Where to Eat and Drink Blog: July 2009

Tomasso Trattoria "Best Restaurant" West of Boston

The annual "Best of Boston" issue was released this week and, in the West segment, Tomasso and Panzano were both recognized with awards.

Tomasso was selected as the winner of Best Restaurant, General Excellence, and we were also the runner-up for Best Locavore Restaurant (that is, restaurants serving mostly locally sourced foods).

Panzano was also honored as the runner-up for Best Gourmet Shop West of Boston. Fred Mullins and his staff at Panzano work very hard to provide great product selection, quality, and customer service. It was very gratifying to see our efforts recognized and rewarded by Boston Magazine.

visit tomasso and panzano here

Hot Summer Drinks to cool you down!

CHILI LIME MOJITO, OM Restaurant & Lounge

SHANGHAI SAKE SANGRIA, Myers + Chang

BLUEBERRY-LAVENDER SMASH, Tastings Wine Bar & Bistro

THE NAIRA, BOND Restaurant | Lounge

CALIENTE SUNRIS, Sensing Restaurant

BLUE LEMONADE, Harvest

TOKYO COSMO, Douzo

MADAME LILLET, Gaslight

Lunch @

Can you say Genourmous! Is that even a word? Well its how we would describe the Lobster roll Jill had at Stephi's on Thursday for Lunch! Jason opted for the roast turkey club salad, which was just as large, and I enjoyed an ever toasty turkey reuban panini with fries of course. The staff there is so nice and the place is just plain comfy. Thanks Stephi's staff for a great lunch this past Thursday! Will be sure to see you soon....

a few other favorites of ours are....

• salty pretzel crusted crab cake

• prosciutto and parmesan fritters

• smoked salmon tart

Yet, Another Rainy Day Recipe!

Polpetti

by La Morra Chef Josh Ziskin

5 lbs ground beef
6 oz ground or chopped prosciutto
3 cups ground dried porcini
2 cups parmegiano
Bread soaked on milk
8 lightly beaten eggs
Salt and pepper to taste
1 bottle white wine
flour to coat balls

Mix all ingredients vigorously with your hand, until the mixture is somewhat light and fluffy. Taste for seasoning.

Roll into 2 oz balls.

Heat large pans, Add a little oil, flour, and lightly brown balls on all sides. Deglaze with white wine, and finish cooking as wine reduces, adding a little stock if needed.

Jill Shares her Favorite Things on TV Diner!

4 Food Events you should know about...

This weeks picks from W2Eat!

Tuesday, July 14 – Tuesday July 21

Lunch & Dinner specials will be served at UpStairs on the Square for a week long festival: Tribute to Lobster & Corn. Susie and Steve will each be highlighting all kinds of intriguing combinations—for appetizers, lunch specials, and dinner entrees in both dining rooms. You won’t need a bib, but bring your appetite…check out the menus online.

Tuesday, July 14th (Bastille Day)

Street Fair in Celebration at Gaslight

Great Food, Fine Wine, Entertainment Music and Goods From Local Artists

Call: 617-422-0224

Friday, July 17th

Bruno’s Summertime Favorites

Join Olivadi Wine Director Bruno Marini in this special monthly pre-fixe kicking off with a Reception featuring Chef Selection of Passed Hors d’ oeuvres & Bruno’s Secret Sparkling Cocktail. $75 per person inclusive of tax and gratuity

Call: 781-762-9090

Sunday, July 19th

Beer & BBQ Showdown at Chiara

Enjoy a day of bbq & beer in a head to head culinary showdown!

$49/person (Price includes: Beer, Hors d'oeuvres & Dinner)

Call: 781-461-8118

Where to Eat - Cheap Eats

Happy Hour has a new meaning thanks to the Recession. Menu deals are popping up left and right all over town and I am not referring to bar nuts on the counter. This past week, Monday-Thursday, I challenged myself to a week of cheap eats, testing whether or not the deals are as good as they claim to be and to see if they can fulfill the place of an actual dinner.

Not only was this less of a challenge that I originally thought, I was also overwhelmed with the portions restaurants are practically giving away.

Well as much as I loved saving money, its Friday and time to splurge....Have a great Weekend!!!

Monday

5-4-3-2-1-0 deal at Noir Bar at the Charles Hotel

With the purchase of a drink, Noir offers $5 Flatbreads/ $4 Sandwiches/ $3 Snacks/ $2 Salads/$1 Sweets and the nuts they throw in for FREE. Monday through Thursday from 5-7pm

What I tried: Cool Hand Luke ($12) a Grilled Chix and Portabello Flatbread ($5) oh & some nuts (free) = $17

Call: 617-661-8010

Tuesday

$1 Raw Bar and $5 Frozen Mojitos at Stix Bar & Patio

Freshly shucked oysters on the half shell, king crab legs, scallops, shrimp, and jumbo crab claws... available Tuesdays through Fridays from 5-7pm at the bar and on the patio. Enjoy with $5 Meyer's Mojitos.

What I tried: 5 shrimp ($5) 4 oysters ($4) & 2 Mojitos ($10) = $19

Call: 617-456-7849

Wednesday

Sensing Snacking Platter

A collection of 6 bites for $.99 a piece. Options range from foie gras to cantaloupe & prosciutto Kebabs every Wednesday from 5:30-7:30pm.

What I tried: 2 Lobster rolls ($2) 2 Kebab of cantaloupe & prosciutto, port jelly ($2) 2 Local oyster with shallots and vinegar grani ($2) 2 Marinated spicy clam ($2) and 1 Caliente Sunrise ($13) = $21

Call: 617-994-9001

Thursday

50 cent Tapas at Masa Bar

Every night tapas are $1 except for Thursday which if you order a combo plate, they are $.50. Signature Masaritas or a classic margarita, or a ½ liter of sangria are just five bucks apiece offered 7 day/week.

What I tried: 2 Fire Roasted Corn taco ($1) 5 Beer battered Achiote Shrimp ($2.5) 3 Goat Cheese Quesadilla ($1.5) 2 Pulled Pork Spring Rolls ($1) 2 Ahi Tuna Tartare ($1) 2 Empanada ($1) & ½ liter of sangria ($5) = $13

* extra special treat; thursday's happen to be salsa night as well. stick around, starts at 9pm

Call 617.338.8884