Showing posts with label Boston. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Boston. Show all posts

Thursday, March 26, 2015

Fun Playing With Food Trucks and Seafood in Boston

Since life has slowed just a bit, it seems like a good time to continue my report on our Boston trip. July seems like another lifetime ago, with warm sunny skies and a whole city at our fingertips! We moved to a downtown hotel to attend a convention the day after visiting Gloucester. A first order of business was to go on a whale-watching cruise. We encountered a number of humpbacks and enjoyed a very satisfying tourist experience.

Of course, we'd need to eat before embarking on the trip. A series of food trucks alternate at a traffic loop just across from where the boats go out; when we arrived, none of them was quite open yet, so we had time to ponder our choices. Though really, when you have a choice called "The Bacon Truck," pondering isn't really necessary.


Benny's crepes looked good - but not as good as BACON!




The Grilled Cheese: bacon, tomato, cheddar, havarti




The Hangover: Bacon, Hash, Fried Egg, Cheddar, Havarti




Our dinner that evening was less successful. Though recommended by local Chowhounders, Tapeo disappointed on almost every level. Perhaps our small appetites and lack of alcohol consumption had something to do with it, but food, and especially service, were lacking.



Paella


Our lunch the next day at Atlantic Fish Company went much better. 


Clam Chowder

Soft Shell Crab BLT w/Avocado, salad, dressing
Bob's lunch made me jealous! Mine, below, was good, but his was exquisite!

Grilled Local Scallops, corn cake, broccoli w/butter
It was a mistake to get the scallops grilled; they wound up a little dry.



The corn cake was marvelous, though. 

We really went over-board (so to speak) on being touristy for the Fourth of July. My history-buff husband wanted to go out on a lunch cruise to watch the USS Constitution come into the water, cruise the harbor,turn around and make a 21 gun salute. Normally, this occurs every July 4, but immediately following the 2014 edition, the Constitution went into drydock for a multi-year repair project, so this one was special. 

The weather was dreary, but the lively crew kept our spirits up for a fun afternoon! After the turnaround, they proceeded to give a detailed harbor tour that was interesting and entertaining.

The USS Constitution as she floats


We didn't expect much from the lunch buffet, but we were pleasantly surprised.

Clam Chowder


Lobstah Rolls!
Lobster Roll was the feature of this better-than-I-expected lunch buffet. The potato salad was also freshly made and pretty good, and the chowda seemed like a good quality food service product. The beef tips were kind of meh, but I wasn't really there for the beef, anyway. I skipped the salad, tortellini, chicken fingers and chicken salad rolls. 









A fun time in Boston Harbor playing with food and history despite the soggy weather, and some tasty eats!

Saturday, August 9, 2014

Fun Playing With Nigerian Food Near Boston

The end of June brought us to the Boston area for vacation time with old friends and a large convention downtown. Naturally, we lost no time playing with our food. 

The first highlight is Suya Joint, specializing in Nigerian food, a cuisine I'd yet to try. Though our food was  served a little differently from the Nigerians at the next table (less spice), it was all very tasty and I hope to try them again. If you are in or near Jamaica Plain, Suya Joint is worth a visit:  



Though we opted for this non-alcoholic brew (which was very refreshing with the spicy food), Suya Joint has beer and wine available. 

Assorted Appetizers
Back to front: Beef Suya (thinly sliced beef seasoned with Nigerian spices and ground peanuts, skewered and grilled; we were not offered the spicy option we saw at the next table that was also served with raw onions), Chicken Suya (chicken breast seasoned with Nigerian spices and ground peanuts, then skewered and grilled), Meat Pies (Seasoned ground beef wrapped in pie crust and baked), and to the right, Moi-Moi (steamed bean pudding made from a mixture of washed and peeled black-eyed peas, onions and fresh ground peppers). 

My entree:

FUFU pounded yam dumpling with Ogbono Soup containing Crushed Mango Seeds with Nigerian herbs and spices and something viscous, probably okra, with goat meat on the bone:






Cassava Fufu dumpling with Egusi Soup (melon, tomato, spinach) with beef.






These dishes are eaten by breaking off pieces of the Fufu dumpling with the fingers, then dipping it into the bowl. The Nigerians at the next table had no utensils at all; being less practiced, we were grateful for fork and spoon to get all the luscious juices. 

I actually liked the taste and texture of Bob's Egusi more than my dish, but the Ogbono was also very satisfying. Neither was exceptionally spicy, but very flavorful. Unfortunately, they were out of our first choices, which included Taushe - peanut stew with vegetables and a blend of herbs and Nigerian spices, that I'd really hoped to try. Oh well, I have an excuse to go back! Service is wonderful and this food is fun that not only tastes good, but it's a cuisine that you don't eat every day.

Suya Joint Restaurant
25 Poplar Street
Roslindale, MA 02131
617-327-8810
Email: Suyajoint@yahoo.com
www.suyajoint.com