Taking Restaurant Critics to Dinner

My parents are the main reasons why I became a restaurant critic and food writer. We rarely ate out at restaurants growing up, mostly for financial reasons, but also because there are only so many restaurants that are suitable for a family with four loud, squirmy kids. So whenever we did go out to eat, my parents were very critical - and rightfully so. On those few occasions where we actually dined out, my parents expected the service, food, and atmosphere to be damn good.

My parents still don't make it out to eat as often as they'd probably like, but although the frequency has increased now that us kids are older and money is less tight, their harsh criticism hasn't changed. So last Sunday, when my parents came down and Z and I took them out to dinner, we wanted to take them to a restaurant that we know is good and that they'd appreciate. Being the beer-loving people we are, we decided to take my parents to Watch City Brewing Co. in Waltham.

Watch City is such a great neighborhood spot on Moody Street, with awesome beer (which you can only get there), delicious pub-style food, and a relaxed, friendly atmosphere. Definitely one of Z and I's kind of places, and, thankfully, my parents echoed our enthusiasm for it.

Amongst the beer sipping and sampling, we ate dinner - Z opted for the Roasted Beet and Herb Goat Cheese Salad ($10.99); my parents both ordered the Grilled Salmon with Honey Thyme Vinaigrette with asparagus and Basmati rice ($16.99); and I got the Garden Veggie Burger ($8.99), with cheddar cheese and homemade salsa.

Watch City has some customized burgers, but they also have a short list of condiments and toppings where you can basically build your own. The burgers are also served with "brewhouse fries," but you can substitute them for onion rings, sweet potato fries (which I went for), or a salad (who does that?) for just $1 more. Their sweet potato fries are seriously delicious, with a perfectly crispy, salty exterior and a slightly mushy (in a good way), more sweet filling. The veggie burger itself was also very flavorful, with a great balance of spices, and the homemade salsa added a necessary, crunchy texture to the burger. The salsa could have been a little spicier though, for my taste, and I was pretty disappointed that avocado was not on the list of topping options.

My parents, however, loved their salmon, and continuously commented throughout the meal on how flavorful the fish was, and how well cooked the asparagus and rice were. Z also educated my dad on the beer options before and during the meal, so my father was happy to try a few unique brews, which he can't get anywhere else. If my parents were published restaurant critics, Watch City would have received 5 stars.

Which local restaurant do you take your mother and/or father to when they're in town?

Chocolate: 5.6% abv

I used to think chocolate with peanut butter was the best combination on planet earth. But I have been proven wrong. Chocolate + beer = the new best combo.

Before I met Zach, I thought beer consisted of Bud Light and Coors. I never thought of sitting down and enjoying a nice glass of beer - why would you waste time sipping what tastes like calorie-infused, carbonated water, with a strong yeast aftertaste? But then, I discovered the phenomenon that is microbrews. Now, Z and I are regulars at Cambridge Common, and I still get funny looks from liquor store attendants when I purchase a 6-pack of 9% abv brews...for myself. So when I started to discover chocolate flavored beers, my world turned upside down again, in a good way. I love the Harpoon and Rogue's chocolate stouts, but sometimes, they can be a bit too sweet for me, and I consider them "dessert only" beers. Luckily for me, Watch City Brewing Co. in Waltham has recently released their Chocolate Thunder Porter - a darker, yet still slightly sweet chocolate brew with 5.6% abv.

The geniuses at Watch City base their chocolate beer on the style of an American Robust Porter, and add 50 pounds of TAZA Chocolate (70% cocoa), made right in Somerville, to the recipe. The end result is a smooth ale with a subtle hint of cocoa flavor. I could easily sip this beer while eating a burger, or a brownie. For a chocolate beer, it is pretty versatile.

Are you a fan of chocolate beer? Why or why not?