BostonZest

Commonwealth Avenue Studio for a Texas Mocking Bird

This Commonwealth Avenue Studio Apartment is just waiting for the right Texas Mocking Bird. 

(Mocking Birds are the State Birds of Texas and are always part of the Back Bay bird scene.)

(Photo © 2009 Penny Cherubino)

Friday Links Thanks to The Boomer Chronicles

Thumbs up to Rhea over at the Boomer Chronicles for the idea of Friday links.

As I read my RSS feeds each day, I often say, "I have to recommend this site on BostonZest."

Doing my own Friday links will give me an opportunity to introduce you to other great resources in this area.

It's only fair that I begin with the Boomer Chronicles since I'm stealing Rhea's idea.

One of today's posts is a good example of how this site serves its readers.

http://www.thegeminiweb.com/babyboomer/?p=2331

It has three quick referrals to information from other sources. As the Boomer Chronicles editor, Rhea guessed right that there would be something there for her audience.

I was particularly interested in the site with Social Security information. I learned a bit about this maze when I was caregiver for my mother-in-law. But, I know I have to learn a lot more before I face the system in my own life. What better way to absorb that knowledge than with a regular dose of information from a site like the one recommended?

You'll find great conversations on many topics. Some are lighthearted like Rhea's recent proposal for an Amish restaurant for JP.

http://www.thegeminiweb.com/babyboomer/?p=2334

Other posts are very serious. For example, "Seven Places To Turn If You Are 50+ And Lost Your Job."

http://www.thegeminiweb.com/babyboomer/?p=2232

Click over and take a look. While there may be Boomer in the title the information and fun can be enjoyed by adults of all ages. And, while the Rhea and the site are based in Boston, it will be useful to friends from anywhere.

(Photo from iStockphoto.com click the link below to learn more about using stock photos on your site.)

 

Details:

The Boomer Chronicles

http://www.thegeminiweb.com/babyboomer/

James Beard Award 2009 Local Semi-Finalists

The 2009 list of semifinalists for the James Beard Awards can serve as a great culinary tour of the local food world. We're very happy to see many of our favorite restaurants and chefs recognized.

In its press release on the list, the James Beard Foundation said, "Selected from thousands of online entries, the prestigious group of semifinalists in the 19 Restaurant and Chef categories represents a wide variety of culinary talent, from legendary chefs and dining destinations in 10 different regions across the United States, to the nation’s best new restaurants and rising star
chefs."

Here are the local 2009 James Beard Foundation Awards Restaurant and Chef Award Semifinalists. We have stretched local to include some of our favorite dining destinations in nearby cities. The nominees will be announced on Monday, March 23, 2009.

OUTSTANDING CHEF: (National Award)
Sam Hayward, Fore Street, Portland, ME
Barbara Lynch, No. 9 Park, Boston
Ana Sortun, Oleana, Cambridge, MA

OUTSTANDING RESTAURANT:(National Award)
Fore Street, Portland, ME
Hamersley's Bistro, Boston

BEST NEW RESTAURANT: (National Award)
Hungry Mother, Cambridge, MA

RISING STAR CHEF OF THE YEAR: (National Award)
Will Gilson, Garden at the Cellar, Cambridge, MA

OUTSTANDING PASTRY CHEF: (National Award)
Maura Kilpatrick, Sofra Bakery and Cafe, Cambridge, MA

OUTSTANDING WINE SERVICE: (National Award)
Il Capriccio, Waltham, MA
Meritage, Boston

OUTSTANDING SERVICE: (National Award)
Pigalle, Boston

BEST CHEF: NORTHEAST:
Gabriel Bremer, Salts, Cambridge, MA
Rob Evans, Hugo's, Portland, ME (and our favorite lunch place Duck Fat)
Gabriel Frasca and Amanda Lydon, Straight Wharf Restaurant, Nantucket, MA
Andy Husbands, Tremont 647, Boston
Steve Johnson, Rendezvous in Central Square, Cambridge, MA
Michael Leviton, Lumière, West Newton, MA
Tony Maws, Craigie On Main, Cambridge, MA
Marc Orfaly, Pigalle, Boston

BEST CHEF: MID-ATLANTIC:
Jose Garces, Amada, Philadelphia (We'll be rooting for him because love his restaurant Tinto in Philadelphia, and hope he decided to open a Basque tapas place here in Boston.

Related Posts:

Hamersley's

http://www.bostonzest.com/2008/07/hamersleys---fo.html

Sofra

http://www.bostonzest.com/2008/08/sofra-bakery-an.html

(Photos: Hamersley's Garlic Lemon Chicken and Earthquake cookies from Sofra. Photo credit:  ©2008 Penny Cherubino)

Details:
James Beard Awards
http://www.jamesbeard.org/?q=node/99

Where Is This Carved Floral Detail?

Clue: You can see this detail from the Commonwealth Avenue Mall in the Back Bay.

Here's one of our favorite books on Boston Architecture. And here's a link to the rest in our Amazon Store.

Books on Boston Architecture

Click and read on to see the answer.

Boas and Beads for Mardi Gras 2009

Planning a Mardi Gras celebration for February 24th? At the very least, you need a supply of boas and beads. The ones in the photo were leftover from Carnival in Provincetown when were there last fall. There's something about boas and beads that makes me smile each time see this photo.

(Photo © 2008 Penny Cherubino)

Beyond the typical chain stores, Boston has some great places to find what you need for Mardi Gras.

The Garment District in Cambridge is probably the best known spot to outfit yourself for any dress-up party.  Their Boston Costume Division sells and rents costumes and has the supplies you need to be the star of your parade. They have a page dedicated to Mardi Gras. (See details below.) When we called today,  they reminded us that the have a fabulous collection of masks, boas and sell beads in bulk bags.

It was Dorothy's Boutique on Massachusetts Avenue near Symphony Hall that reminded me that it was Mardi Gras time. They were showing boas and beads in their window.  The website makes it clear that these are costumes for adults- risque is their specialty!

The area also has party stores that have what you need for a Mardi Gras party. For example, Hidden Sweets in Harvard Square says they have a good supply of beads and boas in about 15 different colors.

Details:

Boston Costume at The Garment District Inc.
200 Broadway, Cambridge, MA
www.bostoncostume.com
Mardi Gras page:
http://www.bostoncostume.com/store/holiday/mardi%20gras/index_mardi-gras.htm
Boas here:
http://www.garmentdistrict.com/store/party/boas/index_large.htm

Dorothy's Boutique
190 Massachusetts Avenue, Boston MA
http://www.dorothysboutique.biz/
Here's a page with a discount coupon:
http://www.dorothysboutique.biz/coupon.html

Hidden Sweets
25 Brattle Street, Cambridge MA
http://www.hiddensweets.com/

Other Opinions:

Garment District

http://www.yelp.com/biz/boston-costume-cambridge#hrid:FSVfIFe7biANQUJPHM-wEA
 
Dorothy's
http://www.yelp.com/biz/dorothys-boutique-boston

Hidden Sweets
http://www.yelp.com/biz/hidden-sweets-cambridge

Fontina Val d'Aosta - Try The Real Thing

Following our own advice, we slipped into the bar at Bina Osteria early on Valentines evening to have a quick bite.

After another lovely meal at this new gem in the Boston restaurant scene, we went next door to the Bina Almentia to check their Barolo supply. We found a treasure (more on the wine when we open it) and were happy to explore the cheese case with the staff member who suggested that they had a great match for the Barolo.

He presented us with a taste of Fontina Val d'Aosta and opened our minds to yet another cheese that has suffered the misfortune of many poor imitations.

This Fontina began its voyage through our tasting process mildly. As it had time to settle in, it burst into layers of flavor. This particular wheel had a very nutty, honeyed undertone. You'll find it similar to a very good Gruyere.

In "Cheese: A Connoisseur's Guide to the World's Best" Max McCalman nailed it when he said, "It does not beg or shout for your attention; but rather, it commands your respect and ultimate admiration."

As long time readers know, we have a goal of adding every cheese in this book to our life list. And, while we have the book, I've ordered the card deck so that we can tuck a few cards in our pocket when we head to our favorite cheese shops.

That trip will be soon, since we ate all the Fontina when I set it out to photograph, we'll have to go back and get another piece to have with the wine.

(Photo credit:  ©2009 Penny Cherubino)

Details:
Bina Osteria & Bina Almentia
581 Washington St, Boston, MA 02111
(corner of Avery St)

www.binaboston.com

Other Opinions:

Formaggio Kitchen
"It can be mild and sweet when young or more aromatic and almost funky when more aged."
http://www.formaggiokitchen.com/shop/product_info.php?products_id=1738&osCsid=vr388dprc5m62jfpv8g1002l96

Artisanal Cheese
"Fontina is earthy, mushroomy, and woody, and pairs exceedingly well with roast meats and truffles. A burly red wine is an appropriate complement for Fontina Val d'Aosta - try a Barolo from Piemonte to the south, or a Zweigelt from Austria to the northeast."
http://www.artisanalcheese.com/prodinfo.asp?number=10226

Cowgirl Creamery
Reminds you, "To make sure you are getting the real D.O.P. Fontina and not a generic cheese (Fontinella, Fontella, or Fontal), look for the stenciled purple mountain on the top of the wheel."
http://www.cowgirlcreamery.com/prodinfo.asp?number=FONT

Murray's Cheese
"Rich and nutty, reminiscent of truffle and roasted apple, its supple texture is extraordinarily meltable..."
http://www.murrayscheese.com/prodinfo.asp?number=20016100000

Meet Riley - Up Close and Personal

Riley is our Sunday Dog this week.

While I was photographing Jack for last week's Sunday Dog feature, Riley came by and said, "What about me? Here I am!  I'm cute. Take my picture too! "

Naturally, since I'm owned by a Westie, what could I do but obey?

Of course, Riley was right. Just look at that adorable face.

You usually see Riley walking with Westie brother Tucker. The two enjoy wandering around the Back Bay, taking turns marking trees and fences and meeting up with packs of doggie pals.

They also love their time spent on Nantucket where they get to be town dogs, beach dogs, and dune dogs.