Inakauaidavidababy

Who exactly are you addressing Tab? I would rule it out because I think the once fantastic groundbreaking restaurant from the girl that grew up in the projects has run its course as she has expanded her empire.

Tabernash2

I am addressing the OP. I thought that would be understood.

NeoPatrick

I've let this thread go too long. Time to get back to it.

I hadn't heard of No 9 Park, but now I'm fascinating. I don't think I care if it is no longer "groundbreaking"; it sounds wonderful. The 3 course at $69 sounds kind of a bargain if it's as good as it sounds. And I'm kind of fascinated with the bar menu. Is the bar quiet and nice, or crowded and busy -- tables or just at the bar? Crispy pork belly is one of Peter's favorites. Might be a nice choice -- doesn't seem like too much of a walk after his working half a day then our 5 hour drive to Boston arriving early Friday evening.

And Chinatown. Yes, we'd especially like nice dimsum. I was told that Hei La Moon, is actually one of the most "Chinese" and less touristy of the choices. Comments? China Moon gets a lot of good comments also. We enjoy Asian of almost any type.

NeoPatrick

I didn't mean to say "I'm fascinating" above, but rather "I'm fascinated" -- but, well, that too! LOL

travelgourmet

And Chinatown. Yes, we'd especially like nice dimsum. I was told that Hei La Moon, is actually one of the most "Chinese" and less touristy of the choices.

Hei La Moon is pretty good. It is very big and very busy on weekends. The dim sum comes on carts. One thing to note is that they do tend to ignore Westerners with some of the carts, so if you want chicken feet, you will need to work pretty hard to get someone's attention. Chau Chow City is another option - sketchier looking than Hei La Moon, but the carts are a bit more frequent IME. Windsor Cafe also has good dim sum, but it isn't a cart system, you order from a waitress.

FWIW, I wouldn't categorize any of the dim sum places as "nice". The food is tasty enough, but none of them are nice restaurants. Most Chinatown restaurants are, at best, utilitarian. None are particularly touristy to be honest.

If you wanted Chinese and didn't care about the carts or classic dim sum options, my favorites are (in no particular order), Peach Farm, Taiwan Cafe, and Gourmet Dumpling House. All will have food that (IMO) is better than the dim sum places (save maybe Windsor Cafe). Taiwan Cafe and GDH have xiao long bao, which is my favorite dumpling anyway. Peach Farm is seafood focused.

Tabernash2

Patrick, I don't really remember the bar setting. We walked through it to our table, but I wasn't paying much attention. It didn't seem crowded or noisy, or I would have taken note.

Please let us know where you choose and how you like it.

NeoPatrick

travelgourmet, I may be in luck since I have an "Asian" husband. Filipino -- but he can sort of pass for Chinese in a pinch. Recently at a Chinese restaurant HE asked for a fork and the Chinese waitress got it and handed it to ME. She was surprised when she saw me hand it back to Peter -- and she even said "Oh, I thought you were Chinese". But he's not great with Chopsticks. I am. But I'm also more likely to eat chicken feet than Peter is.

How about East Ocean City Seafood?

And when doing Chinese, yes, lack of service and nice atmosphere are almost expected by us.

travelgourmet

How about East Ocean City Seafood?

It is fine. Been around forever. Bigger space so you might be able to get a table when a place like GDH would have a line out the door. Not really one of my favorites, but that says as much about my habits and preferences as anything. Seafood focused, obviously, and no dim sum.

Inakauaidavidababy

Beware the infamous Friday afternoon/evening traffic getting into the city and adjust your timeline/plans.

No9 bar can have an early evening bustle with people having an exceptional cocktail before being seated in the dining room. Note that although they may bend the rules, the bar menu is only available in the bar side of the venue. Actually all menus are available, but the bar menu is not available in the dining room. Unless of course they bend a bit for that pork belly.

It's been awhile, but I really fancied the pear martini, if you like a nice cocktail.

NeoPatrick

OK, so I thought we better jump on this. Made a 7:45 (best we could get) for No.9 on Friday. We are thinking now we should arrive Boston around 3 to 4 on Friday, hopefully a little before the traffic going in?

On Saturday I made a 6:30 at Ostra (nothing again till after 8).

And Sunday evening (7 PM) for Easter dinner we are doing Mamma Maria's -- just seemed like it might be a more "traditional" Easter and also give us a chance Sunday afternoon to explore the North End a bit (Peter has never been there).

We'll play lunches -- Chinese or otherwise -- by ear, and still thinking Saturday lunch we might just do lobster rolls at James Hook.

Tabernash2

Did you consider Nico, in the North End?
http://www.nicoboston.com/about.html

Very small. Very good, authentic Italian, excellent service.

jubilada

For Italian you can't beat Erbaluce, imo.

NeoPatrick

Eliminated Nico. Over and over again I read how "tight" it is and very noisy when crowded, which surely be on Easter. And while there are many raves for the food, the most popular comment is how huge the portions are -- a complete turn off to me.

Erbaluce sounds nice, but want a more traditional for Easter.

Inakauaidavidababy

I only mentioned traffic because I thought your husband was working a half day??? So I figured a Jersey leave around 12pm. I think you'll be fine. Are you driving thru Hartford/90/MassPike? You should be fine before 3PM, although I am only a pert on 95 to 93 coming from south countless friday afternoons over the years. We always leave an hour early for an evening timeline on Fridays. You just can't predict Friday evening traffic - well other then guarenteed to hit it going to the Cape!

I agree that although Nico has some great food, it is more Italian/American then authentic Italian. ERbaluce is a gem. People seem to stear away since the menu is ever changing so they can't get a handle on what to expect. Mama Maria is in a classic old building with old school recipes and service. I think you will be pleased. I only wish I could remember the rooms so you could request one of the lovely rooms available.

You'll have a wonderful trip.

Tabernash2

Good point, Patrick. Nico is tiny. Best to hit it at an off-time. We were lucky we found it then. Just happened upon it. Serendipity. The portions were huge, it's true, but with l of seafood and shrimp in our dishes. So not just huge as in lotsa pasta. 'Huge' as in you can share.

Our waiter had literally just moved here from Italy. He was adorable. Something like that can really make the memory shine.

Enjoy your Easter holiday and please report back.

Tabernash2

with lots of seafood

Inakauaidavidababy

Aww, don't you know that every Italian american waiter in the north end has a studied accent and fell off the boat?! LOL. Most of the "Italian" cooks in the north end are from south america.

Inakauaidavidababy

For lack of an edit button, not every but clearly the majority of handsome Italian waiters in the north end with their lovely accents have not fallen off the boat yesterday with a dream to become a waiter in Boston's north end. Most are generations from the boat with a cultural upbringing. Maybe your's was authentic. I doubt it.

Tabernash2

Thanks for the fairly insulting, sweeping generalization.

Inakauaidavidababy

Well as a person who has visited regularly the north end of Boston for 40 some years, I think my generalizations are firsthand and not insulting. Sorry for whatever.