Tag: Newbury street

  • Celebrating October with Gérard Bertrand Crémant, a Sparkler Jefferson Would Have Loved

    CHE_4623 - Version 22014-09-24-Gerard-Bertrand-Cremant-de-Limoux-Brut-2012-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

     

    We’re ringing in a new month with a bottle of Gérard Bertrand Crémant de Limoux Brut 2012.  

     

    It’s hard to miss the likeness of Thomas Jefferson that’s pictured on the front label of this cuvee as a tribute from winemaker Gerard Bertrand to our third president whom he called, “Limoux’s greatest admirer,” claiming that, “wine from Limoux was the only sparkling wine to be found in his [Jefferson’s] personal wine cellar.”

     

    Much has been written about Jefferson’s love of wine including his, “preference for the lighter French and Italian wines.” So, after enjoying this cremant ourselves, we’d have to guess that he’d have been quite pleased with this sparkler.

     

    CHE_4622 - Version 22014-09-24-Gerard-Bertrand-Cremant-de-Limoux-Brut-2012-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

     

    Penny thought it was softer and fruitier than many Cremants with a good bit of apple taste. It was full-flavored yet not acidic, balanced, and food-friendly – pairing well with a Honeycrisp and some pretzels.

     

    That first sip brings a burst of flavor that’s fruity with a tart note that slides underneath and makes you want to go back for more.

     

    Gérard Bertrand Crémant de Limoux is a blend of 70% Chardonnay, 15% Chenin Blanc, 10% Mauzac, and 5% Pinot Noir.  (12.5% ABV)

     

    The winemaker attributes this sparkler’s texture and balance to its Chenin and Chardonnay grapes:

    • Color: "a beautiful, golden yellow robe"
    • "Complex, aromatic nose" with "hints of white flower … honey, green apple and toast."
    • "Crisp, elegant structure on the palate … texture of the bubbles complements the wine’s natural vivacity …"

    DSC_4115 - Version 22014-09-24-Gerard-Bertrand-Cremant-de-Limoux-Brut-2012-© 2011 Penny Cherubino (1)

     

    Gérard Bertrand Crémant de Limoux Brut 2012 is produced 15 miles outside of Carcassonne in southern France from some of the highest vineyards in the Languedoc.

     

    We found our bottle at Bauer Wine & Spirits on the south side of Newbury Street in Boston not far from sea level.  

    Here’s to October and, of course, to Thomas Jefferson. Salute!

    Read More about Our Sparkling Resolution      

     

    And, Our Sparkling Resolution Winner’s List

    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
    Photography: © 2014 Penny & Ed Cherubino  

     

    Related articles

    February Sparkles with a Crémant de Bourgogne Rosé
    A French "Value Sparkler" with No Compromises, le Moulin Blanquette de Limoux
    Limoux: crème de la crémant
    Behind The Bubbly: How Crémant de Limoux is Made
  • Latte vs Cafe Cortado: Which Is Your Perfect Drink?

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    Penny discovered cafe cortados at the Wired Puppy on Newbury Street. She was trying to order a latte with less milk, but more milk than an espresso macchiato.  

    Update: September 2015: we don't know why this post has brought many new readers to this site but we are happy to say, "Welcome." We hope you'll explore a bit and find more topics that we have covered that you enjoy.

    As she described what she wanted, the barista offered a cafe cortado as the drink that fit her description. Halfway through her first glass, she decided that her days of ordering lattes were over and the hunt for more cortado perfection was on.

    According to Wikipedia, "The word cortado is the past participle of the Spanish verb cortar (to cut)." In the case of the espresso drink, it is espresso cut with an equal amount of steamed milk. 

    IMG_7582 - Version 22014-08-23cortado-espresso-drink-thinking-cup-boston-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    When two cortados to go were ordered at Thinking Cup on Tremont, the person at the register said, "those are the best!" And the barista gave a nod and a smile when he saw them come up on his order screen. 

    Penny braved one attempt to order the drink at Starbucks. The order taker decided it was a wet cafe macchiato. (Apparently, the chain has no way to request half steamed milk and half expresso although the barista was within reach of the cashier and might have taken oral instructions.) The result was dreadful and Penny dumped it after a couple of sips. She should have known better.

    PC2_0520 - Version 22013-09-26-cafe-cortado-thinking-cup-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    This is a drink to order at an independent coffee shop with well-trained baristas. Having excellent coffee beans as a starting point, like the Stumptown at Thinking Cup or the carefully selected Organic Direct Trade Specialty Coffees at Wired Puppy, is essential in a drink with less milk to mask lesser beans.

    Do you try different espresso drinks? What's your favorite?

    What's on your food lover's shopping list?

     

     Details:

    Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
    Photos: Top photo of a barista pouring milk art onto a Cafe Cortado is by Alexandra Guerson. Used under this creative commons license.

    Second and third photos are of Thinking Cup Cortados ©2014 Penny Cherubino 

  • Shake Shack Harvard Square

    A craving for a "drive-in" style crusty burger took us to Harvard Square Shake Shack, recently.

    DSC_1935 - Version 22014-05-08_shake-sahck-harvard-square-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    We're not usually fans of chain restaurants, but this chain is an exception to our rule because it is owned and operated by a group that has been exceptionally good for the hospitality business. (Penny was rooting for Shake Shack when the city was considering a vendor for the Boston Common.)

    We had Poppy with us and planned to lunch in the park near the river. Poppy approves of anything that means we'll be sitting on a park bench for awhile. And, Shake Shack makes it easy to dine on a bench with their well designed wrappers and trays.

    8274646948_9ddf246b69_z

    Photo by Robyn Lee used under this creative commons license.

    Ed had the ShakeBurger with a Fair Shake Coffee shake. Penny had the SmokeShack with a root beer float and we shared an order of fries. Both burgers were minus the ShakeSauce because we don't do mayo dressings.

    227916124_1a914ea0f6_z

    Photo by Robyn Lee used under this creative commons license.

    This is the type of burger that Penny enjoyed at diners and drive-ins in Rhode Island once upon a time. And, the addition of frozen custard – another of her memory foods – makes this an occasional craving that must be addressed.

    We keep watching for any sign that the Newbury Street location is on its way and we'd still like to see a Shake Shack on the Boston Common.

    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
    Photography: Harvard Square © 2014 Ed Cherubino, Food Photos by Robyn Lee of Serious Eats used under this creative commons license.

  • Shake Shack Harvard Square

    A craving for a "drive-in" style crusty burger took us to Harvard Square Shake Shack, recently.

    DSC_1935 - Version 22014-05-08_shake-sahck-harvard-square-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    We're not usually fans of chain restaurants, but this chain is an exception to our rule because it is owned and operated by a group that has been exceptionally good for the hospitality business. (Penny was rooting for Shake Shack when the city was considering a vendor for the Boston Common.)

    We had Poppy with us and planned to lunch in the park near the river. Poppy approves of anything that means we'll be sitting on a park bench for awhile. And, Shake Shack makes it easy to dine on a bench with their well designed wrappers and trays.

    8274646948_9ddf246b69_z

    Photo by Robyn Lee used under this creative commons license.

    Ed had the ShakeBurger with a Fair Shake Coffee shake. Penny had the SmokeShack with a root beer float and we shared an order of fries. Both burgers were minus the ShakeSauce because we don't do mayo dressings.

    227916124_1a914ea0f6_z

    Photo by Robyn Lee used under this creative commons license.

    This is the type of burger that Penny enjoyed at diners and drive-ins in Rhode Island once upon a time. And, the addition of frozen custard – another of her memory foods – makes this an occasional craving that must be addressed.

    We keep watching for any sign that the Newbury Street location is on its way and we'd still like to see a Shake Shack on the Boston Common.

    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
    Photography: Harvard Square © 2014 Ed Cherubino, Food Photos by Robyn Lee of Serious Eats used under this creative commons license.

  • Happy New Year 2014 from The BostonZest Team

      -holiday-display-newbury-street-prince-school-

    Wishing everyone a happy and healthy year in 2014!

    If you are out for a walk on Newbury Street this week, be sure to take a moment to enjoy the joyful holiday decorations in front of the entrance to The Prince on Newbury Condominiums at 201 Newbury Street. This photo gives you a tiny preview. Enjoy!

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

     Details:

    Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
    Photography: © 2014 Penny & Ed Cherubino  

    Note on Comments: We monitor comments constantly and anything that is pure spam, inappropriate, or nasty is swept away. In addition to readers' comments, we welcome hearing from the people, places, and services we cover. Often, those add great insights for our readers. As long as it doesn’t become a pure ad, we’d love to hear from you. We do reserve the right to edit ads and links out of comments.

  • Happy New Year 2014 from The BostonZest Team

      -holiday-display-newbury-street-prince-school-

    Wishing everyone a happy and healthy year in 2014!

    If you are out for a walk on Newbury Street this week, be sure to take a moment to enjoy the joyful holiday decorations in front of the entrance to The Prince on Newbury Condominiums at 201 Newbury Street. This photo gives you a tiny preview. Enjoy!

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

     Details:

    Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
    Photography: © 2014 Penny & Ed Cherubino  

    Note on Comments: We monitor comments constantly and anything that is pure spam, inappropriate, or nasty is swept away. In addition to readers' comments, we welcome hearing from the people, places, and services we cover. Often, those add great insights for our readers. As long as it doesn’t become a pure ad, we’d love to hear from you. We do reserve the right to edit ads and links out of comments.

  • Happy New Year 2014 from The BostonZest Team

      -holiday-display-newbury-street-prince-school-

    Wishing everyone a happy and healthy year in 2014!

    If you are out for a walk on Newbury Street this week, be sure to take a moment to enjoy the joyful holiday decorations in front of the entrance to The Prince on Newbury Condominiums at 201 Newbury Street. This photo gives you a tiny preview. Enjoy!

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

     Details:

    Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
    Photography: © 2014 Penny & Ed Cherubino  

    Note on Comments: We monitor comments constantly and anything that is pure spam, inappropriate, or nasty is swept away. In addition to readers' comments, we welcome hearing from the people, places, and services we cover. Often, those add great insights for our readers. As long as it doesn’t become a pure ad, we’d love to hear from you. We do reserve the right to edit ads and links out of comments.

  • Do You Use a Walking Stick in Boston When It’s Icy?

    A neighbor saw me out with my walking stick last week and asked me about it. She's a smart woman and she wanted one.

    I'm usually asked if I've been injured or had a fall. I wonder why it's cool to use a stick when hiking in the woods but not when walking on icy sidewalks or climbing over snowbanks?

    IStock_000029986282XSmall copy

    No one would ask this woman if she's been injured. They just think that she has outfitted herself for the conditions she expects. 

    I don't use the stick because I've had an injury or because I'm unstable, but because I want to prevent falls by walking safely. I walk everywhere. It's my principal means of transportation and my main exercise. With icy sidewalks, unshoveled corners, and snow banks to navigate, I love the secure step that hiking sticks give me. 

    This post has been updated on 02/11/15 with the newest versions of this product.

      Hiking-poles-fishing-stick-outdoors-products-1

    My favorite stick for city walking is a Hammers Hiking Pole like the one shown in the photos here. I find this type of stick very useful. It can be opened to a full five feet, if that is what you need, and then telescoped down to 27.5 inches. That's small enough to stow in a suitcase, backpack, or shopping bag.

    Mine came with tips for smooth ground, ice, snow, and even has a camera mount hidden under the knob at the top. Turning a walking stick into a monopod is useful when both hiking and photography are on the agenda. I've used it, successfully, with my compact Canon pocket camera and heavy Nikon D600. The current models may be a bit different but this has been a reliable company.

    41IaZEW2VIL

    I've also thought about getting this Hammers Shooting Stick/Monopod since it would always have a rest for my camera open and ready to use. 

    Over the years, I've built a small collection of sticks.

    One is an Irish Blackthorn Walking stick. This was always called a shillelagh in my family.

    This was actually a very popular weapon in its day and its history is as a fighting stick. Here's is a link to a page with more on that aspect and the real history of these iconic staffs.

    I also have a simple hickory hiking pole with a rawhide strap. The strap on a walking stick is not just there to keep you from dropping the pole. It is an integral part of the tool.

    I've found a site that tells you about using walking sticks and how to use the strap to transfer the work of walking with a stick from your hand to your arm and shoulder.

    Perhaps it's time to start our own fashion trend and make walking sticks the accessory to be seen using on Boston's icy streets.  

    Details:
    Words: Penny Cherubino
    Photography: istockphoto and Hammer site 
    Here are links to my favorite and a couple others that are fun to have.

        

  • Do You Use a Walking Stick in Boston When It’s Icy?

    A neighbor saw me out with my walking stick last week and asked me about it. She's a smart woman and she wanted one.

    I'm usually asked if I've been injured or had a fall. I wonder why it's cool to use a stick when hiking in the woods but not when walking on icy sidewalks or climbing over snowbanks?

    IStock_000029986282XSmall copy

    No one would ask this woman if she's been injured. They just think that she has outfitted herself for the conditions she expects. 

    I don't use the stick because I've had an injury or because I'm unstable, but because I want to prevent falls by walking safely. I walk everywhere. It's my principal means of transportation and my main exercise. With icy sidewalks, unshoveled corners, and snow banks to navigate, I love the secure step that hiking sticks give me. 

    This post has been updated on 02/11/15 with the newest versions of this product.

      Hiking-poles-fishing-stick-outdoors-products-1

    My favorite stick for city walking is a Hammers Hiking Pole like the one shown in the photos here. I find this type of stick very useful. It can be opened to a full five feet, if that is what you need, and then telescoped down to 27.5 inches. That's small enough to stow in a suitcase, backpack, or shopping bag.

    Mine came with tips for smooth ground, ice, snow, and even has a camera mount hidden under the knob at the top. Turning a walking stick into a monopod is useful when both hiking and photography are on the agenda. I've used it, successfully, with my compact Canon pocket camera and heavy Nikon D600. The current models may be a bit different but this has been a reliable company.

    41IaZEW2VIL

    I've also thought about getting this Hammers Shooting Stick/Monopod since it would always have a rest for my camera open and ready to use. 

    Over the years, I've built a small collection of sticks.

    One is an Irish Blackthorn Walking stick. This was always called a shillelagh in my family.

    This was actually a very popular weapon in its day and its history is as a fighting stick. Here's is a link to a page with more on that aspect and the real history of these iconic staffs.

    I also have a simple hickory hiking pole with a rawhide strap. The strap on a walking stick is not just there to keep you from dropping the pole. It is an integral part of the tool.

    I've found a site that tells you about using walking sticks and how to use the strap to transfer the work of walking with a stick from your hand to your arm and shoulder.

    Perhaps it's time to start our own fashion trend and make walking sticks the accessory to be seen using on Boston's icy streets.  

    Details:
    Words: Penny Cherubino
    Photography: istockphoto and Hammer site 
    Here are links to my favorite and a couple others that are fun to have.

        

  • Do You Use a Walking Stick in Boston When It’s Icy?

    A neighbor saw me out with my walking stick last week and asked me about it. She's a smart woman and she wanted one.

    I'm usually asked if I've been injured or had a fall. I wonder why it's cool to use a stick when hiking in the woods but not when walking on icy sidewalks or climbing over snowbanks?

    IStock_000029986282XSmall copy

    No one would ask this woman if she's been injured. They just think that she has outfitted herself for the conditions she expects. 

    I don't use the stick because I've had an injury or because I'm unstable, but because I want to prevent falls by walking safely. I walk everywhere. It's my principal means of transportation and my main exercise. With icy sidewalks, unshoveled corners, and snow banks to navigate, I love the secure step that hiking sticks give me. 

    This post has been updated on 02/11/15 with the newest versions of this product.

      Hiking-poles-fishing-stick-outdoors-products-1

    My favorite stick for city walking is a Hammers Hiking Pole like the one shown in the photos here. I find this type of stick very useful. It can be opened to a full five feet, if that is what you need, and then telescoped down to 27.5 inches. That's small enough to stow in a suitcase, backpack, or shopping bag.

    Mine came with tips for smooth ground, ice, snow, and even has a camera mount hidden under the knob at the top. Turning a walking stick into a monopod is useful when both hiking and photography are on the agenda. I've used it, successfully, with my compact Canon pocket camera and heavy Nikon D600. The current models may be a bit different but this has been a reliable company.

    41IaZEW2VIL

    I've also thought about getting this Hammers Shooting Stick/Monopod since it would always have a rest for my camera open and ready to use. 

    Over the years, I've built a small collection of sticks.

    One is an Irish Blackthorn Walking stick. This was always called a shillelagh in my family.

    This was actually a very popular weapon in its day and its history is as a fighting stick. Here's is a link to a page with more on that aspect and the real history of these iconic staffs.

    I also have a simple hickory hiking pole with a rawhide strap. The strap on a walking stick is not just there to keep you from dropping the pole. It is an integral part of the tool.

    I've found a site that tells you about using walking sticks and how to use the strap to transfer the work of walking with a stick from your hand to your arm and shoulder.

    Perhaps it's time to start our own fashion trend and make walking sticks the accessory to be seen using on Boston's icy streets.  

    Details:
    Words: Penny Cherubino
    Photography: istockphoto and Hammer site 
    Here are links to my favorite and a couple others that are fun to have.