Blue Dragon - the amazing Ming Tsai comes to Boston

Based on the my most recent post and this one, it may seem like I go out to lunch a lot, but I am really just backed up on blogging!  My co-worker and I have birthdays only days apart, so we jointly thought it would be a great idea to celebrate with an outing to Blue Dragon - working with a bunch of foodies has its perks.  Ever since Ming Tsai opened his second restaurant in Boston, I could not wait to go.  Located in the Seaport District the space is a bit industrial with an Asian decor flair.

Dragon Burger

Matt Murphy's Lamb Burger!

I work over in the Brookline Village area, which is a cute little area with a couple of yummy spots.  One of the places I would like to spend more time is Matt Murphy's, an authentic Irish pub with an extensive beer list.  Since I am mostly there during the work day, I don't get to test out their beer list much, but the food is worth the trip itself!  When a new colleague recently joined our department, we welcomed her to the neighborhood with a lunch trip to Matt Murphy's.

After looking over the menu, I could not resist the lamb burger - I mean, my two favorite things in one dish!  The meat is a top round lamb sirloin burger with feta, red onion jam and minted yogurt.

Perfectly Cooked Lamb Burger

Hungry Mother

When I think of Southern Food in Boston, my mind immediately goes to Tupelo and m3 among others.  These places have some of the most delicious, down-home southern food.  However, another southern standout here in New England has to be Hungry Mother.  Found just a couple of blocks off of the One Kendall complex in a lovely little house, Hungry Mother offers up delicious southern cuisine in a slightly more upscale environment.  With its intimate dining rooms and windows looking out onto trees and flowers, you feel as though you are sitting down to a meal in a friend's house.  Last fall, at East Cambridge's Rib Fest, I won a gift certificate at a booth to Hungry Mother and we figured it was about time to put it to good use.

When we sat down our server quickly told us the specials for the evening, and without question we had to order the shrimp and grits.  This dish, when available, sells out quickly, and it is easy to see why.  Nick and I split this appetizer, but could have had a little fork fight over the last couple of bites.  Between the perfectly cooked grits, the expertly seasoned shrimp and the cornbread croutons, I was ready to lick the plate clean.

Shrimp and Grits

Puritan and Company - Farm to Table in Inman Square

It would be an understatement to say people were excited when word got out that Will Gilson of Garden at the Cellar-fame was opening a new restaurant called Puritan & Company in Inman Square.  With Gilson's farm-to-table experience, you knew the menu was going to be creative food sourced locally.  I must say, this post has been a long time coming (it has been sitting in draft form for a couple of months) which is why the food is a bit out of season!  Nick and I met a friend there on a weekday night, and thank goodness we had reservations because the place was packed.

Wine and Beer

Shake Shack - New York Burgers in the 'Burbs

Shake Shack is a burger joint that conjures up delicious memories for many people.  Found originally in New York, tourists and city dwellers alike flocked to its various locations to indulge in the burgers and shakes.  When rumors started to spread that Shake Shack was moving to the Boston area people got excited.  When the rumors were confirmed and the doors of the Chestnut Hill location opened, there were lines of people willing to wait over an hour to taste what Shake Shack had to offer.

Single Shake Shack Burger

Antelope Island - Wilderness in Salt Lake City

Salt Lake City, as the name implies, is right next to the Great Salt Lake, an odd lake in that it is filled with salt water.  Along the north side of the lake is Antelope_Island, a small National Park that is only accessible by a causeway and is home to herds of bison, antelope and coyotes.  When we got there I thought the only bison I would see would be the plastic one in the photo below - how wrong I was!  The ground was completely snow covered and a similar color to the snow and the rocks, making it a bit difficult to spot the animals, but we found them.  I will say, our friend Noah had a telescopic lens and his photos are light years better, but for now you are stuck with mine!

Welcome to Antelope Island