Lots of travel the last 10 days or so. (In fact, as you read this, I’m probably flying home to Connecticut from the west coast.)
But that means lots of great food.
Two meals stand out.
I had the opportunity to spend last weekend in Boston and Cambridge because of a pair of commitments. Great places both. In Boston, I always make a point of having the paella at Legal Test Kitchen, and whenever possible, the banana pancakes at The Paramount. And in Cambridge, I just like walking around and looking at all the really, really smart people. It is a little intimidating, but it gives me hope.
This time around, though, I had the most amazing meal during my Cambridge visit. At the suggestion of a new friend of mine (who I have never met, but have communicated with via Facebook and email), I went to Rialto ... sat at the bar and had the most amazing sandwich - Roasted duck, with Gruyère and gingered figs (pictured). Delicious hand cut fries. And a beer I'd never had before - Prestige Lager from Haiti, which managed to be light and rich at the same time. One of my favorite kinds of meals - alone at a strange bar, eating and drinking things that are new to me...
And then, just last night, while in California, an old friend of mine from college, Tony Stanton, suggested that we meet at a hole-in-the-wall Mexican restaurant for dinner. It was called El Farolito, in Placentia - way out of the way for both of us, but roughly halfway between where he lives, in Temecula, and where I was staying in Redondo Beach.
And let me tell you ... El Farolito was worth the trip ... serving, among other things, the best chicken chilaquiles I have ever eaten.
Amazing. And suddenly, Placentia, California, doesn’t look that remote to me. It looks like a place that is well worth the drive...
It was a beer week, not a wine week...and let me recommend a couple to you - the Harpoon Celtic Ale, and Troeg’s Amber Ale, both of which were wonderful.
Perfect week.
Next week, Wisconsin ...
That’s it for now. Have a great weekend, and I’ll see you Monday.
Slainte!
- KC's View:
