Author: Matt Robinson

BOGGI-OGGI-OGGI

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When I started my writing career 30 years ago, one of the first people I met was Russ Gershon – a polymath artist/producer/music teacher/record label head who has remained a friend through all these years

Now that I’m writing about food, it seemed only natural to promote Russ’s jazz trio (featuring Rick McLaughlin on bass and Brooke Sofferman on percussion) performing at OGGI Gourmet in Harvard Square on Saturday, April 12 from 7-10 PM as part of their Second Saturdays series. 

As it is Herbie Hancock’s and Hound Dog Taylor’s birthday, the music is sure to be extra cool…and the food? Well-

Having started in Jamaica Plain, OGGI itself has been around for over 20 years, which is quite an accomplishment! One taste of their food and it I easy to see why it has remained so popular.

While OGGI may be best known for pizzas with such tasty toppings as roasted mushrooms and goat cheese or jerk chicken with pineapple, Chef Steve Welch also knows his way around a sandwich and offers anytime faves like the perfect breakfast grab egg sandwich and a lobster sandwich that keeps many fans coming back. In addition to great food, OGGI also offers popular coffee and tea concoctions, as well as juices and smoothies, and a full bar.

As if all of this were not enough, for Russ’ events, Chef Steve will roll out a special tasting menu featuring whatever is fresh and hip (just like Russ’ music!).

For a restaurant to last 20 years is an accomplishment worth talking about, as is a friendship lasting 30 years. I hope to be able to talk to you live at OGGI on April 12 and whenever you want great food and a great time. 

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BRUNCH AND BROTHERS

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I have often raved about Neroli, the amazing Italian restaurant and market in Westwood, and have made special mention when my favorite band- The Winiker Brothers – are in town to play there.

Well big news on both fronts- Neroli has recently expanded their offerings to include brunch on Saturdays and guess who is booked to entertain April 27 with seatings at 11-12:30 and 12:30-2 (with special guest, our friend and colleague Dan Rea)?

As the house band at such legendary houses as The Last Hurrah at the historic Parker House Hotel and over a quarter-century of wonderful weekend at Skipjack’s in Boston’s Back Bay, the Winikers know how to keep a brunch lively.

But when you consider that Neroli already has one of the best and most authentic Italian menus around, any weekend will surely be enhanced by a visit.

The new weekend menu is being served from 11-3 and features a brunch board with smoked salmon, sliced avocado, crisp bacon, and freshly-boiled eggs to cinnamon rolls with homemade limioncello icing to lobster rolls to an entire menu of freshly-pressed panini and an Italian Benedict that features poached eggs on Parma prosciutto and toasted foacaccia, as well as their famed arancini, gnocchi Bolognese, and signature parms (eggplant, chicken, or veal). To wash it down, Neroli offers their amazing Spritz tower featuring Santa Marina Prosecco, as well as a build-your-own Bloody Mary bar, sangrias by the pitcher and mimosas by the bucket-full. For those who found parking nearby, they also offer non-alcoholic treats like the Moji-No and a range of sweet and smooth lattes and other delights.

No matter what you order or when you come, brunch at Neroli will surely be a new fave for you, especially if you appreciate great food and amazing music.

I hope to see you April 27 and encourage you to enjoy Neroli whenever you can.

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DINING BY THE CHARLES

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Since my beloved Scullers went underground, there is no place in Cambridge to take in great food (let alone music!) and a beautiful view of the Charles River.

Fortunately, the recently raved-about Monteverdi at the Royal Sonesta in Cambridge recently opened its patio for dining, so now people can check their Instagram for hours and then go enjoy some of the best food in the area while enjoying one of the best views as well!

As it is the latest brainchild of hospitality hero Seth Greenberg, Monteverdi has been taking the Great Boston food scene by storm and attracting people from far and wide, so you better make reservations soon (and often) so you can get your favorite seat on the patio – especially as New England weather does not always cooperate with personal plans. If you want to hedge your bets and increase your chances of the perfect view, you can always plan a staycation at the Sonesta, but even if you have to eat inside, the menu and bar scene are worth the trip!

With its combination of authentic Italian foods and locally-sourced favorites including fresh seafood, as well as wood-fired pizzas and house-made pastas, as well as a full bar that offers seasonal spritzes and other signature sippers (including a rose that Seth crafted with beverage queen Bethenny Frankle), Monteverdi is a great place to bring or make friends while enjoying amazing food and spectacular views.

If you needed even more reasons to visit, Monteverdi is also hosting special events, including wine tastings themed meals, and cocktail showcases, and live music and is available for rental to make your event even more special!

See you on the veranda!

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LULU DOUBLES UP

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As if the news that superstar comedian (and HUGE Tom Brady fan) Nikki Glaser dined there after six sold-out shows a the Boch Center was not big enough, the uber-popular plant-based dining establishment Lulu Green is about to open in Kendall Square!

This means that you can now get their delicious and enjoy their café-by-day / restaurant/lounge-by-night vibe whether you are on one end of the Red Line or the other!

But don’t let even the cool vibe fool you- Lulu’s main thing is delivering delicious, nutritious, organic, and sustainably plant-based food and drinks that are all freshly-made with minimal sugar, oils, and other icky stuff in a fun and efficient manner that allows you to truly enjoy eating healthy without having to worry about it.

From sharable starters like their signature hummus with seven-spice za’atar and their warm and refreshing lemony lentil soup to their signature brunch sandwich with chickpea “egg” and tofu “bacon” to their house-made Lulu burger with grain mustard truffle oil or a warm quinoa bowl that is packed with superfoods, Lulu has what you want at pretty much any time of day. And if you just need a quick boost of sweet energy, their freshly-baked croissants, cookies, and macarons or their meaty menu of acai bowls and smoothies are the perfect pick-you-up!

Speaking of drinks, Lulu has a full coffee bar all day and a full bar bar all night, making it a great place to drop by after work for a Bloody Lulu, international wine, local beer or cider, or driver-friendly mocktail or digestion-friendly kombucha. 

Did I say it’s all plant-based? Sorry- it is so yummy, I forgot!

In any case, you heard it here first- Enjoy!

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FERMENTING FUN

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Now that I have found a favorite kombucha on the North Shore (Pigeon Cove Ferments in Gloucester), it was time to look south to find someplace to stop on the way to the Cape or (as turned out to be the case) was worth a trip on its own.

Independent Fermentations in Plymouth not only crafts creatively-flavored and gently-bubbled small-batch and medically-beneficial kombuchas that include ingredients like locally-sourced maple syrup and whole fruits (including their Fire Booch which offers not only gut health support but gentle sinus clearing as well), they also offer a wide range of hand-made beers including the cleverly-named Pilsnerd and the locally-inspired Plymouth Rocks New England IPA.

Speaking of home brew, IndieFerm also offers a wide range of tools and tips for homebrewers and have regular classes on making fermented foods like beer, kimchi, kombucha, mead, pickles, and even cheese. They also host classes and events outside of their taproom and store on Camelot Drive, including ukulele group meetings April 4 and 19, a sip and paint class April 12, and a foraging excursion on May 10. Perhaps event most fermented fans are looking forward to is the return of annual Pickle and Fermentation Festival which will take place this year on June 7 and feature make-your-own sauerkraut classes as well as live music (which is another frequent benefit of visits to the taproom) and more fermented family fun that is sure to help your health and happiness.

Who knew things that were good for you could be so much fun?!

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A DECADE OF DELICIOUSNESS

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As I love to share happy news from the food world, I wanted to be sure to note that one of my favorite places to eat is celebrating 10 years in business!

If Hearth Pizzeria just had some of the most delicious, freshly—made and truly locally-sourced pizza around that would be something to celebrate, but it has become so much more!

From meatball poppers and lasagna Bolognese to a freshly-baked Caesar salad wrap that can come with chicken or their famed warm grain bowl, Hearth’s menu has grown to include much more than pizza. But with such amazing options as the fig, prosciutto, and blue cheese salad and the garden salad (which basically comes with its own salad built in!), it is often difficult to choose other things. My answer has been to go for lunch and come back for dinner, but I realize that not everyone enjoys such privileges.

In addition to great food, Hearth has become a community center with regular performances from local musicians, including students at Needham Music and a Wednesday night trivia contest that has become the stuff of legend.

Some things have not changed in 10 years, however, including Ivan’s policy of hiring from the area and promoting from within and his passion for not only sourcing his ingredients and entertainment locally but also encouraging his customers to support his suppliers on their own by featuring local artists and farmers in various events and showcases. Like our friend Steve Peljovich at Michael’s Deli (another Matt’s Meals fave), Ivan also gives generously of his time to area charities and organizations and supports area families in need with his no questions asked policy.

I only hope that Matt’s Meals fans keep supporting him so he can keep supporting them!                

LET THEM EAT (MORE) CAKE

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As Matt’s Meals fans know, I am a HUGE fan of My Grandma’s Coffee Cake and pick up a few for myself and my dear friends whenever I can.

While I am not a fan of TV shopping, I have been VERY tempted of late to go on QVC to pick up their exclusive apple cider donut cake, but it has sold out every time!

Fortunately, Grandma has decided to make this AMAZING dessert/snack/breakfast staple available directly to the public at www.mygrandma.com and, as is so often the case, you heard it here first!

Not only will the prized recipe be available without having to watch TV for hours (though I PROMISE it is worth it!), it is being shipped in the famed QVC gift box for $5 less than any other cake through Mother’s Day so you can give Grandma’s to your grandma no matter where she is and KNOW that she will feel loved (and full)!

From Oprah to the Royal Couple to the millions of fans on QVC, Grandma’s cakes are an international sensation and come in an ever-expanding menu of flavors that feature the finest ingredients and nothing artificial. 

Whether you like Grandma’s original cinnamon walnut coffee cake or their more creative concoctions like the pineapple coconut, Granny Smith apple, New England blueberry, Cape Cod cranberry, and (just in time for baseball season) Ted Williams chocolate cake (most of which come in a variety of sizes to fit every appetite), Grandma’s has you covered. 

You better hurry, though, because I will be ordering some too!

FORAGE-ING IN A FAMILIAR PLACE

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I lived on Concord Avenue just before Craigie on Main became the sensation it did.

It has been decades since that was my neighborhood, but I recently made it back to try the newest dining destination at five Craigie Circle- Foragehttps://foragecambridge.com.

As I am already a fan of their sibling restaurant – Few and Far in Dedham Square – I was ready for a deliciously eclectic meal. But even after raving about Few and Far, I was not ready for just how delicious Forage would be!

Tucked away under an apartment building, Forage may be hard to find and parking is no treat. But just like a fine truffle, the search underground is well worth the effort! 

From their signature pickle dish that showcases a wide range of veggies and pickling processes to a local cheese board that comes with bittersweet chocolate sauce and a citrus and radish salad with pine-nut brittle, the menu is not for the timid but fortune favors the bold. If you truly want to take the dare, there are tasting menus for omnivores, pescatarians, vegetarians or vegans (all of which have optional cheese, wine, or non-alcoholic beverage pairings) that assure that everyone eats happily no matter what they will or won’t eat.

The highpoint of my meal was – well were – a rainbow trout with sweet potato, pea shoots, and a side of shrimp (or scallop) ceviche and an ultra-creamy scoop of homemade ice cream that can be packed into pints for those who truly want to reward themselves.

If taking home the ice cream is not enough, the team behind Forage also offers a wine club through their Satellite Bottle Shop in Dedham that features natural, organic, and biodynamic wines that are hand-selected by their talented team.

Don’t wait decades- Enjoy Forage now! 

A MASTER-FULL MENU

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I cannot get enough of Craft Food Halls and it appears that my friends and colleagues can’t either as so many of them are hosting events at the various venues throughout the area (including the bar at the Moxy Hotel in Boston).

Everyone from connections at Alignable and Alray Scholars to the Winiker Brothers have been showing up to try the superb sous vide servings, perfect pizzas, and other amazing foods, as well as the ingenius wall of beers that allows guests to taste as many different kinds as they want and only pay for what they enjoy an ounce at a time!

Speaking of the wall of beer, Craft Food Hall on Maguire Road in Lexington is hosting a special beer takeover week from April 7-13 to celebrate the Masters golf tournament.

In addition to being able to watch the action from Augusta on a 12-foot wide LED screen, guests will be able to enjoy the latest and greatest from some of the area’s most popular breweries, including March Madness with Modelo on Monday, a wall of Wormtown’s wonderful washer-downers on Wednesday, and a slew of Citadelle ‘s super sippers on Saturday. There will also be music BINGO with Berkshire Brewing on Tuesday, April 8 and Craft will take everyone to the 19th hole with help from Tito’s vodka on Championship Sunday.

As they continue to expand, Craft is also crafting new taste sensations, including the soon-to-open Drip Café in the Seaport, so be on the lookout and keep following Matt’s Meals on WBZ.

EQUAL TALENT

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It’s been a bit since I talked about an event at City Winery, but I just found out that singer/songwriter/guitarist Janie Barnett is coming on April 17 for a special show.

Not only will the show be special in that it will feature the timeless music of the legendary Cole Porter as done in Barnett’s inimitable Americana style, but it will also be special because Janie is donating all proceeds from sales of her 2023 Cole Porter album, Under My Skin, to Mass Equality.

As Porter was famously closeted through most of his career, it makes sense that Barnett is choosing his music as the means by which to raise awareness for other people who may not be treated fairly in society. Especially as so many people and groups are feeling marginalized and unequal, this will surely be both a fun and important show.

For those who are not familiar with Barnett, she performed on Saturday Night Live with Rickie Lee Jones and has also performed with such legends as Linda Ronstadt, Bonnie Raiit, and Jimmy Buffett. To strengthen the ties to food a bit, she was also the voice of Diet Coke for a time. But, as is true of any event at City Winery, the food and drink are already well spoken for, thanks to sommelier Alex Nezam and his talented kitchen compatriots. Among the latest menu highlights are Calabrian chicken wings, grilled hangar steak, their famed charcuterie and cheese boards, and a mezze-style dip platter that lets everyone at the table enjoy! And as far as what to wash it down with, the place ain’t called City Winery for nothin’!

For more information about the show, go to www.citywinery.com/boston and for more on Mass Equality, go to https://massequality.org.