Tag Archives: Boston

MBTA is asked to bring back late night service

Once upon a time the MBTA made a halfhearted attempt to provide a limited late night transit service on weekends called the “Night Owl”, but the popular program was axed as a cost cutting measure some 6-years ago.

Now The Boston Herald is reporting the Restaurant and Business Alliance is pushing to have late night service reinstated.  I’ve been a long-time fan of extending public transportation hours and making the existing system more available.  Thousands of employees work during hours that T service is not available. However, finding a way to pay for this additional service is a legitimate concern.  In the article acting MBTA General Manager Jonathan Davis is quoted as saying its simply too expensive.  I’d like a more novel approach and put the concept out to bid for ideas on how to make this work.  It seems if we can figure out how to fly a man to the Moon, we can pay for late night public transportation – its merely a matter of priorities.

The full article in the Boston Herald can be read here.

Boston Santa Speedo Run

The much talked about Boston Santa Speedo Run will take place one week from today.  This fun(ny) 1-mile run through Boston’s trendy Back Bay neighborhood in December earns a lot of laughs for both spectators and runners. It has also become an unofficial tradition of yours truly to go down and watch these crazy runners warm up and run down Boylston Street so be sure to check back late Saturday afternoon after I post my 2011 video of the Santa Speedo Run.  In the interim, check out the video I created from last year’s run.

The 2011 charity benefiting from the funds raised in this years race will be Play Ball foundation.  If you’d like to learn more about this annual run which is now replicated in cities across the US and Canada, you can visit here.

Frozen Fenway

The Boston Globe has published the Frozen Fenway calendar which spans 16-days. This year, the calendar includes a free skating day, six college hockey games (notably University of New Hampshire vs University of Maine on January 7th) as well as boys and girls high school hockey games.

Are you a hockey enthusiast or interested in joining the crowds looking to participate in the Mayor’s community skate day scheduled for January 1st?  Check out the full schedule and more details here.

Boston Architecture: The Burrage House

The Burrage House (named after the attorney, businessman, and philanthropist Albert C. Burrage and his family) is one of many distinctive properties that dot Back Bay’s Commonwealth Avenue.  The home which was initially constructed in 1899 is now divided into six condominiums each worth several millions of dollars and rent for $15,000+ a month.  Local football fans know that a few years ago Patriot’s quarterback, Tom Brady, called this home.

I’m so thankful that even if these are no longer single family homes, the city never allowed them to be torn down.  The Burrage House adds an element of elegance and ignites my imagination of what Boston must have been like 100+ years ago.  Below is a video of one of the condos which went up for sale earlier this spring and sold for more than asking ($4.35M). 

Betsey Johnson Boston fashion show

Saturday, October 15th – Betsey Johnson Boston fashion show

Fashion designer Betsey Johnson will be in Boston to present her prêt-à-porter collection. Proceeds from the show will benefit the South End Community Health Center’s Breast Cancer Prevention Program.

The fashion show will be held at The Cyclorama at the Boston Center for the Arts on Tremont Street with a VIP reception starting at 6PM and admission at 6:30PM. You can purchase tickets here.

Boston Book Festival: October 15, 2011

The third annual Boston Book Festival (the largest literary event in New England) is this Saturday (October 15) in Copley Square.  The event will host more than 100 world-renowned authors, workshops and events.   If you are in the city, check out the festival.

Whatever your interests, fiction, history, science, food writing, sports writing, crime fiction, etc… they have something for you.  You can check out the full calendar of events by linking to their site here and individual event descriptions here.

Hey Sailor…

Did you know that starting today the Charlestown Navy Yard will host the  USS Stephen W. Groves?

Size queens are certain to mutter under their breathe that they’ve seen bigger if they visit the destroyer, but you tell them to be quiet.  Should you see sailors walking around Boston do ask and let’s hope they will tell.  Okay – I’ll behave now and stop with all the double entendres.

If interested, the USS Stephen W. Groves will be open for public tours on Saturday from 1pm-4pm, Sunday from 10am-4pm and Monday from 10am-4pm.

ARTcetera 2011

Every weekend in the fall there are large fundraising events but ARTcetera an event which raises funds for the AIDS Action Committee (AAC) always stands out.  The event started in the 1980s as a way for local artists and gallery owners to respond to the AIDS crisis which was ravaging the Boston arts community, and over the years it has developed into one of the largest art auctions in all of New England.

The charity fundraiser which was traditionally held in October on even numbered years took a temporary hiatus in 2010 so the AAC could rethink the program and breathe new life into the event.  Bryan Rafanelli and his events team did a beautiful job transforming The Castle and the new venue was a welcome change.

Below is a quick 3-minute video from the event which sold out and drew a record crowd of 800 supporters and art enthusiasts. ARTcetera 2011 is expected to raise more than $700,000 for the AIDS Action Committee of Massachusetts. Expand to full-screen for best viewing.

Collegefest 2011

This Saturday and Sunday is Collegefest in Boston. Collegefest is an annual event which has been a mainstay here since the mid-80s. This year more than 15,000 college aged men and women will attend the two-day event at the Hynes Auditorium. According to the website Collegefest “hooks you up” with all sorts of free stuff.  If you are of college age and want to learn more you can check out their facebook page here or visit them online at www.collegefest.com.

Restaurant Review: Temazcal Tequila Cantina

Temazcal is a trendy tequila restaurant located at Liberty Wharf in the Seaport District of Boston. The transformation of this block still surprises me when I visit Liberty Wharf, which also houses Legal Harborside (Legal Seafood’s largest restaurant), Jerry Remy’s Sports Bar and Grille, and Del Frisco’s Steak House.

Temazcal is a visually appealing destination. The large bar, dining room and patio make the most of the waterfront views available from Liberty Wharf.  When seated, patrons are provided iPads to review menu items which include delicious looking photographs (all the more to tempt you with I suppose).  You can view their menu online here.  Main plates range from $17-$32; the tacos, tamales and quesadillas (which are also quite filling) range from $14-$16.   While I’ve admitted in past reviews that I’m no authority on Mexican cuisine, I do feel like I am an authority on Fish Tacos which is a personal favorite dish, and Temazcal’s take on this staple plate did not disappoint.  Their fish taco is a beer battered mahi-mahi in a soft corn tortilla and dressed with pickled cabbage, watercress chipotle aioli, Julienned pickled jalapinos and thinly sliced radishes. A meal which includes a shared appetizer, two main plates and a shared dessert (no drinks or tip included) would range from $60 – $75. However, if you opt to eat the complementary chips and order tacos and quesidillas in lieu of ordering a separate appetizer or ordering from the full entrees the price drops to ~$40+; more than reasonable in my opinion.  I’ve heard mixed things about this restaurant, and I was not crazy about the Red Snapper which I was able to try, or several of the other main dinner plates, but overall I like space and neither our food or service disappointed.

Temacazal Tequila Cantina is located at Liberty Wharf 250 Northern Ave.  Dinner reservations are strongly recommended – Tel: (617)439-3502
Temazcal Tequila Cantina on Urbanspoon

Restoration Hardware returns to the Back Bay

The Boston Globe is reporting Restoration Hardware has signed a lease at the historic 234 Berkeley Street (previously home of LouisBoston). Restoration Hardware previously had a store in the Back Bay but closed it in May 2007.

The retail space can accommodate 40,000 square feet.  If the entire building is used, it would be among one of the largest stores in the Back Bay and one of a very few free standing shops.

There doesn’t appear to be any information about when the new location would open but this is fantastic news.   I can already see all the gay men in the South End and beyond lining up to get a glimpse when this massive new retail space reopens selling everything from furniture to bed linens.

You can read The Boston Globe article here.

Tom Brady and Gisele Bundchen

Its no secret that I don’t really care for football. I actually time my weekly grocery run for the second half of New England Patriots games each Sunday to avoid crowds.  However, that doesn’t mean that I’m not attracted to and intrigued by Tom Brady and his supermodel/wife Gisele Bundchen.  Both live in Boston for part of the year. I remember being surprised a few years ago when I saw them in the South End (they were only dating back then), and I like that they are often out and about enjoying time together or with their family.

Both Tom and Gisele are extremely attractive and apparently Boston readers agree with me, because earlier this week The Boston Globe included numerous photos of the two of them in and around Boston.  The photo above is just one of the many they are featuring. If you are a fan or just plain intrigued you can see all the photos by linking here.

Sunday Tea Dance @dbar

This past Sunday dbar hosted a Tea Dance to benefit the Boston Living Center and  the PrideSports Boston organization.  A combination of worthwhile charities and great weather in Boston helped to bring record crowds.  Thanks to dbar and their great staff for making the afternoon (and early evening) tea dance so much fun. Listed below are some photos. Apologies if we took your picture and it wasn’t included, but thank you for being a good sport and posing.  If you click on any of the images they will enlarge.

Restaurant Review: Area Four

Area Four opened in late May in Kendall Square. By day it serves people who work in the labs and technology offices in the neighborhood, and by night it attracts a young, hip crowd.

Following a popular trend, Area Four strives to incorporate a sustainable model, serving locally grown food which causes it to change its menu regularly. However, the menu always includes a fair number of small plates, salads, and pizzas as well as a few main dishes.  Area Four has a full liquor license. Beer drinkers will be happy to see a number of tempting locally crafted beers.Dinner for two including two shared small plates / salad, pizza and a shared dessert will cost approximately $50 (drinks and tip not included). For our meal we started with the arugula salad with apples, beets, candied walnuts, and a cider vinaigrette, which was crisp and delicious. The meal followed with a decadently rich and creamy mac & cheese topped with croissant crumbs (mmm)…The two starters were my favorite part of the meal, but the thin crust pizza served from the restaurant’s wood fired oven was delicious too. We opted for the mushroom and fontina pizza.I normally skip dessert, preferring to imbibe my calories but tonight we splurged and tried the sundae made from homemade soft serve ice cream with marshmallow and candied nuts as well as an olive oil chocolate cake with creme fraiche, salted caramel sauce and cookie crumble and some deliciously rich coffee, which comes from a local roasting company called Barrington Coffee.Area Four is at 500 Technology Square (Kendall Square) in Cambridge             Tel: (617) 758-4444  Reservations only available for parties of 8 or more.

Area Four on Urbanspoon

Its gonna be a soakah

No matter how you look at it, the first official weekend of autumn will be a “soakah”.  With a host of outdoor festivals planned ranging from the 2-day Life Is Good festival and Phantom Gourmet food festival to the lesser known quirky events like the Fluff festival (a festival that pays tribute to Fluff which was invented here and made locally), you may want to bring your umbrella or look for indoor activities to pass the time.

For those of you not on the east coast of the US, I hope your weather turns out to be more conducive to getting out and enjoying the weekend. Chalk me up as envious.