Timeline
2002- Home Companion contacts me to photograph my home for their magazine. I'm elated. A friend suggests I start a website to sell my wares. Find a web designer and "Paris Hotel Boutique" is born.
Villa Rotana
I hope you all have some fun plans for the upcoming weekend! I will be planted here taking zillions of photos for my upcoming mailing on Monday (I hope). You know how that works, you take 200 photos and 3 come out well. Wish me luck!
Mr. Bartley's Burger Cottage – This 50-year-old Harvard Square landmark serves the best burgers in America, according to the Boston Globe. Hungry customers form long lines outside for Mr. Bartley's juicy cooked-to-order burgers, irresistible sweet potato fries & onion rings, and extra-thick mocha frappes (milkshakes). Celebrities have been flocking to owner Joe Bartley's joint since 1961 when folk legends Bob Dylan and Joan Baez were regulars. Over the years, other famous patrons have included Jackie Onassis, Stephen King, Ted Koppel and Norman Mailer. This small boisterous dining room with wood-paneled walls is jam-packed with kitschy memorabilia. There’s the original sign for the former Brattle Square T stop, and funny banners and placards with sayings like, “Please Don't Tamper With the Cook's Buns,” and “In God We Trust—all others pay cash.” Even funnier are the burgers, which are sarcastically named after stars and politicians. Try the Ted Kennedy, a “plump, liberal amount of burger” with cheddar cheese and mushrooms; the Michelle Obama, a “hot & spicy” Cajun burger with blue cheese; or the A-Rod, a real " turkey" burger topped with hot sauce. Also popular is the George Bush (don't blame me, I'm retired) double cheddar BBQ burger. They also serve sandwiches, wraps and comfort food dinners like franks & beans and shepherd's pie. Wash it all down with their refreshing non-alcoholic raspberry lime rickey that will give you the feeling of summer even in February when it’s 20 degrees outside. For one of Boston’s most adored and historic dining destinations, a visit to Mr. Bartley's, in the heart of Harvard Square, is a must.
City Girl Cafe Restaurant Review – This small funky Inman Square café serves delicious homemade Italian specialties: paninis, pastas, pizzas and bruschettas. Named after former-owner Meredith Moscato’s Jersey City roots, this homey spot offers a respite from busy Cambridge Street. With its purple and blue walls lined with pictures of young women, and pink-chalk menu board, this homey restaurant is a tribute to Girl Power. But despite its tiny size and kitschy decor, their fresh made-to-order cuisine is outstanding. For starters, sample the bruschetta with artichoke pate and marinated tomatoes; or the arugula salad with rosemary-roasted beets and walnuts. Excellent main courses include the eggplant panini with roasted red pepper & fresh mozzarella; or the prosciutto & peas fettuccine in a lemon-shallot cream sauce. Also notable is the puttanesca pizza with capers, anchovies and kalamata olives. Wash it all down with a selection from their beer and wine menu. For good inexpensive Italian food in a warm and casual environment, City Girl Cafe is the perfect choice.
Feast your senses on tasty delights with a stay at Harding House during Restaurant Week. You’ll be steps away from dozens of fine dining options as you enjoy a cozy room for two at the discounted rate of $160 per night plus tax. Plus we’ll throw in an American Express gift card so you can choose your favorite area lunch or dinner special. This special includes a one or two night stay for two in a deluxe private queen or double room, gift card ($25 for a one-night stay, $50 for a two-night stay), delicious buffet breakfast, complimentary wine & cheese platter, and parking (first come, first served). For information on participating Cambridge area restaurants and menus click here. Based on availability; good for March 14-19 or 21-26th only; Cannot be combined with any other offer or discount.
Olecito Restaurant Review – Olecito serves gourmet Mexican street food to go (“para llevar”). The sister restaurant to the upscale Olé across the street, this local favorite may have the best cheap eats in Cambridge. While Olé offers sophisticated items like avocado salsa tuna steak, and pepper-chipotle sea bass, Olecito keeps it simple. The hand-written menu features only burritos, quesadillas, tacos and tortas (grilled sandwiches on telera bread). But these items, made with the finest ingredients by celebrity chef Erwin Ramos are bursting with flavor. With its yellow and pink walls and festive music, this tiny take-out joint – there are only four stools – is all about having fun (their logo is a goofy kid wearing a Mexican wrestler mask). Great choices include the baja battered shrimp taco with pickled cabbage and cilantro pesto; or the marinated steak torta with pinto beans, guacamole and chihuahua cheese. Also excellent is the braised pork burrito ($5.50) stuffed with Mexican rice, guacamole, pico de gallo and jack cheese. Top the meal off with one of their Jarritos Mexican sodas available in fruity flavors like guava, mandarin and pineapple. With its exquisite high quality Mexican food at south-of-the-border low prices, Olecito is the best deal in town.
Trina’s Starlite Lounge is a Williamsburg, Brooklyn hipster spot right here in Inman Square. Formerly The Abbey Lounge, this new “southern diner with a twist” is retro-chic inspired by the 1940s and 1050s. Outside it looks like a dive. Inside, there’s leather booths, wood floors and plenty of period touches – vintage cocktail shakers, a ‘50s Maytag refrigerator, and old beer trays. Nostalgic pictures line the walls and the bathroom is covered with ads from old Life Magazines. The menu is a throwback as well. Great appetizers/sides include the sweet potato hash and the pepperoni roll. For main courses, try the fried chicken & buttermilk waffles with hot pepper syrup; or the pan seared sirloin steak with dirty gravy and onion rings. They also serve a variety of hot dogs (griddled, corn and chili cheese); pressed sandwiches like the applewood smoked turkey BLT; and Angus burgers. Also on tap is a healthy beer list (Miller High Life ponies anyone?) and creative cocktails like the fallen angel - spicy mango margarita and Angelique tequila. For a taste of underground cool on the Cambridge/Somerville border, Trina’s Starlite Lounge is the place to be.
The Elephant Walk Restaurant Review – Cambodian cuisine meets French at this exotic Porter Square favorite. The Cambodian side of the menu features authentic and original dishes combining the country’s signature five tastes – sweet, sour, bitter, spicy and salty. The rest of the menu has traditional French fare. Owner Longteine de Monteiro, a diplomat’s wife, was forced to leave Cambodia after the Khmer Rouge seized power. After living in France, she came to Boston, opening The Elephant Walk in 1991. Executive Chef Nadsa de Monteiro (Longteine’s daughter) said the interesting mix of separate menus reflects “the cultural intermingling of the French and Cambodian over a hundred years of the French presence in Cambodia.” (Cambodia was a French protectorate until the mid 1950's.) The exotic dining room is stylishly elegant with vibrant orange-brown colors, mood lighting and fashionable Cambodian sculptures and artwork. There’s also a huge elephant statuette and stone elephant wall mosaics (for good luck). Comfy living room couches and pillows only add to the room’s cool factor. It’s the perfect setting for their enchanting cuisine. On the Cambodian side, try the Nataing appetizer – ground pork simmered in coconut milk with crushed peanuts and chili pods. A great main course is the Trey Ang – trout marinated in lime juice, garlic and jalapeñom served with a chili and lime tuk trey. On the French menu, a standout is the Poulet Rôti – roasted chicken breast with a mushroom white wine reduction, potato gratin and sautéed leeks. They also have extensive vegetarian and gluten-free options. For dessert, sample the luscious creamy chocolate truffle cake with raspberry coulis. For one of Cambridge’s best culinary adventures, take a journey to The Elephant Walk – no passport required.
East by Northeast Restaurant Review – This new Inman square noodle house features gourmet Chinese tapas made from locally sourced ingredients. Chef Phillip Tang (T.W. Food; Hungry Mother) uses beef & pork from sustainable farmers, and hormone free chicken to create handmade small plates reminiscent of New York’s east village standout Momofuku. “The concept at East by Northeast is seasonally-driven, Chinese-inspired cuisine,” Tang explains. “East represents my Chinese heritage and Northeast reflects our New England location.” This small 25-seat restaurant (formerly Benatti) is very cozy, encouraging diners to share their selections. Start with their irresistible “snacks” like the candied peppercorn pecans; and the curry dusted carrot chips. Try the mouth-watering hand-rolled short rice noodles with chicken, daiken and shiitakes; or the home-made thick cut noodles with beef shank, celery root and parsnip. They also have delectable shrimp dumplings with carrots, ginger, and cilantro; and house-baked man tou bread filled with crispy pork belly and sweet bean paste. Chef Tang also serves some fantastic vegetable offerings, including a dish with sauteed kale, spiced rutabaga relish, lemon and garlic. Like any tapas restaurant, the bill can rise quickly, but East by Northeast’s exotic flavors from the far east are well worth the price.
Moody's Falafel Palace Restaurant Review – This Central Square favorite serves cheap, delicious Middle Eastern street food. Far from a palace, this tiny hole-in-the-wall is small on ambience, but large on charm. The building, a dilapidated white brick castle built in 1932 (it was a former White Tower hamburger joint), is a Cambridge Historic Landmark. Inside there’s an old world Mediterranean feel with exposed brick, dark worn woods and Middle Eastern photos. When it’s busy (the space only seats about 10 patrons), there’s barely enough room to order, and hungry diners often eat their food standing up outside on the sidewalk. But the fare by Syrian -born owner Khaled Seffo (his cousin, founder Moody Kassar retired in 2003) is so good, fast and inexpensive, that locals – including celebrity fans Ben Affleck and Matt Damon – don’t mind the cramped quarters. Try their famous falafel sandwich – fried crispy spiced chickpeas. Other great sandwiches include hummus (chick peas with lemon and garlic), baba ghanouj (pureed eggplant), and grape leaves (stuffed with rice and ground lamb). Each is served in a pita with lettuce, tomato, pickle, onion, and tahini, with optional pomegranate hot sauce. They also have scrumptious roll-ups – marinated and slow-cooked chicken, beef or lamb served on a toasted pita. If you want to sample a little of everything, order the SuperCombo Plate – your choice of meat with hummus, baba ghanouj, falafel, tabouli, and house salad. To eat like a Cambridge native and get the best quick cheap eats around, go to Moody's.
Ten Tables Cambridge Restaurant Review – This Cambridge bistro – like its famous Jamaica Plain counterpart – offers affordable five-star cuisine that is simply dazzling. Chef David Punch delivers gourmet European-inspired comfort food using seasonal local ingredients. The original JP location became legendary for its simplicity: five appetizers, five entrees, and five desserts – all spectacular – served in a tiny dining room with only 10 tables. The year-old Cambridge location is larger (with 17 tables), but recreates the same intimate romantic atmosphere of a dinner party in a private home. A ten minute walk from Harvard Square, this lovely restaurant resides in the lower level of a traditional Cambridge brownstone. Light brown earth tones, comfortable banquettes, hanging glass lights and flameless candles create a charming setting. For starters, try the Braised Veal Cheeks with foie gravy; or the Roasted Bone Marrow with fried capers and shaved cornichons. Excellent main courses include the Portuguese Monkfish Stew with littleneck clams, garlic aioli and piment d'espelette; and the Adobo Rubbed Skirt Steak with hand-cut pommes frites, pickled red onions & red wine jus. Equally impressive are the desserts created by pastry chef Alison Hearn (formerly of Myers + Chang). Indulge in their incredible Chocolate Terrine with Sea Salt & Thai Basil Ice Cream. The treat goes perfectly with their just-ground Terroir Sumatra Bean coffee elegantly served in a French press. There’s also an exhaustive wine list including biodynamic and organically produced varieties. For Cambridge’s best – and most reasonably priced – high end fare, presented in a cozy and relaxed setting, Ten Tables Cambridge is the perfect choice.
Lord Hobo Review – Lord Hobo is an upscale reincarnation of the beloved retro-dive bar, B-Side Lounge. The B-Side was one of Cambridge’s hippest hangouts, and when it shut down last year, it left a huge void in the local cocktail scene. The newly opened Lord Hobo hopes to pick up the slack with a comprehensive menu of wines, beers and creative cocktails, as well as elegant gastropub fare. Like the trendiest New York hotspots, there’s no sign outside (only the old “Windsor Cafe and Pickwick Ale” logo from owners past) and there’s a bouncer/gate-keeper at the door. After walking through a big curtain, inside there’s deep red walls, moody track lighting, modern art, and a rich mahogany bar with 30 taps. They offer 39 wines (Antinori Tignanello, Opus One); 41 draught beers (Stone Ruination, Dale’s Pale Ale); and 24 imaginative cocktails like Hot For Teacher ( white rum, St. Germain, limes, and mint leaves). But Hobo is not just an alcohol palace, owner Daniel Lanigan takes the food very seriously as well. For an appetizer, try the hand-cut truffle chips; or the fried sweet neck oysters with vinegar cabbage and remoulade. Excellent main courses include the hanger steak in red wine demi sauce; and the saffron risotto paella with mahogany clams, mussels and calamari. Also delicious is the Maine lobster mac & cheese. If you want to mingle with Cambridge hipsters while enjoying unparalleled liquor options with superb food, Lord Hobo is king.
The Red House Restaurant Review – Eating in this charming 200-year-old home transports diners back to 19th-century Harvard Square. Built in 1802, this red clapboard cottage still has the original creaky wood floors, working fireplaces and crooked stairs. Situated in the first settled section of Old Cambridge, this historic residence was located near the jail house, blacksmith and local market place. On the second floor are romantic pine-paneled private dining rooms lit by Victorian lanterns. Downstairs, there’s a modern bar with flat screen TV, and a contemporary 55-seat dining room with a skylight. The Restaurant also has a wonderful outdoor patio enclosed by a quaint white picket fence. The menu features inventive new American cuisine with an emphasis on seafood. All entrees are offered European-style – in full and half sizes – encouraging patrons to sample multiple selections. Great appetizers include the Roasted Mixed Beets with toasted pecans; and the Pan-Seared Sea Scallops with mustard greens and apple-celery remoulade. For a main course, try the Linguini Con Carciofi with artichoke hearts, garlic, plum tomatoes & crushed red pepper; or the Lobster Risotto with wild mushrooms, Italian parsley & fontina. Though the food can be inconsistent, the décor and ambiance make up for any shortcomings. If you want to experience the magic of early Cambridge, a visit to The Red House is a must.
EVOO Kendall Square Restaurant Review – EVOO (which stands for “extra-virgin olive oil”) features bold and daring American cuisine. A Somerville fixture for years, chef Peter McCarthy has moved the eatery to sparkling new digs in Kendall Square. McCarthy, a pilot and a sailor, brings his adventurous nature to the menu which infuses American standards with influences from around the world. Only the freshest local ingredients are used, including produce from Eva's Garden and livestock from Lovejoy Brook Farm. All of these delights are served in an ultra-modern space with large pine sliding doors, a mix of steel and beautiful woods, and a sleek open-ceiling industrial feel. The location, which is also shared with McCarthy’s farm-fresh pizza restaurant Za, also has a comfy private dining room complete with a small book library. For appetizers, try the Cornmeal Fried Oysters with goat cheese fondue and apple-bacon salsa; or the Brook Farm's Veal with caramelized onion empanadas. Delicious entrees include the “Duck, Duck, Goose” – duck foie gras & confit with goose breast in ginger sauce. Also excellent is the Knoll Farm's Chicken Breast with corn waffle, jalapeno coleslaw and fried pickle chips. Don’t forget to save room for their fresh Banana Bread Pudding with warm buttermilk caramel. For Cambridge’s most creative American cuisine – in the area’s newest location – take a trip to EVOO.
The Friendly Toast Restaurant Review –This oddball retro diner is a breakfast lovers paradise featuring Almond Joy pancakes, gingerbread waffles, and thick French toast made from six types of homemade bread. The egg choices are dazzling and include crazy ingredients like Mexican sausage, Cuban dirty rice, kalamata olives and banana peppers. Equally outrageous is the décor, which is like a 50’s version of Pee-Wee’s Playhouse. The shop’s bright green walls are filled with classic ads (Esso, Sunbeam bread, Magic-Cling bras); and kitschy memorabilia (Nancy Drew book covers, and an old Good Humor truck ice-cream menu). There’s also a female mannequin, strange vintage lampshades, and a large plastic hamburger with eyes and a droopy mustache. This fantasyland is the concept of co-owner Melissa Jasper. Jasper opened the original Friendly Toast in Portsmouth, NH in 1996 when she couldn’t find good scrambled eggs before heading off to work as a University of New Hampshire English teacher. A regular at thrift stores and the Salvation Army, she’s had a love of 40’s and 50’s era Americana since she was 15. But it’s Jasper's food that is the real draw here. Try the pecan–caramelized banana waffles; the pumpkin pancakes with Raisinettes and whipped cream; or the Ole Miss scrambled eggs with cayenne-cheddar toast, sausage and mashed sweet potatoes. They also serve burgers, burritos and creative sandwiches like the “redneck” roast beef with Jack Daniels barbeque sauce. Wash it all down with a one of their wonderful smoothies and frappes; or one of their creative cocktails named after Alfred Hitchcock films. For a fun and magical breakfast experience like no other in the world, take a journey to The Friendly Toast.
Temple Bar Cambridge Restaurant Review – Located between Harvard and Porter Square, Temple Bar feels like an ultra-cool neighborhood bistro. This hip restaurant/bar offers sophisticated American cuisine in a trendy, yet relaxed environment. It’s named after a lively area in Dublin – a feeling which is immortalized in a mural of Irish partiers hanging on the restaurant’s back wall. Exposed brick, leather furniture and oversized mirrors mix with traditional oak paneling to creative a welcoming atmosphere for both hipsters and families alike. Chef Michael Scelfo’s flavorful new American cuisine only adds to the magical vibe. For an appetizer, try the Buttermilk Crisped Calamari with fennel sea salt and sweet shallot; or the Cider Braised Pork Belly with malt vinegar aioli. Great main courses include the Seared Scallops with house cured pancetta & sweet onions; and the Angus Strip Steak with rosemary-sea salted pommes frites. They also offer a late night bar menu with delicious flatbread pizzas and killer spiced crab cakes. In addition, there’s a buzzing bar area serving creative cocktails like the Tito’s vodka martini served with blue cheese stuffed olives. Temple Bar is a rare place that makes cool accessible to everyone, while offering great food and leaving the attitude at the door.
