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  • Monday Is “Pennypackers Porchetta Day” in the Back Bay

    Lunch, last Monday, was the famous porchetta sandwich from the PennyPackers food truck. We highly recommend that all our friends and followers in the area join us in making Mondays "Pennypackers Porchetta Day." It can be the Back Bay version of Prince Spaghetti Day with better food.

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    Last Monday Penny split off on our dog walk to drop a package at the Post Office on Clarendon Street. Her secondary assignment was to pick up lunch along the way home. Imagine her joy as she neared the corner of Clarendon and Boylston (map) and spotted the word "Porchetta" in large letters on the back of a food truck. 

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    The truck was Pennypackers and that sandwich is their specialty.

    There it was on the menu, the porchetta sandwich with rhubarb mostarda. After a hurried walk home to have lunch ASAP, we were both savoring the deeply seasoned pork, stuffing, and the lift of the mostarda. (As you may have noticed from past posts, Penny is a big rhubarb fan and was thrilled to see it used in this classic Italian condiment.)

    It wasn't until we studied the rest of the menu in the quick photos taken while waiting for the porchetta, that we both wished we had ordered a second or third item to have that night for supper.

    Pennypackers posts their daily status and menu on Twitter and Facebook. Like or follow them for updates on where they are and what they are serving. 

    @pennypackers

    PennyPackers Food Truck on Facebook

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    Spring Menu

    Here's a sampling of what they will be serving this spring:

    • Pea Shoot Salad: arugula, peas, radish, spring onion, mint + shallot vinaigrette, shaved pecorino
    • Bean Salad: white beans, haricot verts, snap peas, hazelnut vinaigrette, arugula + herbs, mixed seeds
    • Crushed Fried Potatoes: jalapeno, gorgonzola, extra virgin olive oil
    • Mixed Seasonal Pickles
    • Grilled Asparagus (side): smoked Russian dressing, chives
    • Grilled Asparagus Sandwich: gruyere, pickled red onion, smoked Russian dressing, herb salad
    • Vegetarian Pan Bagnat: fava beans, chickpeas, haricot verts, artichoke, red onion, radish, olive, herbs, hard boiled egg
    • Fried Chicken Sandwich: shaved smoked ham, rhubarb jalapeno relish, bibb lettuce
    • Porchetta Sandwich: daily accompaniment
    • Grassfed Beef Ribeye Sandwich: sauteed mushrooms, ramp butter, preserved citrus gremolata
    • Daily Sausage Special

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    Update: (05.16.16) We picked up these items for lunch! (Click on photos for larger images) Left to Right: Crushed Fried Potatoes, Fried Chicken Sandwich, and Ribeye Sandwich. They were all hits – especially the potatoes!

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    Here's what the porchetta looks like before it becomes a delectable sandwich. (from the Pennypackers facebook page.)

    Brick & Mortar Pennypackers

    Like a few of the other great food truck families, Pennypackers has opened a brick and mortar restaurant. If the food truck schedule doesn't work for you, visit them at 514C Medford Street, Somerville, MA. (map) Right now that location is open Thursdays through Sundays. The hours are posted here.

    Please get out and support our local food trucks. You'll have a better meal than you would from a national chain and you'll be helping a small business grow just the way we see Pennypackers growing. 

     

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

     

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    Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
    Photos: ©2016 Penny Cherubino with porchetta roll from Pennypackers facebook page.

  • PLAY WITH ME!!! Fun with Sebastian and Kodiak

    We always love making new doggie pals on the beach in Provincetown. Sebastian and Kodiak were on a weekend scouting trip with their people to see if the four of them would like to spend a vacation in our favorite spot by the sea. 

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    Koko was all about sitting and resting on the beach but Sebby was determined to get a play session going. He's just a pup and could not understand meditating by the sea when you could romp!

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    On the return trip, he was surprised to learn that those people up there on the deck above the beach knew his name. 

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    We watched this charming family from Amherst as they wandered their way back to their hotel. They were happily impressed with the dog friendliness of the folks in Provincetown. We think they'll return again and often.

    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: ©2016 Penny Cherubino 

  • PLAY WITH ME!!! Fun with Sebastian and Kodiak

    We always love making new doggie pals on the beach in Provincetown. Sebastian and Kodiak were on a weekend scouting trip with their people to see if the four of them would like to spend a vacation in our favorite spot by the sea. 

    IMG_9706

    Koko was all about sitting and resting on the beach but Sebby was determined to get a play session going. He's just a pup and could not understand meditating by the sea when you could romp!

    CHE_0793

    On the return trip, he was surprised to learn that those people up there on the deck above the beach knew his name. 

    CHE_0795

    We watched this charming family from Amherst as they wandered their way back to their hotel. They were happily impressed with the dog friendliness of the folks in Provincetown. We think they'll return again and often.

    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: ©2016 Penny Cherubino 

  • Don’t Die of Embrassment Alone in a Restroom: Avoid Steakhouse Syndrome

    Today's "Friday Link" is to an article on Next Avenue, "A Dangerous Health Problem No One Talks About," that really made us think and that we've been talking about with friends.

    Screen Shot 2016-05-07 at Saturday, May 7, 20163.37.45 PM

    Few of us want to make a spectacle of ourselves in public, but there are times when taking your problem out of sight could cost your life. If you have food caught in your throat, are feeling unwell, light-headed, or experiencing sudden pain, don't go off alone. While this post may be specifically about choking, that's not the only medical emergency that might result in sudden death if you are by yourself.

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    You don't want to be found dead in a restaurant restroom. If you are tempted to leave a public space, take someone with you who might be able to call 9-1-1 and perform abdominal thrusts (aka, the Heimlich maneuver). (Directions for that are here.)

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    Yes it is possible to do a Heimlich maneuver on yourself. Here are complete directions from the National Institutes of Health.

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    So, if you are in trouble, use the universal signal for choking and ask for the help that could save your life. 

     

    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: © 2016 Penny & Ed Cherubino  

  • Don’t Die of Embrassment Alone in a Restroom: Avoid Steakhouse Syndrome

    Today's "Friday Link" is to an article on Next Avenue, "A Dangerous Health Problem No One Talks About," that really made us think and that we've been talking about with friends.

    Screen Shot 2016-05-07 at Saturday, May 7, 20163.37.45 PM

    Few of us want to make a spectacle of ourselves in public, but there are times when taking your problem out of sight could cost your life. If you have food caught in your throat, are feeling unwell, light-headed, or experiencing sudden pain, don't go off alone. While this post may be specifically about choking, that's not the only medical emergency that might result in sudden death if you are by yourself.

    IStock_000089133693_small

    You don't want to be found dead in a restaurant restroom. If you are tempted to leave a public space, take someone with you who might be able to call 9-1-1 and perform abdominal thrusts (aka, the Heimlich maneuver). (Directions for that are here.)

    23222

    Yes it is possible to do a Heimlich maneuver on yourself. Here are complete directions from the National Institutes of Health.

    17107

    So, if you are in trouble, use the universal signal for choking and ask for the help that could save your life. 

     

    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: © 2016 Penny & Ed Cherubino  

  • Where Is This Ornamental Iron Lace Work? Play Attention to Detail

    In his description of the balcony in this 1956 photo, photographer Leslie Jones called it "Ornamental iron lace work." 

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    Do you recall seeing this architectural detail in the South End?

    As a part of our research for Penny's Attention to Detail column in the Boston Sun, we went to take a look at it today.

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    We're happy to say that the building is looking great and the "iron lace work" is in lovely condition. 

    Before we give you the answer, we'll give you a few clues.

    Here's The Answer!

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    Leslie Jones took this photo of, "… 558 and 560 Massachusetts Ave., formerly 37 Chester Square.” The Leslie Jones photo that is part of the Boston Public Library, Leslie Jones Collection.

    Bonus tidbit: Chester Square was renamed Massachusetts Avenue on March 1, 1894.

    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: © 2016 Penny Cherubino  

  • Where Is This Ornamental Iron Lace Work? Play Attention to Detail

    In his description of the balcony in this 1956 photo, photographer Leslie Jones called it "Ornamental iron lace work." 

    8246679135_287a1e256b_b - Version 22016-02-18bht-atd-560 Mass Ave-clue© 2014 Penny Cherubino copy

    Do you recall seeing this architectural detail in the South End?

    As a part of our research for Penny's Attention to Detail column in the Boston Sun, we went to take a look at it today.

    IMG_9368 - Version 22016-03-10bs-atd-560-massachusetts Avenue-© 2014 Penny Cherubino copy

    We're happy to say that the building is looking great and the "iron lace work" is in lovely condition. 

    Before we give you the answer, we'll give you a few clues.

    Here's The Answer!

    8246679135_287a1e256b_b copy

    Leslie Jones took this photo of, "… 558 and 560 Massachusetts Ave., formerly 37 Chester Square.” The Leslie Jones photo that is part of the Boston Public Library, Leslie Jones Collection.

    Bonus tidbit: Chester Square was renamed Massachusetts Avenue on March 1, 1894.

    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: © 2016 Penny Cherubino  

  • Tiger Mama: Our First Lunch

    A trip to the Fenway neighborhood to do some errands was the perfect excuse to have lunch at Tiger Mama. We've been neglecting our list of new restaurants to try, and this one was high on that roster.

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    Lunch for two gave us the opportunity to try the Crispy Braised Pork & Pate Banh Mi that Penny had spotted on the online lunch menu. The description reads, "Garlicky pork spread, banh mi veggies, scallion vinaigrette."

    We say, "Yes but you should have mentioned the roll that was a perfect match for this traditional Vietnamese offering." Often Banh Mi sandwiches are made with bread that is too substantial to allow the flavors of the fillings to shine. 

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    We added the Chilled Salmon Chopped Salad. The menu describes it as, "Ginger garlic poached and chilled salmon, spicy greens, avocado, little potatoes, spicy peanut ginger dressing."

    The lunch portions are large, as the excellent bartender warned another set of diners at the bar. They had ordered a lot of food to try. We heard and, even with two dishes, took some of the salad home for later snacking. 

    Tiger Mama table for 6

    In this photo from the Tiger Mama website, you see the tables for six with a Lazy Susan to facilitate sharing. We can't wait to come back with four friends to fill that turntable with shareable items from the dinner menu. 

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    Like Sweet Cheeks Q, another favorite of ours from the same team, this place is full of interesting details from a wall of greens …

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    To a fabulous piece of word art that contains proverbs in three languages. (Ask your server for a translation.)

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    Tin ceiling panels and wire lamps just seem right in this setting. 

    We follow the lead of our favorite food scout, MC Slim JB, so Tiger Mama went on our list as soon as this review appeared. Our first visit took far too long but our next one will be soon. 

     

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

    Details:

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

  • Tiger Mama: Our First Lunch

    A trip to the Fenway neighborhood to do some errands was the perfect excuse to have lunch at Tiger Mama. We've been neglecting our list of new restaurants to try, and this one was high on that roster.

    Eac IMG_2359

    Lunch for two gave us the opportunity to try the Crispy Braised Pork & Pate Banh Mi that Penny had spotted on the online lunch menu. The description reads, "Garlicky pork spread, banh mi veggies, scallion vinaigrette."

    We say, "Yes but you should have mentioned the roll that was a perfect match for this traditional Vietnamese offering." Often Banh Mi sandwiches are made with bread that is too substantial to allow the flavors of the fillings to shine. 

    Eac IMG_2362

    We added the Chilled Salmon Chopped Salad. The menu describes it as, "Ginger garlic poached and chilled salmon, spicy greens, avocado, little potatoes, spicy peanut ginger dressing."

    The lunch portions are large, as the excellent bartender warned another set of diners at the bar. They had ordered a lot of food to try. We heard and, even with two dishes, took some of the salad home for later snacking. 

    Tiger Mama table for 6

    In this photo from the Tiger Mama website, you see the tables for six with a Lazy Susan to facilitate sharing. We can't wait to come back with four friends to fill that turntable with shareable items from the dinner menu. 

    Eac IMG_2348

    Like Sweet Cheeks Q, another favorite of ours from the same team, this place is full of interesting details from a wall of greens …

    IMG_6803

    To a fabulous piece of word art that contains proverbs in three languages. (Ask your server for a translation.)

    IMG_6805

    Tin ceiling panels and wire lamps just seem right in this setting. 

    We follow the lead of our favorite food scout, MC Slim JB, so Tiger Mama went on our list as soon as this review appeared. Our first visit took far too long but our next one will be soon. 

     

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

    Details:

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

  • Poppy’s 4th Birthday Celebration in Provincetown

    Our dear Poppy turned 4 on April 20th and she celebrated her birthday with two weeks of walking on the beach and listening to the waves in Provincetown.

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    Here is her official age four birthday portrait. She was sitting on the window ledge in a bay window keeping watch on the comings and goings of neighbors. The wonderful Provincetown light picked up the blue cast from the glorious sky and used it to outline her white fur.

    Her pose shows that she does have her serious and thoughtful moments … ("Aren't you supposed to be preparing my lunch?")

    She spent a lot of time in this window seat …

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    Snoozing on the window ledge …

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    Or curling up on Penny's lap since this was a favorite indoor reading spot. That's her waterproof Mambe throw that she's cuddled into.

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    The dog-loving staff at Bayshore/Chandler House were on hand to wish her a Happy Birthday and her personal staff of human retainers (that would be us – Penny & Ed) took her for many walks on the beach at low tide.

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    "Tell me again why we can't beach walk at High Tide!"

    Except for the pesky delivery trucks and the beep, beep, beep of construction vehicles, it was a quiet and happy two weeks for the little Westie girl. She had to be shown the water at the bottom of the access stairs to the beach at high tide because we all know that beach walking is much better than road walking. 

    So here's a belated happy birthday post for our favorite Sunday Dog. We hope all of you find a happy place with fun things to do for your special dog's birthday or Gotcha Day!

    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: ©2016 Penny & Ed Cherubino