Devra First Gives The Tip Tap Room One and a Half Stars

Extrapolate what you will from the headline for Globe restaurant critic Devra First's review of the Tip Tap Room: "Beacon Hill restaurant the Tip Tap Room takes its name seriously." Perhaps you extrapolated that the restaurant takes its name too seriously, in which case First would probably agree with you. "Tofu tips I can roll with. Tomato tips? That's overtipping," she writes. First gives the restaurant one and a half stars out of a possible four, but notes that chef Brian Poe's "effort and creativity are to be appreciated even on nights when the place is off its game." [BG]

Harvard Square newcomer The Boathouse "should prove to be a solid addition to the Square's pub scene" says Alexandra Cavallo for The Phoenix's On The Cheap column. However this "might be more of a great brew pub than a great eatery" thanks to the combo of "an impressive craft-beer selection" and food that's "hearty if somewhat uninspired and under-seasoned." [TP]

Hot sauce "pops like a firecracker but doesn't overwhelm the delicate fish" in fluke sushi at Taiyou Shabu & Sushi in Quincy. For the Globe's Cheap Eats column, Catherine Smart finds herself enjoying specialty rolls like the "Xmas maki" even though "purists might find these westernized dishes an abomination." [BG]