Om nom nom

Parental Eating

2010-01-28T10:32:00.000-08:00

With my parents in town for a few days this past week I went on the High Holly Fat Kid Experience. Most of my eating and perspectives on food have much, if not everything, to do with the 'rents. They have long exposed me to an inherent concept of tasting, discerning, discriminating. And while my mom and I have near opposite levels of hunger - her typical day in Boston was Pete's coffee, splitting a pastry with my dad; a late lunch of tea and probably nothing else; and a conclusion of an actual dinner - they are great to be along for the ride with.

The opening salvo upon arrival was

Publik House in Brookline

I always recommend the mac 'n' cheese; thought technically they sever it up with Orecchiette pasta- or little ears. Make sure to add in the truffled cream for pure decadence. The scooped shape of the pasta holds the sauce much better, and the plate is served artery clogging high. Also worth a taste was the meat loaf, but avoid the sausages: they were dry and bland. Publik House scores high for its massive beer selection with some 30 plus drafts on rotation. The general theme of the place is of a Belgian slant, so many of the taps are either of that style or origin. Go early, its a crowd favorite, and the place gets way more busy than they can handle.

We followed this up with lunch the next day at

Ana's Taqueria on Beacon Street

It is pretty hard to satiate a Mexican craving in Boston. The major chains just don't cut the salsa (haha, I'm sorry). But Ana's is actually a very good place. I would love to see them warm the tortillas on the grill for a slightly crunchy texture like they do on the West Coast, but that's really the only draw back. I tend to go for the super burrito with carnitas and plenty of salsa verde (though I have to admit in my old age, I can't handle the heat of their verde as much as I could in my youth). The simplicity of the menu highlights the focused and developed nature of the food itself: just a few items in a few combination, but all of them are well executed and delicious.

Our single brunch forey was to

Bon Savor in Jamaica Plain

In part to mom's general lack of interest in early eating, we only had one real breakfast dinning, but Bon Savor is high on my list of local brunch spots. Its very small, so seating can sometimes require a wait, but compared to either of the overly-popular and not-very-impressive Center Street Cafe or Sorrellas, I would actually recommend Bon Savor, and am personally willing to wait to be seated. The food is either French-American or Latin-American, but thus far I have never strayed from French Benedict (eggs Benedict on crepes), the croquet madam (a ham and cheese sandwich under poached eggs and hollandaise sauce), or the Combo which comes with eggs Benedict, a glass of wine or champaign, a French-press of coffee and a croissant. The portions are decidedly UnAmerican (read: small) which is why I can sometimes get away with all the food of the Combo, but really shouldn't. Someday I need to get around to trying their dinner menu, but for now its just a breakfast joint.

After trotting around M.I.T. campus we had a short stopover at

Diesel Cafe in Davis Square Somerville

There are popular places and there are places that are victims of their own success. Diesel Cafe is a lovely place with funky, urban decorations. But the level of action here is out of control. We made the egregious mistake of trying to sit three people in the late afternoon. At that point we had to all but fight for seating. Initially settling for a table for two and having me stand, I managed to swoop in on booth that was clearing. While I waiting for my drink at the counter, my parents were left defending the other half of the booth from people sharking for space. This is clearly an early morning local, or else relegated to to-go orders the rest of the day. Dad and I split a tuna salad sandwich, which was really good. Well seasoned and on lovely fresh bread, it was the perfect snack for the middle of the day.

Our next dinner stop was a new place for me

Lineage on Harvard Street in Brookline

Waaaay too much was eaten that night. We started out with an amazing Vermont Cheddar fondue along with a beat salad with crème fraiche. It was surprising to see some of the beats which weren't the traditional dark red and mushy, but rather the color and texture of tomatoes. I stuffed my self silly with an amazing burger with blue cheese and caramelized onions and delicious French fries. Elegant despite its regular simplicity, every detail from the bun to the meat was top notch. Dad had a fabulous dish of gnocchi with a simple sauce and greens. But they were some of the best that I've tasted in years. The wine list did leave a little to be desired due to the price level of most bottles. There were few available for less $40, and the first bottle ordered was sold out. Our second choice was superb, and well enjoyed.

Monday took us back to

Ten Tables in Jamaica Plain

It has been almost two years since I've been to this increasingly popular local. To give a perspective on how notorious it is: I went to an interview in Marlborough, almost an hour away in the burbs, and when I mentioned to the receptionist that I live in JP, she asked about Ten Tables. Seriously, I used to work a couple of towns over in Northborough and that place has two gun shops that literally share a wall. How many guns shops can one tiny little hick town support? Where was I? Oh yeah, Ten Tables has a phenomenal reputation. But it is 100% well deserved. They got their name because they used to only have 10 tables for customers. When my parents were last in town, and when we last ate there, we managed to get two reservations in a week due to a massive snow storm sending the weather-phobic Bostonians into hiding. Now the have opened a second location, and as of last month, expanded the JP location slightly. The menu remains focused on local and seasonal fair, with a changing list of items based on availability. We started with the Greek Salad, which, admittedly is one of my favorite takes on salad in general. From the light dressing to the French Feta it was just amazing. Three of the four at the table had the house made Pappardelle pasta with lamb ragu, and we loved it. The wine list is a great compliment, a particular frustration of mine is how often restaurants focus on high cost - either through raising the price factor or just offering more expensive bottles - and don't have a decent starting range. But TT has included a nice range of modest bottles, including some from Portugal; which has the benefit of being a lesser know producer and thus more inexpensive, but often fantastic range of products. Dessert for me was a meyer lemon tart: a nice lightness to end things on, but absolutely lovely.

Earning a double entry is

Finale "Deserteri" in Harvard Square

We went there first for a lunch snack. My parents split a salad and I tucked into an egg salad sandwich. Both were good, but not exceptional. We got a sample of a chocolate mousse on the side which was very nice, especially since I think it was of the sugar-fee variety. The concept of the place is comparable to San Diego's Extraordinary Desserts, but while ED is focused on cakes, Finale is more pastries. Lunch was OK, trying to be high quality but slightly expensive and not amazing.

We moved on to dinner at

The Elephant Walk in Brookline

A rather unique restaurant experience, the menu is a blend of French and Cambodian cuisine. There are essentially 4 categories: Traditional French, Traditional Cambodian, New French and New Cambodian. Where, clearly, some dishes are classics from their respective nations, and some are creations. We split an order of the Rouleaux, or spring rolls, which were very good and very different. I especially enjoyed my dish, Amok Royal, a medley of sea food in a sort of savory custard. I like the way the restaurant offers a selection of types of food, especially since I know people are not as thrilled at exploration.

Dessert returned us to

Finally in Brookline

Now focusing on their forte, I was much more impressed with splitting the Magnanimous Melt. This was a chocolate cake with a hot, gooey center accompanied by gelato. They had chocolate, coffee and vanilla, but really, the dish would have been just fine with vanilla on its own. The centerpiece, the cake is chocolaty enough that more chocolate on the side just blurred flavors in to the background. Its a good place, and there are lots of fun things on the menu, including a chocolate fondue. But I have to admit I think I'm a bit more impressed over all with Extraordinary Desserts in San Diego. They just execute everything at a higher level.

Our final meal consisted of lunch at

City Feed and Supply in Jamaica Plain

I know that there is something of a mixed reputation for City Feed within the neighborhood - most of the employees are, or were, tragically hipsters who lacked a sertin element of customer service at times (like the guy who seems too shy to take your food orders) - but from the groceries to the sandwiches, I've always found the service to be decent or even good, and the food to be great. Its a very small place and the selections are again geared towards local producers and sustainable goods. I've never tried any of their prepared goods in the cases by the check out stand personally, but they are local companies and seem like they might be worth the risk eventually. I tend to go straight for the sandwiches and coffee drinks. These have always delivered very well for me. Mom went with the Fresh Mozzarella, Dad for a locally made pasty and I for the ham and cheese. Dad was underwhelmed, but Mom and I throughly enjoyed our selections.

I think now that they have gone home I'm going to have to start listening to Ryan and get running again. In any case, its back to salads and fruits until the guild wares off...

I just threw up in my mouth.

2009-12-11T23:09:00.001-08:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iX8Hzxu7C1g&feature=PlayList&p=1B35A1082ADF8EC4&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=9

Hash House

2009-10-16T08:56:00.000-07:00

On my return to San Diego, I told J that we had to go to Hash House A Go Go. Considering the place was on Man V. Food I think you'll get the idea about the portions. File it under: Only In America.

From San Diego Summer 2009

As an aside, being on the East Coast now I've almost forgotten about life in a perpetual drought. I might be ingrained to turn off the water when I brush my teeth, but I had forgotten about having to request it at a meal.

From San Diego Summer 2009

In any case, I had promised J food as big as your head. Submitted for evidence: a pancake bigger than A's head. Boom.

From San Diego Summer 2009

What follows constitutes a before section of my crab cake Benedict and R' chick hash:

From San Diego Summer 2009

It pretty much an open challenge to the patrons to finish anything that you order. Frankly, I don't think anyone should do so on their own. No naturally, by the time we left, everyone had leftovers. The question is if it looks like you even ate anything.

M put a dent in his...

From San Diego Summer 2009

And G almost championed his waffle (though he arguably had the most reasonable portion)...

From San Diego Summer 2009

But A had nearly two further meals worth of pancake left over.

From San Diego Summer 2009

R's could have been untouched.

From San Diego Summer 2009

J's had enough for her to eat for three more days.

From San Diego Summer 2009

While I was left with a little...

From San Diego Summer 2009

M decided that he need to attack the fruit.

From San Diego Summer 2009

Lightning Brewery

2009-09-16T09:34:00.000-07:00

Apparently there a growing craft brewery network in North San Diego. So Tagen to J and I to a very small operation out of Powey called Lightning Brewery.

From San Diego Summer 2009

To say that it is a small operation is an understatement. First of all they only produce a tiny amount of beer annually, I don't remember the number but it wasn't much. Secondly, the physical operation is really tiny. Working out of a modest office building provides only the most limited space. The top photo here is really all there is aside from a couple of front offices.

From San Diego Summer 2009

But what they have to offer is good quality small scale beer (all though they don't get very high marks from the beer geeks on BA). I brought home a Thunderweizen Ale for our grill since I felt it would do well with the food and the weather. It got rave reviews from both mom and dad.

Tastings are free twice a week on Fridays and Saturdays and worth checking out. But the current set up was off putting for me. Without Tagen to march in and get things going I would have likely loitered around front for a while. There little indication of where the tasting took place compared to the small empty office.

From San Diego Summer 2009

The people were friendly, most of the people giving us samples weren't even employees, and I got the feeling that little separated Tagen in his company shirt from the guys helping us. The oddest part was trying to talk to one of the older guys; when I told him I was visiting from Boston he replied, "that's too bad, they don't have any good beer out there." ... joke. Right?

"This isn't a bbq, its a fancy grill"

2009-09-15T06:45:00.000-07:00

Since I was home and showing J around and all that, I decided that my big brother and I should have a little shindig to mark the occasion. When it was all said and done J commented how she was used to "putting some [frozen] hamburgers and hot dogs on the grill, throwing a bag of chips and people and calling it a day."

But Mom just don't go out like that. Instead we got a Costco cornucopia: chicken breast, sausages a case of beer backed up by bean salad, coleslaw, home made hummus, bread, veggies and do-it-your-self ice cream cones. Boom.

We started off by marinating chicken breasts in a secret sauce (read: we didn't know what it was), added kosher salt, pepper, minced onion, garlic, olive oil, white whine and rosemary.

From San Diego Summer 2009

Meanwhile we parboiled Italian sausages in beer with a little bay leaf to ready them.

From San Diego Summer 2009

Aaah the rosemary; not only was it part on the chicken we also opted to smoke it on the food as well. Thanks to an abundance in my parents backyard we filled an empty tin can with fresh sprigs and placed the can in the coals to smoke during cooking.

From San Diego Summer 2009

If you look carefully you can just make out the green of the rosemary among the coals.

From San Diego Summer 2009

All in all, I think it was a smashing success. I recommend trying the fresh herbs in your grill if you have the means and the appropriate weather.

California Update: California Burrito

2009-09-14T15:00:00.000-07:00

My goal was to get it, and get it I did. The California burrito with the works: carne asada, french fires, salsa, cheese, sour cream and guacamole. Say it in the Kool-Aid man voice: Oh yeah!

Take J into Pacific Beach, aka the den of vileness, we wandered into the northern edge of Mission Beach and spied a typical Mexican place: La Playa Taco Shop.

From San Diego Summer 2009

All thought "authentic" seem dubious to me - much like how a Londoner said to avoid anything with "ye olde" on it - the trappins were all correct. Small. Simple. Proper menu. Besides a small inside and a few table outside, like most taco stands, this was nominally a quick eat or take away location.

From San Diego Summer 2009

I was pleased to see that they had red and green sauces on hand in plentiful squeeze bottles.

From San Diego Summer 2009

When the coveted item arrived it was just as I wanted it: warm and just a little crunchy on the outside.

From San Diego Summer 2009

I don't care how hideous this looks to you, it is heaven wrapped in a grilled tortilla.

From San Diego Summer 2009

The meat was lean and juicy, the fries crispy on the outside but soft and tender within. The cheese was melted but not coming apart. Enough juices flowed through to keep the whole thing supple without becoming a total mess. High marks.

The only negative for me was that I loved it so much I could have eaten about 30%-40% more.

New Season

2009-09-11T11:54:00.000-07:00

And with my first pint of Sam Octoberfest last night, it is officially fall in New England. Plus, you know, the weather's changed too.

Nostalgia

2009-08-26T13:35:00.000-07:00

I'm not going to lie, one of the things that I'm particularly looking forward to when I go home to San Diego next week is this:

Om nom nom

Parental Eating

I just threw up in my mouth.

Hash House

Lightning Brewery

"This isn't a bbq, its a fancy grill"

California Update: California Burrito

New Season

Nostalgia

Chocolate Bar

Bring Your Own

Off the to-do list: White Port

Cheese... you can grill

Gourmet's Diary of a Foodie

Montreal: Je me souviens... La nourriture

Portugal: Wine Overview

Food and Photos

Portugal: The best meal

Portugal: Food highlights (standard fair)

Portugal: Food highlights