Tag Archives: Boston

The Boston Cocktail Summit Oct 4-6 2012

Posted on October 1, 2012 | Leave a comment

Cocktail enthusiasts rejoice!  The Boston Cocktail Summit, the first-ever city-wide cocktail event will take place October 4-6, 2012.

Part convention, part festival, the 3-day celebration known as The Boston Cocktail Summit features Boston’s cocktail culture and highlights the city’s fascinating history of mixology, breweries, wineries, and distilleries, while offering educational programs for professionals and amateurs alike.  All told there are approximately 75 official events.

The Boston Phoenix does an excellent job helping thirsty summit goers figure out what is available in their article Booze Your Own Adventure.Boston Phoenix Cocktail Summit Decision TreeWant to learn more? Purchase tickets to one of the events? Visit the event website, BostonCocktailSummit.com.

Leave a comment

Posted in Boston, Cocktails

Tagged , ,

Berklee BeanTown Jazz Fest is Saturday

Posted on September 28, 2012 | Leave a comment

Jazz Fest includes Paula Cole, Bela Fleck, Lyne Carrington and more than 20 other acts Saturday from 12 – 6pm

Boston’s biggest block party takes place on Saturday from noon to 6:00 p.m. on Columbus Avenue between Mass Ave and Burke Street in Boston’s South End – and it is FREE!

Paula Cole featuring Kevin Barry is scheduled to perform at 2:15 on the Natix Global Asset Management Stage on the Carter Playground.

This year, the festival celebrates women in jazz, featuring free performances by some of the genre’s most acclaimed female artists. According to the website, previous festivals have drawn 80,000 jazz enthusiasts. More info about Jazz Fest here.

Leave a comment

Posted in Boston, Free Stuff, Music

Tagged , ,

A healthy grocer on wheels rolls into Boston

Posted on September 26, 2012 | 1 comment

BTFMy good friend and fellow blogger over at You Think You Know clued me in to a new local business called Bell Tower Foods (BTF).

Formed by young professionals  who met at Boston University’s School of Public Health, this group is passionate about encouraging healthy eating habits and fighting obesity so they have created the city’s first mobile grocery vehicle.

Think of it as a healthy grocery store on wheels

Really cool, right? Want to learn more? Check out their website, belltowerfoods.com. You can also like their facebook page, here.

1 Comment

Posted in Boston, Health

Tagged , , ,

Smith & Wollensky Atlantic Wharf

Posted on September 23, 2012 | 2 comments

Smith & Wollensky Fort Point ChannelLast year at this time Smith & Wollensky opened their second location in Fort Point Channel at Atlantic Wharf.  The restaurant is large – 10,000 sq feet – complete with an outdoor patio near the water and oyster bar.  A working lunch with colleagues is what brought me to Smith & Wollensky (sometimes my job has great perks).

The staff was very helpful through out, making the entire experience pleasurable. Smith & Wollensky’s lunch menu includes more than a dozen starters ranging from smoked Clam Chowder – $9 to an appealing looking tuna crudo on Himalayan Salt Block – $17 (mental note to try that on my next trip). Salads, sandwiches, seafood and of course their filet mignon as well as other red meat classics round out the lunch menu options.

Smith & WollenskyI opted to carb overload by indulging in their flat bread of the day – $12.  The flatbread was topped with cheese, tomatoes, arugula and grilled sirloin and served on a long wooden cutting board. It was extremely satisfying, and the flatbread served as a trusty vessel holding the toppings as I piled piece after piece into my mouth.  I’m not a steak house guy, but I really liked dining there and think you will too.
Smith & Wollensky on Urbanspoon

2 Comments

Posted in Boston, Restaurant Review

Tagged , , ,

Allston Street Fair on Sunday, 12-6PM

Posted on September 22, 2012 | 3 comments

The annual Allston Street Fair takes place this Sunday between Brighton Avenue and Cambridge Street from 12-6pm.  Never been? Expect a vibrant mix of families and college students who come together to enjoy delicious food, enjoy music from local bands, see / buy artists and craftspeople’s creations. This years the fair has a Mardi Gras theme.

More information about the free fair here.

3 Comments

Posted in Boston, Free Stuff

Tagged , ,

New hotel and residences coming to my hood

Posted on September 18, 2012 | 1 comment

South End Mixed Use DevelopmentLooks like the Mayor and the Boston Redevelopment Authority  just approved a cool new mixed use building in space that is currently occupied by a parking lot in my neighborhood, the South End.

Located at 275 Albany Street, the development includes a 3-story parking garage, 19-story residential tower, and a 11-story hotel. I have no idea what micro style rooms means, but I’m just happy it will bring more people to the neighborhood.  The development will be just one block away from the Ink Block.

More about this project and others approved by the city of Boston here.

1 Comment

Posted in Boston, South End, SoWa

Tagged , ,

Opus Affair tonight

Posted on September 17, 2012 | Leave a comment

Opus Affair is a social group who meet each month around town.  They are a diverse group who share an appreciation for the arts community in Boston and want to see it grow and thrive.

Never been to an Opus Affair event? No worries, its a friendly group of people who range in age and profession, but all agree that going out, sharing a cocktail and chatting with people is the perfect way to spend a Monday evening.

Tonight’s Affair:  Forum at 755 Boylston Street from 6-9PM

Come on your own or bring a friend

Leave a comment

Posted in Boston

Tagged , ,

Boston Freedom Rally 2012

Posted on September 16, 2012 | Leave a comment

Boston Freedom Rally 2012Yesterday was the 23rd Boston Freedom Rally.  This annual event has grown in popularity and the 2012 event on the Boston Common attracted more than 50,000.  I made my annual trek to the event to walk around and people watch.  There was a definite haze of smoke from the tens of thousands who were lighting up, but the crowd was friendly and subdued (with the exception of the speakers).  It always strikes me as funny how these impassioned speakers try to rile up a stoned crowd.

Most appeared to be enjoying a beautiful day outside with their friends.  Aside from the speakers, the festival included many items for sale, live music and of course plenty of food for everyone to fend off munchies.

Hempfest Boston

Leave a comment

Posted in Boston, Free Stuff

Tagged , ,

Purple Shamrock’s Irish wake

Posted on September 13, 2012 | Leave a comment
Purple Shamrock

Source: Purple Shamrock facebook page

Instead of lamenting the passing of the Purple Shamrock, The Glynn Hospitality Group, which owns the Purple Shamrock, hosted an Irish Wake today.   An empty casket, trailed by bag pipers paraded from The Black Rose Pub to a final resting place inside the Purple Shamrock.

Only in Boston are pubs elevated so highly.  I missed the wake but from what I understand, despite taking place during the middle of the day, it was well attended. I’ve not been to The Shamrock in quite a few years, but it does have the distinction of being where I celebrated my 21st birthday (all those years ago).

Sláinte Purple Shamrock

Leave a comment

Posted in Boston

Tagged , ,

Boston Freedom Rally (Hempfest)

Posted on September 13, 2012 | Leave a comment

Boston Freedom RallySaturday, September 15 from 12 – 6PM at Boston Common 

Some of the best people watching in Boston will take place this weekend on the Boston Common when tens of thousands come together for Boston’s 23rd Freedom Rally, often referred to as Hempfest.

The afternoon event includes vendors, music, plenty of food and a line up of speakers including Congressman Barney Frank (MA). If you’re new to Boston or never have been, this is a fun, free event that is worth checking out and guaranteed to give you a good chuckle or two.

You may learn more about this event here.  The Boston Freedom Rally  strives to educate people about marijuana and to build a consensus for a more rational public policy regarding all uses of the cannabis plant.

Leave a comment

Posted in Boston, Free Stuff

Tagged , ,

Os Gemos mural in Boston

Posted on September 12, 2012 | Leave a comment

boston public artMy enthusiasm for public art and funding these initiatives is not always shared, but I think commissioning public art installations is essential to any city and community.  So I was thrilled to see the Institute of Contemporary Art (ICA-Boston) have two famous street artists from Brazil create larger than life murals in the city of Boston.

boston public artOs Gemos – identical twin brothers and street artists from Brazil – are currently hosting their first museum show in the United States at the ICA-Boston. While the show is here in Boston this large temporary mural will dominate Dewey Square in Boston’s financial district.

You may read more about the installation and view a slide show of the creation of the mural as well as the show at the ICA-Boston here.

Leave a comment

Posted in Art & Film, Boston, Brasil, Brazil

Tagged , , ,

Ice cream showdown from 2-4PM

Posted on September 8, 2012 | Leave a comment

ATTENTION ICE CREAM LOVAHS

The 4th annual Ice Cream Showdown will be held on the Rose Kennedy Greenway from 2-4PM today.

Some of the city’s most delicious ice cream shops will be on hand sampling their creamy treats to all who support the event.  Money raised will go to benefit Community Servings and Lovin’ Spoonfuls; two local nonprofit organizations who help feed Boston’s less fortunate. This year’s one day ice cream celebration will feature newcomers FoMu, along with JP Licks, Giovanna Gelato e Sorbet, Picco, and Toscanini’s.

Leave a comment

Posted in Boston, Philanthropy

Tagged , ,

MIXFest 2012 free concert on Saturday

Posted on September 7, 2012 | Leave a comment

MIXFestEach September after the student population returns to Boston a host of fun, free events dominate each weekend.  MIXFest, which takes place tomorrow, Saturday, September 8th is one of these great free events.

MIXFest starts at 1PM but the first act starts at 4PM

Where is this happening?  The DCR Hatch Shell

Enjoy the beautiful weather in one of Boston’s best outdoor venues to see a show.  This year MIX 104.1 free concert features headliners Train, Gavin DeGraw and Andy Grammer.

More information about MIXFest here.

Leave a comment

Posted in Free Stuff, Music

Tagged , ,

GQB Tonight

Posted on September 7, 2012 | Leave a comment

Guerrilla Queer BarGuerrilla Queer Bar (GQB) Boston will take over another “straight” bar tonight, making it one of the largest gay bars in Boston for one night. This month’s bar is the trendy OM Lounge in Harvard Sq. With all the students back expect a large crowd. Get there at 9PM to avoid a long line to get in the door.

GQB announces the location of each take-over the day before on their Facebook page and via their parent organization’s (TWC) Twitter account. Learn more about GQB and TWC on their website here.

Leave a comment

Posted in Boston, Gay

Tagged , , ,

Boston’s finest?

Posted on September 6, 2012 | Leave a comment

boston police carThis morning, while I was driving Sergio from the South End into the Back Bay, we were inching down Dartmouth Street which at certain times of the day (like the morning commute) is very slow moving.

As if the reputation of Boston drivers isn’t bad enough

One reason it is so tough to get down Dartmouth Street is because jerks drivers block intersections.  I usually just shake my head and think “dumb ass” so I was agog when this Boston police cruiser paused at the crosswalk then opted to drive another 10′ forward essentially blocking off any cars on Appleton Street (the intersection).

Notice the space behind the cruiser?  That’s because we stayed back behind the crosswalk in case the cruiser would decide to back up. The cruiser and I parted ways about a half mile down the road when I turned onto Huntington Avenue. I wonder how many other intersections this car blocked as he/she went on their way?

Leave a comment

Posted in Boston

Tagged , ,