Recent Top Restaurant Dishes

I want to highlight a few worthy restaurant dishes I recently enjoyed, which are from some of my favorite restaurants. These dishes are some of the best dishes I've eaten so far this year, and which may also be some of my top dishes at the end of this year.

This past week, I was thoroughly impressed by a Rabbit Pappardelle special at Il Ponte in Woburn. It's one of my favorite Italian restaurants, and the cuisine is always delicious. This dish consisted of house-made pappardelle, with an excellent texture, covered with a rabbit ragu and topped by a scoop of ricotta. With a great depth of flavor and a nice balance of spices, each bite brought such pleasure to my palate. Rabbit is such a great protein, and with its mild flavors, most people would enjoy it if they can get past the idea that it once was a fluffy bunny. My dining companion was also quite taken with this dish.

The short movie shows a bubbling dish of Chicken Claypot, my favorite dish at Soall Viet Kitchen in Beverly, an excellent Vietnamese restaurant. This dish is made with small pieces of tender chicken in a caramelized sweet and savory sauce, with a couple chili peppers. It's accompanied by jasmine rice, or noodles, with some pickled and fresh veggies. It's also served bubbling hot and the aromas are so enticing. The chicken is moist and tender, and the sauce possesses a great depth of flavor, nicely balanced between sweet and savory, and with a mild bit of spicy heat. The veggies act as a nice palate cleanser to the richer sauce. They also make a Salmon Claypot as well. 

The Clam Box of Ipswich is my favorite clam shack, for the quality of its fried seafood, the quantity you receive, and its excellent service. Others may prefer other places, but the Clam Box has never disappointed me. This dish was a combination of Fried Clams and Fried Scallops, with an ample pile of onion rings and French fries. The Fried Scallops are superb, tender and sweet, and the fried clams are delicious as well, both with a clean, light fried batter. The dish is large enough to share, or to have leftovers for another meal. 

What have been some of your favorite restaurant dishes lately? 

Soall Viet Kitchen: Another Amazing Lunch

The bubbling and aromatic dish above is the Chicken Claypot from Soall Viet Kitchen in Beverly, and it's probably my favorite dish at this excellent Vietnamese restaurant. 

Soall was also one of my Favorite Restaurants of 2022 and I noted that "the two owners, Sa Nguyen and Mia Lunt, offer authentic Vietnamese cuisine, to highlight the culinary delights of their homeland. The food is fresh, well-prepared, delicious and reasonably priced." Recently, I dined there for lunch once again, and the food was at the top of its game: fresh, delicious, and well-made. Each dish couldn't have tasted any better. This is why it's one of my favorite restaurants, and why my readers need to dine there as well. 

We started with the Sweet Potato & Shrimp Fritters ($9), composed of very thin and crunchy slices of sweet potato (like a nest of French fries), which concealed plump shrimp within its center. The sweet chili sauce that accompanies this dish is a nice addition. This is one of my favorite "Snacks" on their menu, and each fritter is a good size as a starter for your meal.

The Steamed Pork Bao ($10), is made cucumber, pickled veggies, and Vietnamese mayo. The fresh, soft bao is filled with plenty of tender, thinly sliced pork, that has a savory and delicious sauce, similar in many respects to a barbecue sauce. It tastes similar to the sauce they use on their braised pork ribs. The cucumber and pickled veggies add a nice crunchy aspect, as well as some different flavors. 

The Chicken Claypot ($17.50) is made with small pieces of tender chicken in a caramelized sweet and savory sauce, with a couple chili peppers. It's accompanied by jasmine rice, or noodles, with some pickled and fresh veggies. It's also served bubbling hot and the aromas are so enticing. The chicken is moist and tender, and the sauce possesses a great depth of flavor, nicely balanced between sweet and savory, and with a mild bit of spicy heat. The veggies act as a nice palate cleanser to the richer sauce. You can also order this dish with salmon instead of chicken, and it is equally as delicious. If you dine at Soall, you definitely should order this dish.

This was the first time we ordered the Caramelized Pork Chop ($21.50), a center-cut chop marinated with garlic-lemongrass and honey, caramelized in a pan then finished in the oven. It's atop a bowl of rice, pickled veggies and fresh veggies. It was large and thick, cooked perfectly, tender, moist and flavorful, and with a delectable glaze. Definitely one of the best pork chops I've tasted in quite some time. 

Get yourself to Soall Viet Kitchen and enjoy some of the best Vietnamese cuisine on the North Shore. 

Channel Marker Brewing: A Killer Popsicle Style Sour Ale

As my regular readers know, I rarely write about beer, but sometimes I taste a particular beer which truly excites my palate, and I share that experience. Last week, I tasted just such a killer beer, from a local brewery in Beverly, and I even purchased a four-pack because I enjoyed it so much. 

Channel Marker Brewing is located on Rantoul Street in the Porter Mill building in Beverly, and it was formed by three friends, Justin Negrotti, Jake Crandell, and Tim Corcoran. They initially began brewing beer in Justin's garage in 2013, and launched their brewery in 2017. 

As their website states: "Channel Marker Brewing offers a perpetually changing menu of hand crafted, bright, and explorative microbrews. Our pride in freshness and quality compels us to keep production in-house, brewing everything on our five-barrel brewhouse. This small batch size gives us the freedom to brew experimental beers and our approach allows us to package several fresh batches every week. We have an affinity for brewing heavily fruited, expressive sours and hop-forward New England style IPA’s, but we offer a well-rounded portfolio of beer that includes lagers, stouts, porters, and more."

One of the beers that they are currently producing is Propeller, a Cherry Vanilla Popsicle Style Sour Ale. Popsicle style ales seem to be have been around for at least a few years, although this is the first one I've ever tasted. This particular beer has a 6.3% ABV, and is said to be a "Sour Ale brewed with sweet cherry, tart cherry, vanilla beans and milk sugar." 

Thie ale has a deep, rich pink color, and when you take a sip, the front of your palate is struck by bright cherry flavors, with a hint of tartness, The flavors then transform in your mouth, finishing with creamy vanilla notes, and the cherry taste becomes more subtle. I was enamored with how the delicious flavors evolved over my palate. In addition, it presented with only a mild hint of sweetness, which pleased me as well. Highly recommended!

You should visit their brewery in Beverly, and even though they don't have a kitchen, they usually have a food truck on the premises. In addition, Rantoul Street has some cool restaurants, including Soal Viet Kitchen, Frank, and Butter "Ur" Biscuit.  If you can't make it to their brewery, you can purchase some of their beers, including the Propeller, at Beacon Hill Wine & Gourmet in Melrose.

2021: My Favorite Restaurants

What were some of my Favorite Restaurants of the past year?

As 2022 approaches, it's time once again to reflect upon the past year, to remember and savor pleasant memories. I'll be posting my annual series of Favorite Lists over the next couple weeks, covering food, restaurants, wine, spirits and other drinks. These lists should provide a comprehensive summary of my favorites from this past year, allowing my readers to more readily locate such gems, the best of my recommendations. 

Obviously, these Favorite Lists will be different, and smaller, from prior years due to the pandemic. Many food and drink events, such as the Seafood Expo North America, were canceled, postponed, or held virtually. Although dining out has occurred more this year than in 2020, it's still been significantly limited. However, there are still restaurants deserving of being highlighted, and I'll endeavor to showcase them. Hopefully, 2022 will a better year for restaurants, as well as major food and drink events. 

My first Favorites List of 2021 is my Favorite Restaurants, which will also include my Top Five Dishes of 2021. This is certainly not a complete list but is more a sampling of memorable restaurants and food items I've experienced and/or posted about over the past year. This list is also in no particular order, and is purely a subjective list, based on my own preferences, and makes no claims about being the "best" of anything. However, all of the restaurants here earn my hearty recommendation and I hope you'll enjoy them as well. For more Restaurant reviews, you can just search my blog posts for the past year.

Soall Viet Kitchen (Beverly)

     This Vietnamese restaurant opened during the pandemic, and is their second location, the first being in Marblehead. You can find my review here: Soall Viet Kitchen: A Bright & Tasty Spot in Beverly. The two owners are Sa Nguyen and Mia Lunt, close friends who desired to offer authentic Vietnamese cuisine, to highlight the culinary delights of their homeland. The food is fresh, well-prepared, delicious and reasonably priced. Some of my favorite dishes include their plump Shrimp Summer Rolls, the crispy Sweet Potato & Shrimp Fritters, the tasty Steamed Pork Bao, and the alluring Chicken Clay Pot (one of my Top 5 Dishes of 2021). They have Pho and Bahn Mi as well, but I recommend you branch out and try some of their other Vietnamese dishes.

Peruvian Taste Restaurant (Charlestown)   

    This is another restaurant which opened during the pandemic, in a commercial area of Charlestown. You can check out my review here: Peruvian Taste Restaurant: Compelling Chifa & More. They are open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, and serve both American and Peruvian cuisine, including Chifa. Chifa is a combination of Peruvian and Chinese cuisine, and they have the largest Chifa menu in the area. It's a casual spot, serving ample dishes of delicious, fresh comfort food that is reasonably priced. Some of my favorites dishes include the Papa a la Huancaina (boiled yellow potatoes in a spicy, creamy sauce), Pollada (an amazing fried chicken), Wantan Frito (fried wontons filled with chicken), Pollo Chi Jau Kay (boneless chicken morsels battered, fried and topped with sesame seeds and scallions), and Aeropuerto (a melange of fried rice, chicken, Char Siu pork, Lo Mein noodles, peppers, snow peas and scallions. And also one of my Top 5 Dishes of 2021). Go here, ignore the American cuisine, and expand your palate with fantastic Peruvian and Chifa cuisine. 

Butter "UR" Biscuit (Beverly)

   This restaurant began as a food truck and offers "Latin Soul Cuisine." You can read my review here: Butter "UR" Biscuit: A Warm Comfort To The Soul. The menu has items like Empanadas, Caribbean Rice Bowls, Burritos, and Quesadillas, but their Biscuits are compelling and delicious. with an assortment of Biscuit Sandwiches. The biscuits are huge, buttery, flaky and delicious. The Bacon, Egg & Cheese Biscuit is made with a buttermilk biscuit, two eggs your way, bacon and melted cheddar jack cheese. My favorite is their Cheesy Bird Biscuit, made with a buttermilk biscuit, fried chicken, a fried egg, and melted cheddar jack cheese. This was one of my best sandwiches of the year. The chicken was crisp and moist, complemented by the egg and cheese. Pure comfort food for the belly and soul.

Committee Ouzeri & Bar (Boston)   

    This Greek restaurant has long been one of my favorites, and my Brunch experience was a highlight of the year. Check out my review here: Greek Brunch & New Cocktails. Brunch is offered at Committee on both Saturday and Sunday, from 10am-3pm. Their Brunch Menu offers some Greek variations of popular brunch items, from Tsoureki Toast (Greek French Toast) to Spanakopita Grilled Cheese. You'll also find some of their regular dishes, from Souvlaki to Zucchini Crisps. My favorite dish were the Greek Yogurt Pancakes, which are topped by a sour cherry vyssino, honey, toasted almonds, and fresh berries. The pancakes were light and fluffy, some of the best I've had in recent years. Also compelling is their Breakfast Gyro, amply stuffed with scrambled eggs, grilled Halloumi, and loukaniko, and served with crispy home fries. Their Brunch cocktails are always an excellent addition as well. 

 

Tasting Counter (Somerville)  

     This is another restaurant which has long been one of my top favorites, and my experiences this year only solidify my love for this restaurant. Check out my review here: Chef Peter Ungár & Consistent Excellence. As I've frequently mentioned, Chef Ungár is one of the best chefs in the Boston+ area, and doesn't receive as much attention as he deserves. His restaurant has been consistently excellent every time I've been there, due in large part to Chef Ungár being a perfectionist. His dishes are creative and delicious, with such intriguing combinations of ingredients. And the drink pairings are excellent choices as well. It continues to receive my highest and unqualified recommendation. If you want to splurge on one of my top dining experiences in the Boston+ area, this is the spot you should do so. 

Nightshade Noodle Bar (Lynn)

    This is one of my newest favorite restaurants and it's only been open for two years, having to undergo the difficulties of the pandemic during much of their existence. You can read my two reviews here: Compelling Vietnamese/French Cuisine in Lynn, and Back to Nightshade: More Excellence. They offer a variety of small plates, great for sharing, and nearly every dish is exceptional, bursting with flavor, and creatively composed. Plus, they have an excellent wine list and cocktail program. I like their homey vibe, service is excellent, and they have an open kitchen, which I've always loved. Some of my favorite dishes include Curried Beef in Betel Leaves, Dungeness Crab Fried Rice, Homemade Egg Noodles with beef and mushrooms (One of my Top 5 Dishes of 2021, and the Bone Marrow Bahn Mi. This spot has received raves since its opening, and they are very well deserved. I'll be returning there soon and it receives my highest recommendation. 

 

Krasi Meze & Wine (Boston)

     This is another amazing restaurant where nearly every dish is exceptional. Check out my review here: Crazy for Krasi: A Greek Paradise. Their menu is also a wide selection of small plates, perfect for sharing, and offers creative Greek cuisine, with roots in tradition but it's not afraid to experiment. Their Greek wine list is amazing, the second largest in the country. Even their bread selections are excellent, such as the Tiropita cheese rolls. My favorite dish of my recent experience was the Makaronia Me Kima, usually a Greek version of Bolognese, made with ground beef or lamb (And also one of my Top 5 Dishes of 2021). Chef Valentine chose to create his own version using seafood and it was a major success. The dish was made with ground monkfish, smoked eel tomato sauce, fides pasta, and grated horseradish. This is another restaurant that receives my highest recommendation. 

Pammy's (Cambridge)

     Pammy's has received many raves over the years but I hadn't dined there until recently, and I look forward to a return visit. You can read my review here: Pammy's: A Compelling Restaurant of Creative Simplicity. Currently, the restaurant serves a prix-fixe menu, where you select any 3 dishes from their menu for $69. That is cool, and you can create any type of meal you desire. Some of the dishes we enjoyed included the Lobster Biscotto, Sea Scallops, with Grilled Avocado & 'Nduja Vinaigrette, and Marshall Cove Mussels with Squid Ink Arancini & Lime Leaf Aioli. My favorite dish was the Lumache, with Bolognese sauce and Gochujang, a killer combo of spiciness and umami (And also one of my Top 5 Dishes of 2021). Their wine list is intriguing, with plenty of excellent options, especially more organic/sustainable options from small wineries around the world. Service is excellent, I loved the comfy ambiance, and the food is delicious.

I also need to give some love to some of my other favorite restaurants, which I've visited this past year even though I haven't written articles about them this year. I've written about these places in previous years though, and they have remained consistent and excellent, and continue to earn my hearty recommendations. Please dine at these restaurants as well. 

A Tavola (Winchester)

     Excellent Italian cuisine.

Việt Citron (Burlington)

     Delicious, casual Vietnamese fare. 

Tambo 22 (Chelsea)

    Excellent Peruvian cuisine.

 
Prince Pizzeria (Saugus)

    Casual spot for Pizza and Italian cuisine.

District Kitchen (Malden)

    Excellent Chinese cuisine. 

Row 34 (Burlington)

    Excellent high-end seafood 

Clam Box of Ipswich (Ipswich)

    Excellent casual seafood spot.

Nick & Andy's (Danvers)

     Excellent, casual breakfast spot.     

Support the Restaurant Industry: As I said above, the restaurant industry has been devastated by this pandemic, especially as the federal government has done little to aid and assist the industry. Some restaurants have closed permanently and others may be forced to do so in the near future. We need to support our favorite restaurants as much as we are capable, from buying gift cards to ordering take-out, from getting delivery to tipping well. If you have a positive dining experience, tell your family and friends. Spread the word on social media. 

What were some of your Favorite Restaurants and Dishes this year?

Butter "UR" Biscuit: "A Warm Comfort To The Soul"

It began as a food truck and now has spawned a brick and mortar store in Beverly, on Rantoul Street. Butter "UR" Biscuit, which states it offers Latin Soul Cuisine, does have items like Empanadas, Caribbean Rice Bowls, Burritos, and Quesadillas, but their Biscuits are compelling and delicious. On their website, the owner noted, "It amazed me how something as simple as a warm biscuit being spread with honey butter can bring a warm comfort to the soul." I've only visited this restaurant a few times, so wanted to provide my initial impressions, and recommend you check it out. 

On their menu, they offer a number of baked goods, from Biscuits to Corn Bread. Their biscuits are made from scratch, and are quite large, fluffy and flaky. They are certainly some of the best biscuits available in the area. Plus, the menu has an assortment of Biscuit Sandwiches, filled with items like fried chicken, pulled pork, roasted rib eye steak,  and more. Sandwiches are priced about $7.50-$15, which I believe is reasonable considering the quality and quality of food you receive. 

The Bacon, Egg & Cheese Biscuit ($8.50) is made with a buttermilk biscuit, two eggs your way, bacon and melted cheddar jack cheese. It was a delicious sandwich, with plenty of cheese, a fine way to start your day. The only minor issue is that a biscuit isn't always the best type of bread for a sandwich as the biscuit can be crumbly, and doesn't always hold together well while eating the sandwich. That's simply an issue with all biscuit sandwiches and not unique here. However, the buttery, fluffy biscuit is just so good, it's still worth it despite its issue.

The Cheesy Bird Biscuit ($13) is made with a buttermilk biscuit, fried chicken, a fried egg, and melted cheddar jack cheese. It can also be finished with a garlic sriracha aioli if you wish. This is likely going to qualify as one of my best dishes of the year. As I first looked at the sandwich, I could see that some of the cheese on the edges was delightfully crispy. There was an ample piece of fried chicken, which was crisp and moist, tasty and compelling. Add in the fried egg and this was pure comfort food, fueling the heart and soul. Highly recommended!

I intend to try some of their Latin dishes in the near future, but give a hearty recommendation to their biscuits and sandwiches. Beverly is becoming a excellent culinary destination and Butter "UR" Biscuit is one new restaurants which is helping that reputation. 

New Sampan Article: Soall Viet Kitchen--A Bright & Tasty Spot in Beverly

"The most interesting feature of Chinese life to me was that on board their boats, or sampans, as they are called....Upon these boats live whole families of three and even four generations."

--The Fall River Daily Herald, November 20, 1888

As I've mentioned previously, I've a new writing gig, contributing to Sampan, the only bilingual Chinese-English newspaper in New England. I've previously written nineteen articles for Sampan, including:

In Search of the First Chinese Restaurant in Chinatown

Malden’s First Chinese Restaurant

Quincy's First Chinese Restaurants

Ruby Foo, Chinatown’s First Woman Restaurateur (Part 1)

Ruby Foo, Chinatown’s First Woman Restaurateur (Part 2).

Anita Chue: Another Influential Woman Restaurateur in Chinatown

Celebrate World Baijiu Day

Mary Yick, A Chinatown Pioneer Who Fought Discrimination

Bella Long, The Original Queen of Chinatown

A Restaurant Review of Viet Citron

The First Chinese Person To Live In Boston

Chinese Restaurant Finances in the 1920

Ar-Showe: A Wealthy Chinese Tea Seller

Peking Duck Delights & Some History

A Boston Origin of Duck Sauce?

The 150th Anniversary of Chinese New Year in Massachusetts 

Sam Wah Kee: Chinatown's Wealthy Merchant Turned Fugitive

Blob Joints: A History of Dim Sum in the U.S.

The First Attempt to Eradicate Chinatown

My newest article, Soall Viet Kitchen: A Bright & Tasty Spot in Beverly, is now available in the new issue of Sampan. Soall Viet Kitchen, owned by Sa Nguyen and Mia Lunt, opened last October, a difficult time for any new endeavor, and is a restaurant well deserving of your attention. Their Vietnamese cuisine is generally light and healthy, as well as fresh and absolutely delicious. It's become a regular lunch spot for me and encourage my readers to dine there as well. Check out my review and see some of their compelling dishes.

I'm currently working on a new article for the Sampan.

What is a "sampan?" The newspaper's site states, "A sampan is a popular river boat in traditional China. This small but useful vessel, by transporting cargo from large boats to the village ports, creates a channel of communication among villages." And like that type of boat, Sampan delivers news and information all across New England, and "acts a bridge between Asian American community organizations and individuals in the Greater Boston area."

Sampan, which was founded in 1972, is published by the nonprofit Asian American Civic Association, "The newspaper covers topics that are usually overlooked by the mainstream press, such as key immigration legislation, civil rights, housing, education, day-care services and union activities. These issues are crucial to the well-being of Asian immigrants, refugees, low-income families as well as individuals who are not proficient in the English language."

There is plenty of interest in Sampan which will appeal to all types of readers, from restaurant reviews to historical articles, from vital news stories to travel items. In these current days when racism and prejudice against Asians and their restaurants is high, it's more important than ever that accurate information about the Asian community is disseminated and promoted. We need to combat the irrational prejudices that some possess, and support our Asian communities just as we would support any other element of our overall community. We are all important aspects of a whole, and we need to stand together.

Support Sampan! 

Celebrating Tết Nguyên Đán: Vietnamese New Year

Many people know about the upcoming Chinese New Year, which begins on February 12, starting the Year of the Ox. It's the most important holiday to the Chinese, and the first public celebration in Massachusetts was 150 years ago, in 1871. However, Vietnamese New Year, which also follows a lunar calendar, will celebrate their New Year on February 12 too. 

The holiday is known as Tết Nguyên Đán, which means 'Feast of the First Morning of the First Day.' and is commonly abbreviated as Tết. Like the Chinese, the Vietnamese have many customs and rituals around their celebration of this holiday, from special foods to family reunions. So, now is the time to learn more about Tết, to open our hearts and minds to Vietnamese culture and cuisine. 

I've spoken to a couple Vietnamese women, who own restaurants, to provide some information about Tết and what it means to them. Tran Ngoc Lee, of Viet Citron in Burlington, and Sa Nguyen, of Soall Viet Kitchen in Beverly, were gracious enough to answer my questions. I've positively reviewed both of their restaurants during the past year with Viet Citron being one of my Favorite Restaurants of 2020, and Soall Viet Kitchen being my first restaurant review of 2021. Both earned my hearty recommendation. 

Tran Ngoc Lee, of Viet Citron in Burlington

1. What is the meaning or significance of Tết to you? 

Tết is a great time for multi-generations to connect through traditions. We gather to listen to family stories, making pickles, bánh tét / bánh chưng (steamed sticky rice cakes) all night. It’s a celebrations of spring time and renewal energy to bring good health and fortune to everyone. 

2. Will your restaurant celebrate Tết in any way? Any special events? Special menu items? 

We have the Tet’s special of Thit Kho Dua Gia (Braised pork & eggs w/ pickles). It’s one of the traditions that’s always on the Tet’s table. Kids get red envelopes w/ money when saying well wishes to adults, and adults would bring gifts like tea, cakes, or decorated fresh fruits when visiting other household during Tet / Lunar New Year 

3. How will you personally celebrate Tết? 

Tet in the US is quiet. We pray to the ancestors on the first day, have a family lunch, get red envelopes then go home. During pre-Covid, we had church celebrations with cultural shows and every family bring a dish and the whole church or temple would dine together. This year we just stay home. 

4. What special foods will you eat on Tết?

Braised Pork, sticky rice wrapped in banana leaves, different homemade pickles, cut watermelons, and candied fruits served w/ tea were very common. 

5. What should non-Vietnamese should know or understand about Tết? 

Tet / Lunar New Year is like a long Thanksgiving for Vietnamese and Chinese....only say nice things to them on the first day....If you don’t get along w/ someone, don’t show up at their door first day of new year...it’s bad luck. Tet is a 10 days celebrations. We used to gamble, eat, drinks, days and nights for the first 3 days...doesn’t matter w/ age 

Sa Nguyen, of Soall Viet Kitchen in Beverly

1. What is the meaning or significance of Tết to you? 

     It has always been reiterated to me that Tết is a celebration of new beginnings. I remember weeks beforehand, my mom would start preparing by cleaning out the house and getting rid of old and unwanted things. She would order new clothes to be sewn for us so that we would have them to wear for Tet. 

     One of the things that always struck me as the most meaningful is that Tet is a time for forgiveness and reconciliation. It was a time for bygones be bygones and start anew. 

     I came to the states when I was 9 and although my Mother tried her best to keep up with the traditions by making the usual Tet treats and tradition of paying homage to our ancestors, the celebrations at home were not as vibrant and as elaborate. The respect for the holiday and what it is about carries through year after year. 

2. Will your restaurant celebrate Tết in any way? Any special events? Special menu items? 

In the past, we have given out red envelopes with lucky money to young children. I would imagine that we would do the same this year. 

3. How will you personally celebrate Tết? 

     Back in Vietnam, I remember celebrating Tet with my family extensive. The first day of Tet is reserved for immediate family members and this tradition was taken very seriously. We would wake up and be dressed in our best. First, we would a family prayer to our ancestors and pay homage. Next, my siblings and I would gather in front of my parents and each of us would take turns and wish them good health and prosperity for the year ahead. And we would work on making sure that our individual wish was the best. It would turn into a friendly competition as one would try to out do one another for the best wish given. In return, our parents would hand each of us a red envelope with lucky money. We celebrated the first day of Tet within our immediate family. Mom would make the most elaborate meal and food would be eaten throughout the day. 

     The 2nd day of tet was celebrated with near by relatives and friends. We would visit each household and one by one would repeat the wish of good health and prosperity and receive our red envelopes with good luck money. Once the formal visitations were done and our dutiful biddings, we would return home and be released into the street markets to play games, buy things and gamble away our good luck money. 

      It was always on the third day of Tet when we would travel to Saigon, where the most elaborate celebration of Tet is held. The streets were filled with the most vibrant colors with lanterns, fireworks, flowers, etc. The lion dances were always so enthralling to watch. 

4. What special foods will you eat on Tết?

I remember eating so many different things.. but mostly, banh tet (which is made with sticky rice, pork and mung beans), xoi (sticky rice), mut (dried fruits like cocunut, sugar-coated ginger slices) pickled veggies, and some form of elaborate meal that Mom would make. 

5. What should non-Vietnamese should know or understand about Tết? 

It is the most important and celebrated holiday. Everyone celebrates Tet and everyone turns a year older as individual birthdays were not celebrated.

Will you be celebrating Tết in any manner? Now is a good time to dine at local Vietnamese restaurants, especially any place new to you. Look beyond Bahn Mi and Pho and sample some of the other wonderful dishes of Vietnamese cuisine. Open your heart and minds and learn more about to Vietnamese culture. 

Soall Viet Kitchen: A Bright & Tasty Spot in Beverly

Beverly continues to become a compelling culinary destination, and a few of my favorite restaurants there include A&B Burgers, Ellis Square Social, and Frank. I'm adding a new restaurant to my list of favorites, Soall Viet Kitchen, a Vietnamese spot which is located on Rantoul Street and open for lunch and dinner, from Tuesday to Sunday. 

This is actually a second location, the first being the Soall Bistro in Marblehead which opened in March 2012. The two owners are Sa Nguyen and Mia Lunt, close friends who desired to offer authentic Vietnamese cuisine, to highlight the culinary delights of their homeland. The name "Soall" is connected to their families, a combination of Nguyen's mother's name, Soa, and the first letters of Lunt's sons' names, Logan and Liem. As their website states, "Fresh herbs & vegetables, quality ingredients and minimal use of oil make Vietnamese one of the healthiest cuisines." 

I've had lunch three times at Soall (once comped by the owners), and intend to return to try more of the menu, as well as to enjoy some of my favorite dishes again. I've met and conversed with both Sa and Mia, who are very personable and obviously passionate about Vietnamese cuisine. They want to show their customers more than just Bahn Mi and Pho, to let people experience all the other culinary treasures to be found in Vietnamese cuisine. Even though this is their second location, they still have the difficulty of opening a new restaurant in a different city. In addition, opening any restaurant during the pandemic has plenty of its own obstacles. In short, I've generally been impressed with the quality and taste of the dishes I've eaten. 

The restaurant has indoor dining, and the tables are well spaced, and as soon as the Spring weather arrives, they will open their patio. Take-out and delivery are also available, and during my visits, take-out seemed popular.  They have future plans to open a small market within the restaurant, selling Asian items as well as some of their prepared foods. I'm eager to see this market come together.

Besides the regular tables, they have several seats at a small bar adjacent to the counter where you order your food. 

The Menu has plenty of options, and though much is authentic, they also allow themselves room for some creative takes. There are five main sections to the menu, such as Snacks & Salads (12 options, $5-$9), Bowls (vermicelli noodles, jasmine rice, or greens with 2 toppings, meat, poultry, seafood, veggie, $17), Noodles Soups (5 options, $14-$15), Bahn Mi (6 options, $11 each), and a few Special items like a Caramelized Pork Chop ($19) and Shrimp Tamarind Soup ($16). Prices are reasonable considering the quality of the ingredients, the work that goes into the creation of each dish, and their taste. 

 

They also sell wine, beer, and hard seltzer, and there appears to be some good choices available. Would be nice to see some Sake available, as it would pair very well with the cuisine. 

The Pork & Prawn Egg Rolls ($6) are also made with carrot, onion, taro, and glass noodles. An excellent, crispy and thin skin, with a tender, flavorful filling. Much lighter than the typical Chinese egg roll. 

The Spring Roll ($4) is available with shrimp, beef, chicken or tofu, and I opted for the Shrimp. As can be seen through the thin rice paper, the roll contained three good-sized shrimp, as well as a spring mix, cucumber, and mint. It was accompanied by a hoisin sauce and sriracha. Very fresh and light, with plump and tender shrimp. And that sriracha is hot! 

One of my favorite dishes was the Sweet Potato & Shrimp Fritters ($7), with sweet chili sauce. It was as if they made crisp noodles, though still with a touch of softness, out of the sweet potato and molded them together around a couple plump shrimp. A fine blend of flavors and textures, these fritters were excellent comfort food and the chili sauce was a nice accompaniment. I actually ordered these on two of my visits as I enjoyed them so much. Highly recommended.

I received a couple of the Braised Pork Ribs ($8) to sample, and the sweet sauce on the ribs was quite compelling, with a definite Asian flair. The sauce wasn't overly sweet, and possessed a savory element that helped balance the sweet. The ribs themselves were meaty and tender, and it was easy to clean them down to the bone. 

The Grilled Beef Skewers ($8), made with garlic, soy, lemongrass, and honey, were also very tender and flavorful, again not too sweet. In addition, they possessed a very pleasing and enticing aroma. 

The Steamed Bao ($8), which you can order with shrimp or pork, is also made with cucumber, pickled veggies, and Vietnamese mayo (though I omitted the mayo on mine). I opted for the pork and as you can see, they well filled the two soft bao. The tender pork was very thinly sliced and burst with flavors that reminded me a bit of the ribs. The pickled veggies added a crunchy aspect, as well as some different flavors, to the softer meat and bao. Also highly recommended. 

They serve six different types of Bahn Mi ($11), made with cucumber, cilantro, jalapeño, Vietnamese mayo (again omitted for me), and I chose the Roasted BBQ Pork for my main filling. This pork may be the same as in the Bao, and definitely is very tender and possessed of much delicious flavor. The baguette is nice and crunchy on the outside, and much softer inside. An excellent choice for lunch.

 

I was thoroughly impressed with the Clay Pot, which is made with either Salmon ($16) or Chicken ($14). I chose the chicken, which was cut into small chunks and prepared within a caramelized sweet and savory sauce, which is served bubbling hot. To accompany the dish, you have your choice of jasmine rice, vermicelli noodles or salad, and you also received cucumber, pickled daikon, and carrot. The chicken was moist and tender, and the sauce possessed a great depth of flavor, which you were supposed to pour atop your accompaniments. The sauce was nicely balanced between sweet and savory, and I could easily see this sauce atop seafood, beef, or basically any protein. The veggies kind of acted as a nice palate cleanser to the richer sauce. Highly recommended. 

 

Overall, Soall Viet Kitchen earns my hearty recommendation and I'm eager to return to try more of their menu. The food was fresh, well-prepared, delicious and reasonably priced. Service was very good and everyone who works there is personable and professional. Soall is still relatively new to Beverly, so it will be intriguing to see how it develops, including when they eventually open their market. I wish Sa and Mia much luck in this new endeavor. Beverly has a new culinary gem, enhancing its growing reputation for excellent restaurants. 

First Impressions of Frank in Beverly: Pasta Raves

When L'Espalier closed its doors, Chef/Co-owner Frank McClelland eventually moved onto his next endeavor, opening Frank restaurant in Beverly, and it just celebrated its first anniversary. Their website states Frank is "...lower-key but no less vigorous approach to local and season-centric food. With the same farmer-first philosophy and enduring commitment to credible food origin, we are thrilled to offer an ethical, affordable and delicious option for everyday eating."

Adam Japko and I recently stopped by for dinner, and we were fortunate the weather was beautiful and we were able to sit out on their patio. Prior to dinner though, we explored the small market attached to the restaurant, which sells a variety of foods, wines, spirits, and kitchen items. The wine selection is small but diverse, with plenty of intriguing options. There is also a small case of their baked goods, from cookies to brownies, and more. Both Adam and I bought some wine before we went to dinner. 

I'm presenting my first impressions of Frank, which are briefer than a full review. And I'm definitely returning to Frank, to try more of the menu, so will provide updates in the future. Overall, I was impressed with Frank, especially their Pasta dishes. 

The restaurant is open for Lunch and Dinner, and their Dinner Menu has Raw Bar (Oysters & Little Necks), Cheese & Charcuterie, Salads, Locally-Sourced Sides (like Iron Ox freshly dug potatoes and Alprilla braised fall greens), House-Made Pasta (available in half and full size), Grills & Roasts, and Treats & Temptations (dessert). Most of the Entree dishes are in the $20s, with a couple exceptions, and they also offer a Duck For Two ($110), which you must order ahead of time. There's lots of choices, and the hardest part might be deciding which dish of many you wish to order.

The list of Wines by the Bottle has about 35 choices, the majority ranging from $44 to $100, include Sparkling, White, Red, Rose, and Orange wines. It is fascinating list for wine lovers with lots of great choices, especially many more natural wines. We opted for the 2019 Frank Cornelisson Etna Rosato "Susucaru" ($72). As this wine retails for around $36, the markup is reasonable. This wine is a blend of Nerello Mascalese, Malvasia, and Moscadela from Sicily. It was refreshing and crisp, light-bodied, and had a delicious blend of flavors, including red fruits and earthiness, as well as a vein of minerality. It was also an excellent food wine.

We began the meal with some House-Made Focaccia with honey butter ($3.75), and it was quite tasty, with a crunchy crust atop it and a soft, pillowy interior, enhanced by the slightly sweet butter. As a bread lover, this was a fine introduction to the quality of their dishes.

We then went for some cheese and charcuterie, including the Magic Mountain Reserve Cheese, with peach jam and spice bread ($7.75) and Duck Rillette, with cherry mostarda ($10). The spice bread was a winner, especially with the peach jam. And the Rillette was intense, creamy and earthy. 

There are 3 Pasta options on the menu and we tried two of them. The Clam Chitarra, with pancetta, and sofrito ($13.50 half/$27 full), was amazing. Such a depth of flavor, a nice blend of textures, and a great taste. The pasta was cooked perfectly, the pancetta added a smoky and salty element, and the clams gave that tiny bit of the sea. Highly recommended!

The Lumache, topped with Bolognese and whipped ricotta ($13.50 half/$27 full), was also amazing. The Lumacha pasta was very al dente, and the Bolognese also had a nice depth of flavor, with plenty of tender meat. The addition of the whipped ricotta added a pleasing creamy element to the dish. It was a very ample portion and every bite was pure delight. Also Highly Recommended.

The Frank Hamburger ($19.50), is topped with pepper jack cheese, Frank hot sauce, mayo, pickles, crispy onion strings, and onion bacon jam, and also comes with hand-cut fries. It was a juicy and tender burger, with a nice blend of flavors from all the toppings. And the fries and onion strings were quite delicious, crisp and fresh. 

Service was excellent and we didn't opt for dessert but both were very pleased with dinner. The pasta dishes were killer and I look forward to trying more of the menu. I'd definitely recommend Frank for its delicious food and fine wine list.