Tuesday, November 14, 2023

Estella First Anniversary Party


 Even Sen. Ed Markey was there to lead the Happy Birthday chorus at the recent Estella first year anniversary party.  We totally enjoyed the great food and craft cocktails at the only black-owned and operated club in the Downtown Crossing area.  We love the setup of this space, a lively bar scene on the street level, upstairs dining tables and a private club vibe on the lower level.  Congrats!



Sunday, November 12, 2023

The Burren Smokehouse

 


Lisdoonvarna was our destination of the day for a VIP tour of The Burren Smokehouse.  Totally organic salmon is smoked here with chips and sawdust gathered from a local furniture mill and it was really enlightening to follow the procedures and story.

We enjoyed the tour with a Parisian Chef there to learn more about the process and ingredients said to be the best in Ireland, donning white coats and footwear booties.  

Followers know that I love salmon and was lucky enough to enjoy it for breakfast, lunch and dinner while on our recent journey along the Wild Atlantic Way tour.  

I gobbled up a small plate so fresh it was being packed up and shipped out to stores and restaurants all over the world.  It was really the best I've ever had.  Afterward we headed next door to Roadside Tavern for more salmon, a local brew tasting and trading endless stories and laughs with Peter Curtin and the locals.  If you are ever anywhere near it's a great way to spend the afternoon.

Saturday, November 11, 2023

Afternoon Tea At Dromoland Castle

 

Dromoland Castle is huge, comfortable and elegant.  We arrived for afternoon tea on a misty day after visiting in Ennis with family.

The polished silver, the cakes and sandwiches, the superlative service, and a perfect cup of Earl Grey was the most relaxing afternoon of our visit to county Clare on our tour.

Saturday, September 16, 2023

The International Life


 We're off to Ireland with a new focus on travel and culture which is, of course, filled with food experiences.  With three million visitors we're pretty sure you will want to follow the adventures.  It's so great to be back again on this Epic Tour of County Clare on The Wild Atlantic Way.  Our hosts, The Cliffs of Moher Experience, Aer Lingus and Avis Car Rental, have set up some amazing tours, dinners and hotels.  Follow us everywhere for some great fun!

Monday, April 3, 2023

Cafes Are Back

 


One of the things I missed most during those darkest Covid days was stopping in at the local cafes and coffee shops and spending an hour or two relaxing, reading and writing.  Now they all seem to be back in full bloom just in time for the open doors and windows of spring.

We stopped in at the Tatte Bakery location near Emerson College recently while in town for a movie screening.  This is one of the larger locations with plenty of seating and boy did we feel at home.  There was lots of great coffee and all those delicious pastries.  It's so nice to be back!

Friday, January 13, 2023

Popcorn For The People

 


Thursday January 19 is National Popcorn Day and what better way to celebrate with these delicious treats from Prospector Popcorn that also support a great cause?  When you buy these goodies you will also be supporting their employment of people with disabilities.  And they are doing a great job.


Sparkle on, people!!!

Monday, October 10, 2022

Boston Public Market Harvest Party

 

Boston Public Market is hosting a fun night for foodies on this Wednesday, October 12, in case you want to attend this great event before the tickets sell out.  And they will!  There will be lots of food to sample, an open bar and entertainment.  See you all there!

Tickets can be purchased here

Saturday, September 24, 2022

Newport Mansions Wine and Food Festival 2022

 


A great, friendly crowd, a spectacular view in a stunning backdrop, perfect weather, lots of pours and winemakers from all over the world.  What could be better?  The Newport Mansions Wine and Food Festival 2022 was just fantastic.  Yes, the Grand Tasting is gone but, really, we actually like these smaller, more intimate seminars where you get to meet interesting people and spend time talking with the people who make the wine.  Gone is the crowded stampede.

We attended the seminar:  What's Trending In Italy.  Presented by Kobrand and featuring winemakers from Medici Ermete, a big favorite, it was extraordinary.  Thank you to The Preservation Society Of Newport County and to ALL of the new food and wine friends we made!

Thursday, July 21, 2022

Surf Club, Newport 2022

 

What's better than a cheeseburger loaded with onion fries and the whole city walking by as you sit and dine? Maybe frozen drinks. Just check out the tiktok vid of our fun visit to Surf Club Newport.  


Plus, this is the only place in Newport where they have a booth table that sits twelve people.  Munch on fried shrimp or scallops and sip gin and tonics with everyone in, well, your immediate circle.


We also got a sneak peek inside the totally swanky new private club.  Very luxe and comfy.  Another tiktok Contact us for details.


Wednesday, July 13, 2022

Lunch At La Forge, Newport

 

I went with the classic Club Sandwich, loaded with bacon and thick layers of turkey on a crisp bed of lettuce and toasted bread, smothered in mayo.  Delicious. Because that's what you do when dining at a classic spot:  La Forge Casino at the Tennis Hall Of Fame in Newport.

The courts were as green as ever.  We loved the Arthur Ashe tribute poster.  Really, if you ever play you must visit.  I mastered the art of the serve at Boston College.  There is even a video of me out there, somewhere, teaching people how to do it.  So, tennis is a love.

The cool drinks came in handy as it was a warm day.  That didn't stop us from shooting lots of video (follow us on Tiktok) and see the Philadelphia Freedom episode.

My dining companion went with the Reuben Sandwich.  If you're in Newport this summer you must stop in.  It's a classic summer lunch.  

La Forge Newport

Cheers,

William

Wednesday, July 6, 2022

Newport Vineyards 2022



Next up on our tour is Newport Vineyards,  a winery located in Middleton.  We were invited to a private tour and tasting with the weather cooperating every moment of the way.  Blue skies and puffy, billowing clouds, full sunshine and a cool breeze were all a perfect backdrop to a few hours spent learning about winemaking.




We began by strolling the vineyards and getting the basics.  It's early in the season for grapes as one can see here but by Fall they'll be ready for harvest and the winemaking process begins.  There are about 60 acres of vines here and a few more for the culinary garden where produce and herbs are grown for use in the restaurant.


I won't spoil the details of the process for you but after the grapes are processed the storage begins and eventually all of the bottling is done on-site, as well.  It's fascinating to see all of the modern equipment and machinery used and to be taken through the story of just how wine is made.  And, yes, they do even have a grape-stomping competition every year!


After the tour we enjoyed the Local Cheese Bite Board ($20) and a flight of four wines to taste.  That Great Hill Blue cheese with just a tiny piece of that local honeycomb on the Focaccia Crostini was sheer heaven paired with the Riesling we sipped.  


Of course, we went home with several bottles to add to our collection, especially Great White, our favorite, a light, fruity, refreshing blend just absolutely perfect for sipping on those balmy evenings at home by the pool.


This is also the site for a very popular brewery for those also interested in a well-crafted, local brew:  Taproot Brewing Company.


One of the most interesting facts we discovered were these recycled compact disks we kept seeing on the posts out in the vineyard.  How curious.  Since our job is to ask questions, we did.  As it turns out, they are modern-day scarecrows.  The reflections they cause keep the birds from swooping in and nibbling away!

For more information and details on events visit Newport Vineyards website.

For more exclusive, insider information including our video tours of Newport visit us on our social media:

Twitter:       @thebostonfoodie
Instagram:   @thebostonfoodie
Tiktok:        @theoriginalbostonfoodie

Cheers,

William


Monday, July 4, 2022

Gilded Age Newport 2022

 

Let's begin our Newport Tour 2022 with the Gilded Age mansions.  We visited Marble House, Rosecliff, The Elms and The Breakers, considered to be the most impressive of all.  They are all breathtaking.


The design at all of them was over-the-top ostentatious, dripping with gold, luxurious fabrics, the best furnishings in the world, all combined to be showy in what some might even consider a vulgar display of wealth.  That seems to have been the point.  Subtle was not a theme.


Yet, it is absolutely fascinating to witness the indulgence up close.  We tried to show some of the smaller details here but, of course, it's impossible to capture it all.  




Aside from the rich furnishings and priceless art and decor are the sweeping views, the dramatic landscaping and wonder of what life must have been like for these people simply attending one social event after another, day and night, all summer long.


These are costumes used in the original film version of The Great Gatsby starring Robert Redford and Mia Farrow, which was filmed at Rosecliff.  We have been lucky enough to attend glittering social events ourselves at both Rosecliff and Marble House and the elegance of these has been most impressive.  Yet, we really never had the chance to explore all the nooks and crannies of these places from the stunning bedrooms and parlors to the servant's quarters and kitchens.  

It's well worth a visit to even one of them.  You can learn much more (even where people are allowed to picnic on the grounds) at The Preservation Society of Newport County website.  And please check out our social media for some really fun and stunning videos and many more photographs:

Twitter and Instagram:  @TheBostonFoodie

TikTok:  @TheOrginalBostonFoodie

Enjoy!

Cheers,

William




Sunday, June 26, 2022

Newport Tour 2022

 

You won't want to miss our multi-part series on touring Newport.  Heading there, thinking of it, or revisiting, we'll have all the highlights on places to go, things to see and experience and, of course where to eat and sip including some exclusive peeks.

Whether you like to just relax on a cruise or seaside, visit the gilded age mansions of unimaginable wealth, hit the tap rooms and vineyards or dine all over the island we will give you the inside scoop from high atop our tower suite perch at Ocean Cliff.


Needless to say it was non-stop fun, very interesting and relaxing, too.  Save yourself some time.  There is so much to do and see it can be overwhelming.  Stay tuned for our best recs and must-sees.  So, Join us in Newport this season!





Wednesday, June 15, 2022

Newport 2022


The Gilded Age and all of that.  We will be kicking off the summer season in Newport relaxing, dining and just all over the place.  Maybe we see you on Thames for a bite, or elsewhere.  Early mornings, late nights.  Or, just drinking champagne overlooking the bay.

Saturday, January 22, 2022

Mohegan Sun Wine And Food Festival 2022

 

It's been a few years, well almost ten, actually, since we were invited to our first Mohegan Sun Wine And Food Festival.  Of course, a lot has changed over the years, the last few being the most upending of all.  The restaurant landscape has been decimated, public events look so different with less crowds, more masks and still some apprehension.  Yet, we have always maintained that things will bounce back despite the staff shortages, supply chain issues and now inflation in full bloom.  And we still believe this.  Sure things have changed but we adapt, survive and go on.  So, as we head back to Mohegan this year for a weekend of celebrating great food and wine we ponder what the future will bring.

Yes, our readers have noted that we've had fewer in-depth blog posts.  There simply hasn't been the full schedule of splashy restaurant openings, grand social affairs and public food events to cover.  Much of this has been moved online to virtual events that are just not the same.  We have mourned the loss of that vibrancy, the getting dressed-up and heading into town to rub elbows with old and new friends alike, the laughter, conversation and all of that great food and drink.  Watching it on a screen is just not the same.

The future will bring back some of these beloved events in a different form (see our posts on the Newport Mansions Food And Wine Festival last Fall which actually brought to us a fabulous, more intimate new approach) and, yes, we are going forward with a new, perhaps more modern take.  

So, our future will be newer social media with more easily assimilated glimpses.  Yes, there will be all the same glittering events but with more videos with the people who make it happen, the Chefs and celebrities, the interesting attendees, behind-the-scenes stuff and the different angles that we have become famous for.  After 13 years there have been many people who have imitated our name, stolen our photos, reiterated our curation and we have welcomed it as flattery.  We have always been and will continue to be THE Boston Foodie, the original, with all the flaws and fun.  

With 16 nieces and nephews (and counting) there will definitely be more cooking with the kids and other family moments.  There will be more personal discoveries that branch out beyond food to travel, fashion, art and all of the cultural experiences that inspire us.  And there will be lots of laughter and fun and probably controversy as we have learned over the years.  What is life without other opinions? 

Follow us. Join us.  It's going to be great and we welcome you all.

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