Category: City Life

Saint Patrick’s Day All Year Round, Adams Village Dorchester
Anytime you feel like wearin' the green or enjoying a taste of Ireland, you can visit Adams Village in Dorchester. Since we prefer our celebrations to be low key and without the crowds, we went last weekend.

Our visit began with an Irish Farmer's Breakfast at Sonny's Pub & Restaurant. Unlike many Irish pubs where Irish breakfast is a weekend brunch special, Sonny's serves it all day, everyday.

Two eggs (the way you want them), 2 slices of brown bread, beans, potatoes, grilled tomato, black pudding, white pudding, sausages, rashers, and a slice of orange overflowed the large plate. Ed proved himself to be a hearty trencherman. He finished his plate, and then went after Penny's leftover brown bread and potatoes.

Sonny's looked like the neighborhood pubs and bars Penny remembers from a childhood with Irish relatives…

…right down to the separate entrances for the bar and dining room and lots of "everybody knows your name" welcomes as regulars moved in and out of the place.

As we reported on Thursday, we stocked up at Greenhills Irish Bakery.
And, we made a stop at the Butcher Shop Market for some Rashers/Irish bacon to take home. The quality of the meat they were offering looked outstanding and this will be a stop to shop for meat, cut to order for us, anytime we're in the area. You can take a peek at the meat cases by clicking on the thumbnails above.

We took a Zipcar and found parking to be very easy. There's a large parking lot behind the bakery and butcher shop, but we just drove up the hill where there was plenty of on-street parking. Our spot didn't even have a time limit.

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

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March 17, 2012
MBTA Apps Our Friday Link

We love knowing when the bus or train is coming and have used those iPhone apps for awhile. Recently, we noticed that the MBTA has added a page for Apps to its Rider Tools section.

And, don't forget that Google Maps also give you live transit updates.

We've used Catch the Bus for a long time but would like to hear what you are using and how well it works.

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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 a great insights for our readers. As long as it doesn’t become a pure ad, we’d love to hear from you.

March 16, 2012
Alley People

Each alley has a community.

Trash pickers and trash haulers.

Car parkers and shortcutters.

Workers working and workers on breaks.

Fire escape gardeners and window people.

The alley is part of their lives.

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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 a great insights for our readers. As long as it doesn’t become a pure ad, we’d love to hear from you.

March 10, 2012
When Saint Patrick’s Day (March 17, 2012) Falls on a Saturday…

For the latest information, go to:

When Saint Patrick's Day (March 17, 2013) Falls on a Sunday

This year, Saint Patrick's Day falls on a Saturday so I was curious, would city and state workers in Suffolk County get Friday off or Monday? And will parking, trash, and liquor sales change for the day. You'll find those answers below.

I do know that a lot of people will be taking advantage of the weekend date to come to Boston. Questions about where to stay, which Irish Pub to visit, and how to get around the city have popped up over on the Boston Trip Advisor forum. It looks like visitors are coming here from all over the country and especially from Ireland.

Do you celebrate Saint Patrick's Day?

What are your traditions for his yearly festival of all things Irish?

Who makes your favorite brown bread or Irish soda bread? Scones?

Are you going to the parade on Sunday?

(Here's how to get there via the MBTA.)

Will you be wearin' the green?

(Here's a post on where to buy or rent all sorts of wearables!)

Here are a bunch of Friday Links for Saint Patrick's Day

Boston Chowhounds had two recent conversations about where to find the best, full Irish breakfast.

Full Irish Breakfast

Boston area breakfast recap (for this one, start from the bottom since Irish breakfast discussion is there)

And, they're talking about Corned Beef & Cabbage.

About your holiday questions…

According to the Secretary of State's website,

"All holidays falling on Sunday must be observed on Monday, under state law. Saturday holidays are observed on Saturday." That means this year, no deal. Next year, they get Monday off!

The day is not listed on Boston's list of holidays that change parking regulations or trash pick up, so feed those meters and stick to your trash schedule.

Basically, everything is open. But, in the past the city has asked South Boston liquor stores and bars to cut off sales early. Here's a Boston.com story on that from last year.

Related Posts:

Irish Breakfast at the Squealing Pig

Matt Murphy's Pub Saves the Day

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Details:
Words: Penny Cherubino
Photography: © 2008-2011 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 a great insights for our readers. As long as it doesn’t become a pure ad, we’d love to hear from you.

March 9, 2012
After this week are you ready for ….

The beautiful look of Spring?

This refreshing Beacon Hill street scene is at Rouvalis Flowers & Gardens.

We hope it brings you a smile after this rainy week.

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Details:

Rouvalis Flowers

40 W. Cedar St. Boston MA, 02108-1212

617-720-2266 / 800-397-2555

www.rouvalisflowers.com

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 a great insights for our readers. As long as it doesn’t become a pure ad, we’d love to hear from you.

March 3, 2012
Ring for the Gardener!

Our Saturday photos this week were taken while walking through the Victory Gardens in the Fenway. We spotted something that seemed a bit out of place.

Guess this is one gardener who wasn't about to get away from it all.

We couldn't quite follow where this cord was going or "growing."

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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 a great insights for our readers. As long as it doesn’t become a pure ad, we’d love to hear from you.

February 25, 2012
Learn about Cash Mobs on Here & Now

Our Friday link today is to a story on "Cash Mobs" that Robin Young did on her WBUR show Here & Now.

Since we love to support local businesses, great feature reporting, and Public Radio, we think of this as a triple recommendation.

Take a few minutes to click over and read the story or listen. Then, come back and tell us what you think of the concept. We think it's a great way to support locally owned businesses during those slower times.

And, when you need something that will send you online shopping, remember to click over to Amazon from here to support this site! We're a small local business too, and that's how you can "Cash Mob" us!

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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 a great insights for our readers. As long as it doesn’t become a pure ad, we’d love to hear from you.

February 24, 2012
Wasn’t it a Great Weekend?
We saw:
- Newbury Street filled with shoppers on Sunday.
- Happy diners eating outside at La Voile and at Tasty Burger. (Warning: There's music on La Voile's site.)
- Students studying on the Commonwealth Avenue Mall.
- Lots of spring plants sprouting in Back Bay gardens. The snowdrops have been up for weeks and some crocuses, pansies, and heather are already in bloom.
- (Click a thumbnail to choose an image in any order you like. You'll stay right here on this page.)
Sometimes the freelance life lets you stretch your long weekend by an extra day or, at least, fit in more fun around your work hours. It was that kind of weekend for us.

We began with a trip to Central Square, Cambridge for lunch on Thursday. The afternoon began at Mary Chung Restaurant for a bit of Szechuan heat. (Stay tuned! Details on that will pop up tomorrow.)

We strolled home with stops at Central Bottle to stock up on cheese, bread, beer, and wine for the weekend and Flour Bakery for two pieces of their fabulous Boston Cream Pie cake to honor a friend's birthday. (And, to tease him with another reason to miss Boston from his new home in San Francisco!)

Friday afternoon found us at Coppa enjoying a few of our favorites– including this Italian Grinder.

Saturday, we shared a tray at Sweet Cheeks Q and added a new favorite side dish that will also be featured here in the days ahead.

We ran into lots of friends in lots of places and had some down time at home with a bit of great wine and home cooking. It was a good weekend to spend in town enjoying some of the great things Boston has to offer.

Related Posts:

Sweet Cheeks Q- Great Northern Brisket

Sweet Cheeks Q: A First Look

Friday Lunch at Coppa, an Italian Seduction

Bourbon Beer? at Sweet Cheeks

Celebrating the Start of Summer at La Voile

How to Extend >>> Your Birthday!

And The Winner is….

What a Weekend!

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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 a great insights for our readers. As long as it doesn’t become a pure ad, we’d love to hear from you.
February 21, 2012
3 Warm Tips for Frigid Dog Walks!

Br-r-r-r! Dog Walker Dan Hazelwood with Cleo (left) and Cooper

While wrapping your pup for a cold winter walk, remember to turn-up your own heat. If you’re warm, you’re pup will have more fun!

Let’s be honest, once all the important “business” is done, it’s very tempting to quickly head back inside.

But, you both need time to stretch your legs, greet some friends, and sniff (at least one of you does). So, in the interest of doing right by our furry friends, we asked veteran dog walker Dan Hazelwood of Boston Pet Sitters how he conquers the winter chill.

Play Time! Duddly (foreground) with Cleo and Cooper…

3 Warm Tips for Frigid Dog Walks

Layering is Key- “I always start off with a heavy hooded sweatshirt, a fleece scarf, and my Patagonia parka,” Dan said.

“When the temperature is above freezing, I can get away with wearing jeans with extra shorts underneath, but sub-freezing calls for my EMS rain pants over sweat pants. The rain pants are great insulators, and I wear this combination down to zero degrees.”

Shoes Made for Winter Walking- “I have a few different pairs of shoes or boots I wear in the winter, from North Face Hedgehog walking shoes for everyday use to the Sorel Caribou, the most heavy-duty snow boots you can find.”

“The key with any footwear is to start with polyester sock liners under wool or synthetic hiking socks.”

Warm Hands- “I have found the best leather gloves at Army/Navy surplus stores, and I often have 10-hour hand warmers, too.”

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Details:
Words: Ed 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 a great insights for our readers. As long as it doesn’t become a pure ad, we’d love to hear from you.

February 12, 2012
Rumanian Pastrami from Sam LaGrassa’s

Walking back from City Hall on Friday afternoon, I was considering my options for a lunch to take home. Sam LaGrassa's came to mind. So often when I'm craving a great sandwich from this legendary downtown lunch spot, they're close. So, the first lesson in getting your hands on a great pastrami sandwich is to go at the right time.

Sam LaGrassa's is open Monday through Friday from 11:00 am to 3:30 pm. Etch that fact into your mind so you will take the opportunity to indulge whenever you're in their area during those golden hours.

I'm usually a corned beef lover, but the crew over at Boston Chowhound has consistantly named the pastrami at this place among the best in town. And, I remembered seeing it made on a food show. So this time I grabbed one corned beef and one pastrami to take home and share with Ed.

Moving in for a close up!

After posing for a quick photo shoot, the pastrami sandwich was ready for my first bite. It was instant regret. Why didn't I buy two pastramis? I mean, I like their corned beef but with this pastrami, it was love at first bite.

It is soft, melting, spicy, and full-bodied all at the same time. It's a Cote du Rhone of the sandwich world.

P.S. The pickles are so good, that I don't get to have Ed's share. He likes these!

Related Posts:

Here is the report I did on Sam LaGrassa's Corned Beef for Serious Eats.

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Details:

Sam La Grassa's

44 Province St. Boston MA 02108 (map & reviews)

617-357-6861
www.samlagrassas.com

Words: Penny Cherubino
Photography: © 2012 Penny Cherubino

February 8, 2012