Blogger Dinner: Audobon Circle

Last Thursday I was invited to Audobon Circle for a Blogger Dinner.  Jayne invited me and she is the Event and Communications Manager for Tiger and Bears- the resturant group that owns several Boston Resturants and Bars including Miracle of Science, Middlesex Lounge, Audobon Circle, Tory Row and Cambridge 1. I was thrilled to be included and was excited to meet Tina from Carrots N Cake and Elina from Healthy and San, two local blogs I read all the time.

Audobon Circle is on Beacon Street right across the street from AnTuaNua.  In my early twenties, I went to this bar ALL the time! It's really close to Fenway Park but its a little off the beaten path.  However, if you take the D Line to the Fenway stop and go up the stairs, it's only a five minute walk.  Otherwise it's probably a ten minute walk from Kenmore T.  But on non-game nights, there are tons of parking so it's definitely worth the trip!

The dinner was at 6:30 and I arrived exactly at 6:30.  I was the last to arrive- I'm new to these things! So I totally missed the opporutnity to take pictures around the restuarant before we sat down.  Luckily, Tina said I could 'borrow' some of her photos. Thanks Tina!

The inside had a really funky vibe- it definitely looked like a great after work place for dinner or drinks.  The resturant also had a nice outdoor space!

If it wasn't so cold, I would have definitely wanted to sit out here.  I love nice outdoor space in the middle of the city!

When I sat down, I introduced myself to the table and everyone passed out business cards.  Sadly, I'm still new to this and didn't have one to share with the group.  But I did get to meet Jayne, Tina,  Jacqueline, Pam, Athena, and Elina. 

I immediately ordered the Vanilla Eight Ball Martini- which had Stoli vanilla, pineapple, and lemon juice.  My kind of drink!

Pretty soon after the drinks arrived, the food started pouring out.  Jayne ordered a ton of appetizers!

First up:  Artisanal cheese selection, with seasonal jam.

Being pretty obsessed with cheese, this was a nice starter.  I really enjoyed the jam!

Next up: White Bean Puree with Grilled Bread.  

I just made my own white bean dip for the party I had last week and I loved this.  Very garlicky!

Next up:  Beef shin Quesadilla

This was my favorite appetizer! I think I'm really into beef lately and I need to calm it down a little bit. This had so many delicious flavorings- sweet yet smokey, just very very rich!

Next up: Grilled Scallops with Creamed Corn

I think I've mentioned multiple times how much I love summer corn- I was obsessed with this creamed corn and kept going back for me.  The scallops were pretty tasty as well.

Next up: New England Crab Cakes, Chipotle Aioli

I also LOVED this dish.  Served on a bed of arugula, my favorite green! I loved how crispy these cakes were- I wonder if they were fried? 

Next up: Asian potsticker box

I definitely really liked these potstickers, but I have to be honest, I ate it pretty quickly and don't remember much of the flavors.

Next up: Mussels, garlic, spicy tomato, grilled bread

 I love mussels, but usually my favorite part of ordering mussels is the broth!  This was tomato based and not broth based, but still delicious.

Okay so those were JUST the apps.  I think Jayne over did it. Not that I mind- I love food! Next up Jayne ordered salads and main courses.

First: Pork schnitzel, arugula, pickled onion

Did someone say Arugula? Pickled Onion? Umm yum.  I seriously love arugula.  And underneath all that salad was Pork Schnitzel- which I loved.  Breaded thinly cut pork fried (probably).  I definitely want to try to recreate something similar.

Next up: Watermelon, feta, micro greens, sherry vinaigrette

This is a popular dish lately, but I'm still not sold on the flavor combination.  Maybe because I don't like fruit???

Next: Pressed turkey, bacon, swiss, asian slaw

This dish was a little hard to share but since it was convienintely placed right in front of me, I ate lots of it. I'm also on a bacon kick lately- I can't get enough of it.  The dip was also really nice and I loved the slaw.

Next: Local heirloom tomato napoleon, fresh mozzarella, basil

Another fresh delicious salad! Can't beat local ingredients!

And to finish this amazing, fufilling dinner we got: Chevre cheese cake, oreo crumb with a Raspberry Sauce.  

Wow, I'm not a huge dessert person but I loved this dish!!! I want to recreate it immediately!

And here is our table or what's left of it by the end of the night! Athena, Elina, Jayne, me and Tina.

Overall it was such a fun night and I really enjoyed getting to know several local bloggers.  Tina/Elina let me know whenver you want to go for a run!