Boston Food Guide Annual Summary: Real Dining Impressions Collection

1. Tatte This trendy bakery certainly looks photogenic 📸, but I found the signature cauliflower pita a bit too salty 😅. The classic chicken version remains a safe and reliable choice 👍. The almond croissant and honey cheesecake tart are worth trying 🥐🍯. 2. Laughing Monk The Thai tea is extremely sweet 🍯 (recommend asking for less sugar), but the pad thai is wok-fried to perfection with springy shrimp 🍤, and the tom yum soup has rich layers of spices 🌿. The ambiance is great for catching up with friends 👫. 3. BBQ Chicken My absolute favorite fried chicken spot! 🍗❤️ The cheese powder fried chicken and spicy sauce flavors are must-orders every time—crispy on the outside, juicy inside 💦. Perfect paired with beer 🍻. 4. Meet Fresh Taro Ball No. 4 with taro paste is a lifesaver in winter ❄️, with generous portions. In summer, I recommend the lemon aiyu jelly ice 🍧—refreshing and not too heavy. 5. Lan Feast in Brookline The roasted duck is decent 🦆, but the Xinjiang-style lamb skewers have too much fat 🐑. Overall, prices are on the higher side 💸, suitable for an occasional treat. 6. Dimond Tart The canelés are crispy outside and chewy inside, with a lovely caramelized flavor 🔥. Other desserts are just average—stick to the classics 🍮. 7. Haju Kitchen A Korean homestyle canteen 🏠. The beef bibimbap and tofu soup offer great value 💰, and the free-refill side dishes are a plus 🥗. 8. Nai Ge Suan Cai Yu The Malden location has a well-balanced spicy and sour broth 🌶️🍋 with tender, boneless fish slices 🐟. Recommend adding glass noodles and a fried egg 🍳—perfect for late-night takeout 🌙. Annual Hidden Gems 💎 Happy hour sushi at Pabu Boston 🍣 French crepes for brunch at Cafe Sauvage 🥞 Bone marrow orecchiette pasta at MIDA 🍝 (a calorie bomb but worth it 💣) Personal Rankings 🏆 🥇 Favorite of the Year: BBQ Chicken 💥 Biggest Disappointment: A certain trendy ramen spot (broth was too salty 🍜) 🌟 Most Pleasant Surprise: Henan-style stewed noodles in Framingham (worth the 40-minute drive 🚗) #BostonLife #BostonFoodMap #FoodieYearEndSummary