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Spotlight On: OTTO Pizza Originally started in Portland,...

Mon, 25 Feb 2013 11:22:44 -0500

Spotlight On: OTTO Pizza

Originally started in Portland, ME, OTTO Pizza has become THE pizza spot for Brookline, Allston, and Boston city dwellers of all ages. With it’s crunchy crust, and diverse option of toppings, OTTO Pizza is truly a Boston favorite.

I don’t know about you but I know I am so incredibly sick of doughy, greasy, pizza with toppings that are anything but fresh. Although that kind of pizza tastes delicious at 2am after leaving the bar, It doesn’t taste so delicious during the regular daylight hours.

OTTO’s pizza is anything but the ordinary. When opening up the fresh box of pizza, the first thing you notice is the thin crispy appearance of the crust. It is so crunchy that when you bite into your pizza you actually hear a “crunch” sound. The next thing you notice is that the pizza is actually beautiful. The colors are incredibly vibrant and inviting. You can smell (and taste) the freshness of the ingredients.

But of course, all of the visuals would mean nothing if the taste wasn’t there, lucky for us, the taste is most definitely there. The pizza melts in your mouth, from the crisp of the dough to the gooey-ness of the cheese, OTTO Pizza has truly created “the perfect pizza.”

Now what about the toppings? Besides the usual cheese and pepperoni, OTTO has toppings such as “Three Cheese Tortellini,” “Mashed Potato, Bacon and Scallion,” and my personal favorite “Butternut Squash, Ricotta, and Cranberry.” The list goes on, but I promise, no matter which pizza you get from OTTO you will not be disappointed.

OTTO Pizza is located in Brookline at 289 Harvard Street, and on the BU Campus at 888 Commonwealth Ave.

Burger Dive-Somerville, MA Dive Bar- type of bar or...

Fri, 15 Feb 2013 11:30:00 -0500

Burger Dive-Somerville, MA

Dive Bar- type of bar or pub, generally has a relaxed and informal atmosphere—they are often referred to by local residents as “neighborhood bars”, where people in the neighborhood gather to drink and socialize.

In the midst of Storm Nemo this past weekend, I was watching an episode of Phantom Gourmet. If you’re not familiar, it’s a program on My 38 that showcases restaurants and bars in and around the Boston area. On this particular episode they showcased Burger Dive in Somerville. I was immediately drawn to the dive for the mere fact that they had Pretzel Pickles on their menu. I repeat, Pretzel Pickles. A fried pickle coated with pretzels. Although I am generally a huge health nut, I was hooked. I decided I needed to go and see what this place was all about.

When I drove up to Burger Dive, the first thing I noticed was the giant burger car in the parking lot. I couldn’t decide if that was corny, or hilarious..

As you walk into the restaurant I was surprised to find out that the Burger Dive, is not much a dive as a burger joint. (Where’s the beer?!?!) The setup was more of a UBurger or a Chipotle than of a typical Dive. Although I was a little put off that I couldn’t have the “Burgers and Beer” meal I was picturing, I was still eager to give the food a shot.

The menu is quite impressive, featuring more burger combinations than one could imagine. You can choose one of their menu burgers, or build your own. Not a beef fan? Don’t worry, they have many different options such as panko crusted portabella mushroom caps, turkey burgers, and even fried chicken. The toppings range from the original lettuce, tomato, onion, to sauteed portabellas, to guacamole, to potato chips. Yep, potato chips on a burger.

But what impressed me the most was the array of dipping sauces. BBQ Sauce, Honey Mustard, Old Bay Aoili, Burger Dive Sauce, Buttermilk Ranch, Louisiana, Chipotle, Frank’s Hot sauce, and of course your classic Ketchup, Mustard, and Mayo.

For my meal I opted for the Turkey Burger. I topped it with sauteed onions and portabella mushrooms, and the Burger Dive sauce, also for a guilty treat I opted for the pretzel coated pickles. My boyfriend got the Frito Chilli-Cheddar Burger. A beef burger topped with “five alarm” chili, cheddar cheese, scallions, and Fritos, with sweet potato fries on the side.

We ordered our food from the counter and sat down to wait for our food. We poured our own array of sauces (okay, all of them) and enjoyed the “industrial” looking atmosphere.

When the food arrived I couldn’t have been happier. The problem with turkey burgers is that they are usually dry, and thin and tasteless. This turkey burger was juicy, moist and full of flavor. The sauteed veggies on top, and perfect bun, perfectly complemented the flavorful burger dive sauce. The pretzel fried pickles were out of this world. Perfect ratio of pretzel to pickle, and when dipped into sauces, my mouth “went all the way to flavor town” as Guy Fieri would say.

Although I was slightly disappointed in the lack of beer at Burger Dive, it immediately disappeared when I bit into my burger. If you are in the mood for a great burger joint full of choices, and flavor Burger Dive in Somerville is the place to go.

Location:

702 Assembly Drive

Somerville, MA 02145

Price: $-$$

Padaria Brasil Bakery in Allston is a true gem. Located at 125...

Fri, 18 Jan 2013 12:19:04 -0500

Padaria Brasil Bakery in Allston is a true gem. Located at 125 Harvard Avenue, its convenient to the 57, 66, and the B Line. I wanted to get a true taste of Brasil and heard good things about this little treasure. I was not disappointed!

The food is sumptuous and hearty with a robust flavor. Pastries are often flakey and moist, the meats are bold and spicy, and the sweets are not too sugary. The cafe con leche is sweet with a rounded, smoky finish. All in all I was impressed. My favorite cafe is In House but I plan to stop by Padaria weekly for my fix of Cafe con leche—the steamed milk makes the coffee have a delightful burnished flavor that’s quite addictive.

The pricing was fair and comparable to In House. Service was accompanied with a smile, and the employees were extremely pleasant.

Padaria Brasil Bakery in Allston gets a 5/5

Still don’t know where are you going on Sunday to watch the Patriots Ravens game?! Here is a...

Fri, 18 Jan 2013 12:01:59 -0500

Still don’t know where are you going on Sunday to watch the Patriots Ravens game?! Here is a list of the best places in Boston to watch the Playoffs! http://bo.VmLpN7st/

Weekend Activities 1/11-1/13

Fri, 11 Jan 2013 12:01:49 -0500

Looking for things to do this weekend? Here are some of the activities going on this weekend in Beantown! http://bo.st/WE6eQD

Healthy places to eat in Boston

Thu, 10 Jan 2013 14:39:25 -0500

Its the week after New Years and everyone is trying to do one thing, Lose weight. Whether you put on some extra pounds this holiday season or you’re looking to fulfill your New Years Resolution, everyones goal is to eat healthier, and work out more. Creating a healthier lifestyle however doesn’t mean you need to forgo going out to eat. There are places all across the city that offer healthy options to ensure that the weight comes off and stays off. Here are our favorites:

Quick Eats:

1. B. Good-137 Mass Ave, Boston

Price: $

Favorite Menu Item: Hatchback Salad

2. Ufood-201 Brookline Ave, Boston

Price: $

Favorite Menu Item: Chipotle Turkey Burger

Cafe:

1. Refuge Cafe-155 Brighton Ave, Allston

Price:$

Favorite Menu Item: Hummus Veggie Wrap

2. Rebeccas Cafe

Price-$-$$

Favorite Menu Item: Make your own salad!

Asian:

1. Shabu-Zen-80 Brighton Ave, Allston

Price: $$

Favorite Menu Item: Vegetarian Delight in Vegetarian Broth

2. Brown Sugar Cafe-1033 Commonwealth Ave, Boston

Price:$$

Favorite Menu Item: Drunken Noodles

Food Truck

1. Clover

Price: $

Favorite Menu Item: Cauliflower Dinner

2. Bon Me

Price: $

Favorite Menu Item: Noodle salad with buckwheat soba

:)

Fri, 28 Dec 2012 21:30:22 -0500

BBQ craze hits Boston

Tue, 18 Dec 2012 12:29:00 -0500

It seems as though in the past year BBQ has become a whole other food group to Bostonians. No, I’m not talking about Burgers and Hot Dogs on the grill, I’m talking Southern style BBQ. Fall off the bone ribs, creamy mac and cheese, and of course biscuits. It seems as those BBQ restaurants have been popping up all over the city. Here are our top three favorite BBQ spots, for times that you simply cannot eat enough.

1. Sweet Cheeks Q

Location: 1381 Boylston St, Boston.

Price: $$$

Favorite Menu Item: Biscuits

Owner and Chef Tiffani Faison from Bravo’s Top Chef, has hit the nail on the head with this new local favorite. Located just two blocks from Fenway Park, Sweet Cheeks has quicly become a hotspot for Texas Style BBQ lovers young and old. When you walk into the restaurant you are immediately greeted by the aroma of smoked meats and sweet biscuits cooking in the distance, as well as the friendly hosts. The tables are made of unique items such as old bowling alleys and church doors, which gives the restaurant a welcoming and rustic appearance. You are encouraged to make new friends at this restaurant where almost half of the tables are communal tables, where you and 10 or so of your closest..err..strangers can enjoy this out of this world menu and some of the most delicious local craft beers.

All of the meats are dry rubbed and smoked in house. You can choose from one or all three of the sauces provided right on the table. The majority of the menu consists of trays. You choose your type of meat (or three different kinds if you’d like) and your choice of a hot or cold scoop. Some of the scoops include potato salad, collard greens, black eyed peas, and of course mac and cheese.

But the one thing you can absolutely not leave without getting is the Biscuits. One biscuit is about the size of your head. It is buttery, flakey, and nothing short of perfection served with the honey butter on the side for dipping or spreading. Warning: These biscuits will give you ultimate satisfaction and a very full stomach.

Sweet Cheeks is open everyday from 11:30-11, except for Monday and Tuesday where they close at 10.

2. Soul Fire

Location: 182 Harvard Ave, Allston.

Price: $$

Favorite Menu Item: Fried Chicken

This is a great place to go especially now with the half off Groupon they are offering! Soul Fire is located as hop and a skip off of the B line at the Harvard Ave stop. Located right in the middle of hipster city, Soul Fire has become an Allston favorite.

The absolute best thing to do at Soul Fire is a platter. A platter comes with your choice of meat, two sides, corn bread and pickles, for a completely reasonable price. Ranging from $12-$25. There are 5 different sauces to choose from which brings out the smokey delicious flavor of the meat.

By far the most perfect, wonderful, and must-have item on the menu however is the Fried Chicken. For just $13, you can have the juiciest, crispiest fried chicken just north of the mason-dixon line. Pair it with the house made lemonade, and you have a meal fit for a king.

Soul Fire is open M-TH 11:30-10, F-Sat 11:30-11, and Sunday 12-10. Monday is all you can eat wings for $8.99. Is this place too good or what?

3. Redbones

Location: 55 Chester St, Somerville.

Price: $$

Favorite Menu Item: Fried Pickles, Sweet Tea

Tucked nicely in the quaint Davis Square, this BBQ joint has been a BBQ lover’s fantasy for years! With the new addition of a Redbones food truck, you can now get your BBQ fix all across the city!

On a Friday or Saturday night, don’t be surprised to see a line out the door. Don’t be turned off by a long wait time, because within the restaurant there are two full bars, where you can grab a beer, or three while waiting for a table.

While you’re waiting, it is a necessity to grab some of the Fried Pickles. A salty, fried pickle with a horseradish dipping sauce that is to die for. It is the perfect thing to hold your hunger while waiting for the delicious meal that awaits you.

When you sit at your table, the first thing you must do is order a sweet tea. Its the perfect mix of sugar, tea, and lemon. You just can’t get this kind of tea anywhere else in New England.

All of the Ribs and BBQ are served with coleslaw and beans unless otherwise noted. Some other sides include a corn pudding (out of this world), potato salad, and candied yams.

Redbones is open everyday from 11:30-12:30, except for Sundays where they open at noon.

50 Great Late Night Food Options!

Wed, 17 Oct 2012 21:09:17 -0400

50 Great Late Night Food Options!:

Pop quiz: It’s midnight and you’re hungry. Where do you go for late night food? We’ve been wondering that ourselves, so we scoured the city in search of local restaurants that serve food late at night. From burritos at 3 a.m. to chicken and waffles until 4 a.m. and just about everything in between, we’ve rounded up 50 spots that will satisfy those nocturnal hunger pains.

Coolidge Corner Theater has many Halloween offerings!

Wed, 17 Oct 2012 12:25:45 -0400

Coolidge Corner Theater has many Halloween offerings!:

Celebrate Halloween all month long at the Coolidge Corner Theater! Start by watching The American Scream; a look into the cultural phenomenon of homemade haunted houses and the people who bring them to life. Then on October 20th enjoy The Betsi Feathers Halloween Special, a creepy twist on classic burlesque performance. And of course the theater will be showing classics as well including Poltergiest, The Exorcist, The Crow, The Thing, Edward Scissorhands, and Ghostbusters!

boston: There are celebrity photographers who capture their...

Wed, 17 Oct 2012 09:58:33 -0400

boston:

There are celebrity photographers who capture their subjects in moments of vulnerability, using the lens to unveil the insecurities behind the mask of stardom. And then there’s Mario Testino, whose work will be on display at the Museum of Fine Arts.

The Moth

Mon, 15 Oct 2012 12:22:42 -0400

The Moth:

All over the country people are taking part in The Moth Story SLAMS! Each third Monday of every month the Oberon Theater will be hosting The Moth. The shows are open to observer and participant alike. Anyone with a five-minute story to tell relating to the posted theme can take the stage. Think poetry slam meets TED talks. Don’t miss out! The show starts tonight at 8pm at 2 Arrow Street in Cambridge. Tonight’s theme is Chemistry.

boston: Autumn 2012: Celebration of the season -...

Fri, 12 Oct 2012 11:43:47 -0400

boston:

Autumn 2012: Celebration of the season - http://bo.st/UVf24P

Antiquated, awe-inspiring eats!

Tue, 09 Oct 2012 09:58:19 -0400

Antiquated, awe-inspiring eats!:

Not long ago, the frontier of food was futuristic. Chefs made like mad scientists, creating gels and capsules, altering textures and forms. These clever experiments provoked surprise and delight. Eventually, weariness crept in, too. We’d been outfoamed….

check out KITCHEN @ 560 TREMONT STREET for old-timey eats with a new flair!

CC DAY EVENTS! Parades, music and family fun!

Sun, 07 Oct 2012 11:01:17 -0400

CC DAY EVENTS! Parades, music and family fun!:

Head to any of the North End’s wonderful Italian restaurants. Or, if the North End is packed with visitors, walk down the Rose Kennedy Greenway and go for Dim Sum in nearby Chinatown.

Read more: http://www.boston-discovery-guide.com/boston-columbus-day.html#ixzz28cr13PXO

Boston Late Night Dining!

Tue, 02 Oct 2012 11:06:45 -0400

Boston Late Night Dining!:

Pop quiz: It’s midnight and you’re hungry. Where do you go for late night food? We’ve been wondering that ourselves, so we scoured the city in search of local restaurants that serve food late at night. From burritos at 3 a.m. to chicken and waffles until 4 a.m. and just about everything in between, we’ve rounded up 50 spots that will satisfy those nocturnal hunger pains.

Hungry Tiger Street Food Festival

Thu, 09 Aug 2012 11:05:02 -0400

Hungry Tiger Street Food Festival:

The Hungry Tiger Street Festival transforms Union Square into a bustling outdoor night market.

It will feature foods from around the globe served by local Union Square restaurants, including El Potro, The Neighborhood Restaurant, India Palace, Pao de Açucar, and Precinct. This is your chance to nibble on Salvadoran pupusas and Indian samosas, among countless other international fare. After dining en plein air, peruse the wares of local artisans, mingle with street performers, soak in live music and marvel at fire throwers and spinners!

August Freebies Around Boston!

Thu, 02 Aug 2012 11:36:38 -0400

August Freebies Around Boston!:

August is a bittersweet month. Still in the throes of summer, with those sweet idle days stretching out in front of us, August is also a reminder that the promise of fall is getting closer every day. Lucky for you, there are a multitude of ways to soak up what’s left of summer.

Here is our guide to August. Best of all? Each and every event or attraction is absolutely free.

catieohjoy: Pretty Allston and Brookline! (Corey Hill Outlook,...

Tue, 31 Jul 2012 11:10:07 -0400

catieohjoy:

Pretty Allston and Brookline!

(Corey Hill Outlook, Winchester Path, and a lovely little side-street off Commonwealth)

Chill Out, Boston!

Wed, 25 Jul 2012 12:44:42 -0400

Chill Out, Boston!:

When the weather gets hot, all we want to do is find creative ways to stay cool. We definitely don’t feel like cooking in this heat, and we bet you don’t either.

Here are some edible, tasty ways to cool down around the city. Sip frozen hot chocolate, dig into some fro-yo, or enjoy an alcoholic snow cone—and have a chilly day.