Stu M.

J N Momary Inc

Dr. Momary has been both our daughters' dentist. He's helpful, kind, and is great at making the kids relax. He helped both kids lose the pacifier at age 3 by promising a teddy bear if they went one week without using it. Talk about highly motivated kids.

Sheraton-Boston

This hotel is all about the Back Bay location. You're a short walk from the many bars, restaurants and shops on Newbury and Boylston streets. The rooms are decent sized and clean. My only gripe are the bartenders. They were unfriendly to the point of being hostile. In their defense, they were trying to serve a large group that was there for an event, but they ended up turning away numerous people that didn't want to deal with the surly attitudes.

PROS: location
CONS: bartenders

Hong Kong

Scorpion Bowl. Mention those two words to any Harvard student or alum from the last 20 years and they'll know exactly what you are talking about.

I'm not sure I've ever eaten at the Hong Kong. I'm sure I have and it's probably just fine. But the big draw isn't the food it's the magical, mystical scorpion bowl -- a giant glass filled with some red alcoholic fruity substance and little plastic scorpions. Look around the Hong Kong and you'll see dozens of bowls usually with 2 or 3 straws sticking out of them (it's socially acceptable to share a scorpion bowl). Before you know it, you're well into your third or fourth scorpion bowl and suddenly the blaring music from the 3rd floor club is irresistable.

5 Stars!

PROS: scorpion bowl
CONS:

Tommys House of Pizza

I'm sure I did some serious long-term damage to my body, but it was worth it. For two years of school, I made Tommy's a frequent lunch and dinner spot. It's quick, cheap, greasy and really really good. I'm tempted to call it a Harvard Square landmark, but that might be offensive to true landmarks like The Tasty (may it rest in peace). It's great, though.

PROS: Cheap, quick
CONS:

Linebacker Lounge

First, I'll disclose that I'm not a Notre Dame student. Nor am I anywhere close in age to most Notre Dame students, although I do look to be in my mid-20s when the light strikes me just right. So I'm not really in the Linebacker crowd. But I've come to believe that age is simply a state of mind, and in my mind I can still convince myself that I'm a 22 year old college senior. For that reason, I love the Linebacker. Great big bar close to the ND campus, dark, loud music, dancing, bottled beers, multiple TVs, sports memorabilia. Go there late when it really starts picking up.

Barnabys

Barnaby's is a must-stop place when our family goes back to South Bend for the holidays. The kids love it, and the parents tend to have Barnaby's cravings too. The pizza is good and the restaurant has a great pizza-parlor feel to it -- dark, cozy booths, etc. Also good for takeout if you want to serve a big group. Check out the coupons on the website http://www.southbendbarnabys.com/

Hacienda Mexican Restaurants

Ok, I admit it, I'm a bit of a Mexican Food snob. I've lived in LA for the last 10 years and have enjoyed many amazing Mexican restaurants during that time. Hacienda ranks up there as one of my favorites. The chips and salsa are fantastic, the wet burrito is so good it makes me cry, and marguaritas are excellent. Maybe it's not as authentic as many of places in LA, but it's great and a fun experience.

PROS: Great Mexican food in South Bend
CONS: The feeling you get 2 hours after a full wet burrito

Blowfish sushi

The Blowfish atmosphere is great. Walls are decked out in Japanese anime artwork, the bartenders are friendly, and the crowd is hip. The sushi holds it's own in the trendy atmosphere, although I have to admit that I was a little too caught up in the scene (and the sake selection) to remember many specifics about the meal.

Ace Wasabi's Rock N Roll Sushi

Fun place to go with friends. The sushi is good, but the main reason to go is the scene. Loud music, social crowd, large windows looking out at the sidewalk. We were there on a Monday night and it was packed. I let a friend and experienced Ace patron take care of ordering, and had some creative rolls that I never would have ordered on my own. Try the U2 Roll and the Flying Kamikaze roll.

PROS: Packed on a Monday night
CONS:

Quality Tune-Up Shops

I went to Quality Tune Ups for an oil change and had a very good experience. Unlike Jiffy Lube, the staff doesn't try to upsell you on every possible maintenance item. They did the oil change, did a quick check for major problems and I was out of there. When I arrived it was quite crowded and they told me it would take about 30 minutes. They were done in 29.

The only downside is the waiting area. Cheap outdoor plastic furniture on a badly stained linoleum floor. At least they had newspapers to read.

PROS: No attempts to upsell
CONS: Not a great waiting area