January 13th 2016: Dinner at Gracie's, Providence RI

Tonight's dinner was at Gracie's, an upscale restaurant

in Providence RI right opposite the Trinity Repertory Company.

We started out with complimentary Cheese, Bacon and Onion Jam Profiteroles,

which were like cream puffs, but were delicious in a different way, being more savory.

For appetizers, we got the Hudson Valley Foie Gras (pumpkin butter, ginger sponge cake, pickled cranberry, cider reduction)

and the Russet Potato Gnocchi (butternut squash, Brussels sprouts, white truffle cream).

The foie gras was simply exquisite, especially with the other ingredients on the plate. The gnocchi was cooked just right as well, going well with the truffle cream.

As a palette cleanser before the main course, we had Lime Sorbet,

which was a tad too sour.

The Crescent Farms Duck (black barley, winter squash, young turnips, preserved fig) that followed

was absolutely tender, juicy and flavorful, thankfully.

For dessert, we got the Japanese Cheesecake (pepita sesame brittle, sweet potato butter, dulce de leche, pomegranate-dark chocolate sorbet)

and the Carrot Corn Cake (dried fruit mostarda, cranberry syrup, coconut candy corn, roasted pineapple ice cream).

The cheesecake had just the right texture, although the carrot cake was a little stringy. The dark choolate sorbet did not go well with the cake though.

As a finishing touch, we got a pair of macarons.

Pretty good end to a pretty good meal.

January 11th 2016: Dinner at Camille's Restaurant, Providence RI

Dinner tonight was at Camille's Restaurant, an upscale Italian restaurant in Providence RI, where the Providence Restaurant Week was ongoing.

We got the Charred Baby Octopus Salad (Marinated baby octopus, vegetables, herbs, and citruses)

and the Fungi di Bosco e Cavolofiore (Wild mushroom ragu, peasant bread, and cauliflower velouté) for appetizers.

The octopus was a little on the sour side, although the mushrooms were absolutely scrumptious.

The Spaghetti alla Chitarra (Lamb ragù, fresh Chitarra pasta, cracked toasted hazlenuts) main course

was delicious as well, especially with the slight curry flavor and hazelnuts.

The Tiramisu dessert

was really good too, along with the interesting presentation.

Overall, a great meal worth driving out for.

January 10th 2016: Tasting at Tres Gatos, Boston

We had a tasting dinner at Tres Gatos, an upscale Spanish tapas place located within a house in the Jamaica Plain area of Boston, with a record store at the back of the place.

We were a little early, the kitchen still being closed, so we got a Love & Rockets (espolon blanco tequila, lemongrass, habanero shrub) drink while waiting.

Not my thing.

Finally, our first course arrived, namely the Deviled Eggs (boquerones, charred lemon, togarashi).

Creamy, though a little strong at times.

Next, the Beet Salad (macadamia granola, smoked yogurt, passionfruit).

Amazing how they got the smoky flavor into the yogurt.

The third course was the Lobster and Shrimp Dumplings (pea shoots, toasted pistachios, lemongrass).

Amazing sauce to say the least.

The Bone Marrow (meyer lemon gremolata, walnuts, pickled persimmon, toast)

came together with the Lentils Casero (burrata, goat butter, charred Padrón peppers).

The bone marrow went really well with the walnuts and other ingredients, while the chewy cheese made the salty lentils so much better.

The next course was the Hanger Steak (sunchokes, butternut squash, cabrales, marcona almonds).

Really tender, delicious sauce.

My other half was still hungry, so we got the Gambas al la Brasa (nora chili, garlic, lime, cilantro) as well.

Once again, delicious sauce, although the shrimp were a little on the dry side.

Our precursor to dessert was the Robiola (sheep and cow’s milk, creamy, soft-ripened, roasted garlic onion jam).

The cheese was a little on the funky side, but the jam was simply delicious.

Finally, the dessert, the Churros con Chocolate (smokey, spicy chocolate).

Exceptionally crispy, yet soft on the inside. I did not really like the chocolate sauce though.

Overall, definitely one of the better meals I have had to date.

January 9th 2016: Checking Out the Merrimack Premium Outlets, Merrimack NH

We started out this morning at the Manhattan Sandwich Company, a small sandwich place in Marblehead. We got the American Hero (Lightly Toasted sub Roll, Hot Pastrami, Russian Dressing, coleslaw, melted Swiss Cheese)

and the Mickey's #7 (lightly toasted bread, coleslaw, turkey breast, melted Swiss Cheese and Russian dressing).

Both were actually pretty good and filling, and I'm glad my other half enjoyed them.

From here, we headed to the Merrimack Premium Outlets in Merrimack NH to see whether it is comparable to the one in Wrentham.

I actually like it better, although the Apple, Carrot and Tomato Juice we got from Bananas at the food court

was a little too sour for me.

Next, we went to the Pheasant Lane Mall in Nashua NH, where we actually bought some stuff.

Finally, we called it a day with dinner at Bahama Breeze, an upscale chain Caribbean restaurant in Tyngsborough.

We got the Chicken Tortilla Soup (Chicken breast, fresh carrots, roasted corn and avocado in a light broth with a hint of lime),

the Mojo Marinated Pulled Pork (Slow-roasted, served over sweet plantains with our signature sweet and smoky barbecue sauce)

and the Firecracker Shrimp Street Tacos.

Surprisingly excellent stuff, especially the pulled pork with the BBQ sauce and the plantains, and the crispy shrimp with the pineapple sauce.

For dessert, we got the Warm Chocolate Pineapple Upside Down Cake (A warm, rich chocolate cake with a chocolate molten center topped with caramelized pineapple, served with raspberry sauce and fresh Island fruit),

which wasn't bitter at all, allowing me to enjoy my chocolate dessert for once.

Great way to end the day, to say the least.

January 8th 2016: French Tasting at Josephine Restaurant Parisien, Boston

I grabbed a quick lunch today from Foley and Son Fish and Chip in Worcester, a small store which is only open on Fridays.

Pretty large portion for cheap, really crispy, and really unhealthy.

After work, we headed into Boston for a 6 course tasting at Josephine, a new upscale French restaurant in town.

What I liked was that we had complimentary courses, and we could actually choose some of them, hence we ended up having a lot more courses than just 6. Our first course was an amuse-bouche, a mini arancini stuck on a plate.

Pretty cute. Next, we had a choice of the Escargots

and the Mussels "Indochine" (Mussels – coconut milk – red curry – lemongrass -broth).

Both were really good, especially the mussels with its curry broth. We are deciding to stay away from escargot for a bit from now on because we get it so often.

Next up, the Kale Salad (puffed whole Grains,  raisins, Honey roquefort dressing)

And the Mescaline Salad Composee.

Both were good,  but I preferred the Kale with its Crispy Grains.

The  Mushroom Risotto (shitake,  Oyster,  Portobello, Champignon de Paris) was delicious,  but so filling,  especially when I had to eat 2 portions with my other half wanting to wait for the other courses.

The Pan Seared Cod (Fried Mushroom Polenta,  lobster bisk)

was pretty well cooked,  but a little on the salty side.

The best dish of the night was the Braised Short Rib Bourguignon (Roasted potatoes,  carrots,  Pearl onions, Red wine),

Which was succulently tender,  yet somehow crisp At the same time.

Thankfully,  we were done with food for the night.  Dessert came in the former of the Creme Brulee

And the Chocolat Mousse.

The Chocolate was a little bitter for me,  but the other dish was creamy,  balancing it out.

The final dish of the night was on the tiny side,  coming in the form of a Lemon Cookie With Raspberry sauce on top.

Perfect way to end the meal.