Brio Tuscan Grille

I had been curious about Brio Tuscan Grille ever since I noticed last year they had moved into The Shops at Chestnut Hill. A couple weeks ago we had a really nice time dining with them. Although I've never been to Tuscany, the space somehow feels like I'd expect a Tuscan Villa to - grand molded archways with roman columns and sweeping gauzy curtains with marbled accent walls and tabletops. The afternoon summer light streaming in through the wrap around terrace. An expansive dining room boasts leather meets upholstered booths and tables are set in crisp white linens. 

We started our meal in classic Italian fashion - a round loaf of bread still warm and crusty from the oven and an olive oil plate with all the parmesan, crushed red pepper and balsamic. Brio's Burrata and Ciabatta ($10.95) appetizer is a near perfect rendition. They pair the soft, milky cheese with a hearty roasted tomato dip and plenty of lightly toasted ciabatta. I liked the presentation on a wooden board over an Italian newspaper placemat. The Calamari Fritto Misto ($11.95) is a heavily breaded and crispy version that would do well for a big party each having a couple bites. It was too much as a second appetizer for two people and had us filling up fast! Little did we know how massive the entrees would be...

From the Tuscan grille Bob had the New Zealand raised Lamb Chops Double Cut ($29.95) which were nicely cooked, with a side of the lust worthy Fingerling Potatoes Brio. Those fork tender fingerlings coated in an ethereal special sauce served in a mini cast iron skillet are a must order! Despite being overwhelmed by the serving portion of my Chicken Limone ($21.95) I loved it (especially for lunch not one but two days in a row!) The chicken is prepared traditional picatta style and served with lemon, capers, haricot vert and mashed potatoes in a flavorful lemon and herb sauce. 

As far as desserts are concerned, their Flourless Chocolate Torte ($6.95) misses the mark with a wedge of unremarkable chocolate and an olive oil gelato. The texture of the cake was off and the gelato was missing a creaminess to it - that special note that sets good gelatos apart. The Caramel Mascarpone Cheesecake ($3.95) with anglaise sauce and whipped creme was the better choice. That said, with large portions of hearty starters and entrees, you'll likely be too full anyways!

Brio Tuscan Grille

200 Boylston Street
Chestnut Hill, MA 02467

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

Hei La Moon | Chinatown

Co-workers and I have been frequenting Hei La Moon for Dim Sum lunches for as long as our company building has been downtown (three years now!) We'll introduce newbies, bid farewell to those moving on, or we'll straight up satisfy a craving for the insanely good Chinese food only those rolling carts can deliver. I've actually never photographed a Dim Sum lunch! But I felt the need to preface my first dinner here with the background for my deep running affections.

Last Friday four of us gathered at my favorite wine bar, Les Zygomates. We lingered over funky glasses of wine, $1 oysters and live Jazz at before wandering over to Chinatown and deciding on Hei La Moon. Dinner at this Dim Sum emporium is just as fantastic as the aforementioned midday feast. There's no carts rolling at the later hours, but they continue to offer the dim sum menu in addition to the classic Chinese dishes you crave. There was crab Rangoon, scallion pancakes, steamed roast pork buns, general Gao's, pork fried rice and sizzling chicken in black bean sauce, washed down with magic tea and TsingTaos. This is what my perfect Friday-after-work evening in Boston looks like.

Hei La Moon

88 Beach Street

Boston, MA 02111

Not Your Average Joe's | Waltham

Not Your Average Joe's is a popular local chain which recently opened its 24th location! Last week they had a group of us in for dinner at the new Waltham location and I was thoroughly impressed. Buzzing with a convivial energy; the modern-industrial and open concept space from the swanky bar made of fossilized oyster shells, to the expansive dining room appointed with chic aqua booths, to the open kitchen firing out first rate dishes, NYAJ's Waltham was a scene I was happy to be a part of. Their patio firepits were a blaze, even though the chilly weather kept patrons indoors. 

After a spirited tour of the new restaurant - including the kitchen and walk in fridge, Joe's famous Foccacia bread kicked off the meal alongside well made and affordable cocktails. I enjoyed a gently stirred Bourbon Smash ($10) with Elijah Craig small batch Kentucky bourbon, agave nectar, muddled lemon and mint. Next, A Cranberry Daiquiri ($9) in an elegant coupe glass hits the spot. Served up with Privateer Silver rum, cranberry simple syrup and fresh squeezed lime, it was tart and refreshing, not to mention a strikingly gorgeous red color.

Joe's specializes in creative, casual American cuisine and all the dishes are made from scratch. We shared a number of their popular appetizers beginning with the Deviled Eggs ($7) which were zesty and crunchy, thanks to the addition of sriracha, togarashi spice and a topping of crushed Cape Cod potato chips. The addictive Buffalo Carribean Chicken Tenders ($10) are hand breaded and tossed in a sweet and spicy mango-buffalo-bbq sauce. Finally, Mango Shrimp Rolls ($9) are light, crisp and flavorful with sweet-chili poached shrimp, mango, cucumber, mint, cilantro and rice noodles, complimented by a tangy peanut dipping sauce.

The Butternut Squash Flatbread ($10) is worthy as a starter or main course with shaved brussels sprouts, caramelized onions, smoked mozzarella, a balsamic reduction and an inventive sage-pecan pesto. Grilled chicken is tossed with quinoa, green apples, pistachios, avocado, spinach, mint, cilantro and and orange-sesame dressing in the appropriately named Super Crunch Salad ($15). It was legitimately the crispest, most delicious salad ever, even as next day leftovers. 

 

The dishes above represent about half of what was served to us this evening. (I actually ended up taking home three meals worth of leftovers.) One of my favorites that made an excellent lunch, but didn't make it into a photo was the spice rubbed and grilled Vietnamese Salmon ($19.50) served over wide rice noodles in a chili-lime broth with crisp snap peas and crushed peanuts. The Mustard Crusted Chicken ($15) is marinated in a three mustard sauce, coated in panko and pan seared, served with a lemon aioli, green beans and garlic mashed potatoes. Scallop lovers will rejoice over the all natural, pan seared Rosemary Skewered Scallops ($25) from New Bedford. They come served over an Israeli couscous, grilled corn, bacon and tomato succotash with an orange chipoltle glaze.

For dessert we were served a warm Goji Berry Apple Crisp ($7.50) with cinnamon spiced apples, ginger and a brown sugar oat crust and Carrot Cake ($7.50) dripping in luscious cream cheese frosting and caramel sauce. Also the Peanut Butter Thing ($8) which is Joe's claim to fame: A peanut butter-chocolate chunk loaded vanilla ice cream cake with an Oreo cookie crumb crust topped with fresh whipped cream, drizzled with warm caramel and chocolate sauces!! This might have been my favorite part of the meal. It's that good!

It is always exciting to see a passionate, local brand continue to evolve and expand. NYAJ's newest location will appeal to loyal patrons and newcomers alike. I am already looking forward to a return trip.

Not Your Average Joe's

56 Market Place Drive

Waltham, MA 02451

*this meal 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

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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