This week’s Furry Friday has a definite Daddy theme. Tom lives in NH but is in Boston often. He’s a handsome, easy-going guy.
Truth be told, I’ve had my eye on Tom for quite some time. You’ll notice he caught my eye at the 2011 Carnival Parade in Ptown; he appears at 2:12 in my Carnival 2011 Video.
Fur & Gold is ready for Bear Week and will host a pre-Bear Week party at Pi Alley tomorrow.
The Friday before Bear Week may well be the busiest day of the year for Pi Alley as guys from all over the country and world fly into Boston a day early so they can take the Saturday morning ferry to Provincetown for the start of Bear Week. There is always a fun crowd at Pi Alley the Friday before Bear Week and it is worth checking out if you have no other plans.
More information about the Fur & Gold Bear Week pre-Party at Pi Alley in Downtown Crossing can be found here.
For all of you curious to find out what will happen next now that BoMA Restaurant & Lounge has closed. Yesterday I spoke with the owner and earlier today he shared via email that The Elephant Walk, a French / Cambodian restaurant will move into the space.
“After two years of owning and operating BoMA Restaurant & Lounge in the South End, I am pleased to announce my collaboration with Nadsa de Monteiro and Richard Pile, respectively the Executive Chef and Managing Partner of The Elephant Walk. They will be bringing their restaurant to the South End. Yes, The Elephant Walk will open at the former BoMA location!
This will all move quickly with an eye on opening the restaurant in the Fall, aiming for October.” –Shane Manfred
Back in April it was reported in the BBJ that the restaurant would likely be displaced due to a $16 million apartment building project. So Audubon Circle’s loss is the South End’s gain. Check out The Elephant Walk’s French / Cambodian restaurant menu here.
Inspired by a recent article in The Boston Globe, I wanted to write a week long series about the many opportunities to work out for FREE in the city. Thus far, I’ve talked about a variety of workout options around the city. But I’ve yet to talk about the many options in Boston’s North End.
For example, did you know that every Friday there is a free Boot Camp in Christopher Columbus Park? The class runs from 6:30 – 7:30 AM so set your alarm clock a bit earlier than usual and head over to the park. You can read more about free work out classes hosted this summer at Boston parks here.
Bear Week officially starts on Saturday, July 12th and this year there seem to be more shows, parties and personalities than ever before.
While nobody should try to see or do everything – leaving Bear Week without checking out some of the fun events that are happening during this theme week would be a shame too. Here are some events I’ve noted that you might want to check out during Bear Week.
Saturday, July 12th Underwear Party at Purgatory
Sunday, July 13th Meet author, Amistead Maupin
Monday, July 14th Kiltbears Tea Dance at Boatslip
Tuesday, July 15th Beers and Bears with Brian Sims
Wednesday, July 16th Ass Wednesday at A-House ($100 prize)
Thursday, July 17th BearMania w/ Horse Meat Disco
Friday, July 18th Fireman’s Ball at Town Hall auditorium
For a more thorough list of events happening at Bear Week in Provincetown be sure to check out ptownbears.org.
On Wednesday, a district court judge ruled against Colorado’s constitutional amendment banning marriage equality.
Just last week I mentioned six same sex couples had filed a federal lawsuit. I hadn’t expected that I’d be writing so soon that Colorado would become the 23rd state to have ruled in favor of marriage equality advocates in the past 12 months.
Cafe El Presidente opened earlier this year in the Flat Iron District on 24th Street. The place is spacious and has an open and casual, beach vibe with vintage looking painted signs and a large open kitchen in the back of the restaurant that looks out on to the dining room floor.
El Presidente serves up some delicious cocktails to try alongside their Mexican menu. The two most popular drinks made with fresh juice include the Paloma; a grapefruit and tequila cocktail served with a salted rim. As well as the Spiked Sandia; a sweeter alternative made with agua fresca – watermelon and tequila. 
Both proved to be so tempting when we initially tried them at the bar we opted to get them by the pitcher for dinner. That may have proven to be a mistake because while the food was delicious the portions of our main plates were smaller than anticipated and we probably should have had more solids to compensate for the amount of tequila we were enjoying.
I would highly recommend trying the Guacamole Con Totopos. The guacamole was creamy and offset the very light and salty chips. The chips and guac also come with a plate of pickled veggies, salsas and lime and radishes. It was delicious and a good portion for a party of four to share.
I opted for the Pescado a la Plancha Oaxaca – Fish Tacos – which were made with mahi mahi on the night I was there. 
The plate comes with four tacos. The soft taco shell seemed to absorb too much of the salsa, making them difficult to eat; the taco would tear / rip when we picked them up. However, they still tasted very fresh and my only real complaint was that I was left wanting more.
I liked the vibe and enjoyed the casual atmosphere and would recommend giving it a try. Located just around the corner from Eataly at 30 West 24th Street, El Presidente is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Inspired by a recent article in The Boston Globe, I wanted to write a week long series about the many opportunities to work out for FREE in the city. Thus far, I’ve talked about a variety of workout opportunities in Allston, the Financial District and along the Esplanade. If those locations are not convenient for you – perhaps you’d find this weekly class (every Thursday) at Frog Pond in Cambridge more to your liking. Every Thursday from 6:00 – 7:15 PM free yoga classes are hosted.
More classes are offered each day if this is a convenient location in Boston for you. To check out the full calendar of activities peruse The Boston Parks Fitness Series here.
A couple of local blogs are reporting that the South End restaurant, BoMA, which first opened less than two years ago has closed.
I have reached out to staff and the owner for confirmation but have not heard back. The restaurant’s Facebook Page appears to have been removed. I really like the staff and the neighborhood vibe of the place. I wonder if the restaurant will reopen with a new concept and name under the same ownership or if it has been shuttered for good. Either way I hope the staff are okay and the space can reopen soon.
Photo Source: Boston Redevelopment Authority
The Boston Herald reports that a new residential development will be coming to 46 Wareham Street in the South End. A three-story 19th century warehouse will be converted into a six story residential building that will have 42 units, a 9,400 square foot retail space and 50+ underground parking spaces. The new residential building will be called Factory at 46 Wareham. The article didn’t indicate if the units would be apartments or condos.
Below is an image of the building as it stands today.
This section of the South End currently has two large residential construction projects underway with the Ink Block and Troy Boston. Just two blocks from 46 Wareham The Cathedral of the Holy Cross has received board approval to build a new 120 unit building on a parking lot at 600 Harrison Avenue.
There are several other residential plans all within just a few blocks that are currently in various proposal stages. It will be interesting to see how these projects help reshape and revitalize this section of the South End which still has underutilized space in the form of partially vacated buildings and parking lots.
Last weekend I was at the Lord & Taylor in Back Bay. When I happened to be flashed by this bulging underwear mannequin. Sergio found me laughing to myself – apparently I revert to the maturity level of a 12 year old with a fluidity that is impressive.
I’ve never been flashed in public but based on my reaction at Lord & Taylor I assume I’m the kind of person that will point and laugh out loud. Perhaps not the reaction this stoic mannequin was hoping for. I’ll try to be more mature in the future.
Note to self: shop more often at the Back Bay Lord & Taylor.
The Rowes Wharf Sea Grille at Boston Harbor Hotel will show The Wizard of Oz on a large outdoor screen set up to the side of the large gazebo by the waterfront. Similar to the Free Friday Flicks hosted at the Hatch Shell – these movies are open to the public, but unlike the shows at the Hatch Shell this attracts fewer children.
The Wizard of Oz
Starring: Judy Garland
Movie time: Sunset at 8:22PM (July 11)
For the full calendar of free movies at Rowes Wharf link here.
Inspired by an article last week in The Boston Globe that shared some of the many great outdoor fitness classes offered around Boston, I thought I’d include a week worth of suggested free fitness classes you might want to try. If the November Project morning workout on Monday wasn’t of interest or if you weren’t able to get to the Tuesday morning or evening classes in Post Office Square, perhaps you need an option that you can choose at a time that is convenient for you.
Consider throwing on a pair of walking / running shoes to go for a walk or run – or perhaps even a bike ride along Boston’s Esplanade. First established in the early 1900s, this popular park now includes bike / running paths along the Charles River for you to enjoy.
Years ago a popular Charles River bridge map was created to let individuals map out their workouts; a full loop from the Museum of Science to Mount Auburn Street is just over 17 miles. So grab your running / walking shoes or a bike and head out tomorrow to take advantage of the beautiful park while the weather is so nice.
BosGuy 