Sir Kensington's and b.good Giveaway

I have quite the fun giveaway for you today - just in time for BBQ season!

The folks at Sir Kensington's reached out to me a few weeks ago and asked if I'd be down to sample some of their all-natural condiments. Based out of New York City, Sir Kensington's condiments are non-GMO, boast only real, legible ingredients, and their ketchup - unlike the "big guys" - has no high fructose corn syrup.

Sir Kensington's products are sold at stores like Whole Foods and Formaggio Kitchen, as well as restaurants throughout the United States - like b.good.

b.good in Harvard Square.

B.good's goal is to make fast food "real" by having their food be made by people...not factories.

I visited the b.good in Harvard Square for lunch last week and decided to try a Cousin Oliver veggie burger ($6.59), topped with lettuce, tomato, onions, and Chef Tony's homemade pickles (on a whole wheat bun). I also got a side of hand-cut fries ($2.99).

For dipping the fries in (and, later, smearing on my burger), I got a few cups of Sir Kensington's Classic Ketchup.

The homemade veggie burger was chock-full of black beans and corn, and it was nicely crisp on the outside. The size of the burger was also ideal - filling enough, but not unnecessarily large. The well-seasoned, non-greasy French fries were also spot-on.

Most importantly, the ketchup was quite incredible. I've had "all-natural," homemade ketchups before that just don't have the nostalgic consistency of the ketchup we're all used to. But Sir Kensington's ketchup has that smooth, thick texture while possessing a fresh tomato flavor - without all of that extra sugar. The ketchup was also ideally salty, but not too salty that it could still pair well with b.good's fries. 

So, are you interested in trying Sir Kensington's condiments (and b.good) for yourself? The friendly folks at Sir Kensington's are giving a mixed four-pack of their condiments + a $25 gift card to b.good (valid at any location) to one lucky EE reader!

Source.

The four-pack includes what's pictured above: Sir Kensington's Classic Mayonnaise, Chipotle Mayonnaise, Classic Ketchup, and Spiced Ketchup.

To enter, simply leave a comment on this post about how you'd incorporate Sir Kensington's condiments in your cookouts this summer. I'll pick a winner Thursday (5/1) morning. (Please note: this giveaway is open to U.S. residents only). 

Good luck!

My meal at b.good was complimentary. All opinions are my own.

This giveaway is now closed.

Dinner at Rialto

Last week, Z and I braved the freezing cold...and wet, falling snow...for dinner at Rialto Restaurant in Harvard Square. We may or may not have walked from our house in Porter Square, which normally would be fine, but - as I mentioned before - it was freezing and snowing. Thankfully, we made it to Rialto alive.

We had a gift card to Rialto, which gave us a chance to finally try this highly acclaimed restaurant. The prices are a bit high for a "normal" evening out, but with James Beard Award-winning Chef Jody Adams in the kitchen, it's no surprise why.

Z and I sat in the bar area, which was still an elegant and romantic spot to dine in. (Also, the bar menu had a few more vegetarian options for us). 

My meal began with a glass of pinot noir ($12).

After we placed our order for dinner, our slightly over attentive yet very knowledgeable waitress brought us some fresh, crusty rolls with dipping oil - made with some of the best olive oil I've ever tasted.

For our meal, Z and I decided to split a bunch of small plates so we could try a little bit of everything. First up: the cheese plate ($16), which came with three different types of cheeses and accompanying fruits and handmade, rustic crackers.

Z and I are tough critics when it comes to our cheese plates, but Rialto's version did not disappoint. There was more than enough cheese for the two of us to split, and the almond-stuffed dates, fresh grapes, and tangy fruit "jelly" (it was more like a grown-up Fruit Roll-Up) were all fantastic complements to the cheeses.

I'm a terrible blogger and didn't write down the name of these chickpea cakes ($5), but trust me when I tell you, they were much more delicious than they look. Somehow, a ton of flavor was infused in these little cakes, and the accompanying herb sauce was a fresh and necessary addition to the dish.

Next up was the arancini ($5), which was chocked full of perfectly cooked risotto and melty, delightfully salty taleggio cheese. The breading on the outside was wonderfully crisp without being greasy, and the sweeter tomato sauce underneath it all made for a divine dipping sauce.

We also ended up dipping our arancini (and, well, everything else) in these saffron peppers ($5).

Chocked full of golden raisins and pine nuts, these sweet, saffron-infused peppers were borderline addictive. Honestly, you wouldn't think a bowl of soft peppers would be so good, but they were. Sometimes, the simplest dishes - when done well - can be the best, and this was our favorite dish of the night. 

All in all, we had an incredible meal at Rialto, and we were both so glad we finally got to try this place out. Trying just a few small dishes in the bar area also made the meal somewhat affordable, while still being special.

Have you ever dined at Rialto before? If yes, what's your review?

Brunch at Beat Hotel

Our friends from New York were in town this past weekend, and we made plans to do brunch (with a few other couples included). I wanted to pick a space that could accommodate a larger party, had great food, drinks, and atmosphere, AND took reservations. That ideal brunch spot ended up being Beat Hotel.

I've been to Beat Hotel several times now for drinks as well as dinner, and I just love the vibe there. The food and cocktails have also been consistently great, and I love how the owner is always walking around, greeting people with a smile. 

Thankfully, Beat Hotel doesn't disappoint on the brunch front, either. 

My meal began with a Bloody Mary ($10), which had a nice kick of spice. I'm a sucker for olives in my Bloodys (which this had), but I also appreciated the peperoncini garnish.

Beat Hotel's brunch menu offers a variety of breakfast and lunch dishes (and plenty of vegetarian options), but I was in the mood for breakfast. I opted for the Vegetarian Omelette ($14), which was chocked full of mushrooms, cheese, and onions. On the side was a delightfully thick slice of multigrain toast, a small side salad, and some crispy frites. 

The side salad was a little too overdressed for my liking, but I still ended up eating the entire thing - I think the tangy dressing ended up complementing the other flavors on the plate well. The frites were a big hit throughout our table, as they were fantastically crisp and well seasoned. 

Many of us at the table also had a cup of coffee, and many of us commented on how good the coffee was. It's the little things, but I always appreciate a good cup of coffee at a restaurant!

During brunch, Beat Hotel also has live jazz, and - like when I went last time for dinner - the live music was exceptional. Not only was the music itself great, but it still somehow ends up being background music (vs. having to scream at the person next to you just to have a conversation).

Finally, the prices at Beat Hotel are a little more than what I'd normally like to pay, but this is one of the few places I'm willing to splurge. You really get what you pay for in terms of the quality of food, service, and atmosphere.

All in all, Beat Hotel ended up being the ideal place for our larger party to grab brunch and catch up.

Beat Hotel in Harvard Square

Last week, I was invited to attend a blogger dinner at Beat Hotel, which recently opened in Harvard Square. The same folks from The Beehive are behind Beat Hotel, a hippie-inspired music venue and restaurant in the former Tannery space.

My evening started with an American Breed ($11), made with Maker's Mark, St. Elder elderflower liqueur, and apple cider. It was a fantastic fall cocktail - refreshing, yet comforting.

After sipping on our cocktails, we were all seated for dinner. I sat with Richard, Kerrie, and Jil. Beat Hotel invited us to try anything on their regular menu, so we really got a feel for their food and what they offer.

Our dinner kicked off with some standard bread and butter (the bread is from Hi-Rise Bread Company).

For an appetizer, I went with the Crispy Veggies ($11), which were cut and fried to resemble calamari. Well-seasoned and served with two flavorful sauces, this was a much more impressive starter than it looks like.

For the table, we ordered the Raw Bar Platter for four ($80; the option for two people is $40). Now, normally I would never recommend spending $80 for an appetizer, but the Maine oysters on this platter were the freshest oysters I've ever eaten. The plump Gulf shrimp were also fantastic, and the accompanying smoked tuna and fresh salmon tartars were also delicious when smeared on crispy baguette slices.

For my entree, I went with our waiter's recommendation and ordered the Tandoori Spiced Halibut ($34), which was served with red lentils and cucumber raita.

Although it's the most expensive entree on the menu, this plate was beautifully presented and full of flavor. The Indian flavors and spices were spot-on, and the halibut was cooked perfectly - my fork easily cut into its moist, flaky texture. 

For dessert, my table decided to try one of each (I like them). On the dessert menu that day (all desserts are $8): Maple Bread Pudding with Brûlée Banana and vanilla ice cream; Chocolate Peanut Butter Cake with raspberry coulis and salted caramel ice cream; and Apple Strudel Cheesecake with Chantilly whipped cream.

Maple Bread Pudding.

Apple Strudel Cheesecake.

Chocolate Peanut Butter Cake.

All of the desserts were great, but our favorite as a table was the bread pudding. Moist, gooey, and ideally sweet, it was a fantastic way to end our meal.

A few more things about Beat Hotel that are noteworthy: 

• Their menu highlights seasonal ingredients and global flavors
• They have live music every night, and the acoustics are ideal - you can have a conversation without yelling
• They have wine on tap, and you can order a half glass, full glass, or carafe
• They have plenty of vegetarian (and even vegan) options

Although the prices are a little more than I'd normally pay, I'd definitely return to Beat Hotel for a date night - or a cocktail and some appetizers, to keep it economical. The vibe there is lovely, the food really blew us away, and the cocktails are inventive and impressive.

Have you been to Beat Hotel yet? If yes, what's your review?

This meal was complimentary, but all opinions are my own.

Strawberry Harvest Review Dinner

Last week, I had the pleasure of joining a few other bloggers for Harvest's latest The Harvest Review dinner. This month, the tasting dinner focused on strawberries (from Ward's Berry Farm in Sharon), and was appropriately named "Berry Good Time."

How The Harvest Review dinners work is you pay $44 to enjoy four courses, each paired with a different wine (tax and gratuity not included). Executive Chef Mary Dumont, Executive Pastry Chef Brian Mercury, and Wine Director John Mooradian present the dinner before it begins, explaining each dish and why they paired it with each particular wine.

Although The Harvest Review dinners are a set menu - and although Harvest's website says they are "unable to accommodate special requests" - I was definitely taken care of for being a vegetarian. Chef Dumont, when presenting the dishes, even made sure to include the vegetarian course they prepared for me. 

For the first course - while the omnivores enjoyed a Grilled Kurobuta Pork Sausage - I had homemade tortellinis filled with smoked ricotta. Like the sausage, mine also came with pickled green strawberries, toasted brioche, and strawberry black pepper gastrique.

This dish was paired with a crisp white wine (Herdade Do Esporao, Gouveio Blend, Alentejano, Portugal 2011). I don't usually love smoke flavor, but I adored the whipped, smoky ricotta with the tart strawberry gastrique. And the pickled green strawberries? Surprisingly delicious and interesting.

The second course was a Lavender Compressed Strawberry Salad, comprised of lime yogurt, lavender olive oil powder, and Eva's Pea Greens.

Paired with a refreshing rose (Chateau Virgile, Rose, Costieres De Nimes, France 2011), this was one ideal summer salad. I loved the idea of using pea greens, and the innovative lavender powder added a welcome unique flavor throughout the dish.

The third course was a Seared Scottish Salmon, served over a Yukon Gold potato, leek, and smoked bacon hash (I just ate around the bacon). Under the hash was a strawberry, ginger, and rhubarb jam. 

The salmon was paired with one of my favorite red wines, a pinot noir (Sterling Vineyards, Pinot Noir, Carneros, California 2011). The flaky, tender salmon with the soft, well-seasoned potatoes was an incredible combination. The jam was also subtle enough to help add some sweetness and tartness to the dish without being overpowering.

For our fourth and final course, we had Fresh Strawberry Sorbet, which came with strawberry meringue, lovage cream, and oat cracker.

Paired with a sweet moscato (Saracco, Moscato d'Asti, Piedmont, Italy 2011), this was one of the most interesting desserts I've ever had. The sorbet was fresh and full of strawberry flavor, and the silky lovage cream and crunchy meringues and oat crackers added necessary, varying textures to the dish.

While we were eating our dessert, Chef Mercury came out to see how we liked it. While we were talking to him, Harvest's PR rep mentioned that Chef Mercury makes all of his own sea salt. Like, he actually goes out at an ungodly hour in the morning to forage his own. We even had the pleasure of tasting his latest batch, pictured below. He adds his fresh, flaky sea salt to a lot of his desserts at Harvest.

Overall, we had a fabulous, seasonal, and mostly local meal at Harvest for their latest Harvest Review dinner. I highly recommend checking one out!

What's your favorite way to enjoy strawberries this time of year? I just love eating them as is. ;)

This meal was complimentary, but all opinions are my own.

The First Printer in Harvard Square

I love when restaurants have a little bit of history (served alongside decent food, of course). 

I hadn't heard of The First Printer until I went to dinner there with some of the Scout Cambridge staff a few months ago - it's definitely a hidden gem tucked away in Harvard Square.

The First Printer is named such because it is located on the site where the first printer, Stephen Daye, lived back in the 1600s. During the year plus of renovations for The First Printer Restaurant, "The First Printer" plaque - which was taken off the building in the 1920s - was found in the basement. The renovations also unveiled the gorgeous mosaic tile floor that you see immediately upon entering the restaurant (that same floor used to be covered by concrete).

I had told my mom all about this restaurant, so last week - when we were shopping for wedding flowers - we decide to stop in there for lunch. We entertained the idea of dining in the restaurant's former-bank-vault-turned-dining area, but instead we opted for a sunny window seat.

Our meal started with a complimentary medley of pickled vegetables.

It was past 12 p.m., so my mom and I each decided to order a glass of wine. I went with a 2010 Italian Pinot Grigio ($9).

The First Printer's chef, Ray Williams, is originally from the South, and the menu options reflect his Southern roots (Scout's publisher is also from the South and mentioned that The First Printer's Fried Chicken and Waffles, $15, are the best she's had up here). Despite the Southern influence in his food, there are still plenty of options for vegetarians - like The Herbivore Burger ($10), which is what I ordered.

The Herbivore Burger is made with four types of mushrooms, and served with a sweet soy and shallot jam and a Sriracha aioli. On the side, I opted for a salad (you could also have fries), which was perfectly dressed and wonderfully seasoned with sea salt. The burger did not stay together very well (at times, the patty crumbled apart), but it was tasty, and I appreciated the innovative toppings.

All in all, I enjoyed another great meal at The First Printer, and I just love the history behind this place. I'm eager to go back to try their brunch menu!

Have you discovered any 'hidden gem' restaurants lately?

Brunch at John Harvard's + A Giveaway Winner

Looking for a place to grab a wallet-friendly brunch this weekend? I have your answer: John Harvard's Brewery and Ale House in Harvard Square.

Z and I visited John Harvard's last weekend, as part of my involvement with the Boston Brunchers. The Brunchers typically go as a group to a local restaurant to sample their brunch options, but John Harvard's had their's set-up a little differently. Basically, any Bruncher could reserve a table at John Harvard's whenever was convenient for them (within a certain time frame) to try out the restaurant's brunch menu on their own time.

I had only been to John Harvard's once since they renovated the Cambridge location (they also have a location in Framingham, among others), but only visited for drinks on my last visit. This time around, it was nice to experience the spacious dining room, which is appropriately separated from the bar and sports lounge area.

Per usual, I started my meal with a House Bloody Mary ($8).

I adore Bloody Marys that are served with a generous amount of garnishes, and John Harvard's was no exception. Their house bloody mary mix was delightfully spicy and well-seasoned, too - and their bloody is even made with tomato vodka for extra tomato flavor. 

After we ordered our entrees, our waiter brought us some bread and oil to nibble on. 

The bread was delightfully warm and had an addictive cheesy crust. The oil was, unfortunately, a little thin for our liking, although it was seasoned nicely.

For our entrees, I went with the Harvard's Omelet ($9.99) and Z went with the Thick Cut French Toast Stack ($11.99). (Quick note: John Harvard's also offers their regular menu at brunch).

Let's start with the omelet first: At John Harvard's, you can create-your-own omelet from a variety of ingredients, without them charging you per ingredient. Much more economical than the usual create-your-own-omelet set-up - that is, unless you only like one or two ingredients in your omelet (weirdo...just kidding!). I added spinach, tomatoes, onions, and cheddar to my omelet. It was cooked to fluffy perfection, although it was a tad under-seasoned (I ended up adding salt and pepper to mine). The home fries on the side, however, were almost perfect - crispy on the outside, soft on the inside, and wonderfully salty.

Z's French toast was quite the contrast from my entree. It consisted of brioche dipped in crème anglaise, and was layered with Nutella and brûléed banana. Talk about decadent! I tried a few bites of his French toast - which was also served with homemade whipped cream - and it was delicious. If you have a sweet tooth, this dish is for you.

Overall, we had a lovely brunch at John Harvard's. My only gripe: The large dining room was only half full, but the host sat each party right next to each other, instead of spacing us out. That's always a pet peeve of mine, but especially first thing in the morning.

*As part of the Boston Brunchers, our brunch was complimentary, but the opinions expressed in this post are 100 percent my own. 

Oh, and remember my Easter candy giveaway with Lake Champlain Chocolates? We have a winner! (I picked a winner using Random.org's True Random Number Generator). 

The winner is: Shaylan Rodman!

"My favorite Easter candy has always been chocolate covered malt eggs."

Congrats, Shaylan! Please email me within 48 hours to claim your prize (after 48 hours, I will pick a new winner).

Have a great weekend, everybody!

Drink This: Boulevard Chocolate Ale

Last night, Z and I enjoyed an after-dinner drink at Russell House Tavern in Harvard Square. We both ordered one of their three rotating taps: the Boulevard Chocolate Ale.

If you're a chocolate lover - and a beer fan - then this beer just might change your life forever. Bursting with bright notes of high quality, rich chocolate, this surprisingly light ale was packed with flavor. Hints of vanilla and caramel complemented the silky chocolate beautifully, while the ale ended with a crisp, refreshing finish. At 9.1% abv., we both only enjoyed one glass - but we will be buying a bottle (or two) soon to enjoy at home whenever we wish.

Are you a beer fan? What's currently your favorite brew to sip on?

The Nu Kid in Town

Last week, Nubar in Harvard Square invited me and a guest to visit their restaurant for dinner. I gladly accepted their gracious invitation, and took Z along with me.

Nubar, a recent addition to the Harvard Square area, is located inside the Sheraton – but as soon as you walk in and sit down, you’d never know you were inside a hotel. The modern décor, plush seats, and large, arched windows make the atmosphere at Nubar inviting, comfortable and even slightly swanky.

On this particular Wednesday evening, the restaurant wasn’t crowded, but it definitely had its fair share of working professionals at the bar, in the lounge and eating dinner. As Z and I took in the place, our friendly waitress took our drink orders – which she helped us tremendously on making our final decisions on (throughout dinner, actually, our waitress was incredibly knowledgeable and was able to answer any questions we had regarding the menu).

My first drink was the Ruby Sidecar ($11), made with Hennessey VS, Gran Marnier, fresh lemon juice, and ruby red grapefruit juice.

Z's first drink was the Basil and Lime Gimlet ($10), made with Triple 8 Gale Force Gin, fresh basil, and fresh lime juice. 

Both drinks were refreshing and not overly sweet, and our waitress informed us that the bartender creates many of the cocktails himself - so expect to find some unique drinks on Nubar's menu. 

Our cocktails helped us wash down the complimentary bread and butter while we continued to peruse the menu.

Our first course ended up being the Asparagus, Golden Beet and Goat Cheese Salad ($11), served with watercress, toasted walnuts, pickled shallots and vin cotto. This salad is normally made with pickled ramps, but ramps are currently out of season (Nubar's menu focuses a lot on local sources/ingredients).

When a salad is made with locally-grown produce, you can taste the difference. The fresh, sweet beets with the tangy goat cheese and peppery arugula was a spectacular combination. I could have done without the large amount of watercress, but it still added a nice, varying texture to the dish.

Our second appetizer was the Taleggio Polenta ($9), which was served with wilted baby spinach and a crispy poached egg. 

This polenta dish was one of the most unique dishes I’ve had in a while. The poached egg was covered with a tempura-like, crispy exterior, and the egg itself was cooked almost perfectly. I loved the different flavors and textures in this dish.

For our entrees, Z ordered the Mediterranean Vegetable Gratin ($17), made with a porcini broth and thyme. 

I only had a bite of the gratin – at this point, I was already getting stuffed – but based off one bite, I could tell why Z was glowing. The dish was beautifully seasoned, and the porcini broth provided a sultry, savory flavor throughout the dish.

I had the Black Olive, Herbed Ricotta Topped with Dressed Arugula Flatbread ($12).

I’m not normally a huge fan of having a pile of greens on a flatbread (or pizza, for that matter), but Nubar may have changed my mind. I loved how the arugula was slightly wilted from the light amount of dressing, and the fresh black olives with the creamy ricotta was just superb. I ended up bringing half of it home to have for lunch the next day, too!

With dinner, I had a glass of Cycles Gladiator Pinot Noir, 2009 ($7), while Z enjoyed a refreshing Talk of Cambridge cocktail (which was a special at the time). 

I will be craving this drink on a hot summer day. My terrible note-taking skills couldn’t tell you exactly what’s in it – but trust me when I tell you it was ultra refreshing. The only negative comment Z had was that the crushed up mint was a little too crushed up – it was hard to sip through the straw without getting a few mint leaves.

Neither of us had room for dessert (although the dessert menu included Christina's Ice Cream), so we decided to finish our drinks and head home – with full, happy stomachs. It was great to try out Nubar for a special dinner, but the prices are a little too steep for me to go there on a regular basis for dinner. However, I’d love to go back to Nubar for some after work drinks and appetizers, and sit in the lounge area. 

Overall, Z and I had a great experience at Nubar. The innovative food and drinks, use of local sources, and knowledgeable waitstaff made this dining experience an extremely positive one.

How often do you splurge on a great meal?

Disclaimer: Our meals were complimentary. Despite Nubar’s generosity, the opinions expressed in this post are 100% honest and my own.