dining out, lately

We had nested all we could nest. The nursery was ready. We were ready. My induction was scheduled. We worked hard wrapping up at the office. We also worked hard putting together all the baby gear. And then, we felt like dining out all the time. These were not planned "we must eat out everywhere before baby comes!!" dinners, they were actually somewhat spontaneous outings that happened to mark special prenatal events, plus February's occasions - Valentine's Day, my 35th Birthday and Bob's birthday. [PS how cool that our sons birthday is right in between ours? Pisces Fam!]

I'm glad we took advantage. Postpartum, I've never been so content to be at home 24/7. It's all been so lovely. We're lucky!

Little Big Diner - Newton Centre

When you have a Ramen craving LBD is the best of the best. I enjoyed the very filling Miso Ramen topped with chashu pork, bean sprouts, sweet corn, scallions, nori + an ajitama egg

Metropolis Cafe - South End

Valentine's Day date night. 

Metropolis is a cozy bistro nestled in the heart of the South End on Tremont Street. It has been a neighborhood mainstay for years yet somehow neither of us had been before. The vibe is casual and relaxed while the dimly lit space with comfy booths and window nooks sets the scene for a romantic occasion!

Creative Mediterranean comfort food shines at Metropolis. We were really pleased with our meals. 

Rainbow Trout - stuffed with confit fennel, wilted spinach, preserved lemon + salsa verde

Beetroot + Pear Salad - roasted red beets, Bartlett pear, shaved fennel, Roquefort cheese, toasted hazelnuts, sherry vinaigrette

Veal Scallopini - free range cutlets sauteed with capers, brown butter + cauliflower leek gratin 

Lemon Mousse Tart - raspberries + shaved coconut

Coffee Creme Brulee - with flourless oatmeal chocolate chip cookie

Country Mile - Watertown

35th Birthday Dinner

Country Mile is OUTSTANDING. It is brand new from a husband and wife (chef + front of the house) duo from Vermont. I guarantee you will see it on all the Best of Boston lists in 2019. I wasn't into mocktals throughout my pregnancy but the bartender here does them justice, they are exceptionally crafted and were the price of an actual soda. (Although perhaps this was a birthday deal?!) The group can vouch for the cocktails being fantastic, too. 

I have included a photo of the menu below since four of us shared about half of it. You will literally want every vegetable dish in that first section. I'm still swooning. 

Pictured above:

Curried Mussels + Japanese Eggplant

Gimlet Mocktail

Black Trumpet Mushrooms (see their instagram)

Lomo w cave aged Gruyere

Seared U10 Scallops

Sweet Tomatoes Pizza - West Newton

Lunch Date before my Non Stress Test @ NWH MFM (Maternal Fetal Medicine).
This pizza is some of my favorite around. We had Garlic Spinach + Hawaiian. 

COOK - Newtonville

Dinner date after getting the car seat inspected at the Newton City Police Dept.

Cook is an awesome neighborhood spot for an upscale casual meal. We shared Charred Broccoli with chimmichuri + Sticky Wings in a spicy soy glaze. A classic Burger with cheddar, LTO and crispy french fries hit the spot.

Rice Valley - Newtonville

Dinner date - the classic "lets go for spicy food" meal 

This was the night before my induction (Saturday 2/23). A little spicy never hurt the chances of going into labor naturally, right? 

We don't eat American Chinese food often. Rice Valley has a nice atmosphere to dine out in and the food is average. The Hot and Sour Soup was nice and spicy. We asked for the General Gao's Chicken (labled as spicy) to actually come extra spicy. It did not, even though she assured it would, but it was still a tasty meal. The actual night of my induction (Sunday 2/24) we went for Spicy Buffalo Wings at Buffs Pub right before heading to NWH to get admitted. Talk about going all out. My water broke after one dose of the oral meds (which is considered lucky) so I honestly think the spicy wings helped me out!

Il Casale - Belmont Center

It's Friday 3/1 - I'm 4 days postpartum. I was discharged the day before and Camden was still admitted in the NICU. Bob's birthday was on Wednesday so we decided to take advantage of Camden's excellent care and head out for a birthday date night. We arrived to the warm and bustling converted fire station and grabbed two seats at the bar. I eyed the martinis next to me thinking how good they looked. Suddenly my face lit up. "I can have a drink. I can actually order one of those!" I thoroughly enjoyed my 9 months of sobriety but what a moment. My first postpartum drink: the 60 day cask aged meletti Manhattan made with overholt rye, meletti amaro + amarena cherry. (I had plenty of time in between Cam's next feeding back at NWH.) 

The Buratta Salad was a wondrous portion of field greens, speck from Trentino Alto-Adige + fresh figs. All the pasta is made in house - I had a terrific Cream Mushroom Gnocchetti featuring pickled beachwood mushrooms, charred endive, local carrots + pine nuts. It was our first time to this Il Casale location (I had been to Lexington) and it made for a lovely Friday birthday date night. 

West on Centre - West Roxbury
Cam's still in the NICU and we're still really not up for hanging out at home without him. This was another nice meal out that proved a welcome distraction. I had Pan Seared Sea Scallops in a citrus reduction over butternut squash pure + sauteed garlic spinach with roasted cauliflower. 

This ended up being Camden's last night in the hospital. On our way home we received a call from his nurse that he would likely be discharged the next day. He came home with us on his actual due date, Sunday, March 3rd! He is now 3 weeks old and I've never.been.happier! Being his Mom is the best thing that's ever happened to me, besides meeting his Dad of course!