Category: We recommend!

Taking Your Dog Along When You Travel to Canada

Today we share a resource link from our friends over on Go Pet Friendly.

Last month they updated their page on "Traveling with Your Dog to Canada."

I learned I could not bring my Poppy's homemade, raw diet into Canada. I would have to substitute a product that is "commercially packaged and sealed with ingredients listed in English."

They cover all the basic information you will need and include an important section on breed-specific regulations you must know about if you plan to travel to Ontario or Montreal.

Get to know all of our Sunday Dogs at Boston Dogs.

Thanks to everyone who Hops over to Amazon from here to do their shopping. We appreciate your support.

Details:

Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photos: screenshot courtesy of Go Pet Friendly.

September 25, 2016
Turn to Universal Hub When You What to Know What’s Happening in Boston

Here's one of my top tips for newcomers to Boston. If you want news that really matters to your life in Boston, you need to know about Universal Hub.

It's usually the first site I visit each morning. And, when I want to know what's going on: why traffic is stopped on Storrow Drive or why I'm hearing helicopters or non-stop sirens, I call up Adam Gaffin's @universalhub timeline on Twitter.

Stories are updated not only by Adam, but also by commenters, photographers who contribute to the Universal Hub photo pool on Flickr, and by members of the UH community who send additional information to the site via twitter.

What's more, much of this hard work is done with a good dose of fun whenever possible. Adam has turned headline writing into a pun art. Some of the world's greatest punsters have been known to participate in a string of punny comments that will have you moaning in that good way that only bad puns can create.

Mainstream Media Failure

Local TV news has lost me as a viewer because more and more of these programs have become promotional vehicles for the station, the network, or a sports team. They may present stories, but they are from who knows where, about things that have no impact on your life. Why? Because they have video and because they are really about entertainment rather than news.

Instead of a half hour of news, you get seven minutes of local news, endless sports and political blather, and lots of hype. They just take the feed from the network to fill the time. If I want local news, I have to turn to sites like UH.

Support Universal Hub

As with many other sites, Universal Hub is supported by advertising, affiliate programs, and contributions.

Last year Adam added a link that asks readers,

"Help keep Universal Hub going. If you like what we're up to and want to help out, please consider a (completely non-deductible) donation."

You'll find the place to click by scrolling down in the right-hand sidebar. (Or, if you are a long time user, click here and make that contribution now.) The next time you get a great, timely, local answer to your question, "What's going on right now in Boston?" click the link and drop a few coins in the UH tip jar.

Do you have an Amazon Gift Certificate to use? Or do you need to buy one for a gift? Remember to click over to Amazon from here to support this site!

Details:

Words: Penny Cherubino
Screengrabs from Universalhub.com

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September 16, 2016
Porto Boston, Our First Look

Porto Boston at the base of a Prudential Center apartment building has added one more choice to our short list of places to go for a very good meal near our home in the Back Bay. Our first visit was for brunch last month.

We put together a three piece share that left us smiling. It started with a lovely fig and arugula salad with honey, pecorino, and perfectly crisp thin croutons.

Ed was the hungrier of the two of us, so he went for an entrée of sea trout & poached eggs on a biscuit with turmeric and mustard greens.

I loved this dish of campanelle with feta, soft herbs, pine nuts, and tomato. Ed did get a few bites and was a happy eater.

Since we write about food, friends and neighbors often ask us where we've been eating and what's new that they might enjoy. Every time we mentioned Porto, someone asked us exactly where it's located. We prepared the collage above to give you a good idea of where you will find it. (Here's a map.)

It's across the street from Star Market on Ring Road. The upper left photo was taken next to the sign for the market looking towards Boylston Street and the bridge from the Shops at the Prudential to Lord and Taylor. The lower right photos show you the sign for Sax Fifth Avenue looking towards Huntington Avenue.

We love dining at bars and choose those with great food and great service. Porto delivered. What's more, they have lots of bar seats. We sat at the inside bar adjacent to the patio.

This one wraps around to continue on the outside of the glass …

… to offer bar seating on the patio. (We didn't take a photo but there's also another large expanse of bar seating that wraps around the open kitchen.)

Speaking of the patio, it has a retractable cover that seems to make it perfect for a longer outdoor dining season. In addition to seating at the bar or patio tables, there's a cozy corner with a sofa, chairs, and cocktail tables.

We can't wait to meet up with a group of friends and share a wider selection of menu items around one of the high tables in the indoor bar area or, weather permitting, in that cozy patio corner.

What's on your Food Lover's shopping list?

Details:

Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photos: ©2016 Penny & Ed Cherubino

September 14, 2016
Porto Boston, Our First Look

Porto Boston at the base of a Prudential Center apartment building has added one more choice to our short list of places to go for a very good meal near our home in the Back Bay. Our first visit was for brunch last month.

We put together a three piece share that left us smiling. It started with a lovely fig and arugula salad with honey, pecorino, and perfectly crisp thin croutons.

Ed was the hungrier of the two of us, so he went for an entrée of sea trout & poached eggs on a biscuit with turmeric and mustard greens.

I loved this dish of campanelle with feta, soft herbs, pine nuts, and tomato. Ed did get a few bites and was a happy eater.

Since we write about food, friends and neighbors often ask us where we've been eating and what's new that they might enjoy. Every time we mentioned Porto, someone asked us exactly where it's located. We prepared the collage above to give you a good idea of where you will find it. (Here's a map.)

It's across the street from Star Market on Ring Road. The upper left photo was taken next to the sign for the market looking towards Boylston Street and the bridge from the Shops at the Prudential to Lord and Taylor. The lower right photos show you the sign for Sax Fifth Avenue looking towards Huntington Avenue.

We love dining at bars and choose those with great food and great service. Porto delivered. What's more, they have lots of bar seats. We sat at the inside bar adjacent to the patio.

This one wraps around to continue on the outside of the glass …

… to offer bar seating on the patio. (We didn't take a photo but there's also another large expanse of bar seating that wraps around the open kitchen.)

Speaking of the patio, it has a retractable cover that seems to make it perfect for a longer outdoor dining season. In addition to seating at the bar or patio tables, there's a cozy corner with a sofa, chairs, and cocktail tables.

We can't wait to meet up with a group of friends and share a wider selection of menu items around one of the high tables in the indoor bar area or, weather permitting, in that cozy patio corner.

What's on your Food Lover's shopping list?

Details:

Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photos: ©2016 Penny & Ed Cherubino

September 14, 2016
Add “Miles on the MBTA” to Your Resource List

"Miles on the MBTA" is our Friday Link as we welcome new residents to Boston and try to remind others of the great resources we have to make life better in Boston.

Miles is covering miles and miles of MBTA (and other area mass transit) routes and reviewing the routes and the stations.

Over on Reddit Boston, there are a lot of questions about the best ways to commute. Those readers should take a look at what Miles has compiled.

Add Miles on the MBTA to your daily reading list, follow him on Twitter or Facebook, and get to know more about getting around Boston carfree!

Do you have an Amazon Gift Certificate to use? Or do you need to buy one for a gift? Remember to click over to Amazon from here to support this site!

Details:

Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Screenshot from Miles on the MBTA

September 2, 2016
Add “Miles on the MBTA” to Your Resource List

"Miles on the MBTA" is our Friday Link as we welcome new residents to Boston and try to remind others of the great resources we have to make life better in Boston.

Miles is covering miles and miles of MBTA (and other area mass transit) routes and reviewing the routes and the stations.

Over on Reddit Boston, there are a lot of questions about the best ways to commute. Those readers should take a look at what Miles has compiled.

Add Miles on the MBTA to your daily reading list, follow him on Twitter or Facebook, and get to know more about getting around Boston carfree!

Do you have an Amazon Gift Certificate to use? Or do you need to buy one for a gift? Remember to click over to Amazon from here to support this site!

Details:

Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Screenshot from Miles on the MBTA

September 2, 2016
September 2016 Sparkles with Tissot Crémant du Jura, an Easy Choice!
The easiest and most enjoyable job (if you can call it that) we’ve ever had is selecting a sparkling wine to celebrate the arrival of each and every new month (a.k.a. Our Sparkling Resolution).

Of course, since we’ve kept the streak alive for more than eight years (let’s see … that’s at least a hundred bottles of bubbly) and don’t feature wines we dislike, you might guess at times the challenge to pick another winner could become formidable.

All we can say is clear your mind of any such nonsense and focus instead on helping us ring in September with a sparkler of your choice. We’ve decided to go with the Stephane Tissot Crémant du Jura (a Crémant that’s about as close as you come to a “sure thing.”)

Here’s What Tasters Are Saying About This Sparkler:

K&L Wines …
- “This Stephane Tissot Cremant du Jura is an aromatic ringer for champagne …”
- “… stylish, mineral driven rendition of pinot noir and chardonnay”
- “… still manages to maintain a unique Jurassien personality – a little softer, more grapey, and redolent of almonds and spring flowers”
Down to Earth Wines …
- “… distinct expressions of Chardonnay … awesome Chardonnay based bubblies”
- “In complexity and sheer deliciousness, this is a quality/price superstar.”
- “50% Chardonnay, 40% Pinot Noir, 5% Poulsard, 5% Trousseau”
Renowned wine critic David Schildknecht …
- “… distinctly delicious and encouragingly affordable”
- “… texturally flattering”
- “… hint of citrus enlivens a modest finish”
- “… should be enjoyed in its youth."
Bénédicte and Stéphane Tissot …
- “Tasting: Bubble thin and delicate, it offers faîcheur (freshness) sparkling & elegant fruit”
- “Food Pairings: Aperitif, desserts …”
What we say about this Tissot Crémant …
- “Lemony, tart, nice acidity (not overdone)”
- “Bitter almond notes”
- “Has a very distinct voice all its own”
- “Palate cleansing”
- “Citrusy notes would match well with scallops, hot buttered lobster …”
- “Also should work with Thai, Asian food, fried clams …”
- “Has some weight to it”
We purchased our bottle of Tissot Crémant du Jura @ Gordon’s Fine Wines and Liquors, Boston (Listed here @ $19.99)

Here’s to September. Cheers!

Links:

Tissot Crémant du Jura Wines (The Wines) in French

Related Posts:

Our Sparkling Resolution is covered in this post : Join Us as We Toast…

A Few of Our Favorite Gifts for Wine Lovers

Here are all the wines we've covered. Since this is a category this post may appear at the top. Just scroll down for more.

Want to learn more about wine? Remember to click over to Amazon from here to support this site! Here are three of our favorite wine books.

The Food Lover's Guide to Wine

The New Wine Lover's Companion

The Wine Bible

Details:

Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photography: © 2016 Penny & Ed Cherubino

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September 1, 2016
September 2016 Sparkles with Tissot Crémant du Jura, an Easy Choice!
The easiest and most enjoyable job (if you can call it that) we’ve ever had is selecting a sparkling wine to celebrate the arrival of each and every new month (a.k.a. Our Sparkling Resolution).

Of course, since we’ve kept the streak alive for more than eight years (let’s see … that’s at least a hundred bottles of bubbly) and don’t feature wines we dislike, you might guess at times the challenge to pick another winner could become formidable.

All we can say is clear your mind of any such nonsense and focus instead on helping us ring in September with a sparkler of your choice. We’ve decided to go with the Stephane Tissot Crémant du Jura (a Crémant that’s about as close as you come to a “sure thing.”)

Here’s What Tasters Are Saying About This Sparkler:

K&L Wines …
- “This Stephane Tissot Cremant du Jura is an aromatic ringer for champagne …”
- “… stylish, mineral driven rendition of pinot noir and chardonnay”
- “… still manages to maintain a unique Jurassien personality – a little softer, more grapey, and redolent of almonds and spring flowers”
Down to Earth Wines …
- “… distinct expressions of Chardonnay … awesome Chardonnay based bubblies”
- “In complexity and sheer deliciousness, this is a quality/price superstar.”
- “50% Chardonnay, 40% Pinot Noir, 5% Poulsard, 5% Trousseau”
Renowned wine critic David Schildknecht …
- “… distinctly delicious and encouragingly affordable”
- “… texturally flattering”
- “… hint of citrus enlivens a modest finish”
- “… should be enjoyed in its youth."
Bénédicte and Stéphane Tissot …
- “Tasting: Bubble thin and delicate, it offers faîcheur (freshness) sparkling & elegant fruit”
- “Food Pairings: Aperitif, desserts …”
What we say about this Tissot Crémant …
- “Lemony, tart, nice acidity (not overdone)”
- “Bitter almond notes”
- “Has a very distinct voice all its own”
- “Palate cleansing”
- “Citrusy notes would match well with scallops, hot buttered lobster …”
- “Also should work with Thai, Asian food, fried clams …”
- “Has some weight to it”
We purchased our bottle of Tissot Crémant du Jura @ Gordon’s Fine Wines and Liquors, Boston (Listed here @ $19.99)

Here’s to September. Cheers!

Links:

Tissot Crémant du Jura Wines (The Wines) in French

Related Posts:

Our Sparkling Resolution is covered in this post : Join Us as We Toast…

A Few of Our Favorite Gifts for Wine Lovers

Here are all the wines we've covered. Since this is a category this post may appear at the top. Just scroll down for more.

Want to learn more about wine? Remember to click over to Amazon from here to support this site! Here are three of our favorite wine books.

The Food Lover's Guide to Wine

The New Wine Lover's Companion

The Wine Bible

Details:

Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photography: © 2016 Penny & Ed Cherubino

Related articles

Michael Serpa Selects Champagne Jacquesson Cuvée 736 as Our Sparkler for June 2015

Bollinger Rosé Champagne Is Our Choice for Our New Year's Toast!

At the Market: Local Artichokes from Stillman's Farm
September 1, 2016
Cutting Celery, Chinese Celery, Smallage, Par-Cel, Have You Tried It?

A few weeks ago, after asking Halley Stillman at the Copley Farmers Market Stillman's Farm stand why so few local farms grew celery, she offered to bring in some of the cutting celery they were trying out back on the farm.

The next week, she had it on the stand. I bought it, popped it into a vase of cold water by my kitchen sink to refresh it, and proceeded to add it to a variety of salads, pasta dishes, and other recipes where I might have used celery or parsley. Each morning, I changed the water, washed down the stems, and continued to clip away at my bunch.

A week later, I was pleased to report to Halley that I loved this product and would be a customer for cutting celery – if it became a regular offering.

Reporting back to local vendors is important. While some of these experiments may never make it to the mainstream, others will, if they make good business sense for the farmers.

Here it played a supporting role in a Sicilian Cauliflower Salad. It is much stronger in flavor than celery and I learned that the strength of the flavor can vary from bunch-to-bunch.

In her book, Bitter: A Taste of the World's Most Dangerous Flavor, with Recipes, Jennifer McLagan explained that in 15th Century Italy growers began to reduce the bitterness of wild celery and this has continued until it resulted in the blanched stalks we know today.

Cutting celery, on the other hand, still has that strong flavor. It also has hollow stems and was sometimes use as we use straws.

One of my favorite food writers Deborah Madison in Vegetable Literacy had a great approach for those new to the powerful flavoring agent.

"When using the stalks or the leaves of cutting celery, such as Chinese celery or Par-Cel, taste them to judge their strength. Start small and add more, as if it were chile."

If you have a home garden, you should think about adding this to your herb patch. It's widely used as an herb by Asian and European cooks.

Do you have an Amazon Gift Certificate to use? Or do you need to buy one for a gift? Remember to click over to Amazon from here to support this site!

Details:

Words: Penny Cherubino
Photography: © 2016 Penny Cherubino

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August 31, 2016
Cutting Celery, Chinese Celery, Smallage, Par-Cel, Have You Tried It?

A few weeks ago, after asking Halley Stillman at the Copley Farmers Market Stillman's Farm stand why so few local farms grew celery, she offered to bring in some of the cutting celery they were trying out back on the farm.

The next week, she had it on the stand. I bought it, popped it into a vase of cold water by my kitchen sink to refresh it, and proceeded to add it to a variety of salads, pasta dishes, and other recipes where I might have used celery or parsley. Each morning, I changed the water, washed down the stems, and continued to clip away at my bunch.

A week later, I was pleased to report to Halley that I loved this product and would be a customer for cutting celery – if it became a regular offering.

Reporting back to local vendors is important. While some of these experiments may never make it to the mainstream, others will, if they make good business sense for the farmers.

Here it played a supporting role in a Sicilian Cauliflower Salad. It is much stronger in flavor than celery and I learned that the strength of the flavor can vary from bunch-to-bunch.

In her book, Bitter: A Taste of the World's Most Dangerous Flavor, with Recipes, Jennifer McLagan explained that in 15th Century Italy growers began to reduce the bitterness of wild celery and this has continued until it resulted in the blanched stalks we know today.

Cutting celery, on the other hand, still has that strong flavor. It also has hollow stems and was sometimes use as we use straws.

One of my favorite food writers Deborah Madison in Vegetable Literacy had a great approach for those new to the powerful flavoring agent.

"When using the stalks or the leaves of cutting celery, such as Chinese celery or Par-Cel, taste them to judge their strength. Start small and add more, as if it were chile."

If you have a home garden, you should think about adding this to your herb patch. It's widely used as an herb by Asian and European cooks.

Do you have an Amazon Gift Certificate to use? Or do you need to buy one for a gift? Remember to click over to Amazon from here to support this site!

Details:

Words: Penny Cherubino
Photography: © 2016 Penny Cherubino

Related articles

Mastering Hamersley's Roast Chicken Recipe

Mussels Are Sustainable, Easy to Cook, and Fun to Flavor

Healthy Alternatives for July 4th Cookouts, Pot Lucks, or Picnics

August 31, 2016