TOP OF THE HUB BOSTON MA

Tonight we find ourselves celebrating two Anniversaries. Karen and I have been married 5 years on April 6 and Diane and Steve have been married 36 years on April 15.We decided to make it an upscale celebration so we couldn't find ourselves more "up" than 52 stories in the Prudential Building. We are at the Top Of The Hub Restaurant in Boston MA .http://www.topofthehub.net/

Located high above Boston this is an upscale restaurant with the best views of Greater Boston by far. We arrived and were seated at a window seat facing north and were able to see far up the coast. The views are spectacular.

We started off with a cocktail. Mine was a Sidecar, an old school drink that you can't find in too many places. I made sure the server knew I wanted a regular Sidecar and not the "ultimate" one listed on the menu for $100.

At Steve's recommendation we picked the "Top of the Hub Tasting Menu" which was a five course dinner that sounded great. Karen opted for adding the wine pairing, a different wine with each course.

The first course was Crab Louis Chopped crab and egg with a Louis dressing. Very flavorful.

I also had the Pan Seared Foie Gras. I love Foie Gras and whenever we are at a restaurant where it's featured I always try it. Especially when it's a slice as opposed to a pate. Delicate and tender and so full of flavor. There is a lot of controversy about this dish but the once or twice a year I find it I can't but enjoy it!

Course number two was Pan Seared Scallops. Steve noted that it was in fact one scallop on the plate, although a large sea scallop, and we all joked that all the plates together gave it the plural name.

As we dined darkness slowly fell over the city below and the glint of a million lights made for a beautiful background to our delicious meal.

The third course was Grilled Tenderloin of Beef Au Poivre.  Beef with a pepper crust and Mushroom Ragout. Asparagus and a wonderful Potato Strudel accompanied the dish. The beef was tender and the potato sliced thin and buttery. (You must excuse the picture. I was in such a hurry to dig into the food I only was able to photograph the remains of the plate).

The fourth course was a Roasted Beet Salad. This of course to cleanse the palate for desert. Yellow and Red Beets, micro basil, toasted pistachios, goat cheese cream and a cherry balsamic dressing. A melange of flavors and textures.

After a bit of a wait, as noted on the menu, we enjoyed dessert. Valrhona Warm Chocolate Cake with Chocolate Toffee Crunch ice cream and cherry sauce. When you order the lava cake at your local chain restaurant, that inspires to be what this was. Chocolate decadence with soft cake and thick oozing fudge. The ice cream scoop was placed in a pastry cup.

Another favorite of Steve and myself is Creme Brulee. So we also ordered a couple for the table to share.

By now we were full and happy. The staff was pleasant and very attentive. I looked out on the world below and I thought of how blessed I am to have a great life. A wonderful loving wife and family. No one should ask for more....

So ... Happy Anniversary to Karen and myself!

And to many more wonderful dinners with the Fab Four!

BERTUCCI'S ITALIAN RESTAURANT PEABODY MA

It's the last Saturday of the month and were still on Route 1 trying pizza. Our final stop is at Bertucci's Italian Restaurant 15 Newbury St West Peabody MA .  http://www.bertuccis.com/index.php.

This is a chain type restaurant with many locations. I usually like to go to a pizza place that is unique and has a flavor all it's own but Bertucci's in Peabody holds a special place in my heart.

The first time I met Karen, live and in person, face to face, was here at Bertucci's where we decided to meet for a Saturday dinner. So now comes the great story......

We decided to meet in the parking lot. As I drove into the lot it was almost full, a busy night for pizza lovers. I drove around the lot looking for a spot to park and I spied a pretty lady sitting in her car. I stopped in the middle of the lane to go over and see if it was Karen. I got out and said hello and it was indeed the lovely Karen. I told her I was looking for a place to park when I realized I had locked my keys in the car with the motor running and in the middle of the lane. What a great first impression! We laughed and I called my daughter Sarah to drive up with a spare key. I'm good at embarrassing her like that. Karen and I chatted and got to know each other while we waited. After Sarah rescued us we went in to eat and had an amazing time.
I knew then she was someone to spend my life with.

All great loves have to have a great story!

Tonight we met Diane and Steve and sat down to eat. After a beer we ordered salads and my favorite Tuscan Chicken Wings. Soon, albeit too soon, the pizza arrived. we were seated at a table for 6 so at least we had room to fit the food.

Pizza here is cooked in a wood fired oven at high temperature.

We decided on a eggplant pizza....

and a Pucillo Pizza which had pepperoni, Italian sausage, mushrooms, peppers and onions.

Both pies were baked well and were full of flavor. The high oven heat allows for a crisp crust and doesn't wilt the veggies.

We enjoyed the dinner but were a bit put off at the speed in which the pizza came out. We really hadn't eaten a lot of the salad and wings before the pizza arrived.

We will be back though as Karen and I like to come in on the anniversary of our meeting and have dinner. Karen also likes to mention how we met there and we usually get a free desert.

Overall the pizza quest was fun. Each of us has our favorites. Karen ranked them as Angela's, Prince and Bertucci's and I liked Prince, Angela's and Bertucci's in order.

Each brings good food and wonderful memories.