BostonZest

Toasting August– Early

Join us in a toast to August– a day early!
 
Since our Sparkling Resolution, to raise a flute at the start of every month, began on New Year’s Eve, just call it–August’s Eve!  It’s summer. You have permission to color outside the lines.

And, the color we choose is...Red!

 
Segura Viudas Brut Rosé seems as though it was designed percisely to splash onto the sizzle of a steamy summer thirst. Even if you only hug this chilled bottle of bubbly, you’ll begin to enjoy life a bit more.

But, the real sensory pleasure comes from launching the cork skyward and transferring this blush of cava to a glass for some internal cooling. Resist the temptation to go right to that first sip and share the moment with your...nose.

I’m no expert, but I definitely detect the aroma of fruit, especially raspberry. There’s more fruit in the mouth that’s balanced nicely with the acidity.  

We’ve just recently discovered this cava, but have already slotted it into our favorites list.

All you really need to know is that it’s a wonderful sparkling rosé for beginners & experts alike. It’s relatively inexpensive and will help you get August off to a memorable start– even if the celebration is a day early.


Related Posts:

Learn more about our Sparkling Resolution.

For more about the wines we’re enjoying, click here.   

 

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Segura Viudas Brut Rosé

Words: Ed Cherubino
Photo: Courtesy of Segura Viudas Brut Rosé

Serious Recipes- Our Friday Link

Our friends over at Serious Eats have just finished a major revamp of their recipe collection and set up an easy system to add your own recipes to the Talk forums.

Alaina Brown said, "Good news, SE'rs! Serious Eats Recipes is all new from the ground up, thanks to all of your great suggestions. It's now easier to browse, search, and share recipes, whether you're a regular or just visiting Serious Eats for the first time." Click here for the details.

You all know we love Serious Eats. Yes, Penny is one of their contributors. But don't forget,  they won the James Beard Award for the best food blog this year. This recipe revamp is one more reason to visit often.

Details:

Words Penny & Ed Cherubino

Artwork: Courtesy of Serious Eats

Cape’s Top Dog for Coffee Now in Boston!

Wired Puppy, Cape Cod's Top Dog for Coffee is now on Newbury Street!

This award-winning coffee shop from Provincetown has been wowing Boston area residents & visitors since they opened this past winter.

 Relaxing Outside the "Wired Puppy" in Provincetown

We’ve been Wired Puppy fans since they opened in P-Town, and never miss a chance to steer coffee fans their way.

I’ll admit, I’m pretty particular when it comes to coffee. But, this crew makes me look like an amateur, when it comes to attention to detail.

The Wired Puppy takes coffee seriously! These guys live by strict brewing standards using direct-trade organic beans to create only the best in specialty coffee.

Wired Puppy muffins are baked on the premises (the Portuguese Muffins are a must try), and there’s free wi-fi.

Penny has more on Wired Puppy - Boston from her recent newspaper piece.

Here's what she has to say....

The Wired Puppy, the Provincetown coffee shop voted "Best Coffee on the Cape" by Cape Cod Life Magazine every year since 2007, settled into its second location at 250 Newbury Street over the winter. During the past several months, residents & tourists have been discovering the shop and the patio is filling with people enjoying the talents of their baristas and bakers.

Donna Vaillancourt (top right) and her partner Robin Reid own the company. "We were looking for a year-round environment to take Wired Puppy. Newbury Street is going through a bit of a transformation. And, we came across this space that felt like Wired Puppy. It kind of has that European feel... All of the beautiful brick archways, it seemed like a nice fit..." said Vaillancourt.

Serious About Coffee
While much about the Wired Puppy is lighthearted in spirit and tone, they are very serious about coffee. They select direct trade, organic beans, grown at least 3,000 feet above sea-level, in a natural rain forest or a cloud forest. "Our coffee is specialty coffee, so there are standards that have to be adhered to from seed to cup..." "The coffee is roasted in an artisan way in really small batches. It's always very fresh," she said.

Next, they selected high quality equipment designed to bring the best out of the beans. Finally, they train their staff to assure that those beans become great coffee. "We're the last folks in the chain that could mess it up, so our brewing standards are very strict and defined by Specialty Coffee Association of America, same with our barista beverages. So, every shot is timed. The temperature is always monitored..." Vaillancourt explained.

Wired Puppy is also known for their barista art. Each espresso drink is finished with an artistic flourish adding a bit of enjoyment even before the first sip.

New customers may want to have a conversation with a Wired Puppy barista before ordering. They put more shots in their espresso drinks than some local coffee sellers. For example, an eight-ounce cappuccino has two shots of espresso. Those who normally order an extra shot in their drink, won't have to here. If you prefer less espresso in your drink, they'll let you know how to order it.

Provincetown Fans Happy Having Them Here
Roberta Orlandino, a Realtor with Coldwell Banker, is one of their fans from Provincetown and was excited to welcome them to her neighborhood in Boston. "The coffee is great- some of the best," she said. She also enjoys the wide selection of treats they carry.

They Bake Muffins Right There
Orlandino loves Wired Puppy muffins, which are baked on the premises. Those come in two sizes- regular and mini.  Vaillancourt said they began doing the minis for all the children who visit them in Provincetown. But, the mini muffins are also popular with customers who want to taste a few flavors or just want one bite of something with their coffee.

One of the surprises in their bakery case are Portuguese muffins. These look like big English muffins and are served toasted with butter and jam, but they taste like sweet bread.

Internet Access Too!
Incidentally, the "wired" in Wired Puppy is not just a reference to caffeine. The shop offers free WiFi and even has free computer access available. This makes it a great place to meet someone when you're working on a project together and need computer access.

Here's our full collection of Provincetown posts.

If this has you craving that place at lands end, here are a few books that might help.

     



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Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Adapted from a feature story in the Back Bay Sun, last spring
Photography: © 2010 Penny Cherubino

Kadydid Taking a Bow

People on the Commonwealth Avenue Mall were enthralled with this Kadydid today. It was willing to strut and dance around the rim of a trash barrel and seemed to enjoy being photographed. It even took a bow for the group gathered to watch the performance.

The Kadydid didn't have anything to say, so we never heard the distinctive Kady di di call that gave this cricket-like critter it's name.

Thanks to the many readers and friends who have shopped Amazon from BostonZest this month. Your support is appreciated!

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Words: Penny Cherubino

Photography: © 2010 Penny Cherubino

Find this Architectual Work of Art- Play Attention to Detail!

Where would you find this face  on a walk down Boylston Street in the Back Bay?

With the summer season making walking fun, we'll send you on a few more visual scavenger hunts to find details and learn more about Boston Architecture. 

Click through or scroll down for the answer and a bit more information about his building.

Here are three of the books I use to research the history of Boston Architecture.

Time to Do Your CSA Research

Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) is a fast growing source of income for local farms. CSAs have operated in this country since 1985 when Robyn Van En's Indian Line Farm offered the first one, right here in Massachusetts. Today, more than 2500 farms across the country offer this option.

Local Harvest describes a CSA this way, "...a farmer offers a certain number of 'shares' to the public. Typically the share consists of a box of vegetables, but other farm products may be included. Interested consumers purchase a share and in return receive a box of seasonal produce, each week, throughout the farming season." 

It's a win-win situation

The farmer receives income early in the growing season when cash flow can be weak. There is a guaranteed market for a percentage of the crops grown. Consumers protect the local foodshed by supporting farmers, they become a bigger and more important influence on what local farmers grow, and they receive a bounty when crops do well. But, it can also mean, lose-lose. If there is a catastrophic crop failure, the shareholders also take the loss.

Waiting Lists are a Sign of Success
Because farms also have committments to farmers' markets, wholesale customers, restaurants, and others, many CSAs have waiting lists. While is may be too late to join most CSAs this year, it's the perfect time to do some research, find the best one for you, ask current members to critique their choice and add your name to a waiting list for next year. From Local Harvest, click here for a list of the CSAs that serve the Boston area. 

Picking Your Own Share

In Boston, some hybrid CSAs have grown up at the farmers' markets. For example, we have a CSA share from Atlas Farm at the Copley Farmers' Market. We paid the farm $90 in advance and Atlas gave us credit towards $100 worth of food from their stand. In addition, there are sometimes specials for CSA members. It might be half-price for a second basket of berries or a lower price on broccoli when the crop is at it's peak. Since this is one of the few CSA's still accepting members, you can jump into this one now, if you want. 

Bringing Home the Bacon
Besides produce, there are meat CSAs. These often operate year-round. If you enjoy the meat from Stillman's at the many of the local farmers' markets, you might be interested in buying a share of their meat CSA. 

Share the Schrod
We also have a Community Supported Fishery (CSF) operating in our area. Cape Ann Fresh Catch brings fish direct from the boats in Gloucester to shareholders in the city. You pack a cooler and meet them at your appointed pickup point for a weekly supply of whole fish, fillets, or a combo share with some of each. Whole fish were a new experience for some shareholders. But, an online community formed complete with videos showing how to clean, fillet, and cook the catch.

Red Fire Farm CSA shares ready for pick-up or delivery at Dewey Square Farmers' Market
  

Getting Your Goods

Usually, customers pick up their shares at scheduled, designated meeting points. Some of these are at farmers' markets. But, new options are emerging. Local market vendors Silverbrook and Red Fire Farm both offer home delivery in the Boston area via Metro Petal Power. Your share arrives on a human-powered cargo tricycle adding a few more points towards your light carbon footprint goal. 

What's next? 
In other parts of the country, cheese CSAs are starting up. Offer us the right farmstead cheese, and we'll be first to sign on. 

Need ideas to use all that great produce? Here are three of Penny's favorite cookbooks for using fresh & local ingredients.

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Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photography: © 2009 Penny Cherubino

Too Fast & Furry to Pose

Our Sunday Dogs are just too fast and, of course, furry to pose for very long. And, getting Basil & Olivia to look into the camera at the same time? Well...

“Any Cookies in That Bag?”

“What About Up There?”

Basil, who’s lived in Boston for a while now, is just getting to know his new sister. Olivia (in pink) has only been in town for a short time, but has quickly adapted to city life.

 

A friend once told us that getting puppies to pose for a picture is like trying to keep jello on a shelf. And, we wouldn’t have it any other way.

Have a great weekend, you two!

Related Posts:
Get to know all of our Sunday Dogs, at Boston Dogs

We just talked to another friend who may have a new rescue terrier on the way to his home. We told him about the waterproof pads we've found so useful when you have: a nervous dog getting used to a new place, an elder dog who sometimes makes a mistake, or any dog with an upset tummy. The pads come in both washable and one time use versions. We never travel without them. 

 
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Words: Ed Cherubino
Photography: © 2010 Penny Cherubino