Boston Love

Today I am guest posting over on Stamp In My Passport about being a tourist in my own town of Boston.  It's something that I've discussed a few times here and here, but I put a new spin on it, so go check it out.  In keeping with that theme, I thought I'd post a few of my favorite pictures that we've taken over the years since we've lived here including some of our engagement photos that were taken around town.  Enjoy!

 

 *The last five pictures from our engagement session are by John Lo Photography

Five Ways To Eat Grapefruit

It's citrus season.  We got our first glimpse of the season during our meal in December at Menton, and now it seems the rest of the world has caught citrus fever too.  So I put together my five favorite ways to eat grapefruit, as well as links to a few other recipes that look absolutely scrumptious as well.  

::The Plain Jane::

 {With or without sugar, this is the simplest way to enjoy a grapefruit}

 ::Juiced::

 {Straight up or mixed with other juices}

::Broiled::

{Sprinkle with sugar then stick under the broiler.  Delicious with a drizzle of honey and sprig of sage or mint.  

P.S. If you're ever in Boston please stop into Stephanie's on Newbury for brunch and try their bruleed grapefruit.  They get a delicious crust on theirs that I just can't replicate at home!}

 ::Paired Up::

 {Slice it up and pair it with other seasonal citrus}

::Sliced with Basil and Honey::

 {Also great with mint}

Grapefruit inspired treats from around the blogosphere:

Candied Grapefruit Zest

Grapefruit Cake

Grapefruit Curd Stuffed Doughnuts

Grapefruit and Sage Mimosa 

Blushing Kiss Martini 

Happy Friday everyone! 

*Linking up today with... 

 

Daytime Date

{Sweater: Banana Republic (old) | Vest: Banana Republic | Bottoms: LOFT | Boots: Joe's | Sunglasses: Ralph Lauren}

With all of this snow, it seems like lucky couples everywhere are getting to experience snow days together just like they used to.  Unfortunately, Kevin and I tend to both have to work even in a blizzard, but we did take advantage of the beautiful scenery and the joy of spending a day out together on a lovely day date last Sunday.  We drove outside the city to check out some open houses.  We are not looking to move anytime soon, but we're doing some "research" if you will.  Neither of us are from the Boston area and know that eventually we will need to move to the suburbs, so every now and then we check out different neighborhoods to get a feel for what's out there.  It's a great way to learn about the housing market in your area too which is always smart.  Plus, I have had a love for open houses since I was a little kid.  So whether we're actively looking or not, it's always something I enjoy.

{Loved seeing the trees covered in snow and frozen lakes north of Boston}

Then in true snow day fashion we went out for an indulgent lunch of burgers and fries.

What are you doing on your snow day?

*Linking up with Pleated Poppy and Shanna

Menton

On our journey from Riomaggiore, Italy to Nice, France last September, we passed through a quaint town at the border of the two countries named Menton.  I was so excited to put a visual to the name.  Why?  Well it just happens to be the town that one of the most sophisticated restaurants in Boston is named for.  And to boot, my favorite celebrity chef, Kristen Kish, is the chef de cuisine there.  I attempted to snap a picture as the train went through the Menton station but I ended up with a blurry picture of a wall.  Such is my life. If we're ever there again, we will be sure to stop there because I hear it is beautiful.

I mention this because we had dinner at Menton for our anniversary last month, and it was so epically delicious that it needed a full post.  The place has the best service that I have ever experienced.  We're talking an escort to the restroom, mulitple servers all wishing us a happy anniversary, and a continuous stream of food coming at us!  I apologize in advance for the graininess of these photos because the restaurant's mood lighting really does not make photo documentation all that easy.  Here is our meal in pictures.

We started off the night with cocktails at Drink.  Like Menton, this bar is also owned by Barbara Lynch, and the service is always great.  There's no cocktail menu, you just tell them what you like and they whip something up for you.  They even treated us to champagne when they heard that it was our anniversary.

Then we headed down the street to start the main event.  We started with some wine.

Then a series of little amuse bouches arrived that were delightful even though I can't remember what any of them were.

 {Left: It had caramelized onions so I loved it | Right: some sort of pumpkin puff from heaven?}

::First Course::

 Roasted Beet Salad
Autumn Squash   Orange Blossom   Horseradish 

Terrine of Foie Gras
Apple   Persimmon   Walnut

::Second Course::

Potato-Miso Velouté
Brandade   Grapefruit   Chorizo

 Monkfish
Leek   Tandoori   Smoked Brioche

::Third Course::

New Zealand Venison
Flageolet Bean   Juniper   Sausage

Prime Beef Sirloin
Cheek   Grapefruit   Rösti

::Cheese Course::

 ::Dessert Course::

Chocolate Torte
Bacon   Cream Cheese   Maple

Gingerbread
Eggnog   Golden Raisin   Cashew

As if we weren't already completely stuffed, some fun little extra sweets came out to finish things off.

It was all so incredible, and best of all I caught a glimpse of Miss Kristen Kish herself in the kitchen.  I totally should have asked to meet her, but I would have been a mess and said something completely embarrassing because I'm just that awkward.  As it was, I looked like a lunatic because I made two trips to the bathroom in a five minute span just so that I could spot her in the kitchen.  The first time, I forgot to look for her and got distracted by the cheese cart (typical) but then Kevin said he could see her in the kitchen, so he told me to go again so that I could look.  

Me:  "A man just escorted me to the restroom! It's not like I can just go again without anyone noticing."  
Kevin: "That's ridiculous. Just go."
Me: "Maybe I can loop around the other way and dodge him."
Kevin: "Just go, no one will care."
Me: "Maybe I should wait like 20 minutes, but then what if I really have to go at the end of the meal?  I can't go a third time without looking really crazy."
Kevin: Gives me a look like he is really sorry that he even brought this up.  "Just go."

Luckily, the second time they figured I knew where the restroom was so they didn't bother showing me again.  Thank goodness.  And on the way back I was sure to peek in the kitchen.  Bingo!  Favorite Top Chef contestant ever spotted and night made.  Just to be clear I can't say favorite chef to ever appear on Top Chef because I love me some Emeril, but Kristen is a very close second.  By the way Emeril, if you're reading this, I'll be in New Orleans in April.  Do you have a man at your restaurant that escorts people to the restroom?  I'm sure you do.  Your restaurants rock.

Home Tour: Our Foyer

It's a new year and about darn time for a home update!  We have been pretty happy with how things look inside of our unit (I really owe you some current pictures of the living spaces), but our shared common area in the building was looking really shabby.  We have a small "home owner's association" of sorts composed of the five residents of our building. We all agreed that it was time for a little sprucing.

Please excuse the extreme yellowness.  Between the cream walls, yellow trim, and beige carpet, it's really a very yellow space.  Our plans are to paint the trim a crisp white, tear up the carpet, and give the staircase a painted makeover with black and white.  Here's one of our inspiration pictures.

{via}

Ahh much less yellow.  We will also be giving the walls a fresh coat of paint in a pretty neutral that my neighbor and I chose.  It's called Sail Cloth by Benjamin Moore. 




Oh and we have big plans for this dirty, worn carpet.  It's sort of a runner alternative that we're all really excited about.

This weekend, we put the first coat on the walls, but there is a lot left to do.  I will let you know when the project is complete with plenty of lovely after pictures and hopefully a tutorial.  Off to paint some more!