When The Moon Hits Your Eye...

like a big pizza pie, that's (not) Fiore!!

If you are ready to battle your way to a rooftop seat, then this is the place for you.  It's certainly a scene on the roof deck of Fiore, but not the scene I was looking for.  No lie, I had to position myself strategically to get in line for a table.  The couple occupying the table was paying the bill, and just about to stand when a bachelorette party pranced on in.  Oh no, they were not going to take my table!  I was not letting this happen.  Just because you have a veil on, doesn't mean you get special seating privileges.  I had to do something, so I tapped the girl on the shoulder and kindly let her know that we were waiting for the table.  Whoa where did that come from?  Must have been my screaming feet, in 3 inch heels, that made me do it.  Fortunately the bridal posse stepped aside. Thank goodness - I'm definitely not into cat fights.

But was it worth all the fuss?  Here's the situation:  the waitress was a complete space cadet.  It took her 20 minutes to bring us menus, and we lost count waiting for our drinks.  When she arrived to take our order, she had a pizza that was scorching hot she could no longer hold on to it.  Somehow it ended up in my hands - ouch!!  I'm not sure if the pizza incident happened before or after she dropped someone's beer on the ground next to us.  After our less than average appetizer, we kindly asked for the check and ended up at Il Panino for dinner.  As luck would have it, the bachelorette party was seated right next to us at Il Panino. Sooo awkward!

A Little Taste of Brazil in Waltham

I've driven by Panela de Barro for the past 4yrs with curiosity.  Finally I satisfied my curiosity/hunger and ventured in one afternoon to see what this modest Brazilian establishment had to offer.   Once you walk in through the front door, you are faced with a buffet.  Anyone that has traveled to Brazil would understand.  They love buffets!!  To bad Ponderosa still isn't around.  Or is it?  I'll let you know shortly.

Anyhow, I'm not a huge fan of buffets at all.  The thought of everyone dipping into the same bowl just turns me off.  aka germ phobia.  yuck!

 After I got over my fear, I made my way straight to the plantains.  Nothing will compare to the plantains in Costa Rica, but I had to try for myself.  Delish!!  I also had some rice and poa de quejo(cheese bread).  I probably could have eaten the entire basket of poa de quejo, but I had to save some for the line behind me.  Oh, did I mention that I tried cashew juice?  Very peculiar, but good.

For people that want a taste of  Brazil, this is a good place.  I'm not a huge fan of meat so I passed the man, standing behind a little window,  handing out slabs of beef.  I'm pretty sure the meat lovers will be "satisfecho" at the end of their meal.  Overall the food was good, but I was hoping to see the panela de barro(pot) overflowing with traditional Brazilian fare.  

FYI - Ponderosa does still exist.  Apparently there is one in Attleboro, MA. 

Cinnamon or Nutmeg?

You don't have to go to a restaurant to find the perfect sangria, when you can make it in the comfort of your own home.

I've heard of many different sangria recipes, which include ingredients such as cinnamon, nutmeg, orange juice, brandy, lemons, limes, apples, ginger ale, soda water...  Everyone has their own 'secret' ingredient, hence the wide variety of sangria concoction.  It's really what you're in the mood for at the time.  Whether it is sweet, citrus, bubbly sangria, it all depends on your taste.

A few years ago, I made white sangria for a baby shower that I threw for a friend.  I know what you're thinking... that's so mean to make sangria when an expecting mom can't drink!  But for all of you who have endured hundreds of showers as I have, it was the best idea ever.  The gift opening process was so much more fun when everyone’s sangria-tipsy.  Guests seemed oblivious to watching her open all those onesies, burpies, genies, diapies, boppies...

At one point the supply of sangria was running low, so I had to improvise. I added any ole white wine, sprite and grapes to replenish the pitcher.  It wasn't too bad!  Not as tasty as the original sangria, but I don't think anyone noticed after their second or third glass.  In case you're wondering, the original white wine sangria recipe was from allrecipes.com.

If you prefer authentic red wine sangria, I'd recommend the following recipe: http://therecipegirl.blogspot.com/2008/02/red-wine-sangria-recipe.html

Last but not least, if you want to take the easy way out, I'll share a little secret.  If you're ever in NY/NJ, find the nearest liquor store and pick up a bottle of Don Simon.  Enjoy a taste of Spain in a bottle!

¡Salud to Sangria!

All right all of you sangria lovers... who has the best sangria in Boston?  Red, white, pink..,which is your favorite sangria?  Here are my top choices for good-but-not-as-good as Spain's sangria:  

• Solea   
• Toro
• Casa Romero
• Taberna Horo
• Cuchi Cuchi
• Emmas Pizza: random right? Their Sangria is simple, yet good like their pizza.
• Noche

I've been drinking sangria since birth, okay maybe since I studied abroad in college(but it seems that long ago).   I've sampled sangria at various places in Madrid - restaurants, tapas bars, bull fights(ole!), el parque retiro, un futbol game… I’m starting to write in spanglish. It's so difficult to forget about the good ole times in Spain.  Aside from Madrid, I've sipped sangria in Barcelona, Sevilla, Marbella, Ibiza, Granada, San Sebastian, Asturias, Leon... I'm not sure if I traveled around Spain for the sights or the sangria.?  If only I was chosen instead of Gwyneth Paltrow to appear in the series of On the Road Again Spain.

Sangria at Parador de Leon

After traveling over the mountains and plateaus of Spain, I've concluded that the best sangria was made in a lovely top floor apartemento on Calle Velasquez in Madrid.  This is where my host family lived, and my host mom Mary Carmen was responsible for my everlasting love of sangria.  I don't recall the exact ingredients, but I do remember that there was quite a bit of brandy was involved.  That was the evening I converted my sweet 'rebel southern bell' roommate into a 'discoteca lovin yankee' :-)  We'll save that story for another time.  Back to the topic - How could the Boston varieties ever compare to Mary Carmen’s home made sangria?  The bottom line? They can’t compare.