Food Find: Good Karmal

One of the many holiday treats to grace our palates at work was a lovely box filled with individually wrapped caramels by Good Karmal.  Each chewy treat was encircled by a white slip of paper with its own little quote.

Just a tip - don't stuff the whole thing into your mouth at once.  I guess I just had to learn that through experience... but you don't have to!

Food Fun: 2016 CDRC Gingerbread Design Competition, Exhibition, + Auction

Now in its fifth year, the 2016 CDRC Gingerbread Design Competition, Exhibition, + Auction is a fun and tasty way to highlight the extraordinary talents of some of Boston’s top architects, to challenge the designers to explore a new medium, and to raise funds for CDRC programs.

Architecture, landscape architecture, interior design, and urban planning firms, individuals, and students are invited to bake their interpretations of the 2016 theme:  “Boston, You’re My Home.”

Many cooks welcome.  Please join us!
Essential 2016 Dates:
November 4—Open call for participants issued
December 1—Registration deadline
December 7—Gingerbread creations dropped off at BSA Space by firms
December 12—Gingerbread exhibition opens at BSA Space; auction open
December 17—Family Design Day: Gingerbread
December 19—Reception
January 2—Exhibition closes at BSA Space; firms pick up their creations

The “rules.”
 All components must be edible.
Battery-powered LED lighting counts as edible.
The gingerbread house must arrive on a 18″x18″ base (tin foil-covered plywood preferred) — (This is the size of the gallery display stands).
That’s it!

Heights are limited only by your imagination, and the material limits of the medium.

Creative interpretations of the theme are enthusiastically encouraged.

For one mighty week, from December 12-19, this event will also serve as a fundraising AUCTION.  It works like a people’s choice:  the house that gathers the greatest grand total of donations ‘wins’ the competition and gets to take home the coveted Golden Spatula. The house that gathers the greatest number of bids — of any amount — is declared victorious.

ALL BIDS COUNT!  All bids directly benefit 2017 CDRC programs, and are tax-deductible.  Bids of any amount (in $5 increments) are welcome.  In advance — Thank you.

Source: CDRC

Uno Due Go's Chopped Salads

Stopped at UDG at lunch time and joined their salad line.  The Burrata Panzanella $10.49 UDG blend, burrata, roasted corn, tomatoes, red onion, crusty bread, fresh basil and balsamic vinaigrette looked simple, yet enticing.  It was surprisingly delicious with the crisp crunch of the fresh greens and croutons, and generous with two whole balls of burrata.  Yum!

Food for Others: Canstruction Boston 2016

The 21st Annual Canstruction Boston charity event is one where various architecture, engineering, and construction firms in the Greater Boston area compete in building sculptures made entirely of canned goods. These canned good sculptures were built in mid-October and are up for display at the BSA Space within Atlantic Wharf, the 2016 Canstruction Boston host, through the end of October. After the sculptures are dismantled, all the canned goods will be donated to a local food bank.

We’re happy to announce that the Merrimack Valley Food Bank based out of Lowell, Massachusetts will again be the recipient of our canned food donation.

Canstruction Boston Timeline

Build out:  Saturday, October 8, 2016
Judging and Official Opening:  Tuesday, October 11, 2016
Awards Gala:  Wednesday, October 12, 2016
Decanstruction:  Saturday, October 29, 2016

Canstruction Boston is family friendly and FREE to the public. It will be open from Sunday, October 9- Friday, October 28.

This year’s event can be found within the spaces at 280 and 290 Congress Street in Boston as well as within the South Station train terminal just around the corner from our main exhibit at the BSA | Space (280 Congress Street).

Source: Canstruction Boston

Luke's Lobster Opens in Downtown Boston!

The first inkling that Luke's Lobster was coming to Downtown Boston came in the form of a poster in the window of the storefront that once was Cakeology.  Before that, I had first come across Luke's Lobster as I researched ideas for my DC trip back in 2014.  We never did make it there to try their Noah's Ark sampler, but now Luke has come to me! 

Each time I walked by, I observed as the store came together, as the furniture was delivered, and wondered, just when will they be opening?  Perhaps on a Monday, for the start of a work week?

 And the surprise answer was - TODAY!  They were opening at noon on Friday, September 23, 2016.

Luke's Lobster Downtown - Grand Opening Staff

And in honor of the opening of their 21st location, they gave away 21 free lobster rolls.

The lobster roll tasted great, though the lobster meat was a bit light a portion.  Hopefully that will improve as their staffers become more experienced.  Photos of the lobster rolls at their Back Bay location seemed more generous.

Luke's Lobster Menu

I'm going to have to return sometime to sample their crab roll, stone crab calls, and ice cream cookie sandwich.

Taste of WGBH: Food and Wine Festival - Opening Chef’s Gala Reception

This year is the 5th season of the Taste of WGBH Food & Wine Festival, September 15-18, 2016.  It, however, was my first year participating.  Their Thursday evening Opening Chef’s Gala Reception took place right at their location at One Guest Street.  And if you had ever been there before, you would be amazed at the transformation the space had undergone for this event.

It was lovely, yet rustic, with the contrast of crystal chandeliers hanging up above while flowers, caged chicken (don't worry, they were fake), empty bottles, old meat grinders and rough wood were part of the decoration.

Restaurant and wine stations lined the space with food and drink alternating.  With one stemware per person, compostable utensils, and bins separating compost from recyclables from the landfill, this was a rather green event.

One guest later complained that there was just too much food, as she observed her tummy in the mirror.  After discussing, however, we came to the conclusion that we had agreed on the best tastes of the night: the new darling off Newbury Street - Saltie Girl Seafood Bar with her crispy freshly fried battered lobster perched on top of a bit of warm waffle with sweet syrup and creamy butter tucked between, and the stalwart elegant L'Espalier's Pate de Campagne with Wild Mushrooms and Fried Lentils.  In English, it was a slice of a meaty savory patty, with fresh frisee salad, and these lovely crisp lentils which popped and just made the plate.  She told me that she had learned that they had prepared the lentils by boiling them half way, drying them, baking them, then frying them (or was that in reverse?).  The results were not oily at all, but were lovely crisp crunchiness.

Tickets were priced at $125 for WGBH members, $150 for non-members, or $350 for the entire Food & Wine Festival activities.

Event: Bostoberfest 2016

I passed by Dewey Square today and the food trucks were MIA, displaced by wire fencing and the preparations for tomorrow's Bostoberfest on the Greenway.  According to a sign, tickets are still available at www.bostoberfest.com.

Have fun if you plan to join in!

Thai Ice Cream Rolls are Here!

I've seen videos and read articles about this fun ice cream treat called Thai Ice Cream Roll that is pretty manually intensive and results in long lines.  It looked fun, but I'm not big on waiting for food.

Then suddenly, I found out that not only is a source of this frozen confection opening up in nearby Allston, but there was an ice cream kiosk already open up north of me in the Square One Mall.  Now, I've never been to the Square One Mall, but for Thai Ice Cream Rolls, I was willing to... but my schedule did not allow...

So, instead, my first experience was at Hi B3ar, less than a week since it opened its doors.

We lucked out - by coming in the mid afternoon, there was but one party ahead of us, and after they were done, we had the counter all to ourselves for a bit.  We went blueberry and opted for the Evil Berry, which is much tastier than it sounds.  Each of 10 flavors is offered for $6.95 + tax, and all the toppings you should want on top.

If you aren't familiar with the Thai Ice Cream Roll, they basically take an ice cream base, pour it on a cold metal surface with your flavoring of choice (blueberries in our case), and the mix-master starts mixing and chopping it in.  Once it is good and ready, they start spreading it out thin, then scrape up rolls of it.  These rolls are carefully packed into a cup, and then are ready for the topping selection process.

Eat at Moyzilla for Jeremy

Admittedly, I don't go out for lunch that often.   And I surely do not visit the food trucks nearly as much as I would like.  But, I hope to stop by the Moyzilla food truck sometime between now and Tuesday the 2nd of August to order a Pineapple Chicken Teriyaki meal box with fried garlic aioli, currently called the Chiu-zilla meal box in honor of Jeremy Chiu - a member of the Moyzilla family who passed away recently.

According to the Moyzilla Facebook post:

"All the proceeds from the "Chiu-zilla" mealboxes (to get the full experience, ask for it with scallion rice and extra aioli, Jeremy wouldn't have it any other way) will go directly to Jeremy's family to help cover the cost of the funeral."

Now, if that isn't a good reason to go out for lunch, I don't know what is.

Reminiscing: Hoodsie Cup

 Ah, the Hoodsie cup, filled with chocolate and vanilla ice cream, eagerly gobbled up by children big and small.

I remember the short curvy tongue depressors that came individually wrapped in white paper, which are now sadly no longer included in the plastic sack encasing the double stack of paper cups of creamy brown and white. A plastic spoon just doesn't feel the same...

The Hoodsie was never something I would enjoy at home, as my parents tended to pick up a brick of neapolitan for such summertime treats.  Rather, the Hoodsie cup was the special prize of Color Day at the end of the academic year throughout my elementary career.

And so, when the Hoodsie cup made an appearance at the bbq I was at most recently, I of course had to have myself one.

Scooper Bowl 2016

The annual Jimmy Fund Scooper Bowl is will be  here in about two weeks.  For a dollar discount off the $10 adult admission to the all-you-can-eat ice cream festival, text SUN to 56512!

Also, buy early and save!  Tickets bought in advance are $10 for adults, $5 for ages 3 – 9, while kids under 3 are free.  As of the day of the event, ticket prices go up to $15 for adults, $10 for ages 3 – 9, and kids under 3 are free.  If you want to go more than once, purchase a $20 Scooper Pass and attend the Scooper Bowl up to three times.

Jimmy Fund Scooper Bowl

June 7 – 9, 2016

Noon – 8:00 p.m.

City Hall Plaza, Boston

Food Find: Noosa yogurt

As I exited the Haymarket T stop one Saturday, I was offered a sample.  It was a bright cheery 4 oz cup of yogurt - Noosa, advertised as all natural ingredients, gluten free, probiotic, rBGH free, aussie culture, Colorado fresh.

Lemon was the flavor of the day.  The yogurt similar in creamy density as Greek yogurt, but pre-sweetened. With honey, according to their website.  Yum.  It was good.

Later, I had the chance to try the strawberry rhubarb as well.  That was another good flavor.

Lunching at Whole Foods South End

Options abound at the new Whole Foods for take-out or dining in at one of a number of tables.

Salad bar and hot food bar are available for $8.99 per pound.  Me, I went for the Tonkotsu Ramen (ramen noodles, egg, wakame (seaweed), bean sprouts, corn, green onion, fried garlic and tonkotsu (pork) broth) $7.99 at the Noodle House and added the tempura shrimp option for a grand total of $9.99.  Sure the shrimp were small, but still the bowl somehow stretched out to two meals for me!

Tonkotsu Ramen with Shrimp Tempura $9.99

My friends hit up the Fish Shack.  The healthy yet tasty selection of the two was the Simple Grilled Salmon with brown rice and broccoli $9.99 which came with a generous piece of fish.  Yum!  Their fried seafood platter was nothing to shake a stick at either!

INK BLOCK Fisherman's Platter $19.99

Simple Grilled Salmon $9.99

Legal Sea Foods: Leap Year Lobster Special

AN EXTRA DAY, AN EXTRA LOBSTER

"With this year’s calendar featuring an extra day, we’re treating everyone to an extra lobster: our one-day promotion will offer two one-pound steamed lobsters and a choice of two sides for $29, available only on the 29th day of February.  For the other 365 days of the year, lobsters are only served individually, and the current market price of a one-pounder is $25.95.

The quadrennial promotion features a choice of two side dishes from the following list: French fries, onion strings, brown rice, broccoli & cheese, cole slaw, seaweed salad, jasmine rice, mashed potatoes, baked potato, and jalapeno cheddar polenta (selection may vary by restaurant)."

Faneuil Hall 40th Anniversary Promotions 2016

Faneuil Hall currently has two promotions going on in honor of their 40th Anniversary.

10 for 10 Promotion

February 1 - March 31, 2016

Spend $10 or more at any 10 for 10 location

 and receive a 10% off coupon valid for additional purchases

made the SAME DAY at any of the other 10 for 10 locations!

$5 Fridays At Faneuil Hall Marketplace  

February 1 – March 31

Faneuil Hall Marketplace

TGIF! Thank God it’s Five Dollar Friday

at Faneuil Hall Marketplace!

Take advantage of this NEW winter promotion

featuring 17 merchants offering one item for $5

every Friday from February 1st thru March 31st.

Clover Downtown

Clover has come to Boston!  They've taken over the old Boloco location at 27 School Street and will be having their first full day of operations with a full menu tomorrow.

Me, I paid them a visit a day early on their Pay What You Want Day and enjoyed a nice hot lunch for a donation to The Food Project.

They make their own sodas here.  They let me sample both the Vanilla Soda and the Ginger Soda, and I was surprised to find the Ginger Soda the winner.  It tasted surprisingly just like fresh ginger!

The Blue Oyster Mushroom sandwich was so simple yet quite delicious!  Battered and fried mushrooms, sliced tomatoes, kale, and some kind of spread tucked into one of their round loaves.  And this from a non-fungus lover!

Rosemary Fries are Clover's signature side.  The flavor was good, but I prefer my fries with a surface crisp that these sadly lacked.

Service was cheerful.  Estimated times were listed right on the menu and updated as needed  But the music and ambient noise were a bit loud, so it was a little tough to listen for my name to be called as each item of my order was prepared.

A Fond Farewell

As a Bostonian born and bred, it has been a sad few months as I have had to bid a fond farewell to a number of businesses that made up Boston to me.

City Sports filed for bankruptcy in October 2015.  It was founded in 1983, and it seemed that everyone had one of their T-shirts.  The location I especially favored was in Downtown Boston.

Ben & Jerry's location at Park Plaza Hotel.  Every one of my Free Scoop Day visits were to this location.  It was also where I first tasted Chunky Monkey, and Cherry Garcia.

And last but not least, Finale, also at the Park Plaza Hotel, the last of the small local chain of dessert shops, which once were also located at Coolidge Corner and Harvard Square.  Their molten chocolate cake was one friend's fave.

Edit 2/3/2016 -

The Eddie Bauer Outlet remains with us only till 2/23/2016.  Then sadly, their doors close.  In the meantime, everything they have in stock is currently 70% off.