Today, I had lunch with Thu at
Double Chin in Chinatown. There's been so much talk and a good amount of hype about the restaurant, that I really was expecting maybe too much. Let's start with the decor - it was sad. I thought it'd be more modern and hip, like a daytime Shojo. No. No. It was as if Eldo expanded, just another place in Chinatown that put in minimal effort on the walls, tables, chairs, etc. And what is with the weird old people Asian smell?
Okay, but then the food should be great, right?
Spam and taro fries - sooo these really need to be thicker. The spam just tasted overcooked, because it was so thin. The taro fries were not bad though.
Portuguese pork spaghetti - I think I would have liked this better with rice. The noodles were cut, which was nice. But they really reminded me of Campbell's chicken noodle type of noodle. And the color didn't help in that regard either. Flavor-wise, it was just okay. Didn't wow me. Didn't make me plan my next trip back here.
Soooo I blame Thu for the next two pictures. I was too distracted to take pictures. So these are the photos off the restaurant's menu.
Tomato pork chop rice - this was probably my favorite dish of the day. Sounds weird: tomato sauce, cheese, pork and rice? But it worked. Again, it didn't blow me away. But it was good.
Mac n cheese - so our mac and cheese didn't look like this at all. For one, it was not served in a cup. They used wide rice noodles, a cream sauce, and topped it with cheese and baked it. It was like creamy noodles with cheese. Meh.
Matcha ma call it cube toast - interesting. Definitely a lot going on. Thu said the red beans weren't good at all. I could have done without the mochi as well. And we definitely needed two more people to help eat it. It was okay. Different, but at the end of the day, ice cream with a lot of random stuff. I also would have preferred a bowl instead of the small plate I was given.
Super interesting concept. I just don't think they thought execution through. Plus, the menu was not really helpful or descriptive enough. You can't really just have a page of "Create Your Own Bowl" without instructions. I wish them luck, but nothing here, from the atmosphere to the service to the food, was exceptional or noteworthy.
Dinner was at
Teatro with Alex and Tai for Alex's birthday. Located on Tremont Street next to the movie theatre and within walking distance to many of Boston's theatres, it has previously served me well before shows. They're quick, efficient, and reliable. And although it gets really loud inside, the food is usually fantastic.
Mussels - the broth was great and the bread was perfectly toasted and buttered.
Alex's linguine.
Tai's ribeye - really good. Cooked perfectly, great flavor. And the fries were delicious.
My rigatoni - salty today, but otherwise really good.
I am not sure that I will be back though. The waiter today so irked me, the experience has just left an awful impression on a place I have previously really enjoyed. It probably started with the fact that I asked for tap water. But really, I'm okay with the city's water. And then I ordered a half portion of pasta. I did so knowingly - I've eaten here and don't usually finish the half portion if we get appetizers. But when I asked for the half portion, the waiter was just so condescending. "It's the size of this," as he motions to the bread plate. Yes, I know. And that's just about as much as I eat. If I didn't know, I would ask.
Ugh. Maybe just come before a movie or musical, when their curtness won't bother you and their efficiency will be appreciated. Otherwise, pass.
BONUS:
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| Sake Kit Kats from Japan |
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