Looking for a Good Read?

Now that it’s finally warm and sunny outside, bibliophiles are taking advantage of the summer weather to bring their books outdoors. And if you are looking for more fodder for your reading list, skip the chain store—check out Brattle Book Shop!















Located in the heart of Downtown Crossing, this family-owned store has been there since 1825. The charm of the stacks upon stacks of books you’ll find here is that the stock runs more toward classics and out-of-print titles than what is on the New York Times bestseller list. People who love the old book smell and the feel of old bindings should feel at home: Brattle’s deals entirely in second-hand books, so there’s a strong chance many of the literary gems you’ll find are older than you are!

Naturally, the upstairs section of the shop is devoted entirely to rare editions, for those who aren’t prone to sticker shock. But lovers of old books don’t have to be rolling in cash to find something valuable here.

The biggest draw for Brattle’s has to be its outdoor lot. Directly adjacent to the store, and adorned with murals of famous authors, this is the place to go (weather permitting) to hunt for a really good buy. The carts are wheeled out, bearing labels of $5, $3, or $1, and have no other organization whatsoever.

But as any regular will testify, the fun is in searching through the offerings. And often something more contemporary does pop up (I've seen Stephen King, for instance), so don’t discount Brattle’s if you like newer books!

You will have to browse diligently, and return often—stock is always being transferred to the carts from the indoor shelves. But the reward is in opening your mind and finding just the book you didn’t know you were looking for.

It may be yellowed, annotated by a previous reader, or worn around the edges. But at such a price (a dollar! come on!), who can resist adding some character and dignity to their bookshelf?

Follow Brattle’s Book Shop on Twitter to see what’s new in the store, and whether the carts are out when the skies look cloudy. They're open Monday-Saturday, 9:00-5:30 (and word to the wise: the carts are pulled back inside around 5).

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Hassle-Free Fireworks Show

Every Bostonian knows that setting out at the crack of dawn on July 4th just to secure a spot fairly close to the Esplanade on the Charles River in order to watch the fireworks show, is strictly for tourists, die-hards, and university students who live close enough to foot it back home after 11 o’ clock at night. Although seeing the show that close up is a must at least once, it’s a tedious all-day affair that loses its charm pretty much after the first time. Luckily, residents of Somerville don’t have to put with all that planning and rig-ma-role.

At around 20 minutes before the fireworks show starts, we all head to The Castle on Prospect Hill Avenue, a monument erected to commemorate a decisive battle in the Revolutionary War of Independence and the site where the first true American flag (of the thirteen colonies) was raised. The grassy slope of The Castle overlooks the entire city below and provides a great view of the fireworks show exactly where everyone else sees it: in the sky above the city’s skyscrapers. We all huddle on the grass in good spirits because we spent the day barbequing instead of fighting the crowds on the riverbank. The great thing is that there’s no crowded T-ride home, but the best part is the double significance of seeing the Independence Day fireworks from an actual battle ground of the war that made it possible, and where the first flag of the nation was raised.

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Artsy Weekend in Somerville

Looking for art in this city isn’t hard, but the great majority of it might not be where you might think to look. Sure, museums like the Museum of Fine Arts or the Isabella Stewart Gardener Museum are well touted in any Boston visitor’s guide, not to mention the many daytrips out to the Berkshires, like the Norman Rockwell Museum or the Mass Moca, but what those guides don’t tell you is that many neighborhoods in and around the city host their own walking art shows—the Open Studio weekend.

The largest of these is hosted by the city of Somerville just outside Boston. For the first weekend in May very spring, the city’s many resident painters, sculptors and photographers open the doors of their private art studios to the droves of people making their way on foot trying to see as many of them as possible. The Somerville Open Studios weekend is completely free and the city prints walk-able maps which they post copies of at bus stops for weeks before the event. Nibbling on cheese and sipping on wine from studio to studio is the cherry on top of the whole day spent getting to know the art scene in Somerville on a personal level.

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Muddy River Fun

With the flowing water of a river surrounded by mature trees and upkept grass, you might think you are hours away from the hustle and noise of downtown Boston. Yet in less than 10 minutes, you can be in the serene of Riverway park, along the Muddy River. It runs from Fenway’s Landmark Center to the Longwood Medical area/Brookline Village. I just learned it was man-made (by Frederick Law Olmsted), which shocked me since it looks formed over thousands of years.

A combination of paved and dirt trail run along each side of the water, and at points along the T’s green D line, connecting to the Longwood stop. A scenic curved arched bridge also connects the two paths at one point, serving as the perfect locale to stop for a breather with a view of the water beneath you.


A sense of community (and safety) evolves from numerous runners, bikers, skaters, and dog-walkers. It’s not unusual to see a couple hand in hand, a bird-watcher, a reader on one of the many benches…and even the occasional sketchy dude with a shopping cart. I recently also saw a man practicing his trumpet—I kid you not. I haven’t, and wouldn’t, go after dark by myself since there are no lights.

If you are more into art than nature, a group of sculptures recently created an outdoor exhibition—the Studios without Walls—of 12 pieces of nature/community-based art, on view for free to all those who pass it. It was taken down at the end of June, but I get the impression it will be a yearly endeavor, so check back next summer!

As a runner, I appreciate the level ground, the partial shade, and the other runners for motivation. If you are a runner looking for a new course, the mileage and route encompassing the Riverway (and many more trails in Brookline, Boston, and other local neighborhoods) are outlined in the book Great Runs in Brookline and Vicinity.

A country mouse by heart, I often seek out the Riverway as a place to reconnect and get some quiet and fresh air. It is especially breathtaking in the fall when the leaves change color.

One word of advice: Beware of the geese. It’s hard not to ogle the adorable fluffy baby geese, but the large mamas are vicious and aggressive—and the poop aplenty. No one believes me, but I’ve also seen a majestic white swan swimming by, which is definitely something you wouldn’t expect—a real treat for the urban dweller. Read More...

Haverhill is Growing! Who's Going?

The older I get, the earlier I wake up. What seems like just a few short years ago, I was able to sleep past noon easily.


Now, I find myself aimlessly putting around the house at 8 a.m. if not 7 a.m., on Saturday mornings.

My sleeping habits really aren't the point, I promise.

Instead, I am giving you a reason to set your alarm clocks Saturday:The Haverhill Farmer's Market!

You may have already heard the buzz, as the Haverhill Gazette and Eagle Tribune both sang the market's praises after its seasonal debut on July 18.

The market is located on the edge of G.A.R. Park, and runs from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. I highly recommend showing up early. Last week the cheese, and eggs sold out quickly. This is going on every Saturday until Halloween this year.

The market offers fresh produce and dairy products from local vendors, but there are some unexpected finds including, live music, arts and crafts demonstrations, locally handmade jewelery and clothing. It's also a great place to bump into old friends and make new ones. Read More...

Sofra

For anyone who's a fan of Ana Sortun's Oleana, a voyage to the Cambridge city limits to sister Mediterranean bakery and cafe Sofra is highly recommended.

I have the bizarre luck of living one block away from this new, culturally hip locale. With my Thursday tasks complete, I rounded up my trusty roommate Ross, who was ready for a break from his 5-hour stretch of playing video games, and we sauntered over for a late afternoon snack.

The place is tiny, but everything is new and spic-and-span. A word of warning: coming here during peak times (lunch) means you might have trouble finding a place to sit. In addition to made-to-order options, Sofra sells pre-packaged spices, teas, sweets, dips, and food. With my stomach growling, choosing what I wanted was the hardest part. The hummus bar offers traditional, avocado, and warm hummuses (hummi?!) with assorted veggies and pita, while stuffed flatbreads and shawarmas tempt your savory tastebuds. An added selection of cookies, cakes, and specialty sweets doesn't make the job any easier. Nevermind that there's a breakfast selection as well, or we'll never get anywhere...

I settled on a stuffed flatbread, filled with eggplant, radicchio, and goat cheese with za'atar spices. Ross went with shawarma: chicken with oyster mushrooms, bok choy, and garlic sauce. They were both outstanding. The slight bitterness of the radicchio mixed perfectly with the tangy creaminess of the goat cheese. My only gripe was that for $7, it could have been a bit more substantial. I could buy two cheese pizzas for 7 bucks, but that's not to say it wasn't worth every dollar simply for being delicious. We both had yogurt soda as well--a mixture of tangy, unsweetened yogurt with elderflower and cucumber. It definitely tasted like I was drinking yogurt, and while I liked it, it wasn't the most refreshing drink I've ever had. Next time I'll grab my old favorite, the orange blossom flower lemonade.

Our last task was to pick dessert, and this time we chose the same thing: chocolate hazelnut baklava. Oh. My. God. This is the best bakery indulgence I've had in quite some time. This is when I'm grateful that the damn thing cost $4, because if they were any cheaper I would have made off with a sesame cashew bar and an almond rose cake for later.

Sofra is definitely in a league of its own, what with the old fur coat shop and the pizza-by-the-slice joint as neighbors. But it brings a new sense of revitalization and urban surprise--the kind you look for when you go exploring new neighborhoods. And if you ever come check it out, let me know. I'll come meet you there.

Sofra

One Belmont St.

Cambridge, MA

617-661-3161

Monday-Friday: 8-8

Saturday: 8-6

Sunday: 8-3

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Get your green on

Boston is hardly a concrete jungle with the Commons and Public Garden in the heart of downtown. However, on beautiful summer days these green oases can become a jungle of another kind, congested with strollers and tourists swarming the swan boats.

On a particularly flawless summer Sunday, a friend and I decided to venture off the Green Line and seek out some true greenery. Our destination was the Arnold Arboretum, a 265-acre swath of land in Jamaica Plain. After a bit of navigational confusion (you can take either the Orange Line or the #39 bus), we finally found ourselves wandering through a wonderland of green!

There are tours offered at the Arboretum, but we chose to explore the networks of paths on our own. Along the way, we browsed the carefully cultivated and labeled collections of plants. I loved the blossoming rhododendrons abuzz with bees and the gazebo of miniature bonsai trees. There also is a fantastic view overlooking the city from atop Peters Hill. We walked for a few hours and didn’t even see everything – the sheer size of the Arboretum is definitely part of its appeal.

A picnic would have been a perfect under the canopy of the tulip tree but the Arboretum prohibits picnicking and we didn’t have the forethought to pack one anyway.

However, our hunger led us to another great discovery along the route of bus #39: City Feed and Supply. This grocery shop and café on Centre Street in JP specializes in natural, organic, local products. It was crowded, but we managed to grab some counter seats and ordered a brunch spread including fair trade coffee, tea with local honey, Pink Lady apples, an egg sandwich, and fresh mozzarella with tomato and basil on a baguette. Yum! Read More...

Free Tastings Along Brookline's Urban Wine Trail

You’ve made it through a grueling day at work. You don’t have the energy or the money for an extravagant night out, but the idea of parking it on the couch for the next five hours isn’t so appealing either. You need a glass of wine… better yet, free or cheap wine. Luckily, you only need to take the T on the green C line to Coolidge Corner, in the heart of Brookline, for a trio of wine-tasting opportunities.


First stop on the "wine trail" is Best Cellers, located on the corner of Beacon Street and Harvard Avenue. This mecca for wine lovers just changed management in February—and sadly, their daily free wine tastings are now only held on every first and third Thursday and some Saturdays and Sundays from 5:00 to 8:00 pm. A positive spin to the new management: An extensive selection of beer not found in your normal packie store (I’m from New York, and have no idea what packie store is, and if I spelled it correctly. I’m used to buying beer at Stop & Shop). Anyway, on said dates, the displayed wines are 20% off, so if you like what you taste, you can guiltlessly continue drinking past the little Dixie cup.

The wine and beer tasting are often centered around a theme, such as Oktoberfest or Mardi Gras. For Cinco de Mayo, I tasted a selection of five Spanish wines accompanied by cheeses (don’t all wines taste better with a sliver of Manchego cheese?). The times I’ve visited, the knowledgeable “pourer” asks which one I’d like to try, and perhaps because of my long hesitation, then asks, “or would you like to try all of them?” Yes is always the answer. While I normally gravitate toward Pinot Grigio and Pinot Noir, the tasting are a fantastic way to try something you may not think you like. I used to find most Chardonnay too oaky and Riesling too sweet, but I’ve discovered some new unpredictable faves at this store.

Best Cellars looks very clean and simplistic, with stainless steel and light oak walls, and lots of light within its mostly windowed walls. The bottles are modernly displayed on the walls, with a full bottle at the top, and many more below in holes with the top sticking out. The wine is arranged according to category of taste: fresh, fruity, fizzy, juicy, etc. Not sure of your wine identity? Take Best Cellers’ quiz to discover what category matches best to your personal palette. My results of "soft, followed by fresh" definitely point me in a more logical direction than toward the prettiest label.

Next, cross to the other side of Beacon Street to Coolidge Corner Wine & Spirits for another free tasting on Fridays and Saturdays from 4:00 to 7:00 and Sundays from 1:00 to 3:00. More obscure and hidden than Best Cellers, this cozy little locally-owned shop is moody and elegant, with pumpkin walls and deep wood floors. Set up in aisles and along the walls, the selection is organized by world region, such as Italy, France, Argentina, New Zealand, and Chile. More diverse than Best Cellars, CCWS carries sake, liquor, sparkling and kosher wines, and dozens of eclectic craft beers and ales.

You’ll be able to find respectable bottles of wine for $10 in both of these stores, but the prices vary from about $10-$15, but you can find many in the $20s and up to $100 for French champagnes and the like.

Luckily for us students, Trader Joe’s is also on the same intersection, and boasts its famous "two-buck chuck." For $2.99 each, why not bring home a couple bottles of California Charles Shaw, which include, merlot, cabernet sauvignon, Zinfandel, and many more? I know people who won’t touch the stuff, and I’m no connoisseur, but I find most of these deliciously grape-juicy and perfect for making sangria—and who would pass up a whole case for $18? According to the website, the low prices is the result oversupply of wine and a good relationship with their supplier.

Since TJs is mainly a grocery store, its separate wine section is probably only a fifth in size of the other stores, but the selection (also organized according to world region) is comparable and the prices low. Some tasty discoveries include he South African brand Zarafa’s Pinotage and the Portuguese refreshing and citrusy sparking Vinho Verde, each for $3.99.

Note that the Boylston Street locale does not sell wine. The times for tastings are not evident; As a local, I frequent TJ’s at least twice a week, but I’ve only noticed them a few Saturday mornings and random weeknights. Only one wine is featured, but it’s a timesaver to do your wine shopping here while grocery shopping. I recommend picking up a quick dinner of lobster ravioli or truffle flatbread pizza, each also under $5. Love you, Trader Joe.

If you're planning a visit to Coolidge Corner, I'd give the stores a quick call to confirm tasting times, but they always have helpful employees and high-quality, low-cost choices. Salut!

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Free at the Museum: a magical world

Sure, tourists love art museums, if they've just come from happy hour. But do you know what's in your neighborhood museum this summer, and for free?

I love contemporary art. You stand around a giant cube of sewing pins and wise-crack about how you made one in your basement as a kid. Ideal conversation fodder, mixed with a slight reverence ("see what it's saying about urban alienation?").

MFA (Museum of Fine Arts)
Many student IDs get you free admission*. I arrived last Friday, with my quips on pointillism ready to impress, and salsa was in the air. Turns out MFA Fridays just got trendier: 20-30-somethings can schmooze every week this summer in the courtyard. The cocktail bar is still $10 a pop, but my roommate and I skipped right to the dance floor. Well, to the grass, where we unleashed our best cha-cha.

Back inside, a different music. A children's choir performing? Like a virgin... Wait a minute.

Turns out the new exhibition "Seeing Songs," which just opened July 1, holds a 30-television display called Queen. Artist Candice Breitz has videoed 30 Italians crooning in unison, and roughly on key, to 73 minutes of Madonna songs. And what seemed grating at first became priceless. We pointed to this screen and that one: the Madonna wannabe seducing the camera, the Tooth Fairy in pink handcuffs, the transvestite who stops mid-chorus to apply lipstick. Who needs iTunes?

(Check out this excerpt in the Globe.)

*Free to everyone July 19 and August 28.

ICA (Institute of Contemporary Art)
The music continued this week on the waterfront. Come for Target Free Thursday Nights (from 5 to 9 p.m.) and stay for the Berklee bands who jam until the sun sets. Honestly, one floor of galleries should not cost $15 full price. Even when they house Shepard Fairey's controversial ObamaHOPE.

But you can't beat this for an intellectual Thursday out. I covered the floor in 90 minutes and went outside for the sounds of Tubby Love. And the big-kept secret: there's music indoors. Just beyond the cube of sewing pins (I wasn't lying).

I just kept watching a six-minute loop of film, Magical World (artist Johanna Billing). Croatian schoolchildren sing sixties song "We live in a magical world," while outside the camera captures forgotten streets, war-torn sidewalks. But the kids are so hopeful, even if they can't match the Italians' gusto. So sixties and eighties pop in museums? Oh, it's worth every cent. Read More...

This weekend: Nest

I don't know about anyone else, but I like real estate. Houses big and small... but mostly big, excite me.

A friend of mine said that during her college years in D.C., she and her friends would dress up and attend open houses of some of the gorgeous, old homes for sale in the area. Silly, but sounds fun, right?

There are some really amazing and fabulous homes in the Merrimack Valley, just north of Boston, that I would love to tour. Here are my top 5 houses I want you to dress up and get into, along with a suggestion for an after-tour bite.

1. Haverhill - This amazing mansion is probably one of, if not the nicest, custom homes in the area. It has the advantage of being newer in an area where many of the stateliest homes are old. I wish Obama gave a stimulus check big enough to get me into this one.

• LUNCH @ The Tap. There's no getting away from this place. It is the place to eat (and drink, which goes without saying) in Haverhill. Be careful, though, they're closed Mondays.

2. Amesbury - OMG! You cannot say you don't want to wake up in this gorgeous shag-carpeted bedroom, to this expansive riverfront view. While it doesn't have 11 car garaging, as does the Haverhill Mansion, it is beyond fabulous.

• LUNCH @ The Barking Dog. Traditional pub food with a laundry list of beers on tap. They also have wines from far and wide. Expect to be surprised here.

3. Newburyport - Historic hotness is the only way to describe this one. The courtyard alone is stunning. And, you're in Newburyport. I'd live in a box just to be near all those restaurants, bars, and Atlantic Ocean breezes!

• LUNCH @ Andaman Thai. This is the best Thai in the valley. I love their vegetarian dishes, spicy dishes, and list of thai beers and wines. The service is top notch and the roof deck will tempt you with its views.. but you can't drink up there, so choose wisely.

4. Newburyport - So, this is on the cheap side. Don't judge. It's so pretty, anyway.

• LUNCH @ Szechuan Taste (from their sushi menu). Who doesn't love sushi and sake? Now, picture yourself enjoying sushi and sake in a basement in Newburyport, in groovy booths carved from pine that you literally need to climb up on, and down into. You have to see it to believe it. So go see it!

5. Andover- Decorating TLC needed, but overall, this house has it. It is somewhere between the really old Andover mansions and the newer McMansions that people love to hate on. Hey, I'd live here in a pinch.

• LUNCH @ Dylan's. Another pub, but a jazzy one. Apps include tuna tartar and other funky favorites. Beers are standard (Sam Adams, UFO). Atmosphere is key in this dimly lit, swanky joint.

Enjoy the weekend, friends!

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We All Scream...

The tiny parking lot of Jay’s Ice Cream is oddly fenced in, as if it’s seceding from the strip mall union (including Walgreens, Stop and Shop, and Blockbuster) that surrounds it. I imagine this store predates any of the chain giants nearby, but I am likely exaggerating Jay’s origins. It looks like an island of individuality, that’s all.

It took me six months of living in Malden (a quiet suburb whose commercial activity is almost all within a mile radius of the T station) to give Jay’s a shot. The Boston winter is partially responsible—although Jay’s also serves decent pizza and subs, the ice cream is the main feature here, and who wants that when the weather outside is frosty?



The owners of Jay’s enterprisingly turn their bizarre parking area into a Christmas tree lot once the season changes.

The interior is tiny, with just a few bar stools. But there are tables outside, as well as a walk-up window (for those who won’t take the ten steps to go inside?). And appropriately, at least 70% of the menu and behind-the-counter space is devoted to dessert.

I thought the staff, while friendly and generous with the sample spoons, would think I was weird if I took a picture of the menu. So you’ll have to take my word for it that Jay’s has 40-50 flavors, not to mention frozen yogurt, milkshakes, sundaes, and smoothies. And yes, they have jimmies!

The first time I went here, there was a mass of locals tackling the vast selection. After I found my place in the amorphous line (the walk-up window must be for the more decisive customers), I slowly walked home with an inexpensive and generous helping of Death By Chocolate.

Weeks later, I came back with a friend. Kim has lived in Malden awhile, and just like me, passed by Jay’s all the time without actually trying it. It seems to be one of those places that the eye glides over, for whatever reason.

She bought a hand-packed pint of banana ice cream (her favorite, and impossible to find in a grocery store). The adventurous can try other unique flavors like Cotton Candy, Maple Walnut, Bubble Gum, Rum Raisin, Purple Cow (whatever that is!), and Pistachio. Obviously, there are many more conventional varieties, which are totally worth the damage to your waistline.
There’s nothing wrong with Cold Stone Creamery or Baskin Robbins where the taste of the ice cream is concerned. But in days where the chain store rules, the determined seclusion and neighborhood atmosphere of Jay’s really makes the frozen treat seem more worthwhile. Read More...

No more Rock of Boston

The Rock of Boston is rocking no more. Another local institution is closing its doors, as WBCN is putting away its drum kit and guitars, according to Boston.com.

Truth be told, I haven't listed to 'BCN for quite some time. I migrated over to 'ZLX when the rock music I grew up with became classic rock. But it was the first station I listened to when I arrived on these shores (OK...I came over from Western Mass., but I think you need a visa to travel from Western to Eastern Mass. these days...) in the days of Charles Laquidara and the Big Mattress, and it was years before I changed the dial, following him and the Mishigas madness to 'ZLX.

At the risk of further dating myself, my first true Boston experience was through 'BCN. Shortly after I moved here, John Lennon was killed. I was living in the dorms at Northeastern and a bunch of us joined a candlelight procession from the Commons down Boylston Street to the radio station. It was the moment when I truly bonded with the city that I have called home ever since. Read More...

Canoe Day

It's About Time

Hot diggity damn, summer seems to finally have arrived here in New England. We're actually consistently getting 70-some-odd degree days and lots of sunshine. My psyche, having been enveloped by the cloudy, rainy skies of weeks past, is rejoicing. Now I know we’re here to discuss all things Boston, but might I suggest that all things Boston also includes short journeys away from the city environs.

Such glorious weather basically requires an outdoor adventure, so my roommate Ross and I went canoeing up in Concord on Sunday. We leisurely rolled out the front door at 11:30 after packing a haphazard snack pack consisting of: 2 Maine Root ginger beers, one PB & J, a bottle of water, a baguette, a container of hummus, snack crackers, and dried apricots. With lunch dangling from one arm, my towel over one shoulder, a visor looped over my other arm, and a backpack containing my wallet, sunscreen, chapstick, an extra t-shirt in case of sunburn, my camera, a pen, and a notepad (a lifetime of pre-planned outdoor adventures and current career-training necessities always seem to meet in my backpacks and purses), we sullied forth. Ross loaded two fishing poles—a standard reel and a fly rod—into the back of the car and off we went.

Phase One: The Aquatic Diversion

About fifteen minutes later we were parked on the side of Main Street in Concord, home of Walden Pond. We walked around to the backside of the Sudbury Boat House behind a family of four (mom snaps at her children, basically implying that there will be no having fun today). The parking area was crowded, and several groups of people were already getting out on the water.

Apparently we weren’t the only ones who thought to spend a hot Sunday afternoon on the water. Nonetheless, it only took two minutes to slap down a $20 cash deposit, hand over a driver's license, grab two paddles and load into our canoe. The moment I have been waiting for since November had finally come: I was in a body of water on a hot day.

We decided to paddle upstream, so that the way back would be all downstream and less work. It quickly became apparent that the Sudbury River is insanely high right now. The water level was up to tree trunks where their trunks split into masses of branches. Land flowers and bushes were nearly covered, their bright green leaves disappearing into the deep, tea-colored water. Birds were everywhere; red-winged blackbirds, fly catchers, waxwing cedars, sparrows, and blue herons were snacking everywhere we looked. We passed some outstanding shoreline homes (so jealous), and eventually paddled into nature, stillness, and semi-solitude—every now and then we passed other kayaks and canoes. At one point, an older couple in a motorized canoe with a stabilizer attached to the side came chugging down the river. The man sat in back had a white umbrella raised up to deflect the sun, and they both had reclining seats. I made a silent note to make sure that I roll that way later in life.

We ended up in a wide opening where the river looked less like a river and more like a decent-sized lake. We found a still spot next to shore and ate our snacks while watching water skippers defy surface tension and damselflies flicker about. I realized how amazing it felt to get out of the city. I could feel my brain expunging its urban anxieties of homework, planning, and work.

On our way back, we found a little detour—a new river thanks to the rain—that paralleled a road; the area it flowed through is usually shoreline. As we navigated the narrow waterway, some lily pads moved ahead of us. We snuck up behind a 2-foot snapping turtle. His head was enormous; he ducked underwater and swam just under the surface. We could see his floppy turtle feet, moving in relaxed opposition like an old man taking an afternoon stroll. We laughed—out loud—at its ridiculous locomotion before cruising on.

I was extremely tempted to swim, and would have, but anyone who has ever jumped in and out of boats knows that canoes can be tricky. Given the fact that my digital camera was in the boat, I decided not to risk rolling the whole canoe over and contented to drag my feet in the water while paddling instead. After de-boating, we went inside to pay our tab. The woman checking in canoes was at least 60—a sun-wrinkled gem of a grandma. “You were gone for four hours,” she stated matter-of-factly as she looked at our time stamp. We weren’t sure what she was getting at, but we guessed most people didn’t canoe for four hours straight, and she was simply surprised we had paddled for so long. My shoulders would agree with her in the morning.

Phase Two: Don't Pee in the Lake

With the sun still high in the sky, we drove to Walden Pond, intending to get our swim on. But the pond was temporarily closed for an hour due to the dreaded worst case scenario: maxiumum capacity. The pond had already filled to the brim with bodies three times that day, hence the temporary closure. While swimming is usually the icing on the cake, we decided to move along. I'm happy with that decision, especially since someone told me today that Walden Pond now has an extremely high concentration of urea. Yuck. Thoreau would definitely not approve. Not easily discouraged, we tied the whole day up with a bow by stopping at Dairy Joy in Weston and nearly inhaling delicious dip cones.

I highly recommend this adventure for anyone with access to a car. A full day of canoeing and delicious ice cream cost each of us $35—making our perfect summer day economical as well as memorable.

This should be shoreline!

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The Perfect Taco

“Everyone knows Boston is a Mexican food desert.”
- NotForTourists.com

Putting aside the irony that Mexican food is intrinsically associated with deserts, I can see why the writer would make such a broad statement. Allow me to illustrate with a recent experience:

“I see one of your daily specials is enchiladas,” I said to our waitress at Fajitas and ‘Ritas. “What kind are they?”

“Well…” she hedged. “There’s chicken inside. But they’re not really enchiladas.”

Say what?!? (I somehow keep this reaction to myself).

“We don’t have corn tortillas. Or enchilada sauce,” she continues. Then she gestures at the liquid half of the chips and salsa my friend and I have been absentmindedly munching on. “We put this on top instead.”

She looks kind of ashamed after this speech. And I think she should be.



Call me a Mexican food purist, but I’m from Arizona, a place that not only knows its Mexican, but Sonoran, Mexico City style, Tex-Mex, and New Mexican (two words: green chile). Where there are 24-hour family-owned Mexican restaurants serving up all the horchata, sour cream, and greasy burrito goodness that a drunken college student could ever want at 3 a.m. Where Taco Bell is tolerated only because it’s cheap, not because it’s authentic.

Imagine my dismay when I moved across the country, to find that all the Mexican restaurants seem to be hiding. Hibernating, if you will. Even Taco Bell’s pale shadow has been diminished by the weaker New England sun! There are only a handful of Taco Bells in the Boston metro area. Apparently, there’s not even a large market for generic Mexican food out here.

This leaves me in desperate straits, a junkie looking for a Mexican fix. The taco bar at Au Bon Pain could only temporarily ease my cravings.

So I have set out on a quest to find a Mexican place in Boston—and as if they’re not reclusive enough, I’d like to find some that meet my standards. My friend Ashley, also originally from Arizona, has been attending BU for four years, and warned me that it was futile. I wouldn’t find anything like what I was used to. But I had to try.

In a city famed for its Italian food, and a healthy crop of Asian restaurants in Chinatown, I can’t figure out why Boston’s Mexican cuisine has been so…watered down. But philosophizing about authenticity and global culinary exchange would be tedious and misses the point. Here’s where my epic mission has taken me so far:

Fajitas and ‘Ritas

Oh, the irony of offering enchiladas which lack both the characteristics an enchilada must have! By now, you will have cottoned on that I was disillusioned, to say the least. But also hungry, so I ordered a burrito. It was certainly tasty, but basic, and weeks later I am still nursing a grudge against the faux enchiladas.

My margarita, however, was well-made, affordable, and took the edge off my disgruntlement. I can’t speak for the quality of the fajitas, but the restaurant lives up to at least half of its name. That’s more than the enchiladas could boast.

A casual and colorful place, with indifferent food. But if you are surrounded by friends and the tequila is flowing, maybe that won’t matter so much.

Herrera’s

Just a few minutes away from Fajitas and ‘Ritas, Herrera’s caters to the lunch crowd. There seems to always be a bit of a line, but it moves fast. And it was delicious! It actually reminds me of the 24-hour places I waxed nostalgic about earlier in this post. My tacos were swimming in grease, and considering the fast food-like venue I was in, that’s a good thing.

Plus, the rice and beans that came on the side were the best I’ve had so far in Boston. Yes, they’re side dishes, but that can really make or break a meal. Is this just me?

Really affordable, really quick, and they have carts out around Downtown Crossing if you’re really in a hurry for a handmade burrito. Oh, and they have enchiladas on the menu. I’ll definitely be back to give those a shot. Mmmm…

Zuma’s

Located at Quincy Market, this basement Tex-Mex eatery is a hidden jewel among the pubs and food court fare clustered around Faneuil Hall. There wasn’t much of a wait, our waiter faithfully brought us basket upon basket of tortilla chips (piping hot and crusted with salt, just like they should be!), and dinner (with the obvious Tex-Mex spin) was delicious.

I really enjoyed my enchiladas, although of course, they were a divergence from traditional Mexican fare. Not being a huge student of Tex-Mex recipes, I couldn’t tell you what specifically was different, but I happily cleaned my plate.

Oh, and Zuma’s margaritas are divine. And sold by the pitcher, if you’re planning on making a night of it!

I’ve also been told I need to try Anna’s Taqueria, and have heard about the famous chicken mole of Angela’s Café. If anyone has been either of those places, and has an opinion about it, please let me know! And of course, other recommendations for Boston’s most authentic south-of-the-border fare are welcome. I’ll try not to be a West Coast snob about it…:-)

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Head north of the hub to the Tap Brewpub!

Finally, it looks like summer: time for Bostonians to put away our umbrellas and converge on our favorite watering holes for tasty summer brews.

This weekend if you've got gas money or commuter rail fare, head to Haverhill for Beer Advocate's Gathering at The Tap Brewpub. The gathering begins at 2 p.m. on the Tap's large back deck overlooking the Merrimack River.

On hand for beer enthusiasts, some old favorites and some new brews:
* DIPA brewed specifically for the occasion; 96 ibus and 9% abv w/ Cascade, Galena, and Chinook hops.
* 2008 Triskelion Barleywine
* Leatherlips IPA
* Helles Belles Munich Helles
* Ascension Belgian IPA
* Berliner Weiss
* Homerun American Pale Ale
* Whittier White (my personal favorite, with a lemon, of course!)
* Haverale Cream Ale
* multiple casks

The Tap also serves an array of appetizers, and lunch and dinner dishes including burgers, HaverAle steamed mussels, and tofu stir fry (great with a Whittier White).

Get there early, as the deck is quite popular on sunny days even without the Beer Advocate crew!

After beers, you may want to visit the bocce court below the deck, or grab ice cream across the street.

Happy Friday! Read More...