Category: City Life

Where to Dine in Boston on Easter, April 5, 2015

Those in the know already have reservations for Easter brunch and dinner. This is one of the big days for dining out, and popular restaurants will fill their tables for Sunday, April 5, 2015 quickly.

First up, the list of places that organize information about Easter reservations and special offerings.

Open Table seems to have the most complete information, and you can click right through to make reservations. They also give you some idea of prices and special menus. And, you'll find a few places that are offering their regular menus as well.

Boston Chefs has a list of offerings from their member chefs and restaurants.

Gayot lists favorite Easter brunches at places like Henrietta's Table in Cambridge.

Next, places we picked from these lists (we'll add more as we learn about particular offerings)

Bistro du Midi recently added brunch to their weekly offering but that menu will not be available on Easter. However, you may want to try some other weekend. For Easter they have a three course Prix Fixe menu. And, you can plan a walk through the Public Garden after your meal.

Craigie on Main is offering both an Easter Prix Fixe menus and special additions to their regular menu for Passover.

To meet up with family who don't want to come into the city, consider AKA Bistro in Lincoln. We're happy to see that they're offering their regular brunch menu in addition to some Easter specials. The nearby deCordova Sculpture Park and Museum is the perfect place to walk off your brunch and take Easter photos.

Update: 03/17/15

Dante Restaurant is one of those delightful places offering their regular a la carte menu with special additions for Easter according to their listing on Boston Chefs.

Update: 03/22/15

One of our favorite spots in Boston, Coppa Enoteca has announced that they will provide an a la cart option as well. Boston Chefs says, "Spend Easter with Coppa in the South End and their menu of shareable Italian dishes. Reservations are recommended. Seatings from: 11:00am-8:00pm.s

Don't be surprised if some places require a credit card to secure the reservation. This is the type of holiday when some people would try to book multiple restaurants and decide where to go at the last moment. That can cause the restaurant to turn away other potential customers and makes the venues require a deposit to hold a place.

One thing we would look for, if we were dining out on a holiday, is a place that is offering its regular menu for the day. That's always a plus for us. We're not fans of special menus.

If you know of places where the regular menu will be served, let us know. If it's a place we can recommend, we'll add it to our list. And, we'll add updates and links to this post as we find them. Check back here or follow us on Twitter to learn about updates!

Opting Out of Easter

If this holiday stuff is really not part of your life, this is a great day to go ethnic. Chinatown will be wide open and filled with great menu options. Your neighborhood Indian, Korean, Chinese, or Persian restaurant will be happy to feed you. And, most BBQ and Pizza places do not have Easter menus.

Sign-up for the comment feed or follow us on Twitter for a notice, if we add updates to this page.

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Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photo: from iStockphoto.com

March 13, 2015
Shake Shack on Newbury Street

We ran into a friend and her dog across the street from the new Shake Shack on Newbury Street a day after the grand opening. She asked where we were going for lunch and was surprised when we pointed to the burger place. "This is going to be a terrible thing for my diet," she said.

Her whole family visit Shake Shack when they travel to see family in New York – now she has one a block from home. And, I know how she feels. I admit we went twice during opening week.

We told you about our love for Shake Shack in Harvard Square. A menu check for this location shows that they offer beer and wine in addition to a great soft drink selection. And, the Shake Shack team has created special concretes (a blended ice cream drink) for the neighborhood.

We dined-in on Newbury, but we can't wait to try out the patio (complete with a dog parking station) or to gather a bunch of dog walking pals and have a bench lunch on the Commonwealth Avenue Mall. The Collins Memorial is only a quarter mile from Shake Shack and makes a great place to gather a group for lunch or snacks.

We were among the guests welcomed by Scott, the general manager, as he worked his way around the dining room on both visits. Merchants along the street have told us he has also stopped by to say hello to his neighbors.

We may have to add a few miles a week to our walking goals but it will be worth it to have regular Shake Shack lunches. And, because it will make our Back Bay neighbors Jim and Jennifer Hill so happy when they hear it, we get to tell people Shake Shack on Newbury is, "Right across from KitchenWares and Reflections!"

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Details:

Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photography: © 2015 Penny & Ed Cherubino

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March 12, 2015
Shake Shack on Newbury Street

We ran into a friend and her dog across the street from the new Shake Shack on Newbury Street a day after the grand opening. She asked where we were going for lunch and was surprised when we pointed to the burger place. "This is going to be a terrible thing for my diet," she said.

Her whole family visit Shake Shack when they travel to see family in New York – now she has one a block from home. And, I know how she feels. I admit we went twice during opening week.

We told you about our love for Shake Shack in Harvard Square. A menu check for this location shows that they offer beer and wine in addition to a great soft drink selection. And, the Shake Shack team has created special concretes (a blended ice cream drink) for the neighborhood.

We dined-in on Newbury, but we can't wait to try out the patio (complete with a dog parking station) or to gather a bunch of dog walking pals and have a bench lunch on the Commonwealth Avenue Mall. The Collins Memorial is only a quarter mile from Shake Shack and makes a great place to gather a group for lunch or snacks.

We were among the guests welcomed by Scott, the general manager, as he worked his way around the dining room on both visits. Merchants along the street have told us he has also stopped by to say hello to his neighbors.

We may have to add a few miles a week to our walking goals but it will be worth it to have regular Shake Shack lunches. And, because it will make our Back Bay neighbors Jim and Jennifer Hill so happy when they hear it, we get to tell people Shake Shack on Newbury is, "Right across from KitchenWares and Reflections!"

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: © 2015 Penny & Ed Cherubino

Related articles

Our Improved Dog Boot Drying Hack

The Hope of Spring …

Snow, Freeze, Thaw, Freeze, Snow in the Back Bay – BostonZest

March 12, 2015
Ready or Not the Snow & Ice Will Fall

This Commonwealth Avenue building set out some sacrificial boards to take the brunt of the snow slide to come.

Elsewhere, on the avenue, this stairway was damaged. We passed when emergency crews were pumping water out of the basement.

A few doors away, a banister was taken out by a seriously large icicle.

Here are a few pieces of the ice that did that damage.

Meanwhile, over on Newbury Street, we expected this snow formation to be short lived, but it survived for a few days last week.

Ed suggested that maybe we should all be wearing hard hats.

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: © 2015 Penny & Ed Cherubino

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Our Improved Dog Boot Drying Hack

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March 10, 2015
Ready or Not the Snow & Ice Will Fall

This Commonwealth Avenue building set out some sacrificial boards to take the brunt of the snow slide to come.

Elsewhere, on the avenue, this stairway was damaged. We passed when emergency crews were pumping water out of the basement.

A few doors away, a banister was taken out by a seriously large icicle.

Here are a few pieces of the ice that did that damage.

Meanwhile, over on Newbury Street, we expected this snow formation to be short lived, but it survived for a few days last week.

Ed suggested that maybe we should all be wearing hard hats.

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: © 2015 Penny & Ed Cherubino

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Our Improved Dog Boot Drying Hack

The Hope of Spring …

A Hand Warmer Has Been Added to My Boston Winter Equipment

March 10, 2015
What Is Evacuation Day (Saint Patrick’s Day) and What’s Open & Closed & MBTA Schedules?
This year, Evacuation Day (which most people admit is just an excuse for Saint Patrick's Day revelry) falls on a Tuesday – March 17th. City and state workers in Suffolk County no longer have this as a holiday. City Hall and the State offices in Suffolk County will be open. But, because of the parade and the drinking of the green beer, there will be a few adaptations around the city.

I do know that a lot of people will be taking advantage of the event 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 03/15/15? Note that the route has been shortened and the MBTA has not announced what service they will offer to and from the event. You can check this link to see if they update their events page.
- Will you be wearin' the green? (Here's a post on where to buy or rent all sorts of Wearin' of the Green gear!)
- Here's The Onion's Salute to the Saint Patrick's Day Celebations here and elsewhere. (Warning! It's an Auto Start Video with sound.)
About your holiday questions …

According to the Secretary of State's website,

"Evacuation Day – March 17th
(Suffolk County only, state and municipal offices are open)"

The day is not listed on Boston's list of holidays. Therefore, there's no change in parking regulations or trash pick up.
- Update: 03.10.15 As Kate from Boston on Budget pointed out in her comment below, some years the city has tweeted out free parking notices on this holiday. We'll update with details if we find that happens.
- Here's the official word on that:
Basically, everything is open. But, in the past, the city has asked South Boston liquor stores and bars to cut off sales early. There has been no announcement regarding this that we could find this year.

Some MBTA routes in South Boston will be changed because of the parade. Download MBTA St Patrick's Day Parade schedule.

We'll update as press releases come out from around the city.

Update 03/13/15:

Here's a link to and text of the City of Boston Traffic Advisory.

"The City of Boston’s annual St. Patrick’s Day parade will be held on Sunday, March 15, 2015, in South Boston. The parade will begin at 1 PM on West Broadway at Dorchester Avenue, will continue to East Broadway, and end at Farragut Road.

View Map of Route

The St. Patrick’s Day Road Race will also take place in South Boston on Sunday beginning at 11 AM. Runners will proceed from West Sixth Street at F Street onto Dorchester Street, right onto East Broadway, down and around the Farragut Statue at Day Boulevard, to East Broadway, right onto West Broadway, left onto E Street, left onto West Sixth Street, ending at the Boys and Girls Club at #230 West Sixth Street.

To accommodate the two events, staging/dispersal and clean-up, drivers should expect the following roads to be closed to vehicular traffic. Streets effected by the parade will close no later than 12 PM and streets effected by the road race will close no later than 10 AM.
- Broadway, from Dorchester Avenue to Farragut Road
- On intersecting streets from Dorchester Avenue through Farragut Road, vehicular traffic will not be allowed to cross Broadway
- Dorchester Avenue, in the vicinity of Gillette Park and Andrew Square
- Old Colony Avenue, from Dorchester Avenue to C Street
- Farragut Road, from Columbia Road to Shore Road/East First Street
- All race route streets while the runners make their way to the finish line
Due to a combination of snow and Resident Parking Only restrictions, parking in the neighborhood is limited. Additional parking restrictions that will be implemented temporarily to support Sunday’s events are as follows.

“Tow Zone, No Stopping, Boston Police Special Event Sunday”
- Dorchester Avenue: Both sides, from Gillette Park to Old Colony Avenue (Staging Area)
- Old Colony Avenue: Both sides, from Dorchester Avenue to C Street (Staging Area)
- West Broadway: Both sides, from Dorchester Avenue to Dorchester Street
- East Broadway: Both sides, from Dorchester Street to Farragut Road
- Farragut Road: East side (park side), from Columbia Road to Shore Road /East First Street (Dispersal area)
- West Sixth Street: Southwest side, from Dorchester Avenue to F Street
- F Street: Southeast side (odd side – Boys & Girls Club side), West Sixth Street to Bowen Street
People coming into Boston to attend these events are kindly asked to take the MBTA. Information on service may be found at www.MBTA.com. For a faster return trip, the MBTA advises riders to purchase a round-trip rather than a one-way ticket."

Related Posts:

Irish Breakfast at the Squealing Pig

Matt Murphy's Pub Saves the Day

What's on your Amazon shopping list? Remember to click over to Amazon from here to support this site!

Details:
Words: Penny Cherubino
Photography: © 2008-2011 Penny Cherubino
March 9, 2015
What Is Evacuation Day (Saint Patrick’s Day) and What’s Open & Closed & MBTA Schedules?
This year, Evacuation Day (which most people admit is just an excuse for Saint Patrick's Day revelry) falls on a Tuesday – March 17th. City and state workers in Suffolk County no longer have this as a holiday. City Hall and the State offices in Suffolk County will be open. But, because of the parade and the drinking of the green beer, there will be a few adaptations around the city.

I do know that a lot of people will be taking advantage of the event 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 03/15/15? Note that the route has been shortened and the MBTA has not announced what service they will offer to and from the event. You can check this link to see if they update their events page.
- Will you be wearin' the green? (Here's a post on where to buy or rent all sorts of Wearin' of the Green gear!)
- Here's The Onion's Salute to the Saint Patrick's Day Celebations here and elsewhere. (Warning! It's an Auto Start Video with sound.)
About your holiday questions …

According to the Secretary of State's website,

"Evacuation Day – March 17th
(Suffolk County only, state and municipal offices are open)"

The day is not listed on Boston's list of holidays. Therefore, there's no change in parking regulations or trash pick up.
- Update: 03.10.15 As Kate from Boston on Budget pointed out in her comment below, some years the city has tweeted out free parking notices on this holiday. We'll update with details if we find that happens.
- Here's the official word on that:
Basically, everything is open. But, in the past, the city has asked South Boston liquor stores and bars to cut off sales early. There has been no announcement regarding this that we could find this year.

Some MBTA routes in South Boston will be changed because of the parade. Download MBTA St Patrick's Day Parade schedule.

We'll update as press releases come out from around the city.

Update 03/13/15:

Here's a link to and text of the City of Boston Traffic Advisory.

"The City of Boston’s annual St. Patrick’s Day parade will be held on Sunday, March 15, 2015, in South Boston. The parade will begin at 1 PM on West Broadway at Dorchester Avenue, will continue to East Broadway, and end at Farragut Road.

View Map of Route

The St. Patrick’s Day Road Race will also take place in South Boston on Sunday beginning at 11 AM. Runners will proceed from West Sixth Street at F Street onto Dorchester Street, right onto East Broadway, down and around the Farragut Statue at Day Boulevard, to East Broadway, right onto West Broadway, left onto E Street, left onto West Sixth Street, ending at the Boys and Girls Club at #230 West Sixth Street.

To accommodate the two events, staging/dispersal and clean-up, drivers should expect the following roads to be closed to vehicular traffic. Streets effected by the parade will close no later than 12 PM and streets effected by the road race will close no later than 10 AM.
- Broadway, from Dorchester Avenue to Farragut Road
- On intersecting streets from Dorchester Avenue through Farragut Road, vehicular traffic will not be allowed to cross Broadway
- Dorchester Avenue, in the vicinity of Gillette Park and Andrew Square
- Old Colony Avenue, from Dorchester Avenue to C Street
- Farragut Road, from Columbia Road to Shore Road/East First Street
- All race route streets while the runners make their way to the finish line
Due to a combination of snow and Resident Parking Only restrictions, parking in the neighborhood is limited. Additional parking restrictions that will be implemented temporarily to support Sunday’s events are as follows.

“Tow Zone, No Stopping, Boston Police Special Event Sunday”
- Dorchester Avenue: Both sides, from Gillette Park to Old Colony Avenue (Staging Area)
- Old Colony Avenue: Both sides, from Dorchester Avenue to C Street (Staging Area)
- West Broadway: Both sides, from Dorchester Avenue to Dorchester Street
- East Broadway: Both sides, from Dorchester Street to Farragut Road
- Farragut Road: East side (park side), from Columbia Road to Shore Road /East First Street (Dispersal area)
- West Sixth Street: Southwest side, from Dorchester Avenue to F Street
- F Street: Southeast side (odd side – Boys & Girls Club side), West Sixth Street to Bowen Street
People coming into Boston to attend these events are kindly asked to take the MBTA. Information on service may be found at www.MBTA.com. For a faster return trip, the MBTA advises riders to purchase a round-trip rather than a one-way ticket."

Related Posts:

Irish Breakfast at the Squealing Pig

Matt Murphy's Pub Saves the Day

What's on your Amazon shopping list? Remember to click over to Amazon from here to support this site!

Details:
Words: Penny Cherubino
Photography: © 2008-2011 Penny Cherubino
March 9, 2015
Poppy Says Good Riddance to February

Poppy loves snow but even she was a bit irreverent in saying goodbye to February 2015 and its record-setting snowfall.

Spring can't come too soon for this family!

(Since yesterday was the first of the month and a Sparkling Wine Day for BostonZest readers, we thought we'd bring our Sunday Dog fans a Monday Dog this week.)

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: © 2015 Penny Cherubino

March 2, 2015
What’s Happening Around Boston in March 2015

Time to start a new month of information to share with visitors and locals. What are your favorite March activities in Boston? This year, I think watching snow melt will be high on the list of many Bostonians.

(Photo by Raymond Larose used under this creative commons license be sure to check his photography blog.)

On Sunday, March 1st, head to Chinatown for the Lion Dance celebration from 10am to 5pm. That's always fun and most of the businesses in that neighborhood are small family run places that could use our support. What's more, you can be entertained, feast, and do your grocery shopping in one afternoon.

March Tips on Trip Advisor

Over on the Boston Trip Advisor Forum, Destination expert, forgotmypword started a conversation on this topic back in December when someone asked about hotel rates this month.

"St Patrick's Day (March 17) is a popular time to visit Boston. The parade is the 15th. On top of that, there is a large convention. The Seafood Expo/seafood processors convention is from the 15th-17th and is expecting 18,000 attendees."

And, I've begun my monthly topic about, What's Going on in March 2015 Around Boston. As the regular volunteers who answer questions on that space share their ideas, you will find topics that we never cover on BostonZest and things to do that are beyond our interests.

Do you remember Diamond Jim's Piano Bar at the Lenox hotel? It will reappear for one weekend in March.

Who are all these People? (or, Conventions in Town in March)

Here are the numbers on conventions and large meetings that will impact hotel prices and in some cases make dinner reservations harder to find in certain areas of the city.

From March 12th -14th, a meeting will be held at the Hynes with 6,000 in attendance. But the rest of the big events are out in the Seaport district and won't be noticed by most locals and visitors except in restaurants.

From the 15th -17th, 18,000 visitors at BCEC and the 28th to the 31st there are two events in that area with a total of 18,000 attendees.

If you need a restaurant reservation for those dates, make it now.

March Events

There is always a lot of information about St. Patrick's Day in Boston but in the North End, St. Joseph's Day, March 19th is important because all the bakeries make Zeppole di San Giuseppe in honor of the day. These are delightful fried pastries filled with cream and cherries. Seen above is our favorite at Modern Pastry.

You could go from Modern to Maria's and so on down the streets tasting different versions. These are also made by bakeries throughout the area this time of year. Please share your favorite spots for Zeppole.

The parade is on Sunday the 15th. This is one day when we avoid using the MBTA since it's usually full of people going to and from that event.

Sometime during the month, you could support an Irish Pub by enjoying an Irish Breakfast. The one above is from Sonny's Pub in Adams Village.

Or, you can buy Irish soda bread from an area bakery. It Looks like we're going to have to do a lot of walking this month with all these seasonal offerings. You can honor the Irish while you walk. Here's a link to the Irish Heritage Trail.

Your Turn

We hope you'll join in and make this a conversation here. Add your comments below or follow us on Twitter and send your ideas to us there. Just put @BostonZest in your message and we'll get it.

Who's next?

What are your favorite March pastimes?

What events are you planning to attend this month?

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: © 2011-2015 Penny & Ed Cherubino or as marked below photo

February 27, 2015
Colorful, Bright, New Community Workspace at the Boston Public Library

What a difference a renovation makes. The second floor of the Johnson Building at the Boston Public Library (BPL) in Copley Square has been transformed in spectacular before-and-after fashion.

Last week, I took a tour of the changes with Michael Colford, Director of Library Services. He is understandably proud of the look, convenience, and user friendliness of this renovation.

I choose these bar seats along the arched window overlooking Boylston Street as my favorite spot.

Michael pointed out that the library’s circulating nonfiction collection is located here. Amid the book stacks holding 200,000 books is a community reading area and places for individual and group work. This will be a lively section of the building where conversations will take place. The McKim building will provide quiet space for those who prefer a place to work without distractions.

Lower book shelves open up the area allowing the light from the windows and from many new fixtures to provide a bright and welcoming workspace. I was also happy to see some of the materials like the lovely Windsor chairs reconditioned, recycled, and fitting beautifully into the new setting.

And still, there are spots where you can get off by yourself for a bit of quiet texting.

Lots of new electrical outlets also give you a place to charge up your phone, laptop or tablet.

There are new airport-style restrooms on the floor and multi-function water fountains with a separate station to fill your water bottle. And, yes, water bottles are allowed in this section of the library.

Along with the new look, you will also find some changes in the way the library and librarians communicate with patrons. The bookshelves will be marked not only in traditional Library of Congress Classification fashion, but also with signs and banners that let you know, for example, that this section houses books on Politics and Law.

When the flow of traffic at the information desk allows, librarians will move around the floor to answer questions and assist patrons as they search for materials. The openness of the new design will allow staff members to see when they are needed back at the desk.

Digital displays around the floor will highlight items from the BPL's renowned Collections of Distinction. This will remind patrons of all the resources, beyond the books on the shelves, that are available to them within the walls of this building.

A press release from the BPL explained that service kiosks like this one (now found in other parts of the library and branches as well), "are part of the library’s upgraded pay for print system and have several features, including the introduction of paying for printing via standard credit and debit cards. Boston Public Library cards will now store up to $21 for use on the system."

Along with opening this floor last Saturday, the Boylston Street entrance has also reopened. A corridor has been built for library visitors to move through the first floor where work on the next phase of this renovation continues. For those of us who are in the habit of using that entrance, this is most welcome.

I look forward to using this workspace, both when I need a change from my home office and when I want to collaborate with friends and associates on a project.

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
Photography: © 2015 Penny Cherubino, Patron using the kisoh courtesy of the BPL

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February 23, 2015