Author: Matt Robinson

GET YOUR DAY ON TRACK

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As if working from home were not hectic enough, many of us are now responsible for children who no longer have the benefits of school to enjoy while they leave us in peace for a few precious hours.

That is why I am such a fan of our local friends at Atomic Coffee Roasters!

Starting as a café in Beverly, Atomic has expanded to a second generation and is now served at cafes and restaurants throughout Greater Boston and is blazing a trail to other areas with its locally-sourced, roasted, and packaged coffees.

Speaking of trails, Atomic has partnered with the New England Mountain Bike Association to celebrate another great thing to do with your family in the summer and all year ‘round. For each bag of their delicious Singletrack coffee (which combines small-farm beans from Ethiopia, Guatemala, and Honduras) sold, Atomic will contribute $2 to the Association to help them preserve open space that can then be enjoyed on wheels or by foot. 

As Atomic was founded by professional cyclists and as some of us need a little help getting off the couch and on our bikes, the percolating partnership is a perfect match!

In addition to finding this and other amazing coffees (like their seasonal Simple Summer, their out-of-this-world Space Cadet, their canned cold brew, and other blended and single-origin varieties) on their website (drinkatomic.com), visitors can find recipes and tips for ideal brewing conditions and more!

Need to get your gears turning this summer (or anytime)? Go Atomic!

drinkatomic.com

VINYL IS BACK!

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Though I am a HUGE fan of the award-winning North Street Grille and South Street Diner in Boston (both of which were recently chosen as Boston’s best breakfast places by Good Morning America), it is good to know that there is an great place to start the day in the ‘burbs as well.

The 50’s Diner in Dedham is tucked behind Whole Foods in Legacy Place. And while the outdoor mall includes many other notable eateries (including Friendly Toast, Shake Shack, Life Alive, Legal Sea Foods, and Capital Grille), it is still worth the visit on its own.

The wait can be long, but as soon as your tush hits the vinyl seats, you will definitely know it was worth it!

Tastefully decorated with art and furnishings that evoke a simpler time (including the phone booth that houses the ATM for this cash-only establishment), the Diner has been offering non-greasy traditional diner food and much more for 30 years, including huge freshly-made omelets, cinnamon rolls that serve as meal and dessert, hand-spun shakes and floats (including the orange-y Dreamsicle) and a 50’s Special that includes so much delicious food for so little you may think the Diner has not changed its prices since it opened!

As the kids menu includes not only the obligatory mac and cheese and chicken fingers but also fresh cold cut and salad sandwiches, and a “good ol’” PB&J that is better and newer than any I had ever made, the Diner is a great place to bring the family, either during a day of shopping or just for its own sake. And as there are no TV’s, you may actually be able to talk to your family between moan-inducing bites! 

When you do have to leave, be sure to pick up their great diner mugs and customized soda bottles and a bottle of their delicious honey mustard and take the good vibes of a simpler time home with you to enjoy between visits.

www.facebook.com/50sdiner/

A STEAK IN A NEW NEIGHBORHOOD

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Capital Grille coming to Dedham August 11

I have been a fan of Capital Grille for many years. In fact, my family and I have been marking my father’s birthday there for over a decade, And while we have no problem traveling to Chestnut Hill or Burlington for such special occasions, it is nice to know that a new location will be opening in Dedham at Legacy Place later this summer.

Known as much for their personalized service as their perfectly-cut and cooked meat, poultry, fish, and more, the Capital Grille is a great place for a date, business meeting, or just to take a self-treating break from an aggressive shopping excursion.

From their wide selection of succulent steaks, each of which is dry aged in-house for 18-24 days and hand cut daily by the Grille’s resident butcher. While the Grille may be best known for such curated cuts of beef, many also come to enjoy its lobster mac n cheese, seared salmon, or double-cut lamb chops (all with a side of Sam’s mashed potatoes, of course) and some even come just for a slice of decadent cheesecake and the famous Stoli Doli cocktails that are always ready to refresh!

Speaking of refreshing, summer is a great time to visit as many other locations are offering the Grille’s famous Generous Pour wine event through September 3, during which guests can enjoy a wide range of wines from the world’s top winemakers all for $35 with the purchase of a dinner entrée! 

In addition to bringing new flavors and people to Dedham the opening of the Grille is also set to create nearly 100 new jobs in the area!

As any foodie knows, a good meal wis worth travelling, but it is nice when the good meal comes closer to you too.

See you there!

www.thecapitalgrille.com/

ROLL OUT THOSE LAZY CRAZY HAZY RAYS OF SUMMER

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While many people talk of beaches and barbecues, summer is, at its over-21 base, beer season! And while Bud Light and Modelo duke it out for world domination, we can take great pride in our locally-sourced legends!
From Harpoon and Sam Adams to your neighbor’s latest homebrew, it is the New England work ethic and ingenuity that have created so many sudsy stars.

Another such story is that of Lawson’s Finest Liquids.

Started in a University of VT dorm room by a savvy over-21 fan of Catamount and other 14thSate staples, Lawson’s now partners with other New England brewers (like Two Roads in CT) and even VT Public Radio to reach and support communities throughout the region with its foamy faves and Social Impact Program (cleverly known as “SIP”). 

Among my current go-to’s are the summer-perfect Sip of Sunshine IPA and the internationally-ranked Double Sunshine Ruby Red Grapefruit, a double IPA that adds the juicily slimming smack of grapefruit to up the refreshment even more! As fall approaches, I will look forward to more servings of Mad River Maple which includes pure syrup from Lawson’s tree-tapping neighbors. And as new versions are always in development and as all of them are made with the best ingredients Green Mountain greenbacks can buy, there is always more to look forward to regardless of the time of year or your personal tastes.With offerings such as these, it is small wonder that Lawson’s was named the best beverage made in VT (which is certainly saying something!) two years in a row by Vermont Business Magazine and 2022 Brewery of the Year by Beer Connoisseur (LOVE those connoisseurs!). In fact, the only thing I wonder is why you aren’t enjoying one right now! www.lawsonsfinest.com

TWO GREAT TASTES THAT TASTE GREAT TOGETHER

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As a fan of diners and of local establishments with long histories, I have long been a regular at Johnny’s Luncheonette. 

For over 30 years, Johnny’s has been a staple of the Newton Centre community, drawing people in from far and wide and catering to such legends as David Mamet (who I saw there myself!) and the Kennedys.

With such worth-the-visit plates as the LEO (lox, eggs, and onion) omelette, avocado fries, an elegant burrata avocado toast, big, beefy, biohack-free burgers (including one made with fresh felafel), the Larry David (the good one- with pastrami with Swiss, of course!) and the corned beef-packed Langley sandwich that hearkens back to the eatery’s own history, as well as always-fresh and flavorful menu additions sourced from Johnny’s many farm friends, Johnny’s has something for everyone whether you want a wholesome family meal or a Formica conference table for an important meeting.

If you need more form the Johnny’s family, head over to the equally legendary Cabot’s Ice Cream which the Johnny’s team recently took over. Though the management is technically new, longtime owner Joe Prestejohn is still scooping a few shifts a week and the offerings are as wonderful and varied as ever- ranging from mile-high pies to their signature ice cream cupcakes and banana wheels, the almost fatally rich Chocolate Homicide, and the two-quart Newtonite that has ended many a local’s meal. Speaking of meals, Cabot’s also offers everything from Belgium waffles to hot turkey dinners- ‘cause you need to have something to have dessert after!

Drop by one whenever you are in the area. Or, heck- drop by both!

www.johnnysluncheonette.com / www.cabots.com

WOW- That’s a great chip!

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Now that our friends at the Spicy Shark have been featured on the hit (and HOT) show “Hot Ones,” I thought I would take a moment to seek other spicy stars before I head up to the second annual New England Hot Sauce Fest on July 29.

I quickly came upon Chipoys, a set of chips that packs in extra crunch, flavor, and…best of all…heat!

Instead of settling for such standard selections as sour cream and onion, BBQ, and cheeses of all categories, Chipoys combine the best of all worlds, mixing these and other flavors into newer, bolder ones. Plus, they come in a unique rolled format, which ensures added crunch and maximum flavor in each bite.

As with Shark’s long line of products, Chipoys come in multiple levels that range from spicy ranch to the aptly-named fire red hot, all of which are based on authentic Mexican recipes and most of which come with a twist of lime that brings tang to the tightly-rolled tortilla chips that also pack in more crunch per bunch. And with just 160 calories and one gram of sugar per serving and no artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives, you can enjoy a bunch pretty much whenever you want!

Cjhpoys currently come in both 2- and 4-ounce packages and will soon be available in a more sharable 10 ounce size, so no matter what your favorite flavor or how many mouths you need to fill, Chipoys has enough spice to fit the bill 

https://chipoys.com

GOOD MORNING, BEST BREAKFAST IN AMERICA

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Well, it is official- As we have long known, now all of America knows that North Street Grill does have the best breakfast in Boston!

In fact, it has been certified by no less an authority than the nation’s #1 breakfast-time program Good Morning America.

A few weeks ago, North Street ‘s Robin Sidell went against its equally legendary (and deservedly so!) sibling restaurant, Sol Sidell’s South Street Diner in a head-to-head competition for Beantown breakfast bragging rights. Pitting her Banana Bourbon French Toast against her brother’s Boston Cream pancakes.

After showing who the saucier Sidell sibling was, Robin went to New York (with Sol selflessly serving as sous chef) to the United States of Breakfast finals, where a panel of judges that included celebrity stylist Carsen Kressley, savvy Shark Barbara Corcoran, chef and food judge Leah Cohen, and food fanatic Adam Richman tasted, tested, and titled the four best breakfasts in the nation.

In addition to its triumphant toast, North Street offers everything from enormous omelets made with all fresh ingredients and a panoply of pancakes that range in fillings from blueberries to Boston cream to a slew of satisfying salads, a bevy of big burgers, their bananas banana bread and a full bar that features “adult” milkshakes that will cure any night-before debauchery and get every day off to  a great start!

As it is right along the Freedom Trail, the North Street Grill has long been a favorite for locals and tourists alike. After their strong performance on GMA, however, more people may line up for their brunch than que for the nearby Paul Revere House. In so doing, they will be able to taste the toast loved ‘round the nation and experience the true flavor of Boston!

https://bestbrunchboston.com / https://southstreetdiner.com

ANOTHER ROUND AT THE WINERY

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In its never-ending quest to give area food, wine, and entertainment fans what they want, City Winery is offering a new program that will bring all of these and more to more people than ever by encouraging what some may say is the sadly lost art of of sharing.

As part of their new “Pairing is Sharing” dining experience, the food and beverage teams at City Winery have combined forces to combine small plates that show off their big-flavored wines through a dining experience that is guided by the diners but supported by the staff.

Tapping into top winemakers like North Coast, Sonoma Mountain, Windrem, and City Winery’s own wines from their hydroelectric-powered facility just north of New York City, the sharable selections options include charcuterie and oysters, charred octopus, Wagyu Sliders, triple cream brie, as well as a mushroom-pocked pizza known as the ”Fun-guy” flatbread. All of the wines are tapped fresh from stainless steel kegs and all the equally elegant edibles are prepared and delivered fresh to enhance the experience all the more!  

For those who want to enhance their experience even further, the Winery recently rang in Ringo Starr’s birthday and will soon be hosting the legendary likes of Lisa Loeb, Dickey Betts, Holly Near, Bebel Gilberto, Lalah Hathaway, Cowboy Mouth, and Jon Cleary & His Absolute Monster Gentlemen, as well as bartending classes, comedy shows, and trivia nights.

Despite the name, City Winery has been offering much more than wine for many more years than some of the wine you drink has probably been around. If someone has not shared it with you yet, be sure to reserve a table for Pairing is Sharing and make it a night of wine, friends, and song!

https://citywinery.com/Boston

MAINE-LINING FLAVOR

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In New England, we are blessed with some of the best food and drink makers around. Among my favorites are Kane’s Donuts and UFO beers. And while these two companies may seem to share little more than a home state, believe me- When they combine forces- Look out!

Through the month of July, this dynamic duo is proving that one plus one can be way more than two with the debut of their limited-edition Maine blueberry donut. In addition to featuring the mind-melting cake-style donuts found at either Kane’s in Saugus or downtown Boston, the new offering adds fresh Maine blueberries (another reason to celebrate life in this area) and a reduction of UFO’s Maine Blueberry beer that takes out the alcohol while enhancing the flavor that much more for fans of all ages!

If you have had more blueberries than Sal, Kane’s still has you covered with their gluten-free Lime Rickey donut that comes loaded with real lime and topped with Kane’s legendary glazes, a vegan glaze-glistened Funfetti donut with patriotic sprinkles, the chocolate sauce and marshmallow-slathered S’mores donuts, and creamy, fruity Watermelon donuts that look and taste almost like the real thing!

If you want to enjoy UFO and its sibling sippers from Harpoon with another fun summer tradition, Harpoon has also partnered with HubSportsBoston to open a set of pickleball, shuffleboard, and cornhole courts that will offer lessons and leagues for new and experienced picklers and that will also feature selections from its League line of lower-alcohol beers.

Summer in New England offers many special treats. Fortunately, two of them are just over a mile apart and make for a perfect pairing, with pickleball or alone.
www.kanesdonuts.com / http://ufobeer.com / http://harpoonbrewery.com / https://hubsportsboston.com

JUST WHEN YOU THOUGHT IT WAS SAFE TO USE CONDIMENTS…

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For those of you who did not catch their fin-ny feature on the hit show Hot Ones (check around minute 11) or hear me raving about how good their sauces are and how much good they do for the environment and the oceans, there will soon be another chance to eat the heat and try the ever-growing line of deliciously devilish sauces from The Spicy Shark.

On Saturday, July 29, the Shark and many of his fiery friends will return to the Smuttynose Brewing Company in Hampton, NH, for the second annual New England Hot Sauce Fest. 

Hosted by Bella and Dark from Heat 101, the event is a family-friendly opportunity for those who live to feel the burn will be able to sample the wares of the Spicy Shark (who helped found the event) and over 30 other locally-sourced heat-seekers as well as food trucks, great music, and, of course, hot food-eating contests and Smuttynose beer.

Speaking of spicy food-eating contests, the Festival will offer an opportunity to at least watch others try the world’s hottest pepper (appropriately called “Pepper X”), which surpasses even the renowned Carolina Reaper in terms of heat!

As always, Spicy Shark is donating the majority of proceeds to the Blue Ocean Society and the Seacoast Science Center to support their vital efforts to protect our oceans and foster environmental education about sharks and other spicy species.

Tickets are available at www.newenglandhotsaucefest.comhttp://www.newenglandhotsaucefest.com and while the main event runs from 11-5 but VIPs can start smokin’ an hour early!

For more info about the Shark’s spicy selections, surf over to www.TheSpicyShark.com.