Friday, December 25, 2015

PEANUT BUTTER ON A BURGER

Just about anything can be used to top a burger these days, even peanut butter! This is "Tim's Awesome Burger" from Eat Up New England Favorite Whetstone Station in Brattleboro, Vermont. Believe it or not, the peanut butter is the perfect complement to this burger, which is also topped with Vermont cheddar cheese and crisp bacon. Just don't add any ketchup or mustard to it. Eat Up NE recommends their Station Fries with Parmesan and chive oil as the perfect side to this peanut buttery burger. , ,

Monday, December 21, 2015

BURGERS, WAFFLE FRIES & SHAKES AT GRIDDLER'S IN BOSTON

Eat Up New England is always up for a good burger. I recently checked out the Griddler's on Boston Common for lunch. The first thing that caught my eye was the ambiance. I loved the logo and colorful decor inside the restaurant.

The menu is packed with tasty fast food favorites. There are burgers, hot dogs, chicken strips and grilled cheese. They also have a veggie burger and an egg sandwich on the menu. Get your sandwich anyway you want it with all kinds of add-ons like jalapenos, caramelized onions, roasted peppers and sauteed mushrooms. The sides are rockin' with waffle fries, beef chili, fried pickles (Grillo's pickles!), tots and onion strings to choose from. For dessert, there are several flavors of ice cream to choose from, shakes, several ice cream sandwiches and even chocolate-covered bacon!

Right now, Griddler's has two Boston locations: Boston Common and Beacon Hill.

griddlersburgers.com


Update: This restaurant closed in 2019. , , , ,

HOLIDAY SPICE MARTINI AT THE BBC

Christmas cocktails are my favorite! I just enjoyed this Holiday Spice Martini at the British Beer Company in Falmouth, Massachusetts. It's made with spiced rum, banana liqour, Creme de Cocoa and Rum Chata. It's $9.50. There's also a Snickers Martini on the menu now for the same price. Sounds tempting. Drink up New England! ,

Wednesday, December 16, 2015

ANOTHER GLORIOUS MEAL AT BECCO IN NYC

My obsession with Becco in the New York City's Theater District continues. Lidia Bastianich's cozy Italian spot has become a must-stop for me every time I'm in the city. I always get the three pasta special. It comes with a Caesar salad or antipasto. For the first time, I tried the antipasto and was wowed with the swordfish and octopus I was served. I had never tried octopus before. It's quite chewy! The three pastas are different every visit. This time, it was penne Bolognese, five-cheese fusilli and their amazing homemade spaghetti with tomato sauce. The pasta is unlimited, so I always go for seconds! , , ,

Tuesday, December 15, 2015

'TIS THE SEASON FOR GINGERBREAD MARTINI

It wouldn't be the Christmas season without a gingerbread martini. Not Your Average Joe's serves up this chilly delight every December. The rim of the glass is lined with crushed gingerbread cookies. NYAJ even has the recipe for the martini on their website: NYAJ Gingerbread Martini , ,

Monday, December 14, 2015

ITALIAN HIGH ABOVE FIFTH AVENUE AT BAITA: EATALY NYC'S POP-UP RESTAURANT

After a long day of running around New York City, it's great to find a cozy restaurant to relax and have a drink or two. Eataly's new pop-up restaurant, Baita, is the perfect place to unwind. Baita is the word for a small ski lodge in the Italian Alps. After taking an elevator to the 14th floor of Eataly, you'll feel like you're in a far away land!

Baita has a full bar and a long list of bottled and draft beers. They even have the elusive Anchor Brewing's merry Christmas Happy New Year beer, although they were out the night Eat Up NE visited. There are several cold cocktails on the menu, along with warm cocktails to heat diners up on those cold winter nights.

We ordered the Sciatt to start. This is beer battered and fried piave cheese. It was delicious. For dinner, I loved the Caserecce con Ragu di Funghi aka pasta with mushroom sauce. The pasta was so tender and the mushrooms were as fresh as can be. There are plenty of hearty meat dishes on the menu including pork sausage with lentils, veal, beer-braised pork and chicken with spinach, apples and shallots.

I saved enough room for dessert. Baita's Tiramisu Classico is as good as it gets. It's ice cold and creamy. There's also coffee, cappuccino and Eataly's famous hot chocolate on the menu.

Baita will be in business through March. Be sure to make reservations if you go on a Friday or Saturday night, otherwise the wait can be over an hour. , , ,

Tuesday, December 08, 2015

GINGERBREAD HOUSE MADE OF REAL GINGERBREAD AT MOHEGAN SUN

Mohegan Sun's halls are decked for Christmas. The highlight of their display is this life-sized gingerbread house. It was designed by Executive Pastry Chef Lynn Mansel and her culinary team. The 24-foot house is made of 6,525 real gingerbread bricks, which are stuck together with real frosting. Four seven-foot soldiers made of Rice Krispie Treats and chocolate guard its entrances. Step inside to discover a Christmas tree decorated with gingerbread ornaments and a fireplace made of gingerbread. ,

Friday, December 04, 2015

SEASON'S EATINGS: TREAT YOURSELF TO A PEPPERMINT CRUNCH SHAKE

So many of us run to Starbucks for Peppermint Mochas and Gingerbread Lattes this time of the year, but don't count out this Christmasy shake. It's the Peppermint Crunch Shake at Smashburger. This sinful drink is made vanilla ice cream, crushed peppermint candies and topped with whipped cream. Loosen up your belt and try one this Christmas season! They will be around until January 4th.   ,

(Closed)VERMONT COMFORT FOOD AT THE BRYANT HOUSE RESTAURANT

UPDATE: The restaurant has closed permanently.

Every time I do some shopping at the Vermont Country Store in Weston, I'm sure to have lunch at the Bryant House Restaurant. The menu features comfort food classics that always warm diners up during the cold winter months.


I always order their chicken pot pie. A tasty flaky crust sits atop a mix of large, white chicken meat, carrot, peas, corn and pearl onions. It's also served with a side of tangy cranberry sauce. Also on their menu, "The Vermonter's Grilled Cheese" made with three artisan cheeses, fish & chips, ham & cheese sandwich, "Yankee Pot Roast," "Vermont Cheddar Mac & Cheese" and a veggie burger that gets an A+ from my vegetarian fiancĂ©e. There are also several salads and soups to choose from.
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