Tuesday, February 24, 2015

THE FORUM IN BOSTON IS CLOSING

JOE Tuesday, February 24, 2015
A landmark restaurant on Boylston Street in Boston is closing. Forum has announced it will shut its doors on March 1. You may remember this restaurant made headlines after the Boston Marathon Bombings. It sustained a lot of damage and took months to reopen. Its rent is being tripled and the restaurant can't afford to stay open. Forum posted this letter to its customers on Facebook: 

 Dear friends,
It is with a heavy heart that we announce the closing of FORUM Bar & Restaurant on March 1st. Boston Nightlife Ventures would like to offer our sincere gratitude to FORUM’s incredible staff and to each and every one of our patrons, from our regulars to those who came in after the marathon to show their support. We cried together, we smiled together—none of those times will be forgotten.
After the tragic events of the 2013 Boston Marathon forced FORUM to close for four long months of reconstruction, and with insurance claims still backed up by bureaucracy, our road to financial recovery was knowingly long. But our love for what we do encouraged Boston Nightlife Ventures to reinvest in FORUM and reopen triumphantly.
Unfortunately, the current real estate climate on Boylston Street has motivated FORUM’s landlord to raise rent this year by nearly three times our current rate. This rent increase makes it financially impossible for Boston Nightlife Ventures to operate and sustain a business at a location that means so much to us and to our city. Out of enduring respect for the events surrounding our brief but unforgettable history at 755 Boylston Street, Boston Nightlife Ventures has decided to retire the name FORUM.
Though FORUM must close, Boston Nightlife Ventures remains committed to investing in our city’s dining community. We look forward to using our resources and efforts to continue serving Boston at our existing locations—The Tap Trailhouse, Wink & Nod, Griddler’s Burgers and Dogs—and at exciting new concepts coming in 2015 and beyond. As owners and operators of multiple concepts, BNV is fortunately able to offer FORUM’s staff numerous opportunities to remain with our team.
We invite you to join us this week for one last hurrah before we close our doors following dinner service on Saturday, February 28th. For more information, please email us at info@forumboston.com
On behalf of everyone at Boston Nightlife Ventures, thank you to the city of Boston and its incredible residents. It is an honor to continue to serve you.
, ,

Monday, February 23, 2015

IT'S ZEPPOLE TIME!

JOE Monday, February 23, 2015
Get your Zeppole

It's another sign that spring is on the way. Mike's Pastry in Boston's North End is selling Zeppole. This traditional Italian dessert is pumped full of cream and usually topped off with a cherry. Italians enjoy them to celebrate St. Joseph's Day, which falls on March 19 every year. , , ,

DELICIOUS DISH: FRIED RAVIOLI WITH MEAT SAUCE

JOE Monday, February 23, 2015
You're looking at my favorite dish of the moment. This is fried ravioli with meat sauce from The Chateau. The restaurant has eight locations around Massachusetts and this is my go to dish whenever I eat there. The meat sauce is so good and just because I can never get enough meat, I always order two meatballs to go along with this delicious dish. You can order small, large or entree portions. Only get the large or entree portion if you are really hungry because these fried delights will fill you up! ,

Tuesday, February 17, 2015

CELEBRATE MARDI GRAS AT CUPCAKE CITY

JOE Tuesday, February 17, 2015
It's time for Mardi Gras! While everyone is celebrating in New Orleans, you can get a taste of the fun here in snowy New England. Right now, Cupcake City is selling these Mardi Gras inspired cupcakes. I got this one at their store in Newtonville. ,

Saturday, February 14, 2015

MOUTH-WATERING ITALIAN AT CANOVA IN ATTLEBORO, MA

JOE Saturday, February 14, 2015
Arancini
Ravioli with sausage
Lasagna a la bolognese
If you've ever been to the Attleboro, Massachusetts area, you've probably heard of Luciano's, Lake Pearl and the Colonel Blackington Inn. Now, Luciano has opened another restaurant, Canova Italian Bar & Grill. Canova is a more casual restaurant, but the food is just as spectacular here as it is at all of his other restaurants.

Appetizers include mozzarella caprese, fried mozzarella, calamari, pan-fried eggplant, meatballs and chicken wings. Do your taste buds a favor and order the arancini. They are parmesean crusted dumplings filled with risotto, cheese, pork, veal, ground beef and peas. They are served on top of just enough marinara sauce. I can't begin to tell you how delicious they are.

 I enjoyed one of their lunch specials, the lasagna alla bolognese. This hearty dish comes with a generous portion of meat, lots of melted mozzarella and if that wasn't enough, it was topped with a meatball! What a perfect meal. 

Other pasta dishes on the menu include classics like spaghetti alla carbonara, trortolloni alla primavera, fettuccini alla bolognese and fettucci alla alfredo. There are also several chicken dishes including marsala, chicken scampi and chicken parm. Fish entrees include frutti di mare, salmon, shrimp cacciatore and tilapia. Canova also serves several salads, burgers and pizza (after 4 p.m.). Canova does have dessert. You'll see the tempting display case when you walk in, but if you eat like me, you probably won't have any room!

Luciano has done it again! Run to Canova. It's right across from the train station. After just one meal, Canova is already an Eat Up New England favorite!

www.canovaitaliangrill.com ,

Thursday, February 12, 2015

GET A CUPCAKE FOR YOUR VALENTINE AT "SWEET"

JOE Thursday, February 12, 2015
Whenever I go to Wegmans in Chestnut Hill, it's impossible for me to not stop into Sweet for a cupcake or two. They have all of the favorites like chocolate, vanilla and carrot cake. They also have some special flavors for the seasons. Right now, Sweet's cupcakes are all decked out for Valentine's Day. I really liked their chocolate cupcake with raspberry frosting. There's also a brownie cupcake with pink heart-shaped frosting. You can also bring your four-legged friend in for a doggie cupcake. They even have gluten free cupcakes! Check out Sweet at one of their 6 Boston-area locations.

www.sweetcupcakes.com ,

WEGMAN'S IS READY FOR VALENTINE'S DAY!

JOE Thursday, February 12, 2015
There are lots of temping treats for Valentine's Day right now at Wegman's in Chestnut Hill, MA. Check out those chocolate-covered strawberries with sprinkles. They also have small Conversation Hearts-inspired cakes and a large display of boxed chocolates. Yummmm. ,

Thursday, February 05, 2015

COLD BEER AND PERFECT APPS AT BEER WORKS IN FRAMINGHAM

JOE Thursday, February 05, 2015
After shoveling snow in all of these snow storms, I've been dying for an nice cold beer. I finally got one at Framingham Beer Works. This hot spot is one of the newer Boston Beer Works locations and is always very busy. They brew their own beer in house and you can even take a six pack home! I started my meal off with one of their seasonal brews, "Lovefest," a chocolate strawberry stout. It's very good! You can find it along with several other Valentine's Day inspired drinks and dishes on their February menu. They have an extensive beer menu, along with several cocktails.

Beer Works menu is jam packed with all of your favorite bar foods. Their nachos are soooo good, a vegetarian delight smothered in cheese, olives, tomatoes and jalapenos. (They'll top them with chili or chicken for you, too.) They have a ton of apps including onion rings, scallops, fried pickle spears, wings and cheeseburger sliders. They also have a "Bluebeery Shark" app of grilled Mako shark drizzled with a blueberry sauce.

For dinner, I ordered the Charlestown Burger, a thick burger topped with cheddar and applewood bacon. Very filling and very good! You can choose from a bunch of different French fries like sour cream & chive, cheese, chili and gravy. I went for the steak fries, which were each half of a potato! Other dinner options include chicken sandwiches, shrimp 'n ham mac 'n cheese, salmon, salads, steak tips and rips. Many of their entrees are also available vegetarian. 

If you save room for dessert, I'd recommend their blueberry cheesecake. They also have a "Big Dig" Brownie Sundae, apple blueberry crumble and several ice creams.

Framingham Beer Works is always pretty crowded at night, especially on weekends. Lunch is much quieter and a good chance to sample their delicious menu and beers.

 Framingham Beer Works Menu , , ,
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