Oleana- Cambridge, MA

So I already mentioned my affinity for Top Chef (minus the shameless mid-show product plugs- I mean, really?). Lucky for me- and all of you fellow Bostonites- I have several TC stars right in my own backyard. While I may never get to experience the plates they whip up on TV, I guess I can settle for tasting what made them famous in the first place.

This was not my first rodeo when it comes to TC dining. After the first season of TC Masters, I made my way right to Michael Schlow's Radius during Restaurant Week (groupie? me? nooo). Well, suffice to say, I was amazed that someone who did so poorly on the show could cook such fantastic food... if he flopped, I could only imagine how the winning food tasted. While the details of that trip are for another review, anyone who gets a shout out from Billy Joel when he's on stage at Foxboro is alright in my book.

But enough about Michael, let's talk about Ana Sortun. Season 2 of TC Masters welcomed two Cambridge chefs, Jody Adams of Rialto and Ana of Oleana. Although Jody did get farther in the competition, my vote goes to Ana when it comes to the food from their restaurants. Granted my Rialto experience was pre-TC (so it may not count as much), I thought Oleana won on taste. Each plate looked fresh and had huge depth of flavor. Every dish had a sweet and savory (and sometimes spicy!) component that made the sum of it's parts even better. What a great way to make the exotic more approachable- and delicious.

The food was the high. Now, I know I've pretty much only been giving glowing reviews so far but I'm not always flowers and sunshine. Unfortunately, I have some lows to share about Oleana- most of which came before we even got the food (which truly saved both this review and the evening). As you may or may not know, Oleana has an outdoor area that is almost as popular as the cuisine served there. When asked about the possibility of sitting outside, the hostess very cooly told us there would be over an hour and half wait. I almost felt like I was inconveniencing her or asking about something I should have known better than to ask. After that reception, we were brought over to what I can only describe as the North Pole of Cambridge. Knowing I would probably get chilly in air conditioning, I brought a cardigan with me. Not even that could keep me comfortable. After about 2 minutes in the arctic, we asked to move. Comically, we were moved to a table with the sun shining directly into the eyes of one member of our party and where I couldn't cross my legs without shifting my body to the side and asking someone else to do the same. Not one to cause too much of a stir, I was beyond uncomfortable and was dreading asking for any more accommodations. Apparently we weren't the first to experience the "beauty of the sunset." When we did make a comment, another waiter came and threw a blanket over the glass partition to block the light... something you'd think would have been proactively resolved when we sat down.

As I mentioned, after we got the food all was forgiven (clearly not forgotten, as referenced above) but didn't leave Oleana at the top of my list to return to again soon.

Clover Food Lab (Truck)- Cambridge and Boston, MA

From finer dining to... Food Trucks!

With 2 locations near MIT and South Station, Clover Food Lab has something special coming out of those vans. Not typically one for "street meat" (it sounds so appetizing), I was delighted to find something as inventive as Clover in the area.

Being a girl who flirts with a somewhat vegetarian lifestyle, this place rocks. Clover is owned by two guys- one vegetarian, one not. The result? Great tasting food that appeals to omnivores and herbivores alike.

My favorite part? What I fondly refer to as "$5 fiber." The menu is based on fresh, seasonal ingredients, every sandwich is only $5, and each one packs a protein punch. The nutritional information I looked at showed each sandwich weighing in between 7 to 14 grams of fiber, keeping you full until dinner.

I tried the basil sandwich, the bbq seitan sandwich, and (far and away my favorite) the chickpea fritter sandwich. Each pita pocket boasted bright, satisfying flavors, but the chickpea fritter sandwich took it to the next level. Reading the ingredients, you'd think "Do they really put that much stuff in 1 pita?" Yes, they do- and it works. Each bite brought with it new flavors that complemented the ones before; moist chickpeas, pickled vegetables, tahini sauce... the list goes on. My advice on a hot day? Pair it with a refreshing ginger lemonade.

Since one owner was an MIT grad, you have to expect they'd take advantage of technology. The food truck is pimped out with a myriad of iPod Touches, wirelessly transmitting your order from host/hostess to chef. The staff works tirelessly to crank out freshly assembled food during the lunchtime rush while remaining approachable in the summer humidity.

All and all, a great pick for fast food during the work week. Someday I'll get there to try their breakfasts too!

Parson's Table- Winchester, MA

I couldn't think of a better way to kick off this new adventure than to talk about one of my favorite restaurants in the Boston area, Parson's Table (formerly known as Catch). The best way for me to describe PT is in two words- cozy and delicious.

The warm red of the walls and the rustic charm of the reclaimed wood tables paired with soft candlelight makes this small space intimate and inviting. Best of all is the bar that opens into the restaurant's kitchen. There patrons can enjoy their dinner while watching everything being carefully cooked and prepared. It's such a treat to be able to experience what is usually kept behind closed doors. Where other chefs might feel exposed, Chris Parsons and his team handle the “open office” environment with ease and panache. Those sitting at the bar see how precisely each dish is assembled and the passion in each preparation.

As for the food, I can’t say enough. I had the pleasure of sampling the Cucumber Gazpacho, Pork Belly, Pan Roasted Swordfish, Hand-Cut Pappardelle with House Lamb Sausage, and the PT Sundae. All were equally fantastic. I don’t know about you, but one of the biggest dining letdowns for me is when one part of the meal is excellent and the rest is just fair. Or, equally as disappointing, orderer’s remorse (ex: my fiancée meal was great and mine, well, was not). Inconsistency can make the difference between good and great. There is none of that at PT. From the complexity and depth of flavor in the gazpacho (and the refreshing mini cucumber ball surprises) to the melt-in-your-mouth pork belly to the fantastic balance of flavors in the pappardelle to the sweet and salty deliciousness of the PT Sundae, my whole palate was engaged in the meal and enjoyed every minute of it.

Finally the service- always friendly and attentive. The servers are so easy to talk to and completely unpretentious. They truly make dining at PT a pleasure.

Oh, and who could forget, the value! PT’s new menu boasts affordable prices (and locally sourced ingredients) that make going out for a very nice meal easier to stomach, pardon the pun, and not just for that special occasion anymore.

Getting Started...

I'm as big a Top Chef fan as the next foodie wannabe. I love watching what the chefs make each week and how they do it. Gastriques, foams, deconstructions... But season after season, one thing continues to irk (other than not being able to taste any of the dishes). Inevitably, there are challenges where these rising stars of the food industry need to cook for the "common" people. And, just as predictably, there are at least one or two chefs who feel the need to play down to their new audience. Which leaves me wondering- who do these chefs think are going to be patrons of their restaurants? It certainly isn't going to be a room full of professional food critics at each seating. It's going to be you and me.

I love good food. I love how it brings people together, transports you back in time to relive a memory, and comforts you after a bad day. For me, nothing beats enjoying a great meal (maybe even with a good glass of wine) and my mission is to share these experiences with you. I plan to share the good and the bad from fine dining to unassuming dives in and around Boston, all from the "common" girl's perspective.

Welcome to my first foray into the blogosphere. I look forward to bringing my food experiences to you!