Monthly Archives

January 2007

RESTAURANTS

Tasca: Affordable Tapas Adding Flavor to Brighton

Stepping into Tasca in Brighton is like stepping into another world.  With its dark, warm interior and intimately aligned tables, this relaxing little haven took me miles away from the hustle and bustle of Washington St. and Comm Ave.

Food: Once seated, pour over the large menu jam-packed with over 30 tapas options, as well as a good selection of entrees.  Tapas plates range from $3.50-$6.50, while entrees are reasonably priced from $15-$20.

My group of 8 dove into the tapas menu, ordering two plates per person.  I had a great seafood/pasta dish in a light white wine sauce, and a petit fillet mignon, which I ordered medium but came out a little dry.  In sampling my dinner companions plates I tasted delicious goat cheese and tomato dips, crispy fried calamari, and a very generous, fresh tapas salad for about $4.

Savvy Bostonian Tips:

  • You absolutely need a reservation: Due to the smaller size of this restaurant it packs up quickly. The last time they accept reservations is for 6:30PM, and after that you are on your own.
  • Valet: Only $6! *Personally I would not recommend driving, but instead immersing youself in the Peach Sangria, which gave me a little extra warmth heading into the chilly winter night.

All in all, I found Tasca to be an ideal venue for catching up with a group of friends, or a fun, yet romantic date where you can split some vino and share generously sized, delicious tapas plates. Next time I am trying the empanadas!

For more information on Tasca, 1612 Commonwealth Ave. Brighton, http://www.tascarestaurant.com/

RECIPES

Channeling Your Inner Martha Just Got Easier!

Most women wish they could have even a tenth of the domestic goddess powers someone like Martha Stewart or Bree on Desperate Housewives flaunt.  Personally, I cannot clean to save my life, have a few good things I can cook, and can bake anything out of a box with pride.

For most of us non-Martha’s, we get by just fine 99% of the time.  However, when the occasional dinner party invite finds its way into our inbox, or we make plans create a fierce Superbowl Sunday spread, or decadent dessert for Valentine’s day we can thank Kraft for keeping us domestic wannabes in mind.

On Kraft.com, there is a completely free section of recipes- entrees, appetizers, desserts- you name it, and they have it- ripe for the taking.  If you want to go one step further, sign up for Kraft Food & Family’s FREE quarterly magazine, filled with seasonal recipes, and bright glossy pictures.

Sure, its a marketing scheme to get you to use their products when you rush to try that new dessert for an upcoming party, but when you go to their site and see recipes for the ultimate 7-layer dip, molten-middle truffle cookies, or the special healthy living section, you might just stop caring.  I did…..(maybe because my mouth was watering too much).

Please visit http://www.kraftfoods.com/kf for more information.

Maybe their football “MVP” menu combined with some beer will make me forget the Patriots are not in the Superbowl….tear…..

RESTAURANTS

Duozo: Best Sushi Spot in Boston’s Back Bay

Duozo by Marlana Y. from Yelp

Last night I caught up with a good friend, and we went to Douzo, a sushi place right next to Back Bay Station.  I am a huge fan of sushi, and Douzo did not disappoint!  We got there at 8:30PM, and the restaurant was busy, but only a short wait to get a table.   There was a good-sized crowd at the bar enjoying their delicious, yet impressively inexpensive cocktails.  I ordered a Tokyo Cosmo w/ Kettle One, and it was $8, a bargain compared to Vox’s $12 martinis- yikes!

SavvyBostonian Tip: They do not accept reservations, and will not seat your party until the entire group is there (but you can put your name in while you wait for them).

Interior: Douzo’s interior is sleek, modern, and intimate with lots of neutrals, chocolate browns, with orange and red accents.  We lucked out and sank into a cozy booth, and had a great view of both the stylish restaurant and bar above.

Food: I found the menu to contain all of the basics you would expect from a good sushi restaurant, and a few mouthwatering speciality rolls we just had to try.  We ordered three regular rolls, a spicy tuna, shrimp tempura, salmon, the crazy roll (shrimp tempura, avocado, cucumber, spicy mayo), and the volcano roll (crab stick, tobiko, avocado, cucumber, spicy mayo).  I enjoyed everything, but might hold off on the volcano roll next time, because it literally looked like a volcano erupting with spicy mayo oozing out from the top- and it was VERY spicy!

Overall, it set us back about $35 each, including tips and drinks.  I would definitely go back!

Douzo, 131 Dartmouth St, Back Bay

http://www.douzosushi.com/