My Favorite Restaurants

This blog may not be of much interest to those of you who don't live anywhere in the vicinity of eastern Massachusetts, but if you ever have the opportunity to visit the greater Boston area, you should make a point to check out a few of my local favorites!!

Filho's (Acton and Groton)

Type of cuisine: Italian

Our favorite dishes: fried ravioli, ravioli di aragosta, chicken carciofi, tiramisu the size of your head, lots of daily specials

What makes it special: We love the personal attention of our favorite server, Hans (who not only shows you photos of the daily special, but makes homemade limoncello for featured cocktails on a regular basis), as well as visits from Rick, the manager, but the whole experience makes you feel like a local. The food is delicious and homey, and there's always enough to bring a little bit home. 

What else do I need to know?: They have a lovely outdoor dining area, and it's a great place for lunch.

Bottom line: Delicious comfort food at incredibly reasonable prices. 

Lucia's Tavola (Ayer)

Type of cuisine: Steak, pasta, seafood

Our favorite dishes: Bolognese, risotto di mare, "Aunt Fil's 'World Famous' Lentil Soup"

What makes it special: Delicious food, amazing steaks, lovely ambiance, fabulous bartenders 

What else do I need to know?: There's a charming outdoor eating area in the brick-lined alley behind the restaurant, with heaters when needed; if you're lucky, someone will have a birthday and one of the waiters will start singing to the honoree in Italian

Bottom line: Elegant, terrific specials, high-end food at "suburb" prices, a marvelous wine list

Eddie V's (Burlington)

 

Type of cuisine: Steak and seafood

Our favorite dishes: the crab fried rice (OMG THE CRAB FRIED RICE), a marvelous wine list, the smoked Old Fashioned (seriously, order one even if you don't usually drink Old Fashioneds), whatever the steak special is, filet mignon with the parmesan and horseradish crust, lobster bisque

What makes it special: Excellent, fantastically fresh (and perfectly cooked) steak and seafood, high-end food at non-Boston prices, a wonderful jazz combo playing in the bar most nights, a gorgeous chandelier

What else do I need to know: Stop and make a request from the band; they're amazing and they'd love to play for you

Bottom line: Elegant dining without being pretentious

Capital Grille (Burlington and Chestnut Hill)

  

Type of cuisine: High-end steak and seafood

Our favorite dishes: lobster bisque, filet mignon, tomahawk veal chop, lobster mac & cheese

What makes it special: the best steak outside of Boston, an absolutely amazing wine list, truly top-notch service

What else do I need to know: Oscar-style steak is the way to go; ask to speak to the sommelier for a truly wonderful wine recommendation (and a fascinating conversation)

Bottom line: By far the most high-end service on this list

The Chateau (Waltham, Andover, Burlington, 8 other locations) 

Type of cuisine: Italian, seafood

Our favorite dishes: fried ravioli, the BREAD!, lasagna, the Italian Trios

What makes it special: family run (RIP, Lou Nocera), comfort food, really fast service, delicious Italian classics

What else do I need to know: the waitstaff is all locals so chat with them

Bottom line: Homey, comfort food, fast service, family-oriented, and always enough to bring home leftovers

Burton's Grille (Burlington, Westford, North Andover, 4 other locations in MA)

Type of cuisine: American pub food

Our favorite dishes: Southwest chicken salad, Bolognese, burgers, lobster mac & cheese

What makes it special: casual and low-key atmosphere but excellent food

What else do I need to know: the steak add-ons (crab-stuffed shrimp duo, caramelized onions, mushroom rosemary demi glace, and aged bleu cheese sauce) are heavenly

Bottom line: The food isn't fussy, it's just fresh, delicious, and perfectly prepared

Charcoal Guido's (Waltham)

Type of cuisine: casual Italian, pizza

Our favorite dishes: Arrosticini, arroncini, lamb chops, pizza, all the desserts 

What makes it special: casual, family-owned, delicious classic Italian food

What else do I need to know: it's a little crowded and noisy, but the food is well worth it and the waitstaff is accommodating - and fun!

Bottom line: Classic Italian food, amazing pizza, great prices

Beijing Tokyo (Acton)

Type of cuisine: Chinese, Japanese

Our favorite dishes: sushi, beef with broccoli, orange chicken, Peking ravioli

What makes it special: fresh, well-prepared Asian-American cuisine, wonderful sushi, great for take-out or eat-in

What else do I need to know: The food is beautiful as well as delicious

Bottom line: For high-quality Asian-American fare (Chinese standards and elegant sushi), this is the place to go

Not Your Average Joe's (Acton, Waltham)

Type of cuisine: Standard American

Our favorite dishes: cheese steak rolls, BBQ meatloaf, mustard chicken, burgers, sweet potato fries

What makes it special: it's a chain, but it's a reliable chain that makes fresh, predictable, but delicious dishes

What else do I need to know: All the locations have interesting decor and relatively speedy service

Bottom line: As chain restaurants go, this is one of the better-quality chains

As Good As It Gets (Acton, Wilmington, Norwood)

Type of cuisine: Standard breakfast and lunch fare; think high-end diner

Our favorite dishes: French toast (especially with real maple syrup), paninis, home fries

What makes it special: it's what IHOP ought to be: delicious, hearty, good-quality breakfasts and lunch sandwiches

What else do I need to know: The coffee and the hot chocolate are both excellent; the menu is surprisingly varied if you want heartier fare (steak tips, baked haddock, interesting salads and subs, etc.).

Bottom line: A local gem and an excellent place to take guests when you want a hearty breakfast you don't have to cook yourself 

TC Lando's (Acton, Clinton, Hudson, Leominster)

Type of cuisine: Pizza, subs, salads, burritos

Our favorite dishes: Chicken parmesan sub, steak subs, fajita wrap

What makes it special: Delicious (and HUGE) subs, quick service; great place for an order-ahead, grab-and-go lunch

What else do I need to know: It's the hit of the high school set, so don't try to grab lunch when school's in session or you'll have to wait a while

Bottom line: Best place in town for a fresh, high-quality sub made fast

Honorable Mentions (Worth Checking Out)

Rapscallion Table & Tap (Acton, Concord, Spencer, Sturbridge)

Frolic and Detour (Acton)

Atlantic Sea Grill (Acton)

New London Style Pizza (Acton)

Tempo (Waltham)

City Streets (Waltham)

The Federal (Waltham)

Ruth's Chris Steakhouse (Waltham, Boston, Somerville)

John Brewer's Tavern (Waltham, Malden)

Grassfields (Waltham, Andover)

2023 Oscars: Red Carpet Preview

The 2023 Oscar nominations have been announced! The awards themselves aren't until March 12, but let's take a look at the red carpet styles we can expect to see there. Here are some of the most notable looks some of the nominees have sported on past red carpets, and my predictions of what we're likely to see them wearing on the red carpet in March. 

Leading Actress

Cate Blanchett

2020 Golden Globes, in Mary Katrantzou

2016 Oscars, in Giorgio Armani

Blanchett's not afraid of haute couture, but she also knows how to wear classic Hollywood glamour. She wears a variety of designers, including standards like Armani, Valentino, and Dolce & Gabbana, but also less familiar names. She could show up in pretty much anything (and look fabulous), but I predict she'll opt for classic over couture this year. 

Ana de Armas

2022 Governors Awards, in Louis Vuitton

2022 Venice Film Festival, in Louis Vuitton

As a Louis Vuitton "brand ambassador," you can count on de Armas to be wearing a Vuitton design to the Oscars. Most likely black, black-and-white, or midnight blue, although if she does opt for a color, is will most likely be a soft pink.  

Andrea Riseborough

2019 BFI London Film Festival, in Alberta Ferretti

2022 "Amsterdam" world premiere, in Paco Rabanne

With her long, lean figure, it's not surprising that Riseborough favors fitted, clinging columns and trumpet styles. I predict a soft, sleeveless, probably bias-cut gown with interesting seaming and lines. 

Michelle Williams

2017 Golden Globes, in Louis Vuitton

2016 Tony Awards, in Louis Vuitton

Williams' red carpet style has been all over, from frumpy ruffles to elegant metallic sheaths to prim and stark black and white. She's worked with Louis Vuitton for the last decade, so expect another Vuitton look, but hopefully one that's closer to her 2016 Tony Award look than some other, less-flattering styles she's worn of late.

Michelle Yeoh

2019 Oscars, in Elie Saab

2022 Met Gala, in Prabal Gurung

Yeoh looks gorgeous in anything, but she tends to wear looks that are a bit daring but not too off the wall. I expect another Prabal Gurung design, with simple, rich colors and a few fabulous details, like a separate train or unusual seaming.

Supporting Actress

Angela Bassett

2023 Critics Choice Awards, in Christian Siriano

2019 Oscars, in Reem Acra

No matter which designer she wears, Basset is all about bare shoulders, trumpet silhouettes, and marvelous fabrics of late. I see her in a strapless trumpet with an iridescent sheen or rich embroidery or in an amazing, intense color. 

Hong Chau

2018 Golden Globes, in Stella McCartney

2018 SAG Awards, in Rodarte

Chau is still quite young and a little inexperienced on the red carpet, and seems to still be finding her style. I predict she'll try to "mature it up" a bit by wearing something more fitted and skin-bearing, perhaps another Stella McCartney design.

Kerry Condon

2022 Venice Film Festival, unknown designer

2023 Critics Choice Awards, in Donna Karan

Condon always looks lovely on the red carpet, but she's not a fashionista; her looks are rarely by a big-name designer, and often no designer is credited at all. She's likely to continue that trend with a gorgeous but simple and probably off-the-rack gown.

Jamie Lee Curtis

2021 Golden Globes, in Alex Perry

2021 Venice Film Festival, in Dolce & Gabbana

Curtis has a definite style these days: plunging neckline, long sleeves, squared shoulders, gathered at the waist, full skirt. Expect more of the same, with a body-hugging gown in a gorgeous color or print, revealing just enough skin in just the right places.

Stephanie Hsu

2023 Critics Choice Awards, in Valentino

2023 Golden Globes, in Giambattista Valli

Hsu wears great silhouettes with eye-catching bodice details. No matter which designer she chooses, I say she'll have bare shoulders, a little volume in the skirt, and some interesting bodice detail. 

Costume Designers

Mary Zophres

2019 Oscars

2023 Critics Choice Awards

Somewhat surprisingly for a costume designer, Zophres' red carpet looks are lovely but quite tame, in simple monochromatic columns and simple hair and jewelry. She'll look beautiful but not particularly memorable. 

Ruth Carter

2019 Oscars, in Muto-Little

2022 Oscars, in Jovana Louis

Carter likes big fashion, and wears it well. She might go for lots of unusual details and accessories, or she might focus on a single, funky, well-designed "conversation detail." Who knows?

Catherine Martin

2022 "Elvis" premiere in Melbourne, unknown designer

2022 Met Gala, in Prada (with husband, Baz Luhrmann)

Martin loves basic black accented with splashes of color and glitter. Expect more of the same - perhaps a black top with a colorful skirt, this time?

Shirley Kurata

 

I couldn't find any red carpet images of Kurata, but based on the photos of her I was able to find, her red carpet look should be funky - and memorable!!

Jenny Beavan

2016 Oscars, in "Marks & Spencer jeans and a fake leather jacket"

2016 BAFTAs - same outfit, different scarf

Beavan is frequently teased for her lack of personal fashion - she has said she loves creating characters with clothing, but only on other people. 100% guarantee she'll be wearing black jeans, a black pleather jacket, a nice scarf, and comfortable black flats. 

The Men

There are a couple of male nominees who just might rock the red carpet (the rest of the men are more likely to show up in a pretty standard black tux):

Brian Tyree Henry

2018 Tony Awards, in Armani

2022, "Bullet Train" LA premiere, in Joseph

I don't think Henry will go as far as wearing something other than a tux, but I suspect his tux will be a bright color and a rich, textured fabric like brocade or velvet. 

Barry Keoghan

2021, "Eternals" premiere, London, unknown designer

2023 Golden Globes, in Louis Vuitton

Koeghan's trademark seems to be unusual ties, such as an ascot or a short, knotted scarf. I predict a monochromatic tux in an unusual cut with some kind of interesting neckwear. All impeccably tailored, of course. 

Now we just have to wait until March to find out if I'm right!