Restaurant Reviews

Little Donkey

April 23, 2018 by Rich 5 Comments

Apartment hunting in Cambridge is a pain, but somehow it led me here so I’m glad I got something out of it.

Food: See pic (65%)
Taste to price 4/5
Quality to price 4/5
Portion to price 3.5/5
Average = 3.83

Service (20%)
Friendliness 5/5
Promptness 4/5
Average = 4.5

Cleanliness (15%)
Bathroom 4/5
Dining area 4/5
Kitchen area 4/5
Average = 4

Overall Score = [F(.65)]+[S(.20)]+C(.15)]
= [2.49]+[0.9]+[0.6]
= 3.99

What else to know: This place was packed. I was here on a Saturday night. Luckily there was a table by the window for me. I was immediately greeted by the waiter who was uber-friendly and helpful. He talked me into having Percebes (Yeah, what the hell is that right?). I also had the beef tartar and the Matzo ball ramen. I was most excited for the ramen because it was listed as one of the top ramen by Eater to which I’ll confess is pretty good. For a tapas place, the portion size is decent. Ambiance and crowd gave me good vibes. Great place to chill if you’re looking for higher end food and drinks. At 3.99, Little Donkey is so close to 4 Stars yet so far. I can’t round up given my rating system and I wish Yelp would allow me to display a 3.99 instead of 3 stars. Next time, I’ll come back and order different plates. As for service and cleanliness, they’re top notch.

Percebes
Matzo Ball Ramen
Black Pepper Popovers

Carlo’s Cucina Italiana – Allston

April 23, 2018 by Rich 7 Comments

Lately, it seems like Allston is being taken over by the Asians. Sandwiched between a row of Asian restaurants is this gem of a place. The only establishment left, literally, to get a romantic Italian dinner in Allston.

Food: See pic (65%)
Taste to price 5/5
Quality to price 4/5
Portion to price 5/5
Average = 4.67

Service (20%)
Friendliness 5/5
Promptness 4.5/5
Average = 4.75

Cleanliness (15%)
Bathroom 3/5
Dining area 3.5/5
Kitchen area 3.5/5
Average = 3.33

Overall Score = [F(.65)]+[S(.20)]+C(.15)]
= [3.04]+[0.95]+[0.5]
= 4.49

What else to know: I’m going to have to give Carlo’s the accolade for ‘Best Italian Restaurant’ in Allston. It’s not saying much since there really isn’t many but this place can compete against the best of North End. The food was made to order; my GF and I ordered the Vitello Carlo and the Linguine Frutti di Mare. Both, I would highly recommend. Portion size is huge given the decent prices. The waiter was extremely attentive and food came out at the right time. Overall, I enjoyed this place a lot. If you want a change of scenery in Allston, check this place out. You will not regret it.

Vitello Carlo
Linguine Frutti di Mare

Primanti Brothers – Pittsburgh

April 23, 2018 by Rich 12 Comments

Our Segway tour guide recommended this place to us. It was that or Five Guys. With choices like that, it was quite obvious where to go for lunch (I can get Five Guys virtually anywhere).

Food: See pic (65%)
Taste to price 5/5
Quality to price 3.5/5
Portion to price 5/5
Average = 4.5

Service (20%)
Friendliness 3.5/5
Promptness 3.5/5
Average = 3.5

Cleanliness (15%)
Bathroom 2/5
Dining area 2/5
Kitchen area 2/5
Average = 2

Overall Score = [F(.65)]+[S(.20)]+C(.15)]
= [2.9]+[0.7]+[0.3]
= 3.9

What else to know: If you’re in Pittsburgh, you have to stop by this place. French Fries and coleslaw in a sandwich, what’s that all about? Well, don’t knock it til you try it. Apparently, this is the blue collar choice of a lunch. You’re not going to get any plates or utensils, just sandwich and wrapping paper. It’s going to get messy but once you bite into the sandwich you’re going to tell yourself it’s all worth it.

Trying to make it pretty
Beast mode

Tony Luke’s – Philadelphia

April 22, 2018 by Rich

Bon Appétit’s Alex Delany brought me here. This guy ate 16 cheesesteaks in 12 hrs and said he’d go back here for more. After hearing that you know I had to stop by.

Food: see pic (65%)
Taste to price 5/5
Quality to price 4/5
Portion to price 4/5
Average = 4.3

Service (20%)
Friendliness 3.5/5
Promptness 4/5
Average = 3.8

Cleanliness (15%)
Bathroom 3/5
Dining area 3/5
Kitchen area 3/5
Average = 3

Overall Score = [F(.65)]+[S(.20)]+C(.15)]
= [2.8]+[0.8]+[0.5]
= 4.1

What else to know: The cheesesteak here is delicious! A bit greasy but can you expect anything else? You have to get it with cheese whiz. Don’t let someone else tell you otherwise unless you absolutely love the other types of cheese. I love the condiments station. There’s a never ending amount of fresh pickles and pickled peppers. That’s a huge plus for me. Come here if you want the Philly experience. You can skip Geno’s and Pat’s.

Hofbrauhaus – Pittsburgh

April 22, 2018 by Rich

It’s simple. Hefeweizen brought me here and ham hocks brought my GF here. She eats and I drink. Let’s rock and roll.

Food (see pic) (65%)
Taste to Price 4.5/5
Quality to Price 4/5
Portion to Price 5/5
Average = 4.5

Service (20%)
Friendliness 4/5
Promptness 2.5/5
Average = 3.3

Cleanliness (15%)
Bathroom 3/5
Dining area 4/5
Kitchen area 4/5
Average = 3.7

Overall Score = [F(.65)]+[S(.20)]+C(.15)]
= [2.9]+[0.7]+[0.6]
= 4.2

What else to know: I love this place! I’m a huge fan of hefeweizen and other Bavarian style beers. Their hefeweizen on tap was amazing especially with their wheat beer glass. We went here during happy hour so it got busy quick. Understandably service was a little slow but our waitress was very friendly. For food, we ordered the Knusprige schweinehaxen aka the crispy pork shanks. That thing was huge! As someone said earlier, it’s enough to feed 4 people. I’m glad I don’t live in Pittsburgh, otherwise I would come here everyday!

Cleavers – Philadelphia

April 22, 2018 by Rich 37 Comments

4.5/5

I literally just had Tony Luke’s before this (you can check out my review there too). My Uber driver told me to come here for Philly’s best cheesesteak so here I am.

Food: See Pic (65%)
Taste to price 5/5
Quality to price 5/5
Portion to price 4/5
Average = 4.7

Service (20%)
Friendliness 4/5
Promptness 4/5
Average = 4

Cleanliness (15%)
Bathroom 4/5
Dining area 4/5
Kitchen area 4/5
Average = 4

Overall Score = [F(.65)]+[S(.20)]+C(.15)]
= [3.1]+[0.8]+[0.6]
= 4.5

What else to know: Pretty good. The steak was cut thin and ribbon-like. Quality steak was used here. Bread was nice and crispy. Good portion here; they didn’t over do it and it wasn’t small either. “Cleaner” tasting than Tony Luke’s. Great beer selection. I was not disappointed with this place. Will return.

Temptations Cafe – Brookline

April 22, 2018 by Rich 30 Comments

4.5/5

As solid as a cafe can be. Come here for the quality sandwiches and paninis. Clean all around, and a germophobe haven.

I was in the mood for a quick bite. I was driving around the area and came across this place. I didn’t know they had another location out here in Brookline. Since I’m a big fan of the one on Huntington Ave I knew I had to stop by.

Food: See Pic (65%)
Taste to price 5/5
Quality to price 5/5
Portion to price 3.5/5
Average = 4.5

Service (20%)
Friendliness 4/5
Promptness 4/5
Average = 4

Cleanliness (15%)
Bathroom 5/5
Dining area 5/5
Kitchen area 5/5
Average = 5

Overall Score = [F(.65)]+[S(.20)]+C(.15)]
= [2.9]+[0.8]+[0.8]
= 4.5

What else: I love how clean the place is. I could literally eat off the floors. Friendly staff. Lots of tables and seats. Much larger than the Huntington location. Great for studying or getting work done. Come here for lunch.

Restaurant Reviews

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