Tag Archives: Dining

Greetings from Belo Horizonte

Posted on November 28, 2008 | Leave a comment

It is approximately 10am, the sun is shining bright and the temperature is already 27C (or 80F if you prefer). The weather has been fairly steady with the days warm and sunny and the nights cooler making it more comfortable to sleep.

We have spent the time relaxing with family and visiting friends. We have also had several delicious dinners culminating in the best meal last night at Splendido. The reckless abandon I have shown since arriving in Brasil with regards to the amount of food I have eaten has already resulted in some of my shorts feeling tighter around my waist than when I first tried them on, while packing for this trip. I hope when I return home I will be able to show more discipline with going to the gym. I would hate to prematurely become a fat old man, although there can be no doubt that this will eventually happen, when I consider how much I enjoy dining.

In addition to eating virtually everything placed in front of me, I also met a young designer from Belo Horizonte who has started a company called Amazonia, but is spelled AM420NIA. I have included the company´s logo above and will share additional photos from the time spent here in Belo Horizonte, Buzios, and Sao Paolo once I return home and can download them to my PC to share.

Yesterday, Thanksgiving day, I visited the tiny town of Brumadinho to see the beautiful gardens of Inhotim and the quirky modern art exhibits housed there. This year we brought my partner´s parents. The grounds were every bit as beautiful this year and like us, his parents loved spending time there. By far, my favorite art installation remains the exhibit from the Canadian artist Janet Cardiff, 40 Part Motet. The installation is set in a sterile white room with chairs in the center. Surrounding the chairs are 40 speakers aligned in a large circle clustered in 8 separate groupings of 5 speakers set side-by-side. Each speaker represents a single voice in a church choir.

I leave Belo in two days on Sunday. The next stop on the holiday is to Buzios, a beautiful beachside town that is a two hour drive east of Rio de Janeiro. Time there will be spent visiting friends in the neighboring town of Cabo Frio where my other half once had a massive beach house and enjoying all that Buzios has to offer. The last part of this two-week tour will take place in Sao Paolo where we spend a quick two days. We will visit family that live an hour outside of downtown S.P. and spend time with our good friend Onelio “Junior” who lives in town. The days are passing quickly and before I realize it, I will be speaking of this trip in the past tense.

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Posted in Brasil, Brazil

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B-Side Lounge – Sold!

Posted on September 9, 2008 | 1 comment

It has been years since I’ve walked through the doors of the B-side lounge, but it was a Cambridge bar with plenty of personality and a great place to hang out with a friends. I recently started reading a local blog called, drink boston which I first heard about on Boston.com.

According to Lauren Clark (a.k.a.drinkboston), this was a long time coming. Apparently the sale was made to a western-MA beer/bar proprietor by the name of Daniel Lanigan. Now that I live all the way over in the South End, I rarely go into Cambridge, but I wish the new bar (as yet to be named) best of luck. The B-side was a great place to grab a beer or two with friends, and I’m sure it will be missed.

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Stephi’s on Tremont Confirmed

Posted on August 31, 2008 | Leave a comment

Last week the worst kept secret in the South End for the past several months was finally confirmed by the South End News . The popular Newbury Street eatery, Stephanie’s on Newbury, will open a second location called Stephi’s on Tremont. Like it’s sister restaurant, al fresco dining in the warmer months will be available and it’s prime location guarantees that it will be a great place to see and be seen in the neighborhood.

According to the article in the South End News, the building will undergo significant remodelling. When all the work is completed Stephi’s will boast a U-shape bar with TV and seating capacity for sixty-six (not counting outside tables). Since I now work from home – having an additional location to grab lunch sounds great to me. I look forward to their winter opening in early 2009 and wish them much success.

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Boston Restaurant Week

Posted on August 18, 2008 | Leave a comment

As a self-proclaimed foodie and dining out junkie, I like the fact that twice a year Boston holds Restaurant Week to encourage people to come into town and sample food at restaurants. Over the years, this event has increased in popularity with more restaurants participating. Officially, the summer version of restaurant week runs from August 10 – 22nd but some of the places I have dined at have indicated that they will keep their prixe-fix menus through the holiday weekend. Participating restaurants offer the public a three course meal (starter, main dish and dessert) for $33.08. This week I have visited three participating restaurants (not counting the friends and family dinner I had at the pre-opening of SouthEnd Buttery).

The most satisfying experience thus far was tonight dining outside on Rocca’s semi-private patio, which is the most beautiful in all the South End. I started with a beet salad complete with fresh herbs and a riccota cheese and yogurt mix on the side that still makes me smack my lips thinking about it, followed by a fillet of blue fish wrapped in grape leaves and served atop freshly steamed veggies. I finished the meal with their almond bark dessert which comes with a bowl of warm dark chocolate you can dip the cookies into… Not a bad deal for the money. The beautiful weather and gorgeous patio for dining under the stars came at no additional cost. All things considered, the meal has capped off a delectable week of dining and a very relaxing weekend with my partner. Tonight’s dining experience makes me only wish that New England could enjoy beautiful nights like this all year long.

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Meeting in New York City

Posted on April 3, 2008 | Leave a comment

On Monday I hopped on the Acela to get to New York City. My boss had arranged a team dinner and an all day meeting to follow on Tuesday so everyone could meet each other and to address a number of ongoing projects. I arrived into town and stayed at the Dylan Hotel around the corner from the office. The hotel was convenient and clean, but I’m a starwood guy so on future visits I doubt I will stay there. However, since this was my first visit, I wanted some place close to the mother-ship for my meeting and the location simply could not be beat.

It was great to meet everyone, because it helped me feel more connected to the team. I really like working virtually, but I need to feel personally connected. Plus it was really fun eating at Tao Restaurant and spending the day at the corporate headquarters. I had a spectacular view of Midtown’s skyline.

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Night out with friends

Posted on February 25, 2008 | Leave a comment

This Saturday a group of us went to dinner at Masa in the South End. Two very good friends and their wives came down from NH to have a night out on the town. It was so great to catch up with all of them because we really do not see each other with the regularity we would like due to distance, schedules and the fact that we just don’t pick up the phone as often as we should.

It was so great to see everyone. The food as is generally the case at Masa was good enough. I had not been to the restaurant in a few years mostly due to similar past experiences but when one of my friends inquired about the place – I thought it worth giving another try. I think everyone enjoyed their meals, but next time I’ll speak up and make an alternate suggestion.

After dinner I suggested we grab a drink around the corner at 28 degrees, but due to recent issues regarding overcrowding they were only allowing people in if they had dinner reservations. Too bad, because I think they would have loved it. After some shuffling around we ended up at the lounge in Club Cafe. I found the situation very funny – two of my straight buddies from NH and their wives ended up in the city’s largest gay bar, but the seats were comfortable, the liquor free flowing and the location was right.

All told, I had a fantastic night out with them, and I hope we can do it again.

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New restaurant on the block – banq

Posted on February 14, 2008 | Leave a comment

Another restaurant just opened on Washington Street in the South End’s trendy SOWA District; making it the 4th restaurant to open in a two block radius in the past 6-9 months.

The restaurant’s playful name, banq, is no doubt in deference to the building’s original tenant the Penny Savings Bank which first opened their doors in 1917. After years of neglect, the building was remodeled and expanded in 2007 to accomodate two commercial spaces (of which banq is one) and 20+ condominiums.

This part of the South End has seen the greatest change in recent years and the location combined with the beautiful architecture of the building made this an obvious target for developers. I have yet to go and try out the place but I’m excited to check it out. Experience has taught me to hold off and wait a few months to ensure the kitchen and wait staff are in sync before I go and try my first meal, but I might check out the bar which looks very appealing just to see what the place is like.

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Posted on January 11, 2008 | Leave a comment


I was running a bit late today and did not have a chance to eat breakfast before leaving for work so I opted to stop by one of my favorite bakeries in Boston to grab a cup of joe and muffin.

I was greeted by a letter posted on the front door from the owners of the cafe informing me that the lease had not been renewed by the landlord and the cafe had closed at the end of December. This place had delicious oversized muffins, rich Italian coffee and yummy sandwiches. I love Starbucks as much as the next guy, but come on this was place was a keeper. I loved the hippy-chicks who worked the counter and the handmade signs throughout the coffee shop. Change happens but suffice it to say – I’m bummed.

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New Years in Fort Lauderdale

Posted on January 1, 2008 | Leave a comment

I visited Fort Lauderdale, FL for the New Year holiday so I could start 2008 with a smile rather than chattering teeth. This was my first vacation to southern FL in nearly 10 years and my first time visiting Fort Lauderdale. First impressions were mixed because of the dated strip malls and tired looking buildings making the drive along Rte 1 seem cliche. However, the warm weather, accessible beaches and friendly residents more than made up for this.

The coolest part of town is Las Olas Blvd and the surrounding canals. Driving along Las Olas you can get up close views of the many Fort Lauderdale mini-mansions that line the canals. Wilton Manors – which is home to many of the gay bars in town I thought very forgettable. It is dotted with strip malls and wide boulevards and one street looked identical to the other. The bars (of which there are many) were very friendly and filled with guys, but all the smoking was a major detractor and something I had not realized would bother me so much.

Fort Lauderdale, FL lived up to its reputation as a gay-favorite holiday destination. The gay beach between the St. Regis Hotel and Casablanca Restaurant was as busy as P-town in late July. For that reason alone, I would prefer lodgings on the beach to provide convenient options between the pool and ocean. Staying further from the ocean would likely mean needing to drive to the beach and I liked having the option to walk back and forth.

Dining:
While staying in Fort Lauderdale, we had several very forgetable meals but there were three restaurants in particular that I really enjoyed and would suggest anyone visiting check out. Note that none of the restaurants (either the hits or misses) were particularly affordable. I’m sure there are plenty of cheap eats (the South’s reputation for affordability is legendary), but I found everything comprable to Boston prices ($20-$30+ entrees).

Four Rivers – Despite its strange location in a strip mall on N. Federal Hwy (Rte. 1), the restaurant offers delicious Thai cuisine, excellent service in a beautiful setting. If I only had one meal in Fort Lauderdale, I would make a bee-line here.

Kitchnetta – I arrived 15 minutes before the restaurant closed (note I arrived at 8:45pm so this place closes early), but fortunately I was able to grab a delicious Italian meal. The service was lacking, sizes were huge (even the single portions) and the restaurant very loud, but the food made it worth the visit.

Tommy’s – This was the last meal that I had before leaving Fort Lauderdale. I was unable to check out the dinner menu as it was lunch when I ate here but the decor and vibe of the place definitely added to the delicious lunch and made me want to add this to my list of places to try when I return.

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Merry Christmas

Posted on December 25, 2007 | Leave a comment

We hosted our first Christmas Eve dinner party tonight. The company was excellent, and I could not have been more pleased with how delicious everything turned out. If there was a criticism it was that we purchased far too much meat and fish. No doubt most of the salmon will be tossed and we will be eating pork loin for the rest of the week.

In honor of the Christmas holiday, I thought I would end tonight’s blog entry with an excerpt from one of my favorite holiday tales…

…The Grinch, with his Grinch-feet ice cold in the snow, stood
puzzling and puzzling, how could it be so? It came without ribbons. It came
without tags. It came without packages, boxes or bags. And he puzzled and
puzzled ’till his puzzler was sore. Then the Grinch thought of something he
hadn’t before. What if Christmas, he thought, doesn’t come from a store?
What if Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit more?

MERRY CHRISTMAS / FELIZ NATAL

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Victoria’s Diner

Posted on December 23, 2007 | Leave a comment

Victoria’s Diner is one of my favorite places to grab breakfast on the weekend.

Recently this diner in a doublewide was remodeled, menu revised and hours extended (open now 24-hours on the weekends). The waitstaff told me that a male couple who recently bought the diner were responsible for the changes. Aside from the change in decor in the front room (which still is a bit off in my opinion), there must have been a change in the kitchen as well because everything being served looks far fresher and has much more taste.

Because the new owners have not changed the affordable prices and large portions Victoria’s regulars can still be seen lining up in the cramped foyer of the diner waiting for a seat every weekend. Lines tend to get a bit long by 10:30am but everyone always seems to be quite friendly about the wait. Victoria’s clientele boasts a large cross-section of Bostonians. On any given weekend you are likely to see young, old, gay, straight, latino, black and asian. My favorite patrons are the African-American women who come after church decked-out in their Sunday finest. They add a touch of elegance if not over the top fashion ‘a la roxbury’ which I never was exposed to growing up in the suburbs.

An added bonus previously not mentioned if you happen to be a 30- or 40-something is that the music played during weekend brunches is 80s only. I’m sure for the younger clientele, this retro feel fits in just fine with a dining room in a trailor but for someone like myself who grew up during the 80s it is an unexpected and pleasant touch not overlooked and definitely appreciated; brunch always tastes better listening to the likes of Prince, Madonna, and Cindy Lauper.

How to get to Victoria’s
Victoria’s is located on Mass Avenue on the Dorchester / Roxbury line, at 1024 Massachusetts Avenue. It is easily accessible off of I-93 and as the address indicates, on Mass Ave.

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