Food: October 2009 Archives

Bostonist had heard all sorts of things blamed for the shortage of this cocktail staple: bottling mishaps, distribution issues, politics, and, shaking a fist in the direction of Brooklyn, the recent fad of formulating beverages that contain whole ounces of bitters per serving.

The Archdiocese of Boston urges Catholics to hold off on the consecrated wine, lest they catch transubstantiated swine flu.

There are plenty of places around to grab a bagel sandwich, but you're often limited in choices or end up paying more than you'd like. At Kupel's (pronounced "couples") just outside Coolidge Corner, though, you have a whole slew of options and get a tasty sandwich for just a couple of bucks.

Breads n Bits of Ireland (530 Main Street, Melrose) is the kind of place that can make you an addict if you’re not careful. One day, a few years ago, we were perusing the farmers’ market in Melrose when we literally stumbled into Breads n Bits (of Ireland, don't forget). It’s housed in a completely unremarkable office building where you'd never expect to find a tasty traditional cafe. But once you’ve tried the food here, you won’t be able to get it out of your mind. Breads n Bits serves everything from corned beef sandwiches to a great pot of tea, but the most remarkable thing about this little gem is the scones.

We were already wary of the suffix -tini, and now it's been combined with Twitter.

What is good? And who says so? How bad is bad? Drinking in Boston performed a quick survey of several beer lovers last week to see what the good beer drinker’s position was on several key beer questions. This week we’ll look at “good” beer versus “bad” beer.

Have you ever mistaken a sommelier for a pro wrestler?

Porter Exchange, located in Porter Square, is filled with Japanese food stalls and restaurants. Take your pick from noodles and rice bowls to pastries. Cafe Mami is just one of the small stalls where you can get great food for cheap.

We visited Dorado Tacos & Cemitas in Brookline earlier this year, and enjoyed the experience. Now a little email tells us the restaurant has "Mexican Coke" on offer: a nice addition for those who freak out over the uniquely flavored drink (the drink is typically sweetened with sugar, as opposed to high fructose corn syrup, in Mexico). Tacos Lupita in Somerville is the only other restaurant near Boston we've heard of consistently offering the beverage.

A British study says kids should learn to drink with their parents, because moderate alcohol consumption in a family setting involves less "regretted sex." [BBC]

Chocolate and beer. What would the world do without the Belgians? To celebrate their accomplishments in at least one of those categories, people will be flocking to The Return of the Belgian Beer Fest next weekend, October 16th and 17th.

Last Saturday, this Bostonist did the unthinkable—she got up really early. Why on earth would someone do such a thing on a Saturday? The answer is simple—bagels. Rosenfeld Bagels in Newton are some of the best bagels this Bostonist has ever had.

Smack dab in the middle of Davis Square sits Mr. Crepe, a comfortable space with delicious and cheap food. Part coffee shop, part gourmet take out shop, Mr. Crepe offers sweet and savory crepes in traditional and unique flavor combinations.

     

Post 390, which opened on Friday, October 2nd, is billing itself as a “neighborhood restaurant.” This, despite the fact that it is being run by Eric Brennan, who has served as the executive chef for larger-than-life brands like the late Excelsior and the Four Seasons. This, despite the fact that it is being funded by big names like Kenneth Himmel, the restaurateur behind the Time Warner Center in NYC (home to Thomas Keller’s Per Se) and the CityPlace in West Palm Beach. This, despite the fact that the restaurant itself is a far-from-intimate two-floor space, with walls shaved clean of any hints that it was once a postal building, as its name hints. This, despite the fact that it is sandwiched between two larger-than-life iconic Boston buildings (the Prudential and its sidekick, the Trinity Church) in a “neighborhood” of high rises. All this means that it requires no small feat of imagination—in fact, it may require an outright suspension of disbelief—to see Post 390 as a “neighborhood restaurant.” But thanks to a food and beverage program that is strong straight out of the gate, a reasonably priced menu of true comfort foods, a few well-placed fireplaces and a staff with a built-in sense of warmth and hospitality (led by the grinning Brennan himself), Post 390 could transcend all that to become exactly what its clever marketers and anxious investors want it to be.

    

This week, a hurriedly planned family dinner turned out to be a real pleasure. Lumière, located in West Newton, is a small French restaurant that manages to give great service and delicious food better than some downtown restaurants. Given a name like Lumière one would expect a luminous experience with lots of lighting, which in one room is delivered by the unique wall sconces shaped like open booklets containing writing or music. They are as fascinating as they are lovely, so don’t be surprised if someone in your groups spends part of the night trying to read one of the pieces of “paper”. The other room houses intimate booths with a ceiling draped with cloth, allowing light to filter through in a soft, romantic fashion. The best thing about all of this unique lighting is that the restaurant is actually bright enough to read your menu; a rare treat among small French bistros.