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BOSTON, RESTAURANTS

Boston Cafe Etiquette – Sharing a Table with a Stranger

Breakfast Cafe by su-lin from Flickr

Only in the most dire of circumstances should you ask if you can share a table with a stranger. In other countries, it is completely common for others to take up empty seats at your table (even in a restaurant- it happened to me every day in India), often without even asking. But throughout the U.S., the sense of personal space is very strong and extends in a rather wide bubbble. In Boston, that bubble most certainly consumes any empty seats at their table, and probably any standing room near it too!

If someone is at a table by themselves and there are no other seats available, I would usually say that you are out of luck. If you do decide to be brave and interrupt a single cafe goer immersed in their work/reading/facebooking, don’t commit any of these etiquette faux pas:

•    Obtain the free seat by trickery. The other day a girl asked me if I was using the free seat at my table (which was, at the time, occupied by my coat) or if I was waiting for someone. I dutifully removed my items from the seat and then she sat down. With me. At my table. Without being clear about her purpose. There isn’t even an option to say no in that situation, but you can be pretty sure the other party won’t be very happy about it.

•    Be rude to the person who allowed you to sit at their table. If you have asked someone if you can sit at their table, you are giving them the right to ask you to leave or generally not to do other things that bother them. Don’t talk loudly on your cellphone, work in irritating (there’s that personal space bubble again) proximity to them, or talk back to them if they ask you to stop taking up so much space. The manager will almost positively side with whoever had the table first, particularly if that person is a frequent customer (believe me, I spoke to him when I had my squatter incident the other day).

•    Take up excessive (or really any) space at the table. If someone has agreed to let you use their extra chair, don’t abuse their politeness by getting in their way or practically pushing their things off the table with your laptop, coffee, scone, and four textbooks.

•    Chat up the person. If the person you have sat with is by him or herself, they are probably doing something, and you should not abuse their hospitality by badgering them with pointless small talk or get to know you questions. If they decide to talk to you…well, that is the price you pay for sitting at their table.

Most importantly, thank the person when you leave. I offered a seat at my table to someone else who had been waiting along time when I was lucky enough to snag a table and he was polite throughout and very thankful when he left. It *almost* made me thinking sharing a table with a stranger isn’t so bad after all.

Gabi Logan is a Boston-based food and travel writer. On the web, you can find her recommendations for affordable yet delicious food in Boston at the Examiner and The 30 Minute Dinner Party.

BOSTON, RESTAURANTS

Coppa: Italian Small Plates in Boston’s South End

I recently popped into Coppa on a Monday night for a light meal. I’d already been at an event with appetizers and was tempted with the prospect of a small, yet flavorful nibble. The problem was, after savoring one small plate of pasta, it just left me wanting more.

Coppa Restaurant, Boston by Bellyglad From Flickr

Coppa is located on Shawmut Ave., a quiet street in Boston’s South End. The restaurant itself has a neighborhood feel and a cozy atmosphere. Tables are aligned close to one another, making it an ideal spot to visit in parties of two. Plan to wait with a larger party, as Coppa does not take reservations. However, as discovered by savvy locals, you can swing by, put your name in and come back later when your table is ready.

Even on a Monday night, Coppa was packed with a lively crowd. My wonderful dining companion and I didn’t want to wait for a table, so we sucked it up and took quite possibly the worst two seats in the house, which are located along a small side bar directly to the right of the entrance. At first, we felt like we were encroaching on the hostesses space by the door, but they couldn’t have been more kind and gracious.

I ordered a small bowl of the fettuccine with a wild boar ragu and my friend the spaghetti alla carbonara with smoked pancetta, sea urchin, farm egg and scallions. Both were fantastic. I adored the fat fettuccine noodles and the leftover wild boar ragu was so good that we kept dipping our bread into it. We also appreciated the carbonara’s melt-in-your-mouth sea urchin. Similarly notable was their hot buttered rum, which put any other hot toddy I’ve ever tried to shame.

Coppa is located at 253 Shawmut Ave. in Boston’s South End. For more information, please visit their website at http://www.coppaboston.com/

BOSTON, NIGHTLIFE

On the Town: Minibar

Photo from Yelp, http://www.yelp.com/biz/minibar-boston-boston

True to its name, this small yet chic lounge offers a fun atmosphere to satisfy your nightlife cravings. Located on the ground floor of the Copley Square Hotel, Minibar has a trendy, modern interior with ample seating, making it an ideal spot for a casual date, meeting friends, or rubbing elbows with someone new.

I’ve been to Minibar more times than I can count and each time I enjoy trying a new cocktail, from the Tuscan Pear (Grey Goose Pear, Limoncello, Canton, Orange Juice), to the Mojito (Ron Matusalem, Mint, Ginger Beer, Lime) and the Bonaparte Bellini (Rain Lavender Lemonade, White Peach Puree, Champagne). I haven’t tried many of the mini cuisine menu items, but think its adorable that classic mini bar snacks and accessories are sold, including altoids, mixed nuts and playing cards. You never know when they’ll come in handy, especially the altoids!

Once Boston finally warms back up, try to snag a seat on Minibar’s coveted patio. Minibar is located at 51 Huntington Avenue, alongside Exeter Street in the Back Bay. There’s no cover. For more information, please visit: http://www.minibarboston.com/index.php

BOSTON, EVENTS, NIGHTLIFE, RECIPES, RESTAURANTS

Weekend Events in Boston Worth Braving the Bad Weather For

Unless you live under a rock, I’m sure you’ve heard by now that it is going to rain all weekend long. Repeat that – all weekend long. Allow yourself a sigh and invest in a sturdy umbrella because true Bostonians know that when the going gets tough, the tough go out on the town. Whether you have to trudge around in wellies, or splurge on a door-to-door taxi, here are a few weekend events that are worth fighting mother nature for:

 

splash !!! #1 by joe.laut from flickr

Saturday, March 13

Chocolate Bar at The Langham Hotel – 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Who needs lunch when you can eat sweets? I ask myself this daily. Nothing like 85 chocolate desserts to lift your spirits on a rainy day. Dubbed a “chocolate bar,” this all-you-can-eat sweet fest features everything from tiramisu to a North End inspired chocolate pizza. Calorie counters need not apply. Ticket prices are $38 for adults, $25 if you think you can pass yourself off as a kid.  For more information, click here.

Grand Opening of Royale Boston – 10:00 p.m. – Close

Located at 279 Tremont Street in the Theatre District, Royale Boston replaces The Roxy. Dubbed a nightclub and a live music venue, Saturday’s event boasts live music from All-American Rejects cutie Tyson Ritter, plus music from DJ Sizzahands. In case you thought that wasn’t enough, two playboy playmates will also be in the house. For more information about Royale Boston, please click here.

Sunday, March 14

Green Street in Central Square Host’s Boston Bartenders on the Rise – 7:00 p.m.

Imbibe is a delightful word, especially when paired with four up-and-coming Boston-area bartenders. If you’re able to handle four cocktails, plus a special welcome punch on a Sunday night, then pony up $40 to allow Carrie Cole of Craigie on Main, Evan Harrison of Deep Ellum, Bob McCoy of Eastern Standard and Emily Stanley of Green Street to pour, shake and serve to their heart’s content. Fear not, passed appetizers will also be dished out. Reservations are strongly suggested. For more information, please visit this highly informative article from DrinkBoston.com.

BOSTON, FASHION

The Good, The Bad, and The Muffin Top: Boston Men Comment on Women’s Fashion

Think that men don’t care much about what we wear?  Think again.  Inspired by a conversation I had recently with a male friend at the Liberty Hotel after a woman walked by in over-the-knee black leather boots, lacy black tights, and a skintight red mini dress, I sat down with a few guys to hear their opinions on women’s fashion.

Turns out that guys do pay attention to what we wear, and their opinions are actually pretty funny.  When the aforementioned scantily clad woman walked by us at Clink, I expected a leer, but instead I saw a look of shock and horror register on my friend’s face.  He even went so far as to joke that she may be a woman “on a mission,” or worse, a call girl.

Apparently, less is more.  The guys I spoke to do want to see evidence of a rockin’ figure, but they don’t need or want all of your goodies hanging out.  Save that for later, preferably behind closed doors.  One of their top pet peeves? The dreaded muffin top!  Not only do they notice, but it’s also a major turnoff.  Clothing that could pass for maternity wear was also highlighted as a frustration.

Basics aside, we delved deeper into fashion and trends.  One insightful male listed a gripe as, “fashion for the sake of fashion.”  Overly trendy is not appealing unless it also happens to be figure flattering.  He bluntly continued, “If your outfit doesn’t make me want to sleep with you, then game over.”  Doesn’t Patti Stanger of Bravo’s Millionaire Matchmaker say that in every episode?!

Then, things just got nit picky.  Take leggings for example – apparently these guys think skin is in when it comes to your gams.  Yes, even in the middle of a Boston winter.  Full tights aren’t horrible, but forget about three quarter length tights – these guys abhor them.  They also didn’t understand the appeal a fur coat, with one male saying that it reminded him of a, “Seventy year old Russian woman.”  Something else that men think prematurely ages you?  Too much makeup.  Yes, they do notice a caked on face.

Finally, the age old debate over women’s shoes began.  Most of the men at the table could care less about your choice in footwear, unless of course you happen to be sporting Uggs, which sparked a far too lengthy debate at the table.  One shining star, however, admitted that he thought women’s high heeled shoes were sexy, but then again, he is originally from Montreal.

Take these comments as you will, and by all means, let me know if there are any other trends that I should inquire about.  These guys are extremely eager to share their opinions and I love it.  Thanks for your help guys!!