This post is so long overdue, but since it's a Thursday, I thought it might make for a good #ThrowbackThursday read.

Last fall, I was invited to a #TasteTheSeason dinner hosted by Sweetgreen to showcase their Autumnal seasonal menu. Over to Ward's Berry Farm we went, where we were introduced to farmer Jim Ward who took us on a hayride through the fields where many of the ingredients of Sweetgreen's menu are sourced. Jim brought in bunches of brussel sprouts and fresh ears of corn for us to try. I had never tried corn in that way, peeling back the husks and biting!  It was refreshingly delicious!

Afterwards, we gathered together along with Sweetgreen founders Nicolas Jammet, Nathaniel Ru and Jonathan Neman over a locally sourced, family style supper. The stars of the show were of course, all of the locally sourced produce.

All in all, a wonderful evening celebrating community!

Thank you to Sweetgreen and Ward's Berry Farm for having us!

It's not every night you get to experience a traditional Nova Scotia Kitchen Party with a gourmet menu, cocktails with blue noses on them, fiddle music and square dancing under a tent on the Charles River with a sunset viewof  the Boston skyline.

Last night Lookup.ca, Tourism Nova Scotia and Destination Canada hosted exactly that at the Museum of Science.

In attendance was former New Brunswick premier David Alward, recently appointed Canada's Consul General in Boston.

Catered by Wolfgang Puck, this deluxe New England clambake included Canadian curried mussels, sweet roasted corn on the cob, shrimp with kale salad, lemon herb marinated grilled chicken, garlic marinated NY steak and Old Fish Factory seafood chowder. Something to satisfy everyone and with a dessert table to sweeten all.

As the sun began to set, the music got louder and faster, with guests filling up the dance floor. As I tapped my foot along to the beat (if you follow me on snapchat, you might have seen some behind the scenes) I was taken back to my incredible experience in Nova Scotia, where the grass was literally greener and my glass was always full.

Thank you Tourism Nova Scotia and Destination Canada for bringing Nova Scotia to Boston and for allowing me to share a piece of your beautiful province. Check out my top 10 things to do in Nova Scotia, and if you're looking for any more tips in planning your next Canadian adventure, check out LookUp.Ca !

Location:

Alice's Tea Cup, Chapter II, 156 E 64th St, Manhattan, NY 10065

Isn't it funny how Instagram brings people together?

I "met" Arzoo more than a year ago through Instagram; through our mutual admiration for Jamie Beck.

Arzoo is the creative mind behind Scraps of My Love, a lifestyle blog chronicling her life with her husband in Washington, DC (a place I've always wanted to visit) but a recent work opportunity took them both to NYC, which was where she and I were destined to meet in real life.

We sat down for a delightful tea at Alice's Tea Cup and I must say, Arzoo is the absolute LOVELIEST.

Be sure to check out her adventures from her month long stay in the Big Apple, they're marvelous.

And join us for a cuppa...won't you?

My reader's probably don't know that I was a complete nerd growing up! I had braces for the majority of my middle school/high school years, oversized glasses that were much too large for my face, and a staple 50 pound bookbag filled with textbooks and binders that I would take with me everywhere! Haha!

Currently, I'm completely smitten by New York City (aren't we all?), so that would have to be my choice, for now at least!

Getting to sleep in a bit, then a hearty brunch with the husband and a walk through a beautiful park on an autumn day with a camera at hand. And to end the day with a good film before bed would be nothing short of perfect!

Getting to meet and be inspired by so many new and talented people! The friendships and connections that we form through social media (like this one!) are definitely the highlight for me... and then having the opportunity to meet those wonderful people who inspire so much is just the icing on the cake! 

Oooh, this one is kind of hard... Hm, I think I'm pretty easygoing for the most part but I am pretty attached to my phone so that would definitely be one of the five.

More in the "Tea With" Series...

If you'd like to be featured, send an email to hoggerandco@yahoo.com

Location:

39 Bearskin Neck, Rockport, MA 01966

A recent trip to Rockport immediately made me crave lobster rolls, which, in the past in Boston has been good but not as exciting as I would have anticipated.

So, as we walked by Roy Moore's in Rockport, the staff was tossing some fresh lobster meat to a couple of friendly dogs who were being walked by their owners and I literally wanted a piece of that action.

At $15 for a small lobster roll, the off-season prices are perhaps quite steep, but the experience of sitting outside (they even put down some paper on the bench) in the slight drizzle, eating a delicious, fresh lobster roll in March was priceless.

So we make them two ways

HIS WAY,

• Day old French Bread or Challah Bread works the best
• 2 Eggs
• Salt
• Pepper
• 2 tbs Milk
• 1 tbs Oil for pan

Slice the bread thickly

Whip eggs, salt, pepper and milk together.

Dip bread into batter on both sides and place onto hot oiled pan.

Cook until both sides are golden brown and center is cooked.

Serve with ketchup

MY WAY,

• Day old French Bread or Challah Bread works the best (raisin bread is also good)
• 2 Eggs
• 2 tbs Orange Juice
• 1 tsp Vanilla Essence
• 2-3 Cardomom pods crushed or ground up in a grinder
• 1 tb Milk (some extra for glazing)
• Sugar (for glazing)

Slice the bread thickly

Whip eggs, orange juice, vanilla essence, crushed cardomom and milk together.

Dip bread into batter on both sides and place onto hot oiled pan.

Sprinkle some sugar on top before flipping over. Do the same (sprinkle with sugar) on the other side.

Cook until both sides are golden brown and you have a good glaze.

Toppings: 

• Frozen bag of berries, heated on the stove with a bit of water, heat until it becomes a sauce, add powdered sugar when serving.

OR

• Real Maple Syrup
• I know, talk about a sugar high! 

There you have it, French Toast Two Ways, salty and sweet.

How do you like your French Toast? Salty or Sweet?

Location:

36 W Broughton St Savannah, GA 31401

Savannah is one of those places that has incredibly delicious food, the most friendly of locals and lots of lovely quaint shops. I'd never heard about The Paris Market before, so visiting the shop was a special treat. I think I might have spent a good afternoon perusing the beautiful merchandise and sipping tea (and of course, a cookie) at the lovely little cafe....

Location:

207 West Hastings Street, Vancouver, BC

www.nuba.ca

When Melanie recommends something (like best poutine in Montreal), she's right on the money. Nuba was no different.

Scrumptious down to the last swipe of hummus and I guarantee you, there was a final sweep of that hummus!

You can create your own juice combo from Orange, Lime, Apple, Beet, Ginger, Carrot, Celery or Grapefruit. Ours consisted of Apple, Ginger and Celery and was deeeelicious. I'm always a little wary of what is claimed to be "fresh juice" especially when it involves ginger which as you know, aids in digestion, sometimes a little too well, if you get my drift?

I digress.

Everything was fresh, the meat is halal, there are vegetarian options and vegan options, making the food a healthy alternative while still being incredibly filling and satisfying.

Yikes, my mouth is watering. Again.

I love a good market. Vancouver's Granville Island's Public Market is ah.mah.zing. The only snag, not being able to buy fresh produce that I could actually take home. Hmm...although, I did buy the most insanely divine Ice Wine Chocolates from Rogers' Chocolates and beer from Granville Island Brewing Company (so my priorities may be questionable) BUT I must say, the beer served us well during the Stanley Cup playoffs.

Anyway, I digress. Back to the public market....where the selection is vast and the freshness, out of bounds.

For lunch, I had fish and chips (obviously) from Celine's and I had to make a stop at the famous Lee's Donuts (as seen on tv) after which I parked myself at the Granville Island Tea Company with a pot of Earl Grey admist a crowd of market goers.

Come with me to smell the peonies, maneuver pyramids of fruit while oogling the abundance of fresh fish...

By Queen, I mean, of course, MOM.

Although our reason for Afternoon Tea at the Taj recently were for a reason other than Mother's Day, I'm recommending this age-old custom to those of you looking for a Mother's Day outing.

Afternoon Tea has never been more elegant than at the French Room at the Taj in Boston. Located at the corner of Newbury St. and Arlington St,  the Taj overlooks the beautiful (and especially lush at this time of the year) Boston Public Garden.

Once seated, service is gracious and attentive with beautiful live music wafting through the elegant high and chandeliered ceiling.

The Taj Royal is $38 and comes with finger sandwiches, canapes, tarts, scones, dipped strawberries, with clotted cream and lemon curd.

The tea selection ranges from white, green, black, oolong, herbal and chai, so there's definitely one for everyone. Reservations are recommended and be sure to wear your most floral clothes. We sure did.

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!

375 Queen St. W. Toronto

Open only 4 weeks now, Little Nicky's already seems to have a cult following of donut lovers.

Mini donuts, that is.

Made on a cute little mini assembly line.

Old-fashioned, little, powdery-sugar-and-cinnamon-covered deep fried goodness. 

We love the retro, dinery vibe, and with Ray Charles playing in the background, "A.Mat" said it reminded her of The Cosby episode where the family performs Ray Charles' "Night Time is the Right Time". See video here.

One thing they might want to add to their menu however, is Earl Grey tea. Orange Pekoe (from Tealish) just won't cut it, even if IS loose-leaf and IS quite delish!

Still, with lovely iced lattes and happy little donuts Little Nicky's is already becoming a definite favourite at work this hot summer.