dining out

Good Eats Boston: Moon Bar

December 3, 2018

Last Saturday we headed out to Moon Bar; a casual and super chill spot in Boston with delicious bites and drinks. The small corner bar serves some amazingly fresh seafood plates and the curated wine selection is on point. Even the hubby was converted to a white wine lover after trying a glass of German Riesling from the menu. Moon Bar is a great choice if you don’t want to spend tons of money but still want to get very good seafood.

One of my favorite items on the menu was the smoked mussel toast made with pumpkin, sage, roasted garlic aioli and sourdough. As a lover of toast with toppings, I would have never thought of mussels on toast but it works very well in this dish. The different textures in each ingredient create the perfect bite.

The Swordfish Soulvaki with garlic, oregano, lemon, cucumber, tomatoes, chickpeas, yogurt and pita is one menu item I simply cannot forget. There was no rubbery and tough texture. It was very tender, well seasoned and cooked to perfection. From the many seafood restaurants I visited, this was best cooked swordfish I have ever tasted.

Another favorite was the the fish tacos. Made with beer battered fish, cabbage slaw, cilantro, red onion pickles and a Thoreau sauce. These tacos are worth trying on your next visit to Moon Bar.

We tried a few other small plates including Poke with Spanish mackerel and a smoked bluefish plate which were all tasty. Overall the food is great and the wine is amazing. I highly recommend Moon Bar if you are in the Boston area.

Because of it’s location, the bar has become a great hang out spot for many locals and visitors staying in the nearby hotels. Moon Bar is located downstairs from Mooncusser fish house which is already on Boston’s best list for Seafood. The hubs and I plan on going there next time for date night and I can’t wait to try it out.

Moon Bar Location:

304 Stuart St, Boston, MA 02116 Get Directions

Phone: (617) 917-5193

Website: Moonbarboston.com

Click here for more good eats in and around Boston.

Good Eats Boston: by Chloe

March 8, 2018

If you live in Boston you have probably heard the buzz about by Chloe, a vegan fast casual spot which serves delicious and wholesome plant based food. I recently visited the restaurant for the first time and I am hooked. I am by no means a vegan but I eat plenty of meatless meals so this place is up my alley. You know the place is on fire if a non-vegan like myself is into it. Even the Fiancé gave it a thumbs up.

by Chloe spring menu items including confetti pancakes, roasted asparagus, avocado toast. Good Eats Boston — Photo by: Mikey Pozarik

When you hear vegan restaurant, you are probably thinking healthy and boring but by Chloe is far from that. Their menu includes bountiful salads, juicy burgers, breakfast and brunch foods like quinoa hash browns, smoothie bowls and pancakes. It’s a vegan menu that anyone will enjoy.

I am especially excited for their spring 2018 menu specials which includes the items below; available now through March 31st 2018 before new additions arrive.

DAILY SOUP
CARROT GINGER + TURMERIC W/ COCONUT CREAM + PARSLEY

MARKET VEGGIE
ROASTED ASPARAGUS W/ TAHINI VINAIGRETTE + RED CHILI

SMASHED AVOCADO TOAST VEGGIE
MARINATED CUCUMBER W/ TOFU FETA, DILL + ALMOND PARM

SEASONAL LEMONADE
BASIL LEMONGRASS

BREKKIE + BRUNCH
DAILY PANCAKE
FUNFETTI PANCAKES W/ RAINBOW SPRINKLES, POWDERED SUGAR + PURE MAPLE

Since arriving in Boston in 2017 By Chloe has become a Boston favorite and its only fitting that it joins the Good Eats Boston list. They already have 2 locations in the Boston area with a fab new location opening up in Back bay this summer. You can visit the by Chloe website to learn more about their story and menu items.

Current by Chloe Boston Locations:

Seaport : 107 Seaport Blvd

Fenway: 100 Van Ness St. Boston, MA, 02115

Have you tried vegan restaurants? I would love to hear your experiences in the comment section below! If you are looking for more good eats Boston you can check out another fab Boston spot here

Happy eating and remember, eat well to live well!

Super Hunger Brunch – January 2018

January 20, 2018

The Greater Boston Food Bank is hosting their 36th annual Super Hunger Brunch on January 27-28 and this year I am happy to spread awareness for this fabulous event. What I love about it is that it combines two things that we all like, brunch and supporting a good cause. What is better than eating brunch while helping people in need; its a win win!

Local restaurants will offer special Super Hunger Brunch menus or dishes. 100% of proceeds are donated to the Greater Boston Food Bank. You can purchase gift certificates knowing that every $1.00 you spend will provide 3 healthy meals to someone in need. Prices are at $25, $35 or $50 per person. Gift certificates can be purchased online by January 22nd or you can pay at the restaurant. Please note that purchasing a gift certificate does not guarantee a reservation. You can call the restaurant directly to make a reservation, just make sure to ask for the Super Hunger Brunch Menu when you get there.

Super Hunger Brunch Important links and participating Restaurants:

Purchase Supper Hunger Brunch Gift Certificates

Greater Boston Food Bank

Saturday:

Alta Strada	92 Central St, Wellesley	781-237-6100	$35	Menu
Bambara	25 Edwin H Land Blvd, Cambridge	617-868-4444	$25	Menu
Blunch	59 E Springfield St, Boston	617-247-8100	$25	Menu
Brownstone	111 Dartmouth Street, Boston	617-867-4142	$25	Menu
Clerys	113 Dartmouth Street, Boston	617-262-9874	$25	Menu
Dillon’s	955 Boylston Street, Boston	617-421-1818	$25	Menu
Deep Ellum	477 Cambridge St, Allston	617-787-2337	**
Flour Bakery & Cafe	All Locations	All Locations	*	Menu
Foundry on Elm	255 Elm St, Somerville	617-628-9999	$25
Granary Tavern	170 Milk Street, Boston	617-449-7110	$25	Menu
Michael’s Harborside	1 Tournament Wharf, Newburyport	978-462-7785	$25	Menu
The Sinclair	52 Church St, Cambridge	617-547-5200	$25	Menu
The Living Room	101 Atlantic Ave, Boston	617-723-5101	$25

Sunday:

80 Thoreau	80 Thoreau St, Concord	978-318-0008	$50
Bambara	25 Edwin H Land Blvd, Cambridge	617-868-4444	$25	Menu
Cambridge Brewing Co.	1 Kendall Square, Cambridge	617-494-1994	$25	Menu
Catalyst	300 Technology Square, Cambridge	617-576-3000	$50	Menu
Ceia	38 State St, Newburyport	978-358-8112	$25	Menu
Clerys	113 Dartmouth Street, Boston	617-262-9874	$25	Menu
Cultivar	1 Court St, Boston	617-979-8203	$35	Menu
Deep Ellum	477 Cambridge St, Allston	617-787-2337	**
Dillon’s	955 Boylston Street, Boston	617-421-1818	$25	Menu
Flour Bakery & Cafe	All Locations	All Locations	*	Menu
La Morra	48 Boylston St, Brookline Village	617-739-0007	$35
Les Sablons	2 Bennett St, Cambridge	617-268-6800	$35
North 26 Restaurant & Bar	26 North St, Boston	617-557-3640	$25	Menu
Oak & Rowan	321 A St, Boston	857-284-7742	$35	Menu
River Bar	661 Assembly Row, Somerville	617-616-5561	$35
Summer Shack	149 Alewife Brook Pkwy, Cambridge	617-520-9500	$25	Menu
The Living Room	101 Atlantic Ave, Boston	617-723-5101	$25
Tosca	14 North Street, Hingham	781-740-0080	$35
Townsman	120 Kingston St, Boston	617-993-0750	$25

Good Eats Boston: Grainmaker

January 8, 2018

With the fast casual restaurant scene booming in recent years its no surprise that my first good eats boston experience of 2018 is at Grainmaker, a fab fast casual dining spot in Boston. What drew me to the restaurant is their innovative menu with South East Asian influences, which I absolutely love.

The ordering process is like most fast casual spots where you build your bowl. The veggie selection is pretty awesome including delicious string beans, zucchini and my favorite wok fried seasonal greens. I thoroughly enjoyed selecting my garnishes from many choices including a cabbage slaw, fresh cilantro, scallions, pickled veggies and more. Grainmaker also offers some popular street fare like Banh mi sandwiches and street tacos. There is definitely something for everyone.

The restaurant is conveniently located in the Boston’s Downtown crossing area and is steps away from major subway stations. I highly recommend this place for your next lunch stop for excellent food flavors and healthy food choices.

eatgrainmaker.com

Location: Boston – 91 Summer St., Boston, MA 02110

Phone: (617)482-0131

If you are on the hunt for some good eats in Boston se more restaurant suggestions here!

This meal was complimentary and as always, all opinions are mine alone.

Dining out: Joe’s American Bar and Grill

March 27, 2017

I was recently invited to Joe’s American Bar and Grill located in Boston’s trendy Newbury Street to enjoy their new menu. Since I had already been there for a delicious brunch I knew their new dinner menu would be just as good. Joe’s American is well-known for their classic American comfort food with a variety of dishes like New England clam chowder, mac and cheese, short rib meat loaf and more.

With so much food going around that night I picked some of my favorites of the night to share with you, starting with the Maine lobster roll. Now, its important I tell you that the lobster roll is served in the traditional form with a buttery split bun. They cut it up this way as we were eating family style that particular night. One thing I appreciate about Joe’s American is their willingness to modify your order which is not very common in the restaurant industry.

I was happy to try Joe’s very popular spinach and artichoke dip and it did not let me down. It is arguably the best spin dip I have ever had, I could eat it everyday if it was acceptable. Yes, I just called it ‘spin dip’ which is a word that I picked up from chef Dan who is the man behind the menu. We had the privilege of meeting with him again and chatting about their fabulous food.

So next dish we tried from the menu was chicken piccata. Made with roasted garlic, thyme, shallots, lemon confit, capellini with a caper-white wine sauce, its a definite flavor burst. If you love lemon and chicken this dish is worth trying.

The steak speaks for itself and doesn’t need too much explaining. With a beautiful char, delicious seasoning and the perfect degree of doneness it was just the best. You can order some herb roasted cremini mushrooms and asparagus on the side for an absolutely delicious meal.

The Joe’s Mac and Five Cheese was a big hit at our table as everyone could not stop digging into it. The five cheese combination is off the charts and includes Gruyère, cheddar, blue cheese, jack and Parmesan cheese. There is something that sets this mac and cheese apart from others, I am not sure what it was perhaps the blue cheese. Either way it was absolutely delicious.

No meal is complete without a delicious dessert and Joe’s doesn’t play when it comes to their deserts. Staying true to their classic and comfort food speciality, desert includes a seven layer chocolate cake, a butterscotch bread pudding and a seasonal creme brûlée. They also serve a fresh fruit crumble for those who want a slightly lighter option. I am still thinking about the butterscotch bread pudding, it was simply amazing! Joe’s is such a fun restaurant and worth the visit if you live next to one.

Joe’s Newbury is located 181 Newbury Street, Boston, MA 02116 – (617) 536-4200

Joe’s American Bar and Grill currently has 6 locations in Massachusetts, you can find the nearest location to you here.

Disclaimer: This meal was complementary however the content and opinions in this post are completely my own. click here for my full disclosure policy.