Restaurants

BLISSFULLY MISNAMED

Posted by

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

Posted by

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

You had me at Donuts!

Posted by

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

A North Shore Beacon

Posted by

While it can be fun to lose yourself in a surround-sound, 2,000-foot screen with a reclinable seat, there is nothing like a community movie house where you can not only catch up on the latest flicks but also catch up with friends.

Even more rare is a movie theater that serves great food and snacks for less than the cost of a second mortgage!

That is what makes The Beacon in my old town of Marblehead such a treat!

In addition to being a great restaurant and bar (and soon shared workspace) on its own, the Beacon is also connected to the historic Warwick Cinemas, which have been a great place to see films and to see your neighbors for over 100 years!

As if the proximity to the pictures weren’t enough, the Beacon also has impressive menus that include off-the-boat-fresh seafood in such forms as tuna tartare and flatbread, chowder, escargot, and their famed shellfish towers, as well as the Beacon’s homemade veggie burger, a creative take on a Cubano sandwich, and both swordfish and veal chops. Sunday brunch adds lox or hash and eggs, a Caprese omelet, the Beacon’s signature French toast and pancakes, and their tasty take on the ever-popular avocado toast, as well as live jazz!

In addition to being connected to the Warwick, the beacon is also tied to the Paddle Box snack bar which features a friendly walk-up window that offers seafood, wings, ice cream, and the MA and FL favorite Dandee Donuts.

And if movies are not your thing, the Beacon also offers live music from some of the area’s hottest acts making a boogie-woogie brunch or dinner and dancing as enticing as dinner and a movie.

While I am fortunate enough to have ties to Marblehead and so reasons to visit the Beacon, it is surely worth the trip from anywhere else – As long as you like great food, great films, and great times, that is!

https://thebeaconmarblehead.com

Time for Taffer’s Tavern

Posted by

As anyone who has visited in recent years knows, the Arsenal area has been saved from its former shabby mall form into the chic new Arsenal Yards by the introduction of such swanky eateries as Buttermilk & Bourbon, City Works, and yet another effort to capture the original New Haven nuances of Frank Pepe’s world-famous pizza.

And while legends like Pepe and Jason Santos have had a hand in bringing the area back from the brink of relevance (and health standards), another restaurant has recently taken a shot at the Arsenal.

As anyone who has watched “Bar Rescue” knows, Jon Taffer knows how to make a place to eat and drink work. That is why folks around the Arsenal and far afield are excited to have him open his signature Taffer’s Tavern. And while the Tavern has been cited by others in the know as the restaurant of the future, we can enjoy it right now!

As Taffer is in charge, you can be sure that the food in fresh, the staff is prepared, and the place is spotless and meets all health and safety standards (thanks to Taffer’s other signature item – the Taffer’s Safe Dining System™). But what is most important is the menu!

In addition to exclusive drinks like the warming Campfire (made with Taffer’s trademarked rye whiskey) and the cooling, cotton-candy topped Cloud 9, or a sharable set of Taffers tasters, the Tavern also offers a wide range of wines and beers that go well with their massive Tavern pretzels and tot roast fries and before their pot roast Stroganoff and towering chicken and waffles, fork and knife chili “dawg,” brisket-blend burger, and/or Maine-style lobster roll. Whatever you enjoy, be sure to save room for their adult milk n’ cookies or a donut trip that is  so fresh you need to order it before you order your meal!

Apparently the future of food (and food service) is now- so get going!

www.tafferstavern.com

Shanti Returns!

Posted by

In addition to being known as a center of technological and medical advances, Kendall Square had developed a reputation as a food hub as well.

Fortunately, one of the main spokes off that hub has recently returned!

Yes, our long-time friends at Shanti have reopened in Cambridge and are already offering special things to their long-lost friends and re-found neighbors.

Chief among these special treats is a new midday concept they are calling the bottomless Tiffin Lunchbox. 

In this take on the traditional early afternoon repast, Shanti is presenting a rotating run of favorites that includes samosa, saffron Basmati rice, Aloo and Gobi curry, their legendary chicken Tikki Masala, and their delicious and visit-worthy Naan bread that has made many a meal for me! 

What is best is that, not only is each box made with all the care and fresh flavors of the hand-packed boxes that are so famous in India, but if you eat it all up (as you are sure to do), you can get it repacked!

I first discovered Shanti in Dorchester over 10 years ago and we still make pilgrimages to their location in Roslindale. While I had admittedly not been a fan of Indian food before, I now eagerly agree whenever my family suggests another visit! In addition to their Naan, I love their raita sauce, vegetable pakoras, and pretty much anything from their menu of veggie-based specialties. And no meal is complete without a refreshing mango Lassi!

While I continue to beg for them to open in Needham, it is surely worth the trip to any of their locations. (or to have them deliver within certain areas). And now that they are once again helping to feed and sustain the scientists in Kendall Square, the cure for the common cold cannot be far away!

www.shantiboston.com

Chick it out!

Posted by

We have often sung the praises of our friends in food trucks and celebrated those – like Clover and The Dining Car – who have grown into successful brick-and-mortar businesses. But perhaps no trucker has traveled further than Avi Shemtov, who started with his pioneering Chubby Chickpea truck and recently opened a second location of his Mediterranean-minded Hummus v’Hummus at The Street in the tony Boston suburb of Chestnut Hill.

I remember waiting in line at the Chubby truck, smelling the fresh felafel, salivating over Shemtov’s signature stuffed grape leaves and artichoke blossoms, and sweating out the seconds until I could enjoy a cool cup of limonana.

As the second-generation chef has so much culinary culture and talent behind him, it is no surprise that he has not only added other trucks (including the travelling beer bar known as the TAPPED), but also created an eponymous restaurant group that includes award-winning area favorites like Simcha, A La Esh and the original Hummus v’Hummus at the Speedway in Brighton, MA.

While meal bowls continue to be popular, Hummus v’Hummus takes the health-conscious concept to new places by basing bowls on Shemtov’s historic hummus. In addition to the healthy bowls (that can be filled with the area’s favorite falafel or authentic Israeli chicken shawarma…or both!) Hummus v’Hummus also offers Shemtov’s superior selection of salads, sauces, and spreads. 

While those on Boston’s North Shore can learn more about Shemtov’s story and savory stuff at the Jewish Community Center in Marblehead, MA, on November 13 when he discusses The Simcha Cookbook (which is based upon his South Shore store Simcha) as part of the 2022 Jewish Book Month Speaker series (see https://jccns.org), the best way to get to know him is to taste his food and Hummus v’Hummus is a great place to start!

http://hummusvhummus.com

A new Clover to NOT look over

Posted by

While it may be late to grab one of their delicious Rosh Hashanah boxes, our friends at Clover Food Lab have another treat in store, especially for those in Somerville!

In partnership with other entrepreneurs in the food space (which are my favorite kind, especially if they are also Veterans!), Clover is opening its 15th location at Assembly Row.

Called CloveROW, the new space adjacent to The Row Hotel will offer area residents and workers and Assembly Row’s many visitors easy access to Clover’s famously fresh and inventive fast-causal vegetarian food.

In addition to their regular favorites like chickpea fritters, BBQ seitan, and Roman tomato soup, and new offerings like a potato pesto sandwich, the latest Clover concept will also offer a retail grocery space inside the restaurant that will carry such classic Clover creations as their signature hummuses, dips and dressings, sauces and soups, and meal boxes, as well as specialty foods from other area makers who also take the time and effort to make food as good and good for you as it can be!

Among the food friends are Picnic & Pantry from Bow Market, the beloved chocolate shop gâté comme des fille, and one of Cambridge’s favorite wine & dessert bars, Zuzu’s Petals. There is also fresh produce from across MA, coffees from all over New England, and even maple syrup from NY, as well as a wide range of small-batch spices, drinks, and treats. 

For those who want to learn more about the great collection of food for which Clover has long been famous and that they are now expanding, CloverROW will also host workshops and tastings spotlighting local orchards, coffee makers, syrup producers, and even artists who have also been inspired by the bounty that we are all privileged to enjoy!

www.cloverfoodlab.com

Drink wine ANY time at City Winery

Posted by

I know that I just sang the praises of City Winery’s new weekend wine tours and tastings and their mid-week wonder Wined-up Wednesdays, but speaking of singing, they just added two new sets of events that are sure to make their already delicious food and wine taste even better!

To make it easier to ease into Sunday, City Winery is hosting the Berklee Ensemble Brunch Series during which some of Boston’s most talented music students accompany their brunch buffet from noon to 2 PM. In a growing roster of revues, the talented tunesmiths will give you music and you can give them early audience appreciation What a deal!

On Mondays form 5-7 PM, the Winery will enhance their already impressive musical offerings by combining fine wine with great Soul music in a new series called Soul Pairings. From James Brown to Steve Winder and Cabernet to Zinfandel, the evening events will encourage oenophiles, weary workers, and music lovers to come together while bringing great tastes in wine and music together as well. And as a six-wine flight is just $15, it is a hard beat to beat!

Though events like this have been hosted for their VInofile members, Soul Pairings will open up the vault to all, offering a half dozen wines that have been professionally paired with select Soul jams that will swirl and stir the senses and the soul. 

www.citywinery.com/boston

Kid’s Cooking with Chef Shiri

Posted by

Compiled by Efraim Harari (Mesorah Publications, Ltd./Artscroll)

With shows like Master Chef, Jr. and other youthful cooking competitions becoming so popular, a question arises that often does at this time of year- What’s a Jewish kid to do? For just as many of us are surrounded by mistletoe and Yule logs come December (not to mention that music- Oy! Irving Berlin, take us away!), so too are many peppered by “kids” cookbooks that are laden with lard and other treyf.

Fortunately, a new option has emerged that not only includes kid-friendly recipes (that are conveniently ordered according to complexity- from “Eazy Shmeezy” to “Junior Chef”) but also offers relevant halachosand other satisfying side notes. From the importance of washing hands before cooking to the importance of saying berachos,this kosher kid cookbook has illustrated recipes for everything from banana mocha muffins and Teddy bear toast to stuffed shells, easy chili, one-step lasagna and apple pie. In addition to the recipes and Rabbinic messages, the book also includes kitchen safety tips, a handy guide to common cooking terms and utensils, and even some foodie-friendly jokes!

So the next time your favorite child feels like the only observant chef around, introduce him to Chef Shiri and al the wonders of Hashem’s creativity.

  • Matt Robinson