Valentine's Day in Quincy!

It may be a couple weeks away but Valentine’s Day is quickly approaching! This means it’s time to start finding the perfect place to celebrate with a loved one or to celebrate being single with friends. Check out these great places to go out to celebrate in and around Quincy and Boston! 

Alba

 Alba is a South Shore Premier restaurant and steak house. It is less than a 5 minute drive from Faxon Commons is a perfect location for a Valentine’s Day celebration. There will be live music from 6-10 that night in a cool atmosphere of the old Historic Quincy Trust Company building. Check out the menu and website here: http://www.albaquincy.com/our-menu

dbar

 dbar is an American contemporary restaurant located less than 20 minutes from Faxon Commons. This Valentine’s Day it is offering a four course menu for $65. Its chic atmosphere and delicious food will promise a great night out. Check out the menu here: http://dbarboston.com. 

City Landing

 If you are looking to indulge this Valentine’s Day City Landing in Boston is offering a three-course menu than meets all dietary restrictions including vegetarian and gluten free at $62 per person. This waterfront restaurant will definitely promise a night filled with romance. Find and reserve a table here: http://bit.ly/1lhQBRu.

dante

dante in Cambridge is offering a four course menu with choices for $75/person or $110/person with wine pairings. The restaurant’s menu is love related with clever dishes named “flirt,” “smooch,” “spooning” and more! The atmosphere and food will promise for a perfect date.  View the menu for more details here: http://bit.ly/1gkvE6m. 

Strega Waterfront

Strega Waterfront doesn’t feel that you have to limit Valentine’s Day to one day! If you are unable to make it out that night, Strega is offering a special menu throughout the weekend or you can just continue the celebration for a whole weekend! Dinner will include customizable chef’s tasting menu featuring heart-shape ravioli, grilled sirloin steak, and more for $65 per person or $85 per person with wine pairings. View the menu here: http://bit.ly/1frfYJL.

Healthy Cooking at Home!

Did you know that January 17th was National Ditch Your Resolution Day? Hopefully you are unlike the one third of Americans that have already broken their resolution promises! If eating healthy was on your list, we are here to help! Use these tips and recipes to help keep up your good work!

• A key to eating clean and healthy throughout the day is Meal Planning. Before you do your weekly grocery shopping trip - put together a meal calendar for the week so you can be sure to pick up all the needed ingredients. There are many free tools online to help you with this planning - check out websites such as Real Simple and 100 Days of Real Food.
• The second key is Food Prep. You are not going to want to cut, chop and boil the same things every day, so plan ahead and pick your prep day. Hard boil your eggs in bulk, peel and separate garlic cloves, cut your celery in sticks and place in water so that they do not dry out, grill a batch of chicken to have on hand for salads and other recipes. There are so much you can do in advance - make your sauces, hummus, pesto....Do some baking - muffins or eggs frittatas that can be refrigerated for easy snacking. Make a batch of these for breakfast on the go:
• Veggie Frittata (recipe altered from The Biggest Loser):
• 1 tablespoon vegerable oil
• 2 cups egg substitute or 8 eggs
• 1/4 cup skim milk
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
• 1 cup shredded low-fat Swiss cheese
• 1/3 cup thinly sliced green onions
• 1/2 cup finely chopped red pepper
• 1/2 cup finely chopped green pepper
• 1 cup thinly sliced mushrooms
• 1 cup finely chopped asparagus
• Directions: Heat oven to 350 degrees F. Mist 12 muffin cups with cooking spray. In large skillet over medium-high heat, add oil, red and green pepper, mushrooms and asparagus. Cook 5 minutes, stirring occasionally until vegetables are cooked. In large bowl, whisk eggs, milk and parsley until well mixed. Stire in cheese, mushroom mixture and green onions. Spoon mixture into muffin cups, filling approximately 3/4 full. Bake 20 minutes or until set. Allow to cool and refrigerate to keep for breakfast throughout the week!
• Below are just a few ingredients to always have on your hand in your pantry or refrigerator. These will help you to make good choices when cooking in a rush or snacking in a hurry!
• Fresh Greens - have your favorite greens on hand for salads, sandwiches and other dishes
• Whole Wheat Pasta
• Peanut Butter
• Organic Eggs
• Almonds
• Basic Granola
• Flaxseed
• Lean Ground Turkey
• Boneless/Skinless Chicken Breasts
• Here are some suggestions for healthy snacks to have at home or pack for work:
• Sliced Apples dipped or spread with Peanut Butter
• Greek Yogurt
• Edamame
• Air-popped Popcorn
• Almonds
• Hummus & Carrot Sticks
• Try this healthy dinner recipe, it is likely to become a go-to favorite:
• Flank Steak with Caramelized Onions (recipe credit to Fitness Magazine)
• Makes: 4 servings, Prep Time: 5 mins, Cook time: 15 mins
• Ingredients:
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 2 large red onions, halved and thinly sliced
• 1 red or green bell pepper cut into thin strips
• 1/2 teaspoon dried sage
• 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 beef flank steak (1 1/4 to 1 1/2 lbs)
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon freshly ground pepper
• 4 7-8" flour tortillas
• 1 15-ounce can black 
• Directions:
• Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat.  Add the onions; cover and cook, stirring occasionally, until tender, about 7 minutes.  Add the bell pepper strips, sage and oregano.  Stirring constantly, cook, uncovered over medium-high heat for 4-5 minutes, until the onions are golden and the peppers are crisp. Preheat a grill pan over medium-high heat Trim fat from the steak; score on both sides by making shallow cuts at 1-inch intervals in a diamond pattern.  Rub with salt and black pepper.  Grill 8 to 12 minutes for medium rare and 12-14 for medium, turning once. To serve, thinly slice the steak diagonally across the grain and top with the onion mixture.  Serve with warm tortillas and black beans on the side.  

To help fight the resolution fears....to stay strong in the kitchen, we recommend that you Plan, Prepare & Cook! It will feel like a bit of work at first, but get into the rhythm and it will become your healthy way of life! 

Living in New England has perks for all four seasons. While winter tends to be our least favorite - make the most of it - embrace the cold and find the pretty! Here are some suggestions for weekend getaways that are only a short drive away from your apartment home:

Red Lion Inn, photo credit: Totsandtravels.com

Red Lion Inn, Stockbridge, MA - Nestled in the heart of the Berkshires, this well-known retreat is an easy drive down the Pike, but will make you feel so far away. Stay in the Main Inn or one of their guest houses. In addition to the delicious food offered in their four different restaurants, the inn is surrounded by unique shops and delicious eateries - go out and explore the quaint New England town of Stockbridge. Pets are welcomed here. Rates begin at $120.

The Lobby - Stowe Mountain Lodge, photo credit: ecoadventurer.wordpress.com

Stowe Mountain Lodge, Stowe, VT - This is the ultimate New England getaway destination. Everywhere you look the winter views will stun you. Whether you are a novice or expert skier, or if you do not ski at all - this is the place for you. This resort is good at just about everything - fine food, relaxing, skiing, snowshoeing, snowmobiling, dog sled rides....every winter activity you can imagine! Accommodations range from guest rooms and suites, to cabins and guest houses with prices beginning at $279 a night. Look into their ski and stay packages.

Mountain View Grand Resort, photo credit: tripadvisor.com

Mountain View Grand Resort and Spa, Whitefield, NH - This is a great spot for families - with a packed schedule of activities to choose from including sledding, snow tubing, ice skating and cross country skiing. This resort also boasts an in-house movie theater, children's play area, game room, indoor pool and spa. Close-by to the resort, guests can visit Mount Washington, local theaters and Cannon Mountain. Guest rooms and suites are available with rates starting at $159 a night.

Stonecroft Inn, Mystic, CT - A quaint bed and breakfast in Ledyard, located in Connecticut's countryside just minutes from downtown Mystic. Snuggle up to their wood burning or gas fireplaces and enjoy your favorite glass of wine. This unique property has two different inns to choose from for your stay. If you are looking for more action - Mohegan Sun and Foxwoods are a short drive away. Rates begin at $225.

White Barn Inn, Kennebunk, ME - Explore the coast of Maine in the winter - nothing could be more peaceful. At this romantic hotel, every room is treated to fresh flowers, fruit and his and her robes. Many of the rooms boast gas-burning fireplaces and jacuzzi tubs. In addition to the charming sites and shops of Kennebunkport, the White Barn Inn has everything you need to relax including a state of the art spa and AAA Five Diamond fine dining at the White Barn Inn Restaurant. If you are passionate about cooking - look into the private cooking lessons offered by the Inn's Grand Chef. Rates begin around $350

Newport Harbor Hotel and Marina, Newport, RI - Visit Newport like you never have before. Gonewport.com is offering an adventurous winter package for your stay at the Newport Harbor Hotel called the 'Newport Extreme.' This is a chance to experience the gorgeous hotspot in a unique way - starting with the scenic views from your guestroom, followed by breakfast for two at Pier 49, and a helicopter mansion tour. Or just enjoy a quiet stay on the water with fine dining and breathtaking views. Rates for this package begin at $200 - it ends March 31st.

Jay Peak Resort, Jay, VT - If you want to take the family away without boarding a plane - this is the ultimate New England family vacation. Jay Peak Resort has something for every member of the family, for every minute of the day. From skiing and skating to an indoor waterpark, daycare and full activities schedule. Look into vacation packages when you book that include ski or snowboard lessons as well as full access to the indoor park. There is a variety of lodging options that begins at $289 per night.

For more ideas and some great weekend deals and packages - be sure to check out Living Social, Groupon and AAA regularly for a spontaneous weekend away. Enjoy our New England winter!

Good Eats Around Quincy and Braintree!

For those nights you’re just craving something different, or simply looking for a fun place to dine out it can be difficult picking the right spot. Here we’ve listed a few of the best restaurants in the Quincy/Braintree area to make your search a little easier.

Quincy is already quite the hub for great food so picking out 5 restaurants is a tough match. But here are a few favorites:

1.       Punjab Café (Indian Food) – With 4 ½ star rating on yelp, Punjab Café is claimed to have “outstanding chicken masala” at a great price!

2.       The Fat Cat (American Food) –With a knack for seafood and mac n’ cheese, The Fat Cat is worth giving a try for a casual and filling lunch.

3.       Shabu Restaurant (Japanese Food)-  Right by North Quincy Station, Shabu is known for being the best hot pot restaurant in the metro Boston area.

4.      Gennaro’s Eatery (Italian) – For our food lovers we recommend Gennaro’s for their huge portions of delicious Italian cuisine.

Braintree offers some great matchups with the following restaurants:

1.      Kristin’s Breakfast & Lunch – Brunch is always a fun treat, but especially if it means peanut butter cup pancakes at Kristin’s!

2.      El Sarape (Mexican) – Fun spot to bring kids for some savory tacos at an affordable price.

3.      Four Square Restaurant & Bar (AmericanTraditional)- For those who like the noise and fun that comes with a bar, Four Square is the place to go to enjoy some traditional chicken wings!

4.      Sintra Restaurant (American, Mediterranean)- Offering a nice and cozy ambiance is the perfect setting for a group dinner

Hope these lists make your next dining out experience a little easier to pick! 

Top 10 Kitchen Gadgets

 One of our resolutions for the New Year is to get a little more comfortable in the kitchen.  While our apartments are equipped with great cooking spaces, it is very easy to rely on the variety of delicious restaurants in the Quincy area.  We did a little research to see what kitchen tools and gadgets we should add to our drawers and countertops to make cooking easier, more fun and even a bit tastier, and here is what we found:

Trudeau Graviti Electric Salt & Pepper Mills – These make adding fresh pepper and sea salt to any meal you make a pinch!  The battery-operated mills will impress your guests and save you a step in the kitchen!  These are available for $39.95 at Williams-Sonoma.  

Microplane Soft-Handle Zester Graters – We have all seen well-known chefs such as Rachel Ray and Bobby Flay use these on their cooking shows.  They can be used for so much – zesting a lemon or lime, grating parmesan cheese, and our favorite – mincing garlic.  This product is a must!  Available for $14.95 at Sur la Table.  

Kuhn Rikon Herb Chopper – This chopping tool will make cooking fun! Includes a blade cover for safe storage and is dishwasher safe. Available at Williams-Sonoma for $19.95. 

Pizza Grilling Stone – Available at Crate and Barrel for $44.95, this ceramic pizza stone is great for making pizzas, tortillas, and you can get more creative with a stone and make meals like burgers, steaks and chicken.  The best part – the more you use it the better your food will taste as it becomes more seasoned. 

T-Fal OptiGrill – Based on the reviews, once purchased, this appliance will not leave your countertop!  This indoor grill uses sensor cooking technology to give perfect result everytime.  Especially if you are cooking for one or even two, this will make cooking burgers, sausage, fish or steak a cinch!  The OptiGrill is available for $179.99 at Bed Bath and Beyond and Macys. 

OXO Good Grips 3-in-1 Avocado Slicer – If you love homemade guacamole as much as we do – you need this kitchen tool!  Available at Sur la Table for $10 – this slicer will help you split, pit, slice and scoop avocados safely – all you need is the chips!

Williams-Sonoma Smart Tools Kitchen Stand for Tablets – Keep your tablet safe while you cook.  We are constantly bringing it into the kitchen for recipes, keep it safe from spills on this tablet stand, available for $49.95 at Williams-Sonoma.

ITOUCHLESS Keep Fresh Bag Re-Sealer – Keep your snacks, chips, and cooking ingredients fresh with this battery-operated bag re-sealer.  Keep the air out and your leftovers will stay fresh!  The Resealer is $24.99 at Sears. 

OXO Good Grips Mandoline Slicer – Great for slicing and dicing your favorite vegetables and fruits.  The OXO Slicer has great reviews, comes with a great safety cover for storage and changing blades is a piece of cake.  This product retails for $69.99 on Amazon and Bed Bath and Beyond.

Proteak Edge Grain Teak Cutting Board – According to the pros at America’s Test Kitchen, this 18x24” board is the best cutting board out there.  Priced at $89 and available at Amazon, this cutting board came out on top after three months of rigorous tests by cooking pros!