Browsing Tag

Back Bay

Closed! Three Hotspots I’m Missing in 2011

Rocca by SoWa Sundays from Flickr

As I look forward to many nights on the town in 2011, I can help but feel a twinge of sadness that three of my go-to hotspots – Rocca, Vox and Ginger Park – are no longer open.

Ginger Park closed in early December and according to the Boston.com blog Dishing, chef/owner Patricia Yeo is reportedly scouting out another space for a new restaurant concept in May. What I’ll remember is the incredibly cool space framed by arched wood panels, fantastic drinks and a chill bar scene.

Following a New Year’s Eve dinner, Rocca surprised local foodies by closing its doors. Adding to the buzz was whether the restaurant’s celebrity chef Tiffani Faison may be interested in opening her own place. We can only hope that a fun new restaurant concept takes its place, because I’ll remember Rocca’s free parking lot, swanky interior and affordably priced menu for making it a great venue for meeting friends from all corners of the city for a workweek dinner.

Last, but certainly not least, Vox on Boylston Street has also closed. Unfortunately, googling has not generated much background as to why the fun nightspot closed, but we can only hope that its prime Back Bay real estate will result in another fun bar/restaurant before we know it. I’ll remember many lively happy hours and nights out on the town!

Got any scoop about soon-to-be restaurants and hotspots filling these venues? Leave a comment below and let me know!

BOSTON, FASHION

Fashion Update: Forever 21 Opens on Newbury Street

Forever 21 by Jessica Gioglio

Have snow boots, will shop! While the weather may have postponed Forever 21’s January 8 grand opening event on Newbury Street, it didn’t discourage Bostonians from flocking to the trendy chain in search of fashion-forward bargains.

Located at the top of Newbury Street between Hereford Street and Mass. Ave., Boston’s Forever 21 boasts a whopping four levels, three of which are dedicated to the ladies and one at the very top to the gents. Upon entry to the shop, I was struck by something that I don’t usually see at Forever 21: well-done visual merchandising.

BOSTON, FASHION

Fashion Update: Anthropologie’s Newish Store in Harvard Square

During a fantastically long walk from the Back Bay to Harvard Square, I was delighted to stumble upon Anthropologie’s new store. Located in the old Crate & Barrel space on Brattle Street, the store may carry the same merchandise as its Boylston Street counterpart, but shopping in the airy, multilevel store offers customers an entirely unique experience.

I’ve always admired Anthropologie’s ability to create a signature retail personality; the interior of their stores go above and beyond to translate its hip, bohemian, feminine, stylish and worldly character. The innovative decor at the Cambridge store lives up to the brand’s quirky yet cool vibe, from the funky bed pictured on the left, to a pile of books and book pages glued upside down across a wide area of the ceiling – a work of art in its own right.

What differentiates the new Cambridge location from the Back Bay store are their layouts. The Back Bay store has a more distinct entrance marked with a dramatic, large door that’s very noticeable along bustling Boylston Street. Inside, there are two levels divided by a grand, sweeping staircase. In Harvard Square, the entrance is simple, but the store’s five levels are lined with floor-to-ceiling windows, allowing for lots of natural light. Plus, wandering around the five levels made the shopping experience feel more like a treasure hunt, which I loved.

The more I think about it, the stores really are perfect for their respective neighborhoods. Definitely check out Anthropologie’s new Harvard Square store the next time you’re in the neighborhood and let me know if you agree or disagree. I personally can’t wait to go back and see how they each get decked out for holiday season.

Anthropologie is located at 48 Brattle Street in Harvard Square, Cambridge.

BOSTON, EVENTS

Monday, October 18: Community Running with Social Boston Sports

The warm temps in Boston this past Sunday afternoon reminded me just how enjoyable the fall season can be for running. Luckily for us Bostonians, Social Boston Sports, the community of young professionals who live, work and play in the Boston area, is still bringing together runners of all levels every Monday at 6:30 p.m. for FREE three, five and seven mile group runs along the picturesque Charles River.

Appropriately named Community Running, Social Boston Sports hosted their initial group run on March 29, 2010, and will continue to host runs as long as there’s local demand. Runners meet up at McGreevy’s on Boylston Street and are divided up depending on their desired mileage goal of three, five, or seven miles. After pounding the pavement, all runners are welcome to hang at McGreevy’s for a post run bevvy and socializing. Running experts from Saucony and City Sports will be on hand for tips, or to help devise or adjust training charts.

For more information on this event, please click here. McGreevy’s is located at 911 Boylston Street in the Back Bay. Please note that the runs leave at 6:30 p.m., so arriving slightly beforehand is strongly recommended.

Social Boston Sports Community Running

BOSTON, EVENTS, NIGHTLIFE

The Work Week in Boston: Monday, September 20 – Thursday, September 23

While walking through the city this weekend, I couldn’t help but notice a great energy in the air. Whether generated by the crisp fall air, returning college students, or store windows filled with fabulous fall fashions, it made me realize that there’s no time like the present to enjoy Boston.

Boston Wine Week

Luckily, there are a variety of fun events scheduled from Monday through Thursday this week that involve wine, fashion, rubbing elbows and indoor mini golf. Here are my top picks:

Monday, September 20 – Raise a Glass to Boston Wine Week

From September 20 through September 26, more than twenty participating restaurants in Boston are offering a minimum of six wines at $9 per glass, or $32 per bottle as part of the first annual Boston Wine Week. With the goal of making amazing vino more accessible to the masses, Bostonians can start their week in style by sampling wine and gobbling up complimentary pizzettes with the Second Glass at BiNA Osteria on Monday from 6-7 p.m.. For more information on participating restaurants and events throughout the week, please click here.

Older Posts

Newer Posts