Patisserie on Newbury is a great option if you need to add some variety to your coffee routine around Newbury Street. The French roast was surprisingly tasty and the croissant wasn’t bad considering my geographic location. A few details: seating is limited (3 tables), they do not open until 8am, and they carry a wide variety of specialty goods (but the prices are steep in comparison to other specialty shops).
Monthly Archives: January 2014
Flatbread Company Somerville
Flatbread is a place that I can always count on to have good pizza and a great draft list. It’s a chain, but no matter which location I dine at, it’s always reliable (I’m trying to go to all of them, including the one in Maui!). The Somerville location is unique since it has a bowling alley attached. They have daily specials for meat and vegetarian pizzas. don’t forget to ask! If you end up loving their dough, they sell it so you can make your own pizza at home.
Gather
Another great addition to the Seaport restaurant landscape! Gather offers classics like fish and chips with inventive twists like curry tartar sauce. They share a space with Brew Cafe, but Brew is closed after 5pm so I’m not sure what the vibe is like when they’re both open. The draft list isn’t bad, especially for the Seaport area. I wasn’t overly pleased with my cocktail, but with Drink down the street, can you really compete?
Deviled eggs – a nice twist on the classic with a dollop of caviar
Fish and chips -good, but I’d like to try the duck tacos next time
Dates, bleu cheese, and bacon – tasty, maybe more cheese would have been nice
The Biltmore
I don’t have to wander too far to find a pub in my neighborhood, but looking for a change of scenery I found myself at the Biltmore in Newton. Deviled eggs, burgers, and eight televisions – a good football Sunday if you care for that type of thing. They have daily specials, several drafts on rotation, and beer flights for $10 if that tickles your fancy.
Biltmore Burger
Chocolate Bread
Snow days make me want to bake. Today, chocolate bread from Artisan Bread in Five Minutes a Day.
Guid Forder: Brooklyn Brewery
I’m ringing in the new year with a special section I call Guid Forder, or Good Luck. This is reserved for those wonderful occasions when I get to visit a craft brewery. Recently I was able to visit the esteemed Brooklyn Brewery and got to try some of their winter offerings. The visiting portion of the brewery contains a large open room with barrels for setting drinks down and large wooden tables for groups to sit. For $5 you can purchase a ticket that will buy you your choice of 6-8 draft offerings. The brewery can get packed, so get there early, take the tour and claim a spot.
First off was the Brooklyn Blast!, an Imperial IPA that lived up to its name. The crisp golden body and light carbonation masks the bold hop flavors. Pungent grapefruit and herbal notes emanate from the Blast’s nose. The finish is long, piney and full of citrus. Just try to keep in mind its ABV stands at 8.4%.
Next up was the Brooklyn Winter Ale, a refreshing and lightly spicy Scotch ale. The Winter Ale pours a deep amber color with a foamy white head. Lots of malt, carmel, and dark fruit waft from the nose. Biscuit and roasted malt linger on the tongue with a hint of spice that keeps on giving.
Overall, the Brooklyn Brewery was a wonderful treat. This flagship of craft breweries doesn’t disappoint. If you have a chance, especially on a weekday, drop by and enjoy some fresh Brooklyn beer.