umommy: family-friendly

Hanging on to the Last Days of Summer

I’m about to write something that makes me very sad… summer is almost over. Back-to-school flyers have invaded our mailbox. There’s now a steady stream of communication from the boys’ schools. Our family dinners outside are ending a little earlier every night. Sniff.

But I try to be the "glass-is-half-full" kind of gal and look at it this way: there are over two more weeks to celebrate the best of the season. So when I heard Joe’s American Bar and Grill has a summer menu complete with an upscale take on cookout classics, plus a killer Summer at Joe’s sweepstakes, I raised my glass of Sam Summer and shouted “Hallelujah!”

Joe’s American Bar & Grill is a classic in the New England restaurant scene. With 12 locations throughout New England, Joe’s is all about familiar American fare in a family-friendly atmosphere. I had the opportunity to sample some items from the summer menu and some of Joe’s all-time favorites with fellow Boston Parent Bloggers.

For appetizers: try Joe’s Maryland Lump Crab Cakes, Joe’s Famous Barbecued Ribs (slow cooked for fall-of-the-bone-goodness), Black Skillet Roasted Mussels (my favorite), and the Spinach & Artichoke Dip.

For Entrees: you gotta go with the Joe’s Original burger, finalist in the Boston Battle of the Burger or the Fish N Chips. The Grilled Shrimp and Watermelon Salad is a great refreshing choice too (though my shrimp was over-seasoned for my taste).

Dessert: everything. Still dreaming about the Skillet Chocolate Chip Cookie Pie and Charles River Pie…

Concept Chef Sean McDonald was sure to point out that unlike other restaurants, everything on the menu is made from scratch. You won’t find a microwave or a freezer in the kitchen (except for a small freezer for the ice cream).

And every Wednesday through Labor Day, Joe’s is running a “Celebrate America” sweepstakes. Fans get a chance to win concert tickets, Six Flags Passes, and Joe’s gift cards to name a few. And one lucky winner will win a grand prize package with VIP passes to the Life is Good Festival, tour the Sam Adams brewery, Red Sox Tickets, an overnight at the Hotel Commonwealth, and special dinners at Joe’s and sister restaurant Abe & Louie’s. Wow. Be sure to check out Joe’s Facebook page for more details.

Joe’s summer menu is a tribute to the backyard barbecue. That’s my kind of barbecue! And the Summer at Joe’s Sweepstakes would be the ideal way to celebrate all the things you love about summer in New England. I’m hanging on to summer – even if it means wearing white after Labor Day.

Disclosure: Thanks to Joe's American Bar & Grill for hosting the event, which I received free of charge. I have no material connection to the brands, products or services mentioned. As always, opinions are my own.

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, by umommy

In family-friendly, Maggiano's

Eat-A-Dish for Make-A-Wish

I admit, there are days I’d like to close my eyes, wish for an amazing meal to appear and tah-dah! Dinner is served. But what if it was the other way around? What if by eating a dish you grant the wish of a child with a life-threatening condition? That’s just what Maggiano’s is doing to raise money for the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

Now through June 27^th (yup, that’s less than a week away people), Maggiano’s will donate $1 from the sale of select menu items, offer a special Maggiano’s music CD, and sell wish stars in any denomination all benefiting Make-A-Wish. Also, for each new Like on the Maggiano’s Facebookpage, Maggiano’s will donate $1 to Make-A-Wish (up to $25,000).

I had the opportunity to sample some of the select menu items from the Eat-A-Dish for Make-A-Wish menu at a recent Boston Parent Blogger event. Maggiano’s is known for its made-from-scratch menu items and the Make-A-Wish menu is no exception. Everything from the Shrimp, Crab and Avocado Lemonette to the Veal Meatball Bolognese was absolutely delicious. We also got to try some items from the regular menu and some pretty fantastic drinks and desserts.

Grilled Mahi Mahi & Shrimp, Caprese Salad, Fresh Berry Tiramisu were some items sampled

It’s been a few years since I’ve been to Maggiano’s, and my recent visit was just as pleasant as the last time I was there. There was one thing that was different in that I had a 3-year old as my date this time. Maggiano’s is known for its family-style dining, so this is a great place to bring kids. They have an extensive kids menu and were more than accommodating to all the parents that brought their kids. And what better place to introduce kids to some classic Rat Pack tunes?

So as I listen to “Too Marvelous For Words” by none other than Frank Sinatra, I urge you to support Maggiano’s fundraising efforts for Make-A-Wish.

Disclosure: Thanks to Maggiano’s and Boston Parent Bloggers for hosting the event, which I received free of charge. I have no material connection to the brands, products or services mentioned. As always, opinions are my own.

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, by umommy

In chinese, family-friendly

Restaurant Review by My 6-Year-Old: Little Q Hot Pot (Arlington, MA)

Here's another restaurant review through the eyes of my kid. This time, we visit his new favorite restaurant: Little Q Hot Pot on Mass Ave in Arlington, MA. All pictures were taken by my son using my phone (as I sweat bullets while he held my fancy phone over the bubbling cauldron of broth).

6-year-old: First we wait for our food. This restaurant is nice. Because they have a stove connected to where the hole is in the table.

Little brother trying to decide if he should launch his car into the 'pit' as we wait for our food.

6-year-old: First the peanuts and other spicy stuff come. And carrots. They taste good, except for the spicy stuff.

Condiments of peanuts and spicy cabbage. Plastic bowls, cups, and spoons are ideal for feisty kids.

6-year-old: Finally the soup comes and they put it in a little hole in the table. They don’t let it splash on us so we don’t get hurt.

Complex and delicious Black Bone Chicken Broth equipped with ladles and basket.

6-year-old: This is the spring roll and dumplings you can order from the menu. It tastes so good. And we don’t have to cook it – they cook it for us. You can’t cook this in the soup bowl.

Large menu includes traditional Chinese appetizers and entrees for those that do not want hot pot.

6-year-old: You can order meat. It looks like they are ground. They come to the table cold. You have to cook these foods in the soup bowl.

Paper-thin cuts of raw pork, chicken and beef.

6-year-old: You cook it by dropping it inside. And when you think it is ready, you take it out and try it. It is fun cooking the food. Grownups cook it – it is dangerous for kids. But I like to watch.

Chinese fondue - cooking chicken in savory broth.

6-year-old: The vegetables taste good. Some of these are super foods I think.

Chinese broccoli, carrots and watercress.

6-year-old: This is my soup. There are some noodles in it. You can cook the noodles. Kids can drop the noodles in. It is fun touching the noodles!

Cellophane noodles with pork, chicken, Chinese broccoli, and carrots in broth. The boy had two helpings.

6-year-old: If you feel a little sad, like if you were crying and bumped your head, someone that works here can bring you a lollipop. But it is a only for a special treat if you finish your dinner or lunch. I’m not sure if they serve breakfast.

(note from umommy)

In my quest to raise my boys to be adventurous eaters, we dine out a lot as a family. We try to avoid ordering the boys the typical kid fare (chicken fingers and fries for example) whenever possible. We seem to have the best luck introducing our kids to more exciting foods when we go to places that have "family-style" dishes. So what better place to get our kids to be adventurous than Chinese hot pot? Bubbling cauldron of broth set in the middle of your table for cooking raw meats and vegetables. Seconds later you get to fish out your food using chopsticks. Exciting? Yes. Healthy? Yes. Tasty? YES!