A Little Gem in the North End

Ted and I have been to L'Osteria a couple of times before, recommended to us on a summer's day sitting at a bar by the harbor in Boston.  We started to chat with the couple next to us, who highly recommended this North End restaurant located on Salem St, the "road less traveled" compared to Hanover St which is wildly popular with tourists and known for hot spots such as Strega,  Mike's Pastry, and our late night favorite Cafe Pompeii.  We went with another couple last night before a Celtics game.  Luckily, I discovered that they took reservations via their own website, we hadn't known this the last two times and were content to wait among the crowd.  I wasnt sure we even needed the reservation for a Wed night at 6pm, but sure enough after we got seated, the place filled up quickly, looked like everyone else had the same idea.  This is a "no frills" North End restaurant, very noisy, an accordian player roams the room, tight seating, and the closest restroom is downstairs.  I was having some minor anxiety and anticipation as I havent had any wine in nearly three months, and wasnt sure how I would handle my first glass.  I got the house Merlot which was truly delicious and balanced, plummy, as a merlot should be.  Striving to make this the "best year of Elaine"...i skipped an appetizer, we all did, and just stuck with our entrees.  I considered the linguine with shrimps and scallops or calamari in a light marinara sauce.  But then the waiter read the specials..."Seafood Risotto...shrimp, scallops and Calamari"  I was done for.  I am a huge fan of risotto, love the creamy texture of the rice.  Rissotto can go eiher way...can be extremely cheesy or more broth based, but either way incorporates butter for sure.  Awaiting my punishment, I decided I wouldn't obsess and beat myself up which would only take the pleasure away from my dining experience.  When the dish arrived, I was pleased to find out it was more the broth variety, white wine, garlic, and with a light tomatoe sauce mixed in.  The seafood was super fresh and tasty....portion plenty big everyone got a taste and Ted finished my scraps.  Ted got a simple buttered tortellini, which was "simply" wonderful.  My friends went for two house specials, the veal braciole which was in an unbelievable creamy tomatoe vodka sauce, and the chicken pescatore again in a delicious tomatoe sauce served with shrimp, both came with sides of pasta.   We graduated to a bottle of red wine from Napa Valley, dry and fullbodied, and enjoyed a delicious meal together.  At that point, we gave into the experience and decided to each order a cannoli, house made, fresh ricotta, served just as is, no sauce, no chips, no nuts, just the shell and super creamy ricotta...it was worth me declaring I would give up my traditional weekend dessert for.  So, Ted just needs to enforce that with me because I know I may get weak and try to sneak another one in ;)  All I can say is, WOW for a Wednesday night dinner!

Not to knock the wonderful restaurants on Hanover St, but I think the restaurants on Salem Street are geared more to the locals and less to the tourists.  The prices are a good $5-$10 less an entree.  The bottle of wine we ordered was $36 and was fantastic, whereas we may have been persuaded to buy a $50 of wine elsewhere.  I was surprised and pleased to find out another restaurant we like on Salem Street, called La Galleria 33, is also owned by the L'Osteria crew.  We chatted up some customers seating behind us at dinner who also gave La Galleria their full endorsement, though they love to go to L'Osteria and are frequent customers.   Safe to say, wont be the last time we will go there.  Check it out next time you are looking for an authentic, no frills, North End experience.

Early Spring day trip to Newburyport

Well, to catch you all up, I've been nearly a shut in since January, so getting out and about now has a whole new meaning!  Now that I can actually walk for more than 20 minutes at a time, I was itching to take a day trip a couple of weeks ago.  Ted and I didnt have much time but we left from NH at 3:30pm on a Saturday and rode over to Newburyport.  The weather was cool but sunny, and the drive was very scenic.  We first rode over to Plum Island, but no beach walking...there was a high level of bacteria alert so they closed all the beaches.  I absolutely love to walk on the beach in the Winter, as strange as that sounds, if the weather is tolerable, its not only good exercise, but wonderful to get in that sea air without the usual summer commotion while walking.  Its very peaceful and I highly recommend it.  In Newburyport, we made our way over to the Black Cow Grille.  Its towards the water close to the center of town, you have to look for it, its not on the main street...its close to Michael's.  Their bar is wonderful, cozy, romantic, fun....all tied up together.  We went light because we were meeting friends for dinner, but we enjoyed the PEI Mussels, so delicious, with a little bread.  Ted also got their clam chowder, very thick, creamy, he swears they put cheese in it, I took a couple of bites, it was really really rich.   There is a fireplace in the bar if you are lucky enough to get the corner table.  In the summer, they have a deck with seating.  The whole menu looks wonderful, I cant wait to go again in better weather for more exploring and snacking!

The World of W - A weekend in Boston

Our postponed Valentine's day celebration happened first weekend of March, we used our Starwood points for a free night at the W hotel in Boston.  In all my years of travel, I've never stayed at a W, but have heard wonderful things about the franchise.  We started our journey at the jewelers building in Downtown Crossing, Boston, at Gartigannis Jewelers, to buy a cross for my soon to be Godson.  Beautiful selection of all kinds of crossings, if you are ever in need, and for my fellow Greeks, they had beautiful byzantine and jeweled crosses at very good prices, best I've seen since being in Greece.  We made a detour to China town, a quick walk from where we were, and I've never eaten there before, believe it or not.  We went to New Golden Gate, shared the seafood Udon noodles...four people could have eaten this dish, it was amazing and lights, and we both got small soups, I had a hot and sour which was perfect for my oncoming cold, and Ted got the wonton soup, the wontons looked like they were freshly made, and they were loaded.  The whole meal with soda and tea, plus tip cost us $16, I couldnt get over the quantity and quality for the price!

Checking into the W, it was very modern and boutique-y, which is what I expected.  Our room was superb...#1427, I would request it upon return, king size bed, surrounded by windows with a city view, european style bathroom and there was a small work desk as well. Sitting on the bed and surrounded by that view, it was hypnotic.  We decided to try out the lounge in the lobby for drinks and a pre-dinner appetizer.  I will warn you, after 6pm, the lounge is "the" place to be and be seen.  I'll get to more of that later.  We had the endamame appetizer, created by the chefs in their award winning restaurant Market, it had chili oil and parmesean cheese, it was delicious and light in keeping (or trying to) with my Weight Watchers diet.  There were wonderful mini selections to choose from, you could literally get full order appetizers and drinks and just enjoying the scene at the lounge.  We took a window seat but they have couches by a fire place which looked very cozy too. 

We made reservations at Vlora Restaurant in the Backbay.  It was really authentic meditteranean cuisine.  We started with the grilled octopus, which can be hard to find in general other than when you are in Greece.  It was definitely frozen, but still they prepared it delicious with lemon and oil.  The Shrimp Saganaki was tasty as well, and the Village Salad was very authentic - i hate Greek places that put carrots in their greek salad...that is not authentic!  They thankfully stuck to the classic ingredients - tomatoe, onion, feta, cucumber, olives, hallelujah!  Ted got the haddock wrapped in filo, I got the classic chicken souvlaki...prepared just like in Greece, small pieces on two long skewers, with string beans and rice - we both enjoyed our meals tremendously.  Skipped dessert, headed back to the W to see if Ted could get a dessert at Market.

Getting back to the hotel, there was a huge crowd and line waiting to get into the hotel lounge...unbelievable!  We managed to get two seats at the bar in Market, Ted had cheesecake, from what I tasted, it was outstanding, fresh, and well worth the calories!

Definitely make a detour to the lounge at the W next time your travels take you to Boston, great atmosphere, and if you are fortunate enough to spend the night, this is a great place to do so!

Its been a while...and I still think of Rob

Hi,  Its been too long since me or Andrea have posted.  We are going to try to expand our blog a bit, be sure to come back for food tips, restaurant and resort reviews, travel commentary, and comments about life in general.  Stay tuned!!
After a bout of various health issues, I've decided to make 2011 and my soon to be 40th year of life my healthiest ever.  I'm on Weight Watchers now and doing well, but rest assured, still enjoying food and life in abundance.  I'm trying to be more creative, and keep up with my writing...the blog helps with that.  I was recently re-energized by an article I read in Vanity Fair.  Yes, I'm still a Twilight fan and still madly inlove with my husband, and his name did not change to Rob.  But Robert Pattinson, RPatz, "Edward", however you may want to think of him, he inspires me in many ways.  He is multi talented, actor, songwriter, singer (though I dont care for his singing voice), and now he is even working on screenplays.  Eventually when I finish my never ending novel, I may even ask him to help me cast my movie, ofcourse after my book is #1 on the NY Times best seller list, the movie deals will come pouring in!! ;)   Robert's breakout role in Twilight really inspired me to tap back into my creative juices.  Work, chores, TV, life in general can get in the way of being creative, it becomes downright hard to work on a hobby as you grow older unless you somehow incorporate it as part of your daily schedule, like exercise.  I envy my friend Marcus who sings for a living, he is currently getting his Doctorate, he travels, performs, and does what he loves every day, though I'm sure not without its challenges, I'm sure its not all roses, but to truly work on your passion, what you enjoy in life, must be amazing.  I digress...

The Vanity Fair article was about Rob, who is promoting Water For Elephants, which I will go see when its released in April.  It was yet another article describing him as shy, someone whose fame found him when he wasnt looking for all the perks of having screaming hoards of fans and being stalked in every aspect of his life.  Someone who just wants to practice his craft in piece and without media speculation of his every move.  But you know what, I got annoyed with him a bit reading this article.  I'd love for him to get the focus away from his disappointment with fame, and talk about how much appreciates getting to where he is, where he wants his career to take him now that he got his foot into a door that so many actors get slammed into when trying to enter.  Listen, we get it Rob, your life has changed and its not all great to lose your privacy, but fame comes because of fans in a way...they are the ones who will contribute to your success, increase your box office sales, insure your popularity that studios will want to work with you.  So if you have to pose for pictures, sign autographs, have your dinner or vacation interuppted at times, you should be so grateful for that recognition in so many ways.  I think that is the trade off and you just need to accept it and certainly find a balance as I think many super celebrities do, look at a Brad Pitt and Johnny Depp, you dont see them complaining as such in every article.  And perhaps the reporters are just putting too much focus on your disinterest with the public, and you are not wallowing in it as it seems, but you need to change that so they focus on what makes you so talented, and the pleasure of being able to do something creative as your career, something that you certainly connect so well with and have a passion for.  Next time you feel sorry for yourself,  think of us poor schmucks sitting behind a desk, only dreaming of the opportunities afforded to you through your fame.  Rob, I say this with just as much admiration, love and respect as I had for you from the first movie I saw you in, I'm "bothered" but still a huge fan.  So please for me, for us fans who look forward to seeing where your talent will take you, less self pity, and more embracing of a career you are so very suited for, okay?  Just had to put my two cents in....

With that, I will practice what I preach, and lets not pity ourselves for the time we don't have to be creative, but embrace the time we do, and I will try to make something of my desire to write more and get the novel done, soon, I hope, something to look forward to as I embark on the "transformed Elaine" for 2011!!

Oh Mickey your so fine

This is more of a lifestyle commentary than a food review or adventure in eating.  Have you seen 9 1/2 weeks?  Mickey Rourke, unrecognizable now from his younger days....a feast for the senses, quite a movie.  But I love how they immerse the film in the NY atmosphere, the people, the street vendors, you can almost smell the city..and though the movie is an adventure in sensuality, its a comment on living life beyond borders, indulging and experiencing.  I dont think even with age we ever get tired of trying a new experience, or setting ourselves up for a new adventure...but you need to go for it, and have the mindset to know you can stretch your perceived limits.  I get sad watching 9 1/2 weeks  now, seeing how handsome Mickey was, though he is just as talented today as shown in The Wrestler, but without his pretty boy looks, his potential is more limited.  Alas, I'm forever a fan.

Smaller portions need taste

Tapas is a very good example of small plates with interesting flavors, that keep you engaged and not wondering about topping it off with a hot fudge sundae.  I havent been in while to present a fresh review, but Dali in Cambridge, MA is fantastic.  Teddy and I went to Cava in Portsmouth, NH for Valentines Day and it was tremendous.  Expensive but good and "hearty" small plates.  Locally, we like to go to TBones for their "just right bites" (Bedford, NH), their pub version of small plates, tonight I had a whole grain flat bread bowl with grilled chicken, salad greens, olives and light cheese, with only fresh salsa as the dressing.  I had forgotten how wonderful salsa can be as a salad dressing substitute, fat free too and full of flavor.  Less succesful is Z bar on Elm Street in Manchester, small portions with high prices that are not justified, quality is so so, not my cup of tea.  Many restaurants are promoting smaller portions or healthier versions of their popular dishes, and me personally always likes to give them a try, considering we are considered the land of obese citizens, plus when your tummy starts to look like a mini mountain when you are lying down, I think its time to cut back! 

Its been a while - North End dining

Not only has it been a while since I posted, but we had our first dinner of the summer season in the North End-Boston last Friday.  We went to La Galleria 33 on Salem Street.   I love the restaurants on Salem Street, they seem to be about $5-10 cheaper a dish than Hanover Street and just as delicious.  We had been loving L'Osteria but we were a party of 7 tonight so not sure of the crowd on the streets, we went with La Galleria based on their willingness to take a reservation which can be rare in the North End.  They also had a decent variety on their menu, and rave reviews from fellow diners which I always look for when trying a new place.  I will preface this review with DONT order the salmon and vodka pasta.  It was smoked, and the flavor not all that pleasing, the two people who ate it, including Teddy, were not quite pleased with the dish.  I tasted it for freshness, and it wasnt very pleasing.  Having said that, the five remaining diners really enjoyed their meals, and we also shared an antipasto platter....at $16.95 for 7 people, it fed us all and was well worth it.  I had the Galleria stuffed chicken - mushrooms, fontina cheese, ham, a light lemon butter wine reduction sauce made it DEYUMMISH - truly DEYUMMISH, I have to say, even the side of linguine tasted like they churned it on the premises, with a simple tomato sauce.  A hearty dish at $21.95.  Our friend Neills enjoyed his dinner from the grill, a chicken and vegetables all looking quite fresh.  I noticed a shrimp scampi type dish that looked fantastic with large shrimps which you dont always find.  I cant remember what Lisa ate but she said it was excellent, and I believe it...we were all so quiet at dinner, which is a good sign that meals were being enjoyed.  Avoid the salmon, and I think you will agree this is a hidden gem in the North End.