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Happy Friday everyone! I've got a sick Vivy home with me today, so I'll get right to it -- enjoy these weekend picks (and don't say I didn't hook you up in the strawberry department)!
1. Feast of the East. (Arlington)
2. Strawberries! (Attleboro)
3. Enjoy arts and more. (Beverly)
4. The butterflies are back! (Boston)
I've been meaning to share about Life Alive ever since my sister Kyoung and her partner Marjorie introduced me and Laurel to it following a fun downtown outing in February. We visited the Central Square location (they also have a home in Lowell, and will open another in Salem) on a Saturday -- the two-floor café has a casual yet warm vibe and was bustling with adults and kids, all happily munching on and sipping organic, vegetarian, unprocessed fare. (Kyoung and Marjorie kindly suggested we visit this café since Laurel is a vegetarian.)
Today, Kate shares a fantastic spot to eat (and play) with the kids:
My daughter is now six, which means that she is generally old enough to contentedly make it through a restaurant meal without complaint, provided that the food is not too complicated and the atmosphere not too fussy (crayons can help, too). Gone, happily, are the days when we would ask for the check not long after sitting down and have our meals packed to go before taking more than a bite or two.
I hope you enjoyed the gorgeous weekend! Ours was full of fun stuff like soccer, play dates, baking (to celebrate our oven finally being fixed we made pumpkin bread and spinach pie...yum), and a stellar dinner at Oleana to celebrate my birthday. So. lovely. Meanwhile, I hope you're gearing up for a fantastic week; here some fun event ideas, spanning Halloween festivities, theatrical spectacle, nature exploration, relaxation for the whole family, water sport, and a pick for parents of girls. Enjoy!
Image credit: Salvatore Vuono / FreeDigitalPhotos.net
Hooray for October starting tomorrow! Kick off the new month with any or all of these 11 event picks that caught my eye:
1. A cool event for small and large cyclists.
2. Of course you want to see a revolutionary street spectacle of never-before-seen proportions.
3. Just say yes to healthy local food for all.
Despite the hurricane on Sunday (which didn't amount to more than heavy rain in our neighborhood), we headed out to a surprise birthday party for my friend Morra. And two things about that event turned me into a fan of Lakota Bakery. First were the goodies; the cakes -- one golden with raspberry buttercream, the other almond meringue with dark chocolate ganache and chocolate buttercream -- were spectacularly moist and delicious (yes, I had three pieces). The cookie platter was equally impressive and I realized after looking at Lakota's website that the reason the cookies looked so familiar was because I have eaten them before from Darwin's (most recently, while in the hospital following Violet's birth).
Today, Kate shares a great local spot for sweet and savory treats, and a cookbook that will allow you to recreate tasty treats at home:
One of the many great things about living in the Boston area is getting to enjoy Joanne Chang's wonderful Flour Bakery + Cafe. Chang is a pastry chef and entrepreneur, and a devotee of all things baked and frosted and all-around yummy. Each of the three locations of Flour (Cambridge, Fort Point, the South End) is a happy haven in which to sit, relax, and enjoy a range of sandwiches, salads, and lots and lots of baked goods. Chang is committed to using real foods and fresh ingredients -- none of your pre-packaged, over-oily muffins and scones here -- and to helping people to learn how to bake well at home.
Truly, one of the best postpartum gifts imaginable is the gift of food. And on Thursday, when it was cold and rainy out, my friend Jen kindly brought over a Harrows chicken pie (+ rolls) that totally hit the spot. Impressively loaded with white meat, carrots, and potatoes (no mystery fillers of the frozen pot pies of my youth here...), all I needed to do was pop the pie in the oven (I recommend placing the pie on a rimmed baking sheet to catch drips) and within an hour the house smelled fantastic and Jon, Laurel, and I were happily indulging in a wonderfully warm and comforting dinner.
Today, Jules shares a fantastic local chocolate find:
Mothers' Day is creeping up and while I'm constantly telling my husband to never, ever bring me chocolate for occasions such as this, this year I do want just one thing -- and it happens to be chocolate. This is the kind of chocolate that I will eat guilt free and will happily share with my kids so they can experience the beauty of quality chocolate made with natural and fresh ingredients -- not the kind that sits on a shelf in a box for weeks (months? years?) before the foil is torn away.
I had a bit of a rough week last week and the baby shower my friend Heidi hosted for me this past weekend was a wonderful antidote, making me feel enormously grateful for the happy energy and wonderful people I have in my life. And I wanted to share the theme -- a secondhand baby shower (because I'm an eco-geek and because I have many friends who are done having babies and were eager to pass things along) -- plus some great leads from Heidi's planning. Here's how it all came down the pike:
In contrast to Jon and my low key approach, Laurel is totally cranked up about celebrating Valentine's Day. If you're in a similar boat, and are looking for a family-friendly Valentine's outing, what about the Odyssey's Valentine's brunch cruise? You'll achieve a sense of escape (undoubtedly welcome, given the recent plague of snowstorms...) without the fuss of needing to pack. I haven't yet experienced the Odyssey, but I dig the idea of cruising along against the backdrop of our city skyline while listening to live music, enjoying brunch I didn't have to cook, not worrying about washing dishes, and gazing lovingly at Jon while Laurel ogles the chocolate fountain.
And how cool is this? The Odyssey kindly is offering one lucky winner a family four-pack of tickets for the Valentine's Odyssey brunch cruise. Here's how to enter to win:
Today, Lindsey shares kudos for the kid's cooking classes at Henrietta's Table. Read on for Lindsey's thoughts, as well as to learn how to win a complimentary cooking class for your child at Henrietta's Table next month:
One cold Saturday last February I took my 7-year-old daughter to "cooking school" at Henrietta's Table in Harvard Square. Neither of us knew what to expect. Chairs and a big demonstration table were set up in the light-filled private room off the main Henrietta's dining room. The kids in the room varied in age from 6 to about 10. Parents had a choice of staying to watch or leaving to enjoy lunch at 10% off (or, in my case, to sit and drink a cup of tea and write, thanks to the hotel's wireless!). The classes run from 12:30 to 2:00 and I stayed for the opening introductory minutes, ducked out to write, then poked my head in to watch for the last half hour.
Goodness. In the complete chaos that was last month, I forgot to share a series of articles I wrote for CBS Boston. The process offered fun fodder for reflection on Boston awesomeness for families and I hope you enjoy and find the articles useful. I share my favorite recommendations for: cool spots to photograph your kids, family friendly restaurants that are truly great for kids and foodie parents alike, awesome art studios for kids, out of the box birthday party ideas, and ideas for indoor and outdoor winter fun (because oh my word can you believe next month is December?).
Sometimes, for seemingly unexplainable reasons, certain retail locations appear cursed. Take for example, the site of Posto in Davis Square, which didn't survive as the café chain Carberry's (despite a seemingly thriving business; they closed well before the Lyndell's acquisition), and then as another food outlet (The Green Tomato maybe?), and who knows what else before that. But Posto -- a well styled purveyor of wood fired pizza, pasta, and other Italian delights -- seems well positioned to reverse the curse.
I have been a fan of Equal Exchange for some time: I've purchased their fair trade products at the market. I invariably visit the Equal Exchange Café when I'm in the vicinity of North Station. I love that they are headquartered locally. I'm a wee bit obsessed with their dark chocolate minis. I think it's super cool that they offer an alternative to cheese log and wrapping paper school fundraisers with a fair trade fundraising program that makes money for schools and community groups via yummy and cool fair trade gifts while benefiting organic farmers and artisans around the world. And as if that isn't enough, as part of my Boston Mamas Fourth Birthday Giveaway Series, Equal Exchange generously is gifting one lucky winner with the delightful gift of coffee and chocolate (one 5 lb bag of whole bean coffee + 1 box of 150 mini chocolates; $82 value). Simply check out the rules below and leave a comment on this giveaway by Wednesday, August 4, to enter to win.
Today's Dear Boston Mamas question comes from Victoria in Chicago via e-mail:
Dear Christine, I live in Chicago and I am planning my best friend's baby shower in the Boston area. She lives in Newburyport. Any suggestions for places in Boston or Newburyport?
I love fine chocolate and I love all things local so I was thrilled to learn about vianne chocolat, a new Boston-based source for handmade artisan chocolates. Passionate about sourcing local whenever possible, chocolatier Valerie Conyngham uses cream, butter, and jams from New England farms, and spices from independent local spice purveyors to create a delightful variety of chocolates for gifting, home parties, special occasions, and corporate events. And as part of my Boston Mamas Fourth Birthday Giveaway Series, vianne chocolat generously is gifting one lucky winner with a vianne chocolat canvas tote + assortment of 50 chocolates! Simply check out the rules below and leave a comment on this giveaway by Friday, July 9, to enter to win.
If you or your kid inhales strawberries with the same enthusiasm as Laurel, you're in luck: this weekend is strawberrytastic. Here are some local farms rocking strawberry festivals this weekend: Verrill Farm (Concord), Connors Farm (Danvers), Russell Orchards (Ipswich), Wilson Farm (Lexington), Drumlin Farm (Lincoln), and Land's Sake (Weston). Also noteworthy: now through July 4, a number of local eateries are donating a percentage of strawberry dessert sales to the Federation of Mass Farmers Markets as part of the Mass Farmers Markets' Strawberry Dessert Festival.
Image credit: FreeDigitalPhotos.net
Today, Jules shares some fun ideas for enjoying Mother's Day in Boston:
Mother's Day -- made official in 1914 by President Woodrow Wilson and celebrated on the second Sunday in May -- is this Sunday. And though I'm not wild about the over commercialization of the holiday (and obviously think mothers should be appreciated every day), I do enjoy low key festivities, now being a mother. My family traditionally does Mother's Day brunch (though we no longer are forced to dress in matching color schemes, thank goodness!), and there are other ways you can enjoy time and celebrate mom. Here are some fun picks for the weekend:
Today, parent educator Hetti Wohlgemuth of Alphabet Soup 4 Parents shares a favorite local family picnicking spot:
For some reason, my girls always called our favorite outdoor ice cream stand Dairy George (instead of Dairy Joy) and the nickname stuck in our family. In fact, the formal name of the stand is Cedar Hill Dairy Joy, but no matter how you say it, it makes for an excellent spring, summer, or autumn outing.
Today's Dear Boston Mamas question comes from Jan via e-mail:
We are visiting Boston this summer (from Ireland) with 3 kids (12, 10 and 5) and are looking for recommended kid-friendly restaurants, some free activities, best ice-cream, best toy shops, etc. We will have 10 days in Cape Cod then 10 days in Concord. We will have a car, and the house we are staying at in Concord is close to the train station so the plan would be to take the train into Boston.
Today's Dear Boston Mamas question comes from @papaproducts via Twitter:
Hey @bostonmamas do you have ideas for places to go out to Easter brunch/dinner with little kids? Have you seen a roundup of spots anywhere? Thanks!
Continue reading "Dear Boston Mamas: Easter Dining With Kids" »
Today, parent educator Hetti Wohlgemuth of Alphabet Soup 4 Parents shares her five Boston area café faves to enjoy with or without the kids:
"I'm not a homebody. I never was; even having two daughters within two years, we were always on the go. Or if I got some much needed alone time, I'd head out the door and find a place to read the newspaper or write in my journal. My go-to retreats? Independently owned coffee houses. Here are a few of my favorites in the Boston area:
Given how passionate I am about all things eco, I am thrilled to be a media sponsor of Down:2:Earth. This sustainable living expo will take place April 9-11 at the Hynes, and in addition to covering everything from products to gardening to services to fashion to food for grownups, there is plenty of programming for families to enjoy. The D2E Kids Block will include activities such as butter making, a demonstration on worms and farming, hands on animal activities, face painting, and storytelling. There also will be a panel on clean energy opportunities for teens, and Dr. Mayim Bialik of the Holistic Moms Network (and formerly of Blossom fame) will present a workshop on holistic parenting.
Today, Sarah shares her findings from test driving the process and offerings of Healthy Habits Kitchen in Wellesley:
"Regardless of education level, culinary skill, or available cooking time, I've found that the eternal struggle for a family-friendly yet healthy meal can lead to burn out. I enjoy cooking, but every now and then I get a tad disgruntled about having to come up with something on a daily basis.
It’s a good thing Boston Restaurant Week is actually Boston Restaurant Weeks because if you missed the first week (which I will have after tonight), you can enjoy fantastic food next week (which I will). In its 5th year, BRW includes a fantastic roster of restaurants in and out of the city, all offering special prix fixe menus (2-course lunches for $15.10, 3-course lunches for $20.10, 3-course dinners for $33.10). My only regret is that the spectacular coconut cream pie is not on the prix fixe menu at The Capital Grille; otherwise I would be there right this minute.
Are you looking for a compact, portable reference to help navigate the kid-friendly ins and outs of our fair city? Today I share my thoughts on Kim Foley MacKinnon's new book, Boston Baby: A Field Guide for Urban Parents. Read on for my review, as well as to learn about an opportunity to meet Kim and eat well tomorrow at Aura Restaurant, and be one of three winners to receive a copy of Boston Baby:
When I travel, I try valiantly to stay hydrated and consume lots of fruits and vegetables, but despite my best efforts, invariably I crave a huge salad on return. And on Sunday after Jon and Laurel picked me up at the airport, we decided to celebrate the conclusion of a rather insane month of travel by going out to lunch. And you guessed it, I wanted a huge salad.
My friend Kristen Chase is a funny, prolific, no holds barred writer and I’m currently laughing my way through her new book, The Mominatrix's Guide to Sex, in which Kristen offers advice for bringing sexy back during pregnancy, postpartum, and beyond. I’m thrilled to help welcome Kristen to Boston on Tuesday, February 9 (7-9pm) for a Valentine’s chocolate and wine tasting + sex chat at Finale in Brookline, via Moms Going Out. Tickets are only $5 and space is limited (autographed books will be available for purchase); I hope to see you there!
April Paffrath is one of the most devoted foodies I know. No taste is too simple, no ingredient too humble. And when you read her writing, you can tell how much she relishes preparing, tasting, and writing about food. April is a regular contributor here on Boston Mamas, but today I'm thrilled to introduce her via her voice on Wicked Tasty Harvest. For the eleventh installment of my Simplifying the Holidays guest blog series, April shares a highly impacting way to simplify your holidays and beyond: by thinking about local foods and considering a CSA. Included is a primer on local foods and CSAs, as well as a fantastic guide to CSAs in the Boston area.
Now that we've hit November, the concept of holiday is slowly creeping onto my radar. I'm still ignoring holiday retail displays, but I'm all for securing tickets to Boston’s fabulous arts scene at a budget in celebration of the season. In addition to discounted arts tickets, the Mayor’s Holiday Special site features shopping, dining, and lodging deals and is open now through January 18, 2010.
Why yes, there are things happening this weekend that don’t relate to Halloween. Two cool picks that piqued my interest? The Boston Vegetarian Food Festival (Saturday & Sunday) will assemble natural food providers, speakers, chefs, and exhibitors offering food samples, demos, learning opportunities, and a children's activity center. And on Sunday, Design Hive is calling all vintage vixens to Cambridge to stock up on vintage clothing, accessories, and home furnishings from local sellers.
Really, how can you go wrong buying a cupcake (or two or three) that has philanthropic rewards? This week is Cupcakes for a Cause Week, during which bakeries across the country are selling specially decorated cupcakes and donating partial proceeds to CancerCare for Kids, a free, professional support service for children affected by cancer. The cupcake drive runs until September 27 and is national; in Massachusetts, participating bakeries include Kickass Cupcakes (Somerville), Lyndell’s Bakery (Somerville & Boston), and Nantucket Bake Shop (Nantucket).
One of my favorite things about running Boston Mamas is learning about talented local mamapreneurs such as Christine Crowley, co-founder of Sugabettens Baking. Offering an array of rich brownie flavors and ultra-decadent signature layered bars (all originating from secret family recipes), Sugabettens Baking's gourmet goodies make for lovely family or business gifts or conversation stopping party fare. And for our 3rd birthday party Sugabettens Baking is offering two lucky winners a 6pk of Sugabettens Bars ($36 value each). Simply check out the rules below and leave a comment on this giveaway to enter to win (by midnight EST, Saturday, August 29).
Today, Jennifer recommends a couple of spots in Acton to enjoy a girl’s morning out:
“I recently rediscovered one of my favorite little local spots for bargain shopping: Tables to Teapots in West Acton. It’s a well-organized home furnishings consignment shop with antiques, retro décor, some newer yet gently used items, and one-of-a-kind finds…including the great vintage cuff bracelet I just picked up for a mere $8.
Though I’m a proponent of moderation over an “all you can eat” mentality, it’s tough to knock enjoying frozen treats for a good cause. Running June 9 – 11 (12 – 8pm daily) at Boston City Hall Plaza, the Jimmy Fund Scooper Bowl is in its 27th year of raising money to support cancer treatment and research at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. Admission – which allows you to sample all the ice cream you are able - is $8 for adults, $4 for children ages 3-9, and free for kids under 3. Particularly cool: in addition to traditional ice cream and frozen yogurt, this year’s offerings include sorbet and gelato (oh how I love gelato), and Kosher ice cream will be available.
I believe in the power of positive intention; even so, I couldn’t help but stand amazed when Jon and I began mentally willing an independent Mexican restaurant into the vicinity and it actually materialized. For families in striking distance of the Medford-Somerville-Arlington axis, the family friendly, authentic, affordable, trans fat free Emiliano'Z Mexican Grill is worth a visit.
Today, Kate recommends visiting a new taste in town:
“The Boston suburb I grew up in is primarily residential, with stores and services arrayed in clusters along its municipal borders. One of those clusters once included a corner wine shop, which went out of business many years ago. The empty storefront remained unchanged for at least a decade, with the wine shop signs still in place and the same cheerful green color decorating the outside walls. A few months ago, I learned that a new venue - Sofra Bakery and Café - was breathing fresh life into the space, and I knew that I had to check it out.
Whether you’re just starting to explore or already are immersed in green initiatives, no doubt there's plenty to learn at Down:2:Earth this weekend. This sustainable living event starts tonight at the Hynes Convention Center with the opportunity to sample local green restaurants. Saturday and Sunday programming will include green topics for grownups (e.g., fashion, personal care products, appliances, lawn care) and activities for kids (e.g., conservation activities, face painting, stories). Click here for ticket info; kids 12 and under admitted free.
Welcome to Boston Mamas Rock! – where we’re giving a voice to fabulous local mamas from all walks of life. Read on for today’s interview with Sarah Pike, a mother of one who developed a passion and appreciation for food alongside her five siblings on her parents’ organic farm. Sarah is the owner of Good Tastes Kitchen, a meal delivery & catering service.
I’m currently doing a 30-day shredding challenge with some online friends, so the last thing I need is a marvelously decadent place like The Danish Pastry House within reach. But I experienced their goodies for the first time last weekend (offsite), and immediately fell in love when I visited the café in person with Laurel this week.
This weekend we met friends for lunch in Wellesley, at what possibly is one of the most family friendly restaurants I’ve been to in some time – The Cottage - followed by some fantastic gelato at The Gelato Café. I’m already scheming to get back to Linden Street soon; here are some notes on both spots.
Welcome to Boston Mamas Rock! – where we’re giving a voice to fabulous local mamas, whether they're entrepreneurs, avid volunteers, stay at home moms, moms who have closet talents, authors, media professionals, politicians, professors, etc. Read on for today’s interview with Marjorie Druker, mother of one and chef/co-owner of the New England Soup Factory. Then go ahead and nominate yourself or a friend!
I’m a huge fan of all things independent, and especially love discovering indie bakeries. And yesterday, while visiting the Franklin Park Zoo – on what ended up being daddy giraffe Beau’s birthday – Laurel and I were thrilled to sample the generosity of West Roxbury’s Sugar Bakery, which donated 1500 cupcakes (seriously!) for the party. Moist, delicious, and piled high and beautifully with fabulous buttercream, these confections offered a sweet finish to a lovely morning of animal education and appreciation.
Sugar Bakery, 1884 Centre St., West Roxbury; Tel: 617-327-8427
Earlier this month Jon and I celebrated our 8th wedding anniversary, an event that served as the impetus for finally booking a sitter after what’s seemed like about 8 years. And the outing – to luscious Cuchi Cuchi in Cambridge – was just what the doctor ordered after a crazy spring, during which I realized I was taking care of everything around me except my marriage.
Today, Sharon offers a fabulous local find for all things shiny and beautiful, plus a couple of suggestions for fueling and refueling, before and after your shopping adventure:
“Sometimes I feel like a raccoon; I instantly gravitate towards things shiny and colorful. And during some recent adventures through Somerville, I was happy to rediscover Blue Cloud Gallery.
Given the real estate market, I have yet to figure out who is filling all of the luxe condo complexes that have sprouted up along Mass. Ave. in North Cambridge over the last year, but the Good Food Café is good news for these residents (and locals in striking distance).
Weekend fun is doubly sweet when it benefits those in need. Tomorrow’s Boston Pumpkin Festival at City Hall Plaza includes a free day (12 – 8pm) of family friendly entertainment, food, and pumpkins galore. Proceeds from the event will benefit Camp Sunshine, a national retreat for children with life-threatening illnesses and their families. And through Sunday nationwide, indulge in a cupcake at a participating bakery and mention Cupcakes for a Cause. Cupcake proceeds will benefit CancerCare for Kids. Locally, Rosie’s Bakery takes the cake as a major participant.
It’s a little pathetic when things get so hectic that you forget your own birthday. Lucky for me, last week Jon ensured a festive day by bringing home one of my favorite confections (cupcakes) from one of my favorite bakeries (Lulu’s in the North End). Boston guides typically point North End visitors to Mike’s or Modern’s, but what’s the point of standing in ridiculous lines when this cheery little gem awaits? Right this minute, I’d give anything for an espresso and a plate of their amazing almond apricot biscotti.
Lulu’s Bake Shoppe, 229 Hanover Street, Boston; Tel: 617-720-2200
I’m hard pressed not to pounce on any fresh baked treats that are set before me, but there truly is something uniquely cozy and comforting about cobbler (and no, it’s not just because you can rationalize the fruit intake). And while there's still some good summer produce available, try Jules's new cobbler recipe. No doubt it’ll make your weekend even sweeter.
As convenient as chain coffee shops are, I won’t go anywhere near the baked goods, instead holding out for the nearest independent bakery where I can be pretty certain that “fresh baked” doesn’t mean that my treat was pulled out of the freezer earlier that morning (after spending who knows how long in transit from baked good headquarters). This afternoon, Kate writes on a lovely downtown spot to indulge both sweet and savory cravings:
For all the time that Jon and I revolved around Davis Square as young twenty something’s, we never hit Gargoyles, probably because we only could afford burritos at the time. Thanks to a babysitting offer from Auntie Sha-Sha, we recently tried Gargoyles and it was a downright lovely experience.
Laurel heartily agrees that there’s no better way to take the edge off of summer heat than with a scoop of ice cream. This week you can sample fabulous flavors from ten of New England’s major frozen treat purveyors at the 25th Annual Jimmy Fund Scooper Bowl. The Scooper Bowl runs today until 6pm, tomorrow (June 6) from 11:30am – 8pm, and Thursday (June 8) from 11:30am – 6pm at City Hall Plaza. Tickets are available at the entrance ($7 for adults, $3 for kids ages 3 to 10, kids under 3 free); proceeds benefit The Jimmy Fund’s cancer initiatives.
Sometimes you just don’t have the steam to get dinner together at the end of a hectic day. If you’re looking for take out meals suitable for the whole family (I have yet to meet a kid who doesn't like pasta and cheese), guest contributor Jules (our house professional foodie) recommends checking out the fresh, flavorful dinners and sauces of Capone Foods in Cambridge and Somerville:
“The storefront is discreet, but don’t be fooled; the food is anything but. Capone Foods, with its first location at 14 Bow Street (Somerville), and its new, second location at 2285 Mass. Ave. (North Cambridge), is warm and inviting and stacked to the ceilings with quality products.
I'm an avid baker, but that by no means stands in the way of Jon and my devoted quest to find excellent baked treats (and coffee…) out in the world. Our latest find – Summerhouse Baking – is a must try for cookie lovers.
Made from scratch using quality ingredients (including products from local, family-owned farms and mills), pastry chef Lauren Ferrone’s cookie collection is classic with a decadent twist. Despite our chocoholic tendencies and Ferrone’s chocolate-based stunners, our favorite is the Oatmeal Coconut Cranberry, a buttery, vibrant cookie loaded with enough toasted oat goodness to nearly justify that it might do for breakfast.
I have eaten a lot of birthday cake in my years, but every now and then I sample one so good that there’s no choice but to throw polite airs (and any standing resolutions) to the wind and go back for seconds. Such was the case yesterday at the one year birthday party for Laurel’s pal Sebastian.
Sebastian’s cake – Fresh Strawberries & Cream with Chocolate Meringue Buttercream frosting – came from Dessert Works in Norwood. The vanilla chiffon cake layers were moist yet airy, and the delicate sweetness of the whipped vanilla pastry cream & fresh strawberry layers perfectly contrasted the deadly chocolate frosting.
Dessert Works offers cakes, pastry, and seasonal confections fashioned in simple to complex designs (the wedding cake gallery is breathtaking to browse); Laurel went nuts over Sebastian’s cake, but I suspect the Jungle Animal cupcakes (shown) also would be a huge hit.
Dessert Works, 38 Vanderbilt Avenue, Norwood; Tel: 781-769-1133
Regular readers may know that Jon and I have developed skepticism about the ability to have a relaxed meal out with a busy two-year-old in establishments other than cafes or diners. But last night we tried again, and Laurel rewarded us by being an angelic dinner companion for nearly an hour and a half at Tamarind House in Porter Square.
It’s possible that the 15-minute post-nap tantrum over Laurel’s distaste for wearing pants depleted her crazy mojo reserve; or perhaps she’s just growing into a more mature dining out buddy. Those possibilities aside, a few other factors no doubt helped the cause. We hope these "dining dos" will prove useful for your future family dining:
I’m all for testing the waters at eateries that don’t necessarily promote themselves as kid friendly, but the truth is, kid friendly establishments just make life that much easier.
Jon and I first learned about Sweet Sue’s when it was an out-of-home operation selling baked goods at the Government Center farmer’s market. Last spring, Sweet Sue’s opened a bakery café in Arlington, where the vibe is cozy and warm (either due to the sunny space or the walk about coffee refills), decidedly family friendly (a kids table and toys are available, as is a real standing changing table in the bathroom), and brimming with treats. During the weekdays Sweet Sue’s serves breakfast and lunch; on Saturday they serve brunch. They also offer catering services.
Sweet Sue’s, 795 Mass. Ave., Arlington; Tel: 781-646-1118
You’d think I would have backed off coffee once Laurel started saying, “Mommy has coffee breath! Laurel has milk breath!” but old habits die hard. If you’re downtown in the beautiful weather today and looking for an independent fix, check out Flatblack Coffee Company. Possibly the only independent cafe in the financial district, this Australian-themed, Boston-based gourmet coffee company offers single country of origin coffees from around the world; most products are organically grown, shade grown, and fair trade.
You can purchase Flatblack’s products online or visit their locations in Boston (50 Broad Street; Tel: 617-951-1440) and Dorchester (1170 Washington Street; Tel: 617-298-1800).
It’s been far too long since Jon and I have connected downtown for lunch, but on Friday, he reminded me of our last lunch date by bringing home a marvelous taste of Sel de la Terre.
With a variety of menus available throughout the day (including a kid’s menu), Sel de la Terre offers French fare in a warmly appointed, casual brasserie atmosphere. The restaurant is lovely for sit down (the assiette de charcuterie with toasted brioche, mustard, and chutney first course is a must for anyone who enjoys pates and a variety of nibbles), and their entrance way boulangerie is a particular boon. To celebrate my finishing an important deadline on Friday, Jon picked up a couple of desserts for us to enjoy after Laurel was off to bed. Particularly divine was the chocolate mousse, constructed in a round mold on a thin layer of chocolate nut cake, with another layer of cake hidden inside the mousse.
Sel de la Terre, 255 State Street, Boston; Tel: 617-720-1300
I have to admit that I’m a little nervous reporting on the hidden gem that is the Grand Prix Café in North Cambridge, lest it results in us not being able to get a table on weekends. But it is the holidays after all, so here goes.
It’s embarrassing how many days of the week I say, “OK, today, no sweets!” And yesterday, mere hours after patting myself on the back for exercising will power against the pull of the local bakery, I was going berserk over a treat Jon brought home from Faneuil Hall: a cream puff from Beard Papa’s.
Bizarre business identity aside, these cream puffs are spectacular. When given a range of options, I typically don’t share Jon’s penchant for all things choux, but the delicate crispness of Beard Papa’s puff pastry, coupled with the smooth, fresh whipped cream custard knocked out my existing cream puff skepticism (based on the sickly sweet artificial filling and rubbery pastry of cream puffs in days past).
Beard Papa’s is known for its cream puffs (made in small batches on the premises using natural ingredients and no preservatives), and also offers other dessert treats. They currently have locations in Asia, Australia, and the US, with more international locations apparently on the way.
Beard Papa’s, 1 Faneuil Hall Marketplace, Boston; Tel: 617-570-9070
Now that you’ve had a couple of weeks to recover from Halloween, it’s time to gear up for the good stuff and head to the new Taza Chocolate Lounge in Central Square.
Taza’s approach is blissfully minimal; they source cocoa beans directly from farming communities and co-operatives, and grind the beans into chocolate in their Somerville studio, focusing on the preservation of pure, single-origin flavors. Their products are offered at the Taza Chocolate Lounge, Thursdays and Fridays from 7:30 – 11:30pm, in partnership with Mariposa Bakery. In addition to coffee and select baked items from Mariposa, the Taza menu currently includes Madagascar chocolate ice cream, chocolate fondue, tasting plates of South American or Indonesian chocolate, and two types of iced or hot chocolate.
No reservations are required for this intimate yet casual drop in spot, but for groups of 8 or more, reservations are available at 7:30pm or 10pm. Taza also books private parties (25 person minimum) Sunday through Wednesday at Mariposa, and are pleased to accommodate birthday cakes or other requests in addition to their regular menu offerings. For details about private parties or factory tours, contact Larry Slotnick.
Taza Chocolate Lounge at Mariposa Bakery, 424 Mass. Ave., Cambridge, Tel: 617-876-6500
Sometimes the best theories evolve on sleepy Sunday mornings.
Jon and I were barely conscious yesterday morning after a bad night of sleep (Laurel’s two year molars are coming in); Jon suggested shaking up the mojo with an old college solution: the greasy breakfast.
We headed to the Arlington Diner and Restaurant; I assumed it would be packed (as it tends to be on weekends), but at 8am there were plenty of tables. The diner has booster seats, the waitresses were terrific with Laurel (and completely on task in keeping me caffeinated), and the food arrived about 5 minutes after we ordered it; literally just as I was asking Jon whether I should take Laurel for a walk around the restaurant so we didn’t burn our seated time waiting for food. Equally excellent was that Laurel loved the giant breakfast (enormous pancake covered with blueberry topping, toast, eggs), and the vinyl/plastic décor made blueberry-print cleanup a breeze. For the first time ever we left a restaurant with Laurel because we were ready to leave, not because we had to deal with an emergency of the diaper or disposition variety.
Anyhow, so the theory goes something like this. Going to a diner early on a Sunday morning with a child is: 1) the most satisfying dining out solution you will experience with a little one in tow; and 2) the grown up equivalent of Sunday brunch with your friends in college, the differences of course being the source of your fog and the company you’re keeping.
Arlington Diner & Restaurant, 134 Mass. Ave., Arlington, Tel: 781-646-9266
Boston is replete with excellent restaurants, but the suburbs have mounted an impressive charge, offering first-rate dining with the added bonus of easier parking. For seafood lovers, Catch is a must-try. Located in Winchester Center, Catch has an intimate and elegant feel from which the small open kitchen delivers top-notch French-influenced American cuisine. Fresh local produce is incorporated throughout the menu; you’ll want to try the potato gnocchi with English peas, lobster mushrooms, and lobster reduction ($12), which presents with a smooth and subtle richness, as well as the Asian-inspired, well-balanced red snapper with gulf shrimp, baby bok choy, fingerling potatoes, grilled portobello mushroom, cipollini onion, and soy ($26). Be sure to leave room for the warm chocolate truffle cake with brandied cherries and whipped crème fraiche ($8).
Catch, 34 Church Street, Winchester, Tel: 781-729-1040
If you are itching to be part of the city nightlife but couldn’t secure a sitter, check out the East Coast Grill in Inman Square. The Grill offers some of the best seafood in the city; the restaurant is brimming with bustle and fire, but is surprisingly kid friendly.
While there is no formal kid's menu, the staff is happy to accommodate little ones with the more kid-friendly elements from the menu (e.g., cornbread, watermelon, fried plantains) and can down-spice entree elements on request. And your babe will have plenty to soak in visually, what with lots of large, brightly colored fish hanging on the wall, funky light art, different patterns and textures on the floors and walls, and little toys and baubles in the beverages. You also can take your babe to see the chefs working their mojo behind the open kitchen.
East Coast Grill, 1271 Cambridge Street, Cambridge (Inman Square), Tel: 617-491-6568
Venezuelan cuisine isn’t abundant in the Boston area, but it hardly matters with La Casa De Pedro on the block. During lunch and dinner, you’ll likely see chef-owner Pedro Alarcon welcoming guests, directing staff, and ensuring that patrons are enjoying their authentically and flavorfully prepared meals.
La Casa De Pedro offers a bright yet warm dining room with an open kitchen concept, and an enclosed courtyard out back. You’ll do well starting with the crispy, piping hot empanadas (filled corn turnovers) and ending with the superb coconut flan; whatever you choose in between those courses surely will not disappoint.
La Casa De Pedro, 51 Main Street, Watertown, Tel: 617-923-8025
If you’re looking to squeeze a little more summer out of summer, check out the 17th Annual Hampton Beach Seafood Festival running today through Sunday (September 8-10, 2006). A mere hour drive from Boston, the festival has been heralded as "One of the Top 100 Events in North America" by the American Business Association, and includes seafood offerings from over 50 of the Seacoast's top restaurants, nearly 200 local arts & crafts and merchant vendors, a full schedule of events for kids at KiddieLand, culinary chef demonstrations, and live entertainment. Fireworks and skydiving also are on the schedule, as is a 5K road race (pre-registration required).
Festival planners have organized free parking and shuttle service from 13 in-town satellite parking lots; for those who want to park closer to the beach, Hampton Beach Trolleys offers free shuttle service from the State Park near the Seabrook Bridge.
Festival admission: Friday night is free, individual Saturday and Sunday adult admission is $5 per day or a 2-day pass is available for $8. Children under 12 admitted free of charge.
I recently heard someone refer to Arlington as the new Cambridge. I won’t get into that argument in detail, but the fabulously yummy Za - minutes from the Cambridge/Arlington line - offers strong evidence for the case file.
Za followed the closing of Full Moon, the closing of which was a mystery given Full Moon’s seemingly steady stream of customers. Za has stepped up to the task, though, serving gourmet pizzas and salads that are suitable for both adults and kids. Kids will delight in the bright artwork and pig sculptures; the staff happily will fill up your sippy with milk, chocolate milk, or apple juice.
Za offers a regular menu (build your own and specialty pizzas, the latter of which change on occasion) as well as chalkboard specials that change more frequently and incorporate seasonal ingredients often garned from local farms. Za also recently made a smart move in developing a fine dessert menu.
The citrus infused beet, pea green, and goat cheese salad is spectacular, as is the Portobello mushroom (with roasted red pepper, caramelized onion, roasted garlic, and goat cheese) specialty pizza.
Za, 138 Mass. Ave., Arlington, Tel: 781-316-2334
I must be hungry. I have written a lot about food lately. Thing is, as much as I love cooking and baking, I also love getting served.
It’s time to start plotting out your babysitters. Boston Restaurant Week (weeks, really) is coming up, August 13 – 18 and August 20 – 25 (excluding Sundays, where noted). Three-course, prix fixe menus are $20.06 (lunch) and $30.06 (dinner) per person, excluding beverages, tax, and tip.
To see the list of participating restaurants and make reservations, check out OpenTable.com.
Pursuant to a recent post on dining out with babes, I’m writing fresh on the heels of dinner out with the babe. It was time to give her another chance. We hit Tu Y Yo in Somerville where the staff is friendly and courteous and our waitress was especially kind. When I ordered a glass of milk for the babe and was fumbling around for the sippy cup, the waitress offered to fill the cup up directly. When she returned, it was clear – from the warmth of the cup and the lack of peanut butter stains – that she had washed out the sippy cup before filling it up. I truly was touched.
The food at Tu Y Yo is terrific; I just wish I had had a chance to really enjoy it. In reality, the babe was super; she sat in the booster seat for about 15-20 minutes entertaining herself with a saltshaker. In retrospect, we probably should have used this time to walk her around and saved the saltshaker for dinner time. When the food arrived, she picked a little, but otherwise was ready to be up and toddling around. We spent the next 15 minutes trying to wolf down our food, entertain her, and keep her from petting the man sitting behind us.
I’m thinking it’s not an accident that my husband and I haven’t taken our babe to a real sit down restaurant for what feels like several months, ever since a particularly crummy dining experience in Cambridge. Normally the babe does fine in restaurants, but on that particular day she was downright squirrelly. The toys I brought were, like, so 10 minutes ago, and none of the food interested her. She even thought the quesadilla we ordered for her was too cheesy (and that’s saying something…). There weren’t any interesting distractions in the restaurant so we ended up firing our food back and packing it in quickly. We were totally grumpy.
But really, I’m not trying to scare you off. We've had plenty of other easy dining out experiences with the babe! If you’re feeling adventurous this weekend, Meg Muckenhoupt’s Globe feature (July 5, 2006) suggests some Boston area restaurants that offer real food for the adults while satisfying the little ones. The selected restaurants suit kids well by virtue of serving food that caters to little fingers and autonomy (e.g., selecting dim sum), or offering space to wander around (supervised, of course).
Lunching with a fellow mama who had an infant in tow, I was pleasantly surprised by the baby-amenability of Grafton Street in Harvard Square. The restaurant is spacious enough to accommodate strollers (even the wide-girthed Bugaboo), the atmosphere is cool and calm, and the tables are spaced well enough such that nursing was a piece of cake. Oh yeah, and the food for the mamas was quite nice. The lunch menu offers a variety of salads, formal entrees, pizzas, and sandwiches ranging from $6.95 to $14.95.
Ah, the weekend. Perhaps you had the forethought to arrange a sitter. But if that was as far as you got, and you still don’t know where you and your love monkey are heading to, check out OpenTable online reservations. This online reservation system serves restaurants across the US and internationally; plug in your search neighborhood (e.g., Back Bay) and scope out reservation availability (and descriptions, reviews, ratings, and menus where available) for multiple restaurants at a time. No more individual phone calls!
Summer is more than half over but there’s still time catch one of the noontime performances of Club Passim’s Culture for Kids concert series at the Boston Children’s Museum. Today’s (July 28) show features Roots music; the August roster includes African drumming (Aug. 4), Latin rhythms (Aug. 11), Jazz (Aug. 18), and Folk (Aug. 25). All events are free for kids (8-12 years old); a $5 donation is suggested for adults.
I will forever be indebted to restaurant owners who realize that foodies are still foodies, even if they have kids. Stone Hearth Pizza Company is just such a place. They offer thin crust pizzas and gourmet salads incorporating organic, locally produced, sustainable ingredients. Imagine, you can both enjoy your meal and know that you are supporting family farming, protecting natural resources, and strengthening local economies.
Stone Hearth knows it’s located in family suburbs and operates in a very kid-friendly manner, while still retaining warm décor that leaves no doubt that you are not at Chuck E. Cheese.
Located in Belmont and Sudbury. Open Mondays 5 - 9pm, Tuesday - Thursday 11:30am - 9pm, Friday & Saturday 11:30 am - 10 pm, and Sunday 11:30 am - 9 pm.
Do Tupperware parties sound too square for the hip 2000’s mama? Then check out The Traveling Vineyard. Boston mama Judi McLaughlin conducts wine tastings in people's homes, and leads a team of consultants in developing their own Traveling Vineyard businesses.
Invite your friends and family over for a free wine tasting with Judi. She will come equipped with five full bottles of wine, glasses, and tasting notes and food pairing suggestions for the featured wines. As a party host, you can earn rewards and specials based on the success of your event.
Check out Judi’s site or contact her directly for more information.
UPDATE (8/9/06): Judi McLaughlin has decided to pursue opportunities outside The Traveling Vineyard. However, she did connect Boston Mamas with a “wine goddess extraordinaire” in her stead. Contact Debbie Nilan, a Boston area mama of three, if you are interested in learning more about Traveling Vineyard tastings.
Too exhausted to think about having your babe’s next birthday party at home? Full Moon, the perennial top rated family-friendly restaurant in Cambridge, offers birthday party hosting services; choose from one of five themes: wild animals, trucks & engines, dinosaurs, under the sea, princess tea party. Full Moon provides the decorations, balloons, drinks, cake and ice cream, set-up, service, and clean up. Basically, all you need to do is show up.
Party slots are weekdays from 3 - 4:30pm and weekends from 3:15 - 4:45pm (the restaurant is closed during your party); size limit is 10-18 kids (plus parents). Cost is $15 per child, plus 18% gratuity and 5% MA sales tax. You also can pre-order food platters (fruit, cheese and crackers or hummus, pita and olives) for grown ups. Adult cake and drinks charged separately.
Regular service hours include lunch (11:30am - 2:30pm Monday – Friday), dinner (5 - 9pm every day), and brunch (9am – 2:30pm weekends).
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