c h e e r s | best bars

hipster haunt: The Automatic | 15 Hampshire St | Kendall Square | get the MUDSLIDE.

Best in Brighton: Brighton Bodega | 328 Washington St | REDRUM (Tiki) ($14)- Hibiscus Rum/triple sec/oleo/orgeat/lime

when the weather turns warm: The Barking Crab | 88 Sleeper St | Seaport District | Sangria was great!

when in DTX: The Marliave | 11 Bosworth | The Great Experiment ($12)

Hendricks Gin/mint/lemon/orange/cucumber

Brighton Bodega

Here today with a compilation of dishes I've had at one of my favorite spots: Brighton Bodega. 

A wealth of variety is offered through globally inspired small plates which are filling and big on flavor. The beverage program is impeccable with 20 draft lines host to some of the best New England craft beers, a seasonally focused cocktail menu with house made sodas and syrups, and eclectic, boutique driven wines. 

in order (mostly!)

The Bohdi Tree - plymouth gin, matcha tea syrup, cucumber, lime + eucalyptus bitters, mint

goat cheese stuffed dates with almond za'atar and apricot honey 

smoked salmon carbonara

fresh, briny, perfectly shucked oysters

black truffle gnocchi mac n cheese (S U B L I M E)

fried burrata in San Marzano Marinara (H E A V E N)

warm fluffy bao stuffed to the brim with fried chicken, lettuce and pickles

Korean BBQ Kalbi short ribs 

more warm fluffy bao this time with crispy duck confit bathed in hoi-sin

spicy chicken drumettes

Located in Brighton Center, this spot has felt like a neighborhood godsend since it opened. 

Brighton Bodega

328 Washington St

Brighton, MA 02135

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?!

Post 390 Picnic Basket

Post 390 Picnic Baskets are where it's at this September. The sun is still shining after you get out of the office, but those sweltering July and August days are well behind. Schedule a basket with an hour lead time to pick up after work - then wander over to Copley Square, the Esplanade or the Public Garden. We headed to our end of the Charles River Esplanade in Brighton. (The light was so insanely beautiful that I decided to channel my inner fashion blogger modeling with my cute little picnic basket!) Here's what's in it: 

/ Salad of Artisan Lettuces / candied pecans, dried cranberries, manchego, white balsamic vinaigrette 

/ Antipasto / prosciutto americano, sweet soppressata, marinated mozzarella, pickles, stout mustard, banana peppers, toasted baguette with sea salt  

/ Mini Chocolate Chip Cookies / soft + chewy 

/ Meyer + Tarragon Sparkling Lemonade / meyer lemon juice, tarragon, black peppercorn

All the food was delicious, however, that lemonade was my favorite! Everything was thoughtfully prepared and securely packaged, which in turn made for convenient unpacking and laying out a lovely spread with ease. The wooden utensils were a thoughtful touch, too. There are a couple different menu options - check them out here and let me know if you try one! 

*This picnic basket was complimentary, all opinions are my own*

local eats | allston + brighton

I moved to Newton back in August (!!) to the Newton Corner neighborhood that is just a few blocks from Oak Square in Brighton. It is the burbs in a very light sense. I have been to all of these spots prior to the move in with Bob - but I figured now was as good a time as any to share where we like to go in the city neighborhoods of Allston and Brighton. (A post on Newton eats is coming soon!)

Deep Ellum | Allston

I like this spot very much. On a most recent visit seated on the cozy back patio under lush greenery we ate a Swissbakers Fresh Pretzel ($6), the Farro Risotto ($14) with corn succotash, goat cheese and fiddleheads and the Chicken 2 Ways ($16) with smoked andouille sausage, confit thigh, cheese grits, braised collard greens and peach relish. It was an excellent meal. We were taking the 57 bus home and it's a convenient stop along the route!

Deep Ellum

477 Cambridge Street 

Allston, MA 02134

~

Devlin's | Brighton Center

Their back patio is huge - sprawling and sun-drenched; definitely a nice neighborhood spot. The Banana Bread French Toast was the winning dish on this visit! 

Devlin's

332 Washington St

Brighton, MA 02135

~

The Breakfast Club | Allston

A retro 80's themed diner playing all 80's music, the Breakfast Club is a staple in our brunch rotation and one not to miss!

The Breakfast Club
270 Western Ave
Allston, MA 02134
~

Thai North | Oak Square

Thai North is more than just a neighborhood staple + go-to take out spot. It should be considered a destination for excellent Thai food. My pictures are not doing justice but the ones in Jen's post do!

Above are some dishes from the Northern Thai chalkboard menu: Northern Burmese Curry [chicken in a peanut ginger pineapple stew] and Chaingmai Rice Vermicelli [ground pork, shredded cabbage, pickled green mustard]. Amazing. We are really lucky to live close by!

Thai North

433 Faneuil Street

Brighton, MA 02135