Taste of Dorchester

In my 8+ years as a Dorchester resident, I had never been to Taste of Dorchester until last week. I don’t know why, but I learned quickly that I have been missing out! Taste of Dorchester benefits the Massachusetts Affordable Housing Alliance (MAHA) and brings together chefs from all over Dorchester for a delicious night with strong community ties. I can’t tell you enough how many great restaurants and shops are in Dorchester. You will just have to come over and check it out for yourself!

Breakfast favorite McKenna’s was serving up the meal they do best. They had French toast, pancakes, bacon, and most delicious of all, steak breakfast burritos. McKenna’s is an awesome little Savin Hill restaurant; the only downside is that they are always full. Calling ahead and getting takeout to eat on the beach is a good idea.

Two of our favorites, Ashmont Grill and Tavolo, had the prettiest table in the room, decked out with flowers and lit up with the smiling face of owner and major community supporter, Chris Douglass. Ashmont Grill had one of my favorite bites of the night, a delicious, yet not very photogenic pumpernickel pretzel with pimiento cheese. It was divine.

Taste of events are always great for discovering new restaurants, and Restaurante Cesaria was one of those. I’m excited to taste more from them!

We wouldn’t have missed the onion bhaji at Shanti or the chicken taco bowls at the Sea Breeze Mexican Grill, which I highly recommend for fresh, quality Mexican food.

We were pretty stuffed by the time we got through our first round. In addition to the above, we had some fantastic ribs from Freeport Tavern, pulled pork from Abbey Park and chicken croquettes from the newly open ester.

However, we saved room for dessert, which included the juiciest chocolate covered strawberries from Phillips Candy House and macarons from Sweet Life Bakery, one of my Lower Mills haunts. Lemon macarons? So springy and perfectly soft and chewy at the same time. I may have had 3.

The whole night was set to the backdrop of smooth jazz music, and the energy in the room was wonderful. It’s what I love about Dorchester; lots of smiles, kindness and community, mixed in with caring businesses. I can’t wait until the next Taste of Dorchester.

Have you attended any “taste of” type events lately?