A Selection of Photos (and Outtakes) from "Raw Beauty" in the Improper Bostonian Summer Dining Issue

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Summer is most certainly here. No doubt about it. All I'm craving right now are things that don't involve the stove.

I recently photographed this spread of raw dishes from local restaurants for our alternative magazine, the Improper Bostonian. I wish I could take credit for the beauty of these images, but all of that goes to the talented chefs who prepared them: Will Gilson of Puritan (vegetable crudités), Rachel Klein of Liquid Art House (hamachi), Robert Sisca of Bistro du Midi (lamb tartar), Todd Winer of Pastoral (albacore crudo), Cassie Piuma of Sarma (Tunisian steak tartar), Leo Asaro of Tico (razor clam ceviche).

Click here to read the full article, "Raw Beauty".

Photos from Improper Bostonian Summer Dining Article - A Thought For Food

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Silent Sunday: Night Shift Brewery (Everett, MA)

Night Shift Brewery - Photos by Brian Samuels of A Thought For Food

Night Shift Brewery - Photos by Brian Samuels of A Thought For Food

Night Shift Brewery - Photos by Brian Samuels of A Thought For Food

Night Shift Brewery - Photos by Brian Samuels of A Thought For Food

Night Shift Brewery - Photos by Brian Samuels of A Thought For Food

Night Shift Brewery - Photos by Brian Samuels of A Thought For Food

Night Shift Brewery - Photos by Brian Samuels of A Thought For Food

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Night Shift Brewery - Photos by Brian Samuels of A Thought For Food

Night Shift Brewery

 87 Santilli Hwy

Everett, MA 02149

www.nightshiftbrewing.com

Some notes from Michael Oxton, Co-founder of Night Shift Brewing:

• "We began business in March 2012 at our previous location in Everett. Started with 3 beers - Trifecta, Taza Stout, and Bee Tea. Added Viva Habanera to the lineup soon after."
• "We produced 350 barrels in 2012, over 700 barrels in 2013, and are on pace for 1500+ this year. Hoping to hit at least 2000 next year."
• "Our most popular beer and the one we produce most regularly is our rye ale with habanero peppers, Viva Habanera. Our most popular beer at the taproom right now is Ever Weisse, a berliner weisse style sour ale with strawberries, kiwis, and hibiscus."
• "I think the Viva Habanera might fall into most eccentric, actually. It's at least up there. We have a whole series of beers, the"Art Series" dedicated to pure experimentation. Some are test batches that might become larger production beers, some are one-time experimentals. It's all about achieving balance and producing a high-quality beer, and hopefully having fun in the process."

Note:

This post comes out of an organized tour through the 

Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism

to showcase breweries and seafood restaurants throughout the North Shore.

The Big Traveling Potluck 2014

It's hard to find the words to express what an amazing experience this last Potluck was. For those who have never attended, I like to describe it as a non-conference conference. Yes, there are keynote speakers. Incredible ones, in fact. The topics, however, are not traditional. Instead of covering SEO and monetization, the themes at the Big Traveling Potluck are much bigger, forcing us to look at ways to improve our lives, and, thus, our writing and photography.

I had the pleasure of being the official photographer for the Potluck. This was the third I've photographed and it was such a wonderful experience. I hope these pictures illustrate the love, the passion, and all the incredible food.