Craft Boston this Weekend

This weekend is the Craft Boston fair at the World Trade Center in the Seaport area. This show features artists from across the country selling their works of arts and crafts. Most items are of high quality and prices often reflect this. There are also, however, many affordable items for sale. Photos of some of the items available can be viewed through their website.

As of Friday afternoon, their website is having issues so details have been included below:

Hours:
Friday March 27, 2009 10-7
Saturday March 28, 2009 10-6
Sunday March 29, 2009 11-5

Tickets are $15 for adults, $12 for seniors, and free for children under 12. Tickets allow for readmission throughout the weekend.

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Sip Cafe at Post Office Square

Signs are posted at the pavilion in Post Office Square for Sip Cafe, indicating that it will be opening on April 13.

For the past year Z-Square in the Park was at the location and prior to them was Milk Street Cafe.

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London Harness closing downtown

The London Harness store on Franklin St. in Downtown Crossing is sadly closing due to the tough economic times. They are having a closing sale with discounts on all items. The London Harness locations in Hingham and Wellesley are staying open.

London Harness has always been a great place to pick up various luggage and travel items, the indestructible umbrella, or an old wooden chess set. Visit them one final time before they close after 92 years at that location.

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Boston Symphony Orchestra

If you're looking to go to a performance by the Boston Symphony Orchestra, below are a couple of great options (some of these have been around for awhile, so it may not be new info for you).

If you're under 40, the BSO has <40 = $20 offer. A maximum of two tickets per show can be purchased, these types of tickets are limited, and proof of age is required, but it's a great way to spend a night at the Symphony.

The other great option is going to an Open Rehearsal - either during the day or the evening. Tickets are $19 and seats are on a first-come first-serve basis. Open Rehearsals are a great way to hear beautiful music and see the musicians interact as they perfect their craft.

The BSO has other programs for classical music aficionados and novices alike. Check out their website for more information.

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State Street Bank Building

The old State Street Bank Building (225 Franklin St) has started taking off the wrap from its lobby renovation project.

New to the building is a glass extension to the lobby, a new glass enclosed structure above the fifth floor roof, and an Equinox gym.

Across Franklin St, another one of Equity Office's properties, One Post Office Square, has been undergoing a similar glass lobby extension with a similar white marble overhaul. No information yet though on who might be occupying some of that new lobby space.

And lastly, somewhere in the process, Clipper Hair Styling has moved from a large beautiful space at 225 Franklin to a smaller location in One Post Office Square.

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Yet Another Boloco

Downtown is getting overrun with Boloco stores. At the old Kabloom location on School St in Downtown Crossing, a new Boloco is being constructed at a rapid pace.

On the weekends downtown Boston (like most downtowns) has a very dead feel to it with all the office buildings and work week restaurants boarded up for the weekend, so let's hope, unlike the other downtown Bolocos, this one will be open all week.

Follow-up: As you can see in the comments, there is a response from the CEO and co-founder of Boloco and so this is in hopes of answering his question. I actually love the smoothies from them and enjoy the occasional burrito as well. I am incredibly surprised though that there is that much burrito demand for them to have so many stores downtown - but apparently there is. The main concern, however, is what happens to downtown when stores and restaurants are not open on weekends. It seems without places to go, people won't come downtown, but without people coming to downtown there's no demand for restaurants to be open. Alas, an endless cycle. Sounds like the new store will be open on weekends so that is a definite plus.

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Review of Bond Restaurant and Lounge

Boston on the Go had the opportunity to swing by Bond Restaurant and Lounge at the Langham Hotel last Friday. We did not make it to the DJ hours, however, so a more extensive review will have to be posted at a later date. Our impression thus far:

It was definitely a crowded after-work scene with a lot of attractive young professionals gracing the couches and the bar area. While the average age is probably under 30, there is a good mix of ages and everyone should feel comfortable there. The music was not overpowering (at least pre-DJ hours), which allowed for relaxed conversations and a general buzz was in the air from all the different conversations mixing.

The menu is pretty much all appetizers, but priced under $20. Mixed drinks are in the $15 dollar range, while beer (bottles only) are in the $5 to $6 range. There is a complimentary coat check.

The biggest downside is definitely the long line at the bar ... quite a few of their drinks involve a blender which slows down service. Also, the bar area is also not overly large, causing the bar crowd to spill over between the couches.

The beautiful building the Langham is in is not overly evident while at Bond, but the decor and design provide for a really nice atmosphere. Overall it was definitely a great experience and is a nice lounge spot downtown.

If you make it to the DJ hours before we do, please let us know what you think!

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Bond Restaurant and Lounge Now Open

Bond restaurant and lounge has finally opened up at the Langham Hotel (Pearl and Franklin St). Featuring a menu with items under 20 dollars and a DJ on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights after 10 pm, the Langham Hotel is clearly trying to get rid of its stuffy (and expensive) image - once we get a chance to go for after-work dinner and drinks, we'll let you know if they've succeeded.

As a side note, the Langham building used to be the Federal Reserve Bank in Boston and is beautiful from the outside and absolutely incredible from the inside.

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