Townsman x Circle

I hope you all had a Merry Christmas and have fun plans shaping up for the new year! Speaking of, if you're getting together with a big group of friends to ring in 2018, Circle Pay is a new app you should definitely check out!

Circle. They are like Venmo, but way more fun. With an interface built around conversations where you can include GIFs and laughter-filled musings with your cash, it's like texting for money. Plus, faster cash out and designed for unique purposes like splitting checks at restaurants.

Townsman. Chef Matt Jennings chic New England brassiere where food and cocktails are devoured with utter delight. (If you are a regular reader, you know it is one of my go-to spots!)

An intimate group gathered at the convivial high top table fronting the bar, where creative and personalized Circle Pay poem place settings greeted us. Over cocktails + Townsman's signature brown bread with salted maple butter + a three course meal we caught up on life while learning about the app!

Course 1 - Seasonal Farm Minestrone. This piping hot soup served in a chic bowl was so comforting on a cold night, befitting from layers of flavor thanks to an herbed pistou. Additionally, I loved the swap in of nutty farro for pasta.

Circle fun fact #1 - No fees! No fees for sending money across border / between currencies + no fees for instant cash outs.

Course 2 - Char-Grilled Steak. The medium rare strip was tender with a rich char - another terrific cold weather dish complemented by savory roasted fingerlings and tons of braised greens over a sweet puree of butternut squash.

Circle fun fact #2 - Your money is insured. All deposits held in Circle Pay are FDIC insured up to $250k.

Chocolate Pecan Tart. The perfect personal sized tart with an equal sized scoop of luscious maple ice cream. 

Circle fun fact #3 - Group Payments. Zip money around in a group chat with up to 20 people. 

Cocktail - Senor Picante. I love when cocktails advertised as spicy actually deliver the heat! This one has tequila, sherry, fresno, grapefruit and guajillo salt.

Circle fun fact #4 - Events. You can set up an event page to collect money from a larger audience, such as fundraising for a marathon or a charity collection. I know so many of you would benefit from something like this!! (But if not, there will always be the hilarious feature that is GIPHY!)

Interested?! Sign up right this way...

This dinner was complimentary and I was compensated for my time. 

All opinions are my own. 

Townsman

120 Kingston Street

Boston, MA 02111

TurnGram

What's your life looking like lately? My holiday wish is that it's all the fun you are having celebrating with friends and family, perhaps an exciting trip you are taking, or maybe it's quality time with your new puppy or your newborn baby. Whatever joys and accomplishments you are experiencing, undoubtedly taking photos along the way; that good old Instagram post is sure to follow. If you're like me, it seems that daunting task of print photos sit unchecked on the to do list for months at a time, or maybe doesn't even make it on your to do list at all.

Presenting TurnGram - your personal photo concierge. TurnGram is a service which will select your photos based on instructions you provide, then professionally edit and deliver them on a monthly basis. Signing up is a simple process where right now you can choose from two options - 1 photo per month for $3.99 or 5 photos per month for $4.99, and your first month is always free. 

TurnGram also make great gifts. You might have one account but multiple 'grams - think about sending them to your parents + grandparents, too. (Need a last minute Christmas gift? It's certainly not too late!) 

There really shouldn't be a question these days as to whether you need a personal photo concierge, you definitely just do!
I am receiving 3 months of complimentary TurnGrams in exchange for my honest review. I genuinely love this service and think you will too.

what's good | Amaro Montenegro, Posto Mobile + more

I am big on roundups and it has been awhile since I posted one! 

I like to highlight favorite spots I'm visiting again and again, or restaurants, dishes, drinks and brands that made a lasting impression. Enjoy!

 Acai Bowl @ Energize

True to its name this blog focuses on boozy drinks and indulgent food. But I am a big smoothie bowl and fresh squeezed juice fan, too! Energize in Oak Square, Brighton is my favorite neighborhood juice bar for a delicious, healthy and beautifully presented smoothie bowl. 

Juices + Smoothies @ Thirst Juice Co.

When I'm working downtown my go to juice bar is Thirst. Pictured is the Buddhabeet Juice made with beet, carrot, pear, pineapple + ginger. This is a perfect afternoon thirst quenching pick me up!

Fried Burrata @ Brighton Bodega

On our first visit to the new bodega the Fried Burrata took center stage - comforting, luscious, crispy and bathing in a savory tomato sauce. The other dishes were just so-so compared. On our second visit I was much more impressed with our dishes. With an on trend neighborhood vibe and a solid house cocktail list + 20 thoughtfully selected beers on draft, I am so thrilled Brighton Bodega has made a home in Brighton Center! Look for a full post on this place soon.

Negroni @ Townsman

...from healthy red juice to my favorite red cocktail! Townsman's Negroni or some variation of the classic usually graces their menu and always hits the spot. 

Thai Tuna Maki @ Hillstone 

Hillstone is an upscale chain restaurant in Faneuil Hall. I enjoyed hanging out at their polished subterranean bar and was surprised to see maki rolls on the menu. The Thai Tuna ($16) is eight squares with cubes of fresh tuna, avocado, a spicy thai sauce and macadamia nuts.

Amaro Montenegro @ Alibi

Amaro is an Italian herbal liquor that has for awhile been my go to digestif. I have been using it frequently to craft a delicious variation on the Manhattan. You probably drink amaro in cocktails all the time and don't even realize it! 

A collision of sharp sweetness blunted by potent alcohol, an understated bitterness, scents of flowers and spices, I love it so! There are lots of brands out there but Lucano, Averna and Montenegro are my three favorites. Alibi at The Liberty Hotel hosted an amazing evening last month called "Montenegro Nights" where they transformed the heat lamp lit patio into a Montenegro shrine and even had a tattoo artist giving (fake) Montenegro bottle tattoos, reaffirming my adoration for the brand!

Authentic Neopolitan Pizza @ Posto Mobile

I haven't featured a food truck in awhile but I eat lunch at them all the time. Posto Mobile wood fired pizza is ridiculously good. Pictured is the Soppressata - namesake spicy pork salumi, mozzarella, Tuscan peppers, oregano, parmesan + arugula.

House Featured Manhattan @ Troquet on South

This my friends is what a $17 Manhattan looks like. It is made with mad river burnt rock bourbon, sweet vermouth, barrel aged bitters + cherries. I love cozying up to the intimate + sophisticated French Bistro that is Troquet on South.

Where have you been eating + drinking lately? What are some dishes I must try around town?!

Shōjō | Chinatown

Shōjō is one of my favorite restaurants. A Chinatown mainstay dishing offbeat takes on modern Asian fare in a funky space painted with elaborate murals, you absolutely have to go and get all of the lust worthy dishes and Japanese cocktails you can manage!!

Originally I had Shōjō on the docket in my latest and greatest round up post but then, I've done that before! So that did not seem fair. I think doing favorites justice in a full post is too much (self-inflicted) pressure to write well. Deep breaths. Just show the food.

To drink Bob and I love the Yakuza Old Fashioned featuring Nikka coffee grain whiskey, bitter caramel + angostura.

Pork Belly Dumplings ($15) bathe in a sake hoisin with cilantro, radish, and jalapeno

The Shojinator ($7) is their burger! A hamburger patty with smoked bacon and kimcheese is sandwiched on a house steamed bun. Please note KIMCHEESE.

Chicken + Waffles v3.0 ($16) features juicy thighs on a Hong Kong waffle (so on point!) with five-spice butter and sizurrp. 

Suckling Pig Bao with smoked bbq sauce, kimchi and pickled cucumbers is tender, juicy, crispy + fluffy. A perfectly done bao!

In conclusion Fried Chicken + Waffles v 3.0 / The Shojinator / Dumplings / Bao / run to Chinatown, visit Shōjō and let me know if you love as much as Bob and I do!

Shōjō

9A Tyler Street

Boston, MA 02111

Cheeky Monkey Brewery

 There are SO MANY NEW SPOTS in Boston. Have there always been this many new restaurants? Or is it because I am so busy planning a wedding and this upcoming winters ski trips (come on snow!!) that I can't keep up?

In new happenings on Lansdowne street, may I introduce Cheeky Monkey Brewery meets a revamped Lucky Strike Social. A shiny new energetic brew pub offering house and guest beers, plus shuffleboard, billiards, ping pong and an eclectic, entertaining, (why yes an incredibly cheeky!) array of monkey decor and light-bulb sinage is now joined with an energetic, super fun Lucky Strike bar and arcade. After a ping pong game and sampling the globally inspired fare downstairs, we headed up to play arcade games for hours on end while sipping Double Play IPA and Monkey Business Amber. What a great addition to the Fenway Neighborhood!

Cheeky Monkey

3 Lansdowne Street

Boston, MA 02215