A Week of Restaurants : Part Two

Another Restaurant Week has come and gone, and this second week of meals was even better than the first! I went to a few favorites this week, rather than trying new places, and I was so pleased with my choices.

On Wednesday evening, I met Michele and Heidi for dinner at Blue Inc. I've written about this one before, but that was a lunchtime meal that I enjoyed. I was happily surprised to see that the entire menu was featured for Restaurant Week, which meant my decisions became even harder. I wanted one of EVERYTHING! While trying to decide, I opted for a cocktail called The Anorexic Model (cognac, lychee, St. Germaine, Champagne, and garnished with a small branch of grapes)! With a floor to ceiling poster of Twiggy on the wall, I felt like it was a necessity. The drinks at Blue Inc are so cool because they use liquid nitrogen to chill the drinks, and they have a very "cool" (ha, puns!) steaming effect. For my appetizer, I decided to have the Cast Iron Baked Figs. It came to the table, fourme d'abert cheese a-bubblin', with warm, gooey figs, pancetta, aged sherry and chive flowers. It was decadently delicious, and a perfect start to the meal. Moving on to the main course, I opted for the Mussel Frites, a dish that reminds me of our trip this past November to Belgium. Creme Fraiche, lobster broth, fresh herbs and spicy fries rounded out the meal. The mussels were done to perfection, and the bowl was just piled high with them. I couldn't even finish it all! For dessert, I had a Malted Chocolate Cheesecake. It was good, but not the highlight of this delicious meal...and I was too full to finish it anyway!

The next day, I enjoyed a leisurely lunch with my friend and co-worker at Sel de la Terre. We sat in cozy lounge chairs, enjoyed a hearty French lunch and some wonderful conversation. We have a tradition of always hitting at least one Restaurant Week spot every time it comes around, and this time was no different! I started off with an Asparagus Soup with Potato Croquettes and Tarragon Creme Fraiche. This soup was delicious because the flavor was so vibrant. Now is the perfect time to make things containing asparagus, and this soup really showcased the flavor of this in-season vegetable. The croquettes just melted in my mouth too - I wish there had been more of them! For my main course, I had the House Made Ricotta Gnocchi, served with English Peas, "Hen of the Woods" mushrooms, shallots, baby carrots and beets. This was a hearty dish, and the perfect amount for a lunch time meal. The gnocchi had been sauteed a little on top of boiling, so they were a bit crisp on the outside, and tender in the middle! The surprise in this dish were the beets ... they went really well with everything else, but were an unexpected bite when the fork found a piece! I think the beets might have made that dish! For dessert, my friend decided to go with the cheese course, instead of the dessert course...and that was a GREAT choice. The platter that came out was stacked high with breads, crackers and different kinds of cheese - most impressive! I went with the Vanilla Panna Cotta with Blood Orange, Streusel Crumble and Mint. Because this was the dessert my friend was interested in as well, we shared both the cheese and the Panna Cotta and were both very pleased with our decision!

For my last Restaurant Week dinner, my group of friends that I went to Asana with, gathered again for a meal at Dante, in Cambridge. Meeting at the bar, we all ordered a drink while we awaited being seated. There was one drink on the menu that stood out to me: the Spezia. Hot orange spiced tea, spiked with rum and apricot, was the perfect drink for a cold Friday evening. It was cozy and comforting after a long week, and I could just picture sitting in front of a fire in a ski lodge, enjoying this cocktail. For my first course, I decided to go with a pasta appetizer. Chef Dante de Magistris makes a killer fresh pasta, and I couldn't visit one of his restaurants without having some. I decided to go with the Tagliatelle, served with rabbit "cacciatore," chanterelles, and green olives. What a way to start a meal! The rabbit was succulent, the pasta was the freshest, and the sauce was so flavorful, a meal in and of itself. For my main course, I chose the Lombo : a stuffed pork loin "involtini," smoked prosciutto, sage and polenta. The pictures are a bit dark but the presentation on this dish was incredible, not to mention how TASTY it was! I didn't think I'd be able to finish both a pasta appetizer, as well as a main course, but somehow I managed quite nicely! That was DELICIOUS! For dessert, I had the Torta : a chocolate hazelnut mousse cake with spiked chocolate sauce, anglaise, and caramelized hazelnuts. 

All in all, I'd say this was a successful Restaurant Week(s)! I had lots of delicious meals, at lots of wonderful places, and enjoyed good times with friends! It's time to get back into the swing of things, cooking at home (and writing more often than once a week!) I've posted a new menu for the coming week, and we're also going to learn how to make our own chicken stock! Stay tuned, and keep on cookin'!

When I say quick...I mean quick!

Well, I think I set a record for the quickest dinner of all time tonight. Within a half hour of walking in the door, dinner was on the table and we were eating. I had some things in the fridge that I needed to use before they went bad, so I strayed from the "Journey Around the World" menu, in lieu of something quick, easy, and economical.

I had some leftover Greek salad from last night's dinner, and even though I had it with my leftovers at lunchtime, there was still enough for both of us for dinner. I used that, with the EVOO and lemon juice dressing as a bed for ... chicken! Pounded out chicken, seasoned with salt and pepper and sauteed in just a touch of butter!

With little prep time, minimal cooking time, and the easiest plating possible, this meal is a fantastic go-to if you have no time to dilly-dally in the kitchen. I pounded the chicken out between two pieces of plastic wrap, seasoned them with the salt and pepper, and into the pan they went. Five or six minutes later, I turned them, and 3 minutes later - tah-dah!! DINNER!!!

Tomorrow night, we have reservations for another Restaurant Week dinner, but on Wednesday night, we'll be traveling back to Asia for a Japanese dinner, courtesy of one of my favorite chefs, Morimoto! See you then!

Restaurant Week : Week 1 Highlights

Well, it's been a whirlwind of a week, and when you're constantly on the go, it's nice to know you can pop into a restaurant and get a hearty 3-course meal for a deal! We picked the right week to be busy, I guess! :) I did two dinners, and two lunches, so far, and I wanted to give you the highlights.

On Monday, I visited North 26, in Faneuil Hall with two of my dear friends. They offered some nice seasonal options on the special menu, and I especially liked the atmosphere there. The natural wood and the many windows made for a bright, and cheery lunch. For my entree, I chose the Seared Scallops, served with grilled zucchini, foraged mushrooms and a truffle butter sauce. This dish definitely did not disappoint! While there were only two scallops on the plate, they were big, and cooked perfectly. They were filling, and with the thick slices of grilled zucchini, as well as the deliciously succulent mushrooms, I was totally satisfied. Let's not forget about the truffle butter - mmmmm!

The item that stood out to me at The Oceanaire, located near Government Center, was actually not on the Restaurant Week menu at all, but on the bar menu. While waiting for our table, we all had a cocktail at the bar, and the Parmesan Truffle fries caught our eye! When our server suggested we order a few sides to go with our meals, we jumped at the chance to add those to our order! They were so worth it! Fragrantly truffled, and deliciously salty with Parmesan flakes, these were some seriously awesome fries!!

Last night, we met our friend for dinner at one of our favorite local establishments, Masa! We come to this wonderful Southwestern restaurant on a regular basis, and we always make sure to take advantage of their restaurant week menu, which they run through the entire month, rather than the two weeks that other restarants use as their parameter. Now, as simple as this may sound, their Caesar salad is my favorite in the city. It's a Tender Romaine Salad with Crispy Red Corn Tortillas, Roasted Green Chile Caesar Dressing and Cotija Cheese. The dressing has the perfect amount of heat to give a nice bite at the end of each mouthful, and it's really refreshing at the same time. So, as boring as you may think it is, I had to have it as my appetizer.

I would be remiss if I didn't also mention my entree at Masa because, well, it was SO good. I opted for the Swiss Chard and Ricotta "Enchiladas" with Tomato Sauce, Arugula and Cotija Cheese. Yes, again with the Cotija cheese...I know. For a vegetarian entree, this was a very hearty dish. It was reminiscent of an Italian cannelloni dish, what with the ricotta and the tomato sauce, but the arugula added such a nice spice to the plate. Each bite just popped with all the flavors. I hope they keep that one on their menu for awhile, because it might have just become my favorite.

Today, for lunch, I visited Market by Jean Georges, in the Theater District, and was tempted by the regular menu, before deciding to go with the three-course deal instead. They offer so many tasty treats, and it was difficult to decide. However, my entree was delicious, and very healthy-tasting as well...something I definitely needed after all these meals! I decided to have the Slowly Cooked Atlantic Salmon, served with a Warm Potato Salad and Sugar Snap Peas for my entree, and I was so happy I did. The salmon was tender and cooked just the way I like it...on the rarer side. The warm potato salad was so comforting without being heavy, and drizzled with a delicious olive oil-based sauce as well. The sugar snap peas on top were crispy and fresh, and the meal just came together so eloquently!

All in all, not a bad showing for the Boston restaurants that I was lucky enough to visit this week....who's up for Round 2!?

Busy Week

Phew! It has been a really busy few days, and I'm sorry I haven't been able to write! I didn't want to leave you all hanging! It's going to be a long night full of after-work plans and obligations, but I promise we'll get back on track with the menu by the end of the week. I have a lamb shoulder in the fridge that is just begging to be cooked!

from Flickr - by FotoosVanRobin

The news today, though, is that it's Restaurant Week here in Boston. This is one of my favorite two-week time frames of the year, because all of the best restaurants in Boston offer set 3-course meals for $30.11 at dinner, and $20.11 for lunch. I've already hit up North 26 for lunch, and am having dinner at The Oceanaire Seafood Room tonight! Instead of bombarding you with a ton of restaurant reviews, I decided to keep a running tally of my favorite dishes over the next two weeks, and provide you with a montage-type post at the end. I'll showcase my favorite dishes, and the places that impressed me the most.

from Flickr - by loumanna

In the meantime, keep checking back for more meals from the current menu, scattered with updates on the amazing dishes I find around the city of Boston! Also, and this is just a teaser at this point, I'm working on a website! It's a lot of work, and I don't want to reveal the URL just yet, but I promise you it will be something to look forward to! If anyone has any tips for building a website, or wants to recommend something they'd like to see me add to it, comment here! I'd love the feedback!!

Mumbai Chopstix

There is a wonderful two-week time span, twice a year, which is known to the natives as Boston Restaurant Week. During this magical time, restaurants all over the city, as well as the surrounding suburbs, offer prix fixe menus at a deeply discounted rate. It gives everyone a chance to sample the tasty treats of a restaurant that you might not normally frequent. This could be a cuisine you've never tried before, or an establishment that would usually be beyond your budget. Either way, it's my favorite time of year! I usually try to cram in as many lunches and dinners as I can, with reservations booked weeks in advance. However, this time around, it kind of snuck up on me and I don't have many reservations lined up at all. Yesterday, we made a last minute plan with a few of my husband's co-workers to try an Indian-Chinese fusion restaurant on Newbury Street, called Mumbai Chopstix.

For our appetizer course, we were allowed to choose two from a list of many delicious options. I decided to go with the Indian Street Cart "Tum Yum" soup and Lachew Cauliflower. The soup is an Indian version of a traditionally Asian soup, which included chickpeas and fried noodles. The spices were fantastic and it was a very comforting sort of soup - something I would eat when I was cold and achy and wanted something to warm my insides. It was perfect for this dreary, rainy evening! I don't normally order things with cauliflower but this just sounded so interesting. These fried cauliflower dumplings are seasoned with chili and garlic and they were very reminiscent of a tempura dish you'd find in any Asian restaurant, but that chili flavor really brought the Indian flair out! Other orders that showed up on our table included Drums of Heaven (pictured below), chili paneer and chili fish.

For our entrees, we had a choice of both a main dish, as well as a side noodle dish. The choice was a tough one, but I decided to go with the Ginger Lamb as well as Chili Garlic Noodles. The lamb was stir-fried with green beans in a Mumbai-style ginger sauce. Again here, the spices were so reminiscent of a traditional Indian meal, yet, the stir-fry style brought home the Chinese influences, and made for such an interesting dish. The noodles reminded me very much of lo mein, which I don't normally order when I go to a Chinese restaurant. However, the spices and flavors coating the noodles made it a much more intriguing dish then I would have expected. Those chilis - they do wonders!

I can't wait to eat my leftovers for lunch tomorrow after my yoga class! :) Now, for dessert! I don't usually make it to dessert when dining out, because I love the meal so much, but dessert is part of the deal so I saved some room. We didn't have a choice here, there was only one option...but I'm not complaining. We each received a martini glass full of a chocolate mousse cake with a date pancake. A few strawberries scattered the mousse and it was all garnished with some whipped cream. The date pancake really added a very ethnic touch to an otherwise mundane dessert, and took the dish to another level. I wish there had been more date pancake and less chocolate mousse...because it was a very nice palate cleanser after a beautifully spiced meal!

All in all, I really enjoyed my meal at Mumbai Chopstix. Every step of the way, I was met with interesting combinations of flavors, and they really made my palate think about what it was tasting. I love a meal that makes me think, and the concept of Indian-Chinese fusion is a fantastic one...two of my favorite cuisines, intertwined! I love it when a plan comes together!