Very nice reception at Rialto tonight. What a great spot for dining outdoors this summer!
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
49 Social
We braved the rain last week and headed over to Downtown Crossing for the opening party at 49 Social. The long, marble bar was filling up with guests (including Richard Auffrey of The Passionate Foodie) eagerly anticipating the classic comfort food and cocktails as we settled into a booth in the center of the room. We were not disappointed.
We were immediately served these refreshing punch drinks by Bar Manager Kim Frankson.
The second level of the three level 49 Social has a spacious room that could be used for functions and overlooks the bar and main dining area.
Christian Sann, SCVNGR, with Lindsay Rontondi and Joanna Roffo, Regan Communications.
Our first taste of the night were these very welcome Flatbreads with Arugula.
The Tuna Tartare Amuse Bouche. Very nice.
The Truffled Macaroni and Cheese was my highlight of the night, rich with cheese and topped with all those thin slices of truffles.
With Samir Zaiter, Manager of 49 Social.
This Pork Roulade we sampled was excellent.
What would a party be without ... sliders?
It wasn't long before the place was packed, everyone enjoying the food, drinks and live music.
We ran into friend Max Buccini of W Hotel Boston but (sadly) missed our photo op with Jenny Johnson.
Our last bite of the evening was this delicious Mini Arancini.
49 Social is a welcome addition to the neighborhood!
49 Social Food & Drink
49 Temple Place
Boston, MA 02111
Telephone: 617.338.9600
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Lemon Drops and Lotus Blossoms
On the last Monday of every month, Kickass Cupcakes hosts a Cocktail Cupcake Happy Hour. They feature three cocktail cupcakes, offered free to the public. In fact, they encourage you to try all three flavors of the mini cupcakes. Their cupcakes are among the best available in the area and several other food writers concur with me on that.
This week the flavors were:
Lemon Drop
Lemon cupcakes soaked with Grey Goose Citron Vodka, vodka lemon curd center, Citron Vodka icing and lemon sugar.
Lotus Blossom
Buttermilk cupcake soaked with La Poire Vodka, vodka soaked pear center and lychee frosting with fresh lime zest.
Orange Crush
Chocolate orange cupcake soaked with Grey Goose L'Orange Vodka and topped with chocolate ganache and candied orange.
My favorite was the Lotus Blossom. The freshness and flavors were incredible. The "Cocktail" hours run from 5:00-8:00 PM.
Kickass Cupcakes
378 Highland Avenue
Somerville, MA 02144
Davis Square
Telephone: 617.628.CUPS
Social Media Summer School
Seth Priebatsch, Founder of SCVNGR.
Bright and early on Monday we attended the first class in a series of Social Media Summer School presentations, geared toward small business owners looking for more information about this growing field. Social Media is very popular with Chefs and restaurant owners and works very well with businesses that are mainly social venues: restaurants, bars, clubs, etc. In fact, many local Chefs have been leaders in effectively using social media platforms. Many others are now trying to catch up.
We began with a brief introduction from Seth Priesbatsch, founder of SCVNGR, the location based app, but all the major platforms (Facebook, Twitter, Foursquare) were covered.
Janet Aronica of Oneforty Marketing then took over. Steps on setting up accounts on these platforms were covered with suggestions and tactics for building a community. Tools on how to optimize usage and resource materials were also provided. Future classes will cover analytics and return on investment and engagement.
Classes are held at SCVNGR Headquarters in the Kendall Square area and are free of charge.
For more information and to sign up for the next class, here is the link: Summer School.
Monday, June 27, 2011
OM With Chef Patricia Yeo
We were recently invited to a media lunch at OM restaurant in Harvard Square to sample their new menu items. A popular Harvard Square dining and lounge spot with alfresco seating available, the new tastes we sampled were, overall, very well received by the group and feature uncomplicated flavors and classic ingredients. It's nice to see food that can be sweet and/or spicy without being over spiced or too many flavors going on, detracting from the overall dish.
We began with drinks. Featured here are two "mocktails", the Lychee and Lime Muddle and the Blood Orange Soda.
Chef Patricia Yeo joined us to talk about the new menu, sourcing, ingredients and preparation. Chef Yeo will also be at the helm of a new restaurant opening in Central Square soon. We'll have more on that later.
We tried a number of menu items including momos and dumplings with dipping sauces and salads.
Just look that beautifully prepared Miso Glazed Salmon Fillet. It tasted every bit as good as it looked.
After sampling appetizers we all settled in with our ordered entrees.
Many of the group went with this Thai Fried Chicken, which looked fantastic.
The Salmon Club sandwich.
I enjoyed the Chao Phrya Tray which included Shrimp Pad Thai with Julienne Vegetables and peanuts, and Nam Prik Pla.
We finished off the feast with this deliciously rich gingerbread cake.
Om
92 Winthrop Street
Cambridge, MA
Telephone: 617.576.2800
Saturday, June 25, 2011
Lobster A La Chef Deval Patrick
Here is a photo of the Lobster dish created by Chef (and Governor) Deval Patrick and Chef Jody Adams today at the Museum Of Science event "Let's Talk About Food." What an incredible day of food, friends and fun!
Congratulations to all of the Future Chefs who had the chance to meet and work with the Governor, especially Tom Arone, who provided us with this photo. We are so lucky to have such great food friends everywhere.
Friday, June 24, 2011
Chefs In Shorts 2011
Chefs In Shorts 2011, at the Boston Seaport, group photo. It may have been misty and cold but it still was a great event. Full post to follow.
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Chefs In Shorts for the Greater Boston Food Bank
On Friday, June 24 we'll be at Chefs In Shorts in the Seaport District, all to benefit the Greater Boston Food Bank. This is a great organization that does amazing work feeding people who are truly needy. I urge everyone to check out their website. Look for me and say hello and we'll take a very flattering pic and feature you in the blog. Even more flattering if you make a contribution! Promise! I'll be in the black LOST IN ICELAND T shirt (not a weather prediction). Where's William? See you there!
Piantedosi Bread Shoppe
I had been meaning for months to stop in at the first retail outlet of the famous Piantedosi Baking Company and visit our fiend (and fellow Eagle) Joe Piantedosi. So, when I recently found myself in Winchester Centre unexpectedly I couldn't just drive by.
The classic shop is just the kind of little, independently-owned places we love. The Piantedosi family has been in the baking business for generations and their commercial operation supplies hundreds of restaurants all over the country
Loads of fresh breads and rolls in all shapes and sizes line the shelves in the bright and airy space. Baguettes, Breakfast Rolls, Brioche, Rounds, Gluten Free Breads, and Gift Baskets are available.
They even carry frozen dough breads and rolls that you can finish baking at home for that fresh bread that really makes a meal.
Artisan crafted breads of all kinds make the visit a real gourmet treat.
They also carry imported condiments, sauces and some of the finest olive oils available, including all of our favorites.
We baked off our french bread rolls at home to go with a grilled salmon served on field greens, drizzled with oil and balsamic vinegar.
Piantedosi Bread Shoppe
11 Thompson Street
Winchester, MA 01890
Telephone: 781.604.1021
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Truffled Mac at 49 Social Opening Party
There is nothing quite like great comfort food on a rainy night in Boston: Truffled Macaroni and Cheese served tonight at the Opening Party for 49 Social. Full post to follow.
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
KitchenWares
We were recently invited to join Jennifer and James Hill, owners of KitchenWares by Blackstone, on Newbury Street to help celebrate the store's first anniversary with wine, appetizers and friends.
The store carries everything a foodie's kitchen might need. It's also a great place to find gift inspiration for a food-lover of any kind.
I mean, what baker would not love dragonfly cookie-cutters?
KitchenWares will also handle all of your knife sharpening for those of you (like me) who have not perfected that art. Most of the staff work in the food and beverage professions and are very knowledgeable about tools, utensils and solving your kitchen problems and cooking needs.
Just in time for Summer, these picnic sets are perfect for those trips to the beach or evenings lazily spent on the Esplanade.
Some of the appetizers featured these edible serving spoons, which the store will soon be carrying. For savory bites it's more like a cracker texture and flavor, for sweets, an ice cream cone like shell.
KitchenWares by Blackstone
215 Newbury Street
Boston, MA 02116
Telephone: 857.366.4237
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