favorite restaurants

As always, recent weeks have been filled with tasty bits and bites, nights out in Boston, and more special, nights out in our back yard. We’re pretty sure if we get a fire pit we can continue those well into October or even November, depending on how Mother Nature decides to treat us this year.

As has been the case for a while, Boston has more new restaurants than I can even keep track of, and when we check one off the list, it’s always exciting. A rainy night out at Merrill & Co., where we pretty much ordered everything, was an incredible introduction to this fun space. Staff was warm and friendly, cocktails were amazing, and dishes like fluke ceviche and the  best mussels I have ever had have had me craving a repeat visit soon.

Our day trip to beautiful Westport included beach walks, kayaking, and beer tasting in addition to the concert at Westport Rivers. We’re always game for a flight of beers at Buzzards Bay Brewing, especially at one of their picnic tables in the blazing sun.

Our Westport trip also included a leisurely lunch at The Bayside Restaurant, a small seaside spot literally across the street from the beach and a beautiful coastal walking trail.

I could very easily see us taking a week vacation and spending it in Westport, enjoying the beaches, farms, wine, and day trips to places like Newport. The Bayside was perfect for seafood and local beers before we hit the beach. I love how quite the area is; I think it is a hidden gem! Ahhh coastal living. . .

Time in our back yard with family is what I will remember overall from this summer, and the addition of Nutella to regular S’mores was simple but one of the best decisions made. I love how gooey the Nutella and marshmallow get together once heated up!

Steel and Rye continues to be an obsession and a place we sometimes end when out for a walk. A Sunday night at the bar with a cocktail and little appetizer like this beautiful grilled bread topped with favas and tomatoes is the perfect pre-or-post-dinner snack.

I’m not usually a Chobani yogurt fan (Fage is my favorite!), but when I saw this banana maple, it reminded me of Banoffee Pie and I had to get it. This is a truly yummy yogurt, and the addition of oats definitely helped keep me full.

Our garden and CSA have been producing lots of zucchini and carrots, and pancakes are one of my favorite ways to use up a big batch of veggies. You can find my zucchini pancakes recipe here. Topped with sriracha yogurt, these are a perfect summer dinner. Corn pancakes (with bacon!) are also a favorite.

I think that sums up some of my favorite recent bites. Up this week? Some lookbacks at our Sonoma favorites as we prep for another trip, as well as a summer wine and a quick review of a local clam shack!

What have been your favorite bites lately?

(Happy 8th anniversary to my amazing husband! I would do our wedding all over again, except I would have skipped the shoes and had our boat waiting for us at Spectacle Island so we could keep the party going there!)