This post requires some back story. Way back in the day, our friends lived in Inman before we did. We would come visit them a lot, because obviously, Inman is the place to be! One of our rituals was going rock climbing, grabbing dinner, and hanging out at their apartment. Back in the day we used to do a lot of takeout and embarrassingly enough, one of our go-tos was the KaTaco (the fabulous merger of KFC and Taco Bell.) We totally knew it was gross but it is hard to resist fried chicken and tacos. Eventually we upgraded to burritos at Ole Cito but nothing ever replaced the fried chicken when the KaTaco was demolished (sadly but thankfully) to make room for new apartments (the corner is so much classier now) until recently when Highland Fried opened.
Highland Fried took the place of East Coast Grille, which enjoyed a short lived second life, and is owned by the same people that own Highland Kitchen in Somerville (and who owned the second ECG.) When I heard about this change I activated our emergency information system (texting JO) to share the great news. JO was super excited because not only would there be awesome fried chicken and sides, but the menu had great variety and a great price point (plus, bonus, they do take out!)
The first chance we had, we headed over. We were a bit worried that we had set the bar too high and would be disappointed, but we definitely weren't! The chicken is delicious, the sides are scrumptious (the mac and cheese and baked beans are dreamy), and the prices are great. We've been there twice and gotten take out twice and we're real happy!
Thursday, January 18, 2018
Monday, January 15, 2018
Amelia's Trattoria
On Friday night, we did not have tickets to a show at Passim 😂. Our Friday night plan was dinner and a movie in Kendall Square. We've been on a real movie kick lately. There's so many we need to see before the Oscar's.
Before the movie we decided to get dinner at Amelia's Trattoria. It's been a long while since we've had dinner inside at Amelia's (they have a small patio that is pretty reliable in the summer.) I forgot how adorable the interior is. It's small, maybe fitting 40 people with an exposed brick wall and floor to ceiling windows on two sides. There's a small bar and the lighting is soft. Who needs to go to the North End when this place is so close.
This place never disappoints when it comes to the food and wine. I love the clam pasta in garlic and wine sauce, but they had a mushroom ravioli special that was delicious! JO got the salmon and it was perfectly cooked. It was the perfect end to a busy week.
After dinner, we headed over to the Kendall Theater to see I, Tonya! I loved this movie and highly recommend you check it out. We had a super busy weekend in store so I'm glad we were able to squeeze in some city fun on Friday night.
Before the movie we decided to get dinner at Amelia's Trattoria. It's been a long while since we've had dinner inside at Amelia's (they have a small patio that is pretty reliable in the summer.) I forgot how adorable the interior is. It's small, maybe fitting 40 people with an exposed brick wall and floor to ceiling windows on two sides. There's a small bar and the lighting is soft. Who needs to go to the North End when this place is so close.
This place never disappoints when it comes to the food and wine. I love the clam pasta in garlic and wine sauce, but they had a mushroom ravioli special that was delicious! JO got the salmon and it was perfectly cooked. It was the perfect end to a busy week.
After dinner, we headed over to the Kendall Theater to see I, Tonya! I loved this movie and highly recommend you check it out. We had a super busy weekend in store so I'm glad we were able to squeeze in some city fun on Friday night.
Ellie Buckland and Ali McGuirk at Passim
When I saw that Ellie Buckland (one third of Lula Wiles) was opening for a show at Passim I figured I should check it out. I love that I can just head into Harvard Square, see a show, and be home before it gets too late. Going out in the city isn't a production for me since I live in the city. 😃 Ellie did a great job and I loved hearing some of her solo songs (she has recently recorded a solo album).
Since it was a Tuesday, and a super busy week for me, I was thinking of leaving in between sets. That's when I started talking to the guys sitting at the table next me (fyi- the tables are super close at Passim and you will inevitably start talking with your table neighbors.) The table to my left was basically jumping out of their skin at getting to see Ali McGuirk and the table on my right asked me how many of her shows I had been too. The place had really filled up and so I made the executive decision to stay for the headliner, and I'm so glad I did.
Since I really had no idea what kind of music to expect I was super surprised when Ali took the stage with her electric guitar and a jazz band (upright bass, guitar, and a cajon.) When she started singing I was blown away. I texted JO later and described her sound as a cross between Norah Jones and Joss Stone. I can't stress enough how amazing Ali McGuirk was! Pick up your phone, open up ITunes, and buy her album Slow Burn (it's also available on other platforms but this is an album you should own!) After the show, one of my table neighbors told me that she has been playing with some of the best guitarists in Boston (the guy who played with her on this night was incredible) and that she plays a monthly residency at Bull McCabe's in Union Square. I'll definitely be checking that out, along with any other shows she does in the area.
Check out some videos here
(Wondering what a cajon is? It's the drum that this guy is sitting on)
Sub Rosa at Passim
I love a nice, relaxing Sunday but sometimes it's nice to have plans on a Sunday night. It kind of extends the weekend and prevents all that wasted time suffering from the "Sunday Blues." Last Sunday we had tickets to the Sub Rosa show at Club Passim.
Sub Rosa is how we got hooked on shows at Club Passim. They are a local songwriting group that gets together from time to time to play lots of amazing music! They also go on a grant funded program (shout out to Passim's Iguana Fund) songwriting retreat to my beloved Three Mile Island. When I first saw a sign for this show a few years ago I knew we had to go. Since that first show we have found so many great artists to follow~ Kris Delmhorst, Mark Erelli, and Dinty Child led us to Ellie Buckland that led us to Lula Wiles that led us to Session Americana and Ali McGuirk (more on her soon) and Lori McKenna.
Each year Sub Rosa performs the songs they wrote on the island and for the last three years JO and I have been lucky enough to be in the audience. The really great thing about this show (one of the most anticipated at Passim each year) is that it features such a wide range of music. From heartfelt, to silly, to campfire sing alongs, it's all packed into ninety minutes of fantastic music. This year's show was great, as was going out on a Sunday night.
Sub Rosa is how we got hooked on shows at Club Passim. They are a local songwriting group that gets together from time to time to play lots of amazing music! They also go on a grant funded program (shout out to Passim's Iguana Fund) songwriting retreat to my beloved Three Mile Island. When I first saw a sign for this show a few years ago I knew we had to go. Since that first show we have found so many great artists to follow~ Kris Delmhorst, Mark Erelli, and Dinty Child led us to Ellie Buckland that led us to Lula Wiles that led us to Session Americana and Ali McGuirk (more on her soon) and Lori McKenna.
Each year Sub Rosa performs the songs they wrote on the island and for the last three years JO and I have been lucky enough to be in the audience. The really great thing about this show (one of the most anticipated at Passim each year) is that it features such a wide range of music. From heartfelt, to silly, to campfire sing alongs, it's all packed into ninety minutes of fantastic music. This year's show was great, as was going out on a Sunday night.
Sunday, January 7, 2018
Brrrrrrrrrrrr!!!!!!!!! Continued
If Friday was bone chillingly cold, I'm not sure quite how to describe Saturday. Horrifyingly cold? Panic inducing cold? Frighteningly cold? You pick~ none of them really do it justice. We really had to psych ourselves up and layer ourselves up to go to the rock gym (and before you panic, we Ubered there so it was safe.) I kind of wanted to stay there all day because we were having a bit of heating issue in our apartment.
We're one day away from busting out of the Polar Vortex. Friday is supposed to be in the 50s. I fear the Seasonal Fashion Disorder that this will bring about. I know I'm sick of triple pants, hats, mittens, boots, and snow pants. I fear people might break out the tank tops and flip flops and that will probably go downhill real fast! Although I guess I won't fault anyone because this ten day stretch of weather has been pretty trying. It's really been a test of endurance, resourcefulness (earmuffs on the outside of the hood are key), Uber (we pumped some serious cash into their system), and clutch snow days (I feel better about going back to work now). Maybe this is it for winter and we'll cruise straight to an early spring (but I highly doubt it.)
We had heat but it wasn't doing anything. Our living room has a lot of windows and they all need to be replaced and we don't think our neighbors downstairs are home so they don't have the heat pumping. At one point yesterday it was 63 degrees in the living room and our kitchen was even worse since it doesn't actually have a heating element in it.
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| Denali couldn't take it anymore- he buried himself in the blanket |
I hunkered down in the bedroom so I was ok but still I was at my wits end with the Polar Vortex. The outside world was scary cold! We had toyed around with the idea of going to Parlor Sports to watch the game but we bailed because it was too far (and by too far I mean a five minute walk.) We ended up watching the game at our place but still very much wanted to get out of the house.
We decided to take advantage of Wits End which is literally across the street from us (and still seemed far in this weather.) I'm glad we did! The place was pretty full (way to go Wits End) but we were able to snag a table. I love what they did with their cocktail menu, especially their Buffy cocktails! I ordered the Jessica Lange bellini and JO got one of the Moscow Mules. Our server told us that the drinks were somehow oddly connected because Lange dated a Russian ballet dancer and they didn't speak the same language but they did go to see Fiddler on the Roof together. (I can get behind a bar that plays six degrees of separation with their cocktails) My drink came with a rock candy stirrer which I thoroughly enjoyed!
We're one day away from busting out of the Polar Vortex. Friday is supposed to be in the 50s. I fear the Seasonal Fashion Disorder that this will bring about. I know I'm sick of triple pants, hats, mittens, boots, and snow pants. I fear people might break out the tank tops and flip flops and that will probably go downhill real fast! Although I guess I won't fault anyone because this ten day stretch of weather has been pretty trying. It's really been a test of endurance, resourcefulness (earmuffs on the outside of the hood are key), Uber (we pumped some serious cash into their system), and clutch snow days (I feel better about going back to work now). Maybe this is it for winter and we'll cruise straight to an early spring (but I highly doubt it.)Brrrr!!!!!!!
The day after the Bomb Cyclone was frigid! Like scary cold! Like I needed to wear three pairs of pants, a neck scarf, a regular scarf, a hat, gloves, ear muffs, a hood, and a puffy coat to go get coffee! The wind was ridiculous and I actually had to stop a few times on the way home from Dunkins to wait out the gusts. I Ubered to the rock gym to do some running but that was enough for me, so I spent most of the day huddled up on the couch. I took some time to reread my blogs from the "epic winter" of 2015. If you want a good laugh, read this post because I think it pretty much sums up the desperation of that time. Even with the bitter cold and significant snow on the ground, our spirits were high knowing that there wasn't another storm headed our way anytime soon. And if you looked far enough in the distance, Friday was going to be in the 50s (bye bye snow.) We just had to survive the record cold first!
We had tickets to a show at the Sinclair in Harvard Square for Friday night. We debated about going or not but decided if we took Ubers there and back it would be safe. I'm so glad we did. One of my new favorite groups, Lula Wiles (see here and here) opened up and they did a great job. It was great to hear some of their new stuff and the Sinclair is a great venue for a show.
It was also great to get out during the deep freeze although it did make for some difficult fashion decisions. (I was pleasantly surprised by all of the smart, practical clothing I saw at the Sinclair.)
After the show, we wanted to extend the evening but really couldn't walk too far at all so we found ourselves at Border Cafe sipping on margaritas and eating fajitas! It was a perfect way to spend the evening!
We had tickets to a show at the Sinclair in Harvard Square for Friday night. We debated about going or not but decided if we took Ubers there and back it would be safe. I'm so glad we did. One of my new favorite groups, Lula Wiles (see here and here) opened up and they did a great job. It was great to hear some of their new stuff and the Sinclair is a great venue for a show.
It was also great to get out during the deep freeze although it did make for some difficult fashion decisions. (I was pleasantly surprised by all of the smart, practical clothing I saw at the Sinclair.)
After the show, we wanted to extend the evening but really couldn't walk too far at all so we found ourselves at Border Cafe sipping on margaritas and eating fajitas! It was a perfect way to spend the evening!
City Life Doesn't Stop for Bomb Cyclones, Hurricane Force Winds, or Sub-Zero Temps
My snow day started off with a short walk over to Longfellow's Coffee for breakfast. Getting a chance to drink a coffee and read a book is an extreme luxury for me during the school year and I was giddy with excitement at getting to start a new book about the history of Yosemite while enjoying some delicious coffee. Longfellow's is a great coffee shop, housed in the Lamplighter brewery. It's a great place for relaxing and watching the snow fall outside.
After lounging around the house, and listening to the crazy winds, I decided a second coffee was necessary and headed over to 1369 Coffee.
I think everyone was "working from home" from 1369 but I was able to get a seat and enjoy reading more of my book (really, this is a major luxury~ I'm not sure when the next time is that my schedule will allow me to read...sad but true.) Honestly, 1369 gets mad props because I think in the nine years we've lived here it has only been closed twice (Hurricane Sandy and the day of the massive manhunt after the Marathon bombing.) As I was out and about I noticed that the streets didn't look great, although it didn't seem like we had gotten that much snow. This made me worry about weather or not we would have school on Friday, but I was pleasantly surprised when shortly thereafter I got the magic call! Our focus shifted from digging out our cars, to planning a fun night of #snoWin!
We decided to head over to Kendall Square to enjoy State Park. We wanted to see what the world looked like (gosh, I guess we did get a ton of snow...it didn't look this bad when I went to 1369) and because we haven't been to State Park in a long time. You can't go wrong with their $11 burger and salad and their cocktails are always spot on (secret tip~ order the Old Cuban which is no longer on their menu...you will thank me!)
Added bonus, pinball! I scored over a billion points and won an extra game! It was so fun getting to go out and enjoy the city!
On the walk home the winds were really picking up.
We watched as a Christmas tree blew down the street, only to find ours half way down our street when we got home. Nothing burying it in snow couldn't handle.
We also had a fun situation with our trash (it hadn't gone out in almost two weeks and we couldn't afford to miss another week so JO and I took it out) where we had to put a ton of snow on the tops of the barrels to keep them from blowing up and letting a trash cyclone loose on the street. (side note- we were way too excited when the trash was collected the next morning making it clear that we are nearing forty!)
Snowy nights are always special and this one was no different.
A Bomb Cyclone was Headed Right for Us
I, like most people I know, have trouble heading back to work after a vacation. It's such a cruel transition. One day you're sleeping in and drinking bubbles at the Ritz, and the next, you're smack in the middle of long division. This year, though, that transition was a lot easier to handle as it looked like we would have at least one snow day to look forward to, and most likely two! I can do two work days and a four day weekend! (added bonus, all those lesson plans I did roll over into the next week leaving me with almost no school work to do.)
On Monday the snow totals, that had previously been predicted to be 2-4 inches, had escalated to 8-12 inches. When news broke on Wednesday morning that the storm we were getting was a "Bomb Cyclone" it pretty much sealed the deal on Thursday being a snow day and pretty much locked up Friday, as well. I mean, a bomb cyclone sounded really bad. So did the arctic temps sweeping in after the storm (more on that later because the struggle was real with the PV.) I hate the snow, but if it means a few days off, I'll embrace it every time.
Since we live in the city, there's no need for the typical storm prep, like going grocery shopping. Who wants to deal with a grocery store full of panic induced shoppers? My friend actually posted a picture of the produce aisle at her local store and the empty bins were pretty much a sign that the apocalypse was upon us. I'm so glad I don't have to deal with that. Instead, our storm prep revolves around checking Facebook and Instagram for the fun "snow parties" planned in the neighborhood. Longfellow's Coffee posted that they planned on being open, so I was all set for the morning. With the alarm turned off, and coffee plans secured, I went to bed and was ready for whatever the cyclone brought us.
On Monday the snow totals, that had previously been predicted to be 2-4 inches, had escalated to 8-12 inches. When news broke on Wednesday morning that the storm we were getting was a "Bomb Cyclone" it pretty much sealed the deal on Thursday being a snow day and pretty much locked up Friday, as well. I mean, a bomb cyclone sounded really bad. So did the arctic temps sweeping in after the storm (more on that later because the struggle was real with the PV.) I hate the snow, but if it means a few days off, I'll embrace it every time.
Since we live in the city, there's no need for the typical storm prep, like going grocery shopping. Who wants to deal with a grocery store full of panic induced shoppers? My friend actually posted a picture of the produce aisle at her local store and the empty bins were pretty much a sign that the apocalypse was upon us. I'm so glad I don't have to deal with that. Instead, our storm prep revolves around checking Facebook and Instagram for the fun "snow parties" planned in the neighborhood. Longfellow's Coffee posted that they planned on being open, so I was all set for the morning. With the alarm turned off, and coffee plans secured, I went to bed and was ready for whatever the cyclone brought us.
Monday, January 1, 2018
New Year's Eve
Last year we had a blast at Brass Union's New Year's Eve party. Ten dollars got you into a party with a dj. You can't beat that, right? So we decided to go again this year with a few of our friends.
I don't know what happened this year, but it got super crowded and super loud (and now I'm aging myself, aren't I) and super young. There were a lot of young twenty somethings SnapChatting and Instagramming every single thing (including JO's octopus shirt...he gets bonus points for putting up with that.) We gutted it out until midnight, but in hindsight we probably should have just headed home early.
We really showed our age on our way out when we set up shop at one of the empty tables in the restaurant area and unpacked our backpack full of PV gear. As we layered up, put on extra socks, gloves, hats, earmuffs, and scarves I wondered how many people in attendance even thought to bring a scarf with them. 😅 We walked the ten minutes home for the story (and boy was it chilly.) I'm glad we walked though, because we got to see the Boston fireworks from the bridge and that was pretty neat!
Time to find new plans for NYE next year.
I don't know what happened this year, but it got super crowded and super loud (and now I'm aging myself, aren't I) and super young. There were a lot of young twenty somethings SnapChatting and Instagramming every single thing (including JO's octopus shirt...he gets bonus points for putting up with that.) We gutted it out until midnight, but in hindsight we probably should have just headed home early.
We really showed our age on our way out when we set up shop at one of the empty tables in the restaurant area and unpacked our backpack full of PV gear. As we layered up, put on extra socks, gloves, hats, earmuffs, and scarves I wondered how many people in attendance even thought to bring a scarf with them. 😅 We walked the ten minutes home for the story (and boy was it chilly.) I'm glad we walked though, because we got to see the Boston fireworks from the bridge and that was pretty neat!
Time to find new plans for NYE next year.
Ruka!
On Saturday we ventured into the PV to see The Disaster Artist (side note- run, don't walk, to your nearest theater and see this movie!) Since it wasn't playing in Cambridge we headed over to the theater in Downtown Crossing to see it, which gave us the perfect excuse to go to Ruka for some fun cocktails.
We discovered Ruka last Christmas Vacation, when we could actually go out exploring without fear of frostbite. Ruka is a Peruvian/Asian fusion restaurant featuring over the top decor and amazingly crafted cocktails and sushi (and other snacks but really, get the sushi because it's absolutely beautiful.) I highly recommend trying to get seats at the bar because this allows you to watch the cocktails and sushi get made and it's kind of like being at a theater. Each cocktail and sushi roll is meticulously assembled. Some are even flamed and charred with the small blowtorch right in front of you. My cocktail had brandy, rum, strawberry, bubbles, and featured rosemary and something else that were set on fire and served smoldering! It smelled and tasted absolutely delicious!
We had a really great time. I love this place because it's fancy and fun without making you feel like you have to look a certain way. That's the benefit of it being the hotel bar/restaurant for the Godfrey. Hotel bars tend to rock the fancy, fun, and casual balance perfectly. That's probably why I like them so much! Plus, it was so nice to get out of the apartment and get out in the real world, even if that meant taking Ubers everywhere!
We discovered Ruka last Christmas Vacation, when we could actually go out exploring without fear of frostbite. Ruka is a Peruvian/Asian fusion restaurant featuring over the top decor and amazingly crafted cocktails and sushi (and other snacks but really, get the sushi because it's absolutely beautiful.) I highly recommend trying to get seats at the bar because this allows you to watch the cocktails and sushi get made and it's kind of like being at a theater. Each cocktail and sushi roll is meticulously assembled. Some are even flamed and charred with the small blowtorch right in front of you. My cocktail had brandy, rum, strawberry, bubbles, and featured rosemary and something else that were set on fire and served smoldering! It smelled and tasted absolutely delicious!
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| This baby corn sushi roll was amazing! |
We had a really great time. I love this place because it's fancy and fun without making you feel like you have to look a certain way. That's the benefit of it being the hotel bar/restaurant for the Godfrey. Hotel bars tend to rock the fancy, fun, and casual balance perfectly. That's probably why I like them so much! Plus, it was so nice to get out of the apartment and get out in the real world, even if that meant taking Ubers everywhere!
The Polar Vortex is Upon Us
It's been cold around here. Real cold. Disturbingly cold! The Polar Vortext (or PV as I have nicknamed it) arrived right after Christmas and it's here to stay until at least next Monday. (Oh, and it's going to snow on Thursday so that will be great.)
This was the forecast this morning. You think -21 can't be real, but it was. I went out this morning. It was negative a whole lot of awfulness! No one wants that.
It's really put a damper on this vacation because you can't really do much outside. It's made getting my coffee in the morning a real challenge. I'm learning to manage- you really need to wear two pairs of pants and put your earmuffs on the outside of your hood to seal everything up. (Thank God I got this new puffy coat on Black Friday because I would be totally screwed without it.)
JO and I did manage to go out to the movies a few times, and even had dinner at Desfina's, my beloved Greek restaurant but even that didn't come without issues. We did have an unfortunate Uber mistake when we typed in Kendall Square and not Kendall Square Cinema as our drop off and had to walk several blocks in the Arctic Tundra to get to the theater. I came pretty close to turning into a popsicle.
The PV makes for really bad hair days and fashion dilemmas galore and I'm seriously frightened of all the indoor recesses awaiting us when we get back to school.
It's really put a damper on this vacation because you can't really do much outside. It's made getting my coffee in the morning a real challenge. I'm learning to manage- you really need to wear two pairs of pants and put your earmuffs on the outside of your hood to seal everything up. (Thank God I got this new puffy coat on Black Friday because I would be totally screwed without it.)
JO and I did manage to go out to the movies a few times, and even had dinner at Desfina's, my beloved Greek restaurant but even that didn't come without issues. We did have an unfortunate Uber mistake when we typed in Kendall Square and not Kendall Square Cinema as our drop off and had to walk several blocks in the Arctic Tundra to get to the theater. I came pretty close to turning into a popsicle.
The PV makes for really bad hair days and fashion dilemmas galore and I'm seriously frightened of all the indoor recesses awaiting us when we get back to school.
Reunion at the Ritz
My college friends try to get together as a group around the holidays. Usually we meet up for dinner somewhere because our schedules are so crazy and don't allow for much more than that. This year we had a lot of trouble finding a date that would work until we realized we could all meet up over vacation. Everything fell in place and we were able to have a full blown reunion, complete with staying at The Ritz Carlton. The only bad thing was the stupid Polar Vortex that had settled over New England. We had grand plans of ice skating and wandering around Faneuil Hall but with temperatures dangerously low we had to change things up a bit.
Looking for a place to keep warm, we stopped in the Black Rose for a drink. We got some seats by the window and placed all of our puffy coats, hats, mittens, and scarves on the counter to get them out of the way which elicited the keene observation, "You can tell we're in our 40s now. Look at all that winter weather gear." 😱😱😱 After drinks we decided to go back to the hotel and hang out in our room since frankly, it was too cold to do much else. Our view was pretty stellar!
We enjoyed some bubbles and chocolate covered strawberries before heading over to Bin 26 for dinner.
I was in charge of making the dinner plans and I felt like Bin 26 would be perfect. Charles Street is beautiful and since it's a tapas bar, we wouldn't be rushed and could hang out for as long as we wanted. Bin 26 is a great restaurant. Cute atmosphere, great wine list, and delicious tapas. They also have entrees and pasta so you can pretty much satisfy even the pickiest of eaters.
After dinner it was back to the Ritz for reminiscing about college life and reliving some of the crazy things we did. The next morning it was 3 degrees out and we were looking for a place for breakfast that didn't involve having to be outside for very long so it was back to the Explorateur before ubering home because there was no way I was walking home from Central in that weather.
Looking for a place to keep warm, we stopped in the Black Rose for a drink. We got some seats by the window and placed all of our puffy coats, hats, mittens, and scarves on the counter to get them out of the way which elicited the keene observation, "You can tell we're in our 40s now. Look at all that winter weather gear." 😱😱😱 After drinks we decided to go back to the hotel and hang out in our room since frankly, it was too cold to do much else. Our view was pretty stellar!
We enjoyed some bubbles and chocolate covered strawberries before heading over to Bin 26 for dinner.
I was in charge of making the dinner plans and I felt like Bin 26 would be perfect. Charles Street is beautiful and since it's a tapas bar, we wouldn't be rushed and could hang out for as long as we wanted. Bin 26 is a great restaurant. Cute atmosphere, great wine list, and delicious tapas. They also have entrees and pasta so you can pretty much satisfy even the pickiest of eaters.
After dinner it was back to the Ritz for reminiscing about college life and reliving some of the crazy things we did. The next morning it was 3 degrees out and we were looking for a place for breakfast that didn't involve having to be outside for very long so it was back to the Explorateur before ubering home because there was no way I was walking home from Central in that weather.
Staycation~ Omni Parker House
I barely made it to vacation, like hanging by a thread, calling JO to help me get from my car to the house, when I got home on Friday. I almost made it to vacation without getting sick but I came up short by a few hours. I woke up sick on Friday, and there's no way you can be out of school the day before vacation, so I sucked down the Dayquil, somehow made it to 3:00, and drove home. By the time I parked my car I was just done. JO was nice enough to help me get all my stuff inside, throw some blankets over me, and get me some takeout. I mustered the strength to watch my Huskies before falling asleep with a fever and a sore throat!
We had this fun Staycation thing planned for the next day and I really wanted to cancel and just stay in bed, but JO convinced me to give a go and I'm glad I did. We did cut out the second half of the Christmas Tree Challenge which was disappointing but other than that we really had a good time.
A while back we had seen a Groupon for a night at the Parker House, which is my favorite hotel in the city. We thought it would be a fun way to kick off Christmas so we booked it. When we checked in, they asked us where we were from. It was kind of funny to say Cambridge. The staff was so nice to us and even sent up a complimentary Boston Cream Pie (which I had never had before...delicious!)
After the early dessert we headed over to our favorite restaurant, The Marliave, for dinner. The Marliave is the oldest chef owned restaurant in the city. I can't remember the last time we went here and we both agreed that that was a mistake. We both agree that The Marliave is the best restaurant in the city. The upstairs dining room is elegant without being pretentious. There's a soft lighting courtesy of flickering candles and the tables aren't right on top of each other. The service is impeccable and the food, a mix of Italian and French, and drinks, prohibition era cocktails are their speciality, are outstanding. This is the first restaurant I recommend when people ask me where they should go for dinner in the city. We ended dinner with their delicious chocolate truffles!
After dinner we headed back to the Parker House to enjoy bubbles at The Last Hurrah, my absolutely favorite hotel bar in the city. The Last Hurrah is a throwback to quaint, old-fashioned Boston and I love it. Nothing fancy, nothing modern. Round tables, with old-school arm chairs and couches, and lots of bubbles!
We decided we needed to continue to the night so we hopped over to Highball Lounge (the complete opposite of the Last Hurrah) for one last drink before calling it a night. It was so fun to be able to walk three minutes home to our hotel room (I mean the ten minute drive back to our house is not bad but this was super convenient.) The hotel was lovely and it was fun to get to stay there for a night!
The next morning we decided to check our Explorateur for breakfast. We had walked by this place a few weeks before and it looked really interesting. It's got a cafe in the front, perfect for hanging out, a beautiful bar and a dining room for dinner. It's a really cool space and the food and coffee were yummy! It was really fun to be in downtown Boston on Christmas Eve and we even did a little shopping at Macy's before heading home. Staycation success!
We had this fun Staycation thing planned for the next day and I really wanted to cancel and just stay in bed, but JO convinced me to give a go and I'm glad I did. We did cut out the second half of the Christmas Tree Challenge which was disappointing but other than that we really had a good time.
A while back we had seen a Groupon for a night at the Parker House, which is my favorite hotel in the city. We thought it would be a fun way to kick off Christmas so we booked it. When we checked in, they asked us where we were from. It was kind of funny to say Cambridge. The staff was so nice to us and even sent up a complimentary Boston Cream Pie (which I had never had before...delicious!)
After the early dessert we headed over to our favorite restaurant, The Marliave, for dinner. The Marliave is the oldest chef owned restaurant in the city. I can't remember the last time we went here and we both agreed that that was a mistake. We both agree that The Marliave is the best restaurant in the city. The upstairs dining room is elegant without being pretentious. There's a soft lighting courtesy of flickering candles and the tables aren't right on top of each other. The service is impeccable and the food, a mix of Italian and French, and drinks, prohibition era cocktails are their speciality, are outstanding. This is the first restaurant I recommend when people ask me where they should go for dinner in the city. We ended dinner with their delicious chocolate truffles!
We decided we needed to continue to the night so we hopped over to Highball Lounge (the complete opposite of the Last Hurrah) for one last drink before calling it a night. It was so fun to be able to walk three minutes home to our hotel room (I mean the ten minute drive back to our house is not bad but this was super convenient.) The hotel was lovely and it was fun to get to stay there for a night!
The next morning we decided to check our Explorateur for breakfast. We had walked by this place a few weeks before and it looked really interesting. It's got a cafe in the front, perfect for hanging out, a beautiful bar and a dining room for dinner. It's a really cool space and the food and coffee were yummy! It was really fun to be in downtown Boston on Christmas Eve and we even did a little shopping at Macy's before heading home. Staycation success!
Calling All Crows Annual Benefit Concert Featuring Dispatch!
What gets me through December? Knowing that the week before Christmas I get to go to the Calling All Crows Benefit concert. For ten years I've been able to count on this show to give me that last burst of energy I need to get through the December Crazies. This year, there were actually three concerts (Friday, Saturday, and Tuesday night) at the Paradise Rock Club. The show has become so crazy popular that it's really hard to get tickets. Shout out to JO, who was on it and secured us tickets to Tuesday's show. This year's show was extra awesome because it featured Chad's old band Dispatch. Dispatch was this crazy popular band in the late 90s/early 2000s. When they played their last show on the Hatch Shell 110,000 people showed up for it. Since then the band has reunited a few times for new albums, tours, and special concerts at Madison Square Garden (they sold out the Garden two different years, three nights in a row, in a matter of ten minutes or so.) We were lucky enough to get to see them at MSG a few summers ago and it was amazing!
JO says the MSG show was slightly better but I think this show was their best. They played their entire new album straight through and then played at least ten more of their best songs. I'm a huge fan of their sing alongs and they played almost every single one of them. The concert ran late, and I had to get up early for school the next day, but that didn't matter at all! I know how lucky we were to be at that show!
Calling All Crows Service Project
This year marked the ten year anniversary of the start of the Calling All Crows Foundation, a non-profit charitable foundation that my favorite singer, Chad Stokes, started. We were there at the event for the creation of the foundation, and have only missed one of the annual benefit concerts. I love that Chad has created such a powerful movement with his music. His music really gets you to think about politics and issues facing people across the globe. He works hard to get his fans to volunteer and get educated about these issues.
We've had a chance to volunteer and/or participate in a few of the service projects that coincide with the benefit concerts. One year we rallied to support gay marriage and another year we packed up medical supplies for Syrian refugees. I almost didn't go this year because I was tired and stressed out from school, but I'm so glad I did. This year, we participated in bystander training and packed up 17,000 meals for Rosie's Place and shelters in Puerto Rico. The thing I love most about these projects is that Chad, and this year Brad from Dispatch, participate right alongside you. It's great that they don't just talk the talk, but also walk the walk, roll up their sleeves, and get the work done with you. I left totally inspired and ready to tackle the last week of the December Crazies (it didn't hurt that we had tickets to Tuesday's concert to look forward too!)
We've had a chance to volunteer and/or participate in a few of the service projects that coincide with the benefit concerts. One year we rallied to support gay marriage and another year we packed up medical supplies for Syrian refugees. I almost didn't go this year because I was tired and stressed out from school, but I'm so glad I did. This year, we participated in bystander training and packed up 17,000 meals for Rosie's Place and shelters in Puerto Rico. The thing I love most about these projects is that Chad, and this year Brad from Dispatch, participate right alongside you. It's great that they don't just talk the talk, but also walk the walk, roll up their sleeves, and get the work done with you. I left totally inspired and ready to tackle the last week of the December Crazies (it didn't hurt that we had tickets to Tuesday's concert to look forward too!)
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