Author: Matt Robinson

COLORING COPLEY

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Though it is one of the nation’s oldest and most storied hotels, the Copley Square Hotel continues to innovate to engage and enchant new generations of guests.

Among the most profound parts of the most recent renovation of the former home of the legendary Storyville Jazz Club and Café Budapest is the opening of HuE.

Named for the Hotel’s historic intersection of Huntington and Exeter, the two-floored HuE brings former Ming Tsai sideman Executive Chef Barnett Harper to a Back Bay venue that was crafted by such hospitality heavyweights as George Aboujaoude (who, as we mentioned, recently renamed his famed Cafeteria restaurant Eva in honor of his food-minded family’s next generations) former W Hotel food and beverage manager Maurice Rodriguez, Silk R&B Party curator Robert Eugene, and tech expert Nick Saber, making HuE a certain new favorite in Boston and beyond!

HuE ‘s upstairs dining room will feature a Pan-American menu that combines American comfort foods with Asian accents and that tops out at $30 a plate. Among HuE‘s sharable servings will be kofta meatballs, tofu with chili garlic sauce, a vegetarian burger with spicy Thai tomato jam, and slow-roasted pork ribs in a Tamarind glaze. There will also be a bar that is open until 1:30 AM that will make for the perfect meeting place before or after a day of shopping or a night of music and theater.

Speaking of music, HuE’s downstairs lounge will host more great food (including escargot with XO butter, braised short ribs with coconut polenta, and extra-large portions of twice-cooked noodles with beef and whole-fried fish) along with an ever-evolving menu of live and DJ-delivered musical offerings. There will even be a lower-level “speakeasy”-style wine and Champagne bar for those who want their evenings a bit more intimate and intriguing and all three bars will also offer international wines, creative cocktails, and full bottle service.

 HuE better go check it out!
https://www.hueboston.com / www.copleysquarehotel.com

WHEN HARRY MET DELI

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From our many discussions of Michael’s Deli and the Gefilteria, fans of Matt’s Meals get a sense that one of my favorite types of food is deli.

That is why I am so excited to check out the exhibit at the New York Historical Society which is entitled with some (kosher) tongue-in-cheek “I’ll Have What She’s Having.”

While Michael’s Thorty Black and Gold sandwich (named for former Bruin Great Shawn Thornton) is not only delicious but donates to a worthy cause and while the Gefilteria recently turned us on not only to new ways to bump and grind with fish but also to a new historical bakery in upstate NY, the legend and legacy of deli stretch from Old Country family tables to some of the most famous nosheries around and continue to evolve and reach more people in ever-more creative ways. 

In this exhibit, the city that many people consider the home of deli brings it all back home with stories that range from the Pale of Settlement to the tenements of the Lower East Side to the concentration camps of Germany and far beyond. Using historical images and artifacts, first-person accounts from both sides of the counter, costumes from The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, mouthwatering interactive elements that include deli-themed music and a Bloomberg Connects audio tour, “and, of course, that scene from “When Harry Met Sally,” “I’ll Have What She’s Having” not only brings long-time fans back to their favorite childhood eateries but also whets the appetites of those who may not know the difference between pastrami and salami (oy!). It even invites guests to craft their own deli-worthy sandwiches and to name them after their favorite stars, as was the long-held tradition at such legendary locales as Reuben’s and The Stage Deli (and Michael’s!).

If gefilte fish is your favorite dish and hot pastrami makes you hot, have I got the place for you! Even the Society restaurant will have deli favorites!

The exhibit is on view until April of next year- So take your time and chew slowly!

Through January 1, the Society is also hosting a special exhibit on anti-Semitism that, while not as delicious, is just as vital, so please drop by.

www.nyhistory.org

STARTER KOMBUCHA

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I have discussed kombucha many times before, and yet I know many people who are still reticent to try it as it apparently has too much fizzy bit (often called “funkiness”) for them.

To them, I say, “Fieldstone”!

Fieldstone Kombucha is fermented just like any other brand, but somehow the founder has figured out a way to get all the fresh flavor and GI tract benefits for which kombucha has become famous without all the spiky starter stuff. It’s like the sourdough of kombuchas- All the homemade taste and body benefits without the afterburn.

With fresh flavors like spiced apple and spicy ginger, chai spice, turmeric, and even beet (with seasonal ones popping up all the time), Fieldstone not only delivers great taste and all the nutrition for which kombucha is known but also some of those “superfoods” we have all been hearing about.

Not only does it taste great on its own, but Fieldstone also works well as an ingredient in drinks such as those detailed on the website (www.fieldstonekombuchaco.com).

Best of all, it comes from a woman-run company right here in New England! 

Speaking of that woman, she started her SCOBY-started story as so many other great food-trepreneurs do by starting in her own kitchen and distributing to her friends before growing into what I hope becomes a sector-leading company.

In addition to being made here, Fieldstone kombucha also sources ingredients from local farms and even has a local artist design the label artwork! They also packages their products in recyclable materials so they have less impact on the environment and are good for everyone involved!

If you need more incentive to try Fieldstone, they can deliver (in 100% recyclable packaging!) and, if you enter “kombuchaships” or “localkombucha” you can get 10% off your first order!

www.fieldstonekombuchaco.com

BLISSFULLY MISNAMED

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A few months ago, I thanked the gods of food that the Donut Villa Diner had doubled in size from its original location in Malden to a new spot in Cambridge.

Apparently, the gods heard me because the donut-forward eatery recently added a third Villa in Newton!

And while the donuts are among the best I have ever had (which is saying something!) and come in such amazing flavors as double-chocolate toasted almond and white Belgian chocolate and Oreo (not to mention their ridiculously fresh apple fritters!) and variations as donut pizza, donut cheeseburger, donut breakfast sandwich (of course!), donut French toast, and a maple donut bread pudding that is worth another trip on its own, the restaurants seem to be greatly misnamed.

Though it started as the Donut Villa Diner over 50 years ago and is now called (at least around Newton) the Donut Villa Brunch Club and Bar, the fact that the diner-like menu is so lacked with so many amazing items that have no donuts in them. Among my favorites (which is admittedly a difficult decision) are and an Ahi tuna burger that is so good it should be il-Legal (especially when paired with the pickle fries, as every meal should be!). For those who need more choices (as they will surely come back again and again), there are also such creative offerings as lobster-packed and waffle-based Benedicts, corned beef hash-burger, a chicken parm sub, crab cakes, tofu scrambles, a banana split waffle, and what is appropriately named the Bonkers Breakfast, as well as healthy sets of gluten-free and vegan options as well.

Oh and did I mention that, as the new name implies, the latest Villa has a both a full coffee bar and a full bar bar that features tons of taps of local and international beers and customizable creative cocktails? Well yes and yes!

It has been said that you can’t judge a book by its cover and asked what’s in a name. In that spirit, I urge you to go for the donuts but stay for everything else!

www.donutvilladiner.com

HOLDAYS AT HAYMARKET

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Now that we are (hopefully) visiting others for the holidays it is time once again to get gifts for them all!

As usual, our friends at Boston Public Market have everything we (and everyone we know) could ask for…and more!

From gifts to groceries and treats to trimming, BPM makes holiday prep easy. And not only will you be helping the Market’s marvelous makers, you will also be supporting area entrepreneurs through the “Market on a Mission” non-profit program as well.

As part of its December Happenings series, the Market is hosting such special events as Pine Bar tap takeover featuring Shelburne, VT’s Fiddlehead Beer on December 22, a visit from Frosty the Snowman December 18, and a Holiday CrEATor Market (with an emphasis on the “E A T”) every weekend right up until Christmas Eve! There will also be a sleigh-full of tours, tastings, and classes, including pasta ornament making with Seven Hills Pasta December 17, ornament decorating with Laurel Greenfield Art December 20, and a coffee tasting with George Howell on the 23rd that will help you power through the final shopping days and get ready for what is sure to be a great holiday (or at least better than last year)!

No matter when you visit, there are always plenty of pretty and practical pieces from the enviro-conscious crafters of Peterman’s Board and Bowls, American Stonecraft, and the ever-able artists at HOPe Unlimited. If you have already finished your holiday shopping (as if!), you can still enjoy local legends like Beantown Pastrami, Crescent Ridge ice cream, Red’s Best seafood, and the ever-popular gift-makers at Q’s Nuts (as well as bagels from Bagel Guild for those who prefer to shmear through the snow).

Whether you need gifts for others or a well-deserved treat for yourself, Boston Public Market is always ready to deliver. And as we prepare to give to others we love, a visit to the Market is a great opportunity to also give to some of our most creative our friends and neighbors as well!

www.bostonpublicmarket.org

MMMMMustard!

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As Matt’s Meals fans know, I love independent makers and I LOVE condiments!

Among my favorite food friends in this relished realm are J. Lee’s Sauces and True Made Foods (both of which are also run by Veterans!), and more local legends like Spicy Shark and American Vinegar Works.

Recently, I came upon a new top topping that comes in a palate-bursting variety of delicious options.

Made by hand in Contoocook, NH, Blackwater Mustard Co. combines ancient seeds with some of today’s most popular foods and beverages to make mustards (Yes- I said “mustardS”!) that are almost good enough to eat on their own (Don’t judge!).

While the most basic version may be the Everyday Café & Pub mustard (which is inspired by and used at a nearby eatery that is favorite among locals and visitors alike- probably thanks at least in part to the mustard!), Blackwater also infuses their mustards with locally-sourced apple cider, cranberries, garlic, and spicy dill (the last of which is named for the founder’s wife!).  They also partner with local maple syrup tappers and local beer tappers as well, including Tuckerman Brewery and a collaboration with Kettlehead Brewery that has revealed a chocolate stout mustard that I have, in fact, eaten with a spoon (I said don’t judge!). In another effort to give back to their community, Blackwater offers proceeds from their Pope Poupon to the New Hampshire Potato Project, which helps hungry neighbors get things to put the mustards on.

As there are so many flavors to choose from, choosing which to use can be a challenge, even for the most devoted mustard-head. Luckily, Blackwater not only offers customizable gift packs, but also an ever-expanding menu of recipes on their website (https://blackwatermustardco.com). 

If mustard is not your thing (What?!), Blackwater also offers Big Pete’s BBQ Sauce and Uncle Billy’s apple wood chips that make nearly any meal more flavorful, but if you want to really turn up the taste, stick to the titular toppings from Blackwater Mustard Co.

BAA-BAA-AAH!

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While Chanukah may be a favorite for the younger set, I have always been a fan of Passover. Though I have long enjoyed the family time, in recent years, my yearning for the Exodus has been enhanced by the annual arrival of my mother-in-law’s amazing meringues!

Black Sheep CBD meringues combine all-natural, responsibly-sourced, soy-, gluten-, dairy-, and GMO-free inspired ingredients such as pure cane sugar and fresh egg whites with what many are finding to be the best ingredient of all- CBD.

As they offer the healing elements of 100% hemp-derived cannabidol (which has been shown to minimize anxiety and pain, among other benefits) without any of the “high” that comes from another hemp-based element commonly known as THC (or even any of the aftertaste that many other CBD products have), Black Sheep stand out, but in a good way- just like my mother-in-law’s meringues.

As they are so yummy, it can be tempting to overdose. Fortunately, Black Sheep come in both 100 and 200 mg varieties, making it easy to control how much of a tasty treatment you take.

Speaking of variety, Black Sheep meringues and THC gummies come in a wide range of flavors that includes cappuccino, caramel, chocolate, cotton candy, vanilla, and even an appropriately celebratory birthday cake flavor, all of which come in at just 20 calories per treat!

Though nothing may make me feel as good as having my family come to visit and having one of them bring mouth-melting meringues, Black Sheep can at least keep me feeling no pain the rest of the year while I wait to leave Egypt once more.

https://blacksheep-cbd.com

WORK WITH WATCHA’ GOT

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Though many of us may not be cooking at home as much as we had before the masks (thankfully!) started to come off, when we do have the urge, it can be frustrating to be foiled by a lack of foil (or other pantry staples).

Fortunately, our friends at America’s Test Kitchen have come up with another great guide that will help get even reticent or retired rotisseurs revived and ready to go!

The Complete Modern Pantry offers nearly a year’s worth of ideas for ways to make what you want with what you have.

Realizing that everyone sees different items as “must-haves” in their kitchens, The Complete Modern Pantry puts common items in categories (e.g., bulk and base items, frozen foods, baking-based bites, creamy and crumbly foods, and textured toppings) each of which is elaborated upon so that you can choose your favorites and be sure to have at least them on hand so you can make food you like and will actually eat (which is the point, no?!). The book also suggests substitutions and multiple uses for various items and offers alternative and even improvised edits so that almost any chef can comply with the books’ guidelines and reap the rewards from their own refrigerators. It also offers encouraging advice so readers can feel more comfortable and confident moving about the kitchen even if they feel it may be understocked (at least in terms of certain foods or food categories) and so they can take their available foods and this great guide and make unique recipes that are truly efficient and their own!

From breads and baked goods to drinks and desserts to sweet and savory snacks and soups and stews to a Little Italy’s worth of dishes based on one-pot pastas to other internationally-inspired dishes and spice blends that bring you the world without going to the international market, this book has what it takes even for those who may not.

Forget the shopping list at home? Head back there, grab this book, and make a great meal anyway!

www.AmericasTestKitchen.com

MAKE SOME ‘SHROOM IN YOU BRAIN

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With all the medical claims about what food do what for you, it can be confusing to keep track of the latest data and advice. One of the most discussed foods in recent memory has been mushrooms. From simple buttons to hallucinogenic types, the fabulous fungi could fill many a research library before filling your tummy.

In addition to bringing us the Long Drink, the fun-loving Finns have also created Four Sigmatic, a mushroom-based brain food that you can actually drink!

For those who do not speak Finnish or understand terms related to the burgeoning brain food sector, the name apparently signifies the distance the foods are from the “average” (which is apparently measured in sigmas). As proven over years of research and studies, the rightly-named Four Sigmatic foods are among the most nutrient-dense available and, thanks to great recipes, among the most delicious!

Among the truly super-food ingredients that help Four Sigmatic stand so far above the rest are such  totally safe but nevertheless mushrooms as Chaga, Lion’s Mane and Cordyceps that are combined to support your energy, mind, mood, and other vital organs and functions, And though they also offer packets and powders that can be added to other beverages and foods to give them a punch of protein and power, among my favorite delivery systems are their cacao mix and their growing menu of fair-trade, Arabica-based coffee that offers great brain-boosting nutrition and great taste without the typical (and often detrimental) caffeine crash.

With a catalog that is organized either by product type or by benefit, Four Sigmatic makes it easy to choose from among their growing catalog. Their subscription service and referral program make it less taxing on your brain to help keep it strong and also to share it with other smart (and soon to be smarter) people for whom nutrition and taste matter most.

https://us.foursigmatic.com

You had me at Donuts!

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As Matt’s Meals fans know, I am a nut about donuts!

That is why I as so stoked to hear that Donut Villa Diner recently expanded from Malden to Cambridge!

And while they have some of the most creative and delicious donuts around, incluuding their apple cider and apple fritter donuts, as well as their double-chocolate toasted almond and white Belgian chocolate and Oreo donuts and a worthy selection of gluten-free treats, Donut Villa also offers a wide raft of delicious diner delights, including breakfast sandwiches, customizable bagel and oatmeal options, and their epic combo- the donut French toast platter. If you want to enjoy their wares later in the day, the Diner also has a wide array of healthy and delicious bowls, salads, wraps and sandwiches, a Thanksgiving-inspired turkey plate with all the traditional fixin’s, and a set of boxed lunches that are great for catering. If you do take their tasty treats to go, they also offer aboth a box of coffe and a box of hot chocolate so your younger office mates can enjoy!

So while the name may say “donut” and while they could easily rest on that laurel, be sure to try out the diner side of Donut Villa Diner and enjoy everything in their hole world. 

www.donutvilladiner.com