Review: Pho Saigon, Springfield

Confession: 2010 is shaping up to be Year of the Pho. I’m having this crazy passionate love affair with Vietnamese food, and I cannot seem to get enough. (Though you’ll notice that I’ve retired “Pho Shizzle” as a tagline. At least for now.)

I’ve seen Yelp haters describe western Massachusetts and north-central Connecticut as culturally bereft. Well…okay. But as ethnic cuisines become more mainstream, even suburban Longmeadow boasts two notable sushi restaurants. And up in Springfield, you can find three Vietnamese eateries within a three-block radius.

Read the rest of this entry »

March 30th, 2010 | | 3 Comments »

Hartford Gets A Cupcake Truck. Nice!

Some people crunch numbers or push papers all day long  to earn a buck. Me? I chase down cupcake trucks. 

I heard from Courant colleagues earlier this week that a new mobile bakery, the Cupcake Brake, had launched in Hartford. Knowing how popular the Cupcake Truck is in New Haven – and how crazy the lines are when that truck comes up to Hartford – I knew this would be a hit.

Check out my post on A La Carte.

Interesting backstory – the truck’s owner is a former financial planner. He earned a culinary degree years ago, went into finance and then realized he wanted to get back into baking. Nothing like following your dream.

I tried one of the “Mohegan Mocha” cupcakes topped with vanilla buttercream this afternoon. Holy decadence. The buttercream is made with real vanilla bean – and LOTS of butter. A carrot cupcake with white chocolate cream cheese frosting is waiting for Rob.

March 25th, 2010 | | 4 Comments »

Mashed Potatoes Get Luxurious

So okay, we eat at a lot of restaurants. But what you might not know – basically because I’m terrible at photographing and articulating recipes – is that we cook more than we go out. And after a week of vacation dining, plus a bout of sickness, I was ready to get back into the kitchen last night.

I’d planned panko-crusted cod with grilled asparagus and some starch, maybe brown rice. But then I saw the potatoes on my counter and they were looking a little…spiky. I determined that they weren’t rotten, but I figured I’d better use them.

Read the rest of this entry »

March 25th, 2010 | | No Comments »

Bargain Bites: Pho Boston, West Hartford

Bun Tom Thit Nuong with grilled shrimp and pork

I reviewed West Hartford’s Pho Boston for the Courant today. Delicious Vietnamese dishes. Love the chicken pho and the bun with grilled shrimp and pork, pictured.

What’s even more fun than eating great authentic food is sharing it with those who are brand-new to it. This was the visit where Sara attempted to eat tripe, hot chili peppers, sriracha and tapioca pearls. Revisit this entry here, especially if you want to laugh – or cringe.

Click here for Pho  Boston’s website.

March 25th, 2010 | | No Comments »

Turks & Caicos: Rum, Conch…and Beaches

In typical foodie fashion, I tend to look forward to cuisine more than attractions when I travel somewhere new.

En route to Santorini, visions of feta and melitzanosalata danced in my head next to images of whitewashed buildings and spectacular sunsets. And on the plane to Providenciales, Turks & Caicos, I pictured flowing rum punches and fresh seafood on sugar-white beaches with clear aqua waters. Read the rest of this entry »

March 23rd, 2010 | | 7 Comments »
« Older Entries