Dinner at ester in Dorchester

Writing this blog has perks and last week was a great example. I was invited to the Lower Mills neighborhood in Dorchester to meet one of the owners of ester, Eleanor Arpino, and check out this relatively new restaurant.

Antonia's Meatballs $6.50 and Meat Board $11

Antonia’s Meatballs $6.50                                  Meat Board $11

ester is a neighborhood restaurant trying to make a name for itself and be a part of the community it so proudly named itself after.  Their menu showcases the produce they collect each week from their 5,000 sq foot rooftop garden to let you know what ingredients are homegrown (literally).

Sirloin 1/2 Pound Burger w/ Bacon Jam $15.50

Sirloin 1/2 Pound Burger w/ Bacon Jam $15.50

Their menu is reasonably priced, including snacks and appetizers ranging in from $5-$11; soups and salads $7-$8 and main plates $14-$21.  The cocktail menu, wine list and beers are equally affordable; the beer list in particular is impressive with 32 options on draft and bottle.

Risotto with their rooftop cherry tomatoes $12

Risotto with their rooftop cherry tomatoes $12

I would like to thank Eleanor Arpino and chef Estabon Gallego for their gracious invitation and wish them much success.  Despite the fact that their massive back deck will close for the winter season, I’d encourage neighbors to check out the 17-seat bar or come down and try dinner in their spacious dining room.

Boneless Berkshire Roasted Pork Loin $21

Boneless Berkshire Roasted Pork Loin $21

ester is located at 2261 Dorchester Avenue in Dorchester Center.

Temptation Tuesday

handsome asian, shirtless guyI don’t know about you but I make passes at guys who wear glasses.

Past Temptation Tuesday Posts

Boston Common Frog Pond ice skating rink

Frog Pond ice skatingRumor has it that the Boston Common Frog Pond ice skating rink is ready to open. There had been speculation it would open this past weekend but it didn’t seem to happen.  To find out when the Boston Common Frog Pond ice skating rink opens, like their facebook page, www.facebook.com/BostonFrogPond or follow them on Twittah, @BosComFrogPond.

Realm health and fitness tips from Kyle

Realm health and fitness tips from KyleThis week’s post recognizes that many of us may be struggling with the colder temperatures  and what is better than warm, buttery pancakes on a cold fall morning? WARM PUMPKIN PROTEIN PANCAKES ON A COLD MORNING!

These pancakes are reasonably good for you and a known deterrent of the dreaded PANCAKE ASS. Liven up your protein shake and cook it!  Here’s the ingredients:

1 Scoop protein powder
½ cup Pumpkin
½ tsp cinnamon
½ tsp baking powder
2 egg whites
1/2 cup Oats
½ cup    + 2 tbs water
3-5 packets of stevia (Or honey if its post work-out)

Combine in a bowl and then Cook on a griddle like normal, apply butter and low sugar syrup and enjoy.

Kyle at Realm FitnessKyle is a nationally certified personal trainer, certified nutritionist, and lifestyle motivator out of Los Angeles, CA. He has been training for 5 years and has experience working with top-tier celebrity and executive clientele. When he’s not in the gym, Kyle is reading philosophy or writing poetry.

Local artist Fernando DeOliveira’s wearable art

Fernando DeOliveira Pledge PhotoA South End artist and friend named Fernando DeOliveira wants to make his beautiful abstract art wearable by making limited edition silk scarves of some of his favorite creations.

Check it out here

He has created a kickstarter campaign to help him get the money necessary to manufacture four scarf designs.  I believe in Fernando’s work and think he is an exceptionally talented artist. Sergio and I actually have one of his paintings in our home – I wrote about it back in 2010 in my post, Hanging The Painting.

Fernando DeOliveiraCheck out Fernando’s kickstarter page and help him spread the word. One of the things I most love about my neighborhood is the influence of our vibrant, local art scene so let’s support them and in this case, Fernando, if you believe in his work and like what you see.

Monday blues

Monday BluesNo this isn’t the MBTA Commuter Rail, but some mornings it might feel like this. I have worked from home since 2008 and prior to that I walked to work. I have not driven to a job since 1999 and I’m more than okay with that.

Is your commute a dream or a nightmare?

25 Years ago today the Berlin Wall came down

For Millenials it must seem strange to think of Germany as two separate nations with its historic capital, Berlin, divided by barbed wire and troops patrolling with orders to shoot to kill if anyone from East Berlin tried to escape.  However, that was the reality until twenty-five years ago when the Berlin wall came down; the symbolic repercussions of that event cannot be stressed strongly enough.

With all the challenges in the world today whether it pertains to nuclear proliferation, war and or outbreaks that threaten public health, it is important to recognize how much better the world has become too.   A big part of that world becoming a better place is the fall of Communist Europe.

Jesse post for new BosGuy reader, Lyne

Boys of BostonA new follower of my blog recently requested that I post a photograph of my friend Jesse for an upcoming Furry Friday.  It isn’t quite Friday yet, but I thought I’d post this and dedicate it to Lyne.

The photo is from a video Jesse did about a year or so ago with friends in Boston.

Jesus Christ, It’s Christmas! Dec. 4 – 21st

Ryan Landry, Gold Dust OrphansRyan Landry and his troupe, The Gold Dust Orphans, are back with a new Christmas special that opens Thursday, December 4th and runs through Sunday December 21st  (a 3 week limited engagement!)  Tickets are currently on sale with general admission pricing approximately $43 and reserved seating approximately $53.

Get Your Jesus Christ, It’s Christmas! Tickets Here

Jesus Christ, It’s Christmas! is based on the 1947 classic, “The Bishop’s Wife”, “Jesus Christ” features all new songs and dances, plenty of fabulous costumes and positively gorgeous sets! As is always the case with The Gold Dust shows, this is not a kid-friendly program and those easily offended should probably go elsewhere, but for everyone else, come down to the Ramrod Performing Arts Center to see this soon to be classic, Jesus Christ, It’s Christmas!

Franklin Cafe Southie closing

Franklin Cafe South EndOn Friday Donna Goodison from The Boston Herald Tweeted that the Franklin Cafe Southie will go before the Boston Licensing Board to sell the business (and alcohol license – of course) to a new spot called Moonshine Kitchen.   I can’t find any details about Moonshine Kitchen but any tips from my readers would be welcome.

Donna Goodison

Scruffy Sunday

handsome, hunk, gayHave a good morning guys.

Previous Scruffy Sunday Posts

Saturday night video: Sex Ed

I first post this video about a year ago but had forgotten about it until someone had reminded me about it earlier this week so I thought I’d share it again.

This YouTube video of Julia Sweeney sharing her discussion about the birds and the bees with her eight-year-old daughter is absolutely hilarious.  This clip is completely safe for work; I actually teared up at one point from laughing so hard.

Meet Marc Solomon at Club Cafe, Monday, Nov. 10th

Marc SolomonThe national campaign director for Freedom to Marry, Marc Solomon, is back in Boston on Monday, November 10th at Club Cafe to kick off his national book tour to promote  Winning Marriage: The Inside Story of How Same-Sex Couples Took on the Politicians and Pundits – and Won.

The book, with a forward by Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick, shares the inside story of how marriage in Massachusetts was won and the state’s critical role in making this a national dialog.

Meet Marc Solomon at Club Cafe at 209 Columbus Avenue – Monday, November 10th from 6:00 – 8:00 pm.  The program is free and open to the public.

 

Saturday morning comic: Adam and Andy

James Asal Jr. Click on the comic strip to enlarge.

ADAM & ANDY is set in the fictional New England town of Woodfield, CT. You can learn more about this strip by visiting, adamandandy.com.

Bonus fur

hairy chestThis week’s bonus fur post is courtesy of Izzoiz.com.