Lookin_Glass

Mr_Glass woke up this morning, snuggled close, and said I need Hawaii, make me tartar, make me poke, pleeeze!?!?!?!

Well if you ever saw him, he is one soft faced man. How can a loving wife of 20 years possibly say no.

So in the truck, with cooler and ice packs on hand, we journeyed to the one fishmonger who could provision his request.

http://www.newdealfishmarket.com/

He was a kid in the candy store. He wanted the sushi grade everything. The scallop, the fluke, the skate, the salmon. He even wanted the lively lobster that started making it's way across the fish, knowing full well that the liveliest are the sweetest. The loving wife that I am reeled him in and we left with bigeye tuna and hamachi.

Just a block or two away I pointed out another fishmonger for better prices when not looking for sushi grade fish. I also mentioned that I hear they make some excellent fried seafood at their sister restaurant. He immediately wanted fish and chips and fried clams. Thankfully the restaurant was closed (foreshadowing), but we enjoyed perusing the market. Can you imagine having two competing fishmongers within blocks? Just visiting the neighborhood, we were in heaven.

http://www.courthouseseafood.com/market.html

And then the negotiations began. He wanted to head back home. I wanted to go visit one of my favorite old stomping grounds. 25 years ago, when we met, I lived on FreshPondPkwy in Cambridge. Although he has been to the southend branch, he had never been to Formaggio's Kitchen - the flagship, the mother ship . I demanded that he indulge my request.

So, dodging traffic on Memorial Drive we headed to Huron Ave, my old hood back in the olden days. This is arguably one of the best cheese purveyors in the country. How had I failed to bring him here all these years? Oh yeah, we had the smaller southend sister store to fill our needs.

Pullling up, I was so excited to see the grill masters out front. I had forgotten that on Saturdays, they do a neighborhood bbq. (see previous forshadowing)!

http://www.formaggiokitchen.com/SaturdayBBQ

After lots of tastings we settled on a few cheeses, including one of the most intensely delicious blues I have ever had in my life - Blu di Capra Stragionato, so creamy yet with the bits of blue a subtle crunch - amazing. They also offered some beer and wine tastings but we declined. A first visit to this store can be overwhelming. I forgot to get the fresh raisins on the vine, but currants were in my future.

With purchases in hand we headed out the door to que up for the que. Once again, like a child he was giddy. We decided a small pulled pork sandwich with sauce to share would be plenty. With 25 years of a successful love story under our belt, a wife knows when to roll her eyes and walk away. So I headed to the truck to put our perishables into the cooler.

And then he arrived, with a large brisket/pulled pork combo, slaw with currants, spicy cornbread, and the bottom of the pot baked beans with all its burnt molasses goodness. And back to home we journeyed.

All I can say is WOW, that just may be the best que we ever had. He will be back. And the grill masters with joy on their faces, absolutely loving their job, sharing good food with the hood.

Alas, the fish is on ice until tomorrow.

THE END

Ozarksbill

Yes, there they are lined up at Formaggios which we passed today on our way down Huron to our son's house. We have tasted their fare several times but not today. I think their BBQ meats such as that pulled pork are delicious, their baked beans a bit dry, forget the cornbread.

Being pretty new to the area we haven't explored the Boston seafront spots much. But you surely know about some of our great eateries in Watertown (we are in Coolidge School apt) such as Deluxe Town Diner, Jasmines, Red Lentil (vegetarian), Shangrila, UncommonGround, and two local favorites Donahues and Gregs...and more.

Bill in Boston

Lookin_Glass

OK, maybe a little poke for a midnight snack!!! We can feed each other with little wooden scewers.

a bit of the big eye, some freshly made ginger oil, wasabi, soy, cilantro, scallions, rooster sauce, a squeeze of lime a hint of jalapeno, and a generous splash of Crystal into our chilled champagne glasses.

Tomorrow, Japanese bfast in bed? seared tuna, sushi rice, spicy tuna, hamachi, tea and ginger/lolikai mimosa's. Followed by a couple of spoonfuls of green tea ice cream to cool the palate down?

Sometimes you just have to change things up and seize the day........



Bill, give the beans a second chance. We loved their bite and the carmalized mollases finish. And we loved the spice of the cornbread. We look forward to trying the pulled lamb and the ribs.

Lookin_Glass

I bow to the monger, the Fishmonger.

Hamachi Mariachi, it was like doing the viva loca. Even with my damaged knife, it sliced so thin. With just a smear of wasabi and a few drops of sushi soy, I tasted the most beautiful piece of hamachi. It literally melted on the tongue, creamy as it awaked my senses,

Lookin_Glass

Alas we loved the Formaggio Saturday Community BBQ so much we returned. The line is around the block!!! Hope there are some crumbs left for us. The line behind us continues to grow. I guess a couple of weeks ago, we really lucked out! I have started to complain loudly about stale cornbread and dry ribs from last week hoping some will give up!!! KIdding! It's rather festive.

Lookin_Glass

I'm shamelessly topping this because it is the season. can't make it today, but maybe next saturday

http://www.formaggiokitchen.com/SaturdayBBQ

DonTopaz

Thanks for topping this. I've been to FK many, many times but had no idea about the bbq. (OK, so living within a 3-minute walk of Blue Ribbon is a mitigating factor.) But will try FK ere the snow begins to fly.

Ackislander

Nice repost.

Lots of interesting stuff here. Lots of tourists would find that end of Cambridge Street intimidating. This is why the locals get the good stuff.

DonTopaz, which Blue Ribbon? A close relative lives two blocks from the one in Arlington and I used to work near the one in Newton. They are both great!

DonTopaz

Ackislander, I live 2 blocks from the Arlington Blue Ribbon, as well. (To my knowledge, you and I are not close relatives, but strange things do happen.)

Lookin_Glass

honestly, I topped this thread hoping you might like to check it out donT and other locals like Ack. glad you saw it. Now I'm craving tuna and hamachi from New deal!

ekscrunchy

What exactly does the term "sushi grade" mean to you beyond being previously frozen?

Ackislander

Sushi grade bluefin tuna is frozen, yes. Sushi grades of other locally caught fish need not be. I eat raw fluke, scallops, flounder, and locally caught tuna or false albacore fairly often.

My fish stores (we have five) inspect them for parasites before putting them on sale. I inspect them with my nose; if it smells like fish, it is not fresh enough to eat. Fresh fish just smells clean.

Ackislander

DonTopaz -- toward the Heights, toward the Center, up the hill, down?

Lookin_Glass

there is quite a bit sushi grade fish that is never frozen

it's all good! I love visiting New Deal Christmas eve. One year I was in line with an older Japanese man and he told them exactly what cut of tuna I wanted from the fresh fish brought in from the truck outside. We got the first cuts! It can be a very celebratory place if you have a passion for the freshest fish available.

DonTopaz

Ackislander: hmmm, I swear that I'd answered, but the answer has gone missing. Anyway, toward the Heights, on The Avenue.

Ackislander

My relative lives up the hill from Stop & Shop. Small world.

ekscrunchy

"Sushi grade" fish is a marketing term. Nothing more. Like "gourmet."

Anyway, enjoy,sure it will be tasty!!!!

Lookin_Glass

This saturday's journey is planned!

small lamb
large pork/brisket combo
3 texas ribs
1/2 rack
beans scraped from the bottom of the pot

And that's just from the outdoor cash and carry que! Indoors anything can happen!