Paris Eats: Angelina

After spending a cold, rainy morning wandering around the Château de Versailles, admiring the hall of mirrors (perhaps the one thing I remember from high school European history classes), and trying to explore the grounds without getting soaked, Jeff and I headed back to our hotel room, armed with baguettes and cheese we'd picked up on Rue Cler. We had a mini indoor picnic, and as the weather started to clear up, we decided to trek to Angelina for the renowned hot chocolate L'Africain. It proved to be just the thing for a chilly afternoon.

Paris Eats: Auberge Pyrénées Cévennes

On our second night in Paris, after spending the day exploring the Louvre and Notre Dame and wandering around the St. Germain area (snacking on croissants and macarons and enjoying a light lunch at Da Rosa), we met one of my high school friends and her husband for dinner at one of their favorite spots (they've been living in Paris for a year): Auberge Pyrénées Cévennes.  It's near the République metro stop and trekking over there gave us an opportunity to explore another area of Paris. The restaurant was on a little side street and didn't look very impressive from the outside, but inside it was cozy and homey and the waitstaff was incredibly friendly.

Paris Eats: Café Constant

My old roommate just got married in Germany!! And Jeff and I got to celebrate with her and her now husband, along with their close friends and family, at a gorgeous vineyard in Bissersheim. But instead of jetting straight to Germany for the festivities, Jeff and I decided to start our trip in Paris. Plane tickets are so expensive, and we figured if we were flying all that way, we may as well make a real trip out of it. We flew out of Boston on a Saturday evening, arrived Sunday morning, and after checking into our hotel, showering, and changing, we hit the ground running. We wandered through the Musée d'Orsay, marveling over Impressionist works, we took an elevator to the second level of the Eiffel Tower and looked out over Paris, and finally we went in search of dinner.

Pasta Making With Jody Adams

Jody Adams is pretty much a household name in the Boston area (and beyond) among those who love good food. Most people know of her Harvard Square restaurant, Rialto, which she opened back in 1994. It's one of my favorites. Some have probably already been to her newer restaurant, Trade (still on my must-try list). Those who don't live nearby may have seen her on Top Chef Masters. Or perhaps you've been reading her blog The Garum Factory. Chances are you've heard of Jody in some capacity or another. I think she's pretty amazing, so when I was invited to take a class at Rialto and learn how to make pasta from her, it was an opportunity I couldn't turn down.

One Sunday back in April, I drove over to the Charles Hotel and waited outside Rialto with other class attendees to be let in for the class.

Summer in Massachusetts Preview Party At Boston Chops

I recently attended a Summer in Massachusetts Preview Party at Boston Chops. The location of the party gave me a chance to finally see what Boston Chops was all about, and the theme of the party gave me the opportunity to learn about what's going on in MA this summer.