August 2012 Archives

It wasn't all hard work at the restaurant for me the past 3 weeks. I was luckily able to sneak down to Rhode Island for a day to visit my parents who were renting a house at the beach. It was a perfectly calm and casual day, just the contrast I needed to the extreme hectic conditions at the burrito shop. My mom asked what I wanted to cook that night, and it was a natural reflex for me to yell back "NOTHING!" Instead of cooking, we walked to the docks and got some fresh lobsters. Went to the farm and got some corn and potatoes. Tossed it all into a pot of boiling water, cracked a few beers, drained the pot, and attacked! It was easily one of the best meals I have had all year.

Some friends invited me over for an Olympic potluck, where each guest was tasked with bringing a dish from a different country. Because I can sometimes be a bit of an ass, I dared them to give me the toughest country they could think of. Because they decided call my bluff, they assigned me Azerbajian, which I am pretty sure they got by spinning a globe and randomly pointing at it. I studied the country's cuisine for an hour or so, and this is the dish I decided to cook.

I've alluded to my new day job on here and the facebook page, but I actually wanted to explain it to you all today. I have been working on the menu at a cafe and burrito shop in Belmont, MA, simply called Cafe Burrito. Based on my history, you might think that we will be serving some wacky fusion burritos, but this couldn't be further from the truth. The menu is based on fresh ingredients that are simply prepared by hand daily.

Don't get me wrong, there are enough personal touches on the menu that I am proud to put my name on it. I am really excited for a seasonal fruit salsa that changes monthly. Coffee braised beef that ties the cafe aspect in with the burrito shop. Also in addition to the standard burritos, tacos, quesadillas, and salads, we have a line of signature grilled cheeses that we are calling "queso a la plancha". They are sort of a cross between a grilled cheese and a quesadilla, but with fun ingredient combos like pico de gallo with basil, and the cafe cuban sandwich that pairs carnitas and ham with mustard and our house made pickled carrot and radish salad.

In addition to creating the whole menu and all the recipes, I will be cooking and managing the place. I think I've heard somewhere that opening a restaurant is hard? I've got it covered though. That being said, today begins potentially the longest hiatus in the history of this blog. I am not going to be posting for AT LEAST TWO WEEKS, but maybe closer to three. I know I know, crazy. I could probably just slow it down and do one post a week, but that's not my style.

In the meantime, if you live in the Boston area, you should come by and check out the place! We open on August 11th. 374 Trapelo Road in Belmont. Be sure to introduce yourself. I will be there.

Hope everyone has a nice rest of the summer. Talk soon!
-Dan