Icarus-29 years Anniversary Menu

http://www.icarusrestaurant.com/

Icarus Restaurant-3 Appleton StBoston, MA 02116(617) 426-1790

Stephen's Summer Sangria Red or White $8 a glass

$29.99 three course pre-fixe menu

Polenta, Braised Azuluna Veal Breast, Black Truffles, Parmesan

Marinated Wellfleet Littlenecks & Casco Bay Mussels, Panzanella Salad & Saffron

Pan-Fried Sunburst Trout, Pecan Brown Butter, Bright Lights Chard , Santa Barbara,

Grilled Leg of Lamb, Socca Pancakes Stuffed with Peppery Greens, Lemon Caper Vinaigrette

Dessert: Gateau Chocolat and Lemon Buttermilk Panna Cotta

First off, I met up with Sue L. for dinner and I had to push back our reservations a little (due to my coming from out of town). We got settled pretty quickly into a small table for two. We opted to try the sangrias. Sue has been to Spain and is particular about proclaiming a sangria good or bad. (Similar to my tastes in Cantonese cooking, dimsum and gelato as I am a bit more selective). I got the white one---it was too syrupy sweet and I did not taste the wine. Sue opted for the red and it tasted more wine with no fruit taste or sweetness.

Our server was apologetic and offered to change our drinks, but we figured it would be hard as they are premixed and done already. Our water glasses were filled without our needing to ask, silverware was changed for every course and we did not have to wait too long in between courses.

For our first course we got the polenta and the mussels. Both were amazingly good! I loved the slight cheesiness in the polenta from the parmesan and the veal breast was nicely flavorful accent on the side. The marinated Wellfleet littlenecks and Casco bay mussels were great with the salad with enough creaminess from the dressing for the salad. The littlenecks and mussels were very fresh and delicious.

For our second course, we got the trout and the grilled leg of lamb. The grilled leg of lamb (we were forewarned is served medium rare) that was not the issue but it was the cut of the meat. It was bit chewy (I guess it should be as it is the leg) but was more blah for me. Nothing special in terms of taste but it was not gamey at least. Peppery greens commented Sue were akin to Chinese stir fried veggies (I tended to agree) but the Socca Pancakes had no place on the plate. They were a bit soggy/crispy and to us served not real taste purpose and were a bit boring. The trout on the other hand was delightful! It was not overly cooked or sauced, the pecan brown butter and the crispiness of the fish was divine. The slight crunchiness of the skin and the soft flaky trout meat were excellent. (I so dislike over cooked fish).

The desserts were lovely. The gateau chocolate as expected was rich and chocolatey but with dark chocolate flavors. I always like the fresh whipped cream served with it. The lime panna cotta was served with a crunchy butter cookie and a fresh blueberry sauce. I was in heaven with this dessert. With the blueberries in season they were juicy and delicious and a lovely accent to the sublime lime panna cotta.

Best ---Trout and panna cotta

Worst ---white sangria and the grilled leg of lamb

I give Icarus an 8 forks out of 9 forks.

Woodmans-the inventor of Fried Clams

http://www.woodmans.com/

Route 133, 121 Main St. Essex, Massachusetts 01929 Phone: (978) 768-6057 (800) 649-1773

I finally had to come to this famed place in Essex, MA---Woodmans last weekend. They proclaim themselves to be the inventors of Fried Clams and they are sold at market price. Recently, my buddy MPK and I went there earlier to avoid the long lines that are guaranteed to happen during the weekend lunch hours.

The directions were not that bad and we got there under an hour from Boston. We visited Woodmans around 11:30am. We opted to share and got the medium Chubby's Fried Clams (with bellies of course!) $18.95 (Market price), Lobster Roll $18.95 (Market Price) and Clam Fritters $4.95 (4 fritters) and 2 clam chowders $3.95 each a cup. They do take credit cards (yea) and there are helpful empty containers by the cashier to help better figure how much you want to eat.

Your number is then called out and you go to the pick up area. There is a big side area to sit and choose from many tables to eat your delicious lunch. First item to be sampled is the clam chowder. It is the second clam chowder of the month I had tried (last time was Kelly's) where the broth is very thin. My sis did explain there are varying different types of broths for clam chowder. So this is deliberately on the thin/runny side. Whereas Kelly's had some nice clam flavors and was great this one was more tasteless in comparison. I did taste some clam and potatoes but I was not bowled over by the taste. Needless to say, I did not finish it except for the clams and potatoes in the chowder.

Then I proceeded to try the clam fritters. They looked very inviting but what it really is a big dough ball of batter with very microscropic pieces of crab. It is very dry if you do not have any sauce-hot, tartar or whatever strikes your fancy. Next came the fried clams, not overly greasy, too bad the bellies were not bigger but very good. I think these fried clams edge out the Kelly's Fried clams a little bit. There is a nice crunch, flavor and dipping them in tartar sauce was divine!

Lastly, we split the lobster roll, just how I like it, very simple. Just plain ole lobster tail meat with claws cut up on a toasted hot dog bun with minimal mayo.

There you have it our meal at Woodmans.

I give it 8 forks out of 9 forks.