Food for Thought

“Fall” In Love: With Pumpkin Pie (Or Something Like It)

Published on November 16, 2015January 25, 2016 by The Crimson CraveLeave a comment

by Angela Yi ’19

This week, I had a desperate desire to have a fall classic: the pumpkin pie. I like to think of pumpkin pie as the taste of fall. Its sweet taste packed in a squishy orange gloop of heavenliness evokes the sensation of autumn. As I walked through the changing trees and piles of fallen leaves in Harvard Yard, my cravings for some pumpkin pie only grew. And so, I got out my phone, and – like a true foodie – immediately searched “best pumpkin pie” on my trusty Yelp app.

The first pastry shop, Petsi Pies, listed on Yelp looked very promising. It had 4/5 stars out of 234 reviews, and the ones specifically on the pumpkin pie were positive. Best of all, it was only an eight-minute walk away. Unfortunately, Petsi Pies closes at 6:00PM, and my schedule for this week didn’t allow me to leave Lamont (AKA the Pit of Despair) until much later.

Lamont pumpkin pie. Not the best, but enough to satisfy cravings for a night.

And so, despondent, I went out for a brief walk around Harvard Square and – lo and behold! – I saw that Pinkberry had new seasonal flavors out that included pumpkin pie. I’d never had a pumpkin pie-flavored froyo before, but I was desperate so I entered the store and had the pumpkin pie frozen yogurt for the first time.

I was pleasantly surprised. I’d feared the worst – that it would taste like a pale, cold imitation of my favorite fall dessert – but it actually wasn’t that bad. In fact, it was a nice blend of the best things about froyo and pumpkin pie.

Pinkberry’s pumpkin pie froyo with toasted almonds and milk chocolate crunch toppings.

My cravings were sufficiently satisfied that night, and I learned to not be afraid to try new things. But next week, I’m looking forward to having a huge slice of some delicious, resplendent, and simply amazing gloop of heavenly wonder.

Boston Restaurants to be Graded on Cleanliness

Published on November 16, 2015 by The Crimson CraveLeave a comment

by Bovey Rao ’19

Many larger cities have adopted standardized grading systems for their restaurants. Frequent inspections made restaurants maintain higher standards of operation and cleanliness to earn their respective grade. These ratings improved their respective food scenes in terms of quality, but many concerns about consistency and corruption were voiced with this process. The power of the inspectors to give a restaurant a lower cleanliness rating could destroy a business. Similarly, some restaurants might be coerced into bribes and other underhanded methods to boost their letter grades. As Boston prepares to roll out their own grading system, I hope that the city is aware of potential repercussions.

Early next year, Boston is on track to begin grading restaurants on a scale from A to C (with A being the best and C being the worst). Restaurants that receive the C rating are then given 30 days to repair any issues and then be regraded by health inspectors. However, these ratings would not posted on storefronts like in many other metropolitan areas; instead, they would found online on a public database. This proposal now seemingly loses it merit because these ratings would not be visible. It is tedious to have to check a website when trying to figure out where to eat. At the same time, it would allow for restaurants of Boston to truly understand how the system works and to prepare themselves for it.

This ultimately brings up the issue of food safety and regulation. It is reasonable to expect restaurants to serve food from sanitary conditions in a comfortable and clean environment. If an establishment fails to meet those expectations, a potential customer would like to know. The immediate problem is to explain what the respective rating means. What differs between an A rating and a B rating? Does having a B rating change whether or not a person is likely to dine at a restaurant?

However, from a restauranteur’s perspective, it is also frustrating and sometimes hindering to have to adhere to standardized practices. Given the arbitrary nature of inspections, there is the issue of consistency and timeliness in visits. Fortunately, the provision allowing for a 30 day period to improve allows for this to be a non-issue. While many restaurants may protest these demands, the accommodations provided by the city are fair and justified. It is currently hard to tell whether or not the changes are going to help or harm the Boston food scene, but I believe that having a standardized restaurant health code will ultimately benefit the city.

HUDS Does Diwali

Published on November 12, 2015November 12, 2015 by The Crimson CraveLeave a comment

by Richa Chaturvedi ’18

When I was a kid, Diwali was all about the sweets. My sister and I would fill up on just about anything we could get our hands on. I would always go light on dinner because I about the delicious treats that awaited me.

Growing up, Diwali became more and more about the Indian dishes. There’s food as far as the eye can see. Diwali dinner lasts for hours – you just keep eating. The colorful food brightened up the table and made you feel warm inside.

Coming to Harvard, I’ve realized that Diwali is mostly about being with your family. It’s like any other holiday; the food brings people together, sitting and talking in one place. The rest of the world is paused.

HUDS created that feeling for students missing home on Diwali this year. While nothing quite beats a home-cooked Indian meal, standing in the dining hall and smiling at familiar names of dishes created a place for me where time stood still. I told my friends what to get. I showed them which dishes tasted best together, but ended up mixing everything together because that’s what I always do. I was so excited to be able to share things from home with them. It felt like Diwali.

Props to HUDS, because I was pretty impressed with the Indian selection tonight. The daal was on point and the basmati rice with peas was a nice touch. The vegetables in the coconut curry and idlis also deserve an honorable mention. It’s probably also important to note that my friends who have never had Indian food before ate it and liked it – I’m not saying that this was authentic or anything, but HUDS did good work as an introduction, a transition piece if you will. While I’ll end the night at brain break eating a classic PB&J, it was nice to be reminded of home. So thank you HUDS, you did good.

Nothing Like Ice Cream From Home

Published on November 9, 2015November 9, 2015 by The Crimson CraveLeave a comment

by Allison Yan ’19

What makes some ice cream better than others?

Since arriving at Harvard, I’ve realized that Cantabrigians, and Bostonians at large, sincerely appreciate their ice cream. JP Licks is a staple, a place that locals and college students alike frequent, even when the weather dips. Lizzy’s is a less bustling, more intimate alternative to JP Licks. And then there’s the lovely Toscanini’s, for the rare few who find the time to trek to Central Square.

I’m proud to say that I’ve tried them all by now. But it’s just not the same as ice cream back home.

Cincinnati, Ohio is home to many things: an average baseball team, a slightly above-average football team, and, most importantly, Oprah Winfrey’s favorite ice cream. You read that right. Cincinnati is home to Graeter’s ice cream. Many of my fondest childhood memories are from post-event treats to Graeter’s, where I would shamelessly indulge in black raspberry chocolate chip ice cream sundaes (those were my mom’s favorite, so they had to be my favorite as well). She was very particular about her sundaes, and so was I: one scoop of black raspberry chocolate chip with whipped cream, nuts, and black raspberry syrup. She always went for a maraschino cherry on top. I never liked the taste of maraschino cherries, but since I always appreciated the aesthetic the cherry added, I would get one as well.

Of course, my love for Graeter’s went beyond just visits to the ice cream confectionary for those sumptuous sundaes. There were rarely times when we didn’t have pints of black raspberry chocolate chip ice cream in our freezer. Post-dinner desserts always consisted of our trusty ice cream in a Graeter’s waffle cone.

There is just something unique about Graeter’s ice cream that can’t be beat by the ice cream shops here. The way the ice cream melted in your mouth so you could chew on large chunks of chocolate chips, the heady thickness of the ice cream that would trump soft serve any day, the extra sweet flavor that made it clear that you were partaking in a special indulgence rather than some faux-healthy dessert.

In my first months here, I felt like I missed Graeter’s almost as much as I missed my family. There’s a lot that goes into good ice cream, really. The richness of the texture, the presence of yummy extras (namely, chocolate), and, of course, the memories associated with the ice cream.

Anyone who wants to contest my claim that Graeter’s is the best should take me to JP Licks to prove otherwise.

Double Trouble

Published on November 4, 2015 by The Crimson Crave1 Comment

by Richa Chaturvedi ’18

I’m often wary of repeating myself. Honestly, I’m a busy student with limited time in a day and repetition hinders my ability to do everything I need and want to do. So I’ve resolved to cut out the unnecessary time spent doing things multiple times, and I’m here to share my tricks with you.

1. It’s not chai tea.

Don’t even bother with this useless repetition. In Hindi chai means tea, so you’re basically just saying the same thing twice. No, you don’t want a tea-tea latte – only one tea will suffice. So save yourself the time and trouble next time you find yourself in line at Starbucks (so tomorrow?)

Screen Shot 2015-11-03 at 3.50.10 PM — Photo courtesy of starbucks.com.

2. Nope. Not naan bread.

Naan is Indian style bread that is usually paired with different combinations of vegetables and lentils. So don’t say naan bread. It’s weird and it sounds silly. You’re basically talking about bread, and then clarifying that you’re talking about bread, all in the span of two words. That’s called overkill.

Screen Shot 2015-11-03 at 3.55.33 PM — Photo courtesy of naancafe.com.

3. Cheese quesadilla? Try again.

The word quesadilla literally has the word “queso,” meaning cheese, in it. So I think it’s safe to say that your quesadilla will have cheese even if you choose not to add the extra clarification. Guacamole is still extra, though.

Screen Shot 2015-11-03 at 3.54.01 PM — Photo courtesy of bajafresh.com.

Eliminating these redundancies can be a huge time saver. Maybe you’ll do all of your reading! Maybe you’ll make it to the dining hall before they run out of carnival cookies! There are so many possibilities and, for once, so much time.

I Only Eat My Mom’s Vegetables

Published on November 3, 2015 by The Crimson CraveLeave a comment

by Allison Yan ’19

I’m sure every college student misses a genuine, home-cooked meal from time to time. There’s just nothing like the rich, unique flavors from a family favorite dish or a parent’s particular seasoning choices or a combination of both.

My mom is very particular about healthy foods. Her meals almost always contain greens. I used to bemoan the fact that I had to eat my vegetables. But over time, I appreciated her choices more and more. Yes, sometimes that sprinkle of cilantro and sliced eggplant on a protein heavy dish seemed a little excessive, but it was all in good thought. By the time I started high school, my mom’s lovingly cooked vegetables had become an integral part of my diet: the particular crunchiness of her green beans, her affinity for topping everything with a leafy vegetable, and more. No matter whether she was cooking for the family or bringing dishes to Asian potlucks, my mom would always be ready with the healthy dishes.

Being away from her veggies and her cooking makes me realize just how much her vegetables meant to me. Dining hall vegetables just aren’t the same.

Anyhow, if I’m really gaining the freshman 15, I’m definitely blaming it on the fact that I only eat my mom’s vegetables.

“Fall” In Love: With Sweet Apple Cupcakes

Published on October 26, 2015 by The Crimson Crave1 Comment

by Angela Yi ’19

Today, I was feeling a little under the weather because of the colds going around campus. I needed some good comfort food, and the first place that came into mind was Sweet. I mentioned them last week in my tribute to my love for pumpkin – But this time, I decided to try something new.

Located in Brattle St., in between the Curious George store and Tealuxe.

I dragged my friend out of bed to join me in my excursion to gorge myself on delicious cupcakes with promises of free pastries. We took the long, exhaustive walk on the Square; and three minutes later, the much-beloved sign appeared.

The décor of Sweet never fails to make me feel happy. I love the cute little boxes stacked on top of each other, and their new pink Jack-o’-lantern makes an adorable finish to the cozy little bakery.

The Jack-o’-lantern is the highlight of this pic.

But most of all, the sheer number of options to choose from is what makes Sweet my favorite cupcake store. From dark chocolate to french toast, Sweet has a very interesting variety of flavors that I haven’t seen anywhere else. They even have a flavor called “pupcakes”, which Sweet calls a “yummy treat for our canine friends.”

Choosing which flavors to try is stressful, but the stress is certainly a good one.

So today, prior to walking into the bakery, I relied on Sweet’s varied flavors to find some cupcakes that I’ve never tried before. Forget vanilla and chocolate – I wanted to try something new and unique.

From left to right: Caramel Apple, Apple Cider Doughnut, Apple Pie.

Sweet certainly did not disappoint. So today, for lunch, I got to have Apple Pie, Caramel Apple, and Apple Cider Doughnut cupcakes. It was certainly one of the best lunches I’ve ever had. The apple fillings in Apple Pie and Caramel Apple was just simply delicious, and eating all those cupcakes with Sweet’s coffee ended my afternoon on a very high note.

In Defense of the Pumpkin Spice Latte

Published on October 19, 2015 by The Crimson CraveLeave a comment

by Richa Chaturvedi ’18

Growing up in southern California, fall was never really a thing for me. When temperatures dipped into the 60s, we would bundle up in our leggings and uggs and head to class. The leaves never changed color because most of the trees were already dead (thank you California drought) and the ones that weren’t were palm trees. But there was one thing that meant fall had truly arrived: the pumpkin spice lattes.

Pumpkin spice lattes, or PSLs, are fall’s gift to earth. In the last decade, Starbucks has sold over 20 million of them. They’re everything wonderful and make everything okay. This year, for the first time ever, they even contain real pumpkin. But they are constantly attacked, which begs the question: why?

What’s wrong with enjoying a fall-flavored latte on a cold day? Why is it an offense to drink a coffee the same color as the leaves on the ground? I think people are entirely too critical. Pumpkin spice lattes aren’t basic because more than one people enjoy them. I’m not going to find coffee at some alternative venue with about three regular customers. It’s out of the way and, frankly, I don’t want to.

To those who say that PSLs disrupt the true taste and flavor of coffee I say the following: did it ever pretend to be coffee? Is it named as such? As far as I can tell, coffee is coffee and pumpkin spice lattes are pumpkin spice lattes. There’s a distinction there. PSLs aren’t trying to be something they’re not – rather, pumpkin spice lattes are wonderfully individual.

And so am I. So the next time I’m late for class because I got stuck behind a long line of PSL enthusiasts at Starbucks, don’t judge me. Be jealous of me because I’m sipping on a slice of heaven.

“Fall” In Love: With Everything Pumpkin

Published on October 19, 2015 by The Crimson CraveLeave a comment

by Angela Yi ’19

When I was four, pumpkin was my least favorite vegetable. It has since become one of the best; a seasonal flavor I can’t pass up. Pumpkin chai latte, pumpkin spice, and the classic pumpkin pie – I can eat those all day long. So this weekend, I made it my mission to go to three different eateries and try out their pumpkin-themed desserts.

Every day is J.P. Licks Day. Above is a waffle cone with pumpkin custard and white coffee chunk.

My first stop was, of course, at J.P. Licks. Its location right across from the Yard is both a blessing and a curse; whenever I want ice cream, I don’t have to walk far to get some, but its closeness always tempts me every day.

I had a small in a waffle cone of two of J.P. Licks’ Flavors of the Month: pumpkin custard and white coffee chunk. The white coffee chunk was a delicious blend of coffee and chocolate – two things that I can never resist. The pumpkin custard was good, but I felt like the pumpkin flavor wasn’t strong enough.

Then, I walked over to Tealuxe to have some fall-themed tea and tea cake. I had the chaider, a blend of hot apple cider and cinnamon chai. It definitely warmed me up from the cold weather outside. But, I saved my Pumpkin Tea Cake to eat at my next stop:

Also located at 0 Brattle St., Sweet has simply amazing cupcakes that everyone should try.

Sweet, a cozy bakery filled with some of the best cupcakes I’ve ever had, ended my day on a high note. They had a nice variety of fall-themed desserts, and at least three different kinds of pumpkin flavored cupcakes. I ordered the pumpkin pie cupcake, and relished every bite of it.

Tealuxe’s Chaider and Pumpkin Tea Cake & Sweet’s Pumpkin Pie cupcake.

The pumpkin is one of fall’s greatest classic flavors, and my mission to find delicious pumpkin-flavored desserts clearly demonstrates why it remains popular season after season.

“Fall” In Love: A New Series About Uniquely Fall Food and Drinks

Published on October 17, 2015October 17, 2015 by The Crimson CraveLeave a comment

by Angela Yi ’19

The breeze is blowing, the leaves are taking on lovely red and gold hues – and the delicious scent of cinnamon and pumpkin are wafting in the air. Autumn has finally arrived, and with it are new, seasonal food and drinks.

Pumpkin Spice, Apple Cider, and Caramel Apple are only a few of the numerous flavors that are available only during the fall. And I’m going on a mission to try as many seasonal pastries, drinks, ice cream, cakes, pies, anything and everything that I can – and fall in love with each and every one of them.

Autumn is definitely my favorite season. The weather is in the perfect balance of hot and cold, and fall fashion is indisputably the best fashion. Coats, booties, tights, scarves – the possibilities and outfits are endless.

But most of all, the fall-specific menus many restaurants and cafes have makes autumn the real winner. The only detraction is that these foods are available only during a few months of the year. But, this exclusivity might be what makes Pumpkin Spice – and all the other fall flavors – impossible not to love.