Browsing Tag

Date Spot

BOSTON, RESTAURANTS

On the Town: Andala and Toscanini’s

I recently returned from a trip to the West Coast, where I frequently took comfort in cozy cafes and far too many sweet treats.  Still basking in vacation bliss, I was inspired to spend a weekend afternoon walking from the Back Bay, to Harvard Square.  During this jaunt, I popped into two local eateries in Central Square for small snacks or treats.  The result is a delicious snapshot of an afternoon savored in Cambridge.

Fresh Tabouli Salad Plate at Andala

I started the day by enjoying a light lunch at one of my favorite cafes, Andala in Central Square.  Inspired by Old Jerusalem, Andala has a great menu with light, yet flavorful plates for sharing, in addition to sandwiches, coffee and pastries.  It’s a great place for getting work done (don’t be surprised by the many local students lingering over their laptops), a casual date, meal with friends, or solo diner like myself.  As pictured below, I enjoyed a fresh Tabouli Salad Plate for $7.95.  Andala is located at 286 Franklin Street in Central Square, Cambridge.

Toscanini's Goat Cheese Brownie Ice Cream

Moving from savory to sweet, I celebrated (er, counterbalanced?) my day of walking with Toscanini’s Goat Cheese Brownie Ice Cream (see picture here).  Slightly tangy from the goat cheese yet sweet from the rich chocolate brownie chunks, I’d proceed with caution if you’re not a goat cheese fan.  Luckily, I adore goat cheese and really enjoyed this unique treat.  At $3.85 for one scoop, it’s a perfect treat for a foodie like myself who enjoys an opportunity to try unique flavors (next I want to try Salted Caramel and Bourbon).  Toscanini’s is located at 899 Main Street in Cambridge, near MIT.

BOSTON, EVENTS, FASHION, NIGHTLIFE

The Work Week in Boston: Monday, September 27 – Thursday, September 30

The Swapaholics Boston - Fashion Week Sip & Swap

Time flies when you’re having fun, right?  The weekend may have passed in the blink of an eye, but Boston is once again keeping the work week interesting.  In addition to nightly events for Boston Fashion Week, there’s networking with Boston World Partnerships and a lively night of belly dancing at The Beehive competing for your presence this week.

Monday, September 27 – Closet Couture at the W Hotel
Ever open your closet only to declare that you have nothing to wear? Happens to me frequently while playing the “outfit game” before work. Whether you’re seeking a fab find or a fun night out, head to the W Hotel on Monday night from 8:00 – 10:00 p.m. for a fashion show featuring both high and low end pieces from Second Time Around.  An after-party with Stuff Magazine and a Second Time Around Pop-Up store kicks off immediately following the fashion show at 10:00 p.m. Admission is free and the event is 21+.

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BOSTON, EVENTS

The Weekend: September 25-26

Berklee BeanTown Jazz Festival

Now that it’s officially fall, I’m treating every final burst of warm weather as if it could be our last.  With temperatures on Saturday expected in the mid-80s and Sunday near 70, it’s a great weekend to get out and enjoy Boston. This weekend, free fun is the name of the game, especially when it comes to art and music. In addition to free entry at several of the city’s top museums on Saturday, there are a few amazing (and free) concerts to enjoy throughout the weekend.

Here are my top picks for events this Saturday and Sunday:

Saturday, September 25

Free Jazz Fest in the South End
From noon to 6:00 p.m. on Saturday, follow the sweet sounds of live jazz to Mass. Ave and Columbus Ave. in the South End for the tenth annual Berklee BeanTown Jazz Festival. Serving as the grand finale to a series of events and performances that have been happening throughout the city since September 15, this all-day, outdoor festival features three stages with great performers, including Al Kooper and the Funky Faculty, the Jonathan Batiste Trio, and more.  For a full schedule of today’s events, please click here.

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BOSTON, EVENTS, NIGHTLIFE

Friday, July 30: MFA Hosts Free Community Day

MFA Boston by Lilbenne from Flickr

On Friday, July 30, the Museum of Fine Arts (MFA) is opening its doors to the general public by hosting a free community day.  From 10:00 a.m. through 9:45 p.m, it doesn’t matter whether you’re a frequent visitor, or haven’t stepped inside the Museum in ages, because general admission is gratis courtesy of the Highland Street Foundation.

With ten exhibitions and seven guided tours available at various times during the day, visitors can decide whether they prefer to wander on their own and play art critic, versus tapping into the wisdom of a Museum-trained guide.  Also not to be missed is the current visiting masterpiece,  Vincent van Gogh’s The Sower.

While there are tons of family-friendly activities during the day, visitors over 21 can also enjoy alfresco cocktails and live music in the Museum’s Calderwood Courtyard from 5:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.

For more information about the MFA’s free community day on Friday, July 30, please click here.

TRAVEL

Travel: Elizabeth Park, West Hartford, Connecticut

Rose in Elizabeth Park by yourFAVORITEmartian Flickr

Vibrantly green with the oldest municipally operated rose garden in the country, Elizabeth Park in West Hartford, Connecticut is a fragrant oasis tucked between Boston and New York.  One of twenty-two public All America Test Gardens in the country, Elizabeth Park is home to more than 800 varieties of roses and evaluates new types of the gorgeous flower before they are available to the public.

Elizabeth Park, West Hartford by Jessica Gioglio

Offering free parking and admission, pay no attention to the clock as you enjoy a leisurely stroll in the garden.  Be sure to pack a camera and make frequent stops to pose for photos among the colorful blooms and well-manicured shrubbery.  Don’t be surprised if you see a wedding taking place, as the garden’s romantic rose-covered arches and artfully landscaped pathways make this a prime wedding venue.

After working up an appetite, visit the Pond House Café, which is open Tuesday through Saturday for lunch and dinner on Sunday for brunch.  With both indoor and outdoor seating, it’s a great spot to relax.  Menu items range from wraps, salads and burgers for lunch, to chicken, salmon and pork tenderloin for dinner and brunch classics like omelets, crepes and french toast on Sundays.  Though the cafe does not serve alcohol, patrons are welcome to bring their own beer or wine for a nominal corking fee – $5 for wine or $1.50 for beer.

For more information about Elizabeth Park, please visit www.elizabethpark.org and www.pondhousecafe.com for The Pond House Café.