Bostonist

Stuff to Eat in the Suburbs: Arlington—Mr. Sushi

Ann Woody — 2009-07-02T12:00:00-05:00

The Dragon roll from Mr. Sushi in Arlington

Eating sushi in the suburbs can be a harrowing prospect. People tend not to want to try new sushi places because of the potentially disastrous results. For some reason, eating sushi downtown feels safer: perhaps the big awnings and plethora of other restaurants we know and trust makes the risk seem smaller.

Mr. Sushi in Arlington is more than a safe bet for dining in the raw; in fact, it’s by far this Bostonist’s favorite Japanese restaurant. Mr. Sushi offers options for every appetite. Classic maki rolls (with the rice on the outside) are small enough to be eaten in a single bite, but not so small that you feel cheated. The less common nori maki rolls (wrapped with seaweed on the outside) are crisp and never rubbery. Mr. Sushi also offers a great variety of nigiri sushi—or, as this Bostonist likes to call it, big slabs of fish laid on rice. These staples are accented by several interesting specialty rolls, like the Caterpillar (an eel maki roll with avocado laid over the top) and the Dragon (a California roll draped with slabs of eel), to name a few. Mr. Sushi also offers several vegetarian rolls, so the place is great for accommodating a large group with different eating habits. The sushi is always fresh and tasty, and nothing that we've tried has ever had an overly fishy flavor.

Even the cooked sushi shines. The shrimp tempura roll, which can suffer from sogginess in the hands of a lesser chef, is always crispy and never greasy or overcooked.

If sushi isn’t your thing, Mr. Sushi also offers a great variety of Japanese dishes. The chicken teriyaki is tender and sweet with salty undertones and topped with crunchy sesame seeds that add a slightly nutty note. The dish comes with an abundance of vegetables and is served with plenty of sauce to pour over the rice. If you’re feeling hungry, try the dinner plate, which includes with rice, miso soup, and a small salad. The chicken Katsu is a crispy delight with a uniquely flavored sauce that is mostly salty with just a hint of sweet.

Overall, the prices at Mr. Sushi are decent: meals like the chicken teriyaki and the chicken Katsu come in under 20 dollars and leave you satisfied. The sushi is reasonably priced, and the rolls are decently sized in addition to being well balanced and delicious. While the décor is nothing special, Mr. Sushi has plenty of space to accommodate big groups, as well as small, cozy tables and booths for more intimate dining. The wait staff is always courteous and knowledgeable, and the service is swift and pleasant.

Located in Arlington Center (691 Massachusetts Avenue), Mr. Sushi is open seven days a week for both lunch and dinner. Parking can sometimes be a problem on weekend nights because of the Mass Ave. location, but circling the block a few times will usually land you a space. If you aren’t in the mood for dining in, Mr. Sushi delivers within the immediate area and provides take-out, which this Bostonist can tell you generally survives the trip very well. Mr. Sushi also has a location in Brookline at 329 Harvard Street.

While Mr. Sushi doesn’t have a website, the restaurants provide mostly standard sushi and Japanese fare, so you can guess your options until you’re able to drop by and pick up a menu. Don’t forget to check out the weeknight sushi deals; you can often get a free maki roll with the purchase of a specialty roll, and Mr. Sushi has even been known to host all-you-can-eat sushi nights!

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Cheap Eats: Rocca

Pam — 2009-07-01T11:00:15-05:00

It seems that happy hour is truly back in Boston. No, bars still can't offer drink specials like in so many other states, but they can offer a close second with cheap and delicious food. Rocca is one of the many Boston restaurants that has picked up on this trend, and their 5@5 deal is one of the best around. Two choices would definitely be big enough for a meal, or order them all and share with friends.

Take a seat at the bar at Rocca Monday through Friday from 5 until 6:30 to take advantage of their special menu. They offer some of their regular appetizers at basically half price. The corn and tomato pizzetta (above) is a satisfying, crunchy pizza, with something closer to cracker for a crust than the usual dough. The calamari with red pepper aioli, served in a pile larger than you'd think for $5, is light and crisp, a delight compared to so many bad versions of the dish that are available out there. The farinata, a type of flatbread made with chickpea flour and mixed with mushrooms and caramelized onions, is crunchy and dense - a full meal by itself. The zucchini fritti features long spears of squash with the same crispy exterior as the calamari, and it is served with a garlicky yogurt and a tomato relish. Oh, and a lobster slider? Served with fennel mayo, pancetta, tomato, and arugula, it's hard to say no.

Rocca is located at 500 Harrison Boulevard in the South End, and they offer free parking in the lot next to their building. The 5@5 bar menu is available Monday-Friday, 5:00-6:30. Rocca also offers a three-course dinner Sundays and Mondays, 5:30-10:00pm, for $22, for those looking for a slightly more expensive cheap eat.

For more local food writing from Pam Aghababian, check out Cave Cibum.

Twisted Tea Gets Classy Today at Tea 101

Kerry Skemp — 2009-06-28T09:00:00-05:00

What do you want to do on a rainy Sunday? If you're Tea Sommelier Cynthia Gold, you want to teach the city of Boston how to make fabulous teas, specifically "Refreshing Homemade Summer Iced Tea Blends." In her Tea 101 class at the Park Plaza Hotel (50 Park Plaza) today, Gold will help folks make iced tea sangria in alcoholic and non-alcoholic versions, perfect for the sunny summer weather we're sure is coming up after just a few more months of rain. RSVP at 617-654-1906 for today's class at 1:15pm.

Thriller Night: Drink Pours One Out For Michael Jackson

C. Fernsebner — 2009-06-26T15:30:28-05:00

A patron at Drink mourns zombiemaster Michael Jackson.

Last night, the mixologists at Drink (348 Congress St., in Fort Point) composed an ode to the late Michael Jackson in the form of a punch. Lemon Hart 151, Batavia arrack, Coke (they didn't have Pepsi on hand, John Gertsen told us), lime, and sugar* were combined and set on fire to make the Jackson 5. The name of the beverage played on the etymology of the word "punch," allegedly the half-English bastard of the Hindi word for "five."

At the stroke of midnight, little glasses of Jackson 5 (extinguished) were served to mourners and revelers and sipped to the tune of "Billie Jean," "Thriller" and other hits from Jackson's oeuvre, with appropriate dance moves and gestures (see illustration, left).

Jackson 5, a speedily-formulated punch for the bereaved.

*Correct us if we're wrong. We didn't take notes, and we were drinking a rather high-proof punch.

Drinking in Boston: American Craft Beer Fest Recap

Llalan — 2009-06-25T14:00:00-05:00

The huge room teemed with beer lovers. Some displayed their love on their chest with a T-shirt from a favorite brewery. Others showed their dedication through their clipboards and spreadsheets with columns for aroma, taste, and feel. Everyone was out for a good time and for good beer, both of which were to be found. They also were all in search of the perfect brew.

In the battle for best beer of the ACBF, the stouts took an early lead with Southern Tier’s Mokah leading the pack. This black beer, brewed with coffee and chocolate, was like a candy bar in a glass, only without the cloying sweetness a Hershey’s can leave behind. The Cambridge House’s Three Steve Stout was another winner, full and smoky. Another great beer was Brooklyn Brewery’s Intensified Coffee Stout, which truly lived up to its name. Otter Creek’s Russian Imperial Stout was surprisingly creamy and smooth, as was (not surprisingly) The Duck-Rabbit Craft Brewery’s Duck-Rabbit Milk Stout.

Despite the stouts’ initial lead, the IPAs came back with a vengeance, with several unique offerings at the head of the race. Ballast Point Brewing shared a double called Dorado Double IPA. At 10% abv it was remarkably easy going down and had a beautiful floral aura about it.

More IPAs, Sessions, and other beers after the break!

Honest Town Brewery had an IPA that smelled and tasted like a double, as did The Cambridge House and as did Surly Brewing in their Furious IPA; all worth trying. Stone Brewing Company came to the fest armed with their usual arsenal of delicious, cleverly-named beers. This year’s stand out was the Stone Sublimely Self Righteous Ale, a black IPA: looks like a stout, thanks to its dark roast malts, but tastes hoppy and smells somewhat floral.

Among other beers in the running for favorite festival brew were a few session beers. Bear Republic Brewing’s NorCal California bitter was a great example: best drunk in large gulps over the span of a long hot afternoon. Dogfish Head brought a keg of the first beer they ever brewed, Shelter Pale Ale. Dogfish calls it their most “approachable” beer, and it is that; a session beer unlike any of their other brews.

There were also a few more experimental beers there that caught our eye. Brooklyn had Cuvee de Cardoz, a Belgian-style wheat with lots of spices, leaving one with an overall impression of cloves. This led one woman to quip, “Tastes like hipsters!” Lastly Victory Brewing has been putting out Wild Devil, an IPA with Brettanomyces, a type of yeast. The flavor was almost outdoorsy; fresh and breezy yet hoppy without the harshness of the Hop Devil.

To conclude and cop-out a bit, there was no final winner for best beer at the ACBF. The festival provided an astounding amount of astounding beers, and it would be foolish to name one as the absolute standout. The above suggests a select few this Bostonist enjoyed and would recommend, but always remember to experiment and to push your boundaries.

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Stuff to Eat in the Suburbs: Waltham—Taqueria Mexico

Ann Woody — 2009-06-25T12:00:23-05:00

Chorizo tacos at Taqueria Mexico in Waltham

If you live in the Waltham area, it’s likely that you have passed Taqueria Mexico a number of times and never really noticed it. Tucked away at the end of Charles Street a block away from where it connects to Moody, Taqueria Mexico is a hidden gem worth finding.

We originally discovered it while in search of Mexican food that didn’t require an hour wait (like Margaritas down the street). A quick Google search revealed this small Mexican place that we had been driving by for months.

The décor at Taqueria Mexico isn’t going to win any awards. The restaurant is filled with basic booths and tables and lightly decorated with authentic touches. There are two televisions playing all the time, though they are usually tuned to Spanish language channels. The focus at Taqueria Mexico is the food. They boast an extensive menu with the first page consisting entirely of a la carte items like tacos, quesadillas, burritos, and nachos. Almost everything offered on this first page is under nine dollars, sometimes even under five; however, several of these items are small and it’ll take a couple of them to fill you up. The rest of the menu features a mix of authentic Mexican and Tex-Mex fare such as enchiladas, fajitas, ceviche, and a slightly disturbing tongue plate. These larger entrees won’t break the bank either, most items on the main course menu cost fewer than eleven dollars.

All of the food we’ve tried at Taqueria Mexico has been delicious. Some of our favorite entrees are the crispy chorizo taco and the tasty taquitos. The tender, salty chorizo meat, nestled inside a crispy shell and topped with lettuce and sour cream, may seem simple—but the complex flavor of the chorizo makes this taco a must-order no matter what else you’re getting for dinner. Eight small taquitos—crunchy corn tortillas wrapped around lightly seasoned chicken and topped with sour cream and guacamole—can easily become an appetizer for a table of four or most of an entrée for one. The nachos are good, though the enormous pile of toppings makes the chips go soggy quickly. The pollo enchiladas with poblano sauce are well rounded and filling with a rich combination of flavors. The chicken is moist and salty under the rich muddy flavor of the spicy poblano sauce.

Though the restaurant doesn’t serve hard liquor, it does offer a variety of beers, as well as some tasty sangria which is also fairly cheap. There's a small outdoor seating area, a rare commodity in Waltham, though it will have to stop raining before it becomes practical again. (Things are looking up on this front!)

Overall, Taqueria Mexico provides good solid Mexican food at a great price. The resturant can be crowded on weekend nights but the wait is seldom more than 15 minutes. Take-out is available. You can find the menu on the restaurant's website.

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Hey, Neighbor, Have a Thumb in Your Eye: Narragansett Goes New England (Again)

Kerry Skemp — 2009-06-24T14:00:00-05:00

Perhaps embarrassed that Rhode Island remains the only New England state without gay marriage, Narragansett Beer has launched a reimaging campaign designed to recapture its status as the biggest New England beer and establish a New England brewery. Downplaying its origin in the nation's tiniest state and taking on a shiny new sorta Smithwick's-fonted logo, Cranston-born Narragansett is asking drinkers to sign a petition of unclear significance, to buy cases of its mediocre beer, and to spread the word to friends. The premise is that if Narragansett can sell 7.5 million cases of suds annually, it'll be big enough to build a brewery in New England, bringing jobs to the area and supporting Narragansett's home-"brewed" (har har?) image.

The notion of a New England beer makes some sense, but a) isn't it already Sam Adams (even though a lot of that is not brewed here either)? and b) did Narragansett really have to cold-shoulder its home state and long heritage to take on that title? What about adding a new "New England" brew in the existing lineup (which we definitely didn't realize included a bock and even a porter)? Can any beer currently brewed in Rochester, NY really be a "New England" beer, even if it has aspirations to be brewed here eventually (yes, a lot of Sam is brewed there as well)? And can anyone forget the stately allure of the grand old logo?

The former king beer of New England might be better off ditching the shiny new trappings, exploiting its old-school charm and underdog status—you don't get much more underdog than "tiniest state"—and focusing on bringing us the best rebuses (and beer) possible. Or heck, maybe this fancy new rebranding campaign will work. The company is having a "relaunch" party of some sort at 5pm on July 2 in Copley Square if you want to check it out. There will even be the opportunity to become the next 'Gansett Girl. We might attend, if we can win this old-school Narragansett shirt first.

The New Dunkin Run Website and iPhone App Will Change Your Life

Kerry Skemp — 2009-06-22T20:00:00-05:00

Are you the person who always offers to make a Dunkin run for the office? Are you the ~~person~~ intern who's always forced to make a Dunkin run for the office? Do you cleverly get your DD fix before work so you never have to worry about helping others caffeinate? If you're not in the latter category, you might want to check out Dunkin Run, a new website—and, more conveniently for Applephiles, iPhone app [iTunes link]. Dunkin Run allows you to invite a group of Dunkin folks to submit their orders electronically so you can make sure Carole gets her large iced coffee and Jim his mocha and Sally her bagel with light cream cheese and Allen his flatbread with bacon and George his six star spangled donuts and you get to carry it all back all by yourself. Fun!

Sadly, you can't actually submit your order online, so you'll still have to wait in the store, but at least it eliminates the confusion of writing orders on your hand or on a sticky that then unsticks itself to whatever it was stuck to and leaves you looking like a thoughtless loser who can't remember a Dunkin order. Has anyone tried this out yet? Let us know how it goes. (Via Gizmodo, where an astute commenter points out that "The app should remind you every couple weeks that you only took this job to get by until you get that acting gig. You're definitely not in it for the long haul and the fact that you've been there for 5 years means nothing." Sigh.)

Drinking in Boston: Calling All Dogfish Heads!

Llalan — 2009-06-18T14:30:00-05:00

Attention all Dogfish Head fans! Tonight Redbones is putting on a Dogfish extravaganza: 10 kegs and one cask on tap! That’s a lot of Dogfish. The event will be held in the Underbones bar, with a cash bar and free appetizers from 5 to 7 pm. It’s being billed as a “pre-fest” to the American Craft Beer Fest this weekend. And don’t worry if you can’t make the party; there will be Dogfish Head all weekend long.

Not a Dogfish fan? Well, you should be. The company started in 1995 as Delaware’s first brewpub. Now they are one of the best-known craft breweries in the country and have 20 brews to their name. Dogfish Head is known for being one of the most adventurous (if not the most) brewery in the States. Their motto is “off-centered ales, for off-centered people.” This gives you a hint at what their beer list looks like.

They may be best known for their high-powered IPAs, but they are world-renowned for their willingness to bring innovative beers to the table and to tackle outlandish challenges. An innovative beer that should be coming back out into the market soon is the Sah’tea. The Sah’tea is a “modern update on a 9th century Finnish proto-beer.” If that doesn’t pique your curiosity then consider that it is brewed with, among other ingredients, rye, juniper berries (from Finland!), and tea.

More Dogfish after the break!

Photo courtesy Sonnett on Flickr using Creative Commons License

A challenge Dogfish took on resulted in a successful beer on the market year-round: Midas Touch. This beer was brewed from the oldest-known recipe for a fermented beverage. An archeologist found a vessel in King Midas’s tomb, determined the ingredients, then challenged brewers to brew the drink. The archeologist determined Dogfish’s was the best.

To get some first-hand knowledge of the Dogfish Head experience, try Redbones’ fest tonight, 5 to 7pm at the Underbones bar.

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Stuff to Eat in the Suburbs: Newton—Pizzapalooza

Ann Woody — 2009-06-18T11:30:22-05:00

Hawaiian pizza slice at Pizzapalooza in Newton

Finding good pizza in Boston can be a complicated business. While some pizzerias focus solely on baking a good pie, others provide more well-rounded fare in the form of tasty sandwiches, paninis and pasta. From greasy to gourmet, you can find almost anything if you know where to look.

Pizzapalooza in Newton has a lot to offer the hungry diner. Their pizza is fairly good, if a little too heavy on the sweet sauce and light on the cheese for this Bostonist’s taste. Not quite deep dish and not quite thin-crust, Pizzapalooza’s pies come across almost like the best French bread pizza you’ve ever had, with a crunchy base topped by lots of chewy dough. You can order a whole pizza or get it by the slice. One of the best (if worst for your health...) things about ordering in the shop is that each slice is a quarter of a pizza!

Individual slices tend to be available in classic flavors, like cheese and pepperoni. However, their pizzas really shine when the chefs get creative in the kitchen. On our most recent visit, we sampled the Hawaiian (pineapple and prosciutto) as well as a creative concoction involving Italian sausage, ricotta, and caramelized onions. The Hawaiian is a perfect balance of sweet pineapple and salty prosciutto, with neither overpowering the other as can often be the case. The Italian sausage, ricotta and caramelized onions combine to create a really complex flavor; the sweet and salty Italian sausage is complimented by the sweetness of the onions and both are surprisingly well accompanied by the creaminess of the ricotta.

But pizza isn’t the only tasty treat you can find at Pizzapalooza. In fact, this Bostonist first fell in love with the restaurant's Panini sandwiches. The Panino Pollo is a simple Panini containing fresh mozzarella, tomatoes, basil, and a balsamic marinated grilled chicken breast. But the first bite tells you that this is no ordinary sandwich; the sliced Italian ciabatta bread is clearly fresh-cut for each sandwich. And all of the ingredients perfectly complement one another, right down to the sprinkle of Pecorino Romano that adds a salty, tangy accent to the sandwich and gives it the final nudge from good to great. Finally, the toasting method leaves the sandwiches a perfect combination of crunchy on the outside and warm and gooey on the inside. The Pollo is, in this Bostonist’s opinion, one of the best paninis in the area.

Another notable menu item is the “Pizzapalooza Cruiser.” This on-the-go option is like a rolled-up piece of pizza but without all the mess. Pizzapalooza uses its regular pizza dough, wraps it around a variety of ingredients, and then bakes them to perfection. The Maserati is a portable collection of complimentary yet complex flavors. Sweet Italian sausage, salty pepperoni, and melty mozzarella cheese are well accented here by Pizzapalooza’s sweet tomato sauce; and best of all this treat is wrapped up and ready to eat!

Though Pizzapalooza is not this Bostonist’s favorite spot for pizza every day, the pizza is good enough to keep us interested. However, the thing that keeps us coming back is the paninis. If you are a fan of crunchy bread and high-quality, high-taste ingredients, then you might want to give the Panini Sandwiches over at Pizzapalooza a try. For your first time we highly recommend eating on their patio instead of getting take out. This sandwich experience is worth savoring!

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Cheap Eats: Pho Republique

Pam — 2009-06-17T11:00:34-05:00

Another week, another great bar deal. But, while many establishments don't venture much past fries and wings, Pho Republique in the South End offers tasty treats for $2 a pop. Their dim sum bar menu has eight varied options - choose one for a snack along with your drink, or they them all for a meal or to share.

All of the choices are tasty (even the crispy tofu, considering that this Bostonist is not a fan of the tofu), but there are a few real standouts in the bunch. The candied garlic spare ribs, 2 per order, are sweet and savory, with a crispy caramelized exterior and meat that falls right off the bone. The veggie rangoon, which looks more like an eggroll, is filled with cream cheese and tender shredded vegetables. And the edamame gyoza are crunchy envelopes stuffed with pureed edamame, an excellent combination of crispy and smooth textures.

Pho Republique is located at 1415 Washington Street in the South End. The Dim Sum Bar Menu is offered Monday through Thursday, 5:30-7:00pm at the bar.

For more local food writing from Pam Aghababian, check out Cave Cibum.

Cupcake Tea at the Ritz

Kerry Skemp — 2009-06-13T13:00:00-05:00

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Looking for something to do this afternoon, or any Saturday afternoon from now until August 29? Check the cupcake tea at the Ritz-Carlton (10 Avery Street). For a mere $20 (a little steep, but the tea is tasty and the cupcakes are adorable), you can get a flight of five cupcakes that cover a range of tastes, from light and fruity to rich and complex, plus your very own pot of tea. The tea takes place in a classy setting, so it's a fun thing to do with the family or out-of-town visitors. A children's cupcake flight is also available; for $16, you'll get three cupcakes plus an assortment of toppings for decorating. The Ritz staff will have to clean up Call 617-574-7176 for reservations. Cupcake menu after the jump.

Cupcake Tea includes your choice of
Mighty Leaf Tea, Hot Chocolate, Milk, Chocolate Milk or one non-alcoholic beverage.

Adult Cupcake Tea
$20 per adult
Flight of five assorted petite cupcakes

Tiramisu
Sponge Cupcake, Mascarpone Espresso Cream, illy Espresso, Rum Drizzle

Boston Cream “Pie”
Vanilla Sponge Cupcake, Fresh Pastry Cream, Valrhona Chocolate Glaze

Lemon Meringue
Lemon Chiffon Cupcake, Zesty Lemon Curd, Toasted Meringue

Black Forest
Valrhona Chocolate Cupcake, Kirsch Cherries, Chantilly Cream, Valrhona Chocolate Shavings

Irish Coffee
Fluffy Chocolate Coffee Cupcake, Baileys Irish Cream, Whiskey-Infused Ganache

Children’s Cupcake Tea
$16 per child
Flight of three assorted petite cupcakes with choice of toppings

Fluffy Vanilla Cupcake
Milk Chocolate Buttercream Icing

Chocolaty Chocolate Cupcake
Milk Chocolate Icing

Rich Red Velvet Cupcake
Traditional Cream Cheese Icing

Toppings for Decorating: Sprinkles, Oreo Crumbs, Toasted Coconut, Gummi Bears

Drinking in Boston: New Tax On Alcohol

Llalan — 2009-06-11T14:00:00-05:00

We’ve been living a carefree, tax-free lifestyle in the world of liquor for a while now. That all could change soon. Lawmakers finalizing the 2010 budget are proposing a hefty tax on alcohol. They have raised the general sales tax from 5% to 6.25% and are now applying that to the sale of all beer, wine, and alcohol sold in stores.

On one hand, the money from the tax is being sanctioned for a good cause: substance-abuse programs. It sometimes seems that programs for addiction and other mental health issues get the shaft when it comes to funding. The estimated revenue from these taxes is 80 million dollars.

On the other hand, this tax could put a huge burden on liquor store owners and brewers, especially smaller craft brewers. Alcohol may not have a sales tax, but it already deals with excise taxes. These are taxes levied most often on alcohol and tobacco: they are often referred to as the “sin taxes.” The tax is on the production or sale of goods produced in this country. And needless to say, the owners of liquor stores in northern Massachusetts are especially frightened by the prospect of a new and weighty tax. Many people already drive to New Hampshire for cigarettes, so why not alcohol?

Both Harpoon and BeerAdvocate have spoken out against the tax. If you too are against the tax, we suggest checking out the BeerAdvocate article about what to do next, which includes a sample letter to send to your representative.

This is something that’s being discussed right now by legislators, so pro or con, it is something to watch in the upcoming weeks.

Stuff to Eat in the Suburbs: Belmont—Angelato

Ann Woody — 2009-06-11T13:35:33-05:00

Delightful chocolate hazelnut gelato at Angelato in Belmont

For lunch in the suburbs this Bostonist is always in search of one thing: a better sandwich. Forget fruit plates and salads, sandwiches are what lunch is all about. A good sandwich can be special because of so many things: the bread, the meats, the condiments, the cheese. And each sandwich shop is unique in the way they combine these ingredients making it worthwhile to visit as many as possible to find the best sandwich options. This Bostonist has been known to drive as much as half an hour out of the way just to fill a particular sandwich craving and Angelato; a small sandwich shop, Italian deli, and geltaria in Belmont has become one of those detours. The first time we sampled Angelato’s wares was after visiting Silk Road BBQ across the street. We noticed Angelato because we were in the mood for something sweet to finish off our lunch. Angelato is the company owned shop of the Angelato foods the company who makes Firenze frozen desserts which means that they have fresh local made gelato ready for serving in the shop. The hazelnut chocolate gelato alone was well worth the trip out to Belmont. The gelato had a rich dark chocolate flavor without being too bitter or too sweet, and the small pieces of roasted hazelnut were the perfect addition—an occasional textured surprise hidden in the smooth creamy goodness.

As if that weren’t enough to make a detour into Belmont, they also have sandwiches. The thing that makes the sandwiches at Angelato great is the unique pairings of flavors in their specialty sandwiches. Of course they have the old standbys, the caprese, the chicken parm, the meatball, and the ever popular make your own option. But it’s the specialty sandwiches that shine at Angelato. Unfortunately, the really interesting sandwiches aren’t listed on the online menu, but instead are on signs hung up around the deli counter. One sandwich in particular comes to mind, it has an unruly name but the sandwich consists of chicken salad, bacon, and honey mustard. This Bostonist was skeptical when she ordered this interesting combination but has since come to crave this unique flavor combination. The base of this sandwich, a shredded chicken salad, provides a nice smooth texture that is pleasantly interrupted by salty crunchy bits of bacon, while the honey mustard adds a sweet sharp tang that makes each bite a delight.

The other sandwich we sampled involved a breaded chicken cutlet, cheddar cheese, bacon, and ranch dressing. Another unexpected combination this sandwich was the ultimate salty richness. The creamy ranch dressing paired perfectly with the moist chicken cutlet and the cheese and bacon added perfect salty accents.

While this Bostonist has yet to try a sandwich based on cold cuts, the deli meat at Angelato looks top notch and the fact that you can purchase the meats individually leads us to believe we will be trying the “Three Honeys” sometime soon. So the next time you’re looking to calm your sandwich craving head out to Belmont and give one of Angelato’s creations a try, you’ll be glad you did.

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Cheap Eats: Penguin Pizza

Pam — 2009-06-10T11:00:33-05:00

It's hard to imagine one slice of pizza being enough for an entire meal, but at Penguin Pizza in Brigham Circle, one slice can definitely fill you up for only around $3. Each slice is roughly the size of a dinner plate, or two good-sized slices anywhere else. In fact, the slice is much easier to eat if you just cut it in half to begin with. Penguin offers four types of pizza by the slice daily: cheese, pepperoni, and two changing flavors.

Penguin's toppings are also different than those at most other pizza shops. You can still get the basics, but Penguin really shines with its more gourmet offerings. The Bird, pictured above, is topped with a homemade sweet and smoky barbeque sauce, caramelized onions, and pulled chicken. The Caribbean Jerk Shrimp pizza is a white pizza, topped with jerk shrimp and a fresh mango pineapple salsa. This Bostonist loves The Seasonal, featuring sweet butternut squash puree, tangy goat cheese, braised leeks, and crispy fried sage leaves - a perfect pizza for the rainy weather we've been enjoying this week.

Penguin Pizza also offers a variety of pastas, sandwiches, and salads, as well as a wide range of interesting beers. They are located at 735 Huntington Ave in Boston and are open Monday through Friday, 11am-1am, and Saturday and Sunday, noon-1am.

For more local food writing from Pam Aghababian, check out Cave Cibum.