Boston Bites (ie What I Ate this Weekend)
Okay, there was certainly more than a few bites. The weekend in Boston spent with Daniella and Will was a gastronomic adventure. I had read up some of the city's best offerings, and there were some that I just had to try (yes ma'ams and sirs, iced cream was at the top of the list). But first things first:
Friday evening, we were greeted by Daniella at South Station and by Will at her place who was cooking up some Beef Steaks in a Port Balsamic Sauce. Mmm...what a welcome.
The next morning, we headed out to explore the South End neighborhood, where Daniella bought an apartment last year. There were a lot of options on Tremont Street, but we chose Metropolis, which was packed and seemed cheerful, which is always a good sign. After only a 10 minute wait (no, Toto, we're not in New York anymore), we tucked into some delicious brunch: both us couples ordered the same exact thing and shared: three pancakes (one banana, one chocolate, one blueberry) and the omelette of the day: spinach and applewood bacon with roasted potatoes and wheat toast. We tried our best to restrain ourselves, since we were planning on eating dinner a mere 6 hours later. After brunch, Rohit headed to meet his aunt in Roslindale and Daniella, Will and I headed for a nice long, 6 mile walk along the Charles and though Cambridge. Taking the Mass Ave bridge, we walked through MIT directly to Toscanini's, voted best ice cream in Boston. Boy, was it! It was heavenly. It tasted like gelato. I got Burnt Caramel and Hazlenut. Daniella got Burnt Caramel and Gingersnap Molasses, which had full chunks of gingersnaps in it! Will got Sherry, which not too surprisingly, tasted just like sherry!
What to do next? Hmm...when in doubt, walk to Harvard Square to Will's favorite restaurant in Boston to drink margaritas until we had to meet for dinner! The Border Cafe served up some excellent margaritas which our server promised had no added sugar, but were made with pure agave. Mmm... we each polished off two and reeling, got on the Red Line for Scampo, dinner at the Liberty Hotel, where we met Kate, Matt, Brett and Caroline. It seems like Barbara Lynch owns half of Boston. This restaurant, along with three others that I know of, were on my mom's list of restaurants to hit (B&G is another one) It was excellent. Scampo specializes in pizzas and pastas, so while the rest of the table ordered pastas, the four of us shared two pizzas (white clam and bacon and white asparagus, burrata, and walnuts). Daniella and Will had tandoori scallops and Rohit and I shared what I will unabashedly claim to be the best gnocchi I have ever had. Yes, folks, even better than Gennaro. These little pillows literally melted in your mouth. I don't think I chewed more than twice for each one. They were made with potatoes and mascarpone. Heaven. We were stuffed to the gills, so we skipped dessert.
Brett, Caroline, Rohit and I headed to the Beacon Hill Pub, where we played a rather pathetic game of darts (Rohit and I were beaten solid) and found Bin 26 Enoteca, the best wine bar and we were informed by the owner, the only wine bar in Boston. Bin 26 was charming. We ordered a bottle of the house wine (a very reasonable $32), a cheese plate and some olives and essentially waddled home in the misting rain afterwards.
The next morning, after a rather unpleasant night for me (very allergic to cats, sadly) Rohit and I stopped at Flour bakery, near Daniella's apartment, for a nice little breakfast, consisting of a lemon ginger scone and a croissant. Both were excellent. Rohit headed to the convention expo to pick up his things and Daniella and I headed to Shilpa's place for brunch. The girls outdid themselves: more scones (orange ginger), a feta and beet tart (the signature dish from Rupa's girls only Valentine's Day party, a torte, and some potent Bloody Marys. Phew. Lots of food in one morning. Shilpa's apartment was really darling and her cat, Luka, is one of the prettiest all-black cats I have ever seen.
The next hour was spent in bliss: Daniella and I took a nap in the water fountain in the park. I needed it. After a quick pick-me-up at Flour- yes another one!- we got Chai Lattes and shared a wonderful pecan oatmeal chocolate chip cookie , we walked to the ICA to see the Shepherd Fairey exhibit, aka the guy who made the Obama poster. It was an excellent show, even though we had about a half hour to see the entire exhibit. Propaganda art, gotta love it!
Finally, the four of us met back at Daniella's place where we deliberated over where to go for dinner. East Coast Grill, it was! We ordered pork and crab dumplings and mussels steamed in coconut milk to share. I order a pulled pork sandwich, Rohit ordered the ginger noodles with scallops and shrimp, Daniella had the bluefish special of the day and Will ordered the beef brisket sandwich with two ribs: one sweet and one murderously hot. Habanero and scotch bonnet pepper hot. Painfully hot. He succumbed after three bites. Then it was off to Christina's, next door, the runner up for best ice cream in the city. It was definitely a runner up. Toscanini's has them beat! Together, we had peppermint stick, carrot cake and Mexican chocolate. The next morning, with Rohit already starting his run, the three of us hit Uptown Cafe for some coffee and pastries to fuel us while we waited for the runners. Looking back on the weekend, I felt rather gluttonous while I watched the runners sprint to the finish line, but at least we walked a lot. Boston has some great food. There are a few things still on my list that we didn't have a chance to try out. But don't worry; I'll be back for Bartley's!
Friday evening, we were greeted by Daniella at South Station and by Will at her place who was cooking up some Beef Steaks in a Port Balsamic Sauce. Mmm...what a welcome.
The next morning, we headed out to explore the South End neighborhood, where Daniella bought an apartment last year. There were a lot of options on Tremont Street, but we chose Metropolis, which was packed and seemed cheerful, which is always a good sign. After only a 10 minute wait (no, Toto, we're not in New York anymore), we tucked into some delicious brunch: both us couples ordered the same exact thing and shared: three pancakes (one banana, one chocolate, one blueberry) and the omelette of the day: spinach and applewood bacon with roasted potatoes and wheat toast. We tried our best to restrain ourselves, since we were planning on eating dinner a mere 6 hours later. After brunch, Rohit headed to meet his aunt in Roslindale and Daniella, Will and I headed for a nice long, 6 mile walk along the Charles and though Cambridge. Taking the Mass Ave bridge, we walked through MIT directly to Toscanini's, voted best ice cream in Boston. Boy, was it! It was heavenly. It tasted like gelato. I got Burnt Caramel and Hazlenut. Daniella got Burnt Caramel and Gingersnap Molasses, which had full chunks of gingersnaps in it! Will got Sherry, which not too surprisingly, tasted just like sherry!
What to do next? Hmm...when in doubt, walk to Harvard Square to Will's favorite restaurant in Boston to drink margaritas until we had to meet for dinner! The Border Cafe served up some excellent margaritas which our server promised had no added sugar, but were made with pure agave. Mmm... we each polished off two and reeling, got on the Red Line for Scampo, dinner at the Liberty Hotel, where we met Kate, Matt, Brett and Caroline. It seems like Barbara Lynch owns half of Boston. This restaurant, along with three others that I know of, were on my mom's list of restaurants to hit (B&G is another one) It was excellent. Scampo specializes in pizzas and pastas, so while the rest of the table ordered pastas, the four of us shared two pizzas (white clam and bacon and white asparagus, burrata, and walnuts). Daniella and Will had tandoori scallops and Rohit and I shared what I will unabashedly claim to be the best gnocchi I have ever had. Yes, folks, even better than Gennaro. These little pillows literally melted in your mouth. I don't think I chewed more than twice for each one. They were made with potatoes and mascarpone. Heaven. We were stuffed to the gills, so we skipped dessert.
Brett, Caroline, Rohit and I headed to the Beacon Hill Pub, where we played a rather pathetic game of darts (Rohit and I were beaten solid) and found Bin 26 Enoteca, the best wine bar and we were informed by the owner, the only wine bar in Boston. Bin 26 was charming. We ordered a bottle of the house wine (a very reasonable $32), a cheese plate and some olives and essentially waddled home in the misting rain afterwards.
The next morning, after a rather unpleasant night for me (very allergic to cats, sadly) Rohit and I stopped at Flour bakery, near Daniella's apartment, for a nice little breakfast, consisting of a lemon ginger scone and a croissant. Both were excellent. Rohit headed to the convention expo to pick up his things and Daniella and I headed to Shilpa's place for brunch. The girls outdid themselves: more scones (orange ginger), a feta and beet tart (the signature dish from Rupa's girls only Valentine's Day party, a torte, and some potent Bloody Marys. Phew. Lots of food in one morning. Shilpa's apartment was really darling and her cat, Luka, is one of the prettiest all-black cats I have ever seen.
The next hour was spent in bliss: Daniella and I took a nap in the water fountain in the park. I needed it. After a quick pick-me-up at Flour- yes another one!- we got Chai Lattes and shared a wonderful pecan oatmeal chocolate chip cookie , we walked to the ICA to see the Shepherd Fairey exhibit, aka the guy who made the Obama poster. It was an excellent show, even though we had about a half hour to see the entire exhibit. Propaganda art, gotta love it!
Finally, the four of us met back at Daniella's place where we deliberated over where to go for dinner. East Coast Grill, it was! We ordered pork and crab dumplings and mussels steamed in coconut milk to share. I order a pulled pork sandwich, Rohit ordered the ginger noodles with scallops and shrimp, Daniella had the bluefish special of the day and Will ordered the beef brisket sandwich with two ribs: one sweet and one murderously hot. Habanero and scotch bonnet pepper hot. Painfully hot. He succumbed after three bites. Then it was off to Christina's, next door, the runner up for best ice cream in the city. It was definitely a runner up. Toscanini's has them beat! Together, we had peppermint stick, carrot cake and Mexican chocolate. The next morning, with Rohit already starting his run, the three of us hit Uptown Cafe for some coffee and pastries to fuel us while we waited for the runners. Looking back on the weekend, I felt rather gluttonous while I watched the runners sprint to the finish line, but at least we walked a lot. Boston has some great food. There are a few things still on my list that we didn't have a chance to try out. But don't worry; I'll be back for Bartley's!
posted by Fat Sister | 1:41 PM
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