Stoddard's Fine Food & Ale, Boston, MA

Stoddard's has one of the best selections of draft beers in the Downtown Crossing area, if not the entire city. It has a very warm, friendly atmosphere. In addition to a very vibrant collection of craft beers, the also pride themselves on artisan cocktails. But when I visit, I can't resist the beers, so I'll have to review those another time.

This past weekend C. and I were out for a day on the town to celebrate our anniversary.  We popped in to Stoddard's to break up our walk from the ICA to the Public Garden.  It was so nice to grab a seat at the bar, away from the crowds, and enjoy a fine brew or two.  As I mentioned to the bartender, while Stodard's lacks outdoor seating, most of the bars that do have it have average-to-lousy beer lists.  He agreed.  "That's their only draw".

In the mood for a summer beer (by my definition, at least) I had Honedydew, an Farmhouse Ale from Night Shift Brewing.  Clean-tasting, with a little bit of the spicy, yeasty character that I (an avowed hop-head) have learned to appreciate in recent years.  It was one of a few good beers we had that afternoon, from their impressive line-up.
I'd consider Stoddard's a "must visit" for beer lovers passing through Boston.  I miss it already!

A Triumphant Return to the 21st Amendment

I recently had the good fortune to make a business trip to the Bay Area, and even more fortunately, my better half was able to accompany me.  At the end of the trip we spent a night and a day in San Francisco.  At my insistence (C. didn't really put up a fight), we spent our first San Francisco evening at the 21-A.

Aside from the somewhat drunk, after-ballgame crowd, it was a great return to one of my favorite places. We had the Amber Waves and the Bitter American while we waited for a table.  I didn't take any notes at the time, but what I do remember is that they were both wonderful.  C. reminds me that the Bitter American was very yummy, and she particularly liked the modest ABV (4.4%).

Regarding dinner, first the bad news.  We ordered the calamari appetizer, and it was a little disappointing.  It looked amazing - it had just the right golden-brown color.  But the the pieces were actually quite dry and chewy.  It was very unexpected.

For dinner we both had pizza.  I had the Mexicali, and C. had the Margherita.  Both pizzas were excellent.  The Mexicali was perfect for a meat-lover, and the Margherita was a light, tasty contrast.

It was a big thrill for me to be able to return to one of my favorite spots (of the long-distance variety), and to be able to share the experience with the love of my life.

Cheers!

The Liberal Cup, Hallowell, Maine

We went to Maine to tour colleges this spring.  Yep, that's the stage in life that we, and just about all of our friends, have reached.  We checked out Colby - absolutely beautiful campus, and I've heard they have good academics, too - and the University of Maine at Farmington - a very quaint campus, and an extremely nice, central Maine town.

But all work and no play makes Jack, and Jill, dull parents.  Naturally we did our research before the trip.  One of the places we ate at turned out to be quite a gem.  The Liberal Cup, located just outside of Augusta, in nearby Hallowell, Maine, is a terrific place.

For beers, I had the Ex-Wife Extra Special Bitter, while C. had Dunkel John's Band.  Both beers were very much up to snuff.  A better blogger would have taken copious notes on the color, aroma, mouth feel and finish of these beers.  But as you may have figured out by now, I'm a lot better at drinking craft beers than I am at describing them.  Suffice it to say, the beers at The Liberal Cup are worth going out of your way for.

For dinner I had the meatloaf, rolled with bacon, garlic mashed potatoes and spinach. It was hearty and delicious, and we all enjoyed our meals.  I really liked this place, not just for the beer and the food, which were both excellent, but also for the atmosphere.  It's in an old mercantile building, like a hundred other restaurants in Maine, but the friendliness of the surroundings goes beyond that.  The place was quite crowded with locals on a Tuesday night, and I took that as a very good sign.

If you're in the Augusta area you should definitely check this place out.

A long-awaited return to the Trinity Brewhouse, Providence, RI

My better half and I had a nice night out in Downcity Providence last Saturday night.  We started with dinner at Bravo Brasserie, which was very enjoyable.  It has a nice atmosphere, a very varied menu (French-inspired American cuisine), and very reasonable prices.

It was still early, so we ducked into the Trinity Brewhouse.  It had been a couple of years since our last visit.  We both had the RI IPA.  This beer has an excellent aroma, and is very full-bodied for an IPA.  It has above average bitterness and hoppiness, and slightly below average sweetness.  I enjoyed it a lot.  Oh, and we got to see the the Bruins dramatic, double-overtime win over Les Habs.  Sweet!

On a related note, we recently tried one of Trinity's bottled offerings, Trinity IPA.  This too is a very pleasing local brew.  I'll post a more complete review when I get a chance, but I definitely recommend giving it a try.

Trinity is a bona fide local gem.  Check them out.

Dunkin Donuts "Big N' Toasty"

Let's make a slight diversion from beer and squid to another of the major food groups - the "Cheesy, eggy breakfast sandwich thingy" food group.  I left the house early the other day, skipping breakfast at home.  So I decided to try the new Big N' Toasty" from Dunkin Donuts.  DD describes it as "2 fried eggs, 4 slices of Cherrywood smoked bacon and American cheese on thick Texas Toast."  Sounds good to me.

Big N' Toasty

So I had one.  The first thing I realized is that "Texas Toast" is toast that's more or less soaked in butter (or a butter-like substance.)  This is one thing when you're eating it to complement a meal, and it's only lightly soaked in real butter, and you eat it right away.  But when you put this in a fast food context, the effect is a very greasy experience.  The sandwich tasted fine, and I liked the thickness of the bread.  But after one bite my mouth and chin were covered in, well, butter-like substance.  It's not a sensation that fills you with feelings of self worth.  I don't need to look at the nutrition facts to get the feeling that this sandwich goes beyond decadent, into the "off-putting" territory.  So despite my love of eggs, cheese and bacon, and my intense like for Texas Toast, I won't be having the Big N' Toasty again.

P.S.  For a real star in the "Cheesy, eggy breakfast sandwich thingy" food group, check out the "Grilled Cheese Eggsplosion."  I've made several - waaayy cool!

Northampton Brewery, Northampton, MA

Our family's big Christmas gift this year was a 5-day, 4-night ski trip to Ski Butternut, in Great Barringon, Massachusetts for February vacation.  Naturally, when you think "ski trip" and "Western Mass" (or New England in general), you think "craft beer".  Well, at least I do.

During the first leg of the trip we decided to stop for lunch at the Northampton Brewery.  This establishment became the first brew pub I was conscious of when it opened while I was in college down the road at UMass, Amherst.  During the ensuing (cough) several years, the venue has added a huge roof deck, and redecorated.  It had an OK atmosphere back then, and they've made a big improvement.

Sandwiches and beer (just one - still plenty of driving to do) were just what was needed.  The brewery has a Cuban sandwich on their menu.  This somewhat rare offering is always a welcome one.  So my eldest and I went Cuban/Ruben, and shared.  Yummy!

Old Brown Dog Ale (left) and Blue Boots IPA

I had the Blue Boots IPA, and my better half had the Old Brown Dog Ale.  I think I liked mine better than she liked hers, but they are both quality brews.

We had debated a bit whether it was worth adding an hour to our trip West to go to the NBC (it's a half hour from the Mass Pike to Northampton, and a half hour back.)  In the end we were soooo glad we decided to invest some time in a sure bet for a nice meal and a really good beer at a friendly spot.

Barrington Brewery and Resturant, Great Barrington, MA

On the first night of our February ski vacation we went all the way across the street from our Great Barrington hotel to the Barrington Brewery and Resturant.  This brew pub is located in a mini strip mall made up of several barns and other farm-like buildings.  The have an upstairs loft with pool tables, where a sedate cat stands guard over the stockpile of brewer's grains.  The decor is very rustic and relaxed.  The atmosphere was a little noisy, but it was school vacation week, and the place was packed with kids.

I didn't start this beer blog to write negative reviews - it's not in me to criticize someone's livelihood and their labor of love.  Having said that, the beers at the BB (in GB) are not really for me.  They are a little weak and watery for me.

I thought the food and prices were quite good.  Others in my party thought it was average.  But food-wise, at least, I would go there again.