Pret A Manger Free Lunch

Well, I missed day one, but a friend emailed me last night an article that said that the new Financial District Pret A Manger was giving out free lunches on Wednesday and Thursday this week.  So, I knew what I was having for lunch today!

I headed over a tad early, and as I approached the new restaurant, I realized that there was already a healthy line forming down the block.  At 11:50am, I found myself at the end of the line half way down the block.  But by noon, when the doors opened, the line was down the block and half way back once again.  Chatting with my line mates, I found out that 1,000 freebie lunches were being given out per day.  Pret Teammates cheerfully made their way down the line trying to ellicit enthusiasm among the shivering crowds lined up on the sidewalk on this chilly autumn day.  One gal even offered a flip for a cheer, and gave us her best shot at a cartwheel.

The line moved quickly enough, and when I entered the establishment, I understood why.  Once we where greeted by the manager with a big smile on her face, a short line of other staff members offered us one of a short list of selections and at the end of the line was a fellow with an open bag ready to receive the sandwich we had in our hands.  The bag was handed to me, and off I went with my free bag lunch.

In addition to my selected balsamic chicken and avocado sandwich, my lunch consisted of a sea salt popcorn, a can of Pret A Manager's own natural soda, and a rich little brownie.  Also found in the bag were coupons for a free soup and a free coffee.

My sandwich consisted of a grainy sort of bread stuffed with a layer of (green!) avocado, another layer of thinly sliced dressed white chicken, and a handful of mixed greens.  The inner surface of the bread was moistened due to the contact with the avocado which made for a slightly messy eating.  While the sandwich tasted okay, I was reminded that I prefer toasted sandwiches over the deli sort, or in this case, the pre-made (even though it was made earlier the same day, according to the packaging) sort.

From what I read online and in the materials found with my bag lunch, I get the impression that Pret A Manager prides itself in using fresh, natural ingredients, and while they take their food seriously, they don't take themselves seriously (the use food to create faces, animals, and other fun stuff!).

Unfortunately, I did not manage to snag a take-out menu, and when I went back later, they were out.  So, I have no idea as to their prices.  But the attitude of the Pret Team was pleasant - I hope that continues beyond the Grand Opening tomorrow.

Food Find: October Sun Plum

In Chinatown, not every item in the produce section is labeled.  Or, if it is labeled, if you can't read Chinese, you're out of luck.

Last week, my dad picked up this small greenish plum during his Chinatown run.  In Chinese, its name is literally "snake egg."  But however odd the name, we were pleased to discover that the fruit itself was really sweet and juicy.  It was such a treat, we finished the bagful in short order, and my dad went seeking it again during a special extra Chinatown trip... this time picking up THREE bags of the luscious fruit.

And this time, I made sure I snapped a picture of the fruit and found a sticker labeling it in English (yippee!) as "October Sun."  Ah, mystery solved!  Now I'll at least know what I'm looking for...

October Sun Plum

Food Truck Throwdown!

It doesn't look like I can't go myself (*sniff*), but the first annual Food Truck Throwdown between Boston and New York is hitting Dewey Square this coming Saturday.

I do wonder how they'll decide who wins though, since as a local, I can hit the Boston trucks anytime I can find them, so I'd most likely choose to spend my precious tummy space trying out a variety of options from the New York trucks, if I made it out there...

From the official site:


1st ANNUAL “FOOD TRUCK THROWDOWN!”

Boston and New York City to go Head to Head on the Rose Kennedy Greenway

WHAT: Food Truck Throwdown,“Boston vs. NYC” – a daylong competition which pits seven food trucks from Boston against seven food trucks from New York City as contestants vie for the title of Best Food Truck. Live music, celebrity judges including Jenny Johnson of NECN’s TV Diner, and tons of great eats = fun for the entire family. Admission is free, enjoying the food (and why wouldn’t you want to?) will require you to bring your wallet.

WHO: Sara Ross, owner of Kickass Cupcakes, is the creative force behind the first annual Food Truck Throwdown,“Boston vs. NYC” along with support from the city of Boston, Boston Mayor Thomas Menino, and the Boston food truck community.

WHERE: The first annual Food Truck Throwdown,“Boston vs. NYC” will take place in Dewey Square on the Rose Kennedy Greenway, Boston’s hottest food truck location. The Rose Kennedy Greenway Conservancy (www.rosekennedygreenway.org) piloted a food vending program called “Greenway Mobile Eats” in 2010, and the program continues to expand. Today, 16 food vendors operate in seven locations along the Greenway, with the goal of having 12-18 food vendors on the Greenway every season. For more information, visit www.rosekennedygreenway.org.

WHEN:  Saturday, October 13, 2012 from 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM.  Free Admission.

Boston Local Food Festival

On Sunday, we headed out to the Greenway by the Aquarium to check out the Boston Local Food Festival.

White tents lined both sides of the sidewalk winding along the Greenway, from the carousel by Fanueil Hall to the Boston Harbor Hotel.  Compost bins shared equal billing with recycle bins and trash bags.  Music filled the air while we made our way through.  Samples were to be had of chocolate, peanut butter, tomatoes, cheese, popcorn, and even whole salads.  Food was also available for purchase from fresh shucked oysters ($2) to plates of Puerto Rican food ($5), of which we most enjoyed the tender chicken satay  ($3) from the Thai Hut and the maple cotton candy (also $3).  It was a nice way to spend our afternoon.

MobileFarmer'sMarket

Boston Fish Pier Seafood Festival

From the Press Release:

Announcing the first annual Boston Fish Pier Seafood Festival on Saturday, October 6.

The Boston Fish Pier Seafood Festival is the official public kickoff of the non-profit, all volunteer Boston Fisheries Foundation, and will be the first all-seafood festival held in Boston. It will be a day of sensational seafood tastings, oyster and lobsters, clambakes and chef demos, educational events, and family fun. The event will be held, rain or shine, at the Bank of America Pavilion, 290 Northern Ave, Boston and runs from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Boston Fisheries Foundation (BFF) is a group of Boston-area “fish guys” who share a passion for healthy, delicious seafood and for supporting the local families whose livelihoods depend on New England seafood. They have come together to create The Boston Fisheries Foundation.  Their goal is ambitious: Sustaining the generations-old fisheries that have operated out of the Boston Fish Pier and up and down the seacoast of New England. The hope is to bring the fishing communities together with the public to create momentum and make sure that the Boston Fish Pier survives for another 100 years.

Tickets are $10, $8 for students.

I wonder what the price of the ticket includes...

East Broadway Foodie Crawl

So it seems that the East Somerville Main Streets' 2nd annual East Broadway Foodie Crawl will be hitting a street of Somerville tomorrow evening (after having been rescheduled from the original Sept 18th date due to a 90% chance of rain), and I will be missing it because I have tickets to the Sox vs. Tampa Bay Rays game.

For the price of a $20 adult ticket ($21.69 w/service fee), tasting samples are offered at 12 participating restaurants from 6pm - 8pm, with dessert available at the After Party with live music at three different venues from 8pm - 9:30pm.  According to a newspaper article, last year's was attended by 1,200+.

(from their website)

Foodie Crawl Schedule:
5:45pm  Check-In Begins
Check in at 145 Broadway (Mudflat)
OR at 193 Broadway (near Louie's Ice Cream)
*You will receive your event bracelet and guidebook

6:00-8:00pm  Foodie Crawl is On! Visit 10+ participating restaurants taste your way around the world!

8:00-9:30pm  Dessert and After Party with live music at local venues: Vinny's, Casey's and Fasika

Edible Arrangements - Edible To Go

If you've heard of Edible Arrangements, you probably know them for their fresh fruit bouquets, whether you've given them, or received them for one of a variety of joyful or sad occassions.  You can imagine in your mind's eye the pineapple/cantaloupe flowers, the wedge honeydew and cantaloupe leaves, the stacked red grapes, the red strawberries - whether fresh or chocolate dipped.

Lovely Cupcake™ pineapple pop

Well, what led me to the local Edible outlet was a coupon for a free Lovely Cupcake™ pineapple pops that I received after Liking the Edible Arrangements Facebook page.  In fact, there may still be time!  The coupon expires this Sunday, but the page must be liked by tomorrow.

However, my discovery on this visit (other than this new-to-me pop) was that they now have a whole new Edible To Go section consisting of fruity chilly beverages and fresh fruit treats for immediate and on-the-go consumption.  Most enticing-looking to me was the Banana Cream Pie Frusundae™ with sliced bananas, white chocolate sauce and whipped cream with shaved coconut, which I think was either $3.95 or $4.95 for the smallest portion size.

Healthy and tasty?  Sounds good to me!