July 2026
Food:
I made my own version of Pinch of Yum's Steph's Chickpea Curry with Spinach and served it with Trader Joe's garlic naan instead of rice. The naan was perfect for soaking up all of the flavorful curry, and it made for such an easy, satisfying vegetarian meal.
I was inspired by a video I saw on Instagram that used a simple potato starch paste to make a shrimp pancake. The trick is soaking the potato starch in water, then draining off the water to leave behind a thick paste. I mixed it with shrimp, cabbage, and green onions before pan-frying everything until golden. It turned out so good and made for such an easy weeknight dinner.
We spent part of the Fourth of July weekend in Plymouth, MA, with my in-laws, and made a stop at Gellar's Snack Bar for ice cream. I ordered the most glorious sundae with mocha almond ice cream, hot fudge, marshmallow fluff, chopped nuts, whipped cream, and, of course, a cherry on top. It was every bit as delicious as it sounds—and honestly, have you ever seen a more picture-perfect sundae?
While we were in Plymouth, MA, we obviously had to get lobster rolls, so we stopped by The Lobster Hut in downtown Plymouth. One thing I really love is that they serve the lobster meat on the side, so you can assemble your roll yourself and it never gets soggy. Honestly, it's such a genius idea and makes the whole experience even better.
For the Fourth of July, we were invited to a barbecue at our friends' parents' house, and I brought a vanilla ricotta olive oil cake with cream cheese frosting. For the topping, I was inspired by Ina Garten's iconic flag cake and decorated it with fresh berries in a festive flag design. The cake turned out incredibly moist and delicious, and everyone loved it so much that I ended up making it twice more for two different barbecues later in July.
We've been taking every opportunity to fire up the grill this season, and one meal we just can't get enough of is grilled chicken paired with a fresh peach and tomato salad. It's simple, full of summer flavor, and the perfect combination for an easy weeknight dinner or a relaxed meal outdoors.
My husband and I made a trip to Gloucester, MA, to try Short & Main, and it definitely lived up to the hype. We shared a few appetizers and pizzas, and everything we ordered was absolutely delicious. The pizzas were the standout, but every dish was thoughtfully prepared and full of flavor.
The restaurant itself was just as memorable as the food. It has such a cozy atmosphere, with a wood-fired pizza oven that makes the whole space feel warm and inviting. We both agreed it would be the perfect spot to visit on a cold fall or winter evening, so we're already looking forward to going back.
One night, I made myself a simple bowl of wonton noodle soup using ingredients I picked up at H Mart. I grabbed some fresh noodles and a bag of frozen pork and shrimp wontons, and it came together so easily. It was comforting, flavorful, and honestly tasted just as good as takeout.
During that same H Mart trip, I also picked up some fresh clams and made linguine with clams in a red sauce. It turned out so well! I'd never cooked with fresh clams at home before, but they were much easier to work with than I expected. It was one of those meals that felt a little fancy without being overly complicated
My local farmers market has been back since June, and it finally feels like the stalls are filling up with fresh, local, seasonal produce. It's one of my favorite parts of summer.
One of the things I miss most about living in Washington, D.C., is the incredible access to fresh, locally grown produce at the farmers markets. There was always an amazing variety of fruits and vegetables in season, and it made shopping locally so easy. While I'm happy my local market is starting to catch up for the season, I'll always have a soft spot for those D.C. farmers markets.
When my team announced our summer offsite was going to be in Newport, Rhode Island, I immediately knew one thing: I had to make a stop at The Nitro Bar before our meeting.
A coworker and I headed there first thing in the morning, and it was the perfect way to start the day. We ordered the Salted Honey Latte, breakfast sandwiches, coffee cake, and a blueberry muffin. Everything was delicious, but the coffee was the real standout. The Salted Honey Latte was smooth, perfectly balanced, and honestly one of the best coffee drinks I've had in a long time.
The pastries and breakfast sandwiches were fresh and flavorful, making it an easy recommendation if you're looking for breakfast in Newport. But if you're only stopping for one thing, make it the coffee.
I only wish there were a Nitro Bar closer to me in Boston because I'd be there all the time. Until then, I'll just have to look for excuses to visit Rhode Island again.
One of our favorite spots for Chinese food north of Boston is Sichuan Gourmet in Burlington, Massachusetts. We've been there several times, and every meal has been consistently delicious.
The menu has a great mix of traditional Sichuan dishes and familiar favorites, and everything we've tried has been full of flavor. It's one of those reliable restaurants we always look forward to returning to whenever we're craving great Chinese food.
One of the highlights of spending a week back home in Marin County was getting to enjoy my dad's cooking. He's an incredible home cook, and I always look forward to the meals we share whenever I visit.
Here's a snapshot of some of the meals we enjoyed during my trip: a simple but special caviar appetizer, a backyard BBQ with our close family friends, my dad's famous roast chicken served with a fresh salad, and a vibrant Thai beef salad. Every meal was made with so much care, and honestly, it's one of the things I miss most when I'm back on the East Coast.
Swirl in San Anselmo, CA is a must-stop for me every time I'm home. I don't necessarily think it's all that different from other frozen yogurt shops, but there's something nostalgic about it that keeps me coming back.
My go-to order is their Original Tart flavor, which has been my favorite for years. Sometimes it's not about finding the "best" frozen yogurt—it's about revisiting a place that brings back happy memories, and Swirl does exactly that.
Even though I grew up in the Bay Area, I'm still in awe of the farmers markets every time I go home. The variety of produce is incredible, and it's hard to beat the quality and freshness. Beyond the fruits and vegetables, there are so many passionate local vendors selling everything from fresh-baked bread and pastries to small-batch honey and other artisanal products.
Whenever I'm home, I always make it a point to visit the San Rafael Farmers Market and the Marin Country Mart Farmers Market. They're two of my favorite places to wander, pick up seasonal produce, and enjoy everything the local food community has to offer.
While I was home, my parents and I went to Friends Only in San Francisco's Russian Hill neighborhood for an incredible omakase dinner. It was one of those meals where every course somehow managed to be even better than the last.
The experience was intimate, thoughtful, and beautifully executed. I was especially impressed by the chefs' ability to create unique and unexpected flavor combinations while still letting the quality and freshness of the fish shine. It was an unforgettable meal and easily one of the best dining experiences I've had in a long time.
My parents and I also tried a new spot on Divisadero in San Francisco called Esme, and it was such a great experience. The restaurant puts a fresh California spin on classic French bistro fare, highlighting local, seasonal ingredients in creative ways.
We had a wonderful evening there. The service was warm and welcoming, and every dish was thoughtfully prepared. I loved how the menu stayed true to familiar French dishes while incorporating fresh, seasonal produce and modern California influences. Every bite was delicious, and it's definitely a restaurant I'd recommend if you're looking for a unique take on French cuisine in San Francisco.
We also had a laid-back brunch at The Shoreline Coffee Shop in Tam Valley, and it was the perfect way to spend a morning. We ordered the huevos rancheros, chai lattes, and a table pancake to share, and everything was delicious. The menu has a distinctly California feel, with fresh, seasonal ingredients and several Mexican-inspired dishes alongside classic brunch favorites.
My parents took me to their favorite soba spot in San Francisco's Japantown, Sora, and it completely lived up to the hype. They serve incredibly authentic soba and udon, along with some of the best tempura I've ever had.
Everything was prepared with so much care, and you could really tell the focus was on quality and tradition. It was one of those simple, memorable meals where every dish was executed perfectly, and it's easy to see why it's become one of my parents' favorite restaurants.
Other:
To know me is to know that I'm a massive Love Island fan. July was peak reality TV season, with both Love Island UK and Love Island USA airing at the same time, and I was absolutely living for it.
It was basically my World Cup.
Like I mentioned above, we spent part of the long Fourth of July weekend down in Plymouth, Massachusetts, and it was such a nice getaway. We lucked out with beautiful weather and enjoyed a relaxing day at the beach followed by some time at the pool. It was the perfect way to slow down, soak up the sunshine, and make the most of the holiday weekend.
We also went to see The Odyssey, and it was so good! It definitely lived up to all the hype, and I'm so glad we saw it on the big screen. I would absolutely recommend seeing it in theaters if you can—the visuals and overall experience are worth it.
In July, I was able to spend a week back home in the Bay Area, and it was exactly what I needed. It was surprisingly warm, which made it even easier to enjoy being outside and soaking up some sunshine. Most importantly, I got to relax and spend quality time with my parents.
Lenny:
