First, I wish to thank all of my loyal readers and give a hearty welcome to all of my new readers. Thanks for all of your support over the past couple years.
My readership continues to increase each month but I would love to interact further with those readers. My blog, like all blogs, is not intended to be solely a place to read what I write. It is intended to be a place for discussions to occur, for a dialogue to be established between me and my readers, as well as between my readers. My blog should be a dynamic place, a place of action and not a static place. But how is that accomplished?
The key is for my readers to leave comments on the posts I write. It is within those comments that discussions can ensue. I want to hear your thoughts about what I write. Do you agree or disagree with my reviews? Do you agree or disagree with my opinions? I want to know what you think, whether positive or negative. It will only take you a few minutes to leave a brief comment so let me hear what you think. Feel free to comment on other commenters as well. Let us discuss and debate, though please make sure you are respectful to everyone else.
Some people have commented on my blog in the past, but I want to see more commenters. I want to hear more of the thoughts of my readers. In part, that will also help me write a better blog. Your feedback and constructive criticism can lead to positive changes here. I am far from perfect so would love to improve what I am doing.
So in 2009, please let me hear from you, please post your comments on my blog. Let us talk together and share a passion for food, wine and spirits.
Friday, January 2, 2009
Feast Day of St. Marcarius
Today, let us celebrate the Feast Day of St. Marcarius, the patron saint of cooks, confectioners, and pastry chefs.
St. Marcarius of Alexandria, also known as the Younger, was a successful merchant of fruits, candies and pastries, including sugar plums. Around 335 A.D., when he was about 40 years old, he converted to Christianity. He primarily spent the rest of his life as a hermit, engaged in penance, prayer and contemplation. He was well known for his ascetic ways, serving as a model for others.
It is traditional to eat sugar plums today so you can find plenty of recipes for sugar plums here.
St. Marcarius of Alexandria, also known as the Younger, was a successful merchant of fruits, candies and pastries, including sugar plums. Around 335 A.D., when he was about 40 years old, he converted to Christianity. He primarily spent the rest of his life as a hermit, engaged in penance, prayer and contemplation. He was well known for his ascetic ways, serving as a model for others.
It is traditional to eat sugar plums today so you can find plenty of recipes for sugar plums here.
Thursday, January 1, 2009
Tampopo
At the small mall in Porter Square, there have been some changes in recent times. Some places have vanished, to be replaced by others. Fortunately, the Asian restaurants have remained, especially my favorite, Tampopo. And as Tampopo has made a few cosmetic changes, I am hoping it will remain for some time to come.
Tampopo is a hole-in-the-wall, with about five seats at a counter and maybe five small tables. But it sells inexpensive and delicious Japanese food, an excellent variety from tempura to kara age, from curry bowls to katsu. They have a new menu, though the choices have not really changed much. And the walls have new photos of the food, all intended to entice you into the restaurant. It can be a busy place, especially at lunch or dinner time, and you might even have to wait for a seat.
Usually when I go, I get a variety of items, my own tasting menu of sorts. I have enjoyed everything I have eaten here and the quality has been consistent throughout my numerous visits. I might begin with fried shrimp shumai, a corn croquette and some shrimp tempura. And they do have a delicious tempura, just a perfect light batter on good-sized pieces of shrimp. The chicken kara-age is one of my favorite dishes, moist pieces of chicken with a light batter and accompanied by a savory BBQ sauce. The matsu bento box is a great way to sample several of the different foods they serve.
For two people, it usually costs me around $25, but then we also get a ton of food. You could easily pay less and still be satisfied with the amount of food. Service is very good and it feels like a family business. Some of the same people have been working there for years, since I first started going.
And after eating, I always have to stop at the nearby Japonaise Bakery, for their superb shoku pan, sliced white bread that is thick, fresh and delicious. It makes great French toast.
Tampopo
Porter Square Food Court
1815 Massachusetts Ave
Cambridge, MA
Tampopo is a hole-in-the-wall, with about five seats at a counter and maybe five small tables. But it sells inexpensive and delicious Japanese food, an excellent variety from tempura to kara age, from curry bowls to katsu. They have a new menu, though the choices have not really changed much. And the walls have new photos of the food, all intended to entice you into the restaurant. It can be a busy place, especially at lunch or dinner time, and you might even have to wait for a seat.
Usually when I go, I get a variety of items, my own tasting menu of sorts. I have enjoyed everything I have eaten here and the quality has been consistent throughout my numerous visits. I might begin with fried shrimp shumai, a corn croquette and some shrimp tempura. And they do have a delicious tempura, just a perfect light batter on good-sized pieces of shrimp. The chicken kara-age is one of my favorite dishes, moist pieces of chicken with a light batter and accompanied by a savory BBQ sauce. The matsu bento box is a great way to sample several of the different foods they serve.
For two people, it usually costs me around $25, but then we also get a ton of food. You could easily pay less and still be satisfied with the amount of food. Service is very good and it feels like a family business. Some of the same people have been working there for years, since I first started going.
And after eating, I always have to stop at the nearby Japonaise Bakery, for their superb shoku pan, sliced white bread that is thick, fresh and delicious. It makes great French toast.
Tampopo
Porter Square Food Court
1815 Massachusetts Ave
Cambridge, MA
Beija & Twitter Taste Live
Have you tried Beija yet? If not, you definitely should do so.
Beija is a Brazilian Cachaça, a virgin cane rum, and it is delicious whether straight or mixed in a cocktail. If you want to know more, join me as I showcase Beija at a Twitter Taste Live event on January 14 at 8pm.
January 12-15, 2009 will be a Spirit Week Twitter Taste Live Event. Rather than wine, spirits such as Gin and Chartreuse and Beija will be showcased during this week. You should participate this week and learn more about the versatility of these spirits.
Bin Ends has several other Twitter Taste Live events planned for the near future. These include:
January 17: TTL Beer!: Introduction to Trappist Ales
January 29: Twitter Taste LIVE: Palmina Wines of California
February 12: Twitter Taste LIVE: An Evening in Burgundy
February 19: Twitter Taste LIVE: Merlove Minneapolis
February 28: Twitter Taste LIVE: Top Secret Event
Prior events have been lots of fun and I encourage you to join in now!
Beija is a Brazilian Cachaça, a virgin cane rum, and it is delicious whether straight or mixed in a cocktail. If you want to know more, join me as I showcase Beija at a Twitter Taste Live event on January 14 at 8pm.
January 12-15, 2009 will be a Spirit Week Twitter Taste Live Event. Rather than wine, spirits such as Gin and Chartreuse and Beija will be showcased during this week. You should participate this week and learn more about the versatility of these spirits.
Bin Ends has several other Twitter Taste Live events planned for the near future. These include:
January 17: TTL Beer!: Introduction to Trappist Ales
January 29: Twitter Taste LIVE: Palmina Wines of California
February 12: Twitter Taste LIVE: An Evening in Burgundy
February 19: Twitter Taste LIVE: Merlove Minneapolis
February 28: Twitter Taste LIVE: Top Secret Event
Prior events have been lots of fun and I encourage you to join in now!
The Basics of The Passionate Foodie
As the New Year neared, I took time to reflect on the past as well as to look forward to the future. I felt it was time to reassess my blog, to delve back to its foundation and examine where it is going. As such, I felt it would be beneficial to explain to my readers the purpose of my blog, the range of its subject matter, and where it is headed. I felt this would benefit my newer readers as well as give further information to my long term readers. So, this week, I shall make several posts about my blog and blogging in general, a fresh look to begin 2009.
The Passionate Foodie is a blog about food, wine and spirits. There are plenty of blogs that concentrate only on food or wine, yet there is a far smaller number that combines the two interests. For me, they are both my passions and often closely linked to each other so it was very natural for me to want to write about both of them. I also enjoy many different types of spirits, from vodka to tequila, so I tak about them as well. About the only alcohol you won't find here is beer, as I still have not developed a taste for it. Though I keep trying to find a beer I might enjoy.
On my blog, I review numerous restaurants, many locally but also anywhere else that I travel. Basically any time I dine out, I may write about the experience. I sometimes provide multiple reviews of a restaurant, detailing any changes that have occurred, discussing a special event, or more. I enjoy a wide variety of cuisines so you will find much diversity in the restaurants I review. I pay for most of my own meals, though I occasionally attend special media functions, often intended to showcase a new restaurant. For 2009, I plan to cover plenty of restaurants that I have not been to before, as well as dine at some of the new places that open this year.
I review wines and spirits, from all over the world, most which I have purchased locally. I love the diversity of wine and am always seeking to try new wines, from less common regions, grapes or blends. I attend many wine and spirit tastings and often post about my favorites that I find. Like everyone, I have my own preferences and biases though I usually note them in my review if applicable. I buy much of the wine and spirits I drink, though I sometimes receive free samples from wineries or distributors. For 2009, I'll keep reviewing wines and spirits, including seeking out even more unusual ones.
My reviews also cover other food and wine establishments, from markets to wine stores, from bakeries to wine auctions. If a place sells or serves food, wine or spirits, I may end up reviewing it. In this new year, I will be seeking out more such places to review.
As I am a voracious reader, I buy many food, wine and spirit books and magazines (as well as sometimes receiving sample copies from publishers). I often review these books and magazines on my blog, especially pointing out those books and magazines which I feel will most appeal to my readers. I will continue reading new books and magazine in 2009, pointing out those I feel are most worthy.
Besides all of my reviews, I also post announcements of upcoming food, wine and spirit events. I find the event listings in various places, as well as sometimes receiving press releases. I generally only post announcements about places I have been to previously, or which sound particularly interesting. I also note when I am going to attend some of those events. 2009 will have plenty of interesting events, some of which I already know about, and which I will tell you all about.
You will also find on my blog news, essays and editorials on a wide range of topics. If it has to do with food, wine or spirits, then you might find it here. Whatever happens to perk my interest at the moment, whatever subject fascinates me at the moment. I also provide links to other sites which I think are of value, including other food and wine blogs.
Overall, my blog is an eclectic place, which reflects my own personality. I don't want to be confined to a small box but rather want the freedom to discuss anything about food, wine or spirits that appeals to me. So, though I have mentioned above many of the areas that I cover on my blog, I may cover other areas too. You shouldn't get bored here, because there is always something different coming down the line.
I am always open to suggestions and recommendations on places and subjects you think I should cover so feel free to email me your comments.
Tomorrow, I will address the role of my readers...
The Passionate Foodie is a blog about food, wine and spirits. There are plenty of blogs that concentrate only on food or wine, yet there is a far smaller number that combines the two interests. For me, they are both my passions and often closely linked to each other so it was very natural for me to want to write about both of them. I also enjoy many different types of spirits, from vodka to tequila, so I tak about them as well. About the only alcohol you won't find here is beer, as I still have not developed a taste for it. Though I keep trying to find a beer I might enjoy.
On my blog, I review numerous restaurants, many locally but also anywhere else that I travel. Basically any time I dine out, I may write about the experience. I sometimes provide multiple reviews of a restaurant, detailing any changes that have occurred, discussing a special event, or more. I enjoy a wide variety of cuisines so you will find much diversity in the restaurants I review. I pay for most of my own meals, though I occasionally attend special media functions, often intended to showcase a new restaurant. For 2009, I plan to cover plenty of restaurants that I have not been to before, as well as dine at some of the new places that open this year.
I review wines and spirits, from all over the world, most which I have purchased locally. I love the diversity of wine and am always seeking to try new wines, from less common regions, grapes or blends. I attend many wine and spirit tastings and often post about my favorites that I find. Like everyone, I have my own preferences and biases though I usually note them in my review if applicable. I buy much of the wine and spirits I drink, though I sometimes receive free samples from wineries or distributors. For 2009, I'll keep reviewing wines and spirits, including seeking out even more unusual ones.
My reviews also cover other food and wine establishments, from markets to wine stores, from bakeries to wine auctions. If a place sells or serves food, wine or spirits, I may end up reviewing it. In this new year, I will be seeking out more such places to review.
As I am a voracious reader, I buy many food, wine and spirit books and magazines (as well as sometimes receiving sample copies from publishers). I often review these books and magazines on my blog, especially pointing out those books and magazines which I feel will most appeal to my readers. I will continue reading new books and magazine in 2009, pointing out those I feel are most worthy.
Besides all of my reviews, I also post announcements of upcoming food, wine and spirit events. I find the event listings in various places, as well as sometimes receiving press releases. I generally only post announcements about places I have been to previously, or which sound particularly interesting. I also note when I am going to attend some of those events. 2009 will have plenty of interesting events, some of which I already know about, and which I will tell you all about.
You will also find on my blog news, essays and editorials on a wide range of topics. If it has to do with food, wine or spirits, then you might find it here. Whatever happens to perk my interest at the moment, whatever subject fascinates me at the moment. I also provide links to other sites which I think are of value, including other food and wine blogs.
Overall, my blog is an eclectic place, which reflects my own personality. I don't want to be confined to a small box but rather want the freedom to discuss anything about food, wine or spirits that appeals to me. So, though I have mentioned above many of the areas that I cover on my blog, I may cover other areas too. You shouldn't get bored here, because there is always something different coming down the line.
I am always open to suggestions and recommendations on places and subjects you think I should cover so feel free to email me your comments.
Tomorrow, I will address the role of my readers...
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