The Round Up: August 2025
Food:
Started August with a dinner with friends at one of our favorite, more casual spots, Mexico Lindo in Melrose. I got the carne asada plate and I think I found my new order. I love their guac and chips, and their refried beans are delish.
China Pearl, a Boston dim sum institution has officially re-opened in Chinatown and my friend and I went to go try it. This is probably the best pushcart dim sum that I have had since moving to Boston and the space is really pretty. This is a perfect place for a large group dim sum experience!
After months of trying, we finally scored a last-minute reservation at Sarma—one of Boston’s top restaurants. The dishes were both innovative and delicious. For a “small plates” spot, the portions were surprisingly generous, so I’d recommend going with a group of four or more to make the most of it.
We finally made it to Sushi @ Temple Records, a spot that’s been on our list for about eight months—and it did not disappoint. The fish quality was some of the best we’ve had in Boston so far, and every bite was outstanding. Their rolls struck a perfect balance: creative and fun without going over the top. The only drawback was that the menu felt a little tricky to navigate, especially for sharing, but once we figured it out, we ended up with a truly delicious meal.
We had some new friends over to watch the Manchester United vs. Arsenal match, and I put together a spread of small bites to enjoy while we watched. I went with a Middle Eastern theme, which turned out to be a hit. I love making lots of salads and “picky bits” when hosting—it’s a win-win: I get to cook a variety of dishes, and our guests get to try a little bit of everything.
We had friends in town and took them to Field & Vine, one of our favorite Somerville spots. The wine list is fun and funky, the service is always great, and the food—seasonal, fresh, and full of flavor—never disappoints. It’s easily one of the best finds we’ve discovered in the area.
We took a day trip to York, Maine and enjoyed a classic lobster roll from Fox’s. For a cold-style roll, it was delicious—though I’d definitely recommend asking for a side of butter to drizzle on top. Their clam chowder was also a standout and left me seriously impressed!
Some of the best Thai food we’ve had in the area comes from the team behind Crying Thaiger and Thaiger Den. Up until now, we’d only ordered takeout from Crying Thaiger, so it was about time we dined in. Between the two, Crying Thaiger leans more classic and casual—and everything is truly outstanding. Every bite was delicious, but the standouts for me this time were the pad see ew, the panang curry with short rib, and the yellow curry.
We took another day trip, this time to Rockport, MA, and stopped at Roy Moore Lobster for a lobster roll. I think this might be my new favorite in Massachusetts—and I can’t wait to go back and try more on their menu!
This was one of my favorite easy summer meals in a while. I made shrimp and swordfish skewers with red onion and bell pepper, paired with Christian Reynoso’s Tomato, Bacon, and Corn Salad from the NYT Cooking app. Everything came together quickly and was bursting with flavor.
I hadn’t made Pinch of Yum’s Butter Chicken Meatballs since probably the COVID days, so I put them back on the menu—and loved it! The recipe couldn’t be easier and it’s always a crowd-pleaser. I skipped the rice this time and served it with steamed broccoli and naan instead, which made for the perfect weeknight meal.
This one’s a funny story—I’ve passed by a little café in Stoneham, MA countless times, but last week while dropping packages at the post office, I noticed a line wrapped around the block for Kennedy’s Cafe. I’d never seen it that packed, so of course I looked it up on Instagram. Turns out, they’re having a bit of a moment with their giant “buckets of coffee” and specialty lattes. The next time I drove by and the line wasn’t too intimidating, I popped in and tried the tiramisu latte. I have to admit, it was pretty delicious—though the bucket was definitely a little too much coffee for me!
Other:
I just have to give a shout out to Mike’s Tailoring & Alterations (11 Montvale Ave, Woburn, MA) for some of the best tailoring ever! Michael is super nice and personable. You can really tell he takes great pride in his work and treats all his clients like family.
We saw Freakier Friday and it was so much fun! For a reboot, it was really well done—they brought back all the original characters, and it felt both nostalgic and fresh. I’d definitely recommend it!
We recently discovered the Melrose, MA dog park, and it’s been a total game-changer for us. We’d known it was there but had never actually checked it out. It’s super clean, well-maintained, and—best of all—not stinky!
Just a few scenes from a day trip to Rockport, MA. We’ve been a few times since moving up here, and it’s probably my favorite seaside town we’ve explored. It has everything—character and charm, unique shops, great food, walkability, and historic buildings. What more could you ask for?
Lenny:
