Spring is here!

On my way back home from New Hampshire today Al said he had to go to Loew's and being the loving girlfriend I am I went along with no fight. But, little did he know I really wanted to sneak over to the garden center to get my seed starter kits!! I spent about 30 minutes over there while he shopped and finally decided on an eco-friendly starter kit that is biodegradable when you transplant the pots into the ground. I planted heirloom tomatoes, green beans, chives, basil, cilantro, bell peppers and hot peppers. So exciting!!! I cant wait to see my little seeds grow. I will leave you with some pictures of hope on a gloomy day.

Next eventful day: Beginner crotchet class on sunday!! hehe.

Fun chocolate designs!

This past week at work we have hosted the NCAA Sweet 16 and today we will be hosting the Elite 8. I really had no idea how much people loved college basketball until I had to go through the past few days. We had building VIPs and the Mayor of Boston in our suites and guess who got asked to make the desserts!!! hehe. I made pumpkin cupcakes with maple cream cheese frosting and maple jelly beans, cream puffs filled with vanilla bean whipped cream and drizzled with chocolate, mini warm chocolate chip cookie cups and chocolate cheesecake with whipped cream and chocolate basketball designs. The chocolate designs are easy and I am going to tell you how!

1. Melt dark chocolate over a double boiler. JUST CHOCOLATE no butter no cream just chocolate. The darker the better it makes the chocolate shinier when it hardens.

2. Let chocolate cool slightly and put into a pastry bag.

3. Line a sheet pan or cookie sheet with parchment paper or a silpat.

4. Cut a tiny bit off the bottom of the pastry bag, just large enough to write with.

5. Draw or write whatever you want! For the NCAA I drew basketball hoops and nets, basketballs, wrote out NCAA, Duke, Villanova, Pitt and Xavier and did some fun little designs.

6. When finished put your tray in the freezer to harden.

7. Once hard peel off paper or silpat slowly and decorate cakes and cupcakes as you wish!! Just be careful they are fragile.

Restaurant week is over but that doesn't mean...

That I stop eating!!! haha. So just so you guys know this blog is not turning into a food critic blog it is just all I have time for right now. I swear once gardening starts and the spring and summer are in full spring there will be way more foodie/crafter/gardening fun to look forward too.

Today I went to the new Wagamama that just opened in the Prudential Center in Boston, MA. I had just seriously walked up and down the two parallel streets trying to decide what I wanted to eat. I finally went into the Prudential deciding on the Cheesecake Factory when I walked by the new restaurant so I decided to try that in stead. Wagamama specializes in noodle dishes, but also serves asian beer, wine, sake, smoothies, rice and dessert. Here were my findings.

Wagamama, Boston, MA Prudential Center

Entree: Chicken Chili Men***

~Portion was great, had a lot of noodles, vegetables and chicken.

~Noodles were cooked and topped with a chili sauce made with chiles, lemongrass, ginger, chili paste, garlic and tomato. Chicken and veggies were added to the sauce.

~Good flavor, nice and spicy like I like it.

~Not completely what I expected.

Customer Service: Good ***

~Restaurant is cafeteria style with long tables so you have to sit sort of cramped which stinks when your there during the lunch rush.

~You do not have an assigned server everyone is just all over the place and you get asked the same questions a lot it was not organized at all.

~My order took a long time to come out I saw two people come after me and leave before me.

~There was a mess up on my check so it took a while for that to come back as well.

~ Not very good communication

~Yet, even through all the turmoil the people were nice.

Restaurant Appearance: ***

~The restaurant has cafeteria style tables, so they are long tables with separate benches and it can be cramped. (especially if you are there during lunch rush like I was)

~ A lot of white, white mats, white walls, white kitchen.

~Modern appeal, open kitchen

~Loved that you got to eat with chopsticks

~Glass front lets you see out into the prudential center

Overall I would give Wagamama ***

It was too unorganized and crazy for me. I like going to a restaurant knowing who my

server is and that is that. I did not love being asked the same thing numerous times. The servers

were very nice and accomodating it was just to crazy for me. My food was good and I would definitely

go back for take-out, especially for $12. And I would eventually try the ginger cheesecake. Just and fyi there is only a half

a plate of food in my picture because I waited so long for my food I was starving and couldn't wait

to take the picture.

Restaurant review #3 Ruth Chris Steakhouse, Boston, MA

This past wednesday was my 3rd and last restaurant week reservation. A friend Colin and I went to Ruth Chris Steak House, in Old City Hall, Boston. The building was the original city hall in Boston and still houses many offices in the back and higher floors of the building as well as the city's first money vault. Ruth Chris is located on the first and basement floors of the building and has beautiful windows and nostalgic decor.

Don't forget this is for restaurant week so I got a three course meal for $20.09 (exlcuding taxes and drinks)

Just as reminder I will rate the meal, the service, restaurant appearance and overall with *'s. One * being the worst and five * being the best. An always remember I am not a professional critic, just a professional eater/foodie!

Ruth Chris Steakhouse, Boston, MA

Appetizer: Steakhouse Salad ****

~Generous portion for an appetizer

~Great house dressing

~Very fresh ingredients and crisp greens

~Slightly overdressed

*Colin got the Seafood Gumbo which came in a cup size and he noted was delicious.

Entree: 6 oz Filet Mignon ***** with Garlic Mashed Potatoes ****

~Though it may not be foodie like I get all my meat cooked well done and this was perfectly cooked, unbutterflied.

~Still extremely juicy even with the temperature it was cooked too.

~Came out on a 500 degree plate which kept everything nice and warm and gave steak a nice sear.

~Mashed potatoes were very smooth and  buttery, but maybe a little too buttery, definitely delicious when mopping up the meat juices!

~Filet was definitely one of the better steaks I have had.

Dessert: Chocolate mousse in a chocolate cup and berries with cream****

~Chocolate mousse was smooth and had nice texture.

~Mousse was not very chocolatey? (is that a word? hehe)

~Berries were in a cup with a creme anglaise type sauce and were delicous

~Presentation could have been nicer

~Nice end to the heavy meal

Restaurant Appearance*****

~Very nice dark wood atmosphere

~Sort of colonial and historical

~Nice nostalgic feel

~When going to the downstairs dining room (which is one of three) you walk by the old city hall vault which was pretty cool.

~Very clean

Customer Service Great ****

~Everyone was very friendly

~Waited a bit before our order was taken.

~Did not exceed expectations.

~All food came out hot and in a timely manner

~Server was personable

Overall I would give Ruth Chris Steakhouse ****

I really enjoyed my time at Ruth Chris, the food was unbelievable and the bargain for restaurant week was crazy. It has to be the best deal going. I was a little disappointed with dessert and as the service definitely was no where near bad it just could have been a little better. Colin, got a 12 oz ribeye for his entree and it was enormous all with appetizer and dessert for $20. I would definitely recommend Ruth Chris Steakhouse during or after restaurant week. I was looking at the rest of their menu and though it was a little on the pricey side ($39 for a filet mignon and $88 for a twin porterhouse) the food is worth it.

Next Restaurant week: August 2009

Restaurant review #2 Melting Pot

Thursday, I went to my second restaurant week reservation at the Melting Pot. You may think fondues are so 70's but not in this modern day, high end restaurant. No more bunson burners or sternos lighting the fondue pot thats sits on a stand. These pots are heated on top of induction burners built right into the table. 

Just as an fyi we opted out of the entree portion of this meal. I have been to the Melting Pot before (so this is not part of my 20 restaurant for the year) and I definitely did not love that the meat gets brought out to you raw, on a plate and with two forks to dip and cook with. This really was a personal preference. There is  nothing wrong with bringing cold meat out and letting it sit out for an hour or so. Meat is actually usually left out at room temperature for a bit before cooking so it doesn't shock the meat. I just don't love the idea and plus cheese and chocolate is usually enough for me :)

The Melting Pot, Boston, MA

Appetizer: Traditional Cheese Fondue ****

~Made table side with beer, garlic, dry mustard, cheddar and swiss cheese.

~Great cheesy flavor just a tiny beer flavor in the background

~When we got toward end of cheese it started to get a little crusty and over cooked.

~Love the apple and bread dippers

~Wish they would cook the vegetable dippers before bringing them out

Dessert: Smore Chocolate Fondue *****

~Made table side with a shot of 151 (flambeed), milk chocolate, marshmallows and graham crackers yum!

~The dippers are amazing and include, strawberries, bananas, marshmallows dipped in oreos and graham crackers, cheesecake, pound cake, brownies and rice krispie treats.

~Additional small plate of dippers are free as long as you don't mind not having extra cheesecake

~When you go for dinner, and not for restaurant week the dipper plate is over double the size (and the price)

Restaurant Appearance: Upscale casual *****

~Very clean restaurant and bathrooms

~Nice modern sleek look

~Awesome wine selection shown very elegantly around the restaurant

~Love the induction burners in the table

~Fun fondue plates and forks

Customer Service: Good ***

~Server was nice, but not over personable.

~Got our food to us in a timely manner (which is great considering your meal at the melting pot usually runs about 4 hours)

~Brought us wrong dessert at first, but was more than willing to fix it and very timely.

~Seemed disappointed we didn't order cocktails or wine.

~Warmed up toward the middle-end of lunch

Overall I would give Melting Pot ****

The restaurant was very clean and enjoyable to sit and eat in. Service could have been a little better, it kind of seemed like everyone who worked there hated their jobs. Downside on the Melting Pot is if you go for a three or even two course meal especially for dinner you better not be hungry when you get there because the meal usually spans from 1.5-3 hours and you will develop hunger while waiting and in between courses. I myself would go back to The Melting Pot any day of the week for the chocolate fondue! As you all know chocolate is my weakness and this is so good. I feel like for dinner it's just a lot of work and a lot of time. If I were to go out on a Friday night with some girlfriends it would be great for dessert and cocktails in a hip atmosphere. Just remember dinner you usually need a reservation. 

Next Up: Ruth Chris Steakhouse

Restaurant Review #1 Top of the Hub

Yesterday was the first day of restaurant week. I went to the highest point restaurant in boston, Top of the Hub!!! I had never been so I took one of my friends from Culinary school and we tore it up, and be tearing it up I mean ate our faces off.

The way I will rate each course is by *,  1 * being the worst and 5 * being the best. I will also comment on the course afterwards. At the end I will comment about restaurant appearance and service. Just remember I am not a professional food critic. I am just a foodie!

Restaurant week offers a 3 course pre fixe menu for $20.09 for lunch and $33.09 for dinner. A new addition to this restaurant week is a 2 course menu for $15.09, but really I look forward to the dessert so I did not opt for that.

Top of the Hub

Appetizer: Roasted Potato Soup *****

~ Came out extremely hot. (Love that!)

~ Not to thick or heavy, it was perfectly nape with a very nice smooth consistency.

~ Nice roasted flavor

Entree: Roasted Lemon Chicken with sweet potato puree and cranberry gastrique ****

~ Beautiful presentation

~ Chicken was perfectly cooked

~ Very small portion of chicken (I understand it was for restaurant week but it was tiny)

~ It took everything Gina and I had not to lick the sweet potatoes and cranberry gastrique off the plate in the very high end restaurant.

~ Sweet potatoes were very smooth and velvety

Dessert: Creme Brulee *** and Honey Yogurt Parfait ***

~ Gorgeous presentation

~ Both desserts had great texture

~ Creme brulee "brulee crust" was not very hard. Did not have the usually "crack" when you go to take a bite.

~ Creme brulee looked like it was starting to seperate.

~ Honey yogurt parfait had good flavor but the butter cookie in between layer was a little too buttery.

~ Passionfruit, raspberry and lemon sauce for parfait were delicious

Restaurant Appearance: High end *****

~ Best view from a restaurant in Boston.

~ Extremely clean, modern look.

~ 360 view of the city

~ Very nice dark bar

~ Huge wine selection displayed in very sleek organized wine closets

~ Piano on one corner of restaurant

Customer Service: Perfect *****

~ Drinks were refilled often

~ Server was extremely friendly and knew his menu with detail

~ Our seats were pulled out for us when we got there and napkins put on our lap

~ Table was kept cleared off, no clutter

~ Courses came out after we were finished with previous course and all came out hot and fresh.

Overall I would give Top of the Hub ****

The place was beautiful, the service was amazing. I am just not sure I would go back there if it wasn't restaurant week. The average check per person is above $50 on any regular day and I am not so sure the food is worth that. I would definitely recommend the Top of the Hub it is definitely a Boston must see.

Next Up: The Melting Pot!

things to do during economic crisis!

So, as you all know the country is going to shit. I have all faith in Obama and his many plans but its gonna get shittier before it gets better. So first hand having to deal with economic hardship I have come up with a couple ideas to get by during the these hard times.

1. Cook a large piece of meat and make different meals from it all week. I cooked a turkey today, ill eat it with gravy today, as pot pie tomorrow maybe a sandwich on wednesday! So many possibilities. And most large cuts of not so tender meat like pork butt or beef chuck are inexpensive and lend them selves very well to roasting.

2. Space heaters! Oil and gas are rediculously priced and I know I can barely afford it. I am not saying to completely stop using your heat, you can not, your pipes will freeze. But, keeping your heat low saves you money and new space heaters are energy efficient so they wont run your electric bill up to much!

3. Exercise. It's free. It makes you feel good. It get's you in shape! Hurray!

4. Cous cous is one of earth's greatest gifts in my eye! Most cous cous has anywhere from 5-9g of protein per 1/3 cup serving and costs less than like $.75/serving. Cous cous takes 5 min to make and literally takes on the flavor of anything you mix in it. I usually cook my cous cous in chicken stock and then add lime zest, cilantro and a lil soy sauce at the end. Sometimes I even get bold and add frozen veggies yum!

5. Go to the red box. Red boxes are popping up all over the country and are great. You can rent a movie for $1 a night. (plus tax where applicable) You go to the machine, pick your movie, swipe your credit card and out comes the movie. With a bottle of soda and a bag of popcorn you got a pretty cheap date night! But remember to return your movie because you get charged a dollar a day for 25 days and after that you own it!

So I hope these ideas helped a few of you! Let me know if you have any ideas!

Talk to you soon!

Theresa