BostonZest

We Helped a Favorite Chef! (Zamir Kociaj of Trattoria Toscana)

We just received a thank you note from Chef Zamir Kociaj of Trattoria Toscana.

He said, "Recently my wife and I spent a long weekend in Maine. In Portland, we had dinner at this beautiful restaurant, "HUGO " which my wife found by reading your review on BostonZest.com. It was a great experience, thank you."

This note made my day. It's wonderful to have comments and emails from readers who love the same things you do or who have discovered new places, products, or experiences because we wrote about them.

It is a great feeling to know that a piece we did on Hugo's led a chef, who has prepared so many memorable dining experiences for us, to a meal he will remember.

Trattoria Toscana is the kind of place where Chef Zamir is always in the kitchen and his wife is in the dining room. When they need a vacation they close the restaurant. If you call this week or next, you'll find they are taking two weeks off (Aug 31 till Sept 13) and will reopen on September 14th.

While the chef is away, try your own hand at Tuscan Food.

Details:

Trattoria Toscana

130 Jersey St, Boston, MA 02215  (617) 247-9508‎

Related Posts:

Trattoria Toscana Menu-Fall-2008

Trattorua Toscana for a lovely dinner

Our piece on Hugo's

http://www.bostonzest.com/2009/06/hugos-porland-maine.html

Tips for Senior Dog Care- Part 1

This Sunday and next we'll be turning the BostonZest keyboard over to Dr Pia Torres from Back Bay Veterinary Clinic. She is one of Maggie Mae's team of veterinarians, and she has some tips about taking care of our senior dogs.

We join her in saying that you should check with your own vet before making any decisions about your senior dog's care.

 

Photo of Allandale Farm's dog © 2009 Penny Cherubino

When is a dog a Senior?

The point at which your dog is considered senior varies with breed as smaller breed dogs tend to live longer than larger breed dogs.  For instance, a Miniature Poodle may be considered senior around 9-10 years old versus a Bernese Mountain Dog who is considered senior around age 5-6.   A rule of thumb is to consider your dog “senior” once he reaches the last third of his normal life span. 

One thing we are recognizing is that our pets are living longer.  With this come several aging changes and illnesses of which we need to be aware.  Here are some tips to provide optimal care and attention to your senior pets. 

Regular Health Exams and Laboratory Testing
Keep in mind that relative to humans, dogs and cats age much more quickly than we do.  One year in the life of a dog or cat equates to 5-7 human years.  For this reason, it is very important that you have your pet checked regularly by your veterinarian.  Twice yearly exams can be crucial to the health of your senior pet as it allows the veterinarian to pick up subtle changes that may indicate the onset of disease.  Physical examination does have its limitations, however, so your veterinarian may also recommend routine blood screening to check the function of your pet’s internal systems.  

Monitoring Physical Changes
Changes in your pet’s behavior or physical condition could indicate the onset of disease. Some things which should be brought to the attention of your veterinarian right away include any changes in appetite (increased or decreased), increased urination or drinking, exercise intolerance or labored breathing, coughing, repeated vomiting or diarrhea, running into things, trouble walking or coordinating, lethargy/weakness or collapse, straining to urinate or defecate, weight changes, lameness, and any new lumps or bumps.

Nutrition
Once your pet reaches “senior” age, it is important to switch them to a senior diet.  These diets are aimed at improving immunity and maintaining a healthy coat and joints.  Depending on the food you choose, there may be some other added benefits.  Things to look for include glucosamine for joint health, antioxidants (usually derived from different fruits and veggies) to help boost the immune system, and omega 3 and/or 6 to help maintain a healthy coat and joints.

Next Sunday Dr. Torres will talk about arthritis and keeping your senior dog comfortable.

Details:

Pia Torres, DVM
Dr. Torres is a graduate of Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University. After graduating from veterinary school Dr. Torres completed an internship in small animal medicine and surgery at Ocean State Veterinary Specialists in East Greenwich, RI.

Back Bay Veterinary Clinic

324 B Newbury Street, Boston, MA 02115

www.backbayvet.com

Making Use of What You Have On The Farm

This well-used tractor has some shiny new parts and is still working hard out at Allandale Farm.

This was taken with my Nikon D200. The D700 is the newest version of this camera and is receiving rave reviews. 

 

Food Preservation Workshop Day- Our Friday Link

Massachusetts Food Preservation Workshop Day is scheduled for September 19, 2009.

I'm linking to the Northeast Organic Farmer’s Association/Massachusetts (NOFA) page for it today because many of the events have limited capacity and you need to reserve now. Click here for the NOFA information page.

The association says, "This fall as the local harvest peaks and thoughts shift toward winter eating, NOFA/Mass presents our first annual statewide Fall Food Preservation Day. On September 19, there will be food preservation workshops spread throughout the state. 

Preserving food that we grow or purchase locally at the height of its freshness and flavor can save money, lessen our dependence on the global corporate food chain, and provide wonderful flavor and real food all year round. Isn't now a good time to learn skills to do this?"

Thanks to the Garden Club of the Back Bay for making me aware of this event. If you're a lover of local food, (even if you're not a gardener) you should sign up for their rss feed. They highlight lots of events that BostonZest readers would enjoy.

Details:

Photo from podchef's Photostream 

[x]http://www.flickr.com/photos/86571141@N00/ / CC BY-NC-SA 2.0

What's Open on Labor Day In Boston and MBTA Schedule Changes

Here's a run-down of what is open in Boston on Labor Day and changes to MBTA schedules for September 7, 2009.

 

This is an outdated post. We have created a permanent Labor Day holiday resource page that we'll update each year with new information. This will keep our readers from finding outdated pages like this one. 

Labor Day In Boston Resource Page

 

 

We publish these reminders about ten days before a holiday to help our readers make their holiday plans.

(Photo: ©2007 Penny Cherubino)

Restaurants, bars: Open

Convenience stores: Open

Supermarkets: Open

Retail stores: Are allowed to open if the owners choose

Liquor stores: Open 

City, Town, State and Federal offices and facilities are closed: This includes Schools, Libraries and the Postal Service (express mail will be delivered).  Only emergency services are available.

Financial Services: As the British would say, this is a Bank Holiday with both Banks and the stock markets in the United State closed. Some international markets are open.

Boston Parking: You don't have to feed the meters. Other parking rules apply.

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Save storage space with these collapsible coolers. Perfect for small city homes. We have an older version of the Arctic Zone 30 can model and it is amazing at keeping things chilled. We not only use it for picnics but grab it to go grocery shopping.

     

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Boston Trash Collection:  

 

• Regular pick up in Back Bay, Beacon Hill, Charlestown, South Boston
  Chinatown, Fort Hill, Financial/Leather, North End, Roxbury/Mission Hill and South End.
• One day delay in Allston/Brighton, Dorchester, East Boston, Hyde Park, Mattapan, Roslindale,  West Roxbury
• And finally, sections of Jamaica Plain that have trash collection 2 times per week will have no delay, regular trash & recycling schedule. If your trash & recycling is collected one day a week in Jamaica Plain, trash and recycling is delayed a day

http://www.cityofboston.gov/publicworks/sanholidays.asp

MBTA: 

The MBTA announced its service schedule for Labor Day, Monday, September 7, 2009 as:

• All subway trains, streetcars, buses, trackless trolleys, and commuter rail trains will run on a Sunday schedule.
• The Long Wharf to Charlestown Navy Yard water shuttle will operate on a Sunday schedule.
• The Quincy commuter boat to Long Wharf and Logan Airport will operate on a Sunday schedule.
• The Hingham and Hull commuter boat services will not operate.
• THE RIDE will run on a Sunday Schedule.

For additional information on routes, schedules, and fares, please call the MBTA Customer Service Center at (617) 222-3200 or 1-800-392-6100 (hearing impaired TDD 617-222-5146) or visit us on the web at: www.mbta.com.

 

 

Slow Food Event for Our Farmers Sunday August 30th

Today we turn the BostonZest keyboard over to JJ Gonson from Cuisine En Locale. JJ wants to tell you about a fun event that Slow Food Boston is sponsoring to help our farmers. (This event is out at Allandale Farm-- this does seem to be Allandale week around here!)

Take it away JJ.

Slow Food Boston is hosting an outdoor fundraiser (ahem, a Chicken Extravaganza one might say) on Sunday, August 30th in the fields of Allandale Farm. Join us and relax on your blanket watching the sunset, relishing the smell of grilling chicken - we guarantee you won't believe you're in the city!

Chef Andy Husbands' (he of Hell's Kitchen fame) amazing Tremont 647 kitchen will be preparing three different chicken dishes, plus BBQ appropriate sides (greens? yup. corn bread? check!) plus a fruit dessert from whatever is most ripe the few days before... OH, and we're not talking your mother's chicken here - instead think banana guava ketchup, sweet & spicy bbq glaze, and a red pepper aioli!

So why this 'fowl' celebration you ask? Well, beyond the phenomenal food, we're also helping MA farmers raise funds for a Mobile Poultry Processing Unit, eliminating the need for them to share the ONE that's available throughout the entire state. These mobile units are one of the few ways that small producers have to guarantee that the quality & care of their work is maintained all the way from their farm to your table. And a few of them will be joining us to share first-hand how their work is making it easier for all of us to buy local, healthy, field raised food.

This event is a double BYOB - bring your own blanket, as well as whatever beverage you prefer to drink. Cost is $40 for adults and $20 for children under 12. Reservations & payments must be made in advance here.

And plan to arrive early, because starting at 5:30pm, Allandale's John Lee, will be giving hayride tours of Boston's last working farm - concluding in time for dinner to be served at 6:30PM. Oh, and if it happens to rain (please, no!) we'll convene the next night Monday, August 31st same time, same place.

Directions: Allandale Farm is located at 259 Allandale Road in Brookline. More information can be found on their website

Meet Allandale Farmer John Lee

When Serious Eats began their new "Meet Your Farmer" series, I wanted the first Massachusetts farmer to be from Allandale Farm, because it's the last working farm in Boston.

You'll learn a bit about John Lee from Allandale Farm in a piece we did together for Serious Eats. Click here for a direct link to John's thoughts on farming and the future of good food.

I met John at a local food lovers Tweetup organized by Lauren Klatsky from Whole Foods in Brighton.  His deep knowledge of the issues of local, sustainable food and his support for local specialty food producers impressed me.

Allandale's Farmstand offers far more than the food from their land. You'll find a full case of cheese including many local selections, bread from Clear Flour Bakery, local honey, and fruit from other local farms.

 

And, of course Allandale is also know for its nursery. They sell annuals, perennials, herbs and garden supplies. 

John did a wonderful job answering the questions and was a real sport about doing a photo shoot with the temperature in the high 90s. Thank you John.

Tomorrow, we'll tell you about  an upcoming event to benefit local farmers that will be held on Sunday at Allandale.

Details:

Photos ©2009 Penny Cherubino

Allandale Farm
259 Allandale Road, Brookline, MA  02467

www.allandalefarm.com