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

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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

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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
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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

winter at ArtBar

| 1 | Botany Bay, square one, drambuie, amaro bitters, elemakule tiki bitters, grapefruit 

| 2 | All Natural Meatballs, harissa tomato sauce, stone ground polenta, crumbled feta 

| 3 | Winter Froth, spiced rum, egg white, ginger simple, lemon, balsamic vinegar

| 4 | Lentil Fritters, curried mushroom ragu, tzatiki  

| 5 | Rocket Greens, golden raisins, whipped ricotta, pine nut brittle

| 6 | Charred Octopus, chorizo vinaigrette, butterscotch beans, spiced carrot puree 

| 7 |  Winter Vegetable Stew, roasted farro, butternut squash, pesto aioli 

| 8 | #5, house espresso-infused bourbon, amaretto, campari, mole bitters 

| 9 | Georges Bank Scallops, roasted beets, quinoa and bacon salad  

| 10 | Duck Breast, confit of duck leg ragu, sweet potato gnocchi, pomegranate, red chili jus 

| 11 | Tom & Jerry, coronet brandy, egg, demerara, nutmeg, spiced rum, steamed milk 

| 12 | Moroccan Bastilla, saffron ice Cream, honey winter spice flower water

| 13 | Blue Cheese and Cranberry Strudel, fall fruit compote and pomegranate coulis

The other night I got to sample the new winter menu at ArtBar. The bar program here is outstanding and the food really something special. Between the two of us, Amanda and I drank six excellent and interesting cocktails, and still there were so many more that looked appealing. The use of balsamic vinegar in the Winter Froth ($11) was pretty fantastic, giving a tart zing to contrasting ingredients of egg white and spiced rum.  Another gem proves to be the #5 ($11) where an awesome espresso infused bourbon blends with campari and amarretto for equally bitter, sweet and nutty flavors. 

The chef sent out his favorite dishes and after eating our way through 10 or so plates, nearly ever single one I would order again. The cast iron skillet of Meatballs ($10) were a highlight among the starters, flavorful and moist with hearty polenta and thick cubes of tangy feta cheese. The Charred Octopus ($13) was also particularly tasty. The Winter Vegetable Stew ($18) and Seared Scallops ($27) alike were outstanding, the former boasting chewy farro and impossibly tender butternut squash drizzled in a creamy pesto aioli, the latter nicely seared complimenting golden beets and plump pearls of quinoa. The Duck Breast ($25) and accompanying confit ragu were both perfectly executed, the entire dish comes together really well with the chewy sweet potato gnocci and juicy pomegranate. As far as desserts are concerned, pick the Strudel! Overall it was all about the the repertoire of drinks and hearty entrees that stood out at ArtBar on this freezing winter evening.

*this tasting was complimentary, all opinions are my own* 

an evening on battery wharf

Every time I visit Aragosta at the Fairmont Battery Wharf I am embraced by company offering a genuine warmth and hospitality. Granted, in this instance I'm here for a blogger focused party, but if you've ever stayed at a Fairmont Hotel you likely understand what I'm talking about. I am further impressed by the menu at Aragosta Bar & Bistro where their cocktail offerings keep old favorites and experiment with new creations. The food menu echoes much of the same ideals, Chef David Daniels admirably balances the why-mess-with-a-good-thing dishes in with fresh faced menu items. 

Cocktail not to miss: The Pisco Sour ($13) Bar Sol Pisco, a touch of lime, frothy egg whites and a swirl of angostura bitters

Solid starter: Watermelon and Feta Salad ($12)

Appetizer to splurge on: Ahi Tuna Flatbread ($21) thinly sliced vine ripe tomatoes, arugula leaves, truffle mayo, Parmesan

New entrees: Seared Sea Bass ($29) white bean polenta | Seared Georges Bank Scallops ($29) short rib farro, fig butter

DIY dessert: S'mores on the outdoor fire pit!

The Blue Room

My recent bachelorette party dinner at The Blue Room felt like discovering a hidden gem in Kendall Square. While they have attracted a crowd of regulars for 20 years now, the Blue Room dates back to when this area was rather desolate from a culinary perspective. 

On their subterranean patio embodying a rustic elegance flanked with a mash up of large blue flower pots and surrounded by eclectic greenery; the ladies and I were treated to impeccable service and polished, thoughtfully prepared dishes. 

From the first taste of a luscious Cava Rosato paired with a terrific rendition of tangy, creamy cheese stuffed gougeres, to the addicting bite size rounds of crispy seared blood sausage served with Txtakoli, a sparkling wine from the Basque region of Spain (takes me right back to San Sebastian!) to a chilled tomato basil soup that embodied summer evening comfort, each gesture delighted and spoke to their hospitable nature and knowledge of food and wine pairings. These starters were sent out with the chefs compliments. 

We ordered two appetizers beginning with the One Perfect Cheese ($9) accompanied by a house made rhubarb confiture and delicate crostini drizzled in olive oil. The Wood Grilled Octopus and Squid ($13) truly raised the bar on a favorite delicacy by pairing tender, lightly charred coils with a zesty aioli, red onion agrodolce, black olive oil and fingerling potato chips. At this point we've gotten into a bottle of Cremant de Loire Rose ($42) the non stop flow of pink bubbly a beautiful thing! (so tipsy now! See the afternoons festivities here and here.) 

My entrée of Buttered Farro ($19) was a generous portion with wild Berkshire ramps and pistachios matched with a deliciously runny soft poached egg. We ordered the Chocolate Terrine ($10) with rosemary ice cream, salted pistachios and olive oil caramel for dessert. Chef also sent out a trio of fruit infused sweets - a Blood Orange Parfait, Lemon Panna Cotta and Berry Sorbet. We paired the grand finale with an espresso each and bid our outstanding waitress and lovely patio spot farewell as we made our way over to Naga in Central Square. Commence: the dancing portion of the evening. 

The Blue Room provided a truly memorable celebratory meal. That being said, this is not the type of place you need save for a special occasion to visit. Fairly priced with gracious hospitality in a sophisticated meets fun atmosphere, it is the type of place you will want to visit often and again. 

The Blue Room

1 Kendall Square

Cambridge, MA 02139