I am a Honey Bee

All about my adventures with cooking, crafts, and travel

Monday Munchies

Monday Munchies: Boloco

 

 

As part of my Monday Munchies series, I will feature a different eatery for a review on the first and third Monday of every month. Hope you enjoy!

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If you are in the Boston area you know of Boloco for their ‘inspired burritos’. But if you are not from the Beantown area and that name sounds familiar it might be because you might have read about them in the news recently when Nutella issued a cease and desist order from using their name in Boloco’s Nutella Milkshake. What?!? That’s right, Nutella doesn’t want you using their rich chocolate hazelnut spread in frozen beverages. Anyway, so Boloco is figuring out what to do next but in the mean time they will continue to serve up some great burritos, like they have been doing for the last 14 years.

 

Four friends started a fast service restaurant in Boston centered around making traditional Mexican burritos as well as burritos using other unexpected, bold ingredients and fresh smoothies in 1997 by Berklee College. They became a hit and started to expand their menu and to other locations throughout Boston.  I’ve been enjoying Boloco since I first visited Boston in ’03 when it was called ‘The Wrap’. Then in 2006 they changed the name to Boloco… BOston LOcal COmpany… Well, it was then that Improper Bostonian gave them one of their ‘Best of’ awards. Which award? “Stupidest Name Change” I had no problem with calling themselves The Wrap but I guess some people didn’t connect it to their the brand as they thought of cold deli sandwiches and not fresh made hot burritos. I don’t love the name but I do love what they serve, how they treat their employees, their mission to be green, and the charities they are envolved with.

So you won’t find you typical Chipotle style burritos here as they offer fun burritos like ‘Buffalo’, ‘Bangkok’, and ‘Tikka Marsala’ as well some kick you in the butt breakfast burritos. Plus they let you make up your own burrito combos using all the different ingredients they offer called ‘golocos’.

 

Boloco offers seasonal burritos as well. Since it’s the fall their current special is the ‘Late November Burrito’ which basically is your thanksgiving leftovers sandwich just wrapped up in a tortilla including house-roasted turkey, home-made stuffing, green beans, a tangy cranberry chutney, and served with a side of gravy. noms

My Teriyaki Burrito with Tofu, Cucumbers & Hot Sauce

While I enjoy lunch there my favorite time to go is in the morning for a smoothie or a breakfast burrito. It’s started to get too cold for me to enjoy my favorite Berry Blitz smoothie so I’ll occasionally treat myself to a burrito instead. My favorite is the Huevos Chorizo with its eggs, cheese, chorizo, and chipotle sour cream. Price’s favorite is the Truck Stop (eggs, cheese, bacon, and potatoes) with salsa.. Be sure to stop by before 11am to try one of their 5 options.

 

I do caution you to check out their nutrition facts as burritos can be sneaky caloric bombs. It’s just the way things are with burritos as flour tortillas are jerks with over 230 calories.  I don’t even want to think about If you are watching your waist then I suggest sticking with the small burrito, which really isn’t too small, or a mini. Or you can just switch it up and go with a burrito bowl as you eliminate the tortilla.

Be sure to visit one of the 22 locations in Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire and DC to enjoy a burrito and smoothie!

Check out this cool video about Boloco’s past 15 years. Awesome illustrations!

Monday Munchies: Katz’s Bagel Bakery- Chelsea, MA

As part of my Monday Munchies series, I will feature a different eatery for a review on the first and third Monday of every month. Hope you enjoy!

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While Price and I were in the process of our house this spring, we saw a special on Chronicle about Chelsea, which added to our excitement about the city that we would be moving into. It gave us a lot of information about the history of the tiny city just outside of Boston as well as some great places to go to in Chelsea to see or eat. One place in particular was Katz’s Bagel Bakery. Who doesn’t love a great bagel? (Carbophobes- just stop reading…)

Katz’s Bagel Bakery (pronouced Kate’s) has been open in the same location since 1938 and has been run by 3 generations of Katz men; Harry to Richard and now Jimmy and Jeremy. They make bagels the authentic way by boiling them, letting them dry in a dryer, and then baking them. This process is applied to all of their varieties of bagels. The time, care. and quality ingredients they put into their bagels, and other bakery products, really shows.

 

So whenever we are in town we go to Katz’s bagels for breakfast on the weekends. I love bagels but I love really good bagels. Bagels from Katz a crusty on the outside and chewy on the inside. When split open you see a perfectly worked dough that has lovely air pockets giving it an all around great texture.

Katz’s is home to Pizza Bagels. Harry Katz came up with the idea in the 70’s to close a bagel and flatten that out a bit and use at as the dough. This makes their ‘pizza dough’ thick, chewy and the perfect base for a cheesy individual pizza. I did the biggest blogger faux pas and didn’t take a picture of my bagel pizza. I heated it up and it was so amazing looking I just dived in. once I was staring a an empty plate… oh crap! picture!! So here’s the deal, trust me when I say their pizza bagels are awesome and just go to get one.

 

No matter if you go for bagels, pizza bagels, bagel wrapped hot dogs, muffins, or eclairs (Friday & Saturday) you will have a great product, for a great deal. In this particular visit, I walked out of there with a bagel, cream cheese, pizza bagel, and a very large bag of bagel chips for just $8.

Check out Katz’s on a Chronicle segment.

Katz’s Bagels

139 Park Street

Chelsea, MA 02150

617.884.9738

Closed Mondays

Monday Munchies: Brutole Restaurant- Danvers, MA

As part of my Monday Munchies series, I will feature a different eatery for a review on the first and third Monday of every month. Hope you enjoy!

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We recently went to Brutole Restaurant in Danvers, MA and had such a fantastic time. The service was spot on and the food was fantastic and really enjoyable. I am so thankful for the groupon that we had as it introduced us to a great place that is a short drive away from our new home.

As soon as we sat down our waiter placed this basket of bread in front of us. Then he placed a mound of grated cheese on a saucer and then drowned it on oil. Thankfully I have a bit of restraint, or I would have eaten 3 basket fulls of this bread with this dipping oil. Carb coma bliss.

We had a hard time picking out our appetizer. We eventually decided on the Mediterranean Spinach and Artichoke Dip that is served with Brutole tortilla chips ($10). This appetizer was served very hot so that cheese was melted perfectly. We felt that the dominate flavors were spinach and feta and that artichoke was missing from the dip. This did not make it bad it just was not as advertised. I think that if this was put under a broiler we would have loved it even more. We had half of this wrapped up to-go and it was still really great the next night.

For my entree I had the Lobster Mac & Cheese appetizer. As soon as I read it I knew I had to have it. I have no resistance against large chunks of lobster meat tossed together with a mascarpone cheese lobster velute and elbow macaroni. Plus on top of that there was a drizzle of truffle oil. It was the perfect pick for just $15.

I loved this as it was really loaded with large chunks of lobster and it was the perfect portion that did not leave me stuffed at the end and feeling ill from over indulging on rich food.

Price picked the fettucini pasta dish that had large gulf shrimp, tomatoes, basil, and baby spinach ($29). A very generous serving was placed in front of him and I was jealous. There were 8 large gulf shrimp nestled under that pasta. Eight large shrimp! I feel that if I get any dish with seafood that the seafood is that after thought and there are 3-4. Very impressive. Price also had half of this wrapped up with some extra bread and it enjoyed it for lunch the next day. 

 

We split the creme brulee ($10) for dessert. It was a generous portion so it was perfect for 2 people. The custard was rich and creamy and had a nice thick layer of caramelized sugar on top. Perfect crack when our spoons broke through.

 

Brutole is not visible from Rt. 1 so I don’t think many people know about it or consider it as Rt. 1 is jam packed with restaurants. I think that it also doesn’t help them that several lights on the exterior are out. I think that if they liven up the exterior then people would feel more welcomed to come inside to see a great space and to enjoy a great meal.

We know that we will be back to enjoy that fantastic food and try one of their great sounding cocktails. I think we’ll grab a seat at the bar and try one of their grilled pizzas and a cocktail next time. That cocktail list has my name all of it!

Brutole Restaurant

65 Newbury Street

Danvers, MA 01923

(978) 777-6633

Monday Munchies: Doug’s Fish Fry- Skaneateles, NY

As part of my Monday Munchies series, I will feature a different eatery for a review on the first and third Monday of every month. Hope you enjoy!

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So I skipped last scheduled installment of  Monday Munchies as I was having a blast with S’mores week. But I swear that this postponement is worth it as I am sharing with you a great place that serves fresh seafood in a great town nestled in the Finger Lakes of New York. I was introduced to Doug’s Fish Fry over 7 years ago when I went back to visit Pricer’s family for the first time. Since then I have been hooked on going there for lunch or dinner.

 

 

Doug’s is a Skaneateles, NY staple as it opened 30 years ago in 1982. Since then they have expanded their restaurant in size and to a Cortland, NY location. The Skaneateles location is really quaint with wood paneling and hand painted murals on the walls. The lines get long and the dining room gets busy but that just goes to show how great it is. Thankfully, they serve quickly so the lines move fast. Also, if you just want some ice cream you can go up to the side window to order.

 

I suggest eating at Doug’s, but if you can’t then you can get your order to go and walk down to the park along Skaneateles Lake. They wrap up your order in large sheets of wax paper. Take the bundle with you, pop a squat (who gets that?), and enjoy your dinner along with the view. The lake is always enjoyable and I highly suggest sitting along the waterfront and taking a walk down the jetty.

Their fish sandwich plate is always a favorite of ours. Also the shrimp and scallops plate are some of my favorites on the menu as well. The fish is always fresh as it gets shipped in all the time. I love that they only serve the best… the best seafood, the best fries, the best cole slaw. Basically, I just love it all. The fries are great with a dash of vinegar or with some tartar sauce. The coleslaw that they serve is great as well. We often get large to go orders of the cole slaw to go with BBQ’s at home as well.

Whatever you do don’t miss out on a sundae from Doug’s. I can’t resist their ice cream and sundaes. It just has this incredible hold on me. They sell pre-made sundaes that are really good but I suggest that you get a sundae made to order to the hot fudge is hot and makes your ice cream soupy in the best sort of way possible. I was once to excited to order a sundae that I ordered a large and once I saw it being assembled I had to cancel our 2nd sundae. They are so large that they are the perfect size to share. But I wouldn’t blame you if you kept it all just for yourself! 🙂

Doug’s Fish Fry

8 Jordan Street

Skaneateles, NY 13152

(315) 685-3288