A Boston 4th of July Weekend

                                                            Bostons Harpoon Brewery

Our contributor Courtney and friend travelled this past 4^th of July weekend to Boston. Their itinerary for the trip included a stay at the Renaissance Hotel Boston and a tour at Harpoon Brewery 306 Northern Ave followed by dinner in the North End ending with a nightcap and dessert.

After arriving at 2pm, we went straight to the Harpoon Brewery located near the John Nagle Co. in the Seaport area. Even though the line outside seemed daunting, it was only a five-minute wait to get inside the brewery. Once inside the Brewery, we asked when the next tour would be available. Tickets can only be purchased that day and since it was a busy Saturday summer afternoon, we knew that it might take a while. The lady was very helpful and said that the next tour would be available at 4pm. We decided against waiting for a tour since we wanted to check in to our hotel and headed straight towards the bar.

The brewery had floor-to-ceiling windows that showcased the harbor front that is often associated with the Seaport area. There were long family-style tables where groups gathered and chatted over pints of beer. There were no televisions but I thought that this added to the friendly atmosphere and encouraged young groups to socialize and discuss the beer instead. After heading to the far side of the bar that was for standing room only, we ordered our first flight. I would highly suggest going with the flights especially if you are a beginner beer drinker or you do not know what you like. It is the perfect amount of each and a selection of four different beers. After having a sample, you can make a better decision when ordering a pint. 

There are three different flights to choose from; the original Harpoon flavors, the UFO series, or the Specialty flavors.  We chose the original four first, which included; Harpoon Ale, Harpoon IPA, their dark special, and the Harpoon Summer. This was very good for your first time at the Brewery. It gives you an idea of what the brewery is all about! For the second flight, we chose to go lighter and went with the UFO series. This was a  great summertime choice! If you love summer and/or fruity beers, then make this your number one choice. This included two fruit-flavored beers, such as the Raspberry UFO and the UFO Big Squeeze Summer Shandy (grapefruit flavored). The other two were the UFO Hefeweizen and the UFO White.

During our second flight, we decided to order a freshly made Parmesan pretzel. There are several different varieties and dipping-sauces to choose from. The pretzel was delicious. It was light and fluffy and covered in Parmesan. We made a mess! You can see the pretzel ovens and the descriptions are written in chalk on the walls. Once you see one person enjoying a pretzel, it is hard to resist sampling your own selection.

You can like them on Facebook at Harpoon Brewery You can follow them harpoon_brewery

Port Jefferson

                                                            Port Jefferson, NY

A few days before Americas Birthday we ventured out to the historic sea port village of Port Jefferson. Settled in the 1600”s it transformed in the late 1700”s into a leading shipbuilding and whaling center center.  At one point  P.T Barnum owned a large tract of land he intended to make the home base for his circus. One of the Port Jefferson ferries is named the P.T Barnum. With the sale of the the villages last shipyards in the early 1900”s the villages shipbuilding industry came to a close. During the 1940s the Long Island lighting company built one of their coal fired power plants which contributed to the local economy. The old towers still stand today and can be seen for miles around. The village once again was transformed in the 60”s to a tourist based destination again. The village today is mostly a tourist based center and home to the Port Jefferson to Bridgeport Conn ferry. Route 25A which runs along the North Shore of Long Island will lead you into a village lined with restaurants mostly catering to the seafood enthusiast.

Knowing the day in Port Jeff was also the day the US team was playing Belgium in the FIFA World Cup we arrived early and checked in at Danfords Hotel which we will have a story about later.  We than set out to find the perfect waterview, restaurant/bar to enjoy the game.  That surprisingly was harder than. We anticipated. For a waterfront town the actual number of establishments with a water view is pretty limited. We were very surprised and a little disappointed that Danfords although they have an outdoor water front dining area they have no outside bar or TV”s for any viewing. It seems to us that just with those additions it would be the place to be. Very surprising!!

                                              View from our room overlooking marina at Danfords with ferry incoming

After a short search around the area we happened upon Schaeffers Restaurant on Broadway St. It so turns out that they have an upstairs out door bar with waterviews  and a very friendly staff. It turned out to be the perfect spot to watch the first half of the game  ( They have a great Happy Hour starting at 4:00 ) and than  we returned to Danfords where we enjoyed the rest of the game on our private terrace overlooking their marina. Although disappointed the US lost they put up a valiant effort especially goalie Tim Howard. The team should hold their heads high as everyone is so proud of their efforts.

By now it was time for a great seafood dinner and PJs lobster house was the perfect choice. Located 5 mins from town we arrived around 7:30 and their was a 15 minute wait which is not bad before a holiday weekend.  The choice of the Tuesday night special, all you can eat crab legs was definitely a rite choice as were their crab cakes perfectly done.

Port Jefferson is a special place on Long Islands North Shore full of history while transforming into a great place to spend a few days and kick back while not having to travel to the end of the Island and never ending traffic and crowds. We cant wait for another venture to this quaint and friendly town.

                               Approaching the center of downtown Port Jefferson 

Bodega Negra Makes Its US Debut at New York’s Dream Downtown

TAO/Strategic Group Brings Popular UK Restaurant Stateside, Offering Mexican-Inspired Fare 

 

NEW YORK (February 4, 2014) – Bodega Negra, an offshoot of the popular London import known for its menu of upscale Mexican fare, opens today at Dream Downtown. TAO/Strategic Group worked alongside nightlife legend Serge Becker and his partners, celebrated UK restaurant operator Will Ricker and entrepreneur Ed Spencer Churchill, to bring this concept across the pond.

 

"The US location of Bodega Negra offers the same fun and upbeat dining experience found in the UK's La Bodega Negra," says Becker. "The concept, which very much embraces and reflects the ethos of the Mexican fiesta, aims to remind guests to celebrate life through good food, drink and music and most of all great friendships, at low and high tide."

 

Designed by Becker, who conceptualized the look and feel of the London dining experience, the 108-seat restaurant is the result of the transformation of the space located just off the lobby of Dream Downtown. Upon entering Bodega Negra, guests encounter an intimate, mock Tudor Hacienda space rich in dark tones and accented by mirrored panels and copper trim. A black, A-frame ceiling draws the eye up to exposed beams where a dramatic copper penny disco ball hangs central in the dining room. Mix-match decor, from screens made of repurposed Mariachi uniform details and guitars to collaged antique paintings, sets an evocative tone for the evening. Wooden tables and banquettes, upholstered in reclaimed military tents, animal hide, and traditional Mexican Serape textiles provide seating in the main dining room against a wall of antique tequila barrels.

 

Deconstructed pianos form the visual centerpiece of the 12-seat bar, replete with a bronze countertop and glass-blown, rose light fixtures. The menu of Mexican-inspired fare, created by Executive Chef Michael Armstrong, can be enjoyed in full at the bar or in the restaurant.

 

"I'm thrilled to return to Mexican cuisine; the flavors and ingredients are something I've been passionate about since the beginning of my career when I was cooking at Cafe Azul in Portland," says Executive Chef Michael Armstrong. "While I brought back a few tricks and popular dishes after working with the chefs at La Bodega Negra in London, about 60% of the menu is unique to this location. We're lucky to have access to some of the freshest ingredients here in New York City and we're not taking that for granted."

 

Chef Armstrong draws inspiration from the various regions of Mexico, with an emphasis on Southern Mexico, to create a menu that invites sharing and consists of a selection of starters, tostaditas, ceviches, salads, tacos, entrees and sides. New signature dishes unique to the restaurant include the Bodega Guacamole, served with fresh jicama slices for dipping in addition to house-made tortilla chips; Roasted Chile Relleno, quinoa, zucchini, mushroom, corn, onion, Chihuahua cheese, pasilla chile sauce; and Crispy Pork Belly, manchamanteles sauce, pineapple-plantain salsa.

 

TAO Group's influence has also been subtly woven into the menu. Chef Armstrong, who most recently helmed the kitchen of TAO Asian Bistro in Las Vegas, combines traditional Mexican ingredients with his mastery of Asian flavors and techniques to create dishes likePeking Duck Tacos, served with mole negro, sesame seeds and a kumquat morita compote wrapped in hand-pressed tortillas, made in-house daily. Select favorites from London, like the Quesadilla Rustica, a four-cheese, habanero and roasted tomato, open-face quesadilla served with chimichurri and crema; Tuna Ceviche served with guajillo chili vinaigrette, avocado, chile and sesame seeds; and Soft Shell Crab Tacos, served with guacamole, shredded lettuce and chipotle aioli, round out the menu. Large-format feasts will be available in the coming months for pre-order, including dishes like Whole Suckling Pig, which can be enjoyed by larger groups in the restaurant or the private dining room that can accommodate parties up to 24.

 

To end on a sweet note, Executive Pastry Chef Mauricio Santelice created a menu of Mexican-inspired desserts including Cocomel,coconut caramel custard served with vanilla bean whipped cream, and a selection of sweet Empanadas, filled with apples, strawberries, blueberries or cream cheese.

 

Signature cocktails by beverage expert Tim Cooper include twists on classic Mexican libations like the Chamomile Daisy, a riff on a classic margarita made with Reposado tequila, chamomile-apple agave and fresh lemon, and a classic Mexican Paloma, made with Blanco tequila, fresh grapefruit, aperol, herbaceous lemon and salt. Authentic Mexican Sangritas derived from fresh oranges and tomatoes are paired with the restaurant's 90+ list of tequila and mezcal available by the glass or by the bottle. A menu of Mexican beers, including Negra Modelo, Tecate, Corona, and craft brews such as Day of the Dead IPA, is also available, as well as a wine list offering both Old and New World varietals.

 

In the coming months, Bodega Negra will also offer scaled down lunch and dinner menus at the adjacent 35-seat cafe that is Melvin's Juice Box, serving as a hangout for locals and hotel guests alike.

 

Bodega Negra is located at 355 West 16th Street (between 8^th and 9^th Avenues) at Dream Downtown in New York City. Dinner is served Monday – Sunday, 5:30pm – Late. For reservations, please call 212-229-2336 or visit www.bodeganegranyc.com for more information.

ABOUT LA BODEGA NEGRA UKLa Bodega Negra opened in March 2012, creating a new standard for London dining and seamlessly bringing together theatre, bonhomie, and authentic Mexican fare. The restaurant is made up of intricately decorated rooms that glow with mystery and exclusivity, which encourage guests to mingle and discover. The menu aims to challenge preconceptions of Mexican cuisine, and uses a wood burning grill to create a fresh, authentic taste. The cocktail list, designed for a 'night out,' is comprised of tequila and mezcal libations and encourage guests to join in on the festive spirit. La Bodega Negra is a melting pot of diversity that embraces all walks of life, for more information, please visit www.labodeganegra.com

 

ABOUT TAO GROUPThe TAO GROUP is a leading restaurant and nightlife company that develops, owns and operates many of the most successful food, beverage and nightlife entertainment venues in the United States.  Partners Marc Packer, Richard Wolf, Noah Tepperberg and Jason Strauss bring decades of hospitality experience to the brand portfolio.  Currently TAO Group boasts operations in New York City, Las Vegas and Sydney, Australia.  In New York City, the collection includes Arlington Club, Avenue, Avra, Beauty & Essex, LAVO Italian Restaurant and Nightclub, Marquee Nightclub, Rue 57, The Stanton Social, TAO Asian Bistro Uptown and TAO Asian Bistro Downtown.  Additionally they operate all of the food and beverage outlets of the Dream Downtown hotel including room service, Ph-D Rooftop, Electric Room Lounge, Melvin's Juice Box and Bodega Negra.  Las Vegas operations include TAO Asian Bistro, Nightclub & Beach at The Venetian, LAVO Italian Restaurant & Lounge at The Palazzo and Marquee Nightclub & Dayclub at The Cosmopolitan. Marquee Nightclub at The Star - Sydney represents the company's first international offering. TAO Group regularly brings the brands to additional markets via pop-up venues at noted events such as the Sundance Film Festival and The Olympics, among others.

 

ABOUT DREAM DOWNTOWNSituated in New York's most exciting destination, on the border of the charming Chelsea and thriving Meatpacking District, Dream Downtown represents a reinvigoration of the Dream brand, pairing chic-cool influences with modern elegance, all while maintaining Vikram Chatwal Hotels' trademark combination of cosmopolitan glamour, whimsical design and top-standard service. Following a multi-million dollar renovation of an iconic Albert Ledner building, Dream Downtown's modernist façade houses loft-inspired guestrooms and suites, innovative concept dining, a landscaped outdoor terrace featuring a heated pool with a translucent bottom visible from the ceiling of the lobby lounge, a beach club, and an expansive destination rooftop lounge offering dramatic views of the New York City skyline. www.dreamdowntown.com