Restaurant review: Aragosta

Photo from Aragosta website

Last week I had dinner at Aragosta in Boston’s North End. This upscale Italian restaurant in the Fairmont Hotel is surrounded by Boston harbor which you can see from their beautiful patio. As the bar photo above shows, the restaurant has a sophisticated and modern decor.  The menu includes typical Italian fare mixed with many local ingredients like lobster, PEI mussels and George’s Banks scallops.

Main plates mostly range from $21 – $33 and while there are many tempting starters, I would suggest trying Aragosta’s shared plate of meats, cheese and fish for $29.  The platter was more than enough for our party of four and was a delicious beginning to our meal.AragostaI was tempted to try Chef Daniels daughter’s favorite plate, Orecchiette D’Olivia, Lobster “Mac & Cheese”, but I opted for the “Piatti di Giorno”, which was veal parmesan.  This is a staple plate at any Italian restaurant and a personal favorite.  The red sauce was fresh and flavorful and combined nicely with the perfectly prepared veal; it was my very definition of comfort food. AragostaThe one blemish to the dining experience was the lack of experience from our well-meaning but clearly green waitress.  When questioned about the menu her responses were stilted and unsure and when glasses ran empty she was slow to recognize or show herself to reorder another bottle (perhaps that’s best – it did save us some money).

I would enjoy returning and trying another dinner, but I think next time I’ll insist we dine outside on Aragosta’s lovely patio.  Aragosta is located at 3 Battery Wharf in the North End, and reservations are suggested, (617) 994-9001.

Aragosta Bar + Bistro on Urbanspoon

DotOUT summer tea dance at dBar 4-8PM

SoWa Open Market

SoWa Open MarketEach Sunday in Boston’s South End is the SoWa Open Market.  This market has been going on for several years and with each passing summer it seems the market gets larger and better.

The 2012 season started last month and each Sunday in addition to a dozen food trucks and hundreds of artists, there is a sizable farmer’s market.  The image above is just one of the items I purchased last weekend.  Check out the SoWa Open Market today which runs from 10am – 4pm each Sunday.

More information about the SoWa Open Market >> Here.

Restaurant review: Morton’s

Last week while I was in New York City I had dinner with my team at Morton’s Steakhouse on 5th Avenue in Midtown Manhattan. The service at this well respected national chain which claims to be the best steakhouse anywhere was flawless.  However, I find the Morton’s chain stuffy and the marketer in me thinks they seriously need a re-branding.

I started my meal with the bibb lettuce salad ($11.50), knowing I’d likely overeat since portions at steakhouses always seem large.  The salad is shown below along with the two sides we ordered to share, sauteed brussels sprouts and creamed spinach (each $13). I preferred the tender and flavorful brussels sprouts cooked with minced shallots, butter, salt and pepper.

Morton's Steak House

Since I prefer seafood, I ordered the honey-chili glazed salmon fillet which came on a bed of beans, corn and spinach ($38).  If the fillet looks large, it is not your imagination.  Despite the size, it was cooked perfectly.  Its been my experience that some of the best seafood dinners have been at steakhouses and this dinner did not disappoint.

Morton's SalmonAlthough I was full, the team went ahead and ordered two desserts to share.  I have to admit I tried not to be tempted, but I relented and while both desserts were very good, Morton’s Hot Chocolate Cake made with Godiva chocolate was beyond decadent. Once the fork had cut into the cake, melted chocolate oozed slowly over the plate.  Morton's RestaurantWith nearly 70 locations worldwide and a Morton’s in every major US city, there is likely a restaurant near you.  The Midtown location is at 551 5th Avenue – reservations are strongly recommended.
Morton's the Steakhouse on Urbanspoon

Weekend on Winnipesaukee

I’m spending the weekend up at my parent’s house on Lake Winnipesaukee. If you are familiar with the area, the home is not far from downtown Wolfboro.  I’ll be spending most of my time at the house, checking out Dad’s new boat and playing with my neice and two nephews.  Connectivity is not really great so I’ll probably be offline for most of the weekend.

Have a restful weekend.

Beware of Walmart bathrooms

Police in Monticello, Kentucky are investigating how a woman who used  a Walmart restroom found herself Super Glued to the toilet seat.  As if that is not bizarre enough, the same thing happened in a Maryland Walmart just prior to April Fool’s Day. The lesson here is never use a bathroom at a Walmart, but then again I thought that was just common sense.

Fascinated? You can read more on the WCPO Channel 9 website.

Happy Pride

Some of the largest Pride celebrations in the United States will be held this weekend with large parades and even larger crowds.

Chicago, Cleveland, Houston, New Orleans, New York City, San Francisco, Seattle, St. Louis, and the Twin cities will all be celebrating Pride.  I wanted to wish all of you who will be celebrating this weekend a wonderful time with your friends and family.

Furry Friday

Boston Guy blogEach Friday I post a photo of a guy with a hairy chest and refer to it as my “Furry Friday” post. This slightly naughty picture of a man posing in his Calvin Klein briefs was a request from one of my readers.  I’m always flattered when a person takes time to leave a comment so I was more than happy to include this handsome guy in my growing pantheon of hairy chested hunks.  Thank you Kevin for the suggestion.

Past Furry Friday Posts

BosGuy brain teaser

Each Friday morning I pose a riddle for those who like that sort of thing.  Share this with friends and colleagues, and see if you can figure out this week’s “brain teaser”.

Left-handed people’s brains are organized differently as a result they often see and think differently and can get some very different results from various “brain tests”, usually doing very well on tests that involve creative thinking or unraveling complex images and manipulating 3D images.

Initially you may only see a hodgepodge of disconnected shapes, but find the connecting concept that makes sense of the shapes.

NOTE: The answer has been posted in the comments section of the post.

The Granary Tavern

The Glynn Hospitality Group opens their ninth property in Boston at 170 Milk Street along the Greenway and near Faneuil Hall today.  The two level restaurant includes lots of bar space, beautiful exposed beams, plenty of granite and exposed brick, as well as a large patio overlooking the Greenway.  The full menu will not be available until later next week.

My partner, Sergio Mazon, a Boston-based lighting designer, was tapped to help the Glynn Hospitality Group with the interior and exterior lighting of this 19th century building, which at one point operated as a granary.  I’ve yet to try the menu but here are a few snap shots of the basement level of The Granary Tavern.  You may visit The Granary Tavern at 170 Milk Street or check them out online hereGranary BostonGranary Boston

Caption this photo

What could possibly come to mind when you see this photo? Share your thoughts in the comments section and impress me with your wit and sense of humor.

Suddenly it makes sense

Gay SportsAlthough the 2012 Summer Olympics in London do not start for a few  weeks, I’d highly recommend watching water polo. I have no idea how to play the sport nor do I even pretend to understand the objective but the appeal I’m sure suddenly makes sense.

Stop the hate

For those who think electing politicians or paying respect to religious leaders who continue to marginalize gay men and women is not a big deal, those messages are reaching your children.

Supporting these individuals (even if their views on homosexuality are not your own) still sends a message of tacit agreement to your child. Is it any wonder so many more LGBT children commit suicide?

What messages are we sending our youth?

Gay SuicideThanks for sharing Ivan over at Queer IV

The Affordable Care Act

US Supreme CourtMy co-worker’s father, an immigrant who came to the US and raised his children in Michigan, sent his daughter an email earlier this week. I’ve never met this man, but I wanted to share his email about the US Supreme Court’s pending decision on the constitutionality of the 2010 health care legislation, The Affordable Care Act.

“It is a deep and damaging flaw of our Constitution, I conclude, that a
Court of 9 aging mortals, never without medical care or the insurance to pay for it in their adult life, sits in closeted – secret for decades –
debate and discussion, on the effort of a duly elected Congress to assure
the health and economics of an entire nation. When that same small group is nakedly political, respect for law risks being undone for an entire generation in the population at large.”

Tremont 647

Andy HusbandsTemperatures in Boston spiked today, with the mercury climbing into the upper 90s (for those outside the United States that translates to 35-36 degrees C).  It is the middle of the week and I’ve already clocked 30+ hours, but I’m determined to enjoy the evening since I barely looked outside my window all day.  I’m going to meet a friend at a neighborhood restaurant / bar called Tremont 647.

When the weather is beautiful and you want to let off some steam or get caught up with a buddy where do you like to go?  Share the names and locations of your favorite places.