Friday Food Fun

All images from their respective publication.

Can you believe it’s already mid-March? I mean where is 2014 going. This week has been quite busy with work and events, but I am happy to have a relaxing weekend ahead!

Best desserts to try around the world: Boston’s Flour made the list! I have never had one of their buns — this needs to change!

My girl Diana did a post on Henry Hargreaves’s art collection food maps – all made out of real food. I love to travel and eat, so this art really spoke to me. The collection was made by Henry, a New Zealand-based artist, and his New York-based stylist friend, Caitlin Levincreated. Both travel aficionados, they wanted to show ‘how food has travelled the globe, transformed and became a part of the cultural identity of each particular place’.

Legal Crossing is now open in Downtown Boston.

Dissecting the Cookie Dough Oreo – have you tried it?

25 Tasty Snacks: I want to try the Garlic Bread “Fries” with Marinara “Ketchup”.

Chocolate Fried Chicken to be spearheaded by Umami Burger mastermind Adam Fleischman. After reading this article, I must say I’m intrigued!

What food finds have you come across this week?

Asta

Recently nominated as a James Beard semifinalist for Best New Restaurant, there has been a lot of buzz around Asta and I wanted to see what it was all about. Located at 47 Massachusetts Avenue, it was spearheaded by Alex Crabb — Ex-Sous Chef of L’Espalier– and his girlfriend Shish Parsigian. Asta stands for Alex & Shish’s Tasting Adventure. Cute, right?

THE ATMOSPHERE

I loved the ambiance of the restaurant: every nook and cranny emanated coziness. The decor was fun, the music  jiving, the people vibing and I was oh so happy with my fur trimmed seat. To start the night off right, we were welcomed with a glass of sparkling wine. Who wouldn’t enjoy that?

THE FOOD

When it comes to food, Asta only offers a 3, 5, or 8 course tasting menu. We decided to try the 5 course menu:

You could find your cutlery by pulling out the utensil drawer within the table for use throughout the meal. What a nice touch!

Amuse-Bouche

Cauliflower, Trout Roe, Mushrooms, Lemon Sauce, Fried Capers

To begin, we had cauliflower. I never thought I’d like cauliflower as much as I did, yet this flavor pairing had me at first bite.

Monk Fish in Bacon Broth with Brussels Sprouts and Pickled Mustard Seed.

The Monk Fish was hands down my favorite dish of the night. It was cooked to perfection and complimented well with the Brussels Sprouts and Bacon Broth.

Braised Celery, Chicken skin, Black Gnocchi.

Beef with Kale and Chestnut Puree.

Black Cocoa Pavlova alongside Passionfruit and Olive Oil.

To end the night, we had the Black Cocoa Pavlova. This dessert was spectacular. I loved how there was a light airiness to the passionfruit that was contrasted with a cripsy pavlova texture that had a hint of chewiness.

THOUGHTS

Next time I’m back, I want to sit at the counter to the open kitchen for a more intimate experience with the team. Maybe I could even squeeze in a few questions too!

Asta is a term that is affiliated with goodbye — (H)asta la vista, baby. But, before you say goodbye to the weekend or Boston in general, make sure you do yourself a culinary solid and stop by Asta.

ASTA

47 Massachusetts Ave
Boston, MA 02115
(617) 585-9575

Del Frisco’s Boston

I cannot think of a better way to spend your Saturday than with 20 + bloggers and a hearty meal. Last week, I was invited to a Blog and Tweet Boston event at Del Frisco’s. It was not my first time there, but I was excited to see what was in store.

We were greeted VIP style. There was no red carpet, but there sure was that coined-name drink: The VIP – Svedka Clementine Vodka infused with fresh Hawaiian pineapple. In addition, they had their Pomegranate martini: 360 Vodka, PAMA Pomegranate liquor, splash of cranberry.

THE ATMOSPHERE

Del Frisco’s is situated in the Seaport on the harbour. The view is just picturesque.

We ate in the Harbor Room; it was the perfect backdrop for any meal AND it was surrounded by bottles of wine. I mean, can you say heaven?

Del Frisco’s team sure knew us bloggers well. They served family style by table but plated each dish to portion size. That way we could get the proper pictures.

THE FOOD

[ Ahi Tuna Tartare // Family Style Portion ]

[Crab Cake: 4 oz Jumbo Crab Meat with Cajun Lobster Sauce]

[Shanghai Style Fried Calamari]

[Prime Shaved Steak Sandwich // Seared Ahi Tuna Salad // Steakhouse Salad]

[ Filet Medallions // Scallion Mashed Potatoes, Thin Green Beans & Lemon Butter Sauce ]

[ Sole Francese ]

[ Harpoon Batter Onion Rings ]

[ Six Layer Lemon Cake // I want that cake, cake, cake, cake…]

RECOMMENDATIONS

I’m drooling just looking back at all my photos. My favorites of the meal included the Crab Cake because of its light airy nature mixed with a spicy cajun sauce, the Shanghai Style Fried Calamari for its sweet chili glaze, the Harpoon onion rings. How could you deny the grandeur of the six layer lemon cake? It was oh so buttery and good. I wish they had also given us a sample of the banana bread pudding!

Thank you again Derek Barragan for a fabulous meal!

DEL FRISCO’S

250 Northern Ave
Boston, MA
617.951.1368

Del Frisco’s|Facebook|@Del_Friscos

Del Frisco’s is participating in Boston Restaurant Week, from March 16-21/23-28. Out of towners, sad you can’t make it? AIN’T NO THANG — they have 9 other locations around the US.

Note: I was provided a complimentary lunch by Blog and Tweet Boston. This is not a sponsored post. All opinions expressed are my own.

Friday Food Fun

It has been a long week — between work and events every night, I am so excited for a relaxing weekend. I am also so thrilled with a lot of the below food links I found along the way this week.

1. After having gone to Deuxave, my chef crush on Chris Coombs was strengthened. Find out more about his 1st year anniversary at his South End resturant, Boston Chops.
2. Bummed I’m missing out SXSW, particularly because Dominique Ansel is showcasing his cronuts as well as these badboys.
3. Went to Vejigantes this Monday and had some bomb mofongo. It inspired me to embrace more latin dishes — def have this guy on my radar to cook.
4.  Marnely Rodriguez- Murray takes on New Orleans — this city is on my bucket list. I am itching to try some fabulous NOLA eats.
5. Boulud on heating up his career. I want to try this recipe of his and pair it with his caipirinha cocktail.
6.  New Restaurant Opening in Boston: Liquid Arthouse : I loved the restaurant even before I’d been as it combines two passions of mine: food & art. Founder Ruta Laukien quoted in BBJ “Art is something that speaks to our senses and the fusion of social dining can only amplify that experience, further the dialogue and stimulate sales.” Perhaps it will open in time (expected for early May) for my birthday on May 25th! Pencil it in folks 😉

Taking on the Trend : Cronut 101

When I found out that there was a Cronut class at the Boston Center for Adult Education, I knew I had to be there. With all the hype around the cronut in 2013, I made it a resolution to taste it in 2014. Since the actual cronut was too far to pick up any morning — wish it would be a hop, skip and jump to NYC — this seemed like the perfect solution. And let’s be real, I would never wake up at 3 or 4 am for a $5 baked good. I don’t care how good it is. This girl needs her beauty sleep, especially after a week of work.

I was able to mark this off the bucket list a few weeks ago. When I walked in for my first cooking class ever, I was greeted by Dustin Rennells. What a spectacular man who truly knows his stuff in the kitchen. He coined me with the nickname Stripes from the get go.

In Taking on the Trend: Cronut 101, we experimented with various alternatives to the cronut dough before getting into the real thangggg. Everything was cooked in oil. Deep fried. NOM. My weight was not happy with me post class, but my stomach was certainly satisfied.

What We Made:

We began the class with Pillsbury Grands biscuits. We used blueberry and honey butter as our doughs to create our first donuts.

We used a cocktail shaker to make the biscuits donut like. Neat right?

Dustin was full of fabulous tips. For one, DON’T STIR a sauce or anything for that matter with a wooden spoon. Apparently wooden spoons trap in all flavors from day 1 of usage. Yuck. Nevertheless, it does work as a good indicator for when your oil (use vegetable oil, olive oil burns) is ready. To test, place the wooden spoon in. When the oil begins to bubble like a nice champagne (see below photo), you know the oil is ready!

Remember how we used a cocktail shaker for creating donuts? No dough left behind..we made little donut hotels too!

Next up, we dabbled with Pillsbury Crescent as well as Pastry Puff dough. It’s amazing to see what you can do with store bought items!

The crescent rolls were rolled in sugar:

We dipped the pastry puffs in chocolate ganache:

And finally, the infamous CRONUT. It was as easy as 1, 2, 3:

You need lots and lots of butter. Butter on butter on butter. Fold it up and you’re all set to go!

If you’re not salivating yet, I don’t know what’s wrong with you. This class was absolutely fantastic. Not only was it a great day of learning tips and tricks in the kitchen [thank you Dustin!!] but we got to try out how to make the mystified cronut.

I left with a big helping of the different items that we made. I think I overdid it a bit..

What I Thought

My first experience with the Boston Center for Adult Education was a huge success. I could not believe how innovative and fun Dustin made the class. Sure, I had thought of neat ways to use dough before, but a lot of these delectable treats were so easy and had never come to mind!  I am definitely coming back for more classes soon! The BCAE is really the perfect place to do something different in Boston and try out a new skill or improve an old one!

BCAE
BCAE Website/@BCAE/
122 Arlington Street
Boston, MA 02116
BCAE is a short walk from the Arlington T stop.

Note: I was provided complimentary admission to Cupcakes & Cocktails by the BCAE. This is not a sponsored post. All opinions expressed are my own.

Cocoanuts Gift Baskets

Right in the heart of the North End is the cutest of shops called Cocoanuts. The owners, Jen and Tara, sat across from each other at the age of 16 enjoying a slice of pizza, and told each other that one day we would open up a store together in Boston. If the name doesn’t give it away, it is a shop that sells local chocolate and goods. It is one of my favorite places to find local food gems. One of my favorite items is a Wasabi Ginger Popcorn. Sounds strange, but oh sooooo good. One of my favorite items in the store is Nicole Coady’s fixx chocolates. Each chocolate is named after someone special in her life. My favorite is Bud’s, peanut butter nougat with sea salt. There are so many delectable local goods here. I put together a few items to make my own holiday baskets, including: 1) TCHO squares – San Francisco based chocolate company focuses on the inherent flavors of cacao and chocolate, separating flavors by profile. It positions its chocolate in terms of the flavor profile instead of by cacao percentage or the origin of the beans. 2) Raaka Chocolate: Espresso- Belize – Makes organic, bean-to-bar chocolate in small batches in Brooklyn. 3) Eggnog medallions – Bite into these chocolate pieces and a splash of eggnog flows into your mouth! 4) Northlight Bakery Co. Macaroons – Local baker with a love for French Macaroons started her own company with some unique flavors. This set comes with peppermint stick and fig cardamon.

Cocoanuts also have some pre-made baskets too! Get them while you can, it’s the perfect gift to give for Christmas.

Cocoanuts 

28 Paramenter Rd.

Boston, MA 02113

857.263.7768

Friends, Family + Pasta Beach

There is nothing like good food anddd you know a restaurant is good when you’ve been 3 times in the last 2 months.  Recently, founder/owners Susie and Gianni Ropolo invited myself and fellow bloggers [Ana, Smita, myself, Tyler Ropolo, Alex, Janee, Rachel, and Emily] to come in for a night of fun and food.

[ Pasta Beach interior. Photo by Smita ]

[The lovely Susie & Tyler Ropolo]

A group of us bloggers ate with the founder/owner Susie Ropolo and her son Tyler. It was quite a fabulous experience. It is one thing to get the story of the restaurant’s coming to be, but hearing it and understanding the background to its creation from a founder itself is quite extraordinary.

The story: The name “Pasta Beach” is based on a Vogue ad Susie saw years ago that focused on the idea that, “Life is a beach”. The saying stuck with her. To her, she felt as though everything about the beach, sunshine and happiness, was magical. Adding pasta to that equation was perfecting this restaurant’s recipe. What makes this restaurant so unique is that the family is from Italy – they commute between Boston/Newport & Italy. Even better, the chefs brought in are from Italy. The pizza below is made by a chef from Tuscany. How more authentic can you get?

[Pasta Beach Eats // Everything was so yummy!]

I tried the pasta fagioli soup when I went in with my parents this past Friday. The flavor was OH so good.

[Let’s not forget dessert.]

Pasta Beach
30 Rowe’s Wharf
Boston, MA 02110
617.439.6900

Note:  I was provided a complimentary meal at Pasta Beach; all opinions are my own.

Brunch at Towne Stove & Spirits

When it comes to brunch, I’m picky. I don’t eat eggs, AND dairy doesn’t sit well with me. Oh, and I don’t eat pork. Thus, the variety of egg concoctions, omelettes, bacon, sausage, etc I do not like to eat. When I am choosing a spot for brunch, I always look for options with pancakes, french toast, or lunch options. Towne Stove & Spirits fit the bill when it came to this criteria.

Our table.

The fruit was fresh and delicious.

There were an array of meats and cheeses.

One of my favorite items: crab stick and cabbage slaw.

Shrimp Cocktail.

Many delicious dishes: Pan Seared Salmon with green kale & pine nuts, Bacon Benedict, Extreme Potatoes (so good), Rib Roast with potato hash.

Brunch started off with prosecco and a cup of coffee. I was pleasantly surprised at how good the coffee was, as I am not a huge fan of drip coffee. (Definitely a cappuccino gal.)

Cheers to a fabulous brunch. Brunch runs every Sunday from 11 am to 3pm.

$38.00 per guest (children under 12/$14.00)
900 Boylston Street
617-247-0400 reservation recommended

Featuring: (menu changes weekly)
·  Assorted Pastries
·  Breakfast Breads
·  Coffee Cakes
·  Cereals
·  Grilled Vegetable & Salad Station with weekly Salad Specials
·  Raw Bar Including Wellfleet Oysters & Jumbo Shrimp
·  Bagels, Salmon & Other Smoked Fishes
·  Selection of Cheeses, Pates & Terrines
·  Carved Meat of the Day
·  Three Hot Entrees (Fish, Meat or Poultry)
·  Including Vegetarian Pasta
·  Maple Bacon,
·  House Made Sausage
·  Grilled Ham
·  Made -to- Order Omelet Station
·  Made -to- Order Pancake Stations
·  Dessert Display

For everything that one enjoys, that price is so reasonable. I will definitely be coming back again. For those that want to try out Towne Stove & Spirits, I suggest heading in on Sunday, December 1st. Brunch guests that day will receive a free house-made candy bar (layers of handmade caramel and cookies dipped in milk chocolate) as a way to fuel up before hitting the town for some holiday shopping.

Note: Towne Stove and Spirits provided the Boston Brunchers this brunch free of charge. All opinions here are my own.

Pasta Beach

Living in Boston, it may be blasphemous to say, but I don’t necessarily think “North End” when I want a good dish of pasta. Don’t get me wrong, I have a few favorites like Taranta and Mamma Maria that I frequent all the time, but I like to venture out and see what else is on the playing field.

Andddd let’s be real. When I go out to eat Italian food, if there is pasta Bolognese on the menu, I ALWAYS get it. I just can’t help myself. I would like to try other plates but I have this magnetic attraction to this dish. It is my utmost favorite plate. If I wouldn’t become the size of an Italian meatball, I’d eat this every night.  I like it that much. So if you happen to have a favorite spot for Bolognese in Boston, PLEASE let me know; I want to try it.

Tonight my dinner date was the fabulous Allie of Modern.Classic.Chic. It had been a while since we had a proper dinner together so we figured now was appropriate as she had just landed a new job. What better way to celebrate than with a nice meal.

With every meal there must be a fabulous drink, particularly on the weekend! I decided to go with an old favorite and had a French 45.  I have also made this at home – it is very simple: recipe; I always follow this Food Network recipe:

“Shake 2 ounces gin, 1 tablespoon lemon juice and 1 teaspoon superfine sugar in a cocktail shaker with ice. Strain into a coupe glass; top with champagne. Garnish with a lemon twist.”

If you didn’t get it from my intro, you are probably not shocked that I got the pasta Bolognese. Not only was the portion huge (great for when you have gone without eating all day) but also, it was fabulous and flavorful. The worst thing one can receive is a tasteless dish. I’ve had me a good amount of bologneses and I would say that this was one of the better ones I’ve had.

Tidbits of the night:

1)     If you haven’t tried a French 45, do yourself a solid and get it at your next outing. It is a refreshing but strong drink.

2)     Always smile. It’ll make you feel happier but will also get you more attention and possibility for engagement in conversation. You may end up finding out your dinning neighbor was in the same class of university as you were or happens to be from an area you’re dying to visit! (Don’t barge in conversation, but when appropriate and you feel comfortable, go for it! YOLO.)

3)     Never underestimate the greatness of your waiters.  Having had a fun night of dialogue and jokes, we must have left a good impression with Alessandro. We ended our night with frozen cappuccino drinks on the house.

Odyssey Cruises : Blogger Brunch

This past weekend I was lucky to be invited to a Blogger Brunch on an Odyssey Cruise. Alexia, my Spanish counterpart / temporary roommate, was in town visiting and I thought that this was a perfect opportunity for us to do something  that showed Boston in a different light. We would be viewing the city from the sea instead of by foot in our adventures of downtown.

She stated it perfectly by claiming it to be the ‘3Bs’ – bloggers, brunch, boat. Well, my B’s were slightly different: Bloggers, Brunch and Booze. Talk about a wonderful Sunday.

We began by walking along Atlantic Ave and walking through the beautiful Boston Harbor Hotel. Upon entering the ship, we were directed to a sectioned off area for bloggers. Talk about feeling like a VIP– the unlimited food and champagne definitely enhanced this notion.

I think I gained 3 pounds from getting on to off the boat.

So there’s food — that’s great, right? I can walk out of my apartment and have a gazillion spots to choose from food wise; however, not many of them had the view and service that we had.

We went through the harbor and then one member of the staff gave a tour on the different histories of each of the harbor islands. It was quite fascinating to hear more about the background to parts of the place I now call home.

Thank you Blog & Tweet Boston for putting this together with Odyssey Cruises. It was a fabulous way to start off a Sunday.