Lisa Johnson

Crow’s Landing Restaurant in Hingham

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Most of my life I’ve lived on the South Shore. It feels familiar. Like home.

Living in Quincy, I’m close to some great South Shore towns — like Hingham. Which is where a friend and I went for brunch a couple of weeks ago at a restaurant called Crow’s Landing.

I was invited to try a meal and was happy that I got to bring a friend. J and I grew up in the same town and our families have been friends forever. So it was nice to catch up over a meal and talk about things from back in the day and what we’re both up to now. She started out with a nice glass of wine.

It was a rainy cold day, but Crow’s Landing has a cozy welcoming atmosphere, so we were both glad that we had ventured out. The art on the walls is warm and colorful, adding to the comfortable feeling.

It was J’s first time trying the salmon burger and she said that it was a hit! I had the classic breakfast.

My thoughts always quickly turn to dessert, so I was very happy to try the vanilla bean crème brulee! Very hard sugar crust on top and such creamy goodness underneath.

J had the warm soft chocolate cake. She said that it was super chocolaty! I love the creativity of the plating. Like a work of art!

If you’re in the Hingham area and you’re looking for a new restaurant to try, head over to Crow’s Landing for a cozy local eatery.

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Disclosure: The two meals were complimentary. Thank you Crow’s Landing!

{You Pick Six} An Interview with Drink Blogger: Claudiane Philippe

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Serendipity is a favorite word and a most welcomed occurrence. It’s also how I learned about Claudiane Philippe.

While scrolling through posts in the Brandeis Alumni of Color Network Facebook Page, I saw a Boston Globe article about her.  She is not only a fellow Brandeis University graduate, but she is a much sought after blogger with 11,500 followers on Instagram. Well, “Cheers” to you Claudiane!

Because her nails always look beautiful and are front and center in photos of featured cocktails, her blog is called Nail The Cocktail. How cool is that?!

If you’re interested in finding the best cocktails in the Boston area and beyond, check out her blog where she goes into more detail about the drinks that she’s posted on Instagram.

So let’s stir things up and learn a bit more about Claudiane and resume this ongoing series with the 20th interview of You Pick Six.

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What is a favorite dessert?
My favorite dessert of all time is tiramisu. I’m not a great baker and I don’t attempt to bake often, however I found a “fool proof” recipe for tiramisu online once and it came out great! Any time I see it on the menu somewhere, I order it without second guessing.

What is some of the best advice you’ve ever received?
Some of the best advice I have ever received was the phrase: if you’re not willing to do something for free at first you don’t truly love it. This quote resonated with me because so many millennials won’t take an opportunity unless there is a paycheck attached to it. If something is a true passion of yours, starting off by taking good opportunities is a way to network and prove yourself until you land an opportunity to get paid for what you love. Life is about working towards goals and dreams. Having patience is key.

What is a favorite simple recipe to prepare at home?
When it comes to cocktails my favorite recipe to make at home is a Mule. I love trying new spirits with the tradition recipe. I use lime juice, ginger beer, and whatever liquor I’m in the mood for that day. Right now I’m feeling spicy tequilas so I’ve been adding that to my Mules regularly. However, can never go wrong with a traditional Moscow Mule which uses vodka. Usually I pair my Mule with some sort of fish like salmon for dinner.

What is a favorite childhood food memory?
My dad used to always get me a Quarter Pounder with cheese and no pickles at McDonald’s all the time. It was my favorite thing to eat as a kid. I haven’t had one in years now.

What are some things that you can’t leave the house without?
Nowadays, I can’t leave the house without my camera. I’m always on the go and as a cocktail and lifestyle blogger, you never know when you’ll get the opportunity to snap an awesome moment to keep forever or share with an audience online. I also am attached at the hip with my cell phone, but who isn’t these these days.

Tell me about what you’re working on now.
Right now I am working on expanding my cocktail blog to a wider audience. I’m primarily based in Boston but I would love to expand to NYC by the end of this year. If I could have my blog recognized nationally by by 2022 I would be elated! I’ve been hosting and curating events around Boston to give young people something to do in the city that’s both fun and responsible, all while getting my name out there.

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Thank you so much for participating Claudiane!

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Photos: Provided by Claudiane Philippe.

12 Years Blogging: RISE

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As of today, I’ve been blogging for 12 years! And what a joy it’s been!

April 29th is my blogging anniversary and the day that I pick my new word for the year. This year I’ve chosen RISE.

There are many definitions for RISE and the ones resonating with me are:

To move upward
To become heartened or elated
To increase in fervor or intensity
To attain a higher level or rank
To come into being
To exert oneself to meet a challenge

When I think of the word, I hear “Rise Up!” from Hamilton by Lin-Manuel Miranda.

I also hear Maya Angelou reciting her poem, Still I Rise.

Just like moons and like suns,
With the certainty of tides,
Just like hopes springing high,
Still I’ll rise.
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Leaving behind nights of terror and fear
I rise
Into a daybreak that’s wondrously clear
I rise
Bringing the gifts that my ancestors gave,
I am the dream and the hope of the slave.
I rise
I rise
I rise.
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If you’d like to take a look, past words of the year with links to the posts are below. Thank you for reading and visiting!

Earth Day is Today! Orange You Glad?

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Oranges For Earth Day

Here’s to Mother Earth and all that she produces for us!

A few days ago, I read an article about how plastic is harming the planet. Not a new concept. But this particular Boston.com article focused on how banning plastic straws is becoming more popular around the world. It’s not enough to solve the plastic problem on the planet, but it’s a start.

Australian scientists Denise Hardesty and Chris Wilcox estimate, using trash collected on U.S. coastlines during cleanups over five years, that there are nearly 7.5 million plastic straws lying around America’s shorelines. They figure that means 437 million to 8.3 billion plastic straws are on the entire world’s coastlines.

While I recycle and reuse, it’s not enough. I’m still contributing to the overall pollution problem on the earth. I have plastic straws at home and have to remember to buy paper straws next time. I don’t use many, mostly just when I have smoothies, but every bit counts!

Are you doing anything special to celebrate Earth Day?