Tremonte - Best Italian in Woburn (yes, Woburn)

So our favorite local hang out just reopened after an expansion/remodel of the bar area. We missed it! We probably go here at least once a month. I would go more, if I were able to restrain myself and stick to my diet while there. I have no will power over mussels 'white' or melanzana with basil crème sauce. http://tremonterestaurant.com/
Tremonte is the very best in town and I would put it up against most joints in the North End. They do standard Italian (Veal Parm, pork chops and vinegar peppers), meats (filet, stuffed rib eye, porterhouse, pork loin, lamb rack), seafood and pastas that are just fantastic. The portions are large and the sides are included (you don't see that in Boston).
We went the other night with two other couples (yes! more people to share appetizers with!!) and everyone was really excited and left completely full and a little tipsy from the cocktails. Rolfe's pork chops with vinegar peppers were better than "mama's". It came with 2 double thick pork chops, multi-colored peppers, onions and potatoes in a mouth watering vinegar sauce. (not heavy or greasy - just perfect) That night I got grilled pork loin in Chianti reduction - with my favorite sides: polenta and sautéed spinach.
Next time you are looking for great Italian - check it out in Woburn.

Be my Valentine - yet more gourmet in the 'burbs

We are excited that the Mistral/Teatro/Sorellina/Moo gang has come out to Burlington. The new place is L'andana Grill http://www.landanagrill.com/.
We went there for Valentine's Day last night. It is consistent with the group's other places: great attention to detail, high quality, attentive wait staff, management, etc. AND IT IS 10 MINUTES FROM OUR HOUSE!!!!!
Our experience started with great bartenders - they have something called a bloody gazpacho. It is from their Brunch menu - but they will make it anytime. It is made with muddled basil, spicy tomato juice and - get this - home made infused smoky habenero vodka. He made us a small glass to sample. Wow!! I can't wait to try brunch and have a few of these.
So after we sat at the table- we got that excellent bread with a tomato relish/EVOO spread. Their bread is absolutely the best: crusty, crunchy and with just a bit of garlic oil. We opted for a Tasmanian Pinot. It was okay. We drank it. Their wine list has good selections and is reasonably priced.
The food was fantastic. We started with the Bolognese and mussels as appetizers and I got the wood grilled sword fish and Rolfe got the 'rib eye'.
The mussels were shelled (what a bonus) and floating in this basil cream and garlic broth. They give a soup spoon for good reason. There was not a drop left. The pasta was just the best as well. Rolfe is savoring the leftovers (we needed to save room for the entree) today for lunch.
My sword fish came with peppers and onions - oh my - all grilled and smoky. It was just wonderful. The fish was tender and cooked to perfection.
Rolfe's 'ribeye' was actually a sirloin. We pointed this out and it caused a big stir. The managers came over a few times to cajole and try to replace the dish. Rolfe would have none of that as he wanted to eat with his wife not after his wife. They understood. The meat was really good, but it wasn't rib eye. We declined dessert since we had some waiting for us at home and this got them really concerned. They thought we were upset (we weren't). So we left happy anyway (they took his meal off the bill) and will return.
The food is great (portions are large), the service impeccable and we are so happy not to have to go to Boston for this luxury.

Pre-Celtics noshing - The Harp, an old standby

So the other night we wanted something simple to eat with our cocktails before the Celtics game. We haven't been to the Harp in a long time. (Well, I went there with the 'girls' as stop #1 on a pub crawl, but that's another story) Rolfe has been pining for the Harp's boneless Buffalo wings. "They are the best ever". Guess what, they don't have boneless anymore, just on the bone. Real wings. So we sit at the bar, get a couple of drinks and glance at the menu. You know, I haven't looked at their menu in a while. They've gone 'upscale'. Blue corn nachos? Goat cheese and pesto? What happened to the old standby??? We started with the blue corn and pulled pork nachos. They were 'okay' could have used more cheese - that is always my biggest complaint with nachos, although these were layered okay. Nothing worse than a clump of stuff on the top layer and a bunch of naked, greasy chips underneath. These were somewhere in the middle. We split the chicken and pesto Panini with sweat potato fries. The sandwich and fries were delicious. Wished we weren't splitting, I wanted my own.
Anyway - we'll be back before the next game. It's close to the Garden, the beer is cold and there are lots of other items on the menu I want to try.
http://www.harpboston.com/harpboston/

Ixtapa - Mexican in Woburn Center!!! We are big time now.

Ixtapa finally opened in Woburn Center. We've been watching the reconstruction and build out for over a year now. I wonder if the mayor and funky alcohol licensing board had something to do the long delay. Anyway, the local outpost of the Lexington family cantina is open for business. We stopped by on a blustery Sunday night after seeing Michael Clayton (the movie - read the review here http://shakeonmovies.blogspot.com/2008/02/michael-clayton.html). The cute little bar and larger restaurant area is comfortable and nicely decorated. They have a long list of margaritas and tequila to choose from. I got a blueberry Hornitos (as did my niece Melissa) and Rofle went the traditional with Hornitos. They make good (i.e. boozy) margaritas here. Although the salsa was a little watery for my taste, it was fresh and accompanied hot crispy tortillas. We scarfed these up. (and gladly accepted refills)
I ordered the standby - Arroz con Pollo, Rolfe went with the tres enchiladas (beef, chicken and chicken with a trio of different sauces) and Melissa a taco salad - beef. Food arrived hot and delicious. Oh ya - we tried the tortilla soup too. I love Mexican and we often make our own Mexican type food at home. Most restaurants stink at Mexican. This place is authentic (I guess so since I have never been to Mexico). The food isn't greasy - it tastes homemade and is nicely seasoned. They do not need to mask crappy ingredients with fat and tons of salt. The clean fresh flavors stand on their own.
The service is attentive and the people that work there seem genuine and gracious. I am looking forward to spending more time there. We will go back often.
Here is the Lexington web site. The menu is exactly the same in Woburn. It is located on the corner of Main St (RT38) and Montvale Ave
http://www.ixtapacantina.net/home.nxg

Remember the Salad Bar? Dandelion Green does.

Saturday night before the Super Bowl (let's not even get into THAT subject) I was craving steak au poivre and we were lazy so went down the road to the Dandelion Green. This is part of the small Barnsider chain that STILL has a salad bar yes, I said salad bar - and a GREAT one at that.
http://www.barnsiderrestaurants.com/3dandgrn/index.html
Their salad bar is great because it is full of extremely fresh and high quality veggies along with good cheese and salad toppings (croutons, raisins, etc) and that's it. No crappy pasta salads or weird protein sources - just good stuff to make a salad out of. And their dressings are delicious.
Anyway, we waited a few minutes in the lounge for our table. While sipping wine we nibbled on the self-service snacks. This takes me back to date night. I love the pub cheese and crackers. They added a snack mix to the complimentary lounge snacks that has corn nuts in it. I love corn nuts. I was happy to stay there and munch while waiting for our table.
I ordered what we went there for and Rolfe got a 'special' of rack of veal. Another throw-back here is that entrees include the salad bar and choice of starch. We ordered a veggie side of butternut squash. (this was absolutely decadent and wonderful). My steak au poivre was to die for and Rolfe liked the veal rack. I don't eat veal - but I tasted it and seemed okay. The herb rub and sauce were really good. We pigged out on the salad bar first.
I can't decide whether I like this location or the ones in Danvers (Hardcover) or Beverly (Depot). I even went to the Albany location once years ago while traveling on business. I do like this - simple, fresh and tasty.