160 Chicken fajitas at Cafe Sol Azteca
This dish more so than perhaps any other I go back and forth on where to rank. The simplicity of the dish calls for a circa 200 ranking, but the consistent execution demands top 100 attention. And therefore- here we are. For some nicely sauteed onions, excellent refried beans and some of the juiciest, tender chicken, make your way to this Newton Centre back alley. Do not expect the same level of quality from sister Sol Azteca outside the Fenway area.
161 Crab Cake at Roadhouse Cafe
I can put chicken soup on this list if it were at Roadhouse. Representing one of the top 10 restaurants I have ever been to in the world, is the Southwest Florida strip mall favorite- Roadhouse Cafe. I'm really not kidding on the strip mall part. If you have the courage to enter the front door, you will be instantly reassured that you made the right choice.
162 Salmon at No. 9 Park
At Barbara Lynch's flagship location near the State House in Boston lies the elegant French restaurant- No. 9 Park. There isn't much to dislike here and the salmon did not disaapoint. What did disappoint is the fact that it's no longer on the menu... bring it back Babs!
163 Crepe @ Union League Cafe
Old French elegance invites you into Union League Cafe and helps you forget that you were in New Haven in the first place. Their crepes with grand marnier pastry and orange cream envelopes your taste buds and makes you forget the calories.
164 Macaiello pizza at Marta
This classy spot inside the Redbury Hotel would certainly leave you questioning me sending you there for pizza. But when you see sopressata, guanciale, pork sausage on top of a mozzarella AND gran padano pizza- you will understand why you are there and will certainly enjoy the salivation anticipation.
165 Crab cake at Michael's
Considered as a strong power lunch spot in Midtown Manhattan, this refined, old-money spot features a few excellent dishes and a couple others that will leave you disappointed. Make sure to grab this crab cake and pair it with the ground ribeye burger. A weird combination I know but one not to disappoint.
166 Sicilian Pizza Slice at Umberto's Long Island
Local legends are things we like to dismiss. After all we are all food critics who have traversed the world...twice- right? All kidding aside we always want to discount the local spots with their regional charm. Although, I also really enjoy to be proven wrong. And that's what happened here with the idyllic sicilian slice.
167 Baked ziti at La Cascia's
Basically take 166 and control x here. Although this time I worked down the street from this local legend. For a deli in a strip mall, it's amazing to see multiple dishes crack the top 200. The red sauce here will beat most of its more well known competitors in that Italian neighborhood in the North part of Boston, what's it called again?
168 Bread at Chopps
Take Parker dinner rolls, add large shreds of sea salt, lather them in butter and throw them in the oven. A simple idea that almost everyone forgets we love! Everyone but Chopps. And a few others to be named at a later date...
169 Chicken Tikka Masala at Punjabi Grille
For some reason outside of Boston you have excellent Indian food. It's one of those unspoken phenomenons that leaves you adding and correlating in your head only to go- " huh, I never realized that." Here in Davis Square you will find some very rich masala sauce that plays host to tender pieces of cubed chicken with just a hint of spice. Can't go wrong with this choice.
170 Lobster Bisque at Delmonico's
Who doesn't want to indulge themselves in a 5+ room, gorgeous legendary throwback in downtown New York City? Ok, no one? Excellent- go to this country's first "restaurant" and home of the Baked Alaska (disappointing I know) and enjoy the lobster bisque- one of the top 5 this seafood fan has ever had.
171 Bread at The Boathouse
Ummmm.... see 168. These weren't as warm. Simple enough.
172 Meatballs at Parker & Quinn
Who would think of red sauce and cheese at a restaurant with two Irish guys names? Well apparently the idiot who wrote this did. And just like the two fine scholars who invented champagne, I hit a bit of a culinary jackpot with these meatballs. An elegant restaurant with a variety of food options that consistently deliver, creative cocktail concoctions and a great proximity to some of the best rooftops spell out D-A-T-E S-P-O-T. Chances are if you've gone here with me, I kind of like you... ;)
173 Breaded lemon veal at Osteria Romana
Apparently Tuscany decided to move itself to Monroe, Connecticut. Every dish here delivers authentic Italian and the Cypress trees reaffirm that yup, Tuscany did in fact move itself to Monroe.
174 Gnocchi at Trattoria Peperoncino
It's Italy. It's Florence. It's near the heart of the action. Hate to make sweeping generalizations but it's most likely going to be great. Add it concierge recommendation and you are almost guaranteeing very good quality. Grab the gnocchi, get the eggplant and then scadattle out of there. "Nothing to look at everyone. Don't act like you're not impressed..."
175 Burrata at Parker & Quinn
Hi again! I see you're back for more at one of my ultimate date recommendations. I have to say this won't be your last adventure to see these two Irish lads on thee blog me lad. Del Frisco's grille menu, coupled with elegant red and black leather seats and raised booths and a top 50 cocktail bar worthy menu will have you marching over there like you have this date in the bag.
176 Angus Burger at Caliope
Hola! Como estas mi amigos? Cuando vas a Ciudad de Panama, come here! Caliope features an elegant second floor restaurant complete with chandeliers, portraits, a mid-restaurant ivy vine that leads to an open air lounge and some of the very best food you can find in Panama. While not a city known for its culinary prowess, it won't disappoint.
177 Lobster Bisque at Pol Po
Another throwback on this list! In a town where restaurants consistently disappoint and overhype, Pol Po brings home a great lobster bisque. Slightly spiced but beautifully creamy, this bisque will surely impress you (especially when compared to the rest of Greenwich).
178 Pepperoni Pizza at Bill's Newton Center
You don't necessarily think the Jewish town of Newton Center when you think pizza but this greek-esque style pizza packs a punch. In a rare change of pace, the cheese itself is better on the pepperoni pizza! Not to mention the pepperoni perfectly frames the pizza. The buttery crust and grease sure aren't part of the Atkins diet so be sure to get a workout in beforehand.
179 Steak Tips at La Cascia's
Why hello again there La Cascia's, nice to see you again. Like i said, one of the best strip mall delis you will find. Here you will find perfectly marinated steak tips that are sure to steal your heart and the space between your teeth- so grab a fork and some toothpicks and enjoy.
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