Chew On This

Eat in Boston

33 of my favourite restaurants and bars in Boston.

Eat in Montreal

43 of my favourite restaurants and bars in Montreal.

Eat in Barcelona

Coming soon!

ALL POSTS

Boston’s Best Bets

I’ve lived in Boston for two and a half years now, and while it’s a weird place — and let’s face it, America is a kind of a hellscape sometimes — there’s really, really excellent food here. You definitely have to know where to look for it (because the unreasonably high cost of rent andContinue reading “Boston’s Best Bets”

Snack Judgment

Hello! I wanted to tell my lovely Chew on This readers about my latest project! It’s where I’m focusing most of my energy these days, but don’t worry- Chew on This isn’t going anywhere. I’ll still be updating my Best Of lists and adding recipes every once in a while. My new project is calledContinue reading “Snack Judgment”

Tony

It was September 22, 2010 and I was sixteen. I was at Massey Hall in downtown Toronto with my mom and we were watching Anthony Bourdain give a talk. He ambled around the stage, holding thousands of pairs of eyes and ears at attention. In the question period at the end, someone in the audienceContinue reading “Tony”

Ditalini and All the Greens

When I was a kid, I would sometimes ask my mom to make me some pasta alfredo, because it was the 90s and it’s also DELICIOUS. She would visibly wince at the idea of dumping cheese, butter, and cream on top of a pile of pasta and serving it to me. However, never a personContinue reading “Ditalini and All the Greens”

South Street Diner, Boston’s Only 24/7 Restaurant

I made a fun radio story on WERS 88.9FM about South Street Diner, Boston’s only 24/7 restaurant! Thanks to Madison Rogers for doing the intro. Listen below, and remember to support your local diner because they’re special places!!

Catching Up

Oof it’s been a WHILE! I moved to Boston, started journalism school, and I have two jobs, so I’ve been Very Busy. Things are generally great here so far- I really miss my friends and my family, but I’ve been very much in touch with everyone and I’m happy to see so many people IContinue reading “Catching Up”

What’s on the Menu This Week?

As I’ve previously mentioned, at length and with feeling, I love meal planning. It’s saved me more money than I can even fathom, and it’s how I can control how healthy (or unhealthy) I’ll be eating from one week to another. I plan for every dinner to be a double batch, so that lunch is alreadyContinue reading “What’s on the Menu This Week?”

When the Moon Hits Your Eye Like A Big Pizza Piiiiiiie…..

Hello, pizza people! I’ve learned a few very important home pizza tips in the past year since I first published this post, so I’ve updated it with new recipes and some nicer photos because ~artistic growth~. Give these new recipes a try and a) you’ll never cook your pizza sauce ever again, and b) youContinue reading “When the Moon Hits Your Eye Like A Big Pizza Piiiiiiie…..”

Empty-Fridge Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies

I love lazy days. They’re not actually particularly easy to come by these days, as the realization that I’m leaving Montreal has started to set in, and along with it, shpilkes (look it up- it’s my favourite Yiddish word) have started presenting themselves, pushing me to want to constantly be doing things that I know I’llContinue reading “Empty-Fridge Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies”

London 2017 + a little update

Hello again, world! It’s been approximately 100 years since my last post. March 2017 (and the first half of April) was an absolute whirlwind- six weeks that I won’t ever forget. I went to London for 4 days with Aaron to visit Nate and Grace, and then spent two consecutive weekends in Toronto, the first withContinue reading “London 2017 + a little update”

Dahlia’s Montreal Restaurants List

Alternate titles: My Magnum Opus, How to Ingest Montreal’s Best For six years, I’ve kept this list tucked away on my phone, expanding it all the time and consulting it regularly when anyone asked me for a restaurant recommendation. It’s a little different to most Best of Montreal lists because I won’t include restaurants that I haven’t been to, andContinue reading “Dahlia’s Montreal Restaurants List”

Dahlia on Daybreak: Coziness, Tomato Sauce, Hot Pot, and a Lightning Round

Hi friends! Here’s my first CBC Daybreak segment of 2017, aired on January 9th. It’s basically just host Mike Finnerty and I chatting about ways to stay cozy and comfortable in the winter- making some tomato sauce, eating at Mongolian Hot Pot restaurants, and keeping a full belly. I was a little sick when I wasContinue reading “Dahlia on Daybreak: Coziness, Tomato Sauce, Hot Pot, and a Lightning Round”

Sweet Potato, Squash & Ginger Soup with Pickled Onion, Cilantro, and Lime

It’s been an extremely busy couple of weeks. I’ve been working on some big life Next Steps, working my two jobs, seeing and skyping friends as often as possible, and trying to walk through the snow, slush, and ice without wiping out (I’m 3 falls in, so far)- it’s been more than a little exhausting. MealContinue reading “Sweet Potato, Squash & Ginger Soup with Pickled Onion, Cilantro, and Lime”

Dahlia on Daybreak: The Holidays, Ceviche, Choripan, Charcuterie, and a Lightning Round

Hello readers/friends/listeners! As I explained last week, I recently received the clips from my last three segments on CBC Montreal Daybreak. The column I’ve got for you today was holiday-themed, so it’s coming to you a little late, but any time of year is a good time to learn about tangy and delicious dinner ideas like ceviche and choripan.Continue reading “Dahlia on Daybreak: The Holidays, Ceviche, Choripan, Charcuterie, and a Lightning Round”

How to Throw a Lasagna Party

Lasagna is one of my favourite foods to cook and to eat. When lasagna, this cheesy, bubbling rectangle of glory, emerges from the oven, you just know that it’s a special day. You can either eat a huge portion yourself and then freeze the rest in squares, ready to be reheated for breakfast, lunch, or dinner- orContinue reading “How to Throw a Lasagna Party”

Coffee Blondies That Will Improve Any Situation on Earth

I got the flu last week. In a matter of hours, the little scratch in my throat turned into pain, and my whole body became achy, worse than if I’d run a marathon (probably- I assure you, I’ve never run a marathon). It hurt to do anything, and I was coughing, chilly and miserable. I feltContinue reading “Coffee Blondies That Will Improve Any Situation on Earth”

Dahlia on Daybreak: Appetizers, Oysters, Chuck Hughes, and a Lightning Round

Hello friends! I finally got the recordings of my last few segments on CBC Radio Daybreak and I’m very excited to share them with you. This segment, from early November, was hosted by Ainslie MacLellan because Daybreak host Mike Finnerty was on vacation. We had a great time chatting about my afternoon with Chuck Hughes and aboutContinue reading “Dahlia on Daybreak: Appetizers, Oysters, Chuck Hughes, and a Lightning Round”

40+ Healthyish Meal Ideas

As I’ve mentioned before, even for someone who loves to cook, it’s not easy to actually get in the habit of cooking for yourself every day. Planning, shopping, prepping, and cooking all take plenty of time, but I swear it’s a habit that’s worth developing. The reasons for this are threefold: 1. You’ll save so much moneyContinue reading “40+ Healthyish Meal Ideas”

Au Pied de Cochon, a Montreal Food-Lover’s Rite of Passage

Last month, I went to Au Pied de Cochon with three of my friends. It was a foodie pilgrimage that was a long time coming- my wonderful friend Zoë and I had been talking about going ever since we were in Rez in 2011. We had a carefully-crafted plan that involved going in a group,Continue reading “Au Pied de Cochon, a Montreal Food-Lover’s Rite of Passage”

Le Bremner: Unforgettably Delicious, Unbelievably Fun

When an opportunity to meet and hang out with Chuck Hughes falls in to your lap, you take it. When you mention that you’ve been dying to go to one of his restaurants, and he says “come by Le Bremner some time, don’t worry about it!” YOU GO. At Le Bremner yesterday evening, I spent over twoContinue reading “Le Bremner: Unforgettably Delicious, Unbelievably Fun”

A Quick Post for a Quick Recipe II: Eggs on Rice with Soy Sauce

It’s dinnertime, you’re hungry, and your fridge is woefully empty- it’s a scenario that we are all repeatedly faced with, no matter how well we try to plan ahead. If you find yourself in this predicament, I’m here to help. You can make an amazingly flavourful and filling dinner with only a few ingredients that you definitelyContinue reading “A Quick Post for a Quick Recipe II: Eggs on Rice with Soy Sauce”

Chuck Hughes and Tomato Pie, a 10/10 Afternoon

Friday was a little bit surreal. I left work early, went home and made a quick omelette, and then ran to the metro. I took the Orange Line from Sherbrooke all the way up to Montmorency, and then hopped onto the bus that Google Maps had told me to hop onto. I spoke with the busContinue reading “Chuck Hughes and Tomato Pie, a 10/10 Afternoon”

Guest Post: The Joy of (not) Cooking and Baking Instead

My dear friend Julianna is the best baker I know, and she’s as generous as she is talented. Every baked good she makes gets devoured in minutes, equally because it’s so delicious and because of how many friends she’s always sharing with. Pumpkin brownies, chocolate chip cookies, oatmeal cookies, pies, cakes, brownies, banana chocolate chipContinue reading “Guest Post: The Joy of (not) Cooking and Baking Instead”

October’s Most Notable Eats

What a month! I’ll get right into it. I told you I was busy! Oct 5: Mongolian Hot Pot for a friend’s birthday. I’d been meaning to try this place for years, and it did not disappoint. As soon as I entered, the smell of the steam from dozens of tableside broth pots smacked me right in theContinue reading “October’s Most Notable Eats”

Hi Again + Dahlia on the Radio: Birthdays, Meal Planning, Cheese Boxes, and a Lightning Round

This is the huge charcuterie and cheese platter served as a warm-up for the literally enormous, nigh irresponsible amount of food we had at (Canadian!) thanksgiving last month. Hi, Chew on This friends! I’ve been extremely MIA all through October because of things like birthdays, job changes, visitors, a weekend away, thanksgiving, and a Life Curveball orContinue reading “Hi Again + Dahlia on the Radio: Birthdays, Meal Planning, Cheese Boxes, and a Lightning Round”

Chicken Thighs, Mexican Food, and a Lightning Round

Hello wonderful readers! As some of you know, I’m this season’s Food and Drink radio columnist at CBC Montreal Daybreak. It’s a gig that pretty much fell into my lap and I am so, so grateful for it. It’s really a blast. Here’s my most recent segment, aired on October 3rd. I hope you enjoyContinue reading “Chicken Thighs, Mexican Food, and a Lightning Round”

Julia Child

All hail Julia Child. I’m not a spiritual person, but Julia is pretty much my deity, my light, and my lord and saviour. I’ve watched many episodes of her TV shows and pored through her books. She’s the grandmother of food TV who paved the way for five decades of programs that have showed the world thatContinue reading “Julia Child”

The Almighty Smashburger

This is a post about burgers. I love burgers. They’re one of the foods that hit me hardest with cravings. I deeply respect the Hefty, Thick Burger and its cousin, the Fancy Burger, but to be honest, I’ve never been a huge fan of either of them. I don’t need an inch-thick patty or brieContinue reading “The Almighty Smashburger”

Meal Planning Tips from a Reformed Lunch Sinner (with gifs)

Two years ago, I was 20, nearing the end of my Undergraduate degree. I was living with my wonderful friend Carla right off of Duluth, and my group of friends had recently discovered that we can potluck at a pretty outstanding level. We were taking advantage of this communal way of eating as often asContinue reading “Meal Planning Tips from a Reformed Lunch Sinner (with gifs)”

Gefilte Fish a la Veracruzana, or, My Identity in One Dish

I’ve always had trouble with forms that ask me to mark my race or ethnicity in one box, and I know I’m far from the only one who feels this way. Do I check Latina? Both my parents and all my grandparents were born and raised in Mexico, and I grew up speaking Spanish atContinue reading “Gefilte Fish a la Veracruzana, or, My Identity in One Dish”

Barcelona Bar Espresso: An Interview

Barcelona Bar Espresso opened in late July, and if you live in the Plateau, you’ve definitely noticed it. It’s bright red on the outside, warm and inviting on the inside, and, most excitingly for me, it’s Barcelona-themed. Hoo boy, do I ever LOVE Barcelona. I’m in the middle of a super-long, very cheesy post aboutContinue reading “Barcelona Bar Espresso: An Interview”

ErickaBrunch

I have many strong feelings about brunch. I usually think that brunch should be exclusively a diner/greasy spoon affair, but the number-one brunch experience that exists on this very earth is made by Ericka Grawey, a close friend of mine. Her brunches are for friends only (for now- keep an eye out, I can see Ericka Brunches- or Ericka Events-Continue reading “ErickaBrunch”

Apps & Oysters: Bivalves on a Budget

I love oysters. Briny, salty, a little weird, and distinctly oceanic, they’re one of my favourite foods in the world. They do carry a certain amount of elegance, which makes sense because as you throw back these beautiful bivalves, you’re basically swallowing $1-4 at a time. It’s so worth it, though! SO worth it. Splitting a dozen (or two…)Continue reading “Apps & Oysters: Bivalves on a Budget”

Penne alla Vodka Because You Deserve It

I don’t really need to do much introduction for this recipe because it’s so good that it speaks for itself. It’s creamy, tomatoey, a little spicy, perfectly simple and very decadent. Just make it, please, ok? It’s honestly better than what you can get at a restaurant for $20 and making it yourself will cost a fraction of theContinue reading “Penne alla Vodka Because You Deserve It”

Self-Care Special: Cafe Bombón and Tostones

Taking care of yourself is important, and as I’ve learned in the past year, it’s not always easy when you’re also trying to be a functioning adult with paid bills and semi-clean laundry. It’s also not easy to keep your head above water with the barrage of horrible news that bombards us every day (police brutality, inequality, hateContinue reading “Self-Care Special: Cafe Bombón and Tostones”

Guest Post: What’s Food Without Friends?

We’ve shared so many meals together over five years that I know Grace’s food likes (dumplings, seltzer water, cheesy pasta, freezies, gummies, and rare steak) and dislikes (mushrooms) as well as my own at this point.

Quick Post For A Quick Recipe

So, weekdays are hard. With work, Things To Do (like laundry, bank stuff, and other horribly adult things that apparently need to get done to ensure one’s survival), and the occasional social engagement, it’s nearly impossible to muster the energy to make a decent, healthy-ish, delicious dinner. But here’s something you can make a big batch ofContinue reading “Quick Post For A Quick Recipe”

Wildly Delicious Camping Food

There are so many levels of camping food. You can go bare-bones adventurer with cans of beans, Alphaghetti (which I happen to love), hot dogs, marshmallows, and instant coffee. You also can go full-on glamping with a gas stove, steaks, salads, and lots of dishes to do. My favourite way to eat in the wildContinue reading “Wildly Delicious Camping Food”

Throwback: Reflections in the Refrigerator Light (2013)

Originally published on Leacocks.com, a McGill University Arts publication, in January of 2013. At the time, I was living with four of my best friends in a small apartment with one kitchen and one tiny bathroom. It was wonderful. —– It’s 2:30am and I’m eating a stacked sandwich. I’ve been told time and time againContinue reading “Throwback: Reflections in the Refrigerator Light (2013)”

5 à Ceviche at Mochica

****For those outside Montreal, 5 à 7 (cinq à sept) is the city’s name for Happy Hour, so my silly title is actually a stellar pun!! (?????)**** A few weeks ago, I got my first paycheque from my new job. Weeks of data entry and research assistantship were finally reflected in my bank account! To celebrate,Continue reading “5 à Ceviche at Mochica”

Summer = Guacamole

In Montreal, we have a pretty abysmal produce situation for most of the year. Mealy, light-pink tomatoes (that I still eat because I love tomatoes so much, even though I know that as a food person I should stand tall in protest of mediocre, un-local veggies), rock-hard avocados at $4 apiece, and dry, tragic limes areContinue reading “Summer = Guacamole”

This Week’s Food Roundup: Hand-Pulled Noodles, Mujaddara, Chicken Tikka, Snickerdoodles, y Mucho Mas!

Summer in Montreal is the Best Thing Ever (ask anyone, they’ll tell you). Barbecues, days in the park, going dancing, camping, hiking, swimming, 5 á 7-ing – it’s undoubtedly the most fun time of the year. We hibernate all (8 months of) winter, watching a lot of movies and TV, going out less, and shivering underContinue reading “This Week’s Food Roundup: Hand-Pulled Noodles, Mujaddara, Chicken Tikka, Snickerdoodles, y Mucho Mas!”