While in Boston, I wanted to check out Harvard. I walked around the Cambridge campus, noticing that there are tons of tourists at this college. TONS. You don't typically see tourists at WVU - just current or prospective students. Lots of folks were taking photos with the statue of John Harvard and rubbing his left shoe for luck.

After Harvard, I found my way to Cambridge Brewing Company for some grub. Sitting at the bar, I looked up to the beer list on the wall and decided on the Cambridge Amber. Seems standard. For food, I went for the fish and chips.

The beer was good - easy, drinkable, smooth. Fairly standard amber ale. The fish and chips was OK - the breading was overwhelming for the actual fish. There was more crunch and pieces falling apart than there was actual fish inside. BUT, the fish itself, when I got to it, wasn't bad. Overall, a decent standard beer and an OK plate of food.



Grade: B

Night Shift Brewing is located a good way from downtown Boston, where most of my adventures were taking place. In fact, I had to take the Orange Line all the way to the end and then walk another 3/4 of a mile or so to get there. But it was totally worth it. 

Walking inside, I was a bit intimidated that it might be a boys' club, but there were not too many people there. I sidled up to the bar and took a look at all the hand-written chalkboards denoting the character of the individual beers.

My favorite kind of beers are sour beers, and I loved that they had a special section just for them. The bartender who waited on me was incredible. He was talking to me to figure out what kinds of beers I like to see what I should add to my flight. And, he spent some time in West Virginia. So, I felt right at home here.

He hooked me up Ever Weiss (sour ale aged with strawberries, kiwi and hibiscus), Whirlpool (soft pale ale bursting with notes of ripe peach and citrus), Belafonte (classic saison brewed with pink peppercorns and orange peel; sips peppery and floral with a crisp, dry finish), and the Oldenburg (Marzen/Oktoberfest style lager with a copper body and nutty, toasty, caramel notes).

I loved every single one of these. The strawberry/kiwi one was very sour but fruity, and I loved it. The Whirlpool and Belafonte were both good, easy beers. And the Oldenburg was very nice, considering I was drinking this in the fall. This is definitely in my top favorite breweries ever. I would definitely go back if I had the chance to do so.

Grade: A
 

I went to SO. MANY. BREWERIES. in Boston. Let's chat briefly about the easiest one: Trillium Brewing. Trillium doesn't have so much of a tasting room (no samples here) as it does a growler fill station & bottles for purchase.

After finally finding the space, we got in line and purchased a 750 ml of Trillium - a farmhouse ale and the namesake of the brewery. I figured this would be the flagship beer, so I wanted to try it.


It's wheaty with a bit of spice. Not bad.

Grade: B

While running some errands, Kaitlynn pointed out D'Guru Restaurant, an Indian restaurant and caterer she used to frequent when she lived on that side of town. She loved their kheer (something I love) and said how often she used to get it.

I imagine what followed went something like:

Me: *looks at Kaitlynn*
Kaitlynn: *continues driving, looks at me*
Me: "We should try it!"
Kaitlynn: "Really? We are supposed to get dinner soon."
Me: "But I'm really hungry now. We can just get a snack?"
Kaitlynn: "OK!"

So, we walked in and looked over the menu briefly. There isn't really much of a dining space - I think one or two tables available. I think the main focus is on the catering, but they do have a full menu of options to purchase - chicken tikka masala, goat curry, paneer, samosa, pakora.

I ordered a thing of the kheer, gulab jamun and veggie pakora - which really, is what I would order at every place if I wouldn't get ridiculous looks. Kheer, which had saffron and raisins, was delicious. It had a hint of different herb I wasn't familiar with. It was delicious. Gulab jamun was also very good. It was cold, so it was pretty firm. A little warmth would've helped loosen up the syrup and spongey cheese ball. Who knew fried cheese balls covered in a sugar syrup could be so delicious? Actually, that's a dumb question, of course that would be delicious.

Kaitlynn got some samosas, while I devoured my veggie pakoras. It was five pieces of fried spinach, onion, potato fritters served with chutney. They were so delicious and huge. A more manageable piece would've been welcome (and a little less grease), but still, good.

Grade: B

Boston has a "Little Italy" section of the city, known as The North End. Galleria Umberto, a cash-only counter that dishes out Sicilian-style pizza until it runs out, is one often overlooked.

The front is fairly nondescript, but inside, there is a large dining space with a mural of Italy on the wall. There was already a line waiting to reach the counter during early lunch hours. It is open Mondays through Saturdays from 11 a.m. until the dough runs out - usually before mid-afternoon; early on the weekends.

I only waited a few minutes, really, before reaching the counter. The menu is simple - plain Sicilian slices, arancini (large, fried balls of risotto baked until golden brown with sharp cheese and ground beef), panzarotti (large tater tots with a mozzarella center), panini and calzones.

I ordered two Sicilian slices and a water. Folks behind the counter engaged in a sort of seamless dance where they weaved in and out of each others' way to plate pieces and scoop arancini. Some customers received a bit lengthier conversation, but mine was short and sweet, and I found a seat along the wall to dive into these hefty square slices.

The crust is thick, completely crisp and provides a cushiony bed for a hearty red sauce to sink in. Mozzarella cheese blanketed and bubbled up into golden brown pockets. The combination made for a very delicious slice. And I know most people think they only like thin slice pizza, but until you've had something this tasty, don't knock it.

Grade: A