh and affordable at $9.95 with a kick. My dinner companion GLAI got the KongPoung JeeJaw (Chicken with burmese kung poong suace, ginger, dry chili and peanuts) . In comparison, it was not spicy but very tasty. The rice that came with it was fluffy and not overly dry. I was reminded of Malaysian food when trying out the Chicken dish and more Viet and Thai influences with the Seafood Salad. The waitress was friendly and knowledgeable.

They accept credit cards and I want to come again to try other dishes. Since there are not alot of Burmese restaurants around, I have to go back and try other dishes.

9 forks out of 10 forks

Tasca----farewell dinner

Tasca Spanish Tapas Restaurant & Bar

1612 Commonwealth AveBrighton, MA 02135(617) 730-8002

Last week, I attended a farewell dinner for our grate intern GLAI. Thanks for your great work!

She chose Tasca as the place she wanted to have dinner.

On Thursdays, you can dine to the lovely music of a spanish guitarist! I always love hearing the guitar music. I always find it to be a treat.

First off we had the sangria and got a pitcher. I enjoy the sangria alot and the strong taste of alcohol is masked by the juices and fruit! Everyone enjoyed the sangria. Next we got about 11 tapas (also is was the first time for a few people at the table to have tapas), but before we got the tapas, I got a gazpacho. (Their gazpacho is one of my favorite ones I have had in the last few months!). The combination of ingredients and fresh tomatoes was delectable. Our bread came with a pesto chick pea spread which was lovely.

The favorite tapas were the Fideos con mariscos (seafood with pasta) and Gambas al ajillo(garlic shrimp) were two stand outs for many. One person did not like the tuna dish. But overall everything was enjoyed and devoured! Many of the braised or meat dishes were excellent. Only one misstep really for one diner was the Atún salteado which was a little fishy. We were so full we could not even eat dessert and there were five people eating too!

Tapas ordered:

Casoulet -Cazuela of beef, duck, chicken and sausage braised with tomatoes, vegetables and white beans

Los tres amigos -Grilled trio of sausages served with grilled flatbread, carmelized onions and Dijon mustard

Cazuela de cordero -Sangria braised boneless leg of lamb with root vegetables scented with fresh rosemary and thyme

*Gambas al ajillo- Sizzling shrimp in garlic

*Asado de cerdo -Slow roasted pork over a white bean ragout with braised mushrooms

Albóndigas -Homemade tenderloin meatballs in green peppercorn sauce

Solomillo Petit -filet mignon (3oz) served over a sherry braised mushroom sauce

Atún salteado -Pan seared yellow-fin tuna over a mixed bean ragout in a saffron dijon mustard aioli

Caracoles -Escargots baked in puff pastry with leeks and garlic served on a roasted garlic and sambuca sauce

*Fideos con Mariscos -Shrimp, calamari, mussels and salmon tossed with pasta in a white wine sauce

Confít de pato -Roasted duck leg served over red cabbage and apples

8 forks out of 10 forks

Shanghai Gate--Allston/Brighton

*Shanghai gate (exterior shot not mine---www.hiddenboston.com)

Not that long ago, I went to Shanghai Gate (204 Harvard Avenue, Allston, MA (617) 566-7344) with my mom. She head kept repeating to me wanting the "xiao lung bao" many times. After the tenth time, I got the hint. We embarked on a good 25 minute walk from my place. It was a cool Sunday afternoon for a June day. We got there by 1pm.

There were a few tables. I told my mom there were major renovations for this restaurant since I first ate there back in fall of 2005! There was picture of the owner with Daisuke, our treasured BOSOX pitcher. Later on that night, my sis told me she saw him at the airport.

Once seated, we got the "Xiao lung bao" or soup dumplings usually served with a gingery vinegar dipping sauce, west lake chicken, five spice tofu and leek pies. The two cold appetizers five spice tofu and west lake chicken were interesting. I LOVED the five spice tofu and both my mom and I ate it up. The west lake chicken did not do much for us. It was our least favorite. We tasted the wine in the marinade but holds lackluster in flavors compared to other Asian style chicken dishes I have had. The leek pies were good and the crust nice and crisp. There were plenty of chives and you could tell it was freshly made. The "Xiao lung bao" were good and mini sized. A bit on the pricy side compared to NYC but bursting with flavor and freshness.

We did get the sweet soybean milk. To my mom's taste, she thought it overly sweet. I thought otherwise, I said compared to others I have had it was just right.

Our server was friendly and explained things. When we noted the price discrepancy on the "lunch menu" and regular menu she said they had no issues. We just warned her that they should not show the "incorrect" menu to avoid some misunderstandings.

I give it 8 forks out of 10 forks.

*side story: He was cool and she did not know that D & G made gold plated razor phones! He was very polite and nice. Seems he was being sent ahead for the next time he was pitching but that day there was a game at Fenway. He was taking an American Carrier. When he came into Logan, it was not that busy. My sis did mention if it were not for someone recognizing him, she would not have known.