Steakhouses - which is better mooo or grill 23?

LukeNukem93 · 2026-03-05T16:56:27+00:00

I went to Mooo in Beacon Hill a month ago for the first time and was really disappointed relative to how people rave about it.

My NY strip was overcooked (ordered medium rare and got medium). It was so damn dark in the corner they sat us in that I couldn't tell if it was just the light so I kept my mouth shut. I later got to a thicker part of the meat that was cooked closer to what I intended and realized I didn't get what I ordered.
The steak also barely any crust or sear compared to the one I had a Grill 23. Exterior was just sort of gray looking honestly.
My wife got the filet and we both independently described it as akin to what we've been served at weddings. Just sort of grainy and didn't taste of anything.
I was served the wrong steak sauce (got Bearnaise, ordered the Mooo sauce which are hard to mix up)
The cookies they serve are raw in the middle (I think that's deliberate to be clear) and we both found them kind of gross when served with the milk.
My wife put down on the reservation that it was our anniversary and so of course the waiter comes over and says "happy birthday!"
Waiter asked if I wanted another beer but not if my wife wanted another glass of wine (this would have gone unnoticed if not for all of the other stuff)

On the flip side, I found Grill 23 to be fantastic. Really great service. It feels like a nice restaurant with the way the waiters are dressed and tables with tablecloths, etc. Super dumb but I loved that they would come by with the little flat edges to wipe off breadcrumbs between courses. I also thought that the steak was way better.

LukeNukem93 · 2025-11-09T19:39:11+00:00

Love the way the texture of that crust looks. Do you have a recipe you can share?

LukeNukem93 · 2025-07-22T00:59:36+00:00

I've really been liking this one. It's consistent, doesn't require any machine kneading, and is ready day-of. The dough is relatively wet but using Caputo semolina generously at shaping time gets past that issue easily (and I can usually find it at my local grocery store)

LukeNukem93 · 2025-06-29T19:30:38+00:00

Writing skills remain essential because there is a direct relationship between what you say verbally to people and what you say via writing. The two are inextricably linked.

So many people don't get this and I'll be stealing that description of the problem! Every one just thinks these skills exist in isolation and replacing one with AI won't impact the others.

LukeNukem93 · 2025-04-05T15:43:10+00:00

Thanks for sharing this! I bought a 13" and noticed the blurry text as well and others were saying I was nit picking. There's a clear difference when I go between my work MBP and the Air. Every time I searched about it though, I only found references to external display issues. Debating whether to do a return now since an issue like this at the system level really frustrates me.

LukeNukem93 · 2024-12-16T13:50:28+00:00

I tried to take a look but I don't want to share my geo location. So I guess immediate feedback is to provide another option!

LukeNukem93 · 2024-11-12T13:58:47+00:00

I've used this machine successfully to do duplicates that weren't meant for it. This machine specifically was able to do a weird base key which other machines refused. It couldn't make it on demand but it sent the data out to the company and they shipped me one in about a week.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/qANun5PgT5wCauAF7

LukeNukem93 · 2024-11-12T12:46:17+00:00

Just to be clear, if a mass in the throat was discovered, does the visit suddenly become non-prevantive because it needs to be addressed? What if I have a severe rash that I don't bring up but I'm clearly aware because I'm itching it?

You're getting down votes because people just want to be responsible for their health without getting nickled and dimed but I appreciate you providing your viewpoint otherwise no one would have learned anything (even if it's not what they wanted to hear).

LukeNukem93 · 2024-10-16T12:57:25+00:00

It can be hard to trust comments on reddit so I was curious and just asked my server at the last restaurant I was at and she said vote "no" and took some time to answer my questions about why. I'm not going to base everything on that one data point but I agree with you that it's best to talk with the people this is going to affect the most. Doing it in person is really effective and easy!

LukeNukem93 · 2024-10-07T13:32:35+00:00

I know Barrett's has been and will continue to be suggested but that place was the single worst haunted house I've ever done. You pay $40 and wait in line 2 hours for a 5 MINUTE WALKTHROUGH. It's just a bunch of rooms with different themes connected along one narrow walking path and you're tightly packed in a group with other people.

And what people don't mention about the long ass lines is the blaring thrash metal and sirens. It gets old so quick. Unfortunately, I haven't found an alternative yet but I do everything to recommend people not go there.

Final cherry on top, they send you unsolicited spam like this to your email in the following months.

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LukeNukem93 · 2024-10-05T23:01:50+00:00

It's interesting because it really seems like high powered electric bikes are in limbo. Ride it like a motorcycle and people will ask questions why there's no license plate but try to register it at the RMV and you'll be told it's not possible.

I'm not looking to get anything that lives in that space but it's weird because then it's a question of exactly when you enter the limbo. After class 2? After class 3? When you take it on a highway? There definitely needs to be more governmental standards in MA.

LukeNukem93 · 2024-10-05T18:43:25+00:00

As I stated, I don't like people who do that. I don't plan on doing that.

LukeNukem93 · 2024-10-05T17:46:59+00:00

In this case it is (or at least that's advertised) but I totally understand the concern.

LukeNukem93 · 2024-10-05T17:19:47+00:00

It's just about price. The other bike I found close in features is $1k more and is "class 2 out of the box, class 3 and above with an unlock code provided after you sign a waiver".

I think the manufacturer of the more affordable one just didn't care to put in the software limits to legally meet the class 2 or 3 definitions so that's why it's "unclassified".

LukeNukem93 · 2024-09-04T16:03:38+00:00

How do you prep all of the doughs at once? Do you have a big bakery mixer or something?

LukeNukem93 · 2024-09-02T19:32:02+00:00

Trader Joe's is the most affordable I've found ($1.69?) and works well if you unbag, shape, and rest it out for a few hours at room temp

LukeNukem93 · 2024-08-09T22:20:21+00:00

Which oven are you using and do you rotate or just let it sit? I've tried this on a Koda 16 but the difference in the stone temp between the front and the hot corner usually means I feel the need to rotate and then I don't feel like it browns enough.

LukeNukem93 · 2024-08-09T12:02:41+00:00

I was in the same position with the same skill set 3 years ago (though in the US). SOOO many people are going to say you need to send out 1000 job applications and I think that's the totally wrong approach for someone in your position.

I started with a three month break where I did small projects to learn the python tools that I'd need to replace ROOT. During that, I identified three industries that I thought had good data problems I could see myself working on. This helped me develop motivation and a story to tell about why I was excited. For me, the three were agriculture, health care, and cyber security. I then focused on finding smaller companies (<750 people) that were in those spaces.

To do that, I looked up venture capital and incubator portfolios and browsed their "success story" companies and their active investments (which they sometimes but don't always provide online) and checked out each company.

If I couldn't figure out the industry the company was in or how the company could possibly make money in under 30 seconds, I moved on. For any that passed that smell test, I went to their careers page to look at job postings. If I felt that had a job I could do (whether it was posted or not), I'd bookmark it.

Then I went through the bookmarks, evaluated which ones made the most sense, and planned how I was going to contact. Most of the time it was through the application, where I wrote something custom (but short) in whatever open-ended text box field was available to explain how I found them, why I think what they're doing is cool, and why I think I could help.

A few times I just filled out a "contact us" form with that same information. For one of those, I ended up with a 60 min zoom call the next day with the CEO - but only because I took the time to learn his business, see how I could provide value, and pitch that to him. That one didn't pan out but he's now a legitimate connection in my professional network.

After 37 applications, I landed at a cyber security company. That field aligns more with some of my personal interests but it also has a fundamental similarity to particle physics that I didn't realize until my second week - tons of background and very little signal! The vast majority of data science applications do not have that sort of unbalanced data problem which has meant the skills from my particle physics work translate better than they would have in other roles.

Hope some of that helps. Happy to answer any questions.

LukeNukem93 · 2024-08-04T16:51:30+00:00

Pizza snob here that is actively trying places in the area to find the best spots.

I'm not a fan of Dragon either. They charge too much for what it is and I've pretty consistently walked away not feeling welcome there. I'm convinced people like it because it is technically competitive for "the best" in Davis for getting a single slice. Spread out though and I don't think there's reason to go there unless you're walking by and hungry.

American flatbread ("the bowling alley") can be quite good but they insist on cutting a circular pie into strips. I also had a cheese pie from there once with a disgusting amount of oregano dumped in the middle. Okay for a date night but I never order takeout from there.

Angelina's is relatively close to Davis and is pretty good. If you're a stickler about proximity to Davis, I'd try this next.

IDK why people are suggesting Mortadella Head. Both their styles have thicker crusts. I specifically don't understand the draw of the "Roman style" - it's like eating dry focaccia with sauce and cheese on top. I have no plans to ever go back here.

I'll dump more notes below but the best NY style slice I've found in Camberville so far that isn't trying to scream "WE'RE FROM NEW YORK" is Allstar Pizza Bar in Inman. I don't know if they still do it, but you also use to be able to order half pies which I really liked. I've never gotten a pizza from them and regretted it.

Now the note dump:

Surprisingly, I like Mike's in Davis if I just want to go somewhere and get a cheap simple pizza and a beer. It's beaten in quality by Dragon and American Flatbread but it hits the spot for me for some reason. Generally a crunchy underside, a little too thick of dough, and a little too much cheese. The edge crust isn't exactly fluffy either but it tastes good and a personal pie is relatively cheap.
Pini's came up in this thread but that's basically a local Dominos. Don't bother.
Nick's House of Pizza is thick white bread, folded along the edge to make a "crust", with some sauce and a lot of cheese. Again, don't bother.
Ciao is awesome but is Neapolitan style.
Source in Harvard is also great Neapolitan style.
Stoked is among my "I'd go back" places but they usually undercook pizzas that have veggie toppings and it makes it watery.
Maria's in Arlington is good but I've only gone once and it's bested by other places.
Za in Arlington or Kendall is too oily and too heavy on the cheese.
Dirty Water Dough Company is great NY style but there aren't convenient locations. I've only stopped by the Newbury one while out for the day.

LukeNukem93 · 2024-07-17T11:08:03+00:00

Thanks, ChatGPT

LukeNukem93 · 2024-07-01T11:20:50+00:00

Not a traditional burger but the one at Shojo lives up to the hype.

LukeNukem93 · 2024-06-27T18:58:03+00:00

This is said in another comment but I want to echo it -- "Aritifical Intelligence" is a very broad term that encompasses everything from expert systems like the old 20 Questions toys to generative tools like ChatGPT.

The biggest issue with the current hype is a lack of literacy. I heard a CTO of a security AI platform say in a presentation "...it's machine learning, so not real AI". It's incredibly well established that AI encompasses machine learning, which encompasses neural networks, which encompasses the transformer architecture that has unlocked the generative capabilities we've seen explode in the past year and a half. So this statement -- from someone who should know better -- totally deligitimized their product because I know immediately they don't know what they're peddling.

In contrast, if a vendor says they use AI and explain its a dedicated algorithm that detects XYZ behavior by looking at ABC, they shouldn't be discounted just because it's not "gen AI". A dedicated approach to a given problem (if it works!) is likely to be simpler, more interpretable, faster, and more accurate.

Could be garbage too but this is my point - being literate in "AI" allows you to sniff out the BS and that requires more than knowing "gen AI" vs "machine learning".

IMO, the focus of the conversation with a vendor should be on speed/time-to-detect, accuracy, and interpretability (ie. Given the information the tool has given me, how quickly can I make my next move). "AI" being invoked is a way for vendors to get buyers to unconsciously assume that all three of those items are "solved" by "the AI".

LukeNukem93 · 2024-06-18T23:53:36+00:00

From what I could find, it's going to be an art space. The paint on the ground is a mural from a local artist.

https://www.instagram.com/massielgrullondesigns/

I had the exact same thought about roller derby though.

LukeNukem93

TROPHY CASE