The Voice: Dan Palmere's Blog

JP Licks Homemade Ice Cream Cafe

On one of the few remaining warmer evenings here in Boston, I decided to head over to JP Licks on Newbury Street for some ice cream last night. 

JP Licks to me is that local flare stop for visitors and residents alike. Every time I pass the doors I see a line of repeat customers sold from their first bite some time ago. According to a recent article, "J.P. Licks owner Vince Petryk first introduced frozen yogurt here (Boston) in the late 1980s when it was becoming popular on the West Coast." 

I can't vouch for other items on their delectable menu, but the frozen yogurt serves up a flavorful punch with each bite. You can't ask for more than a friendly staff, hip music, and deco wall-art, and of course, a cup of Oreo ice cream. This is what keeps bringing me back. Surrounding national chain competitors don't serve up to the standards of this local growing sensation. 

From it's communal base in the vibrant neighborhood of Jamaica Plain ("JP") to the newest member in Cambridge at Harvard Square, you're sure to be treated well with JP Lick's bold flavors and local ambience. Enjoy! 

Crazy Dough's, Food Review: Pt. 3

Crazy Dough's Pizza always draws a great crowd for lunch and dinner. The closest location to me (1124 Boylston) serves up a wide variety of speciality slices (Nacho, Reuben) and more affordable classics like two cheese slices and a drink for five bucks. There's typically always a crowd sharing a pitcher of PBR or other brand. 

A few flat screen TV's around the place so you can catch games and highlights and always great classic tunes heard on another. 

Reasons why I enjoy trips to Crazy Dough's: 

1. Convenient location to school. 
2. Dine-in or take out option. 
3. Classic pizza or over-the-top specialties.
4. Affordable.
5. Great service.
6. Online ordering. 
7. Taste that will ensure your return. 

Review:  

• Average Waiting Time (Dine-in): 4-7 minutes
• Hours: M-Th (11AM-11PM); Friday (11AM-2AM); Sunday (Noon-10PM) -- Boylston
• Cleanliness: 3.6/5  
• Bathroom(s): Yes, in the back.
• Outdoor Seating (Summer): Yes
• Seating Availability: (seat yourself) Lunch: 4.9/5; Dinner 3.2/5
• Service/Staff Friendliness: 4.7/5  
• Menu Variety: 5/5  
• Food Quality/Taste: 4.9/5  
• Value: 4.8/5  
• Dining Comfort: 4.7/5  
• Recommended Plates: Chicken with Ziti & Broccoli, Meat Lover's 

 

Spike's Junkyard Dogs, Food Review: Pt. 2

Spike's Junkyard Dogs sits on the corner of Mass. Ave and Boylston, across the street from Berklee. You can get the addresses of other locations around Boston and New England (which I didn't know) on their website.

I was first introduced to the establishment in the summer of 2006 when I was doing a 5 week study at Berklee. I was sold within the first bite of their chili-cheese fries. They've been ranked as one of "America's Best Hot Dogs" on AOL City Guide and continue to draw a fanatic audience of locals, visitors to the Back Bay neighborhood, and people on their way to a Sox game. 

With a sort of vintage Americana decor and great music overhead, you're sure to relish in an unforgettable taste and dining experience.  

Reasons why I enjoy trips to Spike's: 

1. Convenient location to school. 
2. Dine-in or take out option. 
3. Classic "burger joint" selections, but much better taste and quality.   
4. Employees walk your food to the table when it's ready. 
5. They just started accepting debit/credit cards. (Not sure about other locations)
6. Hot dog eating challenge. Can you make it to the Kennel Club?  

Review:  

• Average Waiting Time (Dine-in or pick up): 5-7 minutes
• Hours: 11AM-1AM - Boylston (2AM on weekends)  
• Cleanliness: 4.7/5  
• Bathroom(s): Yes  
• Outdoor Seating (Summer): No  
• Seating Availability: (seat yourself) Lunch: 3.8/5; Dinner 4.5/5
• Service/Staff Friendliness: 4.2/5  
• Menu Variety: 5/5  
• Food Quality/Taste: 4.9/5  
• Value: 4.7/5  
• Dining Comfort: 4.6/5  
• Recommended Plates: Chicken Ranger, Chili & Cheddar Hot Dog

  

 

Teriyaki House, Food Review: Pt. 1

The T-House. 

A staple in the diet of many students at Berklee College of Music and residents of the Back Bay neighborhood in Boston. There's another location in South Boston, as well. The familiar restaurant serves up quality dishes from 11AM-2AM. Perfect. This is my first review in a series of popular (and lesser known) places around Berklee. I'm anxious to try some new spots that I walk by and never take the time to stop in.

Reasons why I enjoy trips to the T-House: 

1. Convenient location to school. 
2. Dine-in and take out options. Delivery (though I've never tried it)  
3. Nice selection of Japanese and Chinese signature dishes & a sushi bar.   
4. Prompt service & delivery of food.   
5. Later hours than other surrounding restaurants.   
6. Rewards card program. I bought my first meal with points last year. I had a lot of Chinese food in those days for some reason.      

Review:  

• Average Waiting Time (Dine-in or pick up): 10 minutes 
• Cleanliness: 4.6/5  
• Bathrooms: Yes  
• Outdoor Seating (Summer): Yes  
• Seating Availability: (seat yourself) Lunch: 4.8/5; Dinner 3.9/5
• Service/Staff Friendliness: 4.2/5  
• Menu Variety: 4.9/5  
• Food Quality/Taste: 4.7/5  
• Value: 4.3/5  
• Dining Comfort: 4.3/5  
• Recommended Plates: Philadelphia Roll; Beef with Broccoli; Sesame Chicken 

I always was curious as to why other places don't stay open later around colleges. In economic times like these, I think it might benefit you to push closing back a couple hours. I understand the factor of wages, cost of equipment usage -- but a sale is a sale. If you have even one satisfied customer in those later hours, chances are you'll get some good word-of-mouth advertisement. 

FiRE + iCE

With one of two locations near me (Boston or Cambridge), FiRE + iCE offers a unique twist on dining experience. I tried it for the first time on Friday with some friends and was really impressed with the layout and concept of this "improvisational grill". 

It's ideal to make reservations the day before, as I've seen the line out the door some nights. Once you're in though, you walk past the bar, go upstairs, and are faced with a lively crowd hovered around the largest hibachi grill I've ever seen. After you sit down, the options are ridiculously limitless: place any type of meat (steak, chicken, pork, sausage) into a bowl with different types of pasta and vegetables, pick your sauce, and head over to the grill. One of the 3-4 chefs will take the food and place it on the grill in a linear fashion. The design looks really neat with the different types of food displayed. And it brings this sense of community to your supper. Rather than speaking in hushed tones in a quiet, candle-lit booth, FiRE + iCE breaks through the boundaries of a typical dining-out experience. 

Once it's cooked, take your plate back to your table (maybe grab a salad?), and dig in. According to founder Jim Miller, "FiRE + iCE will please everyone who wants to create their own inventive combinations. It is a fun, fresh and exciting dining experience that caters to individual tastes and preferences."

Check it out. My bill ran about $18.00 drinking water, for those planning strict budgets. Definitely worth the trip, though and a nice change from the regular neighborhood flavor.