MATTHEW S. ROBINSON 62 Brookline Street, Needham, MA 02492

617 877 6264 / matthewsrobinson@mac.com

The following piece appeared in The Homesteader and on Matt’s Meals:

www.matts-meals.com

A Great Spot for Your Team Coolidge Corner Clubhouse offers sports, suds, and SUPER food! What do you get when you cross over 300 homemade menu items with Boston’s largest martini menu, and throw it all together amidst more than 20 hi-definition televisions and some of the neatest sports memorabilia (and personalities) in town? Why the Coolidge Corner Clubhouse, of course!

Set just across the street from the historic Coolidge Corner Theater, the similarly-named Clubhouse offers flavors from all walks of life- From Boston’s best burgers ($8.50 to $9.95 each) to authentic Mexican (e.g., vegetarian chimichanga for $8.95; chicken, beef, or veggie enchiladas for $9.95; and fajitas from $10.95 for chicken to $17.95 for a sizzlin’ chicken-steak-shrimp combo) to

their “signature” roll ups (which offer such delectable fillings as smoked turkey, portabella mushroom, and barbecue chicken, all for $9.95). Each main course comes with one of the Clubhouse’s homemade sides, which include a heaping bowlful of healthful salad, a variety of fresh soups, and a pleasant selection of potato variations, including seasoned curly fries.

On the front end of the ever-unfolding menu are such great members of ”the starting line-up” as the soft pretzel basket ($6.95 with all the fixin’s), a vegetarian “health plate” that includes carrots, cucumbers, broccoli, mushrooms, black olives, pepperoncini, and assorted cheeses served with the Clubhouse’s one-of-a-kind avocado ranch dressing ($9.95), in addition to the expected “sports bar” fare like nachos ($6.95 for a HEAPING plate full with salsa, guacamole, and jalapenos) and a chicken quesadilla (made just different enough with the Clubhouse’s Buffalo seasoning and diced tomatoes, for $10.95).

For those hearty (and hungry) souls who make it to the “back nine,” the Clubhouse also offers a wide array of homemade desserts ($4.75-$4.95) that may include such favorites as carrot cake, apple crisp, and chocolate lava cake. No matter the season (calendar or athletic), you can always count on the Clubhouse’s signature selection of megalithic mud pies ($4.75 per slice).

Speaking of desserts, the more sports-minded are always welcome to try their hand at the Clubhouse’s nightly trivia question. If your table guesses correctly, you get a slice of mud pie on the house! Speaking of trivia, Monday nights at the Clubhouse feature the tell-your-friends talents of WBZ radio personality Morgan White (a.k.a., “The Man from T.R.I.V.I.A.”) who amazingly astounds and comically confounds all comers with his game show-worthy wit and wisdom. Give him any topic and White will ask a related question that even YOU don’t know. And on the off chance that you do, he has plenty of fun prizes and kind words for you.

No matter what night it is or what game is on the line, the Clubhouse is always comfortably filled with a friendly mixture of enthusiastic sports fans, local food fans, romantic diners, movers and shakers, and families out for a good, solid meal. If there is a game on, the Clubhouse’s seats may be at a premium, Even when the place is rockin’ with cheers, however, there is always room for one (or two) more at the room-long bar, where quick and friendly tenders mix up some of the tastiest concoctions around, including a selection of over 40 martini flavors! While cheering along, you may find yourself set alongside ESPN’s Peter Gammons and other famous neighborhood denizens. And even when there are no famous faces to be found, there are plenty of known names in the menu. In fact, nearly every item is named after a famous sports celebrity. From the Rony Seikaly salad (Greek chicken salad with feta cheese, pepperoncini, and black olives for $10.95) to the Tom Brady chicken sandwich (grilled chicken breast with bacon and Boursin cheese for $9.95), The Ted Williams burger (“simply the best” with bacon, mushrooms, and melted cheddar cheese for $9.95), and the “hat

trick” known as the Joe Thornton (freshly-cut roast beef with horseradish sauce, cheddar cheese, lettuce, and tomato for $9.95) to the Tony Pena chicken flautas, ($9.95) all of Boston’s best and brightest from yesterday and today are represented with taste-ful and tantalizing tributes. And with plenty of items yet to be named - including steak, ribs, and other items from the CCC’s mixed grill - and more than a few vegetarian options, there is truly something for everyone at the Clubhouse! So whether it’s the Final Four or a first date, the best place for casual dining and athletic fun is definitely the Coolidge Corner Clubhouse.

Coolidge Corner Clubhouse 307 Harvard Avenue, Brookline www.thecoolidgecornerclubhouse.com

A Diner with a DIFFERENCE – South Street Diner offers blue plate specials and SO much more! Food trends and the restaurants that chase them come and go, but the diner will be for always. From the days of the horse-drawn carts to the Golden Age of the Worcester Lunch Cart Company, the diner has always been a place where people from all walks of life can gather and eat with friends or, if they come alone, to make new ones.

Such is certainly the case with the South Street Diner in Boston. However, it offers so much more!

Built in Worcester in 1947, the Diner has become a Leather District landmark in Boston and far beyond. Featured in such films as “Hiding Out,” House Guest,” “21,” and on the PBS special “The Blue Diner,” the Diner was recently drawn into an issue of the “Batgirl” comic book! No wonder, then, that everyone from locals to students to ComicCon and other conventioneers come by night after night at any time of night for the delicious food and fun atmosphere that owner Sol Sidell packs into his 39-seat car.

Walking past the converted phone booth which now houses the Diner’s wine rack and other important matters, guests are brought back in time to a day when food and life were simpler. With its shining blue and white tiles, tables and booths, the South Street Diner may be the cleanest “greasy spoon” around. And with its expansive menu, it is very possible to avoid grease altogether while enjoying a healthy and hearty repast.

Among the supreme standouts that make the Diner a different dining destination worth directing to are the chocolate fantasy French toast, the hand-cut smoked salmon, steak & eggs with either 8 ounces or a full pound of NY Sirloin, the fries

served with cheese, gravy or the Diner’s famous chili, and their not-so-mini-menu of eggs Benedict served a full 15 ways- each of which is as tempting as the others! While such options as a portabella mushroom sandwich, a grape leaf appetizer, a Red Bull mimosa or wine at $5 a glass and $20 a bottle may not be the traditional stuff of diners (or of any restaurant, for that matter), South Street keeps its street cred with such throwback thrillers as authentic malted egg creams, extra-thick frappes, hand-squeezed Rickeys and lemonade, a burger deal that includes fries and a beer for $10, and so-called “slices” of pie that take two people just to carry!

As the Diner is the area’s only 24/7 restaurant, the focus on the three main meals of the day is split pretty evenly and all options are open at any time of day or night. Every night, the Bistro menu comes into effect after 5. On many nights, the Diner expands its offerings even more to mark changing seasons, sports seasons, special events (e.g., Mardi Gras, St. Patrick’s Day and the Diner’s own Steak and Lobster Fest, which will take place this year on March 4), or just to show extra love for its guests, as it does on the annual Customer Appreciation Day, a carnival-esque September celebration that features pony rides, music, raffles, free food and an ice cream truck. Another way the Diner shows its appreciation is by giving back to the community. Last year, they raised over $200,000 for Boston Senior Home Care and Sidell and his talented team are always happy to lend a hand or help another restaurant do the same.

As the food and fun are in such abundance, so too is the late-night line to get in. While booths may be reserved for parties of three or more between 1 and 5 AM by calling 617-350-0028, foot traffic from other clubs and restaurants can get as heavy as the nearby Expressway and as crowded as South Station across the street. Ever eager to serve and please his fans, Slidell always makes sure to have extra staff, many of whom mingle with the crowd outside, taking advanced orders so the food is ready as soon as they sit down. And as the food is well worth the wait, the line only heightens the anticipation and gives guests more time to enjoy the atmosphere.

For those who do not want to wait in line (or even get dressed), the Diner actually offers room service to guests in some of Boston’s best hotels. Just ring the front desk, and a special delivery will be on its way!

So whether you are just headed into work, on your lunch break, missed the last train home, or just finished a wild night in the city and want a bite to eat, the South Street Diner is a great place to drop by before or after anything else. And with all the fun to be had there, a visit to the Diner can be your entertainment for the night as well!

South Street Diner

178 Kneeland Street, Boston www.southstreetdiner.com Ventre Up to the Bar – Bar Boulud Boston offers savory savor faire With its wine-inspired décor and world-famous “name” chef Daniel Boulud-inspired everything, Bar Boulud Boston (www.barboulud.com/boston) combines the classic flavors of Lyon, France with the comfort of a favorite Boston lounge and the best of both!

Following on the success enjoyed by their pairing in London, the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Boston recently invited Chef Daniel Boulud to create his first venue in Boston. The result is an eatery that is both elegant and effervescent with one-of-a-kind touches and comforting elements that make it a great place for a special occasion or any occasion. With its branded napkins, coasters, and sugar substitutes, there is no way to lose track of the name behind the place. Fortunately, a meal at Bar Boulud is sure to be memorable on its own! From the always-open lounge area that includes cozy seats and an open until midnight chrome bar backed by gleaming and painstakingly positioned bottles and a full complement of bitters and other mixology must-haves to the open and airy main room that is that offers wine barrel-oaky tables framed by plush booths with leather and velvet seating areas topped with embroidered cushions and that also includes a separatable (and reservable) private area as well as a unique charcuterie bar (prepared in a climate-controlled room by master charcutier Gilles Vérot) where Chef Boulud’s world-famous plates are put together and presented fresh before your eyes (and salivating tastebuds), the space is both cosmopolitan and comfortable. The floor-to-ceiling windows allow every guest a view of the

bustle of Boylston and make them appreciate their delicious respite all the more. And as the restaurant is steeped in French tradition whiie open to New World nuances, the pacing of most meals allows plenty of time to enjoy the view and the food. With a Burgundy and Rhone Valley-focused wine list that requires its own table of contents (each of the contents of which has been hand-picked by Boulud and includes such categories as “legends,” “discoveries,” “classics,” and “cousins” that resemble the main offerings but are not from the same regions), wall collages made of wine case panels, a common table in the lounge that is backed by gleaming towers of bottles, artwork that includes DaVinci-esque diagrams of corkscrews and an Impressionist interpretation of a vineyard, and an overarching set of barrel staves that literally caps the open, airy space, the focus on wine is evident but not overpowering. Fortunately, every wine has a variety of foods that pair perfectly and the staff (which are similarly ever-present but not overpowering) are always happy to suggest a new favorite combination. No matter what they order, guests are offered freshly-baked breads with real creamery butter and a variety of sweet and savory sides – including delectable Viennoiserie (French pastries) and Chef Boulud’s signature Madeleins – that can add a special accent to any meal. Speaking of any meals, the Bar offers breakfast (daily from 6:30 – 10:30am), lunch (Monday – Saturday, 12 noon – 2:30PM), dinner (Daily, 5:30PM – 10PM) and many special menus. For the first meal of the day, the menu ranges from brioche French toast to freshly-fruited Greek yogurt to all-American buttermilk pancakes and even organic Vermont eggs any style (including omelets that can include Gloucester lobster). The lunch menu can be taken as a $28 two-course meal with an additional course for $6 more) or a la carte and includes Maine Peekytoe crab timbale, beef tartare, salad Provencale or Lyonnaise, housemade pumpkin cavatelli, lemon sole meunière, and steak frites or a set of sandwiches that includes Chef Boulud’s signature lobster roll and his “Classic” towering burger on fresh brioche. Dinner adds such options as shrimp al Ajillo, escargots, English tea-smoked lobster, white pork sausage, and a trio of veal preparations that includes loin, cheek, and crispy sweetbread. Speaking of sweets, Pastry Chef Robert Differ makes himself available to every guest through such fabulous finales as his traditional Basque custard cake, steamed meringue, roasted Gala apple tart, house-made sorbets and glaces (ice creams) and a pair of coupes that will drive you crazy (in a good, pineapple and coconut or dark chocolate way!). While the Bar is a great place for business lunches or family dinners, it is also a worthy contender for a new favorite brunch place. While the bill of fare for the weekly event (Sunday 12-3) includes Chef Boulud’s proprietary smoked salmon wrapped around whisked eggs, pain perdu (an extra-French and extra-yummy French toast), crispy duck egg, DB Smoked Salmon, or Oeuf en Meurette (eggs cooked in wine), what makes a Sundays at BBB best are the smooth sounds of fluglehornist Lance Houston wafting through the oaky overhangs and melding

with the mélange of mouthwatering flavors. Another extra-special time to go to the Bar is before theatre. On weekdays from 5:30-6:30, guests can enjoy such perennial favorites as soupe à l’oignon (onion soup made with Guinness) and Chef Boulud’s seasonal selection of pâté, coq au vin or the “Departed” burger ( beef patty with Irish bacon and Guinness-braised onion), and Tiramisu tart for $42. No matter what you order, it will surely be curtain up on a new dining experience! As it is now the official hotel restaurant at the Mandarin, the Bar also offers select items for Mandarin room service and the hotel’s wi-fi, making it a great place for a late-night bite or a day of downloading with delicious diversions right at your “desk.” To hlp make a special occasion more special or any day a bit so, the Bar also offers a selection of Champagnes arranged by grower and type, as well as beers on draught, select cocktails and full menus of Cognac, Amaro, Scotch, Bourbon, Rye and other “interesting” options. So whether you are in town for business or pleasure, a seating at Bar Boulud Boston will surely put you more in the frame of the latter no matter how early or late you arrive. Bar Boulud Boston At Mandarin Oriental Boston 776 Boylston Street, Boston www.barboulud.com/boston

Mass (Ave) Appeal Even on a restaurant-clogged street, Moksa stands out! Amidst the vegan also-rans and organic leftovers of Cambridge’s Central Square is a place that truly offers something new, fresh, different and always exciting!

Created by award-winning restaurateur Solmon Chowdury, whose pair of Shanti restaurants in Dorchester and Roslindale Village are redefining what Indian dining can be in the Boston area, Moksa combines innovative takes on Asian “street” food with a nightlife scene that rivals any street in the area as well!

Taking inspiration from the Asian tradition of Izakaya – a drinking establishment where the food complements the drinks – Moksa takes it one step further by offering food that easily stands on its own merits. With its sleek surroundings and arty architecture, Moksa is as much a feast for the eyes as it is for the palate. And when darkness falls outside, Moksa lights up as the back room opens revealing one of the most popular nightspots around- NAGA.

Named for the fortuitous dragon of Asian lore, NAGA offers some of the most fire-breathing DJs in the nation and the world.

Wednesdays at NAGA are “Hump” days where the room opens up to those over 19 for special tune spinners and special drinks and dinners. From Thursday

through Sunday, NAGA comes alive with Moksa @ Night, a creative and cover-free mix of craft cocktails, international DJs and alluringly international clientele. So whether you missed out on tickets at TT the Bear’s or just want something new to do tonight, any night is a good night to enter the friendly dragon at NAGA.

But getting back to the restaurant…. Moksa’s front room offers bamboo tables, a comfy corner hangout couch and a long, glowing bar that offers some of the most Izakay-ik beverages around. In addition to a zodiac-inspired set of 12 cocktails that range from the absinthe arrangement of the Tokyo Chic and the bourbon-based Red Viper to the spicy Snap Dragon, which combines pear liquor with habanero vinegar, the cocktail list also includes a homemade chocolate Irish cream that tips its Tam to the locals and other “Mass Ave Specials” that combine such elemental offerings as earthy (but never dirty) sake, fiery (but never burnt) bourbon, and watery (but never watered-down) whiskey with Heineken (all for an address-inspired $4.50!). As befits the Izakaya style, the Moksa menu also features a wide array of seasonal surprises as well as glasses, bottles and half-bottles of organic, biodynamic and otherly impressive wines from around the world as well as sake, draft and bottle beer offerings that range from local faves to exotic explorations. There is also a “Mok-tail” list that includes a set of healthful iced brews and a preserved lemon honey soda that is a taste worth acquiring.

In addition to hosting the popular Greeks Who Drink trivia contest on Mondays, the bar is also a great place to grab lunch during a busy day in tech world, to catch a game on the well-placed but not distracting flatscreens or to meet or make a friend for drinks and/or a meal. While the Happy Hour menu is an added attraction with its $1 and $2 per piece apps and other special offerings, anything is available (and almost anything is possible) in Moksa’s front room. And with its large picture windows looking out on Mass Ave (where more diners can enjoy the vibe, weather permitting), it is also a great place to see, be seen, and make the scene among the international intelligentsia that call the area home.

The rear dining area offers bamboo tables that blend with curving banquettes and overhead runway lights that gently lead the eye (and eventually the rest of the body) towards the nightclub, which is always a great place to end a night at Moksa. On certain nights, the scene is extra hot as Moksa opens up to offer such special events as the Around Asia indoor street market or viewing parties for various athletic and entertainment events.

But we are getting ahead of ourselves again….

The food! Ah, yes- the food….

As most items on the menu are offered a la carte and served family style, each

arrives as it is ready, allowing for a steady stream of savory situations to evolve and making experimentation and sharing not only easy but encouraged. Whether you order from the “raw & chilled” or “hot & cold” sections or prefer your appetizers “all wrapped up” or if you choose something with rice or noodles or from the wok or the grill, there are enough flavor combinations to satisfy even the most adventurous appetites. From gluten-free lamb shish kebab with kaffir and Japanese fried chicken to an oven-roasted butternut squash soup, ginger crab and shrimp fried rice, beef Rendang with Malaysian curry and seven-spice salmon, the Moksa menu is a mélange of magical mouthfuls that will tease and please your tongue with every bite. Among the other popular pieces are house-made picked vegetables, papaya mango salad and amazing tuna dumplings, as well as a melty sweet potato tempura and a slightly deconstructed vegetable pad thai that is fun to put back together en route to your mouth. And did we mention the impressive menu of sushi and sashimi that offers large, sharable portions of everything from the “classic” California Roll (avocado, cucumber, crabstick) and the regionally-inspired Techie Roll (teriyaki salmon, grilled pineapple, scallion, avocado top) to the signature NAGA roll (eel, cucumber, siracha, torched tuna and wasabi tobiko top)? It even includes an entire set of vegetarian rolls, each of which is made with the same care and presented with the same flair as anything else on the menu.

While the menu may take some getting used to (where else can you find so many options from so many places, all of which are authentically prepared and artistically presented?), the friendly staff is more than happy to help and even make suggestions. No matter what you order, each item tastes like it was prepared just for you because – just like at Shanti – it was! Always fresh and delicious and potentially daring, a night at Moksa is an opportunity to find new favorites and try new things, both at the dining table and on the dance floor.

So whether you want to dine with the dudes, dance with the dames or drink with the dragons, Moksa has the combinations of flavor and fun to make any night a fresh new experience.

Moksa 450 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge www.moksarestaurant.com