BostonZest

Otto Pizza, Coolidge Corner: Our First Look (At This Location)

We love Otto Pizza and were so happy about the arrival of their first sit-down dining spot in the Boston area, that we rushed over to Brookline on Friday to enjoy a few opening day slices.

Mashed potato, bacon, and scallion – Genoa salami, tomato, and scallion.

Yes, there is a bite out of the "mashed potato, bacon, and scallion" slice. Penny, who normally doesn't eat the crust of her pizza, ripped off a corner and was chomping on it before anyone could grab a photo. That says a lot about the quality of the Otto crust. We think that without great crust, you can't have great pizza. 

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

(Click on the thumbnails to view any photo in the space above.)

The newest Otto Pizza is one block from the Coolidge Corner stop on the Green line, across from the Coolidge Corner Theatre. (Now isn't that handy?)

This corner location has large, arched windows that fill the space with light, and high ceilings that make the room seem far bigger than it is. The user-friendly design accomodates customers who want to dine-in with table service, order a slice and drink at the bar, or anyone who prefers to grab a slice and sit along a counter. You can even stand at a giant beam along the Harvard Ave window "people watching" while you eat. 

    

(Click on any photo for a larger view.)

We always have to start with the mashed potato, bacon, and scallion. This is one of many white (meaning without red sauce) pizzas on the menu, and we both love this combination of flavors. Next up was the Genoa salami, tomato, and scallion. And, we finished with the butternut squash, ricotta, and cranberry which we think of as a dessert pizza.

A wide choice of slices ready-to-go after a quick heat & crisp in the oven.

A nice selection of pizza-friendly beer & wine!

Best wishes, Otto for great success in this new location. You've given us one more reason to shop Coolidge Corner!

Related Posts:

Otto Pizza, Harvard Square and Portland ME

TerraVino Wines: Places We Shop

Michael's Deli

When Pigs Fly Bakery

Party Favors

Brookline Farmers' Market

What's on your Amazon shopping list? Father's Day is coming up! Remember to click over to Amazon from here to support this site!

 

Details:
Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photography: © 2012 Penny & Ed Cherubino  

Otto Pizza

Coolidge Corner

289 Harvard Street, Brookline MA (map)

Phone: 617-232-0014

www.ottopizza.com

Twitter: @otto_pizza

Facebook: Otto Pizza

Note on Comments: We monitor comments constantly and anything that is pure spam, inappropriate, or nasty is swept away. In addition to readers' comments, we welcome hearing from the people, places, and services we cover. Often, those add great insights for our readers. As long as it doesn’t become a pure ad, we’d love to hear from you. We do reserve the right to edit ads and links out of comments.

Memorial Day 2012, Let Summer Begin, Again!

 

This year, we had a taste of summer back in March and another appearance for Patriots' Day weekend. But, for many of us, the summer season is not officially open until Memorial Day!

Need to know what's open today? We have that information right here!

What's on your summer fun shopping list? Remember to click over to Amazon from here to support this site!

Details:
Words: Ed Cherubino
Photography: © 2012 Penny & Ed Cherubino  

Note on Comments: We monitor comments constantly and anything that is pure spam, inappropriate, or nasty is swept away. In addition to readers' comments, we welcome hearing from the people, places, and services we cover. Often, those add great insights for our readers. As long as it doesn’t become a pure ad, we’d love to hear from you. We do reserve the right to edit ads and links out of comments.

Sunday Dog, Amber – “The Jewel of the Public Garden”

Boston’s most beautiful landmark has some serious competition. Her name is Amber, or as we refer to her, “The Jewel of the Public Garden.” While it’s not easy to upstage such a gorgeous place, this pup captured our full attention as we strolled the park’s pathways on a recent weekend afternoon.

As we approached, Amber came right over to say hello. But, as she flashed those big, bright eyes, we couldn’t help but detect a bit of concern in her face. It seemed one of her two people had disappeared (he’d actually gone to pick up some lunch) but Amber wasn’t buying it.



This two year old could be part Bernese Mountain Dog and part Neapolitan Mastiff, no one is really sure. Her mom was a rescue from Boston, helped through PetFinder, whose twelve puppies were placed with the assistance of a Wellesley rescue group. We think we see a bit of Rhodesian Ridgeback in that stance.



We’re not sure what Amber made of a very, large dog that trotted by, but this magnificent Clydesdale/Thoroughbred mix did manage to divert her attention for a short while.



Amber’s other person, who told us she’d been with them since eight weeks of age, confirmed what we’d already discovered– that Amber is, “the sweetest dog I’ve ever had.” And she is, without a doubt, very loyal to her family which soon became three again. 



We left Amber showing off a satisfying smile that lit up the entire park. After all, she is, “The Jewel of the Public Garden.”

Get to know all of our Sunday Dogs at Boston Dogs.

What's on your pet supply shopping list? Remember to click over to Amazon from here to support this site!

Details:

Words: Ed Cherubino
Photography: © 2012 Penny & Ed Cherubino  

Note on Comments: We monitor comments constantly and anything that is pure spam, inappropriate, or nasty is swept away. In addition to readers' comments, we welcome hearing from the people, places, and services we cover. Often, those add great insights for our readers. As long as it doesn’t become a pure ad, we’d love to hear from you.

What's with Walking in the Bike Lanes?

This group was westbound on Commonwealth Avenue, walking along the curb and in the bike lane. At least they were facing oncoming bikes. This is just an example of what we've been seeing around the neighborhood.

We see:

Runners running in the bike lanes.

People strolling in the bike lanes.

Is it payback for the bikes on the sidewalks?

Is it an adventuresome streak that hopes to play chicken with a two-wheeler?

What's your guess? Do you ever walk in the bike lanes?

This post was picked up by Universal Hub and there is a good conversation on the topic over there.

What's on your walking around Boston shopping list? Remember to click over to Amazon from here to support this site!

 

Details:
Words: Penny Cherubino
Photography: © 2012 Penny Cherubino  

Note on Comments: We monitor comments constantly and anything that is pure spam, inappropriate, or nasty is swept away. In addition to readers' comments, we welcome hearing from the people, places, and services we cover. Often, those add great insights for our readers. As long as it doesn’t become a pure ad, we’d love to hear from you. We do reserve the right to edit ads and links out of comments.

UBER: On-Call Car Service in Boston

This year, we added one more option to our car-free lifestyle. UBER offered a discounted $40 introductory package on Gilt City Boston and we bought it. Since then, we've treated ourselves to a few UBER rides and are ready to recommend it to you at today's Friday Link.

Test Drives!

Our first trip was to the preview opening of the Gardner Museum. It seemed like a festive event and our schedule for the day was heavy, so to enjoy more time exploring the museum, we decided to take a ride there and then on to our next destination.  

We used the UBER iPhone app to request a car. We watched the app as the photo of the driver who had accepted our request popped up, then followed his movement on a map as he approached from about seven minutes away. Unlike a taxi, we knew where he was and that he was really on his way to our location. When he arrived out front, he called to let us know.

We enjoyed a couple of hours exploring the new and old spaces at the Gardner, had a meal at Cafe G, and then pulled up the UBER app and requested a ride to our next destination. This time, our driver hit some traffic and called to say he'd be a few minutes longer. He arrived, quicker than expected, and called to tell us he was in front of the door.

Another evening, we tested the service on a rain-soaked trip through rush hour and baseball traffic to an event in the Fenway area. Each time, we've been happy that we were in the care of a completely professional, attentive driver whose only concern was making our day a bit better and getting us calmly and safely to our destination. 

Last week we found a perfect use of UBER– a pick up from a medical procedure. For Penny, it was an appointment at Mass Eye and Ear that left her dilated eyes half-blind in the blazing sun. Rather than fumble around trying to find a cab, she called UBER. Her driver, Sal arrived in minutes, handed her into his clean, comfortable car, found a way out of the traffic jam surrounding the hospital area, and even offered to assist her into our building. 

For Us, It's Worth the Price!

Yes, UBER costs a bit more than a taxi. But, it costs less than a scheduled car service for trips like these. The cars are clean, the drivers professional, and we enjoy the difference.

Since we don't own a car and usually walk, take the MBTA, use Zipcars, or rentals, UBER fits nicely into our transportation scheme. We look forward to using UBER in the other cities, like New York, where it's also available.

DISCOUNTS!!

This UBER link will give you a $10 credit to get you started and they will also send a reward our way.

And, if you click on the Zipcar box over to the left, you can get a driving credit to start you off when you join and we'll also have some Zip added to our account.

What's on your fun-in-Boston shopping list? Remember to click over to Amazon from here to support this site!

 

Details:
Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photography: © 2012 Penny & Ed Cherubino  

Note on Comments: We monitor comments constantly and anything that is pure spam, inappropriate, or nasty is swept away. In addition to readers' comments, we welcome hearing from the people, places, and services we cover. Often those add great insights for our readers. As long as it doesn’t become a pure ad, we’d love to hear from you. We do reserve the right to edit ads and links out of comments.

Brasserie JO's Salade Niçoise: A Best Bite

Brasserie Jo at the Colonnade Hotel is a wonderful spot for a hearty lunch. Ed's favorite there is the Salade Niçoise with medium rare tuna.

Each part of this dish gets the attention needed to make the whole an outstanding version of this classic French brasserie salad. The tuna is trimmed and tender, grilled with that balance of rare and sear that marks a good grill cook.

The greens are crackling fresh, the kind Ed would eat without dressing, by the handful, if he were in his own kitchen. Green beans, potatoes, pickled onion, chopped eggs are all allowed to let their personalities shine. 

The next time you're hungry for a big, big salad, think about giving this one a try. Or, at the bar, you can share it with a friend followed by their famous profiteroles with a giant pour of chocolate sauce for dessert.

Who's on your gift-giving shopping list? Remember to click over to Amazon from here to support this site!

 

Details:

 Brasserie JO‎

120 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA 02116 (map)
The Colonnade Hotel‎
(617) 425-3240
www.brasseriejoboston.com‎

Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photography: © 2012 Penny & Ed Cherubino  

Note on Comments: We monitor comments constantly and anything that is pure spam, inappropriate, or nasty is swept away. In addition to readers comments, we welcome hearing from the people, places, and services we cover. Often those add a great insights for our readers. As long as it doesn’t become a pure ad, we’d love to hear from you.

Ross' Grill : A Long Time Provincetown Favorite

It's astonishing that we don't have at least ten posts on Ross' Grill in Provincetown. Lunches and dinners at this long-time favorite are one of the highlights of every visit to this town at land's end. 

But, like many of the places where we go to relax and where we avoid working, Ross' has been neglected except for the many times Penny has recommended it on Chowhound's Southern New England Board and Trip Advisor's Provincetown Forum.

If a visit to Provincetown is in your weekend or summer plans, here's what you need to know to be assured of a great meal.

  

Find Whaler's Wharf at 237 Commercial Street. Walk all the way through and go up to the second floor to find Ross' Grill. They do take reservations and we needed one even in mid-April. Our favorite seats are at the bar where we have been well cared for by some of the nicest bartenders anyone could imagine, over the years. 

Every time we think the food can't top our last visit, it does. This time, we were blown away by the perfect Pan-seared Gloucester Sea Scallops, Scallion Risotto cakes, Lemon Zabaglione and a creamy cod brandade.

And, be sure to check the blackboard of wine specials. The wine list here has been a source of new favorites for many years. We have a tradition of auditioning Thanksgiving wines and choosing one from this list. We share their taste in Pinot Noir.

Enjoy the great food that comes out of the tiny kitchen but try to save room for dessert. We were alerted that they had pies from their excessively talented pie lady. This time, it was strawberry rhubarb but, later in the season, it may be blueberry/peach. 

There's a great harbor view from the waterfront deck if you stop in for a drink or snack. And, if you have a housefull of guests, ask about the large table in the corner where we've seen so many happy gatherings of diners feasting on good food while enjoying good conversation and good friends. It's that kind of place!

Here are more posts from our Provincetown collection!

What's on your weekend getaway shopping list? Remember to click over to Amazon from here to support this site!

 

Details:
Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photography: © 2008- 2012 Penny Cherubino  

Note on Comments: We monitor comments constantly and anything that is pure spam, inappropriate, or nasty is swept away. In addition to readers comments, we welcome hearing from the people, places, and services we cover. Often those add a great insights for our readers. As long as it doesn’t become a pure ad, we’d love to hear from you. We do reserve the right to edit ads and links out of comments.