Category: Food News

Food News revolves around the happenings within the national Hospitality Industry and how it relates to the local restaurant scene. Here in the Commonwealth, the dining scene is vibrant and is influenced by—and sometimes influences—the national spotlight.

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No Playing Games When It Comes To Brunch

STEAK & EGGS from the brunch menu at Cal Mare at MGM Springfield (submitted)

Brunch isn’t a luxury, it’s the necessity of a credible restaurant and in downtown Springfield, it’s brunch time.

Brunch Libations from the brunch menu at Cal Mare at MGM Springfield (submitted)
Brunch Libations from the brunch menu at Cal Mare at MGM Springfield (submitted)

Celebrated chefs Michael Mina and Adam Sobel have debuted a new weekend menu for Cal Mare at MGM Springfield, featuring iconic brunch staples complemented by Italian classics and refreshing cocktails.

“Brunch is more than a meal—it’s a culture,” said Chef Sobel. “We couldn’t be more excited to introduce our brunch experience and hope everyone will love it as much as we loved creating it.” Available for reservations on Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Cal Mare’s new brunch menu features a bevy of delicious offerings:

  • Kick Start the Day: To begin the feast, guests can enjoy Cal Mare’s Roman Sweet Buns served with whipped mascarpone, Nutella and salted caramel. For a savory appetizer, cured Salmon Flatbread topped with burrata, avocado and salted egg yolk delivers a multitude of flavors and textures. On the spicy side, Yellowfin Tuna Tartare turns mornings up a notch with tomato sauce, pickled hot peppers and capers.
  • Mangia, Mangia: The main event on the menu showcases entrees with a Mediterranean flair. The Italian Cheeseburger is a fun twist on a favorite, served with provolone, giardiniera and Calabrian chili aioli. Meanwhile, Ricotta Pancakes drizzled with orange marmalade, wildflower honey and walnuts bring a sweet crunch to a classic.
  • Seafood Delights: What’s a New England brunch without seafood? Guests can savor fresh catches including Atlantic Oysters with limoncello mignonette and Calabrian cocktail sauce; Whole Grilled Branzino on a bed of arugula, fennel and grilled lemon; or the indulgent Lobster Tagliatelle, served with toasted garlic and Calabrian chili.
  • That’s Amore: Guests can dig into Cal Mare’s specialty pizzas even earlier now on the weekends. The new menu includes gourmet three-cheese slices with shaved brussels sprouts and scallions, while the Margherita is topped with fior di latte cheese and fresh basil.
  • Bottoms Up: It wouldn’t be brunch without a little bubbly. Cal Mare’s morning cocktail menu includes mimosas and bellinis made with orange juice or peach nectar and the ultimate brunch necessity, the Bloody Mary, infused with tomato, Italian spices and balsamic vinegar. For a taste of Italy, guests can sample the Negroni, made with beefeater gin, Alessio vermouth and Campari; or the Aperol Spritz – one of the region’s most popular apéritifs – featuring Aperol, prosecco and soda. A Cal Mare original, the Wandering Albatross refreshes with Barsol pisco, Aperol, grapefruit and prosecco.

Next weekend, Mass Foodies will be joining MGM Springfield for brunch… stay tuned!

APPLE CUSTARD TOAST from the brunch menu at Cal Mare at MGM Springfield (submitted)
APPLE CUSTARD TOAST from the brunch menu at Cal Mare at MGM Springfield (submitted)
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Six Restaurants in Central Mass That Will Transport You Someplace Warmer

Chorizo Tacos: Housemade chorizo, cotija cheese, pico de gallo and cilantro lime creme from The Civic Kitchen & Drink.

The Farmer and the Fork Cafe at Tower Hill
Tower Hill Botanic Garden’s two conservatories are lush and aromatic even in the dead of winter. The Limonaia (Lemon House) is brimming with bright camellias and bold citrus fruit. The Farmer and the Fork Cafe offers a seasonal menu that includes healthy grain bowls along with soups and salads. Guests can enjoy the fire place in the Great Hall after working up an appetite in the Orangerie, Tower Hill’s 18th-century-style greenhouse.

The AC Lounge
If I could bring the bar from Crazy, Stupid, Love. to life, it would look like The AC Lounge. The space is bright, posh, and metropolitan. Hotel bars have a certain formality about them and a level of anonymity given the number of out-of-towners. This is not the sort of watering hole where everybody knows your name; enjoy it.

The Civic Kitchen + Drink
The Civic has played host to a series of themed events over the last few months, including a Great Gatsby dinner party straight out of West Egg. Guests partied like it was the summer of 1922. The staff manages to take The Civic’s signature patio vibe indoors during the colder months. This spot is the perfect cure for the winter blues.

Avellino
It’s easy to picture the small Italian village from which Chef Rico’s vision was born when you sit down at Avellino. The menu is rich with handmade specialties including house-cured pancetta and freshly pulled mozzarella. For the full effect, Chef Rico offers monthly cooking classes modeled after his grandmother’s Italian kitchen.

Rose 32 Bread
Rose 32 is a world class operation dressed down in small town clothing. Master baker Glenn Mitchell studied and trained in France before launching a small bakery in California with his wife Cindy that quickly grew into a national conglomerate. Glenn never lost sight of his love of baking, as exhibited by his top honors from Coup du Monde de la Boulangerie, the World Cup of baking held in Paris. The Mitchells may have retired from West coast living, but their little Hardwick bakery will make you feel like you’re in sneezing distance of San Francisco.

simjang
Simjang has tiki drinks, a fluorescent color palate, and an oyster bar that’s straight fire. You can play video games upstairs and mainline rosé froyo downstairs. Remind me again why we aren’t there right now?