Central Square Archives - Page 3 of 4

Farmers’ Markets Opening Dates Spring 2013

Pull out your calendars and mark the dates when you can go and see our farmers' market friends at their summer spots.

With additional food trucks located nearby, many stands offering lunch items, and the Boston Public Library outdoor seats and courtyard close by, Copley Square is a great place to meet someone for lunch on Tuesdays and Fridays.

If you have confirmed dates for your favorite farmers' market, please tell us in a comment or send us an email and we'll add it as an update to this post.

Here are the opening dates for some of our favorite markets. The links are to maps of the locations.

Farmers’ Markets Opening Dates Spring 2013

Pull out your calendars and mark the dates when you can go and see our farmers' market friends at their summer spots.

With additional food trucks located nearby, many stands offering lunch items, and the Boston Public Library outdoor seats and courtyard close by, Copley Square is a great place to meet someone for lunch on Tuesdays and Fridays.

If you have confirmed dates for your favorite farmers' market, please tell us in a comment or send us an email and we'll add it as an update to this post.

Here are the opening dates for some of our favorite markets. The links are to maps of the locations.

Toasting a Sparkling December!

Long ago, we decided that we weren’t waiting for New Years Eve to raise a glass of sparkling wine and toast a happy ending and new beginning. So we’ve started each month with a bottle of bubbles since 2007! And, we’ve been sharing our bubbly selections with BostonZest readers since New Years Eve 2009.

That means we have amassed quite a collection of wine recommendations. They are all available any time you want them from the “Sparkling Wine & More” tab at the top of each page.

With a month of gift buying, parties, and holidays in front of us, we’ll say “Happy New Month,” sip a glass of Nino Franco Rustico Prosecco, and link you to a few bottles you might add to your holiday shopping list.

A Case of Sparkle

Ordering a case of a good, inexpensive, sparkling wine can be a great idea this time of year. Many shops will give you a case discount. If the store does not promote it, ask. You can also call ahead and have the wine merchant bring in the extra case of the wine you want.

We can suggest Dibon Cava, Gloria Ferrer Blanc de Noirs, or the Nino Franco Rustico Prosecco we’re opening this month.

Pre-wrap a few bottles and you will be prepared for hostess gifts, thank you gifts, client gifts, or something special to hand out with a holiday cash tip.

Gift Wines For Wine Lovers

For someone who loves wine and would like to try something that will expand their wine life list or add a new category of taste to their holdiay, we would splurge on a “Grower Champagne.”

Central Bottle in Central Square Cambridge always seems to have a supply of these special bottles on hand. We recommend both the Champagne Chartogne-Taillet and Pierre Peters shown from ledgendary importer and wine educator Terry Theise. His annual catalogs are available online and provide a champagne education.

Pink for Romance!

Wrap up a romantic evening with the gift of a pink sparkler. It can be a value priced Louis Bouillot Rosé cremant. Or a splurge with a bottle of Delamotte Brut Rose from the maker of Salon Champagne.

Other pinks that tickle our fancy are Argyle Brut Rosé from Oregon, 3B Sparkling Rosé from Portuguese winemaker Filipa Pato, and for the utlimate fun evening try opening a bottle of Puro Rosé! (We had to make a video to show you how to open this one.)

Please add to our list by telling us about your favorite sparkling wine for the holidays. You can add a comment at the bottom of this post, sent it to @bostonzest on twitter or send us an email.

Want to learn more about wine? Remember to click over to Amazon from here to support this site! Here are three of our favorite wine books.

The Food Lover’s Guide to Wine

The New Wine Lover’s Companion

The Wine Bible

Details:

Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photography: © 2009-2012 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.

December 1, 2012

Toasting a Sparkling December!

Long ago, we decided that we weren’t waiting for New Years Eve to raise a glass of sparkling wine and toast a happy ending and new beginning. So we’ve started each month with a bottle of bubbles since 2007! And, we’ve been sharing our bubbly selections with BostonZest readers since New Years Eve 2009.

That means we have amassed quite a collection of wine recommendations. They are all available any time you want them from the “Sparkling Wine & More” tab at the top of each page.

With a month of gift buying, parties, and holidays in front of us, we’ll say “Happy New Month,” sip a glass of Nino Franco Rustico Prosecco, and link you to a few bottles you might add to your holiday shopping list.

A Case of Sparkle

Ordering a case of a good, inexpensive, sparkling wine can be a great idea this time of year. Many shops will give you a case discount. If the store does not promote it, ask. You can also call ahead and have the wine merchant bring in the extra case of the wine you want.

We can suggest Dibon Cava, Gloria Ferrer Blanc de Noirs, or the Nino Franco Rustico Prosecco we’re opening this month.

Pre-wrap a few bottles and you will be prepared for hostess gifts, thank you gifts, client gifts, or something special to hand out with a holiday cash tip.

Gift Wines For Wine Lovers

For someone who loves wine and would like to try something that will expand their wine life list or add a new category of taste to their holdiay, we would splurge on a “Grower Champagne.”

Central Bottle in Central Square Cambridge always seems to have a supply of these special bottles on hand. We recommend both the Champagne Chartogne-Taillet and Pierre Peters shown from ledgendary importer and wine educator Terry Theise. His annual catalogs are available online and provide a champagne education.

Pink for Romance!

Wrap up a romantic evening with the gift of a pink sparkler. It can be a value priced Louis Bouillot Rosé cremant. Or a splurge with a bottle of Delamotte Brut Rose from the maker of Salon Champagne.

Other pinks that tickle our fancy are Argyle Brut Rosé from Oregon, 3B Sparkling Rosé from Portuguese winemaker Filipa Pato, and for the utlimate fun evening try opening a bottle of Puro Rosé! (We had to make a video to show you how to open this one.)

Please add to our list by telling us about your favorite sparkling wine for the holidays. You can add a comment at the bottom of this post, sent it to @bostonzest on twitter or send us an email.

Want to learn more about wine? Remember to click over to Amazon from here to support this site! Here are three of our favorite wine books.

The Food Lover’s Guide to Wine

The New Wine Lover’s Companion

The Wine Bible

Details:

Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photography: © 2009-2012 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.

December 1, 2012

Toasting a Sparkling December!

Long ago, we decided that we weren’t waiting for New Years Eve to raise a glass of sparkling wine and toast a happy ending and new beginning. So we’ve started each month with a bottle of bubbles since 2007! And, we’ve been sharing our bubbly selections with BostonZest readers since New Years Eve 2009.

That means we have amassed quite a collection of wine recommendations. They are all available any time you want them from the “Sparkling Wine & More” tab at the top of each page.

With a month of gift buying, parties, and holidays in front of us, we’ll say “Happy New Month,” sip a glass of Nino Franco Rustico Prosecco, and link you to a few bottles you might add to your holiday shopping list.

A Case of Sparkle

Ordering a case of a good, inexpensive, sparkling wine can be a great idea this time of year. Many shops will give you a case discount. If the store does not promote it, ask. You can also call ahead and have the wine merchant bring in the extra case of the wine you want.

We can suggest Dibon Cava, Gloria Ferrer Blanc de Noirs, or the Nino Franco Rustico Prosecco we’re opening this month.

Pre-wrap a few bottles and you will be prepared for hostess gifts, thank you gifts, client gifts, or something special to hand out with a holiday cash tip.

Gift Wines For Wine Lovers

For someone who loves wine and would like to try something that will expand their wine life list or add a new category of taste to their holdiay, we would splurge on a “Grower Champagne.”

Central Bottle in Central Square Cambridge always seems to have a supply of these special bottles on hand. We recommend both the Champagne Chartogne-Taillet and Pierre Peters shown from ledgendary importer and wine educator Terry Theise. His annual catalogs are available online and provide a champagne education.

Pink for Romance!

Wrap up a romantic evening with the gift of a pink sparkler. It can be a value priced Louis Bouillot Rosé cremant. Or a splurge with a bottle of Delamotte Brut Rose from the maker of Salon Champagne.

Other pinks that tickle our fancy are Argyle Brut Rosé from Oregon, 3B Sparkling Rosé from Portuguese winemaker Filipa Pato, and for the utlimate fun evening try opening a bottle of Puro Rosé! (We had to make a video to show you how to open this one.)

Please add to our list by telling us about your favorite sparkling wine for the holidays. You can add a comment at the bottom of this post, sent it to @bostonzest on twitter or send us an email.

Want to learn more about wine? Remember to click over to Amazon from here to support this site! Here are three of our favorite wine books.

The Food Lover’s Guide to Wine

The New Wine Lover’s Companion

The Wine Bible

Details:

Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photography: © 2009-2012 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.

December 1, 2012

Farmers’ Markets Are Brimming with Goodness

Just when our farmers' markets are brimming with fresh, ripe, abundant products, some customers forget about them. It's as if Labor Day and the changes we make in our schedules after that holiday take them off our agenda.

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This abundant table at the Copley Market is just a hint of what's on offer.

We are here to tell you that that would be a big mistake. Some of the best fruit and vegetables of the year are showing up now at your local markets and farm stands. Right now, we're getting the best of the summer and the early fall crops.

We see lots of you clicking on our spring post with the weekly market schedule. As the markets begin to close for the season, we'll prepare an update. But remember, most markets are open into October. Some markets like Copley, Dewey Square, City Hall Plaza, and Central Square Cambridge are open until Thanksgiving week.

You can find the closing dates for your favorite market over at the MassFarmersMarkets site. Click on the Find tab, select "market" and enter your information in the boxes.

What's your favorite fall crop? We love winter squash and new potatoes! We make big trays of roasted, root vegetables and use them as an ingredient in hash, soup, and salads. Here's more about that trick!

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
Screengrab courtesy of Alimentum

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.

September 12, 2012

Farmers’ Markets Are Brimming with Goodness

Just when our farmers' markets are brimming with fresh, ripe, abundant products, some customers forget about them. It's as if Labor Day and the changes we make in our schedules after that holiday take them off our agenda.

This abundant table at the Copley Market is just a hint of what's on offer.

We are here to tell you that that would be a big mistake. Some of the best fruit and vegetables of the year are showing up now at your local markets and farm stands. Right now, we're getting the best of the summer and the early fall crops.

We see lots of you clicking on our spring post with the weekly market schedule. As the markets begin to close for the season, we'll prepare an update. But remember, most markets are open into October. Some markets like Copley, Dewey Square, City Hall Plaza, and Central Square Cambridge are open until Thanksgiving week.

You can find the closing dates for your favorite market over at the MassFarmersMarkets site. Click on the Find tab, select "market" and enter your information in the boxes.

What's your favorite fall crop? We love winter squash and new potatoes! We make big trays of roasted, root vegetables and use them as an ingredient in hash, soup, and salads. Here's more about that trick!

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
Screengrab courtesy of Alimentum

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.

September 12, 2012

Farmers’ Markets Are Brimming with Goodness

Just when our farmers' markets are brimming with fresh, ripe, abundant products, some customers forget about them. It's as if Labor Day and the changes we make in our schedules after that holiday take them off our agenda.

This abundant table at the Copley Market is just a hint of what's on offer.

We are here to tell you that that would be a big mistake. Some of the best fruit and vegetables of the year are showing up now at your local markets and farm stands. Right now, we're getting the best of the summer and the early fall crops.

We see lots of you clicking on our spring post with the weekly market schedule. As the markets begin to close for the season, we'll prepare an update. But remember, most markets are open into October. Some markets like Copley, Dewey Square, City Hall Plaza, and Central Square Cambridge are open until Thanksgiving week.

You can find the closing dates for your favorite market over at the MassFarmersMarkets site. Click on the Find tab, select "market" and enter your information in the boxes.

What's your favorite fall crop? We love winter squash and new potatoes! We make big trays of roasted, root vegetables and use them as an ingredient in hash, soup, and salads. Here's more about that trick!

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
Screengrab courtesy of Alimentum

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.

September 12, 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.

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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.

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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:

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

Tag: Central Square