We haven't been there in years, but is Durgan Park still good?
DD
It was good once? Seriously - how far back do I have to go in time to when it was a desirable place to eat? I have personal knowledge of about 20 years of its history.
Another favorite of mine is Fin n Haddie (sp). I haven't seen it on a menu in several years. I used to be able to get it a the Town Line restaurant in Swampscott (Rt 1), but this place is long gone. Has anybody seen it lately? (it is salted, dried cod, reconstituted in a cream sauce) It is probably an acquired taste, but I liked it.
Well, Durgin Park is a really mixed experience -- it's not good for a date, it's not intimate or really comfortable, and the food is plain (as the very good Chowhound thread referenced above suggests). But it is indubitably authentic; it was there in Quincy Market back before the Rouse Corp "improvements," when the whole area was a complete, derelict dump. I have to respect DP for that. That and the Indian pudding.
An acquaintance of mine who lives out in western MA was all excited about heading off to Boston last weekend because it meant she'd be able to eat at a P.F. Chang's. For God's sake.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Blumie
Here is a link to an interesting discussion of Durgin Park that I started on chowhound last year.
Wow, an excellent thread for sure that certainly sums up the best and worst of DP. Thanks!
Quote:
Originally Posted by BearX220
An acquaintance of mine who lives out in western MA was all excited about heading off to Boston last weekend because it meant she'd be able to eat at a P.F. Chang's. For God's sake.
Man do I hate it when I hear this. I live right in Cambridge and I hate when I hear my friends in the burbs getting excited about going to places like this or god forbig The Olive Garden.
An acquaintance of mine who lives out in western MA was all excited about heading off to Boston last weekend because it meant she'd be able to eat at a P.F. Chang's. For God's sake.
She might be thrilled to know that she doesn't have to go that far now. There is now one in the new addition to the Natick mall.
Finally a reason to stop in Natick, gateway to Framingham.
Clearly you have been out of the loop. Natick is now home to Nouvelle, the "luxury* condominium homes at Natick Collection, MetroWest’s premier living, dining and shopping destination.....combines the best of urban lifestyle with the comforts of suburban living"
*I suspect they are by someone's definition. One which is probably not shared by most in this forum.
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A great place for fresh seafood and solid ribs/bbq is East Coast Grill in Cambridge. Its certainly not downtown but always has top notch seafood with a flare. Its casual fine dining. Check out their menu and reviews on their website: http://www.eastcoastgrill.net/
Enjoy.
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In addition to various suggestions here (e.g., Mistral, Clio, L'Espalier etc.), the Harvest has improved over a few years ago and is pretty nice as is the restaurant in the Four Seasons. One not mentioned thus far is Oishii, which is a wonderful sushi place. I also really like Helmand (not that expensive, food very good, grumpy owners who include Hamid Karzai's sister and brother-in-law) and Hammersley's Bistro. What about Oleana or Craigie Street Bistro? I think Blue Ginger is overrated and D-P is eminently skippable.
Well, Durgin Park is a really mixed experience -- it's not good for a date, it's not intimate or really comfortable, and the food is plain (as the very good Chowhound thread referenced above suggests). But it is indubitably authentic; it was there in Quincy Market back before the Rouse Corp "improvements," when the whole area was a complete, derelict dump. I have to respect DP for that. That and the Indian pudding.
And don't forget the coffee jello! Calling this a dessert is New England-frugal gone mad.
The only positive memory I have of DP was almost 30 years ago, when at a dinner there with a sister and her new hubby, I had a portion of roast duck that exceeded the plate. Granted, it had been drenched in brown sauce, but for pure heft it was memorable.
To follow up on another's point, Legal Seafoods is a pale shadow of its former identity as a great seafood restaurant. The highlight of my current visits to LS? My daughter loves the mac and cheese (which, I believe, is boxed Kraft). Other than that too small portions on top of too expensive prices served by disinterested waitstaff is all too common.
FWIW, my disdain is mostly generated by my dissapointment at the downturn of a rest. that was once a staple in my rotation as well as place of my childhood. The only exception to this trend is when I am at terminal B where the sole pre-takeoff competition is mozz sticks at the Fox Sports Bar. Rant over...
I would rather go to a B&G or Neptune Oyster where they try to do a small menu well rather than be the expensive Friday's of seafood.
Back on topic - I would think that Locke-Ober would be both an accommodating and enjoyable experience.
Howis Asana and Spa Cafe at the Mandarin Oriental? With Aujourd'hui, Great Bay, Excelsior, and Persephone all biting the dusk, the dining landscape is certainly shifting in Boston.
Calling this a dessert is New England-frugal gone mad.
