July Recap

July Recap

Kristen Martinelli
Monthly Recap

If June was all about the five senses — July was focused on taste. Like last month, I read many books — mostly fiction — with one exception; Stanley Tucci’s memoir Taste: My Life Through Food. If you’ve read it, you know it is chapter after chapter of recollections from restaurants, traveling, Italian-American traditions, and Stanley’s own family recipes. As I write my July recap and reflect on this past month, I do so through the lens of food – the amazing ingredients, delicious dishes, and summer memories.

My 2023 Garden

My 2023 Garden

Kristen Martinelli
My Kitchen

My grandfather was a gardener who started his plants from seeds and had several backyard plots for corn, potatoes, tomatoes, and more. My dad learned from his father, and soon I started gardening, with a small tabletop potted garden of veggies and minimal herbs. Over the years, my garden evolved and moved to the ground — where it could be protected behind a wooden fence. This allowed me to cover my herbs for the winter and have the same plants grow year after year.

June Recap Through the Five Senses

June Recap Through the Five Senses

Kristen Martinelli
Monthly Recap

In April of this year, Gretchen Rubin (one of my favorite authors) published her newest book, Life in Five Senses: How Exploring the Senses Got Me Out of My Head and Into the World. Each chapter focused on one of the fives senses and how slowing down or focusing on sense-specific activities allowed Gretchen to be more present (and happier) in her day to day life. As life speeds on to the end of the year, I wanted to reflect back on the month of June through my five senses. As a foodie, much of my life revolves around taste and smell — and the month of June was no exception on that front. Click to read my full recap of the my June highlights.

Cheese Danish

Cheese Danish

Kristen Martinelli
Recipe Video

This week I’m making a homemade version of my favorite treat — cheese danish! My how-to video shows you how to prepare cheese danish using puff pastry. You can customize the filling to include your favorite preserves. I used apricot and black cherry. Click to get the recipe ingredients and watch my recipe video.

Pergamino's Bakery & Café

Pergamino's Bakery & Café

Kristen Martinelli
First Impression, Restaurant Reviews

The last warm weekend in January, my boyfriend and I decided to visit Pergamino’s Bakery & Café in Boonton, New Jersey. We stopped in for brunch before exploring the nearby antique and tea shops. We had delicious breakfast sandwiches, cappuccinos, and many tasty pastries. Click to read my full first impression review of Pergamino’s Bakery & Café!

V-Yan Hot Pot and BBQ

V-Yan Hot Pot and BBQ

Kristen Martinelli
First Impression, Restaurant Reviews

V-Yan Hot Pot and BBQ is a large restaurant in Parsippany, New Jersey off of Route 46. My boyfriend and I visited V-Yan Hot Pot and BBQ on a Monday evening for all you can eat hot pot and BBQ. We tried delicious proteins, vegetables, and dumplings during our meal and had a fun time BBQ-ing our own food. Click to read my full restaurant review and recommendations for hot pot and BBQ at V-Yan.

Tavern 5

Tavern 5

Kristen Martinelli
First Impression, Restaurant Reviews

On a cool Wednesday evening, we went to Tavern 5 in Pompton Plains, New Jersey. I was so excited to try this restaurant, who shares amazing drink creations and new specials on social media. We enjoyed a full meal outside on their outdoor dining patio, where we had beautifully plated appetizers, large entrees, and a delicious dessert. Click to read more about our dinner at Tavern 5!

The Banks Fish House

The Banks Fish House

Kristen Martinelli
Restaurant Reviews, First Impression

Our last dinner in Boston, Massachusetts brought us to The Banks Fish House. I wanted to wrap up our trip with a seafood-based meal, and The Banks Fish House did not disappoint. Click to read more about our dinner and the seafood dishes we ordered — from oysters to lobster rolls, in my final Boston review from our travels.

Boston's Chinatown

Boston's Chinatown

Kristen Martinelli
Travel, Restaurant Reviews, First Impression

After spending the morning walking through the Boston Waterfront, we headed South to the South Boston Waterfront near the Boston Tea Party Ships and Museum. We explored the shops nearby before heading over to Chinatown for lunch, where we ate at Hing Shing Pastry and the Dumpling King. Click to read our full day of adventures and food.

Boston Waterfront

Boston Waterfront

Kristen Martinelli
Travel

After exploring Boston Common and the North End, we decided to spend our next full day exploring the Boston Waterfront, near the Financial District. A stop for coffee at Thinking Cup on Newbury Street, and our day of outdoor adventures started at the Rose Kennedy Greenway. Click to read my full travel review of our morning in the Boston Waterfront.

Stephanie's on Newbury

Stephanie's on Newbury

Kristen Martinelli
First Impression, Restaurant Reviews

After walking over 10 miles around the North End, we decided we would stay locally in Back Bay for dinner. We went back to Newbury Street, which we explored when we went to Krasi for dinner. With no particular place in mind, we decided to walk the sidewalks and stop at any restaurant that caught our eye. Eventually, we ended up at Stephanie’s on Newbury.

The North End

The North End

Kristen Martinelli
Travel

For our first full day in Boston, Massachusetts, we decided to walk through the Boston Common towards the North End. We spent our afternoon visiting the famous monuments and statues in the Boston Common, before visiting the Paul Revere Mall and Old North Church. Click to read my full recap of our travel adventures.

Tatte Bakery & Cafe

Tatte Bakery & Cafe

Kristen Martinelli
Restaurant Reviews, First Impression, Travel

We visited Tatte Bakery & Cafe on Boylston Street in Boston, MA during our first full day of vacation. I loved the black and white interior design and the immaculate pastry and bread cases. We ordered breakfast, coffee, and a pastry to start our day and it was a delicious meal! Click to read my full first impression review of Tatte Bakery & Cafe.

Krasi

Krasi

Kristen Martinelli
Restaurant Reviews, Travel, First Impression

For our first day in Boston, we spent the evening exploring Newbury Street. We stopped by Mochi Dough and Trident Booksellers & Cafe before having dinner at Krasi on Gloucester Street. Krasi is a beautiful Greek restaurant offering thoughtfully prepared dishes. Click to read my full review of Krasi in Boston, MA.

An Afternoon in Concord, MA

An Afternoon in Concord, MA

Kristen Martinelli
Travel

From the local bookstore and gallery, to antique stores and historic sites, click to read more about our afternoon in Concord, Massachusetts. We had a great time exploring Main Street and Walden Street before driving to the Sleepy Hollow Cemetery, Old Manse, and Old North Bridge.

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