An Update.

I was eating the most divine baked egg whites with smoked salmon and chive-cheese in a Soho cafe when the guilt hit. As a master guilt evader, I continued to eat. And rave. And in some small measure of consolation, think-write this blog in my head. I took pictures when I could, made incidents of funny food stories in my light green moleskin and generally convinced myself that I would write. That night. The day after. The weekend?

Fifty One weekends too many, I am on my Palo Alto couch, finally admitting that I have a problem. You see, even if only three humans are reading this (Beep -- I know you are and you do count), I have this need to finish my top 20 Boston eat-outs before I can write about all the other places that have fed me this past year (Madras, Delhi, Belgium, Brugge, London, Burford, SFO, Milpitas, Sunnyvale, New York...). So when I am eating the crab pepper fry at Anjappar on Sunday afternoon or eating a second round of potato-roast (best before noon on Sundays only) at Komala Vilas, the Bloggakrishnen in me wants to rush back home and write (usually, after a nap) but there are just 12 more Boston reviews (already outlined on my yellow pad) to write before my OCD will let me actually move focus to the Bay Area.

This sheepish update, unfortunately, does not really help the situation. I am just writing to say I am going to start writing again.

SB x

11) East Coast Grill's Sunday Latin Brunch - Grill/Seafood - Inman Square - Yes, this is a big meat eater's brunch place. But if you eat eggs and want something fun to do on a Sunday late morning - head to this blue, open restraunt on Inman which serves grilled avocado, molasses glazed bananas (like pazha vevichathu, if you grew up in Kerala - served with or without pulled pork) and dusted sweet potato chips in addition to their famous small plate brunches with limitless options for meat eaters (bacon grits, NY Sirlion, fish tacos, pork carnitas with papaya, smoked duck). Veggie options are slightly more limited - but nowhere near disappointing. Try the cornbread crusted french toast with maple syrup if you are feeling really indulgent but the eggs with mexican sides leave as much to be excited about.

Also, its right next to Christina's Homemade Ice cream. I am not a fan myself of the chilled lactose - but I know people who swear inheritances on the khulfi scoops. If I was forced to eat a scoop of ice cream though, I would settle for something less exotic - maybe the orange chocolate? I have always had a thing for those Terry's Orange Chocolate Balls. :)

10) Finale's Creme Brulee' - Dessert, Wine - H Square - There are desert haunts - yes, those that serve great molten cake (Rialto) and Michigan Cherry Pie (Pesti Pies), boston cream (ooh, and german chocolate) cakes (Rosies') and upside down pineapple loafs (Mike's). And then, there is Finale. Set in a 1950 theatre cafe fashion with red velvet upholstery (speaking of red velvet - Sweet on the Square has a todiefor $2 mini red velvet cupcake) this desert and wine cafe (they serve salads and sandwiches at lunch and as non dessert dinners) makes the world's best (yes, best) Creme Brulee. My favourite birthday celebration gimmick is to have one of the pastry chefs brulee the creme at the table - the crispy sugar crust gives even the molten chocolate cake (moist, warm, with berries) a run for its money. Find a table by the window after dinner and end a H square meal (preferably, a light H square meal) with a (shared?) creme brulee. Should you be in the mood (and why would you not?), splurge on the sherry flight : what better finale to a night?

9) El Buen Gusto - Salvadorean/Latin American - East Boston - We found this place by absolute fluke while discovering East Boston with a friend (she was visiting from New York and I was proving that I could show visitors more than Harvard Square - which, it turns out, I really cannot). After walking in and out of three somewhat shady right-out-of-a-mehico-movie restaurants, we stumbled on EBG. We were hot, hungry and irritable but I want to think the papusas were fantastic notwithstanding any of that. In fact, I am certain they were because I walked home with one in a box and they tasted just as good at 8 PM after a few mins in the oven. Equally super - fried bananas + real cream sauce. Delish!

8) Mike's Pastry - Italian Bakery-North End - The only other drawback to the Giacomo experience, is the lack of a dessert menu. But this is easily solved. Walk over to the opposite side of the road to the big North End institution (another long line) - Mike's Pastry. Only, do not eat the Cannoli (ugh) like everyone will say you should - unless you like disgustingly full cream puffs, that is. Instead, steal a seat if you can (easier service) or if it is a nice day, get a box of their pista macaroons (look scary green - but taste OH so good!) and a cappuccino with a sugar swirler to go and sit on the grass just opposite Hay Market and see the Boston Skyline.

Another plan - if you are done with dinner in time for a show, go to the Boston Improvcomedy show two blocks away - preferably, after a few shots of Grappa @ one of the numberous gelato/dessert places on the block.

MEA in Cambridge MA (Part 3)

7) Berry Line - Fro Yo - Arrow St., H Square - Yes, Pink Berry, the eternal CA summer loves you. And yes, Georgetown, the country's richest feast on alumni produced frozen yogurt.

But can someone please get it together for Harvard Square's alumni-run hole in the wall that has changed my life and staple dinner?

At 25 calories an oz for yogurt that does not taste like yogurt (and i mean that in the best way possible), this store is a treat! They sometimes come up with flavors like Nutella that promises to be fantastic but tastes like filth (ugh- I am re-tasting that small flavor cup right about now), but if you stick to the basics (original, passion fruit, xyzberry) and smile extra, they are generous with the dry toppings (chocolate, reeses peanut butter cups, walnuts, oreo) even if that sort of kills the point of the 25 calorie base.

Also, make sure you ask for a frequent froyo card for them to stamp - every 10 cups (any size) ~ free midsize + one topping. Tip for regulars : lure unsuspecting friends to the store, embellish at length the nature of the fro yo experience, get their stamp on your card while they take their time getting addicted.

Expect loooong lines. Tip to avoid lines - (a) go at odd hours of the afternoon (easier to get more toppings from friendly staff), (b) walk further to the lame Mass Ave outlet and get an extra topping as reward for the mile walked or (c) sell out and go to Herrells (apparently yum) to get some ice cream (ew) smoosh-in thingis that everyone seems to love or, worse, try their fro-yos (oh, just stand in line @ BL!).