Matt Robinson
Verified
As seen in:
Matt's Meals,
The Jerusalem Post,
Forward,
Metro.us,
JNS,
Midland Reporter-Telegram,
Wealth Management,
Jewish Boston,
Jewish Journal (Boston)
Covers:
I have composed pieces about the arts, books, education, entrepreneurs, music, travel, Veterans, and pretty much whatever my colleagues and readers have desired
Doesn't Cover:
Politics
Need it written? Email me at matt@therobinsonreporter.com. Affiliated with the Ivy League? Check out lionstigersbulldogs com.
Articles by Matt Robinson
News for those who chews
http://matts-meals.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/CCORNER_FOLKFEST-4-24-26-MATTR.mp3 When not talking about food, I am writing about music. My latest triumph is my new book, Pete’s Beat, which I have been bringing to bookstores, libraries, and other events all over. I recently presented Pete’s Beat at the New Orleans Book Festival, the New England Music Therapy Association Conference, and the MA PTA conference.
News for those who chews
Though I am admittedly a bit of a dilettante who does everything from talk about food on the radio to interview authors on TV to write my own books to teach at a prison and on and on, I still hold fast to the premise that it is often best to do one thing and do it right. That’s why I was so intrigued when I was invited to dine at Medium Rare at the Arsenal in Watertown.
News for those who chews
http://matts-meals.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/CCORNER_CABOTS-FARM-GRILLE-MATTR.mp3 While it is always great to fete local eateries for their individual achievements, it is even more fun and rewarding when I can talk about two at once! I recently published a story in the Newton Beacon about a pair of Garden City legends that have combined forces in a delicious way. Cabot’s Ice Cream and Farm Grill were recently side by side at a fundrasier for the Carroll Center for the Blind.
FEED THE FRIDGE - News for those who chews
I was recently in Harvard Square promoting my book about the Ivy League when I came upon a refrigerator outside the church on Mass Ave and Church Street. Apparently, it was there so people could donate not only canned foods and such for those in need, but also fresh food.
News for those who chews
I was recently at my favorite independent bookstore – Blue Bunny in Dedham Square – and, lo and behold, there was a sign in the window proudly proclaiming that my book – Lions, Tigers, and…Bulldogs?
A CHANUKAH MIRACLE
Especially at this time of year, when so many people are thinking about what they want to get, it is more important than ever to think about giving.
COOKING WITHOUT GAS
And while I’ve never seen it before, I do hope to experience it again! For those of you who may not know, cholent is an ancient recipe for a stew that is traditionally cooked on a low heat throughout the entire Sabbath so that Jews can keep the commandment of not starting a fire during the Sabbath. It is traditionally made with meat, potatoes, and beans, but after that, family traditions take over and the recipes vary greatly.
News for those who chews
As Matt’s Meals fans know, I will travel FAR for a quality doughnut. As Matt’s Meals fans know, I will travel FAR for a quality doughnut. My travels recently brought me to MassHole donuts in Somerville, where they not only offer just the best part of the donut but also some of the best and most creative flavors around, including such locally-sourced and locally-inspired faves as the Pecan Hill, Southie Sipper, and the seasonally-savvy Edgartown Eggnog.
DIGGING for GOOD BOOKS
I have raved about the combined coffee house and art gallery called Galaray House in Lexington, but now I have even MORE reason to rave! On Wednesday, December 10, at 7 PM, I will be starting what I hope to be a series of live author talks with an interview with Wellesley College Professor Cécile Ganne, author of the romantic novella, Scent of a Truffle.
From the HEART of THE HOLY LAND
I started Matt’s Meals to help individual food makers, especially those who are facing challenges beyond their control. During Covid, many of the people that we promoted told me that I basically saved their business, and that really was the most gratifying response I could ever receive. These days, a lot of food producers are being shunned and ignored because of where they live and work.
Not by Bread Alone: When it comes to bakeries, Newton is rolling in dough!
Apparently, the Atkins Diet is dead- at least in Newton! From French treats at Antoine’s and Tous les Jours to focaccia pizzas at Salt to the latest line-down-the-block creation at Làkon, and the ever-more-ubiquitous (but always delicious) Tatte, there are plenty of places to satisfy carbohydrate cravings. Perhaps it is fitting in a city that has a cake-based cookie named for it that one of the most prevalent types of food providers in the area is the bakery. But how can one decide?
HOP n HOLE - Matt's Meals
As Matt’s Meals fans know, I will travel FAR for a quality doughnut. As Matt’s Meals fans know, I will travel FAR for a quality doughnut. My travels recently brought me to MassHole donuts in Somerville, where they not only offer just the best part of the donut but also some of the best and most creative flavors around, including such locally-sourced and locally-inspired faves as the Pecan Hill, Southie Sipper, and the seasonally-savvy Edgartown Eggnog.
A CHANUKAH MIRACLE
Especially at this time of year, when so many people are thinking about what they want to get, it is more important than ever to think about giving.
DIGGING for GOOD BOOKS
I have raved about the combined coffee house and art gallery called Galaray House in Lexington, but now I have even MORE reason to rave! On Wednesday, December 10, at 7 PM, I will be starting what I hope to be a series of live author talks with an interview with Wellesley College Professor Cécile Ganne, author of the romantic novella, Scent of a Truffle.
FEED THE FRIDGE - Matt's Meals
I was recently in Harvard Square promoting my book about the Ivy League when I came upon a refrigerator outside the church on Mass Ave and Church Street. Apparently, it was there so people could donate not only canned foods and such for those in need, but also fresh food.
JUST RIGHT - Matt's Meals
Though I am admittedly a bit of a dilettante who does everything from talk about food on the radio to interview authors on TV to write my own books to teach at a prison and on and on, I still hold fast to the premise that it is often best to do one thing and do it right. That’s why I was so intrigued when I was invited to dine at Medium Rare at the Arsenal in Watertown.
MORE AND CLOSE - Matt's Meals
I was recently at my favorite independent bookstore – Blue Bunny in Dedham Square – and, lo and behold, there was a sign in the window proudly proclaiming that my book – Lions, Tigers, and…Bulldogs?
CELEBRATE A DECADE OF DELICIOUSNESS
While I’m very much looking forward to bringing my author talk series back to Boston Public Market when I interview Jeanie Gruber of WISHDISH on October 23, the REALLY big news from the Market is that they’re about to celebrate their 10th annual Harvest Party on October 16! Starting at 5:30, VIP guests will have the opportunity to partake in a special dinner created by BPM’s amazing local food makers and vendors.
WISH-ing for support for the homeless
I wanted to take a moment to thank our friends at Boston Public Market for hosting a live edition of The Writer’s Block in September and for inviting me back for events on October 23 and November 20. At the kickoff event, I talked to BPM staffers Chelsea Doliner and Shannon Veilleux about the wonderful cookbook they had assembled with the help of their amazing vendors and food purveyors.
FERM PLANS - Matt's Meals
I recently raved about Florence Street Foods and their AMAZING pickles and pickle processing and I am still enjoying SO many healthy, delicious foods that I found at the Pickle and Fermentation Festival at Independent Fermentations in Plymouth. While I wait to hear more from them, however, I am looking forward to the Somerville Fermentation Festival, which will take place on September 7 at the Center for the Arts at the Armory in Somerville.
ENGLAND GETS IT WRONG AGAIN
According to my friend, Dr. Sanjiv Chopra, the author of Coffee, the Magical Elixir, coffee has just surpassed tea as the most popular drink in England, which has long been known as the European seat of tea. Apparently, the Brits are not aware of my fellow Merrimack Valley entrepreneur Lisa Marie Gennawey and her amazing J’enwey Tea.
RED SOX AND GRAY WHALES
While I am not sure why a major league baseball team needs an official alcoholic beverage, with the way the Sox have been punching up these days, far be it from me to question their tactics! Yes- It’s official! Gray Whale Gin is now the official gin of the Boston Red Sox.
COOKBOOK COLLECTION
As Matt’s Meals fans know, one of my favorite places for delicious food and innovative ideas is Boston Public Market. As people may also know, when I am not talking about food, I am talking with authors from all over the world on my nationally syndicated television program, “The Writer’s Block” (which is soon to be expanded into an international podcast on the Something or Other Publishing Network.
A LOCAL ES-CAPE - Matt's Meals
If you’re looking to get a bit more of that world-famous Cape Cod vibe without dealing with the world-infamous Cape Cod traffic, our friends at Craft Food Halls are bringing the beach to the boardroom with a series of fun events at their City Point office park location at 200 5th Avenue in Waltham. On Tuesday, August 19 from 6-8 PM, guests can take part in a trivia contest hosted by Captain Jack Sparrow himself.
I’ve talked a lot about cultured foods and how beneficial (and delicious!) they can be and I have also raved about our friends at Jasper Hill Farms in VT. Today I am going to sing the praises of a food product that has ties to BOTH! After working at and producing award-winning cheeses that Jasper Hill still produces, Maurisa Mauro went off on her own with an idea of producing hand-crafted butter that was enhanced with the inclusion of live active cultures.
“FREE” CANDY - Matt's Meals
I was recently told by my doctor that I have a heart condition, so I need to be more careful about what I eat and put into my body. I told my doctor that I’m okay with taking any kind of pill, as long as I can indulge in a donut and a little candy every month. Fortunately, I recently found a brand of candy that makes me feel a lot less guilty, even though it tastes as good (if not better) than my classic childhood favorites.
SCHOOL’S OUT BUT HUNGER ISN’T
I recently went to another great event hosted by Food for Free– this time at the Aeronaut brewery in SomerNova in Somerville. In addition to enjoying some of the literal tons of rescued food from Whole Foods and Trader Joe’s, I also got to enjoy some really creative beverages and check in with my new friends at Carolicious (who I had originally met at the Welcome Project event a few weeks ago) and Somerville Chocolate.
UPPING THE IQ - Matt's Meals
Big news for our old friends at IQBAR! While they have long offered the best clean ingredient-based brain-boosting products around, IQBAR recently inked a partnership deal with none other than culinary genius Thomas Keller! In addition to being the first and only American-born chef to hold multiple three-star ratings from the prestigious Michelin Guide and the first American male chef to be designated a Chevalier of The French Legion of Honor, Keller has also been lauded and recognized by The...
THE FARMER’S BUCKET
It has been a bit since we raved about our Veteran-led friends at Bucket of Bread, but as they continue to come out with more ways to enjoy their delicious and healthy products, I figured it was time to remind folks! While I have long loved using their vegan-friendly, organic, and clean ingredients (which includes no added sugar) to make bread, challah, pizza, and other baked goods (or shall I say “greats”?), I have recently fallen for their “farm-style” classics which feature red spring...
COFFEE BREAK - Matt's Meals
In a blatant example of self-promotion, I am happy to announce that I will be interviewing Harvard Medical School’s own Dr. Sanjiv Chopra at Drip Café on Tuesday, June 17 at noon as the first of a series of author interviews based upon my popular author talk show, “The Writer’s Block” which is produced by The Needham Channel and shown nationally on YouTube and other outlets.
HEAT WAVE - Matt's Meals
As I look forward to the latest installment of the New England Hot Sauce Fest in New Hampshire on July 26 (which features our fiery friends at Spicy Shark), I am all ready to get warmed up at the 12th Boston Jerk Fest, which will take place on July 11 and 12.
BRING ME YOUR TIRED…
With COVID and inflation and tariffs, a lot of people in the restaurant space have been paying more than their share. And few have been more drastically impacted than our brave immigrant brothers and sisters. That is why I was so gratified to find the hard-working team behind the Welcome Project in Somerville when I attended their recent celebration called Yum: A Taste of Immigrant City.
BACK ON THE BOAT
The last time I talked about going on a Classic Harbor Line ship, I raved about their Christmas sing-along party on Boston Harbor. Recently, I celebrated an even more important holiday (my birthday) and again I was privileged enough to celebrate it with my friends at Classic Harbor Line.
FREE TIME - Matt's Meals
For many, summer is a time to relax and kick back and let the work slide a bit while you enjoy a favorite food or beverage. Unfortunately, hunger is not one to take a break and those who work to stave it off have had to work harder than ever lately.
RESIN AND IVORY - Matt's Meals
For many years, King’s has been known for fun food and great bowling. I am such a fan that I hosted my own 50th birthday there and had an amazing time in one of their private rooms! Now King’s in Back Bay is opening a new special cover-free room at 50 Dalton Street on Friday through Sunday nights that will surely be a destination for party people of all types- whether you roll with The Jesus or not.
RE-CONVENING THE COMMITTEE
Having recently raved about Saltie Girl in Boston’s Back Bay, I was intrigued to learn that their star chef Sebastian Zuluaga had been poached by another favorite eatery. Though it has been a Seaport staple for 10 years, Committee has never been one to rest on its significant Greek laurels.
BODY AND SOUL - Matt's Meals
Before I wrote and broadcast about food, I was a jazz journalist and I’m still always on the lookout for great places to listen to great music. And if they have delicious authentic Soul food- all the better! That is why I’m so fortunate to have met JaRon Eames and to be invited to his parlor jazz series in New York. JaRon is a legendary singer, writer, tv host, and impresario who has interviewed and sung with some of the biggest names in jazz.
CALLING ALL CONES!
When I am not talking about food, I am teaching writing and entrepreneurship to inmates at the Norfolk County Sheriff’s Office in Dedham, MA. While there, I get to work alongside and marvel at the efforts of the men and women in uniform who protect our community and keep order among the inmates. Recently, as I was leaving the facility, I noticed a large red truck parked out front in the Sheriff’s own space! At first, I thought there must be some kind of emergency.
Pull out the cannon, Boys. Steal us some WINE.
Before I promoted eateries and drinkeries on international radio, I was a contributor to such musical media outlets as Rolling Stone and Billboard and covered the music scene all over the world. On one particularly memorable assignment, I got to interview my bass idol Les Claypool and asked him which of the four was his favorite string. All these years later, Les is still a guitar hero and is apparently still producing amazingly offbeat stuff.
TASTES LIKE A VER-MILION
The dining scene in Boston is roaring back and the latest jewel in the downtown crown is the Vermilion Club Steakhouse and Cocktail Bar– a restaurant and lounge located in the Winthrop Center in the heart of the Financial District that is now being helmed by Chef Justin Urso.
SURVIVAL OF THE MOST DELICIOUS
The other day, I was driving to teach at the Norfolk County Sheriff’s Office after hosting another live author interview at a senior community or library or Rotary Club meeting or maybe all of those and I realized I had not had lunch. Reaching into my teaching bag, I was fortunate enough to find a packet from Nutrient Survival.
PURPLE PEOPLE UNITE!
While many of us are staunchly on the side of “red” or “blue,” there is a growing movement of what has come to be called “Purple People” that see things in a calmer and more centrist and open way. If you are looking to change (and calm) your mind or to explore how the other 51% lives, there is a great opportunity on the weekends of June 20-22 and 27-29 at The Farm at Summit Wynds (that’s “Wynds” with a “y’!) in Holden, MA.
A SPICY CELEBRATION
For those of you who were busy watching the Marathon that day or just enjoying the start of school vacation, we recently celebrated the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution in Lexington and Concord. Another important anniversary is that of Boston Spice, which recently reached its own special anniversary- nine years! In addition to releasing a new spice that is made for – what else?
BEHIND THE BABKA
I recently talked about the babka baking classes at my favorite bakery – Bakey – so I wanted to report that I have tried one and it was AMAZING! Not only did I get to use the same ingredients that legendary baker Uri Scheft and his talented team use to make their delicious dough and delectable delights daily (and not overnight or ahead of time as most other bakeries do), I also got to watch some of those talented teammates craft sweet and savory babka right before my eyes before trying my own...
BE A DRIP - Matt's Meals
After an amazing array of Augusta-inspired events at their suburban locations, the talented team behind Craft Food Halls is ready to switch from beer to coffee for their latest venture- the new Drip Café in the Seaport District of Boston. At Drip Café, Seaport workers and visitors can take a break with any one (or two or three) of a wide selection of hand-crafted Counter Culture coffees, MEM teas, housemade lemonades, NOBL juices, and other reviving refreshers.
EXPANDING THE MARKET
Whenever I am at a loss for food friends to celebrate (as if!), I can always turn to our friends at Boston Public Market for good food news. I recently mentioned how Q’s Nuts has recently released a redesign of their popular packages and I never miss an opportunity to grab a Beantown Pastrami sandwich or a half-dozen Bagel Guild bagels when I am in the area. As the weather gets warmer, nothing bears Crescent Ridge ice cream or a healthy drink from Mother Juice.
A NEW WAVELENGTH
As I love to teach people about food and also love to teach people about fitness (especially boxing), I’m always on the hunt for products that satisfy both desires. My latest di-fecta is Wavelength superfood protein powders.
Q’S NEWS - Matt's Meals
It has been said that you can’t judge a book by its cover. Well- when the “book” is a product as fresh and delicious as Q’s Nuts, the cover does not really matter. Q’s Nuts has been around for 25 years and is constantly adding new flavors to their delicious menu of sweet and savory snacks. In an effort to keep up with the latest trends Q’s will soon be appearing in new packaging.
IF ONLY IT WERE THIS EASY (AND DELICIOUS)!
With the way of the world today, people are looking for options that can bring them peace of mind and maybe a little more peace on earth. And if there could be a little sweetness too- all the better! That is why I’m such a fan of Sweet Diplomacy – the gluten-free and special diet-friendly treats and gift boxes that feature authentic flavors from all over the world.
SIBLING SMASH! - Matt's Meals
As native Bostonians, the Wahlberg boys know what their friends and neighbors love and have always striven wicked hahd to give it to ‘em. The latest example of this hometown heroism is Wahlburger’s pepperoni smash- a limited edition smashburger that features two 100% Angus beef patties, crispy julienne pepperoni, melted provolone cheese, and Chef Paul Wahlberg’s signature rosemary tomato jam. It’s like the best parts of a burger and a pizza all smashed together as only the Wahlbergs can make it.
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