Midnight Snack of the Month

I was out shopping with a friend a few weeks ago and stumbled upon this snack.  I was looking for something to bring to party and picked this up.  After mulling it over, I decided to keep these for myself.  It turned out to be a great decision.  These chips are sliced thinly, lightly salted and not heavily seasoned, but flavorful.  These are the best plantain chips I have ever had.  They come in different flavors (Chili, Chili Lime, Lime, Garlic, Sweet and Natural) and you can buy them online.  The bags are a decent size so you will get multiple servings from one bag. 

You can buy them online at http://www.platanicious.com/

Check 'em out!!!

Midnight Snack of the Month

I am one of those people who just LOVES mint chocolate.  I've always loved it and I think i will always love it.  I am not a fan of dark chocolate, but there is something about the coolness of the mint that compliments the richness of the dark chocolate that makes me want more.  I recently discovered this new addition to the M&M family! They are addictive to say the least! Enjoy!

Summer Restaurant Week 2012

Recently I went to lunch at Aquitaine, a French Eatery in the South End of Boston, during restaurant week. I've seen this restaurant many times travelling in and around the city and have always been curious. When I saw their menu for restaurant week I could not resist. Here is my review.


Appetizers

To Start Aquitaine offered a Blue Crab Beignet (Crab Cake) served with a Watercress and Frisse Salad.  This was my favorite part of the meal.  It was not like most crab cakes that are mostly cake and no crab.  It was was loaded with crab and served with a hazelnut tomato romesco that added flavor to this small appetizer and the small salad it was served with was a nice touch.

Also Aquitaine offered a Chilled Corn "Vichyssoise" topped with Crisp Smoked Bacon and Avocado.  This was delicious.  Chilled soup is not something I think go hand in hand but Aquitaine did this quite well.  I would certainly order this on a regular night.

Entrees

For Entrees Aquitane offered Seared Merlu with a Provençal Mussel Stew and a Saffron Rouille.  Although I am not a fan of shellfish, I enjoyed this dish. The gravy that was served with this dish was flavorful, not overpowering and each component complemented the other.  The only disappointing part of this meal was the delicious looking piece of garlic toast pictured here was actually tough and nearly impossible to eat.

Also on the menu was Berkshire Pork served with a Sweet Corn Tart, Watercress and a Marinated Tomato Salade.  The pork was dry and flavorless, the corn tart was interesting and the watercress and tomato salad was just there.  This was disappointing to say the least.

Dessert

This is the part of the meal I was anticipating the most. Two of my favorite fruits were featured on Aquitaine's dessert menu and they were both disappointing.  First, there was the Peach Souffle Glace served with Almond Biscuits.  The presentation was appetizing but I was surprised with an abrasive burnt taste that penetrated every part of the dessert (and if you did not notice the almond biscuits were not served as advertised).  Thankfully, when I mentioned the dessert being burnt the waitress brought me a new one immediately despite my objections.

Also being served was a Sugar Plum and Black Walnut Cake with Creme Chantilly.  This cake was dense and served at room temperature. The first few bites were alright until I bit into a pit diminishing what was left of my appetite.

Overall, my experience at Aquitaine was not what I expected it to be.  It's posh interieor, impeccabble and prompt service made me feel like I was in for a treat.  Although, some parts of the meal were delicious I have to say I was disappointed. 

Midnight Snack of the Month

Okay, I know I'm late but I could not decide on the perfect snack for the month of July. After many different trials I have found that this is the snack of the month for the month of July.

This is delicious!  It's like a cold sophisticated version of peanut butter and fluff!!! The plus is there is a crunchy chocolate covered candy in the mix making this a guilty pleasure.  FIND THIS FLAVOR ASAP!!!!!

Chinese Tonight???

I'm not sure if I'm the only one who feels this way but I love Chinese food, however; I hate nasty Chinese food.  I must preface the rest of this post by first saying that I understand that authentic Chinese is different from the Chinese cuisine found in China.  The Chinese food in America is different but tasty nonetheless and, to me, it is hard to find good Chinese food.  When I say good Chinese food I mean food that does not force me to run to the bathroom (pardon the expression) right after consuming it, question whether or not the meat I am eating is chicken or "the other" and does not make me feel like I committed a sin directly after eating.


At Chinatown the food is delicious!!! Large portions and deliciousness come hand in hand at this restaurant.  From the appetizers to the entrees you will enjoy yourself.  I did!  Check out what I had.

The Starters

Chicken Scrolls

Scallion Pancakes

Shrimp Rangoon

These were the starters.  The chicken scrolls are a combination of a spring roll with chicken.  There is nothing extravagant about this dish; tasty inside with a crispy outside.  The dipping sauce provided is a sweet chili sauce that makes having this dish, and the others accompanied by this dip, worth having.

The Scallion pancakes were the standard pancake.  Crisp outside with a slight doughy inside with the proportionate amount scallions.

The Shrimp Rangoon is a refreshing take on crab rangoon.  The two are nothing alike; the shrimp rangoon consisted of minced shrimp and a leafy green; possibly the green part of a scallion.

The Entrees

Shrimp in Satay Sauce with Homemade Noodles

Filet of Sole with Black Beans and Peppers

Chicken with Black Bean Sauce and Homemade Noodles

The shrimp in satay sauce was sweet and noddles just made it better.  For the shrimp lovers out there be ready to have your fix satisfied.  The shrimp are large and meaty and the peppers and onions are a plus.

The Sole was fabulous.  The fish was tender and the flavorful.  Chinatown prepares this dish as a special and it can be made 3 different ways and they are all delicious.

The Homemade noodles are always the star of the show every time I go to Chinatown this dish must be ordered.  The noodles are dense and chewy and the black bean sauce is not too spicy and flavorful.  This can be prepared with beef, chicken, shrimp and scallops.

The menu at Chinatown is large and they have a full bar!  Check them out!!!!

Mexican Anyone?????

I don't know about you but I DO NOT like Taco Bell. Yes, there are some things on their menu that are OK, but if you seriously think of Taco Bell when Mexican is considered for lunch or dinner you should seriously consider re-evaluating your food rating system.


In the meantime here is an example of Mexican food that sets the bar high for Mexican food.

Acapulco's in Norwood has a menu that will entice the pickiest eater.

Chimichanga & Enchilada with Refried Beans and Yellow Rice

This is a combination plate.  When you order from Acapulco's you can simply order a meal or you can order a combination of 1, 2 or 3 items from a list that comes with rice and refried beans.  The main dishes are a miniature version of what is on the menu when ordered alone.

Chimichanga with Yellow Rice and Refried Beans

This is an example of the size you would get if you ordered one item from the menu rather than a combo.

The food at Acapulco's is flavorful and there is a variety of things that suits the tastes of many.  More importantly it is an inexpensive place to enjoy the company of a friend over a good meal.  Did I mention that there is also a full bar?  Good food cheap AND a bar?!?! Enough said. Go and eat, drink and be merry.

Acapulco's has locations in Amesbury, Beverly, Enfield, Framingham, Franklin, Milford, Needham, Norwood, Quincy, Stratford, Sudbury and West Yarmouth.

Midnight Snack of the Month

Up Late? Looking for something good to eat that is not too heavy?  This is my midnight snack of the month!

Frozen Chocolate Covered Banana Slices

These were inexpensive and when eating these you don't get the feeling that you need to eat in excess; two or three will suffice.  ENJOY!!!!