BostonZest

Petit Robert Bistro Profiterole Update!

We don't talk about dessert around here very often. That is partly because desserts often disappoint. So when a dessert we love, like the giant profiterole at Petit Robert Bistro (South End) arrives at our table with a different look from the last time we wrote about it, we hold our breath as our spoons descend and hope for the best.

The good news is that it is only the shape that has changed.

The pastry is still crisp and light, the ice cream is still rich and full-flavored, and the chocolate sauce is still swoon-worthy.

It is still a dessert that is worth a walk to the South End and all the other steps it will take to neutralize the calorie count.

It is also a dessert to keep in mind when you go to another restaurant where the dessert list does disappoint. At Petit Robert, they have graciously served us a profiterole at the bar, upon request. 

 

What's on your Food Lover's Shopping List?

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Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photos: ©2017 Penny Cherubino 

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Clear Flour German Rye

We have set ourselves a quest to try all the rye breads on Clear Flour Bread's list. We started last week with a loaf of their German Rye.

Here's the German Rye which they describe as, "... a hearty and moist whole grain rye with a touch of honey." We describe it as full of rye flavor with an incredible aroma, crust with a bit of chew, and a lovely crumb. 

It's a great bread to have with cheese or toasted with a bit of butter and a bit of preserves. We went with apricot!

It also made an appealing base for an open-faced egg salad supper.

Our eggs are chopped with a handy egg cutter (like this one) then mixed with crème fraîche, celery, scallion, curry powder, salt, and a bit of aleppo pepper.

Always ask, because Clear Flour may have a bread that is not on the usual list. They do make seasonal breads, and I think they occasionally make something special, just because they feel like it. That's the beauty of patronizing a small, artisan business. 

You'll also find that they can tell you more about each bread than the simple description on the list.

Here is a direct link to the Clear Flour bread list. You can see, we have a bit of eating to do.

Pay attention to when each bread is available and schedule your visits to the bakery around what you want to buy. 

What's on your Food Lover's shopping list?

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Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photos: ©2017 Penny & Ed Cherubino 

The Canteen for Wonderful Take Out (or Eat In) Options in Provincetown

We had a bunch of excellent meals from The Canteen on our last trip to Provincetown. We highly recommend this wonderful spot if you are visiting our special place by the sea. 

One of the best pieces of news we heard before arriving in town was that The Canteen was open year-round. They're open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner – and they deliver! "What more could you ask?" you say. "Great food," we say and they deliver on that wish as well.

It was rather cold on our visit, so we really appreciated the rotating list of wonderful soups they offered. The one above is a spring minestrone.

We had to try it, since we had just finished one of our Fresh & Local newspaper columns about minestrone and had ended it with information about a spring version! This one was rich and lovely.

We told you about their great lobster rolls and fabulous clam chowder the first time we reported on this gem by the sea. 

Another favorite was a soup with greens and chicken meatballs. 

Of course we had sandwiches too. The Cod Bánh Mì was a big hit with us. Since we were not always on the same eating schedule, they were gracious about preparing a deconstructed version of Ed's favorite pulled pork sandwich that we could reconstruct when he was ready to enjoy it.

There are a few seats out front and a larger seating area in the rear. Like many outside eating places in Provincetown, The Canteen is dog friendly. So if you're day-tripping with a furry pal, grab a seat and send one of your group inside with your order for great food. You'll get a number and the staff will find you when it's ready.

 

What's on your Food Lover's shopping list?

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Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photos: ©2017 Penny & Ed Cherubino 

Three Exhibitions to Visit at the Museum of Fine Arts: Matisse, Cunningham, and Revival Jewelry

One of the best things about being a member of the Museum of Fine Arts is the ability to stop in often and see some of the featured topics or exhibitions (large and small) as they call them. We included three on a recent visit. 

The major event of the summer is "Matisse in the Studio." It was interesting to see the collection of objects he used as inspiration for his work. It was also great to see more of his sculpture. Unfortunately our time viewing this collection was spoiled by a disruptive visitor, so we did hurry through. 

This chair and the shadows it cast fascinated Penny.

She couldn't resist creating her own artwork from Matisse's studio inspiration object.

We were ready for a quiet break and Matisse inspired lunch at Bravo. We enjoyed duck liver paté, a dish of mushroom pasta, and sipped an excellent Rosé from Provence. It was a meal, we think, Matisse might have enjoyed. 

After lunch, we visited "Imogen Cunningham: In Focus" in the Herb Ritts gallery. We love the fact that the MFA is paying attention to great photography.

The hit of the day for both of us was the outstanding design and craftsmanship in the "Past Is Present: Revival Jewelry" collection. Be sure to pay very close attention to the micromosaic items in the cases. It could be easy to miss the fact that these images are made up of hundreds of tiny, tiny bits of material. 

While you have a bit more time to see the other exhibitions, Imogen Cunningham: In Focus ends June 18th.

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Poppy Is FIVE!

While she was away on vacation with us, our little Westie Poppy turned five.

Here she is sitting in the window of her favorite beach house. 

This is the time in their lives when you see little change year-to-year in our furry friends, if we're lucky. Poppy looked about the same last year sitting in the same spot.

This picture was a stare down with an arch enemy (for Poppy that's anything with back up sounds) after we returned from our quiet place at lands end. 

We try to make a spring visit to someplace where our little girl can walk the beach and enjoy sniffing the sand. It makes the perfect birthday gift for her and her loyal servants.

Here are more of her birthday reports. You can see how she's matured.

Say Hello to Poppy, Our New VP of Security & Morale!

Poppy Speaks! Our Sunday Dog Turns One

Poppy's Provincetown Report- Age 2

Happy Birthday to Poppy as She Turns Three

Poppy's 4th Birthday Celebration in Provincetown

Get to know all of our Sunday Dogs at Boston Dogs.

Thanks to everyone who Hops over to Amazon from here to do their shopping. We appreciate your support.

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Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photos: ©2017 Penny & Ed Cherubino 

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Where in Boston Would You Find These Doors?

Let's play Attention to Detail! We give you a close-up clue and you have to figure out where you've seen it around Boston.

Here are some hints to find this stunning set of doors:

• Take a walk in the South End 
• They are on a main street
• There is a ghost ad on the side of the building

Ready? Click through or scroll down past this great book about Boston, for the answer.

 

Provincetown Shopping Primer

We have been visiting Provincetown for many, many years and we've seen the town change over the years. On a recent morning, Penny took photos of some of the places we are always recommending to friends when they travel to our favorite home away from home.

We often sing the praises of Utilities If you find the place you rented doesn't have good wine glasses, a sharp knife, a cutting board or any home essential, this is the place to find a quality item that you will be happy to take home with you.

You will often see us wearing shirts and hats with fabulous Provincetown graphics. Those all come from Birdie Silkscreen Studio. Once upon a time, we owned a company that created silkscreen designs. We know how difficult it is to do that well and we are long time fans of this graphic artist.

If it is something odd that you need or if you are looking for a way to spend a bit of time inside on a rainy day, make your way to Marine Specialties.  This year we found and bought some fish net that we could use to block off the stairs to the deck and keep our dog Poppy contained.

We both have shoes that we've bought at Cape Tip Sportswear. Ed swears by them as the source of his running shoes and the sales they have before and after the prime season are always great.

Supporting independent bookstores is important so make sure you visit and make a purchase at Provincetown Book Shop.

Forgot to pack a sun hat? Visit Mad As A Hatter and you'll find exactly what you want.

There was a time when we brought the wine we wanted to P-town. Now we have two favorite wine shops in town. Glass Half Full is in the center of town.

Perry's Wine and Liquors is in the West End. Now we bring wines back to Boston with us because both these shops have excellent.

This is not a complete list. We shopped at both hardware stores in town and made a couple of supermarket visits. Later in the season more places will be open and will win some of our trade. Our full collection of articles on Provincetown can be found here.

Do you have an Amazon Gift Certificate to use? Or do you need to buy one for a gift? Remember to click over to Amazon from here to support this site!

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Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photography: © 2017 Penny & Ed Cherubino  

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