Things to Do this Weekend - the Hangover Edition

No, I don't mean the hangover film...these are things to do to get over your hangover you are building up tonight. How does free ice skating and cupcakes sound?

There are a bunch of brunch options for you on Friday (new Parish Cafe in the South End, Toro, Johnny D's, Sound Bites, etc) and of course movies (Avatar, anyone?) but how about after brunch you skate the day away? DCR is offering "First Day Skate and First Day Hike" this year which offers free ice skating for all ages at two public skating rinks around the City and free hikes around state parks. The two rinks that are participating in this event are the Murphy Memorial Skating Rink
in South Boston and Kelly Skating Rink in JP(Stony Brook T Stop – Orange Line). For information on both the rinks and the parks hiking schedule, click here.

Lastly, as we all know, boston gal loves her cupcakes. So the Ritz Carlton is hosting its last Ho Ho Holiday Tea (with cupcakes) on Saturday. You get tea and a flight of 5 mini cupcakes for $22. Sounds fabulous. Click here fore reservations and more.

Happy New Year Everyone!

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Coppa Fulfills

So maybe I shouldn't have been the first Boston on the go-er to head over to Coppa, Ken Oringer's and Jamie Bissonnette's new Italian joint. I am a big fan of Toro, their Spanish Tapas restaurant, so I came in biased and ready to eat.

Little did I know the wait would be an over two hour wait (both Toro and Coppa do not take reservations)but the staff was very nice to recommend other bars in the area to grab a drink at while you wait (Coppa is small, so don't expect a seat at the bar immediately). So just to forewarn you - know you will wait, unless you show up at 5:45pm when dinner starts.

The menu is split up into starters, small dishes, pasta and pizza. The risotto balls were delightful and only $5! And there are short ribs on the menu that I think everyone should get - the marinade was delightful. The lasagna was a crowd pleaser, but I went for the calf brains ravioli and found the sauce wonderful but the brains...interesting. Perhaps I am not as adventurous as I thought. :) The pizzas are a good size (1-2 people per pizza) and I can say that the oxtail/bone marrow pizza tastes just as good cold the next day as it does hot.

The cocktails are fun and reasonably priced at $8 and the house made gelato is a must get for dessert. Coppa is located at 253 Shawmut Ave and I'd recommend parking along Washington or Tremont. Coppa is opened from 5:45pm-12:45am. Enjoy!

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Check Out the Actor's Shakespeare Project

This year the folks behind the Boston Common summer Shakespeare festival are bringing us some winter tales in the Fort Point Channel.

The Project will be performing "A Midsummer Night’s Dream" in a gutted warehouse and will be performing other plays later in the year. Midsummer runs at Midway Studios from December 30-January 24. Catch it before January 1st and tickets are only $20-$30, and after the 1st tickets increase to $25-$47. For tickets and more information, click here.

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First Night Picks

I've always thought that First Night is for families, but there is some fun stuff that the rest of us can enjoy. Here's a list of a few things I would check out. Most of these events will require a First Night Button for entry. For details on where to get a button or to order online (you get $3 off online) check out www.firstnight.org.

1. Commonwealth Shakespeare Company @ St. Paul’s Cathedral
From the people who bring Free Shakespeare to Boston Common: A Shakespearean Cabaret! Shakespeare has inspired countless composers - Verdi, Rossini, Benjamin Britten, Cole Porter, Rogers and Hart, and Bernstein, to name a few. In collaboration with New England Conservatory, CSC will present a collection of funny, beautiful, touching modern and classic songs from and inspired by Shakespeare.

2. All the Boston bands @ various locations
Bands that will be playing First Night are: The Neats who will play at the Orpheum along with Buffalo Tom and The Lyres (sponsored by The River). The Parkman Bandstand features Jordan Valentine and the Sunday Saints, with The Fatal Flaw. Jenny Dee and the Deelinquents bring their girl group sound to The Park Plaza. The Painted Lights, Walter Sickert and the Army of Broken Toys and Cirkestra play at the Hynes, and Emmanuel Church features a triple bill of Drew O’Doherty, Kristin Hersh and Chris Brokaw and Geoff Farina performing pre-WWII country blues.

3. Bombay Cinema @ Hynes Convention Center
Boston’s own Bombay Cinema programs 10 hours of the best of Bollywood film for First Night. Visit www.firstnight.org for titles and times.

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Have you had enough of holiday music?!

As usual, holiday songs have been hammering into our consciousness the day after Thanksgiving. Personally, I am not too much a fan of holiday songs... I like them in minute doses. So, this is for all those peeps who share the same sentiment with me regarding the holiday music. Here is a little musical treat. I promise this will put a smile on your faces and make you all warm & fuzzy :) Check it out!


I hope listening to this song will transport you to a warm beach town. Enjoy!

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This Weekend: Make a Gingerbread House at Sportello

So the weather out there is pretty frightful and Sportello is making sure you have some fun while you stay inside. This Sunday the restaurant/bakery is hosting a Gingerbread House Workshop. The workshop runs from noon until 5:00pm. Sportello is located at 348 Congress Street. Click here for more. Photo courtesy of Daily Candy.

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Ice Skate at Fenway

As many of you may have heard, the NHL's Winter Classic will be held this New Year's Day in Fenway Park, with the Flyers facing off with the Bruins.

Tickets for the actual game are obviously quite difficult to obtain. It may be just as difficult to get the tickets that are available to Boston residents for free skating on that rink on Jan 3 and Jan 10.

The boston.com post about this.

And the official press release

Tickets can be obtained this Saturday morning.

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Aristo Cafe open downtown

Aristo Cafe has recently opened downtown at 92 State Street.

Hours are Monday - Saturday 7am to 6pm. The hopes are to add Sunday hours in the future. Coffee, baked goods, and lunch items are served. Breakfast sandwiches will be available starting this Thursday.

This is the old Finagle-a-Bagel location on Merchants Row, which sadly closed earlier this year (Sandra, Iris, and Lulu are deeply missed).


For more information, call them at (617) 391-0478 or stop by for a visit. Hopefully we'll get a review for you in a couple of days once they have a chance to settle in more.

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Celebrate Tremont 647's 13th Anniversary!

Head over to the South End to celebrate with the crew at Tremont 647 tonight!

Throughout the night the kitchen will be offering hors d'oeuvres for all to enjoy, while the bartenders shake up several of the most delicious classic Tremont cocktails. Mingle with new and old friends, and take a look at Chef Andy Husband's newly released second edition Fearless Chef cookbook, which will be available at a discounted rate for the party only.
The evening will also feature Tremont 647's annual momo eating contest, where contestants will have an opportunity to eat as many of these signature dumplings as humanly possible. How many momos do you think you can consume in 10 minutes? Here's your chance to find out! (Boston gal thinks she can do one a minute.)

The event is free, with a suggested $10 minimum donation to Share Our Strength.

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Beacon Hill Holiday Stroll Tonight

The Beacon Hill Holiday Stroll starts tonight at 5pm ... with a Christmas tree lighting at 7pm at Charles and Mt. Vernon streets.

Stroll through the neighborhood shops and restaurants tonight looking for items on your holiday shopping list or for just a bite to eat. There will be a Santa, carolers, and other winter merriment.

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Special Election: Senate Primary

Tuesday, November 8 is primary day in Massachusetts. So ... remember to vote!


This primary will determine which candidates will run for the US Senate seat that was held by Senator Ted Kennedy (held in the interim by Sen. Paul Kirk).

The Democratic candidates are:
Congressman Michael Capuano
Attorney General Martha Coakley
Alan Khazei
Steve Pagliuca

The Republican candidates are:
State Sen. Scott Brown
Jack E. Robinson



The winners of each party will face off in the special election on January 19, 2010.

For more information, please visit the Secretary of State's website.

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Davis Square Midnight Madness Tonight!

Done with Black Friday and Cyber Monday? Me too. Go out and support your local businesses' at tonight's December Midnight Madness shopping event in Davis Square.

For those new to Midnight Madness, local stores will offer sales until midnight at a collection of Davis Square retail stores and restaurants from 6:00pm-12:00am. Shops participating include: Black and Blues, Magpie, Davis Squared, Dave's Fresh Pasta, Kickass Cupcakes, Artifaktori, The Boston Shaker, Suneri, and When Pigs Fly. Many shops are offering live music, snacks and drinks. Boston gal's recommendation? Stop by Dave's Fresh Pasta for their wine and cheese tasting. Yum.

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