Shepard

Hay Roasted Oysters ($18) | cultured sorrel butter

Monte Grappa ($12) | Rittenhouse Rye, Punt e Mes, allspice, nutmeg
Fluke Head ($10) | parsley butter, carrot + cabbage slaw

 Old Fashioned ($13) | High West Double Rye, Wyoming Whiskey Bourbon, bitters, sugar

Crab Head Custard ($11) | ham, cabbage, calabrian chili

Whole Wheat Gnocchi ($16) | sea urchin, chive, lemon zest cream

Cappellachi ($17) | countneck clams, ramps, swiss chard

bathroom paper towel holder (loved this, how creative!)

Apple Butter Cremeux ($10) | hazelnut shortbread, black walnut ice cream

 Campfire Sundae ($9) | torched marshmallow, chocolate ice cream, candied peanuts
bathroom mirror selfie + loving the bathroom light sconce

I had a wonderful dining experience the other weekend at Shepard! 
On cozy a residential street between Cambridge's Harvard and Porter Squares, Shepard serves thoughtful, unique French-meets-New England inspired dishes in a clean, stylish ambiance.  

We were celebrating 4 years together and they greeted us with glasses of sparkling Rosé! Such a special touch. 

Shepard

1 Shepard Street

 Cambridge, MA 02138 

Omakase @ Uni

 Back in February we celebrated my 33rd Birthday at Uni, a contemporary Izakaya helmed by Chef Ken Oringer featuring inventive Japanese cuisine alongside an extensive craft cocktail and sake program. We went all out with the Omakase (chefs tasting) and it was worth every penny. 

Omakase is typically twelve courses, starting small with a few perfect one bite dishes and building in substance as it progresses. At Uni the elements of each dish are plated strikingly so and further each bite takes your palate by surprise. Flavors are remarkably nuanced, intricate, and complex, the fish so fresh, the knife work so precise. 

 We had a cocktail each followed by two gorgeous, striking, fantastic bottles of sake; a Hakkaisan ($55) from Nigata - a sparkling junmai ginjo brut and later a Nigori Dassai '50' ($45) from Yamaguchi, a polished and approachable junmai daiginjo. 

I captured most dishes but did omit a few - here goes:

 Smoked Uni Spoon | osetra caviar, quail egg yolk, yuzu
Foie Gras ice cream | ostreta caviar, potato chip

Kaki - Aunt Dotty Oyster | yamamomo granita, tonburi 
Tai - Sea Bream sashimi | concord grape, myoba

Spicy Tuna + Foie Gras Tataki | aji amarillo, pistachio, pear 
Live Maine Uni Sea Urchin | citrus ceviche, cherry tomato

Nigiri | Toro (fatty tuna), Maguro (bluefin tuna), Hirame (Fluke) + more
Hotate - Scallop | maitake mushroom, chinese chive vin, candied bacon jam
Suzuki - Bass | maguro shirodashi, lemongrass, garlic

Lobster Carbonara | Maine lobster, ramen noodles

Korean Ricecakes | kalni oxtail, kimchee butter, gremolata

This meal had been on my bucket list for awhile, I was so grateful for this exceptional and really fun birthday dinner!

Uni

370 Commonwealth Ave

Boston, MA 02215

Chilmark Tavern

During our stay up Island on Martha's Vineyard we had an exceptional dinner at the Chilmark Tavern. This BYOB bistro is rustic yet refined and serves whimsical dishes with local seafood and ingredients from neighboring farms. We started the night with cocktails from a little canteen of vodka that I'm so glad we brought along! I had their Shrub ($8) which combined the vodka with fruit based drinking vinegar and seltzer. Bob went with a classic vodka martini ($5). Then, they uncorked ($14) our bottle of Winderlea Pinot Noir Rosé with dinner.

Here's a look at what we ate:

‘caesar’ ($16) baby kale, mixed chicories, grape tomato, bottarga, crunchy croutons

edgartown razor clams ($19) steamed + chilled, finger lime, 

tobiko, salmon roe, avocado crema, grapefruit oil, sea beans 



bluefish ($37) smoked + pan seared, braised fennel, celery, 
onion soubise, citrus, pickled currants, lemon thyme oil

island fluke ($39) razor clam + green garlic broth, fingerling potatoes, 

island grown summer squash, ramp butter

Upon receiving the check, we remarked how expensive the meal was considering the BYOB factor. It was not until writing this post I realized how pricey each dish truly was. I guess this is to be expected in a more remote island locale. The food was impressive so if you're looking to splurge it's worth it.

Next up we head down Island to Oak Bluffs for a few days - more MV recommends to come!

Chilmark Tavern

9 State Road

Chilmark, MA 02535

Edgartown | MV

Edgartown is magical. I think one of the reasons I am so enthralled is because I grew up on Cape Cod and I've never been here. To Martha's Vineyard, sure, but I guess as a kid it was always Oak Bluffs and Vineyard Haven, never mind I can't remember the last time I made it to the Island itself as an adult. I love discovering new-to-me places that have been close by all along.

An elegant seaside village where early 19th Century whaling captain Greek revival style houses have been carefully maintained and preserved, the streets of Edgartown are a picture perfect setting. There are plenty of great options for eating, drinking and beaching.

Our hotel overlooked Lighthouse Beach, a calm and pretty spot just a stones throw away. Another day we took the short bus ride over to South Beach or Katama, a gorgeous barrier beach with miles to explore.

Breakfast:

Among The Flowers Cafe | 17 Mayhew Ln

Cute and casual, table service was friendly and efficient, a relaxing open-air breakfast of fried eggs, homefries, toast and mimosas. 

Tocco Purro | 3 S Water St

Tiny but well appointed take-out counter shop serving gourmet organic coffee, breakfast sandwiches and Italian pastries. The bagel and lox was a nice start to my day!

 Espresso Love |  17 Church St

Another great coffee shop with a large outdoor patio.

Dinner:

The Port Hunter |  55 Main St

We ate at the bar starting with freshly shucked oyster and clams followed by some local seafood specials. Pictured is my whole Menemsha Fluke encrusted with almond and coconut flakes over a bed of sautéed kale. They ended up having a great live band, so we stayed until they closed!

Alchemy | 71 Main St

A fancy French bistro downstairs, a cozy bar and lounge upstairs (in the back). We sunk into some leather couches and shared the Chicken n Waffles with maple gravy and the PEI Mussels steamed in coconut broth with leeks and tomatoes.

Seafood Shanty | 31 Dock St

We went here for lunch - their sushi is amazing. So are the Bloody Marys. Grab a spot on the deck to take in the gorgeous harbor views and watch the Chappy Ferries float by.

Drinks:

Atlantic Fish & Chop House | 2 Main St

Awesome location right on the docks! We found ourselves back for drinks on multiple occasions. Don't forget to grab a slice of bacon! (Yes, they put jars of bacon on the bar).

The Newes | 23 Kelley St

A casual American pub with a nice selection of New England draft beers and a menu featuring classics like Haddock fish 'n' chips and bangers & mash.

L'Etoile | 22 N Water St

An elegant French restaurant and martini bar. I would eat here next time, the food looked amazing, we just popped in for espresso martinis. 

Henry's Bar | 131 N Water Street 

The dark wood paneled bar at our hotel is a cocktail worthy destination. A hidden gem!

 Martha's Vineyard is an awesome summer getaway and I would definitely recommend staying or at least spending the day in Edgartown if you go!