Fresh From the Farm: Eggs

Last year, I moved from the city to the suburbs. While attending the Open House, we noticed that the neighbors next door had a chicken coop and several hens. Chickens? In this old suburb? Unexpected, but OK.

I have come to love the hens -- they are hilarious and cluck loudly whenever they lay an egg. Although I've yet to enjoy fresh eggs from the neighbors, I recently tried out the next best thing in my 'burb: Owen's Poultry Farm.

I picked up a dozen fresh eggs from Owen's store (bargain! they're cheaper than the eggs from the grocery store) and excitedly brought them home. This morning, I poached the eggs and served on an English muffin with sliced avocado. It was a beautiful thing!

Taste of Cambridge

Get ready for small plates and big flavors -- Taste of Cambridge is back, with this year's event being held in June. The event is moving from its Technology Square location to new digs at the Charles Hotel in Harvard Square.

For several years, I was a big fan of Taste of Cambridge -- lots of innovative food from leading area restaurants, wine/beer included in the ticket, proceeds going to charities and all enjoyed with friends on a gorgeous summer evening. I last attended in 2007 and was disappointed in the quality of the restaurants, as it seemed the likes of Qdoba were being brought in to fill table spaces.

With the change of venue, perhaps it's worth another try? (Qdoba is not listed on this year's list of restaurants. Hooray!) Also new for this year: Kid-price admission for $15. Awesome idea!

• When: Thursday, June 18 from 5:30 - 8pm
• Where: Charles Hotel
• Parking: $5, validated at the Charles Hotel
• Cost: $50 in advance, $15 for kids 6-12
• Includes: All you can eat, plus 4 drinks

Slow Food on Campus

Boston Globe recently published a piece on slow food on campus. Holy Cross is doing a twice-monthly dinner featuring a leisurely meal of locally-grown food and getting the fast-paced college kid to sit down, relax and eat.

It's an interesting concept. In general, I'm all for it: better quality food for the college kids, better for the producers, a chance to relax over dinner and best of all -- a change from the humdrum college cuisine (I think I ate pasta and sauce at least three nights a week when I was at school). The flip side is the same flip side for all slow food -- where it's just a little disturbing that we have to have a slow food campaign in the first place.