Eastern Standard Kitchen & Drinks, Boston
Boston is undoubtedly a city that honors its work hard/play hard philosophy, with a surplus of options for casual drinking, binge drinking, complete annihilation, and 2 a.m. “sidewalk sales” after stress-filled days of overachieving. Below are a few watering holes leading Boston’s Cocktail Revolution of 2011!
Back Bay Social Club – 867 Boylston Street, Boston, (617) 247-3200
Recreating the quintessential 1960s Manhattan social club ambiance, the late-night Back Bay Social Club revives a classy yet comfortable centralized meeting point for combining good times, good drinks, good people, and good conversation. The personality-driven resto-lounge feels like Cheers meets underground Prohibition rebellion, a place to come as you are and celebrate a love of great spirits. Kick-ass cocktails, like the “Gin Somethin” – millers gin, St. Germain, grapefruit bitters, fresh grapefruit juice, simple syrup, muddled limes, cucumbers, and soda water – are the perfect recovery for overachievers’ remorse. Back Bay Social Club is steps away from the Lenox Boston. Read More »
Duck prepared by chef Lydia Shire, who helms Towne Stove and spirits along with chef Jasper White
In the past two years, exceptional venues have cropped up all over Boston’s neighborhoods and gayborhoods, making the city almost as famous for its eateries as its renowned landmarks. Bostonians have commenced a raging cocktail and foodie revolution, throwing a Red Sox’s curve ball into the city’s resto/lounge scene. Read about two of the most notable new additions below.
Towne Stove and Spirits – 900 Boylston Street, (617) 247-0400
The foodie marriage between two of Boston’s most famous chefs, Jasper White and Lydia Shire, has spawned yet another beautiful offspring – this time an elegant, high-energy mega restaurant dedicated to comfort seafood and over-the-top worldly eats in the heart of Back Bay. Combining Lydia’s love for butter, lobster, global ingredients, and originality with Jasper’s love for New England seafood and a renowned equilibrium between home style cooking and haute cuisine, Towne Stove and Spirits boasts a menu as fun and busy as the crowds waiting on long waitlists to sample the latest White-Shire conception. It’s hard to go wrong with any of the 50-plus, family-style, savory creations; however, the “wood grilled lobster & corn pizza with honeyed ricotta,” the seasonal “razor clams a la plancha in baqsque alioli,” the “twice fried green beans with white soy and ginger juice,” and the “peking chicken and pot pie” should not be missed under any circumstances! Spread between a bustling bar in the front serving the best in mixology, a contemporary frenetic dining room downstairs, and a quieter, sparkling upstairs, this gastronomic trendsetter is currently one of the hottest seats in town! Towne is steps away from the Mandarin Oriental, Boston. Read More »
Fenway Park in Boston is just two blocks from Hotel Commonwealth
There’s no denying that Boston has some of the most diehard sports fans around, which means it should be no surprise that people flock from all over the region to attend Red Sox games, Celtics games, and Bruins games (Patriots’ games, too, but Foxboro, Mass. is outside of our realm of expertise). Below we’ll tell you about the most convenient hotels for getting to your favorite Boston sporting event, when you’re watching your kids row in the Head of the Charles or just hoping to see your fave baseball team hit it out of the park.
- Location: Back Bay, Boston
- Pearl rating: 4 of 5
Hotel Commonwealth is two blocks from Fenway Park, home of the Boston Red Sox. The 148-room Hotel Commonwealth is one of the most well-rounded boutique hotels in Boston. With its classical (if slightly dowdy) furnishings, large rooms, and impressive array of services, it captures the spirit of the city like few other hotels can. Read the full Hotel Commonwealth review.
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A wintry Faneuil Hall in Boston, MA
[Flickr/LI Refugee]
There’s a reason it’s so inexpensive to travel to Boston December through February; the bone-numbing temperatures and random snow squalls are enough to keep even the heartiest tourists at bay. But there’s no reason to hole up in your hotel the entire time – just dress warmly and remember to bring an extra pair of socks! Here are five fun things to do around Beantown even when the temperature has dipped below freezing:
1. Museum of Fine Arts/Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum: The MFA Boston is one of the best museums in the city, and features new exhibits and shows throughout the year. Nearby, the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum will treat you to scenes from centuries ago in the mansion’s various rooms. If you’re staying at nearby hotels like The Eliot, the Hilton Boston Back Bay, or The Colonnade, you can definitely brave the walk to the museums. 465 Huntington Avenue /280 The Fenway
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