July 4th Dinner Cruise with Odyssey

Screw the Hurricane… Odyssey Cruises

Pre-gaming at Copley Square Hotel FER FREEEE… they had beers, and burgers and hot dogs… NOM

Was craving burgers.. so had a cute little slider.. NOM NOM.. usually the hotel has free wine happy hour but since it was July 4th they had specials!

All dressed up and ready to party

Yea I ordered like 3 bottles of wine/champagne… oops

Creamy salty butter… NOM

Cheese tray… prob a little too much

Cuz I also added on an extra shrimp cocktail/ceviche

Watermelon Salad
Arugula, Romaine, Goat Cheese, Watermelon, Sugared Pecans, Balsamic Vinaigrette

Screw Hurricane Arthur… still got my modeling on, on deck

Gorgeous View, even in the stormy weather

Roasted Chicken
Heirloom Potatoes, Thyme Demi-Glace, Fried Leeks

And of course I got the

Odyssey Short Ribs
Fontina Scalloped Potatoes, Roasted Brussel Sprouts, Carrots & Squash, Cabernet Demi-Glace

Desert was some of everything…

Bread Pudding, Chocolate Cake, Berry Galette and Sorbet… with more bubbly

Actually ended up taking short ribs and cheese home.. OK FINE I ordered too much… but it was delicious, fun and amazing. Probably don’t wanna spend that much on a July 4th again tho… hahahha – and we didn’t even get fireworks. BOOOOO…

Craigie on Main – 8 Course Tasting Menu

The one and only Woo Bear, my favorite NYPD PoPo/Detective/Bodyguard/Bestie came to visit me in Boston and being so busy with work lately we FINALLY got a chance to meet up, rant, chat, laugh and just have a jolly awesome time.  I picked him up from his hotel and even though we got there early they had a table for us already set for us.

Woo Bear & Peep Peep unite!!!!!

AKA

He’s the Gru to my Agnes

I told him we had to go to Craigie on Main.. it’s farm to table and seasonal and just one of my favorite places MUST GO TO EAT AT places in Boston… well it’s in Cambridge but same difference. I adore their open kitchen. And everyone there is SO friendly and awesome. PLUS every time you get the tasting menu you get different and new things it’s NEVER the same.

After careful, not so careful thinking we decided to order the everything 8 course tasting menu.  We started off with a champagne for me and a “manly” scotch drink for him. I think the waitress said it was a scotch rimmed with absinthe?!… I thought it was delicious!!!!

We also ordered a bomb ass bottle of French Burgundy Pinot Noir – mad $$ but soooo worth it

I asked for them to write out the menu for us so I could have it when I went home… obviously so I could blog!!!

And then it began….. as we sipped our yummy drinks, the food started flowing….

Trio of Amuse Bouche

Citrus Cured Striped Bass, Avocado, Red Onion, Pickled Pine Nuts

This was Woo Bear’s favorite… mainly cuz of the avocado he said.  It was good and reminded me of tuna tartare, I think mainly cuz of the color, would’ve never thought it was striped bass – but I guess it was cuz of the citrus cure.  You couldn’t really taste the citrus but it was a good bite.

Razor Clams, Uni Vinaigrette

Texturally wise, this was my favorite of the three. It was obviously clams… and I LOOOOOVE razor clams.. I’ve never had it sliced before and it was amazing.  Need to start taking my razor clams not whole on a shell… hehe…

Smoked Bluefish Rillettes, Hackleback Roe

Taste-wise this was y favorite. It was a beautifully soaked fish… and with the caviar and everything it was pretty divine.

The waitress loved that I had a champagne glass tattooed on me haha..

Sea Trout Pastrami
Winter Chicories, Blood Orange, Pistachio Vinaigrette

I actually expected a smokier tasting salmon, from the looks of it, but the taste was impeccable.  The texture of the salmon was of smoked salmon but it definitely had that “pastrami” kick to it.  With the added crunch of the chicory and pistachio it was heaven in each bite.  It actually would’ve been an amazing salad with more chicory and pistachios but deeeeeelish!!!!!!!

Roasted Sturgeon à la Poêle
Camargue Red Rice, Red Onion Soubise, Beurre Rouge

When the last dish came out we finally finished our first drinks and got to get into the the wine, which paired PERFECTLY, as waitress said it would, with the food… It was salty was soooooo gooooood.  Not sure what the greens were but the rice was just barely el dente and chewy and amazing, I almost thought it was wheat berries…the surgeon [this was the first time Woo Bear ever had it, but I have] was soooo buttery and beautifully cooked.  Like I said, it was salty but it still tasted awesome….

Delicious wine with an amazing friend!!!

Spice-Crusted Striped Bass Kama

Wait. What? KAMA? UM, I LOVE YOU CRAIGIE.   I love Fish Collar Bone [aka Kama]

Even the waitress told me to make sure to take a pic – I think she saw me taking pictures before… and probably assumed since I was asian HAHA

It’s all about this:
the Tuscan Olive Oil, Citrus Vinaigrette

And cuz we were “her friends” she poured it on for us. AWWWWW I felt so loved….!!!! She even said “Of course Tiff, you’re my friend” hahahaha… maybe she remembers me from my past eatings there…. LOLOLOL… I always eat SO much here

This was my piece… Woo Bear and me both picked our pieces CLEAN!!!!!… We ASIAN YO.  We waste NOTHING!!!

House-Made Red Beet Conchiglie Pasta
Boudin Noir Ragoût, Fava Leaves

This was beautiful. Fucking beautiful. BEET PASTA? It’s like taking a veggie I love with a pasta I love and combining the two.  When I first looked at it, I was like UHHH.. meat? blah? WHAT? But it was delicious.   The sauce didn’t overwhelm the beet taste in the pasta and the lava leaves added a nice green freshness to it.   Will definitely try to make a beet pasta in the future… altho I’ll probably make pappardelle or gnocchi.

Slow-Roasted Veal Sweetbreads
Wild Mushrooms, Farm-Fresh Egg, Chorizo Sauce

This may have been my favorite dish of the night, minus the bone marrow later, but I can never not LOVEEEEEEEEEE and orgasm with bone marrow.  But the poached egg was SOOOO beautiful.  The sauce, the mushrooms and of course SWEETBREADS.  I really need to find a place that sells sweetbreads so I can start cooking them.  They’re one of my favorite delicacies.. even more than bone marrow and foie gras cuz I can never find them to cook them myself… and because of that, I ALWAYS ALWAYS have to order sweetbreads when it’s on the menu.. well I guess the same with the other two but still….

And then when we thought it was all over….

Axis Venison Two Ways: Spice-Crusted Leg, Crepinette
Mustard Spaetzle, Hakurei Turnips, Red Cabbage Purée

And obviously we got it with the BONE MARROW!!!!

Can you believe they asked us if we would rather have duck fat roasted carrots OR bone marrow? UMMM… we didn’t even look at each other and Woo Bear and I both screamed BONE MARROW!!!

It was all so freaking delicious….  the crepinette was SOOOOOOOO delicious. It was a yummy venison meatball!!!… and the venison leg, sliced and cooked rare was just SOOO tender and delicious.  I ended up eating the marrow on toast and then the rest of the marrow all over my veal dish and licking it up. The spaetzle was crunchy and divine and while it was from “mustard” it had almost a delicate “cheese” taste to it.  Definitely some of the yummiest spaetzle I’ve had.  The turnips were great.. I thought it was daikon – which I guess is basically a turnip/carrot – and just all of the items combined was ORGASMIC. We had SOOOOOO much bone marrow it could feed a family of 10.

Palate Cleanser
House-made Lime Frozen Yogurt
Basil Seeds

Delicious. Refreshing. YUM.

We got this amazing Bourbon:
Michter’s 20yr Cask Strength Single Barrel 114.2°

At 67$ a glass it better be fucking amazing and it was… smelled like caramel and was soooooo tasty. Yeah disgustingly expensive but also disgustingly delicious.

Dessssert time.. so it was definitely more than just 8 courses….

Moroccan ‘Upside Down’ Carrot Cake
Goat Cheese Sorbet, Dates, Caramelized Almonds

I told them no goat cheese but they gave me some anyways.  I ate it anyways.  But the cake was super dry, even though I loved the look/concept of the cake.  Next time I make carrot cake I’ll have a beautiful slice of carrot on top.  It didn’t go with the goat cheese even tho I tried it together to make it “wetter” and neither did the sauce.  It was kinda sad to see such a fantastic meal end so badly.

Chocolate-Fernet Branca Crémeux
Roasted Lemon Puree, Tarragon Ice Cream

I don’t really think that was what we got… it tasted like mint ice cream on chocolate mousse and crunchy sticks hahahaha…. it was good but didn’t feel like a FULL dessert, like a side to a dessert…

BUT AT LEAST THIS SAVED THE NIGHT

We had a special complimentary Hot Cocoa to warm us up… there was definitely some chilies and cardamum in it <3

Everything was talked about, we definitely spent a good few hours there… and in the end we realized:

Love you Woo Bear. Can’t wait to play again soon!!!!! Miss you dearly already!!!!

Specials Only from Legal Seafoods

After a delicious brunch and a day reading at the bookstore…

Before the bookstore I went to get a few dresses at Neiman Marcus for my Birthday in Vegas.. found two extra sparkly super BOMB totally SEXY dresses :]

I love baby shoes!  Baby shoes always makes me want to have a baby.. but the some annoying kid was right next to me while taking this pic…. and I changed my mind.

I bought this book as one of many W’s birthday presents :]

It. Is. AWESOME.

I got these for me :] Read thru a lot of the Hot Dog book, SO good. GET THEM

Boston Mag‘s Best Burgers issue. GO CRAIGIE <3 <3

After a while I headed across the street to get some grub at Legal’s..

We ordered off the Specials Menu, COMPLETELY off of it, except for the Steamers which is a given and a ust-have.

Watermelon, Poached Shrimp, Whipped Goat Cheese and Basil – there was some Balsamic-y sauce on the side which was WAY too sweet.  MEH.

Steamers with Butter

AND THEN we were surprised with a free appetizer from the Chef!!!… Fried Eggplant Parmesan on Crostini. Delicious.

Tempura Flounder on Fried Rice and Pickled Veggies

The Wine that was recommended with my Salmon Dinner… a bit on the sweet side but good..

Cajun Wild King  Salmon on Coconut Rice, Blanched Spinach and Mango/Pineapple Salsa

Absolutely delish!  The salmon was cooked to a perfect medium!  I hate things like rare/med-rare fish [on purpose or not].. like tuna or salmon, gross. But this was PERFECT. Just cooked thru but still suppppper tender, not fishy and just DELISH!

The coconut rice was SO good.. definitely cooked with some coconut milk and toasted coconut. YUM.

I ended the night watching movies downstairs eating snacks :]

After BBQ there’s still room for Burgers and Adult Milkshakes at Bourbon Steak Detroit

We are not in Kansas anymore.. this is taking Burgers & Milkshakes to a whole new level.  Although it did make me want an oreo milkshake from Johnny Rockets… nostalgia

After a few hours at the Pig & Whiskey 2012 event out in Ferndale… we went to the pool and then after a shower I slept off the beer and whiskey.  Previously we were thinking of heading to Lodge Diner for some chicken noodle soup but we decided just to head downstairs for a burger at Bourbon Steak.  If you haven’t noticed yet, W and I LOOOOOVE our burgers, especially him.  We sat in the lounge area and got the burger menus. WEEEE… fun!!!!

The menu said up to five toppings but me being me I loaded up on my burger.  It ended up being so big I couldn’t fit it in my mouth :[ HAHA.  Before we even ordered though, we were given some delicious red wine and the signature Bourbon Steak duck fat fries trio. YUM

I got a Market Garden Salad to start… delicious crunchy crostini on top… some butternut squash, pom seeds, red onions, goat cheese and delicious greens.  The dressing was a bit on the heavy side but it was still very tasty.

W and I also split an adult milkshake.  We each got our own half-glass :]

Bourbon Malted, Jim Beam, Salty Caramel

It was super strong and oozed of booze.  W and I could feel it after a few sips.

Dinner is served.

W’s Burger…

Beef, Bacon, Blue Cheese, Pickles, Fried Egg, Shredded Romaine and “Secret Sauce”

My Burger

Beef, Butter Lettuce, Fried Egg, Cheddar Cheese, Pickles, Vidalia Onions, Shaved Jalapenos, Tomato, Avocado… NOMMMMM

Super thick Onion Rings.  They were piping hot.. the crust/breading was on the thick side, I like a lighter crust but it was definitely super tasty!!!

We got another set of Duck Fat Fries Trio.  W loves the horseradish sauce and asked for “a shit ton” of it.  Apparently this is the “shit ton” bowl size :D

Another delicious burger dinner with my burger boy <3  Also the last time having a burger in Detroit hahahaha…

In the Mood for Bf’s Cooking…

My Boy knows how to cook. Um, yeah, HELLS YEAH – I’m a lucky little biznatch.  I can eat and W can cook. :]

Oysters

Crab Meat in Tomato Jus

When I HEARD what it was.. I excepted a tomato-y saucey, soupy thing but it literally tasted like eating a fresh raw tomato. OMFG. SO GOOD.  I LOOOOOOVE crab, so fresh, so tender, delicious and sweet.. slightly naturally salty and the tomato jus was SO freaking refreshing and beautiful looking. W said that the waiter gave me too much but I loved it anyways.  I twas SO gorgeous.

Raw Tuna on Creamy Avocado, Blood oranges, Sprouts and Pinenuts

I actually wasn’t told about the pine nuts so it was the happiness surprise when I bit in.. it had this sesame japanese sort of thing sprinkled over the tuna.. MMMMM and the blood orange was SUCH a fresh bright burst of citrus-y deliciousness that was totally brought it together – and like I said, the toasted nutty crunch of the pine nuts TOTALLY enhanced everything as a whole.  This was my favorite dish of the night and just brightened the night.

Compressed Watermelon Salad with Beets and Creamy Goat Cheese.

I’m not even a huge goat cheese girl but this was delicious. JUICY JUICY sweet fresh, REFRESHING watermelon and juicy sweet earthy beets. Freshly cracked black pepper – OMFG this was SO good.  So many textures and a mix of savory and sweet flavors.

Scallops on a Pepperoni pizza like sort of chopped up deliciousness… and methinks Squid Ink?!

Salty fresh deliciousness. This was SO good, I  INHALEd it.. it really tasted like a scallop pizza! NOM.

Baby can cook. I can eat. See?! We’re perfect!

Re-living a delicious memory…at TORO

W got into town to cook for the Clio 15th Anniversary Dinner June 5.  All the great names were there… and obviously my amazingly talented boyfriend <3  So Sunday night after he got in we went to re-live our faithful frigid and yummy night in January at Toro.  OK it was still a bit chilly this night.. good thing I FINALLY listened to W and switched my shorts for pants.  And, of course, I paired my outfit with super high platform heels – I can’t help it.  I love to tower.

We got there just a few minutes after A & J around 5:30 who were just starting to enjoy a cocktail and beer, and we were immediately seated.   Good thing too cuz Toro, per usual, filled up FAST — I started with one of my fav cocktails from Toro… the Cabana Boy. Canton Ginger, spiced rum, pineapple.

We even sat the way we did that night, except J replaced S :]   And no paron.  And once again, we had a ton of food. A TON, possibly more than before?! Not sure… the bread was a-flowing and some of the highlights were these: Egg Omelette, Buffalo Heart, Pimientos, Sweetbreads [amaze balls], Tuna, Oysters, Goat Cheese [which was actually really creaaaammmy and light], Salt Cod Fritters [which tasted like delicious McDonald’s Filet O’ Fish in a ball of fried goodness, NO LIE], Pork Belly, Pulled Pork, just to name a few off the top of my head. We had a beautiful Spanish wine picked out by A.

But the dinner started out with a special charcuterie plate from Chef Jamie Biss. UM. SWOON.

Everything was delicious.  I wanted to order another platter – JUST FOR ME – I haven’t had a “just cheese, charcuterie and wine” dinner in awhile – THIS would SO be one of the ultimates.  That Pork Pate at the right end.  Atop chopped up kimchi – fucking fantasmic. YES.  Swearing needs to happen.  Bad language is accepted with the food is this fucking awesome.

Special of the Day: Tripe Chili with avocado and Crema.  Oh you heard right, it’s like a Fat Asian Girl’s wet dream AKA MINE!  Tender pulled pork, beans, etc… all the chili components and then TRIPE. FUCKING TRIPE.  I LOOOOOOOOOVE TRIPE.  This is like tripe porno tuesday for Miss Tiffie… except.. on a Sunday… and… only two dishes of tripe.

Bone Marrow for a Double Date.  One of us an one for them.  Perfect as always.

And hands down, BEST dish of the night was the Green Curry Tripe… tripe?  Tripe that felt like TENDON.  A and I told Jamie straight up we wanted to BATHHHHHHHHE in this and lick it off each other.  Ok, I may have added that licking part in but at least I WOULD ;]  Melted on your tongue into a bliss of green curry…. and ever-so-sultry like sliiiiiiiiiiiides down your throat. I want to SOAK in this.  Hell, I’d lick it off myself. JOY.

An amazing [early] night with great friends.  I always have an amazing time eating with A & J :]  See previous.  Oh, we ended the night in churros. You know that’s always a plus.

The rest of the night? Sex, Love and Rock n’ Roll baby <3

Dinner and some Movies… Ps7 + Japanese Fest

After a delicious, and relaxing, afternoon…. feels like I’ve been here forever already…. we started planning for dinner and a movie marathon with B.

We were originally going to meet up with B at Graffiato… [I had dreams of burrata and pizza while we rode in the taxi] but B got there first and said it was PACKEDDDDD.. so since we were on a schedule to see movies… we made a quick change of plans and headed to PS7 – another place W used to work at.

Settled in at the corner of the bar, nice and comfy, I had some bubbly, B got some beer.. and W.. kept getting really bad coke.. but it’s okay, he finally got a nice good glass LOL.

Talk. Drink. Order. EAT!!!

We totally didn’t order this, or at least I don’t remember ordering it, but they brought some over, weeeeeeee.. I definitely remember reading about them on the menu and having my tummy gurgle…

Pull Apart Pork Sticky Buns

Sweet Dough with Pork Confit and Brown Sugar Spice Glaze

SOOO FREAKING GOOD.. I could’ve eaten a TUB of them… they were like dessert with MEAT!!! Sweet, sticky and amazing.  Orgasmically so… I’d totally have them for a meaty, slightly savory, dessert. MMMMMMMMM, I love my piggie, this just totally one-upped the pork cupcakes – which was also amazing, but def not desserty like this.

Fried Cheesy Goodness..

I don’t remember exactly what they were called.. cheese spring rolls? Some sort of new take on mozz sticks? They were goat cheese and black outside?! I totally forget #lame… maybe cuz I didn’t have one – I SUCK. But it was goat cheese.. and I wasn’t in the mood for any LOL…

I did want to try the chicken & waffles…. but was afraid that I couldn’t finish.. good thing I didn’t order a ton of the yummy looking apps too, cuz my entree was HUGE. Lots of must-try’s tho next time I’m there.

OK, on to the entrees, funnily enough we all got SAMMYS.. well sorts of…

B got the OMFG Dip

porchetta, caramelized onions, gruyere, country bread, smoked jus

He let me have a bite. DELICIOUS jus…. crunchy chewy bread, AMMMMAAAZING innards.. MMM meaty and delicious. This was SOOOO GOOOD…. may get this next time I come :]

W got the “Primanti Brothers” Special
Apparently he ALWAYS gets this.. teehee

soppressata, fried egg, provolone, pepper slaw, french fries on fresh sourdough

THIS WAS SO GOOD. It’s basically everything and the kitchen sink… with shoe-string fries OMG… AMAZING… :]

And by W’s suggestion AND the waiter’s super thumbs up – he said he eats these ALL the time – I got HOT DOOOOOOOGS

The Peoples Half Smoke

house made half smoke, white veal chili, aged cheddar cheese, dijon mustard

THIS MADE ME SO HAPPY. I haven’t had a hot dog in awhile and have been craving….. so when W and the waiter suggested… OF COURSE I said YESSSSSSSS…. the Chili was SOOOO GOOD… I could eat a TUBS of this chili… OMG it was SOOOOO GOOOOOOD…. a hint of heat, super meaty and full of flavor… no wonder I passed out for a few minutes during the first movie during our marathon.. I smothered the spicy mustard on the yummy hot dogs OMG and INHALED!!! the bread was a bit thicker than my liking but still super tasty.

The movie theatre we went to actually sold alcohol.. and not only glasses of beer, wine and liquor  BUT… BOTTLES, yes FULL BOTTLES of wine.

Cashier: What wine would you like?
Me: THE CHEAPEST WHITE WINE… MAD GHETTO YOOOOO

Hahaha also got TONS of candyyyyyy

This is what happened when you drink before and during a movie marathon in the middle of the night…

Jiro Dreams of Sushi

Beautiful. Must watch again and then own. Made me crave sushi like BADDDD….

Next up was the midnight showing of THIS…  f*ck the Hunger Games, it’s all about Battle Royale. OG Bitches!

Tea Party @ L’Espalier

Every weekend L’Espalier has Tea Time…. Which, as much of you guys know, is my favorite luxury……. some of it might have to do with my crazy Alice in Wonderland obsessed syndrome [and this was BEFORE the Johnny Depp movie mind you…]

Continuing on…. in Boston, L’Espalier is my fav place to go get it [another option: Taj Lounge but I insist you come here first if you haven’t yet….]

Christmas Eve 2009 at L’Espalier

I have been anxiously awaiting Christmas Eve to arrive for awhile now, aside from the highly anticipated company, I had planned to dine at my favorite restaurant in Boston, L’Espalier… you guys remember reading about me dining there earlier this year at Chef’s Table, but I find every meal I have there is an unique experience/event of it’s own.

Why we were a half hour late to the restaurant….

Oh L’Espalier

Frank McClelland
Chef and Proprieter

James Hackney
Chef de Cuisine

Jiho Kim
Pastry Chef

Prix Fixe with the Vintner’s Tasting

Our ‘customized tasting’ at Custom House

Last weekend was boyfriend’s brother’s bday :] So he, Steven, got to chose where to go. The funny thing was that boyfriend kept it secret from me until… he needed my iphone gps/maps app to get there :] hahaha… But he knew I’d be excited about it, and I was… the place chosen was…. *cue music*

DUN DUN DUN

CUSTOM HOUSE!!!!!!!

Like always, we created our own sort of “Tasting”…