Banana Egg Rolls... yumm

Last week I went to PF Changs near chinatown, Boston with a large group of friends. We started the night off at the bar with drinks and lettuce wraps (chicken and vegetarian). The bartenders were great - a white sangria was not on the drink menu but they made it for me anyways and it was delicious! My other friend ordered one too. After we finished our first round of drinks we moved over to a table. I ordered the buddhas feast for dinner - its vegetarian. It was really bland, the vegetables and tofu were steamed with no sauce and the tofu was extremely thin. I don't like a lot of sauce in dishes, a little goes a long way. For dessert, I split an order of the banana egg roll. Its amazing - it comes with coconut ice cream and caramel sauce. Its a must have! Now, if you don't like bananas this will convert you into a banana lover for certain!!

Q Restaurant

Two weekends ago about 5 of my friends and I went to dinner at Q restaurant near chinatown, Boston. The restaurant is known for hot pots - you cook your own meats and vegetables in a boiling broth - meat takes about 30 seconds and vegetables about 2-3 minutes. I got the vegetarian broth and a variety of vegetables (tofu, broccoli and corn). Everything was very fresh but quite bland. They do provide some dipping "sauces" but some were spicy and another was just simply minced garlic. 

Overall, it was a fun experience. The wait staff was great - very attentive and friendly. I would probably not order a hot pot again but I wold certainly return because the atmosphere was great for a group.

MAX BRENNER

I was watching "The Best Thing I Ever Ate..." on the Food Network and Max Brenner's chocolate pizza was mentioned. Since I saw that episode over 6 months ago I have been dying to eat at Max Brenner. Lucky for me, a couple of months ago, one opened in Boston on Boylston Street. I finally got to indulge at Max Brenner in Boston 3 weeks ago. They have a very extensive menu - if you are indecisive I recommend looking at the menu online prior to going. I went around 10 or 11pm on a Saturday. It was busy, the bar was packed but the service was fabulous and very quick! I ordered the banana tempura fondue it was amazing!! If you are a banana lover, which of course I am, I highly suggest ordering it. Everyone was extremely happy with their dish as well. I cannot wait to go back and try the chocolate pizza. I highly recommend going to Max Brenner.

My rating is 4 1/2 stars out of 5 stars.

Smoothie time

Yesterday, I took the blender out and decided to make a healthful filling smoothie and that I did. This recipe is for banana lovers.

1 large banana 

3/4 cup crushed ice

1 cup almond breeze milk (i use original, 40 calories/ cup)

1 tablespoon of peanut butter (optional)

Blend and in no time you have a delicious and very healthful smoothie!

Al Dente

Al Dente is a very small, rustic italian restaurant in the North End. I went for lunch on a Friday with 8 other people. I ordered the grilled fig salad to start. I thought the figs would be hot and cut up but instead it was cold, which was fine, but I would have preferred if the figs were cut more than just in half. I ordered the gnochhi for my entree; it was one of the best I have ever had - no complaints. One person in my party ordered veal parm and another chicken parm and the server mixed up the dishes but by the time they noticed they werent going to swap and neither wanted to return the dish. Another member order penne al vodka but the pepper seasoning was too overpowering. Another, ordered pesto with pasta but it was very oily- it was more like pasta with oil and a little pesto mixed in which was quite disappointing. Although, I had a fantastic pasta dish the rest of my guests were not thrilled which is disappointing since the North End usually never fails.

Modern Pastry, Not So Modern Recipes

Despite the name, modern pastry uses quite old and traditional recipes... thank goodness for that! I have been to Mike's Pastry many times so I wanted to try out Modern. I walked in with friends and family. Modern is much smaller than mikes and also has a much smaller selection. There also wasn't nearly as long of a line that Mike's typically has. I would say not off to a great start. We ordered a linzer tart, well i should say attempted because they dont have those nor knew what I was talking about. I then proceeded to order a rainbow cookie (3 layered cookie red, yellow and green). We also ordered a couple of lace cookies and a canolli (ricotta filling with chocolate chips). Now for the tasting review: I have eaten a fare share of rainbow cookies and these were not good. The lace cookies were okay. However, the canolli was fantastic and I am not one for canollis but there was nothing not to like. 

Side note: I love these cookies and have made them twice; it was quite the undertaking but they came out pretty good. I would also consider myself a rainbow cookie connoisseur. I buy them everywhere I go.

Next time I am in the North end, I will probably go to Mike's Pastry unless I am craving a cannoli and then I am crossing the street and walking into Modern.

Not your mothers Lavagna

Last Saturday evening it was pouring in NYC so My boyfriend and I did not want to venture that far so we went to Lavagna. It is a very small restaurant with a romantic rustic feel. The bread was fresh and the dipping oil had olives in it and was very flavorful.


We had one of the specials of the evening to start - white pizza with asparagus. It was good.


Then I ordered the fedelini fini (type of spaghetti) with toasted garlic and rusted tomato sauce. It was pretty good but a little spicy. The portions are a perfect size; not too big, not too small.


Dinner didn't stop there, for dessert we ordered the apple torte that sat in a pool of the most delicious butterscotch sauce and topped with vanilla ice cream. We ate all the sauce and was on a sugar high later. I have one critique, I didn't taste much apple at all - there was more dough than apple.


I rate this restaurant 3.5 stars out of 5 stars

Symphony Sushi

Symphony sushi is the place to go when you are craving some Japanese food.

Salad with their scrumptious ginger dressing is typical of any japanese restaurant - but it never fails to get old. The edamame are also a must!

The sushi is good and fresh. Obviously, cucumber inside out rolls are my go to.

However, my favorite dish there is the brown vegetable fried rice. I have never had it before Symphony Sushi. I order it almost every time I go here. Its amazing, I eat it all up! Its a nice change and a little healthier than the typical white fried rice.

The mochi is really good too! Its a night and light way to end the meal.

Symph Sush is always busy and the service is great; everyone is very friendly and accommodating.


** They also deliver

Would Beethoven approve of Symphony 8?

Symphony 8 Restaurant and Bar is almost 2 years old and has done very well for itself. Before this was an asian restaurant called Tiger Lily.

I've eaten here on numerous occasions, in small and large groups. As for the actual food - they have a good margarita pizza. However, do not get the flatbread veggie pizza. I think they buy pre-made flatbread, sauté veggies and put it on top. This makes the flatbread extremely soggy and practically inedible. I'm not saying they have to make the dough but they can buy pre-made dough and make the veggie pizza the same way they make the margarita pizza. I have had their mac and cheese, its just okay. Nachos are my guilty pleasure and Symphony 8 makes them pretty good. 


The service is absolutely terrible. Once you get a menu you can wait 30 minutes before they take your order, especially if you're in a group. You can then wait another half hour for your meal. Oh and say you may want a lemon or bbq sauce well, you'll have to wait a while.


Despite the bad flatbread and poor service, I would go back for another meal because they have a very extensive menu.


** Symphony 8 is a very popular bar on Thursday - Saturday nights.

Go to HIGHPOINT BISTRO to start your day on a HIGH

If you are looking for a new brunch place in NYC make sure to check out Highpoint Bistro on 7th Ave between 22nd and 23rd street. I've gone in a large group of about 10 people and as small as just me and my boyfriend.

Highpoint truly lives up to its name. Instead of bread or muffins, they serve freshly made donut holes, its the perfect way to start the day!

I've had 2 eggs over medium there which is my typical go to brunch item. It was good but the side dishes proved to be a highlight. The french fries were great. The first time I ordered the mac and cheese it was just scrumptious. I dreamt about it so the second time I went to Highpoint I made sure to order it again but it just wasn't as great. I've also tried their buttermilk pancakes with lemon thyme butter which made them more savory. However, I found their pancakes too dry. If I'm eating pancakes, I'm going all out and I expect fluffy pancakes and I just didn't get that from Highpoint. I've heard their french onion soup is just delicious. All in all, I enjoy going to Highpoint and look forward to their vegetarian split pea soup and stuffed french toast, on separate occasions of course. I may also give the mac and cheese another go.

Its a pretty small place but both times I've gone its been pretty empty. The service is fairly good.


Overall, I rate Highpoint 3.75 stars out of 5 stars. 


* As you can see I am making up my own rating scale. Highpoint was better than a 3.5 but not quite a 4.

And after brunch you can go to the wholefoods close by, go grocery shopping and have some samples.