The Ultimate Kitchen Table

I've been dying to tell you all about one of my new favorite places to eat in Boston. It's called Ten Tables, in Jamaica Plain. This place is by far the best place I've ever eaten at (and I've eaten a lot in my time). I also like you leave without that guilty feeling of spending too much dough ($$) on dinner. This affordable, winsome restaurant will win you over the minute you walk in the door and get a whiff of the amazing aroma. 

So what's so great about it? Here's my top 5 list:

1) Wednesday night $29 3-course dinner specials (what a frickin' deal!)

2) The food is absolutely fantastic

3) Ambiance can't be beat (unless your really old and in that case it probably sucks)

4) All of the food is local and organic 

5) Free parking

I first went to Ten Tables on a Wednesday night with a friend, not even knowing about the $29 special. We also were able to find parking about 3 blocks away for free! Awesome, considering there are many places that charge a ton for parking these days! Anyways, back to my point, if you've ever eaten at a half-fancy place in Boston, you know that appetizers+entrees+drinks+desserts+ports=$$$$. This place offers the best food. Portions were just right. Small enough that you can eat all three, yet big enough that the last bite is a feat. I started off with a cauliflower soup that was garnished with some sort of red oil. I know I'm suppose to be more familiar with this, but I have no idea what it was...all I know is that it was incredible. I could have drank this all night long and taken some home it was so good. For the main course, I had gnocchi in a red wine and wild mushroom ragout. (That means sauce for you non-foodies out there.) Usually gnocchi is so filling, I can rarely finish the plate. But this gnocchi was light, fluffy and still full of flavor. Finally, I finished off the meal with 2 orders of dessert. Yes, 2. And I decided to divert from my usual chocolate sweet tooth and ordered citrus flavored desserts instead. 1 order of olive oil cake with a citrus garnish, and a lemon tart. Both were fantastic. I also noticed on the menu that all of the food used here is from local, organic farmers. Kudos for being environmentally aware and helpful!

The menu had a wide range of prices for wine, which is always a nice surprise. The ambiance was also incredible. In this tiny space, which is exactly why it's called Ten Tables, they have managed to create a warm, inviting feeling with dim lights and an array of tealight candles. The painted brick walls are adorned with photographs that make you feel like your in an artist's loft studio. There are also tree branches and other nature-related items in the room that make you feel like your sitting in someone's living room. 

If/when you go to Ten Tables, ask for the Chef's table. This is where we sat and literally had a direct view of the kitchen. Talk about the ultimate kitchen table. Situated on stools looking into the kitchen, I was in awe at how the chef's seemed to create little masterpieces on each plate. They even came over and talked to us for a bit. When's the last time the chef came out of his kitchen at a restaurant and personally asked you how the food was? I was blown away by the true love of food at Ten Tables. I know I sound like I'm gushing...and to be perfectly clear, I am! I love this place and will definitely be back soon. From what we were told, the menu changes quite often and I'm excited to see what else these talented people can do!

More Mac-n-Cheese

So what'd ya know...guess what was on Good Morning America this morning? I mean, other than the obvious. A Mac-N-Cheese contest! Gasp! (If you're not as excited about this as I am, I do apologize). For the last week or so GMA did a Best Mac-n-Cheese Ever Challenge to find the, duh, best mac-n-cheese ever. The top three contestants came into the studio today and Emeril Lagasse helped pick the #1 recipe in the US. The winner was Laura Macek- who had a cavatappi, gruyere, cheddar and bacon recipe. Needless to say, I was late to work after drooling in front of the TV for the rest of the segment. 

The recipe actually looks pretty awesome. It definitely takes some time to put this whole thing together, since your roasting garlic and cooking bacon and all, but I bet on a cold night this would be great. If your not starving of course. 

See, mac-n-cheese really can be anything you want it to be. And here you were starting to think I was just a chubby sitting on the computer talking nonsense. Hey wait a minute, why don't I have a cheese award?

A Tired and True Dinner with a Twist

After a long day of running around, I was hungry and tired by the time I got home tonight. That combination usually leads to one thing: me, in a bad mood. Walking the dog in 24 degree weather certainly didn't help either

Eventually, the inevitable question arises: What should I eat for dinner?

Too lazy to go to the grocery store and not patient enough to wait for delivery, I search the fridge and cabinets for a gourmet meal that would both warm and fill my aching belly. Enter: Mac-n-Cheese. But of course, being the porker I am, this is not your Mama's baked mac-n-cheese. This is Ricotta and Spinach Tortellini in a Gorgonzola Cream Sauce (aka Tort-n-Cheese).

Once the drool stops oozing from your mouth, feel free to try out the recipe below. I love this recipe because its delicious, quick and easy to make (plus, clean up is minimal, which is always a plus). To be honest, the measurements below are kinda guesses. Just add as much or as little as your taste buds demand, but this should be a good guide.

1 package of Barilla Ricotta and Spinach Tortellini

1 1/2 cups heavy cream

1 cup crumbled Gorgonzola cheese

salt 

pepper

Follow the package directions for cooking the tortellini. While the pasta is boiling, pour cream into a saucepan over medium-high heat. Allow to boil, in order to thicken the cream. Once cream is boiling, reduce heat to low. Combine heavy cream, gorgonzola cheese, salt and pepper to taste. Drain pasta once fully cooked. Add pasta to cream sauce. Dig in!

In the future, I will try to post photos of the food I eat, but I was too hungry to stop and take a picture of this one before hand. One last thing I like about this recipe is that you can change it up. Add pine nuts, chicken, basil to make it more healthy, or add different cheeses to change it up. For me, I'm happy with my good ol', carb-a-licious Tort-n-cheese!