Tag: downtown crossing

Jordan Marsh Blueberry Muffins

Last week we told you a bit about Jordan Marsh the department store. This week we are remembering those wonderful Jordan Marsh Blueberry muffins.

Just as you see tourists today walking around the North End with boxes from Mike's Pastry, you once saw box after box of both visitors and locals in Downtown Crossing carrying white boxes with blue lettering filled with dozens of Jordan Marsh Blueberry Muffins.

Old Jordan Marsh building, side entrance off of Summer street, 1975 photo by Andrew Zalewski from the Boston Public Library print department.

The New England Historical Society explained that it was not unusual for a department store to be known for an edible specialty.

"Each department store had a signature food item: chicken croquettes were a favorite at Shepard’s in Providence, almond macaroons at Gilchrist’s in Boston. Sage-Allen in Springfield smelled like sticky buns, so spicy they almost burned the tongue. The aroma from the bakery wafted up the escalators, drawing customers into the basement. Date nut bread sandwiches with cream cheese were a favorite at G. Fox. And Jordan Marsh’s blueberry muffins were a required treat at the end of shopping trips to Boston."

Here's a Collection of Jordan Marsh Blueberry Muffin Recipes

First up is the Boston Globe where this was a favorite topic with food editors across the years. This one is from the team that worked under Sheryl Julian in 2013.

Yankee Magazine offered both history and a recipe.

King Arthur Flour is another source of trusted baking recipes. Here's their version of Famous Department Store Blueberry Muffins.

The Diva of Dining offers a recipe and a bit more muffin history.

My own recipe for the muffins comes from this little book, Mostly Muffins that I borrowed a number of times from the Boston Public Library until the copy they had was literally falling apart and then disappeared. Eventually, I found a used copy on Amazon.

In my favorite version, you mash some of the blueberries to create a deep blueberry color and flavor and the sugar on top is mixed with nutmeg. Nutmeg sugar is now a constant in my pantry adding zing to everything from cereal to banana on toast.

By the way, the muffin in the top photo is fromThe Wholy Grain bakery Café in the South End and they make my favorite bakery version of this treat.

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

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Words: Penny Cherubino
Photos: ©2016 Penny, Entrance photo by Andrew Zalewski, used under creative commons license.

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March 30, 2016
BostonZest Take on Some 2016 Local Food Trends

In her January 5, 2016, Fresh & Local food column, Penny wrote about some of the food trends we thought we'd see strengthening in our area this year.

Do you remember early bowl pioneer "Jack and the Bean Bowl" back in 2009?

More Food in Bowls!

Bowls filled with ramen, vegetables, grains, noodles, and soups will grow in importance on restaurant, food truck, and take out menus. Part of this trend is due to our growing acceptance of authentic ethnic cuisines. The need for gluten-free (GF) menu items has restaurants offering the GF-safe ingredients from something like a burrito in a bowl rather than a wrap.

Here's one of our favorite bowls of Bun Thit Nuong from Pho Basil. (More on that dish here.)

In addition, many of these bowls contain warm, filling, comfort foods from the cultures where they originated and we quickly grow to love them for the same reason.

We were thrilled when we saw that the food minds over at the Globe agreed with us by publishing a simultaneous prediction!

Rumanian Pastrami from Sam LaGrassa's (More on this here.)

Good Deli Options

"What the Back Bay needs is a good deli," we hear this from neighbors all the time. We try to explain that the economics of rents in this neighborhood is probably going to prevent that from happening, but we do think we will have more great delicatessens popping up around the area.

And this new version of the old deli features high quality, often house-made meats, and prepared foods. This trend was started in Waltham by Moody's Delicatessen & Provisions. We are thrilled to learn that we will be able to sample their wares from shared space within the new Gordon's Boston store in Downtown Crossing.

While for us a deli sandwich is an occasional treat, we do have a few old favorites. Sam LaGrassa's is always on our list of recommendations for visitors. If we're in Coolidge Corner, we'll pick up sandwiches from Michael's Deli.

Tacos filled with lamb in barbacoa sauce from Tenoch Mexican Taqueria. (More photos here.)

Regional Mexican Food

A second national trend that seems to be slowly appearing in Boston is restaurants offering authentic, regional Mexican cuisines like our much loved Angela’s Cafe in East Boston and the small local Tenoch Mexican Taqueria restaurants and food cart.

In December, we learned that Angela's is opening a second location in Orient Heights much closer to transit. Getting there without a car has limited our visits to the original place.

What are you seeing in the world of local food that makes you smile? Add your thoughts in the comments below. Tweet them to @BostonZest or send us an email and we'll add your suggestions to this post as an update.

We have a few more trends to talk about and will link to that post when it is published.

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

Details:

Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photos: ©2009-2016 Penny & Ed Cherubino

Related articles

Tenoch Mexican Restaurants & Food Truck

Where to Pick Up Great Food for Boston Summer 2014 Events

January 20, 2016
BostonZest Take on Some 2016 Local Food Trends

In her January 5, 2016, Fresh & Local food column, Penny wrote about some of the food trends we thought we'd see strengthening in our area this year.

Do you remember early bowl pioneer "Jack and the Bean Bowl" back in 2009?

More Food in Bowls!

Bowls filled with ramen, vegetables, grains, noodles, and soups will grow in importance on restaurant, food truck, and take out menus. Part of this trend is due to our growing acceptance of authentic ethnic cuisines. The need for gluten-free (GF) menu items has restaurants offering the GF-safe ingredients from something like a burrito in a bowl rather than a wrap.

Here's one of our favorite bowls of Bun Thit Nuong from Pho Basil. (More on that dish here.)

In addition, many of these bowls contain warm, filling, comfort foods from the cultures where they originated and we quickly grow to love them for the same reason.

We were thrilled when we saw that the food minds over at the Globe agreed with us by publishing a simultaneous prediction!

Rumanian Pastrami from Sam LaGrassa's (More on this here.)

Good Deli Options

"What the Back Bay needs is a good deli," we hear this from neighbors all the time. We try to explain that the economics of rents in this neighborhood is probably going to prevent that from happening, but we do think we will have more great delicatessens popping up around the area.

And this new version of the old deli features high quality, often house-made meats, and prepared foods. This trend was started in Waltham by Moody's Delicatessen & Provisions. We are thrilled to learn that we will be able to sample their wares from shared space within the new Gordon's Boston store in Downtown Crossing.

While for us a deli sandwich is an occasional treat, we do have a few old favorites. Sam LaGrassa's is always on our list of recommendations for visitors. If we're in Coolidge Corner, we'll pick up sandwiches from Michael's Deli.

Tacos filled with lamb in barbacoa sauce from Tenoch Mexican Taqueria. (More photos here.)

Regional Mexican Food

A second national trend that seems to be slowly appearing in Boston is restaurants offering authentic, regional Mexican cuisines like our much loved Angela’s Cafe in East Boston and the small local Tenoch Mexican Taqueria restaurants and food cart.

In December, we learned that Angela's is opening a second location in Orient Heights much closer to transit. Getting there without a car has limited our visits to the original place.

What are you seeing in the world of local food that makes you smile? Add your thoughts in the comments below. Tweet them to @BostonZest or send us an email and we'll add your suggestions to this post as an update.

We have a few more trends to talk about and will link to that post when it is published.

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

Details:

Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photos: ©2009-2016 Penny & Ed Cherubino

Related articles

Tenoch Mexican Restaurants & Food Truck

Where to Pick Up Great Food for Boston Summer 2014 Events

January 20, 2016
Food Tips for Shakespeare on the Common

This season’s run of Shakesphere on the Common opens tonight and continues through August 12th. The food selection around the Boston Common has improved over the past couple of years.

This lovely photo from a past performance is by Katherine Hala, here is her photostream.

Here are a few places where you can pick up a delicious supper to enjoy while you watch Coriolanus.

Clover Food Truck

A Clover Food Lab truck is now stationed at the restored Brewer Plaza. Ed loves their Chick Pea Fritter Sandwich and those rosemary fries are a must! See who else likes Clover here!

Clover’s Chick Pea Fritter Sandwich (Photo by Penny Cherubino)

Bacco’s Wine and Cheese

On St. James Avenue near Arlington is Bacco’s Wine and Cheese– a great stop for a picnic supper. They have prepared sandwiches; their famous bento boxes containing an enticing selection of cheese, salumi, bread, and olives; or you can always choose what catches your eye on the counter.

A recent picnic from Bacco’s. Photo: Penny Cherubino

Falafel King

In Downtown Crossing, right across from the Park Street MBTA station, you’ll find the small, ethnic food court where Falafel King reigns supreme. We usually order the combo plate, but all the items we’ve tried have been great.

The Thinking Cup

The Thinking Cup coffee shop across from the Common on Tremont Street is known for their great coffee but they also have a fine selection of sandwiches and pastries.

Another shot by Katherine Hala.

Savenor’s

If you are coming from Beacon Hill, consider a stop at Savenor’s on Charles Street. Manager Diana Tovar says they have added a “Grab and Go” sandwich selection to their shop. It’s also the perfect place to walk around and gather all the elements for a delicious picnic– fruit, cheese, desserts, and a few special treats.

Elsewhere on Charles Street, you could order take-out from Café Vanille, the Paramount, or Panificio. All three have great sandwiches and salads.

What’s on your Summer Fun shopping list? Shop Amazon Everything You Need for Summer Fun and support this site!

Details:

Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino

Photography: Katherine Hala, here is her photostream. Used under this creative commons license.

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.

July 25, 2012
Food Tips for Shakespeare on the Common

This season’s run of Shakesphere on the Common opens tonight and continues through August 12th. The food selection around the Boston Common has improved over the past couple of years.

This lovely photo from a past performance is by Katherine Hala, here is her photostream.

Here are a few places where you can pick up a delicious supper to enjoy while you watch Coriolanus.

Clover Food Truck

A Clover Food Lab truck is now stationed at the restored Brewer Plaza. Ed loves their Chick Pea Fritter Sandwich and those rosemary fries are a must! See who else likes Clover here!

Clover’s Chick Pea Fritter Sandwich (Photo by Penny Cherubino)

Bacco’s Wine and Cheese

On St. James Avenue near Arlington is Bacco’s Wine and Cheese– a great stop for a picnic supper. They have prepared sandwiches; their famous bento boxes containing an enticing selection of cheese, salumi, bread, and olives; or you can always choose what catches your eye on the counter.

A recent picnic from Bacco’s. Photo: Penny Cherubino

Falafel King

In Downtown Crossing, right across from the Park Street MBTA station, you’ll find the small, ethnic food court where Falafel King reigns supreme. We usually order the combo plate, but all the items we’ve tried have been great.

The Thinking Cup

The Thinking Cup coffee shop across from the Common on Tremont Street is known for their great coffee but they also have a fine selection of sandwiches and pastries.

Another shot by Katherine Hala.

Savenor’s

If you are coming from Beacon Hill, consider a stop at Savenor’s on Charles Street. Manager Diana Tovar says they have added a “Grab and Go” sandwich selection to their shop. It’s also the perfect place to walk around and gather all the elements for a delicious picnic– fruit, cheese, desserts, and a few special treats.

Elsewhere on Charles Street, you could order take-out from Café Vanille, the Paramount, or Panificio. All three have great sandwiches and salads.

What’s on your Summer Fun shopping list? Shop Amazon Everything You Need for Summer Fun and support this site!

Details:

Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino

Photography: Katherine Hala, here is her photostream. Used under this creative commons license.

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.

July 25, 2012
Bosun’s Chair Connects Window Washers to Boston’s Maritime History

All over the city, you look up and see window washers suspended from buildings in bosun's chairs.

It reminded me of what we owe to the maritime legacy of this city. I'm sure these are used around the world, but here they seem fitting and proper.

What's on your Summer Fun shopping list? Shop Amazon – Get Ready for Summer – Everything You Need and support this site!

Details:

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 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.

July 7, 2012