MFM

This is a New England fine dining restaurant in a classic inn setting. The manager was from the Netherlands so on certain days they served Indonesian Rijsttafel (or rice table) which is an amazing family style dinner of many, many side dishes and condiments to accompany a big shared bowl of rice. I first had Rijsttafel in Amsterdam a long time ago and have always wanted it again. When I discovered the Andover Inn I immediately orgamized several trips but have not been in a few years.

The rumor I heard is that they no longer serve Rijsttafel. Anyone know where it can be found in the greater Boston area?

My mom claims this is her favorite restaurant any where and she has been MANY places. Yesterday I was back from a weekend away and stopped by her office to say Hi. She was having a BAD DAY. I said “Want to go to Oleana?” and she brightened visibly. Several problems ensued:

Problem Number One there were no tables for 2 open until after 9 PM. This was solved by booking for three at 6 PM.

Problem Number Two getting a third person to accompany us. I left a phone message for my Boston-based sister but she did not call back in time so I dragged another sister from her air conditioned bliss with a promise to pay the bill.

Problem Number ThreeTRAFFIC. We headed south from NH at 5 and then stopped to a screeching halt MANY miles away from the border – not to mention Cambridge. We called to say we’d be late.

Problem Number Four I haven’t been in a while and got a little turned around actually ending up in Harvard Square at one point (I KNOW, I KNOW). Solved by calling the restaurant yet AGAIN.

Problem Number Five street parking in Cambridge sucks. I dropped them to dash in (to a TERRIBLE table – I think they were annoyed at the lateness as well as the repeated calls for directions) and then I drove in circles and eventually hiked a half marathon back to the place.

All problems were totally forgotton once the food started to arrive

The flavor combinations and fresh ingredients on the menu make you stop talking, stop people watching and start asking for more bread so you can sop up every last bit on the plate.

We shared some bean and walnut pate with home made string cheese and a squash blossom dolma served over grilled haloumi cheese with sauteed fennel and cracked green olives – they flamed this dish at the table – oh, ah. We also had some bread and ricotta dumplings and a kale and tomato based sauce that was fragrant with chanterelles.

My entree was crispy duck on butter toasted pita, cauliflower & pistachio pilaf, tomato & carmelized butter. I brought most of it home and enjoyed it for lunch today.

For dessert I insisted we share the Sicilian almond cremolata & warm dark chocolate panino. The cremolata is made from almond milk and piled with sweet toasted almonds – it is incredible.

The lines can be long and the picnic tables are crowded and usually covered with ice cream, but Brown’s is worth it. The location is half way between Long and Short Sands beaches just up the road from the turn off to Nubble Light. This Saturday I had a scoop of blackberry truffle and Danish cream for lunch. The kid at the window also gave me a taste of ginger AND complimented my order!

I did not finish mine.