Tag: asparagus

  • Patio Season Launched At Coppa

    IMG_6266 - Version 22013-05-02-coppa-boston-meatballs-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    Living each day to the fullest means taking advantage of our freelance lifestyle and launching "patio season" when a beautiful day presents itself. That means, we spent one afternoon last week enjoying the sunshine and culinary delights on the patio at Coppa in the South End.

    IMG_6269 - Version 22013-05-02-coppa-boston-meatballs-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    We can never resist Coppa's, "Meatballs al Forno / Wood roasted meatballs with tomato gravy." Every speck of that zesty sauce was sopped up with good bread. 

    IMG_6275 - Version 22013-05-02-coppa-boston-asparagi-al forno-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    To salute spring we selected both their, "Bruschetta di Fave / Fava bean crostini with feta and pecorino," and "Asparagi al Forno / Wood oven asparagus with Lebanese tahini vinaigrette and za’atar." Again, the plate was wiped clean and experiments with tahini as a base for salad dressing have begun in our kitchen. You have to love a chef who sends cooking inspiration home with you.

    IMG_6272 - Version 22013-05-02-coppa-boston-duck-prosciutto-© 2011 Penny Cherubino  
    DSC_3750 - Version 22013-05-02-coppa-boston-tuna-crudo-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    Plates of Duck Prosciutto, and "Tuna Crudo / Sicilian olives, radishes and olive brine dashi," are two more repeat favorites from past visits.

    With a bit of prosecco left in our glasses and a desire to linger in the sun on this beautiful day, we finished the meal with a lovely selection of cheeses.

    DSC_3765 - Version 22013-05-02-coppa-boston-south-end-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    Earlier this year, a Boston visitor on Chowhound asked where to go for one lunch in Boston and Penny recommended Coppa. The follow-up comment from that poster said, "We went to Coppa… I think this was about the closest thing to a perfect lunch that I've ever had. Wish I had a second stomach."

    For more about our food adventures, visit Food & Drink.

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    Details:

    Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino with detailed food descriptions from Coppa's menu.
    Photos: ©2013 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.

  • Patio Season Launched At Coppa

    IMG_6266 - Version 22013-05-02-coppa-boston-meatballs-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    Living each day to the fullest means taking advantage of our freelance lifestyle and launching "patio season" when a beautiful day presents itself. That means, we spent one afternoon last week enjoying the sunshine and culinary delights on the patio at Coppa in the South End.

    IMG_6269 - Version 22013-05-02-coppa-boston-meatballs-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    We can never resist Coppa's, "Meatballs al Forno / Wood roasted meatballs with tomato gravy." Every speck of that zesty sauce was sopped up with good bread. 

    IMG_6275 - Version 22013-05-02-coppa-boston-asparagi-al forno-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    To salute spring we selected both their, "Bruschetta di Fave / Fava bean crostini with feta and pecorino," and "Asparagi al Forno / Wood oven asparagus with Lebanese tahini vinaigrette and za’atar." Again, the plate was wiped clean and experiments with tahini as a base for salad dressing have begun in our kitchen. You have to love a chef who sends cooking inspiration home with you.

    IMG_6272 - Version 22013-05-02-coppa-boston-duck-prosciutto-© 2011 Penny Cherubino  
    DSC_3750 - Version 22013-05-02-coppa-boston-tuna-crudo-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    Plates of Duck Prosciutto, and "Tuna Crudo / Sicilian olives, radishes and olive brine dashi," are two more repeat favorites from past visits.

    With a bit of prosecco left in our glasses and a desire to linger in the sun on this beautiful day, we finished the meal with a lovely selection of cheeses.

    DSC_3765 - Version 22013-05-02-coppa-boston-south-end-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    Earlier this year, a Boston visitor on Chowhound asked where to go for one lunch in Boston and Penny recommended Coppa. The follow-up comment from that poster said, "We went to Coppa… I think this was about the closest thing to a perfect lunch that I've ever had. Wish I had a second stomach."

    For more about our food adventures, visit Food & Drink.

    What's on your Food Lover's Shopping List? Shop Amazon for all your Kitchen & Dining Needs and support this site!

    Details:

    Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino with detailed food descriptions from Coppa's menu.
    Photos: ©2013 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.

  • Mary Chung Dun Dun Noodle Craving– Satisfied!

    IMG_4675 - Version 22012-02-16-mary-chung-dan dan-noodles-chicken-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    All you have to say is Mary Chung and Penny starts craving Dun Dun Noodles. (The noodles are hiding under all that lovely, spicy topping in the photo above.)

    Last week, the crew over on Boston Chowhound began a discussion of Chinese and Chinese-American food, so of course Mary Chung was included. That was enough to put it on our lunch list. We arrived at 12:30 pm and had to wait a few minutes for a table. It's good to see an old favorite still filling the seats on a Thursday afternoon.

    We're convinced that the Sichuan pepper in those Dun Dun noodles is addictive. It numbs your mouth just enough to make you receptive to the chili oil and other heat-makers in the dish. You have to make yourself stop reaching for the noodle bowl so you can try the other dishes on the table. 

    IMG_4673 - Version 22012-02-16-mary-chung-aspargus-pork-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    In our case, this included one of the daily specials, this wonderful, fresh, crisp plate of aspargus and pork. While the printed menu is giant, always check the daily specials taped to the register area up front. 

    IMG_4664 - Version 22012-02-16-mary-chung-stir fry-peking-ravioli-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    And, we did have to take home the leftovers because we couldn't resist starting with the pan fried Peking ravioli.  

    This Central Square, Cambridge institution has been delivering great Chinese food for years. Reviewers mention that it's been around since the early 1980s. And, this is a perfect place to gather a group and fill one of the big round tables with shared food. 

    Do you have a favorite Mary Chung menu item? Please tell us, we want to get out of our ordering rut and work our way through the menu!

    Tips:

    • Check those specials.
    • They do a type of Dim Sum on weekends.
    • You can reserve a table for a group, and if you want it on a weekend, call early.
    • Order rice if you want it.
    • They only take cash so come prepared.
    • They do serve beer and wine, but somehow the pots of tea they put on the table seem perfect with the food.

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    Details:

    Mary Chung Restaurant

    464 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02139-4132 (map & reviews)

    (617) 864-1991

    Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
    Photography: © 2012 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 a great insights for our readers. As long as it doesn’t become a pure ad, we’d love to hear from you.