Sometimes, a college kids wallet needs a break from going out for a meal. Last night, I went to my friends house in Brookline where she made my friends and I a healthy home-cooked meal. Throughout the year, we try to have a few nights dedicated to group dinners with either a pot-luck theme, which is when everyone brings their own dish, or, someone cooks for us. This time, Kim went to Shaw's and bought fresh salmon filets and vegetables. I brought a rice dish that consisted of brown rice, carrots, peas, corn and green beens. It is always fun to have a home-cooked meal especially after being away from my actual home where my mom cooks amazing meals for me. I always try to cook more because 1) it saves money 2) you can make very healthy meals that last you a few days as leftovers. I recommend to other college students living in Boston to take a break from the eating-out and whip up an easy recipe for you and your friends!
It is always a challenge to find a good bagel sandwich in Boston. Obviously, you can't find a New York bagel, but I found something just as delicious at Kupel's Bakery in Brookline. Kupel's is a kosher delicatessen located on Harvard Street. It is filled with pastries and bagels. Something unique about their menu is that every bagel sandwich is named after a stop on the B Line T. I made my own consisting of a whole wheat sesame bagel with scallion cream cheese, lox, and tomatoes. It was a lovely day to sit in their outside seating area and enjoy the people of Brookline walking by to and from work. Next time I go back I will surely be ordering a chocolate chip danish!
http://www.kupelsbakery.com/
This past Saturday was the Pride Parade in Boston. The parade spans from Boylston Street all the way down to Tremont. My parents and I wanted to be able to eat somewhere that we could easily access the parade, so we decided on Aquitaine, a small french bistro located in the South End. I originally found this restaurant on Instagram. I had been looking through some Boston food accounts and stumbled upon Aquitaine's brunch. It was my first time in the South End (surprising since I have been living in Boston for over 2 years now!) and I loved it. The three of us all ordered from the Pre-Fix menu, which is only 11.95$ for bottomless coffee, fresh juice, a cinnamon bun, and a choice of omelettes. My omelette was filled with ham and gruyere cheese. It was a perfect French breakfast and a great location to watch the parade. I will definitely go back to the South End to try another one of their great brunch spots.
http://www.aquitaineboston.com/
This weekend, my parents came to visit me in Boston. Usually, I take them to Newbury Street for dinner, but this time I wanted to try something new. After doing some research, I decided to take them to Trattoria Il Panino in the North End of Boston. The North End is like the Little Italy of Boston, filled with restaurants side to side. We arrived early and had drinks at Bricco, which is owned by the same family. Following drinks, we decided we had to try the famous Mike's Pastry. We each got our own cannoli, I chose chocolate chip. My mom got Pistachio and my dad got the chocolate-covered. They were all delicious! We did it a little out of order as we got dessert before dinner, which really is the true nature of Italian cuisine! We sat on the outside patio of the restaurant and ordered generously. My mom and I split their special of the evening-- Burrata Caprese, followed by one of their homemade pasta dishes and eggplant parmesan . My dad ordered Bisteca, a rib-eye steak served with amazing french fries and Bok Choy. It was definitely one of the best Italian meals I have had in awhile, and there were plenty of leftovers for later!
http://www.trattoriailpanino.com/
This day in age, if you're not posting what you ate on Instagram, did you even really eat it? My family and friends cannot stand going out for meals with me because I always have the catch the perfect Insta before anyone dare bite into their food. In addition to taking my own food pictures, I love following other accounts that post delicious looking meals that lead me to try that restaurant. Living in Boston, following accounts catered to Boston foodies has allowed me to find half of the restaurants I eat at. Who needs Yelp! anymore when you can just look at your Instagram feed for best lobster rolls in Boston! Below, I will feature some of my favorite accounts. Check them out! #eeeeeeeats 1) Boston Foodies 2) Eating Boston 3) Hidden Boston 4) Our Four Forks
One of my favorite food groups to eat are sandwiches. Because I am from philly, I am always looking for a good hoagie (or sub, or hero, or grinder, whatever you may call it). Earlier this year, a friend recommended that small sandwich shop located on Commonwealth Avenue below an apartment building. The restaurant specializes in their premium cut roast beef (ugh, yum). I ordered the "Ian-Wich" --which I assume is named after a hungry frat boy-- consisting of roast beef, Colby-Jack cheese, sautéed onions, and chipotle mayo on an onion roll. In addition to roast beef, they also offer other cold cuts and an array of toppings you can choose from. Despite the hole-in-the-wall nature of the restaurant, customers keep returning for their one-of-a-kind fresh sandwiches. I know I will return back shortly!
One of my favorite restaurants to go to for special occasions (birthdays, holidays, etc) is the restaurant located inside the Empire Hotel. It is more on the expensive side, but the ambiance and the food is terrific. It has a New York City vibe with its chic, upscale vibe. The menu is overwhelmingly huge with all different types of Asian cuisine including Thai food and sushi. If you are over 21, one of their notorious cocktails is their sharing-sized scorpion bowl that actually is torched when it arrives at your table! Though I have never been, on Monday nights they offer 25$ all you can eat sushi. Every night of the week this place is bustling with people in the huge, ware-house style venue. For an appetizer, I recommend the spicy salmon crispy rice, and for an entree the chicken pad thai. In addition, the Himachi roll and the Empire maki are delicious specialty rolls.
One of the first restaurants I tried when I got to Boston was Osaka in Brookline. Hibachi is one of my favorite meals whether it's for a group birthday party or for a small romantic dinner. Recently, I tried it for lunch and was wowed by their amazing, inexpensive specials. You can get 3 rolls for only 13$. In addition to their hibachi options, they also offer an array of specialty sushi rolls. On Thursday they have Karaoke in their basement which also doubles as a bar/party venue. It is definitely the place for a party environment if you sit at the hibachi tables. The chefs make sure you have a fun time by putting on a show with the food, which even includes spraying sake in your face and throwing zucchinis in your mouth to catch.
Gyu-Kaku is a Japanese chain where you cook the meat, seafood, and veggies on individual tabletop grills. This was my first experience with this type of cooking and I loved it! It was also super reasonable for a generous amount of food. The style is called "Japanese BBQ" and it is the perfect restaurant for a group dinner. I started with the spicy tuna volcano which is spicy tuna on top of a piece of crispy rice. Following that, my friends and I split the Kobe style beef, chicken, and mixed vegetables. The best way to do Japanese BBQ is sharing, otherwise everyone has to wait to take their turn to cook the food on the communal stove top. My one tip of advice though is to make sure you are not starving when you go as you'll get desperate to have all your food cooked fast.
Since I became a student living off campus, I have constantly been hearing about this restaurant. It is a little hole in the wall located in Allston. It is extremely tiny, with only 3 tables and the sushi bar. My friends and I sat at the sushi bar and were able to watch the chefs whip up exotic, delicious looking rolls. I find that the smaller Japanese restaurants tend to have the best, freshest sushi. It was also reasonably priced. I ordered a king crab hand roll, which I could probably eat every day for the rest of my life, and a spicy crispy salmon roll. When I return, I want to try their specialty "avocado ball" which is exactly how it sounds-- a ball of avocado filled with different types of fish.
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