.::|TheDish|::.

Franklin Cafe (Southie) - New Menu

The Franklin Cafe Southie has a fabulous, hearty new fall menu! I have had the Pan Seared Chatham Cod and it's SO delish! Check out the fresh tasty offerings, here:

Lobster Bisque $8

Organic Crispy Vegetable & Green salad $6 Sundried Tomato Caesar Salad
Pecorino, Brioche $8

Roasted Local Apple & Frissee Salad
Bacon, Spiced Walnuts $8

Crispy Pork Confit
Cranberry Jam, Spinach, Mint $8

"Baja Style" Fish Tacos
Chimichurri, Black Beans, Lime $9

Roasted Vegetable & Polenta Torte
Local Goat Cheese, Mushroom $8

Soy Marinated Organic Chicken Livers
Horseradish & Fennel Salad $10

Smokey Skillet Roasted Mussels
Warm Clarified Butter, Parsley $9

Wild Mushroom Mac N' Cheese
House-Made Ricotta, Thyme $8

Spice Grilled Tofu Steak
Indonesian Fried Rice, Farm Egg $16

Pan Seared Chatham Cod
Tasso Succotash, Green Garlic Sauce $19

Poached North Atlantic Salmon
Lobster & Butternut Risotto, Apple $20

Slow Cooked Domestic Lamb Shank
Brandy, Apricots, Rainbow Chard $20

Roasted Statler Chicken
Creamed Spinach, Chestnut Mushrooms $18

House-Made Potato Agnolotti
Braised Short Ribs, Pecorino $18

Grilled Prime Flank Steak
Spicy Cabbage, Coconut Rice $19

Broccolini $4

Hand Cut Fries $5

The Franklin Southie
Website
152 Dorchester Ave
South Boston, MA 02127
617.269.1003

Hours
Open Monday - Sunday
Dinner: 5:30pm - 1:30pm
Bar: 5:00pm - 2:00pm
Brunch: 11:00am - 4:00pm, Saturday and Sunday
Outdoor Patio in the Spring and Summer open until 10:00pm

Zaytinya, Washington DC

Rating: 4 forks

Our culinary adventures in our nations capitol also led us to another top-notch eatery, Zaytinya. Meaning "olive oil" in Turkish, Zaytinya features mezze, or small plates, from classical and contemporary Greek, Turkish and Lebanese cuisine. The power chef behind this trendy restaurant is James Beard award-winning chef José Ramón Andrés Puerta, better known in the culinary world as José Andrés; he's the man credited for bringing the "tapas"/small plates concept to this country. Muaaaah, thanks, José!

And the Zaytinya experience lived up to the hype and recommendations from friends, including Krista Kranyak, a friend and the owner of the fantastic Ten Tables restaurants here in the Boston area. We arrived to a kind 40 minute wait – much less than I had anticipated – and upon drifting towards the bar to wait for our table, our senses were teased by the sight and smell of the plates passing by. A couple seats cleared at the impressively large bar, we swooped in for a landing, and started on our international culinary adventure.

I am a sucker for good bread, and Zaytinya tops most, delivering freshly baked pita, still puffed-up and warm, with accompanying Greek olive oil and a vinegar drizzle. Despite our bartender's friendly recommendation to "save some room", we easily plowed through the first basket in no time. Whoops. We were rescued soon thereafter by a constant stream of mezze, including:

Baby Beet Salad
golden & candy cane beets, fennel, cress, feta, walnuts $7.00

Seasonal Mushrooms 

sautéed mushrooms, dates, toasted almonds $10.00

Octopus Santorini

grilled baby octopus, marinated onions, capers, yellow split pea puree $10.00

Veal Cheeks Manitaro
slow cooked, lemon chanterelle mushroom puree $11.00

Knisa Lamb Chops
grilled lamb chops, smoked yogurt, caper-dill salsa 
12.00

We closed out the evening with sweet perfection: Greek Yogurt with muscat soaked apricots, vanilla yogurt cream, apricot sorbet, and a pistachio powder. I am not usually a fan of the fruity desserts, however this was a total grand slam, and perhaps one of the top desserts to ever tantalize my tastebuds.

I'll be back, and I'd love to check out one of José Andrés other restaurants in the city: minibar by josé andrés, Cafe Atlantico, Jaleo and Oyamel.

Zaytinya
www.zaytinya.com
701 9th St NW
Washington, DC 20001
202.638.0800

Proof, Washington DC

Rating: 4 forks
This past weekend, my husband and I had the pleasure of visiting our nation's capitol. Aside from DC being an impeccably clean city, the home to our president and other political folk, and a cultural center with an impressive list of stellar museums, we have proof that DC is also becoming a culinary capitol; at least, that was my take from the two dining experiences we had over our weekend jaunt.

Friday night, we dined at Proof, per the recommendation of power couple and our company for the evening, Ben and Elizabeth (you may remember my recent post about Ben). Proof is classified as a wine bar, and therefore of course boasts an impressive list of worldly vintages, including a few prize bottles from the esteemed (and incredibly expensive) winery Screaming Eagle, topping out at a mere $5500/bottle. Yikes. Of course, there were plenty to chose from for us "common folk", unique small-batch wineries like Owen Roe (which we discovered at Brix in Boston) and also the 2006 K Vinters, Pheasant, Syrah, our table's choice for the evening, at $70/bottle.

Now, the food. Oh, where to begin. First off, it was absolutely divine, and I must say, Proof trumped many of the meals I have had in my hometown of Boston, by far; I'd say, from our short experience, that the dining options in DC are on par with those of NYC and San Francisco, though I would guess there's slightly fewer options to chose from. We kicked off the evening's feast with a board of soft and hard cheeses, paired with toasted nutty bread, an apple puree, pure natural honey, and Madjool dates and a accompanying plate of cured meats from their charcuterie menu, paired with fresh dijon and cornichons. Yum. Next, we shared a few appetizers from the menu:

Roasted Beets with Pea Shoots & Kaleidoscope Carrots 
sherry mustard vinaigrette, Stilton, toasted hazelnuts  $8 

Grilled Spanish Octopus
potato-chickpea salad, smoked paprika, piquillo pepper vinaigrette $13

Spicy Little Meatballs
goat cheese agnolotti, tomato fondue $10

Each were to die for, especially those little cheese agnolotti's, a fancy name for the-best-raviolis-ever. For dinner, the men both orederd-up the venison, which I don't see on the online menu; however us lady's opted for:

Honey & Spice Glazed Pekin Duck Breast
roasted jewel yam purée, pomegranate vinaigrette, grilled scallions $27

Duck & Pork Confit with Grilled Boudin
cassoulet of flageolet beans, spinach, herbed bread crumbs, lardons $25

And for dessert – I am surprised I can remember what we had after the self-induced food coma from tasting the above – we shared a warm carmel cake, and a serving of delicious homemade coconut sorbet.

If in DC, you must-must check out Proof; I can't wait to go back!

Proof
775 G Street, NW
Washington, DC 20001
www.proofdc.com
202.737.7663

Opening Day: Market and the Living Room at the W Hotel

It's opening day in Boston! No, not the Sox, obviously, but rather the new, totally hyped-up, W Hotel is opening its doors to 2 soon-to-be urban hot spots: Market Restaurant and Living Room. I really don't know much about either, other than that the three-star Michelin chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten is the mastermind behind Market. I have never dined at his posh NYC restaurant, Jean-Georges, but hear it's stellar. From Daily Candy:

The menu is a simple yet elegant mash-up of French, Asian, and Italian flavors  (it’s Jean-Georges’s thing). The culinary god scoured Boston’s local vegetable markets and scouted Beantown fish mongers to supply cod with shimeji mushrooms and miso-yuzu broth and soy-glazed short ribs with apple-jalapeno puree and rosemary crumbs.

And as for Living Room, looks like it is in-line with other W lounges: comfy, clean lines, intimate seating, dark, probably with beats and lots of short black mini's. Here's some pics, thanks to Urban Daddy Boston:
 

W Hotel Boston
100 Stuart St
Boston, MA 02116
Website
(617) 261-8700

Mistral Opens for Brunch

I am baaaack! Didn't take long for me to miss my ramblings on TheDish! And what better way to hopefully regain my reader's loyal eyes than to share this amazing announcement:

Mistral is serving Sunday brunch! You must check out the menu!

Mistral has been a favorite upscale dining spot of mine for years; the food is always impeccable, the service top-notch, the atmosphere upbeat, and the bar crowd, well, let's say nothing short of entertaining. I was so excited to hear that they have just announced their grand entry this Sunday into the brunch scene, featuring over the top creations like White Truffle 3 Minute Duck Egg ($16) and Foie Gras Parfait ($9). They also have more *typical* selections for the less adventurous, like Classic Eggs Benedict ($15), Cinnamon French Toast ($12), and Belgium Waffles ($13).

Looks like my Sunday dining adventures may just have to span a little further than my hood. No complaints here!

Mistral
223 Columbus Avenue
Boston, MA 02116
Phone 617-867-9300
mistral@mistralbistro.com
Brunch starting Sundays Oct 25, 10:30am-2pm

DIY Wedding Project #1: Saplings Bring Nature Indoors

As I mentioned in my last post, this is the first of a few upcoming posts that will shed color on some of the personal touches that went into my nuptials.

When holding a outdoor wedding in New England, I think a tent is an imperative due to the erratic and unpredictable weather; you absolutely need a back-up plan. It’s worth focusing and investing time during your planning on some personal touches to add to the tent – to dress it up – as you may just be holding all the day’s events under that one roof. By way of some miracle, it really never rained on our wedding day despite a threatening forecast – a slight sprinkle that lasted a few minutes before the reception was it – but we were definitely prepped for that everything-in-the-tent back-up plan.

A wedding tent is really what you make of it. Without some thought, attention and beautification, it can be rather stale and uninviting. So one of our primary missions was to brainstorm ways to creatively outfit the tent with some individual touches that seamlessly carry the garden and nature theme indoors. We knew we had a lot of room to work with, as the tent was dual peeked with an impressive soaring ceiling.

My mom and I came up with a fun way to tie in the tent décor with the natural wooded surroundings. We headed into the woods and hand selected some old saplings that had fallen; the particular two we chose were quite tall – about 15-20 feet – with a thin trunk diameter, and balanced long branches. We dragged the trees out of the woods and up to the house by way of my mom’s roomy 1999 Volvo trunk, where we started our project. Here's the final result, and below it, the steps we took to get there.

1. We clipped off any remaining leaves on the branches using garden clippers (note to nature lovers, these trees were dead, so we were giving them new life!).
2. Picked up a dozen or so silk branches with blossoms, per tree, and a dozen or so sets of sill leaves, per tree, at Michaels’ craft store.
3. Using wreath wire (that skinny green wire that comes in spools) we attached the leaves and the flowers to the bare saplings by winding the wire around the stems. We left the branches a little sparse, as these were intended to be young trees just blossoming.
4. We attached the trees with bailing twine at the base of the thin trunk to the large poles that were securing the tent; we tried zip ties first, but the poles were too wide, but the twine worked just fine.
5. We then added some decorative tulle to the base of the trees where the twine held the tree in place; the tulle hung down, soft like a bridal veil, and covered up the base of the tree and the securing twine
6. Large canister lights for illuminating the tent were wired about half-way up the pole; we ensured the trees were not interfering with the light (it get’s pretty hot) but also positioned the branches above the lights to illuminate the trees from below.

The trees were a total hit with the guests, and pretty simple to assemble. I still have them, and really don't plan to use them again, so shoot me a note if you are interested in them for your big day!

Our Wedding Projects: All the Little Details

Finally now that our wedding is over, I have the time to share some of the fun little details of our big day. If you know me, you know that I can't take any type of planning nonchalantly; I am always pushing the limits, seeking inspiration from my surroundings and digging for something a little more creative and innovative, that may not have been done. Yes, admittedly sometimes I bite off a little more than I should, but usually it’s worth it. So, naturally my approach didn’t change when it came to planning my wedding.

I am going to put together a few posts highlighting some of the fun things that I did to add some personalization to our big day; but, first I’ll explain a bit about our broader approach, the venue, and our theme, so you can see why we chose to do what we did.

We elected to get married on my parent’s property in Central Massachusetts for a few reasons, mainly because it’s symbolic of many things that are important to us both: family, hard work, passion, nature, modesty, and love. It’s a farm that was passed on from my grandparents to my parents, and has since been transformed from a heavily wooded and rustic area into a gardener’s and nature lover’s paradise, all with my parent’s dedicated and adept own hands.

Our decision to apply a garden and nature theme to our wedding festivities was a natural and harmonious fit with the surroundings. I chose a few do-it-yourself projects that would carry this theme throughout various elements of the day, though careful to keep a natural flow – much like the environment – and not force the theme.

The next few posts to come will detail the DIY projects that we tackled with some step-by-step instructions on how you can do the same. Feel free to comment or email me with any specific questions or thoughts.

Enjoy!

Ben Feller Ledes the Night

After diligently serving as the Associated Press White House Correspondent for two plus years, Mike's close childhood friend, Ben Feller, asked the lede (yes, that's the correct spelling!) question during Obama's Healthcare Reform conference tonight. Mike's been religiously watching every press conference hoping to see his bud on t.v. and alas, the day has come. Here's proof on the front page of NYT.com:

My Dream Wine Cellar

My husband and have been dabbling in architecture books lately (thanks to the lovely wedding gifts from his friend Grey), in preparation for the day that we build our dream home. There may be more of an emphasis on dream than reality in this particular post, but building a home in the somewhat near future is an aspiration of ours. So I was jazzed when a colleague of mine shared a link to this amazing nugget of superior architectural beauty. Check out this wine cellar, from Spiral Cellars:

What I love about this in particular is the simplicity of the design on the exterior; here an unadorned glass door in the floor opens to reveal a descending spiral staircase lined with shelf after shelf of your cherished wines. An elaborate temperature controlling systems ensures that the cellar remains at a constant temperature, a critical policy in wine storage.

The entryway to your secreted vintage vault can be even more discrete, as these photos illustrate:


I am envisioning a wine tasting room in my dream home, with the simple lines of slate and wood, and one of these covert cellar operations built into the smooth floor boards. Need to kick that money saving process (and perhaps lottery playing!) into full gear I suppose!

[Images courtesy of dornob.com]

I'm Back... & Honeymoon Pics

It's been a while – a loooong while – since I have posted, but all with good reason: I am officially a Mrs. (Mazzini)! Craziness. It's been probably the most taxing few months of my life, but the result was literally my fairytale wedding; more on that later, when I have all the digital copies of the photos and can recap. In the interim, I'll skip ahead; here's our photos from our Greek Honeymoon, by far the most amazing trip of our lives. Enjoy!

My Love for Etsy

I can't begin to express my love for Etsy, the one-stop online shop for unique, handmade items. It has been my "go to" for my wedding planning needs, and my experience with both the marketplace and the shop owners has been impeccable.

I purchased my wedding invitations from the Whimsical Prints shop and a woman named Leanna; she stood by me, month after month, question and after question, and change after change, offering up her expertise and experience with wedding invitation design and wording. For example, I came across questions I had never considered before, such as "is 5:30pm the afternoon, or the evening?" and "who comes first, my Mom's name or my Dad's on the return envelope?". I love her design approach, too – simple and using high quality materials that you can then dress up with personal touches if desired; my invites were a total hit among friends and family.

And I wanted something unique for my ring bearer to carry rather than the standard generic pillow – something that tied in the garden theme on my big day. I found Courtney, with her shop Courtney Alison Design, and she is creating a beautiful custom birds nest ring "pillow" (my ribbon is a dark, fuchsia pink). She also offered me one invaluable wedding tip:

Wedding Day Tip: Remember to enjoy the big day. Nothing matters at that point except that you and your new husband enjoy every minute possible.

Ok, that brought tears to my eyes again! And I am most recently working with a woman named Lisa, and her shop The Handmade Boutique, to create a custom guest book using designer fabrics and materials. She is fabulous.

I don't know what I would have have done without Etsy, and the wonderful designers that I have met on the site, as a key, grounded part of my wedding planning madness; perhaps I otherwise would have had stale, traditional wedding accents, like formal white invites with gold script, a generic ring bearer pillow, and a Staples guest book? If you haven't checked Etsy out, be sure to, you can find just about anything; and more likely than not, no one else has that same something.

A Double Rainbow

This past weekend, we headed up to Valatie, NY to visit our good friend, Derek Grout, and attend his annual apple blossom party. You may recall the story behind Derek, but as a refresher, he owns and operates a vodka distillery on his family-owned apple orchard. Well, the weekend was a total blast as expected – bluegrass, BBQ, vodka, and a lot of laughter. And the festivities were kicked-off by the below double rainbow (one is far more vibrant in this photo, look left to see the more faint of the two) that appeared upon our arrival at the farm after an unprecedented intense rainstorm. Ps, it didn't rain for the rest of our visit, however I never found two pots of gold, or even one for that matter.

Happy Mother's Day!

A part of our wedding planning involved gathering old photos from our families; we aren't sure what - if anything - we are going to do with them on our big day, but it was a worthwhile effort nonetheless. I now have a digital archive of priceless photos that may have otherwise been lost or gathered dust in shoboxes and old albums. I particularly enjoy this photo of my parents on their wedding day, and found this an appropriate way to extend my Mother's Day wishes to all of you.

Signs of Summer

This past weekend, we headed home to my parent's, and it was the first day that I really saw some true signs of summer. Thought I'd share:

Eddy Foley Now At Patrice Vinci

As you may recall, my most beloved hair stylist of all time, the great Eddy Foley, has moved salon locations to the Patrice Vinci for Avanti Salon at the lower end of Newbury Street. If you have not yet experienced his masterful craft and unparalleled creativity and precision with scissors, what are you waiting for? He's also an expert colorist, with the keen eye and the admirable honesty to tell you what works for you and doesn't work for you; blond isn’t for everyone, honey. While there was something undeniably charming about the old Trillium salon, located in a quaint brownstone on Gloucester Street and owned by Eddy, Patrice brings a level of sophistication and elegance that, when coupled with the charm and pure laugh-out-loud entertainment of Eddy, makes the superlative setting for your glamor transformation.

Oh, as this photo illustrates, Eddy would hands down win the award for the hottest stylist in Boston (if such an award exists, sign this man up!). And calling all cute boys men, Eddy is single and looking for his ideal match to make a trip to soak up the sun on the pristine beaches of Santorini.

Eddy Foley
Patrice Vinci for Avanti Salon
91 Newbury St
Boston, MA 02116
(617) 267-1900
www.patricevinci.com

Ten Tables, Cambridge

Rating: 5 forks


After attending the opening party a couple weeks ago, this past weekend Mike and I eagerly joined a couple friends at the new Ten Tables restaurant in Cambridge, MA. Although I love opening parties, they are typically all about mingling, sipping wine, and strategically positioning yourself in the server’s line of fire to grab that passing appetizer (which, by the way were all spectacular) and not as much about trying out the menu; so we were super excited to give this new hot spot a true test run.

Occupying the former Craigie Street Bistro space, Ten Tables is the sister restaurant of the original Ten Tables in Jamaica Plain and the latest passion of owner, Krista Kranyak. She wanted to create an intimate and relaxed European-inspired bistro and she did just that. According to Krista, “I have a unique affection for dining at a restaurant that makes me feel as if every aspect of the experience has been well thought out with passion and care. I fell in love with small restaurants that made me feel like I was at a dinner party in someone’s home. I took every part of those experiences back to the states with me in hopes of replicating the experience in Boston.”

I couldn’t have said it better, and she undoubtedly succeeded in her mission at this new location. Warm candles (which are actually LED b/c Cambridge has a no-real-candles law) add mood and a romantic ambiance to the otherwise dark, basement level room in a classic Cambridge brownstone. There are in fact 14 tables, not 10, but on Saturday night I am sure they wish they had the room for twice as many. Our dinner reservation was at 9:15pm, and the entrance area was overly-packed with eager diners sipping wine (no hard alcohol is served, and there is no bar) and a line snaked up the staircase to the front door. Seems like the word is out. And although when we first arrived we thought we would never be seated, the wait was only about 20 minutes, and they managed the crowd well as it soon thinned out and all parties were seated.

Krista, and chef/partner David Punch, leveraged the same guiding principals as the JP menu when they created the menu for the new restaurant: use local, organic meat and produce, make it affordable, and change it often. From the appetizer menu, we ordered quite a feast, including; steamed mussels with spinach, saffron cream and garlic crouton ($9); tomato soup & grilled cheese with San Marzano tomatoes, tallegio and caraway ($8); spicy steak tartare, toast points & watercress ($10); and a dozen Wellfleet oysters on the half shell ($24). And from the dinner menu, we ordered a couple each of: handmade Cavatelli with spicy squash, sage and ricotta salata ($17) and sea scallops with farro, roasted beets, Meyer lemon and picholine olives ($23). The food was fresh, bursting with flavor, and truly divine!

I’d highly recommend you make the trip to the other side of the river to give TT a shot, though I would suggest you make a reservation during the week to avoid the weekend rush. Parking is a little tough, and no valet is available, so make sure you give yourself enough time; otherwise take a cab or the Red Line to the Harvard Square stop and it's about a 10 minute walk.

Ten Tables Cambridge
5 Craigie Street Circle
Cambridge, MA 02139
www.tentables.net
617-388-8324

Experimentation with Black & White

I spent the afternoon of the spring-like day yesterday roaming around Boston and shooting in black and white. I truthfully need to read up a little on the proper settings and technique, however here are a few of my favorite shots, and more up on my B&W Flickr set:

How to Diagnose the Rattle in Your Car

Both my mom and I are Volvo owners, so we are very familiar with those little rattles, taps, ticks, etc in our cars; and there is nothing that drives us crazy more! So when I recently started to hear this thumping/tapping noise in my car whenever I pressed on the gas pedal and accelerated at higher speeds, I decided to go online and see what I can find out before heading to the mechanic. Now, you may say that this equates to a hypochondriac going onto WebMD and doing a little self-diagnosis, or someone watching a drug commercial and subsequently going to their physician and telling her that they need the drug they saw on TV, but I do sometimes wonder if a mechanic is taking advantage of me and finding *something* to fix so it couldn't hurt to see if other Volvo owners have experienced the same thing. Well, in the process of doing so, I came across this decision tree for diagnosing ticking noises when the car is running, from ifitjams.com, and it's actually pretty helpful and also pretty funny:

They also have diagrams for when the car won't start, brake problems, and more. I am not sure that it's properly diagnosed my S40 (a possible transmission tick) but it was great for a laugh.

Zoe Cuisine

You may recall my announcement of the Sutton Garden Club blog a while back (my mom's blog), and I recently also helped a friend out with the launching of her blog, Zoe Cuisine (though in all fairness, she did almost all herself!). Zoe recently left the daily grind of her 9-to-5 job to follow her passion for cooking, and enrolled in the Culinary Arts program at Boston University. The 14-week class is taught by working chefs and professionials in the industry, so she is getting some of the best hands-on training available in the city. She subsequently launched the Zoe Cuisine blog to tell the story of her culinary adventure and share her favorite creations with the rest of us foodies and other folks who are simply searching for new innovative ideas for experimentation in the kitchen. Be sure to bookmark her site, as she updates it (almost) daily.

Nikon D80 Digital SLR

So my latest toy, and obsession, is the Nikon D80 Digital SLR camera. I just purchased it from my colleague Matt who recently upgraded to the D90. I have always had a desire to get into photography, and now I am ready and SO excited. This is a *real* camera. Now, I honestly have no clue what I am doing, and I need to read-up and practice, practice, practice; however, here are a few shots I took recently, and more in my Nikon Learning set:

   

Running of the Brides

 

After seeing this photo, and the below video, I think I would run away from the Running of the Brides, the bi-annual battle of the wedding dresses from Filene's Basement, that's been going on since 1947, and was held at the Hynes Convention Center today. I am all for a bargain, but wedding planning is stressful enough; and picking out your dress should be an intimate, careful decision (I found mine with my Mom, and we cried, we knew it was "it"). But regardless, it must be pretty amazing the find "the deal" and weather this storm! More crazy coverage, in this video:

Honeymoon Booked

OK, so cut me a little slack. I know I have not been posting regularly, but I have a pretty solid reason: I am in full wedding planning mode, and if you have planned a wedding, you understand how much work it is and how planning can pretty much dominate all your free time. I have had little time for extracurricular activities, but I am fine with that, as it's a pretty monumental time in my life so it has to be (almost) perfect :)

However, I do have some exciting news, that warrants a blog post and a break away from all the spreadsheets, phone calls, and number crunching madness. Our honeymoon is booked! Thanks for all the advice and tips, we finally locked in on Greece for 13 nights. Here's our itinerary:

3 nights at the Electra Palace Hotel | Athens:



4 nights at the Mykonos Grand | Mykonos:

2 nights at Villa Marandi | Naxos:

4 nights at Ikies | Santorini:

I worked with an amazing agent, Shirley, from Meander Adventures; if planning a trip to Greece, I'd highly recommend working with them. Now if only I could speed-up the clock :)

History Is Made! Yeah, Obama!

Make your own Obamicon here!

Marc Jacobs Backless Cardigan

I – like most girls – love Marc Jacobs, but check out this cashmere backless cardigan that I discovered on on today's Gilt Groupe sale for $198, regularly $985. Like, really?!?! BTW, if you aren't yet a Gilt Groupe member, here's an invite from moi: http://www.gilt.com/invite/katebeat

OpenTable iPhone App

Calling all mobile foodies! OpenTable, the premium website for making restaurant reservations, has just introduced an iPhone application that will:

• Find your current location and the 20 closest restaurants
• Offer real-time table availability 
• Book free, instant, confirmed restaurant reservations 
• Deliver directions to a restaurant 
• Email reservation details to friends

And the best part of all, it is a free app!

Download here.

[image via OpenTable newsletter]

Spoon Sisters & The Message Bean

Looking for a gift for a friend or relative that's a little creative or unique? A colleague of mine introduced me to a site called The Spoon Sisters. It's jam-packed with fun stuff, from practical and functional products like these Wobble Wedges or these travel nailpolish remover packets, to sillier items like the Hangover from Hell Eyemask and Clocky - The Alarm Clock that Runs Away and Hides.

What caught my eye, though, was this Message Bean; it's a little plant bean that has a word and an image lasered onto either side. With water, the bean grows into a plant, and the word and image is revealed on the plant.

Pretty wild! Available bean-types are: Thank You (with Thanks in Japanese), Love (with a heart), Happy Birthday (with a musical note), Happy Holiday (with two stars on the other side), and Get Well (with Get Well written in Japanese on other side).

Happy shopping!

Skyn Iceland

Sephora lured me into their Prudential Mall store last evening via the combination of their $15 e-coupon and my Beauty Insider birthday gift. I have been looking for a new lightweight daily moisturizer, so this was the perfect opportunity to pop in.

I inquired with one of the beauty specialists on the floor, told her that I have somewhat sensitive skin, and that I am looking for a daily moisturizer that will not clog my pores or leave a shine. She smiled, said she has the perfect product, led me over to the Skyn Iceland line, and introduced me to the ANTIDOTE Quenching Daily Lotion. She pumped a sample onto my hand, and explained how this lightweight hydrating lotion helps to decongest stressed skin, won't leave me feeling greasy, and the cooling sensation when it's applied feels refreshing.

When I got home, I read the box, and chuckled, because lately this is the synopsis of my over-stressed life:

TOO MUCH COFFEE. NOT ENOUGH WATER. SKIN IS TOTALLY PARCHED ... TOO MUCH WORK. NOT ENOUGH TIME FOR MYSELF. COMPLEXION LOOKS AS DULL AS I FEEL... ON A TIGHT DEADLINE. FORGOT TO BREATHE. SKIN'S SUFFOCATING... THREE LATE NIGHTS IN A ROW. NO ENERGY. IT'S SHOWING ON MY FACE ... LUNCH AT MY DESK AGAIN. COURSE ONE: PRETZELS. COURSE TWO: CANDY. SKIN NEEDS NOURISHMENT.

I will be sure to let you know if I fell victim to some creative on package marketing, or if this stuff really works!

Hayden Harnett Thankful Sale - Last Day!

It's the last day of the Hayden Harnett Thankful Sale! HH is slashing prices on some of their buttery soft signature handbags and throwing in free shipping on all online orders. The sale ends at midnight tonight, so check it out to see if you can check off someone special on your holiday list and make her feel n' look fabulous!

Orinoco

Rating: 5 forks

Nestled on the corner of 477 Shawmut Street in Boston's South End, you'll find a little nook of a restaurant called Orinoco. Though the footprint is small - only about 600-700sq/ft, the experience is quite famous. The food is Venezuelan, marked by Latin spices like Adobo and chipotle, and dishes featuring sweet plantains, avocado, cilantro, manchego and even a little mojo.
Hungry yet? Or at the very least, intrigued?

The atmosphere is quite lively, with only about 10-15 tables, a small open kitchen, and no bar. Don't fret, though, you'll be sure to have a glass of wine or a cerveza in hand within minutes of arriving, which makes the (at times) lengthy (often standing) wait a little more palatable. Plus, it's really a fun place, with vibrant decor, and super friendly staff.

When you do finally get seated, I really think you can't go wrong with anything on the menu; and, every item is under 15 bucks! We chose appetizers of shrimp ceviche and a portabella mushroom arepa from the long list of specials featured on the inside flap of the dinner menu, and both were out of this world. Mike chose to go 3 for 3 on the specials list, and ordered-up a perfectly grilled rack of lamb, and a side of those oh-so-irresistible plantains. And I went straight for the Atún, adobo-rubbed tuna with frisse, radish and toasted calabaza seeds, I think the best tuna I have had in the city.

We have a new favorite dining spot, full of character, fun, and affordable international fare that breaks away from the somewhat monotonous menu themes that seem to be saturating this city. Fiesta!

Orinoco
Website
477 Shawmut Avenue
Boston, Massachusetts 02118
617.369.7075
or
22 Harvard Street
Brookline, Massachusetts 02445
617.232.9505

[image via]

Réunion, the "Intense" Island

I came across another interesting destination worth considering for your next tropical vaca. Referred to as an "intense island", Réunion spans 30-miles in the Indian ocean (close to Mauritius and Seychelles), with plenty to offer any vacationing-type, from total relaxation to wild adventure. Most island inhabitants speak French or Creole, though the culture is described as a blend of French, African, Indian, and Chinese; here, you'll find "all living together in true island harmony", according to ReunionIsland.net.

The rugged interior of the island is marked by an extinct volcano and an active volcano, called Piton de la Fournaise, which has been termed one of the most active in the world. The most recent volcanic eruption was this past October, and it was a biggie, sure to add an element of surprise and risk (and worry?!) to any trip! Additionally, Réunion is known for its three cirques – volcanoes that have collapsed on themselves – yielding an incredible terrain, as  well as contrasting lush forests with rare birds and numerous waterfalls that are particularly active in the rainy season.

On the west coast you'll find chill beaches with a choice of watersports like surfing and scuba (yes!!!). Towards the north, there is a variety of dining options featuring French, Creole, Indian, and Chinese fare. And towards the east, amazing gardens, vegetation, and sugar cane and vanilla fields.

Sounds like Réunion has made it to our list of island honeymoon considerations. Let me know if you have been!

[image via Runweb and ReunionIsland]

Don't Forget to Vote!

South End Buttery - By Day & Night

Rating: 4 forks

We all know that the South End Buttery has breakfast delights sure to wake up your taste buds, so who would expect anything short of a masterpiece by night? I had heard only raves from friends about the new Buttery Bar-Bistro that opened its doors a short month or so ago. And with all the travel and crazy schedule, I wasn't able to pop in for a tasting until this eve.

By day, the front cafe area of this former coffee shop only establishment was marked by the most decadent morning starters and mid-day meals, perfected coffee drinks, sinful cupcakes, and of course the long, but quick-to-move, lines. By night, the cafe is transformed into a dimly lit bar and bistro, where wine and champagne replaces the espresso and tea, and rich, home cooked meals replace the homemade pastries.

We chose the 6:30 seating (other option was 8pm, though the restaurant was not full so anytime in between was fine) and we were seated at a high table facing Shawmut Ave on one side, and the short, 6-8 person bar on the other. The table was a bit too high, and the over-sized pillow was bit too large, too awkward behind my back and sort of in the way at my and my neighbor's side; so, it ended up placed - gently - on the floor.

The super friendly and attentive waitress took our order: for me, a glass of Silver Palm Cab ($10) from the wine list; from the dinner menu, the mussels in a saffron broth with frites, and the local roasted cod with artichokes. For the man, his signature Hendricks n' tonic, the butternut squash soup with curried lentils, and the duck.

Wow, the food, especially with entree prices under $20, is amazing. I would have to say, though my cod was as perfect as a mild, meaty white fish can possibly be prepared, and the duck was cooked the perfect medium rare and fanned elegantly like a bird's feathers on the plate, our favorite was the fries (yes Zoe, you were right!). I think they salt, fry, then salt again, to create this, well, salty batter. Evil.

All-in-all, we'll be back to this new neighborhood for sure, now not to just start the day, but close out the eve.

South End Buttery
314 Shawmut Avenue
(between Union Park & Waltham St)
Boston, MA 02118
(617) 482-1015
southendbuttery.com

[image via]

Tips For Red-Eye Flights

I am headed to Salzburg, Austria for work today at about 4pm. I arrive in Frankfurt, Germany at about 11pm EST, which is 5am local time there. Then I hop onto another flight to Salzburg, and arrive at 9:30am local time (you can't fly direct). That's 3:30am EST. Then it's off to the hotel and to work. Sigh.

I despise red-eyes, and try to avoid them at all costs when traveling for business. On Fodors, I found these useful tips to help me survive the red-eye and hopefully snag some quality zzz's:

1. Nab a good seat:  pay extra for the comfort of a roomier seat in economy plus, business, or first class (I am in biz class, sweet)

2. Pack a goodie bag: Ear plugs, eye mask, a travel pillow, and warm fuzzy socks (off to get ear plugs!)

3. Consult your doctor: get a little help from a prescribed sleeping aid (Ambien, check!)

4. Just say no to napping:  Many red-eye regulars skip the nap that first day and then go to sleep early that evening (ok, not sure if I have a choice here, it's a work trip!)

5. Take it easy on the ground: Ambition is the enemy after a long red-eye flight. Keep your plans for that first day as simple as possible. (Hopefully my client will have a little mercy on me)

[Image Via]

Beautiful Flowers To Brighten The Day!

From the boy, and the Boston Flower Market:

Easy White Chicken Chili

The Fall chill is in the air, and therefore it's time for hearty soups and slow-cooked meals; but that doesn't mean you have to sacrafice the healthy for the hearty. Here's a favorite recipe that I found on Williams-Sonoma (which I think has some of the best recipes around). Since the only time I have a lot of turkey leftovers is Thanksgiving, I tweaked the recipe a tad, and use rotisserie chicken, found at most grocery stores (I love the all-natural Bell & Evans chickens at Russo's).

It's quick and easy:

Ingredients:
2 Tbs. olive oil
1 large yellow onion, diced
Salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste
2 tsp. toasted ground cumin
5 garlic cloves, minced
1 jalapeño, seeded and minced
1 lb. Anaheim chilies, roasted, peeled and diced, or 3 cans (each 7 oz.) whole fire-roasted
4 to 4 1/2 cups low-sodium chicken broth, warmed
1 lb. diced cooked turkey (or chicken)
3 cans (each 15 oz.) cannellini beans, drained and rinsed, or 4 1/2 cups cooked white beans, drained
2 Tbs. minced fresh oregano
1/3 cup minced fresh cilantro
1/4 cup cornmeal
Shredded jack cheese, sour cream and lime wedges for serving

Directions
In a large sauté pan over medium heat, warm the olive oil. Add the onion, season with salt and pepper and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, 5 to 7 minutes. Add the cumin, garlic and jalapeño and cook, stirring, for 30 seconds. Stir in the chilies and 3 1/2 cups of the broth, then transfer to a slow cooker. Stir in the turkey (or chicken), beans, oregano and cilantro.

Put the cornmeal in a small bowl and slowly whisk in 1/2 cup of the broth. Stir the cornmeal mixture into the turkey (or chicken) mixture. Cover and cook on high for 3 hours according to the manufacturer's instructions. Thin the chili with more broth if needed.

Ladle the chili into warmed bowls. Serve with cheese, sour cream and lime wedges. Serves 6 to 8.

Kui Buri Resort, Thailand

I have been starting to playfully and casually search for honeymoon destinations. I really want to go somewhere that I haven't been to before, somewhere unique, and far away. So I was perusing the October issue of Travel + Leisure mag the other day, and keyed in on the cover story: 25 emerging destinations where the dollar goes far (always a plus!). I came across a resort called Kui Buri (pronounced goo-wee... boo-ree). Located 3 hours south of Bangkok, Thailand, this resort hasn't turned a year old and it is simply stunning and pretty affordable! The area surrounding is rather underdeveloped, with only small neighboring fishing villages, and the resort, comprised of 23-semi private villas with terraces, gardens and pools, sits on a "virgin beachfront". Paradise! Though what most do there is simply relax, there are plenty of other activities for the more active or adventurous, like: mountain biking, scuba diving (yay!), yoga (yay again!), golf, and fishing. And the 4K (pronounced "fork") restaurant and bar serves up international fare featuring local ingredients and great wine.

As far as pricing goes, believe it or not, it is affordable. This bungalow here is listed at $115 (though that is a "low season" rate I think, but still)!

Though if we hauled all the way across the globe, we just may have to chose this:

So, we may not be going to Kui Buri for our honeymoon, as it's on the cusp of monsoon season (though the more I research, I am realizing it doesn't rain as much as you may think), but man I want to get there some day before everyone discovers this secret.

Good Morning, Santa Monica

Logan Is A Ghost Town!

How eerie is this:

St. Francis 1997 Reserve Zinfindel

About 10 years ago my Mom and I visited St. Francis vineyard in Sonoma, CA and purchased 2 bottles of this zin, and tucked both away for my brother's and my engagement. My bro got engaged a year or 2 later, and my bottle has been collecting dust with a Post-it: "Save for Katie's Engagement!" Well tonight is the night! Cheers!!!!!

Recent Great Finds

A couple weeks ago I took a staycation. If you haven' t heard of the term, it's vacation without (much) travel, pretty much staying close by. So I decided to spend the first half with my folks in Sutton, MA. We hiked, hung out at the lake, BBQ'd, drank wine, gardened, and read. Oh, and of course, my Mom and I shopped! And here's a couple of my stellar finds:

Samuel Dong Bubble Trench Coat

Shown here in Slate, but I chose Algae (a deep green color) for Fall. Samuel Dong is know for his classic styles, with a trendy twist, at super reasonable prices. This was a gift from Mom, from the fabulous Lyn Evans boutique in Westborough (thanks Mom!)

Big Buddha Groupie Bag

I love this over-sized Big Buddah bag, especially the mustard color, and the price. It's super spacious, but not at all bulky, and is a great splash of color for many outfits.

Kate and Mike's Engagement Celebrations

We're Engaged!

And the celebrations continue!

Fresh From Mom's Garden

Drink

Boston's Fort Point scene is finally on the upswing. We've seen Persephone, part of the Achilles Project, offer an interesting intersection of high fashion, food and entertainment, and of course Flour opened its second location providing a bit of a cafe scene to the industrial loft neighborhood. And for a while, there were rumors that star chef and restaurant owner Barbara Lynch (No.9 Park, B&G Oysters, The Butcher Shop, Stir) had a few new projects brewing to add to her already grand repertoire.

Well, her first Fort Point undertaking is finally just about here, and it's called Drink. Targeting a September opening date, Drink is, as the name implies, a bar that will serve-up some old-time classics, in vintage glassware, and in a communal setting. She plans to have a menu of small tidbits that she says is "my take on the 1950s but modern and molecular, from foie gras lollipops to salt beignets that go great with martinis," according to the Boston Globe. I am so down.

I'll be sure to post a review when I get the chance to give Drink a try this fall.

Drink
348 Congress Street
Boston, MA

[Image from: Super Chef "Profile: Barbara Lynch for White House Chef" April 18, 2005 ]

Sake Tasting

If you love sake like me (that's "sake" in Japanese to the left), then I'll see you over at Brix Wine Shop in the South End this Friday night for "Sake Sips!". From their latest newletter:

Friday, August 15th
6:00pm to 8:00pm

Sake, often called the "Drink of the Gods" by the Japanese, is created from rice, water, koji, and yeast. Friday we'll open selections from the Vine Connections portfolio highlighting how it's made, the different grades, and how to drink it. Come taste the Wandering Poet, Bride of the Fox and Divine Droplets, to name a few.

BRIX South End     
1284 Washington Street
Boston, MA 02118
617.542.BRIX (2749) x1
www.brixwineshop.com

[Image via]

Tasty Valpolicella Ripossa

We stocked up the wine fridge this weekend, with mostly affordable wines less than $20 so we could stop breaking into the fancy bottles that we receive through our Peju and St. Supery wine clubs. We decided to branch out to regions that we typically don't consider, like Spain and Chile. Last night we opened the first of our purchases, from Italy: Valpantena Torre Del Falasco Valpolicella Ripasso 2005.

It was super and the perfect pair to our hearty filet mignon meal last eve. It's a really big wine, with hints of ripe berry, raisin, and a bit of pepper. I am not going to pretend that I know a thing about Valpolicella Ripossa, other than what I have read about it here and there, so just try it!

Stay Safe

My thoughts and prayers go out to my friend Medeya, her family, and everyone in Georgia. Stay safe. 

Sidewalk Sales

If you are looking to do some shopping this weekend, head on over to the South End. There's a few killer sidewalk sales, with deals up to 75% off, going on at Lekker (unique home furnishings), diseño bos (Latin American design), and Tadpole (toys, furniture, clothing, and gear for the modern child).

Lekker
1317 Washington Street  
Boston, MA 02118

617.542.6463

www.lekkerhome.com

diseño | bos

409 Harrison Avenue 

Boston, MA 02118 

617.423.2008 

www.disenoboston.com

Tadpole

37 Clarendon Street

Boston, MA

617.778.1788

www.shoptadpole.com

Amazing Arrangement

How beautiful is this flower arrangement! Thanks to our friends Erik, Megan and little Parker!

-- sent from my mobile device --

Delux | South End

Wow, it has been years since I have been to Delux in the South End; seriously, probably 5 or 6, and I had only popped in I think once prior for a drink. Last night I met the beau and some of his "lab" colleagues at this petite eatery that boasts some unpretentious and hearty down-home cooking and a pretty bold decor.

On the menu, classic cheap chow (pretty much everything is about $10 or less) that's sure to pad the belly for a night of libations, such as hearty meat loaf, over-sized quesadillas, and tasty burgers. I opted for the special: pulled pork soft tacos served with fresh avocado and a mixed green salad. It was fabulous, and only 11 bucks! They have a full bar stocked with booze, wine, and an ample selection of beer.

And the interior design is what will make me go back. It feels more like and edgy dive bar in New York than a South End hot spot. The walls are plastered with retro pictures, album covers, risque artwork, random Christmas ornaments, and there's even a 3 or 4 foot tall lit-up Santa by the bathroom. Bizarro.

Don't expect the service to be sweet and don't take offense. Rather, expect 'em to be a little rude; it adds to the Delux character.

Can't seem to find a website? Anyone?

Delux cafe
100 Chandler St
(between Clarendon St & Columbus Ave)
Boston, MA 02116
(617) 338-5258