Around Town - Parla, Boston

Last Friday we tried out one of Boston's newest restaurants, Parla.  It's in the North End right on Hanover Street, and the buzz has been great so far.  It has an Italian speakeasy vibe with some of the most thoughtful decor you every did see.  
 

The cocktail menu is unique and ambitious and for the most part didn't disappoint.  It should be noted that we had MANY cocktails on this particular night.  Our favorites? The Bee Sting Julep (traditional with a habanero twist), The Bootleg Old-Fashioned, and The Rhuby Mule (grapefruit spin on a Moscow Mule). 

First, we were served a little bite of beet salad and goat cheese compliments of the chef.  Then we feasted on the oxtail arrancini which were some of the best I've ever had!  For our entrees, we ordered the Squid Ink Gnocchi with Wild Boar Bolognese and New York Strip with Truffle.  The gnocchi was the hands-down winner.  It was light and fluffy and flavorful and beautiful to boot!  The perfect contrast to the heavier bolognese.  

While we didn't get a chance to see it, there is also a late night menu available that we will definitely be coming back to try.  Thanks Parla for a great first impression.  Here's to many more!

Parla Boston
230 Hanover St. Boston, MA
parlaboston.com 

Around Town - Giulia, Cambridge

A few weeks ago, a friend and I checked out Giulia in Cambridge.  It was one of the last truly cold evenings of the winter and Giulia provided a warm, inviting place for us to indulge in some really amazing food.  

Our first and only mistake in choosing this restaurant?  We didn't have reservations.  It was a Thursday night and this popular place was packed.  We were told it would be 45 minutes but the wait ended up being much, much shorter.  Happily, we took our place at the bar and started drooling over all of the yummy items on the menu.

The bar staff were friendly, knowledgable, and attentive.  They sold us on the day's special crostini so we started with that.

We then shared a salad with citrus and fried fennel.  All I can say is that fried fennel will be sweeping the nation one day because it was that good.

The entrees didn't disappoint either.

Neither did the wine or sides.  Their spicy, citrusy take on brussel sprouts is so different and unique, making this trendy side seem new again.

If you love fresh pasta or (heaven forbid!) don't know if you've ever had it.  Try it here.  You won't be disappointed.

Giulia
1682 Massachusetts Avenue
Cambridge, MA 02138
617.441.2800

#BostonStrong

Despite the tragedy at last year's Boston Marathon, today will always be a day of hope, inspiration, and celebration.  

Good luck and be safe to all of the runners, spectators, and volunteers today!

Weekend Brunch

Last weekend, Kevin and I checked out Stephanie Cmar's (of Top Chef fame) new pop-up endeavor called Stacked Donuts.  The first few weeks she held donut sales at The Butcher Shop in The South End, but last week she moved over to Cambridge and set up shop at The Commonwealth, a cute market and restaurant in Kendall Square.

Donning an adorable donut-emblazoned apron, Stephanie was front and center handing out her delicious creations and talking to patrons.  She was so incredibly sweet and gracious. 

 Yum. Look at all of those sweet things. Stacks on stacks on stacks.

The featured flavors for the week were salted chocolate raspberry and maple crumble.  She has mastered the glaze.  There is something very Krispy Kreme about it, which makes this southern girl very happy and a little homesick.

Bostonians: have you checked out Stacked Donuts yet?  It's well worth waiting in line for!  Lucky for you, maybe the weather will be in your favor, and you won't freeze your fanny off before you get inside!

Del Frisco's Lunch

On Saturday I had the pleasure of attending a Blog and Tweet Boston event at Del Frisco's Double Eagle Steakhouse in the Seaport.  We sampled from their lunch menu and let's just say no one went hungry.  There was so much delicious food! 

We started out with some signature cocktails: The VIP and Pomegranate Martini

The VIP (which stands for vodka-infused pineapple) was citrusy and not too sweet.  The pomegranate was also delicious, but I'll be honest I'm sort a sucker for pomegranate martinis so this was a no-brainer for me.
  
We were seated in the Harbor Room, which is a beautiful private room surrounded by glass and the beautiful view that the Seaport area is known for. Then the food started rolling in.  

Crab Cake with Cajun Lobster Sauce

This was one of the best crab cakes that I've ever had.  Basically all crab with just the right amount of breading.  And the sauce really complemented the dish.

Shanghai-Style Fried Calamari with Sweet Chili Glaze, Bean Sprouts, Cherry Peppers, Crushed Peanuts & Scallions

I love calamari.  It's the go-to appetizer for me and Kevin when we go out to eat.  This was such a nice spin on the same old plate of fried squid.  It was tossed in a slightly spicy sauce, and the bean sprouts added a fresh crunch to each bite.

Beer Battered Onion Rings

The picture sort of speaks for itself.  This stack of onion rings was an eye-catcher.  Best of all, they tasted great.  Plenty of onion and breading that stayed on, not at all greasy.
 
Ahi Tuna Tartare with Citrus, Capers, Kalamata Olive Spread & Crostinis

This tuna dish was served family style.  It was so beautiful and the portion was huge!

Steakhouse salad with broiled prime strip steak, deviled egg, baby mixed green, watercress, avocado, cherry tomato, bacon, parmesan, blue cheese and horseradish lemon dressing

This salad of course was a winner because steak is what Del Frisco's does best.

Seared Ahi Tuna with shaved Napa cabbage, arugula, mango, chilled noodles, toasted almonds, tomato, avocado, ginger-sesame dressing

Definitely a lighter salad option than the steakhouse salad, but also delicious and filling.


Prime Shaved Steak with Au Jus, Horseradish Sauce, and Potato Chips

As much as I love steak, I never find myself ordering steak sandwiches.  This one was great though and the house potato chips also scrumptious.
 
Sole Francese with Lump Crabmeat, Baby Arugula, Cherry Tomato, Lemon Chive Beurre Blanc

This fish was good, but if I'm at a steakhouse, I'm going to order steak.  It's as simple as that.

Six layer lemon cake with lemon buttercream

Holy moly this cake was good.  Dense but light, sweet but tart.  Delicious and house made daily.

Overall, the food was excellent and I can't wait to try it out for lunch again when the weather is nice and the patio is open!

I had been to Del Frisco's once before and I have to say that neither time was I disappointed with the food or service.  If it's your first time though, I will say that it's a different environment than other fancy steakhouses.  It's best for a group outing or a fun celebration for two (ie. promotion, closing on a house, etc) rather than a romantic occasion.  The vibe inside is more upbeat and youthful and less stuffy than other places in this price range.  Which makes sense because this place makes some delicious cocktails, perfect for the after work crowd or fun night out! 

Del Frisco's Double Eagle Steakhouse

250 Northern Ave

Boston, MA 02210

(617) 951-1368

*Lunch and drinks were compliments of Del Frisco's Double Eagle Steakhouse, but all opinions are my own.

Boston Love

Today I am guest posting over on Stamp In My Passport about being a tourist in my own town of Boston.  It's something that I've discussed a few times here and here, but I put a new spin on it, so go check it out.  In keeping with that theme, I thought I'd post a few of my favorite pictures that we've taken over the years since we've lived here including some of our engagement photos that were taken around town.  Enjoy!

 

 *The last five pictures from our engagement session are by John Lo Photography