Assembly Row Bar Stars Competition 2018

We headed over to the rooftops at Assembly Row this week for the 2018 edition of the Bar Stars competition featuring bites and, more importantly, sips from some of the best places to eat and drink there.  

The crowd was much larger than we expected, perhaps due to the absolutely perfect weather, the drinks inventive and the food terrific.  The People's Choice winner was America's Fresh Brewhouse and the Judges Award went to The Smoke Shop BBQ.  Those Ribs And Cornbread from Andy Husbands' new outlet were clearly our fave taste of the night.  Overall great food and drink and a very fun event.  It was a perfect way to kick off the big birthday bash weekend.  Congrats to all!

Lucky Strike Social Is Open

 

Lucky Strike Social at Assembly Row is now open with two floors of fun-filled entertainment, dining and cocktails.



We sort of beat the crowd to check the place out at a VIP Preview last week and although I am not always a fan of these entertainment emporiums that offer bowling, video, etc., games I have to admit that it was a very fun few hours well-spent.

I was pretty content at the shooting gallery where I discovered I am somewhat of a marksman.  Guests are fully encouraged to check their politics at the door shall we say.  I could definitely see myself heading back here with the boys from work on a Friday night after a long week.  There is enough going on here to have something for everyone.

Lucky Strike Social
325 Revolution Drive
Somerville, MA  02145
Telephone:  857.997.8000

Socials:
@TheBostonFoodie
@luckystrikeent

We were invited to this event as media guests without promise of any editorial consideration.

Caffe Nero At Assembly Row

We stopped by the ever-growing Assembly Row area as part of our busy holiday shopping and social season.  One (of many) of the spots that caught our eye was Caffé Nero.  



While we typically prefer an indie coffee shop these are becoming more and more rare, much to our lament.  So, yes it's part of a chain of casual cafés with a distinct Italian flare.  We sipped cappuccino and nibbled on crunchy biscotti in the light and airy space.  

All of the typical millenials and hipster types were on hand, sporting the upscale athletic attire likely purchased at one of the clothing outlets a block or two away.  As a matter of fact, we made a few of those purchases ourselves and found some real bargains on quality designs, by far better than one would get at any sporting goods chain.  There is also a new Trader Joe's with a beer and wine section that was fun to peruse. 

So if you have not been or it's been a while since you've visited, Assembly Row is certainly worth a stop.

Caffé Nero
375 Assembly Row
Somerville, MA  02145
Telephone:  617.209.6570

Socials:
@cafenero
@TheBostonFoodie

 All photos ©The Boston Foodie 2017

Caramel Patisserie

Word to all the French pastry lovers out there that Caramel Patisserie in Davis Square is now open.  It seems they are still ramping up but do have some of the best croissants we've had since, well, being in Paris.  All of the pastries are brought in daily from their original bakery in Salem where the kitchens are located.

A good number of macaron, ten varieties in fact, were on display.  We loved the Pistachio and Earl Grey and (promise) that we will work through all of the flavors.  Well, all except for the Rose because we don't eat flowers and just don't get why people do.   

There are other caramel and flan type of delights, too.  We did not, however, see any rendition of a Canelé or Petite Madeleine, two classic French pastries one would expect to see at a Patisserie. 

As noted, it's still a work in progress.  They do open at 8:00 a.m. on weekdays and 9:00 a.m on weekends and closing times seem yet to be ironed out, as well.  The good news is that you can't beat a genuine, fresh croissant.

Caramel Patisserie
235 Elm Street
Somerville, MA  02144

Socials:

@caramelpatisserie
@thebostonfoodie

Oath Craft Pizza

We here at TBF tend to be pizza pie purists so when Oath Craft Pizza, a new spot in Davis Square, invited us over to check out their pizza with a new style of crust we were a bit skeptical.

First off,  upon arriving the line of people went outside the door, so we immediately figured they might be onto something.

The pizzas are prepared with a thin crust.  Nothing unusual there. They did have some topping combinations that seemed intriguing.  

The difference is that the dough is drenched in oil then run through a very hot convection oven for exactly ninety seconds.  The result is a very crispy crust that's basically flash-fried. I'd describe the texture as a cross between a fried wonton and fried dough.  I know, sounds strange, right?

So, even we were surprised when we discovered that we liked it! Actually, we loved it.  It certainly is unconventional, different and there is nothing wrong with that at all.

There is a variety of flavors you can check out on the website but our favorite was clearly the Dougie:  Mozzarella, Roasted Potato, Smoked Bacon, Ranch Drizzle and Scallion.  Top taste of the visit.

They also have dessert pizzas which also worked well, making the pies a fine pastry.

We did take a few slices home to test just how the flavors and textures hold up when reheated.  They even give you a small card with specific reheating instructions.  We followed this and, yes, the slices came out perfectly fine, as if freshly-made even.

It's also a fun place with an upscale decor for a pizza spot.  The crowd ran the gamut from hipsters (it is Somerville) to families. So, if you are looking for something new and unusual to try, we'd suggest you visit.  We will defintely be back!

Oath Craft Pizza

Davis Square

280 Elm Street

Somerville, MA  02144

Telephone:  617.996.6395

Twitters:

@oathpizza

@TheBostonFoodie

Paul Bakery

Several years back, on my first trip to London, I found myself out very early in the morning, still getting used to the time difference but also because I love roaming the streets of a new city as it comes to life at sunrise. The rows of white townhouses, stately and large, that lined the streets of this South Kensington neighborhood were just like those I'd seen in the movies.

Eventually I wandered into a small cafe, the scent of fresh pastry baking and coffee brewing drawing me inside. It was the first time I discovered a Paul Bakery and we went back every morning for delicious morning treats. The place was beautifully laid out with a level of quality rarely seen in the USA and everything we tasted was a match to that sophistication.  It was all was as fresh as it could be, served beautifully, elegantly.  I was in love with this place.  When I returned home and began singing the praises of my find other friends who'd traveled abroad joined in.  I learned, unbelievably, that it was a chain of shops that began in France.

So, you cannot imagine how thrilled I was when I learned they were coming here.  And almost in my backyard! With Natick and Assembly Row locations now open and Downtown Boston opening soon, you will have a choice and whichever one you visit will be, I'm sure, the same quality.

The macarons are my favorite and, without question, on par or better than any other in Boston.  For that alone it's worth the trip.

Paul Bakery
Assembly Row
631 Assembly Row
Somerville, MA  02145
Telephone:  617.440.1049

Photo Credits:  Lisa Richov

Posto Revisited

We began with this Aperol Spritz:  Aperol, Prosecco and Soda Water, light and refreshing for the Summer evening when we visited.

We've long been fans of Posto in Davis Square, Somerville.  A few weeks after it opened we were among the first bloggers to try the place and reported that stepping inside was really just like taking a trip back to Italy and all of the extraordinary, casual restaurants we visited there, where the food was served simply and made of the finest ingredients.  Except for a few, small changes, the food is still excellent.  Chef Wyatt Maguire is now Executive Chef and Vanessa Leesam, Sous Chef.  Our host for the evening was Alec Riveros, Director of Operations.  Some new menu items have been added and they no longer serve brunch, much to our chagrin.  Brunch is served, however, at their sister restaurant just down the street, The Painted Burro.

After a few antipasti plates and a wonder baby beet salad we settled into this Fritto:  Fried Green Tomato, Fennel Salad and Buttermilk Dressing.  The creamy dressing made for a nice balance with the crispy coating.

Bufaia Mozzarella,  Prosciutto, Grilled Yellow Peach and Rosemary Honey.  The cheese and honey are sourced from Vermont.  The combination of salty and sweet with different textures made this a standout and so simple.

Our pasta dish was Gnocchi with Lamb, Pecorino Toscano, and Vidalia Onion in a White Wine Sauce.  The tender, braised lamb had a delicate flavor and the gnocchi pillows were perfectly turned out.

Rainbow Trout, Kale, Marcona Almond and Marrow.  We just sampled a taste but when ordered at the restaurant you get the whole trout.  Again, exceedingly fresh, simple and the flavors delicately layered and delicious.

For dessert it was Panna Cotta with Lemon Basil, Strawberry and Shortbread.  Creamy and flavorful, this was a very good version.

We tried many other dishes during our visit including their excellent flatbreads made in the traditional Neapolitan method.  Wines were served and matched with every dish.  Most of the wines are Italian and tend to be on the pricey side.  Our only suggestion is that if you are dining there, particularly in the Summer months, the light is very strong.  This was the second time the sun was fill-on shining in our face to start dinner.  We had to switch spots at the table.  While one could dine later and avoid this, window shades or awnings would help.  The food, however, has not suffered a bit and Posto remains one of our favorite spots to dine for worthy Italian fare.

Posto
187 Elm Street
Somerville, MA  02144
Telephone:  617.625.0600

Pinkberry

The line went halfway down the block.  There were enough hipsters to fill an art gallery AND a local Farmers Market.  Yeah, Pinkberry opened in Davis Square this week and we stopped by for one of their famous frozen yogurt treats.  I went with the Butter Pecan topped with Cap'n Crunch, yogurt chips and cheesecake bites but there are plenty of others, of course.

To celebrate the opening of their newest location we're giving away two free cups of their yogurt to a lucky reader.  Simply email us with the subject line Pinkberry Giveaway.  A winner will be chosen at random and announced next week.  Good luck!

Pinkberry
Davis Square
263 Elm Street
Somerville, MA  02144

Trina's Starlite Lounge

When I arrived with my dining companion at Trina's Starlite Lounge recently I noticed that look on his face that seemed skeptical.  We are used to visiting some fine dining establishments in and around Boston and this, to him, seemed like a dive bar.  We'd been invited back to try the new menu items and I promised him that it would be an adventure and a pleasant one at that.

Our first adventure was this Southern Wedding Soup.  With collards, ditalini, endive and alligator meatballs it did not disappoint.  Yes, I said alligator meatballs and I loved them.  For anyone who has dared to try alligator you know that it is a tough meat.  Ground up, however, it was almost an even richer taste.  Boldly served with a boozy drink called The Expatriate (scotch, Carpano Antica, nocino, and black walnut bitters) it was a heavy cocktail to begin a meal with and some thought it was far too stiff a drink to start.  To me, it was a chance to throw all conventions aside and just have some fun.  I liked the mix.

Next up was a Blistered Beet Salad.  Pumpkin agro dolce, Carpone's ricotta, hazelnuts and honey, the dish was paired with a Clarendelle Blanc, Bordeaux.  I love a beet salad, rarely make one when cooking at home and always try to order it when I'm dining out and it's available.  This was far more of an easy sell to dinner companions and most agreed that it was as good as any served in what might be considered fine dining establishments.

Shooting Star Blue Franc, WA, was our next pairing.  The typical reaction to a wine that receives little or no oak aging is that it has a tinny taste and I heard this comment at our table.  I thought it had a clean, crisp taste.

The wine was served with this Duet of Crispy Duck and House-Made Cavatelli. The duck was very good.  I advised others to try the wine again, after tasting the duck.  Somehow, it seemed to improve their first impression.

The cavatelli was very rich, salty, cheesy and satisfying.  Not on the menu, I asked a server to bring out a slab of their famous cornbread which seemed to make the dish even better and was passed around and devoured to the last crumb by everyone.

Dessert was Q's Apple Delight served with a sweet Cocchi Vermouth Torino.  Basically, an apple crumble sprinkled with crushed ritz crackers for a homey throwback to the kind of comfort food that is unpretentious yet delicious.  Exactly what Trina's is all about.

Suzi Maitland, the real star of Trina's, stopped by the table to say hi as we finished our meal and headed out into the snow after a thoroughly satisfying meal.


Trina's Starlite Lounge
3 Beacon Street
Somerville, MA 02143
Telephone: 617.576.0006

E H Chocolatier

We get sent lots of samples to try and perhaps review or write about.  They run the gamut from new products, products with inventive new packaging, health food items (those seem to be very big) and all kinds of kitchen gadgets and gizmos.  Many are unremarkable and end up in the trash after a single bite.  Whenever we get chocolate or candy, however, we are always intrigued.

The chocolate would pretty much have to be very low quality for us to not want to try it all.  When we received an assortment from local confectioner E H Chocolatier we simply could not get enough.  Excellent, premium chocolates made in their own little shop in Somerville.

Virtually everything we tried was great but a few were particular standouts.  An absolute favorite was the little owl-shaped chocolates called Wise Guys, filled with a creamy maple pecan butter and chocolate mix.

Another was the Honey Caramel.  They also offer a share program, much like a farm share, where you can resupply with each new bounty.  Nice stuff E H Chocolatier!  You definitely get our approval.