Boston Archives - Page 2 of 5

Boston Bites: The Parish Cafe

Aug 282017

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While I don’t live in Boston proper, I am in the city fairly often. My husband, Chris, works in Boston, so he’s in there all the time for work, but even on his days off – we always seem to find ourselves in the city for one thing or another. We go in to the city to eat quite a bit because the food just doesn’t compare out in the boonies where I live. I’ve walked past the Parish Cafe numerous times, but for some reason I never made it inside to eat. Until last week.

Each sandwich on Parish Cafe's menu is named for the chef and the restaurant they are from.

The Parish Cafe opened in November 1992 and usually has a line anytime you walk by. And now I know why! Owner Gordon Wilcox approached local Boston chefs and asked them each to create a sandwich for the Parish Cafe menu. Each sandwich on Parish Cafe’s menu is named for the chef and the restaurant they are from. I love this concept and was super excited when the Parish Cafe invited my husband and I to come in for dinner.

We grabbed a window seat (inside) so that we could do some people watching and started with some appetizers. Here’s what we got:

The Benny is stuffed with Vietnamese-style, spicy grilled chicken breast, assorted julienned vegetables, and mint-coriander mayonnaise. It’s served with spicy purple cabbage slaw tossed with diced tomatoes, fresh mint, Thai basil, and cracked peanuts on the side. Continue reading »

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The Ghosts & Gravestones Tour is a Must-Do in Boston

Jul 242017

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In a city nearly four hundred years old – troubled with war, murderers, strife and the occasional bout of stray molasses, it is hardly any wonder that Boston remains one of the most haunted cities in America and stories of the glory days of Colonial Boston only scratch the surface of Boston’s darker side. Boston has found itself plagued with some of history’s most nefarious figures – The Boston Strangler, Jolly Jane, Dr. John Webster, Cotton Mather, amongst a slew of other assorted characters. If you want to hear all about Boston’s dark history, the Ghost & Gravestones Tour is the place to hear about all of it.

Explore Boston’s most chilling murder sites, haunted places and spend time with the dead on the Ghosts & Gravestones tour.

I took this fun trolley tour in Boston a few years ago with my husband, but I recently had a chance to take it again with him, my sister and brother in law. Our tour guide was Ashton Burns and we really enjoyed the stories that he told us. Ashton was not only just great a storyteller, but he was also well-informed and ready to answer any questions asked of him. There were a few tours out that night and all of the guides are dressed up AND in character! As I mentioned, Ashton was our guide and sadly, all of the pictures I took of him came out blurry, but he was great and really authentic. The other guide out that night was Betty and our group met up with their group in one of the cemeteries we visited. Continue reading »

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Old Town Trolley Tours are the Best Way to See Boston {And a Free Printable Scavenger Hunt}

Jul 172017

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It is no secret that I am a proud Bostonian. I have lived in the area all my life and love being from this part of the country. There is so much to see and do in Boston and sometimes I like to pay tourist in my own city. When I want to see the sights in Boston, I take the Boston Old Town Trolley Tour in Boston.

If you're planning on visiting Boston, spend a day on the Boston Old Town Trolley Tour. It's hop on/hop off and brings you to over 100 Boston attractions.

The Hop On Hop Off Boston Tour covers all the major areas of the city including Downtown, Beacon Hill, Back Bay, the Theater District, and the Waterfront District. On the trolley, the fun conductors narrate the tour with a fun mix of trivia and humorous stories. My husband and I took the trolley tour on a rainy day a couple of weeks back. Since we’re local, we decided to stay on for the whole tour and I am so glad we did. Lucia was our tour guide/driver and she was wonderful. She is a life-long Bostonian and she was full of stories and trivia about Boston. Continue reading »

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Meet Almost Owen, the Singing Drummer From Boston!

Jun 202017

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Today I would like to introduce you to songwriter and producer Almost Owen, the singing drummer who releases new music in Boston regularly.

**This conversation is sponsored by sponsored by JZ Social Enterprises.

Songwriter/Producer Almost Owen has been quietly grinding it out, waiting for his moment. Since moving back to the US from India where he worked as music teacher from 2013-2014, the 26 year old has played nearly 500 shows. He’s toured massive music festivals in Panama, theaters in China and India, intimate sets at UNESCO in France, and beer soaked clubs in his native Boston, MA. He’s also written and produced songs for other artists, taking time to hone in on his own sound and message. Gearing up to release his own projects, Almost Owen is ready to show everyone exactly who he is. Continue reading »

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Good Eats and Music at Darryl’s Corner Bar & Kitchen in Boston

Jun 132017

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Darryl’s Corner Bar & Kitchen, known as DCBK, serves up great southern comfort food and signature cocktails with a side of some of the best jazz in Boston. Tuesday thru Sunday, you will find a menu full of big Southern flavor, cocktails full of sublime combinations, and sounds full of rhythm and soul.

If you are in the mood for some classic Southern style dishes, be sure to stop into Darryl’s Corner Bar & Kitchen. They take classic dishes like meatloaf, jambalaya and pork chops and put their own spin on them. I had a chance to eat there with my husband recently and we were blown away by the whole experience.

We started with an order of cornbread Mini’s, because, well – I love cornbread. After we devoured them, I told my husband that we should have gotten 16 more orders of them. They were warm and oh so delicious.

For the main course I got the chicken and waffles. If you haven’t had chicken and waffles before, you’re really missing out – it phenomenal. At DCBK’s they make a homemade buttermilk waffle, top it with their Glorifried boneless chicken strips and serve with butter and maple syrup. YUM. Continue reading »

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Did You Know That Boston Has a Major League Lacrosse Team?

May 222017

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When I was growing up, lacrosse was an almost unheard of sport. Over the last 20-ish years, it’s really picked up steam and now there are nine professional teams that play for a Major League Lacrosse here in the US. One of those nine teams are based right here in Boston! The Boston Cannons have been a part of Major League Lacrosse since 2001 and play right at Harvard Stadium in Boston.

I had the chance to go to a Boston Cannons game with my family recently and we thoroughly enjoyed it. In fact, my oldest son, who is 12, is considering joining a team after seeing a live game. The thing is, it was more than just a lacrosse game – it was an experience. Here are some of the things that made going to the game more than just a game.

Boston Cannons Fan Zone

Get there early and experience the Boston Cannons Fan Zone. The Fan Zone is open at every Cannons home game two hours prior to the start of the game and remains open through the first quarter. At the Fan Zone you will find things like music, ping-pong tables, RCN Ice Cream Truck, FlingGolf, the Bud Light Build-A-Bar, and more! It has something for fans of all ages. Continue reading »

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Review: ANNIE at the Boch Center (Wang Theater) in Boston

May 152017

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I am a child of the 80’s and I am ok admitting that I spent an entire summer watching and re-watching the movie Annie. On VHS. Ok, maybe I stopped watching to eat and go outside occasionally, but I think it’s pretty safe to say that I watched it at least 500 times that summer. I had the story line down pat and knew every word to every song. I even went out trick or treating as Annie that year (which reminds me that I need to go through some old photos and dig that one out). I know that the movie has been remade a few times since the one in the 80’s that I loved so much, but I am loyal to the version I watched so many times that summer.

So now you know that I am a self-proclaimed expert on all things Annie, imagine how giddy I was when I got invited to see the live musical at the Boch Center (Wang Theater) in Boston last week.

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ANNIE is Coming to the Boch Center in Boston May 9-21 and a Ticket #Giveaway

Apr 282017

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ANNIE is Coming to the Boch Center Wang Theater in Boston May 9-21!

The original production of ANNIE opened April 21, 1977 at the Alvin Theatre and went on to win the New York Drama Critics Circle Award for Best Musical, seven Drama Desk Awards including Best Musical, the Grammy for Best Cast Show Album and seven Tony Awards®, including Best Musical, Best Book (Thomas Meehan) and Best Score (Charles Strouse, Martin Charnin). The show remains one of the biggest Broadway musical hits ever. It ran for 2,377 performances after it first opened, and has been performed in 28 languages and has been running somewhere around the world for 39 years.

The beloved score for ANNIE includes “Maybe,” “It’s the Hard Knock Life,” “You’re Never Fully Dressed Without a Smile,” “Easy Street,” “I Don’t Need Anything But You” and the eternal anthem of optimism, “Tomorrow.” Continue reading »

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Culinary Fight Club: Boston – Pork Event Recap #culinaryfightclub

Apr 272017

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Culinary Fight Club is a National Food Sport Organization. They produce live cooking competitions to highlight local Culinary Talent, ingredients and resources. Culinary Fight Club competitions take place in Chicago, Omaha, New Orleans, Cincinnati, Boston, Knoxville, Johnson City, Pittsburgh, Virginia Beach, Charlotte, Twin Cities, Kansas City, Montgomery, Charlotte, Charleston, Indianapolis, Atlanta, Los Angeles and now Boston! I was invited to attend the inaugural Boston event and it was such a fun experience.

The Chefs Competing in Boston’s First Culinary Fight Club Event.

Culinary Fight Club brings the passion of a high-energy kitchen and the thrill of a timed competition for you to enjoy. As a self proclaimed foodie and someone who is obsessed with cooking competition shows on the Food Network, it was amazing to be able to attend an event like this live and see the chefs in action with my own eyes. No two events are the same, with new teams and themes every time, so you will definitely want to attend as many events as possible. Continue reading »

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Give a Gift They’ll Never Forget With Cloud 9 Living #mycloud9

Mar 202017

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In case you hadn’t noticed, experience gifts seem to be all the rage these days. In case you don’t know what an experience gift is, it’s just what it sounds like – it’s an experience. Think things like taking a flying lesson, white water rafting or even taking a cooking lesson. When it comes down to getting gifts for that hard to buy for person in your life, an experience is definitely the way to go. I always say that life is about making new memories and an experience gift is a great way to do that.

Cloud 9 Living offers a whole range of experience gifts starting at just $50! Pick something you’ve always wanted to do or give someone a gift they’ll never forget! From stock car racing to couples massages to zip lining, Cloud 9 Living offers 2,000 Experiences in 51 Cities.

As many of you already know, I lost my mom last month and now that all the hubbub is starting to wind down, I thought it would be fun to grab my dad and sister for a fun adventure. After the last six weeks, we all really needed it. And yes, I do have a brother, too, but he has a new baby at home, so I figured he could go next time. You know, when he’s able to get a good nights sleep and can enjoy it a little more. Continue reading »

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The Brunch Test Kitchen at Lincoln Tavern in Southie #BrunchTestKitchen

Feb 082017

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I love brunching, don’t you? There is just something special about that mid-morning meal that tends to bring people together to share a meal and quality time with friends and family. I recently had a chance to try brunch at Lincoln Tavern in South Boston and the best part is that I got to experience their brunch test kitchen the day I was there.

Lincoln is one of the city’s most sought after brunch destinations on the weekends (Saturday and Sunday from 10am-3pm), but Chef Nicholas Dixon and his team also do a Brunch Test Kitchen menu every Friday from 10:00AM – 3:00PM. Each week the Brunch Test Kitchen features a new line-up of off menu items that are potential contenders to join Lincoln Tavern’s already award winning brunch line up. Think: Nutella S’mores Pancakes that are super stacked chocolate chip and marshmallow pancakes with layers of Nutella, toasted marshmallow and graham cracker crumbs, Fried Chicken & Cheddar Biscuits with sausage gravy and quail egg, a Cinnamon Toast Crunch Milkshake with vanilla ice cream, fireball and rumchata…..you see where I’m going with this.

Located in the heart of South Boston, Lincoln is a classic American tavern that offers guests a welcoming combination of home-spun, American fare alongside a wide variety of rustic, wood-fire-grilled specialties.

Built with the intention of being a comfortable meeting spot for locals looking to share stories at the end of their long day, Lincoln draws inspiration from its surrounding, hard-working, and uniquely American neighborhood. Continue reading »

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The Element Boston Seaport I Boston Staycation Approved

Jan 252017

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My family almost always stays close to home during the February vacation. I would be devastated if any travel plans we made got disrupted because of snow, so we definitely prefer staycations. My family and I recently got to experience a stay at the Element Boston Seaport and it’s the perfect location for a Boston staycation. It’s located right in the heart of Boston’s thriving Seaport District and there are tons of family-friendly attractions within walking distance of the hotel. As far as I am concerned that is a big selling point when I am looking for a place to stay with my family.

The Element Boston Seaport was built to be green from the ground up, guestrooms are spacious, stylish, sustainable and designed for comfort, providing guests with space to live their life while away from home.

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Year Round Seasonal Activities in Boston

Jan 182017

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No matter what time of year you choose to visit Boston there are plenty of activities to entertain you during your visit. If you haven’t planned your trip just yet you might want to consider checking out some of these activities before you book! There are seasonal activities in Boston to suit any taste, some are perfect for a family outing while others would make a wonderful date night. I’d be the first to tell you that making more than one trip to Boston so you can take advantage of all these great seasonal activities is a great idea.

Spring
As with most places in the Northeast, Boston is in full bloom during the spring. Nothing says “get out and explore” quite like the crisp spring air. Warm sunny days invite you to get out and enjoy the beauty of springtime in Boston. These are some of the awesome activities you can enjoy during the spring in Boston.

The Boston Marathon: 3rd Monday of April
The Duckling Parade: Mother’s Day
Check out the fresh blooms in the Arnold Arboretum
Hop a ride on the Old Town Trolley
Freedom Trail walking tours will take you past 16 of the most historical sites in Boston
St. Patrick’s Day Parade is a big deal in Boston…in case you didn’t know!
Boston International Film Festival: typically during mid April

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Don’t Miss Cirque Dreams Holidaze in Boston Through Tomorrow!

Dec 102016

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Cirque Dreams Holidaze is playing at the Citi Shubert Theatre in Boston through December 11! There are only six performances of Holidaze in Boston before they move on to their next destination and this is not a show you want to miss if you’re in town. I saw their first Boston performance last night and was completely blown away.

Cirque Dreams Holidaze is a cirque show, Broadway musical, holiday spectacular and family show all in one.

Broadway director Neil Goldberg re-imagines the holiday season with over 300 costumes, 20 acts and 30 performers from 12 countries showcasing an endless variety of imaginative, heart-pounding and gravity- defying feats you have to see to believe. There were gingerbread men flipping in the air, toy soldiers marching on thin wires along with snowmen, icemen and penguins, balancing, jumping and spinning in disbelief. The show celebrates the most wonderful time of the year with singers, choreography and exciting production numbers. Performers and costumed ornament characters twirl, bounce and soar thru the air to original music and seasonal favorites brought to life within a stage setting of gigantic gifts, colossal candy canes and 30-foot towering trees & soldiers creating a larger than life wonderland of amazement. Continue reading »

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Boston Celtics Family Ticket Packs

Dec 052016

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Let’s be honest, Boston is the best sports town around. There’s really no argument there and when your family are all huge sports fans, you just have to take them to see their favorite teams play in person. Even if you have one of those mega flat screen televisions mounted to your wall, live games are so much better. There is nothing like the energy at live sports games – especially in Boston! We take our sports very seriously around here!!

celtics3

I’m really thankful that I live in an area in which we have such easy access to all of our sports teams and can go watch a live game pretty much any time we want. The thing is, my kids are not happy to just go and watch the game – they want the whole kit and caboodle: snacks, drinks and a #1 pointy finger thingie. As you know, that all adds up quick.

That’s why I am a huge fan of the Boston Celtics Family Packs. Celtics Family Packs are an affordable and fun way to bring the whole family to the TD Garden for an unforgettable experience. By purchasing a Family Pack, you get to see the game, get snacks and each of your kids will get to walk out with a cool bag of Celtics swag. All that for one price – that won’t break the bank. Yay. Continue reading »

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Great New Concession Menu Items at the TD Garden in Boston

Oct 242016

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Picture this: You & your family (or friends) head out for a night at the Bruins, Celtics or other event at the TD Garden in Boston. You fight the traffic getting into Boston, find parking, walk from where ever you parked to the arena, get through security and suddenly you’re starving. It happens every time, right?

Whenever I head into the Garden, the first thing I usually do is make a quick detour to the closest restroom, find my seats and then scout out the food options. What I have always loved about the TD Garden is that they have so many great food choices.

Concessions and food options include:

Big Bad Burger: Signature juicy burgers drizzled with Gooey Sauce; optional double, triple or quadruple patties.
Boston Common: Local fresh seafood menu including fried clams, lobster roll, lobster bisque and clam chowder.
Garden Grill: Classic Boston sandwich menu that includes shaved steak roll with house made cheese sauce and fan favorite grilled chicken sandwich.
The North End Butcher: Kayem meats including an Italian sausage with peppers and onions and jumbo all-beef gourmet hot dogs.

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Must See Tourist Attractions in Boston

Oct 182016

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As with most historic cities in the US, Boston has a rich background and with that comes TONS of tourist attractions. Boston is one of the oldest cities in the United States, the area played an integral role in our nation’s history and there are landmarks EVERYWHERE that celebrate this rich and amazing history. Unless you are coming to stay or for a very extended visit, you’ll need to prioritize your must see tourist attractions in Boston. There are some things that you just have to experience while you are visiting Boston. In case you are not as familiar with Boston as I am here is a list to help!

Sports Fans Must See Tourist Attractions in Boston

If you are a sports fans these are the places you will NOT want to miss when you are visiting Boston. Along with being home to some of the best teams that call Boston home, these locations are beautiful works of architecture and some even have historical cred of their own!

Fenway Park: Home of the Boston Red Sox
TD Garden: Home of the Bruins and the Celtics

If you can’t catch a game while you are in town I highly recommend that you swing by anyway just to take in the awesome and massive feel of these locations! Continue reading »

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The Midnight Zoo at Franklin Park Zoo: A Unique Halloween Experience

Oct 162016

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Last weekend, my family had a chance to attend The Midnight Zoo, a brand new Halloween experience at the Franklin Park Zoo in Boston. Even though we checked out the website, we weren’t sure exactly what to expect, but ended up being very pleasantly surprised by our experience.

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This is what the website says:

Under the light of the autumn moon, discover a secret corner of Franklin Park Zoo that is home to a mysterious, mystical world. The Midnight Zoo surrounds visitors with never-before-seen creatures from the farthest realms of the imagination. Wind your way through the darkness as the woods come alive in this 360-degree immersive experience. Elaborate costumes, masterful design, and moonlit surprises await you in this haunted habitat featuring over 20 fantastical creatures ranging in size from tiny to over 8 feet tall. Continue reading »

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Ghost Ship Harbor at the USS Salem

Oct 112016

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ghost-ship-harbor

It’s that time of year again! Halloween time that is. One of my favorite things about Halloween season is going to haunted houses. There is just something about screaming my guts out as some creep jumps out at me to get my adrenaline rushing. Lucky for me, there are lots of places like that here in New England and one of the ones I can’t wait to get to this year is Ghost Ship Harbor aboard the USS Salem in Quincy. As the name states, it’s a ship and it’s actually haunted in real life, but each year in October it transforms into an immersive scarefest.

ghost-ship-harbor1

With more than 60,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor terror experiences, Ghost Ship Harbor will horrify and petrify fans with interactive and twisted experiences. Ghost Ship Harbor is based on the premise that a plague has taken over and to ensure survival, civilians must visit the USS Salem before the ship departs on October 31. It was designed by Boston-Based Immersive Productions and Jason Egan, creator of Fright Dome Las Vegas. Continue reading »

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Off the Beaten Path Spots in Boston

Sep 272016

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Like most historical cities in the United States, Boston has a rich and expansive history. There are more historic buildings and locations in Boston than you could see in just one day. Instead of killing yourself trying to take in all the usual tourist spots, check out these off the beaten path spots in Boston. There’s something for everyone, they’re all unique, and while you might not learn quite as much I’m sure you’ll have just as much fun (if not more)!

Check out Bodega
6 Clearway St, Boston, MA 02115

It might look like a dingey bodega straight from the streets of NYC but head to the back, watch the Snapple machine slide out of the way and BOOM! Your jaw will drop. It reveals an awesome shoe store. Even if you don’t need shoes it’s a pretty awesome place to browse and the thrill of a 007-esque entrance is worth the visit, in my opinion!

Play with Lasers at Danger!Awesome
Cambridge, Massachusetts

There are different events for different days and you should plan accordingly but you can actually cut stuff…with lasers. It’s pretty amazing and totally fun for the adventurer or even the science enthusiast. Continue reading »

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