This little piggy went to Market.

As I'll be spending this Thanksgiving in my childhood hometown with Nick's family, I was lucky enough to have a bonus trip and pre-Thanksgiving with my parents and middle sister in Boston. Last weekend we met up for a couple days of shopping, good food, and warming J's new home.

We went to a fabulous restaurant called Market, Jean-Georges Vongerichten's Boston restaurant with a homier concept and self-proclaimedly more "casual" (as casual as Jean-Georges can be) feel than its New York siblings. Though the atmosphere was a little loud (sandwiched between a club and a bar), the wine was tasty, and every course packed an incredible flavor punch: the menu was a complex blend of seasonal and local flavors, French, Asian, and Latin fusion. I speak as someone who has a long way to go in terms of learning to balance flavors, but I think these are some of the most difficult ones to get right...and, boy, did they get it right. The tasting menu clocked in at a surprising $59 per person, and I'd say it was worth every tasty penny:

Maine Diver scallop sashimi over crispy rice blocks and a sensational Chipotle sauce:

Velvety butternut squash soup with spicy ginger, a dollop of crème fraîche and a salty pepita crunch (one of my favorite courses: perhaps only jackets -- and not ties -- were required of gentlemen in the dining room, but I don't think the place was quite casual enough to pick up the plate and lick it):

Roast cod (doesn't it look like a scallop??) over black beans with classic celery, carrot, and onion; creamy avocado, and a spice blend I can't even pretend to know (but J hypothesizes includes nutmeg):

Slightly bitter soy-glazed short ribs with fresh julienned apples, crisp rosemary "crumbs," and a hint of heat from a light jalapeño purée:

The chef's specialty dessert: creamy salted caramel ice cream topped with peanuts, fresh caramel corn, and chocolate sauce ("I don't even like caramel!" ~ my surprised dad)

Probably my last post before Tryptophan-fest, so happy holidays, everyone!