foodGLORIOUSFOOD

My trousers for work might be slightly stretched as I’ve been feasting out for food this whole last week!... ..

Boston offers an amazing two weeks (Mondays-Fridays) in August of discounts from specific restaurants.  ‘Restaurant week’ is upon us- so we definitely took advantage of it as you can go places which your pennies would not normally indulge on allowing you to experience wonderful new places!

Monday- ‘Dicks Last Resort’ http://www.dickslastresort.com/

We have had two Scots camping over during their final few days in Boston.  We served them our couch and they served us some Scottish company, to say farewell to the scots we thought of a final dinner in a ‘comical surrounding’ would be a good ending.  We all received cleverly phrased dunce hats which please us all as they were horrendously humorous.  The four of them were worded as;

“the reason men drink”

“I’m their ‘shopping friend’”

“Single 4 Life”

“I’m thinking about the waiters woody”

It’s an absolute unique dining experience, I’d recommend it if you want funky fun along with food, flying forks and unfriendly yet funny service and just an absolute giggle during dining!

Tuesday- Brasserie JO http://brasseriejo.com/

A fabulous French restaurant located by the Prudential area, we headed here with work friends whom also wanted to make the most of Boston restaurant week. This is what I chose to munch on through the small but great glorious selection on the weeks menus.   Sautéed Chicken Livers, Caramelized Onion, Watercress

Pan Seared Chicken Escalope - Lemon Caper Beurre Noisette, Wild Red Rice

And for dessert, Warm Chocolate Donuts - Blueberry Sauce, Pistachio however due to my allergies to peanuts they accommodated this and gave me warm dark luxurious chocolate dipping sauce instead. The girls got to also enjoy a chilled glass of rose along with our ravenousness food, I however never as the drinking law is 21 here, which is fine- as my chilled water was just as chilling and cheaper!

 Wednesday – RSA Summer Luau. To celebrate the end of summer classes Northeasterns RSA (Resident Students Association) held a BBQ summer luau on the Centennial commons on Northeastern Universitys campus.  We were luckily allowed to help out so we grilled burgers, prepared buns and generally joined in on the brilliant BBQ’ness!  Rachael my new visitor from Scotland also helped us as she was still visiting Boston which was nice as the RSA allowed us all to join in on the fun.  Students enjoyed lively music pounding, alcohol free fruit smoothies at the so-cool-summer tikki bar and burgers and HOTdogs available to all passing handed out from the summery smoky smoldering lot. 

Thursday-  I’m so not proud of this one, but its obviously going to HAVE to be Dunking Donuts. http://www.dunkindonuts.com/dunkindonuts/en.html

AMERICA RUNS ON DUNKIN.  The only reason I ended up dining here for a quick fix my hunger meal was due to our travels.  Thursday after work we headed to the ICA (Institute for Contemporary Art) positioned alongside the harbor.  Summer Thursdays here are very pleasant (from what I’ve read online) as they provide live music from the Berkley school of music at their HarbourWalk sounds and enjoyed R+B soul from a new phenomenal band called Cosmodrome.  http://www.icaboston.org/   We were also lucky enough to see the Cliff Divers practicing and impressively warming up whilst the music was drumming along in the background.  I AM going to plan a return trip to the ICA again to visti more of thei exhibitions in the future as we didn’t have the chance to this current visit.

Friday – Ristorante Villa Francesca  http://ristorantevillafrancesca.com/home1/

HAPPY Friday, we started off our weekend leaving work and heading to Bostons ‘little Italy’ the north-end to dine at Ristorante Villa Francesca.  Another restaurant offering a mouth watering three course meal for $33.95 during restaurant week!

For my ‘antipasti’ I chose the Lobster Ravioli - Lobster filled ravioli in a light cream sauce with minced shrimp and fresh dill.  For our ‘Piatto principale’,Pollo Abruzzese- A full boneless breast of chicken prepared with  aromatics and fresh hot peppers. Served with roasted potatoes, escarole and beans

And for ‘Dolce’ I chose the home made Cannoli which was the perfect ending to our meal.

From there we joined the marching band on perfect timing as they musically marched through the streets and onwards to the center of festivities for the kick off celebrations organised for Saint Anthonys Feast!  http://stanthonysfeast.com/

Creative Celebrations

Creative, concentrating and chirpy we spent the afternoon revealing out artistic sides experimenting with paint stroked and design drawing! 

Molly had picked the ‘Clayroom’ to go to for her 20^th birthday to add to the celebrations over the weekend.  We also ‘wined’ and dined at the Boston Burger Company on the day of her birthday, which we truly filled our stomachs with outrageously flavoursome burger toppings and sides!  http://bostonburgerco.com/

They have so many impressive toppings to choose from, molly and I ended up going for the ‘420 burger’ and Katie another option with glazed apple sauce on it!  It was a feast which we just managed to squeeze in, rolling back home with full tums!  Cake and acapella birthday songs ended our weekend on Sunday with movies and marvellous Molly! – HAPPY 20^TH BIRTHDAY!!!!!

BooksINBoston

Boston Public Library, the first public library to rent books in America, established in 1848 experiencing such a grand building left us dazed and amazed.  The exquisite statues, marbeled floors and bannisters leading towards book upon books Boston surely must be proud to have this open for viewing to their public.  We explored the many rooms, and relaxed in the lovely courtyard watching the fountain lure viewers with its impressive light show from the glistening reflecting sparkling trickling water bouncing of the sun.

mapsANDmusic

Walking in the whispering world, literally – I was in complete amazement.  After out twenty minute presentation, exploring the past of the globe, listening to words of wisdom from Ghandi,

Nelson Mandela, Oprah Winfrey, Eleanor Roosevelt, The Dalai La Martin Luther King, Jr, Abraham Lincoln, Martin Luther King, Jr and other aspirational leaders we explored wonders of the Mary Baker Eddy Museum.  http://www.marybakereddylibrary.org/

Unfortunately they didn’t sell a globe of the world as I really fancied buying one for adding to my American room.

We also enjoyed (once again) the free delights of Greek frozen yogurt from Ben+Jerrys at their fair trade music festival!  The band that was playing was secretly soulful and played tasteful tunes for us to tap our toes along to.

FireyFestivals

Fumetastic fire and toasty acts were delivered at the Hungry Tiger Good Festival.  We headed down to the square not really knowing what was involved other than possibly food and Tigers… .

We actually got our picture taken from the artist herself who designed and painted the tiger-arc, which we accidently made happen.

Fire dancers (and drinkers) hosted a variety of acts ooo’ing and aaa’ing us all as the fire whizzed and spun around in front of us with such fragile human handlers!

 

Following on the festival streak we browsed round China Town during the celebration of the Moon Festival.

We witnessed tinywiny turtles being sold of at bargain prices, traditional Chinese food stalls and authentic arts and crafts.  From there we headed to the north-end, Bostons ‘little Italy’ and enjoyed (for the 1^st time) a cannoli out of the famous Mikes Pastries!

GLEAMINGforGOLD

Croaky voices occurred through the joys of cheering on the successful Andy Murray.  Today we sat in awe watching the final for the Tennis Golden London Olympics watching Murray and Federer battle out the title of winner.

Happy to help – during lunch today we joined the NU Community Service group http://www.northeastern.edu/communityservice/aboutus/index.html .  This will give us the opportunity to do more whilst in Boston, contributing to the communities that need a little ‘TLC’.  So, for the future we’ll be getting our paws dirty and joining in on the high community spirit!  I’m looking forward to making the most of our year in Boston with Northeastern University.

MagazineMARVELS

The inquisitive moment when someone unexpectedly tags you in a post on Facebook….  To my surprise I had been printed in the UKs NO.1 magazine.  My last full day in the UK I spent at Ayr race course, celebrating my year ahead in style at the Sunday race day!

By this time in present I had actually completely forgotten about being ‘papped’ with my close friend Gillian Sharpe, a Glasgow school of art student.   This weekend from the arrival of Daniel I received the Scottish magazine, and now have my own copy to marvel at.

Kindly I was also introduced to the free Boston magazine called ‘Improper Bostonian’ at work when someone had nicely gave me a copy.  Its an insight of all the events, reviews and news on entertainment and activities happening around Boston.  Through reading during lunch I’ve learned some more truths on the ‘dreaded’ Revere Beach, and came to the conclusion that I must try salsa classes and they are so frequent and free to attend it’d be pure rude not to join in! cha-cha-chaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!

CHUNKYcheeeeesecake

Zapping the flab down at Zumba in the morning we kicked of our Saturday bouncing and gliding to the energetic music from the amazingly fun and feisty Zumba class. Once ready the three of us rejuvenated, showered and all headed for a planned day at the Prudential centre!  http://www.prudentialcenter.com/ 

Sadly once we arrived at the tower to see a panoramic sky-high view of Boston, we were turned away by an emotionless sheet of white paper reading,

‘Closed, booked for Private Function’

And so we then decided to return another day as we had no choice and headed for the Cheesecake Factory even earlier! (no complaints)

It was what I was craving and more.  To my misconception, when I first heard of this amazing place I assumed it was a factory that made and sold cheesecake, however it is actually a restaurant selling grand foods along with specialising in cheesecake.  http://www.thecheesecakefactory.com/

The creamy cheesecakes were amazingly appetising, slightly to much to enjoy so we had to take doggy bags with us home. 

‘Shear madness’ was our next Saturday scheduled stop in the theatre district.  We continued the food theme on our way and made a stop into Sugary Heaven, marvelling at their selection of Americandy which was quite impressive.

We left surely having worked our abs from an outrageously funny show.  The theme of the act is shear madness indeed, and being able to interact and guess the killer throughout really gets you involved and one with the stage!  Thanks to the NU student affairs we got the tickets for free and attended the show as a large friendly pack of huskies.  On the way home we stopped in to watch some of the play in the Boston Common Park.

CHEARS at the Cheesecake Factory



My b-E-A-U-tiful slice of heaven.




My fabulous friends by the Reflecting Pool



In SUGAR Heaven.

SUGAR HEAVEN

The Charles Playhouse!

Shakespeare in the park.

CADBURYSandClothes

Its Friday, which can only mean one (free) thing in Boston at summer – its Free Friday Flicks!  Last night we watched Kung Fu Panda 2, which was very cartoon childish but fun! 

Beforehand I had the lovely pleasure of becoming a tour guide once again as another Scottish visitor was arriving to bonnie’Boston.  Daniel a work friend from my part-time occupation in Scotland was returning in the U.S this summer to volunteer for two weeks at his summer amp that he worked as a lifeguard the previous year.  Emphasis on his exhuasted’ness, kind Daniel arrived at my workplace after his lovely long haul flight with a suitcase pour moi!

I could not be any more thankful for him doing such a kind thing!  In appreciating for my suitcase and to welcome Daniel once again to Boston I and my roommates made Daniel a chicken stir-fry for dinner before heading out to the esplanade.

Tonight we didn’t make the mistake of arriving late and lost and arrived just after 7pm easily tracking down Anthony and his fortress of basking blankets and bags of candies!  We lay in the humid hot hazy Hatchshell watching the movie,  it was a nice evening, which ended sadly as we were saying goodbye to Anthony as he prepares to leave in two days to fly to Germany to complete his co-op until Christmas.  Although I've only known Anthony for a short time, as of anyone else here in America I couldn’t be more happier to have grown a friendship with such an intriguing interesting friendly character.  I wish him all the best on his working adventure and hope his experience in Germany will be as great as mine has been so far here in Boston, MA.

On a chirpier note as I type this up I’m enjoying some Cadburys chocolate which Daniel gave me.  It was smooth, silky and creamy! MMMMM how I love (Scottish) CHOCOLATE!

BritishBUDDIESandHAGGIS

This week my Scottish family grew one larger becoming now three.  Katie Masheter arrived with a broken bulky bag, droopy eyes, hazy tired head but still beaming her smile and chirpy personality.  Arriving at work, I contained my utter GLEE as much as possible hugging her like a sister, she’s here- IN BOSTON.

Becoming a tour guide for the 2^nd time, we met with the marvellous Molly after I finished work and headed to home, sweet home.  It’s quite surreal having now two close friends staying with me in the states.  I really don’t feel like I’m 3325 miles away from home as I have my happy homely housemates with me.

On Tuesday we wined (Irn Bru) and dined at the only Scottish themes restaurant in the whole of new England called The Haven JP.  Surprisingly and very luckily it so happened to be the night of a Scottish charity night, hosted by the ‘Saltire foundation’.  The Haven graciously squeezed the 8 of us into the event allowing the ‘3 Scottish and 5 Americans’ enjoy the evening of Scottish poetry and songs.  We even slyly won the Scottish quiz though we weren’t included in the draw as understandably we weren’t event members and being Scottish helped answer the questions!  We all dived into the scrumptious cuisine being that of Haggis, scotch eggs, fried mars bars and washed it down with the Scottish fizzy pop drink being IrnBRU!  Overall a proper pure dead brilliant wee night out, CHEARS!