Caffe Nuovo for Breakfast with an Italian Twist!

I don’t know about you, but when I go out for “girls night” it often leads to memory lapse, lost items, unexplainable bruises, and a very achy morning after. Last Friday was no exception.

I can see you all reading this now…judging me…asking “why would you do that? That sounds miserable.” Well, I do it for a few reasons:
1 – my girls know how to have fun and it’s worth the confusion and pain in the morning.
2 – the memories we eventually piece together are some of the most hilarious we make – and we relive them years later.
3 – nothing beats a good breakfast when you have a hangover.

This entry will be mostly about the breakfast…but to give you some background – here’s a little info about the night before. Since Packie lives downtown, we often congregate at her place to start our evenings. After a few mixed drinks consisting of whatever she had in the apartment, Packie, DD, and Jensky made our way to Bell in Hand in the Faneuil Hall area.

The cover was $5 and there was a live band playing. Our only photo documentation of the evening is one picture of 4 drinks being held up – so I’ll just tell you about it. Bell in Hand offers a free coat check (awesome when you’re bundled up to fight the winter weather) and we found a spot at the bar right in front of the band. They played songs that everyone knows the words to, but that no one would soberly dance to. As you can imagine, the dance floor slowly filled up as the hours passed… All in all, I’d say it was worth it for $5 to get in. The rest of the night was one disaster after another…I’ll be honest, it still hurts to go up stairs. BUT the next morning we found comfort in breakfast food.

Caffe Nuovo is a snazzy, new establishment on Salem St. in the North End. They are open 7am – 2pm daily for brunch. We were fortunate to get there before the rest of the hungover crowd (try to show up before 11am), and got a table right away. The menu has all your favorites – various types of eggs, waffles, french toast…and everything was awesome. My waffle ($7) was gone in about 40 seconds. Don’t pretend like you’re not impressed.

Though we all opted for comfort food due to our condition, I’m looking forward to trying Caffee Nuovo again for some of its more innovative dishes. Some of the most unique brunch combos include: mozzarella caprese salad with basil pesto and scrambled eggs ($12); spaghetti carbonara with egg yolks, parmesan cheese and black pepper ($13); and milanese style veal or chicken cutlets topped with 2 eggs any style ($11).

Though I haven’t tried any of these interesting selections yet, I’d be willing to bet they are delicious. Based on the quality of the food and the prime location this restaurant snagged in the North End, I’m thinking about taking the family out for brunch here next time they visit. I’ll let you know how it goes!!

A presto,
Little B

Always a Good Time in Allston

First of all, I’d like to apologize for the hiatus I’ve clearly taken. The holidays were chalk full of travel and general madness, and as a result, I’ve neglected my blog and my readers. I will say, I appreciate the nagging to start writing again and it feels good to be missed :) So thank you!

With that, it’s back to business. I have a couple places I’d like to talk about in this entry. Recently some friends of mine have moved out to the Allston area so I’ve had the opportunity to frequent some of my favorite restaurants/bars in the area, as well as to try some new ones.

First up, Sunset Cantina / Sunset Grill and Tap. Honestly, I can’t say enough good things about this place. There’s always a decent crowd, and yet there’s always a table or a seat at the bar for your group. The real draw of this place is that it has the largest selection of on-tap / in bottles on the east coast: 112 taps and 380 microbrews and exotic imports. They have some great deals on unique beer selections, as well as meads and a huge assortment of fancy cocktails.

For those who are just as happy with a Bud Light as they are with a Brooklyn Lager (yum…), not to worry my friends, Sunset has another draw just for you. That is…cheap, delicious food. Their menu is gigantic and I’ve never heard a complaint about anything on it. My personal favorito is the chicken fajita burrito ($9)…check out the menu for details, but let me just tell you – its awesome. There are too many menu items to mention, but one more that stands out above the rest – the sour cream–n–chive fries. Sounds a little odd, but I’ve never seen a basket of fries disappear so quickly. They are heaven!! Also, check the website before you go over – you can often find 2-for-1 dinner coupons on their website. Or if you go to school in Beantown, check out those student discount booklets…Sunset always has coupons in there!

One word of caution - Head upstairs to Big City for a game of pool, but I do NOT recommend getting their pulled pork nachos. This is probably TMI – but let’s just say I didn’t keep them down for long. Yikes.

The second place I’d like to mention is new to me, and I must say, I visited under very unfortunate circumstances. We decided to head to Joshua Tree to watch the Patriots game this Sunday. Son of a…!!! Im still outraged by that performance….Anyway, no complaints about the bar. The food was good, and the wings were 25 cents. We downed a couple pitchers of Bud Light. Prices were pretty standard. I’ve heard a lot of people say this bar tends to cater to a younger crowd. I guess I’ll have to go back to further assess – all I remember is an obnoxious number of Jets fans…

Good place to watch sports though – I’d say there were at least 20 (probably more) TVs lining the walls. There was literally not a single place you could be sitting where you couldn’t see the game. That’s all for now. It’s good to be back, Boston.

And I’ve never said this before, but Brady leaves me no choice…Go Steelers!
Little B

Dance the Night Away at Revolution Rock Bar!

I've been wanting to check out Revolution Rock Bar for over a year now, but every time I go, I'm greeted with a monstrous line and an ugly cover charge. This weekend, however, we concocted a fool-proof plan. Since it was a friend's birthday, they were willing to drop the $10 cover down to $5 (which is more in my comfort zone, especially for a place I've never been). Actually $10 isn't a bad cover for a Saturday night in that area, but what can I say, I like to save my money for the drinks!

RRB as Im going to call it from here on out...is located on on High Street (right by newly opened Howl at the Moon - which btw STILL has a huge line outside at 9pm that you couldn't pay me to stand in). We decided to venture over early, and lucky for us, we beat the line! I know 9:30 is a little early to put your party shoes on, but by 10pm, the line was long and we were inside, coats checked ($3), drink in hand. Worth it!

The scene is very trendy - rocker stars and some faces reminiscent of pop art lined the room and the ceiling was covered in quotes. My favorite feature is the cow-print cubes that replace chairs around the room - though don't expect to sit down unless you've made a reservation for a group. All the seating areas on the main floor were reserved so wear some comfy shoes - you'll be doing a lot of standing!

By 10:30 the place was packed and the DJ was spinning up some tunes. A compliment to his skills, we actually debated whether we were listening to a pre-recorded mash-up for a while. Good songs, good mixing, generally good atmosphere. Although, at one point early on a fight broke out and there were no bouncers to be seen? Fortunately, the gentlemen involved were hammered and it didn't take much work to shove them out the door where they could continue their battle away from the crowd.

We checked out the lower level later in the evening (which had previously been completely empty) and found that the dance party was roaring there as well. Not sure if there was a second DJ, or if he just migrated with us...either way, the music was great.

My drink of choice was a rum and diet. They were good-sized and at $8, were a pretty good value as the bartenders didn't skimp on the rum. My first one was pretty much rum on the rocks, with a splash of coke. Eek! Better to have that problem though, than paying 8 bucks for a cup of soda with a thimble of alcohol in it, right?

All in all, I'd say a great place to go out as long as you're willing to get there early. Seems like they do a lot for groups, so if you're heading there for a bday celebration - call ahead and see if you can get a spot reserved and get a discount for your friends!

Rock on :)
Little B

A little help at the holidays...

Happy lunch time everyone!

I've been doing a lot of thinking about this blog and I've decided its time kick it up a notch. While I'll always be a foodie at heart, I've realized there is a lot more about Boston we could be discussing here!

Most of you probably aren't panicking about the holidays yet, but in an effort to save you from the it's-3-days-before-Christmas-and-I-just-need-to-find-SOMETHING-for-my-sister feeling we all encounter, here are some suggestions to find the perfect gifts in our lovely city ahead of time. That way, rather than fighting with another last minute shopper over the last dvd copy of "Breakfast at Tiffany's" because its the only movie you know for sure she likes (and you're hoping she only has it on VHS), you'll be mixing up some egg nog knowing those funky, bohemian earrings that are PERFECT for her are safely wrapped under the tree.

First things first - make a list....who exactly do you need to shop for and what are your price points? Having one place you write down all your gift ideas will keep you cool and focused. So here goes - where to go, when to go, and even a cool gift idea that you can personalize for that special someone:


Downtown Crossing Holiday Market: Running Nov 27th - Dec 24th, Mon-Sat 11am-7pm and Sun Noon-6pm. The Christmas decorations are officially out in full blast in DT crossing! One of my favorite holiday locales to wander through during the holiday season, this area of the city is a great place to start your gift search. Every year they run an outdoor market with crafts, jewelry, art, delicious foods, and clothing.

Market starts Nov 27th, but you can check out the list of vendors in advance: click here. Most of the vendors have their websites listed, so do a little research in advance so you aren't completely overwhelmed when you get to the market. Jot down the vendors name when you see a piece of art that Aunt Susan couldn't possibly live without. Seems like a lot of work, you say? Not any more time and effort than scrambling through the aisles at the last minute and having nothing to show for it come xmas.

North End Specialty Shops: As you know from a prior post, a couple of my favorite stores in the North End are Polcari's Coffee and Salumeria Italiana. A great gift idea for anyone with a little italian pride in your fam, is to check out these shops and put together a basket of goodies. Grab some homemade pasta, a nice bottle of olive oil, some fresh spices and whatever else tickles your fancy. Now head over to Christmas Tree Shop - buy a basket, a nice cloth to lay in it (a holiday dish towel works just fine), some clear plastic (comes in a tube like wrapping paper) to wrap it up in, and some nice ribbon to tie it up. Ta-da! A thoughtful, homemade gift.

The nice thing about this gift is that you can spend as much or as little as you want, AND it can be tailored for anyone. Just pick a theme based on what your loved one likes (sports, food, movies, art) and run with it! Be creative :)

There are also some great jewelry and art stores in the North End that are very reasonably priced. Check out in-jean-ius, The North End Gallery, and shake the tree for some great finds!


Harvard Square: When all else fails, head to Harvard Square to wrap up your holiday shopping. This place is a mecca for unique little stores with the perfect gift. Check out this site in advance to grab a free map (click "maps and directions" at the top of the page) that will help you navigate the sea of perfect gift ideas you'll find here.

Here are a few of my favorites to get you started: Boston Bead Company (if you're feeling crafty and want to make something for mom), The Garage (check out Newbury Comics and Hootenanny in this little mall to find something for your spunky, 17-year-old cousin), Hidden Sweets (my all-time favorite shop - perfect for stocking stuffers, unique cards, and keepsake gifts), Lush (really fun bath and body type store - they let you sample everything and you'll probably walk out with just as much stuff for yourself as you do for others but that's ok - you deserve it), Black Ink (unique little trinkets you wont find anywhere else - I can't tell you how many times Ive come here and said "this is perfect for so-and-so"), and Mint Julip (great little clothing boutique with everything from European specialties to local jewelry).

Let me know what you find this year and where your secret spots are!

Happy shopping everyone!
Little B

4 Words You Won’t See Together Every Day: Affordable, Quality Sushi on Newbury!

There are few things I enjoy as much as a huge spread of maki rolls served with seaweed salad and miso soup. Add to that a fantastic location, reduced salt soy sauce, and all brown (instead of white) rice, and I am one happy (and healthy) sushi lover.

I must say I was not overly eager to try Snappy Sushi based on its name and the fact that it says “express” on the awning outside. In my mind, sushi on-the-go is a big of a scary concept. However, after more than one glowing recommendation of this little hole in the wall establishment, I decided to try it for myself.

Snappy on Newbury is set up with a couple small tables, but most of the seating is bar-style. It’s perfect for a date with a girlfriend when you need somewhere casual to catch up, but not so great for a group of 3 or more – as you’ll be leaning over each other trying to talk. However, I recently learned that Snappy is moving! Still on Newbury, but I’m excited about their potential new home, which might allow for some expansion.

Their menu has all the traditional favorites – spicy tuna roll, eel-avo roll, and California roll for those who don’t have a taste for raw fish just yet – each coming with 6 pieces and ranging in price from $4-$7. Aside from the incorporation of brown rice to make sure their customers are getting the most nutrition possible from their meals, these rolls are nothing out of the ordinatory - just affordable and delicious.

If you’re feeling adventurous, try one of Snappy’s fancy rolls – ranging from the scorpion roll at $9 (shrimp over eel, avocado, cucumber, flying fish roe and eel sauce) to the Boston lobster roll at $15 (avocado, cucumber, and green leaf rolled together, and dressed with chopped lobster meat mixed with red onion and flying fish roe in wasabi-butter sauce).

Some other suggested menu items – seaweed salad ($8) and edamame ($4)…yum! Whatever you try, you won’t be disappointed.

I’ve been at least a dozen times and I’ve yet to have anything subpar, all at a price that wont break the bank. And the best part is that you don’t have to travel miles out of the city to find it. Snappy has the best of both worlds – a fantastic location paired with quality, “cheap” fish.

Still skeptical? Stop in to Snappy at lunchtime and order the lunch roll special – two rolls of your choice (no fancy rolls) for just $11, definitely worth a try! Snappy also has a location in Davis Square which I hear is equally yummy!

Matane!
Little B

The Battle is On: Regina's or Santarpio's for the Best Pizza?

Perhaps only second to the Mike's vs. Modern pastry battle, two establishments more than any other seem to be the top contenders for the Best Pizza in Beantown: Regina's and Santarpio's.

Though I've lived in both the North End and East Boston (the homes of these two restaurants, respectively), I will admit I'm a little bias from the start. After a semester abroad in Italia, I pretty much fell in love with the North End and I find its vibe hard to top. I frequented Regina's with J regularly, and anytime a guest told me they hadn't tried it.

So I was a bit skeptical when I moved to Eastie and suddenly the boss in town was Santarpio's. However, eager to try this great contender, we ordered a couple pizzas as soon as we (3-Fiddy and I) moved in. There was a line around the corner and we had to feed all the troops who helped us move, so we sprung for take out.

Santarpio's has a side door that leads to the kitchen, which is where you pick up take out orders. I walked in and saw my pizza's come out of this oven. Apparently the cook thought they looked just as good as I did, because he picked a pepperoni off my pizza and ate it....in a really weird, sensual kind of way. He then continued making gross kissing/licking gestures toward me...before giving me the pizza like nothing ever happened. AWKWARD?!

Now with that preface, I'll say that I've had Santarpio's pizza several times since, but have never actually eating in the restaurant...(in fact, I always make 3-Fiddy go in and get the take out order because she's braver than me). But I do like their pizza.

So this battle can't be about the vibe of the place, how much I like the people or how comfortable the booths are - it's about pizza and that's it!

We ordered a couple pizzas from Santarpio's the other night - one green pepper and onion and the other sausage and garlic. All the toppings were hiding under the cheese, but dont worry, there were plenty! I'd say the best part of Santarpio's pizza is their cheese...it's thick and flavorful and they pile it on. The toppings are good, but nothing too creative - most of the pizza suggestions on their menu are standard combinations. The crust is thin and tends to get a bit soggy toward the middle, but it's delish. They don't use a lot of sauce so my take on that is a bit inconclusive. All that being said, it's definitely good pizza!

Regina's has a completely different appeal. When Im looking for an expert in unique, interesting combinations of flavors that won't disappoint...I know where to head. My favorite is probably prosciutto con spinaci. Loaded up with sauce, mozzerella and ricotta cheese, fresh spinach, prosciutto, and cherry tomatoes, this pizza is to die for. Last time we went, J and I tried the Classico - sauce, pepperoni, artichoke hearts, mushrooms, mozzarella and parmesan cheese. All fresh, all amazing. I could go on for days about their creativity and the quality of their food. One other thing to note - don't go to Regina's in Fanueil hall - the real deal is like a 10 minute walk into the North End - go for the full experience. It's worth it, and you're probably going to head that way to go to Mike's for dessert anyway!

So in the end, while Santarpio's pizza is good, my humble opinion is that it doesn't touch Regina's.

Ciao!
Litte B


PS - I also recommend trying Dough in East Boston if you're looking for some good pizza!

Get Comfy with Some Half Priced Apps at The Living Room

Packie and I hadn’t seen each other in a while and decided to catch up over some drinks and cheap apps…but, being the classy girls we are, we decided to try something slightly more upscale than our standard date at Sidebar for wings and pitchers. McCormick’s is generally my go-to for happy hour specials on food, but I’d just been there a few days before so we decided to check out The Living Room.

Perched on the corner of the North End near Columbus Park, The Living Room boasts half price apps on weekdays from 5-7pm. They also have a fairly creative martini list – yum! The premise of the place is that it’s set up with big, comfy arm chairs and couches with coffee/end tables scatters throughout to resemble a big living room. I will say, the furniture kind of made me want to curl up and read a book, but it’s a cool idea.

We all know I’m a huge sucker for avocado (thus the obsession with guacamole), and my choices on this menu were no exception. We ordered avocado tempura ($9), shrimp and avocado egg rolls ($12), chicken taquitos with avo spread ($10) and to mix it up – mini pulled pork sandwiches ($9). Don’t forget all these prices are halved from 5-7pm.

We weren’t sure how much food to expect, and were pleasantly surprised when the waitress came back with full plates for each dish. For a total of $20 after the discount, we were stuffed with delicious food! While we had no complaints about anything, I’d venture to say our favorite was the shrimp and avo egg roll. Oh so good. (Apologies – we were starving and pretty much devoured everything before we even thought to pull a camera out…whoops)

The Living Room is a great place to take a friend who’s above 10 cent wings (in which case you have bigger problems than where to eat – as you may need new friends). Would also be good for a group or just a change of pace from the standard bar scene. And who can beat the location right downtown? That’s right, nobody.

Happy Fall!
Little B