Vlora Restaurant (Mediterranean Cuisine), Boston, MA (Mediterranean)

September 2011

I have avoided Vlora for quite some time because it always seems to be excessively noisy when I stroll by, but I brought an out-of-town friend here for dinner a few days ago because I had a Bloom Spot certificate for 60 bucks (we paid only $0.60 for our meal...tipping on the full total of course...this is why I am so addicted to ALL certificate sites!!!) But I digress...
I was very impressed with the service and my meal! I must say I truly underestimated Vlora.

THE SERVICE:
Anyone who knows me is aware of my obsession with http://Opentable.com and collecting my points! AND that I always make sure I am checked it to avoid a "No Show" nasty gram from the website. This obsession is only second to buying certificates from groupon and the like.
I'd made a reservation via opentable and upon our arrival, the host could not locate it.  It clearly was a mistake on my part, but he allowed me the time to make a new reservation on my phone and honored it!  This started my evening off just right :0) It's the little things in life after all...
The wait staff were polite and quite attentive throughout our entire meal...keeping our water glasses full and simply making sure we were well tended to.
THE PROPERTY:
I really love the interior of this place.   There were intimate corners on the periphery indoors and on the outdoor patio, larger seating areas for groups, a lounge-like space with couches and coffee tables, and a bar area with hightops and a dark, modern feel.  All of this without the feeling of being closed in or claustrophobic.  The space was actually quite airy. It  seemed to have it all for whatever kind of mood you are in at the time.  
THE FOOD:
I started with the arancini which were fantastic.  I loved the addition of feta cheese folded into the rice.  It fused the Italian origin of the dish with the Mediterranean-driven menu.  My friend started with a healthy portion of minestrone soup (du jour) which she seemed to enjoy.
For my entrée, I enjoyed the pan-seared filet of basa.  This was my first time trying the white Mediterranean fish and it was very nice.  The fish was light and flaky and the outside slightly crisp, topped with tomato and bits of olive.  The sides were great as well (mashed potato and sautéed spinach).  Nothing lacked seasoning and the portions were perfect.
I am looking forward to visiting again ...on another peaceful Monday evening. 

www.vloraboston.com

Vlora accepts reservations through www.opentable.com 

Update (5/2012):

Lunch items @Vlora:

Veggie Moussaka

The Vegetarian Moussaka: layered medley of eggplant, zucchini, yellow squash, potato, swiss cheese, tomato, served with fresh, light garlic yogurt and cucumber sauce was fantastic!

Albanian Tava

The Albanian Tava: baked casserole of zucchini, yellow squash, potato, tomato, onion, okra, béchamel, parmiggiano, swiss cheese was amazing and the perfect portion for lunch!

Shrimp Saganaki: sauteed shrimp in a creamy tomato sauce!

My brief reviews off of Yelp (devotedfoodie.yelp.com )

These reviews are short and sweet but worth sharing with non-yelpers:

Alfredo's Italian Kitchen  

South Boston

I love their baked pastas! Especially the lasagna topped with sausage!!! Fantastic! The pasta is never dried-out and the seasoning is perfect!  The food is served piping hot every time and the portions are generous!

They have good steak tips as well.

The pizza is just so-so. 

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Clerys Bar & Restaurant  

 Back Bay(Boston)

I haven't been to Clery's in over a year, but it used to be a decent spot to park yourself for a nice bowl of clam chowder and a salad while waiting on the Acela.  Other than that, I cannot speak to the nightlife, but during lunch it's pretty subdued and decent.
The bar isn't too shabby and I've always had pretty friendly bar staff. 

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Lucky's Lounge  

Waterfront/South Boston

I enjoy Lucky Lounge whenever I mosey in for a cocktail to meet friends.  The live music is pretty great...love the big band musicians.  The bar tenders are friendly and super knowledgeable about bourbon and scotch....who wouldn't love that.  Heading into the darkness with the band and sizeable bar gives Lucky Lounge a speak easy type of feel....I can dig it! 

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Bahia Don Bravo   

909 Grand Ave
San Diego, CA 92109

Pacific Beach

I enjoyed the lobster chimichanga!  The filling was rich with bits of fresh lobster and the chimichanga nice and crisp as expected.  The taco salad was good, but the shell was a bit over-fried.  The beef and chicken enchiladas and beef nachos were all good as well.  Overall a quick meal.
The service was friendly and fast.

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The BeachWood  

4190 Mission Blvd
San Diego, CA 92109

Pacific Beach

The property is more impressive than the food (Sunday brunch). The rooftop deck and the open air dining on the main level gives great views of the beach, but the food was just so so for Sunday brunch.  The omelet bar and bottomless mimosas were the highlights.  Our hostess/waitress was also very accommodating being that I made our reservation (on http://opentable.com) for the incorrect restaurant and she still checked us in when I updated it....the little things...thanks Juliann! 

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See the Sea Hoa   

4461 Ocean Blvd
San Diego, CA 92109

Pacific Beach

We are renting a condo on this property for the week of Labor Day!  It is amazing with private parking,  both public and private balconies, jacuzzi, dry sauna, beautiful and modern furniture and appliances (in our unit) and out of this world views of the ocean which is just outside of all windows in the living room and master bath...so close to the beach that the sound of the waves rock you to sleep.

Rented via: www.homeaway.com THE best site for renting luxury condos for vacations around the world!

It's in walking distance to EVERYTHING!  This will be my go to place for weekly condo rentals here in San Diego from now on! 

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The Charlesmark Hotel  (LOUNGE)

655 Boylston St
Boston, MA 02116

Back Bay

This review is for the lounge only.

I've been going here every now and then for almost a year.  Only one bartender (an older gentleman who might be the bar manager) has any personality and a semblance of charm and manners.  The others are pretty obnoxious.

The appetizers are decent but not spectacular.
The decor is modern and cute.

The monthly wine tasting and other random charity events saves this place. 

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28 Degrees   

1 Appleton St
Boston, MA 02116

South End

Love the martinis, LOVE the bartenders even more!  The service is phenomenal at 28 degrees!  I am a superfan of vodka and at least 2 bartenders here have turned me onto a few vodkas I'd likely never have tried because I am such a Ketel One chick!  They are knowledgeable and very friendly.  I love going here and chatting it up over cocktails.  Management, decor, and ambiance are superb and though I've rarely have a full meal here (only a fabulous sweet pea ravioli), I always enjoy the apps I order, especially the curry lobster rangoon, pork shumai, and tuna tartare. 

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Osushi  

10 Huntington Ave
Boston, MA 02116

Back Bay

7/28/2011

I love the view of the Library and Copely from windows and the fact that I can shop before or after my meal, but I almost never find the staff particularly friendly.
However, the sushi is great, but I will forever avoid ordering most of the cooked dishes....sometimes sushi places must stick with what they know. 

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The Hen House Wings 'n Waffles  

1033 Massachusetts Ave
Boston, MA 02118

Newmarket Square

Chicken n' Waffles...can there be a better combination for a fried food, carb-heavy craving?  I think not!
From the staff to the food, everything is fantastic.  I am a super fan of the chicken wings and tenders, but haven't found a side dish to write home about.  The sweet potato battered fried chicken and sweet potato waffles are just ok.... 

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Boston Pizza Express  

1026A Commonwealth Ave
Boston, MA 02215

I order from here through http://www.foodler.com when I am craving fried food.  The pizza and most of the apps are pretty terrible but the wings (plain and buffalo) always soothes my cravings!
The beef and lamb gyro WITH fries is also pretty delicious.
The food always arrives piping hot. 

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La Verdad  

1 Lansdowne St
Boston, MA 02215

Fenway

Best queso (fundido) in Boston and most interesting taco fillings.
I love the duck carnitas.

 La Verdad has great food, good margaritas and service.  It's also a cool corner for people watching when there's an event in the area. 

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Cactus Club Restaurant & Bar  

939 Boylston St
Boston, MA 02115

Back Bay

I ALWAYS have POOR service here!  I can't bear to go back.
Most of the food is sub par except for the avocado flautas that used to be on the menu and possibly the taco salad. 

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Salsa's  

118 Dorchester St
Boston, MA 02127

South Boston

No one has Sangria like Salsa's in Southie!  They infuse their beautifully prepared sangria with sticks of cinnamon.  It is hands-down THE best sangria I have ever tasted.  It's rich and not lacking in the kick department.

They have failed to impress me with entrees but their homemade salsa is perfectly chunky and spicy and the mahi mahi chowder is absolutely amazing! 

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Mumbai Chopstix  

254 Newbury St
Boston, MA 02116

Back Bay

I came across this spot as i was walking up Newbury Street, leaving my hair salon (G20 Spa) and the aroma picked me up and dragged me inside!

I decided to try the buffet which had a few tasty items (manchurian meatballs, peppered beef) which could have been changed out more often to ensure they remain hot.  My server could also have benefited from learning and understanding the available wine selections.

Next visit, I will order off of the menu and write an update.  Actually, I have a http://restaurant.com certificate to use! 

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Masa  

439 Tremont St
Boston, MA 02116

South End

The bartenders tend to be lazy and not very attentive. I've experienced this on a number of occasions. The food is generally good and the sangria is fair. They do carry my favorite scotch and bourbon which makes up for the bar service slightly.
Brunch here is really good.  The $1.00 tapas (I believe on Thursday evenings) are pretty interesting as well.  Salsa lessons are also given once per week.

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Teranga Restaurant (Senegalese Cuisine), Boston, MA

Chef Mendy and me

 October 2011

Charming Charming Charming.....in every aspect!  The atmosphere: cozy and comfortable!  The food: fantastic!  Chef/Owner Marie-Claude Mendy as well-put together, humble and charming as she was on Bravo's Chopped!  I must admit, ending a meal having a lovely conversation (and taking pics with...) Marie-Claude was simply wonderful!

Our waitress was friendly and personable.  She added to the comfortable, welcoming atmosphere.

Dinner:

Starters:

I enjoyed the fish cakes (Croquettes de poisson) were light and nicely flavored.  The cilantro+garlic sauce was a nice, fresh addition.

The shrimp skewers (Brochettes de Crevettes) had just the right amount of kick.  The jumbo shrimp were perfectly grilled!

The fried black eyed pea batter (Accara) left much to be desired. There was a hinted flavor of black eyed peas but the 'fritter' itself was dry and not too appealing.  The tomato-onion sauce added the intrigue the dish was missing.  It was tangy and packed a bit of a kick.

Entree:

The grilled tilapia (Yassa Djeun) was out of this world and left us picking over the bones of the carcass!  I LOVE a whole fish (head and all)!

The National Dish (Thiébou Djeun) was a beautiful dish!  The King fish was perfectly cooked, especially for such a hearty fish...it was not dried out as it easily could have been.  The description of 'herb-stuffed' however was bit ambitious. Though it was seasoned very well, the actual herb 'stuffing' was sparse.  The broken jasmine rice and stewed veggies (cabbage, pumpkin, etc.) were fantastic.




Dessert:

We ordered the beignets.  One of my dinner companions is from NOLA..these were like no other beignets I've ever had.  They were more so like doughnut holes.  They were moist and the crème anglaise sauce was great.

I washed all of this down with a glass of ginger juice!


Just what the South End ordered!

This place is definitely on my list of top 10 spots for gastric satisfaction!