I’d like to get a public conversation going—a community-generated list of the quintessential foods and dishes that define our city. Foods that you have to try at least once before you die (or move), and that you miss most when you go away.
It’s the foodie equivalent of a birder’s Life List. Only, because we’re talking about food, each list is a very personal thing, reflecting a hodgepodge of memories, everyday routines, and sentimental associations.
To get started, here are 10 of my favorites, in no particular order: (more…)
I love bran muffins. I always have. But all bran muffins are not created equal. Many are too sugary, and most are too dense. So when I moved to the South End and adopted Flour Bakery as my cafeteria a year and a half ago, it was love at first bite between me and their seed-covered bran offerings. They were light but hearty, with raisins inside, and a mix of seeds on top, which lent additional earthiness to the recipe. Even when it was snowing, I woke up early and trekked the four blocks to Flour to get my hands on a lovely bran muffin before they sold out—yes, they were very hot items.
But one day, I arrived at the bakery before 9 a.m., and not a single muffin was in sight. The bran fell off the map, only to be replaced by a cheap, less healthy substitute that tasted more like carrot cake and was called the Morning Glory. For a full year, I asked, I begged, I pleaded to the staff to please bring back the bran.
Your Chowder hounds have sniffed down the best culinary events in town. Check back every Thursday for your weekly prix-fixe of foodie feasts, cooking classes, wine tastings, and more.
April 10, 6:30-9 p.m.
Taste of the Nation Boston
Hynes Convention Center, $85 (advance); $95 (door) VIP: $135 (advance); $145 (door)
Boston’s hottest chefs and restaurants are donating their time and cuisine for Share Our Strength’s Taste of the Nation, which raises funds to fight childhood hunger in Boston and across America. More than 80 of the city’s finest will participate, including Andy Husbands of Tremont 647, as well as Hamersley’s Bistro, Rialto, Radius, Icarus, Gargoyles on the Square, Les Zygomates, East Coast Grill, KO Prime, and more.
Its a good thing the Liberty Hotel’s new restaurant, Scampo, finally opened to the public last week. While we never take a projected opening date at face value, we’ve been hearing the “any day now” bit since last October. And it’s not just Chef Lydia Shire’s upscale Italian fare we’re looking forward to.
With the opening of Scampo’s kitchen comes another blessing: the end of Boston’s most amusingly hare-brained restaurant scheme.
Keeping track of Boston’s dining scene can feel almost as daunting as going up against the Iron Chef. Chowder scours the internet for the latest news on what’s coming, what’s going, and new foods that are good for eating when you lose a bet.
Opening
The Ivy Restaurant Group is close to signing another downtown lease for a space opposite its current restaurant for a new restaurant called Stoddards Fine Food & Ale. The Boston Business Journal reports that Stoddards should open around Sept. 1, and will have a “classic American theme” and a full bar specializing in handcrafted ales.
I’ve been spending a lot of time lately logging various awards, nominations, and victories for Boston chefs and restaurants. And today we have even more good news! In last night’s broadcast of Iron Chef America on the Food Network, our own Ken Oringer beat Iron Chef Cat Corain a head-to-head battle. The secret ingredient? Coffee.
I’m not surprised that Ken won. For one, he’s a terrific talent. And when I saw him last week after dinner at Clio, he did seem pretty darn cheerful (though he was tight-lipped about the show). Congratulations, Ken!
I trekked to Worcester for Easter dinner with my boyfriend’s family, and as usual, everything—from the lamb kebabs to the mashed potatoes—was well worth the binge. But this time, surprisingly, it was something as simple (and healthy!) as a tossed salad that sent my culinary antennae up.
What was the insanely bright, tangy liquid adorning my greens? It tasted like Greek dressing, only much lighter. Turns out, it was as easy as this: a whirl of white balsamic vinegar, extra virgin olive oil, and Parmesan cheese. (more…)
Starting today, your Chowder hounds will sniff down the best culinary events in town. Check back every Thursday for your weekly prix-fixe of foodie feasts, cooking classes, wine tastings, and more.
Winemaker Dino Mencarini will introduce pairings while Steven Brand serves up four courses, including crab salad with grapefruit and avocado, green garlic soup with poached egg, and more. (more…)
Boston’s seen a bit of bottled-water backlash lately. First, there was the TAP project, which charged diners $1 for a glass of water to help raise funds for UNICEF, and which won me over on two counts: providing clean water to developing countries, and sparing diners the embarrassment of declining the $6 Pellegrino in favor of tap. (What? I’m cheap, and it’s $1 at Costco.) Then, as the Globe’s Devra Firstpoints out, a growing number of restaurants are ditching the bottled stuff altogether, citing its wastefulness.
Hear, hear, I say. Given the city’s relatively high quality drinking water supply, bottled water just isn’t necessary in most cases. (Add that to your list of reasons to love Boston, eh?) In general, I’ve been feeling pretty good about sticking with tap. (more…)
Keeping track of Boston’s dining scene can feel almost as daunting as nabbing a table at Miracle of Science. Chowder scours the internet for the latest news on what’s coming and the loss of a great innovator.
Opening
Old-school Italian favorite Cafe Marliave will be reopened by Grotto, according to Boston Restaurant Talk. Boston.com’s Dishing blog has the details.
“The Marliave will reopen this spring and will feature two dining rooms and an oyster bar. The menus will reflect the history of the establishment, which has operated as a French, Italian, and New England restaurant, and even as a speakeasy and illegal distillery (liquor and label print equipment was seized many times during Prohibition). . . .”
I’d like to get a public conversation going—a community-generated list of the quintessential foods and dishes that define our city. Foods that you have to try at least once before you die (or move), and that you miss most when you go away.
I love bran muffins. I always have. But all bran muffins are not created equal. Many are too sugary, and most are too dense. So when I moved to the South End and adopted 
April 10, 6:30-9 p.m.
I’ve been spending a lot of time lately logging various 
I trekked to Worcester for Easter dinner with my boyfriend’s family, and as usual, everything—from the lamb kebabs to the mashed potatoes—was well worth the binge. But this time, surprisingly, it was something as simple (and healthy!) as a tossed salad that sent my culinary antennae up.
April 3, 6:30 p.m.
Boston’s seen a bit of bottled-water backlash lately. First, there was the TAP project, which charged diners $1 for a glass of water to help raise funds for UNICEF, and which won me over on two counts: providing clean water to developing countries, and sparing diners the embarrassment of declining the $6 Pellegrino in favor of tap. (What? I’m cheap, and it’s $1 at Costco.) Then, as the Globe’s Devra First