Monthly Archives

June 2010

TRAVEL

Travel: Elizabeth Park, West Hartford, Connecticut

Rose in Elizabeth Park by yourFAVORITEmartian Flickr

Vibrantly green with the oldest municipally operated rose garden in the country, Elizabeth Park in West Hartford, Connecticut is a fragrant oasis tucked between Boston and New York.  One of twenty-two public All America Test Gardens in the country, Elizabeth Park is home to more than 800 varieties of roses and evaluates new types of the gorgeous flower before they are available to the public.

Elizabeth Park, West Hartford by Jessica Gioglio

Offering free parking and admission, pay no attention to the clock as you enjoy a leisurely stroll in the garden.  Be sure to pack a camera and make frequent stops to pose for photos among the colorful blooms and well-manicured shrubbery.  Don’t be surprised if you see a wedding taking place, as the garden’s romantic rose-covered arches and artfully landscaped pathways make this a prime wedding venue.

After working up an appetite, visit the Pond House Café, which is open Tuesday through Saturday for lunch and dinner on Sunday for brunch.  With both indoor and outdoor seating, it’s a great spot to relax.  Menu items range from wraps, salads and burgers for lunch, to chicken, salmon and pork tenderloin for dinner and brunch classics like omelets, crepes and french toast on Sundays.  Though the cafe does not serve alcohol, patrons are welcome to bring their own beer or wine for a nominal corking fee – $5 for wine or $1.50 for beer.

For more information about Elizabeth Park, please visit www.elizabethpark.org and www.pondhousecafe.com for The Pond House Café.

RECIPES

Home Cookin’: Parmesan “Breaded” Chicken

Parmesan Chicken

Ideal for a busy professional, this easy entree can be prepped the night before.  Start by coating four boneless, skinless chicken breasts with dijon mustard (Annie’s Naturals is yummy).  Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and coat a cookie sheet or baking dish with nonstick spray.

On a clean plate, spread a thin layer of finely ground parmesan cheese (Whole Foods has a fantastic store brand one) and top with ground black pepper, crushed red pepper, ground or freshly minced garlic, dried or fresh rosemary.  Do NOT top with salt, as the cheese is already salty.

Coat both sides of the chicken breast in the parmesan cheese and spice mix and place in the baking dish.  Continue the process until all four chicken breasts are evenly covered.  If popping into the refrigerator overnight, make sure the chicken is at room temperature before placing in the oven.  Bake for 20-30 minutes depending on the size of the breasts.  Cook until the insides are tender, but not pink.

The result is a juicy, flavorful piece of chicken with hints of cheese and kick of spice from the crushed red pepper.  Serve with a side salad, or green beans and brown rice.

For more of my recipes, click here.

BOSTON, RESTAURANTS

The South End Buttery: The Little Cafe That Could (and Does!)

South End Buttery by Don’t Wake Me, I Plan On Sleeping from Flickr

Casually cool with amazing sandwiches and pastries, the South End Buttery is exactly the kind of place you want to live within walking distance of.  Tucked into a quaint area of the South End filled with posh brownstone walk-ups and hip furniture stores, this neighborhood gem is open from 6:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. daily, allowing ample opportunity to satisfy cravings on a whim.

Upon entry to the restaurant, step into the bustling cafe space with cheerful yellow walls and a display case filled with pastries worth salivating over.  Though there are two quieter rooms, I prefer sitting in the main room, which gets fantastic natural light and presents a constant stream of Bostonians for people watching.  On a nice day, try and snag a seat on the tiny outdoor patio, which is pet-friendly.

While I’ve never been for dinner, I have tried – and loved – their plain croissant, pecan sticky bun and seven layer bar.  Their iced coffee is lovely, but fair warning – the large size is huge!  The sandwiches are truly the star of the show here, especially the Curried Chicken Salad, which is worth every deliciously messy bite.

Though the South End Buttery has many high points, I wish that they also made their salads to order instead of having them available at the takeaway counter.  I’m guessing that this is only a lunchtime issue, but after seeing the delicious made to order sandwiches arrive at our table, I would have swooned over a more innovative salad menu.

The South End Buttery is located at 314 Shawmut Avenue at the corner of Union Park in the South End.  For more information, please visit their website: www.southendbuttery.com

BOSTON, NIGHTLIFE, RESTAURANTS

Outdoor Drinking and Dining: Five Delightful Boston Patios

True Bostonians know that summer in the city means enjoying the outdoors as much as possible.  With so many fantastic street level patios, it’s easy to get a warm weather fix while enjoying a fantastic meal or cocktails.  Here are five restaurant/bar patios in Boston worth checking out this summer:

Eastern Standard Entrance

European Flair at Eastern Standard

Located in the heart of Kenmore Square, Eastern Standard’s patio offers patrons a small slice of Europe in Boston.  Despite it’s location along busy Commonwealth Ave., the popular brasserie has cleverly designed their patio to minimize noise while offering guests chic tables for lounging and dining.  To round out the posh patio experience, enjoy one of the restaurant’s famed classic cocktails and sample fresh seafood from the raw bar.  528 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston.

Divine Sandwiches at Parish Cafe

Patio or no patio, the mouthwatering sandwiches plucked from Boston’s top chefs are incentive enough to frequent Parish Cafe on Boylston Street in the Back Bay.  In the summer months, their sizeable raised patio becomes a coveted, yet welcoming enclave for Bostonians looking to satisfy their Zuni Roll cravings.  With the kitchen serving until 1:00 a.m. daily, it’s also a great venue for a casual date, or late night eats. 361 Boylston Street, Boston.

SoWa Chic at Stella Restaurant

Guilty about leaving fido home while indulging in delicious Italian food like Parmesan Arancini, Spicy Mussels, or Tagliatelle Bolognese?  Stella’s streetside patio, or “terrazzino,” allows ample seating alongside Washington Street in the fashionable SoWa neighborhood, plus ample water and railing space for your pup.  With the local dog park nearby, guests can venture over after playtime for a relaxing dinner, late night nibbles, or Sunday brunch. 1525 Washington Street, Boston.

Get Out of Jail Free at The Liberty Hotel

Visitors won’t require a “pass” from the famed Monolopy game to enjoy the Liberty Hotel’s happening outdoor patio.  Just off Alibi on the hotel’s ground level, appropriately placed shrubbery separates an outdoor lounge sanctuary filled with cozy couches and tables away from bustling Cambridge Street.  If rubbing elbows with stylish Bostonians is your scene, be sure to arrive early on the weekend, as this see-and-be-seen spot fills up fast and there’s nothing chic about waiting in line.  215 Charles Street, Boston.

Flirty Fun at Tia’s on the Waterfront

Single and ready to mingle?  Make Tia’s on the Waterfront a regular fixture in your Thursday-Saturday evening adventures.  With its proximity to the Financial District, Faneuil Hall and the North End, bumping into attractive locals on the L-shaped patio becomes part of the fun at this hotspot, which attracts area professionals during the work week and a larger sample of Bostonians over the weekend.  200 Atlantic Avenue, Boston.

BOSTON, ENTERTAINING, RECIPES

Easy Entertaining: The Cocktail Club

Bloody Mary Cocktail Club Event

With new roommates come new traditions.  Instead of hosting a typical dinner party each month, my new roommate and her friends take turns hosting “The Cocktail Club.”  Created as a way to taste and learn how to make classic cocktails outside of a bar, the monthly host selects a signature drink and pairs it with a suitable entree.

Last month’s cocktail club was inspired by brunch.  A Bloody Mary bar allowed guests to learn how to mix their own drinks as spicy or mild as they desired.  Only half of the guests had tried a Bloody Mary before, making it a great opportunity to expand their mixologist skill set.

Ellie Krieger's Blueberry Almond French Toast Bake

The dish of the night was Ellie Krieger’s Blueberry Almond French Toast Bake.  Perfect for busy professionals, the recipe must be prepared the night before and can be popped into the oven as guests arrive.  In contrast to the spicy Bloody Mary, the french toast bake was sweet, yet filling.  To round out the meal, serve fresh fruit and a veggie platter for guests to nosh on in advance of the main entree.  To view the recipe from the Food Network’s website, click here.