I lived right between them and fancied Emma’s a bit more than Hungry Mother.
I feel sad I missed out on Hungry Mother—I went once and had a drink at the bar and saw that there were few veggie options (I think; memory is questionable).
1 Like
Your memory, at least, is not questionable. They did have a tendency to sneak in ham or bacon into otherwise veggie/pesca dishes – grilled asparagus with pork, pimento cheese and deviled eggs with ham, cornmeal-crusted catfish with andouille, etc.
Didn’t affect me, but I know that it would you.
3 Likes
I ordered that catfish all the time, and I don’t eat pork so they omitted it for me -
3 Likes
They were always friendly and accommodating there, and I can see how they would adjust things for their customers.
2 Likes
I’m sure we were at the B Side a few times together without knowing it…
Emma’s crust was almost like a cracker. Different than my usual preference, but I liked it.
2 Likes
fond memories od going to the original emma’s on huron avenue. tiny little place with a few stools where you could get a slice or two.
2 Likes
No doubt. Most likely East Coast Grill and The Blue Room too.
4 Likes
Not too long before The Blue Room closed permanently, there was a wine bar that nested right next to it, in that little below-street-level area of Tech Square and they had this outdoor wooden firepit. Well let me tell you that when that pit was lit, it made the entire area smell absolutely delightful and I will forever miss my outdoor dining at The Blue Room, on a nice summer evening, with the smell of that burning fire pit. Memories.
3 Likes
I think you’re talking about Belly. I had my first introduction to orange wines, and lots of other unique libations there.
3 Likes
Yep! It was pricey but it was way ahead of its time and pretty great - I thought it was neat.
3 Likes
I remember that. I didn’t partake in the wine, but went a few times with some colleagues after work. That was a nice, chill space. I loved the summertime outdoor lunch grill plates they offered in that area too. Was a good deal, and usually delicious (I still love their green bean/tomato salad that you could get as a side).
2 Likes
That space had a history, indoors and out. The outdoor wood fired grill was where Chris Schlesinger would hold his overnight pig roasts. The indoor space was not originally part of The Blue Room. They had to seek permission from the city to expand into it. As an abutter (living across the street) I testified on their behalf in favor of the expansion. It provided them extra dining space behind the bar and a windowless room they turned into a wine cellar. Belly evolved from the experiences Nick and Liz had (in the Steve Johnson era) attending Vin Italia every year. Liz was the “som”, and eventually she and Nick opened the retail operation Central Bottle.
6 Likes
Correction: Central Bottle came first.
2 Likes
Drove through my old haunts (circa 2005-2009) - Kendall Square/Central Square and Inman and boy oh boy has it changed. So many restaurants have come and gone. Green Street. Mary Chung’s. Cuchi Cuchi. Craigie on Main. Fuckin’ hell, it made me so sad.
6 Likes
Watched Rick Bayless’ new YouTube video of him making a Cemita sandwich from Pueblo and it made me miss Dorado Tacos on Harvard Street in Brookline so much. I lived off of those in my late college years and I’m still bummed in closed five years ago, especially since Boston’s Mexican dining scene is horrid
1 Like
Omg DORADO TACOS! Where did he go? We loved them so much. After our daughter’s bat mitzvah in May 2019, we hosted a dinner for our families and they catered it - incredible - and then closed a week later.
2 Likes
+infinity on that. Didn’t appreciate this till we spent 6 months in Santa Barbara in 2007. I realized things were even worse after we visited Mexico.
2 Likes
This new-ish Mexican restaurant is near where I live in East Somerville. I haven’t tried it yet. Has anyone?
It’s on my list; heard good things from a couple of peeps but trying to keep my hopes and dreams in check
