About to go into the oven. Things I learned: a "real pig" is a lot more work than a market purchased butt! Tweezers for hair; ohhh, innards (!); and a surprisingly 'fresh, sweet' smell. If I'm able, I'll post photos after. Thank you each for your input!

Thanks. I'm good on rubs and spices, just so very unfamiliar with true farm pigs; and since it was quartered and frozen on receipt, I've no sense of the fat quotient. Research suggests it should be fine, but I trust this site more than most websites. My plan is to do all the parts. I'm guessing the forelegs less time, but not even sure it makes a difference? The good news is I'm the last stop! Thanks for your help on the brine question.

Less than $100 pp..though price is not so much the issue as place for appropriate graduation family dinner

Cuisine is wide open, and my price point is one of a jaded older person paying for "what I think I will like but will leave mostly uneaten" because I'm still really a teenager. For an adult meal, no price cap. But for a family meal, I'm looking for a more moderate price. Truly, buffet could be best but I'm from the east coast and so uninitiated to the fine points of a buffet

Decided on Beacon Hill Bistro - one Hake, one duck, one papparedelle, one chicken...all very good, papparedelle best imo. Farro on chicken entree awesome Salad apps (one beet; one fennel -- both VG). Ices for dessert not same level of execution, but flavors spot on. Thanks so much. Ended up spending more time than expected in BH and have much higher comfort level there now having a sense of it. Will return to explore other suggestions.

I've not beenthere, but have a friend who raves about the carpaccio. I was afraid it could be a little too loud and busy

Thanks. Hadn't seen 75 Chestnut and skipped Grotto previously. I appreciate your fast response. I've never tried to find dinner in BH and don't know Boston well enough to know walkable distances to adjoining areas

Thanks for the advice! We made it to Yoders and DaJaVu, but kept the list near at hand. We'd have been over-and perhaps under-whelmed without this. Yoders was great fun with a waitress as dear and generous as the pies...DaJaVu was simply excellent. Thank you so very much for adding to a very fun and unexpected trip!

II'm coming down for a few days with my daughter. Someone recommended The Columbia. What do you think? Thanks for your help!

Along with water temperature differences, there are also seasonal differences and weight restrictions. I find Prince Edward island lobster sweeter and more tender than NH and Maine lobster, but the PEI lobsters I've had have also always been smaller than legal catch in the states. Does anyone know follow up on the success/failure of the Black Pearl make over?

Doing a long weekend trip Nashville to Memphis and back and am grateful for this insight. Any tips for unique local food 'must try's? Not-too-rowdy bars? Breakfast hints? Thanks

I would definitely take a trip to baltimore and compare Piedegrotta to Vaccaro's. Piedegrotta wins hands down in our circles, both for flavor, authenticity, and the sense of personal pride and passion that goes into each item. It was the only place we were able to find St. Joseph's Day pastries (zeppola) last year

Absolutely Luca's is the place for dinner and a lovely, relaxed, gastronomically sensual evening. Burdicks for brunch is quintessential New England meets choclatier to the Oscar's - not a bad combo! Get reservations at Luca's - it's small and will fill up. Enjoy!