BostonZest

Miss Babbet Rests While Her Person Reads

Talbot's Outlet Store Hingham

Most of the time, I find outlet shopping a waste of time. Too few items, too high a price and just not worth the trip.

However, on a recent trip to Hull we stopped at the Talbots Outlet Store in Hingham and that was stuffed full of great values in classic clothing that will retain its style and value.

If you love to shop and like to walk a nearby beach you can do both in one day. If, like me you hate to shop, the beach can be a reward for doing the nasty work.

Tip: follow the staff as they constantly unload racks of new merchandise out onto the floor. Some of it is coming back from the fitting rooms but some of it is coming out of the back stock and may be new to the selling floor.

Details:
Talbots
Hingham Outlet
209 Lincoln Street
Hingham, MA 02043
781-749-8720

Honeycrisp Apples Are Here!

Local orchards are beginning to pick more of their apple varieties and bring them to the city. It's time to look for your particular favorite.

Honeycrisp and I were introduced by Doris Mills from Noquochoke Orchards at the City Hall Farmers' market a few years ago. Since then, Honey Crisp has been my apple of choice whenever I can find one.

Today many local orchards grow them, and last year I picked them up in regular supermarkets, at Whole Foods and at Russo's.

I found the Honeycrisp in the photo at the Keown Orchard stand this week. It was an early version, still a bit tart, but bursting with flavor and with the big crunch that I love. (The honey behind it is also from Keown and is my current favorite local honey.)

Maybe it's time for an apple tasting. Noquochoke Orchards has more than 70 varieties to sample. Keown Orchards picks more than 50 types for you to enjoy.

What's your favorite apple?

About the Honeycrisp Apple
"Honeycrisp was produced from a 1960 cross of Macoun and Honeygold, as part of the University of Minnesota apple breeding program to develop winter hardy cultivars with high fruit quality, " according to the University's extension service website.

http://www.extension.umn.edu/distribution/horticulture/components/5877_01.html

They describe the apple, "Honeycrisp fruit is characterized by an exceptionally crisp and juicy texture. Its flesh is cream colored and coarse. The flavor is sub-acid and ranges from mild and well-balanced to strongly aromatic, depending on the degree of maturity."

Love apples? Want to know more about them? Here's a great book on the topic.

Details:

Noquochoke Orchards, Inc.

594 Drift RoadWestport, MA 02790

www.noqorchards.com

Keown Orchards

9 McClellan Road, Sutton, MA 01590

www.keownorchards.com

Russo's
560 Pleasant Street, Watertown MA 02472  
www.russos.com 

 

Layers of Architecture Against a Stormy Sky

Last Saturday, as the storm clouds built, we stopped to ponder these layers of Boston Architecture stacked one against the other from a view on Exeter Street.

Unacceptable Autumn Leaves

These first colored leaves were spotted in a Back Bay alley.

This is totally unacceptable. It's waaay too early.

I'm not ready for this to happen.

Sofra Bakery and Cafe Has Opened in Cambridge

Chef Ana Sortun and Pastry Chef Maura Kilpatrick of Oleana Restaurant have opened Sofra Bakery, and Cafe in Cambridge near the Belmont line.

They describe their new venture as:
"Inspired by the cuisine of Turkey, Lebanon and Greece, Sofra will offer up a modern Eastern Mediterranean twist on traditional mezze, with flat bread sandwiches.

For sweets, there will be such favorites as palace bread, kunefe, molasses cookies and chocolate hazelnut baklava."

Shoppers at the Copley Square farmers' market have had the opportunity to purchase some of the items that will be featured at Sofra at the Siena Farms stand operated by Sortun's husband, Chris Kurth.

The photo above is of their devastatingly addictive "Earthquake Cookies." I know that this will become a regular stop on our Zipcar outings. I can't wait to try the mezze and will provide a full report when I do.

Best wishes for great success to one of our finest local food families! And thanks to the Boston Chowhounds who confirmed the opening. I'm sure they will soon be adding their reviews to the conversation.

http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/491105

On a side note, I had the great pleasure of attending a cooking class with Chef Sortun at the Boston University Culinary Arts Program. She's an excellent teacher, and she has a written an important cookbook. Spice, Flavors of the Eastern Mediterranean will help you understand and appreciate the art of flavoring food.

Details:

Sofra Bakery and Cafe

One Belmont Street, Cambridge, MA 02138

www.sofrabakery.com

Related Posts:

When the Earthquake Cookie Crumbles

http://www.bostonzest.com/2008/06/when-the-earthq.html

Falafel King Now Open Until 8 PM

BostonZest contributor, Mick T. alerted us to later hours for Falafel King in downtown crossing. Mick said:

    "He's now open till 8pm so you get dinner there. I think he's doing a trial to see how busy he'll be in the evenings. I was there yesterday and he was saying that the lunch rush isn't as busy as it used to be. The grub is till good there."

On Friday, at the end of a busy day, I remembered what Mick said and grabbed combo plates for our dinner. The food was great, and I was starving so I broke into a big smile when I watched everyone ahead of me enjoying a free falafel. There is nothing like that hot falafel, freshly dipped in hummus that the owner hands to you while you're in line.

Details:

Falafel King                                 
48 Winter St
Boston, MA 02108
(617) 338-8355

http://falafelkingboston.com/001home.htm

Related Posts:

http://www.bostonzest.com/2008/05/falafel-king-re.html

http://www.bostonzest.com/2008/05/falafel-king--.html