Category: City Life

Memorial Day: Time for the Seasonal Shift!

If you’re like us, you view Memorial Day as the official start of summer. Even the runners on the Esplanade seem to shift to summer speeds. Sometimes, if you sit along one side of a lagoon or canoeway, the people on the opposite side seem to be moving in slo-mo!

It’s time for long walks around the city, visits to area beaches, clam shacks, and farm stands. Daytrips and weekends away are on the calendars.

What are your favorite things to do in and around Boston in the summertime? Do you have tips for free or inexpensive things to do in the city?

Do you have an Amazon Gift Certificate to use? Or do you need to buy one for a Graduation 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

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.

May 27, 2013
Memorial Day: Time for the Seasonal Shift!

If you’re like us, you view Memorial Day as the official start of summer. Even the runners on the Esplanade seem to shift to summer speeds. Sometimes, if you sit along one side of a lagoon or canoeway, the people on the opposite side seem to be moving in slo-mo!

It’s time for long walks around the city, visits to area beaches, clam shacks, and farm stands. Daytrips and weekends away are on the calendars.

What are your favorite things to do in and around Boston in the summertime? Do you have tips for free or inexpensive things to do in the city?

Do you have an Amazon Gift Certificate to use? Or do you need to buy one for a Graduation 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

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.

May 27, 2013
Public Garden Moment: Photo of the Week
This week, it was one of Ed's photos that made its way onto the cover of the Back Bay Sun. He was walking our Westie Poppy in the Public Garden when he stopped to enjoy the scene and take a few pictures.

The copy reads:

Public Garden Moment

“No two gardens are the same. No two days are the same in one garden.” (Hugh Johnson)

You can read some of the stories at the newspaper's website www.backbaysun.com and download a copy of the paper by clicking on the "Full Print Edition" icon in the left hand column. The new issue is usually on the website by Wednesday of each week. Since that icon only lasts until the next paper is published, we have uploaded a copy to this link, so that you can find it anytime.

In this earlier post is a list of the other places where you can find copies of this local paper. We usually get ours in the Circulation Room at the Boston Public Library in Copley Square. There, you'll also find copies of the The Beacon Hill Times and the The North End Regional Review. Here's a link to download a list of the other places where you can find copies of this local paper.

We are hearing from friends and neighbors and BostonZest readers who have left the area, that they like us connecting to copies of The Back Bay Sun. We plan to make this a regular feature to remind you of this great collection of local papers from the Independent Newspaper group.

Disclosure: The Independent Newspaper Group, owner of all three of these papers, is one of our freelance clients and you'll see our photographs, columns, and articles in their newpapers. Here are links to all their local papers.
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 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.
May 25, 2013
Public Garden Moment: Photo of the Week
This week, it was one of Ed's photos that made its way onto the cover of the Back Bay Sun. He was walking our Westie Poppy in the Public Garden when he stopped to enjoy the scene and take a few pictures.

The copy reads:

Public Garden Moment

“No two gardens are the same. No two days are the same in one garden.” (Hugh Johnson)

You can read some of the stories at the newspaper's website www.backbaysun.com and download a copy of the paper by clicking on the "Full Print Edition" icon in the left hand column. The new issue is usually on the website by Wednesday of each week. Since that icon only lasts until the next paper is published, we have uploaded a copy to this link, so that you can find it anytime.

In this earlier post is a list of the other places where you can find copies of this local paper. We usually get ours in the Circulation Room at the Boston Public Library in Copley Square. There, you'll also find copies of the The Beacon Hill Times and the The North End Regional Review. Here's a link to download a list of the other places where you can find copies of this local paper.

We are hearing from friends and neighbors and BostonZest readers who have left the area, that they like us connecting to copies of The Back Bay Sun. We plan to make this a regular feature to remind you of this great collection of local papers from the Independent Newspaper group.

Disclosure: The Independent Newspaper Group, owner of all three of these papers, is one of our freelance clients and you'll see our photographs, columns, and articles in their newpapers. Here are links to all their local papers.
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 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.
May 25, 2013
Public Garden Moment: Photo of the Week
This week, it was one of Ed's photos that made its way onto the cover of the Back Bay Sun. He was walking our Westie Poppy in the Public Garden when he stopped to enjoy the scene and take a few pictures.

The copy reads:

Public Garden Moment

“No two gardens are the same. No two days are the same in one garden.” (Hugh Johnson)

You can read some of the stories at the newspaper's website www.backbaysun.com and download a copy of the paper by clicking on the "Full Print Edition" icon in the left hand column. The new issue is usually on the website by Wednesday of each week. Since that icon only lasts until the next paper is published, we have uploaded a copy to this link, so that you can find it anytime.

In this earlier post is a list of the other places where you can find copies of this local paper. We usually get ours in the Circulation Room at the Boston Public Library in Copley Square. There, you'll also find copies of the The Beacon Hill Times and the The North End Regional Review. Here's a link to download a list of the other places where you can find copies of this local paper.

We are hearing from friends and neighbors and BostonZest readers who have left the area, that they like us connecting to copies of The Back Bay Sun. We plan to make this a regular feature to remind you of this great collection of local papers from the Independent Newspaper group.

Disclosure: The Independent Newspaper Group, owner of all three of these papers, is one of our freelance clients and you'll see our photographs, columns, and articles in their newpapers. Here are links to all their local papers.
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 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.
May 25, 2013
At the Market: New Location for City Hall Market

The big news this week is the relocation of the City Hall Farmers' Market to the Congress Street side of City Hall Plaza. This move is due to the MBTA's renovation of the Government Center Station over the next three years.

It's also close to the site of the planned permanent public market. Both the City Hall and the Dewey Square farmers' markets are operated by the Boston Public Market Association. While this market may be closer to the Haymarket MBTA station, the vendors here sell local, farm fresh, high quality products and are not associated with that other market known for clearance goods that shows up on weekends.

One new addition to both the Monday and Wednesday roster at City Hall is Red's Best seafood. Penny had already purchased asparagus from Silverbrook Farm and asked what would be a good match. Not only did she get a recommendation of scallops, but the chef at their stand even gave her a tip for cooking them.

Penny prepped the aspargus for oven roasting with a sprinkle of olive oil, salt, pepper, and a chopped shallot, and popped them into a hot oven. While they cooked, she seared the scallops in a very hot pan with just a coating of grapeseed oil. Just before these beauties were done, she added a piece of butter and squeeze of lemon.

With some good bread and dessert from Pain D'Avignon, we had the perfect farmers' market supper.

Monday's stop at City Hall was followed by a Tuesday visit to the market at Copley Square. Penny was on the hunt for strawberries from Atlas Farm and didn't want to find them sold out so we arrived just before opening and camped out on a bench near their stand.

We weren't the only ones impatient for the 11 a.m. opening call.

It's interesting to watch the vendors set up their stands. Ann from Crystal Brook Farm wheeled her sign and supplies to her spot where she would soon be selling her amazing goat cheese and clever brown bag lunches.

In Season Right Now!

All the items we mentioned above plus:

Radishes from Atlas Farms

Cucumbers from Foppema's Farm / Keown Orchards – they also had herb plants, rhubarb, greens, and popcorn on the cob.

We also saw mushrooms, green garlic, salad mix, lettuce, arugula, lots of annuals, herbs, and vegetable plants.

Coming Soon!

We heard talk about some early hothouse tomatoes. Curtis Stillman said Stillman's Farm would soon have kale and their first peas.

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

Details:

Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photos: ©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.

May 23, 2013
At the Market: New Location for City Hall Market

The big news this week is the relocation of the City Hall Farmers' Market to the Congress Street side of City Hall Plaza. This move is due to the MBTA's renovation of the Government Center Station over the next three years.

It's also close to the site of the planned permanent public market. Both the City Hall and the Dewey Square farmers' markets are operated by the Boston Public Market Association. While this market may be closer to the Haymarket MBTA station, the vendors here sell local, farm fresh, high quality products and are not associated with that other market known for clearance goods that shows up on weekends.

One new addition to both the Monday and Wednesday roster at City Hall is Red's Best seafood. Penny had already purchased asparagus from Silverbrook Farm and asked what would be a good match. Not only did she get a recommendation of scallops, but the chef at their stand even gave her a tip for cooking them.

Penny prepped the aspargus for oven roasting with a sprinkle of olive oil, salt, pepper, and a chopped shallot, and popped them into a hot oven. While they cooked, she seared the scallops in a very hot pan with just a coating of grapeseed oil. Just before these beauties were done, she added a piece of butter and squeeze of lemon.

With some good bread and dessert from Pain D'Avignon, we had the perfect farmers' market supper.

Monday's stop at City Hall was followed by a Tuesday visit to the market at Copley Square. Penny was on the hunt for strawberries from Atlas Farm and didn't want to find them sold out so we arrived just before opening and camped out on a bench near their stand.

We weren't the only ones impatient for the 11 a.m. opening call.

It's interesting to watch the vendors set up their stands. Ann from Crystal Brook Farm wheeled her sign and supplies to her spot where she would soon be selling her amazing goat cheese and clever brown bag lunches.

In Season Right Now!

All the items we mentioned above plus:

Radishes from Atlas Farms

Cucumbers from Foppema's Farm / Keown Orchards – they also had herb plants, rhubarb, greens, and popcorn on the cob.

We also saw mushrooms, green garlic, salad mix, lettuce, arugula, lots of annuals, herbs, and vegetable plants.

Coming Soon!

We heard talk about some early hothouse tomatoes. Curtis Stillman said Stillman's Farm would soon have kale and their first peas.

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

Details:

Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photos: ©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.

May 23, 2013
At the Market: New Location for City Hall Market

The big news this week is the relocation of the City Hall Farmers' Market to the Congress Street side of City Hall Plaza. This move is due to the MBTA's renovation of the Government Center Station over the next three years.

It's also close to the site of the planned permanent public market. Both the City Hall and the Dewey Square farmers' markets are operated by the Boston Public Market Association. While this market may be closer to the Haymarket MBTA station, the vendors here sell local, farm fresh, high quality products and are not associated with that other market known for clearance goods that shows up on weekends.

One new addition to both the Monday and Wednesday roster at City Hall is Red's Best seafood. Penny had already purchased asparagus from Silverbrook Farm and asked what would be a good match. Not only did she get a recommendation of scallops, but the chef at their stand even gave her a tip for cooking them.

Penny prepped the aspargus for oven roasting with a sprinkle of olive oil, salt, pepper, and a chopped shallot, and popped them into a hot oven. While they cooked, she seared the scallops in a very hot pan with just a coating of grapeseed oil. Just before these beauties were done, she added a piece of butter and squeeze of lemon.

With some good bread and dessert from Pain D'Avignon, we had the perfect farmers' market supper.

Monday's stop at City Hall was followed by a Tuesday visit to the market at Copley Square. Penny was on the hunt for strawberries from Atlas Farm and didn't want to find them sold out so we arrived just before opening and camped out on a bench near their stand.

We weren't the only ones impatient for the 11 a.m. opening call.

It's interesting to watch the vendors set up their stands. Ann from Crystal Brook Farm wheeled her sign and supplies to her spot where she would soon be selling her amazing goat cheese and clever brown bag lunches.

In Season Right Now!

All the items we mentioned above plus:

Radishes from Atlas Farms

Cucumbers from Foppema's Farm / Keown Orchards – they also had herb plants, rhubarb, greens, and popcorn on the cob.

We also saw mushrooms, green garlic, salad mix, lettuce, arugula, lots of annuals, herbs, and vegetable plants.

Coming Soon!

We heard talk about some early hothouse tomatoes. Curtis Stillman said Stillman's Farm would soon have kale and their first peas.

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

Details:

Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photos: ©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.

May 23, 2013
Recent Food Truck Deliciousness

We have been out and about trying the food on some of the new food trucks and unable to resist a few special favorites from the veterans of the scene. Here's what we've been eating!

At City Hall Plaza, we enjoyed some slices from the Sweet Tomatoes Pizza Truck. We always like to start a pizza test with pepperoni and plain cheese. These two slices will bring us back to test more of their menu.


Our first taste from the truck representing Biryani Park Sri Lankan/South Indian restaurant from Malden was the Chicken Biryani (shown above). It was great with the chicken cooked on the bone for full flavor and a sweet garnish of carmelized onions. We can't wait to try more of their menu items. (Click on any photo for a larger version)



This scallop roll and clam chowder are from the Boston Shuckin' Truck! These folks offer grilled items that are a welcome change from fried seafood. The chowder was nice and thin (we are not pasty chowder fans) with an herbal undertone.

At Captain Marden's Cod Squad Truck, we recommend one of their salads if you're in a hurry. This one had a piece of masterfully poached salmon. Update: The Boston Shuckin' Truck has disappeared from the Boston street scene.



We continue to be attracted to their daily chowder specials. Here you see their shimp gumbo and crab and corn chowder. Both worthy of a second visit. Earlier, we reported on their Rhode Island, Rocky Point Clam Chowder and clamcakes.

We also could not resist a visit to the new Boston Super Dog Truck (formerly Boston Speed Dog) to see how Chef Greg's grilled pastrami tastes off a new grill. It lived up to our memories and it's nice to have him within easy reach without a car to get to Newmarket Square. Bring a friend, these portions are big enough to share!

Update: Sadly for his fans, Chef Greg died and the Boston Super Dog Truck is no more.

Here's a link to our post with the Best Sources for Food Truck Schedules.

And here's a click to find all of our Food Truck Coverage.

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

Details:

Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photos: ©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.

Related articles

No Fooling! A New Boston Food Truck Schedule, April 1st

Cod Squad Truck Makes Our Day!

Food Truck Throwdown

What You Missed at The Food Truck Throwdown

May 22, 2013
Recent Food Truck Deliciousness

We have been out and about trying the food on some of the new food trucks and unable to resist a few special favorites from the veterans of the scene. Here's what we've been eating!

At City Hall Plaza, we enjoyed some slices from the Sweet Tomatoes Pizza Truck. We always like to start a pizza test with pepperoni and plain cheese. These two slices will bring us back to test more of their menu.


Our first taste from the truck representing Biryani Park Sri Lankan/South Indian restaurant from Malden was the Chicken Biryani (shown above). It was great with the chicken cooked on the bone for full flavor and a sweet garnish of carmelized onions. We can't wait to try more of their menu items. (Click on any photo for a larger version)



This scallop roll and clam chowder are from the Boston Shuckin' Truck! These folks offer grilled items that are a welcome change from fried seafood. The chowder was nice and thin (we are not pasty chowder fans) with an herbal undertone.

At Captain Marden's Cod Squad Truck, we recommend one of their salads if you're in a hurry. This one had a piece of masterfully poached salmon. Update: The Boston Shuckin' Truck has disappeared from the Boston street scene.



We continue to be attracted to their daily chowder specials. Here you see their shimp gumbo and crab and corn chowder. Both worthy of a second visit. Earlier, we reported on their Rhode Island, Rocky Point Clam Chowder and clamcakes.

We also could not resist a visit to the new Boston Super Dog Truck (formerly Boston Speed Dog) to see how Chef Greg's grilled pastrami tastes off a new grill. It lived up to our memories and it's nice to have him within easy reach without a car to get to Newmarket Square. Bring a friend, these portions are big enough to share!

Update: Sadly for his fans, Chef Greg died and the Boston Super Dog Truck is no more.

Here's a link to our post with the Best Sources for Food Truck Schedules.

And here's a click to find all of our Food Truck Coverage.

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

Details:

Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photos: ©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.

Related articles

No Fooling! A New Boston Food Truck Schedule, April 1st

Cod Squad Truck Makes Our Day!

Food Truck Throwdown

What You Missed at The Food Truck Throwdown

May 22, 2013