Skipjacks rewind - went back a week later with Susan

Okay so the following week I went back to Skipjacks because I can't get enough and that was Susan's first choice. We drank a bottle of sparkling white at the bar and another at the table. In between we had some delicious sushi (yes!! I got Susan to eat raw tuna!) and gingered calamari. I had a 'special' of white roughy on ginger rice and Susan had mahi. We were happy and full. I will say again - best seafood in town

Dante during restaurant week - Go back for more!

We went to Dante (at the Sonesta in Cambridge) during restaurant week. When they posted their restaurant week menu, I was excited because most choices were from their regular menu. The atmosphere is great and the service is wonderful. We had a fantastic waiter that knew the menu and preparations well. I started with what seemed like the healthiest first course, cauliflower soup with smoked scallop. This was a butter and cream dream. This was not "healthy", but it was delicious. Rolfe started with something (I forget what it was) that was essentially pulled duck. We loved it. Cheryl got the antipasto - which was also great. They pay attention to the littlest details.
For the main courses (restaurant week features 3 courses for 33.08) Rolfe got the hanger steak, I got the 'chicken under a brick' and Cheryl got salmon. All of us were happy with the portion, flavor and accompanying stuff. We split a 'side' of roasted summer squash and leeks. We all opted for the same dessert course (boo hoo - no sharing) of panna cotta with hazelnut chocolate. I have to learn how to make this. Anyway... I want to go back soon. They make interesting cocktails and the wine list is good too.
http://restaurantdante.com/
BTW - I finally found out what 'hanger' steak is and why it is now showing up on everyone's menu.

Hello Skipjack's - Melissa wants Seafood for her birthday

Melissa - the niece - wanted seafood for her birthday celebration. We took her to our favorite fish place in Boston. (Sorry, Legal) Rolfe, Jen (another niece), Melissa and I went there last Saturday night. While having some wine and cocktails waiting for Jen to meet us at the bar, we watch scrumptious plates of raw bar and sushi passing us. We were hungry! At the table, we immediately ordered the 'house favorite' - gingered calamari. It is fried calamari tossed in a ginger salsa. It is the best calamari ever. (you should note that 13 years or so ago, Rolfe and I went here for a kind of 'first date' and I introduced him to this calamari) Since we were celebrating and imbibing, we opted to get the 'party boat' as well. That has lobster, shrimp and crab meat with oysters and clams you normally find on a 'shellfish tower'. However, when this thing arrived at the table, it was literally, a boat. It was a huge boat that took up the entire table. The shellfish was fresh and (I hate raw clams) the clams were the best I ever tasted. We were full but forced ourselves to order entrees (Jen and I ordered entrees, Rolfe and Melissa got a bunch of maki to split) This is one of the places that still has sea bass (the Chilean kind that is politically incorrect) on the menu and I HAD to get it. It was sweet and gingered and so good. Jen got swordfish that was sweet and mild. Rolfe and Melissa enjoyed the maki. Spider maki and lobster maki were flavorful, colorful and as good to look at as they were to eat. If you want seafood - check this place out.
http://www.skipjacks.com/

Yeeha! Texas Roadhouse - where the beef is at!

So we wanted steak, wanted to be casual and the mother-in-law was treating us so we wanted something not too expensive. We went to local Texas Roadhouse after going to the movies on a recent Sunday. We were hungry so we munched and made a mess with the peanuts while waiting for a table and then ate more while sitting at the table. I love peanuts. They encourage you to just through the on the floor. Be careful while walking around. I love their salad - good house vinaigrette and chopped eggs. I got filet while Rolfe and his mother got sirloins. The meat is well trimmed, well seasoned and cooked to perfection. The sides are homey and delicious. If you like sweet potatoes they have an option to stuff it with cinnamon butter(it can come that way anyway), caramel and pecans. Can you say yum! I wouldn't eat it that way - it seems more like a dessert to me. I like my spuds: white, red, sweet or otherwise, basically plain. They have really good chili and you can get this as a side. This place is fun too as the wait staff dances country line dance every so often. BTW - Rolfe likes the ribs here.
The used to have jumbo sized margaritas but you know, in Massachusetts, you can't do that very long without getting into trouble. They make good drinks and have decent beer. Check out one nearby when you are in the mood to visit a Texas style steak house.
http://www.texasroadhouse.com/TRHintro_flash.html