Wordless Wednesday #30

Boston (April 2016)

Don't you just love how I take you all over the world for Wordless Wednesday? Last week it was New York City in the summer; the week before: North Carolina, in the fall; and now? Boston in the spring.

In April 2016, my husband and I went up to Boston with my in-laws to see my husband's great uncle. We'd been up to Boston dozens of times before, but this was the first time I was able to plan and actually see sights. We all went for a walk down the Freedom Trail, completely by accident. It just so happened that we were trying to get from point A to point B and the Freedom Trail was the easiest way to get their (assuming we didn't take public transportation). This walk was one of the best things I have ever done in Boston. Not only did I get to stare up at the city's architecture in amazement (how clean it is!), but I also got the chance to learn about Boston's culture and history. We took a water taxi across the river to our hotel, then on to Little Italy where we found amazing food, daydreamed in the park, and discovered history when we sought out Mother Goose's gravesite. More or less, for someone who had never truly explored Boston before (despite having gone up multiple times), this was the defining trip. This trip was the trip where I fell in love with Boston. Granted Boston and I still have a bit of courting to do before we get engaged or plan the wedding, but I certainly wouldn't be opposed to a return trip there for a delicious slice of their Boston Cream Pie.

Has that ever happened to you? You visit a place, don't fall in love, vow to never return… Then, you return. And return and return and return. And the place grows on you. Ever had that happen?

What to Eat, Where

Over the last three years, I've had the privilege and joy of traveling to a number of different places and trying food combinations that were beyond my imagination. I've learned that just because you've had a certain food or tried a certain activity in one place doesn't mean you will dislike it another. In fact, food, for me, has been a way of breaking out of the mold and learning to try things that I otherwise might pass up. Luckily, my husband is a foodie and has very little that he won't try … which inevitably spurs me on.

Below, I have listed for you the foods and food combinations I have learned about through my travels. Maybe some foods you were already aware of? Maybe there are some new ones for you? Perhaps, you are currently planning to travel to one of these locations?

Whatever the case may be, let me take you away to food paradise … one city (and in some cases, country) at a time…

1. In Hawai'i…

Get fresh fruit. Maui pineapples, passion fruit, guava, coconut, mango, apple bananas. (Yes, apple bananas are a thing.) The fruit I had in Hawai'i was some of the best I've ever had. :)

Kona coffee. Every island has a different flavor, and, according to my husband, it's all delicious.

The Mauimosa is a fun take on the more traditional mimosa. It's made with pineapple wine.

Macadamia nuts grow on multiple islands in Hawai'i. You can get them without all of the additional preservatives, so that's nice. I'm kind of in love with the Hawaiian Host chocolate covered macadamia nuts. Add a bit of caramel and … mmm mm good! :)

Banana bread. Aunty Sandy's banana bread on the Road to Hana in Maui is pretty amazing especially right out of the oven.

The "plated lunch" in Hawai'i is pretty unique. You get a meat of your choosing + macaroni salad + rice. It sounds weird and makes you wonder where the vegetables are, but it's actually really good.

And for dessert be sure to grab some shaved ice. To do it right, you need it layered with vanilla ice cream on the bottom, sweetened condensed milk on top, and a handful of mochi. With the right syrup flavors covering the ice, on a hot, sunny day at the beach, this treat is delicious!

2. In NYC, New York…

Grab an egg cream soda. It comes in chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry flavors, though not all flavors are always available at the same place. And no, you won't get sick and die from drinking raw egg, because there isn't any in the drink!

Pizza is next. Just any street vendor will do.

And some people claim the bagels are the best. Something about the New York City water?

Photo credit: edwardkimuk via Visual Hunt / CC BY-NC-ND

3. In Boston, Massachusetts…

A Boston cream pie/cake is a MUST. My preference? Mike's Pastry in Little Italy. Trust me: this treat served anywhere else in the world will never be the same.

Photo credit: greg.turner via Visual hunt / CC BY-NC-SA

4. In Charleston, South Carolina…

Shrimp and grits are a staple. I don't eat fish, but that's what they say, anyway.

5. In Atlanta, Georgia…

Try the fried chicken. Ideally with a lot of sides. Think mac and cheese, cornbread or drop biscuits, fried green tomatoes, mashed potatoes with gravy, coleslaw, fried okra, baked beans, and collard greens. A new thing I've only recently been introduced to is red pepper jelly which goes great on a biscuit! The jelly is sweet and tastes nothing like you (or at least I) would expect.

For dessert, be sure to get a peach cobbler (also can be made with a variety of other fruits including blueberries, apples, and strawberries) or fried peach pie. Peaches are the Georgia state fruit.

A popular drink, one that would be served with your fried chicken at grandma's house is sweet tea. If you've never had sweet tea before, take it slow. Southerners tend to like their iced sweet tea made with ALL of the sugar. Another option is lemonade, which is almost completely different from the European style. In the US, we use still water, sugar, and (yellow) lemons. Obviously, you can substitute with (green) limes, if you want, for a completely different flavor.

6. In southern Germany…

Käsespätzle is my thing. Minus the onions.

Currywurst is also a thing; it's one I didn't come to like until my husband made it at home… It's almost sweet tasting and doesn't remind me at all of the curry flavor found in Indian food.

Maß beer is also a standout. I don't drink it, but how can you not associate those large glasses of beer (especially during Oktoberfest) with Germany?

7. In France…

You have crêpes and galettes. As much as I have tried to like savory galettes, I just don't. I prefer sweet crêpes instead.

The French omelet (not served as breakfast) is absolutely amazing and unlike any American omelette that I've ever had. It's more light and airy. And they serve it with fries!

My husband is a fan of the mussels served in a cream broth and served with fries like you find in the Brittany region of France. I dislike seafood, so … there's that. :)

Hot chocolate is a must, though. I cannot leave without having a cup of Angelina's, even in the heat of summer!

Another delicious sweet is the salted caramel found in the Brittany region of France which is also pretty amazing. I wouldn't go out of my way to get it, but if you happen to be there anyway, why not?

8. In northern Italy…

My favorite meal would be salami, a delicious baguette (I know – French!), cheese (even Parmigian Reggiano is acceptable!), and a glass of wine looking out over the ocean with friends as the sun goes down. #win! I'm also a huge fan of their balsamic vinegar and olive oil. Nothing I can buy in the states tastes anything like it!

Unfortunately, I found myself disappointed in most other foods I tried while there – gelato, pizza, spaghetti. Could it be my American taste buds interfering? … Or did we just choose all of the wrong restaurants?

9. In the Québec region of Canada…

How can you not have poutine?

I'm also a HUGE fan of Michel Jodin's iced cider in the Québec region.

Then there is the Canadian syrup which is found in almost everything … from hot drinks to candy to breakfast "sauces". While the syrup itself is very good, I have to say you haven't really tried "Canadian syrup" until you are eating it served in a mug or spread out on snow as a sticky candy to be wrapped around a stick.

Photo credit: akimapilot via VisualHunt / CC BY-ND

10. In Prague, Czech Republic…

Trdelník, a delicious street food pastry made with cinnamon and filled with Nutella. I hear in the summer you can add ice cream to it too! How fun would that be?!

11. In Key West, Florida…

To be determined.

In a few weeks, my husband and I will be making the drive to learn more about what foods are served there. They will be hosting a key lime festival (wherein they drop key lime pies from lighthouses and the person who keeps it most intact wins?), and you can bet I will be drinking a tropical drink and soaking up the sun. Am I crazy? Well, that too is to be determined. It's possible.

What are some foods and drinks you associate with different locations? Have you ever tried a food in one place only to discover that it tastes completely different elsewhere? Are there specific foods you have to get every time you visit a specific location or place?

Share! And link-up with Top Ten Thursday!

Boston Eats – Raspberry/Lime Rickey

Photo credit: Amir Nejad via VisualHunt.com / CC BY-NC-ND

Over the weekend, Justin and I had the opportunity to explore the delicious food of Boston.

Let me first give you a frame of reference:

Atlanta is currently known for their "foodie culture". Restaurants are all about providing a "farm to table" experience which frequently means a new twist on Southern favorites that are altered as the season's change. One example of this is the chicken and dumplings served at JCT Kitchen on the Westside. While you may question how a soup can be considered "new and different", clearly you have not had a look at the menu where the description of "slow cooked chicken leg, buttery house-made dumplings, local vegetables" resides. Rather than providing a simple soup, JCT Kitchen serves everything in parts giving it what Justin and I describe as a European take on a Southern favorite. Is it actually European? … I don't know. I'd have to actually ask a European. In general, though, we tend to think of European food standards as higher (and fancier) than American, so that's where that thought comes from…

Anyway, JCT Kitchen isn't the only restaurant in Atlanta doing that and the European food experience isn't the only type of "farm to table experience" you can have. For example, Farm Burger provides organic burgers made from grass-fed cows that are simply amazing. It is honestly one of the best burgers I have ever had.

So when Justin and I went to Boston, we weren't expecting much in terms of a foodie culture. Obviously, aside from underwater critters (like fish, which I don't eat), we assumed that whatever Bostonians could do Atlantans could do just as easily.

Except I was wrong.

As it turns out, a trip to Faneuil's Hall provided a completely different and unique dining experience unlike any I have ever had in Atlanta. Faneuil's Hall is an outdoor mall where Bostonian's gather to hear music (or play music in some cases – including the piano that sits in the dining hall waiting for passersby, whether age 5 and unknowledgeable about music or age 80 and very knowledgeable about music, to play), eat and drink, and shop. Granted there are definitely some tourist traps in this area of town ($50 for a seafood/steak plate? $10 for macaroni and cheese?), but there are also many other smaller, amazing dining establishments. With so much variety available, there is something perfect for everyone.

During our recent visit, last Friday, Justin and his dad ordered 2 very different lobster rolls while I got a piece of pizza and something called a raspberry/lime rickey. First of all, let me say that my meal was by far the best of the options at the table, hands down. ;) Lobster rolls with too much mayo … or even none at all are just blech. (I don't recommend asking Justin. He's a bit biassed.) Nevertheless, my pizza definitely had a very Italian vibe to it unlike the typical Chicago, New York, or chain style pizza typically found … everywhere … (Pizza Hut ftw?). But beyond that, let me take a moment to talk about my raspberry/lime rickey…

Not quite a lime rickey, but close enough…

Back during the prohibition era (20s) after coke products had just begun selling (I'm from Atlanta. There is no such thing as Pepsi.), people wanted a fresher option from soda fountains, something that was more like a cocktail and less like a soda, without all of the alcohol. A lime rickey, when made correctly had the bite people were looking for. It was both bitter and sweet and was the perfect adult appeal.

"Lime was able to give you a kick. It comes through with that sharp tartness, and has a deeper, more mature bitterness that a lemon is lacking. Having a lime rickey without bourbon is better than, say, spiked lemonade without liquor. It's more of an adult drink even in its soda form." - Taylor Peck

Shortly thereafter, the prohibition era was over, bottled soda became fashionable and soda fountains were a thing of the past. Fresh-tasting drinks took a back burner and even bottled lime rickeys did not have quite the same appeal as lime rickeys made at a soda shop. Coke, once again, prevailed as the dominant soda. This lasted until very recently into the 2000s when soda shops once again began popping up all over the US providing fancy drinks and mocktails to consumers that wanted a more unique and interesting taste experience than regular canned soda could provide.

This is where I come in. :)

Not very hungry as we were looking for a food item I would enjoy at Faneuil Hall, I spotted a brightly colored cocktail/smoothie place, AND I knew what I wanted. Not pizza (though the pizza was very good), not lobster rolls … No. I wanted a sweet drink, and raspberry + lime sounded perfect!

Afterward, as I sipped on the delicious citrus flavored drink that contained bits of actual lime and raspberry to give it texture, I was informed that not only was I drinking a very old style drink, but raspberry/lime rickeys were actually a thing. All of a sudden, I started seeing them all over Boston in restaurants, ice cream shops, and everywhere! What had I been missing out on my whole life?

Immediately upon returning to GA I had Justin make me one. The recipe he used was very simple: sparkling water, sugar, fresh squeezed lime, and squished raspberry. Could it be better? Potentially, yes. If I come across a fantastic recipe in the future, I'll be sure to share with you. :)

In the mean time, did you know about lime rickeys? (Or raspberry/lime rickeys?) Were you holding out on telling me too?! And if you didn't know about them, just promise to make sure you try one next time you are in Boston. Or get one for your kids; they'd love it. :)

Here's a recipe just in case you don't have Boston travel plans in the future.

And an article on the history of the lime rickey.

… And some information on Faneuil Hall. Because.

Do I have any Boston blog readers following my blog? Is there any other great food or restaurants I missed while I was visiting? Share! I'd love to hear. I need to know for my next trip to Boston! :)

15 Things to Do In Boston (and Massachusetts)

Serene nightscape of a beautiful city.

On Thursday Justin and I are flying up to NYC followed by a train ride to Boston on Friday morning. While our weekend is looking stressful and busy, I thought I would research a few things to do in Boston (like I did with NYC) that way once we get up there we can refer to it and not fritter away all of our time on research. Hopefully, if you have a trip to Boston planned in the near (or far) future, this list may come in handy to you too. I'll be sure to share after we return what we did, what we enjoyed, and maybe a few things to avoid…

1. See the Mapapparium in the Mary Baker Eddy Library.

Have you ever seen or heard of something like this? Built in the 1930s by Winston Churchill with glass panes that can be removed as the world changes, the Boston community decided in the 1960s to leave the exhibit untouched for future generations as an art piece. In the early 2000s the mapapparium was updated to include LED lights (instead of the 300 40-watt and 60-watt electric light bulbs that were originally used outside the sphere) and a better sound system. The inside of the mapapparium is known as a whispering gallery since one person can hear another's whispers while standing on opposite sides of the exhibit. Pretty cool, right? :)

2. Visit the Boston University observatory.

It's right across the street from the hotel Justin and I will be staying at, and it's free to visit on Friday nights. Why not? Plus, stars are awesome.

3. See the breathtaking views of Boston from the Skywalk Observatory.

I'm always a fan of seeing cities from above, and Boston is no exception to the rule. Ideally, I would love to arrive just before sunset and take in the beautiful daytime view before enjoying all of the city lights. It sounds both dreamy and romantic…

4. Explore the Mount Auburn Cemetery.

One of America's first garden cemeteries located near Harvard Square, there are many noteworthy people buried here including Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, Winslow Homer, and Fannie Farmer (NFT).

Let's go!

5. Immerse yourself in the foliage found at the Arnold Arboretum.

Especially lovely in the fall, the Arnold Arboretum is located on Harvard University's campus and was founded in 1872. Benjamin Bussey donated the land"for instruction in agriculture, horticulture, and related subjects" (wikipedia). The arboretum is located on 281 acres of well-manicured and researched property and was designed in part by landscape architect Beatrix Farrand. A quiet respite from the rest of Boston, I look forward to enjoying a nice long walk amidst the trees and flowers in this beautiful area of town. Plus, I hear Peter's Hill, located in the Arboretum, is a gorgeous place to watch the sunset…

6. Enjoy the Boston Public Garden.

Established in 1837, the 24 acre public garden has a small pond, plenty of bridges, and overlooks Boston. It is a terrific place to observe flowers and plants in bloom as well as people watch.

7. Visit the New England Aquarium.

When I think of Boston, I think of the ocean, whales, dolphins, etc… So obviously a place I would love to visit is the aquarium. Recently having been to the Charleston Aquarium, I have discovered that no two are alike and they can hold new and exciting exhibits to take in. I am especially interested in the sea turtle hospital and the whale watching excursion. :)

8. Take a day trip to visit the Vanderbilt homes in Rhode Island.

Justin and I already have a season pass to the Biltmore Estate in North Carolina, so we are already somewhat familiar with the Vanderbilt family and who they were. It would be interesting to follow the family up north and see how the other side lived taking in both The Breakers and The Marble House. There are also plenty of other gorgeous mansions opened to the public in Newport that could keep us busy for a while…

Boats, boats, and more boats.

9. On the same note, explore Martha's Vineyard for a day…

We probably won't get to do this (or any other day trips!) during our visit in T minus 3 days, but it would be a great place to visit one summer I'm sure. Images from google make it look beautiful. Why else would people like Barack Obama, Bill Clinton, and Jacqueline Kennedy choose to live and visit there if it wasn't?

10. Soak in the beautiful artwork of Norman Rockwell…

One of my favorite artists, I've always enjoyed Rockwell's depictions of American life. It would be nice to explore this museum and learn more about him, his artwork, and even take a tour of 36-acre site that the Norman Rockwell Museum is located on.

11. Eat breakfast at the Café at Taj Boston.

We'll start with the view from the café and end with good food. My in-laws and husband will get to enjoy the seafood they are craving, and I, on the other hand, will be able to savour the non-seafood breakfast I crave with a view to distract me from the smells. Win-win?

12. Take the Freedom Trail…

One of the best ways to salivate over US history.

13. Walk around at the Christopher Columbus Park.

The extraordinary views of both city and waterfront will make this walk worth it.

The night sky is always worth it!

14. Savour the night sky at East Boston Piers Park.

So I may be a little bit weird, but I love seeing and photographing city lights at night. Piers Park provides a fantastic destination for both and may even be a great sunset spot! Plus, there is an extraordinary view of the river. *sigh*

15. Eat a slice of Boston Cream Pie in Boston.

Because Boston. Duh. :) Apparently the Oak Room has the best in town.

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While I know my list is not all-encompassing, for the small weekend trip I am about to take with my in-laws and husband, I can only hope we can do one or two of the items on my list. Have you been to Boston before? Is there anything you would recommend if you have?

** Linking up to City Trippers Mummytravels.com and Wandermum.co.uk