Flour Bakery + Café in Back Bay

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Where? Boston, MA
When? 5/19/13
Who? Me + Christoph

Joanne Myers-Chang recently opened the latest addition to her Flour Bakery + Café line on Clarendon Street in Back Bay. I visited one morning and ordered the curried tuna sandwich (curried tuna, apples, golden raisins, carrots, sprouts, and tomato on homemade focaccia bread) for breakfast. It was fresh and tasty.

Aside from creating Flour, Myers-Chang earned a degree in Economics from Harvard, has run a handful of Boston Marathons, appeared on the food network’s Throwdown, authored two cookbooks, (Flour and Flour, Too), and also owns Myers + Chang in the South End with her husband, Christopher Myers.

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Part of Flour’s interior

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The chalkboard menu

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My curried tuna sandwich

Gold Panda

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Where? Allston, MA
When? 5/18/13
Who? Me + Christoph

Christoph and I left the United Way Gala a little early and headed to Allston to see Gold Panda play at the Brighton Music Hall.

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Derwin Powers AKA Gold Panda

I enjoy Derwin Powers’ electronic music, but have to admit that seeing him play his tracks live was a bit disappointing. We stared at Powers in a ratty old t-shirt, bent over tech equipment, for about an hour.

I feel like electronic artists have a difficult time keeping audiences engaged during shows, because their attention is focused downwards on equipment that needs their constant attention, instead of out at the audience. Some artists, like Daft Punk, however, know how to dress up and put on a show. I’m not a musician, so please feel free to ignore my banter and tell me I’m wrong.

Despite this show, I do like Gold Panda’s music, especially “Quitter’s Raga” and “You” (see below).

United Way Emerging Leaders Gala 2013

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Where? Boston, MA
When? 5/18/13
Who? Me + Christoph + Ryana + Helena + Chris Libby

This year, the United Way Emerging Leaders gala was film noir themed. It was hosted at the new Revere Hotel’s event space, Space57, complete with an open bar, hors d’oeuvres, music, dancing, a silent auction, and a photo booth.

The Emerging Leaders program engages young professionals from a range of industries through volunteer programs involving local youth. Ticket sales and auction money from the gala help fund this program.

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Chris looking spiffy in his gala attire.

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Part of Space57

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Silent auction

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A low-quality photo of Kate, me, and Ryana

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Me and Chris Libby

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Happy couples photo booth shot

Cambridge Brewing Company’s Beerunch

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Where? Boston, MA
When? 5/18/13
Who? Me + Christoph

I had no idea that the Cambridge Brewing Company was tucked into a charming, sunny corner in Kendall/MIT. Christoph and I came here for brunch to kick off the busy weekend that we had planned.

The CBC was founded in 1989. It is Boston’s (and one of the nation’s) oldest brewery-restaurants. The restaurant produces beers and food that complement each other, and employs a knowledgable staff to help you pair the menu choices.

Although I do not drink beer, I found the CBC to be a great place for a relaxed brunch on a bright, brick patio.

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The CBC, tucked away in Kendall

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Patio seating

Josh Ritter

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Where? Boston, MA
When? 5/17/13
Who? Me + Gordon

I saw Josh Ritter live at the House of Blues after dinner at Teranga with Ryana. His demeanor onstage is not what I expected.

My favorite songs by Ritter are relaxed, acoustic pieces. While some of his performance was relaxed and more serious, Ritter also showed his goofy side by popping his collar, cracking awkward jokes, and jumping and dancing around. Perhaps he was happy to be home in Boston (he once lived in Somerville). It was a pleasant surprise.

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The only blurry photo that I snapped of Ritter

Teranga

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Where? Boston, MA
When? 5/17/13
Who? Me + Ryana

Ryana and I love trying new cuisines, so we decided to have dinner at a Senegalese restaurant, Teranga, in the South End. The service was friendly and the atmosphere was bright; the restaurant was really a pleasant place to dine.

I ordered the national dish of Senegal, Thiébou Djeun. It consists of herb-stuffed fish cooked in tomato stew, jasmine rice, cassava, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, eggplant, and pumpkin.

We also had flavorful Senegalese drinks. Ryana had the bouye juice (fruit from the baobab tree, mixed with cream and flavored with orange flower water and vanilla sugar) and I had the bissap juice (sorrell juice mixed with pineapple juice and flavored with orange flower water and vanilla sugar).

The South End, and Greater Boston area in general, offers so many restaurants for adventurous eaters. If you’re looking to expand your palate and enjoy new kinds of food, add Teranga to your restaurant list!

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Outside the restaurant, bright and sunny

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Our meals

Dalí Restaurant & Tapas Bar

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Where? Somerville, MA
When? 5/3/13
Who? Me + Adrienne + Christoph

Dalí, a self-proclaimed “vanguard for innovative Spanish dining,” is a charming tapas restaurant in Somerville. It was founded in 1989 by a couple, Mario Leon and Tamara Bourso. Mario’s dream was to move to Spain and shine shoes, while Tamara wished to work only on Saturdays and drink from a never-ending supply of champagne. I like her style.

I recently visited Dalí for the first time with Adrienne and Christoph. Its quaint, unassuming door led to an intimate, Bohemian restaurant that made me feel like I has entered a portal to a dinner club of artists in Spain. We ordered an array of tasty dishes, like the aceitunas aliñadas (marinated olives), patatas bravas (potatoes with piquant tomato sauce and alioli), and ravioles de mariscos (lobster and crab stuff ravioli).

If you’re in Boston, looking to eat somewhere romantic off the beaten path, Dalí is an excellent candidate.

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Dali’s entrance (image via Local Eats)

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The front bar/dining area

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Part of the rear dining area

My First Bruins Game

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Where? Boston, MA
When? 5/1/13
Who? Me + Christoph

I finally went to a Bruins game, Game 1 of Boston vs. Toronto, and I’ll admit that I enjoy the fast-paced, rowdy nature of hockey more than a baseball game (I’m sorry, Red Sox… I still love you).

The Bruins won 1-4. Funny enough, Christoph and I found ourselves in La Verdad during Game 7, sipping on (or in Chris’ case, suffering through) habanero margaritas and holding our breath during overtime until the Bruins’ victory.

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A post-victory fist fight

Boston Duck Tours, Abby Lane, and the Blue Man Group

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Where? Boston, MA
When? 4/30/13
Who? Me + Christoph

Boston Duck Tours and the Blue Man Group recently hosted an event for Boston event planners in the Theater District. Christoph and I were invited and were able to enjoy a Duck Tour, appetizers and drinks at Chef Jason Santos’ (FOX’s Hell’s Kitchen) new restaurant, Abby Lane, and a show by the Blue Man Group. It was my first time doing all three of these things.

Our Duck Tour guide was an expert on the history of Boston and had a fun personality. I enjoyed the road tour and river cruise, and learned things about Boston that I did not know before.

The Duck Tour dropped us off for food and blue/Boston-themed drinks at Abby Lane, then we walked over to the Charles Playhouse for the Blue Man Group. The show was fun, musical, philosophical, messy, and comedic, with a special emphasis on how technology is affecting society. I recommend everyone to see it.

Thank you to the Duck Tour, Abby Lane, and Blue Man Group hosts who had us!

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Inside the duck boat

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Cruising on the river, after the “truck” became a “duck”

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Amidst the salboats

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Lounging at Abbey Lane for food and drinks

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Before the Blue Man Group (photography not allowed)

La Verdad’s Habanero Margarita

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Where? Boston, MA
When? 3/27/13
Who? Me + Ryana

I have never felt the need to write in detail about a mixed drink, but La Verdad’s habanero margarita is worth it.

After a day of shopping, Ryana and I somehow found ourselves on Lansdowne Street and decided to eat at Ken Oringer’s festive Mexican restaurant. We sat on the patio, shared fish tacos, and sipped on different drinks; I ordered the passionfruit margarita and Ryana had the habanero one. After tasting Ryana’s drink, I ordered one for myself. It’s spicy, refreshing, and even better with a squeeze of lime. Get it frozen!

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Passionfruit and habanero margaritas

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Fish tacos