And the surprise visitor was…..
Dad!
He’s up in New England visiting with my grandmother and his siblings and then joining my mom in Vermont for a few days while she goes to a reunion for her MFA program. Boston was right in between his destinations, so it was perfect timing to spend a day with him.
Sam Adams was high on Matt’s request list for the day, so we had lunch in the Jamaica Plains neighborhood beforehand at a Cuban restaurant Larbs + Matt like.
I LOVE trying new kinds of cuisines, and we had tons of dishes on the table –
I got a veggie plate with rice + red beans, fried plantains and a side salad. I LOVE PLANTAINS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I”ve had them a few times before, but these were just perfectly cooked. We had a TON of food and I had tastes of everyone’s. Of my own dish, I had about 1/2 a cup of beans + rice and probably half the plantains and most of the salad. That above plate was fried yuca, which I loved as well (minus the onions on top)
Matt got the Cuban sandwich, which was great
Matt and Larbs split a chicken dish
Matt got the most delicious beverage – a Horchata, a rice milk drink with spices. It was amazing!!!
The only thing left on the table at the end were the onions!
Lunch was starch heavy with all the plantains and then we headed out for beer!
I passed the most beautiful work of stone art –
Until we arrived at Sam Adams!!
The tour was fun
But the tasting was even better!
I drank all of my Sam Traditional
2/3 of my Sam Summer
And only 1/3 of the Red Brick
Although I loved them all!
And if that wasn’t enough, we discovered a Taster’s Choice sampling in the Bier Garden.
I liked the Ale!
[OK – I AM BEERED OUT!!! (Actually not really, but please bring me a glass of water!)]
After we went back to Larbs’ to recoup + rest, we went back out for a walk down Commonwealth on our way to dinner.
I found the Lucy Stone memorial!!! I wrote my history thesis at Davidson Lucy Stone and love her for her womanly independence and forethought back in the day. I also kept my last name upon marriage and personalized our wedding vows 🙂
We ended up at Coda, our dinner spot. We had to do an early dinner so dad could get on the road to his camp site (!!!) tonight. No one was hungry from our late bit lunch, but we quickly made room when we saw the menu.
The boys got the watermelon and blueberry beers –
Delish!
I wasn’t going to get anything, but dad got a delicious wine for the table and I ended up enjoying a glass and a half.
I sampled a piece of bread with sesame hummus
Matt got curry chicken wings that were awesome!!!!!!!!!!! The sauce was amazing –
And then the star of the night – my salad!!! It was arugula, stilton and bacon with a pine nut dressing. But the bacon is INCREDIBLE!! It reminded me of a campfire straight from summer camp of my childhood. Roasted marshmallows. Totally homey. I couldn’t stop raving and finished the whole salad!
Matt and I split a Polenta + Roasted Veggie Entree with Goat Cheese + Balsamic that was also incredible. I had about 1/3?
This dinner was competitive with our Charlottesville Zocalo dinner – top 3 this year!!!!!!!!!
On our walk home (we probably walked for 2 hours today!) we found a few raspberries for dessert!
We said goodbye to dad and made our way to Harvard Square.
And then a bier garden
I just wanted a water at this point –
And then we bar hopped over to Larbs and Matt’s favorite place, Grafton Street Pub.
I wasn’t in a beer or wine mood, so I actually got a glass of port and pretended I was back in Cambridge, England. It was excellent!
After that stop we went to Sweet, a cupcake shop with huuuuge buttercream delights. But the boys weren’t interested and we ended up walking out and going to JP Licks instead. I couldn’t decide on a flavor, so that was OK with me.
How cool is this decor?
There are SO MANY amazing flavors to choose from that I didn’t know what to get!! I ended up getting Chocolate Chip Cookie and Oatmeal Cookie yogurts mixed.
But honestly, I did not care for the top flavor. It tasted fake and blah!! I had a taste of Matt’s Maple Nut ice cream and gosh was it so much better. Sometimes yogurt just doesn’t compare!! But the Oatmeal Cookie flavor on my bottom was quite good.
I’m feeling rather worn out – inside and out – from all the eating, drinking and walking today. Excited about some rest and a fun brunch tomorrow. We’re setting up our air mattress now and I’m excited to climb on it.
G’night!
[Oh my gosh, I am a genious. Well, at least at finding solutions to problems. I went into some strange file on my host and followed the directions of someone I found with instructions when I Googled my error. I changed one number (the memory) and it worked. I’ve posted much larger posts than this in the past, so I have no idea why it was not going through today! Anyways, point of the story is if you have a blog and are getting an error, Google is your best option!]
Megan (The Runner's Kitchen) says
Aww, I’m glad you were finally able to get the post up! Eventhough it was a lot of work, I really enjoyed reading it (just wrote eating it!). JP Licks is on my life to-do list, hehe. Happy Sunday!
Erica says
What a great day Kath! I love sammy adams- their winter ale is one of my favorite beers. Glad you’re having fun with your sister and your dad!
Nicole says
That is one seriously action packed day!! It seems like lots of fun. Wooo!
Kailey says
aww that is so exciting that you got to meet up with your dad 🙂 Love me some plantains too!
wow that is a ton of ice cream flavors!
Cynthia C. says
I love cuban food. One of my best friends is Cuban and makes me cuban food whenever I visit. I’m so jealous of al the wonderful food on your plate.
I’m excited to try JP licks when my husband and I go to Boston next time for a day trip. It sounds delicious.
Christie @ Quit Your Diet says
What a great day!!! Everything looks awesome and so fun that you got to spend time with your dad!
Katey says
Looks like you guys had a really fun day! The food looks delish- this makes me impatient to turn 21.. ahaha 😀
Ada says
Your day looks like it was a blast! I love plantains too:)
ashley, mom of 3 gets healthy says
all the food looks amazing! i would love to hit up a beer tasting. sam adams is some yummy stuff. have fun and enjoy the rest of your trip.
Anne K. says
What a fun day! I love all the pictures. I’ve actually never had plantains, but I really want to try them 😀
Tara says
This keeps getting crazier! I live on the block that El Oriental is on 🙂 JP Licks is the best.
Mom says
Hooray for Lucy Stone. I remember proofreading that paper!
Mara @ What's for Dinner? says
WHAT a great day!!!! So glad you got your error fixed! I was getting one yesterday too, and yup, google was my friend!
Aimee says
I stumbled on your blog a couple of weeks ago and I just love it. However, I think I just gained a few pounds reading this post! Looks like a fun and delicious time.
Evan Thomas says
I love JP Licks. I always get the same thing–the peanut butter soft serve. I feel boring getting the same thing every time but it’s soo good.
Jess says
That looks like such a fun day!
That salad looks SO good!
Heather @ Health, Happiness, and Hope says
Glad you figured out the computer issues! Sounds like SUCH a perfect day. All that food looks amazing, and it’s always fun to get a little quality father-daughter time. 🙂
Cait (Cait's Plate) says
Haha – love the #26 stone 🙂 I’m that way about the number 8…which is MY birthday date!
All that food looks amazing, it looks like you guys had a great time. I must get cuban food soon!
PS – Tell Larbs I LOVE LOVE LOVE that blue dress she’s wearing!!
Heather says
The Sam Adams tour is always a good time.
Shannon (The Daily Balance) says
what a fun day! love the surprise visitor! I bet your mom was jealous she missed out!
Deva says
Looks like an awesome day! You look like you had fun with your family, which is always great 🙂
Jenn (www. j3nn.net ) says
Now that looks like an eventful and tasty day!! Boston seems to be the kingdom of beer lol!
Blog errors suck — so glad my husband is a programmer. He’s WAY better than Google. 😀
Jenn
Angharad says
All that food! Wow! I love trying new cuisines as well; there’s nothing more fun in my opinion – kind of like the poor man’s version of traveling!
The plantain looks so dreamy…what a jam packed day, phew!
Daria (Summer of the CSAs) says
Glad the post finally worked! Looks like you’re having a fab time. 🙂
ModelBehavior says
I LOOVVEE Cuban food, if your ever in NYC go to Havannah, it’s the best!
P.S. if you want a chance to win some OIKOS check out my site and enter!
Chloe (Naturally Frugal) says
That Cuban food looks awesome! I’ve only had Cuban sandwiches before but am dying to try other foods like yuca and plantains.
Looks like you guys had a fun foodie day!
courtney says
Mmmm, the oatmeal cookie is my favorite ‘healthy’ JP Licks choice-good call! The cake batter however, is to die for…. 😉 Enjoy your day!
Caronae says
I love plantains and horchata! Sounds like a fun trip 🙂
Adventures of Alice says
All of your food from today looks AMAZING! Discovering new foods and good restaurants is one of my favorite things!
Sarah (Running to Slow Things Down) says
Ya know, I’m not a huge JP Licks fan! I just couldn’t get into it…
Although, if you EVER get the chance, check out Kimballs icecream: http://www.kimballfarm.com/kimball_ice_cream.html
Their icecream is unbeatable…I have to go at least once a year. 😀
So glad you’re having a fun time in Boston!! 🙂
Kate says
looks like you guys are having a fabulous weekend!!! enjoy!
Lauren says
I’s so much fun seeing “my” city through your eyes! I love Wachusett Blueberry Ale, J.P. Licks, and Grafton Street Pub… and I will have to seek out the restaurants you guys went to.
I’m bummed I couldn’t join the festivities on Friday night (I was away at a friend’s wedding) – but I look forward to meeting you at the Summit!
Meredith (Pursuing Balance) says
Oooh plantains are good!
Susan says
Wow, there is definitely a lot of beer in this post! 😛 I’d love to do the Sam Adams tour the next time I’m in Boston. Last time I was there I was only 20 so I couldn’t drink! (stupid American drinking age…)
I went to Cuba this past year and didn’t see any “Cuban” food the whole time I was there. What’s up with that? Not even any tasty plantains!
Delicious Bytes says
Kath- I love your blog and I’m so excited you came to visit our lovely city of Boston. I can’t wait to try Coda in the South End, and since I’m looking at apartments in JP, I think we’ll end up sampling the Cuban place, too. Thanks for bringing the summer weather up from the Carolinas!
Adi (oatonomy.com) says
I’ve had to google my way out of many blog problems! It’s smarter than my friends sometimes. 🙂
Keep enjoying your trip!
Laura M. says
Looks like you’re having a great time! My boyfriend and I were in Boston last weekend for vacation and after Tina’s review of Sweet, I had to stop in 🙂 I tried the Red Velvet cupcake and the cream cheese buttercream frosting was sooooo good.
For a souvenier – JP Licks has this awesome espresso bark that I snagged. It’s dark chocolate, beans and little pieces of waffle cone. Their coffee is pretty great, too!
Have fun 🙂
Andee (Runtolive) says
Looks like you’re having a blast! Love trying new foods when I’m out of town
Spotty Prep says
I so love the concept of blueberries in beer! I got married in March and also have decided to keep my name- it was a tough decision, but I know it’s the right one for me! Looks like ya’ll are having a great time 🙂
Jen Papaya says
I like that the check on your Sam Adams card is backwards! Quirky things like that make me smile : )
And the Cuban food looks DELISH!
Pam says
Great looking food! Glad you are having a great time and getting to see your dad on top of it!
www.alovefornewrecipes.blogspot.com
Erin says
Plantains rock. So does fried yucca. Mmmm…remind me of my HM to Costa Rica.
Isn’t Boston the BEST for beers?!
Meg C. says
glad you guys enjoyed boston! isn’t the sam adams brewery so much fun? and i LOVE grafton st and jp licks! you hit all the great spots. nice job
Cait (Cait's Plate) says
I had Mongolian BBQ today! Between your cuban, heather’s Indian and my Mongolian we’re totally representing ethnic cuisines today! 🙂
[email protected] RunningAroundNormal says
What a fun day! All that food, beer, and family! It’s so nice you got a surprise visit from your dad.
Beth @ CrossBorderCravings says
aww, good food, good alcohol and family-time – what could be better!? :O)
Kristen says
Ooh, I want to recreate that polenta dish!!
Gab* says
Oh great, you got it to work! So nice to be able to see your Dad. The dinner looks fantastic, yum!
lynn (The Actors Diet) says
i love plantains too….looks like a fun day – even though i don’t drink beer i would love to visit the brewery
Nance says
Whoa…don’t you think you went a TAD overboard today? Is this moderation for you? Are you happy as long as you feel like you can eat less than everyone else?
[email protected] says
I was going to suggest you take the Sam Adams tour! I wish I knew you were going. There is a legendary pub, Doyle’s very close by. Its the perfect post-Sam tour spot.
I love Coda; the people there are SO friendly!
brandi says
what a fun weekend! that’s nice you guys were able to spend the day with your dad. everything looks so fun! and yay for nice weather 🙂
[email protected] says
PS – if you haven’t alredy chosen a brunch spot, Masa in the South End is my favorite brunch in Boston. Southwest eggs benedict = to die for!
Jessica says
Wow looks like so much fun! I love the beer with the blueberries in it — wow! i would have died for a huge cupcake … yummmmmm.
-muffy
Lele says
Okay, I am going to sound like a little bit of a creeper, but I go to school in Boston and the last time I went to J.P. Licks I got the oatmeal cookie froyo and was was like “Frozen yogurt that incorporates oats?! KATH WOULD LOVE THIS!”
So I am delighted that you actually tried it and actually liked it (I love it!)
Caroline says
That sounds like an awesome veggie plate!
Adrienne says
So glad that you loved CODA, and it looks like you guys found a good spot in Harvard Square too. The chefs were excited to hear that we made top 3 dinner of the year! Thanks for the great write up!
Your CODA waitress,
Adrienne
Joelle (The Pancake Girl) says
That blueberry ale looks amazing!
melanie says
I can’t believe you were my neighborhood saturday (Jamaica Plain) and i didn’t know it! I live just blocks away from the Sam Adams brewery. and the blueberry beer the boys had at lunch is brewed in my hometown! So many Coincidences! We’ll have to talk about it at the Summit!
~Melanie
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