11
March
2007
Before they changed the menu, I considered Salute was one of the great new Roslindale restaurants. The prices were less than Delfino’s and the pizza was better than Sophia’s Grotto. A number of months ago, we enjoyed the Mozzarella e Pomodoro pizza, a crisp traditional crust with big chunks of fresh mozzerella and a sauce that took me back to my four-month sojourn in Italy over 10 years ago. The lasagne special I enjoyed that night was made with handmade noodles served in a bowl with just the right amount of cheese and sauce — delicious! I commented then how great it was and said they should put it on the regular menu. They told me they were changing their menu and that the lasagne would be on it.
Tonight we couldn’t have been more disappointed. The bread was cold, the pizza crust was now a soft, perfectly round, plate size pizza with American style sauce and cheese. (We could have done better at Romano’s down the street). And the lasagne, despite our previous server’s promise, was not the same one. It was an American style lasagne that anyone could have made at home. (I would have made sure it was cooked all the way through as well.)
To their credit, the salad was excellent, and our server took the lasagne off the bill since I wasn’t happy with it.
Rumor has it that they may be moving to a third chef (and menu?). If so, I’d say, bring back the old pizzas and that fabulous lasagne. And while you’re at it, add some more vegetarian pastas. There are many more vegetarians in Roslindale than most restauranteers would like to believe. Meat may sell, but a good vegetarian restaurant will garner a tremendously loyal following.
Posted: Restaurants, Roslindale Issues
26
September
2006
It’s interesting that the Roslindale Board of Trade meeting was held last week at Doyle’s in Jamaica Plain. Why didn’t they hold their meeting in Roslindale, considering their interest in supporting small businesses? Probably because there is no place like Doyles in Roslindale. It seems like every new restaurant is another upscale “bistro,” without the character or simple festive food of Doyle’s.
According the the Board of Trade’s website, it’s purpose is “to better the community through commerce.” I say that if they can’t have their meetings at any of the restaurants in Roslindale, they should encourage a restaurant like Doyles to come here. We would all benefit.
Posted: Restaurants, Roslindale Issues
19
March
2006
This morning in Delray, Florida, my husband, daughter and I sought out a place for Sunday Brunch. (We’re here visiting my husband Adam’s grandmother.) Not knowing the area, we decided to search the Internet for recommendations. Since we are vegetarian, we always look for vegetarian recommendations first. Eventually we found a place that promised to have “the best brunch in South Florida,” a great atmosphere, and a wonderful view of the water. When we got down there however, they were not yet open. We figured we could walk around a little before eating. Strolling Atlantic Avenue we came upon Boheme Bistro (or Cafe La Boheme). We stopped, looked at the menu and decided to stay. The food was superb. I had a Mediterranean Omelette and Adam had “Grandma’s Eggs.” We sat outside in a lovely brick courtyard, the staff was friendly, and Esther (our daughter) enjoyed the bread thoroughly. If we had relied solely on the web, we never would have found this place*. If you happen to be in Delray, it’s between the intercoastal and the ocean on the south side of the street.
*I added the link above after discovering they do exist on the web but didn’t show up in our original searches for “brunch in Del Rey.” I guess the title of this entry should be “Sometimes the best places are not easy to find on the Web,” or “Don’t trust all web reviews since most people don’t know what good food is, anyway!”
Posted: My Life, Restaurants