As a Southern red clay and dirt-roads kid, I was always attracted to quaint Norman Rockwell depictions of New England. Maybe because I watched so much Murder, She Wrote in my formative childhood years, I assumed that everything from the tip of Maine to Connecticut was straight out of a bucolic storybook. Then I grew up and married a Yankee, and I came to realize that not all of New England is worth writing home about (I'm talking about you, I-95). Still, there are some good parts - picturesque barns, charming houses with lots of gables, quaint autumnal paths dappled with sunlight, and for those New Englanders who live close enough to the ocean, there's remarkable seafood.
My first (and only) trip to Boston was when I was in college, again for a debate tournament. Mike has been to Boston many more times than I have, being as he is from Connecticut and all. He used to spend every New Year's Eve there, eating steak dinners. My one foray to Boston, on the other hand, included lobster bisque, and that is the inspiration for including Boston in this year's theme dinners. Of course, Boston's food traditions reach beyond seafood. I mean, they put the "bean" in "Beantown," right? And then there's Dunkin' Donuts where locals get their coffee "regulah" (10 parts cream, 8 parts sugar, and a drop of coffee). And apparently a new culinary scene is emerging in Boston, a new-school regionalism that is pushing old favorites in new directions. The task before us, then, is to try to bring this new-school regionalism to Cafe Davis in a way that shows that Boston/The Hub/New England isn't merely touristy Legal Seafood, but rather is something much more flavorful and interesting. So what should you expect? Fruits de mer, of course! For starters, we'll probably dish up some hearty chowder, and Parker House rolls that will make you feel all cozy and warm inside. I'm not yet sure what the rest of the menu will be, but I hope that you stay tuned to find out. Heads up: Please note that while there will be no Red Sox decorations at Cafe Davis, Matt Damon WILL be accommodated as a last-minute guest. Also, I love Boston Cream Pie (just sayin'), and I appreciate any efforts to speak with a New England accent. This will be one wicked rippah! Comments are closed.
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