Where to Eat and Drink Blog

Star Chefs Pays a Visit to Chef Lawrence Klang, Natalie's at the Camden Harbour Inn

Photos from Antoinette Bruno's recent trip to Boston and the Camden Harbour Inn are now online at StarChefs.com. Bruno, the CEO and Editor-in-Chief of Star Chefs and StarChefs.com, visited Natalie's restaurant at the Camden Harbour Inn to experience some of Klang's most innovative creations: a cucumber avocado soup, seared Serrano-wrapped loup de mer with a tomato emulsion, and a tempting grilled lamb loin. Other images feature Natalie's warm, modern decor and Chef Lawrence himself. Of the visit from Bruno, Chef Klang said that it was a pleasure to host Antoinette at Natalie's that day. We were able to showcase some of Natalie's freshest menu items, and the food photographs turned out beautifully.

A gala dinner in Boston will celebrate Rising Stars sometime in November of this year.

Diner for a Day; Sensing

15% off with this ad!!!

Restaurant Week Favorites???

Where to Eat & Drink Magazine would like to know which restaurant offered the best menu for the $33.09 price tag? Which ones filled up the fastest for reservations and which ones guests will return to after Summer RW comes to an end?

Fenway Green Monster Celebrity Chef Cookout- 8/22

Tickets-for-Charity® Hosts VIP Red Sox vs. Yankees

Green Monster Celebrity Chef Cookout

Celebrate the most intense rivalry in baseball- New York versus Boston- with an unprecedented takeover of Fenway Park’s legendary left field wall. Enjoy the best of a celebrity chef gourmet cookout with Boston’s own Todd English (a Red Sox fan) and New York-based Chef Mike Crain (a Yankees fan). Select packages include Front Row Center Monster seats, an authentic Boston Red Sox jersey with your name on the back autographed by your choice of David Ortiz, Jonathan Papelbon or World Series MVP Mike Lowell, photo ops with the World Series Trophies, a pre-game tour and chance to watch batting practice from the warning track.

WHEN: August 22, 2009 | 1:00 PM—VIP Event begins | 4:10 PM—Game Start

WHERE: Fenway Park | 4 Yawkey Way | Boston MA. 02215-3409 | (800) 530-9340

Fourth Row VIP Package- $500, includes Monster Deck seating and VIP access to Monster Cookout Event. Third Row VIP Package-$750, includes Third Row Green Monster seats and VIP access to Monster Cookout Event. Second Row VIP Package- $975, includes Second Row seating and VIP access to Monster Cookout Event. Front Row VIP Package- $1,500 includes Front Row seating and VIP access to Monster Cookout Event. Front Row Center Ultimate VIP Package - $2,500, includes Front Row Center Green Monster Seats, Authentic Red Sox Jersey signed by your choice of David Ortiz, Jonathan Papelbon or World Series MVP Mike Lowell, Pre-Game Tour and Warning Track Photo during batting practice.

To purchase VIP packages call 1-866-567-4576 or for more information, visit: http://www.ticketsforcharity.com/BostonRedSox/2009/VIP-Event/VIP-Monster-Cookout.asp. Proceeds benefit the Red Sox Foundation and its work serving children and families in need across New England.

About Tickets-for-Charity®

Tickets-for-Charity gives sports and music fans a convenient way to access great seats to high-demand concerts and sporting events nationwide while supporting leading charities in the process. Tickets-for-Charity was founded to help increase critically-needed funding for some of the world’s most admired charities and foundations. Tickets-for-Charity currently partners with over 30 highly-respected national charities and has raised millions of dollars for leading non-profit organizations through official Charitable Sale™ programs conducted for the Boston Red Sox, Boston Bruins and Boston Celtics as well as The Rolling Stones, The Police, Barbra Streisand, James Taylor, Lionel Richie, Farm Aid, John Mayer, Usher and Live Earth. For more information, please visit www.ticketsforcharity.com.

This Weekend Picks!

FRIDAY 14TH - MFA/David Eure Ensemble

Summer Fridays

The Museum of Fine Arts' First Fridays make the move from monthly to weekly and indoor to outdoor becoming Summer Fridays for the season. Socialize under the stars - with old friends or new acquaintances - over a glass of wine or a cocktail in the Calderwood Courtyard from 5:30-9:30pm. With a fully stocked cash bar and a whole summer's worth of musical entertainment lined up, Summer Fridays are the perfect spot to start your weekend. Once you've worked up an appetite, sneak away from the mixing and mingling for dinner at Bravo where chef Jacqueline Kelly is serving her summer menu. Admission to Summer Fridays is free with Museum admission, so check the schedule below to see what's on the musical agenda and head down Huntington Avenue for a little end-of-the-workweek fun. Click here.

SATURDAY 15TH - PREZZA

Italian Barbeque for the Fisherman's Feast

Prezza presents a Fisherman's Feast barbecue celebration combining Italian tradition with inspired barbecue fare. Caturano will transform the space in front of Prezza into a barbecue spot, and each night the featured chef will be bringing their own special twist to classic barbeque delights including steak tips, sausages, and more. Indulge in delicious cuisine as Chef Caturano hosts fellow chefs Evan Deluty from Stella, Carla and Christine Pallotta form nebo, and Matt O'Neil from The Blue Ox. They will be grilling up an array of barbeque delights including steak tips, sausages, and more starting at 5:00p till 10:00p. Tickets are $25 each which includes 2 drinks of either Peroni or Campari and soda, and all you can eat. Visit prezza here.

* In honor of the legendary Julia Childs birthday, all guests at the Aquitaine group’s various eateries (Aquitaine, Metropolis Café, Union Bar and Grille, and Gaslight) will be treated to a complimentary glass of bubbly on August 15 to celebrate the birth of the bubbly TV host.

SUNDAY 16TH - FARMSTEAD

Tasty Cheese Class

The Best Of California Cheese & Wine...(and maybe some other goodies)

Cheesebuyer Liam Maloney and Beverage Director Eric Taylor double team a class on the best of boutique wines and artisan cheeses that California has to offer. This class will feature tasty artisan cheeses from throughout the state as well as the fine wines of places like Sonoma, Napa, Central Coast, Santa Barbara and more. Class will start at 3pm, and will cost $45 per person. Reservations are required, so give them a buzz....401-274-7177 or click here to visit site

Set to Open August, 26th!!!

DEPASQUALE'S INSPIRATION for Splash came from a visit to the Las Vegas night clubs, Tao Beach, Wet Republic, Rehab at The Hard Rock Hotel and Venus at Caesar’s Palace. “My vision was to introduce something with a water-theme to the day and night life scene that’s unlike anything else in Boston,” said DePasquale, who owns and operates DePasquale Ventures in the North End. “It’s going to offer that same loungy, hip, modern feel similar to Vegas, L.A. and Miami.”

Splash’s entrance will feature a glass wall with trickling water leading to its main attraction, a spacious, picturesque roof deck with a dazzling decorative fountain surrounded by plush cabanas, beds and lounge chairs garnished with shrubbery. In addition to its roof deck, Splash’s interior will offer a relaxed atmosphere with house music, low- slung leather seating, TVs, billiards, private function rooms and a private celebrity lounge.

DePasquale, who is best known for Italian eateries, Bricco, Mare and Trattoria Il Panino, will focus Splash’s cuisine on a gourmet burger bar. Chef creations include the Kobe burger, Sirloin burger, Lobster burger, Veggie burger, and Tuna burger. Splash will also offer a list of Mediterranean Tapas as well as creative cocktails and specialty martinis. As a new prime 25 year old + destination, the ultra-lounge will cater to diners until 2 a.m. Wednesday through Sunday.

ON WEDNESDAYS, THE FOCUS WILL BE ON THE LADIES, as Splash spotlights designer fashion shows; Sundays will play host to “Rehab”, where diners can enjoy brunch and cocktails in a private cabana or while relaxing in the sun.

Jean-Georges Vongerichten coming to Boston!

The wasabi peas alone keep me coming back, and of course the atmosphere and people watching at Spice Market NYC doesn't hurt either....I can not wait until the W opens up!!!! His new venture, Market, will features Jean-Georges Vongerichten's "greatest hits;" reinventing classic dishes by infusing eclectic flair.

According to the W Hotels Web site, the new W Boston Hotel will be open on October 22, so Market by Jean-Georges will likely be open on or near that date.

New Burger Joint Coming Soon!

Celebrity chef Todd English plans to open a burger joint in Boston’s Theater District later this year. English says he’s in final lease negotiations to take over the former Dominic’s Restaurant on Tremont Street, next to the W Boston Hotel & Residences slated to open in October. Click here to read more.

Back Bay awaits Met eatery

Back Bay awaits Met eatery

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Pho Republique, Bombay Club relocating

Pho Republique, Bombay Club relocating

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36 Dishes - Boston

check out what New York Food Blogger, Arthur Bovino, has to say about Boston's restaurants....

Welcome Stork Club....S. End

Stork Club has opened in the former home of Bob the Chef's on Columbus Ave. Live jazz and blues are the main attraction and shows will play nightly. Check out their full menu here.

Gearing up for Summer Restaurant Week!!!

Hello Hotness!!!! Wednesday's press conference for Restaurant Week took place at the Colonnade rooftop pool and it was quite sticky in the sun!

Mayor Menino, Jenny Johnson and Pat Moscaritolo spoke of what a wonderful opportunity it is for people to dine out at the city’s best restaurants for a great price. This year's beneficiary "Community Servings" provides home-delivered meals throughout Eastern Massachusetts to people homebound with life-threatening illnesses, so even more reason to EAT OUT.....EAT OUT OFTEN during these two weeks!

An event that started out with little to none has grown to over 200 participants. Chefs this year really did go all out offering up creative and new choices. Check out the complete list here or complete menu offering's here or for some of W2EAT favorites, click here.

*offered Sunday, August 9 - Friday, August 14 and Sunday, August 16 - Friday, August 21, 2009.
3 course dinner $33.09/ 3 course lunch $20.09 & $15.09 for a lighter 2 course Lunch!

Cookin' with Costa: Azita Bina

Azita Bina of Lala Rokh in Boston's Beacon Hill neighborhood is whipping up some Persian comfort food at The Viking Center. And, yes, you'll want to make this dish at home.

MIRZA GHASEMI RECIPE

2-Pounds Chinese Eggplant

1-Pound Ripe Plum Tomatoes

2 1/2-OZ Cleaned Garlic

¼ Teaspoon Turmeric

½ Cup Olive Oil

2 whole Eggs (optional)

Grill the eggplant till the skin is burned and the inside is cooked about 20 min and set aside to cool and peel.

Blanch the Tomato in boiling water so the skin could be peeled.

Brush the garlic with oil and place in aluminum foil, roast for about 25 min and mash it.

Heat the Olive Oil and place the garlic, Eggplant and the tomato season with salt, pepper and the turmeric.

When the mix is totally blended together add the eggs and taste the seasoning.

Serve with either flat bread (lavash or Syrian) as a cocktail dip or rice as a vegetarian dinner

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