puritan & company

 homemade brioche + butter

 bratwurst stuffed quail w/ lentils, tomatillo, eggs

  chicken liver mousse w/ sourdough, dilly beans, mustard

roasted kurobuta pork t-bone w/ mustard greens, spaetzle, cider

hay-roasted carrots w/ charred scallion, fresh cheese, roe

VENUE //  Puritan & Company is a shiny, beacon of yum located in a more run-down part of Inman Square.  Puritan & Company is a glorified, 21st century version of a New England Farm -- spacious, high ceilings, clean / sleek interior paired with light wooden paneled walls, antique figurines and a mason jar chandelier.  The first piece of antique equipment I noticed when I walked in was the owner's grandma's oven that has been transformed into the hostess stand.  Overall, the venue is surprisingly large but lined with cozy small tables for a more intimate feel.

FOOD //  I was initially a bit disappointed by the menu when I realized that a lot of dishes that I wanted to try (from Yelp pictures) were not available.  However, disappointment turned to delight after my first bite of the homemade brioche.  Speckled with sea salt, these homemade buns do not disappoint.  From the starters to the mains, the dishes are fresh, simple yet complex (kind of like grandma's cooking on steroids), and portioned well.  I didn't actually try the bratwurst or the pork t-bone but would have to say those looked the most appetizing! The pate was good but not extraordinary, and I could have passed on the carrots.  Overall, I would say the food is above average, but I would be willing to give it another try when the menu changes.

DRINK //  Again, I was looking forward to trying the lavender cocktail, but it was unavailable.  Instead, I ordered the Church which was okay.  

If I had to rank the above categories, I would say that I appreciated Puritan's venue the most.  Unlike any other restaurant I have been to, Puritan has done an exceptional job in blending the old with the new.  Although I appreciated certain aspects of the dishes we tried, I wasn't overwhelmed but would be willing to come again when the menu changes.

Puritan & Company

1166 Cambridge Street

website

7 layered mediterranean dip

I recently hosted a small party for one of my co-workers who is moving to Dallas next month.  Given her vegetarian diet, I whipped up some vegetarian-friendly party foods including this jazzed up hummus dip.

If you want to get super fancy, you can make your own hummus and pesto, but I decided to take it easy on myself and used store-bought hummus and pesto.  It took me all about 15 minutes to assemble this 7 layered mediterranean dip, and it was a crowd pleaser!  This recipe is cost/time efficient, requires no extra utensils and is sure to impress your guests!

7 Layered Mediterranean Dip

2 cups hummus
1 cup pesto
1/2 diced cucumber
1/2 cup diced sun dried tomato
1/2 cup diced feta
1/3 cup diced olives
1/4 cup pine nuts

Spread hummus on bottom layer of serving dish.  Spread pesto on top of hummus, making sure not to combine the two.  Sprinkle remaining ingredients on top of hummus/pesto layers.  Serve with pita chips or other chips of your choice!

franklin cafe

bread + hummus spread

crab + corn fritters ($11) 

steak frites ($20) 

cioppino ($18)

VENUE //  I usually place a lot of emphasis on venue and ambiance when dining out, but definitely can overlook this aspect because the food is just so darn good at Franklin Cafe.  Franklin Cafe is a narrow space divided right down the middle with a full bar on the left side and ten or so booths along the right side.  The atmosphere here is definitely more pub-like than cafe, with an equal number of people drinking and dining.  My only knock on this place is that there is no waiting area or hostess stand so you are constantly moving around to avoid the servers walking down the restaurant and standing over other diners.  Oh, and be prepared to wait!

FOOD //  Great food at great prices.  The hummus dip is addictive.  The corn + crab fritters are meaty, lightly breaded and served with old bay seasoned sour cream.  The steak is tender, juicy and marinated in port.  Served with crispy fries and roquefort (blue cheese) butter, the steak frites here might be the best I've ever had.  The tomato fennel broth of the cioppino is delicious and perfectly complements the fresh hake, mussels and clams.

DRINK //  To be honest, my boyfriend and I came here because I wanted some hot soup to cure a prior night's hangover so we didn't do too much drinking here.

SERVICE //  Minus the wait, service here is great, and the food is served quickly.

Overall, Franklin Cafe is a no frills, quintessential South End neighborhood establishment that serves great food at great prices.  We will definitely be back for late night dinner and drinks.


Franklin Cafe
278 Shawmut Avenue
website

healthy chocolate muffins (120 cal)

Once in while, I have a craving for sweets -- chocolate, muffins, croissants, you name it.  Instead of running to the nearest bakery to satisfy my craving, I try to keep a batch of healthy baked goods on hand.  

Over the past year or so, I've experimented with quite a few healthy baking recipes, and can say that my top priority when baking is definitely keep the calorie count in check.  Thus, I usually avoid using oils, butters (including nut butters), sugar, dried fruits, and other high caloric sweeteners.  Instead, I usually substitute sugar with zero calorie liquid stevia, oils/butters with applesauce or mashed fruits, and high caloric sweeteners with spices.  Spices are definitely my secret ingredient as it gives my healthy snacks a bit of punch without the calories and fat.

My healthy chocolate muffin recipe is slightly sweet, spicy, under 120 calories per muffin, and a great way to beat those chocolate cravings!

Healthy Chocolate Muffins

Cook time:  25 minutes

Serving:  9 muffins

Calories Per Serving:  ~120 calories

1 egg

2 mashed bananas

1/3 cup unsweetened applesauce 

1 tsp vanilla

12 drops of liquid stevia 

1/4 cup brown sugar

1/4 cup cocoa powder 

1 cup whole wheat flour

1 tbsp instant coffee

1 tsp cinnamon 

1/2 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp salt

1/4 cup dark chocolate chips 

Preheat oven to 350ºF.  Grease muffin tin.  Whisk wet ingredients.  Mix dry ingredients and add to the wet ingredients.  Fold in chocolate chips.  Bake for about 20-25 minutes.

seoul

upper level

 lower level + sushi bar

 traditional korean rice wine ($12.95)

 kimchee pancake ($8.95)

vegetable porridge ($8.95)

 stone pot bibimbap

 stone pot bibimbap + beef bulgogi combo ($18.95)

 her pov

 his pov

Having grown up in Duluth GA (which has become a mecca for non-LA or -NYC Koreans), I definitely used to take good, cheap Korean food for granted and assumed that every city had a sprawling Ktown.  One of the challenges of living in Boston, is being without good, cheap Korean food!  I don't eat Korean food on a regular basis, but there are just some of those nights when I crave some good Korean grub.  Last night was one of those nights.  

I dragged my boyfriend to Beacon Hill to try Seoul, which underwent a rebranding strategy around two months ago (formally Ma Soba).  Given Seoul's traditional and extensive menu (easily trumps Samurai and Jae's Cafe), I was really excited to try this new spot!

VENUE //   Located on the intersection of Cambridge + Hancock street right in front of Whole Foods, Seoul has a great location and is hard to miss.  The venue is spacious, bright and clean and complete with a full bar and sushi bar.  The best part of Seoul though has got to be the open window seating -- nothing beats a cool breeze and good Korean food on a warm summer night.  

FOOD //   I was really impressed by the menu here.  Seoul goes beyond the traditional Korean appetizers and entrees, and offers Korean + Chinese fushion dishes as well as sushi.  I was feeling a little under the weather so ordered the vegetable porridge and my carnivore boyfriend ordered the stone pot bibimbap + beef bulgogi option.  Oh and can't forget the massive kimchee pancake we ordered as well.  Including our traditional rice wine and side dishes, I was surprised our table could hold all of our food.  

I'm usually hesitant to order porridge at restaurants because it's so easy to end up with a bowl of bland mush, but the porridge at Seoul was wonderful.  The tender bits of cooked rice + carrots + mushrooms was cooked perfectly and seasoned well.  My boyfriend's stone pot bibimbap + beef bulgogi combo was also delicious -- the bibimbap was teeming with fresh veggies + ground beef, and the bulgogi was tender and sweet.  My only knock on Seoul would be that the kimchee pancake was tad on the greasy side (interestingly enough though, this was my boyfriend's favorite dish). 

DRINK //   We usually always order the traditional rice wine when we dine Korean.  Made from fermented rice, makgeolli is creamy white, a tad bit sweet, and is about 6-8% alcohol by volume.  Makgeolli is also traditionally served in a clay pot + laddle + metal bowls which adds to the authentic dining experience.  It's definitely the perfect complement to spicy, hot Korean food.  

SERVICE //   Service here is great.  Our waitress was incredibly friendly, and the food and drink service were timely.  Definitely no complaints here. 

FUN FACT //   Same owners as Ma Soba, just a different chef = same drink menu.  Seoul offers a full bar with great domestic / imported beers and wines.

DINING TIP //   The traditional way to eat the stone pot bibimbap is to mix the rice + veggies without scraping the rice from the sides of the stone pot.  That way while you are enjoying the rice + veggies, the rice on the sides of the stone pot will crisp up for a tasty snack.  I know this sounds a little odd, but I love eating it this way, and is probably one of the only reasons I even order this dish!

DRINK TIP //   Makgeolli can range in terms of sweetness, creaminess and carbonated / non-carbonated options.  I always opt for the sweeter, creamier and carbonated option.  Although Seoul offers a full bar, try the traditional option.  Nothing says authentic Korean dining experience like drinking alcohol out of a metal bowl.

Seoul

156 Cambridge Street

website

pavement coffeehouse

 the chia (vegan tofu cream cheese, avocado spread, swiss cheese, sprouts, lettuce, tomato) + multigrain bagel

 the awakening (eggs, caramelized onions, arugula, sun-dried tomato pesto, feta) + rustic bread

harvest root (homemade hummus, feta, beets, carrots, greens) + seven grain bread

vegan raisin scone

cafe view from my window seat

VENUE //   The largest of the Pavement Boston locations, the Fenway location is by far my favorite Pavement location and my favorite coffee spot in Boston.  I would say I come here at least once a weekend for a nice, cold iced latte and some "me" time.  Located right in the heart of Northeastern University on the other side of Mass Ave., Pavement is my little escape from the hustle and bustle of Back Bay.  Unlike the smaller Newbury and Bolyston locations, the Fenway location is spacious, and I have always been able to grab a small table or seat at the window (knock on wood!).  In terms of decor, I would say Pavement looks like your typical neighborhood, hipster coffee shop and even features artwork from local artists!

DRINK //   Not only does Pavement serve a great iced latte (basically the only coffee drink I order), they serve a variety of other homemade specialties in the summer, ranging from vanilla cream cold brew to spicy ginger ale.  I haven't been as adventurous to try all of their new drinks, but am a huge fan of ginger so really like their spicy ginger ale.

FOOD //   The food here is so darn good, that I sometimes just come here for their sandwiches ($6-7).  Pavement is one of the few places in the area to serve healthy, vegan dishes, and one of the only places in Back Bay where I've seen tempeh on the menu.  So far, I've tried the gatherer, the chia, and the harvest root and am a fan of all three.  I would have to say that my favorite sandwich though is the chia -- such a simple, classic dish that is done right.  My favorite item here though is definitely the vegan tofu cream cheese.  My god.  I'm not sure what's in here aside from the tofu and some shredded veggies, but it is fabulous.  

SERVICE //   Don't have too much to say in terms of service given the counter service nature of the business, but will say that the cashiers are always super friendly!

FUN FACT //   Abundance of outlets + wifi (though not sure how much it costs) + great coffee + healthy food makes this place a student's or in my case a yuppie's dream study spot

DINING TIP //   I like the vegan tofu cream cheese here so much that I've actually just purchased some on its own to have at home.  It's around a buck fifty for a small plastic container's worth 

DRINK TIP //   If you're feeling a bit more adventurous, try the new summer menu items to spice up your day!

Pavement Coffeehouse 

44 Gainsborough Street

website

the hawthorne

hers:  off the menu raspberry + gin cocktail

 hers:  off the menu blueberry + ginger + gin cocktail

bar eats:  ricotta dip + veggies + chips

 bar eats:  spinach dip + veggies + chips

VENUE //   Tucked away in the basement of the Hotel Commonwealth without any proper signage, the Hawthorne is a true hidden gem.  Not only are the food and drinks on point, the venue is a definite A+.  Given the location of the Hawthorne, I was expecting a dark and stuffy basement bar, but was completely wrong.  The venue is just big enough so that you're not elbow to elbow with your neighbor and provides a lot of seating (small round tables with plush high armchairs, bar seats) and standing room.  Moreover, the white marble bar, white tiled floors, and white washed walls all contribute to the clean, open atmosphere of this elegant hotel bar.

DRINK //   My boyfriend and I decided to take two seats at the bar and ordered two drinks a piece and a few bar bites.  Although the cocktail menu had a number of great offerings, I didn't see anything that really caught my eye (read: nothing super fruity or sweet).  So I asked the bartender if there was something he could recommend, and he happened to make me two off the menu drinks using fresh fruits he had happened to have on hand.  My first raspberry + gin drink was the perfect balance of sweet + fruity, and my second ginger drink had just the amount of spice I was looking for.  

FOOD //   I always get a bad case of the munchies when I drink, and luckily for me, the Hawthorne offers some great bar bites.  For $4 a piece, you can satisfy your late night bar food craving with some creamy spinach and ricotta dips.  Accompanied by fresh cut veggies (long stemmed assorted carrots, radishes, and cucumbers) and fresh hot tortilla chips, these dips are definitely a great bargain!  Unfortunately, I thought that the ricotta dip was pretty mediocre but devoured the spinach dip which was absolutely divine.

SERVICE //   5 stars for the bartender for recommending two great cocktails.

FUN FACT //   The Hawthorne is sandwiched between two great restaurants, Island Creek Oyster Bar and Eastern Standard (read:  start your night off at the Hawthorne for drinks and grab dinner at either place next door)

DINING TIP //   Bar bites offer the perfect before dinner or after drinks filler.  Also, if the bar offers a small or large portion, shoot for the smaller option -- it is usually not that much smaller and is the better portion size to complement your drinks

DRINK TIP //   If you don't see something on the menu that strikes your fancy, don't hesitate to ask the bartender for something more specific that you are in the mood for.  Sometimes he may suggest something off the menu that incorporates fresh ingredients 

Overall, I would have to say that as of right now, Hawthorne > Clio > Drink > Ostra


The Hawthorne
500 A Commonwealth Avenue
website

asta

beef tartar

oyster soup

mussels + potatoes + squid ink

fiddleheads

fish + charred greens

escargot 

charred greens + tahini dressing

 scallops + miso sesame dollop

venison

sweetbreads + charred romaine 

 asparagus salad

The old adage "never judge a book by its cover" could not ring truer for Asta, a fine dining restaurant nestled between an old run down corner convenient store and vacant Indian restaurant on Mass Ave.  In a prior life, Asta was home to a late night MIT pizza joint that my boyfriend had frequented on many a nights, and he was more than surprised when he walked in to see that his favorite late night spot had been beautifully transformed into what is today Asta.

Unlike some of the stuffier restaurants that dot Back Bay, Asta binds together elements of old school European with a modern flair.  Exposed brick balls, wooden benches and fur seat cushions provide a nice contrast to the crisp, white, modern kitchen that fills out the entire back wall of the restaurant.  The kitchen is definitely the focal point of the restaurant, and everything seems to center around this well-oiled machine that produces some of the best dishes I have yet to try. 

My boyfriend and I started our meal off with complimentary glasses of sparkling wine (definitely a plus in my book) and opted for the 5 and 8 course tasting menus.  Unlike most tasting menu restaurants, Asta gives tables the freedom to mix and match tasting menus (tip: mix and match to up the variety dial).  I wish I had taken a picture of the menu because you can't find one online given that Asta's menu is constantly changing based on what is in season or what is fresh that week! 

I'm not even going to attempt to recall everything we ate that night but will say that all the dishes were incredibly creative and innovative.  Chef Alex Crabb experiments with flavor pairings that I could not even fathom and executes each dish to absolute perfection.  Our favorite dishes from this meal were the oyster soup (second row, third picture), asparagus salad (third row, third picture), and scallop (first row, third picture).  The big surprises of the night for me were the asparagus salad which I didn't think I would enjoy as much and the cereal dessert which is definitely one of a kind.  With an everchanging menu, Asta can become a fan favorite that you can visit over and over again.

FUN FACT //  Asta stands for Alex and Shish Tasting Adventures (the names of the two founding partners)

DINING TIP //  If you can, opt for more than one type of tasting menu so that you and your friend(s) can try different dishes

DRINK TIP //  If the restaurant has an in-house sommelier, don't be shy about asking for recommendations and a tasting

Asta
47 Massachusetts Avenue
website