EVERYONE’S INVITED!

Many times when chefs try to combine cultures and flavors, something falls flat.

At the Watertown eatery named Nzuko, however, the curated combination of Haitian-Caribbean and Mediterranean flavors is pretty spot on!

From conch fritters and plantains to hummus, grape leaves, and two types of falafel and meze boards that combine influences from both regions, Nzuko’s Chef-owner (and former social worker) Laurette Ndukwe and her Persian partners combine real, fresh, healthy ingredients in a menu at Nzuko that is varied enough to allow for new discoveries each time you visit but not so much that the core competencies become blurred. From the giant spiced lamb shank to the multiple varieties of fresh fish topped and infused with international spices to an entire menu of kebabs and delicious desserts like the passion fruit Basque cheesecake and pistachio loukoumades, each course is an international adventure that will not leave you feeling lost.

In an effort to expand their repertoire and their culinary community, Nzuko is expanding their celebration of African-American Heritage Month to include all of the communities and cultures that make this region and this nation so rich. In addition to adding new items to the menu like a crispy duck, the kitchen team at Nzuko will be enhanced by other area chefs who will bring their own flavor and flair. One high point is sure to be a gumbo cook-off that will include both traditional and vegan varieties. However, pretty much everything on the menu is the best at what it can be and a visit to Nzuko is always a culinary adventure you will be glad you took.

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FUN, FANTASTIC, AND FLEXIBLE

Posted by Matt Robinson

It has been a bit since I raved about Neroli Italian restaurant and market in Westwood, but they have so much going on, I just had to update people!

As a family-owned establishment, Neroli prides itself not only on family-inspired recipes and friendly, comfortable service, but also on offering something for everyone.

As January is a time to eschew alcohol for many, Neroli is currently offering a number of booze-less beverages in addition to their full bar and world-wide wine list, including an espress-no martini that has all the flavor and fun without the guilt.

Speaking of flavor and fun, Neroli is also making it more appealing for people who cannot enjoy alcohol ever to come by offering free kids meals throughout the month as well.

If you don’t have kids yet, you may be able to head that way if you are lucky enough to grab a table when the incomparable Winiker Brothers perform at Neroli February 13 and March 20, but the most romance-friendly offering may be their three-night Valentine’s Weekend Extravaganza!

That’s right! Realizing that many of even their most devoted fans (including yours truly) are busy on weekends, Neroli will be offering a special Valentine’s Day dinner not just on the day itself but also on the days before and after, making it easier to fit not only delicious food but also romance into your schedule and your life.

Be sure to check out http://neroliitalian.com soon (and often) to see what else they have in store and be sure to drop by their store for fresh Italian food and drink any time of day.

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GOLDEN SNACKS

Posted by Matt Robinson

In addition to offering protein, fiber, omega-3 fatty acids, and essential vitamins and minerals, flaxseed may help lower the risk of cancer, help maintain weight, and reduce cholesterol and blood pressure.

While some take issue with its gritty texture and bland taste, those excuses are going by the wayside, thanks to a bakery called Flax 4 Life.

For nearly 25 years, this family-owned business has been helping people of all ages enjoy this nutritious seed through its ever-expanding line of dairy-, gluten-, and nut-free baked goods. In fact, as so many great food companies have been, Flax 4 Life was created to help a family member who had a gluten sensitivity and grew from there.Whether you want to start the day with sweet and crunchy apple cinnamon granola or a hearty blueberry muffin, snack on a chocolate chip cookie, or finish a favorite family meal with dark cherry brownies (my personal favorite!) or a no sugar added chocolate brownie, you can be sure that you are enjoying nutritious, clean food that is made with familial love and delivered in renewable recyclable packaging.Speaking of packaging, if you can’t decide on just one tasty treat or if you want to ensure that your friends and colleagues enjoy great flavor and great health, Flax 4 Life has an amazing gift box that includes a bag of granola, single-served muffins and brownies, a pen and pad to keep track of your fitness journey, and a t-shirt that can be worn at the gym or just relaxing while you enjoy another bite.No matter what you choose, you are sure to get all the benefits of flax seed without the slightest hint of complaint and know that you are helping keep others happier and healthier as well!

CRAFT-ING WINTER FUN

Posted by Matt Robinson

As even Amazon has recently demanded that their staff work from the office, you know its time to rethink office culture!

Fortunately, a growing set of area offices have been blessed with the addition of Craft Food Halls- a revolutionary concept in corporate catering that offers not only signature food systems like Project X Pizza, Sousviderie, and Vessel, but an amazing wall of pay-what-you-drink beer and wine and also games, big screens, work spaces, and other accoutrements that make returning to work something to look forward to!

And the best part is- they’re open to the public!

On February 15 from 6-8PM, Craft Food Hall at City Point in Waltham will host its Winter Festival, featuring a tap takeover by Sam Adams and samplings of the latest delicious distillations by Bully Boy Distillers. The after-work event will also offer live music from the Soul Roots Ramblers, a Winter Bazaar Market that will feature local artisans, and an indoor cornhole tournament that will surely heat up a cold winter’s night and give the Waltham working community a reason to stay late and party hard and for others from far and wide to come see all they get to enjoy on a daily basis.

There is also a Salsa Night scheduled for the Hall at 200 Fifth Street in Waltham on January 24 from 6:30 to 8:30, live Blues with The Gravel Project Sundays from 1-4 PM at Revolution Hall in Lexington, and other great music and events at their other 10 locations. To see the latest offerings, check out http://craftfoodhalls.com.

With all of its great food and fun, the Hall is always a great place to drop by for a meal, a meeting, or just to hang out with the folks that make the workplace work.

PASS THE BEANS, EH?

Posted by Matt Robinson

As a new-old administration settles in with an eye towards hindering the immigration that made (and continues to make) this country great, many are thinking of making a run for the border.

Fortunately, for those of us who get turned away, there is a great way to get the taste of Canada without having to apply for citizenship.

In addition to all of the great maple products that we have discussed in past segments, there is the proud family tradition of Clark Foods.

Having started with three employees and a dream in Montreal, Clark Foods has grown into our northern neighbors, largest diversified food, and enterprise.

And nearly 150 years after his founding, Clark Foods continues to produce some of the most diversely delicious foods on either side of the border!

Though the categories in which they play are rather humble and include such things as soup, gravy, and canned meats, their continued innovation continues to impress.

Take, for example, their line of gourmet baked beans. While we Bostonians think we have a corner on the market, we can clearly learn a thing or two from the Clark family, who have taken baked beans to new levels with flavors like Buffalo style, peach honey habanero, maple chipotle (made with real Canadian maple, of course), and a root beer flavor with fancy molasses and spices that is great right out of the can!

Canada has given us many great things- from peanut butter to poutine to ginger ale and smoked meat to hockey and my second-cousin a few times removed William Shatner. When you need something yummy and nutritious to go with any of these things, the name to know is Clark.

WASSAIL YOU HAVE?

Posted by Matt Robinson

As someone who primarily celebrates Hanukkah, I’ve always been fascinated with the traditions around Christmas, Kwanzaa, and other winter time festivals

One which has particularly perplexed me is the tradition of Wassailing.

I’ve thought about it since I was in elementary school chorus, but never quite knew what it was.

Fortunately, my friends at Champlain Orchards have offered an answer.

Not only that, they’ve even offered an invitation!

On Sunday, February 23 from 3 to 6 Champlain will be hosting a Wassail celebration at their Orchard in Shoreham, Vermont.

As it turns out, this is rather appropriate, as wassailing is an English tradition in which people sing to apple trees to scare off evil spirits and to bless them for the forthcoming season.

As a huge cider fan, I can tell you that few orchards have trees more blessed than Champlain!

Whether you enjoy their products in fruit form or pressed and fermented, Champlain offers flavors that are truly worth singing about, including such favorites as the dry- hopped Citra, unfiltered Kingston, single varietal Honeycrisp, Spanish-inspired Sidria, and Mac and Maple, which is like Vermont in a can.

And as they donate a quarter pound of apples for every four pack of cider that is purchased even more people are able to celebrate and look forward to another season.

Whether or not you can make it to the orchard, check out https://c hamplainorchards.com and find out what all the wassailing is about.

DIGGING A NEW EATING DESTINATION

Posted by Matt Robinson

Though I have been hanging out at Cambridgeside since it was known as the Galleria and Lechmere was more than just a stop on the recently-expanded green line, I had never considered it a place to go to eat.

Recently, however, that has changed with the opening of CanalSide Food & Drink at CambridgeSide.

Anchored by a central bar that offers big-screen TVs, trivia and musical BINGO, its own DJ, and other fun reasons to take a break from shopping and gather with friends, the expansive upgrade on the traditional food court offers everything from Asian to Mediterranean to New Zealand-ish and plenty of space to enjoy it all.

At the bar (which also has waterfront views) you can enjoy beers and ciders from such regional faves as DownEast, Trillium, and Lawson’s, as well as an international selection of wines by the glass and such top-shelf tipples as the C-Side Sling with Don Juan tequila and Tomatillo and the Zima 2K – another callback to an earlier era made from Ketel One Grapefruit and Rosé.

When it comes to food, its hard to go wrong, but among my most recent faves have been the baked felafel wrap from Anoush’ella, the arugula-topped bianco verde pizza from Lala’s, the miso ramen from Sapporo, and a steaming cup of cacio e pepe from DalMoros pasta. No matter what I get, I always leave room for either some chocolate kookaberry ice cream from Far Out or a cream puff from Beard Papa’s (or maybe both!).

If I am in a rush to grab a gift elsewhere in the mall, I can always stop by Caffe Nero, Juicygreens, or Teazzi for a liquid pick-me-up, but the food has been so consistently good and the activities so fun that I have often found myself going for a meal and maybe picking up something in the shops between courses.

To see what is new in and around Cambridgeside, go to www.cambridgeside.co m.

A VALENTINE’S DAY GIFT FROM THE WOMEN

Posted by Matt Robinson

In the olden days, Valentine’s Day was traditionally a time for men to make amends for past infractions of the love code by plying their paramours with roadside flowers and drug store candy.

Fortunately, times have changed!

These days, the gifts can come and go both ways and the range of quality options that are available has expanded as well.

If you really want to make women feel especially good this year, why not try a gift from the mother-and-daughter team behind Bonnie & Pop?

With their great selection of hand-crafted candies, nuts, and other treats (including an entire selection of fruit and nut snacks that are at least relatively healthier), it is no wonder they are one of Inc. Magazine’s 5000 fastest-growing businesses!

From the Sweet & Salty showstopper set that features chocolate-covered pretzels and handmade peppermint patty’s that will surely give you a happy sensation to the appropriately-named Better than Birthday Cake collection that is loaded with cashew clusters, chocolate pecan patties, and other sweet surprises, Bonnie & Pop have treats of every occasion-including Valentine’s Day!

They even have a selection on their website that features gifts under $50!

Speaking of gifts, Bonnie and Pop are also all set up for corporate orders and large events.

And no matter what you order the beautiful boxes are great for keepsakes, photos, or whatever else you want to store while you wait for your next package of treats to arrive.

Best of all, if you use the code PRBONNIE, you can get $5 off!

https://www.bonnieandpop.com

UMBO- FLAP THOSE WOOD EARS!

Posted by Matt Robinson

As we have seen from Forij granola, Four Sigmatic, Pivot Coldbrew, Pan’s Jerky, and Tamim Teas, mushrooms seem to be the new superfood!

In addition to being low-calorie sources of fiber, protein, selenium, and adaptogens and antioxidants, they have been shown to mitigate stress and the risks of heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and even Alzheimer’s.

That is why I was so glad to find Umbo!

Created by three athletes and named for the geometric term used to describe both the raised center of a mushroom cap and the similarly protrusive and power-packing center of a shield, Umbo offers a range of recipes that can support sleep, recovery, energy, and focus and that come in easy-to-travel and take capsules, tinctures, and delicious bars that hide the active ingredients in chewy pillows of honey, California walnuts, Macadamia nuts, pecans, and sunflower kernels, each of which has been shown to add its own set of supportive nutrients. There is even a dairy-free version if that works best for you! And to wash it all down, Umbo even makes his own hydration drink called pause that is sure to refresh you!

While their organic lion’s mane, cordyceps militaris, reiki, turkey tail, and shiitake mushrooms are non-psychedelic, Umbo puts part of the proceeds towards the ever-more-popular and productive study of those that are in an effort to find even more ways to put these foraged fungi to future function.

To get started, you can download their functional mushroom playbook at www.getumbo.com and see all the many ways mushrooms can be beneficial and enjoyable.

PLNT-ING A FLAG IN COOLIDGE CORNER

Posted by Matt Robinson

I recently talked about local restaurant legend Seth Greenberg opening Monteverdi in Cambridge.

Now another great Seth is planting a flag in another hot neighborhood.

Wellesley’s own Seth Goldman (who you may know as the creator of Honest Tea and Beyond Meat) is finally ready to open his popular plant-based burger joint PLNT Burger (that’s “P-L-N-T Burger”) in Coolidge Corner just across from the historic and iconic Coolidge Corner Theatre.

Though PLNT Burger has already been winning rave reviews at Whole Foods Markets in MA and in its New York location, this opening will represent a sort of homecoming for Seth as it will mark the first Boston-area location for his latest expanding brand.

Known for their nutrient-rich, plant-based proteins in such delicious disguises as the admittedly misnamed (but no less delicious) steakhouse burger, the environmentally-friendly save the Bay filet, and convincingly crispy chik’n sandwich (as well as a burger that is made with real vegetables), PLNT Burger also offers a great Cool Kids lunch pack that is perfect for younger fans who want to eat right and do good by the planet. If you need a little pick me up, PLNT delivers with sweet potato crinkles, and even a plant-based chili that is perfect on colder days. When you’re done saving your health and the planet, reward yourself with an oat milk shake of Whisked! cookie. With so much nutrition and so little impact, you can’t go wrong!

As Seth would say (and often does!), “Eat the change you wish to see in the world” at PLNT Burger.