📍 Address: 832 N Beech St, Portland

⭐ Stars:⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4)

This is going to be a controversial review. It seemed like a really cool/laid back place. No minors are allowed to even sit at the table unlike HUB, Deschutes, Widmer, and most others in Portland. Well... not so laid back, huh? It's more like a cheap/outdoor bar with plastic chairs and plywood table tops. :-) Think again if you have kids to tag along and want to have a cold one. Even if I don't tag any minor along, I probably won't go there again.

📍 Address: 8731 International Dr, Orlando

⭐ Stars:⭐⭐⭐ (3)

WOW WOW WOW!!!!!!!!!!! Outstanding lobster feast!!! If you're ever nearby it's a must stop for seafood lovers like my wife and I! Service was excellent and super fast!!!!!!!!!

📍 Address: 551 Seymour Street, Vancouver

⭐ Stars:⭐⭐⭐ (2.5)

Twice here and I love it! I'm not too familiar with Taiwanese food, but man, you can't go wrong with those Taiwanese fried chicken nuggets! And who's forgetting bubble tea! I have to say that the noodles here are SO ACE! It's a thick, flat rice flour noodle. The "Taiwanese fried chicken nuggets with noodle soup" is completely delicious. Completely. Bubble teas here are nice too, although I haven't tried the fruity ones because they don't use real fruit a.k.a. it's all powder! I've had the "House special milk tea", which was OK. I've also tried the "Fresh Taro milk tea", which comes with real taro pieces. I will definitely try something more refreshing next time. THE SERVICE: Pay very close attention, folks! There is a buzzer on each table with four buttons. The button with the waitress on it, is the one you have to push in order to get any service around here! I wish someone had told me about these buttons. I sat around for the longest time, losing my temper as the waitresses walked by my table a billion times without so much as a peek. Finally, I took the menus and approached a waitress. She ushered me back to the table and taught me how to use the buzzer. Damn. Don't I feel medieval. It's a neat little place with really cute decor. They seem to sell some trinkets in the front corner of the shop. I was not curious enough to see what they sold, but I could tell from a distance that they were little keychains and stuff. Take a look and tell me if you see anything interesting!

📍 Address: 100 Burlington Mall Rd, Burlington

⭐ Stars:⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4.5)

I've gone to this Clover a few times, and it's been consistently excellent. When I have an appointment at Lahey (like today), afterward I cross the street, walk down the hill and go to Clover. Thinking of going to Clover actually gets me in a better mood for going to my medical appointment! Today, I got the chickpea fritter platter for the first time; it had: 5 small chickpea fritters (not oily), pickles, hummus, pickled cabbage/carrots, sweet potato/pecan salad, bean/kale salad, chopped tomatoes/cucumbers, and a side of tahini sauce. It was so delicious! (And there is some left over for a snack later.) My understanding is that the sides for the platter are pre-chosen, but if you ask (I wanted vegan ones) they easily let you substitute. The people here have been super-nice, efficient, and welcoming each visit. Even at lunchtime, it took me less than 7 minutes from the time I entered till I took my food out the door. A plus for the car-free, like me: Clover is right on the #350 bus line. To take the bus back, cross the street and walk to your right, where you'll see a bus shelter. Clover: Please come to Arlington Center!!! Papa Gino's just closed this week-end, and it would be the perfect spot (Mass Ave. @ Medford St.). Thank you for making my day today!

📍 Address: 257 Hanover St, Boston

⭐ Stars:⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4)

After eating dinner in the area, I stopped by this pastry shop to pick up some sweets. I've heard good things about this shop and was excited to give it a try. I ordered a plain cannoli, and it was amazing! The shell was crisp and delicate, and the filling was rich and creamy (without being overly sweet). I liked how they don't pipe in the filling until you order it--it definitely made a difference in keeping the cannoli shells fresh. The shop sold a variety of torrones (nougats)--I bought one each of espresso, hazelnut, and peanut butter. All of them tasted great, but if I had to choose only one then I'd go with the peanut butter. Another item I ordered was an Apricot Macaron. The flavors were good, but the texture of the macaron shells was a little too dense and crispy. If the place wasn't cash only, I probably would've bought more items to try. I definitely wouldn't mind stopping by this pastry shop again the next time I'm in Boston.

📍 Address: 1486 Buena Vista Dr, Lake Buena Vista

⭐ Stars:⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4)

Compared to the Downtown Disney in Anaheim, the Orlando (Lake Buena Vista) location is absolutely HUGE! It must have been at least 4 or 5 times as big as the California location. Maybe it seemed so much larger because we were looking for a restaurant with a short wait with three hungry kids and I had one of them on my back.... No, it really is that much larger. The number of restaurants and shops is a laundry list of nom nom nom, from sit down establishments to grab and go food, its all pretty much there for every taste. Some things that stood out include the free parking, although we took a shuttle, adult only night clubs (meaning they served alcohol) and a Cirque du Soleil show. There were some cool outdoor entertainers as with the Cali location. We ended up at the Cuban restaurant owned by Gloria Estafan, Bongos. A nice change from the normal pizza/ burger/ asian fare that we would normally end up at. While there was a 40 minute wait, we grabbed a quick bite at Wolfgang Puck's Express restaurant just a few doors down. Luckily, they called us from Bongo's after a short wait of about 10-15 minutes. All in all, this was my third visit to Downtown Disney Orlando and just as fun as the previous visits. If you do end up visiting, be prepared for long waits and large crowds but a very enjoyable time. Keep on Yelp'n!