It's not every night you get to experience a traditional Nova Scotia Kitchen Party with a gourmet menu, cocktails with blue noses on them, fiddle music and square dancing under a tent on the Charles River with a sunset viewof the Boston skyline.
Rockport, MA: Roy Moore Lobster Co.
A recent trip to Rockport immediately made me crave lobster rolls, which, in the past in Boston has been good but not as exciting as I would have anticipated.
Boston: Pauli's
Location:
65 Salem St, Boston, MA 02113
The North End of Boston is one of my favorite parts of this city, it's great for photoshoots and of course, for the food. So, I couldn't believe I had never been to Pauli's before.
Guys, it really is WICKED fresh and CRAZY GOOD!!
The lobster grilled cheese sandwich was not only massive, it was chockful of fresh and huge chunks of LOBSTAH and lots of melted cheesy-goodness (don't worry, I Lactaid-ed myself out).
The catchy "Pauli-tician" sandwich caught my eye, for it's name and for its ingredients (chicken cutlet, prosciutto, fresh mozzarella, tomato, basil, olive oil and balsamic vinegar). Those are my must-haves for literally everything, plus, it's approved by Paul himself! I could eat it again, right now.
Another not to be missed sandwich is the Vito. Why? Because it was created by the "Vito" from The Sopranos.
That's right.
Looking for breakfast? Lunch? Dinner? Pauli and his team have got you covered. If that's not enough, they also have a full catering menu, as well. Want to order online for delivery? They've got you covered there, as well. I knew the battery powered bikes were there for a reason!
And the team there? They're awesome!
Thank you Paul and the team for treating us to an incredible dinner!
This is London: Harrods
Location:
Harrods, 87-135 Brompton Rd, Knightsbridge, London SW1X 0NA, United Kingdom
An afternoon at Harrods means afternon tea at Harrods, which is something to be savoured, not devoured. Macarons from Laduree were the best part, much better than the first time I had the french confectionery.
As elegant and sohpisticated as the dining experience was, something (perhaps the lobster rolls or salmon sandwiches?) didn't sit quite right afterwards with us and I realize it's not "proper" to say so, but there it is.
A feast for the senses, I especially liked the food halls on the ground floor, which we couldn't leave without buying armfuls of marmalade (how could you not?)
Christmas time at Harrods can't be missed, if only to take in the beautiful window displays outside, which Liberty London also does so well!
Here, a glimpse into the flurry that is Harrods starting, of course, with tea...
Cambridge: REI Camp Cooking Challenge
On July 28, 3 local area chefs battled it out on a grassy hill-top using only 1 local (and secret) ingredient.
The 3rd annual Camp Cooking Challenge was sponsered by REI and the Massachusetts Department of Agriculture, hosted by Dane Tullock, Outreach Specialist, REI Boston and videographed by Jeremy from Studio603films.
Using REI's camping gear and fresh produce from The Food Project the chefs were challenged to serve two dishes to the judges using the red fish as their master ingredient. The judges were DAR commissioner Greg Watson, Editor of Northeast Flavor Magazine, Jean Kerr (whose current issue features Julia Child), Founder and President of Chop-Chop Magazine, Sally Sampson and Director of Food Initiatives , Edith Murnane.
The winners were Chefs Chris Douglass and Nuno Alves from Tavalo for their seafood risotto (I tried it, it was delicious!)
Coming in second was Chef Jay Murray from Grill 23 with Chef Patricia Yeo (from tv's Top Chef Masters fame and Moksa) coming in third. (I'm a huge fan of Top Chef so it was a pleasure to meet Chef Patricia Yeo).
Here, some highlights (my interview by Dane made it to my Instagram feed!)
Happy Birthday Julia Child!
Miami: 5 Napkin Burger
Location:
455 Lincoln Road
Miami , FL 33139
http://5napkinburger.com/locations-menus/
Have you been to a 5 Napkin Burger? New York has the most number of them, and there's one in Boston's Back Bay, which I haven't visited, yet.
The one in Miami is stellar especially when you're looking for fish tacos in Miami and you'd think it would be easy to find. Not on Lincoln Road, it's not. So who woulda thought a joint with 'burger' in the title would serve fish tacos?
Well they do, and they do it well!
The only thing they don't do as well is their brownie sundae. Athough exceptional in size, the brownie bits were hard and not as moist and gooey as should be in a sundae.
Overall, a good meal. And next time I'll go for a burger!
Miami: Wynwood Kitchen & Bar
Location:
2550 N.W 2nd Avenue
Miami, FL
http://www.wynwoodkitchenandbar.com/home.html
When I first met Elizabeth, we discussed events and restaurants in Miami and she sent me a thorough list of her recommendations, one of which was Wynwood Kitchen & Bar.
It worked out really well that we were able to dine with Elizabeth here after taking a walk through the Art District.
Besides a rather absent-minded server, we had an incredible meal of a variety of tapas dishes.
Props to the medjool dates (bacon-wrapped) for making my night! The spicy shrimp skewers get a shout out for being mighty tasty, too.
All-in-all a wonderful place to dine.
Cambridge: Helmand
Location:
143 1st Street Cambridge, MA
Finally! Something tasty in this city!
I've never tried Afghan cuisine, but it certainly has very distinct flavours. Mint to coriander to pumpkin to cardamom. Curries and rices but crispy pastries and soft breads.
We ordered Bowlawni, the pastries filled with veggies, the Qoremay Ma-He, sea bass that's pan fried and sauteed, and served with rice. Absolutely delicious! The vegetarian special which includes baked pumpkin (out of this world!) eggplant, spinach, okra, and rice.
The cardamom cake (called "our cake" on their menu) is a must try. I make a cardamom cake, too, although this was much more moist and soaked in the essence. Mine is more of a tea cake (also a must try!)
It was also fairly busy even on a weeknight, but the service was still attentive and beyond wonderful.
I can't recommend this place more!
Boston: Union Oyster House
Location:
41 Union Street Boston, MA 02108
Yes, it's America's OLDEST restaurant (in terms of being open for continuous service), and was established in 1826.
1826!!
The recipes possibly date back as far as then, too. To a time when perhaps seasoning wasn't available, for the blandest of bland meals can be eaten here.
Good clam chowder, if the simple ingredients of cream, potatoes and bits of clam, could possibly be screwed up.
Potatoes tasted like dirt.
The asparagus and beans weren't cooked fully.
The biscuit barely saved my meal from being a total disaster. I even overheard someone complaining that his daughter ran out with an upset stomach from the scallops.
Shame on us for taking guests from out of town there.
Boston, Brookline: Fugakyu
Location:
1280 Beacon Street Brookline, MA
Sounds like you're swearing at me, but it's all good. REALLY GOOOOOOD!
Totally fresh and awesome sushi right there. I'll be back. (image via Instagram)
Greece: Santorini, Tomatoes + Octopuses
April: Art To Inspiration
This month's Art to Inspiration comes from an artist named Pakayla Rae Biehn whose work is entitled:
Is it bad to have immediately thought of food when I saw this image? Perhaps I was hungry or perhaps it's because I ate too much Mexican food in San Diego where I just returned from, for this is what it brought to mind. In texture, in colour and with the use of negative and positive space.
New York City: Brooklyn Diner
Location:
212 West 57th Street New York, NY
www.brooklyndiner.com/menu.htm
On our way to the hotel in NYC, we passed by the Brooklyn Diner and immediately decided to try it out sometime. Turned out our hotel was only a few blocks from it, so we walked back for lunch. The place was packed with what looked like business men with heavy mid-sections. After seeing the menu, then our dishes, it was easy to know why. The portions are massive, quite like their prices. $18 for a sandwich? Um. Okay. Tourist trap, likely.
I chose their "famous tuna sandwich", mainly for the Ezekiel bread which I've always wanted to try.
N got the turkey sandwich, which was basically Thanksgiving dinner in a sandwich.
The tuna sandwich was greasy, yes, but good. Ezekiel bread was delicious, although covered in butter, taking away it's health factor. The fries were perfect. I don't eat turkey, but the mashed potatoes and gravy were divine.
It's easy to see why this place is so popular, but if I were to eat here everyday, the Ezekiel bread won't help none.
Provincetown, MA: Fanizzi's
Location:
539 Commercial Street Provincetown, MA
For the MLK long weekend, we decided to check out Cape Cod for the day. Yes, it was freezing, and yes, everything, save for a few shops, was closed. However, we were recommended Fanizzi's by the water and decided to grab dinner there before heading back.
We scored the best seat of the house, overlooking the water and the sunset.
The service was lovely and the place filled up quickly as the sun began to set.
We chose a dish of sea scallops n' pasta in marinara sauce and fish n' chips, both downed with beers. The coleslaw that came with the fish n' chips was to die for. It must have had some green apple or something, as it was both sweet and perfectly coleslaw-y. The bread basket arrived piping hot which is always welcome. We also had coffees and the molten lava chocolate cake, which took me well over my sugar quota for the day, but was totally worth it.
I can't recommend this place, enough. We'll be back this summer!
Boston: Kashmir
Location:
| 279 Newbury Street Boston, MA |
Not only was it packed, which is one reason we thought it might have been a good choice, but it was packed with INDIAN people, which is sometimes a good indicator of a decent Indian restaurant. Not this time.
Kashmir has terrible, terrible indian food.
I'm from South India where we LOVE our rice to death. Present me with old rice (where it's clumped together, with bits of rice stuck to the outside rim of the bowl?) and I'm already an unhappy camper.
Tandoori salmon, which came out looking like steamed salmon with an aside of curry to be poured over it. How is that Tandoori salmon? It had not a single piece of evidence of having been in a tandoor oven. The sauce was the same as in the fish curry dish.
Our bhatura was initially forgotten and then brought out later looking flat, which a bhatura should not be.
Veggie samosas which were filled with mashed potatoes - seriously?
The eggplant was mushy and tasteless. The only item we liked were the Kashmiri naans, which were quite good. Makes sense to me now, why the place is called Kashmir.
Add slow service and disgraceful bathrooms to round up this review.
Oh, and when I asked to get the Kashmiri naans to go, big mistake. The worst thing, ever, that a server can do, is to place other dishes ON TOP of the dish you've asked to take home. Needless to say, our takeout was tossed right away.
Tell me Bostonians, where the good Indian food at?
