Afternoon Tea at the Fairmount Battery Wharf- Boston, MA

I have always been a big tea drinker. Not in the antioxidant healthy green tea way, but in the after dinner earl grey kinda way. Us Irishfolk love our tea. So when it was time to find a birthday gift for my younger sis, the Afternoon Tea at the Fairmount Battery wharf jumped out at me as a perfect choice!

The Fairmount Battery Wharf is located right on the waterfront in Downtown Boston. This luxury hotel is located just steps away from the North End and Faneuil Hall. They now offer afternoon tea from 2:00-4:30PM every day in the Battery Lounge. City+Saturday+Sunshine+food/bev=perfection

We ordered the Traditional Afternoon Tea for 2, which for $39 included a pot of tea for each of us, and (the best part) a 3 tiered tower of deliciousness. The tower includes mini sandwiches, scones, croissants, cookies and more and more and more. You get two of everything, so you don't even have to fight over stuff (I would have).

The overall experience was really cool and relaxing. We stayed for about 2 hours, really enjoyed the view and our food. Plus! Its only $10 validated valet parking! BOYAH! Accessibility is HUGE for me when it comes to dining in the city- and bonus, I kinda felt like a celeb valeting.

Sidenote: did anyone else eat these for snacks as kids? I remember bringing a little bag of sugar cubes with me along with my PB&J. Sidenote from the sidenote: Don't horses also eat these as snacks?

The top tier came with a Devonshire cream (whatever that is) and Strawberry Jam. All I know is I could put it on anything and it would be divine

 

 

http://www.fairmont.com/battery-wharf-boston/promotions/afternoon-tea-boston/

Shake Shack- 49 Boylston Street, Newton, MA

Some of you might remember my recent disappointing and life changing experience at my previous "go-to" burger joint- Fudruckers. Ever since, I've been looking for a new restaurant to fill the gaping hole in my heart and stomach. Well- I think its been done.

People have been telling me to go to Shake Shack for months, and I finally made the 10 minute drive over to Chestnut Hill a few weeks ago. We went on a Friday night at 7 and were greeted by a lovely line of people at the door. Unlike others, lines for food actually excite me. It means that people are willing to stand awkwardly for a long period of time for 10 minutes of eating bliss.

The line took about 30 minutes and then we ordered. I got a single shack burger, chocolate shake and cheese fries. After about 15 minutes, our buzzer went off and the heavenly feast began. The burger was topped with cheese, lettuce, tomato, onion and ShackSauce. To be honest, right before I dove in I thought "this doesn't look like anything special"- but boy was I wrong. It was one of the best burgers I've ever had. And, I can't put my finger on why! The obvious guess would be the sauce, but I really think its the cheese to burger ratio.

 

Same thing happened with the cheese fries. They look like your basic cheapo frozen fries doused in melted cheddar, but they were so addicting. I DONT GET IT!!!

 

My meal was topped off by a delicious chocolate shake that (was a little small) but still delicious.

 

Overall, if you can't tell, I am SO excited I finally tried this place. If you are a burger person and haven't been here- you are doing yourself a disservice.

 

Get ready Shake Shack! I will be a loyal customer for years to come!!

Highland Kitchen- 150 Highland Ave, Somerville, MA

First, I feel like I need to explain my absence. I was on a work trip last week to San Francisco! Bummer because I couldn't blog, but also awesome because I ate out 3 meals a day for 6 days (my dream). I need to take a few days to compile my thoughts/experiences to make sure I honor San Fran food the way I should.

To tide you over... I tried Highland Kitchen with some friends a couple weeks ago, and finally have the time to tell you all about it! I think making plans to go out to dinner on Friday night, might excite me more than anything in the world. ESPECIALLY if its a well known hot spot. Well, lemme tell ya- I looked at this menu every single day that week leading up to this Friday night meal. I prepared myself all day, eating light, and drinking a lot of water to expand my stomach. I knew this was going to be an all out dining experience with apps, entrees and dessert.

This place doesn't take reservations and is known to have a line out the door. Its a good size place with a full bar, and about 20 tables. The menu is what I call "escalated comfort food" with a Southern twist. The wait was about 45 minutes- in my eyes- totally reasonable for complete and utter deliciousness.

Like I said, this was an all out affair. For apps, we ordered the mac and cheese, house potato chips and onion dip, Ricotta and mozz fritters and empanadas (Fri night special). All were delish, even though the onion dip slightly resembled an undermayo-ed bowl of tunasalad. While the mac and cheese was soo good (how can it not be tho?) The fan fav was the Ricotta and mozz fritters. They came with a sweet chile-honey dipping sauce and were a really unique mix of flavors. This is a must order!!

 

When it came to the meal, because I was in a Southern mood, I went with the pulled pork. A safe choice, I might add, but still a solid choice. Other choices at the table included a spicy Jambalaya, Pappardelle Bolognese and the Highland burger. All got rave reviews! I tried the Bolognese and was really impressed with the use of truffle oil. I don't understand how it makes everything better.

 

Now- we were stuffed, but obviously had to get dessert! The menu just looked too good! We ordered the warm banana bread pudding with caramel sauce and vanilla ice cream aka Heaven in a bowl. I'm drooling just thinking about it now.

I am so glad we gave this place a try, I would recommend it to anyone willing to wait for a good meal! Only negative (which I feel like I have to mention because I'm lookin out for you guys) is our server was "questionable"(I'm being generous). Have you ever been to a restaurant that is so popular/busy, the server make you feel like they don't NEED your business?  Well that was our waiter. He was a smug smug man and I did not appreciate it. Annoying thing was, the food was great, and everyone else that worked there was nice! However, sometimes just one person can make you leave a place with a bad taste in your mouth (pun intended).
http://www.highlandkitchen.com/

6 Month Reflection

SO. Its been 6 months (to the day)  and 70 posts since I started this blog. In true "wannabe writer" fashion- I feel like I need to stop and reflect on my findings so far:

1.) McDonald's brings some serious emotion out of me. Pulling up to the drive thru at McDonald's musters up one of two emotions- guilt and uncontrollable anger. The guilt usually happens on the way home from the bar when we are about a mile away from our apartment and I blurt out the all predictable "I'm Hungry...can we go to McDonald's?". Jake agrees, but pulls the 'ol "I'm not going to get anything" after I order my big mac value meal with 2 sweet and sour sauces. Seriously, if a 6'5'' 250lb guy isn't ordering anything...why am I? Yup, that's a good dose of guilt seeping through my body along with these unnecessary calories.

NOW- the uncontrollable anger...After I get my food, Jake does the unimaginable and sneaks his hand into my McDonald's bag and GRABS A FRY!!askjdfiuanseif!!!.UM.. How dare he take one of my fries after denying them at the drive thru?? This is my biggest pet peeve, and I have lashed out at others as well. If you don't want to order your own meal, don't expect to have "just one little bite" of mine (MOM). This situation continues to be the driving force of some of my most furious moments- leading to my next point...

2.) Growing up with 3 siblings doesn't always make you good at sharing. I don't know about others, but I think it makes you think of strategic ways NOT to share. I.E. Labeling your food, hiding your food, and waking up 20 minutes earlier than your siblings to get the last packet of Cream of Wheat, or pick the best french toast sticks (obviously not the end pieces). Especially if you're the oldest/smartest. Its survival of the fittest people!!

3.) 80% of the time, I would rather binge eat apps than a have an actual meal. After reviewing a ton of restaurants, I decided that a lot of times I would have been a lot happier if I just ate apps. I don't understand why they are always so much more delicious than the actual meal? Maybe cuz I'm hungrier when I'm eating them? Maybe because they are almost always covered in cheese? Beats me.

4.) Guacamole is a food of the gods. Why did I discover it so late in life? Its so good on everything. Always.


5.) Planning out your meals really helps you eat better. Knowing exactly what delicious meal I have planned for each night makes me a lot less likely to order a pizza on the way home from work. I feel like I'm growing up.

6.) Crock pots are money well spent times 10. Mine cost $30 and brings me more joy then you will ever know (well you probably do know because you read my posts). But still..just do it..

7.) I would rather spend money on food than anything else. Even when I'm trying to be good about saving money, I can always justify a burrito bowl at Chipotle. Always.


So I don't know if those 7 things made me feel better or worse about myself- but it just happened and I'm glad you got to be apart of it.

Bakin Bacon

As I have mentioned several times on this blog- I love bacon (duh). Everyone does. But how often do you actually get up before work to cook yourself some crispy, salty, delicious pig? Probably not very often. I always associate cooking bacon with taking a lot of time, a big mess and the excruciating 1 second of pain when the hot oil spurts onto your arm. Well, my friends, your problems are over. My future mother in law gave us a great suggestion for an easier way to cook a lot of bacon. Bake it baby! All it takes is a cookie sheet, 400 degree oven and 12 minutes. When its done, take it off the pan and let it cool for 2-3 minutes. Now you've got the same bacon you would cook in a frying pan, if not BETTER! I just made your Saturday-You're welcome.

What I learned about Texas food in 48 hours

I wouldn't consider myself a "jet-setter" but I made a short trip to Texas this past weekend to visit some future family! The most exciting part about going to a new state is seeing the sites and eating the food. While this isn't my first trip to Texas, it is my first trip with the pleasure of having this blog to debrief. So after 48 hours, here is what I think you need to know about Texas food.

1.) TEX MEX- Finding a Tex Mex Restaurant in Houston is like finding an Italian Restaurant in the North End...they...are...everywhere. I had the pleasure of going to the best of the best on Friday afternoon- Lupe's! Along with some margs, chips and guac, we ordered the Fajitas Grandioso which is a combination of lime pepper marinated beef, chicken fajitas and 6 bacon wrapped pepper shrimp. Oh and they ain't lyin when they say everything's bigger in Texas- those tortillas were as big as my head! Muy Delicioso!

 

2.) BBQ IS A RELIGION- Having a family barbecue doesn't mean grilling some burgers and dogs (nothing wrong with that)... it means cooking a giant Brisket in the oven overnight, and smoking a pork butt for 8 hours. This is serious stuff people!!

 



3.) KOLACHES- Most of you probably have no idea what they are... I sure didn't. Kolaches are a warm pastry filled with meat, cheese or fruit and surrounded by slightly sweet fresh baked dough. The Kolache originated in Central Europe as a semisweet wedding dessert, and is found in some cities across the U.S, but most commonly in the Lone Star State!! These are SO GOOD. We got sausage, jalapeno and ham&cheese. They are neat, clean to eat, and a perfect breakfast on the go...and that sweet sweet bread mmmm



4.) And Lastly, BLUE BELL- Blue Bell Creameries are the largest selling ice cream brand in the U.S selling to directly to 23 states (obviously not Massachusetts, because I had never heard of it!) The ice cream does not disappoint definitely beating any Richardson's ice cream I have ever had! I'm not a big fan of vanilla ice cream in general, but I could eat Blue Bell's creamy homemade vanilla every day!

Well there it is people! Now you know what to look for if you ever make a trip to the Lone Star State! YEEEHAWW!

Chocolate Chip Cannoli Dip and Brownie Batter Dip

I've been eyeing something like this on pintrest for awhile as is a great/cool alternative to your typical dessert! The chocolate chip cannoli dip recipe is actually listed all over pintrest as a "cookie dough dip" recipe, but after making it and tasting it..I just..couldn't..call it cookie dough. I'm sorry pintrest peeps, your taste buds are off- this does NOT taste like cookie dough, but could pass for a bomb cannoli! Therefore, so I wouldn't lead anyone on, I took my creative license and swapped the name. Once you make it, you'll know what I mean!

Chocolate Chip Cannoli Dip
1/2 Cup Butter (softened)
1/2 Cup brown sugar
1 tsp vanilla
1 (8oz) block cream cheese (softened)
1/2 Cup powdered sugar
1 Cup milk chocolate chips

Melt butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add brown sugar and whisk until the sugar dissolves and the mixture starts to bubble. Set aside to cool and whisk in vanilla. In a medium size bowl, cream together your softened cream cheese and powdered sugar. Slowly add in brown sugar/butter mixture until combined. Fold in chocolate chips. You can serve this right away, but its better if you throw it in the fridge for a couple hours for all the flavors to meld.

Brownie Batter Dip
1 (8oz) block cream cheese (softened)
1/4 cup butter (softened)
2 1/2 cups powdered sugar
2-3 Tbsp milk
5 Tbsp flour
2 Tbsp brown sugar
5 Tbsp cocoa
1 tsp vanilla extract
chocolate chips (for garnish)

In a large bowl, beat the butter and cream cheese until light and fluffy. Slowly beat in the powdered sugar and milk until creamy. Add in the flour, cocoa, brown sugar and vanilla. Mix until smooth. Top with a handful of chocolate chips.

I served these two dips with animal crackers and honey graham crackers, but they could easily go with pretzels, strawberries or vanilla wafers! This dessert was such a hit! I have already been looking at other options and found recipes for snickerdoodle and Reese's PB cup! The possibilities are endless!!!