Good Monday morning, though late morning in Massachusetts. I’m on another quest. First it was finding a tasty, pleasing way to prepare turnip greens, cooked or raw (this has stalled for now). Now, it’s finding restaurants that meet four standards (inexpensive, simple food with gourmet flair, healthful, and enough food to comfortably fill your tummy. These criteria came to mind this morning, but perhaps they have lurked in the bowels of the subconscoius for some time.
Trina’s Starlite Diner in Cambridge, Mass., fulfilled one of the four standards (tasty simple food with gourmet flair). They opened the week prior to my first visit and serve food linked to barbecues and summer (hot dogs, hamburgers, chili fries) with a nod to comfort cooking (fried chicken and waffles, meat loaf (the blue plate special on my visit) and macaroni and cheese topped with Ritz crackers). Gourmet flair comes from: baked haddock with sweet potato and green onion hash and sauteed spinach ($15); pan-seared sirloin with dirty gravy and onion rings ($19), the most expensive menu item; and a green apple, Brie and arugula pressed sandwich with horseradish dipping sauce ($8). I am warmly greeted at the door and sit at the bar, where Josh, an amiable bartender recommends the sweet corn bread ($3). I’m glad he did. Crispy crumbles top the moist, buttery, 1/2-inch-thick wedge, which has the right amount of sweetness and is served with honey butter. I then enjoy the dog of the day, a hot dog halved lengthwise, though not all the way through, served in a toasted bread bun with macaroni and cheese sauce and baked beans on the side. Great smoky, sweet flavor on the beans, though one bean is firm. I could go for another dog, but hold back. The bill comes to $12.44 with a beer and I leave $15. Hunger isn’t fully satisfied, but I am pleased with the choices. The prices (for hot dogs, fries, beer ) are comparable with a Major League Baseball stadium. Could be a lesson here: If you’re not willing to spend very much, eat a little something before going out. That way, two appetizers (a hot dog and cornbread) will be enough to satisfy.
Trina’s Starlite Lounge
3 Beacon St.
Somerville, Mass.
(617) 576-0006
trinasstarlitelounge.com
Note:
If you find yourself in Back Bay station and in the mood for Mexican food, heat to the burrito and taco cart. I had a vegetable burrito with chunks of steamed broccoli and carrots, black beans, pico de gallo and rice for a respectable $4.75. Watch out for the smoky hot sauce. It has a kick. A group of brothers serves the food from 11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Mondays through Fridays.
Awaken Your Appetite 