BARCELONA [Boston]

Dinner at Barcelona with Hartford Stage visitors to the Huntington Theater [next door] to view 'We All Fall Down' directed by our newly-appointed Artistic Director Melia Bensussen. 

I helped with choosing the brunch menu for our group of thirty. The service was perfect and the food served family style was amazing. 

Our menu consisted of a welcome Mimosa followed by Arrival Tapas: Manchego Cheese with Serrano Ham, sliced Rustic Bread, spicy Eggplant Caponata, Chorizo with swee/sour figs and Potato Tortilla Pintxos.

The we had our Family Style Brunch of Patatas Bravas, Thick Cut Bacon, Egg Scramble and Brioche Cinnamon French Toast. Dessert was a Dulce de Leche Bocadillo with coffee. Melia spoke with us during the dessert and we found out so much to look forward in the play [and her plans for Hartford Stage].

I can not single out particular offering that was my favorite as everything was the best. Definitely have to go back.

Cinquecento

Ate here at Cinquecento in Boston for Brunch before a matinée in the area. We were a group of 25 from a theater in Hartford. The restaurant is down a rather picturesque alley with al fresco eating. We ate on the second floor in a nicely appointed area. The service was good, quick and to the point. There was an original choice of juice OR coffee. Please, I need both at brunch. I had both and don't know who paid the extra charge. Our menu of three items differed from the online menu. I opted for the Frittata instead of the Chicken Filet over salad or the Blueberry French Toast. The frittata was definitely underwhelming with a disk of egg topped with a mound of arugula. The arugula was well dressed but the egg portion was too plain. Others at the table felt the same way about their choices - just mediocre.

Russell House Tavern

Road trip to Boston to shop for eyeglass frames we stopped at the Russell House Tavern for a bite to eat. It being still an autumn day, everyone was out shopping, eating or waiting for a table here. Being told it was just a 20 minute wait we decided to wait. When spaces at the bar opened up we were able to eat there. What a great place.

One order of the Hickory Smoked Pork Loin Sandwich: Slow Roasted Pork Loin, Melted Sharp Cheddar, Sweet Apple, Crispy Onions, Maple Ginger Aioli [$11] with salad. Two orders [mine included] of the Prime Rib "Knuckle Sandwich": Cucumber, Mint, Spicy Miso Orange Mayo, Grilled Ciabatta [$11] one with salad and mine with half salad/half fries. The sandwich was moist, yummy and delicious. The salads were huge and dressed lightly while the fries were awesome.

Suishaya Restaurant

Back here again every few years for good Korean food. Some say it is overpriced but since I didn't pick up the tab I don't know. Had some good sushi to start out. Other two entrées were Shrimp Curry [not too well received] and a Bulgogi which looked good.

I had Bibimbap (비빔밥)a signature Korean dish. The word literally means "mixed rice". Bibimbap is served as a bowl of warm white rice topped with namul (sautéed and seasoned vegetables) and gochujang (chili pepper paste). A raw or fried egg and sliced meat (usually beef but mine was pork) are common additions. The ingredients are stirred together thoroughly just before eating. It can be served either cold or hot and mine was just out of the oven and delicious.

EH: Day of Discovery

Attended a 5 hour workshop on Cheese, Wine and Chocolate. This was held at ElderHostel Headquarters in Boston.

Each session had its own presenter; some more successful than others.

CHEESE: David from South End Formaggio gave a very informative talk which included details of cheese production, types of cheese and preparing a cheese platter. We tasted 4 cheeses: Buche Maitre Seguin [Goat's Milk from Poitou, France (***)], Brie de Nangis [Cow's Milk from Isle-de-France, France (0)], Lull's Brook [Cow's Mild from Hartland, Vermont (*)] and Bianco Sardo [Sheep's Milk from Sardinia, Italy (**)].

WINE: This presentation was given by Joyce from Divas Uncorked. This was the least successful presentation. We learned about Wine Varietals, Navigating a Wine List, How to Read a Wine Label, Common Wine Terms. We tasted 5 wines: an Astoria Prosecco [Carpene Malvoti Prosecco de Conegliano (*)], Ku De Ta [Riesling Mosel (too sweet for me)], Divas Uncorked [2005 Chardonnay Mendocino County (0, too metallic)], Rosemount Estate [Shiraz (**)], Delicato [Cabernet Sauvignon (**)].

DINNER: This was not the high point of the evening. The advanced menu had stated Teriyaki Chicken but we had Chicken Kabos, Field Green Salad with Balsamic dressing, very good Carrots and Summer Squash, and a tasty Broccoli Quiche.

CHOCOLATE: This WAS the high point of the event because of its professionalism. Nina was an energetic, enthusiastic and well-informed presenter. Her Power Point presentation and handout were both excellent. We tasted 10 very high quality chocolates. They were Castelain Tradition, Valrhona Chuao [*], Jamieson Robust Dark [one * for texture], Scharffen Berger, Guittard Colombian Varietal Couverture, Balrhona Gran Couva [*], Scharffen Berger Milk Chocolate, Bonnat Surabaya [*], Slitti Lattenero, and my favorite El Rey Icoa White Chocolate [**].

Bravo @MFA/Boston

Went to the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston today to see the 'El Greco to Velázquez' Exhibit. We ate at Bravo, the second floor restaurant and had a wonderful meal.

A Taste of España was the special prix fixe lunch of the day for $24.

Started with good, crusty bread and butter. A glass of Segura Viudas Aria Estate Brut Sparkling - Cava for me. A glass of Martinsancho Verdejo Perellada 2006 - Penedes for my tablemate.

Entrada: Chilled Tangerine and Red Wine Soup [great]
Plato: Roasted Pork Belly, Manzanilla Olives over Frisée [super]
Postre: Almond Blanc Mange over Caramel Sauce with Honey Wafer [just a taste]

Then cups of good coffee.

bloginfo: Very nicely decorated room [pumpkin cream walls] with comfortable seating. Excellent service as Xavier was especially knowledgeable of the menu and the paired wine choices.
blognote: The exhibit was excellent but the large paintings were poorly lit with ceiling light reflections obscuring some details.