It’s been a weekend full of wonderful food and exploration. Family friends came to Boston from New Jersey to spend time with my parents and I. They have never visited me here before so it was my pleasure to host them and bring them to one of my favorite restaurants in town.
I love food but I’m not a huge food critic. I am quite easily pleased when it comes to good food, especially hole-in-the-wall food joints but being with family friends and my parents, we headed to some of the more well-known establishments. I had such delicious food the last two days that I felt the need to share with all of you for when you’re looking for something different to eat!
The Beehive Boston
Located in the South End, it’s by far one of my favorite places to go in town for any occasion. The energy all of the staff and customers have at all times create a very relaxing atmosphere. With live jazz or blues music every night of the week, it’s the perfect place to go with family, friends or even yourself to take a break from the craziness of life.
This weekend was the first time I’ve sat down and had a full dinner there, and it definitely did not disappoint. Below we’ve got Vegetarian Moroccan Cous Cous, Grilled Salmon with a side of Kale quinoa salad and lastly, Beef Brisket with a bed of potato salad. I’m drooling already again just thinking of it. Serve with a bottle of wine for the perfect night. They do also have a wonderful in-house Beehive Honey Brew for those beer lovers.
The Island Creek Oyster Bar
On Sunday, after a light breakfast at home, we headed over to Kenmore Square to the Island Creek Oyster Bar for brunch. As we arrived, I noticed everyone having a nice wine or mimosa with their brunch but after a late night the night before, I decided to just stick with water hydration. The part of the menu that I was most excited for was the raw bar, with a list of oysters from various parts of the East Coast, shrimp cocktail and even lobsters.
For our main course, we had lobster roll, fish and chips (on the top right of the photo) and fried clams. The fried food was little heavy for me personally, but I thoroughly enjoyed the lobster roll, not to mention their crisp home made chips. Island Creek is not somewhere I’d go on a regular basis, but it is worth going on a special occasion. I would love to try their dinners next time.
Delicious home cooked Kenyan food
Moving on here, we’ve got a very unique meal prepared by a wonderful friend of mine from Kenya. After we invited her for home-cooked Chinese food a few nights ago, she invited us to her house for a traditional Kenyan meal. I have had the same meal before but I was really excited to have my parents experience it; especially the part where they have to eat with their hands.
When they were children, they were always scolded for trying to eat with their hands. They were forced to learn to use chopsticks because that was the polite way of eating. Thus, eating with their hands is quite the strange phenomenon. I love it though! I wouldn’t do it all the time, but it was exciting to break the social norms of what I know and indulge into the Kenyan culture. One day when I make it to Kenya, I’ll be ready.
Here we’ve got Sukuma Wiki(collars greens), Mbuzi (goat stew), rice, Ugali (cornmeal cooked to water to a dough consistency) and pan fried tilapia. Also served with a bottle of wine. Starting to see a pattern?
East Chinatown Restaurant
Last but not least in my food adventures the last few days, fresh finger-licking Chinese food in North Quincy, about a 15 minute walk from the train station. My parents and I adventured to Quincy today after hearing about a good Chinese neighborhood there. I had no idea where I was bringing them but that alone excited me. I love getting lost, and I very much believe that the best explorers let themselves get lost wherever they are.
After a peaceful 30 minute stroll, and a stop into a Vietnamese- Chinese super market to buy a few things, we went to East Chinatown Restaurant as recommended from the market. “It is the most authentic canton food around here,” a lady told us.
We ordered fish, tofu, baby bak choy but most importantly, cha siu (barbecue pork). Again, looking at that picture is making me hungry again. It was by far the best I’ve had in Boston. A few years back, I use to go to china town just for it all the time but after a while, I got tired of it. After tonight though, I can’t promise I won’t be going back just for a plate of cha siu. It may be far, but it makes me feel like I’m traveling without really traveling and that’s the feeling I live for.
Oh food, what a wonderful creation.
Joanne Lam 