By the time February rolls around, I am usually ready for winter to be O-V-E-R. Despite the short month which generally does fly by, it is usually cold and dreary and thanks to Punxsatawny Phil, we are looking at 6 more weeks of it. So of course, it would seem reasonable to head out to dinner on the coldest day so far…but nothing is supposed to stop us from our journey to complete the top 50.

I actually started this month with a week’s “stay-cation”. I have realized that over the last few months, with work being so hectic and demanding, that I have done very little for me. This month is especially trying as our oldest son will be moving out. Although I have enjoyed helping him get settled and I am hopeful that he finds his way to a rewarding life and he figures out his purpose; It is undoubtedly breaking my heart a little. All the more reason to have several outings on the top 50 planned for February.

2/3/2023: #2

As a culmination to my week off, I made reservations for Friday and Saturday nights (pretty ambitious, I know), especially since my husband will be traveling for work again soon and my work will take precedence for the next few weeks. We went to #2 on the list: Mooncusser. It is not difficulty to see why this made the top 50!

Undoubtedly, my new favorite way to dine is by a tasting menu and Chef Carl Dooley and his team at Mooncusser will leave you wanting to return over and over. The atmosphere is warm and inviting, simple and understated with great views of the city. I had perused the menu ahead of time which made it easy to decide on the courses. My husband and I are relatively adventurous, so we decided to try everything on the menu including the wine pairings. According to our server, the menu changes about every month or so. There is no real theme to the menu, rather the courses come from whatever inspires the team at the time.

We were started off with a glass of chardonnay blended with some bubbles to get the palate ready. Venison quesadillas followed which was a surprise starter. Our first course was a Kanpachi Crudo prepared with hint of wasabi paired with a glass of Garganega, a white grape varietal from the Veneto region of northeast Italy and Marinated Arctic char prepared with roasted beets and pink peppercorn paired with a Malbec.

Next, we had Glazed Yucca with Jonah crab and habenero which complimented the orange paired with Vital, a citrus white wine from Lisbon and Braised short rib bathed in coconut and lime with oyster mushrooms paired with a California Riesling.

My husband would probably tell you that the third course was the best. He has said, at least twice, that the roasted lamb loin served with braised carrots paired with a Syrah blend from Cotes de Catalanes, from the Lanquedoc-Roussillon Region of southern France was by far the best thing he has eaten all year. Complex flavor with a hint of warm curry. We also had the glazed local hake with a salted cod cream, soy beans and black truffle served with a glass of Voignier, again from Southern France, a smooth white with hints of peach and tangerine.

A palate cleansing pick grapefruit sorbet followed by Dessert. A dark chocolate cremeau with coffee ice cream, crunchy cake crumble and hazelnuts paired with a glass of sherry and a parsnip and white chocolate semifreddo with tangerine, citrus curd and parsnip chips paired with a glass Gros Manseng, a sweet white from southwest France.

All in all, a fantastic dining experience that I highly recommend. A place you can come back to again and again and never have the same things twice! Do not be afraid to venture out to Mooncusser! It will not disappoint.

2/4/2023: #30

Nothing better than a second night out! I really do love to cook but I am not gonna lie that I do enjoy having someone else cook for me. Tonight we ventured out to Cambridge to check out Chalawan. Again, one of the coldest nights this winter to date, I was so grateful to find street parking not to far from the restaurant. I was worried when we were seated directly in front of the floor to ceiling windows that it would be cold, but I was delighted that the space was warm and relatively quiet. I would recommend sitting in front of the window to take in the street scenery.

Offering a mix of cuisine that spans Southeast Asia served up in a family-sharing style, the food is unpretentious and simply down-right amazing. We started with the snapper dumplings and a seared Alaska scallop which was the perfect size started.

Next we shared the Padang Gulai Kambing, a lamb shank curry; Aceh chicken Gulai Karma, a chicken dish served with cashews, potatoes bathed in a coconut cream broth and the red braised baby back ribs that were covered in a sweet soya sauce with ginger and cilantro. You might expect these dishes to be served with rice, however they are not so you do need to ask for rice if you want it.

There is no dessert offered here either…so order the additional sharing main dish, you will not regret the left overs the next day! All in all, I can see why this place made the top 50. Simply a really good meal, at a great price, perfect for a Sunday evening or a small intimate gathering of friends. Many gluten free items and a vegetarian menu so there is something for everyone!

2 excellent outings for February! Looking forward to March where we already have our sights on #3, #21 and #27