Bar Boulud - Boston
In the home stretch of my first pregnancy and I was needing to go out for dinner. I just wanted to put make up on and feel somewhat attractive :)
We were planning on going to Atlantic Fish Co. without reservations of course, but by the time we got they they didn't have availability until 10:30pm. Not gonna happen. We went outside and I saw that Bar Boulud was right across the street. I had just read about the Boston location being open and thought, let's give it a shot. They didn't have anything until 9:30pm, but we could eat in their lounge which offered a limited bar menu. Perfect!
What we ordered:
Mrs. Bouvier (cocktail) - house infused vodka, lemongrass, ginger, citrus and soda
The waiter said it was sweet, but it was more tart than anything else.
Gougeres - choux pastry, gruyère & espelette
I prefer the gougeres at No.9 Park.These were not as airy and had a little too much kick to them.
Brioche de homard facon - lobster roll, horseradish, tarragon
Brent ordered this, I had a bite. I thought it was good, Brent liked it more and more with each bite.
French Fries
very good, freshly hand cut expected amount of salt
Spaghetti au Citron - wellfleet countneck clam, bottarga, lemon, fennel
It came in two sizes, I ordered the large. It was really good. The pasta was fresh, the clams as well. It was not too citrus-y, it had just a hint. The butter and garlic in it were nicely proportioned. I finished it all! The bottarga (salted, cured fish roe, typically from grey mullet or tuna) was a nice addition on top, giving a bit of crunch to the meal.
Overall it was a good meal, however there were a few drawbacks. The music in the lounge was a bit too loud which made conversation difficult. Also, there was a long delay between when we ordered and when we received our food. There were lounge tables seated after us who were served and left before we even got our food. Our server seemed to have disappeared during this time as well. eventually another staff member came to to say she would check on things, but in my mind she should have done that much sooner.
Certainly worth another try, with reservations to try the full menu.
Thursday, October 2, 2014
Sunday, May 11, 2014
Oiishi Boston - May 10, 2014
For my birthday we returned to Oiishi. I had wanted to go to O-ya but they were fully booked until later in May and I didn't want to wait for good sushi.
This time we did not have too much to drink and ordered a little bit less so we were so full.
The restaurant was much busier than when we went for New Year's Eve.
Brent had a Lychee martini and I ordered a glass of l'Hortus Rose.
Here's what we ate:
Overall, it was a very yummy meal. I'm glad we went.
This time we did not have too much to drink and ordered a little bit less so we were so full.
The restaurant was much busier than when we went for New Year's Eve.
Brent had a Lychee martini and I ordered a glass of l'Hortus Rose.
Here's what we ate:
- Ishiyaki Wagyu Beef - love it! 6 raw slices of Wagyu beef in a marinade. They bring you a hot rock and you cook it for only a few seconds on each side. So tasty.
- Avocado Terrine - This one was fun. The avocado was chopped up and resting on a layer of ice. There was a sauce underneath the ice. I had to break the ice to get the avocado to fall into the source. Also quite tasty.
- Wild king sake (salmon) sushi - much softer than the salmon sushi I am used to.
- Sake Toro sushi
- White Salmon sushi
- Unagi (fresh water eel) sushi
- Unagi with avocado sushi
- O-toro (tuna) sushi
- Snow crab sushi
- Cripsy Mango maki - Brent liked this one a lot. I thought it was good, but probably not my favorite
- Kumamoto oyster tempura maki - we didn't like this one. All the flavor of the oyster is gone when it is warm. We prefer it raw.
- Molten Chocolate Cake
- Yubari ice melon
Overall, it was a very yummy meal. I'm glad we went.
Thursday, January 2, 2014
Oishii - Boston
December 31, 2013 - New Year's Eve dinner
Oishii
Nine Zero hotel
This year we decided to stay in Boston so Brent could partake of the libations without worrying about driving. We stayed at Nine Zero, a boutique hotel right off the Boston Common and next door to the Omni Parker House. It was a beautiful hotel, and we had a corner room on the 15th floor so the views were fantastic!
Our dinner reservations were at 7:30 so we got a taxi at 7pm. We had a perfect view from the hotel to watch the fireworks from first night, except that there going off while we were in the taxi. We will need to plan better next time!
It was our first time dining at Oishii. We started with drinks of course, Shisojito for Brent and a Lychee Martini for me.
For appetizers we ordered Salmon on Fire and Ishiyaki (Wagyu Beef on a hot rock)...
...we ordered a few things from the raw menu: Kumamoto Oysters, o-toro sushi, wild king salmon sashimi, snow crab sushi and Unagi sushi.
...and two maki rolls: Rock Shrimp Explosion and the Crispy Salmon which ended up being much larger than we expected!
Overall the quality of the fish was fantastic and we really enjoyed the food. I still think I prefer O-ya for teh overall atmosphere and experience. Brent commented that Oishii is more traditional sushi compared to O-ya and I would agree. I think I like the innovation a bit more at O-ya.
We were informed that Tom Brady and Giselle were dining in a private room while we were there. Turns out Tom is friends with the owner and they dine there several times a year.
We were stuffed, but we still managed to fit dessert! Molten chocolate cake with vanilla ice cream and Yubari ice melon, which was a really nice light dessert. It was like melon flavored shaved ice in the shape of a melon and the rind was made of white chocolate. The molten cake was a little too molten.
Oishii
Nine Zero hotel
This year we decided to stay in Boston so Brent could partake of the libations without worrying about driving. We stayed at Nine Zero, a boutique hotel right off the Boston Common and next door to the Omni Parker House. It was a beautiful hotel, and we had a corner room on the 15th floor so the views were fantastic!
 |
| View from our room at Nine Zero |
 |
| Nighttime view |
Our dinner reservations were at 7:30 so we got a taxi at 7pm. We had a perfect view from the hotel to watch the fireworks from first night, except that there going off while we were in the taxi. We will need to plan better next time!
It was our first time dining at Oishii. We started with drinks of course, Shisojito for Brent and a Lychee Martini for me.
For appetizers we ordered Salmon on Fire and Ishiyaki (Wagyu Beef on a hot rock)...
 |
| Salmon on fire |
 |
| Ishiyaki |
...we ordered a few things from the raw menu: Kumamoto Oysters, o-toro sushi, wild king salmon sashimi, snow crab sushi and Unagi sushi.
...and two maki rolls: Rock Shrimp Explosion and the Crispy Salmon which ended up being much larger than we expected!
Overall the quality of the fish was fantastic and we really enjoyed the food. I still think I prefer O-ya for teh overall atmosphere and experience. Brent commented that Oishii is more traditional sushi compared to O-ya and I would agree. I think I like the innovation a bit more at O-ya.
We were informed that Tom Brady and Giselle were dining in a private room while we were there. Turns out Tom is friends with the owner and they dine there several times a year.
We were stuffed, but we still managed to fit dessert! Molten chocolate cake with vanilla ice cream and Yubari ice melon, which was a really nice light dessert. It was like melon flavored shaved ice in the shape of a melon and the rind was made of white chocolate. The molten cake was a little too molten.
Wednesday, November 13, 2013
CJK business trip - Japan Oct 19-26, 2013
Last stop: Tokyo, Japan!
It took longer to get to the hotel than I expected. I thought I would have a half day on Saturday to explore, but didn't really happen. I took a bus from Narita airport to the New Otani Hotel in Akasaka.
It was dark by the time I settled into my room, so I just ate dinner at the hotel. The hotel was huge and had the feel of resorts, like we will provide all you need, food, drink, shops, dress rental for weddings, etc. so that you don't need to spend your money some place else. Hotels are usually expensive, but I felt the prices at the restaurants were even higher than usual.
Once I found the restaurants within close walking distance, I didn't eat at the hotel any more.
On Sunday, late morning, two of the employees from the office took me site seeing. There was a typhoon in the area, so it was pouring rain all the day.
We had lunch at a sushi place near work that they liked a lot and didn't get to go to often because it was usually crowded and would take too long. On a Sunday it wasn't crowded at all. The sushi was excellent! I ended up going back on my last day in Tokyo.
We first went to Senso-ji temple in Asakusa, taking the subway to get there.
The next stop was the sky tree. It is a mall with a tall structure that you can go up and get a nice view of the city. Unfortunately the top was covered by clouds, so we decided not to go up.
I mentioned that I would like to visit a cat cafe and they found one nearby that we could go to. It was about $8 for 1 hour, they didn't actually have tables to have coffee, but they did have a small fridge that you could buy cold drinks if you wanted. It was a small room with almost 20 cats. It was early afternoon so they were all sleeping but we were still able to pet them.
LUNCH
The work week started and spent much of my time in the office. I was taken to lunch each day by my colleagues.
One day we went to a curry restaurant which they had nicknamed the cat cafe because there is a cat in the restaurant. The curry was not the Indian curry I am used to , but it was still good.
The last day we went to a place that was started by a famous member of the kabuki theatre. It was a really nice place with a special Bento box meal at lunch.
EVENINGS
Monday night I took the metro to Shibuya crossing. It was only a few stops away.
I then had dinner closer to the hotel in Akasaka: Itamae. It was a reasonably priced sushi place recommended to me by my colleagues. I later found out that they have a special high quality tuna meal that they only have enough for 30 servings per day, that is what they are known for.
One evening they took me to the Ninja restaurant. it was fun to go with a group. A little gimicky but still fun. All of the staff are dressed as Ninjas and they take you to your table via a maze that the Ninja has to use magic to open certain doors and bridges. The food also has a Ninja theme to it, as you will see.
Another evening, Casey and I went to a cheap fast food place for noodles.
For my last meal, which was lunch on Saturday, I went back to the Sushi place they took me the first day. It was a fine last meal to have in Tokyo.
I was able to fulfill my goal of having sushi everyday! It may not have been the main meal each time, but even the bento boxes had at least one piece of sushi.
It took longer to get to the hotel than I expected. I thought I would have a half day on Saturday to explore, but didn't really happen. I took a bus from Narita airport to the New Otani Hotel in Akasaka.
It was dark by the time I settled into my room, so I just ate dinner at the hotel. The hotel was huge and had the feel of resorts, like we will provide all you need, food, drink, shops, dress rental for weddings, etc. so that you don't need to spend your money some place else. Hotels are usually expensive, but I felt the prices at the restaurants were even higher than usual.
Once I found the restaurants within close walking distance, I didn't eat at the hotel any more.
On Sunday, late morning, two of the employees from the office took me site seeing. There was a typhoon in the area, so it was pouring rain all the day.
We had lunch at a sushi place near work that they liked a lot and didn't get to go to often because it was usually crowded and would take too long. On a Sunday it wasn't crowded at all. The sushi was excellent! I ended up going back on my last day in Tokyo.
We first went to Senso-ji temple in Asakusa, taking the subway to get there.
The next stop was the sky tree. It is a mall with a tall structure that you can go up and get a nice view of the city. Unfortunately the top was covered by clouds, so we decided not to go up.
I mentioned that I would like to visit a cat cafe and they found one nearby that we could go to. It was about $8 for 1 hour, they didn't actually have tables to have coffee, but they did have a small fridge that you could buy cold drinks if you wanted. It was a small room with almost 20 cats. It was early afternoon so they were all sleeping but we were still able to pet them.
LUNCH
The work week started and spent much of my time in the office. I was taken to lunch each day by my colleagues.
One day we went to a curry restaurant which they had nicknamed the cat cafe because there is a cat in the restaurant. The curry was not the Indian curry I am used to , but it was still good.
The last day we went to a place that was started by a famous member of the kabuki theatre. It was a really nice place with a special Bento box meal at lunch.
EVENINGS
Monday night I took the metro to Shibuya crossing. It was only a few stops away.
 |
| Shibuya Crossing, Tokyo Japan |
 |
| Shibuya Crossing, Tokyo Japan from the Shibuya Station |
I then had dinner closer to the hotel in Akasaka: Itamae. It was a reasonably priced sushi place recommended to me by my colleagues. I later found out that they have a special high quality tuna meal that they only have enough for 30 servings per day, that is what they are known for.
 |
| Itamae Sushi, Akasaka Tokyo Japan |
One evening they took me to the Ninja restaurant. it was fun to go with a group. A little gimicky but still fun. All of the staff are dressed as Ninjas and they take you to your table via a maze that the Ninja has to use magic to open certain doors and bridges. The food also has a Ninja theme to it, as you will see.
 |
| Clockwise from left: Akihiro?, Ayume?, Ayoko, me, Casey, Kimiko, Yasuaki |
 |
| Ninja sake in a bamboo bottle. |
 |
| Ninja star crackers. |
 |
| Pate in the shape of a Ninja star. |
 |
| Tofu in the shape of a noodle pastry. |
 |
| Chicken wings with cashews and extremely hot peppers. Peppers were for decoration only. |
 |
| Stone soup, they used a hot stone to heat up the broth and ingredients. |
 |
| Cold capellini pasta. |
 |
| Pork with a sweet glaze. |
 |
| Chinese pudding. With a gummy candy like food in the middle. It was made from seaweed and had a great texture that was smoother than gummy bears I am used to. |
 |
| Momento from the magic show at the end of the meal. |
Another evening, Casey and I went to a cheap fast food place for noodles.
For my last meal, which was lunch on Saturday, I went back to the Sushi place they took me the first day. It was a fine last meal to have in Tokyo.
I was able to fulfill my goal of having sushi everyday! It may not have been the main meal each time, but even the bento boxes had at least one piece of sushi.
CJK business trip - South Korea Oct 16-19, 2013
Second stop: Seoul, South Korea
I arrived Wednesday afternoon. I stayed at the Hotel Riviera in Gangnam-gu (Gangnam style!).
I was met at the hotel Thursday morning by one of our employees and we rode the shuttle service from the hotel to a subway stop, and then walked from there.
We went to lunch for some chicken in broth. It was pretty good, but did not have much flavor. Salt was a welcome condiment.
The weather was good, sunny and cool.
Friday I walked to the office. We went to lunch at a bi bim bab place. It was a little different from what I've had in the US in that they brought everything out in little bowls. Most of the time it is already in one bowl, I just need to add the hot sauce and stir. But here I was able to add the veggies and and as much of them that I wanted.
I arrived Wednesday afternoon. I stayed at the Hotel Riviera in Gangnam-gu (Gangnam style!).
I was met at the hotel Thursday morning by one of our employees and we rode the shuttle service from the hotel to a subway stop, and then walked from there.
We went to lunch for some chicken in broth. It was pretty good, but did not have much flavor. Salt was a welcome condiment.
The weather was good, sunny and cool.
Friday I walked to the office. We went to lunch at a bi bim bab place. It was a little different from what I've had in the US in that they brought everything out in little bowls. Most of the time it is already in one bowl, I just need to add the hot sauce and stir. But here I was able to add the veggies and and as much of them that I wanted.
Friday night the technical manager took me and the employees I trained to dinner for Bulgogi. Again, so many bowls! it really really good.
On Saturday morning I was off to Japan!
Sunday, November 3, 2013
CJK business trip - China Oct 12-16, 2013
I was involved with a project to transition to a new CRM (Customer Relationship Management) system. I helped provide requirements of the Tech Support organization to the developers and review the development progress. Because of my involvement I was asked to deliver the system training to the tech support offices in CJK. How could I refuse? I hadn't traveled for work since starting at MathWorks and was excited to be given the opportunity. Plus, I had never been to Japan before.
My first stop was Beijing, China. I didn't really have time to explore on my own, I was only there for a few days. I stayed at the Crowne Plaza Zhongguancun, a very nice hotel with clean, spacious rooms. I arrived on Saturday evening and had not slept on the plane at all, so it was very easy for me to go to sleep. The jet lag wasn't so bad, I was able to make through the day and only started to feel it towards the late afternoon.
The office was only a 15 minute walk away, so I walked. The pollution wasn't noticeable to me, only when I looked out from my 13th floor hotel room could I see a haze in the distance.
For dinner I ate at the hotel. the most interesting thing I had was gelato that was Taro flavored. It was a bluish purple color and I assumed it was some berry flavor. The wait staff told me it was taro. It was surprisingly good and had a nice mildly sweet flavor.
On the days I was at the office the trainees took me to lunch. On Monday we ate at the restaurant in the office building, which specialized in Shanghai style Chinese food. It was all very good. They ordered a few dishes which were mostly pork and some vegetables. I used chopsticks and they were impressed to see that I could use them at all! On Tuesday we ate at a Korean restaurant which they said was run by North Koreans. They said the ladies who served us never left the building, they apparently lived in the same building as the restaurant. I ate bi bim bab which seemed pretty much the same as I have had in the US.
On Wednesday I left for Korea.
 |
| Hotel I stayed in, near the office. |
The office was only a 15 minute walk away, so I walked. The pollution wasn't noticeable to me, only when I looked out from my 13th floor hotel room could I see a haze in the distance.
 |
| MathWorks office building, shared with other companies. |
 |
| Taro gelato |
On the days I was at the office the trainees took me to lunch. On Monday we ate at the restaurant in the office building, which specialized in Shanghai style Chinese food. It was all very good. They ordered a few dishes which were mostly pork and some vegetables. I used chopsticks and they were impressed to see that I could use them at all! On Tuesday we ate at a Korean restaurant which they said was run by North Koreans. They said the ladies who served us never left the building, they apparently lived in the same building as the restaurant. I ate bi bim bab which seemed pretty much the same as I have had in the US.
On Wednesday I left for Korea.
Monday, June 24, 2013
Little Breizh - Paris, France
Little Breizh
May 2013
A traditional Breton creperie. This reminded me so much of my time in Rennes, France. It was a simple, but tasty meal. A savory crepe, a dessert crepe and a bowl of cidre. Parfait!
May 2013
A traditional Breton creperie. This reminded me so much of my time in Rennes, France. It was a simple, but tasty meal. A savory crepe, a dessert crepe and a bowl of cidre. Parfait!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)