Author: Matt Robinson

A DELICIOUS PLACE TO HOWL

Posted by

It’s the end of October, which means only one thing- it’s time for the Mardi Gras-themed Pumpkin Bash at the Lizard Lounge in Cambridge!

Backed by the legendary Vudu Krewe, long-time music scene stalwart Shaun “Wolf” Wortis will jam along with other local legends at a charity-minded, costume-optional hootenanny that is sure to be a great take!

If you want to make it an EXTRA great night, reserve a table upstairs at Cambridge Common.

Combining upscale pub food with international flair and one of the best beer and drink lists around, the Common is a great place to grab a bite before a show or during a game or to meet and make friends while reading books about the Ivy League (Might I suggest lionstigersbulldogs.com?).

The Common is known for such amazing apps as fried pickles and pretzel bites, for their brunch favorite French toast sticks, and for offering both buffalo wings and tofu strips so even those who eschew meet can get in on the tasty fun! They also offer great beef and veggie burgers that call out to be combined with their award-winning sweet potato fries and a grilled cheese and tomato soup combo that is just right for this time of year. Their mac & cheese is rich and gooey and their fajitas sizzle with south of the border sabor. They even have healthy and flavor-packed bowls with everything from chicken to salmon to tofu!

To toast Wolf for his latest musical triumph, try a Barewolf Launchpad McQuack Red Ale, a Charles River Porter, or any of the other rare and special edition brews that the Common regularly rotates into their arsenal. On the way down to the show, see if you can find a review I wrote at the Lounge over 20 years ago. I will be there waiting!

FROM ‘PIET’-O TO KETO

Posted by

I was recently diagnosed with a genetic heart condition and am now looking down the barrel of some invasive procedures.

Fortunately (or perhaps not), I have a number of knowledgeable friends who had similar situations and are offering me sound advice as to how to deal with my heart health effectively.

Many of them have been recommending trying a ketogenic diet and one – famed local ceramic artist and chef Simona Alexandrov – has offered me a copy of her wonderful book, Keto Kitchen Renaissance: Transforming family traditions to unlock vibrant health.

In this well-researched and lovingly-prepared culinary memoir, Alexandrov explains what keto is and the many good things it can do for you and then offers tasty tips on kitchen and food prep that will make it easy for anyone to transition to this promising proclivity. Along the way, she not only introduces readers to some of the favorite meals she has prepared but also the favorite people for whom she prepared them, adding an even more personal and emotional touch to her well-reasoned recommendations. Though Simona is not a licensed nutritionist, her personal story of transformation and the evidence garnered from her familial test subjects are convincing. And even if losing weight or improving your heart and mental health are not your goals (huh?!), the recipes (which range from Simona’s signature salad dressing to kelp noodles, meatballs, soups, and sushi, to keto crackers, cookies, and candies, as well as selections from what she calls the House of Laughter – are plain and simply delicious and, with Simona’s help, easy to make and enjoy!

FRE TO INDULGE

Posted by

While I started my writing career as a music critic, as I got older and less able to function after staying for the last encore, I started to review dinner and the opening act, which eventually led me to my focus on food.

Another change has been the amount of alcohol I can handle.

Fortunately, I have found suitable substitutions like Sober Carpenter ciders, non-alcoholic beers from Partake and hop-infused beverages from HOP WTR, and wines from Fre (that’s “free” but with only one “e,” as the other was apparently removed with the alcohol).

Using a revolutionary centrifuge technology, Fre removes the alcohol from fully-fermented wine. In the process, a lot of the calories drop out too, making it even easier to enjoy multiple glasses. And as they offer such popular varietals as cabernet, chardonnay, merlot, rosé, sauvignon blanc, and even blends, there are multiple reasons to do so!

While you still need to acknowledge that you are of legal drinking age when you visit frewines.com (as it technically has less than .5% alcohol in it, which is the same as in most kombucha), once you are there, it is easy to find out more about their wines and to find your next favorite. In addition to a link to their Napa-born Luminara line, the site also has recipes by Liquid Muse founder Natalie Bovis-Nelsen and seasonal suggestions for celebrations that give you more reasons to enjoy. As I have been taking my book on the Ivy League and my author interview series to various venues, Fre is great because most bookstores, libraries and senior center allow it and my guests love it!

You will too!

HARVARD HELPS THE HUNGRY

Posted by

It is rare for the neighborhood rivals at Harvard and MIT to get together on anything, but the cause of food insecurity is so important (and sadly so large) that the vo-tech school was willing to host the Party Under the Harvest Moon Gala that the liberal arts college was sponsoring for Food for Free.

Food for Free serves as a key cog in the food collection and distribution machine, bringing fresh produce and other nutritious essentials to over 100 organizations and (more importantly) 150,000 individuals who might not otherwise be able to access it. In the process of distributing over 6 million pounds of food a year, they also help deal with the absolutely nauseating issue of food waste.

At the event, guests were invited to meet the talented team behind the organization and their partners at Harvard and elsewhere and also to enjoy the music of Bubble Wave while trying to win bottles of wine and bid on other tasty treats.

Harvard has been a sponsor of the program’s Heat-n-Eats program, which repurposes prepared foods from their dining facilities by repackaging them into individual servings that are delivered by Harvard students and other volunteers to people who may not have the ability or facilities to prepare their own meals (including the students themselves!). Food for Free also brings monthly farmers markets to schools in the Greater Boston area, not only allowing more students and families to eat better but also encouraging them to learn about healthy food.

To do what you can so Food for Free can do more, please go to https://foodforfree.org/donate/ and be watching for the next Harvest Moon.

HEMP HEMP HOORAY

Posted by

 As I prepare to interview medical cannabis expert Dr. Benjamin Caplan on November 19 at the Needham Free Public Library, I have been doing a lot of research about this exciting and ever-expanding realm of healthful edibles and other items.

Among my latest finds are evo hemp bars.

Made from a delicious combination of cashews, protein crisps, and hemp seeds (a cannabis-related ingredient that are among the world’s most nutritionally complete superfoods), evo bars offer 12 grams of protein and 5 grams of fiber per bar, making them a great option for a snack or pre- or post-workout refueler. And as they are gluten-free and vegan and easy to digest, evo bars can fit into most diet plans deliciously, with flavors like brownie chip, cookie dough, matcha latte, and even birthday cake!

If bars are not your delivery system of choice, evo also offers other hemp-based foods – with or without cannabinoids – including whole hemp hearts, hemp seed oil, pre-prepared hemp protein powders, and hemp chocolate, as well as CBD oil, powder, crystals, and blends made specifically to help you focus, relax, and support your immune system.

For those of you who want to learn more about hemp but can’t make it to Dr. Caplan’s book talk, evo’s website (https://evohemp.com) has an entire library of informative blog posts and other materials that can help you learn about what benefits various forms of hemp can have and how each can support your overall health and wellness. It also has a comprehensive and international set of recipes that can help you introduce hemp into every meal and every taste.

WATCH FOR THIS PROTEIN BAR

Posted by

As I have been in the food and fitness spaces for many years, I am always looking for ways to take better care of myself, my friends and family, and my Matt’s Meals fans.

Among the mentors I have found are longevity guru Peter Attia and all-around science stud Andrew Huberman.

So when both of them recommended a new protein bar, I jumped on it even before they were released to the public to make sure I could tell others first.

For decades, the protein bar space has been ruled by a handful of glutenous Goliaths. Fortunately, thanks to Peter Rahal – inventor of Rx Bar (which is still a favorite!) – there is now the new David bar to – as the young people say – slay them all.

In addition to having an amazing 28 grams of protein, David bars have only 150 calories (a full 75% of which come from the protein, making them a great way to get your gram-per-pound a day), at most 2 grams of net carbs, and – get this – no gluten and no sugar!

Oh- And did I mention they are easily among the best-tasting protein bars around?
Whether I enjoy a cookie dough bar before a workout, a fudge brownie bar before a big writing assignment, a cake batter bar before I talk about my book on the Ivy League, or a blueberry pie bar…whenever, the bars taste like the flavors they claim and not like they were just flavored to taste like them. Even the pastry-like consistency is a step up from most other bars, which can resemble eating chalk or dried spackle.

Protein is key to muscle growth, weight loss, and many other bodily functions and personal goals. If you want to ask for the best one by name, get to know David.

SCHOOL FOR SIPPERS

Posted by

As the days get shorter and colder, we all need something to keep our bodies warm, our minds engaged, and our spirits up,

Thankfully, there is a bevy of great new courses and other treats at Commonwealth Wine School!

Whether you are a novice sipper or a certified oenophile, CWS has events and offerings that will help you get more out of your wine and your life, including workshops, classes, and private events, as well as certification-level programs from the prestigious Wine and Spirits Education Trust and the Wine Scholar Guild.

On October 27, they will host a class for those who want to make Halloween more fun for older trick or treaters by explaining what wines pair best you’re your favorite candies.

November 1, their expert educators will advise others on how to negotiate for the best wines in international markets.

On the 2nd and 3rd and again on the 16th and 17th, Sake lovers will gather to explore their favorite beverage. I am looking forward to the cider and cheese pairings on November 9 but may also refresh my palate at the introduction to wine tasting class on November 22.

If you cannot make it to or find parking in Harvard Square, CWS also offers classes in NH and ME and also online.

Though the classes and events make for fun breaks from the winter blahs, for those who want to get away from New England winter altogether, CWS also offers occasional wine tours around the world, including a trip to Argentina that is scheduled for February of 2025.

See you in class!

BACK TO THE CLUB

Posted by

Though it has been some time since I wrote about music, I still get a thrill about catching my favorite acts at area venues!

And if I can enjoy a delicious meal at the same time- All the better!

In fact, Matt’s Meals was very much created when I was transitioning from reviewing bands until 1 AM to reviewing restaurants and then catching the opening act.

I recently returned to Club Café to catch my friend Lisa Gail Johnson who was performing as part of the Ladies Who Brunch cabaret series in the historic Napoleon Room. And while I caught up with other talented friends (including vocal behemoth Ron Murphy and fellow music scribe John Amodeo) I also got reacquainted with the welcoming vibe and delicious food and drink that the home of Drag Bingo has been offering since the 1980s as it protects the border between Boston’s Back Bay and South End.

The daring drink menu includes such legendary libations as the Sparkle Factor and Pixie dust margarita and a solid set of liquors and liqueurs for every taste and occasion.

While brunch is a specialty (natch!) that features French toast casserole and creative omelettes, the main menu ranges from housemade tortilla chips and half-pound burgers to MD crab cakes and locally-sourced lobster rolls to crunch salads and Shanghai power bowls, and LGBT wraps that wave the flavor flag proudly. No matter what you order, be sure to get your gang some legendary disco fries and save room for a dessert made fresh by our friends at Bread & Roses Bakery in Ogunquit, ME.

For those who want to enjoy more of the Club more often, memberships allow for line cutting, birthday surprises, and other special privileges.
But for anyone who comes (and I mean “anyone”!), Club Café is always a safe space to let loose and have fun with some of the most creative and talented people AND some of the best food and drinks in town.

NUTS TO NIBS

Posted by

I was recently back at Boston Public Market for their annual Harvest Party and there is a lot of news to share!

In addition to hosting one of the largest pumpkins in the area, the carnival-themed fair offered guests opportunities to try their luck at various games and to enjoy free samples from many of the Market’s vaunted vendors.

In addition to such carb-y faves as pizzas from the Bagel Guild, popovers from The Popover Lady, and hot pretzels from Hearth & Hug that came with a mustard I wanted to bottle and take home, there were also fall-spiced popcorn from Curio Spice, mouth-watering sandwiches from Beantown Pastrami, and the widely-distributed but rarely bested ice cream from Crescent Ridge!

One of my favorite discoveries, however, was that Q’s Nuts (which has supplied many of my author talks and presentations of my book on the Ivy League with their delicious and nutritious snacks) was expanding their menu of offerings not just into more new creative flavors of fresh and healthy almonds, cashews, peanuts, and more, but into superfood-worthy cacao nibs!

While Q’s has been a favorite source of protein and energy (and also of gifts for family and friends), they are now adding addictively-delicious roasted nibs to their ever-expanding menu of tasty treats, making a visit to the Market or to qsnuts.com even more worthwhile!

The BPM Harvest Party means that winter and the holidays are around the corner. What better time to stock up on delicious nutritious snacks that CAN last through the season but that you will probably devour the day you get them?

Fortunately, Q’s always has new flavors and ideas coming so reordering is not only easy but required.

GETTING A DELICIOUS BOOST

Posted by

As I have been in the health and fitness world for so long, I am well aware of the benefits of adding creatine to your fitness regimen.

In addition to fueling your muscles, Creatine also helps keep them hydrated and supple, and has also been shown to support cognitive function and energy production.

For many, however, the major obstacle to getting Creatine in their bodies is getting Creatine in their bodies.

As most Creatine supplements come in the form of a chalky powder, it can be unappetizing and difficult to ingest and integrate into your diet.

That is why I was so thrilled to find Boost Nutra’s ATPerform (pronounced A-T-Perform) creatine gummies!

In addition to using the highest-quality ingredients that are custom manufactured and processed under strict health and sanitation standards, the founding friends at Boost Nutra made sure to add a number of other beneficial ingredients – including mind-helping nootropic L-Theanine, energy- and metabolism-boosting vitamin B-12, and the recovery-boosting antioxidant powerhouse black currant – and to remove any GMOs, dyes, and toxins, including sugar!

The result is a delicious vegan-friendly gummy that can be tempting to eat as a snack and that has benefits no matter when you enjoy it.

Whether or not your day begins with a high-intensity interval training or a low-key stroll through the park, Creatine has benefits to offer and with the help of Boost Nutra’s ATPerform gummies, it is more appealing than ever!