I am always excited about new restaurants in Boston. Living in the city, we find ourselves eating out quite frequently! When, Pastoral opened this past Friday I had my reservation and was ready to go. The place was packed! They have family style seating at the front by the open kitchen, as well as a large dining area and finally a great bar with a few T. V’s to watch the March Madness games. This is a great place for everyone. The Rustic menu, Neapolitan-pizza (Gluten-free) and homemade desserts were delish! Nick and I left very full and here are a few things that we sampled! Along with a quick snap shot below of the front of the restaurant.

This Garlic Knot was filled with tons of Garlic, Fennel Sausage and Ricotta…Yum bring your breath mints!

This was a yummy Neapolitan pizza with fresh Mozzarella, tomatoes and chicken meatballs. We had to try the ricotta filled dumplings with pistachios, and mortadella butter. This pasta was amazing!

And of course we needed warm cookies with homemade ricotta and chocolate chip gelato!

Wood-fired knots
Roast garlic/extra virgin olive oil
Mixed olives/anchovy
Fennel sausage/ricotta

Snacks
Octopus/parsley/chickpeas/saffron/orange
Chicken meatballs/pepper conserve/goat cheese
Albacore crudo/grapefruit/white mushroom/bonito
Pork chicharone & chorizo kabob/wood-roasted apple
Calamari/dried chili/green olives
Stuffed fried olives/Italian crumbs
Oven-roasted chicken wing/roasted garlic/lemon

Small
Prosciutto/fresh mozzarella/walnut pesto/crostini
Mantis shrimp a la plancha/anchovy butter
Butter lettuce & escarole caesar/white anchovy
Pastoral salad/8 vegetables/garlic milk dressing
Arugula/frisse/fennel/egg/smoked pancetta/evoo

Large
Amargnac chicken/shallots/prunes/wild rice cake
Hanger steak/ash roasted leeks & potatoes/goat milk butter
Shellfish pot/mussels/clams/lobster
Roasted acadian redfish/parsley root/garlic & lemon
Kurobuta pork collar/kale & onion/salsa verda
Salmon/tomato-mussel sofrito/sausage/artichoke chips
Veal & pork pojarski/mushroom crema/brussels sprouts
Oxtail & toulouse sausage/puy lentils/onion “gravy”

Veggies
Wood-roasted potatoes/garlic/potato rosemary mayo
Cauliflower/anchovy/green olive crumbs
Roasted big beet/feta/black sambuca/mint
Wood-roasted kale/jalapeno/garlic
Mashed brussels sprout/grana/olive oil
Artichokes/”alla guidina”/mint/orange

Pizza
Pomodoro/tomato/garlic/oregano/chile & olive oil
Peperoni/fresh mozzarella/tomato
Cured anchovy/smoked mozzarella/roasted red pepper/tomato
Blanco/buffalo mozzarella/fromage blanc/fennel sausage
Mozzarella/jalapeno/arugula/lemon & bonito
Prosciutto/green olive/buffalo mozzarella
Caramelized onion/gruyere/fromage blanc/bacon puree
Calamari/sun-gold tomato/lily’s pepper confit/arugula
Forest & field mushrooms/garlic/ricotta/truffle
Lobster/shallot/mascarpone/hint of garlic
Spicy sausage/fontina/ricotta/rabe leaves

Pasta
Ricotta dumplings/pistachio/mortadella butter
Radiatore pasta/tomato & milk-braised veal breast/foir di latte
Mushroom & walnut plins/escarole/amaretto
Chitarra pasta carbonara/prosciutto/lobster
Mezz rigatoni/sauce bolognese/foir di latte

Pastoral, 345 Congress St., Boston

I stopped in yesterday to scope out a new Blow Dry Bar at the Seaport that just opened yesterday, right down the street from my condo in South Boston. I was thrilled that they had time to show me the new place and also do a fabulous blow out before heading out with my ladies to restaurant week! Danielle was my stylist and she gave my hair great waves and bounce in minutes! I can’t wait to go back on Saturday again with one of my friends to do it all over again and also try out the nail bar they have as well with an array of services. All weekend long they have a great promotion: $25 dollar blow outs and $10 off all nail services.

Check them out at  http://www.blomedry.com they still have lots of openings for this weekend. 

A tragic day for Boston Fire. We’re remembering those who lost their lives protecting the people of Boston.
Our deepest condolences.

I have been a fan of Shellac on nails for a while now. I don’t have to take the time to sit in a salon week after week for a regular manicure. Shellac is convenient and looks great on my nails. Until NOW! I am not a doctor nor a chemical specialist of any sort but I started reading and talking to folks about the chemicals and UV rays used for Shellac nails. Immediately, I decided this was going totally against my clean living regimen. UV rays on the hands, harsh chemicals such as formaldehyde, toluene and or DBP are found in most Shellac formulas. I had to make a change immediately!

So, I found a new nail lacquer that offers similar results. It’s called Butter by London nail lacquer. The nail lacquer is nourishing, vitamin-infused and helps with both nail health and strength. Butter does not contain formaldehyde, toluene or DBP to any of its formulas.

Last week, I bought the non-UV gel Butter lacquer set as well as two nail colors to try out. So far I really am liking Butter. The gel nail lacquer isn’t as good as the bad UV shellac. But it does help the nails from chipping up to a week for me. I did re apply the top gel coat mid week to ensure no chipping. I am willing to do more work for less chemical expose to my body. Give it a try. The colors are amazing!Click on pic to get yours!

I am absolutely loving all the bright color and boldness for this seasons jewelry looks. When I was in NYC a few weeks back,  thats all you would see on 5th ave. I am absolutely dying for one of these clutches and necklaces from Henri Bendel that I have posted! They are an investment piece and you can get them directly by calling Henri Bendel in NYC. I found a few more options that will do less damage on your bank account below. Click on pic to get yours! Free shipping both ways!

Last night we had a wonderful cooking class in South Boston hosted by Chef Emily G. Emily is both a wine expert and chef by trade. Her choices of wine and recipes are to die for. Emily took us through step by step on how to make these wonderful crab, hazelnut and cream sauce pasta nests. They are to die for!!!! I had to share this with all of you! She also gave us tips on how to make your own garlic paste, and how to cut properly and zest a lemon or two! Just to you know, I don’t cook, but I think I want to start! I also have to thank Southie Christa for hosting us all in her kitchen in South Boston! We made a mess and we had a fantastic time!

Pasta:

1lb imported angel hair pasta or chittara

4TBS olive oil

Zest of one lemon, Microplane

2tsp. minced garlic

1/4 cup of finely chopped parsley

Salt and pepper to taste

(Boil a large pot of water with kosher salt, it should taste like the ocean, when water is boiled place pasta in the pot and cook for a few minutes until done.

Strain and add the zest of lemon, parsley, garlic, olive oil and salt and pepper to taste-don’t forget always taste your food before serving to make sure it has enough salt and pepper to bring out the flavors.

Get your oven pre-heated to 325

Bring out a casserole pan to start creating your “pasta nests” use a fork and keep twirling until desired size

Put to the side until ready to add sauce, crab and hazelnuts )

Lemon Cream:

4 1/2 cups of heavy cream

Zest of one lemon, Microplane

( On stovetop boil the heavy cream, this must be watched so it doesn’t burn or overflow. Add your lemon zest. Cook down until half of the cream has thickened)

Topping:

1TBS olive oil

1TBS minced garlic

2TBS julienne shallots

1TBS minced jalapeño , seeded

1/2 lb. fresh real crabmeat, squeezed dry if necessary and picked over

A handful of crushed hazelnuts

( In a pan on your stove top add olive oil, sauté garlic, shallots, jalapeño and hazelnuts. Then add the crab meat and stir. Taste, you may want to add a few pinches of salt to taste.

Go back to your nests in the casserole pan and pour the cream sauce over the nests, take the crab meat mixture and put on top of each nest, add some bread crumbs on top and a tsp of butter on top before sticking in the oven for 10 min.

Serve with a simple salad and a great wine!

Those that know me well, know I like a man to be dressed pretty well, most of the time. Fortunately, I met someone who can do both. Dress well and also dress extremely comfortable when he feels like it. And Nick rather dress in sweats most of the day!

A few things that I personally notice in regards to fashion on men is the shoes, and the belt. Yes, I know this doesn’t matter to the majority of the world, but in Danielle’s world I take notice. I think its important and also professional to be seen clean, cut and also dressed to impress.

Here are some of my choices that I really like and that Nick wears quite often when he needs to clean up and head out into the world. Just click on the pics and they can be yours. These are things that you will have for a long time! So, making the investment is well worth it.

If you are looking for more casual wear I really like men in jeans that fit correctly as well as a nice button down. These Lucky jeans are super comfortable I am told. Most of the jeans for men are very tight and straight these days. These Lucky’s are more of a relaxed fit. I also like a nice flannel shirt thats bright to wear in the cold Boston months and in the freezing March we are having. Click on pic!

One of the things I am always asked is where should we go out in Boston with my husband, girlfriend, boyfriend etc! Well, being one of the few survivors out of our friends who haven’t left the city, my husband and my city living girlfriends have really made an effort to enjoy everything possible in Boston that we can. We all know that one day we will probably leave to bigger places with grass, pools and driveways. So we are all trying to enjoy it while it lasts! There are so many options I don’t know where to begin.

Here are a few of our favorite places close by:

Chestnut Hill SuperLux Cinema 

This place is fantastic! Dinner and drink service to your comfy reclined chair! It doesn’t get any better than this! SuperLux is my go to spot for a low key Friday or Saturday night.

Tangierino

Moraccan Chophouse and Tapas! You will always have a fun night here! The experience of the decor, belly dancers, food and drink makes for a great date night or with a big group of friends. I am not a fan of smoke, but they also have a cigar and hookah bar under the restaurant for a late night cocktail or dessert.

Franklin Cafe South Boston

Franklin Cafe is a great neighborhood restaurant in South Boston and in the South End. The menu is very eclectic and always changing with the seasons. We really like to go here with friends to enjoy the creative cocktails, local beers and the long list of tapas. Parking isn’t so easy, so take a cab!

Fairmont Hotel Battery Wharf/Aragosta Bar & Bistro

This place is the perfect place for a great night! Not only do I go here frequently for “tea” but we also go here for dinner and to roast marshmallow s’mores outside at the fire pits. You must call for reservations for Fridays and Saturdays to roast marshmallows! The burger is probably one of then best in the city and the pasta bolognese is unbelievable.

This week:

Stop by Blo Blow Dry Bar its opening at the Seaport and they have deals for $25 blow outs!

Also on Wednesdays at District Hall Starting April 9th a Pop Up Shopping Event with South Boston Retailers from 530-7 pm. Free tickets on Eventbrite.

Stay Warm Boston! Enjoy the day!