The wait is over. The doors to BoMA open at 6PM tonight. No reservations are being taken (at least for tonight). Good luck BoMA! You may read more about BoMA and my recent dinner held prior to tonight’s opening, here.
BoMA is located at at 1415 Washington Street in the South End.
This weekend, Ball and Buck will be hosting the inaugural “American Field” All American Menswear pop up market at the Power Station at 540 Harrison Avenue in the South End’s SoWa district.
More than 50 vendors will be showcasing, and selling, their Made in USA products. Food trucks will be serving great eats and it appears there will even be a beer garden featuring Local Micro Breweries.
540 Harrison Ave, Saturday & Sunday Oct 20 – 21
More information about the event here, www.americanfield.us
One of my favorite shops in my neighborhood is South End Formaggio. It is a tiny shop stuffed from floor to ceiling full of delicious food, wine and beer, but it is best known for its exceptional selection of cheese and meats. I love this shop, but with only two other locations (Cambridge and NYC – Lower East Side) it may be impractical for you to pay a visit.
Source: Just Add Cheese
However, if you are a cheese lovah (err I mean lover), you may want to check out the Formaggio Kitchen blog. They have tempting posts like recipes for Mac and Many Cheeses and Ricotta Toasts with Turkish Figs. Their blog also has interesting posts like How to Put Together a Cheese Platter. Lastly, you can follow their tempting Tweets on Twitter, here.
Earlier this week Eater Boston reported that the owner of Five Horses Tavern in Somerville will open a second location in the South End in the space formerly occupied by Columbus Cafe.
The Five Horses Tavern in Davis Square serves modern American comfort food with nothing on the menu over $20. This matches the affordable menu that helped Columbus Cafe remain so popular with locals and would be a welcome addition to a neighborhood already overcrowded with restaurants serving $30+ entrees.
I’m curious to see what owner and head chef Dylan Welsh does to the rather unique layout and interested to find out how he will purchase a liquor license since the owners of Columbus Cafe were rumored to have sold their license to the soon to open Boston Chops.
A few weeks ago I mentioned on my blog the city of Boston had approved a new hotel and residences to be built just a few blocks from my home. I am so happy to hear that space currently used as a parking lot near Interstate 93 will be redesigned and add space for residents and commercial purposes.
I have paired a photo from Google Maps with the image of the proposed development offered by the Boston Redevelopment Authority. The $165 million dollar project will include 3-story parking garage, 19-story residential tower, and a 11-story hotel that has 325 “micro-rooms” (I have no idea what a micro room is but I don’t care since I live two blocks away and hopefully will never need to make use of the rooms).
This development happens to be next to the neighborhoods largest redevelopment plan that is currently underway called the Ink Block (shown above). The project revitalizes 6 acres of land previously owned and occupied by the Boston Herald Newspaper. The Ink Block plans propose multiple buildings of mixed use space with more than 470 rental residential units, retail space (including a 50,000 square foot Whole Foods) and 400+ below ground parking lot.
BoMA restaurant + barToday I sat down with the very personable head chef of BoMA Restaurant and Bar, Chris Bussell, to talk to him about his new restaurant, which is just days away from opening. Although he was quiet on the exact day he did say “for sure by next Friday”.
This eagerly awaited restaurant has transformed the former home of Pho Republique, enlarging and moving the bar to the left side of the restaurant and making the space feel much larger by installing floor to ceiling sliding windows that open on to Washington Street across from the beautiful Cathedral of the Holy Cross.
BoMA Restaurant features a bar area that can seat 24 comfortably overlooking Boston’s Cathedral of the Holy Cross
Bussell was most excited when talking about the menu he’s pulled together which is divided into five categories: Tiny plates (think tapas but with a twist); Small plates (appetizers); Medium plates (mostly lighter fare ranging $14-18); Large plates (main course ranging $21-27) and Sweet plates (desserts).
The kitchen closes at Midnight but the bar will remain open serving drinks until 1AM. While BoMA will only be serving dinner initially, Bussell assured me that after a few weeks they will also start serving Sunday Brunch. Sounds delicious to me and I can hardly wait.
BoMA Restaurant includes cozy dining nooks where patrons can quietly dine
BoMA Restaurant and Bar is located at 1415 Washington Street.
FINALLY!!! a vacant commercial space on Tremont Street that won’t be a bank! DAVIDsTEA, a specialty retailer of loose leaf tea, tea related merchandise has signed a letter of intent to lease the storefront at 661 Tremont Street (formerly Aida’s Bridal Shop).
The Canadian retail shop with more than 40 locations would like to open its third American store here in the South End. Although the majority of their business is retail, sale of tea by the cup will be available. Sadly, no food is anticipated to be sold at this location.
Early next month, on October 3rd, representatives from DAVIDsTEA will make a presentation describing their plans for 661 Tremont Street. Let’s hope that they are given the green light and can open soon.
As I was walking down Harrison Avenue Saturday morning to check out the South End Open Studios, I could hear saws buzzing and all sorts of activity emanating from The Aquitaine Group’s newest restaurant, Cinquecento.
The restaurant had opened its Harrison Avenue door to let in fresh air, and I couldn’t help but look in to see what was happening. Rumors circulate the restaurant is looking to open before the end of the month but will likely not be ready until October.
The photos are from Saturday, September 15 2012 – click to enlarge.
Significant work remains but I’m very excited to see this space reopen. I wish the staff and The Aquitaine Group much luck.
The South End Open Studios was this past weekend. The two-day event which draws thousands to the neighborhood, allows art collectors and enthusiasts to talk to local artists and visit galleries; all told – more than 200 studios and galleries are open. In addition, artisans and specialty stores which comprise much of the retail space in the South End’s SoWa district (South of Washington) participated in the event this September.
Weather was perfect for this weekend’s art walk which included painters, sculptors, and designers who make jewelry, clothing, furnishings and more. Below are a few photos from a small number of the participating galleries and artists.
Bobby’s Vintage Clothing on Thayer Street
SoWa has more than 200 active studios and art galleries
The caliber and variety of artwork is amazing
Yesterday, Eater Boston wrote a post entitled, Upcoming South End Restaurant to Focus on “The Cow”. The post comments on a job posting on Craigslist looking for “Chef de cuisine, Executive Sous, Chef & Sous chef” who have “a strong understanding of the cow”.
Eater Boston’s article wonders out loud which of the new South End restaurants might be hiring for these positions, naming Estelle’s, BoMa , and Cinquecento. However, my money is on Brian Piccini’s latest endeavor, Boston Chops, which is targeting a late November opening (pending construction).
Later this week, on Thursday – September 20th to be precise, the South End will welcome a new business to the neighborhood. The Urban Grape will open a second location at 303 Columbus Avenue between Clarendon and Dartmouth Streets.
This wine shop, which has called Chestnut Hill home, first leaked they would be opening a second location earlier this year. In recent weeks they have been sharing photos of the progress inside.
I have one thing to say to The Urban Grape, “Cheers!”
The South End Open Studios starts today and runs through Sunday from 11am – 6pm each day.
This is a great free event that brings thousands into the neighborhood so arrive early if driving so you may get parking. Most of the galleries (but not all) can be found between Waltham and Berkeley Streets on Washington Street and Harrison Avenue.
Posted in Art & Film, Free Stuff, South End
Tagged Art and Film, BosGuy, Boston Guy, South End
Painting by: Shoshana Ernst
Not to be confused with First Friday’s, which took place last night, the South End Open Studios occurs one weekend in the spring and one weekend in the fall.
South End Open Studios September 15-16th 11-6pm
This is a free event open to the public that showcases the works of more than 200 established and emerging artists in the South End. While many studios in the South End participate in First Fridays, the South End Open Studios is the only time when all of the major art buildings in the South End are open.
The majority of participating studios and artists can be found in SoWa along Harrison Avenue. Mark the date in your calendar and visit the South End Open Studios Facebook page for details, SouthEndArtists.
Posted in Art & Film, Free Stuff, South End
Tagged Art and Film, BosGuy, Boston Guy, South End
The South End Buttery Market opened at lunch time today at 312-2 Shawmut Avenue next door to the cafe.
The space was formerly the home to Hudson Furniture and it has been completely redesigned. The South End Buttery Market has a fully functioning bakery that will make many of the delectable dishes for sale there and yummy treats you can find next door at the cafe and the soon to open second cafe on Clarendon Street.
The cafe and restaurant next door will continue to sell coffee, tea, baked goods and offer brunch and dinner. The market will have provisions and tempting plates you can take to-go; giving residents in the South End another excuse not to cook. When you are next in the neighborhood stop by and check out this very welcome addition to the South End.
Last night I was out having a drink with friends and happened to meet these two lovely ladies who work together over in the Fenway. I feel like a schmuck because no sooner did I arrive home than I realized I’d forgotten their names.
The fact that I’m a schmuck shouldn’t take away from the point of the post, which is even if you are out with friends smile and say hello to people. Despite what you think, most people are actually very nice, and these two ladies are perfect examples. I hope I bump into them again.
Making a friend always starts with “hello”.
BosGuy 