Author: Ed

Food Tips for Shakespeare on the Common

This season’s run of Shakesphere on the Common opens tonight and continues through August 12th. The food selection around the Boston Common has improved over the past couple of years.

This lovely photo from a past performance is by Katherine Hala, here is her photostream.

Here are a few places where you can pick up a delicious supper to enjoy while you watch Coriolanus.

Clover Food Truck

A Clover Food Lab truck is now stationed at the restored Brewer Plaza. Ed loves their Chick Pea Fritter Sandwich and those rosemary fries are a must! See who else likes Clover here!

Clover’s Chick Pea Fritter Sandwich (Photo by Penny Cherubino)

Bacco’s Wine and Cheese

On St. James Avenue near Arlington is Bacco’s Wine and Cheese– a great stop for a picnic supper. They have prepared sandwiches; their famous bento boxes containing an enticing selection of cheese, salumi, bread, and olives; or you can always choose what catches your eye on the counter.

A recent picnic from Bacco’s. Photo: Penny Cherubino

Falafel King

In Downtown Crossing, right across from the Park Street MBTA station, you’ll find the small, ethnic food court where Falafel King reigns supreme. We usually order the combo plate, but all the items we’ve tried have been great.

The Thinking Cup

The Thinking Cup coffee shop across from the Common on Tremont Street is known for their great coffee but they also have a fine selection of sandwiches and pastries.

Another shot by Katherine Hala.

Savenor’s

If you are coming from Beacon Hill, consider a stop at Savenor’s on Charles Street. Manager Diana Tovar says they have added a “Grab and Go” sandwich selection to their shop. It’s also the perfect place to walk around and gather all the elements for a delicious picnic– fruit, cheese, desserts, and a few special treats.

Elsewhere on Charles Street, you could order take-out from Café Vanille, the Paramount, or Panificio. All three have great sandwiches and salads.

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Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino

Photography: Katherine Hala, here is her photostream. Used under this creative commons license.

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July 25, 2012
Cherry Tart Season at Clear Flour Bakery: A Best Bite

We had finished lunch in Kenmore Square and were looking at the dessert menu. Nothing was tempting me but I knew that temptation was quietly waiting behind the counter at Clear Flour Bread in Brookline.

I leaned over and whispered to Ed, "Clear Flour." His eyes lit up and we were soon on a Green line B train to Packard's Corner where we filled a shopping bag with baked goodness.

While bread may be in their "official" name, Clear Flour is one of our favorite places to buy pastries. They usually have a country tart. The fillings are seasonal. On this visit our choices were cherry or peach/plum.

Related Posts:

Clear Flour Bread– Clearly Artisan, Clearly Charming…

Clear Flour Pain Meunier or Miller's Bread

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Details:

Clear Flour Bread

178 Thorndike Street, Brookline, MA 02446-5844 (map)

(617) 739-0060

Words: Penny Cherubino
Photography: © 2012 Penny & Ed Cherubino

July 24, 2012
Bass Fishing on the Charles River

All summer long, we've seen rods and reels along the Esplanade as anglers choose favorite spots for a major bass fishing tournament to be held on the Charles and Mystic Rivers in September. The B.A.S.S. Federation Nation, Eastern Division Championship will take place on the Charles and Mystic Rivers from September 12th to the 14th, 2012.

This bass, caught along the Esplanade canoeway, was too small to keep. After posing for a quick photo, it was returned to the river.

Perhaps the currents under the Mass Ave Bridge are a sweet spot for this angler.

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Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photography: © 2012 Penny & Ed Cherubino

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July 23, 2012
Meet Raisin from Four Preppy Paws on Charles Street

Raisin was nowhere in sight when we stopped by Four Preppy Paws on Charles Street in Beacon Hill. We needed to ask her to model for a photo we were taking for Penny's City Paws newpaper column.

We soon discovered that she was hiding in plain sight, under a pretty pink blanket in the front window of the shop. She was kind enough to pop out for a few minutes to let us take some shots.

She loves snoozing under the covers while serving as consultant for the shop.

She thinks she's well hidden behind a couple of big dog beds and she does have her assistant watchdog on duty while she rests.

We think Raisin is very pretty and has a regal profile. She's also a lot of fun and we were happy that her request to put her cover-up back over her head was quickly accommodated by her person.

Does your dog or cat have a silly habit that makes you smile? Please share in the comments below.

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Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photography: © 2012 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.

July 22, 2012
Love Those South End Fences

As a fan of traditional architecture, different parts of Boston attract me with their delightful details. The South End is rich in wonderful buildings filled with outstanding design elements. But as I walk there, my eye is constantly seeking out the rows of cast iron fences marching along the streets.

Fences, like the one in Ed's photo above, have an unmistakable strength and dignity and seem to unite buildings into strings of neighbors. With the brick sidewalks, they give you a sense of time and place.

A big thank you to The South End Historical Society for helping to restore and preserve this trademark in their neighborhood.

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Words: Penny Cherubino
Photography: © 2012 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.

July 21, 2012
Archaeology Dig on Your Bucket List? Here’s Your Chance…

The City of Boston Archaeology Program is asking for volunteers to help them sort through items found on the Boston Common. We think this will fascinate some of our readers so we're making this our Friday link.

They say, "This week's goals are to finish cataloging the 2012 Boston Common Men's Comfort Station and sorting of the 95 boxes of artifacts from previous excavations on the Common. With some luck and lots of volunteer help, we could have one of the most important archaeological collections in the City in organized and stable conditions. Interested in volunteering at the lab?"

If you are, click here to send an email to Joseph Bagley, the city archaeologist.

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Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Screengrab from the City of Boston Archaeology Facebook page

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.

July 20, 2012
The Seafood Grille at The Waterford Inn, Provincetown

Sometimes, we don't feel like leaving the East End of Provincetown, where we usually stay– even for a meal. Then, we're happy to have a place like the Seafood Grille at the Waterford Inn open for lunch.

We had the fish tacos and loved them.

They have tables inside, in the courtyard, and on a small sidewalk patio out front. There is also a second floor, covered deck that will often have live music. This is also a quieter part of town if you want to take a break from the busy center of town.

They do a good job with fried scallops too!

These photos are from our spring vacation. By now, both the town and the restaurant will be bustling and the perfect spot for people watching as you dine. We couldn't find a website for the restaurant, so we linked to the reviews over on Trip Advisor. As you'll see, we are not the only ones who like the newest menu options in this spot.

Related Posts: Here's a link to the rest of our Provincetown posts.

The Seafood Grille at The Waterford Inn

‪386 Commercial Street, Provincetown, MA 02657-2319‬ (map)

508-487-6400

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Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photography: © 2012 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.

July 19, 2012
Wine Cork as Chopstick Rest

I walked into the kitchen to find my favorite wooden chopsticks drying on the counter. Ed had them resting on the cork from the wine we had with dinner. Brilliant! From now on, I'll grab a cork every time I grab chopsticks!

Do you save wine corks? Do you recycle them? Have secret uses for them? Please share in the comment section below!

A Champagne cork has a built-in groove for the chopsticks.

But, you can use any cork!

And, if you want to make a lasting set, you could trim a sliver off each cork with a serrated knife (watch your fingers) so the corks have a flat side. That would work even better. You might also choose corks from bottles of wine you've opened on special occasions to remember those events.

We've also cut corks in half on the diagonal to use as wedges to keep doors open at rental homes or to prevent tables from wobbling. I still recall the amazed look on a waiter's face the time we asked for a cork and a steak knife to solve their tippy table issue.

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Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photography: © 2012 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.

July 18, 2012
Smooth Top Cooktop Tips

We have an all electric kitchen. So when we replaced our range, we opted for a smooth top cooktop. These are far easier to clean and add usable surface to a small kitchen.

I’ve figured out a few tricks to have even less cleanup to do after I cook. When what I’m sautéing will spatter and make a mess, (like the Irish black & white pudding above), I put a half sheet pan over the unused burners. This keeps them clean so they are ready to use without grease around them that might burn.

You can see how much mess stayed off the area that was covered by the sheet pan.

That sheet pan, covered by a piece of parchment or waxed paper, also serves as counterspace as I cook.

One more tip is to use a larger pot than you think you need. Especially if you’re making one of those items the owners’ manuals warn about. My Bosch manual says, “Remove dry sugar, sugar syrup, tomato products and milk immediately with the razor blade scraper.” I use a big pan to try to keep those items in the pan and off the cooktop.

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Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photography: © 2012 Penny & Ed Cherubino

July 17, 2012
Twig Farm Square Cheese Is Back!

If I were really pressed to name my favorite cheese, I'd still have a list. But near the top of that list would be Twig Farm Square. It's near the top of the list for other cheese lovers too. The small supply sometimes disappears quickly and you have to wait until the next batch is ready.

It's ready!

And, it's now available in a few of my favorite cheese shops. The piece above came from South End Formaggio. But, it's also at Central Bottle in Central Square and Formaggio Kitchen.

We've already provided you with a full post on this cheese so I won't go into all the delicious details here, except to say that the current batch is great with a dab of honey.

Ed and I usually have a cheese for a few days and often have a small cheese plate with three or four selections. But one taste of this Twig Farm Square, and we decided it was an evening for "one perfect cheese."

Related Posts: Here's more about Cheese from BostonZest

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Words: Penny Cherubino
Photography: © 2012 Penny 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.

July 16, 2012