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BOSTON

BOSTON, EVENTS, TRAVEL

Saturday, March 27: Boston Passport Office Open

Thanks to one of my favorite travel blogs, Gadling, I discovered that Bostonians can visit their local passport office this Saturday, March 27 without an appointment. Branded “Passport Day in the USA,” by the U.S. State Department, around 2,000 offices will also be open on March 27 throughout the country.

Passport USA by clappstar from Flickr

What does that mean for us fabulous Bostonians? Instead of scheduling an appointment at a regional U.S. passport agency, Bostonians looking for a first-time passport can queue up at the Boston Passport Agency in the O’Neill Federal Building, 10 Causeway Street, Ste 247 (right by the TD BankNorth Garden) between 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Be sure to do your homework before arriving, as you will need to fill out paperwork and bring two passport photos with you. I’ve listed tons of helpful links at the end of this entry.

If you’re looking to renew your passport, be sure to visit this website before waiting in line on Saturday. Most people don’t have to renew in person – only minors, those with a passport issued before the age of 16, those with a passport 15 (gasp!) years or older, or those who cannot document their name change. If your passport was lost, stolen or damaged, you must also renew in person.

Helpful Links:

For more information, please read Gadling’s article, “U.S. Passport offices open this Saturday,” by clicking here.

For more information on the Massachusetts locations open this weekend, please click here.

U.S. State Department – How to Apply for a Passport in Person, click here.

U.S. State Department – How to Apply for a Passport Renewal by Mail, click here.

U.S. State Department – General Information on “Passport Day in the USA”, click here.

BOSTON, EVENTS, NIGHTLIFE, RESTAURANTS

Boston Events During the Week of March 22

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.

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BOSTON

Obsession: Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day Basil Liquid Hand Soap

Hands down the best smelling liquid soap I’ve used in awhile. An extremely light and almost florally version of basil, Mrs. Meyer’s sure knows how to formulate a great soap scent. This garden fresh hand soap is available at most supermarkets in Boston, including Shaw’s, Stop and Shop, Whole Foods, Star and even Target.

To learn more about this product, please click here.

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/