The famous Mike's Pastry, of the North End, is moving across the river to Dunster Street in Harvard Square! This should be very interesting!
Monday, June 30, 2014
So This is Happening
The famous Mike's Pastry, of the North End, is moving across the river to Dunster Street in Harvard Square! This should be very interesting!
Freedom Run 5K
My back healed up just in time for me to run in Cambridge 5k's Freedom Run. Originally, I wasn't going to do this race because it was in June and I was very nervous about the weather. Then I saw the route, which ran right through Inman, and I figured I should do it or I would get stuck in the traffic :-)
The Cambridge 5k race series is great. It's really well organized, with a bag check, and after party. This race began and ended at the Galleria which was an added bonus- real bathrooms, easy to run errands afterwards, and a food court.
I hadn't been able run for an entire month so I was pretty nervous about running the race. I think knowing the race route really helped me and I was able to pace myself pretty well. It was so fun to run down Hampshire Street, past the fire house, and back down Cambridge Street through the Inman Square bubbles.
After finishing the race we were all eager to hit up the after party. There was a DJ, local breweries, and hot dogs. It was a great way to spend a Sunday!
We already signed up for three more races in the fall!
The Cambridge 5k race series is great. It's really well organized, with a bag check, and after party. This race began and ended at the Galleria which was an added bonus- real bathrooms, easy to run errands afterwards, and a food court.
I hadn't been able run for an entire month so I was pretty nervous about running the race. I think knowing the race route really helped me and I was able to pace myself pretty well. It was so fun to run down Hampshire Street, past the fire house, and back down Cambridge Street through the Inman Square bubbles. After finishing the race we were all eager to hit up the after party. There was a DJ, local breweries, and hot dogs. It was a great way to spend a Sunday!
We already signed up for three more races in the fall!
Inman Square Tuba Man
Yes, Inman Square has a Tuba Man.
He walks around the Square, playing his tuba. I kind of love it!
He walks around the Square, playing his tuba. I kind of love it!
Memorial Day Weekend- Kendall, Brick and Mortar, First Printer, Park, Croquet, and Toscano's
I felt like I limped into Memorial Day Weekend. School wasn't showing signs of slowing down and we had some apartment stuff taking up a lot of our free time. All I dreamed of for Friday night was going to bed early after staying at work until 5:00. That all changed once I got home and the reality of a three day weekend set in. JO and I both decided that seafood seemed fitting for the start of Memorial Day weekend so we headed over to the Legal Seafoods in Kendall Square.
Before we got there though, we couldn't help but stop at the Kendall Hotel for a pre-dinner drink. The Kendall Hotel is such a special place for us- it's where we got engaged and where we stayed for our wedding. We were really curious about the renovations they had mentioned on their Facebook page and were pleasantly pleased with the updates. We both worried that they had changed from historic and eclectic to some kind of modern look but they hadn't...phew! We enjoyed sitting at the small bar and reminiscing about all of our happy memories there.
After drinks we headed over to Legals. Although we try to avoid chain restaurants you can't go wrong with Legals. It was pretty crowded, but the service and food were great. I love steamers and happily enjoyed the presentation in a silver bucket.
Saturday was spent doing some school work before we met up with friends at Brick and Mortar in Central Square. I've been wanting to trying this place for a long time, ever since it was mentioned as one of the top 50 bars in the country. There is no sign on the door, and if you didn't know better you would think you were walking upstairs into someone's apartment. The space isn't huge, but it's not small either. It's all exposed brick with arched windows covered in ironwork that offer views of Boston and Central. Everything about the interior is perfect. They also play some great 80s/90s music which only adds to the experience.
Brick and Mortar is a lot like Drink in the Seaport area. They have a few drinks on the menu but it's more of an improv bar. You tell the bartender what you want, or what flavors/liquors you want and they will whip something up for you. I wasn't too adventurous, opting for a simple margarita but it was delicious! (Incidentally, I went again a few weeks later, and had them make me a gin/prosecco/grapefruit juice concoction and it was great.) Also, the food is phenomenal. Again there aren't many choices but the fried oyster po' boy sandwich was amazing and the burger might just make you never eat a burger anywhere else. We also sampled the clam dish and that was so good that I've been thinking of going back just to order it again. The only downfalls- the music can get a bit loud and it really fills in. Towards the end of the night it was so crowded I had trouble making my way to the back of the space to use the restroom. These two things aside, this is definitely a great place and I can understand why it made the top 50 list.
The next night the city living continued with dinner at First Printer and drinks at Park with some great friends. First Printer is always almost empty and I really can't figure it out. The food is pretty good and the drinks are also very good (with the exception of the lemon drink- way too acidic and way too much lemon zest.) A while ago it was rumored to be closing, but I didn't see any signs of that when we were there. We had fun catching up, it had been a while since the four of us had been out together.
After dinner, we decided to grab a drink at Park. It was surprisingly crowded but we managed to grab three seats at the bar. Park is really a great restaurant. I love how there are different "areas"- the front bar, the back bar, the back dining room, and the side dining room. The bar area that we were at was very lively and definitely makes you feel like you are in the city.
The next morning we headed over to Comm Ave. to play croquet. Yes, you read that right. JO and I didn't dress up but our friends have "croquet" outfits featuring three piece corduroy suits, fancy hats, and suspenders. A couple people even stopped and took pictures of us. It was a really fun way to start the morning.
I missed the end of the game because I had to head over to Harvard Square to grab lunch at Toscano's with a school friend. We got a great table right by the window and the food was delicious, as always. Toscano's is definitely one of those restaurants you can always count on. The lunch prices are really good.
All in all, it was an excellent Memorial Day weekend filled with lots of city fun...just the way it should be!
Before we got there though, we couldn't help but stop at the Kendall Hotel for a pre-dinner drink. The Kendall Hotel is such a special place for us- it's where we got engaged and where we stayed for our wedding. We were really curious about the renovations they had mentioned on their Facebook page and were pleasantly pleased with the updates. We both worried that they had changed from historic and eclectic to some kind of modern look but they hadn't...phew! We enjoyed sitting at the small bar and reminiscing about all of our happy memories there.
After drinks we headed over to Legals. Although we try to avoid chain restaurants you can't go wrong with Legals. It was pretty crowded, but the service and food were great. I love steamers and happily enjoyed the presentation in a silver bucket.
Saturday was spent doing some school work before we met up with friends at Brick and Mortar in Central Square. I've been wanting to trying this place for a long time, ever since it was mentioned as one of the top 50 bars in the country. There is no sign on the door, and if you didn't know better you would think you were walking upstairs into someone's apartment. The space isn't huge, but it's not small either. It's all exposed brick with arched windows covered in ironwork that offer views of Boston and Central. Everything about the interior is perfect. They also play some great 80s/90s music which only adds to the experience.
Brick and Mortar is a lot like Drink in the Seaport area. They have a few drinks on the menu but it's more of an improv bar. You tell the bartender what you want, or what flavors/liquors you want and they will whip something up for you. I wasn't too adventurous, opting for a simple margarita but it was delicious! (Incidentally, I went again a few weeks later, and had them make me a gin/prosecco/grapefruit juice concoction and it was great.) Also, the food is phenomenal. Again there aren't many choices but the fried oyster po' boy sandwich was amazing and the burger might just make you never eat a burger anywhere else. We also sampled the clam dish and that was so good that I've been thinking of going back just to order it again. The only downfalls- the music can get a bit loud and it really fills in. Towards the end of the night it was so crowded I had trouble making my way to the back of the space to use the restroom. These two things aside, this is definitely a great place and I can understand why it made the top 50 list.
The next night the city living continued with dinner at First Printer and drinks at Park with some great friends. First Printer is always almost empty and I really can't figure it out. The food is pretty good and the drinks are also very good (with the exception of the lemon drink- way too acidic and way too much lemon zest.) A while ago it was rumored to be closing, but I didn't see any signs of that when we were there. We had fun catching up, it had been a while since the four of us had been out together.
After dinner, we decided to grab a drink at Park. It was surprisingly crowded but we managed to grab three seats at the bar. Park is really a great restaurant. I love how there are different "areas"- the front bar, the back bar, the back dining room, and the side dining room. The bar area that we were at was very lively and definitely makes you feel like you are in the city.
The next morning we headed over to Comm Ave. to play croquet. Yes, you read that right. JO and I didn't dress up but our friends have "croquet" outfits featuring three piece corduroy suits, fancy hats, and suspenders. A couple people even stopped and took pictures of us. It was a really fun way to start the morning.
I missed the end of the game because I had to head over to Harvard Square to grab lunch at Toscano's with a school friend. We got a great table right by the window and the food was delicious, as always. Toscano's is definitely one of those restaurants you can always count on. The lunch prices are really good.
All in all, it was an excellent Memorial Day weekend filled with lots of city fun...just the way it should be!
Cambridge Brewing Company
After a long day walking from Park Street home to Inman Square a nice meal with a great friend seems like the right thing to do. So was the case back in May when JO and I headed into Boston on footwear quest. Our original plan was to walk from Park to Copley and T it back, but for some reason we decided to walk all the way home instead. I always get a kick out of saying, "Oh yeah, I walked home from Boston." I'm always reminded of how long it would take me to get into the city from my South Shore home. No way I could walk that!
It was another really nice spring night so my friend and I decided to head over to Kendall Square for some outdoor dining. I've said it before and I'll say it again, Tommy Doyle's and Cambridge Brewing Company are your best bets in the city for a table outside. We usually opt for Tommy Doyle's but tonight we went with CBC and we weren't disappointed.
The patio at CBC is really nice, and really large, so you aren't right on top of your fellow diners. Always a plus for a patio in Cambridge. There are really nice flower baskets adorning the brick patio and the big wrought iron tables are the perfect compliment to the decor. We had talked about maybe heading to West Bridge's patio bar after dinner but we were enjoying ourselves so much we just stayed at CBC.
It was another really nice spring night so my friend and I decided to head over to Kendall Square for some outdoor dining. I've said it before and I'll say it again, Tommy Doyle's and Cambridge Brewing Company are your best bets in the city for a table outside. We usually opt for Tommy Doyle's but tonight we went with CBC and we weren't disappointed.
The patio at CBC is really nice, and really large, so you aren't right on top of your fellow diners. Always a plus for a patio in Cambridge. There are really nice flower baskets adorning the brick patio and the big wrought iron tables are the perfect compliment to the decor. We had talked about maybe heading to West Bridge's patio bar after dinner but we were enjoying ourselves so much we just stayed at CBC.
Sometimes you Just Need a Roof Deck
Sometimes a day at school is just so stressful that the only cure is dinner on a roof deck followed by a walk home along the Charles River.
I was so happy when JO got home from work on a beautiful spring night and declared that we needed a roof deck dinner immediately. A few weeks before I had slipped in our kitchen in the middle of the night and bruised my tailbone. I had missed Mayfair and pretty much was Inman Square bound (not a bad thing but Harvard Square was calling my name) for a while. I felt like I could handle the walk so we decided to go for it.
Daedalus is our go to when it comes to outdoor dining in Harvard Square. Although they recently seemed to have switched chefs, and as a result the quality of food has slipped a bit, Daedalus' roof deck is the place to be. They've made some improvements to the deck, including a few "for drinks" only spots along the side of the deck which I'm a fan of. I was kind of surprised how easily we got a table and I'll toss it up to city luck.
We enjoyed a really relaxing dinner, talking about summer vacation plans and the prospect of possibly being able to stay in our apartment. After dinner, it was still so nice out that we decided to take the long way home via the Charles River. We even extended the walk by crossing over one of the bridges and walking alongside Storrow Drive for a while. That's where we saw these cute baby ducklings and their mother. Who says there's no nature in the city?
After a grumpy few weeks dealing with MCAS and a sore back, this night was just what I needed!
Lots Going on in Inman Square
Lots of fun and exciting things have been happening in Inman lately.
Chasing Life, a new ABC Family drama and set in Boston, filmed in our neighborhood. I saw the flyer when I headed to the post office and was eager to see what would take place in the Square. Unfortunately, I had to work, so I missed a lot of the filming, but I did see the crews setting up. I've been watching the show hoping to see the footage. I will be a bit disappointed if they play off Inman Square as Boston but it will still be neat to see our neighborhood on tv. (Disclaimer- these aren't the most exciting pictures but what can I say, I had to go to work)
Also, Hops 'N Scotch, has started work on the building previously occupied by Havali. We, JO especially, can't wait for this place to open up.
Inman Square just really is where it's at!
Chasing Life, a new ABC Family drama and set in Boston, filmed in our neighborhood. I saw the flyer when I headed to the post office and was eager to see what would take place in the Square. Unfortunately, I had to work, so I missed a lot of the filming, but I did see the crews setting up. I've been watching the show hoping to see the footage. I will be a bit disappointed if they play off Inman Square as Boston but it will still be neat to see our neighborhood on tv. (Disclaimer- these aren't the most exciting pictures but what can I say, I had to go to work)
Also, Hops 'N Scotch, has started work on the building previously occupied by Havali. We, JO especially, can't wait for this place to open up.
Inman Square just really is where it's at!
Dumping House, Spring Classic 5K, and the Tatte Bakery
Burger and burrito places seem to be popping up all over the place in Cambridge. I mean, you can't go one block in Harvard Square without hitting a Shake Shack, Tasty Burger, Flat Patties, Fillipe's, or Taco Truck. That being said, a similar situation is happening along Mass Ave., but with dumplings. I have to say I'm not sad about this recent development. Who doesn't love a good dumpling?
JO and I were in Central Square to pick up our bibs for the Spring Classic 5K. We grabbed our bibs, shirts, and glasses at the Asgard and were headed home when the Dumpling House caught our eye. We decided to give it a try.
The Dumpling House is a very simple restaurant, offering seating for about 20 people. They have a couple of options for soup- miso and hot and sour. The dumpling selection is small, maybe 8-10 options total and a "special dumpling of the day." Additionally, they serve a few teas and smoothie drinks. The prices can't be beat, and each serving of dumplings has 4-6 good sized dumplings on the plate.
We really enjoyed both dumplings we tried, and the sauces were a good compliment to the dumpling itself. By no means is this the best food I have ever had but it's a great option for an inexpensive, tasty lunch or dinner. My only complaint was the miso soup. It's got quite a kick, thanks to a lot of black pepper, which I liked at first but after a few sips I found the soup inedible. It's definitely a good addition to Central Square, since I find the dining options a bit limited in that area.
The next day we ran the Spring Classic 5K. It was another great race through Central Square and Cambridgport. I wish I had studied the route map a bit more though, because I had trouble pacing myself towards the end. Unfortunately it was raining so we didn't stay too long at the after-party.
Instead, we chose to try to find a place for brunch. We had thoughts of going to the Friendly Toast in Kendall Square but as we were looking for parking we noticed the Tatte Bakery. I'd been hearing good things about this place so we decided to try it. I really enjoyed my croque monsieur and the coffee was excellent. We all agreed it was a great cafe!
JO and I were in Central Square to pick up our bibs for the Spring Classic 5K. We grabbed our bibs, shirts, and glasses at the Asgard and were headed home when the Dumpling House caught our eye. We decided to give it a try.
The Dumpling House is a very simple restaurant, offering seating for about 20 people. They have a couple of options for soup- miso and hot and sour. The dumpling selection is small, maybe 8-10 options total and a "special dumpling of the day." Additionally, they serve a few teas and smoothie drinks. The prices can't be beat, and each serving of dumplings has 4-6 good sized dumplings on the plate.
We really enjoyed both dumplings we tried, and the sauces were a good compliment to the dumpling itself. By no means is this the best food I have ever had but it's a great option for an inexpensive, tasty lunch or dinner. My only complaint was the miso soup. It's got quite a kick, thanks to a lot of black pepper, which I liked at first but after a few sips I found the soup inedible. It's definitely a good addition to Central Square, since I find the dining options a bit limited in that area.
The next day we ran the Spring Classic 5K. It was another great race through Central Square and Cambridgport. I wish I had studied the route map a bit more though, because I had trouble pacing myself towards the end. Unfortunately it was raining so we didn't stay too long at the after-party.
Instead, we chose to try to find a place for brunch. We had thoughts of going to the Friendly Toast in Kendall Square but as we were looking for parking we noticed the Tatte Bakery. I'd been hearing good things about this place so we decided to try it. I really enjoyed my croque monsieur and the coffee was excellent. We all agreed it was a great cafe!
Spring Perfection
As my April vacation winded down I was desperate to soak up some much needed city time before heading back to school for the race to the last day of school. The time from April Vacation to the last day of school is absolutely crazy for elementary teachers and I knew I needed my city meter to be completely full before heading back.
A good friend happens to be in between jobs right now, so when she suggested we get pedicures and then hang out at her place on Comm Ave for the night I eagerly said yes. Spring's arrival is truly reality when you get your first pedicure of the season :-)
After visiting a nail salon on Newbury Street (sometimes I have to pinch myself to remind myself that this is my life now) we headed back to her apartment. A while later the rest of our crew joined us and were eating guacamole and salsa on the stoop, sipping on some festive drinks, on a perfect spring night.
As we watched the sun set over the famous Citgo sign I couldn't help but smile.
Some nights, simply taking in the beauty of the city, is all I need to be reenergized!
A good friend happens to be in between jobs right now, so when she suggested we get pedicures and then hang out at her place on Comm Ave for the night I eagerly said yes. Spring's arrival is truly reality when you get your first pedicure of the season :-)
After visiting a nail salon on Newbury Street (sometimes I have to pinch myself to remind myself that this is my life now) we headed back to her apartment. A while later the rest of our crew joined us and were eating guacamole and salsa on the stoop, sipping on some festive drinks, on a perfect spring night.
As we watched the sun set over the famous Citgo sign I couldn't help but smile.
Some nights, simply taking in the beauty of the city, is all I need to be reenergized!
Thursday, June 26, 2014
Boston Public Library Memorial Display
Maybe I should have gone to the Marathon Memorial Display at the BPL prior to going to the marathon but I wasn't able to fit it into my schedule until the day after the marathon. The memorial display included lots of memorabilia that was left at the bombing memorial on Boylston. I could go on and on about how moving this display was but I'll let the pictures do the talking.
After touring the display I headed to the courtyard cafe to grab some lunch before finding a table in the courtyard to sit at. The courtyard at the BPL is absolutely stunning and is pretty much an oasis in the hustle and bustle of Back Bay. It was another gorgeous spring day and another perfect April vacation day for me! I definitely want to head back to the courtyard for more al fresco dining, especially since you can bring your own food!
Marathon Monday
I could use the same old excuse, too much school work, to explain my recent absence, but in reality it was that I never felt like I had the time necessary to commit to a post about Marathon Monday.
After the bombings last year, Boston vowed to go on, to host a bigger, stronger marathon the following year, and I vowed to be there. I felt compelled to be out and about in the city on Marathon Monday and to celebrate my city.
Marathon Monday 2014 was a beautiful spring day. After a long, grueling winter it was the kind of day that makes you happy. The sun was shining, there was a slight breeze, and all the flowers were blooming in the city. I suppose it was a bit too hot for the runners, but as a spectator I couldn't have asked for much more.
When I got off the train at Park Street I was greeted by these stealthy looking helicopters that were apparently sweeping for radioactive material.
I decided to head down to the finish line area to see if I could get in. Security was tight but after a quick bag check and wanding I found myself walking down a near empty Newbury Street. I don't remember shops being closed on Newbury Street during prior marathons, but maybe the security had something to do with it. It was a bit surreal to be walking down the center of the street, but it was oddly peaceful at the same time.
After a short walk, I headed over to Boylston Street. It was fun to see the city all decked out for Marathon Monday.
I found myself walking up the street, past the finish line, and behind the infamous grandstands that were the center of the first explosion last year. There was a respectful restraint in the crowd, and it seemed appropriate. Everyone was having fun, but everyone was remembering back a year ago.
I kept walking until I got to the intersection with the large jumbo-tron tv and was able to watch the race for a while. The crowd cheered every time they showed the American leaders. While I watched the race I took in the crowd around me. I remembered back to those first few hours last year, after the bombing, when everything seemed so horrible and hopeless. Boston was really back! We were standing on Boylston, cheering on the runners, on Patriots Day in April!
I stayed there for quite a while before heading up to Comm Ave. to meet up with some friends. We watched the runners make the turn onto Comm Ave. and go under the overpass. Everyone you looked you say Boston Strong shirts and you couldn't help but feel the strength in the city.
After lunch we headed back to our friend's house on Comm Ave. and spent the rest of the afternoon watching the racers from her stoop. At one point some runners who had finished the race and were headed back to their hotel stopped and thanked our friends for their help last year. People living all along Comm Ave. raced out of their buildings last year when the race was stopped to pass out food and clothing. These runners said they came back this year to repay the city of Boston and to give them something to celebrate. (I'm actually tearing up as I write this because it was that touching.)
None of us wanted the day to end so when JO asked if he should join us when he got back from work, of course the answer was yes.
We all headed over to Piattini Wine Cafe for some outdoor dining. It was great to see the racers walk by, off to celebrate their accomplishments. It was a quintessential spring day in the city but it was so much more than just a day out in the city. It was a day to take back our city and to cleanse it off all the sadness associated with last year's marathon. I'm thankful I got to experience this special day in the city. #BostonStrong
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