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

The Bistro & Wine Bar at Mirbeau

After a most luxurious and relaxing time at Spa Mirbeau, The Bistro & Wine Bar warmly welcomed me for a late Sunday brunch. Opting to be seated outside I settled into a comfortable porch table and ordered a glass of Sancerre ($12); soaking in the afternoon rays of sunshine as they combined with a crisp breeze. Gazing out at the zen pond gardens and vibrant green Japanese bridge, I recognized the inspiration from Claude Monet's Gardens at Giverny. For a moment I was transported back to one of my favorite days on a trip to France in 2009. 

The allure of France continues with the food where I recognize executive chef Stephen Coe's name on the menu, he used to be the chef at Bokx 109 in Newton. 

The hearty French Onion Soup ($10) warns off any hint of a lingering chill. A deeply flavorful broth is loaded with sweet caramelized onions. A thick slice of brioche is cloaked in musty gruyere cheese and dusted with chives. 

Chef sends out his signature appetizer - the Pear and Mascarpone Sacchetti ($10) which I also recognize from Bokx 109.  Sweet juicy pear and creamy mascarpone are tucked neatly into adorable little satchels with moustarda fruid, vincotto and chive fondu. I am delighted that he has continued serve this at Mirbeau!
Following the Sacchetti, a sample of chilled melon soup is refreshing and sweet. The piece de resistance is a Chicken Francaise Sandwich ($12) where supremely crispy skin gives way to tender meat that is layered with sage and honey. On the side, duckfat french fries complete the meal. This wasn't an easy choice though, the entire brunch menu looks stellar.

Mirbeau, you've been good to me. Exceptional, in fact. I'm beyond relaxed and ready to take on the real world again. Merci, beaucoup!!




I was treated to a complimentary "Touch of Class" spa package (choice of one 50-minute massage, facial, or nail treatment with a 3-course lunch) which retails for $200.

Bronwyn | Union Square

In Somerville's Union Square, Bronwyn serves a fresh take on the food and drink of Germany and Eastern Europe. The deeply wooded interior is warm and rustic, bedecked with handcrafted treasures from the region, notably a mash up of tall, regal looking wooden chairs. The biergarten is open now that we've reached the warmer months! 

The girls and I put a serious dent in the menu. I was really impressed with everything we ate and drank. It all felt so original, so refreshing and much needed. In order of appearance.....

Giant Haus Bretzel | spicy horseradish mustard 

Pierogi | haus-made ham & cheddar cheese dumplings, sweet pea relish, mint

Thüringia Pickled Eggs | habanero mustard

Spätzle | classic schwabian pasta, spring ramps, red onion marmalade, comte cheese

Sieben | Citadelle Gin, Cocchi Amaretto, Aperol, Grapefruit, Sparkling Riesling

Smokey Bone | Templeton Rye, Creme Yvette, Green Chartreuse, Jerry Thomas Bitters

Schmaltz | chicken & pork fat, cracklin, pickled onion, rye bread

Okocim Premium Pils Bresko Poland | light, well balanced hops, biscuity flavors

Schnitzel à la Holstein | pork schnitzel, soldier bean ragoût, soft boiled egg, white anchovies, capers

Mini Wurst Plate | Cotechino - pig skin, cinnamon, clove / Currywurst - pork, veal, curry / potatoes, sauerkraut, haus mustard 

Reibekuchen (unpictured, but amazing) | horseradish potato pancakes, rhubarb chutney, dill crème fraîche

Bronwyn

255 Washington St

Somerville, MA 02143

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