Darwin's LTD (Tasty sandwiches in Harvard Square)
Monday, September 20, 2010
Sunday, September 19, 2010
Anthem Kitchen and Bar
Sunday night, Ann and I used a Groupon for a gorgeous Sunset Cruise with Boston Harbor Cruises. Awesome views of the city, and a water view of Old Ironsides firing its cannon prior to the lowering of the American Flag at sunset.
Back on dry land we ended-up for dinner at Anthem Kitchen and Bar at Faneuil Hall. Standard gastropub fare. Decent, but nothing too special. Filled us up proper, though.
* Red, White + Blue Burger - roasted red peppers, sautéed onions, blue cheese. Served with seasoned fries + a really good pickle
* Mac + cheese cheesy - 4 cheese sauce with herb-crumb topping. Added Tasso Ham
Mac and cheese was spicy from the Tasso Ham. We were both surprised, and I realize now that I was mistaken in thinking it was an Italian ham. According to Wikipedia, "Tasso ham is a specialty of Cajun cuisine. It is a spicy, peppery version of smoked pork made from the shoulder butt... Tasso is not eaten on its own, but is used as part of a flavor base for stews or braised vegetables. It is used in dishes ranging from pasta to crab cakes, soup to gravy. Appropriate to its roots, tasso is most often found in recipes of southern or Cajun/Creole origin, such as jambalaya."
Burger was well-cooked, a juicy medium rare. Burgers were fine, but the "seasoning" was limited to a little salt.Best for me was the pickle, which is more a commentary on a great pickler than the other food.
Back on dry land we ended-up for dinner at Anthem Kitchen and Bar at Faneuil Hall. Standard gastropub fare. Decent, but nothing too special. Filled us up proper, though.
* Red, White + Blue Burger - roasted red peppers, sautéed onions, blue cheese. Served with seasoned fries + a really good pickle
* Mac + cheese cheesy - 4 cheese sauce with herb-crumb topping. Added Tasso Ham
Mac and cheese was spicy from the Tasso Ham. We were both surprised, and I realize now that I was mistaken in thinking it was an Italian ham. According to Wikipedia, "Tasso ham is a specialty of Cajun cuisine. It is a spicy, peppery version of smoked pork made from the shoulder butt... Tasso is not eaten on its own, but is used as part of a flavor base for stews or braised vegetables. It is used in dishes ranging from pasta to crab cakes, soup to gravy. Appropriate to its roots, tasso is most often found in recipes of southern or Cajun/Creole origin, such as jambalaya."
Burger was well-cooked, a juicy medium rare. Burgers were fine, but the "seasoning" was limited to a little salt.Best for me was the pickle, which is more a commentary on a great pickler than the other food.
Friday, September 17, 2010
Sol Azteca
Friday night Ann and I took the Green Line over to Fenway for a little dinner and a movie.
Dinner was the use of Buy-with-Me coupon for Mexican at Sol Azteca. Food was fine, standard fare. I'm realizing that I find most Mexican restaurant too heavy and unsatisfying. Give me some fresh tasting (and cheaper) Anna's Taqueria any day of the week. We ordered:
* Taco Fritos - Crispy taco shells filled with beef. Served with rice, refried beans, cabbage salad
* Combinancion Azteca - Choice of any three dinner items.
- Enchiladas Verdes: Soft tortilla rolled with chicken, topped with green tomatillo sauce, cheese and sour cream
- Enchiladas Poblanas: Soft tortilla rolled with chicken or cheese covered with mole sauce and cheese
Dinner was the use of Buy-with-Me coupon for Mexican at Sol Azteca. Food was fine, standard fare. I'm realizing that I find most Mexican restaurant too heavy and unsatisfying. Give me some fresh tasting (and cheaper) Anna's Taqueria any day of the week. We ordered:
* Taco Fritos - Crispy taco shells filled with beef. Served with rice, refried beans, cabbage salad
* Combinancion Azteca - Choice of any three dinner items.
- Enchiladas Verdes: Soft tortilla rolled with chicken, topped with green tomatillo sauce, cheese and sour cream
- Enchiladas Poblanas: Soft tortilla rolled with chicken or cheese covered with mole sauce and cheese
* Frozen Strawberry Margaretta
* Flan De Cafe - Coffe-caramel flavored custardAfter dinner we saw Ben Affleck's terrific new film The Town at the Fenway Regal Theater. Critics and Hungry Bakun agree, highly recommended!
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Missing Restaurants (C)
Tacos Lupita
Walked over to Tacos Lupita for a late lunch on Monday while listening to Pastor Kristina Kaiser's first Kick-Off Sunday sermon at her new church, The River South. Awesome food and thought-provoking content.
* Tortas Al Pastor (cerdo) [Roast Pork Sandwich] - Open bread with beans, lettuce, avocado, cheese, mayonnaise and jalapenos.
Just the right amount of meat, beans, mayo, and heat. Hidden off Someville Ave outside of Porter Square.
* Tortas Al Pastor (cerdo) [Roast Pork Sandwich] - Open bread with beans, lettuce, avocado, cheese, mayonnaise and jalapenos.
Just the right amount of meat, beans, mayo, and heat. Hidden off Someville Ave outside of Porter Square.
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Way Behind!
Gotta catch-up on the last few weeks and get back in the habit! Have been to:
Dorado Tacos & Cemitas
Cemita: Mexican Sandwich, Shrimp Taco (Brookline)
Pollo Campero
Guatemalan Fried Chicken (East Boston)
(From 2/8/10)
Dorado Tacos & Cemitas
Cemita: Mexican Sandwich, Shrimp Taco (Brookline)
Pollo Campero
Guatemalan Fried Chicken (East Boston)
(From 2/8/10)
Radius
On Monday, Ann and I took the opportunity of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday to head to Radius to try the 2007's Best Burger in Ammerica.
We both ordered:
"The Burger" - -vermont cheddar, crispy onions and horseradish sauce
Mint Lemonade
Quite fine!
(Clearly an old posting that never went live... when was MLK Day?)
We both ordered:
"The Burger" - -vermont cheddar, crispy onions and horseradish sauce
Mint Lemonade
Quite fine!
(Clearly an old posting that never went live... when was MLK Day?)
Missing Restaurants (A-B)
Ann has been keeping her own running list of restaurants which she periodically emails to me. Perhaps they are a mild shaming tactic to encourage me to post more often. Well here are some additional food establishments I've been to, prompted by Ann's list.
* Basha Café (Bad experience
using a Groupon where they ran out of everything including ketchup and falafel)
* Bina Osteria
* Blue Fin (Tasty sushi and Pork Cutlet Curry. Does seem to have gone downhill a bit in quality)
* Blue Ribbon BBQ (Much better than Redbones. Love the Gold BBQ Sauce and the Chipotle Mustard on the Kansas City Burnt Ends)
using a Groupon where they ran out of everything including ketchup and falafel)
* Bina Osteria
* Blue Fin (Tasty sushi and Pork Cutlet Curry. Does seem to have gone downhill a bit in quality)
* Blue Ribbon BBQ (Much better than Redbones. Love the Gold BBQ Sauce and the Chipotle Mustard on the Kansas City Burnt Ends)
* Boston Burger Company (Decent burgers, but many nearby are better)
* Bostone Pizza (Good slices on Newbury Street)
* Bull McCabe's (Irish pub, Fish & Chips, Live music)
* Bostone Pizza (Good slices on Newbury Street)
* Bull McCabe's (Irish pub, Fish & Chips, Live music)
Sunday, September 12, 2010
J.P. Licks
Fall brings something that I look forward to every year... CARAMEL APPLE ICE CREAM from J.P. Licks. They describe it as:
* Caramel Apple - It tastes just like Grandma's Apple Pie with a creamy swirl of caramel.
* Caramel Apple - It tastes just like Grandma's Apple Pie with a creamy swirl of caramel.
Typically it arrives in October, and Ann have a routine of heading there October 1 to make sure we beat the crowds. This year we almost missed it since it came a month early. No worries, we have a 2.5 gallon party tub in our freezer. Boston friends, ready your sweet tooth for an upcoming caramel apple ice cream party!
Best ice cream ever!
Best ice cream ever!
Bergamot
Sunday night... another dinner out with a Buy-With-Me certificate. Thing about buying all these half-off deals is that you sometimes back-up against expiration dates and need to eat-out more than normal. Oh well! :)
Bergamot is a tasty treat near Inman Square in the spot where Evoo previously stood. I had a nice glass of red wine and Ann had a tasty cocktail. They don't have an updated menu on their website, so let me try to recall what we ate.
* Tomatoes Four Ways
* Prosciutto and Melon
* Duck breast
* Seared scallops
All were very tasty. Best were the main courses. Perhaps a bit high on the price point / quality ratio, but good food and friendly, informative servers.
Bergamot is a tasty treat near Inman Square in the spot where Evoo previously stood. I had a nice glass of red wine and Ann had a tasty cocktail. They don't have an updated menu on their website, so let me try to recall what we ate.
* Tomatoes Four Ways
* Prosciutto and Melon
* Duck breast
* Seared scallops
All were very tasty. Best were the main courses. Perhaps a bit high on the price point / quality ratio, but good food and friendly, informative servers.
Saturday, September 11, 2010
Stoddard's Fine Food & Ale
Dinner out to use a Groupon!
Fun pub in downtown Boston named Stoddard's Fine Food & Ale. Ann and I indulged on:
* HOUSE CHARCUTERIE PLATE - House made pates, terrines, salamis, pickles, and toast
* LOBSTER SCALLION HUSH PUPPIES - spicy avocado aioli
* GRILLED MEYER RANCH HANGER STEAK OVER BRAISED OXTAIL - pomme Frites, three peppercorn aioli, brandy jus
Great food! Would pass on the hush puppies next time, but the charcuterie and steak frites were scrumptious.
Fun pub in downtown Boston named Stoddard's Fine Food & Ale. Ann and I indulged on:
* HOUSE CHARCUTERIE PLATE - House made pates, terrines, salamis, pickles, and toast
* LOBSTER SCALLION HUSH PUPPIES - spicy avocado aioli
* GRILLED MEYER RANCH HANGER STEAK OVER BRAISED OXTAIL - pomme Frites, three peppercorn aioli, brandy jus
Great food! Would pass on the hush puppies next time, but the charcuterie and steak frites were scrumptious.
Zing! Pizza
Saturday was our annual gathering at the Boston Vineyard for Small Group Leaders. Catered lunch was from Zing! Pizza and included:
* Holy Pepperoni - Our pepperoni is all natural vegetarian-fed beef and pork raised humanely with no added hormones. Gluten and casein free!
* Augustus Classicus - Tomato sauce, mozzarella rounds, sliced local tomatoes & fresh basil
* Blue October - Roasted butternut squash sauce topped with fresh baby spinach, mozzarella cheese, caramelized onions, blue cheese crumbles
* What-A-Melon-Salad - Mesclun greens, baby arugula, watermellon, mint, feta cheese'
* Cran/Feta/Walnut/Salad - Sheeps milk feta cheese, dried cranberries, and walnuts on a bed of mesclun greens.
Delicious with tons of leftover. My absolute favorite is the Blue October.
* Holy Pepperoni - Our pepperoni is all natural vegetarian-fed beef and pork raised humanely with no added hormones. Gluten and casein free!
* Augustus Classicus - Tomato sauce, mozzarella rounds, sliced local tomatoes & fresh basil
* Blue October - Roasted butternut squash sauce topped with fresh baby spinach, mozzarella cheese, caramelized onions, blue cheese crumbles
* What-A-Melon-Salad - Mesclun greens, baby arugula, watermellon, mint, feta cheese'
* Cran/Feta/Walnut/Salad - Sheeps milk feta cheese, dried cranberries, and walnuts on a bed of mesclun greens.
Delicious with tons of leftover. My absolute favorite is the Blue October.
Friday, September 10, 2010
Upper Crust
Reunion of Ann and my Small Group that ended last spring. Welcomed Caitlin back from Europe before she heads out again to the UK. Potluck that featured two pizzas from Upper Crust in Harvard Square.
* Garden Veggie - A wonderful combination of fresh mushroom, onion, diced bell pepper, broccoli and fresh garlic
* White Spinach - Our white pizza topped with fresh spinach, mozzarella, feta cheese and fresh garlic
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Tavern in the Square - Porter
Dinner with my former Cluster at Tavern in the Square - Porter using a Groupon.
* Sicilian Chicken - Tender chicken breasts with crispy pancetta and fresh mozzarella, baken with herb seasoned breadcrumbs and topped with tomato basil sauce.
* I replaced the two included sides (mashed potatoes and grilled asparagus) with a side salad w/ side of ranch dressing and tater tots.
Side salad was huge and tater tots were delicious. Unfortunately the chicken was dry and under seasoned. I saw breadcrumbs betweeen the chicken breasts, but barely detected any pancetta or mozzarella. The "tomato basil sauce" was pieces of stewed tomatoes on top of the chicken and had very little flavor. Disappointing.
* Sicilian Chicken - Tender chicken breasts with crispy pancetta and fresh mozzarella, baken with herb seasoned breadcrumbs and topped with tomato basil sauce.
* I replaced the two included sides (mashed potatoes and grilled asparagus) with a side salad w/ side of ranch dressing and tater tots.
Side salad was huge and tater tots were delicious. Unfortunately the chicken was dry and under seasoned. I saw breadcrumbs betweeen the chicken breasts, but barely detected any pancetta or mozzarella. The "tomato basil sauce" was pieces of stewed tomatoes on top of the chicken and had very little flavor. Disappointing.
Ball Square Cafe
Breakfast at Ball Square Cafe using a Groupon .
* 1 pancake
* Small Fruit bowl
* Veggie sausage (2 patties made in house)
* Bottomless Coffee
* 1 pancake
* Small Fruit bowl
* Veggie sausage (2 patties made in house)
* Bottomless Coffee
Saturday, March 27, 2010
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Le's Restaurant
On Sunday night, after watching a disapppointing end to the season for Kurt Warner and the Cardinals, Ann and I headed out by foot to Harvard Square. We had pho soup on our minds and Le's Restaurant as our goal.
First though, we checked out the cafe and bar menus, respectively, at Harvest and Noir for future reference. Harvest offers delicious poutine, and a selection of sliders and small bites (missing from the linked menu). Noir has its own "5-4-3-2-1-0 Happy Hour Nibbles: $5 Flat Breads, $4 Sandwiches, $3 Snacks, $2 Salads, $1 Sweets, $0 Nuts. Available Monday – Thursday 5 PM – 7 PM with a minimum $6 beverage purchase per guest." Can't wait to try it all!
Eventually we made it to Le's Restaurant. We shared:
* Crispy Springrolls/Cha Gio - A savory mixture of ground chicken, carrot, onion, rice vermicelli and mushroom wrapped in springroll and fried golden brown. Served with nuoc cham on the side.
* Beef Noodle Soup with rare eyeround and will done flank - Beef soup with scallions, onions and cilantro offered with white (pho) noodles. Served with beansprouts, fresh basil, sliced lime and green chili pepper on the side.
* Grilled Meat & Crispy Spring Rolls Vermicelli - Grilled chicken with crispy spring rolls on top of vermicelli (thin rice noodles), shredded lettuce, mint, beansprouts and roasted peanuts. Served with homemade nuoc.
Great meal with leftovers to take home. I had hoped to walk home, but the rain drove us into the subway. Fine evening!
First though, we checked out the cafe and bar menus, respectively, at Harvest and Noir for future reference. Harvest offers delicious poutine, and a selection of sliders and small bites (missing from the linked menu). Noir has its own "5-4-3-2-1-0 Happy Hour Nibbles: $5 Flat Breads, $4 Sandwiches, $3 Snacks, $2 Salads, $1 Sweets, $0 Nuts. Available Monday – Thursday 5 PM – 7 PM with a minimum $6 beverage purchase per guest." Can't wait to try it all!
Eventually we made it to Le's Restaurant. We shared:
* Crispy Springrolls/Cha Gio - A savory mixture of ground chicken, carrot, onion, rice vermicelli and mushroom wrapped in springroll and fried golden brown. Served with nuoc cham on the side.
* Beef Noodle Soup with rare eyeround and will done flank - Beef soup with scallions, onions and cilantro offered with white (pho) noodles. Served with beansprouts, fresh basil, sliced lime and green chili pepper on the side.
* Grilled Meat & Crispy Spring Rolls Vermicelli - Grilled chicken with crispy spring rolls on top of vermicelli (thin rice noodles), shredded lettuce, mint, beansprouts and roasted peanuts. Served with homemade nuoc.
Great meal with leftovers to take home. I had hoped to walk home, but the rain drove us into the subway. Fine evening!
Monday, January 18, 2010
Lyndell’s Bakery
The cake for the Dority baby shower was from Lyndell’s Bakery. Ann and I picked it out and were very happy. From top to bottom:
Whipped cream frosting
Gold cake
layer of custard
Layer of strawberry jam
Gold cake
The cake was decorated with a red capital "D" in the red sox font. Very classy!
(Update: I've since learned from unnamed parties that the cake also makes a delicious breakfast.)
Whipped cream frosting
Gold cake
layer of custard
Layer of strawberry jam
Gold cake
The cake was decorated with a red capital "D" in the red sox font. Very classy!
(Update: I've since learned from unnamed parties that the cake also makes a delicious breakfast.)
Za
Saturday afternoon was the Dority baby shower at Za, a gourmet pizza and salad restaurant in Arlingon. Ann organized the co-ed shower, doing an outstanding job with the decor and activities. You can read more about her purchases and planning prowess on Ann's own blog.
My limited role included making up the fake answers for a quiz about Dave and Kristen. My favorite fake answer was to the question about Dave's childhood best friend. I snookered several people with "KR-49 (Imaginary Robot.)" Second best were the fake answers to Dave's childhood hero. Correct answer: Luke Skywalker. Incorrect answers: Mr. T, Hulk Hogan, KITT. (Love the idea of KITT as your childhood hero.)
Meal was quite tasty. I enjoyed:
* Diet Coke (multiple refills)
* Salad with Crisp Iceberg Lettuce, Tomato, Red Onion, and Grated Carrot Salad with Applewood Smoked Bacon, Blue Cheese, and Creamy Buttermilk Dressing. (Shared the salad with Ann)
* Pizza with Bosc Pears, Caramelized Onions, Gorgonzola, and Smoky Bacon (I chose these toppings based on a specialty pizza, and then added bacon. Good, but too heavy on the gorgonzola.)
* Pizza with Pepperoni, Pineapple, and Caramelized Onions. (Ann's pizza, which I traded her a slice to try.)
* Pizza with Verrill Farm's Gala Apple, Homemade Pork Sausage, Onion, Sage, Cheddar Cheese, and EVOO's Apple Butter (Another friend's pie, which I traded slices to try. This chalkboard special was perhaps the best of the bunch once a little salt was added.)
Lots of food, which meant leftover pizza in the fridge. Made a great lunch along with a spinach salad after church Sunday.
My limited role included making up the fake answers for a quiz about Dave and Kristen. My favorite fake answer was to the question about Dave's childhood best friend. I snookered several people with "KR-49 (Imaginary Robot.)" Second best were the fake answers to Dave's childhood hero. Correct answer: Luke Skywalker. Incorrect answers: Mr. T, Hulk Hogan, KITT. (Love the idea of KITT as your childhood hero.)
Meal was quite tasty. I enjoyed:
* Diet Coke (multiple refills)
* Salad with Crisp Iceberg Lettuce, Tomato, Red Onion, and Grated Carrot Salad with Applewood Smoked Bacon, Blue Cheese, and Creamy Buttermilk Dressing. (Shared the salad with Ann)
* Pizza with Bosc Pears, Caramelized Onions, Gorgonzola, and Smoky Bacon (I chose these toppings based on a specialty pizza, and then added bacon. Good, but too heavy on the gorgonzola.)
* Pizza with Pepperoni, Pineapple, and Caramelized Onions. (Ann's pizza, which I traded her a slice to try.)
* Pizza with Verrill Farm's Gala Apple, Homemade Pork Sausage, Onion, Sage, Cheddar Cheese, and EVOO's Apple Butter (Another friend's pie, which I traded slices to try. This chalkboard special was perhaps the best of the bunch once a little salt was added.)
Lots of food, which meant leftover pizza in the fridge. Made a great lunch along with a spinach salad after church Sunday.
Marco's Pizza & Grill
On Friday night, we picked-up a large order of Jumbo Roaster Wings from Marco's Pizza & Grill. These mamoth fried chicken wings are fabulous. Marco's is a go-to take-out pizza joint on Mass. Ave directly across the street from Ann and my first apartment. And only a few blocks from our home now. We also quite enjoy their chicken parm which is enough food for both of us to have dinner with a lunch portion leftover.
We brought the wings to a friend's happy hour. There I partook of my new favorite hot beverage. Ingredients were: eggnog, tequila, chocolate (baking and grated bars), cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves. Yummy and quite the winter warmer!
We brought the wings to a friend's happy hour. There I partook of my new favorite hot beverage. Ingredients were: eggnog, tequila, chocolate (baking and grated bars), cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves. Yummy and quite the winter warmer!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)