Saturday, January 25, 2014

ON THE ROAD: PERFECTION AT FILOMENA RISTORANTE IN D.C.

JOE Saturday, January 25, 2014
Arancini balls
Homemade ravioli and meatballs
The dessert drinks
The pasta mamma making some gnocchi.
If you've ever been to Washington, D.C., you know that Georgetown is the place to be. Sure, there are losts of places to shop, but Georgetown is also the home to many wonderful restaurants. The finest, in my humble opinion, would be Filomena Ristorante.

 It's impossible not to fall in love with this place. Before you walk in, you can see the pasta mamma making her homemade pasta in the front window. Step inside this time of year and romance is in the air. There are hearts, love birds and red lights all over for Valentine's Day.

We lucked out and happened to visit Filomena's on the last day of restaurant week. Three courses for $35. Your server will deliver some Italian bread to your table to begin, but be careful. Have a slice or two. You don't want to get stuffed. 

For my first course, I had arancini balls. They were as good as it gets. You cut them open and mozzarella cheese pours out. Absolutely incredible. For dinner, I ordered their ravioli and meatballs. I tend to avoid ravioli because they don't tend to fill me up and the cheese is often flavorless. This was certainly not the case at Filomena's. Their homemade ravioli is so tender and those little meatballs served with it are full of flavor. A perfect Italian dish. I can also highly recommend their "Gnocchi Della Mamma," a heaping portion of the pasta mamma's gnocchi and bolognese sauce. 

 Filomena Ristorante's dessert menu is vast and their desserts are as fine as their entrees. They have cheesecake, several cakes, tarts and tiramisu. I loved their triple chocolate mousse cake. It's made with three light and airy layers of chocolate mouse and topped with chocolate shavings. Dessert is also served with some after-dinner drinks, amaretto and anisette. With them comes a small glass of coffee beans. You add three of them to your drink. One for love. One for health. The last for wealth. How nice is that?!

The next time you're in D.C., be sure to dine at Filomena's Ristorante. Food does not get any better than this. Perfection! ,

Thursday, January 16, 2014

ON THE ROAD: ITALIAN DONE RIGHT AT EATALY IN NYC

JOE Thursday, January 16, 2014
Eat Up New England is on the road again. This time, visiting one of New York City's famous Eataly. This place is the real deal when it comes to authentic Italian food and it should be because it's owned by noted restauranteurs Mario Batali, Lidia Bastianich and her son, Joe Bastianich.


At 50,000 square feet, Eataly NYC is vast and can be a bit overwhelming for the first time visitor. There's a lot to eat! Give yourself a couple of hours so you can really take it all in. There are various food stations where you can get food for dine in and take out. If you have the time, you can eat at one of their themed restaurants with table service. One spot serves all vegetarian. Another specializes in seafood.

 I went for a little of this and a little of that from the various food stations when I visited. I devoured a slice of spicy sausage pizza from their pizza station. For dessert, I had their chocolatey tiramisu, which was perfect. The highlight for me was their hot chocolate. Be sure to try it when you visit in the winter. The rich flavor is unlike anything you'll experience anywhere else and is topped off with a generous portion of whipped cream.

 Eataly also carries all of the groceries you'll need for the perfect Italian meal. There are fresh fruits & veggies, pastas, breads, fresh truffles, Italian candies. They even have their own fresh mozzarella station! It's not all edible. Eataly also supplies all of the kitchen gadgets you'll need to prepare dinner. You can also buy cookbooks from the famous owners and other Italian chefs. Be sure to pick up a mug, plate, bowl or apron with the Eataly logo to remember your visit.

CONTACT
www.eataly.com , ,

Sunday, January 05, 2014

MORTENSEN'S: A CONNECTICUT TRADITION CLOSES

JOE Sunday, January 05, 2014
This picture was taken a few days before they closed.
#7: Bacon & cheddar omelet with hash browns and an English muffin
It's hard to believe, but a Connecticut tradition has closed its doors for good. Sort of. Since 1940, Mortensen's has been serving food and ice cream to their customers from their Berlin Turnpike location in Newington. Sadly, they are moving on to the next chapter and that means the restaurant is closed. They served their last meals to the public on December 31st. 

Mortensen's has been a favorite spot for my family for decades. We'd stop by for a sandwich and fries for dinner or a grilled cheese and bacon for lunch. For me, it was their breakfast that really put Mortensen's on the map. I loved their #7 breakfast special: a bacon & cheddar omelet with hash browns and your choice of toast. I always went for a grilled English muffin. Not only was their food great, but their staff couldn't have been any kinder. The same people, some of them members of the Mortensen family, worked there for years. You could always count on seeing them and catching up. It's no wonder why so many people were so sad to see a place like this go.

I ordered my last #7 on December 30. We hugged our waitress. My grandmother even took a picture with her. We were far from alone. Many of the regular customers were there doing the same thing. This spring, a Moe's Southwest Grille will open up where Mortensen's has stood for so long. In the back of the restaurant, will be Mortensen's ice cream. They also have another location in Cromwell, Connecticut that serves ice cream and the family has said they hope to open a few more ice cream shops. Mortensen's Restaurant: thank you for all of the wonderful meals and memories.
Mortensen's held an open house on New Year's Day to thank all of its loyal customers. This video was taken from that day.  , , ,

DELICIOUS DISH: MEATBALL LOVERS PASTA BAKE

JOE Sunday, January 05, 2014
I've been to Stone Hearth Pizza so many times. Their menu is full of Italian favorites that I'd like to try, but every time I go, I wind up ordering this delicious dish. Feast your eyes on their meatball lovers penne bake. Provolone, ricotta and mozzarella are blended together to make this hearty meal along with several flavorful little meatballs. Wash it down with one of their draft beers and you're good for the night. 

Contact:
www.stonehearthpizza.com

(Search Eat Up New England's archives for more about Stone Hearth Pizza.) , , ,

Friday, January 03, 2014

SHAKE SHACK IS COMING TO BOSTON!

JOE Friday, January 03, 2014
It was only a matter of time. Burger joint Shake Shack will soon be opening in Boston. The chain will open sometime this year on Newbury Street reports the Boston Business Journal. Their first Massachusetts location opened its doors in Chestnut Hill last March (search Eat Up New England's archives for more). They also have a spanking new location in Cambridge that's complete with a working fireplace. Cheese fries for everyone! , , ,

Wednesday, January 01, 2014

HAPPY NEW YEAR FROM EAT UP NEW ENGLAND!

JOE Wednesday, January 01, 2014
Welcome to 2014! Here's to another year of delicious dishes. I rang in the New Year at The Foundry on Elm in Somerville, Massachusetts. Check out that surf & turf! They also had a champagne toast at midnight, dancing and free New Year's party favors.

Happy 2014! ,
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