The Martha’s Vineyard Lobster Roll Challenge

One amazing roll + one serious challenge = lots of yummy lobster eating on Martha’s Vineyard!

As we boarded the ferry to escape the city of Boston for a week of play on Martha’s Vineyard, a challenge was set, who could eat the most Lobster Rolls. This is New England and these people are serious about their lobster! This wasn’t just a challenge of who could eat the most, it was also a challenge of who could find the best lobster roll on the Vineyard!

I quickly joined in the challenge as who doesn’t love the simple combination of fresh lobster meat, light mayonnaise and celery tossed into a deliciously toasted hot dog bun.

The Lobster Roll above came from the Seafood Shanty. A local bar serving up lots of fresh seafood and awesome ocean views! While the roll was delicious, it was a little heavy on the mayonnaise for my taste, and come to find out, I prefer my lobster rolls sans the celery!

The next Lobster Roll came from a restaurant in an awesome part of Martha’s Vineyard known as Gay Head Cliffs.

The views there were absolutely picturesque. We picked Aquinnah, a spot right on the cliffs to enjoy another delicious roll with a great view!

This was my favorite lobster roll of the trip and I definitely feel that I deserve the award for finding the best lobster roll on the Vineyard! Served with the traditional side of dill pickles and chips (Cape Cod chips nonetheless!), the meat was cold, tender and flavorful inside of a soft bun, minus the celery, with a little added lettuce.

Although there is only photographic evidence of two of the delicious Lobster Rolls consumed on Martha’s Vineyard, never fear, I was able to take down 4 rolls while on the Vineyard to tie for second place.  My former roommate made me proud by coming in first place with 5 1/2 lobster rolls!

Can’t wait to return to this little island gem for beautiful food and magnificent sunrises!

All Star Buffalo Cheesesteak and Hell Fries, Oh My!

After discovering Boston Magazine’s article on the amazing Grillo’s Pickles, I went on past the article I originally attended to read on the best burgers in Boston and continued on to the best fries in Boston.

Just 2 blocks down from Grillo’s was one of Boston’s best french fry spots. This spot was the All Star Sandwich Bar where they’re serving up delicious fried potatoes known as Hell Fries.

These cayenne pepper, cilantro and hot sauce topped fries live up to their hellish name. Order an extra ice-cold beverage on the side, you’re gonna need it!

Although I am a glutton for delicious, spicy potatoes, I knew I shouldn’t lunch on them alone. I decided to take a peak over at the sandwich menu,  I mean the name of the spot is All Star Sandwich Bar, they must make some pretty killer sandwiches. And do they ever.  I wanted to try one of each! Fried Poblano Cheeseburger, BBQ Fried Chicken Bacon Melt, American Fondue Cheeseburger, how would I pick just one?

Upon the recommendation from my excellent server Brad and my crazy obsessive love for Buffalo sauce I went with the Funky Daily Special Buffalo Cheesesteak BLT. Say what?  A sandwich with multiple meats, blue cheese and buffalo sauce, I’m so in!

I really can not express the excitement and anticipation that overcame me when this sandwich arrived!

And the anticipation was met with overwhelming joy after just one bite.  Crispy bacon, juicy burger, creamy blue cheese and spicy buffalo sauce, quite the perfect combination and balance of amazingness!

They have tons of daily specials that I wish I had more time in Boston to try each one!

If you’re in Boston, check out your favorite daily special and let me know which you think is the best!

I’m thinking Wednesday’s Pastrami-Nater sounds right up my alley! I do have a slight obsession with the almighty pastrami sandwich though!

The decor in this little sandwich shop is cool and casual and the service was excellent. See Brad, awesome server, hard at work!

If you want to break a little sweat with some Hell Fries or chow down on an amazing sandwich special check out All Star Sandwich Bar at 1245 Cambridge St. Cambridge, MA.  To view their entire menu visit their website at: AllStarSandwichBar.

#10 Attend a Red Sox Game at Fenway Park

While the Fenway Frank may not have won over my taste buds, the city of Boston, their sports and their people stole a piece of my heart! I have so much love for the city of Boston and look forward to visiting again soon!

Being a devoted sports girl, there were several items on my summer bucket list related to visiting stadiums and watching sporting events from basketball to baseball. I was able to check one off my list while in Boston with a visit to Fenway Park.

We started the Fenway experience at the Bleacher Bar.  Given its name because it is literally below the Fenway Park Bleachers.

If you’re ambitious (like 8 hours pre-game ambitious) you can even get a seat in the bar and watch the entire game with free front row seats.

Yes, this shot was actually taken inside of the bar. My other favorite part of Bleacher Bar. They have windows in the bathroom that face in this direction so you never have to miss a minute of action.  Yes, Boston people definitely take their sports seriously (one of my favorite things about them!)

Pictured above is the awesome gentleman that made my Fenway Park experience happen, my friend Greg. Thanks Mr Pickle! Inside joke, has something to do with one awesome pickle shirt!

Post Bleacher Bar we headed over to Island Creek Oyster Bar.

Yes, most people eat hot dogs pre-game.  This crew eats oysters!

They were talking up these oysters for a week on Martha’s Vineyard, like constantly obsessing over Island Creek Oysters.

Now, I would not consider myself an oyster connoisseur by any means, but I have had my fair share of oysters from coast-to-coast and I’m not going to lie, these are the best I’ve ever had.

Following a dozen oysters and couple apps, we headed over to the game. Luckily it was a night game because Boston was getting pretty hot and sticky during the days!  This also made for the most amazing sunset over the park.

Unfortunately the Sox aren’t looking so great this year and they lost to the Yankees, but we still had a great time!

I really don’t understand why people hate Boston fans, they’re awesome, just a little passionate with a side of incredible blunt-ness!

Yankee Dog vs Fenway Frank

As a chef, foodie, food blogger extraordinaire, culinary creator, girl who loves to eat, whatever you want to call me, I almost hate to admit that one of my favorite foods is yes, the hot dog!

There’s something about a delicious, juicy grilled dog nestled in a nicely toasted, warm bun with a slight drizzle of ketchup that makes my mouth water every time!

While in New York I was lucky enough to attend a game at the beautiful new Yankee stadium!

First stop: obvi, hot dog and beer!

This is me, taking my “ketchup-placing-strategy” very seriously!

And now the ultimate moment has descended upon us. The time for Yankee Dog consumption.

Um ya people, that was delicious. I don’t think I even made it away from the condiment counter before the whole thing was gone and I was back in line for numero dos!

A little background on my Yankee Dog.  While downstairs at the stadium there are Nathan’s hot dogs, upstairs there are Hebrew National.  I’m telling you all, that’s the good stuff! Something about that “kosher-ness” that really makes for a delicious dog!

Just in case you’re not a dog lover like myself, never fear, Yankee Stadium has their own sushi.

Yup, they’re high-class in New York.  I mean you can’t expect Jay Z to eat a hot dog, can you?  Are you now picturing Jay Z grilling up a dog for Beyonce, because I definitely am!

But never fear Zooey Deschanel, you and the other Celiac peeps can eat at Yankee Stadium too!

All in all, a beautiful evening at the ballpark!

Two weeks later, the challenge was on. It was time for me to cross #10 off my bucket list and attend a Red Sox game at Fenway Park.

While checking this item off, I felt another blog post coming to me, the show down between the Yankee Dog and the Fenway Frank. New York vs. Boston. Yankees vs. Red Sox. Who would win in the best darn dog contest?

After eating dinner at two different restaurants prior to arrival at the game, I still felt it was my duty to take down a dog and complete the challenge. So I maneuvered my way around the most confusing sports stadium in America to find my perfect Fenway Frank.  One frank purchased, a squirt or ketchup and I was ready to go.

Chomp, chomp, chomp.

And the winner is…

The Yankee Dog, by a mile!  No offense Boston, your city won my heart, but your Fenway Frank was a disappointment!

Barely warm, no juiciness to be found and the flavor just wasn’t there!  Must be that “all beef Kosher-ness” that really puts the Yankee Dog over the top!

The battle is not over, I still must try dogs at each and every baseball stadium in America before I can name a true winner. But for now, the Yankee Dog has my heart!

It’s a Pickle Palooza

Pickles are one of those things that has grown on me in a large way as an adult!

But as with all food, not every pickle is created equal. This you will know for sure after eating a Grillo’s Pickle… only the best pickle in the world (their website says so!)

I found out about Grillo’s Pickles in Boston Magazine.  I was reading up on the best burgers in Boston when I veered off to the small article below talking about these amazing pickles!  What started as a street cart in Boston has expanded to pickle distribution in Whole Foods and other grocery stores on the East Coast, as well as their very own Pickle Store which I visited in East Cambridge.

The store not only has pickles, it has pickled beets, pickled jicama, pickled asparagus and sriracha pickles (yes please)!

As well as pickle branded merchandise out the yin-yang! Socks, yup, shirts, of course…

… chap stick, why not! Bandages, toothpaste and pickle pops, for sure!

If you’re in Boston, Grillo’s is a must-stop, whether you just chow down on a couple of spears (you won’t be able to eat just one!) or take a quart of pickles to go, you will not be disappointed!

Visit Grillo’s Pickles at 1075 Cambridge St. Cambridge, MA Tue-Sat 11AM-7PM and Sun 11AM-5PM or go to their website to learn more about the ultimate pickle story and where else you can buy their delicious pickles.