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All in Fish
A recent trip to Rockport immediately made me crave lobster rolls, which, in the past in Boston has been good but not as exciting as I would have anticipated.
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.
On July 28, 3 local area chefs battled it out on a grassy hill-top using only 1 local (and secret) ingredient.
The 3rd annual Camp Cooking Challenge was sponsered by REI and the Massachusetts Department of Agriculture, hosted by Dane Tullock, Outreach Specialist, REI Boston and videographed by Jeremy from Studio603films.
Using REI's camping gear and fresh produce from The Food Project the chefs were challenged to serve two dishes to the judges using the red fish as their master ingredient. The judges were DAR commissioner Greg Watson, Editor of Northeast Flavor Magazine, Jean Kerr (whose current issue features Julia Child), Founder and President of Chop-Chop Magazine, Sally Sampson and Director of Food Initiatives , Edith Murnane.
The winners were Chefs Chris Douglass and Nuno Alves from Tavalo for their seafood risotto (I tried it, it was delicious!)
Coming in second was Chef Jay Murray from Grill 23 with Chef Patricia Yeo (from tv's Top Chef Masters fame and Moksa) coming in third. (I'm a huge fan of Top Chef so it was a pleasure to meet Chef Patricia Yeo).
Here, some highlights (my interview by Dane made it to my Instagram feed!)
Happy Birthday Julia Child!
Location:
Miami , FL 33139
http://5napkinburger.com/locations-menus/
Have you been to a 5 Napkin Burger? New York has the most number of them, and there's one in Boston's Back Bay, which I haven't visited, yet.
The one in Miami is stellar especially when you're looking for fish tacos in Miami and you'd think it would be easy to find. Not on Lincoln Road, it's not. So who woulda thought a joint with 'burger' in the title would serve fish tacos?
Well they do, and they do it well!
The only thing they don't do as well is their brownie sundae. Athough exceptional in size, the brownie bits were hard and not as moist and gooey as should be in a sundae.
Overall, a good meal. And next time I'll go for a burger!
Location:
143 1st Street Cambridge, MA
Finally! Something tasty in this city!
I've never tried Afghan cuisine, but it certainly has very distinct flavours. Mint to coriander to pumpkin to cardamom. Curries and rices but crispy pastries and soft breads.
We ordered Bowlawni, the pastries filled with veggies, the Qoremay Ma-He, sea bass that's pan fried and sauteed, and served with rice. Absolutely delicious! The vegetarian special which includes baked pumpkin (out of this world!) eggplant, spinach, okra, and rice.
The cardamom cake (called "our cake" on their menu) is a must try. I make a cardamom cake, too, although this was much more moist and soaked in the essence. Mine is more of a tea cake (also a must try!)
It was also fairly busy even on a weeknight, but the service was still attentive and beyond wonderful.
I can't recommend this place more!
Location:
41 Union Street Boston, MA 02108
Yes, it's America's OLDEST restaurant (in terms of being open for continuous service), and was established in 1826.
1826!!
The recipes possibly date back as far as then, too. To a time when perhaps seasoning wasn't available, for the blandest of bland meals can be eaten here.
Good clam chowder, if the simple ingredients of cream, potatoes and bits of clam, could possibly be screwed up.
Potatoes tasted like dirt.
The asparagus and beans weren't cooked fully.
The biscuit barely saved my meal from being a total disaster. I even overheard someone complaining that his daughter ran out with an upset stomach from the scallops.
Shame on us for taking guests from out of town there.
