Westland Distillery @ Grill 23

Westland single malt whiskey is a thoughtful expression of the Seattle, Washington distillery's Pacific Northwest roots. At the core is a flavor profile of roasted and kilned barley malts, contributing deep and rich notes of chocolate, nuts, caramel and mocha. Belgian brewers yeast further enhances during fermentation producing a fruitiness that rounds out the flavor. Finally, the whiskey is matured in new American oak casks, complimenting with a vanilla and coconut finish. The result is an approachable and mature whiskey that in this instance, perfectly suits a classic steak dinner (I chose Cotuit Oysters, Steak Frites and Crème Brulee!) at Grill 23.

Be on the lookout for Westland and don't hesitate to give this wonderful whiskey a try if you spot it behind the bar or on craft cocktail menus around town!

Grill 23 & Bar

161 Berkeley Street

Boston, MA 02116

Café Cluny | West Village

A cozy French American bistro in the West Village, Cafe Cluny is the perfect mix of romantic and laid back. It sits with heavy striped awnings on the cobblestone lined corner of 824 W 12th Street, dimly lit and ever popular, bustling with a vibrant crowd. The Linguini Carbonara ($25) with bacon, peas and a poached egg was exquisite. Also pictured is the All Natural NY Strip Steak Frites ($24) with garlic butter. A side of the tangy balsamic Roasted Brussels Sprouts ($9) are a must. With an overwhelming number of places to dine out in New York City, visiting Café Cluny was a really good call. 

Garden at The Cellar

For over a year now I've had a gift certificate here which was given to me as a birthday gift from two of my dear friends back when the blog was just a baby. Up-and-coming chef Will Gilson was just a name in an article that Lisa handed me along with the gift certificate. 

Since then I've heard nothing but fantastic reviews of Garden at The Cellar and constant praise for Chef Will Gilson. Now he's up-and-come; there is no denying locals know this James Beard Award nominee chef by name. Whether for his dedication to cooking with local, sustainable food and family grown herbs, or his successful efforts to rebuild his mothers greenhouses, or his recent embrace for the Pop Up dinner trend, he is well known and well liked. Joined by my sister this past Wednesday we experienced firsthand his creative cuisine in the relaxed unassuming gastropub situated in between Cambridge's Central and Harvard Squares. They take limited reservations for parties over six, otherwise seats are on a first come first serve basis. They were fairly busy around 7:30 but we managed to get seated right away at an open copper top café table in front of some overflowing succulents and potted herbs.

I spy a recycled St. Germain Bottle behind the aloe plants!

We started with two slices of bread and some herb infused butter. A nice touch with the herbs!We got down to business with a Dark & Stormy ($7.50) each as we studied the menu. These are strong, made with Gosling's Black Seal Rum & Ginger beer, perfect.The $7.50 price tag didn't have me wincing. Actually, all of their cocktails clock in at a reasonable $7 - $10. We chose two appetizers to share. The Seared Scallops ($12) presented three perfectly seared scallops plated over thick brush strokes of earthy black trumpet puree. Contrasting bites of Meyer lemon in tiny gel form added a sweet zest, while Nasturtium leaves sprinkled on top a peppery punch!The Foie Gras & Doughnuts ($13) were a far fetched idea pairing two delicious ingredients together at random. It works. And amazingly well at that. Fluffy round balls of cinnamon sugar become a vessel for rich, buttery bites of seared foie gras, paired with cocoa nibs, orange and ginger.Leah ordered the Grass Fed Hanger Steak Frites ($26). The generous portion of nicely cooked, tender and well seasoned hanger steak came over a bed of parsnip puree and garlic spinach. The frites were perfect; crispy and buttery seasoned with restraint - just an accent of rosemary and truffle oil.

I debated between the Buttermilk Poached Chicken ($23) and the Duo of Heritage Pork ($26). I asked our waitress hoping she'd be able to offer some insight and sway my decision one way or the other. She remained indifferent and without exclamation or passion stated "they're both good." (Well obviously they're both good! Thanks!)I went with the pork. It was a good call. This is a dish I'd get excited about and tell you to order if I were a waitress here!! 

Plated over a violet mustard sauce the thinly pounded cutlets were cooked scaloppini style with garlic and black pepper. The grilled belly was extremely tender with a rich glaze atop the crispy skin exterior. The ramps with a pungent oniony taste served to add some sharp contrast to the white heavy meal of pork and fingerling potatoes.

No dessert menu here (bummer!) but they look to satisfy your sweet tooth with a plate of Taza Chocolates (redemption!) Showcasing local food in creative dishes without the luxurious atmosphere or price point, Garden at The Cellar remains affordable and relaxed. No matter what, I would not hesitate to order a side of those rosemary truffle fries and to remember that adventurous eating most definitely pays off at this modest neighborhood gastropub.

Garden at The Cellar

991 Massachusetts Ave

Cambridge, MA 02138

Mooo | Beacon Hill

I spare no expense when it comes to birthday dinners. Usually Adam is pretty easy to please. The last two years he requested steak. I usually suggest the restaurant and he happily obliges.

Last year we dinned at Mooo.... a Modern Steakhouse located in the XV Beacon Hotel. Mooo is clean and elegant with high vaulted ceilings and rooms bathed in soft white and cream colors. Dim lighting emits from elegant chandeliers with oversized lampshades. 

While it was a year ago, the meal at Mooo was so top notch it only felt right to share. After a lovely hostess seated us and we ordered drinks - an Amstel Light ($5) for him and a Dirty Martini ($11) for her, we were presented with some of the most exquisite rolls I have ever tasted.

I would go back just for these. Four glistening butterballs are served piping hot in a Staub cast iron skillet. Each bite was warm, buttery and soft with a sprinkle of coarse sea salt. 
I remember that being a seriously good (and large) dirty martini. We ordered the Kobe Beef Dumplings ($19) and no Adam did not choose the most expensive appetizer on the menu. These were excellent, but worth a whopping nineteen dollars!? Tough call. 
Mooo steaks are served a la carte with roasted garlic and bone marrow butter. It was the 12 oz Filet Mignon ($39) and a small side of Whipped Yukon Gold Potatoes ($5) for him, the Steak Frites ($29) for her. I was delighted by the act of smothering the marrow butter straight from the bone onto my perfectly cooked steak. Also, those Truffle Parmesan Fries were insanely good.
After reliving the experience and remembering how good our meal was, I now need a reason to re-visit! This year we dined at the Chart House for Adam's 33rd birthday dinner. The restaurant often generated conversation on our walks around Long Wharf, stemming intrigue on both our parts.

First off all - I had no idea (until I just now looked at the website) that the Chart House is a small chain. They have locations in Hilton Head and Las Vegas. I knew there was something fishy about the logo on the awning. I just knew it. The yellow fish for me seemed a tad out of place when compared to the historic buildings ambiance. The interior boasts beautiful architecture including exposed wood beam ceilings and red brick walls lined with 17th century artwork and décor. Dinner began with some rolls. There was nothing special about them - certainly not now that I am comparing them to the rolls served at Mooo. That's not fair! Mooo or no Mooo, the Chart House rolls really were not all that good. I started with a glass of the Glass Mountain Chardonnay ($6). (A glass of Glass!) For our appetizer Adam chose the Steamed Mussels ($11.99) with shallots, garlic and sherry wine. I wanted to drink the sherry wine, but instead dipped my plump mussels two and three times through the flavorful broth. Three slices of crusty bread served alongside were an excellent touch.
Adam got the Prime Rib - Chart House Cut ($24.99) for his main course. It was cooked perfectly to his liking (medium-rare - a little more on the rare side) rubbed with aromatic herbs and spices and slow roasted with au jus. It came with mashed potatoes. He loved it. I got the Macadamia Crusted Mahi Mahi ($29.99) drizzled in a warm peanut sauce with a hint of Frangelico served with mango coulis and coconut ginger rice.The presentation leaves something to be desired as the plating looks a bit haphazard. However, the Mahi Mahi was well prepared, where tender flakes of white fish with a mild sweetness were enhanced by the tropical nuttiness of the macadamias and the smooth creamy peanut sauce.

I was really inspired by the atmosphere of the historic "John Hancock Counting House" built around 1763. A little bit of a history lesson (paraphrased from a pamphlet I picked up.) As the city evolved the Long Wharf warehouses fell into neglect. In the 1960's the Boston Redevelopment Authority acquired the wharf with the aim of revitalization, encouraging private rehabilitation of the 4 story Gardiner building. Ongoing conservation has resulted in an innovative center for commerce and residence all preserving the look and feel of the wharf's early years. The Boston Chart House opened in July 1973, and prides itself on continuing to maintain this ideal. I'm pleased to say I've discovered what the mysterious (chain) restaurant on the wharf is all about.

So we've got a modern steakhouse on Beacon Hill and a historic steak + seafood restaurant on Long Wharf. I wonder where next year will take us!

Mooo...

15 Beacon Street

Boston, MA 02108

The Chart House 

60 Long Wharf

Boston, MA 02110