Restaurants

A MOTHER OF A SEQUEL

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While I recently raved about the long-lasting literarily-linked legend that is Harvard Square’s Grendel’s, I am just as excited to go back to the Square to check out its new sibling site, the Sea Hag.

Named for another character in the Olde English classic, this just-as-cozy and satisfying spot offers comfort food faves like fried pickles and calamari and Grendel’s legendary French dip along with scallop ceviche, a “messy” cobb salad topped with a fried egg, a grass-fed steak (available as a dinner or in a sub), and creative takes on arancini, Caesar salad, and other items that are sure to keep you coming back. 

While the broad but uniformly-delicious menu may make it difficult to decide among the many mouthwatering dishes, it may be even more difficult to pick between the sweet and savory sisters. That being said, as its name might imply, the Sea Hag seems to lend a bit toward fish and there are plans afoot for live music and other offerings that may help you decide, at least on some days.

From morning coffee and homemade muffins and scones to late-night snacks and all the vibe that Grendel’s has been delivering for decades, The Sea Hag is surely a great addition to the Harvard Square scene and one that will remind you of its glory days of yore.

Don’t hwaet to go! 

www.seahag02138.com / www.grendelsden.com

ADDING NUTRITION TO NEEDHAM’S GREAT FOOD SCENE

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As I am such a fan of local food makers and also of doing what I can to help keep myself, my family, and my listeners and other friends healthy, I am psyched to have Needham Nutrition as a new neighbor!

Located right across the street from my friends at Abbott’s Frozen Custard (where I like to pack on the protein of their creamy egg-based treats while curling chocolate-covered bananas), Needham Nutrition has delicious drinks that can easily fill-in for meals and that pack a ton of nutrition into cups with not so many calories or sugar and no dairy.

The shakes include over 20 grams of protein each and come in over 20 flavors, including blueberry muffin, orange cream, the Green Monsta, and my favorites, chocolate peanut monkey, peanut butter banana, and peanut butter and greens (get a theme there?). There is also a kids menu with even more fun flavors and lots of nutrition. But with tea varieties like Blue Hawaiian (which could be a good fundraiser for our Kingdom to the west), Captain America and Wonder Woman (all of which have fewer than 5 grams of sugar and come “loaded” with aloe, ginseng, guarana, and a ton of vitamins.), there is plenty of fun flavor and nutrition for fans of all ages.

Despite having fewer than 300 calories, the delicious shakes can easily take the place of a meal and I have used them as such many times. If you want even more nutrition, you can add fiber and metabolism boosters to the shakes and collagen, probiotics, and immunity boosters to the teas.

While there is no shame in enjoying any of the great eateries in downtown Needham – from perfect pizzas at Hearth to South American delights at Latina to locally-sourced Farmhouse faves and a delicious dinner with the amazing Winiker Brothers at Cook (followed by creamy custard at Abbott’s, of course!), it is great to know that you can now enjoy so much healthy and delicious stuff in one place- thanks to Needham Nutrition!

www.NeedhamNutrition.info

AN IVY-CLAD CLASSIC

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When I lived in Harvard Square many moons ago, I basically lived in the cozy confines of the legendary, literarily-themed eatery known as Grendel’s Den.

When I recently visited the Square to promote my book on the Ivy League (www.lionstigersbulldogs.com), I had the chance to return to Grendel’s and to remind myself of all that I’ve been missing since I left Cambridge.

From its bustling bar to its cozy corners, Grendel’s is a comfortable place to eat, drink, study, meet and catch up with friends, all while enjoying some of the best food and drink around. 

From customizable sandwiches to a raft of vegetarian and vegan options and from the famed French dip and Greek spinach pie (both of which have been on the menu for 50 years), PEI mussels, Guinness Irish stew and Faroe Island salmon, to authentic paella, quesadillas with everything from chicken to brisket, and Salvadoran veggies, the Grendel’s menu is an international feast of new and old favorites and dishes that are sure to become favorites soon. In addition to express lunches and other daily specials that make repeat visits even more of a pleasure, Grendel’s also offers great cocktails, including Margaritas, Sangrias, a proper Pimm’s cup, a wilder Whiskey flower, their famous big cucumber energy drink, homemade sangrias, and a monthly wheel of horoscope-inspired beverages. In addition to the Cambridge Amber that has been served for nearly four decades, the underground gem also offers cellar’s worth wines, meads, and Madeiras, and even some non-alcoholic options that are as tasty and slaking as anything around.

Harvard Square has changed a great deal in the past decades and has frankly lost a lot of its indie charm. That is why it was all the more satisfying to see one of the OG Square spots still serving super stuff to students and civilians alike!

Be sure to visit www.GrendelsDen.com and check out their podcast about their 40-year view of the Square and its people.

FILL YOUR FEED BUCKET 

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While the end of September may not be prime time for island goers, there are still many reasons to escape to Nantucket during the so-called shoulder season.

In addition to having opportunity to find private hideaways and to get to know the people who truly make Nantucket what it is (i.e., the locals), the end of September is also the time for Nantucket’s Chamber of Commerce to host their popular Restaurant Week.

From September 24-28, local legends like The Beet, Ethos Nantucket, Galley Beach, Island Kitchen, Lemon Press, Millie’s, and or, the Whale will be offering specials and new menu items so even long-time visitors and locals can find new favorites. Thanks to the NantucketGrown collection of local producers that supply ingredients and items to restaurants, yacht clubs, and other venues around the island, diners can also feel free to try new things, knowing that their edible adventures are supporting area artisans. 

As many of these independent farms and entrepreneurial ventures run all year, the fall is an especially important time to support them especially because, unlike most producers, they not only have to deal with the vicissitudes of a New England winter, but also with a much lower population of supporters. Another unique element of the island environment is that it serves as a microcosm of what is often a much more expanded ecosystem of producers, distributors, and consumers, allowing those who participate in and partake of it to get a sense of what goes into the foods they are putting into their bodies and how much love and care go into each delicious bite.

Though days may be shorter and nights cooler, as long as the sand is soft and the sunsets beautiful (as they are pretty much all year), it is never a bad time to visit Nantucket and to see what all the buzz is about even when it is not so buzzy.

While there, be sure to check out the many other visit-worthy attractions the island and the Chamber have to offer.

www.nantucketchamber.org/restaurant-week/

DEDHAM COMES ALIVE

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While the popularity of organic and plant-based foods (thankfully) continues to grow, it is not always possible for people to access such privileged produce. 

Fortunately, a locally-based chain is adding links to new communities to help more people benefit from our abundant bounty.

With a mission of energizing the vitality of all living beings (including the planet), Life Alive has been bringing “positive eating” and sustainable and sustaining nutritious energy to Boston, the Merrimack Valley, and the North Shore for nearly 20 years. In September, they are scheduled to open at Legacy Place in Dedham, offering yet another great dining option in this popular shopping center.

At all of their locations, Life Alive offers organic, plant-based options that are made with lots of love but quickly enough that you can fuel up and go, knowing your fuel is all-natural and all-beneficial (not to mention delicious!).

If you do dine in, the surroundings are comfy and colorful, offering a sustainable and sustaining rest from a busy day. Life Alive also caters to guests who are as diverse as their seasonally-shifting food options.

No matter where you eat or what you are in the mood for, there are sure to be new favorites every visit, thanks to an all-meal menu that ranges from enormously enjoyable warm grain and acai-based bowls and wraps that feature felafel, tofu, and other protein-packed parts, and a mousse-y smooth bowl of chocolate overnight oats that can help start your day or finish any meal with sweet sustenance. There are also hand-shaken iced teas and handmade smoothies that are extra great on a hot day.

Food allows us to live. Food from LifeAlive makes it more enjoyable to do so! 

www.lifealive.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/

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

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