Charlestown: Cops, Robbers, Beer, Boats and Historic Pub Food

Well, it’s been a minute since I took you on a trip through Boston. I’d apologize, but my friends have done a pretty great job in my absence. And while they’ve been doing that, I’ve been… well… busy with other things.

(Not really me. But! Like… it might as well be. So… yeah.)

Yes. My back pretty much went on strike for a few weeks. But, now that I’m up and around, I’m ready to put on my (soft-souled, back-protecting, shock-absorbing) tour guide shoes and hit up an area that’s not technically Boston but deserves a shout out here at BP6.

Today, we’re goin’ to Charlestown.

Itinerary:

Morning: Sleep In
Noon: Lunch at Warren Tavern
Afternoon: Historical stuff at USS Constitution
Evening: Dinner at Papagayo
Late Night: Drinks at Tavern at the End of the World

Now, a lot of people know Charlestown from that Ben Affleck movie with Gossip Girl and those bank robbing nuns who get chased around by Don Draper.

(Some nuns use a ruler, others use an assault rifle with a silencer.)

(If all FBI agents looked like Jon Hamm, I’d probably rob a lot of banks just to get his attention.)

But, these days, Charlestown is less of a crime den and more of a family-friendly destination where you can get a lot of history and some of the best pub food on the planet.

Just because I’m me and I do what I do, morning’s are still reserved for my bed and – eventually – a short amble over to Dunkin’ for my morning coffee. But, once I’m up and around, our first stop is lunch at Warren Tavern.

Now, the place offers up a whole bunch of historical stuff about the Revolutionary War and the Battle of Bunker Hill. But, for this slothful oaf, that’s just background noise. The real story here is the beer and the food.

As I said earlier, if you’re looking for great pub food and that perfect blend of dive bar and sit-down restaurant, this is your place. Stick around for a bit and have your fill of the local beers on tap.

(Pull up to the bar and drink your way through history.)

Once your belly’s full and your buzz is on, it’s time to walk it off. And, as the weather warms up, Charlestown is the perfect place to soak up the sun as you stroll over to another bit of history, the USS Constitution.

But, I’m going to be honest. While it is a sight to behold and you’ll definitely want to take a few photos for facebook and Instagram, I’m basically just using this as a pit stop between meals. So, once you’ve proven to your social network that you do sometimes do history-ish, learning kinda things, it’s time to grab dinner. And, after a day spent time traveling through Boston’s history, it’s time to leap straight into modernity at Papagayo.

Yeah, a Mexican restaurant may seem like a strange pick for a walking guide of Charlestown. But, when it comes to night life around this part of Boston, it’s the place everybody’s talking about. And going to. (Word to the wise: Get a reservation before you head over.) The food is out of this world. But, what they’re most famous for are their margaritas. Now, I’m not a huge fan of tequila (one bad experience in college = permanent place on my drinking shit list) but even I can tell these things are fantastic.

(Sorry. I drank it all before I remembered to get a picture. So, I ordered another one … and forgot again. Rinse. Repeat.)

And, once you’ve got your taste for the strong stuff, it just won’t feel right if you call it a night too soon. So, why not head over the perfect final destination for our trip: the Tavern at the End of the World.
(Note: The end of the world is kinda dimly lit.)

So, after a quick side trip to Mexico, we’re right back in true, Irish-Irish Charlestown at a bar that simultaneously feels intimate and open to everyone. Check out their beer selection and be sure to bring a designated driver because it’s one of the only place in Charlestown (or anywhere in Boston) that offers free parking to its customers.

And that’s my trip through one of the truly best kept secrets in Boston. Having just gone through a torturously long and brutal winter, we’re due for a bright, sunny summer. And once it finally shows up, do yourself a favor and take a trip through my itinerary.

Now, if you’ll excuse me, my back is killing me…

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

Back Bay – the neighborhood that has it all, Boston Marathon Finish line included

As earlier posts hinted, Back bay is one of the best areas in Boston for just about everything. It is a financial and commercial center that also embodies urban, well adjusted living. It is a fairly new neighborhood relative to the downtown/waterfront area but there are plenty of historic attractions, shopping and entertainment. I work in the Back Bay and a lot of my life, and my free time is spent here. Because it’s spring and the days have finally gotten longer, I can fit a lot more in the afternoons after work, so last Wednesday I set out to do a little exercising followed by much needed food and drinks with sweet friends.

Spring, at least for me, also marks the beginning of fundraising. It’s that time of the year when everyone you know is participating in some sort of event raising money for charities. On this occasion me and a couple girlfriends headed to Velo City for a spin class fundraiser benefiting Alzheimer’s

.

Spin specific studios became a craze in Boston sometime last year and places started popping up all around town, so naturally I had been wanting to jump on the bandwagon. The disclaimer to my following write up is that I strongly  dislike spinning despite loving biking.  I gave it many chances, but I am finally ready to admit that I will never be one of those intense and terrifically fit spin girls.

In an attempt to be objective, I think Velo city is a nice studio, and they are definitely amazing for helping out with fundraising efforts. The entrance is on the corner of Exeter and a public alley between Boylston and Newbury. On arrival the very friendly staff helped get us cleats which are included in the fee, and later on helped us with bike set up, etc. The girl who was teaching the class was an absolute machine, the music was so intense that I felt like dancing, especially when black lights came on. Despite all that fun, I felt claustrophobic, uncomfortable, and like my legs were out of control, so I was counting the minutes until the end of class. In hindsight, I would have felt like a bit of a hypocrite, giving up on one hour of unpleasant intense exercise when so many people with Alzheimer’s live with unimaginable hardship everyday. My friends really enjoyed it and are planning to go back. These studios have a very loyal following, so I encourage everyone to give it a try.

Coming out of the class we were all starving, so we walked into the closest restaurant that didn’t look packed. Last week was a very busy time of the year for Boston as thousands of marathon runners and their families inundated the city. Forum is on Boylston and was one of the businesses heavily affected by last year’s marathon bombings.They were closed for a long time for renovations and it is so nice to see them doing well. My friends and I went for a girly dinner which consists of individual multiple drinks and multiple appetizers to share.

Everything we split was delicious – fish tacos, mussels, duck ragoon and ahi tuna were followed by the Forum burger. The restaurant is large and roomy which helped with getting us seated right away.

They have a good selection of beers on tap and wines by the glass. Overall great atmosphere that is a little less pretentious than the next door restaurants.

 

I couldn’t write this up without mentioning the Boston Marathon: it is one of my absolute favorite days of the year. I could go on and tell you all the reasons why, but instead I invite you to experience it for yourself, and I am leaving you with a picture that embodies the relentless human strength and kindness that takes over the city on this beautiful day. 

This is my last post for our little blog experiment so I just wanted to give a quick shout out to all who have followed and supported us. Thank you!!! : ) 

 

 

North End – Eat. Drink. Laugh. A LOT.

The North End has everything I love, tons of Italian restaurants and bakeries, red wine and a comedy club. My itinerary will fill you up and make you laugh, just make sure to leave room for dessert!

Late Afternoon – Walk to the North End via Greenway or Waterfront
Evening – Dinner at Lucca followed by dessert at Mike’s Pastry
Late Night – Improv Asylum

Late Afternoon – Walk to the North End via Greenway or Waterfront

Beautiful view along the Greenway

Easily accessible by the green or orange line, the North End is a great place to walk around and check out the small shops and historic background. Now that the weather is starting to cooperate, take the train to South Station or Government Center and walk along the waterfront or through the Rose Kennedy Greenway on your way to the North End. You better get your exercise in now, because the rest of my itinerary will have you running to the gym in the morning.

Evening – Dinner at Lucca followed by dessert at Mike’s Pastry

Chocolate chip cannolis, my favorite!

I can honestly say that Italian food is my favorite type of food. There is nothing better than carbs soaked in garlic washed down with some red wine. When visiting the North End, a staple of mine is Lucca. It is one of the North End’s most popular restaurants.

After you have stopped stuffing your face with bread, olive oil and Lucca’s sweet potato ravioli, walk it off so you can truly enjoy what Mike’s Pastry’s has to offer. As mentioned in Mihaela’s post, yes, the long lines can be intimidating, however I always tell myself it is WELL worth the wait when you get that chocolate chip cannoli in your hands.

Some restaurants can be a mob scene (no pun intended) around dinner time in the North End. Be sure to plan ahead and make a reservation at Lucca so that you don’t have to wait forever!

Late Night – Improv Asylum

Be prepared to laugh!

I LOVE to laugh. Every once in a while I enjoy visiting one of Boston’s many comedy clubs, the Improv Asylum. It is located at the beginning of Hanover Street and whenever I am in the North End, I make sure to catch a show. The great thing about the Improv is the variety of shows and the times they offer. They conveniently have shows before & after dinner and even late night if you want to stumble in with a good buzz. The raunchy humor is not for everyone, but it is definitely worth adding to your North End agenda.

I hope you enjoyed my recommendations for an afternoon and evening in Boston’s historic North End. If you didn’t see something that would suite your interests, please reference Alex or Mihael’s posts for other great things to do in the area!

Ciao!

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.

FORT POINT – FOR LUNCH AND A BIKE RIDE : HUBWAY REVIEW

Now that the weather is nice out it seems like there is a whole new world of possibility in Boston. The entire city seems to be walking a little lighter and revisiting all their favorite spots. “Sunshine! That’s what you look like!”

My friend caught me on the bike !

With warmer weather comes the return of the Hubway bikes. Many large cities have now adopted the shared bike system. The system is usually a partnership between a sponsoring company and the cities government. I started using Hubway last year and I love it. You know something is working when everyone who uses it won’t stop talking about it and that is certainly the case with Hubway.

For $85 dollars a year you have unlimited use of the bikes and it is free for the first half hour of use. Plus you get a nifty pass to carry around and show your friends. As Boston is a small city you rarely use more than thirty minutes of ride time when getting from one place another. After a half hour there is a small fee hourly. If you are just visiting Boston or would like to try it out you can easily get a day pass which is well worth it on a sunny Saturday. Helmets are also available to rent at some locations.

Itinerary:

1. Bike To Fort Point
2. Grab Lunch: Flour, Bees Knees Supply Co, SweetGreen
3. Enjoy The Waterfront!

Fort Point (Also known as the Seaport or Innovation District) has been reviewed before on our little space of the internet here. This area is growing rapidly and it seems every week there is a new restaurant to visit.

What is the thing that tends to keep us away from the area? It’s really not easy to get to. No major trains go to Fort Point and the bus system to get there isn’t exactly easy. My suggestion now that the weather is nice? Hubway! There is easily a station near where you are staying in the city and all the bike lanes leading to fort point are well marked.

Last weekend I rode my Hubway from my nearby station in Charlestown to Fort Point to catch a cornhole tournament that fellow blogger Mihaela was hosting for MS. Mihaela and her fellow coworkers do the MS ride they do yearly as team Liams Lucky Charms. This all-day cornhole tournament helps the riders’ cause and gets the excitement going as their yearly bike ride across Massachusetts approaches.

Mihaela And I

On my way to the tournament I hopped on my Hubway to grab some lunch in Fort Point before I had about six coors lights and threw a few bean bags around.

I rode from the Charlestown Navy Yard to Congress Street Hubway Station in Fort Point, where I was greeted by many lunch options. These places are open on the weekends due to heavy tourist traffic from the Boston Tea Party Museum and the Childrens Museum. The three places in this area that I would recommend for lunch are: Flour Bakery, Bees Knees Supply Company, and the new addition of SweetGreens.

Flour: This popular spot by Joann Chang has been a staple in Boston for some time now. Be prepared to wait in line and fight for your person space, but rest assured it’s well worth the wait. The ingredients are always fresh and if you are looking for your carb fix or a delicious baked treat, this is the place to be in Boston. Skip the Cannolis at Mike’s and head straight to the sticky buns and cookies at Flour.

For Lunch at Flour, my go-to item is the curry tuna salad sandwich. It’s something I crave and on summer days I often walk from my office in the Financial District to Fort Point.

 

Bees Knees Supply Company: This was the option I chose last Saturday and I was NOT sorry I did. I have to be honest, the service is lacking here. But they make up for it by never having a line and having delicious sandwiches. They also sell fine foods and have an extensive wine selection.

On Saturday I chose the “Porky Fig.” This sandwich is huge so I would recommend splitting it or saving half for later. It was, however, delicious and really hit the spot. I mean … French butter and goat Gouda? You really couldn’t go wrong here.

Sweet Green:

This natural foods chain from Washington, DC but has just made its way up to Boston. The line tends to be out the door at lunch (noticing a theme here?).  The good thing is you can call ahead or order online in order to avoid the wait. All of the salads are delicious and the calories are listed next to each one for those who are counting. You also have the option to create your own. My favorite is the spicy sabzi! Everything is better with Sriracha.

 

Grab some food and walk around to enjoy the beautiful waterfront and catch some sunshine on a bench or on one of the outdoor tables the restaurants have!

 

 

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

 

 

 

 

Fenway: A Less Intense Way to Spend a Game Day

   

Ahhhhh, April! There are so many things to celebrate in the month, the long winter is over, the overdue spring is finally here, the Patriot’s day is coming (a day off for me!), and more importantly, baseball is back! Never been to the Fenway Park before, and wondering how to spend a day in the Fenway neighborhood on a game day? No worries, we are here to help! You can refer to Alex’s blog post for his take on spending a day in the neighborhood, or you can scroll no more for my itinerary tailor-made for a Red Sox game. Let’s go!

How to get there: Take green line B, C, D to Kenmore station, or green line D to Fen way station. Fenway Park is steps away from either station

Itinerary:

Afternoon: Drink at Boston Beer Works, Red Sox game at Fenway Park

Evening: Dinner at Eastern Standard

Afternoon: 

To be completely honest, going to the Red Sox game on weeknights is a hassle. Between having to get out of work early, to fighting through seas of people to get on the stuffed green line, and to have to rush out of the gate as soon as the game is over so that you can arrive home before midnight, nothing screams fun going to a Red Sox game. That’s why I enjoy the matinée game on the weekends much more. For me, going to a game is more than just to watch a game, it’s an experience, which should be fun, relax and enjoyable. A weekend day game offers me the opportunity to stop by at one of my favorite bars in the Fenway area (other than Cornwall’s of course) – Boston Beer Works, before getting into Fenway Park. Boston Beer Works offer great selections of beers. The bartenders here are super friendly and knowledgeable about their beers. If you are not sure what to get, no problem! They will let you sample their beers, and make suggestions to satisfy you needs.

    

After getting a couple awesome drinks, it’s time to get in the park before the game starts. If you have time, feel free to roam around the most historic ballpark in the United States. What to do if you are hungry, and you are tired of Fenway Franks or really enjoyed the Tasty Burger recommendation when you read Alex’s post? No worries, Tasty Burgers agreed to a deal with Red Sox this year to become the official burger of the Boston Red Sox, and now there’s a concession stand in the third base deck.

Tasty Burger from Red Sox Facebook Page

Once you are settled down and find your seat, just sit back and relax. Enjoy watching the Sox destroy their opponents.

Evening:

After an entertaining game that results another Red Sox W, you can stay around the area for a bit and get ready for dinner instead of having to catch for the last train to get home. Eastern Standard will be my recommendation. I went to BU for both of my undergrad and MBA, you would think I have been to Eastern Standard for like a million times, but no, I actually didn’t go to the restaurant for the first time until last year. And yes, I went right after a Sox game (the game they clinched American East). Upon my first visit, I soon had my second and third visit and fell in love with it. They have some creative cocktail menu, as well as variety of beer/wine selections. More importantly, they have some delicious and creative dishes. My personal favorite is the Roasted Bone Marrow. Putting the bone marrow on top of the toasted bread, and have it melt in my mouth is just as satisfying as seeing the Red Sox win. The restaurant is usually packed, especially after the Sox game, so make sure you make your reservation ahead of time. If you are lucky, you may be able to bump into a couple Red Sox players there.

Yummm. 

 

That should conclude a packed while relax and enjoyable Red Sox game day, how do you like my recommendations? Let me know in the comments section below.

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. 

Southie: Home of the best Pierogies in Boston

Much like the North End and its large Italian population, people often associate South Boston with its Irish population.  But the neighborhood is actually made up of a great many different groups, including what was once a sizable Polish community.  In fact, the area between Boston Street, Dorchester Avenue and Columbia road is known as the Polish Triangle.  While the population is declining (as this well-written piece in the Boston Globe covers), evidence of the Polish community still exists throughout the area.

My great-grandparents were married at Our Lady of Czestochowa church back in the early 1900s.  At that time the Polish community in South Boston and Dorchester was quite large, and it would grow even larger as immigrants from Poland moved as a result of World War II and during the Solidarity movement.

Many of the younger generation has since moved on to cities like Randolph and Stoughton, but during the holidays hundreds of families return to the area to celebrate (in large part because Our Lady is the only church in the Boston area that offers daily mass in Polish).  With Poles ready to get their Easter on, the Polish Triangle is ready to once again serve as the destination for the Polish community to congregate in the Boston area.

It’s also where I chose to start this next itinerary…

Itinerary:

Afternoon: Lunch at Café Polonia, then explore Dorchester Heights
Evening: Dinner and Cocktails at Franklin Southie

 

Cafe Polonia

Afternoon:  Lunch at Café Polonia

Located just a few minutes from the Andrew Square T stop is Café Polonia, one of the few Polish restaurants in Boston.  Started by the same family that owns the Baltic European Deli across the street, this is the place to go for homemade Polish fare.

So, what should one order when at Café Polonia?  What is traditional Polish cuisine, even?  It’s certainly not Coconut Shrimp, which has somehow found its way onto the Café Polonia menu. But besides that little hiccup, this is a pretty authentic menu as far as I can see.

Poland may not have the same culinary reputation that other groups have, but they’ve done their part to make my stomach happy! Kielbasa, pierogies, and barszcz are all crowd favorites, and of course the crowning achievement of Polish cuisine is the invention of vodka.  Vodka is an aggressive choice for lunch, so let’s kick things off with a Polish brew.  Café Polonia place has several different offerings, from Zywiec to Tyskie and Okocim. In Poland the ladies will often get a shot of raspberry syrup in their beers – it’s an off-menu request, but they’ll serve it here too.

Mmm…

Soup is a big part of Polish cuisine.  While barszcz is as delicious as it’s hard to pronounce, I’d recommend checking out the soups of the day to see what they offer.  When I went most recently they had a great mushroom soup.

For the main entrée I go with my favorite – pierogies.  These little dumplings are served with many different stuffings – meat, cheese and potato, sweet cheese, mushroom and cabbage, etc.  I went with half meat, half sweet cheese. Served with onions and sour cream, this lunch hits the spot and is a great introduction to Polish cuisine.

Get in my belly!

 

About a 15 minute walk from Café Polonia is Dorchester Heights.  Why call this place Dorchester Heights if it’s located in Southie?  Dorchester used to be a lot bigger than it is today (which is saying something, considering Dot is the biggest neighborhood in Boston), and at one point Dorchester Heights was in Dorchester.

Dorchester Heights – come for the view!

Great, so what is this place and why should you go?  This is a location of historical significance that doesn’t get the same attention as other locations on the Freedom Trail.  There is a monument here (designed by the same firm that created the Custom House Tower in Boston) commemorating the role the area played in the Revolutionary War.

It was at this location (one of the highest natural geographic locations in Boston) that revolutionary troops gathered and occupied after the defeat of Bunker Hill, where they were able to regroup and build fortifications that forced British Troops to eventually withdraw from the city. That’s a BFD, no?

So, if you’re looking for a new place to visit, this is a beautiful park to walk around and explore on a nice day.

Evening: Dinner and drinks at Franklin Southie

If you haven’t noticed a trend yet, I enjoy a good drink.  I’ve tried to incorporate a good cocktail destination in each of my posts, and I was looking to continue that trend here.  I had heard good things about Franklin Southie but hadn’t had a chance to visit until last night. Being just a five minute drive from Dorchester Heights, I decided to give it a try.  I’m glad I did.

While the cocktails here may not be the same mixologist-level quality of other places I’ve recently reviewed, the drinks are tasty and bar is worthy of a visit.  They offer their own infusions, and provide a good selection of beers on tap.  While I did not have an opportunity to try any of the food here, what was coming out of the kitchen looked delicious (including their very own pig roast!).  With great ambiance, a fun vibe and what looks like outdoor patio space, I plan to come here in the future.

The bar at Franklin Southie

 

So, what did you think? What would you have done differently if you were writing a one-day itinerary for the Southie? 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.

Harvard Square: A small escape to the Beat Hotel

 

I have a special place in my heart for Harvard Square. When I came to Boston for my undergrad (NOT Harvard) as an immigrant from Romania, I knew nothing about Beantown, that I hadn’t learned from TV. To my young, ignorant self, this was the legendary city of Ally McBeal, Cheers and Harvard. So the day after I landed in Boston, my first exploratory trip of many to come, was to venture out on the red line to the Harvard stop.

I was trying to think back and cannot remember all the places I went to on that first trip, but there are 3 places that I have consistently visited on almost every occasion since: Harvard COOP (the university bookstore), Leavitt & Peirce Inc. (a tobacco store that carries stuff you just can’t find anymore) and the Harvard Yard. Over the years I added new favorites, like Cardullo’s (a nice fine & imported foods shop across the street from the train station exit), and Tealuxe (which is the original tea shop in the city to offer loose tea and boba tea, to my recollection). Honestly, there is so much stuff to do and see in Harvard square, that I just invite everyone reading this to create their own experience. There is a brewery (John Harvard), an amazing burger place that seems so out of place (Mr Bartley’s), one of the best jazz clubs in the city (Regatta Bar).

In the summer they have a Farmer’s market, live performances of every type in “The Pit” (area above the train station exit, by the newsstand. Tracey Chapman, among others, is known to have performed here during her college days), and you can’t miss the chess games on display in front of Au Bon Pain. I can keep going with examples, but will stop after this last one: there is even an IHOP that has been a fixture for as long as I can remember, and if you are thinking “well what’s the big deal about an IHOP, they are everywhere?” I have to say, it is a rarity in Boston, and this is the only one you can get to without having to drive.

To this day, Harvard square is where I go to clear my head when I freak out about my dependable, predictable, mundane life. It is refreshing, inspiring and full of cultural diversity.

But I digress, I am actually here to tell you about a newish spot I tried recently. For those of you who know the area, The Beat Hotel replaced the Tannery, underneath the COOP. If you are new to Cambridge, and are trying to find the restaurant, you have to pay close attention because the signage is not at all that evident. It is slightly underground but is in a very large and impressive space.

  

It has 2 long bars and a lot of seating room. The walls are painted by local artists, very bohemian and almost makes me feel like I am in New York. We went for Jazz brunch, managed to score seats at the bar right next to the band, and without a reservation. The 1st thing I instantly loved about the atmosphere, besides the 2 bars, was the fact that the noise and the music, although present, were just in the background, We could hear it all clearly but yet still carry a conversation without yelling. Again for people who are local, this is a sister restaurant of the Beehive, a south end favorite. I only say that to give an idea about the eclectic and comfort oriented menu. I got the mussels and a side of fries, my companions ordered the eggs benedict, and we were all very happy with our choices.

The last great thing I have to mention is their drink menu, from creative cocktails to a great selection of beers and most of all, their selection of organic and biodynamic wines on tap, this place has any foodie & winey (not a real word, but you know what i mean) covered. If it wasn’t for the fact that I am dying to try Alden & Harlow, I would be back at the Beat Hotel this upcoming weekend.

Happy Spring and please feel free to tell us about your ideas for a great day in Harvard Square!

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.