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HOGGER & Co. media

photographing what everyone wants to remember. since 2006

  • Work
  • Work With Me
  • Weddings + Engagements
  • Publications
  • Travel - Canada
  • Travel - USA
  • Travel - International
  • Prints
  • 3D Animation Demo Reel
  • Travel Guides
    • Travel Tips
    • Amsterdam
    • Aruba: One Happy Island
    • Beers Around the World
    • Boston City Guide
    • Downton Abbey: Filming Locations
    • New Mexico: White Sands 5 tips
    • New Orleans City Guide
    • Puerto Rico: San Juan Guide
    • Stockholm: 10 Things to Do
  • Blog
    • PHOTOHOGGER
    • FASHIONHOGGER
    • FOODHOGGER
  • ABOUT
  • CONTACT

The Taj is fit for a Queen (aka Mother's Day)

Taj_Boston_High_Tea_HOGGERCo_002.jpg

By Queen, I mean, of course, MOM.

Although our reason for Afternoon Tea at the Taj recently were for a reason other than Mother's Day, I'm recommending this age-old custom to those of you looking for a Mother's Day outing.

Afternoon Tea has never been more elegant than at the French Room at the Taj in Boston. Located at the corner of Newbury St. and Arlington St,  the Taj overlooks the beautiful (and especially lush at this time of the year) Boston Public Garden.

Once seated, service is gracious and attentive with beautiful live music wafting through the elegant high and chandeliered ceiling.

The Taj Royal is $38 and comes with finger sandwiches, canapes, tarts, scones, dipped strawberries, with clotted cream and lemon curd.

The tea selection ranges from white, green, black, oolong, herbal and chai, so there's definitely one for everyone. Reservations are recommended and be sure to wear your most floral clothes. We sure did.

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!

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tags: Afternoon Tea, Black tea, Boston, Boston afternoon tea, Sandwiches, Tea, The Taj, chocolate, green tea, high tea, mother's day, white tea
categories: Boston, Chocolates, Dessert, High Tea, Sandwiches, Tea
Friday 05.10.13
Posted by Smita Jacob
Comments: 5
 

Product: Nutella Snack & Drink

Happy World Nutella Day!

Lately, I've been snacking on Nutella on marble rye toast, which is positively better than Nutella on crepes, but which also reminded me of this product that Lurgs brought in to work one day; her sister bought it in Italy:

Nutella_HoggerCo._01.jpg

If there's anything that sounds better than this, please let me know, 'cause the words Nutella and Snack go hand in hand...and whilst the drink is iced tea, it's still a good package.

Compact. Cute. NUTELLA! Portable. Fits in your purse. NUTELLA!

Nutella_HoggerCo._02.jpg

Okay so the biscuity bits were a bit strange but what a great idea for kids and real kids!

Love.

tags: Italian, Nutella, Nutella Snack & Drink, Snack, chocolate, drink, ferrero nutella, iced tea, nutella ferrero, nutella on toast, nutella snack, nutella snack and drink
categories: Chocolates, Product, Snack
Tuesday 02.05.13
Posted by Smita Jacob
Comments: 7
 

Miami: Fontainbleau Hotel: Hakkasan

Location:

4441 Collins Avenue
Miami Beach

http://www.hakkasan.com/miami/

You know when you're sunburned and so relaxed, that even though you want to get dressed up and go out, you really don't want to go too far?

That's when dining in one of the hotel's restaurants is the best idea, ever.

Hakkasan fit the bill. Although they were fully booked, they were gracious and got us a table after a short wait.

The dumplings were the highlight for sure. Incredibly moist, and with abundant flavor and texture, we held that as the standard. Alas the fish dish was not up to par. Am not a fan of bland steamed fish with sauce poured over it. The eggplant didn't have too much oomph and the fried rice was forgettable.

Redemption came in the form of chocolate (naturally) and won us over again. If you're staying at the Fontainbleau Hotel, I highly recommend dining there. If you're not, I wouldn't bother with the trek.

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tags: Chinese, Hakkasan, chinese food, chocolate, desserts, florida, miami, miami beach, miami restaurants
categories: Chinese, Chocolates, Dessert, Dinner, Dumplings, Fish, Miami, Romance, Travel
Monday 08.27.12
Posted by Smita Jacob
 

San Diego: Chocolat

Location:

509 5th Ave
San Diego, CA 92101

To me, there's nothing better than a warm croissant and coffee or tea with breakfast.

Nothing.

Except, maybe with bacon.

Chocolat in the Gaslamp District of San Diego, appears to be a gelato/dessert bar, but they have warm croissants and pastries as well, served right to your table if you wish to sit down to eat for breakfast.

Which I did, savouring the moment (like this stylish patron was).

Their gelato spread looked divine, and is definitely worthy of a second visit!

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tags: Chocolat, Coffee, Earl Grey, best tea, chocolate croissants, croissants, san diego
categories: Bakery, Breakfast, Chocolates, Coffee, Croissants, Dessert, Gelato, Hot Chocolate, Ice-cream, San Diego, Tea
Tuesday 07.24.12
Posted by Smita Jacob
Comments: 3
 

Greece: Santorini, Sugar

Location:

Zoto's

It was the same place where we got the gelato. This time around it was for the magnificent and ENORMOUS sugared puff pastry.

YUM!

tags: Greece, Santorini, desserts, donuts, pastry, sugar, sweets
categories: Bakery, Chocolates, Dessert, Donut, Gelato, Greece, Greek, Outdoors, Take-out, Travel, bread
Thursday 06.21.12
Posted by Smita Jacob
Comments: 5
 

Greece: Santorini, Zoto's

We visited Zoto's Family Pastry TWICE in three days, first, for this.

tags: Greece, Santorini, gelato, ice cream, pastries, pastry, zoto's
categories: Bakery, Baking, Cake, Chocolates, Croissants, Dessert, Gelato, Greece, Greek, Ice-cream, Travel
Monday 05.07.12
Posted by Smita Jacob
Comments: 5
 

Greece: Mykonos, Snack + Sunset

One of the best things to do no matter where you are, is a picnic outdoors whilst watching the sun go down.

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tags: Chocolates, Greece, Greek food, Mykonos, Sandwiches, beers, chocolate, greek, greek beer, sunset, travel, travel foods
categories: Beer, Chocolates, Greece, Greek, Outdoors, Road-side, Romance, Sandwiches, Travel, fries
Wednesday 04.18.12
Posted by Smita Jacob
Comments: 9
 

Frugal Fare #7: Boston: Costco: Best Hand Dipped Chocolate Ice Cream Bar

Sssssh, I'm going to let you in on a little secret.

Costco, yes, mega wholesaler COSTCO, has THE BEST hand dipped chocolate vanilla ice cream covered in almonds, bar.

Plus it's only $1.50 and it's the size of a baby elephant. (photos via iphone) 


tags: almonds, chocolate hand dipped, chocolate ice cream, costco, costco hand dipped chocolate bar, desserts, frugal fare, ice cream, new england, vanilla ice cream
categories: Chocolates, Dessert, Frugal Fare, Ice-cream, New Hampshire
Friday 02.03.12
Posted by Smita Jacob
Comments: 6
 

Provincetown, MA: Fudge Factory

 

Location:

210 Commercial St # 1  Provincetown, MA

Go for the fudge, don't stay for the service. 

I guess you have to stay for the service in order to get the fudge, though. 

As it was the only fudge store open in Provincetown over the MLK weekend, and as we didn't know any better, we went into the Fudge Factory.  Contrary to Yelp reviews, you're not able to try the fudge anymore and also contrary to Yelp reviews, our server was quite rude. Perhaps it was an off day for him, or it was someone new, but it left us with a bad taste in our mouths, which we quickly sweetened up with their yummy fudge. 

tags: Foodhogger, Provincetown, chocolate, chocolate fudge, fudge, travel, undefined
categories: Chocolates, Fudge, Provincetown, Travel
Thursday 01.19.12
Posted by Smita Jacob
Comments: 7
 

Provincetown, MA: Fanizzi's

 

Location:
539 Commercial Street  Provincetown, MA 

For the MLK long weekend, we decided to check out Cape Cod for the day. Yes, it was freezing, and yes, everything, save for a few shops, was closed. However, we were recommended Fanizzi's by the water and decided to grab dinner there before heading back. 

We scored the best seat of the house, overlooking the water and the sunset.

The service was lovely and the place filled up quickly as the sun began to set. 

We chose a dish of sea scallops n' pasta in marinara sauce and fish n' chips, both downed with beers. The coleslaw that came with the fish n' chips was to die for. It must have had some green apple or something, as it was both sweet and perfectly coleslaw-y. The bread basket arrived piping hot which is always welcome. We also had coffees and the molten lava chocolate cake, which took me well over my sugar quota for the day, but was totally worth it.

I can't recommend this place, enough. We'll be back this summer!

Fanizzi's By The Sea on Urbanspoon

 

tags: Cake, Chocolate Cake, Fish, Foodhogger, Provincetown, cape cod, fish n chips, fries, good eats, massachusetts, view
categories: Beer, Chocolates, Coleslaw, Dessert, Dinner, Fish, Fish n' Chips, Massachusetts, Provincetown, Romance, Scallops, Seafood, Travel, View, fries
Tuesday 01.17.12
Posted by Smita Jacob
Comments: 8
 

Boston: Tea at The Courtyard

Location:

700 Boylston Street, Boston

 

My sister, niece and I went to The Boston Public Library's The Courtyard for Tea after the the Fall Fashion presentation by Roopal Patel at Neiman Marcus.  

The Courtyard restaurant is set within the gorgeous Boston Library courtyard, which is one of the most beautiful places to have lunch - quiet and serene, as if transported to another era.

It was before 2pm and tea hadn't officially started (Wed-Fri from 2-4pm) but they seated us graciously and even made vegetarian accomodations for my sister who is vegetarian (and I also don't eat chicken, but my niece does).  They were able to switch out the smoked salmon canapes for more cucumber/cheese ones.

Our server was really sweet.

The teas were excellent - ranging from Earl Grey (who else?), Ceylon Indian and Raspberry Herbal.

Although the sandwiches were tasty, we were surprised at the quantity, which was very little.  We each perhaps got 2.5 sandwiches (that's in the quarter size that it's cut into) and 2-3 tiny pastries each.

For $22.50 per person, we were expecting a bit more.  Even the scones were small.  My sister who has had afternoon tea all over Boston (and Toronto) and I, who's had it all over Ontario were not satisfied with the portions.

Might have worked well for someone like my niece and her friends and their doll-size proportions of high tea.

Seems like their lunch portions are much larger, but for a high tea experience, this is probably not the best place in Boston for it.  

 

 

 

The Courtyard Restaurant at The Boston Public Library on Urbanspoon

tags: Afternoon Tea, Boston tea, Earl Grey, Foodhogger, Sandwiches, boston cakes, cakes, high tea, tea and cake, tea in boston
categories: Bacon, Boston, Cake, Chocolates, Sandwiches, Tea
Tuesday 11.08.11
Posted by Smita Jacob
Comments: 12
 

Cambridge, MA: Royal Pastry Shop

Location:


738 Cambridge St., East Cambridge, MA

Having just moved to Boston, one of our explorations took us to the Royal Pastry Shop on Cambridge Street.  We chose a very simple chocolate cupcake.



It was divine. 

Open since 1941, there are now two other locations feeding locals delicious American and Italian pastries.  I'm looking forward to being one of these locals.

Royal Pastry Shop on Urbanspoon

tags: Boston, Cambridge, Cambridge Massachusetts, Cambridgeshire, England, Harvard Square, Logan International Airport, boston cupcakes, cambridge cupcakes, chocolate cupcake, pastry, royal pastry shop
categories: Bakery, Boston, Cafe, Chocolates, Cookie, Dessert, Italian
Sunday 08.07.11
Posted by Smita Jacob
Comments: 2
 

Black Forest Pastry Shop

Location:
184 Lakeshore Road East
Oakville, ON L6J

I'm happy to announce that I have found possibly the best apple pie, ever.

It exists at Black Forest Pastry Shop in Oakville and is only $12.99!







After popping it into the oven for a few minutes, it came out flaky yet melted in the mouth. The apples were cooked yet crispy with just the right amount of cinnamon.


The other things on hand at the bakery: Red Velvet Cupcakes amongst other tasty treats.



Black Forest Pastry Shop on Urbanspoon

tags: Apple pie, Bakery, Black Forest, Black forest Pastry Shop, Oakville bakeries, Oakville eats, bakeries apple pie, black forest cake
categories: Bakery, Chocolates, Coffee, Cookie, Cupcake, Oakville/Mississauga, Pie
Monday 03.21.11
Posted by Smita Jacob
Comments: 1
 

TRAVEL: Boston: Mike's Pastry

Location:

300 Hanover Street
Boston, MA

www.mikespastry.com




Is it touristy? Yes. 

The woman behind the counter insisted that we take a plastic "Mike's Pastry" bag for our box even though we had a bag we were going to put it into.  Nothing like advertising by carrying their logo, right?



Is it ridiculously crowded, ALL THE TIME?  Yes.

Came here twice in one weekend and the first time, I was able to get to the counter.



The second time, it looked like this:

But are these the best mo-fo cannoli's you'll ever taste?  You bet your a$$ they are!





Mike's Pastry on Urbanspoon

tags: Foodhogger, best cannoli's, cannoli, cannoli's, cannoli's boston foodhogger, mike's pastry, mike's pastry boston, mike's pastry boston cannoli
categories: Bakery, Boston, Chocolates, Cookie, Cupcake, Dessert, Travel
Monday 02.14.11
Posted by Smita Jacob
 

NEW: Soma Downtown

Toronto Life just reported that a new location of SOMA (the chocolate shop in the Distillery District)

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tags: King Street West, SOMA, SOMA chocolate shop, SOMA downtown cafe, SOMA toronto, cafe toronto, chocolate cafe, toronto restaurants
categories: Chocolates, Dessert, Gelato
Tuesday 02.01.11
Posted by Smita Jacob
Comments: 1
 
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