Eat Cheap

This months Improper Bostonian has an article on meals under ten bucks. Talk of the small plates at Z-Squared are of particular interest to me, I love that place.

>> Boston On The Go - Cheaper Eats

All Frills Comedy Hour

Live laugh love oh yeah and eat! Thats my motto, this comedy night has the best of it all.

Come out for the inaugural night of the soon to be hottest comedy show in the Boston metro area! Join host Jeff Ferguson and an all star line up including Late Night with Conan Obrien feature Shane Mauss, Brian Moote, Kris Earle, Joe Wong, Doug Chagnon, Scotty Lombardo, Chris Penne, Mike Pincus, and Josh Gondelman, as they make your belly ache after a great meal!!

Here's the thing, i am unable to find any other details about this event, so I am still wondering about the free meal, but if it is in fact so-how can this get any better! Either way, it's free and laughter will definitely be involved.

All Frills Comedy Hour
Bocellis Ristorante
374 Main St. Medford
Thursday 1/17
8:00pm
FREE!

>>Official website

La Hacienda

I could always use more shady in my life, as well as a good down to earth place to grab dinner and a beer. Just came across this review of La Hacienda in Somerville and it looks right up my alley.

But while it indeed is seen by many as simply a dive bar, it really is more of an Italian-American restaurant that serves a wide variety of dishes. The surprisingly extensive menu includes such familiar dishes as ravioli, lasagna, veal marsala, chicken piccata, shrimp scampi and the like.

While diners often come to La Hacienda to order full dinner entrees, what many others come here for is one thing, and one thing only: Bar pizza. The bar pies at La Hacienda are simply tremendous.

Added to my list of places to go - Check.

La Hacienda
46 Medford Street
Somerville, MA

>> La Hacienda Review

Breakfast in Somerville

I recently posted about Ball Square Cafe and Breakfast. In it I mentioned I had plans to go to Sound Bites next door, but was drawn away due to the line outside in the rain. My review was pretty great, so I find it only fair to now add Sound Bites point of view.

I went to Sound Bites on a Sunday morning. 9:30am in hopes to beat a rush. Surprisingly went well. As we were being seated I looked out and the line had formed down the building. There was only two groups ahead of us. Point! for being seated as a group of 6 in a timely fashion.
Point! When you are in line, you can take turns with your fellow breakfast eaters, to run in and grab a coffee from the self serve station and go back outside with it. They also have some pretty delicious flavors. Snickerdoodle, Chocolate Raspberry, Pumpkin Spice, as well as all the usual suspects.
NEGATIVE! They make your hot chocolate for you, which is completely acceptable, EXCEPT, they make it taste like hot water. I was so disappointed. I had to in addition get a coffee.
The food was delicious, I don't know if I can make it a point though because it was the same chef who started both.
NEGATIVE! They are quick to get you out. I like to linger and chat and take my time. Luckily the owner did not snap at us, they were just quick to take plates, but they asked every time if we were done before grabbing them. I had expected so much worse. What I think was funny was an obvious regular commented to the owner when he came to get their plates "You are not yourself today"
Which would I go to? It is hard because i got VERY different things each time. Once i got stuffed french toast. Another: an omelet with sausage. So both places have great food, I think I would alternate. The atmosphere is definitely chicer at Ball Square Cafe. Thats my two cents, now everyone else can decide which they prefer.

Here is the fun part, there is rumor to be feud between the two. The chef left to go next door and now they hate each other. I need facts people-who has them! Comment, please let me know.

>>My Ball Square Cafe review.

Brunch in Somerville?

Of course, I have heard great things about Sound bites, so I was headed over there. I found parking a few blocks away, and it was pouring outside. Stupid nor'easter in November. I had heard there would be a crazy line outside , but I thought, seriously? today? No way. I was wrong. The line wasn't long, but it was definitely outside, and did i mention it was pouring? As my friends and I stood outside for a few minutes we realized we were standing next to Ball Square Cafe and breakfast. It looked nice, but i think what drew us in was no line, and it was dry.
Entering Ball Square Cafe and breakfast was a great choice! Upon entering, the owner greeted us and pointed us to a table. They had granite/marble tables with a dark look. It had exposed brick, which i think is classy. In addition, they had black paper napkins. Now I understand they were still paper napkins, but the black added a little more to the class scale.
For food, it was delicious! It was not your regular diner menu. Think of it as omelette's for dinner. An omelet with peppers, spinach, and feta. Or how about some borsin? I myself chose the banana stuffed french toast. The portions are huge! I definitely over ate. Another bonus was get your own beverage. They had a coffee station with tea as well as a cooler with soda, juice and other cold drinks. The waitress will make espresso and hot chocolate, and it seems like home made whipped cream.
If you grew up in Somerville, you will know the owner. He apparently knows everyone! We mentioned we were from Somerville and he actually said "no you're not." He welcomed everyone that came in, and most of them by name. Very personable and friendly.
HIGHLY recommend this place. Have yet to be to sound bites, and i will make it there someday, but i just find it hard to stand in line for some place that they will yell at you, when there is a pleasant atmosphere just next door. Literally.

Ball Square Cafe and Breakfast
708 Broadway
Somerville

Holy Burrito

As if there isn't enough burrito places as it is, a new one is opening up in Harvard and Davis: Chipotle. Try all you want, but I doubt you will replace my beloved Anna's.

>> There’s a New Burrito on the Block

Tommy Doyle's Special

This is a win - win situation. You go to Tommy Doyle's, you drink some beers, you watch the sox, you mention their website, you get a FREE appitizer.

Tommy Doyle's
Harvard Square
96 Winthrop St
Cambridge

>> Tommy Doyle's

Oh Boloco, how i love you

In response to an op-ed about Boloco being unhealthy, Boloco CEO defends the ways of Boloco and extends an offer of free burritos to any one that prints the op-ed and brings it in on June 4 - 5th. Note that this offer says good in Boston and Hanover but it worked in Cambridge and Somerville as well. I hit up the Harvard Square location on my way home from work and also got a free sample of the soy smoothie. Diane stopped at the Davis Square location and they were giving out free full size smoothies of your choice. It was a delicious free dinner for all, so what if it was 14 weight watcher points. I'm gonna be honest, I don't even know what that means

>> The Dartmouth Op-Ed
>> Boloco

Qdoba

I know there are quite a few people that would be angry with me for writing this, but I am OK with that. Anna's seems to be the preferred taco joint round these parts. But I don't think Qdoba is that bad, in fact I like it better. I guess it helps that I don't eat burritos only dang quesadilla's. So, I don't feel bad about telling you in Porter Square when you purchase an adult meal, you can receive a free kids meal. Only on Sunday and Monday's between 4p-8p. This is available until June 30th at the Porter Square location. (In the plaza with Shaw's and Dunkin Donuts)

Pinocchio's

Late last night, after a kickball game and some pitchers at Redline we stopped by Pinocchio's for a slice. I had never been. It was delicious! I got the Sicilian deep dish artichoke. I wish i could have another right now. Cheap, fast, and tasty. Perfect stop in between bars.

Since this question came up last night, what is Sicilian pizza?

Sicilian pizza, also known as Sfincione (or Sfinciuni in Sicilian language) is a variety of pizza with ingredients incorporated into the dough, instead of just placed on top. This variety of pizza originates from Palermo, Sicily. An authentic recipe does not use mozzarella cheese, often adding small chunks of pecorino cheese and bits of anchovies. In America, Sicilian pizza usually refers to an altogether different variety, consisting of a thick square dough and toppings on top instead of inside the dough. (Wikipedia)

Pinocchio's
74 Winthrop St (next to Berks)
Harvard Square

Cheap is the Word

The next best thing to free food is cheap food. There are a lot of places that have really good happy hours. I can't tell you how many times I have spent a Friday night after work hanging out at Uno's just because of their cheap appetizers. I decided to branch out recently, and I thought I would take you guys with me. Here is just the beginning to a very long list of happy hour specials in Cambridge and Somerville.

Uno
Harvard and Porter Square
Sunday-Friday
3p-7p and then again 10p-closing (12:30a)
In the lounge they have "snack hour" most of their appetizers (but watch out not all) are 1.99 or 2.99.

Grendal's Den
Harvard Square
All food is half price 5p-7:30p and then again 9p-11:30p Sunday through Thursday.
They also have the Sunday Seven. Seven items are listed for $1 from 8p-11:30p.
Chips and Salsa, 4 Bean Chili, Hummus bi Tahini, Pasta w/Pesto, Pasta w/Puttanesca, Cheese Quesadilla, and a Hamburger. (Minimum $3 beverage)

Orlean's
Davis Square
1/2 price appetizers 4p-7p weekdays.

Bukowski's Tavern
1281 Cambridge St.
Burgers and Hot Dogs for $1.69 until 8p weekdays.

Jasper White's Summer Shack
149 Alewife Brook Parkway
$3 Apps
4p-6:30p Mon.-Fri.
Only in the lounge.

Noir
Charles Hotel Harvard Square
5-4-3-2-1-0 Unwind special.
$5 Sandwiches, $4 Flatbreads, $3 Salads, $2 Skewers, $1 Sweets, and $0 Nuts.
5p-7p Mon.-Fri.

El Guapo's
704 Broadway-Somerville.
1/2 price Margarita's and appetizers. Wednesday's.
This is the only place i have heard of that has half price beverages!

Redbones
Davis Square
1/2 price appetizers in the upstairs bar.
4p-6p Mon-Fri.

And there you have it. As I said, I am sure there is more to love. If you want feel free to let me know about your favorite! Also, make sure you are careful, some places only offer happy hours in the lounge. I tried to find out all the info I could, but they aren't all so easy to find online.

Crepe's in Davis Square

Word on the street is that Mr. Crepes has opened in Davis square (where someday cafe used to be) with a limited menu.

>> Mr. Crepe returns
>> Mr Crepe - without the crepes!

Free Pizza

No joke, free pizza. Once a week Johnny D's closes its kitchen and orders out. The offer is good every Monday from 6:30 - 8pm but I suggest showing up on the earlier side. Trivia starts at 8:30 and the crowd trickles in around quarter of 8. This creates what we will call the pizza squeeze. The bar honors their offer and gives out pizza tickets when the pizza runs out, but waiting for the delivery boy (remember they order out) can be painful and unfulfilling as the crowd tackles only a few pizzas when they arrive.

So my advice:
Arrive around 7 with some good friends. Enjoy plentiful and free pizza. Discuss an array of intellectually hot topics (its good to spout out smart comments before trivia starts to even out the harsh truth that you probably won't answer any questions correctly later). Drink a few beers. By the time 8:30 rolls around you will be pleasantly full and have that slight buzz that will allow you to overcome any answer apprehension (you still won't get any right, but at least you will show confidence).

If this doesn't sounds like a good idea you could always swing by after a long day at work, eat pizza and drink PBR in a dark corner alone, slip out before the crowd arrives, and be home in time to catch the newest episode of whatever ridiculous reality show is on Monday nights. Whatever floats your boat.

>> Johnny D's