Cardullo's Harvard Square

Cardullo's

6 Brattle St, Harvard Square
Cambridge, MA 02138-3711

http://www.cardullos.com/sandwiches.php

Lou and I have motto on the weekends which proves to be true over and over. The best plan, plan is the no plan, plan.

Last Saturday, we headed out to find some lunch with no plan and found ourselves in Harvard Square. Not the best place to be last weekend to avoid crowds as it was The Head of the Charles and the city swelled with another 90K in people, but it was a no plan, plan day, and those days, things just seem to fall into place. Case and point we found a spot on the street right as we drove into the area. We headed out into the crowds to find something to eat. As we walked past Cardullo's, I saw a group sitting outside eating amazing sandwiches. We had found our lunch place! We headed inside to order. I got an Italian sub and Lou got the Alpine club. It takes a few minutes to get a sandwich made in Cardullo's but the Deli guys are slicing the cold cuts fresh. Trust me it is worth the wait.

The Italian was just how I like it thinly sliced Italian cold cuts, provolone, sliced tomatoes, diced red onion, sliced pickles, hot pepper relish with olive oil on a fresh baguette, and if you read my blog religiously, LIKE YOU SHOULD, you will know I repeat what my dad always said, Great bread=a great sandwich.

The Alpine Club was a healthy helping of Smoked turkey breast, speck, arugula, cheddar cheese, sliced tomatoes and Ranch dressing with whole grain mustard on a ciabatta,

These sandwiches look so mouthwatering people stopped several times to ask us, "Did you get those in here???" Yes we did, and they taste does not stray from their appearance, they are amazing.

Cardullo's bills themselves as a Gourmet Shoppe, and they fit that bill. There are shelves and shelves of gourmet mustards, spreads and chocolates. One of my favorite items was the Himalayan block of salt that came with a mini grater as if it were a block of Parmesan cheese. I could have spent an hour scouring their shelves. They even have a mini selection of wine in the back left corner. I was starving though and our sandwiches were done!

True to the no plan plan day as we walked outside with our sandwiches, a table on the sidewalk outside the door had just opened up. It was an Indian summer day in Harvard Square, and with all those people in town, there was tons of people watching to be had. We really enjoyed the grifter dressed as a Harvard grad telling people someone stole all the money out of his wallet the night before. Really pal? Then why do you still have the wallet? I also enjoyed the guy who drove up in his fiery red hot rod and parked illegally for no apparent reason smoking a cigarette. Turned out the grifter and he seemed to know each other. I guess there should have been no surprise there.

Now that we know Cardullo's has these amazing sandwiches the next trip won't ever be a no plan, plan, but it will be worth it.

Jeni's Ice Cream

Jeni's Ice Cream

1 w. Bridge St.

Dublin, OH 43017

I was in OH, about a month ago, and am just getting around to posting this. It is the menu board of sundaes at Jeni's Ice Cream in Dublin. Some of the most original flavors I have ever come across.

If you can't read it from my picture, check it out on the site http://jenisicecreams.com/

and if you are in Dublin, stop by!

Warrior Dash and Turkey Legs!!!

Korean BBQ at Koreana

Koreana

154-158 Prospect at Broadway,

Cambridge, MA

617-576-8661

Food: Korean, including Korean BBQ

Atmosphere: Social, lively, simple, casual, clean

$$$$$ Average for a night out in the city. Apps start at $5 entrees avg $20-$22

www.koreanaboston.com

Just realizing how inconsistent I can be with my posts. Sometimes I am so official, I write about what type of food, the atmosphere of a restaurant the price... Not lately though. I even keep forgetting to label my posts so they fall into categories.

Oh well, you want to know the atmosphere on a post I don't specify it on? Look at the pictures and figure it out! Price? Click on the website! and for now, unless I have my own bambino or talk about my friend with a four year old coming out with me, you can assume, these places probably aren't kid friendly.

I am just being a wise ass. I will try to be better.... but tonight I am lazy, and I just want to write about my fun time at Koreana.

Koreana is a Korean BBQ restaurant in Cambridge. This type of dining is great for people who like to share dinner. Also a great conversation piece, great for large groups. It is very social.

There are individual dishes on Koreana's menu for anyone who wants something a little different than the BBQ, or for someone who doesn't like to share like Joey from friends. The dish below is one of those that our friend Carolyn ordered. I am not saying Carolyn doesn't like to share though. She got this so we would have the full experience of BBQ and a tasty dish. Unfortunately, I don't remember what it was called! haha, so I am going to say it was Bokembop! Korean style fried rice with a vegetable variety, your choice of beef or chicken, and kimchee! Honestly I don't think it was Bokembop, but it sounds good, and it looks good too! Whatever you choose at Koreana, you are going to get variety that's for sure.
The BBQ dishes all come out the same way. Beef,chicken, pork, shrimp or tofu are delivered to the table and placed on the BBQ by the server. The start the cooking process but leave the tools for you to finish it off. The BBQ is served with 9-10 side dishes which include various small salads like the most popular KimcheeKorean BBQ is also served with slivers of garlic, peppers, soy paste, a bowl of rice and large sesame leaves to place the items in and eat with.

Koreana is located in Cambridge on the corner of Broadway and Prospect. If you are in a car, you aren't too far from Harvard Square and can check out the area.

The atmosphere is social but it was a little cold the night we were there. If it is cold outside, I would request to sit away from the door. The staff is nice, and efficient. If you like to interact with your friends and not the wait staff, this is the place for you. We did wait for a table for a few minutes, there isn't a great area to wait in and again it is by the door, so it can be a little cold.

In all Koreana is pleasant, unique, and social for large groups. The food is good, and our friend Carolyn tells us it is some of the most healthy cuisine around.

Al Fresco ULA Style

ULA Cafe

284 Armory St.

Jamaica Plain, Ma 02130

Atmosphere: Laid back, cafe and coffeehouse, indoor and outdoor seating, Dog Friendly with lots of rings to tie your dog outside and free doggie biscuits!

Food: Lite sandwiches, soups, salads, pastries and lots of varieties in hot and cold beverages.

Price: Is Right. 4 drinks, a salad, a popover and 3 cookies was all under $20

I have been in search of the perfect Al Fresco Casual Dining experience, and I think I may have found it in the ULA Cafe. Last week Lou was craving a popover but instead of driving an hour to our favorite popover place in Portsmouth NH, I googled "popover Boston" and found the ULA Cafe in JP.

Our good friend Kat was visiting from Maine and having lived in J.P. previously she knew the cafe was by the Sam Adam's brewery, and that it was fairly hip, so we headed on over.

Not only is the ULA cafe near the brewery, it is attached to the brewery. When we entered the parking lot, a nice surprise was standing there. Lou's dad! He was waiting for Lou's younger brother Harold to get out of a practice for the Nutcracker, so we asked him to join us.

We were mainly there for Lou's popover, but Kat got a curry chicken salad and mixed green salad along with a Raspberry Izze. Mac got a few cookies.I got a pot of Assam tea which is just fancy for English Breakfast. I love when a place gives you a pot. You get two cups for the price of one and can sit and enjoy a little longer.

ULA Cafe has indoor and outdoor seating, but it was the ultimate Indian summer day, so we opted for the patio. The J.P. vibe is laid back and friendly and made for a relaxing afternoon tea, and snack break.

Black and White Cookies at Lyndell's

Lyndell's

720 Broadway

Somerville, Ma 02144

They also have sites on Hanover St. in Boston and Prospect St. in Cambridge.

Food: Traditional Bakery, breads, cakes, cupcakes, cookies, wedding cakes, pastries

A few weeks ago we went to Soundbite's in Somerville for breakfast and stumbled upon Lyndell's Bakery. I will write about Soundbite's too, but Lyndell's takes precedent on my delicious meter today.

Lyndell's is the kind of bakery I remember going to as a kid after church. Where the icing is sugary as can be, and the cream donuts are packed with the creamy white filling. Each bakery box is wrapped traditionally with string, and I love the nostalgic feeling I get when I walk into this place.Lou and I went for the Black and White cookies. I always think it is funny these are called cookies because they are really flat cupcakes with icing on top. Lyndell must think that too because they call them Half Moons. They also make them all chocolate, all vanilla, chocolate cake with vanilla frosting, vanilla cake with chocolate frosting. The entire line the call Moon Madness. Who needs all the cupcakeries when you have the Lyndell Moon which is twice as big and three times as yummy?

If you are in the area, check it out, we have already been back a few times!

How Does One Family Get All The Talent? Alma Nove

Alma Nove

22 Shipyard Drive

Hingham, Ma 02043

www.almanovehingham.com

Food: Blend of Italian and Mediterranean cuisine

Atmosphere: Upscale, but not stuffy, by the water, open, near a boat launch, outside seating with fire pit

Kid Friendly: Leave the kids at home and go here for a date at night or business meeting during the day

Pricing: Average for a nice dinner out.

I was listening to Mix 98.5 a few weeks ago when I heard the movie "The Other Guys" was having its premier in Hingham. Hingham? Who has a premier in Hingham? It all made sense when Alma Nove was mentioned.

Alma Nove is a restaurant owned by Chef Paul Wahlberg. Have you made the connection yet? If you are in your mid to late 30's I am guessing you have, but let me make it easy. Paul Wahlberg is the brother of Donny and Mark Wahlberg. Mark is in the movie, "The Other Guys", what better way to promote your brother's new restaurant than to have the premier at the movie theater located on it's doorstep?

Alma Nove is named for the Wahlberg matriarch

Alma, and Nove, for her nine children.

This past weekend, while on an adventure, which included our good friend Banks, we made our way over to the Hingham Shipyard, where Alma Nove is located and gave it a try.

We arrived at about 3:30pm and the kitchen was in between lunch and dinner, so the hostess told us we could only sit at the bar and have a limited menu. My initial reaction was disappointment, but then we asked to see the menu, and limited is probably not the right choice of words. There was still a great selection of food to choose from, so we opted to sit down at one of the high tops surrounding the bar.

Being relegated to the bar, could have been a second chance to

disappoint me, but Alma Nove has an open floor plan, with lots of windows. I love natural light and being on the water. The only thing that would have been better is if I were able to sit outside on the patio. I also am not a big fan of the bar high top. Usually I find sitting up that high uncomfortable, but Alma Nove has extremely comfortable leather chairs, and the wall separating the bar from the dining area has a glass sound buffer. This makes the restaurant feel as though it is one big room, and made me feel in no way was I in less desirable seating.

Within a half hour of our arrival, I noticed every high top in the bar was taken as well as all seating around the bar. That is pretty amazing for the in between lunch and dinner time at a restaurant.

For our in between meal,which was really more of an early dinner;), I opted for the Spaghettini, Banks got the Orecchietti, and Lou the Grilled Sirloin Burger.

The Spaghettini came with mizuno pesto, pistachios and wood grilled chicken. The portion was perfect. The blend of the pesto, and pistachios was simple yet so flavorful, and the chicken was moist and tender. I loved it.

Banks let me taste her Orecchietti, and I felt the same way. It was a blend of rapini, panchetta and Romano cheese. This was also a simple dish, but packed with flavor, and the perfect portion.

I think the most telling dish as to whether Alma Nove is a really good restaurant was Lou's burger. The first thing I noticed is it was all about the burger. The bun size to burger size was absolutely perfect. Paul Wahlberg must have grown up on the "Where's the beef?" commercials and vowed to do better. The bun also looked freshly made. I have said it before and will continue to say it, "Good bread, good sandwich, good burger." Lou loved it.

We were so satisfied with lunch, we decided we had to continue on with dessert. Looking at the Alma Nove website, the dessert is different than what they had listed the day we were there, which means they do seasonal desserts. This also means ingredients are fresh, and dessert invokes the atmosphere of the season. I personally love this. It is only a shame I can't credit the pastry chef because I don't see the name on the website. We chose two very seasonal desserts, the pumpkin cheesecake with ginger snap crust, and the

ginger cake with caramel sauce and fresh brandy whipped cream. Hopefully I described those right. I do know I got the brandy whipped cream right. Here's a little secret. Want to spruce up that pie at Thanksgiving? Make fresh whipped cream and add a tablespoon of brandy to it. You will be asking people if the want pie with their whipped cream. It is delicious, and the desserts at Alma Nove were outstanding.

I have to admit, Alma Nove exceeded all my expectations. The service was great, the food was outstanding. The atmosphere was perfect, and I have to say it was aptly name. With all the talent floating around in the Wahlberg family, it's good to see Alma Wahlberg recognized. She sure did something right.

Don't be a Victim of the Highway Rest Stop!

Chao Chi

1 Glen Road

Sandy Hook, CT

203-364-9393

Menu: American eclectic

Atmosphere: Chic interior with exposed brick walls and draped fabric, outside is the perfect al fresco cafe for lunch with a creek running along the back. Dressy casual

Kid Friendly: For lunch, but I would say more of a date place at night.

Prices: A little pricey for lunch, but average for dinner, and if it is a late lunch/early dinner, it is perfect!

On a long trip a long BOOOORRRRIIINNGGG highway? 95 South? 95 North? 90 East/West? 84 East/West? Need to stop for lunch? Dinner? If your like me, when traveling alone, you don't want to stop anywhere but the well lit, well populated rest area, but what if there were an alternative? Would you choose McDonald's or a place you could get a salmon sandwich with dill mayo and a side of sugar snap peas?

Next time you are traveling down 84 East or West try Chao Chi, pronounced Chachi, as in Joanie Loves... About 1/2 a mile off of exit 10 in CT, turn left of the exit if you are heading east, or right if you are heading west, it is a great alternative to a double cheeseburger and large fries.

Lou and I found Chao Chi by mistake. We were headed for the Subway advertised on the highway sign, but when we saw Chao Chi next door and noticed the deck overlooking the creek in the back, we had a change of heart.

Chao Chi is an American Eatery with an eclectic menu. On this trip it was late afternoon so I opted for the salmon sandwich and Lou had the P.L.T. The P standing for pancetta. We also got a side of corn and sugar snap peas.

The sandwiches were delicious, and the cook obviously knew the rule we stand by, "Great bread makes a great sandwich." The corn and peas were fresh and refreshing as a side. Both sandwiches also came with freshly cut french fries.

We stopped by Chao Chi on Labor Day weekend. It was a bright, airy day and sitting on the deck with the creek bubbling past us, made me want to hang out just a little longer than I normally would at a stop on a long ride. It got me thinking, why not make the ride more of an adventure and enjoy some things along the way? If there is no rush to get where you are going, why not?

Next to Chao Chi, sharing a parking lot, is a great little cafe, The Demitasse Cafe. Stop in here for a coffee or tea to take with you on the ride. I stopped in to get an iced coffee, and of course to check it out. The Demitasse Cafe had a selection of light salads and sandwiches, with its own deck in the back over looking the creek.

I travel from Boston to NY/NJ/Philadelphia area many times each year. Do you have any hidden gems off these highways to share as alternative rest stops? 95 North or South, 90 West or East, 84 West or East, 684 west or east, 278 West or East.