Browsing Tag

BOSTON

BOSTON, NIGHTLIFE

Bond Restaurant and Lounge, Langham Hotel, Boston

I’ll admit it, I was a bit skeptical when my friends wanted to get drinks at Bond on a Friday night at 10:30pm. While Bond was getting praise as a new nightlife spot in the local papers, I couldn’t imagine Boston’s Financial District drawing crowds post happy-hour. I couldn’t have been more mistaken!

Bond has its own entrance along the side of the Langham Hotel, near the PO Square parking garage/park. After walking up a brief flight of stairs, you enter into a grand room, marked by high ceilings and dramatic chandeliers. The lounge floor is dotted with tables and comfortable chairs, perfect for sharing with a group friends. Cocktail servers attend to these tables, but there is no requirement for bottle service. The drink menu looked great and is on par (if not slightly more expensive) than the other lounge bars in town.

Overall, I enjoyed the stylish crowd, which ranged from 20-somethings and up. They also had a great DJ who spins atop the balcony, which we were lucky to gain entry to (it’s their VIP area). Bond offers food, but I just went for drinks this time around. The only downside I would highlight for Bond is that they do not have a restroom inside the lounge – you have to walk over to the hotel lobby, and it’s a twist & turn away, which is confusing. I hope that they can add facilities inside in the future.

NIGHTLIFE

It's Official: Excelsior Closed For Good

After hearing rumors that Excelsior’s last night was going to be Saturday, January 31, I paid one last visit to this cozy lounge on the first floor of the Four Seasons in Boston. I’ve been to Excelsior dozens of times, from a delicious blowout dinner with colleagues in the upstairs dining room, to numerous stops for cocktails. I’ve always enjoyed Excelsior, and will be sad to see it go.  I hope that whatever new concept replaces it will be just as classy and fabulous as its predecessor.

Zagat article: Excelsior Extinct:

http://tinyurl.com/bu8f9b

RESTAURANTS

Beacon Hill Bistro: Classic Breakfast With Reasonable Prices

Fresh off the Boston Common and onto the uneven brick sidewalks of Charles St., the Beacon Hill Hotel & Bistro is one of the first stops in this charming neighborhood.  Ranked as one of the top brunch spots in Boston, the Beacon Hill Bistro offers a fresh breakfast in a bright, cozy atmosphere.

Beacon Hill Hotel and Bistro by Whiffen V. from Yelp

Decor inside the Beacon Hill Bistro is simple, with tables lining the long and narrow space.  Light fills into the restaurant from large windows, accentuated by white walls, and simple tables.  While tables are almost on top of one another, diners enjoy a relatively private meal, but still have a chance to scope out dishes from surrounding tables.

The bunch menu is french-inspired and features yogurt and house-made muesli, a variety of egg dishes, lunch staples, with something for the entire family.  Recommended dishes include the fresh salads, the massive roasted mushroom omelet with comte cheese, and grilled chicken sandwich with pesto.  For those with a serious sweet tooth, dig into the decadent vanilla pancakes with caramelized bananas, which recieved gasps from the large party next to us because it was the item many wanted to order, but deemed too rich.

Also available are great cappuccinos, and luscious cocktails- try the classic bellini, or blood red cosmo- at $10 they cost as much as most dishes on the brunch menu!

Beacon Hill Bistro, 25 Charles St

http://www.beaconhillhotel.com/bistro.html

NIGHTLIFE

Valentine’s Day and The Single Bostonian

Adult Valentine's Day Heart by Jessica Gioglio

Single and Fabulous Bostonians can take solace in the fact that Valentine’s Day falls on a Wednesday this year- thus not interfering with the coveted “Thirsty Thursday,” or weekend party/dining scene.

In hopes of helping single Bostonians celebrate in style, I have compiled a few fun things the city offers.  I supposed attached Bostonians could also use these tips too…but let it be known that I am really looking out for my fellow singletons!

Celebrate Your Sweet Tooth: Ditch the conventional heart shaped box of chocolates from CVS and splurge on innovative truffles from Beacon Hill Chocolates.  Offering a spicy Cinnamon Heart and relaxing Chai Latte heart shaped truffles, these chocolates look sinfully good.  www.beaconhillchocolates.com

If cupackes are more your thing, head out to Party Favors in Brookline.  Indulge in deliciously adorable cupcakes spoiled Bostonians have been scarfing down for ages.  www.partyfavorsbrookline.com

Spread the Love: For those in search of the perfect Valentine’s Day card, go to Papersource, which has an incredible selection of cards, giftwrap, craft supplies, and other Valentine’s Day inspired gifts.  www.paper-source.com

In search of a cheesy Valentine?  Swing by Target, and grab the Grey’s Anatomy Valentine’s Day cards.  Organized in a box of 8 Valentines with 4 designs (2 of each), my personal favorite is “This Valentine’s Day, Keep the McDream Alive.”  At $5, they are a steal.

Drown Your Sorrows: Obviously there is nothing like immersing yourself in Trader Joe’s 2 Buck Chuck, but for those with classier self-medication tastes, here are a few fun Valentine’s Day drink recipes:

Chocotini:1/2 oz Vanilla Vodka, 1 oz White Creme de Cacao, coat rim of the martini glass with chocolate syrup, shake with ice and strain.

Strawberry Kiss: 1 oz Tequila Rose, 1/2 oz Light Rum, 1 oz Chocolate Liqueur, 1 oz Half & Half

Look for Love in All the Right Places: For those who want to dance the night away, here are a few clubs hosting Valentine’s Day parties:

Mansion Flirt Fest: http://www.bostoneventguide.com/flirtfest.htm

Felt “I Hate My Ex” Party: http://feltclubboston.com

Rumor “Truth of Dare” Party: http://boston.heyletsgo.com/invite-879

BOSTON, RECIPES, RESTAURANTS

Boston Restaurant Week 2007

Place Setting by Alana Elliott from Flickr

Ladies and gentlemen, round up your friends, and get ready to taste some of the best food our city has to offer during the Boston Winter Restaurant Week!  From March 4-9, 2007, choose from 89 local restaurants- either lunch or dinner- for relatively inexpensive prices: Lunch prices are $20.07, and dinner $33.07 for a three-course pre fixe meal.

SavvyBostonian Tip: Call early to make sure you get in to your first choice!

Here are a few websites to browse/signup at!

http://www.opentable.com/promo.aspx?m=7&pid=90

http://www.restaurantweekboston.com/