Red Wine Red Hearts by hlkljgk from Flickr
While it may be tempting to hibernate in your apartment in protest of the return to ‘normal’ March weather, there are a few fun events in Boston this week worth stepping out for. From sampling excellent cuisine, to wine tasting and a compelling workshop, these events are sure to perk up the work week.
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.
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/
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.
Following a piece on the do’s and don’ts of snagging a table at a busy cafe, Boston-based food and travel writer Gabi Logan shares her picks for the most coveted cafe tables in the city. These locals are so popular both for their coffee and ambiance that tables open up rarely and disappear quickly. If you can land a table here, you can land a table anywhere.
L.A. Burdick by Melissa Schneider, Flickr
L.A. Burdick (Harvard Square – Red Line)
The place is small, and the tables are smaller. Due to some persnickety next door neighbors, Burdicks’ tables have stools attached to the floor and no extra chairs are allowed, so unless you can squeeze several people into the booth side, you are in for an intimate one-on-one. However, the hot chocolate and pastries are some of the best in the city, so there really are few better cafes to get cozy with someone.
L’Aroma (Arlington – Green Line)
With its popular terrace closed for the winter, L’Aroma is another European-style cafe that maintains a very continental approach to personal space. Here you won’t even find stools at the terracotta inlaid cafe tables, but the curved window box area at the front is where you really want to plant yourself anyway. Order up a London Fog (steamed milk with vanilla and Earl Grey tea) or Affogato (espresso with gelato) and stay on the look out for a choice spot.
Luna Café (Central Square – Red Line)
But if you don’t want to battle to crowd, head to Luna Café in Central Square. They have wifi, solid food (especially the panini) and excellent coffee – be sure to take advantage of the special seasonal espresso beverages. Unless there is a band planning (late evening or sometimes on weekend brunch), you are practically guaranteed a table at one of the best secret spots in town.
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.