Blog

2014-2015 Winter Farmers’ Market Schedule Around Boston

The open air farmers' market season is over, and it's time for us to start our list of the 2014-2015 Winter Farmers' Markets in the Boston area. We'll add to this list as we discover more markets opening.

Somerville Winter Farmers' Market

Winter Indoor Farmers’ Markets Around Boston

Boston/Egleston Winter Farmers Market, has a new location at the Urbano Project, 29 Germania St, Jamaica Plain, MA 02130 (map) Saturdays, 10:00 am to 2:00 pm, (Through February 2015, except Dec. 27th.)

Brookline Winter Farmers Market, Arcade Building, 318 Harvard Street, (map) Sundays
12:00 pm to 5:00 pm (11/02 to 06/01/15)

Cambridge Winter/Alexandria Technology Square Farmers Market
700 Technology Square Atrium, (map) Wednesdays, 11:00 am to 3:00 pm (11/12/14 to 04/29/15)

Newton Winter Farmers' Market, 90 Lincoln Street-Hyde Community Center, Newton, MA 02461(map) Tuesday, 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm (November 18, 2014 to June 16, 2015)

Somerville Winter Farmers Market, 191 Highland Avenue, (map) Saturdays, 9:30 am to 2:00 pm (December through March)

Cambridge Winter Farmers Market, 5 Callender Street, (map) Saturdays, 10:00 am to 2:00 pm
(01/03/14 to 04/25/15)

Dorchester/Codman Square Winter Farmers Market has moved to Fridays: 6 Norfolk Street, (map) Fridays, 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm (01/09 to TBA. Last year they stayed open through March)

Chelmsford Agway Winter Farmers Market, 24 Maple Road, Chelmsford, MA (map) Saturdays, 10:00 am to 2:00 pm (11/1 -2/28) Thanks to the reader who sent this one our way last year.

Update 12.8.14: (Thanks to Ben Sommer!)

Roslindale Winter Farmers Market, 30 Birch Street, Roslindale, MA (map) Saturdays, 10:00 am to 2:00 pm (1/3 – 3/28 2015).

Destination Markets Worth the Trip

Wayland/Russell's Garden Center Winter Farmers Market 397 Boston Post Road Rte 20 (map) Saturdays, 10:00am to 2:00pm, 01/10 to 03/14/2015

Newburyport Winter Farmers Market, Tannery Marketplace, 50 Water Street (map)
Sundays 9:00am to 1:00pm, Dec. 7 & 14, 2014, Jan. 4 & 18, Feb. 1 & 15, March 1, 15, & 29, April 12, 2015

Do you have a favorite place to shop for local foods in winter? Let us know!

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

Details:

Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photography: © 2011 Penny & Ed Cherubino

December 5, 2014
Then & Now: 176 Marlborough Street by Developer Eben Dyer Jordan #throwbackthursday

Here is what 176 Marlborough Street looked like circa 1922. This residence was built in 1876 and was one of six contiguous houses along that block of Marlborough that were built by Eben Dyer Jordan, the founder of Jordan Marsh. He built 166 Marlborough for his daughter and her husband and the other five were quickly sold.

The photo is part of the City of Boston Archives Street Lighting Collection. The city was creating a record of the street lighting fixtures and the note on this photo says:

"Electric street lamp on converted gas post with electric light fixture with white dome & clear glass globe. Installed in 1909."

Here's the same scene in 2011 with a new gaslight replacing the old gaslight that had been so proudly electrified in 1909.

Today, a street tree stands in the place of the former electric lamp and you see fences and gardens in front of the townhouses but not in early photos. Many homes in the Back Bay were winter residences where families lived for the "winter season." In the summer months, they would have been closed up while the family moved to their summer estates.

You'll see many references to "winter season" in the genealogy of this residence on the award winning site, Back Bay Houses: Genealogies of Back Bay Houses.

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: 1922 photo is used under this creative commons license. Second photo © 2011 Penny Cherubino

Related articles

A Tow up the Charles River Cost $4 in 1886

December 4, 2014
Where to Dine on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day 2014 in Boston: Here’s What’s Open
Where can you dine on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day in the Boston area? There are a few great choices! But, if you're planning to dine at one of Boston's fine restaurants over the holidays, make a reservation!

UPDATE: Where to Dine on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day 2015 in Boston

Don't be surprised if a deposit is required to hold your reservation or if there are special menus and seatings for these special holiday meals. Unfortunately, restaurants have been forced to do this because of people who make multiple reservations so they can decide at the last minute where to go. This leaves other diners without choices and the restaurants with empty tables.

Here is our resource page on opening and closings, other than dining, at Christmas.

What's Open in Boston on Christmas Eve & Christmas Day 2014 Plus MBTA Schedules, Parking, Trash, & More

What's Open on Christmas Eve?

There are more choices on Christmas Eve than on Christmas Day. Some of our favorite, special places have wonderful holiday meals planned for those who reserve for the 24th.
- The legendary team from L'Espalier normally offers a prix fixe Christmas Eve menu.
- La Morra in Brookline is an ideal spot to meet friends or family from that side of the Boston area. They are offering family style dining, "sharing traditional dishes of Piedmonte."
- Meritage at the Boston Harbor Hotel has a four course prixe fixe menu set for the 24th.
- Petit Robert Bistro locations will be open with regular meals and specials. We like the one on Columbus Ave in the South End.
- Here is the Christmas Eve list from Boston Chefs. Be sure to check back, because this list may grow.
- Here is the Christmas Eve List from Open Table. Be sure to check back, because this list may grow.
At the early date of this posting, some places have not announced their traditional Feast of the Seven Fishes events for Chistmas Eve. Check back or follow us on Twitter for updates on this fun, holiday dining option.
- Coppa Enoteca is one of our favorites and they're offering their version of this tradition.
- Dante in Cambridge will present Chef Dante de Magistris' version of the feast with other menu items available.
- Grotto was one of the first to present this holiday tradition. Kitchen and Marliave, Grotto's siblings in the South End and Downtown, quickly joined in the festive fish feast. This year Kitchen will be open offering the regular menu for those who prefer an al la carte choice. At Grotto and Marliave will continue the feasting on fish.
- Here is a great article from Edible Boston on this traditional meal.
What Boston Area Restaurants Are Open on Christmas?

Hotel restaurants, since they must serve the hotel's guests, are normally open on holidays.

In Boston, hotel restaurants open both the 24th and 25th include some excellent choices:
- Bar Boulud at the Mandarin Hotel is serving a three-course prix fixe menu from Noon-8 p.m.
- The Bristol Lounge at the Four Seasons Hotel
- Meritage at the Boston Harbor Hotel gives you a choice of a Christmas Day Buffet Brunch in the Atlantic Room from 10:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m., or their 4-course prix-fixe dinner in Meritage Restaurant from 5-9 p.m.
- Brasserie JO at the Colonnade Hotel
Other places open on holidays would include chain restaurants and some places in Chinatown. We once asked a longtime Boston cabbie where we could get something we needed on Christmas, and he said Chinatown was the place to go.

Here are some conversations on Chowhound.com and Trip Advisor about Christmas dining. We'll add more as we see them pop up this year and we'll link to lists from other Boston food sites.

Boston Restaurants Not Open on Christmas Day (2014) is a Trip Advisor conversation started by a visitor from London who was trying to find a top Boston restaurant to enjoy on Christmas Day and was surprised to find so many choices closed.

Trip Advisor on Christmas Dinner (2013)

Eater Boston's Christmas Map (Updated 12/16/2013)

What Chinese Restaurants are Open On Christmas Day– (2012)

Christmas Day Brunch (2012)

Open on Cape Cod on Christmas Day (just in case you're going there) (2012)

Xmas Lunch in Boston (2012)

Restaurant open Christmas Day in Newton or nearby (2012)

Other resources:

The reservation site Open Table has a feature list of its member restaurants with Christmas Eve Specials and Christmas Day Dining.

But, you can also input information on the reservation you want on Open Table and come up with a list of restaurants open at that hour. Change the hour and the list will change and some are not on the featured lists. It's a good place to start.

The Boston Chefs site has posted a list of its participating member restaurants with special features for the holidays. Here's the Christmas Eve List & the Christmas Day list.

From Last Year: Eater Boston has a list of What's Open in Boston Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. We'll update with the new one when it's available.

They have many good choices to add to your holiday options. We'd particularly like to recommend:

Island Creek Oyster Bar for Christmas Eve. It's one of our favorite places, and I can just imagine what a happy scene it will be on that evening.

Eastern Standard: They will normally open Christmas Day for breakfast and then for a special 3-course prix fixe meal.

Follow us on Twitter for notice of updates to this post.

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:

Writers: Penny & Ed Cherubino

Photo: from iStockphoto.com

Related articles

Greeting November with a Special Treat: Champagne H. Billiot Fils Rosé

You Never Know What's Under Boston Streets
December 2, 2014
December Sparkles with Chateau de l’Eperonniere, Crémant de Loire

We’re celebrating the arrival of December with an exceptional sparkler. Chateau de l’Eperonniere, Crémant de Loire 2009 is from the vineyards of Mathieu Tijou, the latest in his family to carry on the tradition of winemaking.

Mathieu Tijou (Foreground), Neal Rosenthal (background left)

As with his father, Mathieu has continued to work with importer Neal Rosenthal, a name you will know well from reading our BostonZest wine posts. Through the years, we have come to trust and rely on wines that display the Rosenthal name. And, this Crémant reinforces that claim.

Penny thinks, “this Cremant is addictive!”

Ed says, “very balanced, and food friendly.”

We had it with Neals Yard Dairy Berkswell (sheeps milk cheese), Landaff (cows milk cheese/aged at Jasper Hill), Parmigiano-Reggiano, and Sardinian parchment crackers.

Penny says, “when you sip, it’s sweet and tart at the same time – usually I taste one followed by other.”

One of our sparkling wine/champagne mottos is to “drink slowly and sip through the temperatures,” to experience all the wine has to offer. That advise certainly applies here.

If you’re a Crémant fan, we think you’ll be impressed with this wine. If you’ve never tried a Crémant, this would be a memorable introduction to the sparkler.

Here’s to December! May it be as wonderful as our bottle of Chateau de l’Eperonniere, Crémant de Loire.

Discover more about Our Sparkling Resolution

And, Our Sparkling Resolution Winner’s List

We purchased our bottle of Chateau de l’Eperonniere, Crémant de Loire 2009 at Bauer Wine & Spirits.

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: © 2014 Penny & Ed Cherubino, Image of Mathieu Tijou & Neal Rosenthal courtesy of www.madrose.com

December 1, 2014
Retractable Leash Alternatives From the Experts at Pawsh

If you do one smart thing for you and your dog this year, replace that dangerous retractable leash with a safer option. We turned to the team at Pawsh Dog Boutique and Salon for suggestions on the types of leashes available for various needs.

Mike & Nancy Maida from Pawsh Dog Boutique & Salon (on Gloucester St. between Newbury & Commonwealth Ave. in the Back Bay) demonstrate a leather Euro cross body leash and a martingale collar.

Leash, Harness, and Collar Options

My choice of a round, rolled, leather leash and collar for my dogs was made for very practical reasons. The round collar does less damage to Westie fur and the round leash is easier on my hands if I grab it. What’s more, while leather may be an expensive initial purchase, these items last for years.

Friends with sighthounds have shown me the value of martingale collar that prevent these dogs with necks larger than their heads from slipping out of the collar. Nancy has one in the photo above.

Our Poppy's leash is connected to a strong sports harness with double clips and Velcro® closure because she is noise adverse and needs a strong connection to keep her from bolting when frightened.

Harnesses

“At Pawsh, we carry the soft Puppia harnesses and traditional ribbon step-in versions,” Nancy said. “Both styles are great for walking dogs who pull on the leash so that you do not irritate their necks. Harnesses are especially important to use on toy breeds, like Yorkies, who are prone to collapsed tracheas.”

Nancy also recommends front pull harnesses like the EasyWalk or Gentle Leader. These she says, “…not only help to avoid irritating a dog's neck, they also can be a game-changer for owners whose dogs pull hard on the leash.”

Leashes

Last month, we stopped to admire the leash a young man had on an older Golden. It was a standard, six foot, woven lead with a second hand-loop near the collar for greater control in tight spaces. In addition to this two handle style, Pawsh also carries traffic leads that might only be one or two feet long and work well with larger breeds.

On the opposite end of the length scale, there are training leashes in 20 to 40 foot lengths. Nancy says these may be used, “… to work on coming back when called, or to allow a dog some freedom to roam, when appropriate, while still being leashed (like on hiking trails, the beach, etc.)”

Adjustable Styles

From the days when we fostered rescue dogs, we have sturdy Marine Dog adjustable leashes. These are made of the same material used for hoisting sails on boats.

They can be configured for use as a cross-body, hands-free leash. They can be coupled as a two dog leash or just used as a sturdy single dog control system. We have lent these to friends with arm injuries. Pawsh carries an adjustable Euro Leash version of this style.

If you’ve only considered one style of leash and collar, look at what is available the next time you visit your favorite shop. Avoid styles that choke, pinch, shock, snap, or in some other way have the potential to hurt your dog or you. Have the shopkeeper show you how each works and how to find the proper size.

If You Are Local, Please Support Pawsh!

We have linked to some of these items on Amazon for our readers in other parts of the country. But if you are from Boston, stop by Pawsh. Mike, Nancy, and the staff were kind enough to add their expertise to this post and they will be able to help you find the perfect solution for you and your dog or dogs. Please support them with your local dollars.

November 30, 2014
A Few of Our Favorite Gifts for Wine Lovers

Here are a few of our favorite gifts for the wine lovers in your life. Of course, you could start your shopping list with wine.

We have a bit of advice for anyone buying wine as gifts. As a general rule, don’t buy any wine you see in an ad on television. We have an earlier post about this that includes a great suggestion for the holiday season. Buy a great value wine by the case for gift giving, entertaining, and for your own enjoyment.

On a recent visit to Bauer Wine & Spirits, we noticed additional half bottle offerings in the sparkling wine section. As those who follow along with our resolution to start each month with a glass of bubbles know, we love sparkling wine and enjoy trying many types. Having a few half bottles means you are always ready to celebrate major or minor victories! And, these little bottle make wonderful gifts.

Our Favorite Wine Chiller

We told you about this in September in our post, “This Wine Chiller Works for Both Champagne & Skinny Bottles.” We highly recommend it. It’s called a Rapid Ice Champagne Cooler and has become a popular item on our Amazon buyers list. Someone recently bought eight of these, perhaps for holiday giving. We have two of them!

Quirky Wine Opener with Hidden Assets

Here’s our Quirky 4-in-1 Wine Opener. The 4-in-1 in the Amazon description is because this opener has hidden assets.

The two silver colored items on the top of the handle come out, and you have a pourer and a plastic cork for your wine bottle. Opener, cork, pourer, and number 4 is a couple of tiny circular blades in the base that cut the foil on the bottle. Cut, open, pour, and seal all in one sturdy, easy to work cork remover. We may add a second one to our travel kitchen bag.

The Food Lover’s Guide to Wine

It’s been quite a while since we reviewed this book. It has stood the test of time and we still love The Food Lover’s Guide to Wine and pull it off the shelf for help in matching food and wine quite often. It’s a staple for our food writing research.

Cilio Campagne Sealer

The other day a friend said she doesn’t drink as much sparkling wine because you have to finish the bottle or lose the bubbles. And, most wine bottle stoppers don’t work all that well for sparkling wine.

We use the Cilio Champagne Sealer to cap the bottle and save the rest for another day. While you can stick the cork back into a bottle of still wine, these folks make one for that size as well.

Friends often ask us for gift suggestions and we keep meaning to turn some of these ideas into posts. We’ll try to fit in a few more in the days ahead. If you have a question about something we’ve featured or just want to ask about our favorite books, kitchen items, photography equipment, or dog gift ideas, you can write a comment below or add @BostonZest to your question on Twitter.

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: © 2014 Penny & Ed Cherubino

Related articles

Edible Boston’s Winter 2015 Issue Is Available

More on Those Local Artichokes from Stillman’s

A Tow up the Charles River Cost $4 in 1886

November 28, 2014
Happy Thanksgiving from the Team at BostonZest

We have had many reasons to be thankful this year. Among them are our wonderful readers, commentators, supporters, followers and retweeters on Twitter, facebook likers, shoppers who click over to Amazon from here and help to pay the bills, and everyone who spreads the word about our posts.

We hope all of you have reason to be thankful and that by next Thanksgiving your list of blessings doubles!

You can thank us by starting all your Amazon shopping from BostonZest. Just click on any Amazon banner or a link like this one, shop as usual, and they'll put some change in our tip jar.

Details:
Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photos: © 2014 Penny Cherubino (A window in Boston's Back Bay as it reflects the season and its neighbors.)

Related articles

The Book "Dirty Old Boston" Is Our Friday Link

Thanksgiving 2014 Dining Out in Boston

What's Open in Boston on Thanksgiving 2014, Plus MBTA Schedule Changes, Parking, Trash & More

November 27, 2014
Protecting the Very Sensitive Toes of a Famous Boston Elm with FlexiPave

In 2010, a century old elm in Boston’s Back Back gained notoriety after a group of residents worked to save the towering giant.

As one of the neighborhood’s original street trees planted more than 125 years ago, this aging beauty had stretched its toes up and through the brick sidewalk. To smooth passage over the roots, an experimental macadam was installed but didn’t work out. It was time to try another alternative.

After extensive talks with the city of Boston and the Back Bay Architectural Commission, the previous material has been replaced with a more durable and aesthetically pleasing product called KBI FlexiPave – a rubber and aggregate surface that is ADA certified, the color of brick, and extremely water permeable.

(Once the main walkway was in place, the FlexiPave surface was extended over the tree's protruding roots to widen the path)

The Garden Club of the Back Bay generously fronted the $1,400 to install the new surface before winter set in. Now they are asking for donations to refill their coffers for the next project.

The tree is on Marlborough Street near the corner of Fairfield. Take a test stroll or roll over the new surface. It’s smooth and has a bit of cushion to it. If you like this treatment, don’t be shy, consider making a tax deductible contribution. It’ll be greatly appreciated.

Checks should be made out to The Garden Club of the Back Bay and mailed to: Margaret Pokorny, 384 Marlborough St., Boston, MA 02115.

Watch our 1-minute video to see how FlexiPave changes from a loose aggregate to a solid surface, plus a demonstration of how extremely water permeable it is.

Here’s an article that Penny wrote about the first attempt to solve this problem and save the tree.

Here is an article and video Boston.com prepared on the first attempt.

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

Video: © 2014 Ed Cherubino

Photos: © 2014 Penny Cherubino

Related articles

Greeting November with a Special Treat: Champagne H. Billiot Fils Rosé

Sunday Dog Bonnie Has a New Sister!

You Never Know What's Under Boston Streets

November 25, 2014
Old Friends Farm Organic Ginger Syrup

Tomorrow, at the Copley Farmers' Market, will be your last opportunity to stock up on Old Friends Farm Organic, Ginger Syrup. You'll find it and some of the local ginger that's used to make it at the Atlas Farm Stand.

I bought my first bottle a week ago and returned to the market on Friday to buy three more bottles to keep me sipping throughout the winter.

This is a simple mixture of organic sugar, organic fresh ginger, and organic lemon juice. It's made in small batches out in Amherst. I've transferred some to a glass dropper bottle and add a few drops to my seltzer in place of my usual bitters.

I've also used it to make a simple tisan by adding some to a cup of hot water. I like my tisan mild but you can make yours as gingery and sweet as possible.

Another early win for this product was drizzled over a scoop of a good vanilla ice cream. It seems that this will be the winter of experimenting with this lovely flavoring. I'm thinking up a salad dressing recipe as I write this post.

Ginger as a Tummy Soother

I also think that I'll be glad to have a supply of this when I have a tummy upset. Ginger is my tummy soother of choice. I have a supply of ginger gum, lemon ginger tea, and crystallized ginger for stomach upsets. I also think it might be a wonderful gift for someone undergoing chemotherapy.

But, and this is a BIG BUT, before you decide to use ginger as a form of alternative medicine, you must read all about it, the good and the bad, from a trusted source, and check with your own medical team to get their opinion. It does have side effects and can interact with other medications. It is not safe for everyone.

In additon to my doc, my trusted source for information on alternative healing substances is Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. Here's a link to their page on ginger. You will have to read their disclaimer and agree to it before you click through to the information.

Update 03/24/16 Online Ordering!

On their website, Old Friends Farm has a note on their specialty products page:

Now you'll find items from their farm including ginger syrup in their Etsy Shop.

Here from back in 2008 is our first post on Local Organic Ginger from Old Friends Farm.

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

Details:

Words: Penny Cherubino
Photos: ©2014 Penny Cherubino

Related articles

More on Those Local Artichokes from Stillman's

What's Open in Boston on Thanksgiving 2014, Plus MBTA Schedule Changes, Parking, Trash & More

November 24, 2014
Benny and the Salmon & Why You Shouldn’t Feed Raw Salmon to Dogs

I went looking for a photo of a dog with a salmon, so that I could share what I've learned about feeding salmon to dogs.

I was so happy when I found a great photo by Duncan Brown of Benny nose-to-nose with a beautiful salmon.

Each time I make a trip to Mayflower Poultry in Cambridge to pick up my order of ground meat and bones for our Westie Poppy's food, I stop New Deal Fish across the street to buy some great seafood. One day I mentioned that I could add fish as the second protein in my dog's diet and the fishmonger suggested I let him know and he could save scraps of salmon for me. (He was unaware of the problem, as I was, and was grateful when I shared the research with him on my next visit.)

Don't Feed Raw Salmon!

Somewhere in the back of my mind, I remembered my friend Liz's warning about feeding raw salmon. I did a bit of research and, as usual, she was right.

Washington State University's College of Veterinary Medicine devotes a page to the topic of Salmon Poisoning.

They say:

"Salmon Poisoning Disease is a potentially fatal condition seen in dogs that eat certain types of raw fish. Salmon (salmonid fish) and other anadromous fish (fish that swim upstream to breed) can be infected with a parasite called Nanophyetus salmincola."

A list of symptoms and how your veterinarian would treat the disease is included on their page.

If you want your dog to have the benefits of salmon, which are many, make sure it is fully cooked. You can poach it in a bit of water, steam it, or sauté in olive oil. But, be sure it is cooked all the way to the center to kill any parasites and bacteria that might harm your dog.

(Here's Benny's beautiful face in another photo by Duncan Brown.)

A Bit About Mayflower's RAW Diet or BARF Orders.

I mentioned Mayflower Poultry at the start of this post. I've been feeding my Poppy with products from them for more than two years and have nothing but praise for this wonderful company and the great people who work there.

Each friday morning, Luis (that's his smiling face in the photo) grinds special orders for people who feed their dogs raw diets. You need to phone with your order in advance. I always call on Thursday of the week I plan to make food and pick up my freshly ground food after noon on Friday. Here's their BARF webpage.

Get to know all of our Sunday Dogs at Boston Dogs.

Thanks to everyone who Hops over to Amazon from here to do their shopping. We appreciate your support.

Details:
Words: Penny Cherubino
Photography: by Duncan Brown (Here's his photostream) and used under this creative commons license. Mayflower photos are courtesy of Mayflower Poultry.

Related articles

What's Happening Around Boston in November 2014

Thanksgiving 2014 Dining Out in Boston

At the Market: Local Artichokes from Stillman's Farm

The Book "Dirty Old Boston" Is Our Friday Link

November 23, 2014