Ma Whats For Dinner?» Restaurant Reviews

Restaurant Review – Sel de la Terre

Alex aka Ma, What's For Dinner — Fri, 03 Jun 2011 11:00:47 +0000

I was recently in Boston with some girlfriends for the weekend.

On Saturday we went to this restaurant that I’ve seen a million times, yet never actually walked into.

I have to admit I don’t care for the signage.

BUT…

I had no idea what I was missing!

I’m not sure how to say this…

Best burger ever!!!!!

Ok, there, I said it.

And it’s true…

Holy crap…

Let me say it again.

BEST BURGER EVER!!!!!!!!!!!

Yup, and I even all caps’ed it.

Check this thing out.

Could you just die?

Ok, so the SDLT Burger is what I ordered here.

Cooked medium rare.

With smoked bacon.

Creamy Vermont cheddar.

A spicy aioli, with a hint of black truffle.

Served with a plate of fantastic french fries!

This thing was amazing!

I couldn’t stop talking about it.

I was chatting up every server in the place about it.

They were wonderful by the way.

And let’s talk about the atmosphere…

I loved it.

It was beautiful and sophisticated yet relaxed enough that I could bring the kids.

Thankfully though, they were home in CT with Dad.

But seriously, did I tell you about the burger???

I seriously had dreams about it.

The thing I really like about Sel De La Terre which I am pretty sure translates to “Salt of the Earth” is that they are all about local & sustainable. You know how much I LOVE that! They are all about local farms, local seafood, and everything is fresh fresh fresh!

Oh and then I found out they had just won best burger in Beantown.

Well I have to agree!

Can’t wait to go back!

Next time you’re in the area be sure to stop by.

It’s on Long Wharf, right next to the Aquarium.

255 State Street

Boston, MA

617 720-1300

Restaurant Review – DBGB

Alex aka Ma, What's For Dinner — Thu, 20 Jan 2011 11:00:19 +0000

DGBG Kitchen & Bar

299 Bowery

New York, NY

I’ve been excited to try this hip eatery ever since I heard it was related to CBGB.

I can’t help it…

I’m a rock kind of girl.

Anyway, I made my reservation then counted the days til my girlfriends and I trekked down to the East Village for an evening out.

Once I arrived I excitedly looked at the menu and thought maybe I’d been mislead.

I heard they were famous for the burgers and sausages.

What was all this other stuff?

Oysters?

Matzoh Ball Soup?

Escargot?

How could I make sense of this crazy eclectic menu?

Surely with so many different options they can’t possibly get it all right.

I was suddenly disappointed and sure that I had made a gigantic mistake.

Oh no no no!!!!

Well now, just butter my butt and call me a biscuit because Chef Daniel Boulud and executive chef Jim Leiken get EVERYTHING right.

What a delight!

Truly, from start to finish…

When our adorable little waiter showed up he was super helpful pointing us in the right direction.

Let me start out by saying that the gals I was with were less than adventurous when it comes to eclectic edible delights…well one was preggo so I excuse her…

We started off with the appetizer special…

A remarkable flat bread spread with mushrooms and truffles topped with long slices of parmesan cheese, mushrooms, arugula, and an egg.

I’m sorry I didn’t get a picture of it but the girls ate it so damn fast I was afraid if I grabbed my phone for a shot I’d miss it altogether. I did get the egg though. So well worth it!

Next up, the Charcuterie de Gilles Verot, a wonderful plate of thin sliced cured delights served with fresh sourdough, mustard and cornichons. Once again delish and once again devoured before I got back from the Loo in time to snap a pic. Thanks girls!

Then our amazing waiter dropped off a surprise that was compliments of the chef. Much to my girls horror, he whipped up for us a plate of escargot (yes they are snails I explained to my shocked fellow diners) in a steaming lemongrass curry broth. I was highly skeptical thinking how could this place possibly handle the asian flare as well as they make head cheese but to my surprise it was delightful once again.

They were perfectly cooked, tender and juicy, served alongside lotus root chips, what I think were potato cakes and some spicy little sausage. It was a taste sensation. I convinced everyone to at least try it and to my delight they all went back for more…Yes, I convinced my friends to eat snails…what a coup! Compliments to the chef!

We also ordered a couple of entrees. The waiter suggested the Sausage Duo where you can try two types of sausage. I let the girls choose. I mean, I had already made them eat snails, you’ve got to give a bit right?

We ended up with fantastic sausages served side by side…the Beaujolaise and the Chipolata. They were both superb. The former we called the man sausage as it was hefty and filling served with lentils and onions and the latter a magnificent light pork link served on some creamy potatoes with black truffle carefully atop each delectable bite. Magic on a plate.

My camera battery died so the pics just don’t do it justice which is why I will steal a pic from DBGB’s website to show you how truly awesome my main course was.

As I said I came for the sausage and burgers so imagine my joy when I read about this puppy…

And I quote…

“The Frenchie – a 6 oz beef patty with confit pork belly, arugula, tomato – onion compote and morbier cheese on a peppered brioche bun with cornichon, mustard and fries”

Um, pork belly on a burger???? Where do I sign up?

It’s a masterpiece. Perfectly cooked to medium rare and bursting with flavor all over your chin. It’s accompanied by the most perfectly cooked thin french fries that’s it’s almost impossible not to eat the entire pail of them.

Right down to the soups and salads…this place was truly divine!

How can you make an awesome burger, the most amazing sausage, matzoh ball soup that my Grandma would swear was hers, and succulent escargot all in one perfect and fun restaurant? But wait, I haven’t even told you about the rest of the menu!

In the mood for some exquisite beef marrow bones? They have ‘em here! Your friend is in the mood for seafood? Chef Boulud’s got a ton of heavenly dishes de la mer! They have something for everyone, from scrumptious schnitzel (oh yeah, I said it, fo’ shizzle my schnitzel) to tasty tounge, from mouthwatering pastas to tantalizing tripe. If you can dream it up they’ve gotten it on their menu…and we haven’t even discussed specials yet!

Don’t even get me started on the ice cream sundaes!

Now you know me. I love to try new restaurants.

And if you really know me, you know I have a rule that I don’t do the same place in NYC more than once…

There’s just too many to try.

Well my friends, I have to say…there is NO WAY I will head to NY again soon without going back here.

I loved it!

Yes, I loved it enough for a second trip…

and a third…

See you soon DBGB. I’ll be dreaming of you.

Want to check it out yourself next time you’re in town?

Go see what I’m talking about and make a reservation.

DBGB Kitchen and Bar

Tell ‘em Ma sent ya.

Wordless/full Wednesday 6

Alex aka Ma, What's For Dinner — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 11:46:14 +0000

Momofuku Noodle Bar

171 1st Ave
New York, NY

I’m so bad at the wordless thing.

I mean, have you met me?

I can’t shut up for a second.

Today’s picture is an ode to my birthday weekend in NYC with a picture of one of my favorite things on earth.

Momofuku’s steamed pork bun

Martha Stewart herself said this was one of the best pork buns she’d ever had.

I assure you it is.

No disrespect to my Ma who used to make steamed pork buns in our oven at home with roasted pork she brought home from the take out chinese place. Thanks, Ma. You’re the best.

But Momofuku’s? OH EM GEE! It’s incredible.

It’s light and fluffy and then it’s wrapped around a pork belly and some scallion, hoisin, cucumber goodness.

Not to mention the fact that you are sitting at an amazing noodle bar in the East Village about to eat some of the best ramen this side of the Pacific.

If you’re ever in NYC I highly suggest you make the trek downtown for this little gem. It’s so worth it. Take a look at the menu…

And here’s a tip for ya, it’s not on the menu but supposedly the fried chicken is the most amazing thing ever. You have to order it like a month in advance as they only make a certain amount of portions a day. They fry it in grapeseed oil and I have yet to try it. I’ve heard it’s remarkable. Oh, I love New York!

Do you have a restaurant that makes absolutely the best dish ever? What is it? Where is it? Please share so we can all make a special trip too?

Gimme Some Sangria consigue caliente aquí dentro

Alex aka Ma, What's For Dinner — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 11:00:02 +0000

Sol Y Sambra Tapas Bar and Restaurant – 462 Amsterdam NYC

Translation? It’s getting hot in here!!! Ma needs a drink!

Last weekend I hopped the train inbound to NYC to meet up with my best girl, Stacey and hit the streets for some cool street fairs, an awesome tapas lunch, and some drinks before we took in a matinee of Sex and The City 2. I know, I know we should have been drinking cosmos but the mercury was rising and I was looking for some sweet summertime refreshment, enter the beloved Sangria! Who could resist a pitcher of wine sweetened with brandy and fruit??? Uh, I’ll take two.

Now my absolute fave Spanish restaurant in the NYC is a place down in the village called Sevilla, on the corner of Charles and 4th. But we were way uptown and had to catch a movie so we decided to hoof it to Calle Ocho which was much closer to Stacey’s apartment and we had heard, all the rage. We walked into Calle Ocho and it was like I had just entered a restaurant version of Studio 54. Super trendy and way too crowded. Nixed that idea and went outside and thought, hmmm, I’m in New York, I could throw a rock and hit about a thousand great eateries, let’s roll the dice…we ended up at Sol Y Sambra Tapas Bar and Restaurant, 462 Amsterdam if you’re in the area. Awesome! I loved it. The staff was super sweet and totally accommodating of our lame requests to be sort of outside on the patio yet still inside near the a/c. I’m totally high maintenance even without the kids in tow. The food was well presented and oh so tasty. I highly suggest you stop by.

Secondary to our sangria, we had some great tapas! An amazing manchego cheese plate, an incredible baccala (salt cod) croquettes, a beautiful white asparagus salad, a delicious chorizo, and of course gambas al ajillo (garlic shrimp). Uh, yes, we needed a wheelbarrow to get out the door afterwards but it was sooo worth it. And we were walking all the way back home again which was 25 blocks or so.

I don’t know what they put in their sangria at Sol Y Sambra but it was delish. I thought I’d give you the recipe for mine, also deserving of 5 stars if I do say so myself!

Ingredients:

1 Bottle of red wine (I suggest a Rioja but you could also use Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Zinfandel, or Shiraz)
1 Lemon sliced
1 Orange sliced
1 Lime sliced
1 Apple slice
1 pear sliced
1/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup brandy
2 T triple sec
2 Cups ginger ale or club soda

Combine in a pitcher with ice or frozen grapes and berries, stir, pour and enjoy! Did you know I used to be a bartender? Well, I was. It’s actually how I met the hubs. Yup, I was slinging drinks in Beantown and he walked in one night. That’s a story for a different day. So I used used to tend bar so lemme give you some variations on this one. Don’t drink? You could make this up with some grape juice or cran-grape cocktail instead of the wine? Just leave out the brandy and triple sec. What is your favorite summertime drink? Whatever it is, get out with your girls and enjoy! Ole!

Ok, personal bloggie side note…Can I get a woot-woot??? That’s right baby 200 followers. I’m so excited. Big shout outs to The Caffeinated Globe my very very special and near and dear to my heart 200th follower. Who will be 300??? Hurry up, tell your friends!

Linking this up for my girl Holly’s Tickled Pink at 504 Main.