Tag Archives: South End

Kate Hudson in the N’hood

Posted on May 2, 2008 | 1 comment

There are nearly a dozen or more trailers lining Washington and Union Park Street with film crews running around filming scenes for an upcoming movie starring Kate Hudson. I’m not sure what the movie is or if it is related to any of the filming she was doing here last fall, but it was surreal to see New York City cabs lining my neighborhood and huge movie lights lit up so bright that I had to shade my eyes when I walked by them. Earlier this morning, film crews were busy moving furniture around at Pho Republique restaurant while nearly a score of extras were pretending to eat dinner even though it was only 11:00am.

I’m sure more information about the filming will be reported in either the Boston Globe or the South End News, so if I find out more I’ll be sure to add it on my blog. Back in the fall I wrote about a bunch of filming that was going on in the Backbay in my entry called “Celebrities”. The increased filming was attributed to aggressive legislation the State of Massachusetts passed that gave filming crews tax credits when they filmed in the state. I’m sure the state is pleased to have all this filming and despite the tax breaks you can not deny that money is being spent (and from the looks of it – a lot of money). So kudos to the state for making this happen. For residents of L.A. and other major cities this sort of thing is probably old hat, but it still strikes me as a bit of a novelty.

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Apartment Transformation

Posted on April 21, 2008 | Leave a comment

I moved into my current 2BR / 2BA apartment in the South End nearly 5 years ago, and while the neighborhood has changed significantly in that time, until recently the same could not have been said about my home. Prior to moving in, a hasty paint job was done, but not much else had changed until last month.

Pooling resources with my other half, using some money from Christmas and looking for deals we have been able to take a first step in providing a needed facelift to our home. Most of the changes have taken place in our bedroom – for the first time since leaving my parents house I have an actual bedframe and matching furniture. We still have a few more updates to make to the bedroom before we turn our attention to other rooms in our home, but I am really pleased with the changes.

We both love our home, but after 5 years the updates were necessary to bring back the feeling of homeowner pride. The apartment does not quite look tired, but certainly we were both tired of looking at the space as it was.

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Night out with friends

Posted on February 25, 2008 | Leave a comment

This Saturday a group of us went to dinner at Masa in the South End. Two very good friends and their wives came down from NH to have a night out on the town. It was so great to catch up with all of them because we really do not see each other with the regularity we would like due to distance, schedules and the fact that we just don’t pick up the phone as often as we should.

It was so great to see everyone. The food as is generally the case at Masa was good enough. I had not been to the restaurant in a few years mostly due to similar past experiences but when one of my friends inquired about the place – I thought it worth giving another try. I think everyone enjoyed their meals, but next time I’ll speak up and make an alternate suggestion.

After dinner I suggested we grab a drink around the corner at 28 degrees, but due to recent issues regarding overcrowding they were only allowing people in if they had dinner reservations. Too bad, because I think they would have loved it. After some shuffling around we ended up at the lounge in Club Cafe. I found the situation very funny – two of my straight buddies from NH and their wives ended up in the city’s largest gay bar, but the seats were comfortable, the liquor free flowing and the location was right.

All told, I had a fantastic night out with them, and I hope we can do it again.

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New restaurant on the block – banq

Posted on February 14, 2008 | Leave a comment

Another restaurant just opened on Washington Street in the South End’s trendy SOWA District; making it the 4th restaurant to open in a two block radius in the past 6-9 months.

The restaurant’s playful name, banq, is no doubt in deference to the building’s original tenant the Penny Savings Bank which first opened their doors in 1917. After years of neglect, the building was remodeled and expanded in 2007 to accomodate two commercial spaces (of which banq is one) and 20+ condominiums.

This part of the South End has seen the greatest change in recent years and the location combined with the beautiful architecture of the building made this an obvious target for developers. I have yet to go and try out the place but I’m excited to check it out. Experience has taught me to hold off and wait a few months to ensure the kitchen and wait staff are in sync before I go and try my first meal, but I might check out the bar which looks very appealing just to see what the place is like.

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Posted on January 11, 2008 | Leave a comment


I was running a bit late today and did not have a chance to eat breakfast before leaving for work so I opted to stop by one of my favorite bakeries in Boston to grab a cup of joe and muffin.

I was greeted by a letter posted on the front door from the owners of the cafe informing me that the lease had not been renewed by the landlord and the cafe had closed at the end of December. This place had delicious oversized muffins, rich Italian coffee and yummy sandwiches. I love Starbucks as much as the next guy, but come on this was place was a keeper. I loved the hippy-chicks who worked the counter and the handmade signs throughout the coffee shop. Change happens but suffice it to say – I’m bummed.

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Trick or Treat

Posted on October 31, 2007 | Leave a comment


Boston is expected to be fairly mild today with temperatures in the low 60s, so I plan on skipping the gym after work to walk around the South End to see all the kids in the neighborhood (of which there are many) decked out in their costumes. When the weather cooperates (and it has plenty in the recent past), Halloween in Boston can be a real treat.

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