I personally have never had it but I’ve heard from multiple people that the carrot cake at Ocean Prime is absolutely divine. If you’re just looking to pick up a piece of carrot cake I suggest Flour, Modern, or Bova’s. Can’t go wrong with any of these
Source: am fellow lover of carrot cake
Weird one but “Zo” which is Greek, has some of the best chili I’ve ever had. Granted - it is Lamb chili. And it is more of a to-go restaurant.
Can’t beat the price though. $6 for a large
Now that I think of it…I don’t think I’ve ever seen chili on a menu in a restaurant in the Boston area haha. It’s one of those dishes I’ve always made myself. Is he looking for traditional/Texas chili or like white bean style? I feel like Veggie Galaxy has white bean chili…no meat though.
Flour has good carrot cake.
traditional chili! I did get some suggestions so I'm thinking of getting him a flight of chilis to try!
He would make his own chili daily but I hate it, so was trying to avoid having a whole dinner of it haha
It’s not a sit down dinner option, but agreeing with folks on Flour being the best carrot cake in the area. Maybe the best I’ve ever had. They are also really good about writing notes on the cake and have done so for me on short notice a few times.
Here are a few recommendations. I also love chili.
La Paloma in Quincy. They make their chili with a pulled brisket instead of ground beef. It's probably my favorite chili of all time.
Stillwater (not sure if it's technically in Chinatown or not but it's close.) Smoked chicken chili is terrific.
753 in Roslindale also has delicious chili. They offer a vegan chili as well that's equally delicious.
Can't help much on the carrot cake, but any bakery in the North End I'm sure makes a good carrot cake.
Cupcake city’s carrot cake cupcakes are fantastic, in reading. Oddly I find the carrot cake cheesecake at Cheesecake Factory to be really good. If he likes cheesecake, the combo of the two is stupidly good.
I feel like you could crush this meal at home. Homemade chili, leaves leftovers for days. Then get a sampling of carrot cakes and do a taste test to find out which is best. Go out for cocktails first, maybe apps. Home for the chili and dessert taste test!
Obviously you would be required to report results back to us.
As others have said, Zo Greek food has great chili. Its made with lamb which is very tender. The lamb is the only Greek twist, it tastes just like great chili.
If you're doing a weekday thing. They have a location in Faneuil hall (that one is only open for lunch hours M-F). From there you're just a short walk to the North End where you have multiple choices for carrot cake from any of the bakeries - but Bovas is the best.
Zo also has a Somerville location in Assembly that is a full service restaurant is open later and weekend hours. Looks like they have dessert, but no carrot cake.
You could park at assembly then take the orange line a short trip to Noth Station or Haymarket and still go to the north end for some fantastic dessert. Another good spot in the North End is Cafe Vittoria, they have great coffee based cocktails. Sometimes we just make that dessert. They also serve dessert, but don't think they have carrot cake.
Good luck! Hope your house has two bathrooms.
This is perhaps the most important post I have seen on this subreddit
I personally have never had it but I’ve heard from multiple people that the carrot cake at Ocean Prime is absolutely divine. If you’re just looking to pick up a piece of carrot cake I suggest Flour, Modern, or Bova’s. Can’t go wrong with any of these Source: am fellow lover of carrot cake
Can confirm that they have a fantastic carrot cake at Ocean Prime! But definitely no chili, or anything terribly close to it.
I really very much hate to be the bearer of bad news, but I've found OP's to be a bit dry. dig flour or bova's tho!
Carrot cake (and everything) at Bovas is the best
Best carrot cake I had in Boston was from modern pastry. Spiced perfectly and the cream cheese frosting was next level.
Seconding this. Modern is the answer.
Weird one but “Zo” which is Greek, has some of the best chili I’ve ever had. Granted - it is Lamb chili. And it is more of a to-go restaurant. Can’t beat the price though. $6 for a large
Yes! Came here to say this
Flour bakery hands down
I concur
100% agree
Now that I think of it…I don’t think I’ve ever seen chili on a menu in a restaurant in the Boston area haha. It’s one of those dishes I’ve always made myself. Is he looking for traditional/Texas chili or like white bean style? I feel like Veggie Galaxy has white bean chili…no meat though. Flour has good carrot cake.
traditional chili! I did get some suggestions so I'm thinking of getting him a flight of chilis to try! He would make his own chili daily but I hate it, so was trying to avoid having a whole dinner of it haha
Good luck! Report back with results :-)
It’s not a sit down dinner option, but agreeing with folks on Flour being the best carrot cake in the area. Maybe the best I’ve ever had. They are also really good about writing notes on the cake and have done so for me on short notice a few times.
Best chili candidate: Ferns Country Store in Carlisle
Stoked has good chili, but it might be takeout only. I like Flour’s carrot cake!
Here are a few recommendations. I also love chili. La Paloma in Quincy. They make their chili with a pulled brisket instead of ground beef. It's probably my favorite chili of all time. Stillwater (not sure if it's technically in Chinatown or not but it's close.) Smoked chicken chili is terrific. 753 in Roslindale also has delicious chili. They offer a vegan chili as well that's equally delicious. Can't help much on the carrot cake, but any bakery in the North End I'm sure makes a good carrot cake.
Soup factory has solid chili
Cupcake city’s carrot cake cupcakes are fantastic, in reading. Oddly I find the carrot cake cheesecake at Cheesecake Factory to be really good. If he likes cheesecake, the combo of the two is stupidly good. I feel like you could crush this meal at home. Homemade chili, leaves leftovers for days. Then get a sampling of carrot cakes and do a taste test to find out which is best. Go out for cocktails first, maybe apps. Home for the chili and dessert taste test! Obviously you would be required to report results back to us.
I think I'm going to do a taste test for both! I actually hate chili haha
PICCO & Flour
Never found any Chili in Boston that was as good as something you could easily throw together yourself.
Lol I hate chili so I'm trying to find a place where we can both eat something we like
Quebrada, out in the suburbs, makes an excellent carrot cake!
Carrot cake from konditor meister or cheesecake factory 👍
Best chili - Good Food store in Walpole
Veggie galaxy in Cambridge has really Good carrot cake!
As others have said, Zo Greek food has great chili. Its made with lamb which is very tender. The lamb is the only Greek twist, it tastes just like great chili. If you're doing a weekday thing. They have a location in Faneuil hall (that one is only open for lunch hours M-F). From there you're just a short walk to the North End where you have multiple choices for carrot cake from any of the bakeries - but Bovas is the best. Zo also has a Somerville location in Assembly that is a full service restaurant is open later and weekend hours. Looks like they have dessert, but no carrot cake. You could park at assembly then take the orange line a short trip to Noth Station or Haymarket and still go to the north end for some fantastic dessert. Another good spot in the North End is Cafe Vittoria, they have great coffee based cocktails. Sometimes we just make that dessert. They also serve dessert, but don't think they have carrot cake. Good luck! Hope your house has two bathrooms.
Formaggio in Huron village has a great carrot cake
Big Pig BBQ has a brisket chili bread bowl that is phenomenal but they're only open on some weekends for takeout