I started off the week by paying my respects to the many victims and their families that were affected by the Marathon bombing. The hubs and I headed downtown on a Sunday afternoon to visit the memorial at the end of Boylston Street. Emotional is not the word. There are no words. Just hope, dedication, strength, and loyalty to our great city of Boston. After some short prayers and reflections, we decided to walk around since it was such a gorgeous day.
You know we didn't make it far before yours truly exclaimed that I was starving. Ha. We came to an agreement on Joe's American Bar and Grill (http://joesamerican.com) on Newbury Street. To say the least, the company was by far better than the average bar fare we indulged in. I will say that the red Sangria was delish and the serving was ginormous. YUM! After a quick drink at the bar, we were seated in the downstairs dining room. The place was popping. We quickly put an order in for the spinach and artichoke dip with pita chips. It was tasty but lukewarm at best. The hubs had the New England Clam Chowder which he described as "middle of the road." The less than hot minestrone soup which I ate half of, was lacking flavor and minestrone. For our main course, I decided to go light with the 'Not So Simple Grilled Cheese' with regular fries. The cheddar and Fontinella cheeses with bacon and tomato grilled on Challah bread was pretty dang good, but again, not hot. And the fries were not so impressive. The hubs ordered the bacon cheeseburger which was cooked to his liking and gone in 60 seconds. No sah. But, he did enjoy it. For libations, I chose another fabulous sangria with my meal and the hubs went for his usual...Sam Summer on draft. Joe's, in my opinion is mediocre bar food with a hopping atmosphere and a friendly enough staff. Like I said, the conversation and company were the highlight of that din-din.
Monday, after my dentist appointment, the hubs and I went for a late lunch/brunch to one of my favorite breakfast joints in my area, Spring Street Cafe in West Roxbury. Seems some of the patrons were amused by my drink order of coffee and a Bud Light. What can I say? That's how I roll. My short stack of blueberry pancakes, crispy side of bacon, and basket of fries, was just what the doctor ordered. YUMMY and filling. The hubs went with a ham and cheese omelette, home fries, and white toast which he thoroughly enjoyed. Solid joint.
Skip to Wednesday, the day of my birth. By my choice, we headed to Delfino in Roslindale for a scrumptious supper. We were greeted warmly by Michael who asked where we had been since we hadn't come in for dinner in a while. The vino of choice of my evening was the house Pinot Noir, as I knew I was longing for some carne. The amazingly fresh bread dipped in the olive oil, Parmesan cheese, hot pepper flakes and salt/pepper ensemble that I created was addicting. MMM! Instead of our usual Caesar salad, we went with the special. The crisp, Arugula greens, goat cheese, and sun dried tomatoes with a balsamic dressing was particularly nice. The hubs especially loved it. And no, I didn't order the Chicken Parmesan for my main entree'. Delfino's Aged 14 oz. Sirloin Au Poivre cooked medium with a peppercorn crust, topped with Roquefort butter and served with roasted garlic mashed, baby carrots and asparagus is what I went with. Magnificent. The hubs devoured the salmon special served with fingerling potatoes, carrots and asparagus. Yet another delightful evening at one of my favorite places ever.
Flourless chocolate cake is what I yearned for. And the best place around my way to get my fave dessert is Masona Grill, (http://masonagrill.net/) in West Roxbury. We drove right on over after our super dinner at Delfino. I needed that cake bad. Accompanied by another glass of Pinot Noir, Boom! Satisfied. Oh and the hubs got Tiramisu and a cup of Joe with Bailey's. Lovely. :)
As you may know by now if you have been following along with my food chronicles, my fam and I have a birthday tradition. The birthday person gets to choose when/where/what they want for dinner. So, Thursday, we ventured over to the general's, aka, mi madre's in C-town for a homemade feast beyond belief, of my picking. My bro and his charming girlfriend joined us for a buffet style dinner of everything Rozziefoodie could ever ask for. To start, mi madre's stuffed mushrooms were oh so good, along with some Trader Joe's appetizers, deli pickles and potato chips. After filling up on a healthy portion of starters, we filed into the kitchen to fill our plates with yumminess. Madre, by request made her famous meatballs and sausages, Chicken Angelique (tender chicken made with Munster cheese, mushrooms, etc), stuffed peppers, potato salad, steak tips with rice, and a garden salad. Can you say spoiled? YUP! And loving every minuto of it. For dessert, the general baked my favorite from scratch, chocolate/caramel cheesecake which we washed down with coffee and Bailey's after singing happy birthday. And yes, it was as delectable as it sounds. OMG! Gluttony at its best. My family knows how to do it right. Gracias, madre!!!
And finally we come to Friday. Dinner at my BFF's home with her, my hubs, and my sweet, sweet Godbaby. :) Every year, BFF asks me what I want her to make for me. And every year I tell her Chicken Cordon Bleu, pleaseeee and thank youuuuu!! It is a huge pain in the butt but I know she makes it with extra love just for me because it is seriously the bomb diggity. And I get to pick the sides, too, which were red bliss mashed and fresh green beans. After singing happy birthday and eating some cake, I was stuffed to the maximum.
In addition to all the savory foods I was lucky enough to consume, I received some pretty incredible birthday wishes, cards and gifts. All I can say is that I am truly truly blessed. I have such a great family and the best friends a girl could ask for.
