The Most Wonderful Time of The Year

The holidays are in full swing, and I couldn't be happier to embrace them! Here are some of my favorite views around the city combined with a little about what I've been up to these days.... A most excellent Thanksgiving was spent at Adam's parents house in Quincy; we feasted in courses, most notably on peanut soup (his Mom's special recipe, so good) and a 34 pound bird (among the usual fixings of green beans, parsnips, potatoes, squash, cranberry sauce and more), watched football in between, and my contribution of pumpkin whoopie pies for dessert were a hit. It was super laid back and went undocumented much like lots of my meals have been lately. I have been lazy when it comes to bringing the Canon Rebel out and about, so please forgive a slew of instagram and iphone photos today and in the forthcoming posts. Here in Boston we've been enjoying the extremely mild temperatures as December rolls in, taking in the picturesque, bright light filled city spaces as they grace us with their presence. Although I do miss me some snow, I am never one to complain about the weather be it unseasonably warm or ridiculously cold. Snow makes me happier inside than I can explain, but then again, so do low heat bills! The Christmas tree in Faneuil Hall (above) is always a welcome sight, as is the vivid blue trellis in Christopher Columbus Park. I'm sure it looks familiar, I take a picture of this trellis every season! This year we attended the official lighting ceremony, where Mrs. Menino's introduction was met with neighborhood children caroling and complimentary Peppermint Mochas and cookies from Starbucks. In other news - our tree is up, (better pictures coming soon!) a good majority of my shopping is done, and I even started wrapping presents last night. I've never been so on top of my Christmas shopping, but I'm definitely happy to check people off the list so early.Adam and I got some great deals on Black Friday, and I've been on a roll ever since. On Black Friday evening we also ventured out to see The Muppets, starting Jason Segel and Amy Adams. If that's not the feel good movie of the year, I don't know what is. (I highly recommend! So. much. fun.) So is walking through Downtown and the Theater District at night. My Mom came into town this weekend for our annual city shopping spree. Along with my sister and Adam, we partook in the 5th Annual North End Buon Natalie Stroll on Friday night (Santa at the Fairmont Battery is always a hoot.) Then us girls got our fill of Harvard Square and Downtown Crossing shops on Saturday. A most excellent lunch was had a Russel House Tavern, I can't wait to share my review!Other than that, it's been holiday business as usual. Drinks at Cafe Florentine (this North End restaurant and bar has the best ambiance around the holidays!) Eggnog in my coffee,And pastries and cannolis from Modern. Always Modern.


How have you guys been embracing the holidays so far?!

Brunch on The Terrace at Avenue One

Happy July and Happy Friday! Before we get into the month of July, or the Friday lunch, lets flashback to Sunday morning. I attended the latest Boston Brunchers event which took place at The Terrace at Avenue One, a lesser known outdoor space housed within the confines of The Hyatt Regency Hotel. This luxury hotel is centrally located at One Avenue de Lafayette where Downtown Crossing meets the Theater District. Despite the Hyatts prime location, I never really knew of its existence and definitely had no idea what they offered in terms of dining. The ever wonderful Renee organized the event which was co-hosted by Eversave where bloggers were invited to sample Chef Kelly Armetta's soon-to-be-launched brunch menu for a fixed price of $25 including beverages, tax and gratuity. Beverages ranged from passed smoothies upon arrival, coffee and juice upon taking our seats and later our choice of mimosa or Bloody Mary. The chef welcomed us and enthusiastically spoke about the new menu offerings, placing a strong emphasis on the use of seasonal and locally sourced ingredients. Breads are made from scratch, jams are made from locally grown (in his own garden) berries and the cheeses vary each week depending on what is readily available. We were told that Hyatt Hotels nationwide are working towards similar sustainable practices. Please note, The Hyatt does not typically offer their brunch on The Terrace, this was a private event and intended to showcase the Avenue One (located inside the hotel) Restaurant's brunch menu which will be available starting next month. The Terrace is however open from 5pm on Tuesday through Friday evenings, weather permitting, with live music on Thursdays and Fridays. Daily happy hour specials from 5-7 pm include $4 seasonal bites and $4 Dos Equis! The Terrace is also available for booking private and semi private functions. But back to the subject at hand - brunch options ranged from from made-to-order french toast, pancakes and omeletts to buffet style eggs Benedict as well as pastries, muffins, fresh fruit platters and more.
From the table above I enjoyed a buttery flaky croissant slathered with the homemade raspberry jam, an excellent strawberry fruit tart and some juicy yellow watermelon. Oh yea, and a satisfying shooter of Muesli with plump raisins and slivers of granny smith apple. The first entree I tried was the Carmelized Onion, Roasted Portabello and Grafton Cheddar Omelet which surprisingly ended up being my favorite! I say surprisingly because I typically prefer a more dressed up Eggs Benedict, but the omelet was served piping hot and offered a simple yet superb combination of sweet onions, savory mushrooms and lots of gooey melted cheese.
The Maine Lobster Eggs Benedict with Toasted Pilgrim Bread, Cobb Bacon and chive Hollaindaise was a close second. The eggs were slightly over poached but the fresh well prepared lobster and that bacon cooked over roasted corn cobs was fantastic. The third egg option was a Coddled Egg over Baby Arugula, Prosciutto Crisp, Marcona Almonds and Honey Roasted Stone Fruits. It sounded like a worthy contender but after two doses of eggs I was tempted instead by the Gluten Free Granola. This was accompanied by some All Natural Yogurt and House Made Blackberry Jam. This granola was out of control good and Gluten Free to boot! I thought that was a smart option. The Challah Bread French Toast with Roasted Fruit and Streusel Topping was tasty, but I missed the syrup! No matter how sweet a french toast may be, without syrup I'm totally at a loss! (The chef explained they were not offering syrup for the toppings were sweet enough enjoyed on their own.) Perhaps this was true for the Triple Chocolate Hotcakes with Lake Champlain Chocolate Sauce, Espresso Chocolate Sauce and White Chocolate Butter, but I was too full to eat hotcakes at that point. I thought I took serious advantage of the offerings and I.was.stuffed.The Terrace at Avenue One is more of an unknown destination rather than a well kept secret! There is little buzz about this outdoor oasis that looks to cater to those seeking an after work cocktail, a pre theater bite or a simple respite from the indoor scene. The new Avenue One Brunch menu aspires to satisfy everyone from the health conscious to the local Bostonians looking to indulge and the travel weary seeking comfort.

I was lucky to experience the best of what the Hyatt Recency will soon offer for brunch, along with many local bloggers including the lovely ladies pictured below.Special Thanks to Michelle from Fun and Fearless in Beantown for the photo!

Summer Lunch Series Part 3: Marliave

This Fridays lunch brought me to The Marliave located at 10 Bosworth Street nestled in the heart of Downtown Crossing. The restaurant building itself is over 135 years old and was first home to a restaurant opened by French Immigrant Henry Marliave in 1885. Then during prohibition it served as a speakeasy and after that a mediocre (so I've read) Italian-American restaurant. The fourth and current incarnation of Marliave has been open for almost three years now; housing a cafe/oyster bar at the ground level and a lively bar paying homage to the speakeasy era with cracked mosaic floors and pressed tin walls on the next floor up. The top level where we were seated for lunch is home to a refined dining room, that keeps in line with the black and white color scheme noticed throughout the other floors. Last time I was here I pulled up a seat at their crowded bar and enjoyed a couple of the noteworthy cocktails. This time around I was thrilled to finally check out the upstairs space and what the kitchen had to offer.I should also mention that Friday was Adam's birthday, and I was treating him to a spontaneous late birthday lunch! We started with cocktails, their large laminated menu giving us a plethora of options from which to choose. I tried the Yellow Journalism ($10) which looks fairly plain but proves to be a tasty libation with Clear Creak Pear Eau-De-Vie, Licor 43, Mionetto Prosecco and Lemon. Adam approved of his Warren G. Harding ($10) with Old Overholt Rye, Lemon and Mint A simple plate of olive oil with green olives and some slices of soft bread were delivered shortly after we placed our order and inhaled just as quickly. We started the meal each with a piping hot bowl of Henry's Soup ($10). It came served in a deep white china bowl resembling a mini cauldron plated over a charming white doyle. The French Onion soup is loaded with sweet caramelized onions, a hearty crouton and thick melted Gruyere cheese. Most noteably, tender bites of short ribs lace the broth taking a classic soup and elevating it to something even more incredible. Definitely one of the better French Onions I have had and the perfect first course to warm up with on a dreary and annoyingly cold and windy Friday afternoon. For his main course, Adam ordered the Mussles ($12) farm raised, roasted tomatoes, garlic and parsley. He definitely enjoyed his birthday lunch, minus the roasted tomatoes! (I'll give him credit for trying one, but tomatoes are still something his palate can't seem to enjoy.) I ordered the salad simply labled Beets ($12) which paired finely diced roasted beets with goat cheese, arugula, black olives and candied walnuts. A paper thin crosini balanced a top the beets, which were compact and plated to resembled that of a typical looking tuna tartare. I thought it was a polished and creative presentation. The creamy and tangy goat cheese and the sweet cruncy walnuts added some great texture and initially helped balance out the strong presence of the beets. However by the end of lunch I felt slightly overwhelmed by the many beets left that lacked enough of the contrasting elements to sustain the balance of the dish the entire way through. I don't want to discount the fact that it was still tasty and for the most part satisfying. Ideally, I would reccomend this as an appetizer better suited for sharing. And maybe, just maybe that French Onion soup was a really tough act to follow. Our waitress was pleasant and the kitchen timed our courses perfectly; granted there were not many clientele in the dining room, but still something to note.
Marliave is a gem of an establishment where the Financial District crowd can enjoy a leusirely lunch or some after work cocktails; I'm almost positive the working professionals in the area would agree. But even if you don't work in the vicinity, Marliave is likely worth venturing downtown for.

Summer Lunch Series Part 2: Bon Me Food Truck

The food truck movement has been gaining momentum in Boston, much to the delight of residents and tourists seeking an alternative to the fuss of restaurant dining. They are quick, inexpensive, and have long been a culture embraced in New York City and Philadelphia. Boston proudly joins the ranks, forgoing a previous reputation of hostility towards the purveyors looking to offer locally sourced meals on wheels.
Call it a trend, call it innovation, call it evolution; food trucks delight the masses and take pride in serving cuisine that satisfies the most discerning of critics.Too often I crave the experience of a sit-down restaurant, but this Friday I simply wasn't in the mood to linger. I had lots of errands to run, I was feeling productive, I was in pretty much the opposite of relaxation mode and that feeling needed to be embraced. Enter the Government Center Food Trucks, specifically the Bon Me Truck which focuses on locally inspired Vietnamese cuisine. Their name is a play on the specialty Banh Mi sandwich which is exactly what I decided to order. A Bon Me Banh Mi ($6) fuses Vietnamese staples including your choice of grilled meat with pickled carrots, pickled daikon, cucumbers, red onion and cilantro with French influences of mayo and pate (both housemade) and puts it all on a classic French baguette. I chose the BBQ pork for my filling. The carved roast pork is sweet and perfectly grilled complimented by the pickled vegetable and herb components. An almost foot long baguette was much crispier (and larger) than I expected! But the freshness of the bread is evidenced by a soft inside that strikes a harmonious balance with the brittle crunch of the exterior. This Vietnamese (infused with French) sandwich proves to be an awesome six dollar lunch option. I washed the Bahn Mi down with what looks like your typical unassuming cup of lemonade. Lemonade indeed it is, but a Spicy Ginger Lemonade ($2.50) to be precise. If you enjoy the kick of fresh ginger (think: one that is provided by well made Dark & Stormy cocktail) then this lemonade is for you. Bon Me does not hold back on the ginger component. This lemonade stands in a class all its own, so much so that I wish everyone of you could try this drink right now and rejoice in all its gingery glory.Bon Me is located on City Hall Plaza serving food Monday through Friday from 11:30am-3pm, April through October, along with Clover and Momogoose. These three food trucks whose missions all support a healthy lifestyle were given the opportunity grace Government Center with their presence after winning a competition initiated by Mayor Thomas Menino. The mayor is a strong advocate for food trucks in Boston; he believes in offering small businesses the opportunity to prosper while simultaneously enriching public spaces throughout the city. I'm impressed on all Food Truck fronts - with our cities decision to support the growing culture, the dedication of the purveyors following dreams and sticking to a mission; and overall with the quality and value of the food. We're on a roll Boston!