It is soooo hot! Milk, not a choice. What about grapefruit? Citrus is great for the hot months, and grapefruit is great for you and behind the bar...a little under used. I am going to skirt around the usual vodka and gin traditions of this wondrous fruit.

In the mixing tin;

1.25 oz of a good bourbon
.75 oz of triple sec, or a good citrus liqueur
2 oz grapefruit juice
.25 oz of simple syrup
add ice and shake in tin.

In serving glass....16oz pint or an equal.
add ice to the top
strain mixing tin into glass

Top with soda water

Garnish with grapefruit segments

Smokey, sweet, sour, a little bubbly.

Ooops.

I am sorry...I havent kept up with this the way I should. New posts are coming!

Breakfast in Boston

    It's an American institution...the diner and the diner experience. More specifically greek diners are known for diverse menus and all around tasty treats. Zoe's delivers this with a retro feel that just seems right. Located at 1105 Massachusetts Av. in Cambridge, Zoe's had everything I was looking for in a neighborhood diner. A vast menu serving both breakfast and dinner items, it was actually a little daunting trying to decide between their delicious assortment of omelets or one of 5 variations of Reuben sandwiches. The food is delicious, well prepared, and quick to come out of the kitchen. The food is so good that the below average service didn't seem so bad. In the defense of our server, the place was balls to the wall busy. Another sign that the joint just has great food and ambiance. A quick trip to the host area refilled our beverages and everything else was honky dory. I recommend the Wild Mushroom Omelet served with Home style Potatoes and Rye Toast. The omelet was beautifully fluffy with a nice crust and tons of mushrooms. Portions are quite large but I managed to also try the Chicken Sausage as well as Corned Beef Hash. I love corned beef hash and this one made me happy, as for the sausage...normally I am not a fan of maple syrup in my sausage but these little pieces of tubular chickeny goodness were gone before anything else on my plates. Yes I said plates... If you ever find yourself in the Harvard Square area of Boston, stop in at Zoe's and just enjoy an authentic diner experience...it is becoming a lost art in this country.

Bac Bay Social Club in Boston

    First and foremost  want to extend my congratulations to my friend Ty for surviving his bachelor party in Boston! We had a blast! So...during a night of extreme bar hopping in the Harvard Square area of Boston (I think that's where we were...it's a little fuzzy) we happened upon a reallu cool bar. The Back Bay Social Club. Let's start with the service. I couldn't hear the bartender's name but the dude rocked. Quick and prompt with the drinks, didn't skip a beat when I threw out a food order, and even found time to talk to a drunk guy (me) about food. He even suggested I come back Sunday for their brunch, something a lot of bartenders would "forget" to suggest. My bar snack was their Charcuterrie Board which consisted of an arrangement of cured meats, a slice of terrine, chicken liver pate, and some quick pickles. The food was really good. I'll start with my favorite part, the chicken liver pate....dude...rich and creamy with a very smooth consistency. It had that great livery flavor that I love without any graininess that sometimes accompanies liver. Absolutely well done! Next up were the pickles, I ate these as a palette cleanser between items. They to were awesome, tiny little cucumbers and pearl onion pickles, simply delicious. The terrine ( I believe it was pork) and a really clean flavor but I thought it could have really used a bit of salt. The plate ended with two types of cured meats. The prosciutto was, well good prosciutto. Then there was an American pork belly done in the style of ham. The fat tasted beautiful but again I thought it could have used a bit of salt. All in all the place is just freaking cool! Great bar atmosphere with some kick ass grub that isn't your regular bar fare. Check it out if you get the chance!!

DC Rise

    The food scene in DC has always been ecclectic. From regional favorites with rich history to the vast array of ethnic choices, there are good eats to be found all over the city and it's surrounding area. What strike me as important right now in this area is the national exposure given to this region over the past few years. Celebrity chefs such as Jose Andres have help put DC on the map as a destination for food! Local stand outs are being featured on national shows such as Top Chef and The Best Thing I Ever Ate. As a young cook it is so exciting to be able to experience flavors and presentations I would never have thought to put together. With places like Citronelle, Birch and Barley, and Cafe Atlantico's miniBar it is such an inspiration to a young cook such as myself. To see at taste flavors and presentations I never thought possible is one of the most exciting things in my life at this time!!!(yes, I know this is a little sad.) So here is to you DC, take your rightful place as one of the top food cities in America!!

Pho Golden Cow

    Now this is what a pho place is all about!!! Menu is simple with many options when it comes to their main attraction....that delicious noodle soup known as pho. Located in a strip mall next to a CVS, it is quaint and just has that feeling of...this place has to be all about the food. In other words there isn't much going on with the decor. Tables are simple, traditional pho condiments, disposable soup spoon, and disposable chopsticks. Noodles are served in huge bowls filled with a delightful yet subtle broth, and fresh condiments. A little bean sprout, basil, lemon, and hot peppers. I take mine with all the fresh stuff, a little hoisin, a good amount of sriracha, and a lot of fish sauce. That's the best thing about pho...it is totally customizable to your tastes. So next time you are in the King St. area stop by and enjoy a fantastic bowl of soup!!!

3 Bar in Clarendon

    Cameron Diaz said it best...Their aren't enough meats on a stick. Between the Bacon on a stick, and their delicious Tuna Lolipops 3 Bar does its part to help alleviate this problem. These are just two of many tempting menu items Chef Brian Robinson has put together for you that will have you debating and flipping coins to decide which to get. The menu is fantastic! From the wide variety of appetizers such as Fried Green Tomatos and Southern Fried Oysters, to eclectic entree offering like Harvest Risotto and Stuffed Meatloaf there is something for everyone at this eatery.
   My evening began as I met some friends at the bar for cocktails and dinner. After about 30 minutes of debate we finally decided on 3 apps; Bacon on a Stick, Tuna Lolipops, and Bleu Cheese Chips. All were fantastic. For dinner we decided on the Duck Breast, Cioppino Pasta, and the Braised Pork Shank. Once again all were delicious and well prepared. Service was good and our bartender was very friendly...didn't catch his name. Overall I really enjoyed this experience and the only thing I would suggest would be to bring as many people with you as possible, so you can try as much of this interesting and tasty menu.
    Oh yeah, one last thing...Starting in April every 3rd Thursday they have a pig roast...this is what got me and my pals interested in this place to begin with...If you are looking for a more friends and family kind of dining they offer a Sunday Dinner. Main course is served family style and comes with 3 sides.