On Food and Football

– Ron Giovino

It is not often that Around the Horn lets you in on some gem of a food source right here in Medford. With the possible exception of the best food source this side of the country, the great Avellino’s restaurant, we leave it up to our readers to decide what is best for them. When we recognize Avellino’s on Mystic Ave as the place to go for great food and great value, we know that our readers will appreciate our recommendation and thank us for years to come.

Frankly, we are a little hesitant to send our readers anywhere on our say-so. So due to our desire to always keep our readers happy, we don’t do a lot of food features…UNTIL NOW !

Last week, I was preparing for a very important meeting with some high level executives. As I was driving in the rain, I thought how impressive it would be to bring some sweet treats to the meeting. As I travelled on Boston Ave, I recalled someone saying there was a place that sold some great bakery fare right near Tufts. The exact location was 330 Boston Ave and the place is called “The Danish Pastry House.”

Inside is a quaint little café setup and folks enjoying a cup of coffee and a sweet taste of some remarkable goodies. Not being a connoisseur of cakes, I was pretty intimidated walking up to the counter and seeing the wide array of treats they have to offer.

The Danish Pastry House is an authentic European boutique bakery and café. Established in 2004, the bakery opened to rave reviews from the Food Network, The Boston Globe and the enthusiastic bakery loving public of metro Boston.

Behind the counter are some very lovely and welcoming staff members who are eager to please. I told them how intimidating I thought the task of deciding what to buy was. I asked a trio of servers what was good and they all answered together, “everything!”

I explained that I had an important meeting and that I wanted to bring something to impress my client. Immediately, the crew began the process of throwing out suggestions. The hard part was that they really liked everything. From out back, a woman came out after hearing my dilemma. She introduces herself as Kathleen, one of the owners. Ulla Winkler and Kathleen Flahive are the two masters of their little bakery world. This lady could not have been any prouder or excited to present her works of sweet culinary art. Kathleen began describing each item in the case as a mother would of her child. Each one had an individual characteristic that made them unique and just like a mother, Kathleen loved them all.

As I stood there with appearing to be overwhelmed by real imported Danish marzipan and assorted Danish favorites, Kathleen brought out one of her signature deserts for me to try. She handed me a traditional Danish treat known as “Kringle.” You could see and feel the pride she and her workers had in the product as she handed it to me and watched as I tried the specialty. She described how they make the Kringle, but to be honest, when I took the first bite, I was transported to another world of amazing happiness. I think she said the tart-like desert was made with very very thin dough rolled out with care and then layered twenty seven times to form a filo dough-like consistency. Then they fill it with baked cream. Amazing just isn’t a good enough description. As I came out of my satisfaction coma, I simply remember saying, just make me up a mix of items for five people. I can tell you that there was enough to feed twenty and the price was nice too. The magic of the Danish Pastry House worked in my meeting as well. As soon as they bit into the selections, I couldn’t say anything wrong.

Oh yeah, The Danish Pastry House also serves breakfast, sandwiches, soups, salads, paninis, crepes, and more!

It was my first ever visit, but it won’t be my last. If you just go there to meet the staff and try a piece of Kringle, you will not be disappointed. The Danish Pastry House gets the Around the Horn’s highest rating of a FOUR BAGGER. It is only the second establishment in our ten years of writing this column. The other, the aforementioned, Avellino’s.

Next week, while you are sitting around wondering what to serve to impress your relatives after your turkey feast, check out the Danish Pastry House. You can visit their location in Medford or Watertown. Check them out on the web at www.danishpastryhouse.com, or see them on Twitter and Facebook.

There will be no column next week. We will be in a stuffed artichoke-induced coma by Friday. Thanksgiving is the best of all holidays. You cook, you eat, you laugh, you eat, you watch football, you eat, you drink, you eat, you talk, you eat, you eat, and you eat.

We hope you will all take a moment to remember what and whom you are thankful for.

With the Bruins and Patriots continuing their winnings ways, and the Celtics remaining undefeated, there is so much to be thankful about.

Here are some picks we hope you are thankful for…

@Baltimore 7 Cincinnati

Once upon a midnight dreary, while I pondered weak and weary, oops wrong Raven, but even Edgar Allen Poe would like the Ravens to beat the Bengals and cover the 7.

@Minnesota pick Oakland

I like the Vikings even though I am playing against Pederson in Fantasy Football this week.

@Cleveland pick Jacksonville

I like the Jags because I have Maurice Jones Drew on my Fantasy Team.

@Detroit 7 Carolina

The Lions will scratch and claw their way to cover against the other cats.

@Green Bay 14 Tampa Bay

Packers-‘nough said.

Buffalo 3 @Miami

Bills will finally win another game thanks to flopping Dolphins.

Dallas 7 @Washington

Cowboys and Indians, same results Dallas to cover.

@San Francisco 8 Arizona

Still waiting for Harbough to get shoved by a coach, but not this week- Niners cover.

@St. Louis 3 Seattle

This is the OFF WEEK for the Seahwks-Rams cover.

@Atlanta 6 Tennessee

Falcons easy.

@Chicago 4 San Diego

Bears Easier.

@NY Giants 3 Philadelphia

Giants cover.

Happy Thanksgiving!