Can one supersize a McDonald’s boy toy?
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Yearly Archives: 2012
McDonald’s is out of boy toys
Can one supersize a McDonald’s boy toy?
Australian Open
Long time readers know that I’m a huge tennis fan. I’m so excited that the 2012 Australian Open has finally started. This is the first of the four Grand Slam tennis events. Even though the first round play in Melbourne is not quite finished there have been a few upsets with a handful of seeded players.
Say goodbye to the following.
Fernando Verdasco from Spain – ATP ranking #24
Juan Monaco from Argentina – ATP ranking #27
Ivan Ljubicic from Croatia – ATP ranking #30
As you can see, you need not know much about tennis to enjoy watching.
SpeakEasy Stage presents “RED”
This past weekend the SpeakEasy Stage invited me to see their latest production, RED. I was happy to go, although I will admit I wondered if a 2-person play about a famous abstract expressionist artist living in NYC in 1958 would be too deep or too intellectual for me to grasp.
I should have realized that a play that won five Tony Awards in 2010 would be compelling to see. However, the reason the story comes alive on stage here in Boston is because of the chemistry between the two actors Thomas Derrah who plays the lead (Mark Rothko) and Karl Baker Olson who plays his new young assistant (Ken). The play is filled with quick, spirited dialog and (to my surprise) many funny lines. The dialog is expertly delivered by both actors. One of my favorite lines is when Rothko shouts at his assistant Ken. “You are an employee! This is about me.” The line sums up the artist as portrayed in the show better than I ever could.
RED plays through February 4th at the Calderwood Pavilion at the Boston Center for the Arts at 527 Tremont Street in Boston’s South End. Looking for a great evening out? Support Boston’s local art and theater scene by coming to see this Tony Award winning play. You’ll be happy you saw this New England premiere. Check out The Boston Globe’s glowing review by Terry Byrne here.
You can purchase tickets over the phone at 617-933-8600 or online at SpeakEasyStage.com
One of America’s greatest exports: Dr. King
Today is Martin Luther King Jr. day in the US. Although I am working, most schools, banks, hospitals and public sector employees have the day off. MLK was a leading figure in America’s civil rights movement and he was assassinated in the spring of 1968 because of his beliefs. MLK adopted Gandhi’s tactics of peaceful non cooperation which confounded his antagonists, and he made the civil rights movement a defining moment in 20th century US history.
When I think of America’s contributions and most salient exports, I think MLK and the Civil Rights movement is perhaps one of our most important. It is men like MLK, the values they cherished and would not compromise that make me proud. Looking to the future I wonder where America’s next great visionaries reside; who’s dream will ignite the imagination of a nation and export their hope for greater equality, peace and love through out the world as Dr. King did?
Below is the “Free At Last” sculpture in front of the Marsh chapel on Boston University’s campus. It is comprised of fifty doves flying in formation and is meant to represent peace in all fifty states. Dr. King attended BU in the 50s, graduating with his Doctor of Philosophy in 1955.
Men of Twitter
Each Monday I post #MenOfTwitter profiles of men who catch my eye and whom I think you may enjoy following. As always, suggestions for profiles to feature are welcome. If you’d like to follow me on twitter, you can find me @BosGuy. Below are this week’s #MenOfTwitter.
If so inclined, leave them a nice comment and start following on Twitter.
TheNickAdams – Yes, Nick is jaw-droppingly gorgeous or as we say here in Boston “gaw-jus”. Nick Adams is also incredibly talented. He’s currently starring in Priscilla Queen of the Desert on Broadway. He’s quite active on Twitter and seems to have a warm and friendly personality. To borrow a line from Gershwin “Who could ask for anything more?” I’m proud to say Nick has a connection to Boston. He resided here while attending The Boston Conservatory of Music to earn his BFA in Musical Theater with a minor in Dance. Wish I had known – I would have attended a few of the school’s performances <sigh>. #TalentedGuy
khemingway – Keeping with the arts theme of this week’s men, I wanted to feature Kyle who lives in Boston and works as the creative services manager for Handel and Haydn Society, a respected orchestra and chorus with the distinction of being the nation’s oldest continuously running performing arts organization. Kyle is also a co-host of Opus Affair, a group of young professionals interested in supporting the fine and performing arts in Boston. For those living in Boston, the group’s next social is Jan 17th – find out more about Opus Affair on facebook. #CultchaVultcha
BTW if you like this post, retweet it. If you love this post, follow me, @BosGuy. Link here to see past #MenOfTwitter postings.
Gay myths
Thank you Brenton for sharing.
Source: Aussielicious on Tumblr is Not Safe for Work (NSFW)
Oy vey
In two weeks I will board a cruise ship for the first time. While I’m happy to be getting away and I’m not the least bit nervous, seeing images of this luxury cruise ship run aground off the coast of Italy is a bit much to take. My thoughts are with those who have friends and family missing, but I’m embarrassed to admit my initial response when I booted up and saw this image was “Oy vey”.
How to survive a Boston winter
Starting this past fall I wrote a few posts called “How to survive a Boston winter”. I thought I’d provide some guidance for all those who may not have had to ‘weather’ a New England winter before. While many of my past posts can be adopted by anyone living in a colder climate (you can read them here, here and here), this months feature truly is advice for those in Boston.
When the mercury drops and temperatures are freezing, visiting a museum is a great way to pass a day, but Boston is very lucky to have the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum. The original building was modeled after a Venetian palace and home to the eccentric woman who the museum is named for. 
Starting Thursday, January 19th The Gardner reopens after a brief closure to put the finishing touches on its largest expansion in the museum’s 109 year history. If you visit be sure to go to the original building. In the middle of her house is a tiny, but beautiful garden where you can literally smell roses in bloom, see a beautiful patch of grass and temporarily forget that the weather outside is downright frightful. If you can’t get away and find the winter too much to take then treat yourself by visiting the Gardner; it’ll do a world of good.
Posted in Boston, GetMeTheHellOutOfHere Syndrome
Tagged BosGuy, Boston Guy, Gardner Museum
Restaurant review: Metropolis Cafe
Metropolis Cafe first opened in the South End in 1995 and is the first of what are several successful restaurants all owned and operated by The Aquitaine Group. Dinner for two including a shared appetizer, two main plates and shared dessert (not including drinks and tip) costs approximately $50-$60. Chef William “Billy” Nurse and the loyal and knowledgeable waitstaff provided a pleasurable dining experience. Since we hadn’t been to Metropolis for dinner in nearly 5 years, we asked for and ordered some of their most popular plates. We started with their green salad that came with two crispy crostini, toasted walnuts and a delicious Dijon vinaigrette ($7.95) as well as the roasted mushrooms ($7.95). If you enjoy mushrooms, I really would suggest requesting extra bread, which the restaurant will happily bring to your table, and order the mushrooms.
For dinner we also ordered two of Metropolis’ favorite plates. The salmon comes with a horseradish crust on the top which is surprisingly light and adds some great texture to the filet that sits on a bed of warm cucumbers and crème fraîche that really makes the dish sing ($18.95). The chicken (may be the restaurant’s favorite plate) was seasoned and crispy on the outside and perfectly cooked. The plate sits on a bed of oyster mushrooms and potato purée (19.95). Both dinners were more than satisfying in flavor and portion.
Normally we refrain from ordering dessert but for the sake of “research” we opted to share something sweet to end what was a very savory meal. Below is a photo of the chocolate pudding cake with vanilla ice cream ($7.95), which is served piping hot and best accompanied with a cup of the restaurant’s coffee.
Metropolis Cafe 584 Tremont Street (617) 247-2931
Reservations are strongly recommended for this tiny Cafe on Tremont Street
Posted in Dining, Restaurant Review, South End
Tagged Aquitaine Group, BosGuy, Boston Guy, South End
Strolling down the Delta Sky Mall aisle
Earlier this week I spent about 45 minutes on the Delta Business Shuttle waiting to take off so I could return to Boston. Since I could not turn on my laptop, I picked up the Delta Sky Mall magazine. Like 99% of those who flip through this waste of paper, I had no intention to buy anything – I was just killing time.
I was astounded by how much crap was jammed into the magazine. The crazy products are only part of what had me giggling. The ad copy is enough to make any copywriter break out into peels of laughter.
Check out these gems…
The ad copy exclaims “You’ll stay warm but look so cool” The fleece poncho with pillow all-in-one comes in “cool” colors like candy pink and royal blue. Don’t these kids epitomize “cool”?
The “Beard Cap” which sells for $19.95 is both one piece (cap, mustache and beard) as well as one size. I cannot think of something more ugly or strange looking to wear, but it must make for one hell of a gag gift.
I assume the “Porch Potty” is perfect for the couch potato or obese. After all could be bothered with taking man’s best friend out for a 5 minute walk? The Porch Potty comes with “plush synthetic grass…and self drainage.” Gross!
New Restoration Hardware store
Last September Restoration Hardware said it would open a high end furniture and home decor store in the space previously occupied by LouisBoston on Newbury Street.
In December, blogger George Whalin wrote about these new stores. According to Wahlin, the first of these newly designed stores opened in San Francisco, followed by Los Angeles and Houston, and all the properties appear to have a much broader selection of furniture, high-quality linens, bath fixtures, accessories, chandeliers, and lamps than are found in the company’s traditional stores.
With the L.A. and Houston storefronts at 24,000 and 25,000 square feet respectively, it seems unlikely the Boston location would use all of the space available to them. According to the real estate listing the building can accommodate 40,000 square feet. Does this mean the part of the building which was reserved for restaurant space will remain? Let’s hope so.
Check out the beautiful San Francisco “Design Gallery” from Restoration Hardware to get an idea of what you can expect when the store opens.
BosGuy cooks: Roasted eggplant
Roasted eggplant is extremely flavorful and a healthy snack best eaten on crusty bread or over a salad with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice or drizzled with balsamic vinegar. With eggplant selling for less than a $1.00 a pound you can purchase a large eggplant cheaply; another plus, there is virtually no clean up. 
Preparing eggplant for roasting
Click on images above to enlarge
STEP 1: Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
STEP 2: Cut eggplant in half and score it with deep cuts that do not pierce the skin. Add 1 tbsp of salt into the cuts and let the eggplant rest for 20 minutes.
STEP 3: Top right image shows how the eggplant will sweat (click image to enlarge); squeeze it to release the excess water the salt has drawn out. This will remove the bitter taste of the eggplant and help quicken the roasting process.
STEP 4: Combine 1/3 cup of extra virgin olive oil and a pinch of thyme for additional flavoring and brush the salted eggplant liberally; if you are going to roast garlic I like to also add the garlic cloves in the remaining oil and thyme.
STEP 5: As shown in the last photo (from the series above) flip the brushed eggplant halves on parchment paper (I also place two basil leaves on the parchment that the eggplant will cover – I love basil). Cook for 45 minutes.
After roasting, let the vegetable cool for 15-20 minutes. The picture below shows the eggplant flipped over after it has roasted and cooled. 
New restaurant to open in South End’s SoWa neighborhood
MCSlimJB a Boston-based restaurant critic, tweeted that the Union Park Neighborhood Association was contacted by Deuxave / dbar owner with plans to open a steakhouse in the old Penny Savings building on Washington Street.
Back in August I listed this as a rumor that had been buzzing through the neighborhood in my post Dishing some South End gossip. However, I thought Brian Piccini (owner of Deuxave and dbar) was unable to make this happen. There’s no word about what hurdles remain for this to happen or when the unnamed restaurant will open for business, but stay tuned.
Thanks to Adam and his hospitality blog for the tip.
SNL skit: Chantix – Real People Real Stories
Last week’s SNL had Charles Barkley as a the host. Despite the fact that he had hosted the show two times previously, he still appeared stiff. Its amazing that he can be so funny on air but the minute he has to do a skit he sounds like a robot. One of the better bits from the last SNL was this fake advertisement for Chantix.
BosGuy 