Boutique or Not-So-Chic?

Bokx109 is located in the boutique Indigo hotel in Newton.  The atmosphere was a mix: cougars, hunters/ole-timers(is that the male version of a cougar?), business travelers, and locals.  We had cocktails and apps at the bar.  I struggled a bit with the menu, but their asparagus appetizer was good.  Kinda pricey for the portions.

So far, not so swanky for a boutique style hotel.  Well at least not inside.  Until a glowing light outside caught my eye. Of course I had to explore!

Wait a minute - did I just leave boston and enter South Beach?  I made my way to the cabanas in harmony with the rhythm of the lounge tunes.  Not as picturesque as the Shore Club or Delano, but not too shabby for metro Boston.  Oh and don't be thrown off by the front of the hotel.  I'm pretty sure it was a hospital in a former life. Indigo hotel isn't super 'boutiquesque' but beggars can't be choosers in the 'burbs' of boston. 

Let me sail, let me sail, let the Orinoco flow

When it was decided to go to Orinoco restaurant, all I could think of was the song from Enya:


Enya - Orinoco Flow by WBRNewMedia
Good song by the way!  So I had no idea what to expect from Orinoco.  Let's just say that I was pleasantly surprised!!  I went to Orinoco for lunch for the first time and loved it.  It is a small, yet authentic restaurant nestled on one of the side streets in the South End.  Once inside, I felt like I was in South America. Seriously I almost ordered in Spanish.  The decor was simple, but had a rustic feel to it.  The Latin music playing in the background completed the experience.

Priced inexpensively, the portions were modest, but perfect size for lunch.  I had the Orinoco salad (forgot to ask them to leave out the onions) and some yuca(yum!).  Next time I will definitely try an Arepa- traditional Venezuelan grilled corn pocket sandwich. Oh and the service was excellent.

Amen to The Brahmin!

The old 33 Lounge on Stanhope received a face lift, and is now known as The Brahmin. I paid The Brahmin a visit on a friday night for a friend's birthday, and it was a great scene.  Music was odd at times (rare mix of 80's-90's remixes), but then it found it's way back to the 21st century.  Last but not least...the tall bald bartender made the best bellinis.

Here are some more reviews on yelp:
http://www.yelp.com/biz/the-brahmin-boston#hrid:a-3I3NrJDqBr2XzujyG-9w

Is it The Pumpkin or The Wine?

What is it that makes this sangria recipe taste so good? 

Pumpkin Sangria
Serves fifteen to twenty

Ingredients
4 bottles cabernet sauvignon
1 bottle pinot grigio
½ bottle brandy
½ bottle ruby port wine
1 lemon peel
1 orange peel
5 cinnamon sticks
2 sugar pumpkins
½ oz. cloves
1 l water
½ lb. brown sugar
¼ lb. white sugar
1 oz. vanilla extract
1 tbsp. butter
1. Pour the wine, brandy, and port into a large container.
2. Add the lemon and orange peels and three cinnamon sticks.
3. Let the wine mixture sit while you make the pumpkin puree.
4. Peel the pumpkin. Scrape out the seeds and strings and discard.
5. Wrap the cloves in cheesecloth (to make them easier to remove later). Cut the pumpkin into small pieces and place in a large saucepan with water, brown and white sugars, and remaining cinnamon sticks, vanilla extract, butter, and cloves.
6. Cook over low heat until the pumpkin slices are very soft.
7. Remove the cinnamon and cloves. Blend until smooth.
8. Strain the puree through a fine strainer. Use the wine mixture to thin out the puree and make it easier to strain.
9. Refrigerate 1-2 days before serving.

Enjoy a laborless glass of pumpkin sangria through November 30 at Grafton Street, 1230 Massachusetts Avenue, Harvard Square (617-497-0400)