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

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. 

Fort Point: An Innovative Itinerary?

Boston is growing, and part of that growth includes a push by the city to become a greater hub for innovation. Kendell gets a lot of attention on this front, with Microsoft, Google, and now Twitter opening up offices.  But Boston proper is also involved, and it’s pushing the Fort Point neighborhood as the city’s “official” innovation center.  It’s even gone out of its way to christen Fort Point as the “Innovation District,” so you know it’s true.

Fort Point is a subsection of the larger Seaport District, all of which has a lot going on these days.  No longer just the shitty part of town with ample parking, the Seaport District has quickly developed into a cool mix of start-ups and happening bars nestled between classic brick buildings and modern skyscrapers. Truly innovative. Home to museums, parks, fine dining, my dentist, and the best post office in the whole city, there are plenty of things to do here.  Here we go!

Itinerary:

1. Morning: Boston Tea Party Museum
2. Afternoon: Lunch at Lucky’s Lounge, followed by a brewery tour at Harpoon
3. Evening: A nice seafood dinner, then drinks at … Drink 

Morning: Tea Party

Everyone knows that the Boston Tea Party took place in Boston, but do you know where?  You can probably guess with reasonable certainty that it was in Fort Point, and you’d be right. High five. Of course, back then it wasn’t called Fort Point – the event took place at what was formally known as Griffins Wharf.  That wharf no longer exists, but a museum fully dedicated to this celebrated act of vandalism has been built near that former location.

The obvious question everyone asks when they hear about the Boston Tea Party is,
“how many fish were killed by this senseless act?”  No one at the museum answered my question when I went this past weekend, so I can’t tell you.  But I did learn lots of other interesting facts during my trip, including the fact that George Washington condemned the Boston Tea Party when it occurred.  Psh, what does he know.

The Beaver

Open seven days a week, museum tours run every 30 minutes, starting at 10:00 am.  Tickets cost $25.00, but Massachusetts residents receive free admission when accompanied by an adult guest who has purchased a regular price ticket.  All you need to do is a.) find a friend, then b.) signup for and print your free hometown pass prior to going.

Afternoon: Lunch and Beers

If you’re anything like me, you’re probably famished after throwing all that tea overboard and while screaming “Huzzah” and frightening children with your over-exuberance for history. Time for lunch.

There are a lot of places around here to eat here, but since we’re looking for a quick bite at a reasonable price, I’m going to throw in Lucky’s Lounge as my recommendation.  You’re probably thinking, “hey, isn’t Lucky’s that bar that’s impossible to find on Congress street?”  Sure is!  Often mistaken for an entrance to a crack den, Lucky’s is a cool bar that also serves up a fine lunch.  Once you’ve managed to find the place, sit yourself in one of their casual booths on the near side of the restaurant (I prefer this brighter area to the darker part of the restaurant) and order a pulled pork sandwich and whatever’s on their rotating tap.

Yeah … it’s somewhere in there.

Did those lunchtime beers whet your whistle for more beer? Then get ready for a powerwalk, because we’re heading to Harpoon Brewery for a tour.  It’s about a mile away, so I suppose you could cab it over if you’re lazy.  Or, you can get ALL FANCY and green on everyone and rent a HubWay bike.  Just keep in mind that you’re going to be drinking, and nobody likes a drunk bicyclist.

The Harpoon Brewery tour is a good time, but the real reason to come to here is for their beautiful new beer hall. I’ve been back a few times since it opened last year, and always have a good time. They keep it simple here, with a long bar in the center and plain wooden picnic tables surrounding it. Bartenders here are the brewers themselves, so you’ll see the guy who just poured your draft run over after to operate the keg machine.  Lots of great beer is available (so long as you like Harpoon), but the food selection is pretty limited (I hope you like pretzels!).  You can even mix-and-match here: order a “Storm Trooper” and they’ll serve you a mix of Harpoon’s Leviathan IPA and their UFO White.

Harpoon’s Beer Hall

Evening: Dinner and Drink

Where to eat now that you’ve spent the afternoon imbibing?  Again, there are tons of places you could eat around here, but since we’re by the water I think it’s time to get some seafood.  There are several pricier places in the area, but you can get a decent bite to eat at the reasonably priced Yankee Lobster Company, which just so happens to be right next door to the Harpoon Brewery.  You could also walk a little further down Northern Ave. and check out Legal Harborside, located in a much nicer building (with a water view!) than Yankee Lobster Company.

Enough with the food review – it’s time to wrap this itinerary up with a drink.  Like in my Fenway itinerary, we’re going to end this evening with cocktails.  We’re heading back towards Lucky’s, but this time we’re going across the street to the famous mixologist destination: Drink.  Drink is a very cool establishment – the whole schtick here is they have no cocktail menus, and display no alcohol behind the bar. Instead, you’re expected to speak with the bartender (oops, sorry, mixologist), tell them the flavors and spirit bases you enjoy, and then they will make you something based off their interpretations.   You can, of course, request a specific drink but that’s not as fun as discovering something new.

Drinks at Drink

Come early or be prepared to wait.  There is no cover charge, and while I generally refuse to wait in line this is one of those places where I’ll make an exception.  I’ll do that for a bar that was a finalist for “World’s Best Cocktail Bar” at this year’s Tales of the Cocktail.

Anything you would have done differently if you were writing a one-day itinerary for Seaport / Fort Point?  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.

ALLSTON/BRIGHTON: ALL BRIGHT IN A COLD WINTER DAY

Speaking of Allston/Brighton, what’s the first thing that came to your mind? The old apartments filled with drunk college students, or the fucking B line that you have to squeeze yourself like the sardine in a can just to get in? Damn right, that’s what I experience every day as a Allston/Brighton resident. But seriously, there’s the quiet and relax side of Allston/Brighton that I am going to show you. When I am exploring a city that I have no knowledge about, I like to hop on a subway or a bus and get off whenever I feel like, I will do the same for my trip to Brighton. Make sure you have a daily T-pass, or you are in for some serious walking.

Itinerary:
1. Late Morning: Lunch at Seoul Soulongtang @ Harvard Avenue
2. Afternoon: Jogging at Chestnut Hill Reservoir/Visit of Historic Boston College Campus @ Chestnut Hill Avenue
3. Evening: Dinner at Ittoku @ Warren Street

First Stop: Harvard Avenue

Harvard Avenue is at the heart of Allston/Brighton area. There are more than four thousand people hopping on and off the T in the Harvard Avenue station daily. There are also tons of restaurants in the area that creates the magnetic power to attract me here every week. According to my unofficial research (i.e. Counting), there are at least 50 restaurants in the walking distance of the Harvard Avenue Station, so there must be something you are craving for. Too many selections? Make up your mind already! No? Fine, I will give you a recommendation.

Seoul Soulongtang is one of the many Korean restaurants in the area, but it’s also one of the few that I would actually go back to after dining there once. Soulongtang is the Korean ox bones soup, so it’s pretty obvious soup is the signature dish of this place. For those who are allergic to options, this place is perfect for you. You choose one of the soups you want, tag on an entrée if you are hungry, then you are done! I always have their Galbitong and LA Galbi (BBQ short ribs) combo. As an Asian who always has soup before a meal, I really like the smooth taste of the soup. It’s so comforting that I feel like it resembles the soup my Mom makes for me. However, don’t forget to put salt, pepper, and scallion in the soup as they intentionally left them off so that you can customize the flavor of your soup. Their Galbi is awesome too as they are perfectly done and juicy. Every time when I finish my meal here I feel super satisfied, not only because of the high quality of food I just consumed, but also for the low price I pay for ($30ish for two).

Galbitong from Seoul Soulongtant

If you are an Aerosmith fan, you can stroll to 1325 Commonwealth Ave, the birthplace of their first song. In 2012, Aerosmith held an outdoor concert in front of their old apartment, which drew a big crowd to the area. You can be here to be inspired, and dream about being the next Steven Tyler or Joe Perry.

Second Stop: Chestnut Hill Avenue/Boston College

Now you are full and satisfied, it’s time to hop on the train again and make it to the next stop, Chestnut Hill Avenue. You can find the historic Chestnut Hill Reservoir in the area. I know, I know it’s freezing now, but if you are an advocate of a healthy style like me, this is a great place for you. There’s a 1.56 mile jogging loop surrounding the reservoir. In here, you don’t have to avoid all the pedestrians, stop for traffic night, or inhale all the unpleasant smell while running, just enjoy the relaxed scenic view of the reservoir. If that’s not enough, you can make your way to the nearby Boston College campus. BC is an intriguing place for you to visit if you are interested in architecture and history, as the BC main campus was added to the National Register of Historic Places. (As a BU student, it pains me to write good things about our arch rival in BC, so I just stop here before I become a hater and ruin the itinerary, you can explore the campus as you make your way there).

Beautiful Chestnut Hill Reservoir covered with snow

Third Stop: Warren Street

After an afternoon of walking/jogging, I bet you are hungry again. As you make your way back to the city, make a stop at Warren Street for a restaurant called Izakaya Ittoku. To help you better understand, izakaya is equivalent to a bar that Japanese would go to for Happy Hour after work. It serves sake (in Japan) and other exotic alcoholic drinks (in US), accompany with delicious food (grill meat!!!) I have been to a couple izakayas in NYC and really loved it so I am ecstatic when Ittoku opened as the first izakaya in Boston last November. Ittoku has a relatively large menu as it offers many selections that you will normally find in a Japanese restaurant. Of course you can order the usual suspects with the likes of sushi, sashimi, or ramen, but as an adventurer, I am a big fan of the Yakitori (grill meat) since not many restaurants in Boston have it. Drinking the warm sake, while enjoying the grilled meat melt in your mouth, that’s the perfect way to end your day in Allston/Brighton.

Yakitori in Ittoku, yum!

What? I can’t believe you don’t have enough fun following my itinerary. Oh, my itinerary is too healthy for you, and you didn’t have enough alcohol, just like you will find in James’ itinerary? Okay, I will leave that to my colleagues so that they can introduce awesome bars in the area. But hey, this is Allston/Brighton, a diverse neighborhood with a lot of hidden gems. You will definitely be able to find one itinerary that suits your style.

Dennis Gao – Born and raised in China, I offered 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. 

You’re invited …. to meet the Party of 6.

Welcome to Boston, Party of Six!  We’re excited to kick off this new blogging project, offering you a unique go-to guide to the many different neighborhoods of Boston.

We recognize that everyone has different tastes and there is no such thing as a “one-size-fits-all” itinerary.  Variety is the spice of life, and that’s why we’re aiming to provide our readers with a variety of choices when it comes to exploring Boston.

While we do hold some commonalities (we’re young business professionals, have a similar budget, live in Boston, etc.) the six writers of this blog embrace our different tastes and preferences, and want to pass along our unique voices to each of you.

Every week, we’ll post our own reviews and perspectives on different areas of Boston and provide one-day itineraries based off our tastes.  We encourage you to check back regularly – we’ll add new itineraries to each neighborhood throughout the year.  Spend some time getting to know each writer, and soon it’ll be easy to mix and match a day plan that’s right for you.

Have ideas or suggestions on how we can improve our blog?  Are there neighborhoods in Boston you’re eager to get our take on?  Feel free to contact us via email (bospartyof6@gmail.com), or follow us on Twitter (@BOSParty6).