An intellectual niche on Newbury

Everyone knows Newbury for its chic boutiques and upper end restaurant which, let's admit, are far from being classified as frugal. I, the frugal foodista, have not had much to do with many of the restaurants on that street, despite the compelling sounding menus and loud reviews.

You can therefore imagine my surprise when I came upon Trident Booksellers and Café wedged into a little area near the Mass Ave end of Newbury. This little café is the perfect example of a seedling of an idea, turned into one of the areas hotspots for regulars. Where better to go to enjoy your newspaper, book or coffee than an inviting bookstore with a fabulous menu and affordable prices? The Trident has been around for 25 years and was indeed one of the first places one could go to enjoy the comfort of time and intellect...and a bite to eat.

Tonight was my first time trying this place and indeed it is the first place I have tried on Newbury, something tells me I won't find another experience like it...at least not in a nearby radius. The first thing I thought when I opened up my menu was how I could have spent four years in Boston without trying this place out. I must admit, I felt a little embarassed!

But you know what they say...better late than never!

I remedied the situation by trying a bit of everything we ordered, and I feel that this post will make up for the lack of support I have shown in the past years.

I ordered the Trident signature salad with cranberries, gorgonzola, almonds, mandarin oranges and grilled chicken on top of a bed of mixed greens, we also ordered the homemade butternut squash ravioli (winning plate), the momos (Tibetan steamed dumplings) and one of their many appealing sandwiches. I was impressed with everything; the size, price, quality...the service, it was all there. Not to mention that we were seated in the back, in a booth surrounded by shelves of books. It really created a timeless feel in the midst of one of Boston's most boisterous streets.

Trident serves breakfast all day as well as lunch and dinner with a wide range of items and a price range from bk sides at 1.50, to the main courses of about 15 dollars.

The desserts were also calling my name, but the trip to JP Licks before hand seemed to hold them at bay.

Not to fear, I will definately be back to escape into my new found, old-time niche.

To drool over the menu, or simply to read more about the team, click the following: http://www.tridentbookscafe.com/Home_Page.php

All around Towne

You have no doubt heard a lot about the offspring of culinary directors Lydia Shire and Jasper White now pulsing with life in Hynes Convention Center. Towne stove and spirits has indeed been mentioned by myself in a previous post as a hot new place to try out before the summer's end. As I like to think of myself as a person of relatively good moral character, I try to take my own advice as much as I can.

So, last night, off I went for a night out on the Towne...and I can happily say that the place lives up to most of its impressive write ups. The restaurant is quite large and able to accomodate a wide variety of crowds. The first bar that greets you as you enter has the typical sports bar feel to it, loud (perhaps a little too loud), lots of people and generally an upbeat vibe. This is where we started out...and after our first drink order, our voices already becoming hoarse, we decided to check out the other space offerings. Our waitress was exceptionally friendly and welcomed us to venture around the restaurant until we found a spot we preferred.

The next stop was just behind the first bar, where a room with another bar beside a dining area opened up. This was much quieter already, more consistent with the business casual dinner experience. Already we felt better not having to belt out our commentaries. In this part of the restaurant, we were also greeted with a glimpse of their angel food cake dessert which floats by topped with a cloud of maple cotton candy...oo-er. They also offer a simple bar menu with affordable prices and a neat little lobster tasting menu in the form of a fan...very nifty.

Compelled by our sense of adventure, we decided not to rest here long and continued up the beckoning staircase to the top floor dining area, or dining room two. This was much classier, with a nice shiny bar, dining area and windows all around. There was yet another dining area off to the side which faces Boylston street and reminisces a grand dining area with red accents.

Satisfied at last, we were cordially seated at a circular table in this dining area. Our waiter was attentive almost to the point of becoming overbearring, but I believe he was just genuinly interested in sharing his knowledge. He brought out some very delicious homemade bread with three condiments: salted butter, cod caviar and babaganoush, took out drink order and told us briefly about the scientific edge of the restaurant (seeing as our water glasses were beakers, we had to ask!)

We ended up just having time to order one of their wood grilled flatbreads with mushroom tapenade, scallions and homemade cheese. It was actually grilled to near perfection and the ingredients married well together.

The place is huge, the service seems to be rather good and the food and drink are creative...it has all the ingredients to succeed in a very competitive area. For those more frugal foodies, the bar and lobster tasting menus make for a great way to experience Towne without breaking the bank.

Tid Bite!

I just gathered some very interesting news that I am sure will excite many Bostonians!

I have mentioned farmers' markets enough in the past for you to know how serious I am about their importance in our summer itineraries. I have said many times that farmers' markets are great ways to try out new foods, get fresher ingredients and even make for a good day trip.

Well, in case you were wondering what to plan for your up coming Sunday, fear not, I have just the thing!
SoWa Sundays, an ecclectic farmer's market which appears every Sunday on Harrison Ave from May 15th onwards will be hosting Boston's first ever food truck festival. Sound intriguing? You haven't heard the start!

This Sunday, the 4th of August, prepare to travel the likes of the world in one relatively small location, full of different food trucks. Among these, expect to see Boston Frosty, Roxy's grilled cheese, Herrara's mexican grill, the sausage guy, cupcakory and taza chococycle.

The list goes on, and so will the fun and the food! The event runs from 10 am to 4pm, it is no cost, so you can come to cruise around for most of the day just enjoying the sights and smells...I challenge you to do this without getting a little something for your stomach!

If you don't believe me, see for yourself: http://sowasundays.com/

August Rush

Without much effort on our part, we find ourselves in the last month of 'real summer' here in North America...after this month, fall creeps in, the winds picks up the increasingly evident stray leaves and green turns to orange and red...and then brown...BUT! Before we get too consumed by melancholy, let us truly enjoy this month and all it has to offer here in Boston!

I feel that I may have neglected my frugal foodista duties recently...all of this globe trotting! But here I am and first thing is first...Godiva Rewards!
As usual, every start of the month provides a new opportunity to get down to your nearest Godiva boutique to try out your free chocolate of the month. https://www.godiva.com/member/rewardlogin.aspx

This month also sees two newcomers in the Back Bay area. Right by Hynes Convention Center on Boylston, we have a two floor coalition restaurant with three bars for maximal space and opportuniy. I say coalition because behind Towne Stove and Spirits are the city's most forward and rising restauranteurs including the backers of Sonsie, Summer Shack and Scampo. Check out their menu on their website: http://www.towneboston.com/

Another newcomer is also in Back Bay and funnily enough, right in front of Towne. It is called Back Bay Social Club and may not invite frugality, but then again there is no harm in a splurge once in a while! This place is decked out in red plush booths and straight backed chairs. The welcoming thing about this social club is that it requires no membership. If you think about it that way, it is probably the most frugal way of being part of a social club! In case you want to make a reservation and see their (slightly unfinished) website visit: http://www.backbaysocialclub.com/

The menu is chock full of the usual bar restaurant types, aka Steak Frites, House Made Garlic Sausage and apparently, a Monday special of Chicken and waffles...that one tickles my fancy!

On the 19th-21st there will be a Green Fest, at Boston City Hall Plaza and...it is sponsored by JP Licks(among others)! This event will have it all, events promoting environmental awareness, green exhibits and well...ice cream! Check out the details: http://http//www.bostongreenfest.org/
Lastly, (although I am sure there are more such events going on throughout August), the farmers' markets continue serging onwards through October, so make the most of them while you can! (be sure you hit them all: http://www.massfarmersmarkets.org/)