Tag: Cambridge

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#SundayFunday: Boston Burger Company – A Frappe Lover’s World

Smores from Boston Burger Company

Traveling for a food adventure has become the highlight of most weekends but in our #SundayFunday column, we look to expand the gastronomic pleasures of travel to feature some of Massachusetts’ most underrated food destinations.

Known for its baked beans, creampies, and clam chowdah (yes, chowdah – not chowder,) Boston is a place of no-nonsense eating. Sticking to its traditional values and food groups, Boston is all about its history, its baseball franks and its hearty meals. That is why, it’s no surprise that hidden behind the name Boston Burger Company there is a tradition of sweet, satisfying, over-the-top frappes. If you’re not from Boston, then the term “frappe” is just as confusing as “chowdah” but not to worry, at the Boston Burger Company in Cambridge, MA, you can have it all.

A milkshake is New England is only shaken milk and syrup, not to be confused with a frappe which is a mixture of ice cream, milk, and syrup (in Boston, words have different meanings.) To compensate for the confusion and the battle between frappe vs. milkshake, Boston Burger Company takes it a step further with their #freakfrappes – a combination of ice cream, milk, and syrup, topped with sweets like an actual layer of strawberry shortcake or a horizontal graham cracker smothered in marshmallows and melted chocolate. Each frappe is presented in a tall sexy glass and every part of the glass is used as part of the #freakfrappe. No space is overlooked. The S’more Than You Can Handle #freakfrappe is a frozen hot chocolate frappe with a graham cracker rim (crumbled graham crackers sprinkled onto the rim of the glass), chocolate syrup, and topped with a wicked (a.k.a “great”) big s’more.

Visually, the #freakfrappes are a play on adult nostalgia. It is a calling to our childhoods, when all we wanted to do was mix all our favorite sweets into one great big bowl of ice cream. M&Ms, Oreos, Nutella (a cult classic), peanut butter, and melted chocolate are only but a few of the options offered at Boston Burger Company and they are the essential components of any good frappe.

Of course, the Boston Burger Company serves their famous burgers like the Hot Mess, featured on the Rachel Ray Show, a burger with bacon, sweet potato fries, homemade thousand island dressing, diced pickles, jalapeño, red onion, lettuce, and American cheese – but honestly, who cares about the delicious burgers and fries when you can sustain yourself with a #freakfrappe? Oh, and since it’s #SundayFunday, ask for a Boozy Frappe – you’ll thank us later.

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Little Donkey of Cambridge

Little Donkey in Cambridge, MA (Source: Little Donkey)

Little Donkey is the latest collaboration of James Beard Award-winning chefs Ken Oringer and Jamie Bissonnette. Located in Central Square, one of Cambridge’s grittier neighborhoods, they cleverly claim their inspiration comes “from Jersey to Japan”. While the area doesn’t look like much, Central has a lot to offer like Improv Boston, Brick and Mortar, rated one of the best bars in the country and Zuzu, one of the only places with a steady weekend dance party.

Little Donkey in Cambridge, MAAside from the neighborhood attractions, you can bank on Little Donkey delivering outstanding food and cocktails—just keep in mind you’re not heading toward the quaint cobblestones of the Freedom Trail. You will find street parking on Mass Ave., but you may have to walk a few blocks to enjoy this great new spot.

On a scorching Friday night, Little Donkey was running an hour and a half wait. We lucked into two seats at the bar, giving us a great view of the bustling warehouse, country-style setting.

The lofted ceiling along with the endless square footage shattered my assumption that I would walk into a closet. Little Donkey’s spacious dining room has a pulse that creates a vibrant scene.

Two words make the meter parking and tolls a distant memory: Octopus Ceviche.

Suggested by our bartender, the Octopus Ceviche was served with yuzu, nepitella, and ahi amarillo. From the first bite to the last, the citrus, herb, and hot pepper all balanced together exquisitely. I considered getting another one but I had to explore.

For my second selection I opted for the Tuna Poke and Pickled Bean Sprouts, a delicious combination on par with my experiences in Kailua-Kona. Next up, I tried the BLT Lettuce Wraps. The wraps came out with lamb bacon, pimento cheese, tomato jam, and pickled red onion. When assembled the ingredients were fresh and decadent.

The bartenders were knowledgeable and professional. I trusted them to make my summer favorite—an Aviation, however, many people were sipping drinks straight out of grapefruits so I had to oblige and order their signature drink. The Donkey Punch includes tequila, cassis, agave, and lime. They shake it and pour it over crushed ice in a grapefruit. It’s overly complicated. It’s delicious. It’s easy to drink very quickly.

To finish up the night, I selected the Swordfish with Zucchini and Marcona Almond Tabouleh. The flavor was good, however, the swordfish was a tiny bit overcooked. Overall everything I had was exceptional. Next time, I’ll modify and order some red meat.