I have to believe that during the years when it was the Elks Hotel, there were a few informal sessions conducted within its walls.
In those days, you advertised which orchestra guests would find in your ballroom.
By 1960, George Wein had moved his Storyville jazz club to the Bradford Hotel for one last year of great jazz performances in Boston before dedicating his full-time attention to the Newport Jazz Festival that he had founded in 1954. The Duke Ellington Orchestra played an opening, one-week engagement on September 12, 1960.
To learn more about this club and George Wein's memories of jazz in Boston, I suggest you read this wonderful three-part interview over on JazzWax.com by Marc Myers.
Today's history post about the hotels that have stood at 275 Tremont Street in Boston came about because of a question directed at Adam Gaffin of Universal Hub over on Twitter.
I took a quick look at some old maps superimposed on today's google view and saw that the building was once the Hotel Bradford.
Originally it was the Elks Hotel, designed by the architectural firm of McLaughlin & Burr and dedicated in 1926. It was in the heart of Boston's Theatre District because it served as the headquarters of the Boston Lodge 10 of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. This organization began as a fraternal group for the entertainers who would be working in this area.
(image from a private collection)
While I did not find any images or postcards, the Bradford Hotel became Tremont House and then was converted to a Courtyard by Marriott. You can see that today in this Google Streetview.
Katie responded with a nice thank you and brought the subject of music into my quest. Yes, Katie, this building did have an important place in the world of music, but it was jazz rather than opera. I'll tell you about that tomorrow with a link to a great three part interview that provided confirmation and a primary source for what I found mentioned elsewhere. (Here's the link to that part of the story!)
Update 01/15/16: The folks over at Back Bay Houses contributed the image of this postcard to add to our post.
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 Cherubino Images: as credited under each one.
Today's history post about the hotels that have stood at 275 Tremont Street in Boston came about because of a question directed at Adam Gaffin of Universal Hub over on Twitter.
I took a quick look at some old maps superimposed on today's google view and saw that the building was once the Hotel Bradford.
Originally it was the Elks Hotel, designed by the architectural firm of McLaughlin & Burr and dedicated in 1926. It was in the heart of Boston's Theatre District because it served as the headquarters of the Boston Lodge 10 of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. This organization began as a fraternal group for the entertainers who would be working in this area.
(image from a private collection)
While I did not find any images or postcards, the Bradford Hotel became Tremont House and then was converted to a Courtyard by Marriott. You can see that today in this Google Streetview.
Katie responded with a nice thank you and brought the subject of music into my quest. Yes, Katie, this building did have an important place in the world of music, but it was jazz rather than opera. I'll tell you about that tomorrow with a link to a great three part interview that provided confirmation and a primary source for what I found mentioned elsewhere. (Here's the link to that part of the story!)
Update 01/15/16: The folks over at Back Bay Houses contributed the image of this postcard to add to our post.
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 Cherubino Images: as credited under each one.
Our readers are already searching our past posts to figure out where to dine on New Year's Eve in Boston. It's time for you to grab a reservation at a special place!
And, since it was popular last year, we're adding a few places we think might be great for starting off 2016 with friends and family around a brunch table.
We all have our ideas of the perfect New Year's Eve.
Are you looking for a place to ring in 2015 with a happy crowd?
Will you be out and about dropping in on events or house parties?
Or will you make a reservation for a quiet dinner before popping a cork for a private celebration?
Is a walk to view skating on the Frog Pond more your style?
We'll leave the New Year's Eve reservation for those of you who like to be part of a bigger celebration, while we spend the evening with some sparkling wine, good food, and great companions. However, we have gathered resources to help you find a place for any kind of New Year's Eve you'd like.
You can put a time into the reservation box on the main page and see what's available. Remember, many places have special prix fixe menus for occasions like this and some may require a credit card to hold a reservation.
The site Boston Chefs always posts a listing of its member restaurants that have special plans for New Year's Eve. Here is their New Year's Eve list. And, here's the list for New Year's Day. We'll update this section as we spot new information from these sources.
We'll add updates with other lists, as they become available, from trusted sources around town. Please remember that when we provide a link to a list, we are just giving you a resource. It doesn't mean we are recommending the restaurants on that list. These summaries often include places we love, but since other publishers have different standards, their list may include restaurants we would never recommend.
We Do Recommend!
There are restaurants that have planned a special New Year's Eve menu but have built their reputations on high quality food. These are places where you can expect to have a wonderful meal any day of the year.
Select Oyster Bar will serve a 7-course tasting menu. There are still a few seats left for a 6pm and 9pm seating.
Island Creek Oyster Bar is serving its regular menu and that kindness puts them high on our list.
Row 34 will serve their regular menu with a special addition: "Caviar and Champagne are the name of the game this New Year's Eve. Ossetra caviar and NV Krug Grand Cuvee are available for enjoying at cost …"
Bistro du Midi is offering two seatings at two prices with two prix fixe menus.
Open Table did not have a New Year's Day Brunch list when we prepared this post. We put a request in for a table at 11:30 AM to come up with our recommendations.
Craigie on Main decided to do away with their regular Sunday brunch, but they will have brunch on a few selected holidays like New Year's Day.
Petit Robert Bistro would be a great place to enjoy the beginning of a new year with a gang.
Our readers are already searching our past posts to figure out where to dine on New Year's Eve in Boston. It's time for you to grab a reservation at a special place!
And, since it was popular last year, we're adding a few places we think might be great for starting off 2016 with friends and family around a brunch table.
We all have our ideas of the perfect New Year's Eve.
Are you looking for a place to ring in 2015 with a happy crowd?
Will you be out and about dropping in on events or house parties?
Or will you make a reservation for a quiet dinner before popping a cork for a private celebration?
Is a walk to view skating on the Frog Pond more your style?
We'll leave the New Year's Eve reservation for those of you who like to be part of a bigger celebration, while we spend the evening with some sparkling wine, good food, and great companions. However, we have gathered resources to help you find a place for any kind of New Year's Eve you'd like.
You can put a time into the reservation box on the main page and see what's available. Remember, many places have special prix fixe menus for occasions like this and some may require a credit card to hold a reservation.
The site Boston Chefs always posts a listing of its member restaurants that have special plans for New Year's Eve. Here is their New Year's Eve list. And, here's the list for New Year's Day. We'll update this section as we spot new information from these sources.
We'll add updates with other lists, as they become available, from trusted sources around town. Please remember that when we provide a link to a list, we are just giving you a resource. It doesn't mean we are recommending the restaurants on that list. These summaries often include places we love, but since other publishers have different standards, their list may include restaurants we would never recommend.
We Do Recommend!
There are restaurants that have planned a special New Year's Eve menu but have built their reputations on high quality food. These are places where you can expect to have a wonderful meal any day of the year.
Select Oyster Bar will serve a 7-course tasting menu. There are still a few seats left for a 6pm and 9pm seating.
Island Creek Oyster Bar is serving its regular menu and that kindness puts them high on our list.
Row 34 will serve their regular menu with a special addition: "Caviar and Champagne are the name of the game this New Year's Eve. Ossetra caviar and NV Krug Grand Cuvee are available for enjoying at cost …"
Bistro du Midi is offering two seatings at two prices with two prix fixe menus.
Open Table did not have a New Year's Day Brunch list when we prepared this post. We put a request in for a table at 11:30 AM to come up with our recommendations.
Craigie on Main decided to do away with their regular Sunday brunch, but they will have brunch on a few selected holidays like New Year's Day.
Petit Robert Bistro would be a great place to enjoy the beginning of a new year with a gang.
Where can you dine on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day in the Boston area?
There are a few great choices! But, if you're planning to dine at one of Boston's fine restaurants over the holidays, make a reservation! More than ever, family and friends are gathering in area restaurants on holidays like this, which means spots at your favorites may be gone if you wait too long.
Don't be surprised if a deposit is required to hold your reservation or if there are special menus and seatings for these special holiday meals. Unfortunately, restaurants have been forced to do this because of people who make multiple reservations, so they can decide at the last minute where to go. This leaves other diners without choices and the restaurants with empty tables.
What's Open on Christmas Eve?
There are more choices on Christmas Eve than on Christmas Day. Some of our favorite, special places have wonderful holiday meals planned for those who reserve for the 24th.
The legendary team from L'Espalier normally offers a prix fixe Christmas Eve menu.
La Morra in Brookline is an ideal spot to meet friends or family from that side of the Boston area. They are offering family style dining, "sharing traditional dishes of Piedmonte."
Meritage at the Boston Harbor Hotel has a four course prixe fixe menu set for the 24th.
Petit Robert Bistro locations will be open with regular meals and specials. We like the one on Columbus Ave in the South End.
At the early date of this posting, some places have not announced their traditional Feast of the Seven Fishes events for Chistmas Eve. Check back or follow us on Twitter for updates on this fun, holiday dining option.
Coppa Enoteca is one of our favorites and is offering their version of this tradition.
Dante in Cambridge will present Chef Dante de Magistris' version of the feast with other menu items available.
Grotto was one of the first to present this holiday tradition. Marliave,Grotto's sibling downtown will also hold in the festive fish feast. Kitchen and will be open offering the regular menu with a seafood theme for those who prefer an à la carte choice.
Other places open on holidays would include chain restaurants and some places in Chinatown. We once asked a longtime Boston cabbie where we could get something we needed on Christmas, and he said Chinatown was the place to go.
Here are some conversations on Eater, Chowhound.com and Trip Advisor about Christmas dining. We'll add more as we see them pop up this year and we'll link to lists from other Boston food sites.
But, you can also input information on the reservation you want on Open Table and come up with a list of restaurants open at that hour. Change the hour and the list will change and some are not on the featured lists. It's a good place to start.
Where can you dine on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day in the Boston area?
There are a few great choices! But, if you're planning to dine at one of Boston's fine restaurants over the holidays, make a reservation! More than ever, family and friends are gathering in area restaurants on holidays like this, which means spots at your favorites may be gone if you wait too long.
Don't be surprised if a deposit is required to hold your reservation or if there are special menus and seatings for these special holiday meals. Unfortunately, restaurants have been forced to do this because of people who make multiple reservations, so they can decide at the last minute where to go. This leaves other diners without choices and the restaurants with empty tables.
What's Open on Christmas Eve?
There are more choices on Christmas Eve than on Christmas Day. Some of our favorite, special places have wonderful holiday meals planned for those who reserve for the 24th.
The legendary team from L'Espalier normally offers a prix fixe Christmas Eve menu.
La Morra in Brookline is an ideal spot to meet friends or family from that side of the Boston area. They are offering family style dining, "sharing traditional dishes of Piedmonte."
Meritage at the Boston Harbor Hotel has a four course prixe fixe menu set for the 24th.
Petit Robert Bistro locations will be open with regular meals and specials. We like the one on Columbus Ave in the South End.
At the early date of this posting, some places have not announced their traditional Feast of the Seven Fishes events for Chistmas Eve. Check back or follow us on Twitter for updates on this fun, holiday dining option.
Coppa Enoteca is one of our favorites and is offering their version of this tradition.
Dante in Cambridge will present Chef Dante de Magistris' version of the feast with other menu items available.
Grotto was one of the first to present this holiday tradition. Marliave,Grotto's sibling downtown will also hold in the festive fish feast. Kitchen and will be open offering the regular menu with a seafood theme for those who prefer an à la carte choice.
Other places open on holidays would include chain restaurants and some places in Chinatown. We once asked a longtime Boston cabbie where we could get something we needed on Christmas, and he said Chinatown was the place to go.
Here are some conversations on Eater, Chowhound.com and Trip Advisor about Christmas dining. We'll add more as we see them pop up this year and we'll link to lists from other Boston food sites.
But, you can also input information on the reservation you want on Open Table and come up with a list of restaurants open at that hour. Change the hour and the list will change and some are not on the featured lists. It's a good place to start.
People who return time-after-time to the same vacation spot have the advantage of noticing changes for the good – like the fact that, each visit, we see more evidence of a growing oyster population in Provincetown Harbor.
Among the rocks on this jetty that we scamper over on our beach walks are big clusters of oysters that were not there last fall. We remember quite a few years ago when a test bed of oysters was planted in a space near the town dock and we used to see oyster shells and live oysters in that area.
After we returned home and Penny began poking around to learn more about Provincetown oysters, we learned that there is one shellfish grant in operation in town. John Santos and Lory Stewart farm littlenecks and oysters. Their oyster is called a Long Pointer and from now on, we'll be looking for it on menus.
People who return time-after-time to the same vacation spot have the advantage of noticing changes for the good – like the fact that, each visit, we see more evidence of a growing oyster population in Provincetown Harbor.
Among the rocks on this jetty that we scamper over on our beach walks are big clusters of oysters that were not there last fall. We remember quite a few years ago when a test bed of oysters was planted in a space near the town dock and we used to see oyster shells and live oysters in that area.
After we returned home and Penny began poking around to learn more about Provincetown oysters, we learned that there is one shellfish grant in operation in town. John Santos and Lory Stewart farm littlenecks and oysters. Their oyster is called a Long Pointer and from now on, we'll be looking for it on menus.
We've received so many nice comments on Ed's "Poet's Quill" photo on the cover of the The Back Bay Sun that we decided to share it with our BostonZest readers. And, we wanted to say, "Thank You," to all our friends and neighbors who stop to say nice things about our photos. We appreciate the encouragement and support.
The caption we wrote for the newspaper was:
Poet’s Quill
At the Boston Women’s Memorial, rain droplets beaded on Phillis Wheatley’s quill pen. Most feathers for quill pens were taken from the wings of geese. After writing a couple of pages, your quill would need resharpening with a penknife. [Ed Cherubino Photo]
Ed and I have different approaches to photography which makes for a nice selection of varied shots when we put all our photos on a topic into our computers to select the right one for the client. Ed loves his Nikon 35mm 1.8 fixed lens. I love my Nikon 28-300 Zoom. This day, Ed captured the feel of the raindrops on the surface of the quill.
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!
’s quill pen. Most feathers for quill pens were taken from the wings of geese. After writing a couple of pages, your quill would need resharpening with a penknife
. 
fixed lens. I love my 
. This day, Ed captured the feel of the raindrops on the surface of the 
.