Mac & Cheese in Greater Boston

I love macaroni and cheese. The real stuff, not just the orange powdery cheese in a box! I tend to order macaroni and cheese whenever I see it on a menu because I just can’t resist! Here’s where I’ve enjoyed it. Make any mac and cheese suggestions.

Zaftigs in Coolidge Corner. It comes en casserole with breadcrumbs on top. Very tasty!

Watch City Brewing in Waltham. Lots of herbs and spices with breadcrumbs. Goes great with beer!

The Local in West Newton. They have 3 types: ham and peas, lobster, and chives with truffle oil. I’ve never had the lobster, but I’ve had (and enjoyed) the ham and peas and the chives with truffle oil. It’s very creamy but the portion is small, so I always get a salad with it.

Church in Fenway. It came in a cute little skillet. I got the small portion for only $7 and it was still pretty filling. The only downside was that it had crumbled crackers on top, which I didn’t like that much.

Solas in Back Bay. Loved it! Cavatelli in a creamy cheese sauce with diced ham, topped with breadcrumbs. It came in a cute little skillet. (I guess I like my mac and cheese served to me in skillets!) It was a little heavy on the ham, but I still really liked it a lot.

Union Street in Newton Centre. Good and HUGE. Come with your appetite, prepare to share, or know your limits and bring some home for tomorrow’s lunch!

Redbones in Davis Square. I’m not really that into barbecue and their sandwiches are sort of “eh” to me, but I really do like their macaroni and cheese. It’s simple but very good!

Those are my favorites, but here are some other places worth noting:

Cambridge Common — Their macaroni and cheese is fine, but definitely a little bland. Not something I’ve ordered upon return visits.

Johnny’s Luncheonette — I used to ADORE their macaroni and cheese, but I can’t wholeheartedly endorse it now. The last few times I’ve gone (didn’t get mac and cheese, got something else) the service was bad and their food was sub-par.

Cabot’s in Newton. I don’t get it often because I usually go there with the intent of ordering ice cream and their mac and cheese plus ice cream would be a dairy overload. Nevertheless, I like their mac and cheese. It’s VERY creamy and there’s a slice o’ tomato on top.

I also really like the mac and cheese at Whole Foods. I’ve only regularly had it at the Newtonville location, so I’m not sure if they use different recipes at different locations but I love the stuff at Whole Foods. Whenever I have a sore throat, I get it!

I also loved the macaroni and cheese at Zon’s in JP, but they’re gone. (sadly)

Recession Dining Deals

Boston Recession dining deals!

Moo!

I miss the Cow Parade being in Boston. I really do! It was so much fun having the Cow Parade. I think they should do it again here.

Project 365: 01/31/09

Boston’s famous Citgo sign!

Toilet at All Asia in Cambridge

Snapped this photo at Matt’s gig a few weeks ago but forgot to post.

Useful instructions for those who both a) choose to consume the food (namely the pu pu platter) at All Asia and b) choose to consume the scorpion bowls at All Asia and run the risk of thinking the sink is the toilet.

West Newton Trader Joe’s

The parking situation there is getting out of hand. No matter when I go, no matter what time of day, parking is an absolute nightmare. It’s worse and worse each time I go. Today I wound up parking down the block on Washington Street and walking through two puddles of dirty slush. All because I wanted Trader Joe’s frozen breaded chicken! (they’re delightful on top of Trader Joe’s spring mix salad)

At first when I saw how bad parking was there, I contemplated driving to the Mem Drive location, because if I went there I could buy some wine and/or beer.

It’s not so bad during the other 3 seasons of the year, because this Trader Joe’s location is only about 9 blocks away from my home, so when the weather is good, I walk…but during slush or ice or unshoveled sidewalks, I’d much rather take the car then run the risk of breaking eggs.

The West Newton Trader Joe’s should either move to a bigger location (replace that mediocre Auburndale Star!) or they need to open another one in the area. The West Newton one serves most of Newton, Watertown, Waltham, and Wellesley, and their parking lot probably fits less than 20 cars, although some people run the risk of being towed and park in the spots for the offices that are above Trader Joe’s.

Anyway, I got my chicken, my spring mix, and also some Hansen’s diet root beer, baby carrots, lasagna, and crustless quiches with chorizo. But my snow boots failed me and my feet are wet.

Smack talkin’ tollbooth worker

In spite of spending his whole life in California and Massachusetts, Matt is somehow a Falcons fan. Whenever the Falcons play, Matt wears a Falcons jersey for good luck.

On a recent Sunday that the Falcons played, we were on the Pike exiting in Cambridge, and Matt got smack talked by the tollbooth worker! He said something about his fantasy team and that he hoped the Falcons would lose.

Annoying

I kind of wish I never wrote that previous post, but I guess it’s too late now, especially with all the comments that wound up on Universal Hub. Sometimes I wish I wouldn’t open up my big trap, but then what else is this blog for? :-)

In other news, Turkey Day is the day after tomorrow. Let’s discuss that instead. Mashed potatoes, yams, pie, etc.

Be careful what you say…

I like to write reviews on Yelp. It’s a hobby of mine. I’ve written almost 300 good reviews, 58 mediocre reviews, and 78 bad ones.

When I felt ripped off by the smoothie I bought at the Clear Conscience Cafe in Central Square, I Yelped. I gave it two stars and said that for a whopping $6, I thought the smoothie was sub-par, too sweet, and small.

First, I got a scathing message from an owner of the Clear Conscience Cafe. I was LIVID. I lowered my rating to one star, and then today, I got another message in response to my Clear Conscience Cafe review from someone who I imagine is also an owner saying:

“you sound like a very snotty person. have you ever considered the fact that you are, in the end, completely wrong about everything you believe to be true? it’s a helpful exersize.”

I messaged them back telling them to NEVER contact me again and I reported them to Yelp. I also received a message from someone else saying that they also received harassing messages from people about his negative review of the Clear Conscience Cafe.

This whole situation is surreal. I certainly don’t think it helps their cause. I have gotten contacted by business owners in response to a negative Yelp review before, but usually they’re asking for my opinion on how they can better serve me or apologizing for any bad experience I’ve had. I think that’s wonderful. But sending out nasty messages to people who don’t like their service? Highly inappropriate.

Ben Franklin, where are you?

A few years ago, Matt and I went on Boston’s Ghosts and Gravestones Tour. It was silly and totally not scary, but it was a good time and the tour guides were hilarious. It also turned out to be somewhat educational…

…or so I thought.

We were fed misinformation on the Ghosts and Gravestones tour! While visiting the Granary Burying Ground, the tour guide pointed out some famous people’s graves, such as Mother Goose, Sam Adams…and Benjamin Franklin. Ben Franklin, cool.

But when doing the whole Liberty Bell tourist thing in Philly, we saw Benjamin Franklin’s grave.

Wait, whaaaat?

Didn’t we see Ben Franklin’s grave in Boston? Someone is lying to us!!! Who was the liar: Boston or Philadelphia?

Turns out, it was Boston. Wikipedia says. Our tour guide was wrong. It was not Benjamin Franklin’s grave, but it was probably a relative of his. How disappointing!!