Sometimes you just need to go out!

I am admittedly a bit of a homebody.  I like to cook.  I like to be with my family.  And sometimes, I have been known to be in my pajamas by 6:15pm Saturday night!  I am that girl.  There are times though, that even I like to go out. 

One of those times is with Pam.  She is smart and funny, funny and smart, charming and funny and smart, caring and funny and smart, oh and did I mention she is funny and smart?!  After an evening spent with Pam it is guaranteed that your face will be sore from smiling, and your stomach will hurt from laughing 'til you thought you might pee!  A night with Pam is good for the soul.

A favorite place for us to visit is Rustic Kitchen.  Rustic Kitchen describes itself as a lively but classic style bistro.  The restaurant's focus is on fresh food.  Everything is made on premise, including their pastas and breads.  We like to go, sit at the bar, have a glass of wine, and share a pizza.  Our favorite is the portabella, goat cheese, caramelized onion and thyme pizza.  All of their pizzas are thin crust and cooked in a brick oven.  Nothing beats a wood fired pizza.

Plus, the wine list is intriguing.  Wines are not listed by type (Pinot Noir, Cabernet, Zinfandel), but are categorized by description.  There are listings for Rough Riders (full body, peppery, hint of smokiness), Funky White Guys (crisp and acidic, lively, great with seafood), and Too Big to be Put Anywhere Else (big, heavy and over the top).  I don't know why more restaurants don't do this.  It is genius.  It makes wine approachable for every consumer.  It also encourages you to try something you might not usually.  For example: if you like Pinot Noir and you see the Mark West listed under Rough Riders, you might glance at the other wines in that section.  That might lead you to try the Concannon Syrah, which is quite good in its own right.

One small confession.. I almost always get the Centine by Banfi.  It is a blend of Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot.  It is smooth, and supple.  I would describe it as medium bodied.  Listed in the Easy Rider category, it is perfect with the above mentioned pizza!

So here is my challenge to you:  This week, call your Pam (find your own, you can't have mine!) and make plans to go out.  Laugh, drink, eat delicious food, and enjoy every minute together.  Oh, and if you live in the Boston area... why not try Rustic Kitchen?  There are two here.. 

Nothing is better than time spent with a good friend!

*all opinions listed in this blog are my own.  If I write a review, it is because of my love of the business.  I promise to always be truthful in my posts, and I will always call it... just the way I see it.