Author: Ed

Menus from the Hotel Braemore, Kenmore Square in 1956

Boston restaurants may thrill food lovers today but, back in 1956, plain Yankee fare was on the menu at the Hotel Braemore.

Lets see, I think I'll order the "Boiled, Smoked Daisy Ham with Buttered Cabbage" and have sherbet for dessert. You did have to add on the 5% Massachusetts Old Age Tax. Still, with a generous tip, that should come to about $3. (Click on any image for a slightly larger version.)

Dinner did cost slightly more unless you decided to go with the Chef's Suggestion for $1.95.

Today, the Hotel Braemore is the The Braemore, a condominium community. Its website features two pages of history with wonderful old images of the building and photos taken from the building.

They call it, What's Old and What's Old II.

When it opened, the Braemore was an apartment hotel. In his book, Built in Boston, historian Douglas Shand-Tucci wrote that by 1919 this area around Charlesgate, "… had emerged as the most prestigious address."

Residence or apartment hotels offered options like those shown in this ad for the Braemore as it opened. "Suites from one room, reception hall and bath to five rooms, reception hall and two baths…" Notice that they don't mention kitchens. In many places like the Braemore, the residents would eat in the hotel's dining room or at their social club.

Let's hope that the "Chef's Suggestion" changed daily!

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Words: Penny Cherubino
Artwork from a private collection, Dinner menu from The Braemore site.

Note on Comments: We monitor comments constantly and anything that is pure spam, inappropriate, or nasty is swept away. In addition to readers' comments, we welcome hearing from the people, places, and services we cover. Often, those add great insights for our readers. As long as it doesn’t become a pure ad, we’d love to hear from you. We do reserve the right to edit ads and links out of comments.

August 6, 2013
Learning to Capsize on the Charles River

Part of learning to sail small boats on the Charles is learning to capsize and then right your boat. Last week, we saw two young sailors conduct a picture perfect capsize and correction after a race collision.

With a crowd of boats approaching and leaving this mark (the floating ball in the water), we could see the collision coming.

One man overboard and then a second. The coaching launch stayed with the young sailors throughout their adventure. (Click on any photo for a larger image)

It takes a bit of teamwork and counter balance to right the boat.

Where's the second sailor?

Already onboard taking control of the lines and tiller. Good job!

If you witness a scene like this one …

Listening to our scanner, we often hear the Boston Fire Department respond to 911 calls for a boater in the water. Most of the time, they have righted their boat or have been picked up by a chase boat before the emergency crews arrive on the scene.

That doesn't mean you shouldn't call if you see a boater in trouble. But, share with the call-taker all the details you observe. Do the people have life jackets on, as in this case? Is there a motorized chase boat with them, as you see here? Is there another boat assisting them or taking them onboard?

Count the number of people in the water and try to keep track of where they are in relation to some point on land. Are they in the middle of the river or near the Boston or Cambridge shore?

Offer to stay on the line with the call-taker to give updates as the scene unfolds. This will allow the dispatcher to speed up, slow down, call in additional resources, or call off emergency responders.

Do you have an Amazon Gift Certificate to use? Or do you need to buy one for a birthday or wedding gift? Remember to click over to Amazon from here to support this site!

Details:

Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photography: © 2013 Penny Cherubino

August 5, 2013
Learning to Capsize on the Charles River

Part of learning to sail small boats on the Charles is learning to capsize and then right your boat. Last week, we saw two young sailors conduct a picture perfect capsize and correction after a race collision.

With a crowd of boats approaching and leaving this mark (the floating ball in the water), we could see the collision coming.

One man overboard and then a second. The coaching launch stayed with the young sailors throughout their adventure. (Click on any photo for a larger image)

It takes a bit of teamwork and counter balance to right the boat.

Where's the second sailor?

Already onboard taking control of the lines and tiller. Good job!

If you witness a scene like this one …

Listening to our scanner, we often hear the Boston Fire Department respond to 911 calls for a boater in the water. Most of the time, they have righted their boat or have been picked up by a chase boat before the emergency crews arrive on the scene.

That doesn't mean you shouldn't call if you see a boater in trouble. But, share with the call-taker all the details you observe. Do the people have life jackets on, as in this case? Is there a motorized chase boat with them, as you see here? Is there another boat assisting them or taking them onboard?

Count the number of people in the water and try to keep track of where they are in relation to some point on land. Are they in the middle of the river or near the Boston or Cambridge shore?

Offer to stay on the line with the call-taker to give updates as the scene unfolds. This will allow the dispatcher to speed up, slow down, call in additional resources, or call off emergency responders.

Do you have an Amazon Gift Certificate to use? Or do you need to buy one for a birthday or wedding gift? Remember to click over to Amazon from here to support this site!

Details:

Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photography: © 2013 Penny Cherubino

August 5, 2013
Sunday Dog, Zoey’s New Life in Boston

Not long ago, Zoey was saved from a last stop shelter in Arkansas and given a new life in Boston. Now, at about 14 months old, this charming little Dachshund is settling into her city home with ease. And, that means exploring, sniffing, and tasting every bit of her world!

“She’s a goat,” her person told us. “Anything that falls on the floor she’ll eat … all the sticks, acorns from the squirrels – she loves to eat!” Of course, when you’re a growing puppy, it’s behavior often seen as a right of passage, a way of testing boundaries, and learning about your surroundings.

And, for Zoey, learning also means “training!” This very bright, little hound is currently attending Good Manners Class at the Animal Rescue League.

How’s she doing? We were told, that when the trainer walks her around, she is perfectly obedient, but when the leash comes back to her regular companion, Zoey steals everyone’s treats because she’s food driven. "She passes, but I fail," her friend told us.

Hmm … sounds familiar to us. We know that with our feisty little Poppy there’s a lot of 2-legged training to be done on the other end of any leash. Teamwork will win out in the end.

Heel, Zoey! And, thanks for being this week’s Sunday Dog.

Get to know all of our Sunday Dogs at Boston Dogs.

Do you have an Amazon Gift Certificate to use? Or do you need to buy one for a gift? Remember to click over to Amazon from here to support this site!

Details:

Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photography: © 2013 Penny & Ed Cherubino

Note on Comments: We monitor comments constantly and anything that is pure spam, inappropriate, or nasty is swept away. In addition to readers' comments, we welcome hearing from the people, places, and services we cover. Often, those add great insights for our readers. As long as it doesn’t become a pure ad, we’d love to hear from you. We do reserve the right to edit ads and links out of comments.

August 4, 2013
Sunday Dog, Zoey’s New Life in Boston

Not long ago, Zoey was saved from a last stop shelter in Arkansas and given a new life in Boston. Now, at about 14 months old, this charming little Dachshund is settling into her city home with ease. And, that means exploring, sniffing, and tasting every bit of her world!

“She’s a goat,” her person told us. “Anything that falls on the floor she’ll eat … all the sticks, acorns from the squirrels – she loves to eat!” Of course, when you’re a growing puppy, it’s behavior often seen as a right of passage, a way of testing boundaries, and learning about your surroundings.

And, for Zoey, learning also means “training!” This very bright, little hound is currently attending Good Manners Class at the Animal Rescue League.

How’s she doing? We were told, that when the trainer walks her around, she is perfectly obedient, but when the leash comes back to her regular companion, Zoey steals everyone’s treats because she’s food driven. "She passes, but I fail," her friend told us.

Hmm … sounds familiar to us. We know that with our feisty little Poppy there’s a lot of 2-legged training to be done on the other end of any leash. Teamwork will win out in the end.

Heel, Zoey! And, thanks for being this week’s Sunday Dog.

Get to know all of our Sunday Dogs at Boston Dogs.

Do you have an Amazon Gift Certificate to use? Or do you need to buy one for a gift? Remember to click over to Amazon from here to support this site!

Details:

Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photography: © 2013 Penny & Ed Cherubino

Note on Comments: We monitor comments constantly and anything that is pure spam, inappropriate, or nasty is swept away. In addition to readers' comments, we welcome hearing from the people, places, and services we cover. Often, those add great insights for our readers. As long as it doesn’t become a pure ad, we’d love to hear from you. We do reserve the right to edit ads and links out of comments.

August 4, 2013
More Goodness from Boston Food & Whine

This week's Friday Link is to Boston Food & Whine. Tammy is not only an old friend of mine but also of the Boston Food scene. Click through a few posts and you'll see a lot of reasons to become a regular visitor.

Tammy is the one who inspired me to post a lot more back when I started to grow BostonZest from a personal and very occasionally updated blog to a resource for those who shared my love of the city. She is the one whose lead I followed with daily posts.

Yes, this has been a Friday Link before. While it's nice to find new favorites on the web, it's good to spend some time with old friends, too.

Click over to Boston Food & Whine and explore.

Sign up for her feed

Follow @bostonfoodwhine on Twitter

Like her on Facebook

Enjoy the perspective of this smart and sassy woman who was a pioneer on the Boston food blog scene.

What's on your Food Lover's Shopping List? Shop Amazon for all your kitchen & dining needs and support this site!

Details:

Words: Penny Cherubino
Shreenshot: Courtesy of Boston Food & Whine

Note on Comments: We monitor comments constantly and anything that is pure spam, inappropriate, or nasty is swept away. In addition to readers' comments, we welcome hearing from the people, places, and services we cover. Often, those add great insights for our readers. As long as it doesn’t become a pure ad, we’d love to hear from you. We do reserve the right to edit ads and links out of comments.

August 2, 2013
More Goodness from Boston Food & Whine

This week's Friday Link is to Boston Food & Whine. Tammy is not only an old friend of mine but also of the Boston Food scene. Click through a few posts and you'll see a lot of reasons to become a regular visitor.

Tammy is the one who inspired me to post a lot more back when I started to grow BostonZest from a personal and very occasionally updated blog to a resource for those who shared my love of the city. She is the one whose lead I followed with daily posts.

Yes, this has been a Friday Link before. While it's nice to find new favorites on the web, it's good to spend some time with old friends, too.

Click over to Boston Food & Whine and explore.

Sign up for her feed

Follow @bostonfoodwhine on Twitter

Like her on Facebook

Enjoy the perspective of this smart and sassy woman who was a pioneer on the Boston food blog scene.

What's on your Food Lover's Shopping List? Shop Amazon for all your kitchen & dining needs and support this site!

Details:

Words: Penny Cherubino
Shreenshot: Courtesy of Boston Food & Whine

Note on Comments: We monitor comments constantly and anything that is pure spam, inappropriate, or nasty is swept away. In addition to readers' comments, we welcome hearing from the people, places, and services we cover. Often, those add great insights for our readers. As long as it doesn’t become a pure ad, we’d love to hear from you. We do reserve the right to edit ads and links out of comments.

August 2, 2013
Toasting August with Billecart-Salmon: A Tale of Two Bruts

We can’t think of a better way to ring-in a new month than by toasting with two glasses of bubbly from one of our favorite Champagne houses, Billecart-Salmon! No, wait. Actually, that would be four glasses and two bottles.

In this post, we explore two Champagne styles: ours and that of some of our wine-loving friends. The right wine is the wine you like! Besides, anytime you’re able to justify opening multiple bottles of these French jewels, the happier the occasion becomes.

However, in the interest of full disclosure, we actually opened our Champagne Billecart-Salmon Extra-Brut at the beach, last summer. Extra Brut is the driest designation of Champagne styles containing less than 0.6% sugar per liter. While this Billecart-Salmon contains the big three: Pinot Meunier, Pinot Noir, and Chardonnay, they point out that, “No sugar has been added to the dosage.”

Billecart-Salmon says, “A Champagne full of brightness and purity … harmonious minerality … balanced finish” Download More about Billecart-Salmon Etra Brut.

We say, “tight … a bit stern … but, focused”

As for the Champagne Billecart-Salmon Brut Réserve, we lifted our glasses to welcome August 2013, took our first sips, and couldn’t stop grinning!

We say, “round … mellow … friendly … magical … drink slowly through the temperatures” (allow to warm in your glass)

Billecart-Salmon says, “harmony … balance … persistent and abounding mousse … freshness … rich bouquet Download More about Billecart-Salomn BRUT RESERVE.

We began our love affair with Billecart-Salmon many years ago by falling for their Brut Rosé. Since then, we’ve come to appreciate the depth of this outstanding Champagne house and continue to try their many other offerings.

Whatever your taste in sparkling wine, we hope you’ll join us in a toast to month number eight, à votre santé!

Here’s More About

Our Sparkling Resolution

Our Sparkling Resolution Winner’s List

Do you have an Amazon Gift Certificate to use? Or do you need to buy one for a gift? Remember to click over to Amazon from here to support this site!

Details:

Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photography: © 2013 Penny & Ed Cherubino

August 1, 2013
Toasting August with Billecart-Salmon: A Tale of Two Bruts

We can’t think of a better way to ring-in a new month than by toasting with two glasses of bubbly from one of our favorite Champagne houses, Billecart-Salmon! No, wait. Actually, that would be four glasses and two bottles.

In this post, we explore two Champagne styles: ours and that of some of our wine-loving friends. The right wine is the wine you like! Besides, anytime you’re able to justify opening multiple bottles of these French jewels, the happier the occasion becomes.

However, in the interest of full disclosure, we actually opened our Champagne Billecart-Salmon Extra-Brut at the beach, last summer. Extra Brut is the driest designation of Champagne styles containing less than 0.6% sugar per liter. While this Billecart-Salmon contains the big three: Pinot Meunier, Pinot Noir, and Chardonnay, they point out that, “No sugar has been added to the dosage.”

Billecart-Salmon says, “A Champagne full of brightness and purity … harmonious minerality … balanced finish” Download More about Billecart-Salmon Etra Brut.

We say, “tight … a bit stern … but, focused”

As for the Champagne Billecart-Salmon Brut Réserve, we lifted our glasses to welcome August 2013, took our first sips, and couldn’t stop grinning!

We say, “round … mellow … friendly … magical … drink slowly through the temperatures” (allow to warm in your glass)

Billecart-Salmon says, “harmony … balance … persistent and abounding mousse … freshness … rich bouquet Download More about Billecart-Salomn BRUT RESERVE.

We began our love affair with Billecart-Salmon many years ago by falling for their Brut Rosé. Since then, we’ve come to appreciate the depth of this outstanding Champagne house and continue to try their many other offerings.

Whatever your taste in sparkling wine, we hope you’ll join us in a toast to month number eight, à votre santé!

Here’s More About

Our Sparkling Resolution

Our Sparkling Resolution Winner’s List

Do you have an Amazon Gift Certificate to use? Or do you need to buy one for a gift? Remember to click over to Amazon from here to support this site!

Details:

Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photography: © 2013 Penny & Ed Cherubino

August 1, 2013
Your Farmers’ Market Kit: Cash, Bags, Containers

Bring Cash

Ones, fives, tens, and quarters. The farmers will love you, and you’ll shop faster! Each year, more stands take credit cards, but they tend to be the ones with higher priced items like meat and specialty foods.

Bring Bags and Containers

Also, bring what you’ll need to tote your fresh food home. For example, I bring plastic containers for berries and cherry tomatoes. It ensures they arrive home in perfect condition.

Remember, a local farmer doesn’t grow and pick fruit and vegetables to make them perfect for shipping, they grow and pick them to make them perfectly delicious. You also save the farm the expense of the bags and baskets and help the environment.

Keep it Cold

Finally, bring an ice pack or a small cooler. It can hold all your shopping or just perishables like meat, fish, cheese, and eggs.

Do you have an Amazon Gift Certificate to use? Or do you need to buy one for a birthday or wedding gift? Remember to click over to Amazon from here to support this site!

Details:

Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photography: © 2013 Penny & Ed Cherubino

July 31, 2013