Flour Bakery + Cafe - Finally Sticky Buns!

I managed to score sticky buns at Flour! I've been there at least 10 times and haven't been able to get the famed sticky buns till last weekend. Apparently you have to go early. One batch is out the oven at 10am and another at 1pm? I just haven't been up early enough on weekends! :)

The sticky buns live up to its reputation. It actually won the sticky bun throw down. The right amount of gooey, not too much cinnamon, and the sugar is just a little caramelized at the bottom making it sort of crunchy. I had to fight SO for the last bite.



While, I am on the topic of Flour, the sandwiches here are also amazing, with a gourmet touch. One of my favorites is the roasted lamb with tomato chutney and goat cheese. The sweetness of the chutney goes with with the slightly pungent goat cheese. I also like the roast beef with horse radish. It also has crispy bits of fried onion inside! The sandwiches in general aren't too greasy and the flavors of the ingredients come through nicely.

We also saw Joanne (owner of Flour) stopping by and stole a photo. I feel like the paparazzi ;)


Chomp Meter:
I highly recommend Flour. Try a sandwich and treat yourself to something sweet to end off. A word of warning, the lines at the South End location get really long especially in the summers! Flour also seems to be a pet friendly and baby friendly place.

Flour Bakery and Cafe (Fort Point Channel)
12 Farnsworth St
Boston MA 02210
Phone: 617.338.4333
Hours: Mon-Fri 7a-7p; Sat 8a-6p; Sun 9a-5p

Flour Bakery and Cafe (South End)
1595 Washington Street
Boston MA 02118
Phone: 617.267.4300
Hours: Mon-Fri 7a-9p; Sat 8a-6p; Sun 9a-5p

South End Buttery - Oh the buttery goodness!

The South End Buttery is my favorite place to bring our pooch because it is super dog friendly! We can sit at the tables outside and she can socialize with other pups and snack on cookies from Polka Dog Bakery.

I always get the Buttery Country Biscuit when I'm here. It is just so good, scrambled eggs, crispy bacon, and aged cheddar on a buttermilk biscuit. I ventured to try "Eggs in the Hole" once but the biscuit is so much more satisfying!

Eggs in the Hole
two whole eggs or egg whites cooked in the center of toasted multigrain slices, fresh chopped herbs, crispy bacon, fresh fruit garnish

Some days I also treat myself to a cup cake from the Buttery. I can't resist the butter cream frosting on the cakes. They even have little cards with photos of dogs next to each type of cupcake. My friend claims that the cupcakes here are better than the ones from Magnolia Bakery in New York. The Magnolia Bakery ones being too sweet.

I got the red velvet cupcake with cream cheese frosting on my last visit. It was delicious with a subtle chocolate flavor. I also saw Boston Cream Pie cupcakes on the menu. Will have to try that on the next visit!





Chomp Meter:
This is a great breakfast spot. I want to come here every morning. The coffee and selection of cup cakes is reason enough to wake up. Oh one slight problem, I don't live anywhere close to the South End.

ChocoLee Chocolates - Worth a trip or 2 or 3!

I've developed a little of a chocolate obsession lately having interviewed for a job with a famous chocolate maker. While it didn't work out (boohoo anyone wants to offer me a job?), this has only spurred my chocolate consumption.

But anyway enough about me, I stumbled into Chocolee Chocolates last weekend. It took a short while to find since there isn't a sign outside yet.



The main draw at Chocolee is the chocolates of course, but pastry chef Napoli also whips up the most delicious chocolate beignets. Who can resist fried dough filled with chocolate and mascapone! There isn't a place to sit and enjoy these treats so we picked a random spot on the steps outside a church and chowed down. I am usually more proper but you see I had to eat it fast while it's fresh hehe :)

The beignets were delicious. The dough was perfectly fried on the spot and still warm. Here's my beignet oozing with dark chocolate (the chocolate had an orange flavor to it). Not sure I tasted the mascapone but who cares! I want more of these.



I also got a piece of dark chocolate with fig and a piece with ginger. I loved that the filling in the Chocolee chocolates had bits of the ginger or fig in them. Certainly makes for more interesting textures. I have to confess that I sometimes get bored eating just plain dark chocolate.



The owner Lee Napoli was very friendly. She even agreed to pose for a photo. Or did I twist her arm ...teehee :)



Chocolee Chocolates
83 Pembroke Street
Boston, MA 02117
617-236-0606
South End
(Closed Mondays)

Chomp Meter:
Head here for your Boston chocolate fix! It's nice to have artisan chocolate makers instead of chains. These make great gifts (birthday, anniversary, housewarming, party favors, weddings) or just a treat for yourself. Chocolate makes me happy.

Aroa Fine Chocolates - Nice concept but ...

Aroa Fine Chocolates is in the South End a couple doors down from Flour. I've been debating whether to try the chocolates at Aroa for a while now but the lack of people in the shop make me reconsider each time.

Anyway we finally checked it out last weekend. Aroa is more of a cafe/dessert shop that sells not just chocolates but also pastries, cakes, macarons, and jelly candies.

The chocolates:


The pastries:


The macarons:


The first thing I noticed was that the cakes didn't look as sophisticated for a fine pastry shop. The edges of the cream and sponge were not clean lines and looked amateurish. I have a weakness for cake so I tried a piece anyway. It tasted pretty good just didn't look as nice.

I also tried a piece of the stout chocolate. It was ok. I still love Kee's Chocolates from NYC (oh so good).

Though there were many flavors of French macaroons, the one I had was disgusting. The cookie part didn't taste fresh. The crust was too thick, not crispy on the outside and too chewy. It also tasted too sweet. (The flavor I got was the raspberry chocolate). I didn't try the others so I don't know if this was an exception ...

I stole a sip of the SO's hot chocolate. It was good but not L.A. Burdick good.

Aroa Fine Chocolates
1651 Washington St
Boston, MA 02118
(617) 425-4988



Chomp Meter:
I like that they had ample seating. Maybe I'll try one of the pastries next time. They have cute mini brioches and muffins etc. But with Flour right next door, I don't know if I'll take another chance on Aroa.

Stellar Stella

With a gentle breeze and low of 60F, Friday was the perfect night to dine al fresco. We took the opportunity to head to Stella in the South End for dinner. We arrived at 7pm and got a table outside promptly.

Stella's patio reminded me of NYC. I thought Stella would be more about the drinks and ambience than the food, but I was pleasantly surprised to find that it's both!

We started with the arancini and the prosciutto melon salad. I also got a pear ginger martini. The arancini was delicious, nicely breaded and fried. Yum! I also liked the prosciutto melon salad which was quite unique. It had both watermelon and melon and was drizzled in a balsamic / orange juice sauce? In any case I loved it. Light and refreshing.





For mains we shared the special of the day (seafood risotto), a Quattro Funghi pizza and a rib eye steak with garlic butter. The winner was definitely the pizza. I don't know what it was but everything about it was done right and absolutely delicious. The risotto was ok, I wouldn't say it wasn't flavorful but none of the flavors really stood out? The steak was good.



For dessert we strolled to Aroa Fine Chocolates...to be continued ...

Stella
1525 Washington St
Boston, MA 02118
(617) 247-7747




Chomp Meter:

A good restaurant in my books! I want to try a pasta dish the next time we're there. Also I almost didn't want to blog about Stella because I want to be able to get a table outside as easily the next time :)

One minor nit pick, an annoying thing about the menu is that the slashes used to separate the ingredients make it difficult to read ...

An Evening at Toro

It's been a year since I've last been to Toro. You can't make reservations here so getting there early is key. We arrived at 6pm sharp and the restaurant was already busy but still had tables available.

Toro is owned by Ken Oringer who also runs Clio. The restaurant, in the South End, delivers a modern take on tapas. I always enjoy a trip here. Some of the choices like the foie gras and oysters are decadent but since the portions are small, it makes me feel a little less guilty! Here's what we got:

Atun Crudo: This was sashimi grade yellow fin tuna with citrus and soy. The flavors were really light and refreshing. Perfect for a hot summery evening.

Garlic shrimp: This was only ok for me. I guess I'm not a fan of garlic shrimp.

Foie gras: The portion is small. The foie gras is about the size of 2 quarters or less. Can't expect too much for $12? I thought the ginger gelee was a little overwhelming. Also the fg was cold.

Stew of sea urchin crab meat and lobster: The taste of the tomato was too overpowering. I wish I could taste more of the uni. But that's me. This is dish has gotten raves from friends.

Corn with aged cheese: This is the house special and delicious. Make sure you get a piece with generous topping of blue cheese haha.

Duck with rhubarb: I liked the flavor pairing on this.

Paella: It was ok. Wouldn't get it again and save room for more tapas.

Kobe burger: It was good but not really the religious experience kobe beef should be. Pass.

Fried potatos - Boring, nothing special.

Tripe with chick peas and blood sausage - I liked this! (Disclaimer, I am a tripe lover hehe) The chickpeas are stewed in tomato sauce and tripes with blood sausage. Very filling though.

Roasted eggplant - This was pretty good too!

I also spied some Jamon Iberico on the menu. I read in a WSJ article recently that restaurants in the U.S. will soon be allowed to serve Jamon Iberico de Bellota (where the pigs feed exclusively on acorns)! I wonder if Toro will import some too?

Photo courtesy of WSJ:



Toro
1704 Washington St
Boston, MA 02118
(617) 536-4300
(South End)



Chomp Meter:

A great place to go for drinks and small plates. You get creativity at lower prices. I like!