Wednesday, December 3, 2014

Holiday Certificate Deals plus 2014


Applebee's

Get a FREE* $10 Bonus Gift Card when you buy $50 in Gift Cards.

*Available for online purchases and at participating Applebee’s restaurants only. Offer valid for a limited time.  Bonus card expires 2/28/15, valid for one-time use only and redeemable only at participating locations.  Additional restrictions apply to gift card and bonus card.  See card for details.



Au Bon Pain

Get $5 for every $25 you buy in Au Bon Pain Gift Cards

* Offer valid through 1/4/15.  $5 coupons valid until 2/8/15.



Boston Market

Buy a $25 gift card, Get a $5 bonus card, valid December 1 – January 31, 2015.

* Bonus card valid 12/1/14 – 1/31/15, but not valid on Holiday Heat & Serve meals, a la carte items, or catering orders.



Buca di Beppo

For every $50 spent on Buca di Beppo gift card purchases, Buca will provide shoppers with a $10 Reward Card.*

To qualify for the Holiday Reward Card, purchaser may not buy and redeem any qualifying gift card(s) on the same day.  Reward card valid 1/1/15-2/12/15.  Valid for purchases made in restaurant or online only.



California Pizza Kitchen

Spread the joy of pizza.  Give $100, and get $20.  When you purchase $100 in gift cards receive a $20 promotional card.

*Purchase gift cards now through 12/28/14.  Promotional gift cards are valid between 1/12/15 and 3/1/15.

*Gift Cards cannot be used at international or airport locations, stadiums and the Mirage Hotel in Las Vegas. Please refer to Gift Card FAQ for full terms and conditions.



CBS Scene

Buy $100 in CBS Scene gift cards and receive a free $20 gift card!

Offer valid from now - December 24th

*$20 gift card valid on a future visit. Not valid on same day as purchase



The Cheesecake Factory

Receive a complimentary slice of cheesecake* with every $25 gift card purchased online or in restaurants.

* Redeemable on a future visit 1/1/15 - 3/29/15.  Not valid on corporate gift card orders placed online.



Chili’s

Free $10 eBonus Card with $50 gift card purchase.

* Holiday Bonus Card valid Jan 1 – Feb 10



Denny's

Give $25 in gift cards and receive a $5 Denny’s card in return.

*$10.00 minimum purchase. A $1.95 shipping and handling fee is applied to each order. Please call 800-733-6697 and ask for the Gift Card Administrator. We offer a discount on gift card orders of $1000 or more. Contact us for more information.



Fleming's Prime Steakhouse

Receive a $20 Bonus Card for every $100 you spend on Gift Cards.

*Offer valid through 12/31/2014. Bonus Cards valid 1/1/2015–2/10/2015. Bonus Cards are accepted at participating Bloomin’ Brands restaurant locations in the United States. Gratuity, taxes and alcoholic beverages not included. Limit one card per visit, per table. No cash value. No replacement value if lost or stolen. No reproductions will be accepted. Not valid with any other discount offers. Will not carry an unused balance. Maximum 10 Bonus Cards per order.



J.P. Licks

For a limited time only, get a FREE $5 Bonus Card with each $25 Cow Card you purchase!

($5 Bonus Card is redeemable only from 1/1/2015 to 3/31/2015)

$5 Bonus Card is redeemable at any J.P. Licks retail location between 1/1/2015 to 3/31/2015. It is for promotional purposes only and is not redeemable for cash. It can be used only once, no change will be given, and photocopies will not be accepted.

For in-store purchases, your Bonus Card will be given at time of purchase. For online purchases and recharges, your Bonus Card will be mailed to you.
For eGift purchases, your bonus eGift will be emailed immediately!



Joe’s Crab Shack

Receive $30 in coupons when you buy a $25 giftcard

*Redeemable 1/1/15 – 3/31/15.  Excludes instant gift cards.



Legal Seafoods

Give the gift of fish this holiday, and when you purchase $200 worth of gift cards from our restaurants from November 1 - December 31, enjoy a lobster dinner on us.  Our ‘Lobster Dinner Reward’ vouchers for a 1 - 1.25lb steamed lobster with a choice of two sides are redeemable in the New Year, January 2 -  March 31, 2015.



Longhorn Steakhouse

Enjoy a $5 bonus card when you purchase $25 in gift cards.

* With purchase of 2 adult dinner entrees.  Online gift card purchases only.  Valid 1/1/15 – 2/9/15.



Maggiano’s Little Italy

Purchase $100 or more in Maggiano's Online Gift Cards, and receive a $20 Bonus Card
AND a 1 year subscription to Food & Wine® Magazine!*

* $20 off $50 Bonus Card valid with redemption 1/1/15 – 2/28/15.



McCormick & Schmick's

Purchase a $100 Gift Card and Receive a $20 reward card to use thru May 2015!

* Gift Cards must be purchased November 10 – December 24, 2014 to qualify.  Reward Cards are valid January 2 – May 31, 2015.  Reward cannot be redeemed Mother’s Day or Valentine’s Day.  Promotion is not valid on Gift Card purchases $500 or more.  Other Restrictions apply.



Morton’s The Steakhouse

Purchase a $250 Gift Card and receive a $50 Reward Card to use thru May 2015.

* Gift Cards must be purchased October 1 – December 24, 2014 to qualify.  Reward Cards are valid January 2 – May 31, 2015 and are used only towards a minimum $100 food and/or non-alcoholic beverage purchase at any Morton’s restaurant only, dine-in only.  Reward cannot be redeemed Mother’s Day or Valentine’s Day.  Promotion in not valid on Gift Card purchases $500 or more.  Other Restrictions apply.



Not Your Average Joe's

Now through December 31st
FREE $10 appreciation card* with every $50 worth of gift cards purchased.

BIG SPENDER OFFER
Get an appreciation card worth 25%* of every gift card purchase over $500.

*Appreciation cards expire 90 days from date of issue



Olive Garden

Get a $10 Bonus for every $50 spent in gift cards.

* Bonus offer is valid 1/2/151/31/15 for $10 off the purchase of two adult entrees.  Free shipping on gift cards.



Outback Steakhouse

Free Money & Free Shipping
Free $20 bonus card when you buy $100 in gift cards.*
Free standard shipping on gift cards when ordered from 11/3 to 12/31.

* Bonus Card Details – This is not a gift card.  Card is valid for redemption on the following visit.  Gratuity, taxes and alcoholic beverages not included.  Limit one card per visit, per table.  Not valid with any other discount offers.  Bonus card valid 1/1/15 – 2/10/15.



P.F. Chang’s

Receive a $20 bonus card when you purchase $100 in gift cards through 12/31/14 or while supplies last.

* This complimentary card is valid for the purchase of food or beverages only for up to $20 USD value between 1/1/153/31/15 only at participating P.F. Chang’s restaurants located in the contiguous United States (excluding airport locations).



Palm Restaurant

Now through January 15, 2015, you'll receive a $25 Thank You card for every $250 you spend on gift cards.

* Holiday Gift Card offer valid through January 15, 2015. Gift cards can not be purchased and redeemed on the same day. The Thank You Card is valid for purchases of food and beverages at any U.S. Palm Restaurant from January 1 - December 30, 2015, Sunday - Thursday only. Thank You cards are not valid in Mexico City-Polanco, Mexico City - Santa Fe or The Palm Bar & Grille at JFK Airport, can not be used with any other certificate, promotion or prix fixe menu including 837 Club promotional certificates or cards Dine in only. No cash Value. Not redeemable for tax or gratuity and can not be replaced if lost or stolen. .837 Club members will earn one point for each dollar spent on gift cards. 837 Club points are not issued on the $25 Thank You cards. $25 Thank You cards are valid only on gift cards purchased at www.thepalm.com or in one of our restaurants. Offer not valid on Palm Gift Cards purchased at giftcertificates.com.



Papa Razzi

Holiday Speciale: Buy $100, Get $20
It's never too soon to start prepping for the holidays. Starting November 15th, receive a complimentary $20 gift card with every $100 gift card purchase.



Potbelly Sandwich Shop

For every $25 gift card purchase, you’ll receive a free sandwich card.

This offer is available for gift cards purchased in shop and online. For online purchases, sandwich tickets will be mailed to the billing address provided within 2-3 weeks from purchase date. Offer valid now through December 31, 2014.



Romano's Macaroni Grill

Get a $5 Bonus Card with every $25 gift card purchased in-restaurant & online from November 17 – December 31.

* Grazie Gift Bonus Coupons are valid 1/1/152/11/15 at participating locations only./  Coupon valid for $5 off $25 purchase of food and non-alcoholic beverages.  Up to five Grazie Gift coupons may be used on one check.  Taxes and gratuity not included.  Dinie-in only.



Ruby Tuesday

Get a free $15 bonus gift for every $50 in gift cards you buy.
Get a free $5 bonus gift for every $25 in gift cards you buy.

* Bonus gift coupons available online and in-restaurant (while supplies last).  Coupons valid Jan 2 to Feb 28, 2015.  Single use promotional coupon.  One per visit.



Ruth's Chris Steak House

Receive a 10% bonus card on purchases of $250 or more.*

*Offer available for a limited time only.  Holiday bonus cards valid 1/1/2015 – 3/31/2015.  This offer not valid on prior purchases.  To receive holiday bonus card all $250 must be purchased in a single transaction.



Smash Burger

Receive $5 in Smash Cash for every $25 gift card purchased through December 31, 2014.

* Smash Cash valid 1/1/15 – 1/31/15.  In-restaurant purchase only.



Smith & Wollensky

Receive a $25 Holiday Bonus Card for every $100 Gift Card purchase.

* Gift Cards and Bonus Cards issued and sold by Smith & Wollensky Restaurant Group are valid at any Smith & Wollensky Restaurant Group location. This does NOT include the New York City location. New York City location is owned and operated by Fourth Wall Restaurants and will not accept these cards. Gift Cards purchased from this website cannot be refunded or replaced.



Texas Roadhouse

Earn $5 in the form of a bonus egift card for every $30 you spend on Texas Roadhouse gift cards.

* Delivered via email to purchaser within 48 hours of purchase.



TGIFriday’s

Get a bonus bites card for every $25 you spend on gift cards.



Woodman’s of Essex

Buy $100 in Gift Cards and Get a $10 Gift Card FREE!



Yard House

For every $50 gift card you give, you’ll receive a $10 bonus card.

* $10 bonus card valid through 2/26/15. One card per visit. Redeemable on your next visit. This is a single-use promotional Card, not a gift card, and will not carry a future balance. One Card per person, per visit. Valid for $10 off any purchase, excluding alcohol, tax, gratuity, merchandise or gift card purchases, or to-go purchases. Valid through 2/26/15.



The Aquitaine Group
Aquitaine, Cinquecento, Gaslight, Greenlight & Metropolis.

Free $20 Meal Certificate for every $100 in Gift Cards you buy before 12.31.14.

* Meal Certificates valid after 1.1.15 are one time use, have no cash value, are good at any of our 7 restaurants & will be mailed to same address as gift card unless specified otherwise.



CHG Columbus Hospitality Group
Mistral, Teatro, Sorellina, Mooo, L’Andana, Ostra

This Holiday Season, when you purchase $500 worth of CHG Gift Cards, receive a $100 Bonus Card to treat yourself!

*This offer is not available online, please call or visit one of our locations to enjoy this offer.  Offer only valid 12/1/2014 – 1/15/2015.


The Glynn Hospitality Group
The Black Rose, Brownstone, Central Wharf Co., Clery’s, Coogan’s, Dillon’s, Hurricane O’Reilly’s, Granary Tavern, Sterling’s

20% off online gift card purchases until December 15th!  ($50 or higher)  Use Discount Code:  GLYNNGIFT

http://www.glynnhospitalitygroup.com/


Tavistock Restaurant Collection
Local concepts include: Abe & Louie’s, Atlantic Fish Co., Joe’s American Bar & Grill

For every $150 spent on Tavistock Restaurant Collection Gift Cards, earn an additional $25 Bonus Card.

* Promotional Bonus Card is valid January 1, 2015 - March 31, 2015 for purchase of meals at participating Tavistock Restaurant Collection locations (does not include Freebirds restaurants).  ($1.99 shipping/handling)

http://tavistockrestaurantcollection.com/giftcards/shop/

Thursday, November 27, 2014

Corn Pudding

With it being Thanksgiving and all, I figured this would be a good time to share my favorite Thanksgiving side dish - my mom's corn pudding!  It is sweet corn and eggy custardy.  It is made with ingredients that we normally keep in the kitchen, so it is convenient as well.  I just love it, and hopefully now you will too!

Corn Pudding!
Corn Pudding

Preheat oven to 375F.

Mix:
2 tablespoons sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 stick melted butter

Add 3 eggs

Run through a strainer: 
2 tablespoons flour
1/2 cup milk
and add to mixture.

Mix in 2 17 oz. cans cream corn.

Pour into a 9x9 inch pan.

Bake for 45 minutes.

Sunday, October 26, 2014

Food for Others: Canstruction Boston 2014

 
"Canstruction is a unique nonprofit organization that holds annual design-build competitions to construct unique, colossal structures made entirely from canned goods. Founded in 1992, Canstruction’s mission is to highlight the issue of hunger across communities, collect food for distribution to thousands and to showcase the creativity of the design industry. The Boston Chapter of Canstruction was founded in 1995 and has been going strong ever since."
"After the structures are built and the winners declared, the creations go on view to the general public as giant art exhibits. At the close of the competition, all of the food used in the structures is donated to local food banks for distribution to community emergency feeding programs."
"The Boston Chapter of the Society for Design Administration and the Boston Canstruction Committee invites you to take part in the 19th annual Canstruction Boston design/build competition taking place October 14 – October 31, 2014 as a builder, a sponsor, or a visitor."
"The exhibit is open to the public at the BSA | Space & the Atlantic Wharf Building located at 290 Congress Street in Boston."

Wednesday, October 1, 2014

Tasting Counter: Unplugged

On September 28, 2014, the Tasting Counter held its free introductory event - Unplugged.  Advertised as "A Taste of What's to Come" with a flight of three paired bites by Peter Ungár, previously of Aujourd'hui and The Bristol Lounge and most recently of The Dining Alternative, it was a casual affair which enabled the curious to get an eye of the shell that will soon house his newest endevour.  To arouse the taste buds, we had the opportunity to sample three of Ungár's creations: Blackback Flounder (sake, dashi, rice), Miso Basil Cured Hake (roe, orange sesame crisp, cilantro), and Fennel Seed & Sichuan Peppercorn Macaron (acorn squash, marscarpone).  Each was a conglomerate of textures, and tasty to boot!
The event took place in Somerville's Aeronaut Brewing Company in a raw open space shared with a few other food businesses (barismo and Something GUD).  Using their own words, “Tasting Counter is a 20-seat, ticket-only, experiential dining restaurant where guests face an open kitchen, observing talented chefs prepare superbly balanced tasting menus from locally sourced seasonal products.”
 

Saturday, September 27, 2014

Pop-Up Urban Apple Orchard

When I first came to hear of the pop-up Urban Apple Orchard that Artisan Bistro was hosting, my imagination was filled with tall apple filled trees looming above me yet below vaulted ceilings within the walls of the restaurant.  How they would manage this Saturday afternoon only transformation, I was not sure, but I was excited to find out.
I headed on over the first Saturday that they were open, on the final weekend of September - they are also open every Saturday in October from noon till 4pm - yet Artisan Bistro seemed oddly normal... but the host graciously walked me on over to the small gift shop that was set up off of the elevator lobby of the Ritz Carlton.
Tiny, yet tastefully decorated with a number of apple centered treats and miniature bales of hay, two staffers manned the space.  I was a bit disappointed by the lack of trees, but my attention quickly turned to the little tastes of apple cider donuts that were set out for sampling.  Available plain or dressed to order with your choice of icings and toppings, they were tasty.
Prices quoted to me were $4 for 2 Gala apple galettes (the tarts), $4 for 2 cider madeleines in cute little bags, $12 for 4 apple cider donuts (iirc), $6 for a half dozen apples from Belkin Family Lookout Farm in South Natick.  Additional offerings included apple cider, candy apples, jars of apple pie filling, cinnamon sugar marshmallows packed two to the box, and Kerry's apple & oat coffee cakes.
For $25, one would receive a nice red tin filled with a candy apple, one of the coffee cakes, and twin sets of the galettes, madeleines, and marshmallows.  Or for $40, receive double the contents of the red tin, all nicely packed into a larger white tin.  A portion of all proceeds go to benefit The Food Project, so you can eat goodies and do good at the same time!

I've already sampled the bulk of my canister, with the exception of the coffee cake which will break my fast tomorrow.  The apple was sweet and crisp and juicy beneath its robe of tasty caramel and chocolate.  The crust of the galette could have been crisper, but I enjoyed it nonetheless along with the marshmallow with the crunch of its sugar coating and the tender madeleine.

Thursday, September 18, 2014

Four Seasons Food Truck Tour

A Tweet yesterday brought to my attention that the Four Season Food truck had rolled into town on its second annual Food Truck tour.  Second?  Oops, that means that I missed out on this last year!
Actually, it is on their East Coast tour, and we in Boston are privileged to be its first stop in a 9 city tour (Boston - Philadelphia - New York - Baltimore - Washington, DC - Atlanta - Orlando - Palm Beach - Miami), and Saturday the 20th of September marks its final day in our fair city.
At each destination, a culinary team from the local Four Season Hotel runs the truck and furnishes their own menu.  The Boston team couldn't help but to have an offering spotlighting the popular New England crustacean, and added their own spin to brittle candy using almonds and honey from their own rooftop hives.
Tomorrow I'm planning on picking up something for dinner - they told me I could mix and match two different sliders for the $9 price.  But today, I stopped by to pick up one of their Early Harvest Pumpkin Sticky Buns to break tomorrow's fast.  The fellow in the truck who told me he cooked everything was nice enough to add a few pieces of his brittle into my box.  How sweet!
When they are at their Four Season spot, they are actually located around the corner from the hotel and are parked on the red brick sidewalk on the corner of Charles Street and Park Plaza.

Cash only!

Monday, August 25, 2014

S'mores at Home

No fire?  You can still make s'mores in the toaster oven, and they are just as yummy!

Wednesday, July 23, 2014

Kayem National Hot Dog Day

The Prize?  Have your hot dog sold at Fenway all summer long!

The Contestants?  "Greenville Southern Drive Dog" and "The Monstah"

What do I get out of it?  Free samples of both contestants.  Autographs by Red Sox icons Steve Lyons and Rico Petrocelli.  The chance to wear a replica of the World Series Ring.  A visit with Wally the Green Monster and his buddies.

The Winner? The Greenville Southern Drive Dog - topped with warm, smoky pulled pork and creamy coleslaw.

 The Monstah hot dog was topped with Boston baked beans, honey mustard, warm sweet onion, sharp cheddar cheese, and crispy smokey bacon bits.

Tuesday, July 22, 2014

Honest Teas Hits Boston

Honest Teas with their Honor Store with its U-Pick U-Pay $1 each honor payment system was at Faneuil Hall this afternoon.

Friday, June 20, 2014

Phantom Gourmet BBQ & Music Festival 2014

I guess they decided that the bit of sand they would spread out on the ground wasn't quite worthy of co-billing anymore, as the name of this event has changed to the Phantom Gourmet BBQ & Music Festival from the Phantom Gourmet BBQ Beach Party.  With this year's focus on as a music festival featuring Salt-N-Pepa on Friday night and The Mighty Mighty BossToneS on Saturday evening, tickets are offered at a variety of prices this year - $5 for Daytime tickets for admission in advance/$10 at the event (kids 6 and under free), $15 for the Salt-N-Pepa concert, and $32.50 for The Mighty Mighty BossToneS.


A benefit for the local worker-bees in the City of Boston, however, is free admission on Friday from noon till 4pm.  With the two year construction project underway at the Government Center MBTA station, the set up of the BBQ Festival was a bit turned around, which we unfortunately did not realize till we ran into a dead end, as they lacked both directional signage and staffers pointing the way.  The entrance this year is located at the Congress Street side of the plaza, across from the glass towers of the Boston Holocaust Memorial.  Though entrance was free, they had a bag check line that was more than a formality.  Water and other liquids were the target of their search as there was water available for sale within for $3 per pop in addition to the alcohol in their beer gardens and other additional chilled drinks.


With no idea as to how the six BBQ stars compare to one another, I just popped into a short line and waited nearly 20 minutes for my lunch.  Hey, and we were there on the early side!


With my bounty from Johnson's Hickory Smoked Bar-B Que in hand, we headed over to the relatively shady beer garden by the JFK Federal Building, where entrance was allowed even for those with no interest in a liquid lunch.


The meat in my one meat boneless rib sandwich ($5) was unexpectedly a molded meat patty, reminiscent of the old McDonald’s McRib in shape, though not in flavor.  It was actually pretty tasty.  The cole slaw it was advertised to come with was easily swapped out for potato salad, but it also arrived with unannounced soft, sweet baked beans - which my cashier informed me comes with everything.  I also got a side of your average one in the blue box looking creamy mac & cheese made with overcooked elbow pasta for $3.  Not a bad meal on the whole - could have been better, but could have been worse.


Phantom Gourmet BBQ & Music Festival
June 20-22, 2014
City Hall Plaza
Boston, MA

Thursday, June 19, 2014

Pret A Manger Free Lunch - 101 Arch Street

On my way in to work, a girl was able to get me to take one of the cards she was offering with the magical words - "Would you like a free lunch?"


Well, turns out you didn't actually *need* the card, but it did the job and got me to venture out to 101 Arch Street for their pre-grand opening free lunch day.


Although we could see that the 101 Arch Street location was quite nice and large through the window as we waited in line, they kept things organized by letting a few people in at a time.


I selected my sandwich, was handed a soda, and offered a bag to drop them into, and off I went, to enjoy my lunch!


Wednesday, June 4, 2014

Spread the Happy!

Yesterday the Nutella Truck made a stop at Faneuil Hall - it's fifth and final stop in the Boston area before it heads onward on its 20 city tour across America.  Free sample packets of the luscious chocolate hazelnut spread were given out, and I had immediate gratification in the piece of waffle I ate with a generous smear of the stuff.  Yum!


Tour locations through October:
New York, New Jersey, Boston, Baltimore, Washington DC, Philadelphia, Raleigh, Greensboro, Atlanta, Charleston, Orlando, Miami, Ft. Lauderdale, Minneapolis, Chicago, Denver, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Dallas, and New Orleans.

Friday, May 23, 2014

Scooper Bowl 2014


The annual Jimmy Fund Scooper Bowl is quick approaching!  For a dollar discount on the all-you-can-eat ice cream festival, text SUN to 56512!

Sunday, April 27, 2014

Wegman's Chestnut Hill Grand Opening


The day had finally come, and it was today!  Thing is, I woke late, and so ended up arriving after the initial horde of customers had already entered through their doors.  However, a friend who had been in line at the start says I didn't miss anything.  No, she had not noticed any Wegman's chant that I had read of online.  Strike 1.

Right upon entering, I was greeted by their well touted prepared foods.  But it was the break of day, and oatmeal at home awaited me.


Some neat offerings I noticed - they dry age their meat on site in a case; there's a trail mix station where you may make your own perfect ratio of dried fruit/nuts/candy/granola for $7.49 per pound; a fresh ground nut butter station; and a wall of nuts, dried fruit, and candies being offered up for sale by weight.


What I missed, however, and had been excitedly waiting for, was Belgian Pearl Sugar - the secret ingredient to true Belgian Waffles.  Yes, it isn't just the waffle maker with its deep pockets.  I was hoping that with the opening of the Chestnut Hill store that I would have a more convenient source than the Northborough Wegman's.  But no dice, or so it seemed...  Strike 2.

Hopefully, however, that will soon change!

Wednesday, April 23, 2014

Cheeseboy - Free Grilled Cheese Day 2014

Thoughts of oozing cheese fill the mind as the anticipation of Friday as Free Grilled Cheese Day sets in.  Not just Prince Spaghetti Day anymore, right, Anthony?

Monday, April 14, 2014

Friday, March 28, 2014

Spring!

A milk chocolate orange chick from Godiva - a sign of spring!

Thursday, February 27, 2014

Donut Pop-up

As I drove down Tremont Street this past Sunday morn, I spied a line of folk and a police car holding court across from the Plaza Theaters.  How odd!

But then I realized, oh, it is the donut pop-up!  I had read about it earlier in the week, about how Stephanie Cmar, lately of No. 9 Park, was starting off her dream donut shop Stacked Donuts with a series (3) of weekend pop ups at The Butcher Shop.  This was week #1.

But I was late!  So I could not stop.  *sigh*

$3 donut - you and me, this weekend.  It's a date.

Source: Eater

Wednesday, February 26, 2014

Boston Urban Idiotorama 2014

A combination of food, fun, and charity!

Sounds cool!  But unfortunately, I will be out volunteering at a local food pantry on the morning of the 1st of March, thus, I will miss the entertainment factor of a crowd of costumed folk racing from bar to bar around the Fenway area as they collect canned and dry foods from teammates, friends and spectators, with an aim of hauling in 30 lbs per team for The Boston Medical Center Food Pantry.

There’s still time to register a team if you want to participate first hand in the Boston Urban Idiotorama!  But get cracking as you’ll have to costume up and decorate a shopping cart (and get one!) before Saturday.  It is $99 per team of 4-6 ‘doggies.’

You can also spectate.  They take off from the Lansdowne Pub at 11am, and after a pub crawl-style race of 4 yet to be publicized other similar establishments with forced rest periods of 20 minutes at each where they play games for prizes and such, they’ll end back where they begun with an open to the public after-party starting at 2pm. Just bring something to contribute to their food drive!

Tuesday, February 25, 2014

Summer in the City

Tomatoes?  In the winter?
Yes, and not only that.  I, who would wonder just who could be keeping the food trucks in business during these frozen months, I waited in a food truck line for my choice of two tomato sandwiches and a soup or bean/tomato salad.  But it was for a good purpose!  100% of my $5 donation went to the Greater Boston Food Bank, and in return, Clover Food Lab provided lunch, and the first 100 of us went home with a cute box of yummy Cocktail tomatoes grown in Maine by Backyard Farms.
Sure, it wasn't the most organized event (it took me a while to realize that there were two different sandwich lines), and my fingers were quite frozen, but I got the warm fuzzies for participating in this charitable event and left with a satiated tummy.
Backyard Farms Tomatoes for sampling
Maine Tomato Winter Sandwich
(Backyard Farms tomatoes, Deep-fried seaweed & Sriracha mayo)
& tomato pinto bean salad
Event Source Link


Saturday, January 25, 2014

Harvard Square Chocolate Festival Tips

After my first attendance at the annual Harvard Square Chocolate Festival, I've come up with a tip to better enjoy the experience next year.


The Harvard Square Chocolate Festival is a three day event with a free sampling on Saturday, January 25, 2014 from 1-2pm outside 18 Brattle Street.  It is only from 1-2pm.  It ends at 2pm, or when the food runs out, whichever is sooner.

We arrived a bit later than we planned, a bit after the start time, and found the end of the line all the way past Otto.  While it moved faster than expected... we ended up leaving chocolate-less as, still yards away, we were informed that it was 2pm and they were now closed.  Sadness.

Tip:  Go early or go home.