Man, I'll tell you one thing that I've discovered with this recent deluge of visitors: The two famous pastry shops (Mike's and Modern) in the North End S-U-C-K. I've had both of their eclairs and, truth be told, I could build a pretty nice house out of them if I'd had a little mortar. Brick-like pastry with whipped cream cheese centers. Eclairs are meant to be light, fluffy and rich as hell. These just had the latter down pat. And tonight I had a tirimisu from Mike's...holy shit, it was 90% coffee. The bread (they weren't lady fingers but some crappy sheet cake) was soaked like a dish-sponge with crap coffee (or the wateriest espresso ever brewed) and the marscapone was whipped up like Cool-Whip and flavorless. Have we completely lost our sense of taste in this country? I'm not even a food-snob and it was awful. If you're ever in Boston, do yourself a favor and stick with the seafood. Or come to our place for some closer-to-the-mark desserts. Mine aren't the best in the world but at least they're not cut with axle grease.
S.
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Thats right. Americans like to pretend to be all fancy and cosmo with their variety, but does it cut to the chase....NO! How many times have I been to a place that advertises 'British style fish and chips', and been let down with some cheap ass, thin-stripped-fish subsitute???? EVERY TIME! thats right. unless you can fully recreate a cultural item, don't claim that you can...
I know that I am bitter on this, but its about time people figured out what english muffins really are...
The thing is, the North End is no longer Italian. It's more gentrified than anything else. The Italians that are left there kind of blend and/or avoid tourists. People from Boston don't go to Mike's... It's revolting. You need to find more tucked away places without big names.
It has been quite a while but I remember making some mouth watering cream puffs, elcairs and napoleans and they are not that hard to make lol most people think they are. If you have not tried that chicken recipe I sent you please do as it is really yummy. I know you will like it. So nice talking with you today. Take care. Love, Mom
I have never understood why people like Mike's. It's just mediocre. Right next door is Caffe Vittoria (sp?), which is loads better, but doesn't have signature boxes to up the price and create a name brand. I think despite Snarl's having tried to get me there I've never yet made it to Maria's, but I trust him that it's good... And there's some other place whose name I forget that Snarl has also recced that I have tried several times, and is fantastic. So there is indeed great italian pastry in the North End, but it's not to be found in the tourist traps.
(here via UniversalHub)
Erica
Hey, hey. Mike's may suck eggs, but Modern is still pretty good for cookies and other pastries.
Bova's, dude. Bova's.
When I visited Boston I went on the North End Market Tour with Michele Topor. She detests Mike's. Called it sugar and cool whip. (smile) She was also a little dismayed that it is "the biggest tour attraction of the North End." She took us to Maria's. It was incredible!! The BEST tiramisu I have ever had. EVERYTHING I tried there was just unbelievable!!
I have to admit I did go to Mike's though. I felt I had to try it for myself just to be sure... it IS true!! Mike's is NO GOOD!!
SIGH! Reading this thread made me want some British "Fish and Chips" and some Maria's pastry.
Bova Bakery! And they're always open!
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