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August 21, 2002

Redbones

Somerville, MA

BBQ

On your first visit, order the “Charred Plate of Meat”, or as the menu calls it “The BBQ Belt”. Served with slaw and beans, you will get a heaping sample of brisket, St. Louis Ribs, Memphis Dry Ribs, and Texas Ribs and Arkansas style ribs. If you are afraid your friends will be worried about you when they see you poised over your plate, a plate piled with nearly a foot high of flesh, then choose to sit downstairs where the mood is just right for enjoying wonderful BBQ in solitude. All meats are tender to the bone, and full of flavor. If you wish to add more sauce, you have a choice of hot, mild, sweet, and vinegar. Get a couple and have a food orgy, a couple of sauces that is.

Redbones also has sandwiches, BBQ chicken, Steaks, grilled shrimp, grilled fish, and some selections for vegetarians. I seldom have room for desserts but if you can manage choose from pecan pie, sweet potato pie., caramel custard or something called “white trash sundae”.

My favorite sides are the Corn Pudding and the Dirty Rice. The hushpuppies are tasty with a requisite dipping in any of the BBQ sauces. You can also choose from more then a dozen other sides including fried okra,corn fritters, onion rings, fries, collard greens and candied yams.

If you like beer, ask the downstairs bartender to share the “Beer Rolodex”, with listings and descriptions of dozens of brands, many from microbreweries.

Redbones

55 Chester St. Somerville, MA By car, 10 minutes North of Boston. If taking the T get off at Davis Square on the Red Line. 617-628-2200

Late night, Credit cards, Bar, Exceptional beer list, Casual, Catering, Street Parking

Lunch: Daily 11:30 am to 4 pm

Dinner: Daily 4 pm to 11 pm

What To Order: Any of the BBQ, fried Catfish, corn pudding

August 04, 2002

The Gumbo Pot

Los Angeles, CA

Cajun/Creole

Our rating: 1 fork

For over a dozen years, the Gumbo Pot continues to be a dependable source of tasty and pleasing Cajun food. Order at the counter, wait for your number and then grab a seat at one of the outdoor tables in Farmers Market. Try the seafood gumbo, jambalaya, shrimp or oyster po-boy, drunken shrimp, salad with pecan dressing, and New Orleans beignets. They also serve oysters on the half shell, Muffuletta, catfish and alligator.

Farmer's market is a treat in itself, with independent operators offering hundreds of items ranging from BBQ, Deli, Produce, Nuts, Hot Sauce, Ice Cream, Donuts, and many more edible and non-edible treats. LA favorites include Bob's Donuts, Dupar's, and Bennett's Ice Cream. Visit http://www.farmersmarketla.com/ for more info.

Next door to Farmers Market is the newly opened “The Groves”, a shopping and entertainment Mecca worthy of a visit. Check out the gigantic Apple Store.

Parking tip: Park in the validated lot at Farmers Market, enjoy dinner at the Gumbo Pot, then stroll in “The Groves”.

The Gumbo Pot

6333 W. 3rd St., Space 312 Los Angeles, CA 90036-3154 The Gumbo Pot is located in the Original Farmers Market, on Fairfax between Wilshire and Beverly. They are right next to Dupar's. 323-933-0358

Average Cost Per Person, excluding drinks:

Patio, *Hours vary so call first, Cash only, No alcohol, Casual, Entertainment

Lunch and Dinner: Mon-Sat 11:30 am to 9 pm

Lunch and Dinner: Sun 11:30 am to 7 pm

What To Order: Shrimp po-boy, Gumbo, Salad with pecan dressing, Beignets

The Gumbo Pot

Los Angeles, CA

Cajun/Creole

Our rating: 1 fork

For over a dozen years, the Gumbo Pot continues to be a dependable source of tasty and pleasing Cajun food. Order at the counter, wait for your number and then grab a seat at one of the outdoor tables in Farmers Market. Try the seafood gumbo, jambalaya, shrimp or oyster po-boy, drunken shrimp, salad with pecan dressing, and New Orleans beignets. They also serve oysters on the half shell, Muffuletta, catfish and alligator.

Farmer’s market is a treat in itself, with independent operators offering hundreds of items ranging from BBQ, Deli, Produce, Nuts, Hot Sauce, Ice Cream, Donuts, and many more edible and non-edible treats. LA favorites include Bob’s Donuts, Dupar’s, and Bennett’s Ice Cream. Visit http://www.farmersmarketla.com/ for more info.

Next door to Farmers Market is the newly opened “The Groves”, a shopping and entertainment Mecca worthy of a visit. Check out the gigantic Apple Store.

Parking tip: Park in the validated lot at Farmers Market, enjoy dinner at the Gumbo Pot, then stroll in “The Groves”.

The Gumbo Pot

6333 W. 3rd St., Space 312 Los Angeles, CA 90036-3154 The Gumbo Pot is located in the Original Farmers Market, on Fairfax between Wilshire and Beverly. They are right next to Dupar’s. 323-933-0358

Average Cost Per Person, excluding drinks:

Patio, *Hours vary so call first, Cash only, No alcohol, Casual, Entertainment

Lunch and Dinner: Mon-Sat 11:30 am to 9 pm

Lunch and Dinner: Sun 11:30 am to 7 pm

What To Order: Shrimp po-boy, Gumbo, Salad with pecan dressing, Beignets

August 01, 2002

Roma d'Italia

Tustin, CA

Italian

$20 to $30

Our rating: 3 forks

I have been enjoying very good Italian fare at Roma d’Italia since 1985. Favorites dishes include Tortellini Gustavo, chicken picatta, any of a number of eggplant dishes, pastas and Shrimp Parmesan (on request). Pizza is good, but not the mainstay of the house. Check the special board for other tempting choices. A recent special was fettuccine with fresh spinach in a wonderful Alfredo sauce. The tortellini Gustavo is filled with chicken and a taste of mushrooms, then covered with a creamy tomato sauce to kill for (leftovers are suitable for breakfast!).

Dine in or take out. Their house made salad dressing is a favorite and available by the bottle. Always popular, always a great place to dine with friends or family.

Roma d'Italia

611 El Camino Real Tustin, CA 92680 One block north of interstate five, off at Redhill. 714-544-0273

Average Cost Per Person, excluding drinks: $20 to $30

Table seating, Private room, Patio, No Reservations, Credit cards, Beer and wine, Casual, Smoking on patio

Lunch: Daily

Dinner: Daily

Best Dish: Italian salad dressing

What To Order: Tortellini Gustavo, Chicken Picatta, Chicken Parmesan