Browsing Tag

RESTAURANTS

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/

BOSTON, EVENTS, NIGHTLIFE, RECIPES, RESTAURANTS

Weekend Events in Boston Worth Braving the Bad Weather For

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.

BOSTON, NIGHTLIFE, RECIPES, RESTAURANTS

New Bundle of Joy: The Stork Club Boston Opens in the South End

cos'è il jazz by bastet in the sky with diamonds, Flickr

Although Bostonians are always jazzed with the prospect of a new nightlife venue, the Stork Club Boston is actually making beautiful music in the South End.  Located near the intersection of Columbus and Massachusetts Ave, the Stork Club offers live jazz, blues and moderately priced cuisine.

To view the rest of my Stork Club Boston write-up, please visit my Examiner.com page:

http://www.examiner.com/x-21772-Boston-Nightlife-Events-Examiner~y2009m8d27-A-New-Bundle-of-Joy-The-Stork-Club-Boston-Opens-in-the-South-End

BOSTON, RECIPES, RESTAURANTS

Excelsior Update

One of my favorite Boston blogs, Chowder, from Boston Magazine, posted a blog entry about the future of Excelsior.  While I’m sad to see Excelsior close, it looks like we have one, possibly two new hot spots to look forward to this fall.  And you know how I heart inexpensive food/drinks in a chic atmosphere:

http://blogs.bostonmagazine.com/chowder/

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