Winter in Boston

Despite subzero temperatures, the Big Director (masquerading as a Ukranian peasant woman), the Man of the House and the heir to the Man of the House recently spent a lovely weekend in Boston. Indoor activities such as breakfasting, lunching and dining were the focus of the sojourn, but the team did brave the elements, venturing out to explore the North End, Faneuil Hall, Cambridge and the South End; to enjoy a bracing walk through the Middlesex Fells; and to make the Journey to Mecca for chocolate lovers.

Food shopping

  1. Dairy Fresh Candies: Marcona almonds 19.99/lb, Australian crystallised ginger 9.98/lb, California pistachios 7.99/lb, fava beans 6.98/lb
  2. L.A. Burdick: 1/2 lb assorted chocolate 24, Harvard square – dense, rich chocolate cake with walnuts and vanilla, topped with dark chocolate ganache 3, Linzer torte – hazelnut and almond torte with Swedish lingonberries 3
  3. South End Formaggio: Tomme de Savoie (Rhône-Alpes) 15.95/lb, Bleu de Sassenage (Rhône-Alpes) 17.95/lb
  4. Tutto Italiano: prosciutto 18.99/lb, spicy soppressata 13.99/lb, Yoga Optimum apricot juice, housemade pesto 4.99/container

Somewhat on the cheap

  1. Boston Beanstock: grilled panini 5.50-6.95, soup 2.95, asparagus strata 3.9
  2. Shanghai Gate: /1/ shrimp (*), smoked fish – marinated and broiled in tomato sauce 8.25, chef’s braised duck 5.95, four treasure tofu – braised with mushrooms, wood ear and peanuts 4.50, Shanghai minced tofu and vegetable (*), /2/ Shanghai soup – lean pork, tofu and bamboo shoots in broth 8.95. /3/ sauteed rice cake 6.25, pork hock, da chain fish, yu xiang pork with steamed buns, wokked shrimp (*), xiao long bao, wokked pea vines /4/ sweet corn pancake 6.25 [* items not on menu]
  3. Buk Kyung: samsun ganjajang stir fried seafood with black bean paste, vegetables and noodles 10.95, ulmyun – noodles, seafood and vegetables in chowder soup 8.95, tangsooyuk – deep fried pork in crispy batter with sweet and sour sauce 12.95 (skip this next time)

Less cheap

  1. Carmen: /1/ marinated mushrooms with smoked bacon and sherry vinegar 6, grilled eggplant and zucchini with pine nuts, aged balsamic and mint 6, grilled flatbread with caramelized onions, butternut squash, pancetta and goat cheese 11. /2/ linguine with littleneck clams, roasted garlic, basil and fra diavolo sauce, crespelle stuffed with porcini mushrooms and caramelized onions with bolognese sauce 22, braised beef short ribs with creamy polenta and pan roasted brussel sprouts, herb-crusted monkfish with baby clams, merguez sausage, chickpeas and swiss chard in a saffron tomato brodo
  2. The Blue Room: /1/ octopus – grilled with warm potato caper and celery salad – mustard seed vinaigrette 8, short ribs – red wine, ancho pepper and coffee braised with creamy polenta 11, roasted pear salad – with endive, oak leaf and walnut vinaigrette 10. /2/ whole branzino – wood grilled with fennel and chunky olive sauce 25, cassoulet – braised pork, confit of duck, wild boar sausage and cannellini beans 24, duck – grilled breast with roasted chestnut, shallot and brussel sprout “stew”, chieftain’s wild rice timbale and port reduction 23. /3/ ricotta and cherry tart – almond crust with burnt caramel sauce and almond praline 7, chocolate molten cake with raspberry crème anglaise 8
  3. Neptune Oyster: /1/ oysters – Katama Bay (MA) 2.20, Kunamoto (WA) 2.70, Martha’s Vineyard (MA) 1.80, Marion Port (MA) 1.90. /2/ classic New England clam chowder 7, crab cakes 14. /3/ Maine lobster roll 19

The Blue Room
1 Kendall Square, Cambridge, 617-494-9034

Boston Beanstock Coffee Co.
97 Salem Street, North End, 617-723-0040

Buk Kyung II
151 Brighton Ave, Allston, 617-254-2775

Carmen
33 North Square, North End, 617-742-6421

Dairy Fresh Candies
57 Salem Street, North End, 800-336-5536

L.A. Burdick Handmade Choclates
52-D Brattle Street, Harvard Square, 617-491-4340

Neptune Oyster
63 Salem Street, North End, 617-742-3474

Shanghai Gate
204 Harvard Ave, Allston, 617-566-7344

South End Formaggio
268 Shawmut Ave, South End, 617-350-6996

Tutto Italiano
20 Fleet Street, North End, 617-557-4002

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