Boston Eats: Westbridge

A new spot in Kendall Square, West Bridge does fancy American food. 

Davies Cup: Pimm’s, Cucumber Vodka, Citrus, Pink Peppercorn, and Mint

Egg in a jar: mashed potatoes, artichoke, crispy skin, and a beautiful coddled duck egg.

Believe it or not, these are thinly sliced mushrooms, served warm almost like pasta.  Fascinating and tasty!

Boston Eats: Alden and Harlow

Alden and Harlow is nestled in a cute little spot in Harvard Square.  Down the stairs and into the restaurant, when you turn left, it's cozy and dark.  Turn right and it's bright light and wonderful.  Food is served tapas-style, and offerings are inventive and delicious.  Cocktails here are also a very good idea.

Crudo and roasted grapes.

Sweet pea and peanut hummus with bacon jam and 60 degree egg

Pickled Verril Farm corn pancakes with shisito peppers and popcorn

Grown-up s'mores.

Our little corner of a jungle paradise.

Last alcohol puchase in Boston

You stay classy, Sav-Mor.

Banana rum, cherry heering, allspice dram, and three different varieties of aquavit, all extracting for my graduation party and Midsommarfest.

Boston Eats: Afternoon Tea at the Athenaeum

After finding out that the housemasters were members of the Boston Athenaeum, I was hopeful that I'd be able to try out their members-only afternoon tea at some point.

And that day finally came in finals week, shortly after my defense.

Housed in a beautiful building that backs onto the first burying ground on the Freedom Trail, the Athenaeum is full of books and art.

Quite a charming setup!

Afternoon Tea at the Boston Athenaem

(offered to members only on a varied schedule, as of June 2015)

Ambiance - As is seen by the lack of photos, it wasn't a place where my camera was welcome or appropriate.  I was the youngest there by about 20 years, which isn't a bad thing, but it wasn't a place for the Instagram Generation.  However, it was for the most part a peaceful place to spend time, even though most guests didn't linger as long as I would have, given the choice.

Waitstaff - Mostly very nice, though there was one grouch.

Savory - All food was served buffet style, which I have mixed feelings about.  On one hand, I can have as many scones as I want.  On the other hand, it involved more walking in heels and trying not to drop things.  The stilton torte was a behemoth, and truly delicious.  The crudites were marvelous and varied, which is something that I also don't normally see at a tea, but they were such a nice addition.  Purple carrots, jicama, watermelon radishes...something new was appreciated.  The other two savory sandwiches were nice.  The butter and jam sandwich was a little odd to me, but maybe it's because I didn't grow up putting both between two slices of bread at the same time.

Sweet - The trifle was tasty and unexpected, but that was the only dessert option.

Scones, clotted cream, and jam - Clotted cream wasn't put out on the buffet until halfway through the meal, and the amount would have been appropriate for a single person!  The shmear I did taste on a scone was wonderful, though.  The scones were quite tasty, though only having ginger scones was a bit odd.  No jam to be seen, except on the jam sandwiches.

Tea quality -The tea was good and plentiful, but unlike every other tea that I've attended, I had to walk across the room to get it!  Walking back and forth with a nearly full cup of tea in heels every 20 minutes is not my idea of relaxing.  There were also only three varieties, which is much fewer than most other teas offered in Boston.

Cost - $75 per person

Overall - I'm so thankful the housemaster treated me to tea for a graduation gift - it was such a lovely afternoon!  But when I compare it to other teas where I'm able to just sit down and relax for a few hours, it does have a different feel.  I'll be honest: I like relaxing better.

The food was incredibly delicious, but missing a couple dessert options and clotted cream (the latter of which I judge a bit more harshly, in truth).  But, the variety of savory options and vegetables was most appreciated.

The atmosphere, and wandering around to look at art afterwards, and seeing the burying ground from the opposite side was fascinating.  If you ever have a chance to visit, I heartily recommend it!

Friday nights are best with wine, cheese, bread, and friends

One of my guilty pleasures?  Friday night bride TV...which is sometimes Friday night HGTV since I am clearly not into Kate plus anything or gypsy sisters. I share this love with a girlfriend of mine, and the only thing that makes Friday nights on the couch watching tv in my sweatpants better is watching them with someone else drinking a glass of wine and eating all the tasty things.

photo from this lovely lady

This is the best ever. 

Our two favorite boys.

photo from this lovely lady

With such a spread, how could it not be good?! 

End of the school year fun

McCormick barbecue

Late night finals study break!  Movie: Wallace and Gromit.  Special treat: grilled cheese!  Pro tip: you can make ten sandwiches at a time in the oven sandwiched between two metal sheet pans. 

Bananagrams tournament

Articles Club!

photo from this lovely lady

This meal was all the best things: wild rice salad, grilled veggies, meatball, a whole fish, tomato salad, olives, mozzarella, wow.  Delicious.

photo from this lovely lady

I made baklava for dessert, and I tell you what - baklava with rose is just perfect.

Boston Eats: Dr. Loosen Riesling Tasting at Study

I finally had a chance to try out Study, the sister restaurant of Ames Street Deli.  Even better, it wasn't a regular meal, it was a partnered dinner with Dr. Loosen, a famous German maker of riesling.

Course 1 - oyster with ginger granita, bresaola, and habeñero chili.  What a good choice.  This was Aimee's first oyster ever!

Course 2 - Salsify three ways - with kumquat, brown butter, and broiled cheese, all in a delectable parmesean broth.

Course 3 - lion's mane mushroom with kale chips, apple, and walnuts

One of the many wines we tried.  Red slate, blue slate, they were all great, and so many different characters. 

Course 5 - wreckfish with potato strings, a mussel, and fiddleheads,

Course 5 - Sassafrass, fennel, and banana ice cream float (I'll be honest; this one was odd.  Vegetables and ice cream lately keep getting paired at fancy restaurants, I appreciate the novelty but not really the taste)

The wines!  The dessert wine was especially golden and wonderful (and $120 a bottle, ha).  We were lucky to be seated with the owner of Federal Wine and Spirits for the dinner and had some great conversations with him about wine, tasting, and how to learn about wine as a poor single gal. 

Dr. Loosen himself!  I have to say, if I ever get to Germany, I'm definitely going to drop in on the winery.

Mother's Day in Boston

There must be coffee,

patio dining,

and skippy chunky peanut butter sandwiches with huckleberry jam on white bread. 

Boston Eats: Price Fix at Craigie on Main

Eric and I loved our tasting at Craigie, so mom and I decided to go for my post-defense celebration.  And then when he surprised me at my defense, it turned into a meal for three!

Cocktails for the evening

Course 1 - little bites of raw fish. 

Course 2 - more sashimi 

Course 3 - asparagus and pea puree

Course 4 - scallops.  I can't even.  I could eat all the scallops, all the time.

Course 5 - Giant fish.

Course 6 - pasta with mushrooms and cheese

Course 7 - transcendent lamb.

Course 8 - granita

Dessert - first wild strawberries, cookies, and white asparagus milkshake (yes; it was odd)

Dessert - rich chocolate mousse and wonderful ice cream with cookie bits

Dessert - pavlova with strawberries and more ice cream.  Rough life.

After dinner drinks - tea, sherry, and something fancy.

Such a great place to celebrate!