Best Brunch/Breakfast Spots in Quincy

As the weekend approaches it’s time to start planning where you will brunch this weekend! Faxon has some great breakfast/brunch spots that offer great coffee and mouthwatering breakfast favorites. Here are some of our favorites in the area!

The Early American Restaurant

With a tasty breakfast until 2pm how could you say no? The Early American Restaurant offers the best fluffy pancakes, corn beef hash and Welsh Rarebit. Oh and rumor has it that it’s the Home of The Original Bagel Breakfast sandwich! So stop by and experience history in a tasty way!

Craig’s Café

From Lemon Ricotta Pancakes to Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup Pancakes to Coffee Oreo it’s safe to say Craig’s Café offers some delicious, unique breakfast treats. With reasonable prices and great wait staff you can be sure to enjoy a great breakfast experience.

Emma’s Restaurant

If you are looking for a quaint little place to eat in Quincy Emma’s is the place for you. If you love Kielbasa then it is definitely for you, as it is one of past customers favorites, especially in their omelets. Emma’s also offers daily specials and private parking for your convenience.

Weekly Recipe: Chicken and Asparagus Crepes

Spring is here and that means your food pallet should match the weather.  Warm, light, and flavorful dishes are what you need as the temperatures rise. With this Chicken and Asparagus Crepes recipe you can create a healthy twist on a wrap. If you are interested in making it here’s what you need and how to make it!

Ingredients

• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, plus more for the dish
• 2 1/2 cups shredded rotisserie chicken
• 1 1/2 cups ricotta cheese
• 3/4 cup grated parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh herbs (such as parsley, dill, chives or mint)
• Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
• 8 store-bought crepes (about 9 inches each)
• 1 shallot, sliced
• 1/2 pound asparagus, trimmed and cut into pieces
• 3/4 cup low-sodium chicken broth
• 1 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest

Directions

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Butter a large baking dish. Combine the chicken, ricotta, 1/2 cup parmesan, 3 tablespoons herbs, 3/4 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper in a medium bowl. 

Spoon about 1/4 cup filling across the lower half of each crepe; roll up to enclose the filling. 

Place the crepes, seam-side down, in the baking dish. Cover with foil and bake until the filling is hot, about 15 minutes.

Meanwhile, melt 3 tablespoons butter in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the shallot and cook until it softens, about 1 minute. Add the asparagus and cook until just tender, about 3 minutes. 

Add the chicken broth, lemon zest and the remaining 1 tablespoon herbs and simmer until the sauce is slightly thickened, about 2 minutes. Stir in the remaining 1/4 cup parmesan and season with salt and pepper.

Divide the crepes among plates, top with the asparagus and sauce, and sprinkle with parmesan. Enjoy!

If you try making this dish share it with us on Instagram with the hashtag #MakeItYourOwnMonday or on Facebook and maybe you will see your finish product shared!

Easy to Grow Edible Plants

Now that spring is here, you finally have an inspiration to begin those decorative and productive home projects. So why not start with something that will give back to you in so many ways? Home gardens are easier than you think, and we are here to help you add some freshness to more than just your living space. Whether your taste runs to fruit plants or herb gardens, you don’t need a lot of earth to add a tasty element to your apartment. Spice up your meals with a selection of home-grown edibles that are so fresh, they’re dirty!

Strawberry Plants

Strawberries are surprisingly easy to grow. If you are looking to start a garden, begin with a small pot of these luscious fruits, purchased with bare roots. The tendrils will start to leaf within a couple of weeks after putting them in the ground. Water them daily but make sure they don’t just sit in water. If you notice any decay or fungus, remove those branches immediately to prevent harmful spread. Once the berries are ripe, pick them, ripe and juicy, for your entire family.

Basil Plant

A basil plant is the perfect outdoor growing option. Easy to grow and care for, basil usually is watered every other day. Make sure not to water too much or too little. Monitor the bright green -- not yellow -- and the moist -- not limp -- leaves as the best indicator of correct watering. Planting environment should be fairly warm with lots of sunlight. For a growth spurt, pick off the big, top leaves, which never taste as good anyway. Basil is an easygoing plant  with fabulous flavor that will add lovely greenery to your apartment.

Grape Tomatoes

This versatile fruit -- that’s right, not a vegetable, because it has seeds -- is the perfect addition to any summer meal. If you have hooks on your patio, the grape tomatoes make beautiful hanging plants. If not, you can always stick to a traditional ground pot. Take care the plant is well watered, saturated enough to reach the deep roots. Tomatoes love light so place them where they can bask in it most of the day. It will take a couple of weeks for your tomatoes to mature. Picking time is best once they turn red. Any earlier and they can tend to dry out while they mature, even if on a sunny windowsill.

Weekly Recipe: Marathon Monday Eggplant Pasta Salad

It’s Marathon Monday and we’re celebrating here at Faxon Commons! Whether you’re cheering on the runners at the finish line in Boston or following the elite on television, it’s one of the most exciting days of the year. 

Since runners are loading up on carbs, we thought it would be appropriate for our weekly recipe to include a must-have pre marathon meal, PASTA! If you try this out, be sure to share a photo on our Facebook or our Instagram! 

Ingredients

• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 celery stalks, sliced
• 1 eggplant, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
• 1 pint grape tomatoes, halved
• 1/4 cup tomato paste
• 1/4 cup white wine vinegar
• kosher salt and black pepper
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 2 tablespoons capers
• 1/4 cup pine nuts, toasted (optional)
• 1 cup fresh flat-leaf parsley, chopped
• 1 pound dried penne

Directions

1. Heat 2 tablespoons of the oil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add the celery and cook for 3 minutes. Stir in the eggplant and tomatoes.
2. In a small bowl, combine the tomato paste, vinegar, ¼ cup water, 2 ½ teaspoons salt, ¼ teaspoon pepper, and the sugar. Stir into the eggplant mixture.
3. Cover and reduce heat to medium-low. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the eggplant is tender, 15 to 20 minutes.
4. Remove from heat and stir in the capers, pine nuts (if desired), and parsley.
5. Meanwhile, cook the penne according to the package directions. Toss with the remaining oil; let cool. Combine with the eggplant mixture and serve.

Meet the Staff - Judi!

We're so excited to present our latest Meet the Staff blog featuring our one of our rockstar leasing consultants! You've probably seen her updating our Facebook or making a phone call in our front office, and without her we wouldn't have all the fun events happening at The Commons - Meet Judi Ravanesi-Cunningham!

How long have you been working at The Commons

18 Years

What's your favorite part of working at a Corcoran property?

Every day is an adventure! Enjoys dealing with the residents!

Best thing a resident or coworker has ever brought into the office?

Homemade Thai & Italian Food

Favorite Movie

Slumdog Millionaire

Favorite Band / Musician

Aerosmith

Favorite thing to do when not at work?

Having small dinner parties

Weekly Recipe: Spring Pizzas for a Light Snack After School or Work!

Spring is here and that means your food pallet should match the weather.  Warm, light, and flavorful dishes are what you need as the temperatures rise. Pizzas are a classic that we all crave a least once a week, if not more, but they don’t always have to include the three basic ingredients of cheese, sauce, and dough. This season mix it up with these Spring Pizzas these sauce-less, yet healthy and flavorful mini pizzas! Here’s what you need and how to make them:

Ingredients 
• 1 pound pizza dough
• All-purpose flour, for dusting
• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for brushing and drizzling
• 6 ounces ramps or scallions, trimmed
• Kosher salt
• 1 cup ricotta cheese
• 1 teaspoon grated lemon zest
• Coarse sea salt
• Coarsely ground black pepper
• 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves
• Grated parmesan cheese, for topping

Directions
Preheat the oven to 500 degrees F. Divide the dough into 4 pieces on a floured surface. Brush a baking sheet with olive oil. Stretch the dough into four 6-inch rounds; place on the baking sheet and bake until golden, about 12 minutes.

Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Toss the ramps or scallions with 1 tablespoon olive oil and season with kosher salt. Saute until just wilted, about 1 minute. Transfer to a cutting board and cut into pieces.

Mix the ricotta, lemon zest, the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil and some sea salt and pepper in a bowl. Brush the crusts with olive oil (this will protect them from getting soggy), then spread with the ricotta mixture and season with sea salt. Top with the ramps or scallions. Return to the oven until warmed through, about 2 minutes.

Top the pizzas with basil, parmesan and a drizzle of olive oil and enjoy!

These Spring Pizzas are perfect for a light snack or small healthy dinner. So pop your mini pizzas in the over and maybe even sit out on your balcony and enjoy the sun while they bake. If you try making this dish share it with us on Instagram with the hashtag #MakeItMonday or on Facebook and maybe you will see your finish product shared!

Thank you to our friends at Food Network for this delicious recipe! 

Best Foodler Options for You at Faxon Commons

Hard work weeks and lazy weekends can often add up to a lack of desire to cook. When you’re happier to keep your spacious kitchen clean and instead order takeout via Foodler. For those of you who don’t already know Foodler, here is how it works. The set-up allows you to order delivery or takeout online or through an app. You simply enter your address and Foodler will inform you of what pizza, Chinese, sushi, Indian and other nearby restaurants will bring food to your door! You can also earn points that accumulate for discounts, free food, gift cards and Foodler merchandise. Here are some of the best restaurants that offer Foodler service near Faxon Commons and some of the favorite food picks people order! 

1. Quincy House of Pizza

The Quincy House of Pizza offers delicious pizza, with a variety of fresh, tasty toppings. It also offers crowd-pleasers such as Greek salad, Buffalo chicken calzone and steak and cheese subs. There is an $8 minimum food order and a $2 delivery fee but you get double points for your orders. You also get a 20 percent instant rebate in Foodler Bucks with your first purchase. So next time you’re craving a pizza pie or hot or cold sub, think Quincy House of Pizza. 

2. Pan Asia Café and Grille

If Asian food is on your mind, check out Pan Asia Café and Grille. The restaurant offers flavorful dishes including the chef’s suggestion of honey glazed sesame chicken and a customers’ favorite, scallion pancakes. The menu includes an extensive variety of options from lunch specials, to casseroles, Asian noodles and rice plates. There is a $10 minimum food order with a $2 delivery fee, but you are sure to find a taste to please your palate from Pan Asia Café and Grille’s menu. 

3. Sher-A-Punjab

Sher-A-Punjab delivers Quincy's finest Indian food. The restaurant offers an array of specialties from all over the huge sub-continent, confected with only the most authentic ingredients and spices. Large portions and tantalizing flavors will leave you more than satisfied that you chose to order in. There is an $18 minimum food order but FREE delivery. Also if it’s your first time ordering from this establishment through Foodler, you will receive a 15 percent rebate in Foodler Bucks for future orders. Best bets include vegetable pakora, vegetable samosa and chicken tikka marcela. But you really can’t go wrong with any of Sher-A-Punjab’s offerings. 

4. Little Duck Thai

Little Duck Thai has served Quincy and Milton for more than 10 years with authentic and fresh Thai food. For a $10 minimum food order and a $2 delivery fee you can explore a variety of specialty food options. Some of the Foodler top-rated orders from Little Duck include the ever-popular crab rangoon, pad thai and basil fried rice. The resultant offers great vegetarian options as well including a variety of curries. Little Duck Thai provides a free crab rangoon with a purchase of $30 or more. 

So next time you feel too tired to cook or crave a cuisine not in your pantry, order from one of these restaurants. You can also check out other restaurants that deliver to Faxon Commons by going to Foodler.com. There are tons of options for delivery waiting for you with this neighborhood service. And you can earn while you eat. Bon appetite!  

Weekly Eats - Grilled Portobello, Bell Pepper, and Goat Cheese Sandwiches

Fortunately, we seem to be moving past the cold season as we finally begin to feel the warmth of spring. The new season will bring some of our favorite types of foods including lots of fresh fruits and vegetables. We’re looking forward to grilling up some of our favorite, hearty veggies – Portobello mushrooms! Try this delicious recipe and let us know what you think in the comments below! Feel free to share your recipes as well.

Grilled Portobello, Bell Pepper, and Goat Cheese Sandwiches

What You’ll Need:

1/4 cup balsamic vinegar

1 tablespoon olive oil $

1 garlic clove, minced

1 red bell pepper, cut in half and seeded

1 yellow bell pepper, cut in half and seeded

4 (4-inch) portobello mushroom caps

Cooking spray

1/3 cup chopped fresh basil

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

4 (2-ounce) Kaiser rolls

1/2 cup (4 ounces) soft goat cheese 

How It’s Made:

1. Prepare grill to medium-high heat.

2. Combine balsamic vinegar, olive oil, and garlic in a large bowl. Add bell peppers and portobello mushrooms; toss gently to coat. Remove vegetables from vinegar mixture, and discard vinegar mixture.

3. Place bell peppers and mushrooms on a grill rack coated with cooking spray; grill 4 minutes on each side. Remove vegetables from grill; cool slightly. Cut bell peppers into thin strips. Combine bell peppers, basil, salt, and black pepper in a small bowl.

4. Cut rolls in half horizontally; spread cheese evenly over cut sides of rolls. Arrange 1 mushroom cap on bottom half of each roll; top each serving with about 1/3 cup bell pepper mixture and top half of roll.

5. Place sandwiches on grill rack coated with cooking spray. Place a cast-iron or other heavy skillet on top of sandwiches; press gently to flatten. Grill 3 minutes on each side or until bread is toasted (leave cast-iron skillet on sandwiches while they cook).

How to Declutter Your Apartment this Spring

Spring is upon us -- even if the weather isn't fully cooperating -- and that puts spring cleaning on the mind here at Faxon Commons. It’s time to clear out the clutter you've accumulated and bring new life to your apartment. With these tips you can eliminate the stress of a messy apartment and approach the upcoming warm months with a renewed outlook!

Set a Date

In order to successfully declutter your apartment, you need to set a mindset and get it done. Along with this you need to set a date. Otherwise, you will find yourself saying, “I’ll do it next weekend” every weekend. If you don’t finish in one day that’s fine, but create a to-do list to help you keep track of what you still need to accomplish. Once you start to see your hard work paying off you’ll want to complete the whole apartment!

Use Wall Shelves

Clutter often builds from the floor up. To eliminate the mess, move the clutter from under your feet onto your walls. Shelves not only help create a neat place to store what was underfoot, but can also serve a dual purpose, providing a decorative additions to your apartment. Try colorful or unusual shapes to add extra style to your rooms and start seeing your floor again!

Tackle Your Closet

Fashion trends come and go therefore they have an expiration date in your closet. Apply the golden rule: if you haven’t worn it in a year, you’re finished wearing it. You can even do “The Hanger Test.” Turn all hangers in one direction and once you wear an item turn the hanger the other way. If after a couple months a hanger hasn’t been switched it’s probably an indication for you to get rid of that item. By clearing out your closet you add space for new purchases and can also provide donations for Goodwill or the Salvation Army.  Looking at a clarified closet can also make picking out an outfit in the morning that much more enjoyable!

Fill a Trash Bag

The single best way to declutter your apartment is to remove all trash  It’s surprising how much extra unnecessary stuff can gather in corners and closets around your home. Set a goal to fill one trash bag. Go through your kitchen, bedroom, and living room and remove any items that can be classified as trash. After tossing all that clutter, you’ll feel brand new!  

Invest in Containers

Containers are necessary when it comes to organization. Having an assigned place for everything in your life will instantly help declutter your apartment.  Once you have your containers and organization tools assign a location for each item in your apt. Not only will this help declutter but will also help you maintain a neater, easier-to-clean home.

Take on Junk Drawers

Junk drawers often become a feeding ground for clutter. Usually you end up throwing anything that doesn’t have a designated location into these drawers and the disorder continues to grow. Take the drawer out and empty it on a table. Then sort the drawer into three piles:

1. Stuff belongs in the drawer

2. Stuff that belongs elsewhere

3. Trash

Once you have these three piles sort what you want to put back in the drawer and find locations for the other items. This task could be accomplished as you cook dinner or are catching up TV and will make your life a lot easier when you need to find something.

With these simple tips you can transform a cluttered apartment into an organized home. Start planning today and let the spring cleaning begin. You will be glad you did when the warm weather comes and our pool opens!

Street Sweeping Next Week!

After a long, cold winter, we’re gearing up for our 

annual street and parking lot sweeping!

During sweeping on this day, any vehicles on the property must be removed from these parking lots before 8:00am. All sweeping will begin promptly at 8:00am, so be sure to move your vehicle to the designated area.

Wednesday, April 9, 2014

Buildings 995, 999, 1015 and 1027

Please park in spaces at buildings 1035, 1047, 1055 and 1071

Thursday, April 10, 2014 

Buildings 1035, 1047, 1055 and 1071

Please park in spaces at buildings 995, 999, 1015, 1027

Any vehicles not removed from the areas being swept will be towed at the owner’s expense.  A tow truck will be on the property all day, for both of these days, to make sure that the sweeping is complete and successful

It is important that you follow these procedures and if they are not understood please call the Leasing Office at (617) 472-6766.  Please do not assume any of the procedures, as the owners of the vehicles will be held responsible for payment to the towing company. 

Rain Date: Should we have inclement weather the sweeping will take place on Friday, April 11, 2014. Please watch for future postings regarding a rain/snow date.  The procedures will remain the same.

Find the Perfect Indoor Plant for Your Home

The weather is finally warming up and that only means one thing: Spring has sprung.  From cleaning to redecorating, the change in weather is sure to spark your motivation to update your apartment. One of the easiest ways to add some life to your space after the dreary winter is by taking a hint from the outdoors. Low-maintenance plants will liven up any room in your apartment and finally let spring in! Here are some plants that require minimal light and are even proven to improve air quality.  Indoors or outdoors, plants help the environment, your health and well-being and, of course, your décor.

 Chinese Evergreen

The Chinese Evergreen is a staple in most home offices or living rooms. It provides a full bodied plant without requiring lots of sunlight. Places with natural lighting and even artificial lighting are the perfect medium for this plant. You want to make sure to water the plant moderately and allow some drying in between waterings. If it becomes too dry, the leaves will yellow and drop. However, one of the best effects of this plant, besides the natural look it will bring to your apartment, is the filtering out of toxins and air pollutants in your space! This plant will give your place a fresh look, while also freshening up the air.

Warneck Dracaena

Looking to fill up some space in your apartment? The Warneck Dracaena is an ideal plant for the indoors and grow tall to fill up that empty corner you have been hiding. Watering regularly isn’t as necessary, but they do prefer more humid conditions. Make sure the soil is usually damp and can even be a little drier than other plants. This is the perfect plant for a living room or entry-way, because it combats pollutants associated with varnishes and oils. This striking houseplant is sure to make a statement anywhere in your apartment and even add a little life to the dead space.

Peace Lily

The Peace Lily is one of the most popular houseplants because of its beautiful white blooms and forgiving nature. It requires little light and only weekly waterings. Although it is easy to care for, beware of yellow leaves, an indicator that your plant is getting too much light. As a decorative addition to your home, this lily provides an elegant accent to any style and wall color. The plant even topped NASA’s list of best plants to remove unwanted houseguests like formaldehyde, benzene and trichloroethylene. This lily is sure to bring peace and style to your space.

Looking to add greenery to your home? Check out these local stores for different houseplants. Even if you’re just looking for tips and advice on starting your home garden or plant maintenance, they can help with any questions. With the weather finally improving, plant-browsing is a perfect weekend activity. Jump into spring with these plant ideas and get your apartment on the right track for summer.

Thayer Nursery 
270 Hillside St, Milton, MA 02186
(617) 698-2005

 Bra-Wey Florist 
94 Washington St, Weymouth, MA 02188
(781) 337-0288

Christopher’s Garden Shop
689 Washington St, Weymouth, MA 02188
(781) 331-3118

Charlie’s Flower and Basket Shop
1053 N Main St, Randolph, MA 02368
(781) 963-2301