Food & Drink in Fall River

Restaurant Spotlight: Union Oyster House

Boston is steeped in history, and so are its restaurants. By way of example, consider Union Oyster House. The seriously old-school eatery is located directly on the Freedom Trail, just minutes from Faneuil Hall. Not only is this tourist destination still serving fresh seafood, it offers several nationwide distinctions: it’s the oldest continually operating restaurant in the entire United States, and it’s the birthplace of the toothpick as a post-dinner teeth-cleaning tool. President John F. Kennedy himself was a long time regular, where he would linger over a bowl of lobster stew every Sunday evening as a state senator. Not much has really changed inside this historic restaurant since it opened its doors in 1826. The colonial décor includes old wooden booths and a semi-circle oyster bar with wooden seats, where friendly shuckers enjoy telling diners the tale of Daniel Webster, a daily customer, who used to sit at the bar with a brandy and half dozen oysters. Listen long enough and you may hear other tales of former customers, some of whom went on to do great things. For anyone looking to experience a little Kennedy nostalgia, head upstairs, where a simple wooden booth comes adorned with a plaque dedicated to the former President, reading simply “Kennedy Booth.” Curious diners can request a cozy seat in this booth year–round. As for the food, come here expecting – what else – oysters. Look for the half-shelled bivalves to arrive grilled, fried or freshly briny and still sitting on the half shell. Hearty diners receive a complimentary basket of corn bread, which pairs up even better with a cup of creamy clam chowder. For a true taste of Boston, try the New England feast, which brings together clam chowder, steamers, boiled lobster and Indian pudding. The bold flavors may surprise you, especially for a restaurant that opened fifty years after the Declaration of Independence was signed.

Feasting on Lobster Rolls

Lobster; simply say the word and almost immediately sighs of pleasure are audibly heard. There is something about the sweet meat of this crustacean that makes us all giddy with excitement. Served whole with a bib and shell crackers in a seaside village, or just the tail accompanying a perfect steak in the finest restaurant, or, perhaps best of all, casually tossed into a toasted hot dog bun for on the go meals- lobster is a much loved protein. Of course, lobster isn’t an everyday food. Lobster is a luxury, however, it wasn’t always that way. In the 18th and 19th centuries lobsters were so plentiful in the New England waters that they would wash ashore and form massive piles on the beaches. They were known as a poor man’s food, they were used as bait, as fertilizer, and routinely served to prisoners. It wasn’t until the mid 1800’s that people began to see the greatness of the lobster and began eating it as a delicacy. By World War II, lobster had become a hot commodity and prices skyrocketed. Today, Lobster prices keep its status as a special treat, however there are no shortages of great spots to indulge in a decadent lobster roll around Boston. We make them in both the traditional style (lobster meat tossed with just drawn butter and served warm) and in the state of Maine’s signature style which uses mayonnaise and chilled meat. Both varieties are plentiful, and luckily Boston knows how to make an appropriate lobster roll - which means each roll is packed to the gills with fresh lobster meat. Kicking off the Maine-style lobster rolls is James Hook and Co., a lobster and seafood shipping company that opened its doors in 1925. Primarily a lobster distributer, the Hook ships its lobsters all over the US, both in wholesale and to individuals through their online store. The real treat of the James Hook, however, lies in its walk-in storefront/counter service restaurant. Sitting right on the Harborwalk, at the gateway to Boston’s newly redeveloped Seaport district, the unassuming structure is easily missed. However those who find it are treated to bowls of fresh chowder, select entrée options, such as lobster mac and cheese, and, above all else, lobster rolls made to order. There isn’t anything “fancy” about this roll, a simple top opened hot dog roll, toasted or not (customers preference) and then stuffed full of huge hunks of lobster meat dressed lightly with mayonnaise alone. Take it to go, and enjoy on the gorgeous harborwalk, it’s a perfect Boston meal. Further into the Seaport area there sit two more spots to feast on lobster rolls, the newly opened Row 34, and Yankee Lobster which has been in operation both in wholesale and retail since 1950. Row 34 is owned by the management team behind Island Creek Oyster Bar in Kenmore Square and Lineage in Brookline. This means that chef Jeremy Sewall has once again reached out to his cousin, the lobster fisherman, to source fresh lobster every day. They have a few lobster rolls on the menu, and encompass both the traditional and the Maine style, and both come in the standard top split hot dog roll, lightly buttered and grilled to perfection. Yankee Lobster creates their roll in the Maine style, chilled lobster meat spilling from the bun, dressed with mayonnaise and then enhanced with just a bit of celery and seasoning. Yankee Lobster is a very low key restaurant, with their wholesale operation in the back, and their location directly on the water in the seaport district. Eating here is like taking a step back in time when the area was full of seafood processing facilities, and before the fancy new spots moved in. It’s no frills approach is often referred to as “real Boston”, and is definitely one for the books. The most talked about lobster roll in Boston however is served at a tiny restaurant in the North End known as Neptune Oyster. The wait for a table can be quite long, however their roll, served in either variety is well worth it. My preference here is their warm traditional roll. This decadent feast can only be eaten with a fork and knife as it is far too large to handle otherwise. My favorite thing to do, wander in here at an off time in the afternoon, dine on an enormous lobster roll with its accompanying French fries and sip a class of something sparkling. That is a truly perfect meal. While lobsters may not be as readily available as they once were, no matter your preference for lobster rolls, you won’t be disappointed in Boston. They are made throughout the city, each in their own signature way, and are sure to satisfy!

Wine: From the Vineyard to Your Glass

Learn Is there any drink more intimidating than wine? Does the wine list at a restaurant frighten you, and do you secretly panic when a server asks you to taste the wine you’ve selected? If this sounds familiar, you are not alone. Plenty of people find wine unapproachable, and no wonder! With its reference to exotic regions and its foreign terminology, wine is something easier to enjoy once you’ve cracked the code. There are many grapes that can be turned into wine, with some of the most common including Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Pinot Noir. Beyond the grape variety, the specific geological, geographical, and climactic characteristics of the vineyard affect the taste of wine – this is sometimes referred to as terroir. Finally, the wine-making process affects the final product. Some wines are aged in oak barrels, lending them an oaky flavor, while others are meant to be opened straight away. Those who would like to learn more about wine are in luck: Boston abounds with classes and tastings to hone your palate, plus bars and restaurants where you can practice your skills. Taste A little guidance goes a long way, and Jonathon from the Boston Wine School offers courses aimed at making wine less intimidating. He hosts classes from his Allston location ranging from a single evening dedicated to tasting wines that retail for around $10, to an in-depth six-week course exploring French wines. All classes include bread, cheese, and olives – what more could we ask for? Beginners are welcome at this self-proclaimed “100% snob-free zone,” where everyone is invited to come, taste, and learn. If you want to sample wines from all over the world, consider going to the next Boston Wine Expo. Held in February in the Seaport Hotel, the annual event features more than 185 wineries, plus cooking demonstrations and snacks from some of Boston’s best chefs, including Jody Adams, Ming Tsai, and Barbara Lynch. Shop When it comes to shopping for wine to drink at home, the South End’s Urban Grape is always a great bet. The shop, which also has a location in Chestnut Hill, is organized from light to heavy wines, which makes it easier to find something in the style you like. If you aren’t sure what you are looking for, the store has a tasting station where you can sample a few wines, and see which you like most. They offer free tastings several days a week (check the website for hours), and often host special events. For picking something up on the way home, I am quite partial to my neighborhood corner store, Sagarino’s. The small shop stocks a great selection of wine, plus everything else you need to host a few friends (cheese, wine, chocolate!). There are two locations, one in the Leather District and another in Fort Point. Perhaps you’ll find a similar treasure in your own neighborhood!

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Restaurant Spotlight: Union Oyster House

Feasting on Lobster Rolls

Wine: From the Vineyard to Your Glass

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