2013 - Boston, MA

http://www.cityofboston.gov/visitors/

Public Transportation

During 2013 Holidays, I visited Boston. Driving on the I-93 to Massachusetts, it has a toll of US$1 which is reasonable for the infrastructure. While entering to Boston through I-93, you see the Leonard P. Zakim Bunker Hill Memorial Bridge across Charles River. I stayed at the Double Tree Hilton, located right besides the Tufts Medical Center. Everywhere I went was walking distance between 10 - 30 minutes. The weather was like Spring and Fall. I only took 3 times the metro due to the rain. This time, I walked through different neighborhoods: South End, Back Bay, Downtown, Chinatown, North End and Charlestown. Boston features nice architecture and gastronomy. Sometimes this city reminds me of London.

COFFEESHOPS & PASTRIES

Mike's Pastry 300 Hanover St.

This pastry has only 1 location and is always crowded. Sometimes the waiting line goes out to the street. Their specialty is the cannoli. Mike's Pastry attracts all kind of customers: family, tourists, friends. People are carrying their little box of cannoli in the neighborhood.

Flour Bakery 1595 Washington St.
On a Saturday morning, this crowded coffee shop serves a selection of breakfast foods including brioches, croissants and scones. I had a scone with my cup of coffee. I really enjoyed it because it was not dry at all. Flour Bakery is a meeting place for friends.

Pavement Coffeehouse 286 Newbury St.
Behind the door are groups of friends or family enjoying their Sunday morning in this tiny coffeehouse located in the basement. Besides the coffee, Pavement Coffeehouse is also known for their bagels as breakfast. I had my café au lait with 2 halves bagel.

Render Coffeebar 563 Columbus Ave.
This coffee shop is more quiet. Most customers are hidden behind their laptops connected to the WI-FI. I had a goat cheese quiche accompanied by a cup of coffee.

DINING

Dining in Boston requires reservation in most restaurants due to the popularity and the gastronomy. Simply ask your hotel reception to make a call for you. =)

Atlantic Fish 761 Boylston St.

You love seafood?! Atlantic Fish is one of Boston's best seafood landmarks. This restaurant is crowded. Reservation is needed; try to reserve at least one day in advance. I was seating right besides the kitchen. It has a big window between the dining room and the kitchen in which I can observe the crew cooking. I had the 1 1/4 lbs. Maine Lobster served with corn on the cob and potatoes with a glass of sangria.

The Salty Pig 130 Dartmouth St.
Perfect location, right across the Back Bay/ South End T. This restaurant can be romantic and/ or casual at the same time. All food is home made. Salty Pig contains its own machine to make fresh pasta. As charcuterie, I had wild boar sausage, valdeon (cheese), ventresca and jalapeno jam. For the main dishes, my friend and I shared the tagliolini with meatballs and the Salty Pig pizza. Jalapeno jam, the meatballs and the wood-grilled pizza are a must. The jam is a mixture of spicy, sour and sweet. 

FREEDOM TRAIL

Just follow this 2.5 mile red line on the floor starting from Boston Common and ending at USS Constitution . This freedom trail makes you discover Boston's 16 historically significant sites.

Bunker Hill Monument (294 Steps)

QUINCY MARKET (Faneuil Hall Marketplace)

Eat & drink, little shops, boutiques, street perfomances are all located in Quincy Market.

I had a clam chowder at Cheers.

Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookie

Info
Prep Time: 15 min
Baking Time: 12-15 min
Makes: 30 cookies

What You Need
3/4 cup butter, softened
3/4 cup brown sugar, packed
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 egg
2 Tbsp water
2 tsp vanilla extract
3/4 Robin Hood All-Purpose Flour
1 tsp cinnamon
3/4 tsp baking soda
3 cups ROBIN HOOD Oats
3 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips or raisins or dried cranberries

Make It
PREHEAT oven to 350F. Grease or line baking sheets with parchment paper. CREAM butter, sugars, egg, water and vanilla together on medium speed of electric mixer until light and fluffy. COMBINE flour, cinnamon and baking soda. Add to creamed mixture. Beating on low speed until blended, stir in oats and chocolate chips. DROP dough by heaping tablespoonfuls (15 mL) onto prepared baking sheets. BAKE in preheated oven 12-15 minutes, or until edges are golden brown. Do not overbake.

My Comments
I have not tried with chocolate chips. I use dried cranberries. Healthier!

Grape & Blueberry Jam

Info
Prep Time: 10 min
Cooking Time: 30 min
Output: about 625 ml (2 1/2 cups)
Source: Ricardo Cuisine

What You Need
1 l (4 cups) red seedless grapes
180 ml (3/4 cup) sugar
15 ml (1 Tbs) lemon juice
250 ml (1 cup) fresh or frozen blueberries

Make It
In a saucepan, BRING the grapes, sugar and lemon juice to a boil. SIMMER for about 20 minutes over medium heat, STIRRING frequently. ADD the blueberries, BRING to a boil and COOK for 5 to 10 minutes or until the mixture is syrupy. Let COOL completely.

My Comments
I used fresh blueberries. I went blueberries picking. I replaced the red grapes by summer royal seedless black grapes. This jam is yummy with plain yogurt!

Blueberry Pie

Info
Prep Time: 30 min
Cooking Time: 50 min
In the fridge: 30 min
Makes: 8 servings
Source: Ricardo Cuisine

What You Need
Crust
375 ml (1 1/2 cups) all-purpose flour
1 pinch salt
60 ml (1/4 cup) sugar
150 ml (2/3 cup) chilled unsalted butter, cut into pieces
30 ml (2 Tbs) ice water, approximately
15 ml (1 Tbs) white vinegar

Filling
1 l (4 cups) fresh blueberries
180 ml (3/4 cup) sugar
30 ml (2 Tbs) quick-cooking tapioca
Milk, for brushing


Make It
Crust
1. In the bowl of food processor, PLACE the flour, salt and sugar. PULSE a few seconds. ADD the butter and PULSE a few seconds at a time, until it has a grainy texture. ADD the ice water and vinegar. PULSE again a few seconds at a time, adding a little water if necessary, until a ball begins to form.

2. REMOVE the dough from the bowl and FORM 2 balls with your hands. FLOUR the balls then COVER individually in plastic wrap. REFRIGERATE for 30 minutes.

3. ROLL OUT both balls of dough and line a 23-cm (9-inch) pie plate with one circle. MAKE an incision in the centre of the second crust.

4. With the rack in the bottom position, PREHEAT the oven to 180°C (350°F).

Filling
5. SPREAD the blueberries in the pie shell. SPRINKLE the berries with the sugar and tapioca. TOP with the second crust.

6. Tightly seal the dough by crimping the edge with a fork or your fingers. BRUSH with milk.

7. BAKE for about for 50 minutes. COOL. SERVE with vanilla ice cream.


My Comments
I used more water for the crust and replaced the sugar by brown sugar for the filling. I received lots of positive comments for the taste of the pie and the crust.

2013 - Ottawa, ON

This year, I decided to go to the nation's capital during the Victoria Day long week-end. Most of the activities can be done from walking distance.

MUSEUMS

Most museums have free admission on Thursday nights.
For more info, check out on: http://www.ottawatourism.ca/en/media/story-ideas/themes/free-or-nearly-free-ottawa

Also, look up for International Museum Day.

National Gallery Museum
International and Canadian paintings. Contemporary arts.

Bytown Museum
To discover the history of Otttawa.

SHOPPING

Recommended to shop @Rideau Shopping Centre. There are sales during the long week-end.
Open on Victoria Day.

TULIPS FESTIVAL

Thank you Holland for the beautiful tulips. After a rainy day, the tulips... it was also the last week-end for the festival.

THE SALUTE OF "21 GUNS"

In honor of the Queen's birthday, there is the 21-gun salute every Victoria Day, at noon, at the Parliament. I missed the ceremony, but I heard the 21-gun firing of cannons.

2013 - Ottawa Jail Hostel

I will always remember my first experience in a hostel: sleeping in a jail! Perfect location. Parliament, museums, Byward Market and Rideau shopping centre are all walking distances. Parking is $7 for 24 hrs. Breadfast included from 7:30am to 10:30am daily. WIFI included. There are activities at the mugshots jail bar every night.

Cells:

The basement: laundry room, kitchen, living room, dining room, bar...

Where are the bathrooms?

No elevator. Staircase with heavy doors.

Peeking.

My room was located on level 5.