Cooking for Brevitt

Brevitt's Top Five: Living in Atlanta

It's been just over one-month since I made the trip down to Atlanta to begin the next chapter of Brevitt's World Tour. There has been some good and some bad, but overall it has been a pretty good move. Now although there has been some crazy work travel during my stay here, I've still got enough of the flavor to showcase some of the cooler things about Atlanta.

Let's cut right to the chase kidz - it's time for Brevitt's Top Five Things About Living in Atlanta!

1. Little Five Points - This cool little part of town has it all. Bars, shops, coffee, clothes, tattoo shops, weirdo's on the corner, live acts, a package store....everything! For those back home in Boston, it's similar to Harvard Square before that went all corporate and shit. Fun, funky and always good things going on. If only I could find out where to park!
2. Hangin - Before I moved down here, a co-worker told me to watch for this. Although it doesn't always mean bad shit will happen, it's still interesting to just see so many people just hangin. They aren't doing much, just milling around talking and well....hangin!
3. Peachtree Streets - Ok I'll admit that this really isn't a good thing about living down here, but I have to bring it up. At some point in Atlanta's past there was a civil engineer who thought it would be great to name 45 different streets Peachtree Something. Then to further confuse people, they put all of those streets next to each other. A perfect example is driving down Peachtree Street and you pass Peachtree Boulevard, Peachtree Road, Peachtree Hills, Peachtree Highland Road and 41 other variations. Makes driving fun!
4. Mellow Mushroom Pizza - Goal number one when moving to a new city should be to find the best local pizza place and I do believe I just found it. Great crust, great toppings and great prices!
5. Hospitality - I'll admit that this is still pretty weird for me, but it is neat to have so many people be this nice. Although it still freaks me out when the produce guy at Kroger's asks me how I'm doing or the coffee guy at Caribou Coffee asks me what my plans are for the day......ummm - for those that have never been to Boston, this never happens! As I tell people here at work.....back home when I make eye contact with you, it is because I don't want to talk to you - it's a preemptive 'you better not say hi' look, but down here.....man, everyone says hi!

Brevitt's Top Five: Barista Beverages

I have too many categories I think because fun ones like my Top Five are always getting passed over damn it! So, I'll try and get these back into the mix a bit more starting today with an ode to everyone's favorite topic of conversation: what do you get to drink from your local barista?

So it got me thinking - what are the best barista beverages I've had? Rules were that it didn't have to be just coffee focused, so could be anything. Also my list tended to skew towards seasonal drinks which is interesting too. Without further ado I give you my Top Five Barista Beverages!

1. Cubano from Espresso Royale - Fresh espresso brewed with raw sugar in the grind, it really is something you can't miss out on. Both the stores on Newbury Street and over by Northeastern brew these up perfectly. Make sure to check out Espresso Royale when you can.
2. Maple Latte from Starbucks - I've talked about this in the past, but let's revisit. Combine espresso with maple syrup and what do you get? Joy in a cup that's only available in New England and parts of Canada - dat's right!
3. Raspberry Mocha from Peet's - Ok, not a very manly drink but the shit tastes good! Who doesn't like chocolate, coffee and raspberries??! Not sure if this is seasonal or what, but these are my latest addiction.
4. Green Tea Latte from Starbucks - Yes, the corporate giant has sucked me in again! Tried one of these a few weeks ago and got hooked. Great alternative to coffee and green tea is really good for you. Other shops make tea latte's as well - so check with your local barista to see if they can whip something up.
5. Cappuccino from Cafe Vittoria - Make sure to check out this institution in Boston's North End. Great atmosphere and amazing coffee. Check out what else is offered at Cafe Vittoria and enjoy a taste of old Italy.

Brevitt's Top Five: Concerts

So pretty excited to find out that The Pogues are coming back to Boston for three days in early March. I hit their mini-reunion tour last year and it appears that based on that success they are rolling out a full 2007 tour.

With this show coming up, it reminded me of an old post I made about the best concerts I ever went to.....so, thought it was time to bring it back with a bit new flava! SO, without further ado - here is my Top Five Concerts.

1. Laurel Aitken: Wellfleet MA - I was luckily enough to catch the Godfather himself twice before he passed away last year. Wish I could have seen him perform more, but these two concerts will remain tops on my list for a very long time. Backed by The Allstonians, he put on two burning shows that had everyone dancing. The signed playlist I have is still framed and hung in my house.
2. Chemical Brothers: Boston MA - The dynamic duo opened with 'Hey Boys, Hey Girls' and the rest was a blur, but in the best possible way.
3. The Skatalites: Ithaca NY - Besides having this show at The Haunt, which is one of the best places to see a show, this was probably the tipping point for me in regards to traditional ska. There was no going back for me after this.
4. Prince Buster: Boston MA - The Prince hasn't been allowed into the States for many years for some reason that I forget. So when he finally came to Boston, the decision to go was easy. Great show and just remember that Al Capone's guns won't hurt you!
5. Phish: Boulder CO - Even though I was lucky enough to see these guys at Nectar's in VT when they were first starting out, this show in Boulder makes me smile the most. Visiting my brother at UC for the weekend, we hit 4 shows in 5 days - but the first in Boulder was the best.

Brevitt's Top Five: Charleston SC

So just got back from a trip to Charleston South Carolina for a wedding. I was there back in the day on a family trip, so was really excited to see the city in a new light. Although the weather was really cold, still had a good time. In honor of the trip down south - here are my Top Five for Charleston.

1. BBQ - There are a few good places up in Boston that serve up some great bbq, but if you are going to Carolina, you know pork is on the menu. I heard great things about Sticky Fingers before going down, but went to Melvins instead as a hidden gem. Melvins speciality is pulled pork, so can't go wrong. Throw on some Carolina mustard sauce and it's heaven. Plus Melvins has what I call an Onion Donut - basically it's a fried onion ring the size of your face. I'll never eat one again, but great experience.
2. Piggly Wiggly - How can you not love a grocery store with a name like this? Plus I got some PW coffee mugs....classy!
3. Waffle House - Apparently waffles are king in SC and so is Waffle House, not pancakes (note to self, move to SC and open up pancake house empire). Nothing like chocolate chip waffles at 3am to make your belly happy.
4. Downtown - It's very beautiful there - reminds me in a way of parts of Boston where everything is close and walkable. Cool stores and cool people.
5. Starbucks Guy - The people there are so nice.....so different than Boston, but this guy at Starbucks we ran into was the best of the bunch. It only got better because my buddy Joe was part of the crew.

• "How come Mr. Joe doesn't want a cup of Joe?"

Anyway - go to Charleston, it's a cool city. Now I'm off to the gym to lose the 25 pounds I gained from eating so much...haha!

Brevitt's Top Five: Boston

Welcome to Brevitt's Top Five......this week's episode is dedicated to Boston - my hometown, so enjoy bitches!

1. Wicked - most people stopped using this term around 8th grade. Here it is a part of daily life. Use it carefully though, overuse is a clear indicator that you don't get it.
2. Frappes - that's right kids, not a milkshake but a fahckin frappe! Last I checked they are the same thing, but hey - it's how we do it 'round here.
3. The Bruins - dear lord are they bad, but I love them. Some bleed Celtic Green or go nuts for the Sox and Pats, but for me The B's will always be my favorite.
4. Blue Laws - wtf are we still doing with these? It makes Boston what it is and always fun to see the face of visitors who learn about our short bar hours and until recently inability to buy booze on Sunday....ahhh, the Puritans!
5. Rotaries - oh boy, where to start? Apparently these only exist in Boston and the UK...figures. Easy to use, unless you are from out of town and apparently they become harder to understand than Rocket Science. Listen up: those already in the rotaty have the right of way. That means those on your LEFT - it's not hard, so wise up punko!