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?!

march 17.

I could not imagine celebrating St. Patrick's Day any other way, than with a corned beef and cabbage dinner and a green beer at Durgin Park. This is a tradition FIVE years running, and definitely the reason I look forward to this holiday. (That along with a reminder of how good Guinness is and the once a year Shamrock Shake from McDonald's. Guilty.)

The Most Wonderful Time of The Year

The holidays are in full swing and I could not be happier to embrace them! Here are some of my favorite views around the city combined with a little of what I've been up to. A most excellent Thanksgiving was spent at Adam's parents house in Quincy; we feasted in courses, most notably on peanut soup (his Mom's special recipe, so good) and a 34 pound bird (among the usual fixings of green beans, parsnips, potatoes, squash, cranberry sauce) and consumed my pumpkin whoopie pies for dessert.Here in Boston we've been enjoying extremely mild temperatures as December rolls in. I love taking in the picturesque, bright light filled city spaces as they grace us with their presence. I am never one to complain about the weather be it unseasonably warm or ridiculously cold. Snow makes me happier inside than I can explain (where are you snow?!) but then again, so do low heat bills! The Christmas tree in Faneuil Hall is always a welcome sight, as is the vivid blue trellis in Christopher Columbus Park. I'm sure it looks familiar, I take a picture of this trellis every season! This year we attended the official lighting ceremony where Mrs. Menino's introduction was met with neighborhood children caroling plus complimentary Peppermint Mochas and cookies from Starbucks. In other news - our tree is up (better pictures coming soon!) a good majority of my shopping is done, and I even started wrapping presents last night. I have never been so on top of my Christmas shopping, but I'm definitely happy to check people off the list so early.Adam and I got some great deals on Black Friday and I've been on a roll ever since. On Black Friday evening we also ventured out to see The Muppets, starting Jason Segel and Amy Adams. If that's not the feel good movie of the year, I don't know what is. (So. much. fun.) So is walking through Downtown and the Theater District at night. My Mom came into town this weekend for our annual city shopping spree. Along with my sister and Adam, we partook in the 5th Annual North End Buon Natalie Stroll on Friday night (Santa at the Fairmont Battery is always a hoot.) Then us girls got our fill of Harvard Square and Downtown Crossing shops on Saturday. A most excellent lunch was had a Russel House Tavern, I can't wait to share my review!We had drinks at Café Florentine (this North End restaurant and bar has the best ambiance around the holidays!) Eggnog in my coffee and pastries and cannolis from Modern. Always Modern.How have you been embracing the holidays so far?!

The Latest from Saus: Frikandel

I am pretty positive my love for Saus has not gone unnoticed, but allow me to remind you just how much this Belgian street food cafe has won my affections with their authentic frites, leige waffles and poutine.

{Exhibit 1, Exhibit 2, Exhibit 3}

There was no doubting that the latest addition to their menu - a deep fried Dutch burger-sausage served on a grilled bun called Frikandel would impress with a similar level of authenticity and deliciousness. This 'sandwich' differs from the traditional version eaten on the streets of The Netherlands, Belgium and Northern France because it uses a homemade blend of ground beef, pork and spices as opposed to a processed meat mixture. In a blogger taste test / feedback forum last Monday evening, the Frikandel ($6.95) was an immediate hit. We were lucky enough to sample all four styles offered, compliments of the house.Here is a preview of what to expect next time you stroll (or stumble) into this Faneuil Hall mainstay. The most traditional among the bunch is the Special Frikandel. The toasted bun gets rubbed with house made mayo and the sausage is topped with chopped onions, more mayo and curry ketchup saus. The Spicy Frickandel is layered with jalapeno peppers and then drizzled with ole chipotle saus for a double dose of spice. Ole chipotle is one of my favorite signature sauces so it was no surprise I adored this version of frikandel. Overall it was generously spicy, not unbearably so. Loaded up with another beloved ingredient is the Cheesy Frikandel. This one layers on the cheddar cheese and coats the sausage completely in cheddar Duvel saus. Last up is the Burger-style Frikandel which pops with flavor from chopped onions, chopped pickles and the latest kitchen concoction - Andalouse Saus. Andalouse is an onion, red and green pepper, lemon and tomato paste infused mayo. I though the juicy pickles in this version were a welcome contrast. We were also treated to a side of frites with additional Andalouse for dipping and following the meal, a leige waffle and one of every sweet saus (salted caramel, lemon cream, berry berry and nutella) for dessert! Providing more sustenance to the menu at the urging of the public is a dutch sausage-snack that some say is better than the original. Next time you venture in to get your french fry and waffle fix, be sure and add a Frikandel to your order!

The Joys of June

I blinked and June was over! Despite its fleeting presence, I somehow managed to pack a lot in. Here's a round up of the things I ate / saw / made / did this month to kick-off summer in the city that didn't get a post all their own. 

Ice Cream Sundae @ Emack & Bolio's

Nothing embraces hot summer evenings (hey, there has been a select few) like a trip for ice cream sundaes. Its all about gelato where I live in Little Italy, but when I crave ice cream - Emack & Bolio's at Long Wharf!I am into the Grasshopper Pie which contains creme de menthe liquor with Oreo chunks and chocolate flakes. Top it with warm hot fudge, fresh whipped cream and chunks of peanuts and pecans and you've got a seriously good sundae.

Paul Simon Concert at The House of Blues.

Located on Lansdowne Street across from Fenway Park, The House of Blues is always a fun venue for live music and dancing. My whole life I've been wanting to see Paul Simon in concert; I grew up to the tunes of Graceland, it still ranks up there as one of my favorite albums of all time. He played a number of songs off that album and many more of the classic tunes I know and love him for. It was a truly memorable evening and I hope he comes back to Boston soon!

Layered Taco Salad - recipe courtesy of Chelsee @ We Are Not Martha.

This awesome recipe calls for making your own taco seasoning and mixing dressing from scratch.
This salad was so good and yielded an insane amount of leftovers. I ate it every day for lunch the entire week after I made it. Thanks so much to Chelsee for the recipe inspiration.

Boating in Essex, MA

My sister's boyfriend grew up nearby and some of his friends were nice enough to invite us out on their boats for the day. Essex is a picturesque coastal New England town on the North Shore of Massachusetts - home to beaches and waterways perfect for boating, relaxing, drinking, grilling, swimming and fishing.Which is just what we did on Saturday, June 18th. It was gorgeous and sunny with no rain in sight until the final boat ride home, where we experienced a heavy downpour followed by a rainbow spanning its full arch across the marsh! It was a breathtaking sight but my camera was packed safely away from the rain. Happy Birthday to my sis! We drank vodka raspberry lemonades and grilled some marinated shrimp, along with burgers and chicken. This is what summer days are made for! I felt incredibly blessed for this day since I am usually mulling about the city.

Belgian Poutine ($8) @ Saus

One of my favorite spots to open this year is Belgian street food haven Saus. The team at Saus perfects the art of fusing traditional Belgian frites into this infamous dish native to Canada and the very Northern parts of Maine and New Hampshire. Hand cut potatoes are deep fried and piled with heaping helpings of dense haphazardly shaped cheddar cheese curds, then slathered with rich, made-from-scratch savory brown gravy. The cheese curds are mildly salty with a unique springy texture that makes them rather fun to eat. Thick and silky, the gravy coats the crispy fries without overwhelming their texture. I crave this dish on a fairly regular basis!

Chicken Stir Fry w/ Edamame Slaw

This ones all my own. It combines frozen edamame, shredded carrots, shredded cabbage and cilantro with chicken in a ginger-soy-teriyaki sauce.

It was a delicious, quick and easy creation.

Did the month of June fly by for anyone else?! What are you looking forward to in July?