midnightmorningglory's Profile
Where to buy locally grown asparagus?
Hi,
Clearly asparagus has started to come into the grocery stores. Most of it seems to have originated in NJ or CA. Does anyone know of any local growers, and then sellers, of locally grown asparagus?
Thanks for the insight,
Corey
2008 CSA Reviews
I don't think that this is a CSA but rather a food delivery service. A CSA is a local farmer who provides their produce to you. Boston Organics is organic first and only sometimes local. My own personal preference is for local and in season rather than organic at any time of year. But I believe with BO you get to choose exactly what you want each week which you don't get to do with a CSA. With the CSA you get what's in season that week.
2008 CSA Reviews
I want to chime in with the good praise for Steve Parker's CSA. We have just finished up our third season with him and it was another great year! We split two full shares with a group of 8 friends. My husband and I account for two of those and we get enough for the week plus some that I put up in the freezer for the winter. I think the diversity is great, and a good mix of familiar and some new things. Tomatillos were I think my favorite thing this summer and also his salad mixes. As simple as that is, I swear it is the best lettuce I've ever had. Another thing I like is that Steve takes comments from all the members at the end of the year and makes adjustments based on what people liked and didn't. This week was our last week and then for the next few weekends Steve makes the farm available so that you can go out and glean parsnips and carrots or such that are still left in the field. Great to stock up for the winter ahead. Really I can't say enough about what a great CSA he does, and I already can't wait for next year!
Boston Copley Sq Farmers' Market - worth going?
if she's there, as i think (???) she might just be doing the market one day a week, i would highly recommend the goat cheese with ginger
Hungry Mother of Cambridge open!
Indeed, we did sit at the bar. Quite comfortable. Probably 8 seats or so at an L-shaped bar, and two 4 tops in the front of the restaurant. Then you go up a short flight of stairs to get to the rest of the restaurant in back. There is a great nook in back, which it looks like they renovated to put a few small tables in, looks good for intimate dining. Up front in the bar area, the noise level was fine. Mellow mix of music, think jack johnson. At the bar there was some noise from what I assume was the dishwashing station behind the half-wall, but it was fine, just a few loud noises now and again, but never had to shout or talk too loudly. Could perfectly hear the person next to you. Might want to sit at an actual table if you wanted to have a private conversation but that is probably because everyone at the bar was friendly and curious to see who else in the neighborhood was out :) And yes a full menu was available at the bar. Right now the kitchen is open for dinner from 5-10, but they mentioned last night that they are thinking about a late nite menu as the bar is open until 1.
Hungry Mother of Cambridge open!
Stopped by Hungry Mother of Cambridge (http://www.hungrymothercambridge.com/) last night for its opening night. We live around the corner and have been avidly watching all the renovation, waiting for something new to open in this space. We stopped by after the Mr. had class so we were just in for drinks and dessert. We were very excited to see their wine list, as this is something notably lacking at this end of Cambridge. The menu looked good, and there is an organic sustainable bent mixed with a southern flair. The bartender said they make everything in house, except the bread and perhaps the ketchup. Upon asking he noted that they buy half a cow regularly from a farm in New York, and the meat is grass-fed. The guy next to us at the bar was raving about the catfish as well. The Mr. and I enjoyed a glass of the Malbec and the Merlot, and we tried the chocolate pot de creme with cardamom which was tasty. I am definitely looking forward to going back and trying a full meal!
Supports Local Farms? Vegetarian Options?
I would second the recommendation for Garden at the Cellar. Ate dinner there recently and was quite impressed. My understanding is that the chef is very committed, to the local, organic, sustainable ethos.
Also, Green Street Grille on the back side of Central Square leans in the local sustainable direction, with a focus on New England comfort food. http://www.greenstreetgrill.com
Either place would be appropriate to take the parents.
Wine bar in Boston / Cambridge area?
Hey folks,
I'm looking for a cozy wine bar and am beginning to think this is something that is quite lacking in Boston. Anyone have any good suggestions? A bit of a reach but I'm thinking a la the Wine Bar on Franklin Street in Chapel Hill or the wine/art gallery place that has just opened up in Dennis Village down on the Cape. I am of course already aware of Les Zygo but am looking for something smaller cozier and a bit less expensive.
Thanks in advance!
Anyone been to the Swan, Kendall Square?
Indeed it has closed. There was a rumor the night it closed that it may remain open for lunch. I live close-by and leave for work before lunchtime and get home long after that so I can't confirm if that's true or not, but it is definitely now closed in the evenings. It's a good space but I think needs something unique to draw the foot traffic to it.
Bachelorette party - restaurant recommendations?
Not sure if your party has already happened but we just had my and a good friend's bachelorette parties at Cuchi Cuchi two weeks ago! We were a group of about 12 and had a fabulous time! We did it on a Saturday night, and could only make reservations for early in the night so we went with a 6:30 reservation. It was lots of fun and tapas was a fun way for everyone to talk and mingle as we were combining a couple different friend groups. I highly recommend the fried artichoke hearts and they had a cucumber gazpacho that night which was also quite tasty. Then afterwards, we just hopped the T down to Les Zygomates. Have fun!
Family Dinner 2 nights before wedding where?
So I am getting married in a few short weeks and my aunt would like to host a nice dinner two nights before the wedding for a small group of family. So I have come to you o' great Chowhounds for a recommendation of where should we go for a splurge that is worth it?!
There will probably be about 10 of us, coming from Dennis, Yarmouth, Hyannis, and Marstons Mills.
So far I have potentially, Chillingsworth Bistro, Regatta in Cotuit, or the Red Pheasant.
Thanks!
Cooking from CSA/Farmers Market
Great thread!
We got fennel two weeks in a row, and made a carmelized fennel and onion pizza. The recipe came from cooking light. I am not a huge fan of fennel but carmelized it took the edge off of it and was great texture in the pizza.
We also make spanikopita one week with our spinach
And of course lots of sauteed greens with lemon and red pepper flakes.
I am now working on trying to figure out how I can freeze/preserve some of this for the winter, so I can enjoy the tastiness then.
Edible Boston - What's on the cover?!?
Just got my copy of Edible Boston (Summer 2007) in the mail. What is on the cover? I am so curious!
Thanks!
Parker Farm CSA 2007
Yup, first box in a few hours. Can't wait! Would love to hear what others end up cooking with their veggies too :)
Ortanique, Cambridge
The girls and I were looking for a good cheap eats last night, and after reading the reviews on here and seeing it mentioned on Boston.com we went to check it out. The food was quite good and I would definitely recommend it as a great cheap eats. The owners were incredibly friendly. He sat down and talked with us while we waited for our other two friends to arrive, about the ginger beer, another kind of tea drink they make (the name is escaping me right now), about jerk chicken and on. It was cozy and tasty. I had the jerk chicken, which I would agree was not too hot (but I preferred that) and tried some of the curry chicken which was also quite tasty. Everything was served with rice and beans, sauteed cabbage and other veggies, and a few plantains. They're open now until 8:30 on Saturdays too.. enjoy!
Cape Cod Caterer?
I would highly recommend Casual Gourmet also. They have great food and wonderful service. They will certainly do hors' d' oeuvres and stations (www.thecasualgourmet.com ). Enjoy!
