Wednesday, December 14, 2016

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!

Tuesday, December 13, 2016

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


Wednesday, November 16, 2016

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!

Thursday, October 13, 2016

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


Friday, September 23, 2016

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.

Friday, September 16, 2016

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.




Friday, September 9, 2016

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!