North End Progressive Dinner

I have made some wonderful friends through blogging.  Kristen, Megan, Meghan and I met through blogging but we quickly became friends outside of blogging events.  We try to make time to get together but with four crazy work schedules, two weddings to plan, and our other social obligations, this can often be very difficult.  It often takes a lot of planning, including getting a dinner date in our calendars months in advance. 

Awhile back, we decided to plan a night out in the North End.  Over many group emails, Megan suggested that we use this dinner date to knock another item off my 30 while 30 list - a progressive dinner throughout the city.  So, this past weekend, the four of us met in the North End for a really fun night filled with great food, many beverages, and way too much laughter.  We also may have broke out in song a few times too in honor of Whitney Houston. 

We started the evening out at Ristorante Fiore for a pre-dinner cocktail.  I opted for a not-too-sweet but potently strong Limoncello Martini.  I sipped this drink slowly but it still had my cheeks flushed by the time we left Fiore.

Limoncello Martini

Then we moved on to our first course and the newly revamped Mare Oyster Bar where we sipped on bubbly and beautiful shellfish at a lovely table by the window.

NV Chardonnay, “Mirabelle”, Schramsberg, North Coast, CA   

Steamed Wellfleet Mussels 

Briney Wellfleet and Little Neck Oysters

Baked Clams with Polenta and Sopressata
The polenta was unbelievably creamy and a stand-out part of this dish.

After the sleek and modern interior of Mare, we headed to the more cozy (and slightly romantic) Mamma Maria.  Our server was wonderful and helped us pick some great wine and entrees.  While I enjoyed my meal with the ladies, I definitely want to return back here again with Bret for a romantic meal.

A spicy 2004 Cumaro, Umani Ronchi, Marche

Rabbit Pasta - tender braised Vermont rabbit
served with homemade pappardelle and a spicy red sauce

We were all a bit giddy at this point.  The pre-dinner cocktail and glasses of bubbly and red wine led to some hysterical conversation.  I can't remember the last time I laughed so much.  This put us in the perfect mood for dessert at Prezza.  We expected some resistance to seating us for just dessert but our hostess and server were both super friendly and welcoming. 

Kristen and I have a mutual adoration for Bailey's on the rocks, so three of us ordered that (while Meghan ordered a glass of prosecco).

Bailey's on the rocks

Besides our liquid dessert, we also split two sweet treats.

White chocolate bread pudding with vanilla bean ice cream and crème anglaise

Fig and cocoa turnover with pistachio gelato and port wine sauce
I thought parts of the turnover were a little burnt,
but the fig and cocoa filling was divine.

And we finally ended the night with a post-dinner cocktail at Bricco before I dashed off to take the train home.

Moscow Mule

Saturday night was a lot of fun and I was so glad to participate in a progressive dinner with some fabulous ladies (and fabulous friends).  It may take awhile for us to all get together and we may need to calendar it in advance, but this dinner was worth the wait!