Wednesday, January 13, 2010

Machu Picchu Charcoal Chicken & Grill

(Saturday continued...) After breakfast, we went to Lyndell's Bakery to order the perfect cake for the Zority baby shower. Can't wait!

Then we began our walk. 1.5 miles later we were at the main branch of the Somerville Public library. Hung out there for awhile. Then proceeded 1/2 mile to Union Square.

Sat down for a snack lunch at the Machu Picchu Charcoal Chicken & Grill. This is the small original location of Machu Picch which specializes in chicken. There is a larger sister restaurant down the street named simply Machu Picchu.

We shared:
* Peruvian tamales
* 1/4 chicken (dark meat) served with house salad and fried plantains

The tamales weren't great, but the chicken was amazing! Deliciously seasoned. Great dipping sauces, one way too spicy and the other just right. Plantains and salad were fabulous sides. Highly recommended!

Ball Square Cafe

On Saturday morning Ann and I had our 6-week ritual. We had our haircut at Salon Cu by the Umberto and then headed to breakfast at Ball Square Cafe.

Wanting to eat a bit lighter, I ordered the hot oatmeal (steel cut oats) with fresh blueberries. Tasty, but without any sugar. After I got some brown sugar the taste greatly improved.

Ann got a side of french toast with fruit. She graciously gave me more of her fruit for my oatmeal. We also both partook of the self-service bottomless coffee. A great start to the day!

Tuesday, January 12, 2010

Max and Dylans Restaurant

Friday Night, Ann and I went to Max and Dylans Restaurant with the Zoritys. Used a gift card we got a good deal on from the Phantom Gourmet at last spring's Hot Dog Safari.

The four of us shared everything and quite enjoyed the food, though somethings stood out more than others.

Top Tier
* Prosciutto Mac and Cheese - Parma Prosciutto, Truffle
* Philly Cheese Steak Spring Rolls - All Natural Sirloin, Chipotle Ketchup
* Mini Kobe Sliders - Lemon Dressed Greens, Gouda, Balsamic Onions

Middle Tier
* Grilled Pear Salad - Great Hill Bley, Spiced Pears, Lemon Vinaigrette
* BBQ Chicken Flatbread - BBQ Sauce, Jack Cheese, Scallions

Lower Tier
* BBQ Pork Sliders - Slow Cooked, Cole Slaw
* Pear Hot Hot Dog Mac and Cheese - Grilled and Sliced Pearl Hot Dog

Friday, January 8, 2010

Cho Cho's!

Last night I picked-up dinner so we had time to eat before Ann had her back-saving massage at Sollievo.

I walked to Porter Exchange and got takeout from a delicious Korean restaurant, Cho Cho's. We enjoyed:

Pajon - Scallion pancake with zuccini, summer squash, green and red pepper
Bulgoki Combo - Marinated beef served with mixed green salad, dumplings, shumai and steamed vegetables. White rice and miso soup.

Plenty of food and very tasty. I particularly like their orange-colored salad dressing... and of course the beef. But truth to tell, their food is better when you eat in. Especially the pajon which had lost its crispiness. Still, a tasty treat!

Thursday, January 7, 2010

Berryline

On Tuesday I swung by and picked-up up a pint of the scrumptious original flavor frozen yogurt from Berryline in Porter Square.  Glad to have a store closer than the one in Harvard Square.

One of Ann's favorites, and I thought she deserved a tasty treat. Topped it with defrosted frozen pineapple from Trader Joe's.

I've tasted numerous versions of the tangy-style frozen yogurt, and declare Berryline the best!
Lesser cups in the Bosto area include:
BoYO Natural Frozen Yogurt
YoTango at J.P. Licks

Monday, January 4, 2010

Restaurants in 2009

Notable restaurants I ate at in 2009.

Cragie on Main (What a tasting menu!)
Fore Street Restaurant (Worth a trip to Portland, ME)
Great Bay (Now defunct)
Hammersley's Bistro (awesome chicken!)
Henrietta's Table (Thanksgiving)
Le Champlain Restaurant, Le Chateau Frontenac (When in Quebec City be sure to get the flambe!)
Maggiano's Little Italy (Annual Christmas Pilgrimage)
Oleanna (always a hit!)
Sel de la Terre (surprisingly bad service)
Scampo (quite tasty)
Teatro (Antipasto for two!)
Ten Tables Cambridge (with Adam Borden)

The Oak Room Restaurant

Ann and I had lunch today at the Oak Room Restaurant. Shared:

French Onion Soup
Maine Seared Crab Cake, red pepper coulis
Maine Lobster Roll, French Fries
Aged New York Strip (12oz.), Melot demi glaze sauce, mashed potatoes, asparagus spears

Delicious meal, especially the well-seasoned steak!

We used a Groupon coupon which gave us a terrific deal.

Also discovered they have a lunch special for $20.09. The Chef's Express Menu is four-course meal served on one plate, choice of soup, salad, entree, & dessert. We'll have to go back and try it since one option is a 5 oz NY Strip.