Brookline – An escape from the college side of the green line

When people think about the Green Line, visions of terror fly through their head. The idea of being on a train with hundreds commuting to their apartments in Allston and Brighton can be overwhelming to even the most patient of commuters. Luckily there is in Brookline, an oasis from the college lifestyle and accessible by the C&D lines on the MBTA’s green line .

I have found that many of my itineraries thus far have included a lot of day drinking and eating. So today I am going to provide you with a more low-key / realistic trip to Brookline. Just a good work out and dinner/ drinks with friends. Maybe its this moody March we are having but thats about all I have energy for these days and Im guessing you would agree with me !

Itinerary: 

Morning – Baptiste Power Yoga and KooKoo Cafe
Before Dinner – The Publick House
Dinner – Barcelona

Morning:

Downward Dog at Baptiste !

Baptiste

If you read my last post you are starting to see a trend here. I started our day in Cambridge off with yoga and its not going to start much differently in Brookline. I use fitness as an excuse to get to a part of town I don’t often make it too. However, one of my favorite studios is located in Brookline Village. Baptiste Power Yoga is located right off the T in Brookline Village.

Baptiste has long been one of my favorite yoga practices. It is a mix between Bikram and Vinyasa. Many of the hot elements of Bikram are in the practice however the yoga itself is the Vinyasa flow, slowed down a bit so that you can handle the physicality with the heat. The classes are always energetic and you leave feeling your skin glowing and your muscle aching. For all those who want even yoga to be a work out, Baptiste is the answer. It helps that all their studios are beautiful and well set up! Take a beginner class and see what its all about, pack a towel and some water because you are in for a work out.

Outside the KooKoo Cafe

After you break a serious sweat you are going to need to go home take a shower and enjoy the after glow, on your way stop by KooKoo Cafe. This is located right near the Brookline T stop and people rave about their coffee, tea, cookies , and sandwiches.

Evening:

Publick House From Outside

Drinks – Publick House

After you spent the afternoon relaxing , get ready for an evening in Brookline’s Washington Square. Washington Square is accessible by the Green Line’s C Line (the stop is called, conveniently, Washington Square). Both locations for the evening can be reached from there. Publick House has been in Brookline for a little while now, with the craft beer movement growing at an exponentially fast past, there is no better place to go and try a few new beers before enjoying some delicious grub.

Barcelona – From Boston Eater

Dinner – Barcelona 

Barcelona is new to Washington Square and all those who attend it love it. What they might not know about is that its also a pretty well known chain. This new-to-Brookline restaurant has none of the look and feel of normal chain restaurants and its menu is incredibly delicious. They also have an extensive wine selection that pairs well with the tapas style menu. If you are looking for a night out with delicious food and great company this is the place to go with 2 or 8 of your closest friends. Get into the spanish vibe , talk with your hands, drink lots of wine , and order one of everything!

 

Maggie – I am an old school New England gal living my life in the pursuit of fun ! My perfect day in Boston involves finding a new place with a little bit of known to it . I love to eat natural whole foods. My goal is always to stay active and burn off last nights wine and cheese plate. Whether its finding the newest fitness studio or training for a marathon I keep busy! #fitfluential #zen #workhardplayhard #eatclean #naturalwinemovement #travelsavvy #martahonrunner

 

 

 

 

Southie: Let the Shenanigans Begin

Southie not only has some great bars/restaurants to visit, but it’s a great place to spend some time outdoors taking in the views of the harbor and Boston’s beautiful skyline. My itinerary will include a few bars, some great food and enjoying the outdoors.

Morning: L Street Diner
Afternoon: Sullivan’s and Castle Island
Evening: Shenannigans
Late Night: L Street Tavern

Morning: L Street Diner

One of my favorite places to go when I visit family in South Boston is the L Street Diner for breakfast. And it’s not because we get the best table in the joint when we visit (my Aunt is a regular), but the food always hits the spot.  You can’t go wrong with some eggs bene and a towering plate of bacon to start your day off right.

Once you are done with breakfast you may need a little exercise to keep you from retreating home and into an afternoon food coma, so just a short walk away is Sidewalk Café (“South Boston’s #1 Café”) where I think is one of the best places for iced coffee. So grab yourself an iced and get ready because this itinerary is not over.

South Boston has various outdoor areas to enjoy if the weather permits. Telegraph Hill, the Harborwalk and one of my favorite Boston landmarks, Castle Island.

Which leads into my recommendation for the afternoon…

Afternoon: Sullivan’s and Castle Island

Once you have reenergized and afternoon hits, lunch at Sullivan’s and a walk around Castle Island’s “Sugar Bowl” is a great way to spend the afternoon. Growing up I used to go to Castle Island for field trips with school and summer camp.  Bagged lunches, tag around the playground and watching airplanes practically land on top of you is where it is at.  The menu at Sullivan’s is simple, however they do manage to throw in a lobster roll and fish sandwich, because it is Boston after all.

Sullys’ lobstah roll

 

A fancy boxed lunch from Sullys

There are a few fun events that take place in the Castle Island area. One of which is the infamous, New Years Day Polar Plunge, where people from all over run into the freezing water, either to raise money for charity or because they are purely nuts.  It’s a fun tradition that always brings a big crowd to L Street Beach every January 1^st.  Some of the costumes you see are pretty entertaining.  I can’t say I have ever made “the plunge,” but I definitely support the cause.

Polar Plunge.. costumes welcome

         

 

Castle Island has always been one of my favorite places in Boston. It’s the type of place that is fun to visit year round; however, once “Sullys” opens its doors for the season, that’s truly the best time to visit.  My family has a personal attachment to Castle Island because of all the time we spent there growing up, especially my grandparents.  When they passed, we donated a bench to Castle Island in their memory.  So if you happen to see “the bench,” along your visit, take a seat and relax.

             

 

Once you are done taking in the sights of Castle Island and the harbor, you may need to head home for a nap to keep up with the remainder of the itinerary… or at least for an outfit change.

Evening: Shenannigans

Shenannigans is a nice, casual place to grab dinner and drinks. Conveniently located close to the Broadway train station for those that are not even going to attempt to find parking in Southie.  The menu offers traditional American fare with some favorites such as the Shepherd’s Pie and no Irish bar would complete without Bangers, Mash and Beans on the menu.  For those that enjoy live music, Shananigans hosts live reggae bands on Friday nights.  If this is not your cup of tea, hop up to The Playwright or Stats (as mentioned in James’ blog post) two other great bars that are fun to visit.

Shepherd’s Pie is a favorite

Now it’s off to another Southie gem for some drinks to round out the day….

Late Night: L Street Tavern

The L Street Tavern is a quaint, neighborhood bar that tends to have a group of regulars. They are harmless, I swear, just don’t look at them funny.  The L Street Tavern made Southie “famous” when Ben Affleck and Matt Damon filmed, Good Will Hunting, there in the early 90s and won many awards.  It may have been the movie to spark interest for others to film in Boston.

L Street Tavern has plenty of memorabilia around the bar to commemorate the success of the movie. I can remember the film crew hogging L Street from East Broadway to the Beach as we tried to visit my Aunt on East 6^th and maneuvering the lovely one- ways that fill Southie.

After some drinks to toast the night, you may be ready to head home. Don’t forget to come back to Southie and experience Castle Island when “Spring” finally shows itself.

I hope you enjoyed!

Diana – I enjoy spending as much time outside as possible even if that means finding a bar with a roof deck. I am always up for a challenge, whether it’s hiking a mountain, bowling or singing karaoke in front of complete strangers, I will do it. As long as the day involves a glass of wine, family or friends and a good laugh at the end of it, it’s alright in my book.

Chinatown – A Journey for Oriental Experience

When I say “Chinatown,” are your first thoughts a.) combat zone / area to avoid b.) red light districts that appear in Jackie Chan movies, c.) dirty, d.) all of the above? Well … it may still be dirty, but nowadays the Chinatown in Boston is a neighborhood that’s well worth a visit.

Have you been planning to visit Chinatown, but weren’t sure what to get, or where to get the best bang for your buck? No problem – there’s no better way to plan your day than by following the Chinatown itinerary created by me, the guy born and raised in China. I will make sure you don’t end your day disappointed.

Itinerary:

1. Late Morning: Dim sum at Great Taste Bakery & Restaurant 
2. Afternoon: Boston Common
3. Evening: Dinner at New Golden Gate, watch show at Blue Man Group

Morning:

I wake up early enough during work days, so I’ll usually wake up late during the weekend and go out for a brunch before I start my day. For me, nothing beats Dim Sum as my most favorite brunch. I jokingly told my wife that we cannot move to a city without a Dim Sum restaurant, even if it’s a crappy one. Dim Sum is that important to me.

To this point, you may ask, “what the heck is Dim Sum?” Good question! Dim Sum originated from the city I am from, Guangzhou (aka Canton, a beautiful city that is also the birthplace of Cantonese). Dim Sum is usually food served in small bamboo steamer baskets or small plates. Think of it as China’s version of tapas. I don’t really like the term “Dim Sum.” In Cantonese, we refer to going to have dim sum in a restaurant as going to “drink tea.” I guess that’s why all the restaurants that serve Dim Sum neglect the “tea” component in the States?

Growing up, we usually had Dim Sum as a family. Even though my grandparents have passed away over a decade ago, I can still remember having Dim Sum with them as a kid. Great memories are a major reason why I love to have Dim Sum, as it reminds me the importance of family.

Enough with the history, let’s start our day by having dim sum at the Great Taste Bakery & Restaurant. Don’t let the “Bakery” name fool you as they also serve the best Dim Sum in Boston. Some of the food items are even as good as those you’d find in good restaurants in China. As mentioned, Dim Sum are meant to be shared as they are of smaller sizes – make sure you grab your friends so you can try more different things. Several things I love: Shrimp Dumplings, Steamed Meatball, Fried Turnip Cakes with XO Sauce, Shiu Mai (Pork Dumpling), and Chicken Feet (if you are brave enough).

 

Afternoon:

After Dim Sum, it’s time to get outside and let the food digest a little. Though technically not in Chinatown, just minutes away you’ll find the Boston Common, one of the most historic public parks in the United States, and the Boston Public Garden. If you haven’t been to the area before, it’s definitely worth your time to explore the park; even if you have been to the park many times just like me, it feels good to walk around the park watching the squirrels running by, after the long, long winter and brutal cold we just endured. If you want some more things to do, feel free to refer to my previous Back Bay post as it’s also close by.

Evening:

As Chinatown is very closed to the theater district, why not watch a show of your choice to entertain your night? While there are plenty of choices, the Blue Man Group is one of my favorites. I am not really a fan of arts such as musicals or ballets as I don’t have enough knowledge to appreciate. As a result, the Blue Man Group show is perfect for me. It’s two non-stop hours of fun, music and entertainment.

A few tips to bear in mind.  Don’t be late to the show, as you may become the spotlight of one of their segments. Also, if you have tickets in the “wet zone” (front rows), make sure you have your poncho ready, otherwise you will get wet. Of course, if you are the art-appreciation kind of guy, you can watch the musical or ballets shows in the area.

You also get the chance to have a picture with the Blue Man!

After the show ends, hopefully it’s not too late for you to have dinner and you can walk back to Chinatown for dinner. Don’t worry about restaurants close early, as most restaurants in Chinatown won’t close until after midnight. I will recommend the New Golden Gate restaurant. Just remember, the restaurant has many more to offer other than Pork Fried Rice, General Gau Chicken, and Crab Rangoon as they are not really authentic Chinese food. Try something that’s new and maybe exotic, they may surprise you how good they are.

Lobstah

That concludes our day in the Chinatown area. Hopefully you will have a fun day following my recommendations. Let me know what you think about my itinerary by commenting on the blog post.

Dennis – Born and raised in China, I offer perspectives blended with my Asian root. I enjoy any unknown adventure, whether it means trying new restaurants, meeting strangers, or wandering in to undiscovered neighborhood of the city. I am too laid back to follow a plan and will rather allow my feeling to dictate what I would do on any given day. 

 

The Bruins & Beacon Hill

On this short post I have to start out by saying that I am not one of the those girls who is crazy about sports, but living in New England makes it a little hard to resist turning into one. Boston happens to be a very lucky city, not just because we have amazing teams, but also because the majority of them play directly in the city (besides our beloved Pats), which can make it easy to make a day out of it, on a whim.

Itinerary:

Morning: Brunch @ Enoteca Bin 26 and Charles street shopping
Afternoon: Bruins game
Evening: Dinner @ Felcaro’s

Morning:

This past weekend I wanted to take one of my favorite little buddies out to a hockey game, so my entire day was set around it, plus a 8 year old’s desires, that I would not dare to deny.

We could have easily stayed in the West End for all of Saturday but we decided to head towards Beacon Hill with its adorable Charles Street shops and restaurants.

We started our morning late, so for brunch we went to one of my favorite little restaurants on Charles street, Enoteca Bin 26.

I would say this is a hidden gem because it doesn’t usually come up on restaurant searches and I have not seen them advertised anywhere. Their food is amazing and the wine list is equally satisfying, and made better by the fact that they have different size pours (100ml, 250ml, 500ml & 750ml). But since it’s brunch and I had a long day ahead of me, I went with the very delicious mimosa.

For my meal I invariably end up with the same thing, because you absolutely cannot go wrong with duck hash. That is not to say I haven’t tried a number of their other dishes, all equally delicious, like the pappardelle bolognese and the risotto with duck confit.

After brunch we casually strolled down Charles Street, away from the Park and towards MGH. There are many cute shops. Although on this occasion we only had time for a couple of quick ones (Artifaktori and Flat of the Hill), there are many boutiques with unique clothes and jewelry. Beacon Hill is one of the oldest areas in the city and a great neighborhood for spring and fall walks, taking pictures, looking at houses…

Afternoon:

Since we needed to make a 1PM game we didn’t have time for much else, so we headed towards the Garden, which is somewhere between the North and West end. It is the proud home of the Boston Bruins and the Boston Celtics, as well as a huge concert and show venue that hosts anything from Disney on Ice to Justin Timberlake to Monster trucks and WWE.

Hanging out with a child made for a different experience than I would have otherwise had. For example, at the game, I didn’t drink a single alcoholic beverage (I know, impressive) and spent all the breaks going to different floors looking for a place where he could get his face painted, and then spending the rest of the time looking for Dunkin Donuts munchkins, which surprisingly were no where to be found.

The game was great and exciting, the Bruins won 5-1, so we kept on with our happy relaxing day.

Evening:

A child also changes the ways you pick places to hang out. I really like to enjoy a nice dinner and glass of wine on Saturdays, but this time around we just ended up at Felcaro’s for slices of pizza.

I actually really love their pizza, but don’t think I have ever been there in the evening, as this is a prime spot for neighborhood “kids” to grab a late night bite after the bars.  Felcaro’s is conveniently located diagonally across from the Liberty Hotel and around the corner from a favorite dive, the Beacon Hill Pub.

But this was not that type of a Saturday…

Mihaela: I’m a free spirited female originally from Romania but officially an American as of last year. I love Boston, despite my lack of appreciation for cold weather.  I find my health through great good and drinks in the company of great friends. Boston is the kind of city that suits any mood, whether you are a foodie or a dive bar aficionado. Boston has it all and I enjoy it all.

Cambridge : Kendall and Central Squares – Hipster or just plain cool ?

Living in Charlestown, I sometimes feel like I am lacking in fun new places to try. Luckily only a few miles away there are plenty of new restaurants and trendy fitness places for me to try !

Itinerary:

Morning: Prana Power Yoga
Afternoon: Life Alive
Evening : Belly Bar and Westbridge
Late Night : Cantab Lounge

We start our journey in Cambridge’s Central Square.

I have a very busy schedule during the week so on the weekends I like to try and organize time with my friends where I can work out and catch up with them. Afterwards its always nice to find a place we can cozy up in our yoga pants and grab lunch.

Prana Power Yoga fits the bill and is somewhere I have gone often with friends.  If you are just visiting a city sometimes attending a class like this can help you get a feel for what a neighborhood and its people are really like. Located on the second floor in a building off of the busy Massachusetts Ave, Prana Power Yoga is no exception to this. With a beautiful light space its a great place to take in any Saturday morning.

Prana Power Yoga – Central Square

Saturdays at 11am they have an Hour of Power. This is a shortened yoga class instead of the normal 90 minute class it is 60 minutes. The shortened class time is great especially if you are meeting a friend who isn’t an avid yogi . Most weeks Sandy Kalik is teaching the class. These classes are run at 99 degrees! Not only is this a benefit of the practice but you will leaving feeling like you got a real sweat on!

Afterwards you can head over to Life Alive. For those who are interested in the raw food movement or eating vegan, Life Alive is your oasis in Boston. One of the only places in Boston to offer such an array of vegan and organic treats you will have trouble deciding between the large menu.  If you are a lover of all things meat and think whats up with this whole foods movement ?! Life Alive is the perfect place to dip your toes in the water. Their menu boasts everything from yummy salads , to warm rice bowls, and smoothies.  I enjoy their signature dish the Green Goddess which is a mix of vegetables and tofu with brown rice.

The Inside of Life Alive

After you have cleaned off the yoga and let the yummy organic off settle, you may be so relaxed you need to try the finer things in life. This is when a trip to Belly Bar is absolutely necessary. One of my favorite places to visit, Belly Bar is a wine and cheese bar located in Cambridge’s Kendall Square. Belly Bar is part of a group of restaurants which are located in One Kendall Square. Partnered with Central Bottle and Blue Room, they have a great collabrotive  to provide them with excellent food. I have reviewed it on my other blog here. My recommendation is to try this place about an hour before dinner and try to sit at the bar !

Order one of their five rotating cheeses and ask the bartender to pair it with a glass of wine. The staff is incredibly knowledgeable and will probably even give you a good back ground story with the wine. Sit down, take in the environment, close your eyes and enjoy the epicurean delight which you have just been served.

After your mind has just been blown, venture right next door to Cambridge’s new and exciting West Bridge.  Their small plates menu has been making waves all over Boston this past year. It was even names one of the top 50 new restaurants by Bon Appetit magazine. Stars on the menu include their famous egg in a jar and octopus.

If this wasn’t enough and you are still begging for more  hop a cab (or maybe an Uber?) over to a Cambridge institution in Central Sqaure. The Cantab Lounge has live music starting at about 9 every night. On Saturdays they always draw a crowd. The bar is divey and the decor matches with a seriously St Elmos fire feel. Every Saturday night intoxicated folk of all kinds line up to enjoy drinks, dancing, and a really good time. At Cantab feel free to dance like no one is watching and let loose! Who knows, maybe you will find yourself on the dance floor back in that downward dog from the morning at Prana !??!?!!?

How to get there : If you are trying to get to Cambridge by public transportation the fastest way is the Red Line. Cambridge is a big place, but for this trip you only need to head just over the Charles River to the Kendall/ MIT stop and the Central Square stop. Luckily most stops are named after the neighborhood you intend to show up in.

Maggie –   I am an old school New England gal living my life in the pursuit of fun !  My perfect day in Boston involves finding a new place with a little bit of known to it . I love to eat natural whole foods. My goal is always to stay active and burn off last nights wine and cheese plate. Whether its finding the newest fitness studio or training for a marathon I keep busy! #fitfluential #zen  #workhardplayhard #eatclean #naturalwinemovement #travelsavvy #martahonrunner

BOSTON’S NORTH END: CONNECTING WITH THE NEIGHBORHOOD

Happy St. Patrick’s Day! Yes, the irony isn’t lost on me that today’s post is dedicated to a neighborhood known for its Italian population, but these days even the North End celebrates this holiday, right? Obviously festivities there are more subdued than in neighborhoods like Southie, but with the old guard thinning even the North End sees its share of green come March.

IRREGARDLESS, the remainder of this itinerary has nothing to do with Boston’s favorite drinking holiday. We already covered off on St. Patrick’s Day in Diana’s post, and unfortunately if you’re looking for tips on the St. Patrick’s Day parade that float has already passed (See what I did there? I’ll see myself out).

So, what do we have on the docket for my North End itinerary?

Itinerary:

Morning: Breakfast at Theo’s Cozy Corner
Afternoon: Bocce and Pizza
Evening: Roam the streets, then dinner/drinks at Ward 8

Morning: Breakfast at Theo’s Cozy Corner

Looking for a cozy breakfast spot? Like, just-a-few-tables-better-get-there-early cozy? Then the aptly named Theo’s is the place for you. This small restaurant is a great place for a fast and cheap (cash-only) meal to kick-start your day in the North End. Assuming you get there before a line forms, which can happen on the weekends.  Grab yourself their breakfast special of eggs, toast and sausage and you’re ready to start the day!

Theo’s … with Old North Church right in the distance.

Afternoon: Bocce and Pizza

Most think of soccer when it comes to Italy and sports, but I prefer Italy’s faster-paced sporting alternative. No, not F1. I’m talking about the beautiful sport of bocce.  A poor man’s curling, bocce is played by two teams who compete by trying to throw their bocce balls closest to the target (a smaller ball known as the “jack”).  The team with the closest ball to the jack is the only team that can score in a round, and they receive one point for each ball that is closer to the jack than the closest ball of the other team.

James brought up the good point in his recent South End post that it can be hard to come up with things to do when it’s freezing outside. Bocce is similar in that it’s ideally done in nice weather, but we’re close enough to spring that I’m going to recommend it. Besides, what’s manlier than playing bocce when its 40 degrees out? HUH?

Don’t mess with this guy.

Puopolo Park on Commercial Street has three bocce courts that are well worth a visit.  Most days and nights (at least during the summer) you’ll see people playing bocce here. And if playing isn’t your thing, it’s still worth checking out. Mingling with the small crowds that gather while enjoying the park and Charles River is a great way to connect with the neighborhood and see a different side of the North End.  It’s a short walk from Hanover Street, so you shouldn’t have any problems getting there.

Remember that old Pizza Hut commercial where the little league team loses their shit after their right fielder makes a routine catch to end the game?  I must have watched that commercial a billion times because it was on the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (the movie!) VHS and fast-forwarding a VHS was a royal pain.  That right there is an example of great marketing – 15 years after the fact and I still connect pizza with post-sports meal celebrations. It’s just too bad there aren’t any Pizza Huts in Boston for us to go celebrate at after bocce. AND NOW YOU PEOPLE ARE TAKING SBARRO AWAY FROM ME?

Well since I’ve got pizza on the brain, we might as well go to Regina Pizzaria.  Anyone living in Boston knows this chain.  It all started here in the North End, and dining at this location is a good thing to knock off your Boston bucket list.  Is it the best pizza you’ll ever have? Of course not! But it’s tasty and worth visiting at least once.

A peek inside Regina Pizzaria … or is it Pizzaria Regina?

Tip: seating is limited inside and lines form out the door to eat here. But if all you want is pizza, you can skip the entire line and head straight for the register for pizza to go (limited to cheese and pepperoni slices). There are parks right close by, so instead of eating in the dimly lit establishment, save yourself the wait and just enjoy your pizza outdoors.

Park bench pizza. Yum!

Evening: Roam the streets, then dinner/drinks at Ward 8

The North End has a wonderful charm to it. The people obviously play a role, but I really enjoy the architecture here. Wandering its narrow (occasionally trash-filled) streets, lined with red brick buildings and occasional cobblestone, leaves me thinking of bygone days. I would advise walking around and seeing what you discover.  Hanover Street is where the action is, but there are plenty of cute side streets worthy of exploration.

We’re finishing up today’s itinerary with a trip to Ward 8.  This bar/restaurant is named after the Ward 8, an old cocktail from the late 1800s that originated in Boston. First invented in the (now defunct) Locke-Ober, the cocktail was supposedly named in honor of a politician who won election thanks in large part to victory in Boston’s Ward 8 district.

I haven’t dined here before so I can’t speak to the quality of the food, but they make a fine cocktail.  Of course, one would be wise to order their namesake cocktail, but their Rye Flip is also delicious.  It’s a trendy bar that has an upscale-ish and modern vibe to it, but with friendly bar keeps and warm atmosphere. Add this to your list of cocktail bars to visit!

The Ward 8 cocktail: rye, lemon and orange juice, and grenadine.

So, what’d you think? What would you have done differently if you were writing a one-day itinerary for the North End? Share your thoughts with us in our comments section. Cheers!

Alex: I like to make the most of my day, especially when visiting a new place. My itineraries tend to pack in as much as possible – attractions, museums, etc. – with stops for a drink between destinations. I love visiting main sites, but do my best to locate something off the beaten path that other tourists may not know about.

Boston’s South End: Breakfast, Brunch and People Serving Drinks in Their Pajamas

As you may have learned from our last get together, I’m all about taking it easy and not stressing too much about having a real “itinerary” on the weekend. But, as this whole blog is dedicated to, you know, giving you an itinerary of things to do in all of Boston’s neighborhoods. So, I decided to actually get up, get dressed and head out to my old stomping grounds, Boston’s South End. (But, don’t worry. I’m gonna keep the not-drinking-and-eating stuff to a minimum.) Here’s the breakdown:

Itinerary:

1. Morning: Breakfast at South End Buttery
2. Noon: Franklin Park Zoo (weather permitting)
3. Afternoon: SoWa Market
4. Evening: Dinner at Anchovies

As I said, just a few years ago, I used to call the South End home. And, honestly, after having lived in almost every neighborhood in Boston, there really is no place in the city more beautiful than the South End in the summer. (So, it’s a little unfortunate that we’re taking you there in March. But, still!) And, as the resident gay dude in the group, I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention that the South End has often been called Boston’s “gayborhood.” A few years ago, it was home to several bars and restaurants that catered to the LGBT community. However, the area between Clarendon and Mass Ave has seen a lot of changes lately. Single men with small dogs and pairs of ladies with large dogs have gradually given way to wobbly, wailing children in $450 outfits. But, like the dogs they’ve replaced, they’re still on leashes. And, as the city’s growing number of young, monied married couples came looking for the perfect condo a stone’s throw from their job in the Financial District, the South End became the perfect destination. As such, many of the “old haunts” from the LGBT community have shut their doors. Fritz, for instance, the city’s only sports bar for the LGBT community, used to be favorite watering hole for my flag football league. (Interestingly, the league has since relocated to Dorchester and adopted a “non LGBT bar,”  The Blarney Stone, as its new haunt. You may remember it from Diana’s tour of Dot a couple weeks ago.) closed shop just last month with plans to reopen under new management and cater to a “more diverse” crowd. So, RIP Fritz…

But, time marches on and, if you head just up the street (Clarendon), you’ll find the latest iteration of one of the South End’s most popular coffee shops – South End Buttery. With a smaller layout and menu than its flagship location at 314 Shawmut Ave (also in the South End), the Clarendon location boasts a salted hot chocolate that the staff deem the very best in Boston. And, after sampling it for myself, I’m inclined to believe ’em.

(The process…)

(…the product.)

Moving on down the road, you run into what has long been the main drag (sorry… too easy) of the South End – Tremont Street.

(The sun shines on the South End.)

If you hang a right and head up the street – and it’s between 11am and 3pm on a Sunday – you pretty much have to stop by Tremont 647, which sits directly beside (and is connected to) its sibling, Sister Sorel, and offers the best thing in the entire world for a lazy guy like me who hates getting dressed but still loves a good mimosa…. Pajama Brunch. Because, whether your there to eat, drink or serve it all up – pajamas are the uniform of the day.

(Two restaurants. One mean mimosa.)

I stopped in, pulled up a seat at the bar and watched my bartender (decked out in an understated but elegant plaid number) serve up a killer Sunday morning pickmeup with juuuust the right about of booze and a whole bunch of freshly squeezed OJ.

Then, it was time to eat. And, after a brief wait – which was, of course, spent nursing another mimosa – out came the best server in the world, Jimmy, with a plateful of the South End’s best huevos rancheros. Seriously… throw on your pj’s (it’s definitely encouraged) and get the hell over there this Sunday! Best brunch in Boston.

(Get to know this man. And that plate of food.)

Once you’ve had your fill of breakfast food and booze, even a lazy layabout like me can’t resist getting out and getting a better look at the neighborhood. And, with spring and then summer on its way, I’m going to time travel just a bit… and suggest that if you’re in the between May and October, you better get your butt to the SoWa Open Market.

With literally dozens of permanent and pop-up shops selling their wares down on Harrison Avenue, you can literally walk around all afternoon and still not see everything there is to offer. From antiques to food trucks (for the love of God, track down the Cookie Monstah truck), the utterly “everything and the kitchen sink”-ness of it all has to be seen to believed. (I’m pretty sure you can buy a kitchen sink there, too.) There’s also a ton of up-and-coming shops and designers to check out including the man you met earlier, Jimmy Bishai, whose line of 80’s inspired clothes and watches called Watchout! has gotten a lot of attention in the Boston fashion and business scene. If watches aren’t your bag, I’m sure you can find something else. Like… literally anything else. Check it out.

So, after that uncharacteristic fit of physical activity, it’s time for dinner. And, though the South End boasts an incredible list of incredible places to get your grub on, there’s a tiny, hole-in-the-wall kinda place with the most amazing Italian nachos you have ever or will ever experience – Anchovies.

With an impressive beer and wine list and a menu full of hearty, rich Italian food, this place isn’t Atkins friendly. But, it’s pretty damn friendly to folks who want to eat some of the best Italian food this side of the North End. The wait can get close to an hour on Friday and Saturday nights. But, Sunday tends to be just slightly less packed – unless the Pats are playing or the Red Sox are in the playoffs. Then it’s every man for himself. But, again, those nachos!

Again, for my money, in the summer – when the sun is shining the patio-dining options are plentiful – there really is no place in Boston as beautiful as the South End. So, as the temperatures (FINALLY) start ticking up the thermometer, make some time to head over and check it out. My suggestion? Make it a Sunday and bring your pajamas.

Jamesbp6
My work week is scheduled down to the second – from sun-up to way after sundown. If I’m not at work or in class, I’m sneaking in some time at the gym. So, I make sure my weekends are shot on structure and long on leisure. Whether it’s grabbing last minute tickets to a standing room only show at the Middle East or just hanging out at a great, undiscovered bar, I’ll show you how to kick back and relax all over the city.

#trivia #music #LGBT #film #awesomebar

Cape Cod – St.Patrick’s Day Shenanigans

Itinerary

1. Morning: The Irish Village
2. Afternoon : Red Face Jack’s & Son’s of Erin
3. Late Afternoon : Tavern 731
4. Evening: Royal Palace
5. A Night Cap: Jake Rooney’s

This weekend my fiancé and I decided to head south of the Sagamore to participate in the Cape’s St.Patrick’s Day festivities. Having grown up attending the infamous St.Patty’s parade in Southie, we were interested to see if the Cape could live up to the entertainment level Southie had provided. The nice part of the Cape’s parade is that it is held on a Saturday, allowing for a full day’s events without the headache of having to go to work hungover the next day.

Perfect spot to watch the parade

We strategically decided to watch the parade from The Irish Village, the middle of the route, to allow for a short walk to start our adventure post parade. The Village hosted a traditional Irish breakfast that we couldn’t pass up as well as the Baileys in our coffee. The crowds were full of friends and families decked out in green, enjoying the sunshine, music and of course the alcoholic beverages in their red solo cups. As we watched the parade from the steps of the Irish Village, the parade passed with Irish Step Dancers and their crazy wigs, local businesses on floats, the parade Marshall, Charlie Moore and even a dog in a green tutu. The bag pipers will always be my favorite part of the parade, and no, not because of the men in skirts.

Parade Marshall – Charlie Moore

Making friends along the parade

Once the parade ended, we beelined it to Red Face Jack’s, one of the best sports bars on Cape. They conveniently hosted a parking lot party filled with live music and vendors and although it was only in the high 30s, the crowd enjoyed drinking outside and catching some rays which we have been lacking lately.

We hopped from bar to bar, making sure to test the Guinness at each establishment and checking out the tradtiional Irish music. We ran into fellow parade goers that had the same idea in mind. The Son’s of Erin was our second stop on our adventure. Luckily, my aunt who is a member gave me her key card to get in. This members-only bar is known for its great music, camaraderie among members and cheap beers. We stayed for “Wild Rover,” “Fields of Athenry,” and “Whiskey in the Jar,” before continuing our trek to Tavern 731, home of the Sons of Erin’s previous location. Tavern 731 is a newer bar on the Cape, that is known for its biker summer crew that has claimed it as their territory.

As we stumbled our way back towards the Irish Village we couldn’t help but stop in for a pint, a sing-along and watch the Irish Step Dancers that were perform. The free taxi service during parade day was convenient as we wanted to head out of Yarmouth and closer to Harwich, where we were staying for the evening. The Royal Palace, our go-to Chinese restaurant on the Cape was a smart choice to soak up the booze filled day before we headed to our last bar.

Our last stop of the day was Jake Rooney’s for a night cap. The bar was packed as people continued the St.Patrick’s Day festivities into the night. The rowdy crowd sang along to 80s and 90s songs played by the live guitarist, a nice change from the Irish tunes we had been listening to since 10 A.M.

Night cap at Jake Rooney’s

Drink of choice

The Cape’s St.Patrick’s Day Parade was a nice change of pace to celebrate the holiday. Although it was much tamer than Southie’s parade, it was a fun filled day of traditional Irish music, Guinness, sunshine and cheer. I look forward to attending next year’s parade and having an excuse to drink baileys at ten in the morning.

Diana – I enjoy spending as much time outside as possible even if that means finding a bar with a roof deck. I am always up for a challenge, whether it’s hiking a mountain, bowling or singing karaoke in front of complete strangers, I will do it. As long as the day involves a glass of wine, family or friends and a good laugh at the end of it, it’s alright in my book.

Back Bay: Packed Itinerary for Spring Break Visitors

Ten years ago when I first visited Back Bay, I immediately fell in love with the neighborhood. Call me a homer if you want, but Back Bay is the better version of SoHo in NYC, with less people and much cleaner. Holding a coffee and walking along Newbury St. with all its historic buildings would instantly put me in vacation mode. Now working in the area, I still enjoy taking a walk around the area whenever feeling stressful. The Back Bay area seems to have this magical power that makes me feel relaxed and free of stress.

Last April, the Back Bay area appeared in the national headlines for an unfortunate reason. But with the resiliency of the Bostonian, the area has recovered quickly from the tragedy. Fast-forward eleven months to today and you hardly notice any difference; the Back Bay area remains one of the most popular spots for tourists.

Spring break coming up in the next couple weeks, and if you choose to make Boston your spring break destination then huge round of applause to you as you are not one of those crowd-followers just looking to get drunk at a random beach. As you are special, how can you explore the Back Bay area without following the typical travel guide? Great question, just follow along for my itinerary and I am sure your experience in the Back Bay area will be memorable.

Itinerary:

1. Morning: Copley Square, Lunch at food trucks in the area 
2. Afternoon: Desert at Georgetown Cupcake/LA Burdick, the Paint Bar 
3. Evening: Dinner at the Salty Pig, drinks at Cactus

Morning:

If you are to visit the Back Bay area, Copley Square is one place you can’t miss, especially if you are into history and/or architecture. In the area, you will find Boston Public Library (the first large free municipal library in the United States), Trinity Church (birthplace and archetype of the Richardsonian Romanesque style), and the John Hancock Tower (a masterpiece of glass designed by Henry Cobb, associate of the great architect L.M. Pei). All of them are definitely worthy of your time to explore.

When the morning tour comes to an end, it’s lunch time! True that there are many great restaurants in the area, but I recommend you to try out the food trucks in the area. What’s more special than waiting in line for quick, but delicious bites? Okay, it’s not that special waiting in lines with a bunch of people getting out of work for a quick lunch, who just remind you work or school sucks (you may bump into me). But hey, it’s definitely a unique experience, and most important, the food tastes good. My personal favorites are Roxy’s Grilled Cheese, The Chicken and Rice Guys, and Bon Me, in that particular order. However, make sure you check their schedules as each food trunk has their own schedules for different days.

Green Muenster Melt from Roxy

Combo Platter from Chicken and Rice Guys

Afternoon:

If you have a sweet tooth, you will be ecstatic for the next part of the itinerary. I have two dessert shops to recommend for you to satisfy your craving of sweets. You can’t go wrong with either. Why not both, you ask? Sure, if you say so since you’ve had your share of walking to burn all those extra calories. I am not a guy that really appreciates desserts/sweets, but these two shops definitely won my heart.

Georgetown Cupcakes changed my view of cupcakes. I saw cupcakes as over-sweetened cream over a small piece of dry pastry. There was absolutely no reason to waste my share of stomach on the cupcake. Until one day someone brought a box of Georgetown Cupcakes to the office … and I have been hooked since. My personal favorites are Salted Caramel and Peanut Butter Fudge, but there are so many more options that can easily satisfy your special tastes.

LA Burdick is a chocolatier. I first went to their shop in Harvard Square, and I really loved it. When LA Burdick opened another shop near my company, I was happy because I could go there for a hot chocolate on occasion. As a guy who is not a fan of sweets, their hot chocolate is perfect as it’s so smooth and warming, while not making you drink ten cups of water afterwards.

Now that you sweet tooth is satisfied, it is time to stroll down Newbury St. to our next stop, the Paint Bar. Hold your horses with your “boos.” Painting may not be your thing, but it wasn’t mine either. I was so disappointed when I first found out we were going to the “Paint Bar” instead of doing “Paintball,” but the outing turned out to be fun and I really enjoyed it. Don’t worry if you suck at art, in here you will have step by step instruction on how to create a painting from the instructors, who are actually quite funny and nice. Plus, you can order beers while you are painting, so if you don’t like it, at least you can have a beer and make fun of your friends’ paintings. You can keep your painting after you finish, but please remember to reserve ahead of time as the shop has limited seating.

Not bad eh? You can do it!

Evening:

After the exhaustion of your art creativity in the afternoon, time for some more delicious food for dinner. As I mentioned, there are many great restaurants in the area … if you have a pocket full of cash to blow. Want to try something special but don’t want to spend a fortune? No problem! The Salty Pig on Dartmouth St. is what you are asking for. If you like charcuterie, this is the perfect place for you as you can make your own charcuterie. However, the pizza here is excellent as well. My personal favorite is the mushroom pizza with a sunnyside egg on top. It makes me hungry as I am writing. If still have energy for drinks, feel free to drop by at the Cactus Bar. It’s usually crowded with a bunch of college kids, but they serve some very good margaritas. A good margarita should conclude your packed, special day in the Back Bay.

Dennis Gao – Born and raised in China, I offer perspectives blended with my Asian root. I enjoy any unknown adventure, whether it means trying new restaurants, meeting strangers, or wandering in to undiscovered neighborhood of the city. I am too laid back to follow a plan and will rather allow my feeling to dictate what I would do on any given day.