Perhaps you’ve seen a number of your friends in the Boston area pouring buckets of freezing ice water on their heads to help raise awareness and money for ALS.
Boston.com has arranged to host a large #IceBucketChallenge for all who want to participate today at 1PM on the Copley Square lawn. Here’s what you need to know.
Where: Copley Square lawn
When: Thursday, Aug. 7, 1 p.m.
Help spread the word. More details here.
Smart Growth America has issued their annual report that analyzes how walkable the country’s top 30 metropolitan areas. Boston (again) ranked in the top five – ranking 3rd – joining: Washington, D.C., New York City, Boston, San Francisco and Chicago. You can read more about this on Smart Growth America’s website.
Last fall Curbed Boston shared a heat map showing how walkable different neighborhoods in Boston are. North End, Chinatown and Bay Village earned a walk score of 98; the South End received an impressive score of 95. Check out your neighborhood’s walkscore here.
I’ve been lucky enough to be able to either take public transportation or walk to work since 1999. My neighborhood also makes it very easy to get around without needing a car which is great.
BosGuy + Not Needing a Car = Happy
You need to turn coffee drinking as a means to an end into the end itself, says culture and lifestyle contributor, Michael C.
IT WILL BE INTERESTING to see exactly what goes into the Tremont Street space formerly known as Francesca’s. I initially heard through the grapevine that Peet’s Coffee had secured the space, although apparently that’s now up in the air. But regardless of who moves in or when, if it’s a coffee shop I do hope they are wise enough to create something that takes into account the neighborhood’s love of coffee as a pastime. Because, you see, coffee is for South Enders and Euro-trash alike, not merely a beverage but a pursuit – indeed, an institution in and of itself. Right?!
When traveling abroad, my single favorite activity is sitting at a café (preferably independently owned and out-of-doors), espresso with lemon twist in front of me, engaged in some serious people watching. That’s right – not shopping, not clubbing, not sightseeing, but coffee! Most museums have fantastic in-house cafés anyway so it’s often a no-brainer win-win for me. As a born and raised European who has made this beloved land his home, this is where I feel that US society’s reverence towards the institutional identity of coffee-as-a-pursuit (CAAP) leaves a lot to be desired. Ask any person who crosses your path what comes to mind when they hear coffee and chances are they will tell you it’s a wake-up beverage in a paper cup, lid, cardboard sleeve and all, consumed on the run, on the move, on the way somewhere. Why, oh why can’t people see that coffee is that somewhere?
It’s a state of body and mind – a most civilized pursuit. It is something that should be enjoyed in sacred silence at dawn, with the life-and-arts newspaper section in the afternoon, over convivial conversation any time of the day and in countless other settings, never in a rush but as the ultimate activity. I recently ran into an old French friend on Shawmut Avenue and when asked what she was up to, this stunning Capucine look-alike replied with a smile “I’m going for coffee – join me?”. “Capucine” obviously gets it!
Based on my criteria, which I assume are clear by now, here is a list of M’s favorite coffee temples in Boston – and yes, M cares about the quality of the coffee. See you there!
South End Buttery – No introduction necessary. Everyone who’s alive in the South End knows the incomparable charm of this beloved neighborhood corner hangout.
Wholy Grain, Shawmut Avenue – no porcelain cup and saucer option due to legit space constraints, but the whole operation is so simpatico it’s impossible no to like – the small, independent neighborhood coffee shop is what we’re missing in this city.
SIP Café, Post Office Square – one of Boston’s independently owned coffee treasures and one of the closest CAAP establishments in Boston. Huge fan here!
L.A. Burdick, Back Bay – strictly speaking, a hot chocolate place but the coffee is good too – insanely bridge-and-tunnel-packed on weekends but very atmospheric on weekdays.
JaHo, South End – small, independent, bookish – good for coffee, sweets and work.
Flour, Clarendon Street – Ms. Chang’s Back Bay outpost proves that she, too, gets it.
Starbucks, South End – yes, it a mega-corporation, but surely one to emulate – beside offering good coffee in porcelain and (perpetually occupied) seating, this company’s respect for ethical business practices and equal rights is truly something to feel good about supporting.
About the author: A former banker, Michael C offsets the sobriety of his professional life with his passion for design, music, the arts and anything beautiful.
© Michael Constantinides 2014 – all rights reserved
This weekend more than 350,000 people are expected to come down to Revere Beach to see the National Sand Sculpting Festival that will take place Friday thru Sunday 10:00 am – 10:00 pm.
A few years ago Sergio and I went down to check it out and I have to admit the sculptures were really impressive. More information about this free event can be found here.
Earlier this summer Uber briefly test-marketed a water taxi service in partnership with BHC and according to their blog post on Tuesday, the program was a success. In the image below (I swiped it from Uber’s blog), arrows point to UberBOAT district destinations. The thicker the arrow, the more trips took place.
Uber’s blog shares a number of findings from this test run but the stat that impressed me was they say demand was about 7x greater than supply and remained consistent through out the trial period. Based on that stat, it would seem to me that there is a good possibility this service could return on a more permanent basis. You can read more about the trial run here in Boston in Uber’s blog post, here.
Source: November Project
Inspired by a recent article in The Boston Globe, I wanted to write (again) about the many opportunities to work out for FREE in the city. Starting tomorrow, the ever so cool – November Project – hosts their Monday morning Deck of Cards Workout. The way it works is they flip through a deck of cards doing situps when they turn over a red card and pushups when it is a black card; the value of the card is how many you have to do.
The workout starts at 6:30 AM in Boston. Details about the workout can be found on their website, here.
The Boston Globe reported that celebrity chef Mario Batali will open an 8,700 square foot restaurant at 11 Fan Pier in the Seaport District by the end of this year. The restaurant will be called Babbo Pizzeria and will include three bars – one each for cocktails, pizza and antipasti. Plan designs also include a large patio and private dining space. While the Seaport has seen many restaurant openings in recent years, this is one of among a handful that I’m excited about. I have high hopes and expectations for Babbo Pizzeria’s wood-fired pizzas and pastas.
The Boston Globe reported today that proponents for allowing bars and restaurants to stay open later was dealt a setback today when the provision that would have allowed establishments to stay open until 4:00 AM was not included in the State’s budget.
Although the Mayor voiced support for the provision the Globe said the Mayor “did not strenuously lobby House lawmakers to agree” and without that support it appears local lawmakers who opposed the measure won the day. I do hope this is brought up again because I do believe later hours in parts of the city make a tremendous amount of sense and would add to the quality of life in Boston. You can read the Boston Globe article here.
Source: KOHN PEDERSEN FOX ASSOCIATES
This week The Boston Globe reported that developer Don Chiofaro is reviving his effort to build a pair of skyscrapers along Boston Harbor. His previous 2009 plan to develop this real estate had been blocked by Mayor Menino, but with a new Mayor in Boston it appears that Mr. Chiofaro has come back with a new plan proposing a 600′ complex that he says will “wow”.
Source: KOHN PEDERSEN FOX ASSOCIATES
The $1 billion project, that would redefine Boston’s skyline and waterfront still needs approval, includes about 1.3 million square feet of commercial and residential space; 700,000 square feet of offices, up to 300 hotel rooms, 120 luxury condominiums and three levels of stores and restaurants.
More about this story here.
This Saturday, June 28th (for the fifth year in a row) Boston is one of 70 cities from around the world to partake in the World Naked Bike Ride, where hundreds are expected to shed their clothing and mount their bikes to ride through several neighborhoods.
To participate or for more information link here.
According to event details, riders will meet at the bandstand on Boston Common at 9 p.m. before they strip down to their skivvies and set out on the trip down Newbury St., Mass. Ave., and over the bridge into Cambridge. Participants are welcome to attend an after party (clothing required) where cyclists can mingle. The exact location for the meet-and-greet has not been announced, but details will be posted on their Facebook page, here.
I’ve often commented on how much I love Boston and am happy to act as any newcomer’s or visitor’s concierge, answering questions or providing suggestions. While I realize my preferences may not be yours, I thought I’d share ideas on what to see over three days in Boston. I’ve taken care to avoid suggesting places only a trust fund baby can afford. You can read my suggestions from Day 1 Here and Day 2 Here.
Day 3: Three (Gay) Days in Boston
What would a visit to Boston be without checking the Freedom Trail? This 2.5 mile walk chronicle’s America’s history in the years leading up to and during the American Revolution. Although the walk technically starts on Boston Common, I’d suggest starting your morning by splurging at The Omni Parker House dining room for breakfast just a few blocks from the start of the trail. This restaurant has been serving Boston and Boston travelers since 1855 and is the birthplace of the Boston Cream Pie. It also has the distinction of having employed Ho Chi Minh and Malcolm X.
After walking the Freedom Trail you are going to be tired so spend the afternoon taking a 90-minute Duck Tour. Before or after your tour (you decide) grab lunch on Boylston Street in the Back Bay. I’m partial to the patio of Atlantic Fish Co. if you’re not a fan of seafood or want a cheap eats alternative check out Cafe Jaffa a few blocks away.
Start your final evening by visiting another iconic Boston restaurant, The Oak Long Bar + Kitchen, in the Fairmont Copley Hotel in Copley Square. For dinner on the cheap head over to a South End neighborhood mainstay, Anchovies, for basic, affordable homestyle Italian-American that is just a few blocks away. For something a little more interesting, try Myers + Chang – a Pan-Asian Tapas restaurant on Washington & Berkeley Street. Take a taxi rather than walk – it should be about $6 from Copley; again make reservations. After dinner walk just two blocks down Washington Street to Boston’s newest gay bar – more of a Bear / Sports Bar – Cathedral Station.
I’ve often commented on how much I love Boston and am happy to act as any newcomer’s or visitor’s concierge, answering questions or providing suggestions. While I realize my preferences may not be yours, I thought I’d share ideas on what to see over three days in Boston. I’ve taken care to avoid suggesting places only a trust fund baby can afford. You can read my suggestions from Day 1 Here.
Day 2: Three (Gay) Days in Boston
Leave all the walking for the afternoon today and start your morning at the original The South End Buttery on the corner of Shawmut Ave and Union Park St. Relax and enjoy the morning hub bub, use the free wifi and people watch at this busy corner coffee shop that serves some of the best coffee in town.
In the afternoon head over to Neptune Oyster at 63 Salem Street and treat yourself to their lobster roll; it is expensive but worth it. And unlike at dinner, seats are relatively easy to get at lunch. Then go to the recently expanded The Modern Pastry to get something decadently sweet you can enjoy while you stroll down The Rose Kennedy Greenway, which offers views of Boston’s skyline, harbor and public art. When you end your walk near Chinatown, take a left and head over to Boston’s only remaining Gay Bookstore, Calamus Bookstore (at 92b South Street; open 11am – 7pm Tues – Sat and 12-6pm Sun). Peruse the shelves and support this great LGBT bookstore with a purchase or two.
In the evening go to Sister Sorel on Tremont Street (or next door if it is nice weather – Tremont 647) in the South End to carouse with locals. Skip the food here; it is the n’hood vibe that makes the place fun. While it isn’t technically a gay pub, there is always a quorum present. When you get hungry head over to Stella on Washington Street; it may seem like a tough area but it is safer than you’d ever imagine so walk like a local down W. Brookline Street until you arrive at Stella. If it is the weekend, ask for directions to the back bar where it is easier to snag a seat. After dinner head to the front bar for drinks and people watching.
Source: Greig Lamont (c) Project of Ruins
Did you know that Boston has its own phantom of the opera; 120 year old concert theater that is 40 feet below street level? This concert hall below the iconic Steinert & Sons storefront on Boylston Street has been closed for nearly three-quarters of a century.
The “acoustically perfect” theater built by Alexander Steinert seated 650 people. Apparently world-renowned pianists and opera singers performed here up through 1942 when nearly 500 died in Boston at the notorious Cocoanut Grove. Following that tragedy subterranean spaces like Steinert Hall became subject to strict fire regulations and was forced to close.
Read more about this fascinating space and check out The Boston Globe video, here.
BosGuy 