Fleur Irisée's Tweets (April 2010)

 

twitter.com/Fleur_Irisee

April 2010

Tweets on Twitter by Fleur Irisée

• 4/30/2010 looking forward to dinner at #Oishii in #Boston ... I hope the service is better this time!
• 4/27/2010 I had a great dinner @sandrinesbistro and loved meeting your fantastic bartender! The duck was delicious, and the atmosphere was darling!
• 4/25/2010 #Menton Restaurant was fantastic! Seafood-heavy, but so good - fresh food, bright flavors, & excellent service! http://www.mentonboston.com/
• 4/23/2010 So excited to try #Menton tonight, Barbara Lynch's new muse http://www.mentonboston.com/ - I'll be blogging for sure http://fleuririsee.blogspot.com/
• 4/23/2010 It's not yet picnic weather in Boston (Today is National Picnic Day), but it's warm in #Florida & #Vegas ... I should have gone on that trip
• 4/22/2010 As we all celebrate Earth Day, don't forget to pop a jelly bean or two ... Today's also National Jelly Bean Day http://www.jellybelly.com/
• 4/21/2010 "Make a bet every day, otherwise you might walk around lucky and never know it," - Jimmy Jones #Forbes @ForbesNews
• 4/20/2010 Had a lovely meeting-of-the-minds today at the #BostonHarborHotel with #WinstonFlowers http://bhh.com/ - http://www.winstonflowers.com/
• 4/20/2010 RT huffingtonpost Jon Stewart, Stephen Colbert Renewed Through 2012 http://huff.to/b2EISm
• 4/18/2010 Best of luck to all the Boston Marathon 2010 runners. Load up on carbs and sleep tonight ... finish strong! http://www.bostonmarathon.org/
• 4/18/2010 Happy Birthday, Animal Crackers! Thank you for letting me nibble on cute little animals' heads and tails ... Great childhood memories :)
• 4/11/2010 Fun Fact: it's National Cheese Fondue Day - one of my favorite indulgences to enjoy with friends! I want to visit the Melting Pot @MPMARI
• 4/5/2010 April 5th is National Caramel Day - You can easily make it at home! What a sugar rush ... http://simplyrecipes.com/recipes/caramel_sauce/
• 4/3/2010 Menton, a Barbara Lynch Restaurant, in Boston is set to open today. It's French cuisine and I wish her luck! http://www.mentonboston.com/
• 4/3/2010 One of my favorite transportation vendors, Bridal Carriage Company, added me to their "Of Interest" column! http://bit.ly/KristinKimWEDDINGS
• 4/2/2010 Who doesn't like some good pranks to honor April Fools Day? @flavorpill http://flavorwire.com/81448/the-best-april-fools-internet-pranks
• 4/2/2010 I am a big fluffernutter fan, but had to switch out the fluff for jelly today in honor of National Peanut Butter and Jelly Day (April 2nd)!
• 4/1/2010 April Fools! Go ahead, reconnect w/your inner youth http://www.museumofhoaxes.com/hoax/aprilfool My favorite is The Left-Handed Whopper 1998

YTD Tweets: April 2009

OM Restaurant & Lounge Review

OM Restaurant and Lounge

My Opinions: I had another great bar experience with a twist ... they had a fantastic DJ spinning some house/dance music in the lounge (pictured right) and it was gay night! What a pleasant surprise, I didn't know OM hosted one. And, I haven't danced that much in a long time. Cheers to OM! - I am planing to go back for dinner one night soon. They have nice restaurant seating upstairs with floor-to-ceiling windows that look out into Harvard Sq. – To Note: they now offer a special gluten-free à la carte menu including entrées and desserts and some of Om's wine list is organic.

Some Food/Drink Tasted: Momos – Sweet Potato Ravioli – Sesame Chicken Skewers – Moulard Paillard – Roasted Chicken – Lamb Ribs

Patronage Inclination: Occasion

Most Recent Visit: 4/29/2010
Amount Visited: 30+
Experiences: Dinner, Bar

Address: 92 Winthrop Street, Cambridge, MA 02138
Website: http://www.omrestaurant.com  Phone: (617) 576-2800
Social Networking:  Twitter @OM_Restaurant  -  Facebook /Om Restaurant

Previous Posts: February 2010

Rialto Restaurant & Bar Review

Rialto at the Charles Hotel

My Opinions: Owner and Chef Jody Adams does a great job with this restaurant ... from a fun dining room layout to a tantalizing menu, I really enjoy Rialto. I would be very excited to put together a dinner party here - Definitely don't miss out on trying the bar menu! The confit artichoke and pate are two of my favorites.

Some Food/Drink Tasted: Roasted Peppers - Beet Salad - Confit Artichoke - Duck Liver Pate - Penne Bolognese - Tuscan-Style Steak - Veal Osso Bucco - Roasted Duck - Shortcake Sliders

Most Recent Visit: 4/29/2010
Amount Visited: 25+
Experiences:  Dinner, Bar

Patronage Inclination: Occasion

Address: 1 Bennett Street, Cambridge, MA 02138
Website:  www.rialto-restaurant.com  Phone: (617) 661-5050
Social Networking: Twitter @Rialto02138  –  Facebook /Rialto Restaurant

Menton Restaurant Review

Menton Restaurant 

My Opinions: Barbara Lynch's recently opened fine-dining restaurant is off to a great start! The location, a sticking point for some, is just over the bridge on Congress Street, so it's not too far out of the way and they offer valet.

Although I wish their "lounge" could feel more like its own entity (maybe a partition to hide the host stand), the restaurant was simply beautiful. I loved the frosted white glass lighting, and the generous space between the tables offered privacy - yes, the pre-fix pricing is not cheap, but neither is the food - I enjoyed the 4-course option this time around and I was really impressed ... especially with the chilled lobster and caviar course - The dining room service was impeccable! The staff was extremely formal and attentive, but they did not hover or unnecessarily interrupt your conversation (finally, some old-school manners!) 

Menton also did a great job with its attention to the little details that make dining out fun ... like large hand-chiseled ice cubes for your old fashioned glass and a wheeled cheese cart that travels with a cheese expert - I'm really looking forward to coming here again soon.

Most Recent Visit: 4/23/2010
Amount Visited: 1
Experiences: Dinner

Patronage Inclination: Occassion

Address: 354 Congress Street Boston, MA 02210
Website: http://www.mentonboston.com  Phone: (617) 737-0099
Social Networking: Twitter @ – Facebook /

Via Matta Restaurant & Bar Review

Via Matta

My Opinions: I had another great dinner here, but I did notice that the restaurant was quieter than usual. I hope the seasonal outside seating will help bring the crowds. They're looking for a new manager, so that hire may help rejuvenate the vibe.

I've never had a bad experience here. Via Matta is consistently good all-round: food, service, ambiance and cleanliness - The food is fresh and very tasty with some unique flavors, but nothing too over-the-top that can make for an uncomfortable ordering and tentative first bite - Bar is very nice, but isn't consistently busy, and lately has been a bit bare - They offer a smaller function room at the front-left of the restaurant that has large windows and its own bar which is a nice touch for private parties/events - I'm a big fan of Radius as well, a member of Michael Schlow's restaurant family.

Some Food/Drink Tasted: Truffled Mushroom Salad - Burrata – Insalata Mista – Crunchy Eggplant – Panini – Prosciutto Cotto – Duck Tortelli – Pappardelle – Veal with Lentils – Beef Sirloin – Tagliatelle alla Bolognese - Brussels Sprouts – Apple Crostata – Cannoli - Panna Cotta w/strawberries and pistachio

Patronage Inclination: Frequent

Most Recent Visit: 4/20/2010
Amount Visited: 100+
Experiences: Lunch, Dinner, Bar

Address: 79 Park Plaza, Boston, MA 02116
Website: http://www.viamattarestaurant.com  Phone: (617) 422-0008
Social Networking:  Twitter @ViaRadius  -  Facebook /Via Matta

Older Posts:  March 2010

Top of the Hub Restaurant & Bar Review

Top of the Hub

My Opinions: A classic Boston restaurant that boasts a formal menu with service and ambiance to match - Wine list is great - Food is still very good .... though not excellent, Top of the Hub is still a great spot because of its views and live music. It makes for a great date or business dinner - If you're looking for entertainment, you can head to their full bar for drinks and a lighter-fare menu that is delicious - It can get packed, so be sure to make reservations.

Some Food/Drink Tasted: Whole Chicken – Veal Sirloin – Valrhona Warm Chocolate Cake – Freshly Baked Cookies – Brie and Walnuts – Arugula Salad – Baby Spinach Salad – Tenderloin of Beef Sandwich – Hub B.L.T.

Patronage Inclination: Occasion

Most Recent Visit: 4/14/2010
Amount Visited: 50+
Experiences: Dinner, Bar

Address: 800 Boylston Street, 52nd Floor, Prudential Building, Boston, MA 02199
Website: http://www.topofthehub.net  Phone: (617) 536-1775
Social Networking:

Older Posts: January 2010

Stanza dei Sigari Bar Review

Stanza dei Sigari - Cigar Bar Review

My Opinions: This is a great place to go to, but I typically choose it for my last stop of the evening since you always leave with a heavy cigar smell - I should note, Stanza has a full bar with hard liquor, something Cigar Masters on Boylston Street doesn't offer - It is underground, below Caffe Vittoria, so they still do a fairly good job of keeping the room ventilated, but there are no people-watching windows.

There is a small humidor with a decent selection of Ashtons, Davidoffs (my favorite), and more ... I had my first Zino Platinum cigar there (delicious!) - Something special: They offer Hookas which make it fun for groups

Well-managed establishment with a great group of bartenders and servers. And, if you get hungry, it's a short walk upstairs to get something at Caffe Vitorria!

Patronage Inclination: Occasion

Most Recent Visit: 4/14/2010
Amount Visited: 50+
Experiences: Bar

Address: 292 Hanover Street, Boston, MA 02113
Website: www.stanzadeisigari.com  Phone: (617) 227-0295
Social Networking:  Facebook /Stanza Dei Sigari

Cactus Club Restaurant & Bar Review

Cactus Club

My Opinions: I'm starting to get excited for the warmer weather, especially not needing a jacket in the evenings, and the Cactus Club is a great spot for the summer. The outside patio here is fantastic for after-work drinks or pre-weekend parties - The service, food and cleanliness is decent, tasty, and up-to-code – The scene is typically younger, but still casually fun – Don't miss their huge margaritas ... but be careful of the "brain freeze"!

Some Food/Drink Tasted: Chimichangas – Queso Fundido – Buffalo Tenders – The "Big Dig" – Cactus Nachos – Sunset Salad – Quesadillas – Hand-Rolled Enchiladas – Fried Ice Cream

Most Recent Visit: 4/13/2010
Amount Visited: 10+
Experiences: Dinner, Bar

Patronage Inclination: Fleeting

Address: 939 Boylston Street, Boston, MA 02115
Website: http://www.bestmargaritas.com  Phone: (617) 236-0200
Social Networking: Twitter @Cactusclubmargs

Older Posts: October 2009

Better You Bleed

BETTER YOU BLEED

Better you bleed than me
Hard to imagine how far the ice runs deep
Leaving me cold and alone
Makes me tougher than you know
So I live in search of serenity
And can’t help sparking chaotic energy
Don’t know why I make my bed this way
Guess I want to stay awake

     - Kristin Kim Haynes

Artu Restaurant & Bar Review

Artu

My Opinions: I think of this place as a drinking spot because it's opened late. The food may be decent, but I haven't heard any one say that they have actually dined here. Also, I tried to view their restaurant and all I get is a landing page, no interior photos, no sample menus, and no description of their food, chef or restaurant offerings. With all the other great North End restaurants within walking distance, (Fiore, Florentine, Tresca, Neptune Oyster, etc.), I would not go out of my way to come here.

Patronage Inclination: Only When Necessary

Most Recent Visit: 4/10/2010
Amount Visited: 5+
Experiences: Bar

Address: 6 Prince Street, Boston, MA 02113 (multiple locations)
Website: www.artuboston.com  Phone: (617) 742-4336
Social Networking: Facebook /Artu Boston

Omni Parker Hotel's Parker's Restaurant Review

Parker's at the Omni Parker House Hotel Boston

My Opinions: The hotel has always been a great event spot, but thinking about coming here for dinner is not always fresh in my mind - There is a lot of history here ... it's home to the original Boston Cream Pie for goodness sakes, but it has seemed to have lost it's popularity and visibility among Bostonians; the restaurant wasn't even half-full on a fair-weathered Friday night. Hmmm?

Perhaps they should "freshen up" their image and marketing ... especially since there's less fine-dining options with the closing of a few formal restaurants and the opening of even less (except for the bold Menton restaurant)

Food was still very good - Service was attentive and formal - I would like to try their lobster risotto (next time, further down the road, when I think of it).

Some Food/Drink Tasted: Truffle Macaroni and Cheese - Iceberg Wedge - Classic Caesar - Jonah Crab Cakes - Filet Mignon - Seared Duck Breast - Rack of Lamb - Boston Cream Pie (of course!)

Patronage Inclination: Fleeting

Most Recent Visit: 4/10/2010
Amount Visited: 10+
Experiences: Dinner

Address: 60 School Street, Boston, MA 02108
Website: www.omnihotels.com  Phone: (617) 227-8600
Social Networking: Twitter @omnihotels  –  Facebook /omnihotels

Chef's Table at Asana Restaurant Review

Asana's Chef's Table at the Mandarin Oriental Boston

My Opinions: The Chef's Table is a unique experience at Asana. I was able to have my own music, a special surprise guest visit, and cocktail hour all before dinner started

I had a great experience working with the ever-professional and kind Chef, Nathan Rich; we created a unique 7-course tasting menu. I also had the fun opportunity to meet and work with the knowledgeable bar manager, Ari (a new addition to the Mandarin, transplanted from the Four Seasons), to create a signature cocktail for my guests. Our server, Ginger, was so obliging and detail-oriented (another transplant from the Four Seasons). Everyone loved meeting them!

The tasting room is beautiful: floor-to-ceiling windows, views into the kitchen, and can seat up to 9 people, but I would recommend a maximum of 8 – Don't forget to ask to get your valet ticket validated for a discount.

Most Recent Visit: 4/9/2010
Amount Visited: 50+
Experiences: Brunch, Lunch, Dinner, Chef's Table

Patronage Inclination: Frequent

Address: 776 Boylston Street, Boston, MA 02199
Website: http://www.mandarinoriental.com/boston/dining  Phone: (617) 535-8800
Social Networking: Twitter @MO_BOSTON  -  Facebook /Mandarin Oriental, Boston

Older Asana Posts:  February 2010  -  January 2010

Ristorante Fiore Restaurant & Bar Review

Ristorante Fiore

My Opinions:  My first roof-deck visit of the new 2010 year ... and it was fantastic! The crowd was good, bartenders were friendly and the drinks were cold. This visit definitely got me even more excited for the summer. I enjoy eating dinner up here on a warm clear night. Remember, the Roof Deck Bar is a favorite of mine, but sitting at the bar can get quite hot from the dishwashers, so try to grab a high-top table - I like the semi-formal approach inside, within the outside street-level seating and on the roof top - The people who come here are fun and extremely social, especially in the Summer – Fiore typically offers a wide variety of infused liquors, don't miss trying them - I'd love to meet the owners, they seem well loved ... just check out their "gift" case by the host stand of divine liquors friend's have given them!

Some Food/Drink Tasted: Antipasto Rustico – Pomodoro alla Caprese – Insalata di Pomodoro – Bombolotti al Forno – Risotto del Giorno – Parmigiana di Pollo – Bistecca di Manzo – Parmigiana di Vitello – Funghi Trifolati

Patronage Inclination: Frequent

Most Recent Visit: 4/7/2010
Amount Visited: 50+
Experiences: Lunch, Dinner, Bar

Address: 250 Hanover Street, Boston, MA 02113
Website: http://www.ristorantefiore.com  Phone: (617) 371-1176
Social Networking:  Facebook /Ristorante Fiore

Older Posts: January 2010

Ecco Restaurant Review

Ecco Restaurant

My Opinions:  The restaurant was pretty empty for a Saturday night, but it did pick up a little bit after 9pm - The service was very good - Food was surprisingly good, but my expectations were pretty low sooooo ... - Wine list was adequate - I would never go out of my way to come here - To end on a good note, it's nice they offer parking in the back.

Some Food/Drink Tasted: Flash Fried Calamari - Braised Shortribs of Beef in Chianti and Dried Cherries - Fresh Herb Rubbed Hanger Steak - House Made Ice Creams (Peach, Chianti, & Vanilla)

Most Recent Visit: 4/3/2010
Amount Visited: 1
Experiences: Dinner

Patronage Inclination:  Only When Necessary

Address: 107 Porter Street, East Boston, MA 02128
Website: www.eccoboston.com  Phone: (617) 561-1112
Social Networking:  Facebook /Ecco Restaurant

Bridal Carriage Company

When a limo is not enough ...

One of my favorite transportation vendors, Bridal Carriage Company, just added me to their website under "Of Interest" column - I'm so pleased!

Sally is a fantastic business woman and has such a big heart ... a perfect person to work with for a one-of-a-kind special day.

Bridal Carriage Company offers horse drawn carriages for weddings and other special events.  The drivers are classy, punctual and dressed to impress. Their carriages are comfortable and maintained in picture-perfect condition. And, unlike some other companies, their horses and carriages are licensed through the department of Public Safety, and are inspected annually. All of their horses have valid certificates of good health issued each year by their veterinarian as well.

W Lounge Review

W Lounge at the W Hotel Boston

My Opinions:  I came here for just the cocktails and friendly bartenders, and had a lot of fun. Actually, the last few times that I've been in, the bar scene is getting more reliable as a consistent hot spot ... especially in the later part of the evening which is nice since many Boston places close early-  The valet here is pretty expensive and it's difficult to park close, so if you can take a cab, do so, or help convince them to reduce their valet pricing. Validate for a discount perhaps ... like the Mandarin Oriental.

Some Food/Drink Tasted: Truffle Fontina Pizza – Cookies and Confections – MARKET Cheeseburger – Warm Chocolate Cake ... you can get the Market menu, but it's more fun to enjoy the bite-sized menu out in the lounge.

Patronage Inclination: Occasion

Most Recent Visit: 4/1/2010
Amount Visited: 10+
Experiences: Bar

Address: 100 Stuart Street, Boston, MA 02116
Website: http://www.starwoodhotels.com/whotels/boston  Phone: (617) 261-8700
Social Networking:  Facebook /W Hotels

Older W Lounge Posts:  February 2010 - January 2010

National Food Holidays (April)

APRIL

NATIONAL FOOD HOLIDAYS

Here are some national food holidays that you can celebrate which ever way you see fit. Pick you favorites and put them on your calendar to enjoy! If you are truly passionate about a food that doesn't yet have its day, our President has the authority to grant them, so get a petition introduced by a constituent, trade association or public relations firms and keep your utensils ready.

• April 1: National Sourdough Bread Day
• April 2: National Peanut Butter and Jelly Day
• April 3: National Chocolate Mousse Day
• April 4: National Cordon Bleu Day
• April 5: National Caramel Day
• April 5: National Raisin and Spice Bar Day
• April 6: National Caramel Popcorn Day
• April 8: National Empanada Day
• April 10: National Cinnamon Crescent Day
• April 11: National Cheese Fondue Day
• April 12: National Licorice Day
• April 13: National Peach Cobbler Day
• April 14: National Pecan Day
• April 15: National Glazed Spiral Ham Day
• April 16: National Eggs Benedict Day
• April 17: National Cheeseball Day
• April 19: National Amaretto Day
• April 20: National Pineapple Upside-Down Cake Day
• April 22: National Jelly Bean Day
• April 23: National Cherry Cheesecake Day
• April 23: National Picnic Day
• April 24: National Pigs-In-A-Blanket Day
• April 25: National Zucchini Bread Day (FAVORITE!)
• April 26: National Pretzel Day
• April 27: National Prime Rib Day
• April 28: National Blueberry Pie Day
• April 29: National Shrimp Scampi Day
• April 30: National Raisin Day