Category Archives: Boston

Boston Restaurant Week gets a makeover

Restaurant Week BostonDeclining participation from both Boston restaurants and diners has forced the organizers of Boston Restaurant Week to do some soul searching to help breathe new life into the ailing biannual foodie event.

This year it has been rebranded as Dine Out Boston the new two week event that will run from March 16-21 and 23-28 is hoping to lure both restaurants and diners back with a tiered pricing structure that offers lunches for  $15/$20/$25 and dinners for  $28/$33/$38.

FYI – American Express will apparently offer a $5 credit on cardholder statements when they spend $21 or more on an enrolled American Express card at a participating restaurant, during Dine Out Boston. I couldn’t figure out how to enroll my card; neither Dine Out Boston nor American Express had any information.  If you figure it out, let me know.

Hotel Week Boston Feb 16-23

hotel week bostonElizabeth Stefan and Kim Greiner of Summer Street Communications have helped create Boston’s first Hotel Week Boston.  The program is designed to help travelers secure great deals at some of Boston’s best hotels from February 16 – 23, 2014.

Contemplating a staycation? Want to see what other perks and discounts are being offered at participating properties?  Check out the website, hotelweekboston.com.

More public art coming to Boston’s Greenway

Boston Greenway Public ArtJesse Brackenbury, the next leader of Boston’s Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy Greenway, said last week that he wants to significantly increase the presence of public art and other new features in the downtown park network. My response, “Most excellent. Let’s do it.”

The quote and image atop this post is from the Rose Kennedy Greenway’s Public Art on the Greenway: A Five Year Strategy 2013-2017.   The Greenway’s vision for this work (according to their website) is to bring innovative and contemporary art to Boston through free, temporary exhibitions on the Greenway that engage people in meaningful experiences, interactions and dialogue with art and each other.  I won’t wax on about the potential here – I’ll keep my trap shut (for now). Want to learn more about this? Check out the Greenway’s Public Art Program web page, here.

Humorous map of Boston

Bostonclick on map to enlarge

For the record, Sergio and I must be a cliche.  We live in the part of Boston noted as: “The Gays, The Brunch and Darn Good Roast Chicken. Kudos to Gordon for getting the shout out about his chicken.

What part of the map is your favorite? I loved the shout outs to various chefs and restaurants.  If you like this or would like to see how URBANE maps your home city check out their page here.

Boston Wine Expo 2014

Boston Wine Expo 2014Mark your calendars and get your tickets (if you haven’t already) because the 23rd annual Boston Wine Expo returns next weekend (February 15-16).

Be sure to check out the cooking demonstrations and tastings from some of the city’s most well-known chefs. I’ll be at the event on Sunday, February 16th so say “hello” if you are there and see me.

You may purchase tickets to this year’s event here.

Can Boston sustain a new gay bar

Boston NightlifeEarlier this week I published my post, Boxers to open in Philadelphia. In that post I asked the owners to consider Boston should they continue to expand. Boston’s steady loss of LGBT centered businesses and in particular bars is not unique, but it just seems to be more problematic here where gay bar options are quickly dwindling to nil.

I would really like to see Boston have more gay bars. I don’t mean gay friendly bars; I don’t mean bars that are gay one or two nights a week; I mean a legitimate gay bar that is open 7-days a week and focused on serving Boston’s gay community; not bachelorette parties. More than 250,000 lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender call Massachusetts is home.  The overwhelming majority of those live in Boston and surrounding communities.  One would think that there is a business opportunity here, right?

What are your thoughts?

No Pants Subway Ride hits the MBTA

No Pants Subway Ride 2014Today the No Pants Subway Ride is happening around the world so don’t be shocked if you see some people without their pants on the MBTA this afternoon.  I look forward to this event each year, but I’ve opted to keep my pants on and sit this one out while I wait for Sergio to return from caring for his father in Brazil. I hope we can rejoin all the fun in 2015.  Below I’ve included some photos from previous years.

Boston No Pants Subway Ride

No Pants Subway Ride

See you in 2015 NPSR Boston

No Pants Subway Ride this Sunday

2012 No Pants Subway RideThis Sunday Boston will join cities from around the world for the annual No Pants Subway Ride. You can learn more about the event and the Boston Society of Shenanigans who organize the Boston event, by linking here and don’t forget to RSVP for the post-party.

Here is a quick video I pulled together from Boston’s 2013 No Pants Subway Ride.

Thank you Mayor Menino

Mayor MeninoMayor Menino first assumed the office as Mayor of Boston in 1993.  His support for the LGBT community has been second to none and he will be missed. You will always be my Mayor.

No Pants Subway Ride next Sunday

No Pants Subway RideNext Sunday Boston will join cities from around the world for the annual No Pants Subway Ride on Sunday, January 12, 2014.

Sergio and I have been attending this event for the past few years and it is easily one of our favorites. If you’ve never been before, give it a try – you’d be surprised by how fun it is.  You can learn more about the event and the Boston Society of Shenanigans who organize the Boston event, by linking here and don’t forget to RSVP for the post-party.

Here is a quick video I pulled together from last year.

FML

winter snow stormUGH… winter is here.  Who can say how accurate this forecast will be after all is said and done. I really don’t care.  What I care about is getting myself to Brix (local wine shop) and stocking up on a few more bottles of red wine.

The calm before the BOSnow

South End Boston Snow Storm 2014

Harrison Avenue Midnight 2-Jan-14

South End Boston Snow Storm 2014

Harrison Avenue 12PM 2-Jan-14

South End Boston Snow Storm 2014

Harrison Avenue Midnight 2-Jan-14

South End Boston Snow Storm 2014

Harrison Avenue 12PM 2-Jan-14

Nationally, you can follow this snowstorm on Twitter using the hashtag #Hercules but Bostonians are using #BOSnow to track the impact locally.  Above are photos of Harrison Avenue in the South End.  The first series was taken at Midnight and the second at 12:00 PM Thursday.

Boston’s snow emergency / street parking ban has just gone into effect so the owners of those cars better move them quickly otherwise they’ll be ticketed and towed.

Modern Pastry

Italian PastryBoston and many of the surrounding towns have no shortage of fantastic Italian pastry shops with extremely loyal customers who all swear by their favorite.  While the most famous Italian pastry shop in the area is Mikes on Hanover Street, I’ve always been partial to the Modern Pastry at 257 Hanover Street.

Last week I made a visit to the Modern and noticed that their neighbor Piccolo Venezia had closed and the Modern is expanding into the space, hooray.  Modern Pastry has operated out of the same, tiny location for more than 80 years so I can hardly wait to see how their expansion will help accommodate them and their many loyal patrons of which I am a proud member.

My recent purchase of 18 mini cannolis filled with ricotta and two lobster tails

My recent purchase of 18 mini cannolis filled with ricotta and two lobster tails

MBTA free after 8PM on NYE

MBTAIf you are planning to head out and have not already heard, the MBTA will be offering free rides after 8 p.m. on New Year’s Eve and extending their service until 2 am.  The T’s Silver Line, buses, trackless trolleys, express bus routes and boats will run on regular weekday schedules on New Year’s Eve.  The T’s Green, Red, Orange, and Blue lines will operate on modified weekday schedules. To see a detailed list of extra commuter rail service and delayed departure times, click here.

Merry Christmas: Riding Bus 19 to the Top

Bus 19 The way upI can’t think of a better story to share on Christmas Day.  This is a real life story that takes place here in Boston.  It is about overcoming adversity; it is about family bonds and how important they are; and most importantly, it is about believing in oneself and the conviction it takes to follow your dreams.

I encourage you to read the story one Tweet at a time here: Making Good From Almost Nothing.  The series of Tweets from December 16, 2013 are heartwarming.  Once you read @Billy_Baker’s Tweets check out the video from last year.   George and Johnny Huynh’s story is one that should be shared.  I hope you find it as touching and inspirational as I do.

*Thanks to my sister, Elizabeth, for sharing.