Disappointing Fare at Joe Sent Me

A few months ago, I featured Joe Sent Me as the Best Deal for the week, and was really intrigued by how the restaurant got its name - not to mention the eatery's delicious-looking menu. Ever since I wrote that post, I've been wanting to visit Joe Sent Me, and finally got the opportunity to do so last week.

Before my roommate and I moved out of Waltham for good, we had a light dinner and drinks at Joe Sent Me's Waltham location (they have another spot in Cambridge). It was a gorgeous day outside, so we opted to sit on the outside patio which was packed with a young, after work crowd.

We started our meals by perusing the short beer list, and we both decided on Samuel Adams Summer Ale.

For dinner, I ordered two appetizers: Josefina's Vegetarian Black Bean Soup ($4.95) and Jose's Grande Quesadillas with "spicy" chicken, instead of the roasted veggies option ($8.95).

Since the quesadilla was the most impressive of the two dishes, I'll start there. I loved how the dish was served on a plastic plate, playing up the outside patio/summertime atmosphere. The guacamole was fresh and flavorful, too, as was the salsa - although I wish it had been a bit spicier. The quesadilla itself was nothing special (I could make a better one at home), and the "spicy chicken" was bland and under seasoned. 

The soup was no better. Although you get a heaping serving for under $5, the soup itself was lacking flavor of any kind - and the appearance was pretty sad, too. Joe Sent Me serves their black bean soup with sour cream, which had been mixed in and looked like it was curdled throughout the bowl, which made it increasingly hard to eat. Huge disappointment.

The interior and exterior of Joe Sent Me's Waltham location, though, was perfect for getting together with a friend for a few brews and affordable fare, and since this was my first time there, I do plan to give them another shot - just not anytime too soon.

Where do you go in the Boston area for good pub grub?

Taking Restaurant Critics to Dinner

My parents are the main reasons why I became a restaurant critic and food writer. We rarely ate out at restaurants growing up, mostly for financial reasons, but also because there are only so many restaurants that are suitable for a family with four loud, squirmy kids. So whenever we did go out to eat, my parents were very critical - and rightfully so. On those few occasions where we actually dined out, my parents expected the service, food, and atmosphere to be damn good.

My parents still don't make it out to eat as often as they'd probably like, but although the frequency has increased now that us kids are older and money is less tight, their harsh criticism hasn't changed. So last Sunday, when my parents came down and Z and I took them out to dinner, we wanted to take them to a restaurant that we know is good and that they'd appreciate. Being the beer-loving people we are, we decided to take my parents to Watch City Brewing Co. in Waltham.

Watch City is such a great neighborhood spot on Moody Street, with awesome beer (which you can only get there), delicious pub-style food, and a relaxed, friendly atmosphere. Definitely one of Z and I's kind of places, and, thankfully, my parents echoed our enthusiasm for it.

Amongst the beer sipping and sampling, we ate dinner - Z opted for the Roasted Beet and Herb Goat Cheese Salad ($10.99); my parents both ordered the Grilled Salmon with Honey Thyme Vinaigrette with asparagus and Basmati rice ($16.99); and I got the Garden Veggie Burger ($8.99), with cheddar cheese and homemade salsa.

Watch City has some customized burgers, but they also have a short list of condiments and toppings where you can basically build your own. The burgers are also served with "brewhouse fries," but you can substitute them for onion rings, sweet potato fries (which I went for), or a salad (who does that?) for just $1 more. Their sweet potato fries are seriously delicious, with a perfectly crispy, salty exterior and a slightly mushy (in a good way), more sweet filling. The veggie burger itself was also very flavorful, with a great balance of spices, and the homemade salsa added a necessary, crunchy texture to the burger. The salsa could have been a little spicier though, for my taste, and I was pretty disappointed that avocado was not on the list of topping options.

My parents, however, loved their salmon, and continuously commented throughout the meal on how flavorful the fish was, and how well cooked the asparagus and rice were. Z also educated my dad on the beer options before and during the meal, so my father was happy to try a few unique brews, which he can't get anywhere else. If my parents were published restaurant critics, Watch City would have received 5 stars.

Which local restaurant do you take your mother and/or father to when they're in town?

Farmer's Market Pork Chops

I'm currently reading The Omnivore's Dilemma by Michael Pollan, so my writing opportunity with Local In Season could not have come at a better time. The folks at LIS approached me after reading this very blog, and I knew it was a position I could not pass up. How could I not be passionate about supporting local farmer's, business owners, and chefs that utilize locally-grown and locally-made food?

With all this being said, last Saturday I had to cover the Waltham's Early Bird Farmer's Market for LIS - you know, the Saturday where it was raining and lightning? My recap of the event will be on LIS soon, but let's just say the sense of community and commitment I felt from each and every vendor that day was outstanding. I wanted to buy something from everybody to help support their hard work and dedication, but, unfortunately, spending that kind of dough isn't my reality.

Instead, I settled on buying just a few items, including some Vegetable Havarti cheese from Smith's Country Cheese in Winchendon. Smith's offers a variety of fresh Gouda, Havarti and Cheddar cheeses, and even had samples of each and every one of them out on Saturday. I settled on the vegetable flavor because it was so unique - the familiar vegetable flavors tickled their way across my tastebuds, while the creamy, slightly tangy flavor of the Havarti lingered beautifully in the background.

Earlier this week, I decided to use just a little bit of the cheese (the rest I saved for another recipe) with some other vegetables I had in my fridge to make some decadent stuffed pork chops.

Vegetable Havarti & Spinach-Stuffed Pork Chops
Yields: 2 servings

-2 pork chops, sliced lengthwise down the middle
-4 slices of Smith's Country Cheese Vegetable Havarti
-1/8 cup chopped onion
-1 cup spinach (I used Olivia's Organic Single Salad to Go, $1.99)
-1 tsp. garlic
-2 tbsp. olive oil
-Salt and pepper
-Herbs de Provence
-White wine

Directions: Sautee onion in pan with 1 tbsp. olive oil, until onions are translucent. Add spinach, and cook until slightly wilted (for about 1 minute). Take off heat, and let cool slightly. While cooling, add two slices of Havarti to inside of sliced pork chops. Spoon equal parts of spinach and onion mixture inside, then close pork chops with a tooth pick to hold them together. Season pork chops with salt, black pepper and herbs de provence. Cook in frying pan with remaining olive oil until brown on each side. Add garlic and a little white wine to pan, and cook off for 30 seconds. Cover pan with tin foil and place in 350 degree oven for 12 to 15 minutes, or until cooked through completely.

The olive oil, fat from the pork and white wine made a luxurious sauce, while the creamy cheese melted wonderfully throughout the inside of the meat. The spinach and onions worked really well with the flavor of the cheese, too, although I could have easily added more spinach (mental note for next time).

Reminder: You have until TOMORROW MORNING to enter my giveaway for a chance to attend Taste of the Nation in Portland, Maine for FREE! 

Best Deal This Week: 30 Cent Wings & 1/2 Price Appetizers at Joe Sent Me

I live in Waltham, and am fortunate enough to be within walking distance of the culinary meccas that are Moody Street and Main Street (all right - Moody's got Main Street beat, but it has its gems). Being so close to both, I have the option of pretty much any global cuisine I could want, including Indian, Spanish, Guatemalan, Mexican, Thai, and American, to name only a few.

One restaurant I have yet to try in Waltham, however, is Joe Sent Me, which also has another location in Cambridge. The name alone has quite an interesting history (as described on the restaurant's website):

During Prohibition, bars disguised as florists and funeral parlors were referred to as speakeasies. Since these establishments served alcohol illegally, a special knock, or the right name, was required for admittance. “Joe Sent Me” became one of the passwords used by patrons to get into a speakeasy. Eventually, the speakeasy was simply referred to as a “Joe Sent Me."

The clever title of the eatery has intrigued  me to dine there in the near future, but Joe Sent Me also has some decent deals during the week, at both their Waltham and Cambridge locations. For instance, every Monday from 7 to 10 p.m., and every Saturday and Sunday from 12 to 5 p.m., Joe Sent Me shells out 30 cent wings to hungry carnivores. Every Tuesday in Waltham and Wednesday in Cambridge, the restaurant serves up 1/2 price appetizers from 5 to 7 p.m. The times alloted for both discounts are realistic for us working folk, too. Oh, and did I mention they have outdoor seating? Win-win in my book.

Have you been to Joe Sent Me? What's your review?

Strong Coffee and Dry Scones

One of my favorite things in the world is a locally-owned coffee shop with incredible baked goods and strong coffee. So when I moved to Waltham last summer, I was ecstatic to discover Cafe on the Common, right on Main Street. The cafe's interior is contemporary and inviting, with small bistro-style, marble-topped tables and comfy chairs. (There's free Wi-Fi in the house, too, although last time I was there it failed to work, and the woman behind the counter had little interest in looking into the problem). Regardless, when it comes to the food choices, Cafe on the Common's got cases full of freshly made baked goods, including homemade scones, biscotti, cakes and various other treats.

The menu, which includes a fairly healthy variety of sandwiches and less healthy coffee drinks, is written on a chalkboard on the wall behind the counter. I've frequented the cafe on numerous occasions for their regular iced coffee, which is consistently strong and delicious, but I hadn't tried their food until recently. Although I've only sampled their baked goods so far, I have to say - I'm not that impressed with their food.

Example: On my way to New York last weekend, I popped in the cafe for a large iced coffee and an oversized chocolate chip scone. The scone was coated in an appealing, sugary icing, and I was so eager to eat every last bite before I even hit 95. However, after a bite or two I discovered that the scone itself was pretty dry and the chocolate chips were few and far between. Plus, a scone doesn't have to be that big. Leave the supersizing to McDonald's.

I still plan to try Cafe on the Common's sandwiches, and even more of their baked goods, but I hope my future meals are more impressive. If anything else, I'll go there for coffee before Dunkin's any day.

Do you have a favorite coffee shop in your town? 

Chocolate: 5.6% abv

I used to think chocolate with peanut butter was the best combination on planet earth. But I have been proven wrong. Chocolate + beer = the new best combo.

Before I met Zach, I thought beer consisted of Bud Light and Coors. I never thought of sitting down and enjoying a nice glass of beer - why would you waste time sipping what tastes like calorie-infused, carbonated water, with a strong yeast aftertaste? But then, I discovered the phenomenon that is microbrews. Now, Z and I are regulars at Cambridge Common, and I still get funny looks from liquor store attendants when I purchase a 6-pack of 9% abv brews...for myself. So when I started to discover chocolate flavored beers, my world turned upside down again, in a good way. I love the Harpoon and Rogue's chocolate stouts, but sometimes, they can be a bit too sweet for me, and I consider them "dessert only" beers. Luckily for me, Watch City Brewing Co. in Waltham has recently released their Chocolate Thunder Porter - a darker, yet still slightly sweet chocolate brew with 5.6% abv.

The geniuses at Watch City base their chocolate beer on the style of an American Robust Porter, and add 50 pounds of TAZA Chocolate (70% cocoa), made right in Somerville, to the recipe. The end result is a smooth ale with a subtle hint of cocoa flavor. I could easily sip this beer while eating a burger, or a brownie. For a chocolate beer, it is pretty versatile.

Are you a fan of chocolate beer? Why or why not? 

Best deal this week: Fine dining for $5 at Tempo Bistro

Tempo Bistro in Waltham prides itself on being an upscale, downtown-like eatery with reasonable prices, set in a suburban atmosphere. Located on the culinary strip that is Moody Street, this restaurant’s menu boasts the likes of pan-seared duck confit, racks of lamb, and seared yellowfin tuna – all items that scream “special occasion only” to me. However, Tempo’s not letting us economical eaters turn away just yet. The bistro offers what they call “$5 BARgains” everyday from 5 to 6:30 p.m. (except Sundays), at the bar only. Now, I can’t attest to how large the servings are, but for $5 you can gorge on items like Five Cheese Macaroni and Cheese, Mini Baked Brie Bites in Puff Pastry, Seared Limoncello Sea Scallops and Caribbean Spiced Chicken Tenders. Talk about fancy eating for under ten bucks.

Has anyone tried Tempo's $5 grub yet? I'm hoping to head over there in the next week or two to try it out...

Snowed in with Pini's Pizza

There's no better way to cure the winter blues than with a satisfying piece (or two) of pizza. I had a really lazy day today, and made the most of the Boston snowfall with my book, a blanket, and some brain-draining television. When lunch finally rolled around, I was starving, still lazy, and didn't want to make my own lunch. Craving something unhealthy yet light, I called into Pini's Pizzeria in Waltham - I've been meaning to try out this place since I moved here in August. I opted for their Veggie Deluxe pizza on whole wheat crust, topped with mushrooms, roasted red peppers, onions, spinach, and tomatoes ($8.10, for a small 12'').

The pizza was completely satisfying and fulfilled my pizza craving, yet wasn't overly greasy. The whole wheat crust also had exceptional flavor that white crust can't provide, while the veggies were fresh and sat atop a thick layer of melted cheese.

I was psyched that Pini's offers whole wheat crust, too - I tend to prefer whole wheat over white, as it's healthier and just has a better flavor. All of Pini's pizzas are available with whole wheat crust, and some of their other noteworthy specialty pizzas include Ranch Chucken & Bacon, Spicy Buffalo Chicken, and Roasted Red Pepper Pesto. I'm excited to try most, if not all, of the combinations while I live right down the street in Waltham.

Have you ever tried Pini's? What's your review?

The Elephant Walk: Worth the extra buck

My boyfriend has been raving about The Elephant Walk since I met him, so the other night, we hit up the Waltham location for some Cambodian and French-inspired cuisine. With additional locations in Cambridge and Boston, the Waltham spot is inviting and cozy, and was surprisingly busy for a Wednesday evening, especially 30 minutes before closing time. When we first arrived, I ordered a glass of Pinot Grigio and sipped away while we munched on some Vegetarian Rouleaux ($8.95), which are Cambodian spring rolls filled with shitake mushrooms, carrots, onions, bean sprouts, peanuts and beanthread with vegetarian tuk trey for dipping.

The spring rolls came fried, although apparently in the spring and summer they are served steamed. Regardless, the rolls were delightfully crispy without being overly greasy, and came out piping hot and fresh. The waiter even informed us about the recommended way to eat the rolls: wrapped up with some of the accompanied bean sprouts, lettuce, and fresh mint leaves. Wrapping the spring rolls as he suggested gave them even more authentic flavor.

For an entree, I enjoyed a plate of Crevettes Amrita ($16.95), which was plump shrimp sauteed in a Cambodian satay sauce with a slew of spices and flavors, including coriander, cumin, star anise, and lemongrass, to name a few.

The plate was vibrant and full of spicy, fresh flavor. The best part for me was that the dish was plenty for one serving, but I wasn't left with three days' worth of leftovers.

My only gripe about Elephant Walk: we had to shoo away several fruit flies during our meal. I'm just happy we didn't find them in our food. However, for spending the money to enjoy dinner out, it was well worth the extra few dollars.

Five dollar Margaritas and a Mariachi band

I've gone out to eat one too many times this week, but how can you go wrong with margaritas, salsa, and a Mariachi band? That's exactly what we experienced at Paisano Restaurant on High Street in Waltham. (Side note: Paisano is slang for "friend"). I went for a late dinner and drinks with my cousin and this guy last weekend, and was instantly impressed at the authentic atmosphere (despite the glass case of bottled soda right as you walk in). The place was packed with late-night diners and tequila sippers, and the Mariachi band happily provided their melodies throughout the restaurant. We started with the house margarita, which was only $4.99 compared to the $8.50 price tage of the "specialty" margs. The drink was strong, and fortunately lacked the overpowering taste of the sour mix. The complimentary chips and salsa were exceptional, the salsa being fresh and necessarily spicy. For my meal, I opted for the Mexican side of the menu, although Paisano serves both Guatemalan and Mexican fare. I was craving spicy food with lots of veggies, so I decided on the Enchilada Especial ($11.99), which were three corn tortillas stuffed with shredded chicken and smothered in your choice of sauce: mole, green, red.

I asked which one was the spiciest (the red), and went with that. On top of the enchiladas was onions, melted cheese, sour cream, pico de gallo, avocado, and lettuce, with rice and refried beans on the side. The red sauce and fresh avocado made this dish for me - the sauce gave it a much-needed kick, and the avocado helped to balance out the heat from the sauce, and added a creamy texture - without becoming "soupy" like the sour cream did. I'll definitely be going back to Paisano, but be careful how late you go on a Saturday: the back room apparently turns into a dance club, with flashing lights and bad, Top 40's music.

Buffalo: it's what's for dinner

I recently tried the buffalo burger ($9.50) at Bison County BBQ in Waltham, and was pleasantly surprised at how moist and flavorful the meat was. The menu boasts that buffalo has less cholesterol than chicken or turkey (my go-to meat for homemade burgers, usually), and my sister always makes her chili with buffalo meat because it tends to be cheaper than beef at the supermarket. Although I have yet to cook with buffalo in my own kitchen, I was more than happy to give the lesser-used chow a try at this establishment that is known for their meat. I was also happy to discover that the buffalo was a lot less greasy than beef would be, avoiding the dreaded grease waterfall that tends to pour out with every bite of a regular hamburger. The joint was casual and crowded on the Friday night that I visited, and their French fries were exceptionally crispy and full of real potato flavor. My friends ordered Bison County's Boneless Fire Wings ($7.95), that were supposed to be their spiciest, yet, unfortunately, lacked a lot of heat. I left satisfied, however, being able to wash down my burger with a few ice cold drafts of Shipyard's Pumpkinhead Ale, in the company of good friends.

Have you cooked with buffalo meat before? What are some successful ways you've prepared it, in addition to burgers and chili?