Chocolate, Cheese, and the Library!

This weekend was pretty much a mash up of fun city things!

On Saturday JO and I hit up the Chocolate Festival in Harvard Square. In keeping with this winter, it was absolutely beautiful out. We completed the chocolate scavenger hunt. It was fun to put our Harvard Square knowledge to good use. I've never been in LA Burdick Chocolate Shop before, a crime for sure. It's so cute in there and it smells absolutely delicious. Since we were on the scavenger hunt we got a free chocolate penguin.

After the scavenger hunt we decided to have lunch at Wagamma. I love this place! Great noodles, great soup, great everything! Lately we've been sitting in the window seats which give you a great view of the busy street. We headed back to center of the square for the chocolate tasting but by the time we got there the line was huge! We learned our lesson and will definitely head to the tasting early next year.

It had been a while since we had been in the Square and it felt good to walk around and take in all the sights. We headed home to prepare for our annual cheese fest. Last year we barely managed to get Cheese Fest in between snow storms. This year was much less stressful. It's always fun to see good friends...and who doesn't love cheese and wine!

On Sunday I spent the day with a good friend. We headed to the Prudential Center to visit the Skywalk Observatory. Before riding the elevator up 50+ floors we decided to have lunch at Wagamma (twice in the same weekend...score me!) I absolutely love the view from the Skywalk. You get a complete 360 view of the city. My Boston geography keeps improving :-)

After the tour we decided to walk around and grab dessert. Our wanderings led us to the Boston Public Library. I had never been in the library before so we decided to take a look around. Breathtaking is the only way to describe this beautiful building. I'll definitely be going back!

We ended up at the Met Bar. I came here a few weeks ago and really enjoyed the upstairs lounge. Lucky for us there was a table free so we grabbed it. Despite the slow service, the desserts were delicious. I got spiced donuts with chocolate mousse. I'm not usually a donut person but these were delicious.

I love the fact that I can share my great city with great friends!

Out and About

The last few weekends have been filled with fun city outings, just the way I like them!

Last weekend we hit up Trina's Starlite Lounge...shocking huh? This place is becoming our go to restaurant in the neighborhood. We almost went there for a dinner earlier this week after seeing a picture of the blue plate special on Facebook. I love everything about this restaurant. I especially love that we've been going there so often that the waitstaff recognizes us and gives us the "neighborhood" treatment.

It snowed all day Saturday, which I wasn't too thrilled about. We did enjoy watching people slip and slide on the snowy sidewalk. Luckily, the snow didn't prevent our friend's birthday festivities that night. We started at Woodward at the Ames Hotel. My good friend and I started our "Day of Fun" last year by having lunch on the patio here. I do have a certain affinity for hotel bars so I was glad my friend decided to start the evening here. I would say it's a cross between the Last Hurrah and the Bar at 9 Zero. It was very quiet and relaxed, which I enjoyed. The decor was a bit too black, brown, and white for me but other than that no complaints. I loved the view out the windows. It's certainly a place to go back too. I was surprised at how few people were there, but maybe that had to do with the weather.

After drinks we headed over to Anthem in Faneuil Hall. We had gone here last summer for another friend's birthday and it had been a really fun evening so I was looking forward to a return trip. I love that this place has none of the "young, ridiculousness" of most Faneuil Hall destinations. The decor and lighting set the mood for a fun, sophisticated evening. I have to say I have two favorites here- the appetizers and the champagne cocktail. The appetizers are so amazing. The crab cake is out of this world. Even the arugala salad on that plate was mouthwatering. We also had the tacos and homemade chips and both were super! The champagne cocktail is probably my favorite in the city. I don't know what their secret.

Of course, when the evening was over I was lucky enough to just have to jump in a cab and head across the river. I am really so lucky to live in Cambridge, so close to so many things.

On Sunday we decided to meet up with friends at their apartment in Boston to watch the Patriots game (we're going to the Ship!) I was in what I call an "Erghhy!" mood. Between the snow and a nightmare trip to the grocery store I was just grumpy. We were debating about how to get to our friends' place since parking can be tough in their neighborhood. In the end we decided to walk there which didn't do much to change my mood, or so I thought. By the end of the game I was pretty happy and not just because of the outcome. I felt so liberated that I could walk into Boston, hang out with amazing friends that 5 years ago I didn't even know, and take in the great view from the Mass Ave. bridge.

I am truly lucky to live in Cambridge! And yes, you read that right! I am lucky!!! I consider it a privilege and I'm not about to waste it!

City Happenings

As usual, it's been pretty busy around here. I keep waiting for things to slow down, but that doesn't seem to be happening any time soon. That being said, we've managed to squeeze in some fun city outings.

We've been really lucky this year with the winter weather. Despite the current arctic freeze we're in most days have been really manageable. Last weekend was so warm, close to 60, that JO and I were able to go for a run to Kendall Square. It seems like every time we go to Kendall Square a new restaurant is opening up. In fact, earlier this year Boston Magazine said the best new Boston restaurants are actually in Kendall Square. I really want to try Catalyst, Kika Tapas, and Mead Hall.

After our run we headed over to Parlor Sports to watch the UConn vs. Notre Dame game. Parlor Sports is part of Trina's Starlite Lounge. Earlier this year they renovated the back half of their restaurant and turned it into a sports bar. Parlor Sports features some great menu items from Trina's (like the chili) along with their own bar food creations. When we showed up it was really crowded but they were nice enough to put the game on one of the tvs. We've been here a few times and we have really enjoyed ourselves each time. The bartenders are really friendly and were very sympathetic to us when my Huskies lost the game in overtime.

Friday night, despite the frigid temperatures, we met up with a few of our friends for a low key night out in Boston. We tried to get a table at Eastern Standard but it was way too crowded so we ended up walking all the way down Newbury Street. Lucky for me I had my "full puff" down jacket on so the walk was manageable. We ended up at Met Bar in their upstairs lounge area. We really had a good time. I loved how low key this lounge was. We could actually have a conversation...it must be my old age setting in but I love that it wasn't too loud.