Boston Fashion Week

Thursday 09.23.10

Boston Fashion Week Kick-off Party 

At the Beehive

With Manoela from Modelo magazine

Photo: courtesy of Elias

Mini photo shoot outside

Photos: courtesy of my iPhone & Manoela :)

In need of sustenance.

Decided to make a pit stop at Eastern Standard.

Highly recommended, the new addition to the fall menu: 

Seafood Bouillabaisse

 I couldn't leave without eating my favorite dessert of the moment:
Chocolate hazelnut terrine with a port reduction. 
What better accompaniment than the ES gin flip?

Then off to the Liberty Hotel to try and catch the Sam Mendoza show.

Leopard Jacket: H&M, Red high-waist skirt: BCBG, 

Print top: Forever 21, Zipper booties: Sam Edelman, 

Black studded purse: Urban Outfitters, Jewelry: H&M

-nRm

Sportello

With a name like that, you don't know what to 

expect when you walk up those stairs.

Is it a sports bar? Not even close.
(I have actually heard this statement)

Sportello: Italian for counter service.

This is Chef Barbara Lynch's modern interpretation of a classic diner.

With it's sleek & minimalist design, it's an interesting blend of modern meets old school.  It has the feel of an italian bakery, but reminds you of a cafeteria.

Is it overpriced? Quite possibly.
Is the food even worth it? Most definitely.

 The menu also serves as your place mat, so incase you forgot what you ordered, or you wish you got a completely different dish due to entree envy,  it's right there for your viewing convenience.

Not everyone is a fan, but I personally love the hustle and bustle of an open kitchen.  It's a front row seat to the drama behind the scenes, and a rare chance to watch these talented folks execute their craft.
I find it elevates the dining experience to the next level.

 I used to think that when a restaurant served delicious bread to start, that was the introduction to an equally delicious meal.  Unfortunately, it's not a true statement.  Fortunately, it was a true statement at Sportello.  Here we have fresh Brioche served with sweet ricotta, fig jam & local honey.

 For our appetizer: we chose the Lamb Carpaccio with pickled pearl onion, saffron & sesame.

 For our main courses: here we have the Garganelli with octopus, tomato & garbanzo beans.  The pasta was cooked a perfect al dente, but to be honest, it could've used a bit more octopus.

 Here we have the Crescent Duck Breast with swiss chard, white beans & lemon.  The duck was so tender and cooked perfect, the swiss chard so flavorful, and the beans were a perfect starch.

Though the Figs & Cream and Semolina Pound Cake sounded so tempting, we were drawn to the simplicity of our chosen dessert: the Ice Cream Sandwich. It didn't hurt that it was a chocolate lover's dream. Chocolate gelato sandwiched in between a chewy chocolate cookie.  Highly suggested to channel your inner child and consume with your hands, it was the perfect ending to a meal.

If you plan on checking it out, I suggest you make a reservation. Please don't pull our classic but always unintentional move of walking into a restaurant on a Saturday night with no reservation and expect a table.

If you want to follow dinner with a night cap in a more intimate setting, you can always head down stairs to Drink.  Another Barbara Lynch concept for the Fort Point neighborhood. It was voted one of the Best Cocktail Bars in America by GQ magazine September 2010.

I didn't even mention Menton, also in the Fort Point, it was voted one of the 10 Best New Restaurants in America by Bon Appetit magazine September 2010 (I have yet to dine here, but stay tuned).

Boston's culinary talent, James Beard award winner, 6 concept restaurants under her belt,
Catering company, Cookbook "Stir: Mixing it up in the Italian tradition"

Oh Barbara, is there anything you can't do?

-nRm

Lineage

After leaving Great Bay, which is no longer in existence, Chef Jeremy Sewall, along with his wife Lisa (former pastry chef at L'Espalier) combined forces and opened Lineage in 2006.

As you walk in the door, you feel right at home.  

The atmosphere is warm, casual and unpretentious.

The menu changes daily in order to utilize the most seasonal ingredients. With his love and respect for the freshest of fresh, they offer classic American dishes with a modern twist.

Spicy Lobster Tacos

mango salsa & avocado mousse

Peter's Gin Flip

gin, cherry heering, egg

After having a little a taste of the ocean, 

I was in the mood for some seafood.

As if the stars were aligned, they were offering a Seafood Tasting. 

Red Snapper Tartare

cucumber, shallots & lemon

PEI Mussels

cous cous, curried tomato broth, thai basil

Tempura Soft Shell Crab

salsa verde, braised heirloom tomato

Gotta love it. Dinner and a show!

A playful rendition of the Bees Knees...

The Bee Keeper

rye whiskey, honey, coriander, lemon

Fun facts:

Chef Jeremy Sewall's cousin Mark, continues the fishing tradition over the generations, where he helps supply the restaurant some of the the freshest and most delicious lobster in town.

Events to check out:

For the $1 oyster fanatics, you know who you are:

$1 Island Creek Oysters

every night at the bar from 5-7pm

For the past, present, and future cocktailians:

The Lineage of Cocktails

 every friday & saturday night

Keep an eye out for... 

...the highly anticipated project taking over
the former Great Bay spot, 

Island Creek Oyster Bar

Talk about your dream team, this is a collaboration between Chef Jeremy Sewall, Eastern Standard Proprietor Garrett Harker, and Island Creek Oyster founder Skip Bennett.  

Lineage

Located in the heart of Coolidge Corner

242 Harvard St.

Brookline, MA 02246

Voted Best Brookline Neighborhood Restaurant

Improper Bostonian 2009 & 2010

-nRm

"The September Issue"

Short is the new long

...well atleast it is for me. 

My hair was in desperate need for a change. 

So I chopped it all off.

Here I am outside of our condo, we're on our way to the Food Truck Festival at SOWA.

Dress: Forever 21

Bag: Urban Outfitters

Sandals: Steve Madden

Elephant ring: Forever 21

Necklace: Express

Channeling my inner rock star.
Shades: Marc Jacobs (Saks 5th Ave)

Special thanks to my hair stylist Tobi for always

making me look and feel amazing! xx

-nRm

Fish Market

Fresh sushi.  Innovative creations.  Reasonable prices.

At Fish Market you get both Quality & Quantity.

Oh, and did I mention BYOB?  Nuff said...

OK, so I'm not exactly a wine guru, but I do know what tastes good...

and when friends from Eastern Standard recommend a grape to try, I try it.  

Gruner Veltliner

Check out winepros.org if you want to learn more

 Miso Soup

But why have plain Miso Soup, when you can have Spicy Seafood Miso Soup?

Filled with shrimp & scallops.  So good!

Truffling Tuna

Tuna & Tobiko swimming in truffle butter

Melt in your mouth. Perfection.

Clockwise: Uni (sea urchin), Sock eye salmon, Toro (fatty tuna)

Sake (salmon) and Maguro (tuna)

So fresh and so clean, clean...

Soft Shell Crab Maki

Soft shell crab, sweet egg, roe, cucumber,

avocado wrapped in daikon radish

Caterpillar Maki

Eel, roe, cucmber, topped with avocado

Foie gras with truffle sushi

2 words: Ridiculousness. Amazing.

What better way to end the meal than with

Deep fried red bean ice cream?

And what better way to end the night, than to grab a drink at Eastern Standard? 

Here we are in the Ann Corio lounge, one of my fav spots in the restaurant.

Fun fact: Ann Corio was a burlesque dancer and actress whose career began in the 30's

Fish Market

170 Brighton Ave

Allston, MA

Eastern Standard Kitchen & Drinks

528 Commonwealth Ave

Kenmore Square

Boston, MA

-nRm