The Taste of Somerville returned to Boynton Yards in Union Square on Wednesday for the 28th year of the food festival.
The 55 vendors dished out their bites and poured drink pairings as quickly as they could to the 1,500 attendees with several vendors running out of food two hours into the event. The restaurants donated their food, staff and time, allowing the proceeds from the $65 tickets to go toward the Elizabeth Peabody House, an organization that supports families with early childhood development and food security.
Clouds rolled in on the 90 degree day, helping festival goers to enjoy the breeze, live music and endless bites.
Here are the best things I tried:
Rodizio Sampler
Oliveira’s Steak House
Oliveira’s brought a small Brazilian buffet to the Taste: rice, vegetables, chicken, and steak all served on one small plate. The standout of the dish was by far the sliced steak, as should be expected from a steak house. Juicy, tender, and cooked medium rare, it was absolutely worth the wait in line.
Snap Pea Caesar
Gufo
Gufo’s Snap Pea Caesar has been a Taste favorite in Cambridge and Somerville for a few years now and is definitely one of mine. The sliced snap peas are lightly coated in a creamy caesar dressing and topped with crispy breadcrumbs and pickled radishes. While I was eating this coveted dish, several people asked me what it was and where to get it.
Beef Brisket
Red Bones
After eating cuisine of all kinds, comfort food was exactly what I was looking for. Red Bones served its beef brisket in a cup that is usually reserved for condiments and that small amount was enough to hook me. The brisket was evenly sauced and seasoned for a smoky, barbecue flavor with each bite. I am already planning my visit to the restaurant in Davis Square.
Craft Cola
Wander Cat Cola
Wander Cat Cola’s craft cola is nothing like Coke or Pepsi. Made with Japanese yuzu and 10 spices, the drink tasted almost like a lighter version of root beer. Each cup was handcrafted and mixed before serving and it was a refreshing beverage choice amongst a sea of IPAs.
Jerk Pork Taco
Olde Magouns Saloon
Tacos are my all time favorite food and Olde Magouns Saloon did not disappoint. Wrapped in a toasted corn tortilla, the jerk pork was perfectly-spiced and packed a little kick of heat. The pork was well-balanced with the fresh flavors from the mango salsa and guacamole.
Steak Tip
The Independent
The Independent made the seemingly simple steak tip a memorable dish. The steak was perfectly marinated with an enjoyable Italian seasoning that made me crave a salad with roasted red peppers to accompany it. I ate at The Independent last week and now I must return for an entire plate of those steak tips.
Albondigas
Saloon
These pork and beef meatballs with a smoky Spanish tomato sauce were the perfect meatball. Although the smokiness element was lost on me, I could only imagine what the meatballs would taste like in a sub roll with some melted cheese as I ate them.
Arancini
Vera’s
Vera’s arancini featured small rice balls filled with peas served over a basil-forward herb aioli. The arancini was perfectly crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside with the majority of the flavor coming from the aioli.
Plain Bagel with Cream Cheese
Pop Up Bagels
After several hearty dishes, a plain bagel was the perfect, carb-heavy palate cleanser I was looking for. Paired with smooth plain cream cheese, the Pop Up bagel has a crunchy, crackled crust which complimented the soft inside nicely. Here’s hoping Pop Up Bagels serves one of its more unique cream cheeses next year, perhaps its vodka sauce or elote corn schmears.
Peri Peri Chicken
Tribos Peri Peri
Tribos Peri Peri offered chicken with five sauce pairings in a range of spice levels. I opted for the lemon herb and garlic sauces which mixed together nicely. The chicken itself was lightly seasoned and juicy beneath the sauces.
A stronger
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