Tag: patio

Pink Glera, Piselli, and the Patio at Coppa Enoteca for a Perfect Spring Afternoon

When one spring vegetable dish would not fit with an allergy, our server at Coppa suggested a new menu item – Piselli (Roasted snap peas, chermoula vinaigrette with fried shallot.)

Between bites and wipes of the sauce with bits of bread, we sipped a pink Glera. It was such a great combination that when a friend stopped to chat, we offered to order another round to share with him so he could taste it.

Any day on the patio at Coppa is a good day. We always order a few small plates and try to mix up our old favorites with new temptations.

This new menu item gets our best bite status.

What's on your Food Lover's shopping list?

Details:

Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photos: ©2017 Penny Cherubino

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May 24, 2017
Porto Boston, Our First Look

Porto Boston at the base of a Prudential Center apartment building has added one more choice to our short list of places to go for a very good meal near our home in the Back Bay. Our first visit was for brunch last month.

We put together a three piece share that left us smiling. It started with a lovely fig and arugula salad with honey, pecorino, and perfectly crisp thin croutons.

Ed was the hungrier of the two of us, so he went for an entrée of sea trout & poached eggs on a biscuit with turmeric and mustard greens.

I loved this dish of campanelle with feta, soft herbs, pine nuts, and tomato. Ed did get a few bites and was a happy eater.

Since we write about food, friends and neighbors often ask us where we've been eating and what's new that they might enjoy. Every time we mentioned Porto, someone asked us exactly where it's located. We prepared the collage above to give you a good idea of where you will find it. (Here's a map.)

It's across the street from Star Market on Ring Road. The upper left photo was taken next to the sign for the market looking towards Boylston Street and the bridge from the Shops at the Prudential to Lord and Taylor. The lower right photos show you the sign for Sax Fifth Avenue looking towards Huntington Avenue.

We love dining at bars and choose those with great food and great service. Porto delivered. What's more, they have lots of bar seats. We sat at the inside bar adjacent to the patio.

This one wraps around to continue on the outside of the glass …

… to offer bar seating on the patio. (We didn't take a photo but there's also another large expanse of bar seating that wraps around the open kitchen.)

Speaking of the patio, it has a retractable cover that seems to make it perfect for a longer outdoor dining season. In addition to seating at the bar or patio tables, there's a cozy corner with a sofa, chairs, and cocktail tables.

We can't wait to meet up with a group of friends and share a wider selection of menu items around one of the high tables in the indoor bar area or, weather permitting, in that cozy patio corner.

What's on your Food Lover's shopping list?

Details:

Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photos: ©2016 Penny & Ed Cherubino

September 14, 2016
Porto Boston, Our First Look

Porto Boston at the base of a Prudential Center apartment building has added one more choice to our short list of places to go for a very good meal near our home in the Back Bay. Our first visit was for brunch last month.

We put together a three piece share that left us smiling. It started with a lovely fig and arugula salad with honey, pecorino, and perfectly crisp thin croutons.

Ed was the hungrier of the two of us, so he went for an entrée of sea trout & poached eggs on a biscuit with turmeric and mustard greens.

I loved this dish of campanelle with feta, soft herbs, pine nuts, and tomato. Ed did get a few bites and was a happy eater.

Since we write about food, friends and neighbors often ask us where we've been eating and what's new that they might enjoy. Every time we mentioned Porto, someone asked us exactly where it's located. We prepared the collage above to give you a good idea of where you will find it. (Here's a map.)

It's across the street from Star Market on Ring Road. The upper left photo was taken next to the sign for the market looking towards Boylston Street and the bridge from the Shops at the Prudential to Lord and Taylor. The lower right photos show you the sign for Sax Fifth Avenue looking towards Huntington Avenue.

We love dining at bars and choose those with great food and great service. Porto delivered. What's more, they have lots of bar seats. We sat at the inside bar adjacent to the patio.

This one wraps around to continue on the outside of the glass …

… to offer bar seating on the patio. (We didn't take a photo but there's also another large expanse of bar seating that wraps around the open kitchen.)

Speaking of the patio, it has a retractable cover that seems to make it perfect for a longer outdoor dining season. In addition to seating at the bar or patio tables, there's a cozy corner with a sofa, chairs, and cocktail tables.

We can't wait to meet up with a group of friends and share a wider selection of menu items around one of the high tables in the indoor bar area or, weather permitting, in that cozy patio corner.

What's on your Food Lover's shopping list?

Details:

Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photos: ©2016 Penny & Ed Cherubino

September 14, 2016
Not So Charming Back Bay Centerpiece

This time of year, holiday decorations add an additional dose of charm to Boston's Back Bay neighborhood.

But somehow, this bucket of butts does not seem to be the ideal centerpiece for a front yard garden table.

At least this smoker is not littering the patio or tossing those indestructible filters all over the sidewalks.

And, perhaps this collection of tar soaked filters is some sort of countdown to quitting for the new year with the bucket serving as a reminder of the money that went up in smoke.

For those who need help, here's the state's page on smoking cessation assistance.

Help to Quit Smoking

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

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December 3, 2015
Not So Charming Back Bay Centerpiece

This time of year, holiday decorations add an additional dose of charm to Boston's Back Bay neighborhood.

But somehow, this bucket of butts does not seem to be the ideal centerpiece for a front yard garden table.

At least this smoker is not littering the patio or tossing those indestructible filters all over the sidewalks.

And, perhaps this collection of tar soaked filters is some sort of countdown to quitting for the new year with the bucket serving as a reminder of the money that went up in smoke.

For those who need help, here's the state's page on smoking cessation assistance.

Help to Quit Smoking

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

Related articles

Back Bay Houses (.Org) Expands and Wins a Preservation Award.

Then & Now: Icicles in Boston Plus How & When They Form

Snow Drops, Crocus & Daffodils Popping Up in the Back Bay

December 3, 2015
Wollaston Beach and Quincy Shore Drive: Then and Now

Wollaston Beach and Quincy Shore Reservation are a perfect destination when you want to grab a Zipcar and spend an hour or two at the shore. We like to go on weekdays when the crowds are moderate and we can relax and enjoy the views back to Boston and out to sea.

Just like in days of old, we pull into one of the angled spaces that line the beachside. (This postcard is from the Boston Public Library Collection.)

The state undertook the creation of this park in 1899 and opened it to the public on May 30, 1908. It was part of the historic Metropolitan Parks System designed to preserve open and natural spaces for Boston area residents.

A Quick Beach Escape

We sit on the seawall and "people watch." (We are not allowed on the beach in summer because we take our dog with us.) We join the constant stream of locals walking the wide 2.3 mile seaside walkway.

And, we have lunch at one of the seasonal beach restaurants across from the beach. The photo above is from Tony's Clam Shop. If the wait for a table on the patio is long, we'll order our meal to go and take it back to the seawall or if we're lucky, dine on a shaded bench.

Here's another postcard view of the Squantum and Wollaston Yacht clubs.

While it is very busy in summer, you'll find people drawn to this place all year long in good weather and on downright nasty days when surf pounds the seawall.

It's just 8.5 miles from downtown Boston. Without a traffic jam, you can be there in 20 minutes. And, if you are willing to walk a bit, it is only a mile from the Wollaston station on the MBTA Red line.

Do you have an Amazon Gift Certificate to use? Or do you need to buy one for a birthday or wedding gift? Remember to click over to Amazon from here to support this site!

Details:

Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photography: © 2013 Ed Cherubino with postcards from the Boston Public Library and a private collection.

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 8, 2013
Wollaston Beach and Quincy Shore Drive: Then and Now

Wollaston Beach and Quincy Shore Reservation are a perfect destination when you want to grab a Zipcar and spend an hour or two at the shore. We like to go on weekdays when the crowds are moderate and we can relax and enjoy the views back to Boston and out to sea.

Just like in days of old, we pull into one of the angled spaces that line the beachside. (This postcard is from the Boston Public Library Collection.)

The state undertook the creation of this park in 1899 and opened it to the public on May 30, 1908. It was part of the historic Metropolitan Parks System designed to preserve open and natural spaces for Boston area residents.

A Quick Beach Escape

We sit on the seawall and "people watch." (We are not allowed on the beach in summer because we take our dog with us.) We join the constant stream of locals walking the wide 2.3 mile seaside walkway.

And, we have lunch at one of the seasonal beach restaurants across from the beach. The photo above is from Tony's Clam Shop. If the wait for a table on the patio is long, we'll order our meal to go and take it back to the seawall or if we're lucky, dine on a shaded bench.

Here's another postcard view of the Squantum and Wollaston Yacht clubs.

While it is very busy in summer, you'll find people drawn to this place all year long in good weather and on downright nasty days when surf pounds the seawall.

It's just 8.5 miles from downtown Boston. Without a traffic jam, you can be there in 20 minutes. And, if you are willing to walk a bit, it is only a mile from the Wollaston station on the MBTA Red line.

Do you have an Amazon Gift Certificate to use? Or do you need to buy one for a birthday or wedding gift? Remember to click over to Amazon from here to support this site!

Details:

Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photography: © 2013 Ed Cherubino with postcards from the Boston Public Library and a private collection.

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 8, 2013
Wollaston Beach and Quincy Shore Drive: Then and Now

Wollaston Beach and Quincy Shore Reservation are a perfect destination when you want to grab a Zipcar and spend an hour or two at the shore. We like to go on weekdays when the crowds are moderate and we can relax and enjoy the views back to Boston and out to sea.

Just like in days of old, we pull into one of the angled spaces that line the beachside. (This postcard is from the Boston Public Library Collection.)

The state undertook the creation of this park in 1899 and opened it to the public on May 30, 1908. It was part of the historic Metropolitan Parks System designed to preserve open and natural spaces for Boston area residents.

A Quick Beach Escape

We sit on the seawall and "people watch." (We are not allowed on the beach in summer because we take our dog with us.) We join the constant stream of locals walking the wide 2.3 mile seaside walkway.

And, we have lunch at one of the seasonal beach restaurants across from the beach. The photo above is from Tony's Clam Shop. If the wait for a table on the patio is long, we'll order our meal to go and take it back to the seawall or if we're lucky, dine on a shaded bench.

Here's another postcard view of the Squantum and Wollaston Yacht clubs.

While it is very busy in summer, you'll find people drawn to this place all year long in good weather and on downright nasty days when surf pounds the seawall.

It's just 8.5 miles from downtown Boston. Without a traffic jam, you can be there in 20 minutes. And, if you are willing to walk a bit, it is only a mile from the Wollaston station on the MBTA Red line.

Do you have an Amazon Gift Certificate to use? Or do you need to buy one for a birthday or wedding gift? Remember to click over to Amazon from here to support this site!

Details:

Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photography: © 2013 Ed Cherubino with postcards from the Boston Public Library and a private collection.

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 8, 2013
Tony’s Clam Shop Helps Keep Summer Going On…

Don't just sit there! It's still warm enough to get to Wollaston Beach and enjoy some good, fried food at Tony's Clam Shop.

Every so often we use a few of our Zipcar credits to take a quick trip to the beach in Quincy and indulge in well-made fried food. By this we mean that we don't leave feeling like we've swallowed a quart of frier oil.

A small order of fried clams, fried scallops, and a big plate of steamed clams make a great lunch. And, you can walk off those calories across the street on the flat, smooth sidewalk or the sandy surface of Wollaston beach.

In case you didn't know, this is what's inside that fried clam batter. A lovely, silky, soft shell clam. We like them both ways – steamed and fried. And, at Tony's we've seen the truck from Ipswich Seafood pull in to make deliveries. We know both from that and the taste that this is a great local product.

We usually skip the plates and platter with fries and so on. We do like their crisp, light, crunchy onion rings. We sometimes add a Greek salad or a side of a well seasoned rice pilaf. Those items help round out the lunch but can also make it home for supper.

Join us in enjoying summer fun for as long as we can!

Tony’s Clam Shop, 861 Quincy Shore Drive, Quincy, MA 02170, 617.773.5090 (map)

Thanks to everyone who hops over to Amazon from here to do their shopping. We appreciate your support. It doesn't cost you any more but they put a few coins in our tip jar.

What's on your fall shopping list? Click here for fall season savings over at Amazon.

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 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.

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September 18, 2012
Tony’s Clam Shop Helps Keep Summer Going On…

Don't just sit there! It's still warm enough to get to Wollaston Beach and enjoy some good, fried food at Tony's Clam Shop.

Every so often we use a few of our Zipcar credits to take a quick trip to the beach in Quincy and indulge in well-made fried food. By this we mean that we don't leave feeling like we've swallowed a quart of frier oil.

A small order of fried clams, fried scallops, and a big plate of steamed clams make a great lunch. And, you can walk off those calories across the street on the flat, smooth sidewalk or the sandy surface of Wollaston beach.

In case you didn't know, this is what's inside that fried clam batter. A lovely, silky, soft shell clam. We like them both ways – steamed and fried. And, at Tony's we've seen the truck from Ipswich Seafood pull in to make deliveries. We know both from that and the taste that this is a great local product.

We usually skip the plates and platter with fries and so on. We do like their crisp, light, crunchy onion rings. We sometimes add a Greek salad or a side of a well seasoned rice pilaf. Those items help round out the lunch but can also make it home for supper.

Join us in enjoying summer fun for as long as we can!

Tony’s Clam Shop, 861 Quincy Shore Drive, Quincy, MA 02170, 617.773.5090 (map)

Thanks to everyone who hops over to Amazon from here to do their shopping. We appreciate your support. It doesn't cost you any more but they put a few coins in our tip jar.

What's on your fall shopping list? Click here for fall season savings over at Amazon.

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 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

Do coyotes eat fried clams?

New England clam, lobster shacks

I choose…

Decently priced good clam strips

Txakolina Extends Summer Fun

Where to Find Old Friends Farm Local Ginger

September 18, 2012