My first oysters! Plus, a trip to Salem, MA

This past Saturday was possibly the best all around food day I've had in a while. The sunny, beautiful fall day started off at North Street Grille in the North End. I always love North Street Grille, but I especially love it when I don't have to wait for a table. PLUS they brought out complimentary banana bread to start us off. Great beginning to the day.

Skylar and I shared two breakfast entrees-- she got an omelette with boursin cheese, avocado, and tomato. I got the coffee roll french toast-- which was basically two huge cinnamon rolls dusted with powdered sugar with syrup on the side. Clearly no complaints there!!

After we stepped outside and basked in the sunshine, we decided we needed to get out of the city and enjoy the fresh air. So we spontaneously road tripped (isn't that the best kind?) to Salem, MA. After walking around for a bit, we ended up at -- big surprise-- another restaurant. Capt's Waterfront Grille was pretty quiet, so we got a seat outside. Jacques and Mick (new character alert! Mick is Jacques' roommate, and Mick comes from the fact that he adeptly DJed most of our car ride with the Rolling Stones) ordered some awesomely colorful cocktails-- the "full rig" amount (you could get smaller versions at "half mast," too, but what manly man would order a drink at half mast, I ask you?)
Skylar and I opted for some wine and beer.

But the BEST part about it was that I got to try my first oysters!!! I have been waiting a long time to do this-- I wanted my first time to be perfect-- and I felt that it was: I was with oyster lovers (and experts) next to the ocean, on a beautiful day. Sounded good to me.And the verdict?

I liked them!! I can't wait to try them again. Now I am really dying to go to Neptune Oyster.

We also got fried clams and fried calamari. Overall, great, great day.

Lunch at The Other Side Cafe

Last week was a great week because I had not only my brother and nephew visiting, but also my dear Ann from Cali!! To maximize our precious time together, Ann came in to the city to meet me for lunch. She left restaurant selection up to me, but if I knew my Ann, I had a feeling she would be in the mood for breakfast (despite it being after 1). So I decided to take another chance on the Other Side Cafe at the bottom (or top?) of Newbury Street.

My first visit was a few weeks ago with OmGal and friends (including Alec, Ruth, and Meadow) for lunch on a rainy day when we all sat inside. The dirty sheet hanging above our head that covered the skylight was probably one of the most unappetizing sights I've seen at a restaurant, but my veggie chili and California wrap, along with all the vegan and veggie options on the menu, swayed me to try it again.

This time, sitting alfresco made the experience much more appealing. True to form, Ann ordered from the breakfast part of the menu-- the waffle egg sandwich:
I opted for the Tex-Mex scramble, vegan-- tofu scrambled with salsa, chipotle, jalapenos, and vegan cheese, with tortillas, guacamole, and vegan black beans. What a hearty meal! While the beans didn't sit all that well, I still felt sort of virtuous for having tofu ;)

Bottom line: Go here when it's nice out, or beware the dirty inside of the restaurant possibly ruining some yummy lunch (or late breakfast) food.

Mike & Patty's in the South End. Phenomenal.

Sure, going out to The Best Restaurant in the City is great, but every foodie knows that the biggest thrill comes from discovering that small, hole-in-the-wall place that knocks your socks off.

Such was the thrill I got when I finally got to try Mike & Patty's. Ever since seeing it featured on foodie website, Serious Eats, I haven't been able to get it out of my mind. But everytime brunch rolled around, I stuck with my old favorite North Street Grille.

Finally, Dish Mom picked me up one sunny morning, and I suggested we try it. Best. Decision. Ever.

Remember how Dish Gal talked about how much I love sandwiches? While the sandwiches at Hot Tomatoes left a lot to be desired, Mike & Patty's takes sandwiches seriously-- as well one should!!

I tried one that, according to my research, they're sort of famous for: the torta-- shredded pork with avocado, refried beans, jicama slaw, and goat cheese on a luscious, bouncy, soft seeded roll.

This sandwich is NOT messing around...
The other sandwich we tried was the Bacon & Egg sandwich, fancy. The usual bacon & egg is topped with cheddar, avocado, and house mayo-- which has cayenne, cumin, and "secrets" (as the Serious Eats article cites).

Ohhhhh yeah. Toasted multigrain never had it so good.

In addition to these out-of-this-world sandwiches, the place itself just oozes charm. Located on a corner in Bay Village (like a mini-Beacon Hill but without the popped collars and Lilly Pullitzer), the restaurant is easy to pass by-- if you're even in the neighborhood in the first place. Plus, it is ridiculously tiny. And I don't mean Toro-tiny, I mean my-North-End-closet tiny. I couldn't even get in the door to order for a few minutes. Once inside, I was greeted with bacon-scented air and the lovely sound of sizzling food and clanging pans. A few lucky people sat at the lone, high-top table. Two people worked "the line," flipping eggs with the greatest of ease, smearing butter on bread, maneuvering adeptly in the tiny space. A third person took orders, fielded phone calls, and ran outside to deliver brown paper bags filled with joy.

Oh, and to top it all off, the coffee is great, too.

So, the only question is, why are you still reading this? Go git your sandwich on!

Did you know...

Did you know that Trident Booksellers & Cafe on Newbury Street now has a mini-patio for alfresco seating!? I don't know if that's old news, but on my walk during lunch today I noticed this for the first time.

I would love to sit outside and enjoy their lemon ricotta stuffed french toast sometime...or perhaps the avocado and havarti melt...or the prosciutto and brie sandwich... okay I'll stop now. YUM.

Of course the question is, can you sit outside and read their magazines for free like at their indoor tables? =)

Here's a post I wrote a long time ago about Trident, one of my favorite spots in Boston.

Hot Dish of the Week

It's a dark and rainy week here in Boston, perfect for indulgent brunches and then sliding back into bed.

While most of us (me included, especially because I'm attempting going vegan this week) can't do this on a Wednesday, we can always dream, right!?

So, Hot Dish of the Week this week is the banana bread french toast at North Street Grille in the North End.

Get ready for some artery-clogging goodness with this insanely rich dish. Jamie went for it, and while she couldn't finish it, did a darn good job at it.

Sunday Gospel Brunch at the House of Blues

When I originally saw ads for the Gospel Brunch at the House of Blues, I thought it was a kind of a lame, half-hearted marketing attempt to distinguish their brunch from every other brunch in town. However, when J.Scrib invited me to join her there this weekend, my curiosity got the best of me, and I decided to join her—and I’m glad I did, because my initial doubts were allayed.

At first I wondered if anyone would be at this thing—who eats brunch on Landsdowne Street!?—but when I approached the HOB that Sunday morning at 11:30 (when the “first seating” began), passing the Phish trucks unloading at Fenway, I saw a large group of people milling around—not waiting to glimpse Trey Anastasio, but rather to be let into the House of Blues. When we collected our tickets from will-call, a sign read “Gospel Brunch—sold out.” Wow, more people than I thought!

At around 11:40, they started letting people in to the main, venue part of the HOB. The tables were set up “family style” – long tables with white tablecloths—and the food was set up buffet style—long tables, with TONS of food.

We threw our stuff down and headed to said buffet, which was predominantly Southern-style brunch items, with more traditional foods thrown in. As you can see, I pretty much helped myself to everything!!! (Don't judge, it was all for journalistic integrity...hehe)

Clockwise from top left: cinnamon bagel, scrambled eggs, belgian waffle with fresh strawberries, fried chicken, "dirty" rice, cheesy grits, shredded homefries. While the eggs were cold (a common problem at buffet lines), everything else was delicious. I especially loved those homefries!

After eating came some entertainment-- our "spiritual leader" entered through the back of the hall, dramatically playing a trombone to announce his entrance. He goofed around with the little kids there, pretend playing into their ear, standing on tables, etc. He was fun, and I felt a little bit like I was in Disney World. This Disney theme continued throughout the morning/afternoon.On stage, he introduced the band (which of course I'm blanking on the name-- J.Scrib, help me out?!?) a soulful trio singing some gospel tunes.

Before the performance was over, we of course had to stop by the dessert station (I know, more food!?). Clockwise from top left: chocolate croissant, banana bread bread pudding, fresh strawberries and melon.

Now I usually am a sucker for a chocolate croissant, but this banana bread bread pudding was SO, SO good that I barely even touched the croissant! Hands down, best part of the brunch.

For the music side of things, I'm sure J.Scrib will have a more accurate account of the afternoon, but I have to say that I thoroughly enjoyed it! It was just good, honest, feel-like-a-kid-again FUN. Our "spiritual leader" had us all clapping along, singing, dancing, and generally "feeling the joy" in the room. This was the closest Dish Gal has been to church in a long time! ;)

I'd definitely recommend the brunch for anyone with kids-- it's definitely a great family affair, good for old and young alike. Little kids danced in the aisles, kids-at-heart sang along.

I would not recommend this brunch if you are "too cool for school." You know who you are...

But really, go for the banana bread bread pudding. Because that's definitely something to praise the Lord about ;)

Hot Dish of the Week

Cold weather + a hearty breakfast = a good solution to the winter doldrums. That's why this week's hot dish of the week is pancakes! Dish Gal's FAVORITE pancakes come from Theo's Cozy Corner in the North End. These amazing pancakes are light and fluffy, and come in huge portions, in either plain, chocolate chip, or blueberry. I opted for blueberry.
Worth the trip for them. And if you live in or near the North End, you can order them to-go, and enjoy them in your pjs. What could be better?

Lunch @ Thornton's

I've passed by Thornton's many a time, usually on my way to get my nails done near the Huntington entrance to the Pru. It's never really called out to me, what with its awkward Howard Johnson-inspired sunroom and cafeteria-looking inside. But today with an invitation from beloved coworkers, Alec and Sheila, I decided why not? I didn't have an appetite anyway, might as well go for the good company.

But what an unexpectedly yummy lunch! They serve a massive breakfast menu all day long, which makes them a winner in my book already, with reasonable prices and a variety of ingredients. For my lunch today, I got a hybrid breakfast/lunch option:

The Eggs Felix ($7.95)-- two poached eggs with avocado, sliced tomato, and turkey, on an english muffin, with a side of home fries and a slice of melon. I got the hollandaise on the side, as I am scarred by what Anthony Bourdain said about hollandaise in Kitchen Confidential. . .

Sure the service was terrible (we're pretty sure our waiter was drunk) and the ambiance is wanting, but Thornton's is definitely another great example of "don't judge a book by its cover." When you want Trident-style breakfast-all-day with diner prices, look no further.

North Street Grill for brunch

This past Sunday, after being "good" and cooking on Saturday night, Sebastian, Z and I decided to treat ourselves to brunch. We decided to wander over to North Street to try Boston magazine's "Best Brunch Spot, North End" --North Street Grill.

However, even with this prestigious award, I was skeptical as it's kind of the only brunch option...The North End is known for many things, but pancakes and eggs? Not so much..

We got there and of course there was a wait, but when I spied the menu, I didn't mind-- I have NEVER seen so many types of pancakes and french toast offerings!! I was giddy with excitement. We even ran into Skylar's foodie boyfriend heading in-- a good sign!

Finally we were seated. The place is tiny, but so North End, in that its like you're sitting in someone's living room with 40 of your closest friends. Massive bloody marys passed me by, but I resisted (trying to be sort of good) and got a cup of coffee. The boys started with some OJs.

Oddly enough, we all got variations of eggs benedict. Sebastian went with the smoked salmon benedict:I chose the eggs florentine. One cool thing was the options for "subbing in" for the traditional sides. For example, instead of homefries I got mixed greens, and instead of toast, a bagel. (They are about $2 extra for each though, keep in mind.) Sebastian got rosemary fries instead of homefries-- these were amazing!!My eggs florentine were pretty good; nothing crazy or mind-blowing but good. Nothing to write home about...

Z's benedict was "Eggs in Bed"-- poached eggs over french toast with hollandaise. Clearly not the most heart-healthy choice, but damn it was actually really good! I thought it would be trying too hard, but it was yummm.

The service was definitely spotty (took about ten times asking to get glasses of water), but they were definitely short-staffed, and it was similar to service you'd expect in a busy diner.

Though not fine dining by ANY means, I will definitely return to the North Street Grill to try other things on their extensive menu. And while chic South End hot spots are fun, sometimes it's nice to take a break from that and enjoy a more relaxed, truly neighborhood joint.

Masa, part deux

As I took the first sip of my bloody mary, I thought I had died and gone to brunch heaven. It was chunky and spicy, complex without being over-thought. One of the best I've ever had. A meal in itself.

But I'm getting ahead of myself...

Z and I had wandered around the South End, trying to find the perfect brunch spot, until finally I remembered that Elle (Dish This! character and reader) had raved about the Masa brunch. So down Tremont St we went. As soon as my eyes met the menu, I knew this was going to be a decadent meal.

I started with the aforementioned bloody mary. Our waitress brought over some cornbread to start-- so moist and delicious -- and it was accompanied by three different dips/butters -- a chipotle cranberry, a maple butter, and something with habanero I think? This was a GREAT start.

I chose the massive breakfast burrito for my meal, a flour tortilla stuffed with rice, potatoes, chorizo, vegetables, and cheese, and served with a side of beans and rice. AMAZING and so filling-- after the cornbread and bloody mary I felt like I could barely make a dent.

Z got "Sante Fe style" eggs benedict-- 2 poached eggs atop southwestern biscuits and avocado, smothered in a spicy Green chile hollandaise sauce. It was soft and smushy food-- the heat from the sauce was my favorite part. Masa is fast becoming one of my favorite Boston spots. A fun bar with great drinks, tapas for 50 cents during happy hour, and an amazing brunch, all in a fun and lively atmosphere? Sign me up.

Tremont 647 for Saturday brunch

One thing about moving to a new apartment is that you do a lot of eating out until you've had a chance to go grocery shopping. So after lunch at Parish Cafe, then dinner at Aura, we woke up Saturday morning to go look at an apt for Z in the South End and then wandered over to our 3rd meal out in a row-- Tremont 647 for brunch.

We had gotten up pretty early to look at the apartment, so when we got to Tremont 647 there was no wait, and hardly anyone sitting inside (the patio was quite crowded, but I thought it was kinda too muggy to sit outside anyway). I had forgotten one huge part of the draw of the Tremont 647 brunch-- pajamas! All the hosts, servers, and bartenders, are decked out in PJs, from one-sies to silk robes to flannel pajama sets with slippers. So cute!! Our waitress was really friendly and attentive. I ordered a coffee to start, because I promised myself that after the wine and martinis the night before that I would not get a bloody mary. I stuck to my guns, despite the fact that several delicious looking ones passed my line of vision.

The menu was an incredible brunch menu. It had lots of things that I want to return for, like the pop-tarts and the deviled egg appetizers. But in the end I opted for huevos rancheros-- 2 fried eggs with three different salsas, a flour tortilla, and rice and beans. Z went for cinnamon french toast with strawberries. The huevos rancheros arrived and looked beautiful. However, something was missing, and I still can't put my finger on it. None of the salsas were that spicy, and the eggs didn't really do it for me. It was still really good, don't get me wrong, but they didn't have any "Wow" effect on me.

I think I compare all my huevos rancheros dishes to the ones that I get in NYC at this place in Spanish Harlem my brother used to always take me, La Rosita. We'd head into the non-descript small restaurant and feast on papaya or mango shakes (could never decide which I was in the mood for), and mush the eggs and rice and beans together for the most amazing breakfast ever.

However, Z seemed to like mine, as he kept reaching over to steal bites of my rice, while I kept trying to steal his super sweet french toast with fresh strawberries. This happens a lot, if you haven't noticed. All in all, I definitely would return-- but just wouldn't order the huevos rancheros again.

And PS, Z took the apartment!! Dish Gal could not be more excited about his being a 2 minute walk from Flour Bakery and a 2 second (literally) walk to Orinoco.

Brunch at Scollay Square

Brunch is easily my favorite meal, which is why when it disappoints, it's incredibly heartbreaking for me.

The girls (ed note: be sure to check out the cast of characters on the right from now on to refer to my frequent dining companions!) and I met up at Scollay Square last weekend for brunch.

I ordered the eggs florentine, a favorite of mine, and a club soda. The dish was under-seasoned and lacking in any sort of taste. The homefries were uninspired.

And to make it worse, for these two items I ended up coughing up $18! Would've been much better off just getting a Starbucks eggs florentine breakfast sandwich. . . Oh well, live and learn!

Brunch in Beacon Hill

I'm really trying to not be a negative-nelly, but you wouldn't be able to tell that from the past couple of posts... and [spoiler alert!] this one isn't going to help my new image.

Sunday morning I awoke and made plans to do some jean shopping in the North End with Skylar and Michelle. But jean shopping can be stressful, as any woman knows, so we decided to enjoy brunch before we "enjoyed" squeezing into some denim.

Our brunch spot of choice was Panificio, a bakery/restaurant located in Beacon Hill and Back Bay. When I wandered in I realized it was an order at the counter/sit at a table restaurant (I had thought there were servers?) but the menu looked so appetizing I didn't even care. I could not choose; the stuffed french toast, eggs florentine, breakfast burrito, and huevos rancheros all looked incredible! I ended up choosing the huevos rancheros with "avocado relish" ($11) and a cafe au lait (around $2).

When I had walked in, it seemed that I had missed the brunch rush; there were plenty of tables and I could see the cooks huddled in the back, chatting as opposed to cooking. My cafe au lait emerged at the coffee bar quickly, and Michelle, Skylar and I grabbed a table. My coffee was superb; it reminded me of the coffee I had in London all the time at this great coffee house. It had the perfect amount of "fluff" from the steamed milk and rich coffee taste.

When our food was dropped off, I was already a bit dismayed. Usually brunch is a meal filled with hyperbole-- massive mounds of pancakes, electric yellow eggs, combination platters that include every type of breakfast food you can imagine. But this one was definitely underwhelming. The eggs looked like I had made them (not a compliment); they looked dry before you even tried them.

It looked kind of like an open-faced burrito, and the massive tortilla just seemed to dwarf the ingredients inside it. The avocado relish (which turned out to be be a fancy name for guacamole-- you can't fool me!) couldn't even be called a dollop. And the majority of the dish was black beans that looked like they were straight from a can.

All in all, it didn't taste bad, it just wasn't that great. I'd probably recommend my favorite Starbucks breakfast sandwich (the eggs florentine) over this-- at least that OVERdelivers instead of underwhelms.

Here's hoping that the next restaurant is a positive review!

Love, Dish Gal