During 2013 Holidays, I visited Boston. Driving on the I-93 to Massachusetts, it has a toll of US$1 which is reasonable for the infrastructure. While entering to Boston through I-93, you see the Leonard P. Zakim Bunker Hill Memorial Bridge across Charles River. I stayed at the Double Tree Hilton, located right besides the Tufts Medical Center. Everywhere I went was walking distance between 10 - 30 minutes. The weather was like Spring and Fall. I only took 3 times the metro due to the rain. This time, I walked through different neighborhoods: South End, Back Bay, Downtown, Chinatown, North End and Charlestown. Boston features nice architecture and gastronomy. Sometimes this city reminds me of London.
COFFEESHOPS & PASTRIES
Mike's Pastry 300 Hanover St.
This pastry has only 1 location and is always crowded. Sometimes the waiting line goes out to the street. Their specialty is the cannoli. Mike's Pastry attracts all kind of customers: family, tourists, friends. People are carrying their little box of cannoli in the neighborhood.
Flour Bakery 1595 Washington St.
On a Saturday morning, this crowded coffee shop serves a selection of breakfast foods including brioches, croissants and scones. I had a scone with my cup of coffee. I really enjoyed it because it was not dry at all. Flour Bakery is a meeting place for friends.
On a Saturday morning, this crowded coffee shop serves a selection of breakfast foods including brioches, croissants and scones. I had a scone with my cup of coffee. I really enjoyed it because it was not dry at all. Flour Bakery is a meeting place for friends.
Pavement Coffeehouse 286 Newbury St.
Behind the door are groups of friends or family enjoying their Sunday morning in this tiny coffeehouse located in the basement. Besides the coffee, Pavement Coffeehouse is also known for their bagels as breakfast. I had my café au lait with 2 halves bagel.
Behind the door are groups of friends or family enjoying their Sunday morning in this tiny coffeehouse located in the basement. Besides the coffee, Pavement Coffeehouse is also known for their bagels as breakfast. I had my café au lait with 2 halves bagel.
Render Coffeebar 563 Columbus Ave.
This coffee shop is more quiet. Most customers are hidden behind their laptops connected to the WI-FI. I had a goat cheese quiche accompanied by a cup of coffee.
This coffee shop is more quiet. Most customers are hidden behind their laptops connected to the WI-FI. I had a goat cheese quiche accompanied by a cup of coffee.
DINING
Dining in Boston requires reservation in most restaurants due to the popularity and the gastronomy. Simply ask your hotel reception to make a call for you. =)
Atlantic Fish 761 Boylston St.
You love seafood?! Atlantic Fish is one of Boston's best seafood landmarks. This restaurant is crowded. Reservation is needed; try to reserve at least one day in advance. I was seating right besides the kitchen. It has a big window between the dining room and the kitchen in which I can observe the crew cooking. I had the 1 1/4 lbs. Maine Lobster served with corn on the cob and potatoes with a glass of sangria.
The Salty Pig 130 Dartmouth St.
Perfect location, right across the Back Bay/ South End T. This restaurant can be romantic and/ or casual at the same time. All food is home made. Salty Pig contains its own machine to make fresh pasta. As charcuterie, I had wild boar sausage, valdeon (cheese), ventresca and jalapeno jam. For the main dishes, my friend and I shared the tagliolini with meatballs and the Salty Pig pizza. Jalapeno jam, the meatballs and the wood-grilled pizza are a must. The jam is a mixture of spicy, sour and sweet.
Perfect location, right across the Back Bay/ South End T. This restaurant can be romantic and/ or casual at the same time. All food is home made. Salty Pig contains its own machine to make fresh pasta. As charcuterie, I had wild boar sausage, valdeon (cheese), ventresca and jalapeno jam. For the main dishes, my friend and I shared the tagliolini with meatballs and the Salty Pig pizza. Jalapeno jam, the meatballs and the wood-grilled pizza are a must. The jam is a mixture of spicy, sour and sweet.
FREEDOM TRAIL
Just follow this 2.5 mile red line on the floor starting from Boston Common and ending at USS Constitution . This freedom trail makes you discover Boston's 16 historically significant sites.
Bunker Hill Monument (294 Steps)
QUINCY MARKET (Faneuil Hall Marketplace)
Bunker Hill Monument (294 Steps)
QUINCY MARKET (Faneuil Hall Marketplace)
Eat & drink, little shops, boutiques, street perfomances are all located in Quincy Market.
I had a clam chowder at Cheers.
