Adventures with Dr. Lady Cutie Troublemaker

Got this in my inbox this morning from the Boston editor at Citysearch. It began by suggesting activities for getting out on this, “our last nice weekend”, then went on to suggest a nice bowl of grits!

Speaking in both geographic and culinary terms, Boston’s about as far away from the Deep South as one can get. With the weather cooling off, transplanted southerners might find themselves jonesing for a steaming bowl of grits. You might say to yourself “what’s a grit?” but a few local spots are in the know and serve them with aplomb.

Magnolia’s Southern Cuisine, a taste of New Orleans in East Cambridge, is famous for its Hoppin’ Shavonne. In this version of the black-eyed pea dish “Hoppin’ John,” the rice is replaced with stone-ground cheese grits and topped with Parmigiano-Reggiano and garlic-marinated tomatoes. In the South End, the Metropolis Café’s popular brunch service always includes grits with one of its dishes (possibly huevos rancheros or spicy chorizo). For a more conventional taste of the south, enjoy a live jazz Sunday brunch with a classic combination of grits, biscuits, and fried chicken at Bob’s Southern Bistro. If you’re on the other side of the Charles, Somerville’s Johnny D’s also has a jazz brunch on Sundays that offers grits.

So the next time you roll out of bed to a chill in the air, skip grandma’s oatmeal and give grits a try.