The Round UP: October 2025

Food:

• On October 1st, we observed the Jewish holiday of Yom Kippur. While it’s not a food-focused occasion — being a day of fasting and reflection — I still prepared some classic Jewish comfort food for our break fast. I made kasha varnishkes and brisket, along with dinner rolls and cabbage.

• My friend and I tried Pho Le in Dorchester, MA, and it was absolutely delicious. We ordered pho with brisket and eye of round, and shared some spring rolls and tapioca dumplings. Everything was fantastic — the broth was rich and flavorful. I’ll definitely be back!

• We had an incredible meal at Judy’s Bay in Cambridge. They’re serving up outstanding Japanese izakaya-style dishes made with local New England ingredients and seafood. Our dinner was so fantastic that we’re already planning our next visit. We enjoyed amazing cocktails (including a matcha gin fizz), melt-in-your-mouth toro, creamy uni, a fresh seaweed salad, juicy and savory pork dumplings, swordfish in a tomato dashi, their justly famous lobster pasta, and a bright yuzu cheesecake. Every dish was somehow better than the last bite.

• I made the Chipotle Chili recipe from Everyday Entertaining by Elizabeth Van Lierde, and it was absolutely delicious! It’s such a flavorful twist on one of our favorite cold-weather meals, and we’ll definitely be making it again.

• I made the most delicious meat sauce I’ve ever made, using a mix of ground beef and Italian sausage. After lightly blending the sauce, it turned out with the most decadent, velvety texture. Thankfully, it made plenty — so now I’ve got a stash in the freezer ready to go whenever a craving hits. Of course, I paired it with my favorite pasta brand, Mill Valley Pasta Co.

• We went to Gopchang Story in Boston (near BU) for dinner before hearing Jake Tapper speak. We had a delicious pork belly and kimchi meal that we absolutely loved! The staff was incredibly friendly and welcoming, making it such a fun dining experience.

• We stopped in Charleston, SC for lunch on our way to a wedding in Murrells Inlet, and naturally, BBQ was at the top of our list. We chose Rodney Scott’s BBQ and loved every bite. Though Rodney Scott is best known for his legendary whole-hog barbecue, the smoked wings were the standout for me. The selection of sauces was fantastic — especially the white BBQ sauce — and the sides (hush puppies, mac and cheese, and collard greens) were spot-on Southern comfort.

• The most generous delivery from Fishwife just arrived, and I instantly knew what I had to do — make a Niçoise salad!

• I made the most delicious pasta dish — a creamy butternut squash sauce topped with crispy bacon crumbles and fresh chives. The recipe was inspired by a few different ones I came across, all highlighting classic fall flavors. It turned out incredible — cozy, flavorful, and surprisingly easy to make!

• We had two amazing brunches (and way too many pastries) while in Hudson, NY! One at Le Perche and one at The Maker Hotel — both were so good, and The Maker might just have the coziest vibes ever.

Other:

• My friend and I were looking for a fall-inspired craft or class to take in the Boston area when we discovered a platform called Hoamsy — a site that lets local creators host their own classes. It reminded me a lot of signing up for an Airbnb Experience. We ended up choosing a ceramic Jack-o-Lantern carving class led by a potter at a brewery in Roxbury. Overall, it was a great experience, and I’m excited to find more fun and unique activities in my area.

• It’s finally starting to feel like fall here in the Northeast! We stopped by our local farm stand, Calareso’s, to pick out some pumpkins and grab their world-famous — and arguably best in Massachusetts — apple cider donuts.

• We caught Jake Tapper’s book talk at the WBUR space in Boston! He spoke about his new book, Race Against Terror, and even shared some behind-the-scenes stories about politics and his connection with the President. Such a great event — we’re already looking for more book talks to attend around Boston!

• We attended a wedding in Murrells Inlet, SC this month, and it was such a lovely, warm escape. One of our favorite moments was taking a stroll along the MarshWalk — it was lovely.

• We had another wedding this month (October was two back-to-back weddings!), this time in New York’s beautiful Hudson Valley. It was a wonderful celebration and the perfect fall getaway. The weather was crisp, the foliage was breathtaking, and it couldn’t have been a better time to visit. I love Hudson, NY so much and will take any excuse to go back!

Lenny: