Swizzle Sundays

Nobody ever really looks forward to Sunday evenings...the inevitable dread that comes with a Monday morning becomes heavier as the day rolls by...

Luckily, The Hawthorne, located on Commonwealth right by Kenmore Station has come up with a summer series called 'Swizzle Sundays' that will have you thinking differently.

Every Sunday (weather permitting), mixologist and drink guru, Scott Marshall, will be posted outside on Hawthorne's corner patio with a drink menu dressed to impress.  Based on the diverse concept of the term 'swizzle', Scott is ready with his swizzle stick (pictured above) and a couple of blenders to help you enjoy every last moment of your weekend.

It was a beautiful day last Sunday when I went to check out the space and the menu and I ordered their 'Miami Vice'.  Wittingly so called for its combination of two delicious though potentially sinful drinks - Pina Colada and Strawberry Daquiri.  To maximize the effect, Scott simultaneously pours each drink in side by side.

The final effect is visually appealing...and as far as consumption goes, it is a perfect drink to be enjoyed after a day in the sun, on a patio overlooking busy Commonwealth. 

Tiki drinks like the one pictured above (swizzle stick in action!), are also a crowd favorite out on the patio.

Of course, if you would prefer a personal favorite or any other of the Hawthorne's signature drinks, they are available at the full bar inside.

Either way, any of Scott's drinks in hand, a few of Chef Jeremy Sewall's snacks and good company? Sounds like a pretty solid Sunday to me..may become my favorite time of the week:)

Blending great espresso and art at Voltage

I have said it before and I will say it again, exciting things are brewing in Cambridge! The past couple of years has seen the opening of many new eateries, from restaurant/coffee bars like Area IV, to novelty stores like Follow The Honey and vegetarian diners like Veggie Galaxy.  

What makes each of these new openings so great, is that they are all different and unique.  Each one has managed to find a niche within the Cambridge community that was unfulfilled before.  Take Voltage Coffee and Art, open for about a year and a half. It is a solid espresso bar with beautiful espresso (art) drinks and tasty looking pastries. 

But many places have great espresso and espresso art...Voltage sets itself apart in its devotion to local artists who have the opportunity to showcase their work in a studio-like space.  Visitors to Voltage can set themselves up in a visually stimulating environment and with the strong caffeine, it makes for a very inspiring setting:)

 

 On the day I visited with a friend, Aimee Belanger had her work displayed all over the coffee shop.  It was a pleasure to take a stroll around while I waited for my latte to be brewed and served.

 

Voltage also offers some interesting sounding bites, like their 'slightly caffeinated' granola, (baked in yerba mate syrup) or their handfuls of snacks: for 1 dollar, get a handful of banana chips, yogurt covered raisins, animal crackers or chocolate covered pretzels.  

With such brain food at your finger tips, who knows what kind of inspiration will flow?
Check out their website for art shows and special events!

Food Truck Festival Brings in the Crowds

Sunday, June 10th, marked the first Food Truck Festival  of 2012.  I, along with what seemed to be about half of Greater Boston's population, had been highly anticipating this event.

Held at UMass Boston, over 30 different trucks were there and prepped to serve a limited menu to some very hungry people.

The set up is quite smart, everyone gets a little, red booklet with a number corresponding to each Food Truck stop - only one portion is allowed at each stop.

Although this helped reduce the number of repeat customers, by about 1 o'clock, the lines were so long leading to each truck, that they all came and met in the middle of the field.  They were also not moving - it seemed that Truck staff could not get their items out fast enough to keep the lines moving. 

The immobile lines combined with the baking hot sun made it impossible for my friends and I to get to more than three trucks.  This being said, what we did have was truly delicious.  Jerk chicken and fried plantains from Irie Bites was authentic, smoky and sweet - it had all the complexities of the traditional Jamaican dish.  

It was so disappointing to have to admit defeat...and to leave hungry!

Luckily however, we were not far from Local 149, one of my personal favorite restaurants.  It is quirky, local and fun - all three things that helped make us feel better about bailing on the Food Trucks.  With chalk available at all the tables, our youngest companion took the opportunity to visually represent his feelings...mind you, there is no better way to arrive at Local 149 than 1000 percent hungry:)

  We ordered a round of milkshakes right away.  I got their ginger milkshake, it was DELICIOUS: fresh ginger root infused in a creamy frappe so thick you almost wanted to ask for a bigger straw...except then it would disappear faster...

We ordered a few other things including their Hog wings, mini pork shanks smothered in Hoisin BBQ sauce and their charcuterie platter, a daily spread of house-cured meats, local cheeses and house pickled veggies.  

It was just what we needed to reboot after battling the sun and the lines at UMass.

Although our trek ended with great success, I am still sorry I missed out on all the great things coming out of those Food trucks.  Hopefully, the trucks will figure out a better way to expedite items for upcoming festivals - either that or I would highly recommend the VIP tickets which get you in 1 hr early.

Buy your tickets for other Food Truck Festivals here! 

Explore Boston through food this summer!

Boston is an interesting city anytime of the year.  In the summer however, it really livens up as farmer's markets, festivals and outdoor concerts celebrate the easy access and eager audiences that make up Boston's community.

When it comes to food-related events, there is no shortage of opportunities to explore what the city has to offer.  

 For one thing, many restaurants have the option of dining 'al fresco'...aka outdoors.  Stroll along Newbury street and stop by Joe's American Bar and Grill.  Their patio is covered, but on a warm day, everything (roof included) opens up:)

A suggestion: their deliciously simple, Black Skillet Mussels, part of their new lunch menu.

 As the weather warms, Food Trucks really add color and taste.  This Sunday, we kick off the much anticipated Food Truck Festival at UMass in Boston.

 With appearances from around 30 different food trucks all at once...it is an opportunity you do not want to miss! Tickets are still available at Foodies of New England, find a location nearest you...the festivals pop up all summer long:)

  On the 22nd of June, come meet and chat with Boston's most adored chefs at the Chefs in Shorts 2012, held at the Seaport Hotel and Trade Center.  Looking to support early employment in the culinary fields, a ticket to this event gets you a happy stomach and a step closer towards supporting this mission:)

On a different note, many restaurants are organizing special summer series.  Chef Micheal Leviton of Area IV and Lumiere will begin his family-style dinners at Lumiere in Newton, on the 27th of June with a New England Lobster Bake.  Events will run once a month until the end of November...call now to make you reservation!

So these are of course just a couple examples of the great things our city has in store for us this summer.  Be sure to check them out...and to stay tuned for more;)