Author: Matt Robinson

A Golden Fleece of a Restaurant

Posted by

While the main issue with eating in either Boston or Providence can be deciding where to enjoy your next meal, we are also blessed (or perhaps cursed) with a bevy of suburban stars sandwiched between that make the choices even harder!

Among the newest of these is Kosmos in Walpole which, as luck would have it, is about halfway between the Hub and Renaissance City.

Headed by Greek imports Stavros and Angelos Petropolos (who trained under Boston legend Gordon Hammersley and helped open Committee in the Seaport district), Kosmos is already a local fave that is drawing fans from both states and even further afield- many of whom use public transportation so they can fully enjoy themselves (Opa!). 

Speaking of drinks, the eponymous white cranberry and vodka Kosmo is a surefire hit, as is the Kosmos IPA from Opa Opa Brewing in Williamsburg, MA. Kosmos also offers a wide range of Greek wines, Ouzos, and Metaxas. 

With the recently-revealed garden patio and authentic decor and food that make you feel as if you are on the coast of Corinth, Kosmos is a universe away from many other Greek eateries in the area and features such family-founded and family-friendly recipes as spanakopita (spinach pie), grilled octopus with Santorini split pea puree, pan-seared Saganaki cheese, chicken and lamb chops, striped bass, and Makaronia Me Kima (which is the famed Greek version of pasta Bolognese). If your family or group of friends is large, Kosmos also offers platters for at least two that feature grilled meats, seafood stew, and whole grilled snapper. Sunday brunch adds such Hellenic heroes as Spanakopita Benedict, Greek yogurt pancakes, hearty Shakshouka, and even an omelet topped with traditional Greek salad!

For those who like a sweet finish to their suburban excursion, Kosmos also has phyllo cake, multi-napkin baklava rolls, and Bougatsa custard pie with Nutella.

As I said- Opa!

www.kosmoswma.com

Pharmaceu-TEA-cals 

Posted by

We have often touted the benefits of great tea and coffee.

Top among them is the whole-leaf, whole-earth set from Mighty Leaf, which has been a go-to for my family and fans for years. 

Now the sustainable and socially responsible Mighty Leaf team is helping enjoyers get even mightier with a new line of enhanced beverage packets that are extra nutritious and extra delicious!

The Good Pharma line may have a title that is a bit technical, but the ingredients and focus are simple and straightforward. Like our friends at Forij, HOP WTR, and IQ Bars, Good Pharma uses what they cleverly (and pharmaceutically) call “Rxtracts” like brain-boosting, non-hallucinogenic mushrooms, as well as rare seeds and roots, easily-digestible nutrients like calming Ashwaganda and stress-reducing L-theanine, freshly-ground coffee and, of course, Mighty Leaf’s already sustaining and satisfying teas to create a set of sips that satisfy the tongue and everything around it.

The Brain Gain variety supports mental function and creativity. Resilience supports immunity. No Worries alleviates stress and tension. Rest Assured helps ease you out of your day and into rejuvenating sleep. All four come in handy single-serve packets that rest on the side of your mug and slowly infuse whatever you are drinking with added flavor and health. I often steep them alongside some Mighty Leaf tea for a brand-loyal and always pleasurable experience. 

In an effort to serve their fans and introduce the new line to others, Good Pharma has been presenting a new variety called No Worries in hotels and other places where harried travelers need a tasty break from their hectic schedules. Even if you are still working from home, however, there is still plenty to enjoy from Good Pharma and their Mighty originators and many benefits to enjoy from all of their enjoyable drinks.

https://drinkgoodpharma.com / https://www.mighty-leaf.com/ (Love that hyphen!)

An Easier Way to Forij

Posted by

As a writer who makes my living with my vocabulary, I am very aware of my brain and how to take care of it. 

That is why I am such a fan of brands like IQBar, HOP WTR and our tent-living, brain-loving pal Parker Olson, founder of Forij.

Many has been the day when I prepare to create with a big bowl of Forij’s delicious, protein-packed, and (perhaps most importantly) brain-boosting granolas. With no GMOs or gluten and not that much sugar (especially for a granola product), Forij leaves more room for vitamins and nutrients. And with ingredients like pure maple syrup, English walnuts, flax and chai seeds, fresh cinnamon, cacao, nootropic Lions’ mane and other cognitive-caring (and non-hallugenogenic) mushroom types, the functional foods are as good for your tongue and tummy as they are for your body and brain!

As it is admittedly not always easy to carry a bowl of cereal to work (even when you work from home), I was happy to learn that Parker recently released a set of chewy and satisfying bars that allow you to take the brain and body-benefits on your bike or in your briefcase. The first pair of flavors includes a convincingly cookie-esque oatmeal raisin and a rosemary walnut that is earthy, floral, nutty, and yummy! 

Apparently, a lemon blueberry and coconut-based flavor are on the way, but the debut two are terrific on their own (or when purchased in a combo pack)!

If you want support with supporting your brain, go to www.forij.co and sign up for the 30-day brain challenge and to receive daily doctor-designed brain games and other tasteful tips for better health.  While there, design your own cute and colorful Forijer friend to keep you motivated as you deliciously develop body and brain.

Whether you need to clear the cognitive cobwebs out in the morning or keep the mind moving midday, Forij has the forms and flavors to give you all you need whenever and wherever you need it.

https://www.forij.co

Firing up the Family Grill

Posted by

Summer is coming and that means it is time to start looking forward to spending more great times with two things – family and a grill.

What better time to check in with our friends the Iliades family at Farm Grill and Rotisserie in Newton?

In addition to such Hellenistic hits as their spicy Feta spread, tender grape leaves with aromatic herbs, tzatziki made with homemade Greek yogurt and Greek olive oil, flaky spanikopita, rich and hearty pastitzio, and traditional village salad with homemade dressing that you can (and should) take home, the Grill also offers everything from beef kabobs and rotisserie chicken to octopus salad on their always-refreshing (and mouthwatering) steam table. In their eternal quest to support other family businesses while offering the best products around, Farm Grill recently began offering Vermont-raised organic lamb that can be specially prepared for weddings, graduation parties, and other events either at Farm Grill or at your location with just a week’s notice!

Apparently, they may even be selling a great book about the Ivy League (www.lionstigersbulldogs.com) soon as well!

As we open up our windows to let in the warmer air, Farm Grill is also opening its doors for longer hours (another great sign of COVID recovery!), staying open on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights until 9 PM and opening Sundays for on-site private events that offer all of the family-fueled flavor without any family cleanup!

And if you want more amazingly authentic, fresh, and flavorful Greek food, drink, and gifts for summer or any time of year, he sure to visit Farm Grill’s sister store, the Greek International Food Market in West Roxbury.

Either way, you are sure to bring your family something νόστιμο (“nóstimo”) every time!

www.farm-grill.com / https://greekintlmarket.com

Neighbors Helping Neighbors

Posted by

As Matt’s Meals fans know, I am admittedly not the biggest Indian food fan, but I LOVE Shanti.

While we wait for them to come to Needham, my family and I will venture to Roslindale or even back to my old hometowns of Cambridge and Dorchester to enjoy (and I mean “ENJOY”!) their authentically contemporary tastes, like their worth-the-trip hand-baked naan and fresh and refreshing mango lassi and their amazing curry dishes, vegetable plates, and exotic meat offerings.

Speaking of great food in Cambridge , the Shanti team is planning to bring their sister restaurant, Dudley Café, from Dudley Square in Roxbury (hence the name!) to Porter Square in Cambridge as well and are asking for help by offering a great reward to fans and friends even before they open!

Using the community finance tool NuMarket, the Dudley Café crew is crowdfunding the new venue by offering a 120% return on any investment. This means that when you donate $100, you get $120 in credit to spend at the new location. And with a menu that ranges from delicious day-starters like thick and rich challah French toast and a breakfast sandwich that includes egg, sauteed spinach, cheese and the Café’s house sauce to a lunch break’s worth of rice bowls and such hand-y favorites as the PAC Man (pulled pork, Asian slaw and chipotle mayo) and the famed No. 34 sandwich (which features grass-fed local roast beef with caramelized onions, sweet potatoes, and greens on French bread), any amount of credits will be easy to spend!

In addition to offering great food, Dudley Café is also a community space that presents local artists and events that bring people together in ways that go beyond shared meals (as good as they may be!).
In encouraging donors to enjoy the fruits of their generosity, the Shanti/Dudley team hopes to build a true community of food fans who also want to support local businesses, even if those businesses are worth visiting from not-so-local locales.

Please visit ShantiBoston.com and DudleyCafe.com and join the community!

Sacré Brown!

Posted by

I am a big fan of maple and a BIG fan of Branon Family Maple Orchards’ organic maple products. From their organic maple-to-go packs (which have saved me from many gallons of high-fructose corn syrup at various restaurants) to their maple Buffalo sauce, Maple Barbeque Sauce, maple-based seasonings, and maple bourbon vinegar, everything they make helps make almost any food (and not just pancakes) even better!

That is why I was so delighted to find a delightful drink their family makes called Sacré!

Created by their son Justin and his husband Roger, Sacré combines the family’s famous maple syrup (which is fermented with a healthy heirloom vinegar “mother” and aged in bourbon barrels) with fair trade, shade-grown coffee to make a non-alcoholic beverage that is also surprisingly low in sugar and caffeine content. The intriguingly complex and easy-to-drink beverage goes as great as a morning coffee alternative (or additive) as it does for a night cap and works as well on its own as it does with many other favorite flavors (as can be seen in the recipe guide on the website- www.woodnosedrinks.com). 

Using ingredients that are organic and sustainably farmed (as is true of all Branon products) and approved by the National Audubon Society for being made in a bird-friendly area using solar energy, you can enjoy glass after glass (or even bottle after bottle) knowing you are supporting local farmers and your own health. And as Sacré is made by an LGBT- and Veteran-owned business, there is even more reason to be supportive and more good feeling to go around.

Speaking of “a round,” I think I’ll have another sip of Sacré!.

https://www.branonmaple.com / www.woodnosedrinks.com

Mucho Biena

Posted by

I have been a fan of the stoic chickpea for some time, long before it began to have its “moment.” And yet, I must say that even I have been impressed with the ways in which various foodmakers are using the legendary legume.

Among my favorites has been Biena Foods- the Boston-based, mom-founded, substantially healthy snack food brand that has been packing the perky pea’s powerful protein in surprising places for over 10 years.

Though they were inspired by Founder Poorvi Patodia’s favorite snack from her childhood home of Mumbai, India, Biena snacks are named for the Spanish word for “good.” And appropriately so, for they are as good tasting as they are good for you (and that is saying a lot!).

While many know Biena (as they should) for their roasted chickpeas that come in such satisfying flavors as Habanero, honey roasted, ranch, and the appropriately-entitled lil’ bit of everything, Biena has recently expanded their line of dairy- gluten-, GMO-, grain-, and both pea- AND tree nut-free vegan treats to include two new tasty and healthy options 

The first is a set of super crunch mixes that add such tasty treats as pretzels, almonds, dark chocolate gems, and fava beans (which go great with or without a nice Chianti) to Biena’s famed roasted chickpeas and that offer great taste and protein-packed energy without cavities or crashes. 

The second is a trio of tasty thins that offer all the satisfaction of chips with much more nutrition (thanks to the inclusion of other veggies that your kids don’t have to know about) and a fraction of the calories, making even mindless snacking mindful! In fact, you can eat twice as many Biena thins for the same guilt index as other equally-dip-worthy tortilla chips and nearly four times as many as popular wheat crackers. And with such delicious options as Hawaiian BBQ, Tuscan herb, and sea salt, it will be easy to put down a bag in one sitting- but who cares?Watch for Biena Snacks at CVS, Roche Bros. and at www.bienasnacks.com

Barking up the Right Tree

Posted by

Though Earth Day has come and gone again, as there are (fortunately) more of us who want to bring a bit of its special and survivalist spirit into our everyday lives, I am always on the hunt for more products that will help us all help ourselves while helping our planet.

Following the lead of my panda-loving daughter, I have begun to investigate the bamboo forests of China and have found a new benefit to its less insidious harvesting.

Bamboozle is an award-winningly sustainable and renewable set of serving pieces that are made with simple and sturdy bamboo (and other plant-based polymers) yet come in a wide range of shapes, sizes, and eye-catching colors.

From their original composters and cooking bowls to serving sets and spoons to a bowl-plate combo they spork-ily call a “blate,” Bamboozle products can take your food from field to plate and back to field again with style and substance. And if you want to get younger ones in a renewable mood, there are even fun and functional dining sets that literally bounce back and resist food stains, making them perfect for your little environmentalist foodies!

Durable and dishwasher safe, biodegradable Bamboozle bundles can be confidently used again and again and go from micro to meal with ease! Though their matte and minimalistic designs are timeless, if you ever tire of them (which would be odd but is still theoretically possible), they can also be recycled and reused to bring more eco-friendly food to others and to help others make ‘Gram-able food photos at home!

As ancient cultures know, the earth is far wiser and bolder than we who visit it for such brief periods. That is why embracing ancient wisdom and ancient ingredients may be the best ways to insure there are future generations who can learn from us. 

Bamboozle is a great way to enjoy well-made products while preserving servings for those who may follow us to the table- and they’re cute, too!

BamboozleHome.com

A Lone Star on the Cider Shelf

Posted by

As a fan of music and food, one of my favorite places to visit is Austin, TX. From beef ribs to fried chicken to donuts, Austin has some of my favorite places for some of my favorite foods. 

Though I miss the 6th Street scene sorely whenever I come home, I can take solace in the fact that I can always enjoy whatever food I am enjoying at home with a li’l taste of TinTin, thanks to the folks at Austin Eastciders.

Though I first fell in love with their fruit-forward flavors like pineapple and blackberry and their best-of-both-worlds hopped cider, I quickly expanded my repertoire (and my refrigerator) to include such sweet and satisfying southern sippers as the Sangria cider, the fresh and fruity light cider series (which ranges in tasty tastes from the spa-tastic cucumber agave and brunch-y mango mimosa to juicy strawberry lemonade and desert-dry Texas Brut) and the TX honey type (which has since been joined by a can that carries Mike’s hot honey as well!).

New this year (and for obvious reasons) is AEC’s limited-edition 10 Year Anniversary cider and a pair of powerful (as in 8.3&% ABV) “Imperial” ciders that are royally good! The Imperial Gold variety is surely worth more than a lone star and the Tropical Punch (which blends AEC’s Imperial Cider base with a passion fruit, orange, and guava juice) packs a punch as well!

As with so many of my favorite food-makers, AEC gives back to my second-favorite city that rhymes with “Coston” through their Austin Eastciders Cares programs that donates proceeds to nonprofit organizations on both sides of the Red River (and even helps keep the river itself clean!). As good as all that is, the best thing that AEC gives to the community is some of the most creative and refreshing ciders on either side of the Mississippi (but preferably the east side). Though the city may have limits, the deliciousness of Austin’s best ciders do not!

https://austineastciders.com

MAKING DISHES THAT FULFILL WISHES

Posted by

Many moons ago, we touted the wonderful work of a woman who has become one of my dearest friends in the food industry- Jeanie Gruber. 

At that time, the experienced therapist and caterer was sustaining and supporting her clients’ and friends’ minds, bodies, and souls by making amazing homemade foods in her shop in Newton in between visits to her second hometown of New Orleans.

When COVID shut that down, Jeanie quickly devised a new plan that allows her to keep cooking and sharing but for a very different community.

WISHDISH is an organization that serves the homeless. But instead of just doling out food at a soup kitchen or making dishes with whatever the food pantry has available, WISHDISH engages and serves individuals in the community directly. After partnering with area shelters, Mis Jeanie visits the residents, asking each of them about the dishes they most remember. Once she has been offered each of international recipes (which range from curries gumbo to plov and porridge to eggplant parm and frybread to Mulligan stew and Shepherds pie, and even to a take on her own famous matzo ball soup), and Jeanie crafts enough of an authentic edition of each request to serve the entire community! In this way, Jeanie and her WISHDISH team not only feed the body but satisfy the soul by showing care and respect for people who many others simply pass by without even a look or smile.

Having established the program in Boston and New Orleans, Jeanie is looking for other communities to support and is also planning a series of city-specific cookbooks that will also share the stories of those who shared their favorite recipes so she can continue to show love through food while supporting those most in need.

As I have touted many times before, there are many organizations that support people in need. And while many of them make a truly vital difference, as is the case with so much of what she has done, nobody does it like Miss Jeanie does!

For more information and to offer support, please go to www.thewishdishproject.org