Category: Boston:101

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.

What’s on your Summer Fun shopping list? Shop Amazon Everything You Need for Summer Fun and support this site!

Details:

Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino

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

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 25, 2012
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.

What’s on your Summer Fun shopping list? Shop Amazon Everything You Need for Summer Fun and support this site!

Details:

Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino

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

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 25, 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.

What's on your Summer Fun shopping list? Shop Amazon – Get Ready for Summer – Everything You Need and support this site!

Details:

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.

What's on your Summer Fun shopping list? Shop Amazon – Get Ready for Summer – Everything You Need and support this site!

Details:

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
Step On It – Boston’s Sidewalk Scavenger Hunt

Today we're linking to a WalkBoston event coming up on July 21st. You have one week to sign up and get ready.

Step On It – Boston's Sidewalk Scavenger Hunt is an opportunity for turning a walk with friends into an adventure in how much you really know about Boston.

You put together a team, check in at 2:20 pm on the 21st at the designated location, pick up your sheet of sidewalk clues, and set out to find 15 secret objects. By 4 pm, you return to the starting point to see if you've won and enjoy sharing hunt stories with other teams.

Full details here, then sign up here.

It sounds like a great way to enjoy a summer afternoon with friends in the city while becoming better acquainted with a great organization. WalkBoston is the one group that stands up for walkers, first and foremost, in this city.

What's on your Summer Fun shopping list? Shop Amazon – Get Ready for Summer – Everything You Need and support this site!

Details:

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 13, 2012
North End Waterfront: Our Friday Link

When we want to know what's happening in the North End or Waterfront area, we click over to NorthEndWaterfront.com.

For Locals

If you live in or near the neighborhood, it is essential reading. Or, if you are simply devoted fans of the area and want to know all the details of new restaurants, festivals, people and places, it's a perfect daily visit. For example, here's a link to the 2012 Feast Schedule.

If you live in a different neighborhood, it's good to see the issues that these neighbors face and how they are dealing with them. Sharing information between Boston's distinct communities can be powerful.

For Visitors to Boston

When we visit a new place, Penny will read the local papers and community websites. This gives us a sense of what's going on around us as we walk the streets and sit in the cafes.

For anyone who wants to make the North End an important part of their Boston visit, this is one site to research before you arrive. You'll find listings of Attractions and Tours plus maps showing WiFi hot spots, parking, and restaruants.

We admit to being a bit addicted to the site. We subscribe to the site's RSS feed, follow it on Twitter, and Facebook. We are great admirers of the dedication and skill that Matt Conti puts into this site and hope you will click over, explore, and find that you enjoy it too.

What's on your Summer Fun shopping list? Shop Amazon – Get Ready for Summer – Everything You Need and support this site!

Details:

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 6, 2012
Take a July 4th Revolutionary Stroll in the Heart of Boston

While you're waiting for the concert and fireworks, consider taking a stroll to visit some of the people who led the battle for independence.

In addition to George Washington, you'll also find statues honoring Revolutionary heroes Colonel Thomas Cass, and Tadeusz Kościuszko in the Boston Public Garden.

The Commonwealth Avenue Mall has three important figures from the Revolutionary War: Alexander Hamilton, General John Glover, and Abigail Adams.

And, of course, the Freedom Trail is the perfect hop-on-hop-off path that honors the people and places that played a leading role in what we celebrate today!

What's on your Summer Fun shopping list? Shop Amazon – Get Ready for Summer – Everything You Need and support this site!

Details:

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 4, 2012
Where to Pick up Great Food for Boston Summer Events

This is going to be a big week for events around Boston with both the July 4th Celebration on the Esplanade and the Tall Ships in the Harbor. If you want to pick up a picnic to enjoy at a summer event, we have some great links.

Along the Charles on July 4th, both sides of the river and all the bridges will be filled with fireworks fans. Here are some of the places where you can pick up a meal near an entrance to the Esplanade or close to Memorial Drive on the Cambridge side. You do need food while you stake out your spot for the big show.

The fireworks barges on the river.

Back Bay

Marlboro Market (map & reviews) has a deli counter where they make some of the best sandwich values in the area. Simple, hearty fare made to your specifications by the friendly crew behind the counter. Bonus, you can fill your cooler with soft drinks, chips, and anything else you need here. They even sell the coolers!

For an Indian feast stop into India Samraat and choose a selection from their menu that will add an exotic note to your picnic.

Update: Both India Samraat and L'Aroma Cafe have closed.

L'Aroma Cafe on Newbury Street is between the Arlington and Dartmouth Street footbridges to the park and offers a great selection of take-out.

A recent picnic from Bacco's

Bacco's Wine and Cheese is on St. James right off Arlington making it the perfect place to pick up a meal for either the Esplanade or The Boston Common. We love to scan the case, pick a salumi, a couple of cheeses, some rolls, and enjoy a meal on a shady bench.

Cambridge Central Square

This is becoming a true food destination and not just for all the great restaurants located there.

Central Bottle + Provisions will be open on the 4th and is great for those who'll be coming to the river from the North. They have a great selection of cheese, salumi, and an ever changing daily food selection.

On days other than this holdiay, you can add a great dessert to your basket from Flour Bakery next door. (We called and confirmed that Flour is closed on the 4th.)

Beacon Hill

Savenor's Market built its reputation on excellent meat but they have always offered a fine selection of other food. Now the Cambridge Market has a deli, and they are delivering "Grab & Go" sandwiches to the Charles Street store, so that you can pop in on your way to an event and walk out with everything you want.

Other favorite picnic pick-up locations for us from Charles Street are: The Paramount , Cafe Vanille, and Panificio.

Boston Common

There is now some good food right on the Common. You'll find a Clover Food Lab truck stationed by the newly restored Brewer Plaza for long hours each day. There is also The Frog Pond Cafe in-season with some very nice options.

Across from the Common is the Thinking Cup. This cafe has built a solid reputation on its outstanding coffee service but it also has great sandwiches and pastry.

Keep these in mind when you plan your Shakespeare on the Common evening this year.

Waterfront & North End

Gathering food in the North End is a regular habit of ours. We love Salumeria Italiana and will often pick up a quick meal from their offerings.

If we want prepared foods, we head for J. Pace & Son where they can fill your cooler with sandwiches, salads, calzones, and other Italian favorites. And, they also have shops in the West End and Seaport.

Along the Greenway, there is an ever changing collection of food trucks and carts for meals and snacks. They have a schedule posted here. You can consult our food truck tab to learn more about some of the rolling restaurants.

We've given you a start and told you about the places we go and enjoy. Tell us about your favorite places to enjoy an event or a meal, and where you love to go to pick up your food.

What's on your Summer Fun shopping list? Shop Amazon – Get Ready for Summer – Everything You Need and support this site!

Details:

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 3, 2012
Esplanade Concert Stages before the Hatch Shell

Since 1940, Boston Pops Concerts on the Esplanade have been held at the Edward Hatch Memorial Concertorium, better known as the Hatch Shell. But, there have been concert stages along the river since July 4th, 1929.

(Photo courtesy of the Massachusetts DCR Archives)

The Hatch Shell replaced temporary music stages that had been used for Arthur Fiedler’s Esplanade concerts since the inaugural event. The first concert stage was a small platform backed by a shell-shaped sounding board made of wood. This structure was erected and dismantled for each season’s concerts.

In 1934, this was replaced by a temporary steel structure. While it was designed with an open back, it was described as, “insufferably hot” by Linda Cox in, “The Charles River Esplanade, Its Fascinating History.”

In 1939, the trustees of Maria E. Hatch’s estate entered into an agreement to give the Commonwealth of Massachusetts $300,000 to build a concertorium or music shell on the Storrow Memorial Embankment in Boston. It would be a memorial to her bother, Boston real estate auctioneer, Edward Hatch.

The agreement was very specific as to the use of the structure. It would be for “musical and artistic purposes… of general public interest and entertainment, except, however, that it shall not be used for sectarian, political or controversial purposes.”

What's on your Summer Fun shopping list? Shop Amazon – Get Ready for Summer – Everything You Need and support this site!

Details:

Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Postcards are from a private collection

June 28, 2012
Everyone’s Photographing the Big, Round, Giant Allium

In the Boston Public Garden and along the Greenway, we watched people stop to photograph the Giant Allium plants that have been blooming during the past couple of weeks. For a short time each year, these blooms add a pop of color and fun to the landscape.

Add a link to your favorite Allium photo in the comments section!

What's on your Summer Fun shopping list? Shop Amazon – Get Ready for Summer – Everything You Need and support this site!

Details:

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.

June 23, 2012