Newport Off Season

The annual week in Newport, Rhode Island just before the official summer season commences when all the stores and restaurants are open, the weather is spectacular and the tourist crowds are thin is something we look forward to each year.  Yet, the off-season, with cooler weather and even less throngs on the sidewalks makes for a quite comfy weekend escape.

 

A stop at Fort Adams to see whatever is going on is always worth it.  This day we found the new replica of the Oliver Hazard Perry at dock in the icy winds.  She is a beauty and must really fly across the water at full sail on a windy day.  I am sure this will be worth a revisit on our return in June.

 



 

It was totally by coincidence that we made our arrangements during school vacation week.  It was Winter Festival in Newport with all kinds of extra-added things to do and see.  Colony House on Washington Square was holding a great event for foodies called Colonial Food For Thought.  It was our very first stop upon arrival.  We learned all about the tea trade and types of tea sipped by colonials.  It was interesting to discover that the fine people of Newport often enjoyed tax-free tea which made it's way here via the black market.  It paid to be a smaller port while Boston was heavily watched and regulated by the tax collectors. 

 

We also learned a lot about the origins of chocolate which began as a quite spicy, dark, bitter drink, Aztec in origin and brought to the world by Spanish explorer Hernan Cortes.  It would be decades before milk and sugar were added to resemble anything near what we have as a hot cocoa now.  

We wandered, along Thames Street and in the smaller shops off the beaten path.  Like the colonists we sought spices and other new ingredients, food and drink, the scent of the sea in the air.

 

As it also turned out, nature smiled upon us with unseasonably warm weather for February.  As the mercury soared to near seventy degrees we saw a full parking lot at the beach and decided to pull in.  Hundreds were strolling along the long shoreline.

 



And, yes, even the guys at Surfer's End at Second Beach, technically in Middletown took to the water.  The waves were great this day!

It was a spectacular weekend all around and a great break from the hectic city pace that we can highly recommend.  All just a short ninety minute ride from Boston.

If you choose to go here are some sites to check out:

Discover Newport
@dscvrNewport on Twitter and Instagram
Newport Buzz (Great for what's happening now, especially nightlife events)  @NewportBuzz on Twitter and Instagram
Hotel Viking for central, elegant accomodations
@hotelviking on twitter and instagram
@TheBostonFoodie For fun, food, travel and new ideas in and around Boston and New England

Our trip was sponsored in part by Hotel Viking without any editorial consideration provided.  All opinions expressed are our own and not that of any sponsor.

Phillips Candy House

This is an apple.  It is an apple that has been smothered in caramel.  And then, dunked in a vat of milk chocolate.  All by hand.  The two coatings seal the apple so that it remains fresh until the shell is broken.  The result is dripping with flavor.

I made these for gifts one year (a HUGE hit) and I will just say that it seems simple but is rather time-consuming.  Plus, hot caramel is basically molten lava and burns one badly.

This one is from Phillips Candy House and it is every good as my homemade version because it basically is homemade.  So, this year that's my option!

This sample was provided without remuneration or any editorial consideration.

Irish Treats at Cocoanuts

The North End may not be the first place one would think of to find some sweet St. Patrick's Day treats but that's where we headed this weekend to help welcome March 17th.  We were off to Cocoanuts for some St. Patrick's Day inspired candy.

We started off with this Beer and Pretzel Caramel, just the right touch of salty and sweet and that little hint of beer was the perfect flavor.

These Trinity Stout chocolates were another great choice, also delicious and a great alternative to corn beef and cabbage!

These ganache chocolates infused with Guinness Beer, however, were our favorites, complete with a little, foamy "head" of white chocolate.

The Roundstone Rye Whiskey chocolates rounded out our sampling.  What better way to celebrate without all those crowded bars and that never-ending parade.

Cocoanuts carries a wide selection of premium chocolates and nuts including this cinnamon bun flavor, another favorite.  Many of the candies are locally-made, as well.  We'd definitely suggest a stop by for an unusual, non-traditional new way to help celebrate one of Boston's most popular holidays.

Cocoanuts
28 Parmenter Street
Boston, MA  02113
Telephone:  857.263.7768
Open Tues.-Thurs. 10-7, Fri.-Sat. 10-9, Closed Sun and Mon.

Edward Marc Chocolatier

It's that time of year.  It won't be long until you will probably be either shopping for or receiving chocolates for Valentine's Day.  As you know, we are sent many products to taste and test and quite often that is often, you guessed it, chocolate.  Our recent favorite is Edward Marc.

Rich, quality, handcrafted chocolates since 1914 are what Edward Marc is all about and, let's face it, you don't stay in business that long without doing something right.  They are, without question, a cut above.  The box of chocolate truffles was out of this world, with unusual floral hints that we are usually not a fan of.  The Marshmallow, Dark and Honey Coconut, Milk were among our top faves. So, this year we are recommending Edward Marc for the gift to impress.

Edward Marc Chocolatier

E H Chocolatier Giveaway

Who does NOT love chocolate?  Crafted by hand, locally-made, using only fresh, natural ingredients to create a perfect balance of flavor, texture and beauty is what E H Chocolatier is all about.  We're giving away a Holiday Bonbon treat with nine pieces of the best quality chocolates you'll have this season to one lucky reader, delivered right to your door.  Melt-in-your-mouth deliciousness awaits.  It's so easy to win: leave a comment and get one entry.  Post a tweet mentioning @TheBostonFoodie and @ehchocolatier and you will get another entry for each tweet you post.  This is a twenty-four hour contest, ending midnight Monday, December 3, 2012.  Winner announced Tuesday morning.

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.