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.

BeeHive --latest hotspot in South End

The Beehive, 541 Tremont St., South End, 617-423-0069

This past Saturday night, my friend AHP went to BeeHive. The newest addition to the South End scene but with nightly live music! We just went for dinner time (early) before the night time crush and live music. I head heard it is a achingly hip place with cool drinks (did not try any) and the newest place to be seen in Boston!

The decor is very cool! Very spacious and when you walk downstairs you see some cool art hung on the walls and atmosphere is great. We were quickly seated (dining room had no tables yet but some people at the bar). Since we were not famished, we had the Bohemian Platter $21 Chef's selection of tasty bites and salad and the fried oysters and calamari with spicy avocado $12 and I got the gazpacho $8.

The service was good and attentive. Our server always made sure our water was filled. The food was hit and miss. The gazpacho was nice with a dallop crème fraîche that was unexpected. It was refreshing. The oysters and calamari were overly greasy. My friend commented there was too much greens (I believe watercress?) that distracted from the taste for her. For a few seconds I thought there were no oysters, but after really squinting my eyes, I found a few of them. The Bohemian Platter had some great stuff and some not so great stuff. The olives and roasted eggplant, mushrooms and carrots were a hit for both of us. The stringy mozzerella was cool. The sausage and ham were nice. The couscous stuffed tomatoes were not bad. The red bean salad was a bit too much or crunchy (per my friend) to eat more of it.

The owner did come by to ask if everything was ok. Later on after we left, too full to have dessert and currently only had two choices baklava and a blueberry cake. We did bump into some friends who informed us that the drinks are nice but a bit overpriced and the acoustics are not great.

I give this place a 7 forks out of 10 forks.

Dong Khanh----affordable Vietnamese Food in Boston Chinatown

Last Tuesday, I met up with my buddy JLAM. I decided to bypass some of the usual suspects for out of towners for some comforting Vietnamese food outside of Fields Corner in Dorchester. My fave place outside of Fields Corner in Chinatown is Dong Khanh (83 Harrison AveBoston, MA 02111(617) 426-9410).

Known for their great shakes, you will always see a constant line for shakes and their boba drinks. Service can be slow but the food is worth the wait. Very simple and not fussy, Dong Khanh has been around for a long time pleasing customers with their extensive menu! I used to only come for their Pho, Bun and Pork chop rice plate! Small and family run and not accepting credit cards makes this place stay affordable. Ordering by using numbers for the dishes you want to eat is helpful is you do not speak Vietnamese and Cantonese.

We shared the banh xeo (vietnamese style crepe), ca bong lau kho to (carmelized fish in peppery sauce) and com suong bi cha (pork chop, rice, meatloaf, side salad, and shredded pork skin with two fried eggs) and were full afterwards. Before tip the total was slightly under $22!!!

My friend raved and never had the carmelized fish and banh xeo before! Tasty meal, cheap, and quick what more can you ask for? The fish tasted like a better version of Japanese unagi according to JLAM! The sauce was fantastic and I needed lots of rice to sop it up. The banh xeo was a nice mix of veggies and meat and of course you need the fish sauce. The pork chop rice is always a fave of mine. Their meatloaf has vermicelli is great, the flavorful pork chop is grilled to perfection and the shredded pork skin is easy to eat. I thoroughly enjoy the two fried eggs (runny enough to go all over my rice) and the simple side salad of iceberg leaves and some tomato slices finish off the plate. Only problem was trying to leave, we did have to wait a bit to get our bill. Service can be spotty and not as efficient but we did not mind at all.

9 forks out of 10 forks

Fried Clams at Kelly's in Revere Beach..

Last weekend, I took my friend JH and mom to get fried clams at Kelly's. Kelly's to locals is a fried seafood and roast beef place! They do take away business and have over three locations (the one we went to did only take away business).

We also were in the area to check out the sand sculpture festival too on the other end of the beach. It was a hot day not too humid with a light breeze here and there.

As we approached, we noticed a ton of people, the lines were longer for waiting for your food than to actually order. The wait was actually not bad at all. My mom loved the prices and thought them affordable. Our clam plate was under $20 with onion rings and fries too! The fisherman's platter with fried shrimp, fried scallop and fried clams along with onion rings and french fries was priced under $20 as well! Our clam chowder (more light broth) was only $3 for a cup.

The clam chowder broth was very thin (not much flour was put in to make it thicker). I usually like me chowders to be a bit thicker than the watery consistency we got. But the flavors were simple and good. The key was fresh clams in the broth with awesome little nuggets of potatoes and onions.

The fried clam platter we got to share-my mom and I. It was great! (Part of it might be because we were ravenous and really craving fried clams. The batter was good the clams were hitting the spot. Only one thing to complain, we wish the bellies were fatter! JH loved the fisherman's platter and I enjoyed the fried shrimp (different batter) and fried scallop (also another batter). I liked the variety. The tartar sauce was a great accompaniment.

Service is not overly friendly but does the job. They call out your name and you come and pick up your order. JH did not get a fork and we all had to ask for them (we were not keen on using our fingers to pick up our food).

There is a covered area to eat your food across the street from Kelly's that overlooks the beach. We found it helpful though there were benches no tables. My sister warned me about the overly aggressive birds who would eat your food is left unattended. (I had watched a Rachel Ray episode in Boston at Kelly's and the birds were hovering over her before she got to try her fried clams!).

It is off the Blue Line (Wonderland T-stop) with a 15 minute walk away to get there. There was a bus but it ran infrequently on that Saturday we went there.

8 forks out of 10 forks (for decent prices, good quality clams though even on the thin side)

Tasca----farewell dinner

Tasca Spanish Tapas Restaurant & Bar

1612 Commonwealth AveBrighton, MA 02135(617) 730-8002

Last week, I attended a farewell dinner for our grate intern GLAI. Thanks for your great work!

She chose Tasca as the place she wanted to have dinner.

On Thursdays, you can dine to the lovely music of a spanish guitarist! I always love hearing the guitar music. I always find it to be a treat.

First off we had the sangria and got a pitcher. I enjoy the sangria alot and the strong taste of alcohol is masked by the juices and fruit! Everyone enjoyed the sangria. Next we got about 11 tapas (also is was the first time for a few people at the table to have tapas), but before we got the tapas, I got a gazpacho. (Their gazpacho is one of my favorite ones I have had in the last few months!). The combination of ingredients and fresh tomatoes was delectable. Our bread came with a pesto chick pea spread which was lovely.

The favorite tapas were the Fideos con mariscos (seafood with pasta) and Gambas al ajillo(garlic shrimp) were two stand outs for many. One person did not like the tuna dish. But overall everything was enjoyed and devoured! Many of the braised or meat dishes were excellent. Only one misstep really for one diner was the Atún salteado which was a little fishy. We were so full we could not even eat dessert and there were five people eating too!

Tapas ordered:

Casoulet -Cazuela of beef, duck, chicken and sausage braised with tomatoes, vegetables and white beans

Los tres amigos -Grilled trio of sausages served with grilled flatbread, carmelized onions and Dijon mustard

Cazuela de cordero -Sangria braised boneless leg of lamb with root vegetables scented with fresh rosemary and thyme

*Gambas al ajillo- Sizzling shrimp in garlic

*Asado de cerdo -Slow roasted pork over a white bean ragout with braised mushrooms

Albóndigas -Homemade tenderloin meatballs in green peppercorn sauce

Solomillo Petit -filet mignon (3oz) served over a sherry braised mushroom sauce

Atún salteado -Pan seared yellow-fin tuna over a mixed bean ragout in a saffron dijon mustard aioli

Caracoles -Escargots baked in puff pastry with leeks and garlic served on a roasted garlic and sambuca sauce

*Fideos con Mariscos -Shrimp, calamari, mussels and salmon tossed with pasta in a white wine sauce

Confít de pato -Roasted duck leg served over red cabbage and apples

8 forks out of 10 forks

Afternoon Tea at L'Espalier

This past weekend, I went to one of my fave places for afternoon tea---L'Espalier. Now their days are numbered in this old space before they move to their new digs next year. I have to come to this cozy location and I LOVE it!

I took my friend Jea Hee (before she heads back to Korea) by the end of the month. First off she will be in London and Paris before heading over to Europe. I cannot believe I met her on the plane heading to Boston. Over six months later, she is heading back. This was her first time having afternoon tea. She got the "Make Way for Ducklings" (Petit fours, pastry and tea $27-L'espalier Swan, Blueberry Terrine, Cherry Tart, Chocolate Decandence Cake, Cherry Raisen Scone, Strawberry dipped in Chocolate) and I got the "Three Blind Mice" ($30 award winning cheese plate---off the website--with the traditional accompaniments). Since I tried a fromage tower in Sonoma this past trip, I wanted to try the famous cheeses that L'Espalier has available. She got the Oolong Jade tea and I got the Elderberry Nectar Herbal tea (which was very nice, light and did not need anything to sweeten it).

I must say they were very good and it makes sense to eat counter clockwise from mildest to strongest in flavor, scent and the different textures were interesting. My Cheese person did not mark off #1 so I am not sure what it was. I enjoyed all the cheese choices actually. Some were strong but very good paired with the bread, pinenuts in honey were lovely or dried fruits were lovely. Now I understand why there are accompaniments.

#2-Coupole --Websterville Vermont, #3 Pecorina Ginepro--Emilia-Romagna, Italy

#4 Epoisse De Bourgogne--Burgundy, France (Brined), #5 Gouda (aged 5 years) Holland, #6 Bayley Hazen--Greensboro, Vermont

It was lovely to try. If you wanted to buy some for your home, L'espalier does offer the cheeses to go.

10 forks out of 10 forks

*www.lespalier.com

*Recently the head chef was listed on the James Beard Foundation Best Northeast Chef for 2007 and he has gained Best New Chef in Food Wine Magazineas well as "Fine Dining Hall of Fame".

(website source) This restaurant will be moving from this cozy location in the future, to it while it is still at this location! It has been the site of many celebrations, wedding proposals etc.

Chef/Proprietor: Frank McClelland
Chef de Cuisine: James Hackney
Mâitre d’: Louis Risoli
Wine Director: Erik Johnson
Location: In the heart of fashionable Back Bay, in an 1880 townhouse on the corner of Newbury and Gloucester Street, one block from the Hynes Convention Center, Prudential Center and Copley Place. Walking distance to Symphony Hall, Berklee Performance Center and major colleges and universities. CuisineSophisticated and modern New England-French cuisine, with an emphasis on artisanal and New England ingredients.

LunchThree course Prix Fixe Menu $24.00á la carte also available DinnerThree course Prix Fixe Menu $75.00Seven course Degustation Tasting Menu $94.00Seven course Degustation Vegetable Menu $75.00Chef’s Tasting Menu $175.00Setting

Front Room: L’Espalier’s largest dining room with a color scheme of taupe and cream. With its carved marble fireplace, luxurious plasterwork, and views overlooking Gloucester Street, it has a feeling of classic elegance. A mirrored mantle and simple black and white photography accent this light-filled room.Salon: L’Espalier’s Salon dining room has a truffle and cream color scheme and offers an intimate setting for two or a lovely dining option for private events. With an over stuffed banquette, stylized fireplace, and sparkling chandelier, the Salon offers diners a more private dining alternative.Library:The Library, on L’Espalier’s third floor offers a pleasant alternative to the subdued color schemes of the Front Room and Salon. With salmon colored walls, mahogany woodwork, and another beautifully sculpted mantle, the Library exudes warmth. Tables overlook Gloucester Street and the surrounding rooftops.