Tag: review

Eating Through Europe: Gelato

When August rolls into September and I notice the leaves begin to drift lazily to the ground, I usually breathe a sigh of relief at no longer having to wipe droplets of sweat off my forehead and peel myself off of public bus seats. And like the next girl, I always get a little excited thinking about all those comfy autumnal layers I can soon show off.

But this year?

Summer is hanging around a bit longer. The air is still heavy, and I’m still sticking to things. And it really makes me wish I was back in Italy, letting my tongue chase drops of gelato as they rolled down their cone, while I happily sat under a scorching Tuscan sun. Since I’ve been back in Boston, this is what I’ve missed the most: the obligatory afternoon gelato to keep cool (and sane). Unfortunately, it’s hard to find great ice cream here. And when we do, we don’t eat it every day. Which is a damn shame.

So, this is an ode to the gelato I fell in love with in the handful of cities I was lucky enough to visit this summer: Paris, Venice, Florence, Siena, Rome, Parma and Bologna, with the best for last. I hope it inspires you to get yourself a cone before summer slips away. Enjoy!
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September 7, 2015
Eating Through Europe, Part III: Italy (continued)

Ciao, bellos!

This is the third and final part of Eating Through Europe – read up on Part I and Part II to whet your appetite. Part III is all about my visits to Florence, Siena, and Rome. Let’s do this.

Florence

Traveling from the red city of Bologna to the gray city of Florence marked the transition from the Emilia-Romagna region into Tuscany. Florence and Siena, my two stops in Tuscany, were by far the most scenic, and were home to the most beautiful works of art.

In Florence, after a full day of walking through galleries and visiting the David, my stomach demanded sustenance. Luckily, there was a nearby panini shop, All’Antico Vinaio, that had a never-ending line out the door. The enigmatic guys behind the counter made ordering a panino easy – either you told them what you wanted, or they surprised you with a combination of meats, cheeses, and veggies that melded so perfectly together you could say they were the Michaelangelo of sandwiches. I can’t even tell you what the specific ingredients were in my panino, but I do know there was a hefty amount of pecorino cream on each piece of freshly baked rustic focaccia. It was divine.

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August 28, 2015
Eating Through Europe, Part II: Italy

Welcome to Part II of this series, Eating Through Europe! This part is all about the places I loved in Italy. More specifically, in Venice, Parma, and the foodie’s paradise, Bologna. (Check out all the places I loved in Paris in Part I).

Venice

I quickly realized that Venice in July was populated by more tourists than locals, and I was a little anxious about falling into one of the many tourist-trap eateries that seemed to be on every corner. Luckily, though, I was able to stumble upon couple spots off the beaten path that offered a more authentic view of Venetian fare. First up, though: the outdoor markets.
As it is surrounded by water, it only makes sense that Venetian dining is heavy on the seafood. The bustling fish markets by the Rialto bridge were a sushi-chef’s dream, and the fresh produce stands that accompanied it were a feast for the eyes.After a full day of getting lost in Venice’s ancient, narrow streets, cicheti (small bites) were the perfect pre-gelato snack. At All’Amarone, these salty cicheti included toast with various salumi, cheeses, olive spreads, and sardines. I was pleasantly surprised by the baccalà mantecato (salted and dried cod cooked in milk to become a creamy, salty spread). It was rich, yet simultaneously light like a mousse, and was one of my favorite foods in Venice.My other favorite? Dinner at Osteria del Cason, a modern eatery well away from the hustle and bustle of the tourist-filled piazzas. Spaghetti al nero di seppia, a black pasta dish with cuttlefish in a sauce of its own ink, was saltily delicious and the cuttlefish were plump and meaty. If black pasta turns you off, that’s your loss – this was seriously good. Although to be fair, it did stain everything from my gums to the tablecloth (sorry I’m not a perfect eater, guys). The shrimp at Osteria del Cason were also plump, herbed and buttery, and downright drool-worthy. When in Venice, this is the place to go.While I was sad to leave Venice, I was thrilled to finally get to my next stop: the Emilia-Romagna region. While each region in Italy has their own cuisine, Emilia-Romagna is considered the foodiest region (yes, “foodiest” is the technical term). It’s famous for some of Italy’s richest foods: meats, cheeses, pastas…basically, all the good stuff. Let’s get into it. (more…)

August 22, 2015
Eating Through Europe, Part I: Paris

Leili here! After gallivanting across Europe for the past month, I’m so excited to be able to share all the things I licked/saw/touched with you guys.

Let’s be honest: a trip to Europe, for me, was always going to be about the food. Seeing the sights is almost a requisite, but tasting everything I could get my hands on has been a life-long dream. What people eat, and how they eat it, says everything you need to know about their culture – and in the last few weeks, my taste buds have tasted a LOT of culture.

First up on this culinary expedition? Paris, the City of Light! (Or as I call it, the City of Bread and Butter).

Being the pastry-crazed person that I am, I felt right at home in Paris. Boulangeries and patisseries are nestled into every street corner, luring you in with the smell of freshly baked baguettes and flaky croissants. (more…)

August 16, 2015
B&G Oysters: Lunch

B&G Oysters is the ideal place for a summer lunch if you’re looking for classic New England fare. As a go-to place for South Enders in dire need of fresh seafood, B&G reliably delivers. And just as all of Barbara Lynch’s other restaurants, the menu at B&G focuses on freshness and quality – and it shows.

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July 17, 2015
Naco Taco

Naco Taco, Chef Michael Scelfo’s second restaurant venture after Alden & Harlow, opened its doors in early March 2015 in Cambridge’s Central Square area near MIT. And it was an instant hit. (Edit 6/15: Michael Scelfo left Naco Taco in June 2015 – after getting the restaurant off the ground, he handed the reins over to Chefs Robert Preciado and Amanda Howell).

Naco arrived just in time for patio season, and because we’ve been hit with a heat wave in Boston lately (no complaints here!), we were grateful for Naco’s large outdoor seating area with shady umbrellas and ice cold drinks. (more…)

May 28, 2015
The Backroom at Moody’s Deli: Dinner

Chef/owner Joshua Smith opened Moody’s Delicatessen and Provisions on Waltham’s eclectic Moody Street in late 2013. Moody’s Deli was named best deli in Boston by Boston Magazine in 2014, and that’s no surprise. They make, cure, and sell aged meats in-house, and their sandwiches are always done right, with high end cheeses and perfectly chewy bread.

In early April of this year, Smith opened his restaurant space behind Moody’s Deli: The Backroom. The menu is meat-centric and makes use of all the great charcuterie from the deli (as well as some cheeses that they make in-house!), but also offers some vegetable dishes and flatbreads. They have an enormous copper wood-burning oven lined with clay that’s shipped straight from France, which fits in nicely with the French cuisine and great wine list.

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April 18, 2015
Alden & Harlow: Dinner

We’re so excited to share this one with you guys. Alden & Harlow is one of our favorite restaurants in the area, and for good reason. Owned by Chef Michael Scelfo (previously the executive chef at Russell House Tavern), Alden & Harlow takes American food to a whole new level of delicious.

The restaurant opened in 2013 in the old Casablanca space in Harvard Square, Cambridge. The style is modern blended with vintage; a lot of wood, tile and leather tied together with funky wall signs. Beyond the doors, there is the bar – adorned with beautiful light fixtures and wooden structures. Once you walk past the bar there’s the main dining area, lined with soft booths and a generous view of the kitchen. (If you love watching cooks in action, reserve the high-top tables right alongside the shelves that line the kitchen for a great view. And if you ever get to eat at the chef’s table with the real front row seats, we’re very jealous).

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March 31, 2015
Tatte Bakery & Cafe

Tatte Bakery & Cafe was founded by Tzurit Or, who started by selling her baked goods at farmers markets in 2007, and opened the first Tatte in Brookline soon thereafter. We went to the Tatte on Third Street in Kendall Square, Cambridge for Sunday brunch. With a bright open space, long wooden tables, and funky chandelier, this Tatte’s rustic yet pseudo-industrial vibe fits in perfectly in Kendall Square.

One wall is all about retail, showcasing their cookies, biscotti, and tarts in beautiful bags and boxes. There’s a window on the back wall that lets you peek into their pastry kitchen, which is always exciting for a couple of kitchen nerds like us. Along this back wall there’s a long pastry case and counter which are abundantly stocked with cheesecake, tarts, croissants, brioche, baguettes, and other goodies. Along with the brunch menu, with items such as Croque Monsieur and a mezze plate, the food is decidedly European with a Mediterranean bent.

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March 13, 2015
Puritan & Company: Brunch

Inman Square, Massachusetts’ youthful and diverse neighborhood on the Cambridge-Somerville border, is full of great restaurants, bars, and specialty food shops. Some have been around for years, like East Coast Grill and Christina’s Ice Cream, while others come and go. Puritan & Company is a relatively new addition to the square. Upon opening its doors in late 2012, it was quickly recognized by critics for its high quality New England fare. Boston Magazine even named it Best Brunch in Boston for 2014. So of course we had to give it a try – with our fabulous friend Alison as our brunching buddy.

When we first walked in, our hunger and giddiness were quickly replaced with awe by the large cool interiors. Puritan & Co. has a generous seating space with lots of beautiful, natural lighting. The open kitchen is situated in the back of the restaurant next to the bountiful and tempting pastry counter. They have lovely bar seating as well with a generous wine list. Drink up!

As pastry lovers, we love seeing restaurants pay more attention to the sweet side of their menu. Puritan & Co. has a wide selection of pastries to please any palate, from croissants to banana bread. We ordered a basket of four: Boston cream doughnut, chocolate-hazelnut sourdough croissant, cinnamon monkey bread, and a dulce de leche and coconut danish. Although they were all very well executed, the Boston cream doughnut was the favorite: a fluffy dough generously filled with a not-too-sweet, lightened-up vanilla pastry cream. Alongside a cup of coffee, it was the perfect way to start the meal.
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October 23, 2014