Yearly Archives: 2012

Celebrate Boston Pride with GLAAD on Friday

This Friday for the third year in a row the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) volunteer leadership council in Boston will host what looks to be a very cool party to celebrate Pride in Boston.The Revere HotelLooking for something fun to do?  Check out this party at the swank, new Emerald Lounge in The Revere Hotel on Stuart Street in the Theater District.  Admission is $25 and includes complimentary Kettle One cocktails as well as an entry for raffle prizes.   Be sure to register and reserve your space before the event sells out.

Event Details

Boston GLAAD Pride Party – Friday, June 8 6PM – 9PM

The Revere Hotel 200 Stuart Street (Theater District)

Tickets $25 – Purchase online Here

Fitness tips from Kris Kranzky

The month of June is synonymous with summer in my mind.  The spring was more hectic than I would’ve liked and my time at the gym was impacted so I thought I’d start these weekly posts to keep me (and maybe you too) focused on personal fitness. These tips are from my trainer Kris Kranzky from the Boston Sports Club in the South End.

Mix up your work out regimen: Your body is like a machine and continues to improve based on the demands that you apply. If you continue to do the same exercise over and over, then your body will become more efficient at performing those types of workouts so it is important to continue to switch up your work out regimen every 6 week weeks.

Last week’s tip.

Boston needs to increase the number of liquor licenses

Photo by Ringo H.W. Chiu / For The Times

Later today, Boston’s City Council will consider a request from Councilor Pressley to host a hearing on ways to convince the Massachusetts State Legislature to increase the number of Boston liquor licenses.

Pressley (and I too) believe Boston’s antiquated approach to doling out liquor licenses needs to stop.  The system has put a strangle hold on new businesses wanting to open.  Recently I wrote about how restaurant owner, Brian Piccini proposed buying Columbus Cafe’s liquor license for nearly $300k so he could open his new South End steak house, Boston Chops.   Is it any wonder Boston lacks affordable dining options?

Do you agree? Contact your Representative in the MA State Legislature.

You can read the full article on Universal Hub here.

Provincetown: Velvet lounge

Velvet ProvincetownEvery year there are a few changes in Provincetown. While the locals (and those who consider themselves locals but really live in Boston) are blabbering about Enzo’s expanded deck, a new club called Velvet Lounge which opened on May 21st caught my attention.

The tiny subterranean lounge where red is the color of choice oozes cool. Starting tomorrow, June 7th, every Thursday thru Sunday, Velvet will host Abracadabra, which is described as a “haunted cabaret”.  The show will start promptly at 10:30 and tickets cost $29.  I hope that the cabaret show is great and this new lounge is successful. If you go, let me know what you think.

Note: Velvet is a cash only bar (at least it was on my visit) located at 258 Commercial Street below Saki.  Try the house drink Spring Fling and tell Chase their friendly bartender that BosGuy says “Hello”.

Velvet Facebook Page

Beardo

These hilarious mustache beer rings are sold by Beardo which is also the maker of the “Beardo”, a product I wrote about in my January post, Strolling down the Delta Sky Mall Aisle.

Restaurant review: Cafe Heaven

Provincetown RestaurantRestaurants come and go but Cafe Heaven, conveniently situated on Commercial Street in Provincetown, has always been a popular place to grab breakfast or lunch. Turn over is quick so if there is a wait (and there almost always is), put your name in and wait patiently outside.

This casual restaurant serves a delicious breakfast which includes most of the staples, eggs benedict, omelette, granola, etc.  Cafe Heaven only serves fresh maple syrup so when I visit I tend to bypass the eggs and have a sweet breakfast.  Below is a stack of blueberry pancakes and a stack of croissant french toast. I’d highly recommend trying one of these if you get the chance.  If you feel the need to eat healthy have it with a side of their fresh squeezed juice.You won’t find a website for Cafe Heaven, but stop by at 199 Commercial Street and check out this restaurant on your next visit.

Cafe Heaven on Urbanspoon

Would you still love me if I were gay?

Last week I wrote a post Hey Pops! Would you still love me if I were gay?  I wrote this after seeing this image in my neighborhood.  This poignant “post card” stopped me dead in my tracks, which is exactly what the Boston artists who created this public art was hoping.

Boston artists use their medium to raise awareness

This poster and others similar to it sprouted up in some of Boston’s neighborhoods shortly after President Obama expressed support for same sex marriage.  Technically these posters are considered graffiti, but I hope the city keeps them up as they convey an important reminder and will hopefully spark the conversation the artists are intentionally provoking.

Much thanks to Sol who left a comment in my original post tipping me off about this local campaign. You can read more about this artistic crusade to raise awareness and increase dialog in an article penned by the Boston Globe here.

Temptation Tuesday

I don’t know who this blue-eyed guy is but I like the fact that he has that very approachable “Boy Next Door” vibe.  Like his t-shirt says, Guaranteed Woofable loved when I read that.

Are you a fan of this weekly post? You can see past Temptation Tuesday men by linking here.

30th Annual Scooper Bowl: June 5-7

If you are an ice cream lover and you live in the Boston area, this event is a must attend.  You can get more information about Boston’s Scooper Bowl by visiting www.scooperbowl.org.

The Bourne Legacy opens August 3, 2012

Bourne Legacy

Years ago when I was in high school and college I read the Bourne Trilogy by Robert Ludlum and I loved the books. Despite my squeamish nature that shies away from violence, I love the suspense and story lines of a good espionage novel.

It looks like Hollywood is not ready to say good bye to this series which has raked in hundreds of millions of dollars and in August a new Bourne movie called The Bourne Legacy will open in theaters.

The strange part of this story line is that Jason Bourne will not be in the movie – well at least not the “Jason Bourne”. Apparently we learn that Operation Treadstone had other, maybe many “Jason Bournes”.  I loved the books and I thought Matt Damon played the lead character superbly, but this one has me wondering if it is worth seeing.  Check out the Bourne Legacy trailer and decide for yourself. 

Pride week in Boston

Scott BrownA couple years ago, shortly after Sen. Scott Brown won the special election to fulfill the remaining two years in the late Ted Kennedy’s Senate seat, Motley (a local Men’s clothing store), came up with a very creative “Happy Pride” message, using the image of Sen. Brown’s 1982 Cosmo centerfold photo.

Let’s see if South End retailers can create the same kind of show stopping  window dressing to wish the LGBT community a happy pride this year.

Men of Twitter

Each Monday I post “Men of Twitter” profiles. These are men who catch my eye and whom I think you may enjoy following.

It is Pride Week in Boston and the start of “Pride Month” when many LGBT communities come together to celebrate so each week this month I’ll feature Twitter profiles of gay men who are lending their voice and influence to fight for greater equality. Here are two men you may recognize and wish to follow.

Gay RugbyGarethThomas14 – Last week I posted a rather revealing photo of Gareth from the cover of Attitude Magazine’s “Naked” issue, which resulted in a lot of emails indicating people would like to see more of him. Gareth is an out, retired Welsh rugby player and regularly posts pictures of himself. I’m assuming many of you will appreciate following him.

Photo by Seth Rau

CarlSciortino – Carl was elected to the Massachusetts State House in 2005 after a tough primary where he defeated the Democratic incumbent who was opposed to Same Sex Marriage.  His closely watched  primary showed others that supporting marriage equality would not necessarily count against you in Massachusetts. Carl is easy to chat with and active on Twitter so wish him a Happy Pride this week.

Things that make BosGuy go hmm…

Thanks for sharing Kevin.

AIDS Walk Boston today

AIDS Action CommitteeI’m not able to participate in Boston’s AIDS Walk this year but my thoughts are with the organizers from The AIDS Action Committee of Massachusetts. If you are not participating in this year’s walk which started earlier this morning won’t you consider making a donation to this worthwhile charity?

AIDS Action of Massachusetts

Restaurant review: House of Siam

House of Siam BostonHouse of Siam has been serving Thai food in Boston’s South End since the late 1990s on Columbus Avenue.  In October 2008 this family owned restaurant opened a second smaller location on Tremont Street.

Since Pho Republique closed, the South End has lacked any truly extraordinary Thai restaurant, but the House of Siam goes a long way to satisfying any cravings you may have for this South East Asian cuisine.  The dinner menu for the House of Siam is huge with more than 50 dinner plates to choose from including:  Salads, Soups and Appetizers which range from $4.50 – $15; Noodles and Fried Rice $11-$13; House Specialties $13-$17; Seafood plates start at $15; Curry plates $13-$17 depending on the protein you choose (chicken, beef, shrimp or duck); Vegetarian plates are all $11.

Portions at House of Siam are generous as seen below with the two starters we ordered; Steamed Siam Dumplings with ginger sauce that was addicting for $6.95 and Crab Rangoon for $6.95. House of Siam Boston

The main plates were equally satisfying although the spicy chicken for $12.95 shown below left was not spicy; something you can reconcile by requesting more heat to your server.  Below right is one of the restaurant’s signature plates, Shrimp Pad Thai $12.95. House of Siam Boston

The House of Siam is open 7-days a week and serves beer and wine.  Weekend reservations are not necessary but recommended.

House of Siam on Urbanspoon