Dance the Night Away at Revolution Rock Bar!

I've been wanting to check out Revolution Rock Bar for over a year now, but every time I go, I'm greeted with a monstrous line and an ugly cover charge. This weekend, however, we concocted a fool-proof plan. Since it was a friend's birthday, they were willing to drop the $10 cover down to $5 (which is more in my comfort zone, especially for a place I've never been). Actually $10 isn't a bad cover for a Saturday night in that area, but what can I say, I like to save my money for the drinks!

RRB as Im going to call it from here on out...is located on on High Street (right by newly opened Howl at the Moon - which btw STILL has a huge line outside at 9pm that you couldn't pay me to stand in). We decided to venture over early, and lucky for us, we beat the line! I know 9:30 is a little early to put your party shoes on, but by 10pm, the line was long and we were inside, coats checked ($3), drink in hand. Worth it!

The scene is very trendy - rocker stars and some faces reminiscent of pop art lined the room and the ceiling was covered in quotes. My favorite feature is the cow-print cubes that replace chairs around the room - though don't expect to sit down unless you've made a reservation for a group. All the seating areas on the main floor were reserved so wear some comfy shoes - you'll be doing a lot of standing!

By 10:30 the place was packed and the DJ was spinning up some tunes. A compliment to his skills, we actually debated whether we were listening to a pre-recorded mash-up for a while. Good songs, good mixing, generally good atmosphere. Although, at one point early on a fight broke out and there were no bouncers to be seen? Fortunately, the gentlemen involved were hammered and it didn't take much work to shove them out the door where they could continue their battle away from the crowd.

We checked out the lower level later in the evening (which had previously been completely empty) and found that the dance party was roaring there as well. Not sure if there was a second DJ, or if he just migrated with us...either way, the music was great.

My drink of choice was a rum and diet. They were good-sized and at $8, were a pretty good value as the bartenders didn't skimp on the rum. My first one was pretty much rum on the rocks, with a splash of coke. Eek! Better to have that problem though, than paying 8 bucks for a cup of soda with a thimble of alcohol in it, right?

All in all, I'd say a great place to go out as long as you're willing to get there early. Seems like they do a lot for groups, so if you're heading there for a bday celebration - call ahead and see if you can get a spot reserved and get a discount for your friends!

Rock on :)
Little B

A little help at the holidays...

Happy lunch time everyone!

I've been doing a lot of thinking about this blog and I've decided its time kick it up a notch. While I'll always be a foodie at heart, I've realized there is a lot more about Boston we could be discussing here!

Most of you probably aren't panicking about the holidays yet, but in an effort to save you from the it's-3-days-before-Christmas-and-I-just-need-to-find-SOMETHING-for-my-sister feeling we all encounter, here are some suggestions to find the perfect gifts in our lovely city ahead of time. That way, rather than fighting with another last minute shopper over the last dvd copy of "Breakfast at Tiffany's" because its the only movie you know for sure she likes (and you're hoping she only has it on VHS), you'll be mixing up some egg nog knowing those funky, bohemian earrings that are PERFECT for her are safely wrapped under the tree.

First things first - make a list....who exactly do you need to shop for and what are your price points? Having one place you write down all your gift ideas will keep you cool and focused. So here goes - where to go, when to go, and even a cool gift idea that you can personalize for that special someone:


Downtown Crossing Holiday Market: Running Nov 27th - Dec 24th, Mon-Sat 11am-7pm and Sun Noon-6pm. The Christmas decorations are officially out in full blast in DT crossing! One of my favorite holiday locales to wander through during the holiday season, this area of the city is a great place to start your gift search. Every year they run an outdoor market with crafts, jewelry, art, delicious foods, and clothing.

Market starts Nov 27th, but you can check out the list of vendors in advance: click here. Most of the vendors have their websites listed, so do a little research in advance so you aren't completely overwhelmed when you get to the market. Jot down the vendors name when you see a piece of art that Aunt Susan couldn't possibly live without. Seems like a lot of work, you say? Not any more time and effort than scrambling through the aisles at the last minute and having nothing to show for it come xmas.

North End Specialty Shops: As you know from a prior post, a couple of my favorite stores in the North End are Polcari's Coffee and Salumeria Italiana. A great gift idea for anyone with a little italian pride in your fam, is to check out these shops and put together a basket of goodies. Grab some homemade pasta, a nice bottle of olive oil, some fresh spices and whatever else tickles your fancy. Now head over to Christmas Tree Shop - buy a basket, a nice cloth to lay in it (a holiday dish towel works just fine), some clear plastic (comes in a tube like wrapping paper) to wrap it up in, and some nice ribbon to tie it up. Ta-da! A thoughtful, homemade gift.

The nice thing about this gift is that you can spend as much or as little as you want, AND it can be tailored for anyone. Just pick a theme based on what your loved one likes (sports, food, movies, art) and run with it! Be creative :)

There are also some great jewelry and art stores in the North End that are very reasonably priced. Check out in-jean-ius, The North End Gallery, and shake the tree for some great finds!


Harvard Square: When all else fails, head to Harvard Square to wrap up your holiday shopping. This place is a mecca for unique little stores with the perfect gift. Check out this site in advance to grab a free map (click "maps and directions" at the top of the page) that will help you navigate the sea of perfect gift ideas you'll find here.

Here are a few of my favorites to get you started: Boston Bead Company (if you're feeling crafty and want to make something for mom), The Garage (check out Newbury Comics and Hootenanny in this little mall to find something for your spunky, 17-year-old cousin), Hidden Sweets (my all-time favorite shop - perfect for stocking stuffers, unique cards, and keepsake gifts), Lush (really fun bath and body type store - they let you sample everything and you'll probably walk out with just as much stuff for yourself as you do for others but that's ok - you deserve it), Black Ink (unique little trinkets you wont find anywhere else - I can't tell you how many times Ive come here and said "this is perfect for so-and-so"), and Mint Julip (great little clothing boutique with everything from European specialties to local jewelry).

Let me know what you find this year and where your secret spots are!

Happy shopping everyone!
Little B

Get Comfy with Some Half Priced Apps at The Living Room

Packie and I hadn’t seen each other in a while and decided to catch up over some drinks and cheap apps…but, being the classy girls we are, we decided to try something slightly more upscale than our standard date at Sidebar for wings and pitchers. McCormick’s is generally my go-to for happy hour specials on food, but I’d just been there a few days before so we decided to check out The Living Room.

Perched on the corner of the North End near Columbus Park, The Living Room boasts half price apps on weekdays from 5-7pm. They also have a fairly creative martini list – yum! The premise of the place is that it’s set up with big, comfy arm chairs and couches with coffee/end tables scatters throughout to resemble a big living room. I will say, the furniture kind of made me want to curl up and read a book, but it’s a cool idea.

We all know I’m a huge sucker for avocado (thus the obsession with guacamole), and my choices on this menu were no exception. We ordered avocado tempura ($9), shrimp and avocado egg rolls ($12), chicken taquitos with avo spread ($10) and to mix it up – mini pulled pork sandwiches ($9). Don’t forget all these prices are halved from 5-7pm.

We weren’t sure how much food to expect, and were pleasantly surprised when the waitress came back with full plates for each dish. For a total of $20 after the discount, we were stuffed with delicious food! While we had no complaints about anything, I’d venture to say our favorite was the shrimp and avo egg roll. Oh so good. (Apologies – we were starving and pretty much devoured everything before we even thought to pull a camera out…whoops)

The Living Room is a great place to take a friend who’s above 10 cent wings (in which case you have bigger problems than where to eat – as you may need new friends). Would also be good for a group or just a change of pace from the standard bar scene. And who can beat the location right downtown? That’s right, nobody.

Happy Fall!
Little B

North End Hidden Gems!

You may think the best reason to head to the North End is a cozy, romantic dinner with someone special, but this neighborhood has more to offer than linguini and risotto. Whether you live or work or just play downtown, here are some of my favorite spots to check out next time you wander through Boston’s Little Italy:

Dino’s – (141 Salem St.) This place advertises 16-inch subs…but we recently busted out a tape measure, and you can expect at least 18 inches of delicious fresh bread, mouth watering buffalo mozzarella, awesome pesto, assorted Italian meats….I could go on clearly. I recommend going with a friend and trading halves because everything is so good, you’ll want to try more than one. And make sure you’re hungry! (I recommend the Chicken Pesto or the Lady Special – and I hear the Italian’s Italian is to die for…)


Bova’s – (134 Salem St.- right across from Dino’s!) It’s 3am, and if you’re in Downtown Boston you better either be in Chinatown, or at Bova’s. Along with their selection of pastries and breads, this place serves calzone’s and pizzas 24 hours a day – perfect for a late, late night snack.

Vegetable Guy – (Parmenter St.) Located just across the street from the Boston Public Library’s North End branch, you’ll notice a small green awning with no text on it. Take a peak in the window and you’ll find one of my favorite people in the North End. Though I endearingly call him “vegetable guy,” he’s really an expert in all fruits, berries and veggies. Tell him you’re making some guac and he’ll pick out the perfect avocados, and the right type of tomatoes and onions. For those of you die-hard Haymarket fans, keep in mind that veggie guy is open weekdays after work AND his stuff won’t go bad in your fridge after 2 days (cash only!). Grab a couple packages of strawberries here, then head over to Polcari’s Coffee for the other ingredient in a special treat.

Polcari’s Coffee – (105 Salem St.) Owned by the same family as Regina’s, Polcari’s is a staple in the North End. Selling some of the best coffees, teas, and spices from around the world, this is the place to be when quality is the name of the game. And don’t be shy, they are always happy to help you find the perfect dark roast bean! Great place to get a gift for that person who has everything. Grab a bag of chocolate chunks, melt with a little butter, dip the strawberries you just bought from the veggie guy, and let em cool…you’ll be very popular with your significant other, I promise you that.

Marco – (253 Hanover St.) This place is actually right on the main drag but because it’s a second floor restaurant, you probably walked right by without noticing! You’ll definitely need a reservation to get in, and it can be a little pricey, but love is in the air and she’s worth it, right guys? Awesome food, too!

Giacomo’s – (355 Hanover St.) A little farther down on Hanover, you may have walked by Giacomo’s because of the absurd line outside. This place has some great seafood options and a yummy fra diavolo sauce…and great prices, to boot! So either suck it up and get in line, or try to head here before 6pm so you can sneak in before the rest of the world.

Salumeria Italiana – (151 Richmond St) This is my favorite little spot for Italian specialties. You’ll find the best fresh cheeses, olives and meats (they give great recommendations!); high quality olive oils; and homemade pastas!

J. Pace – (42 Cross St.) When J and I lived in the North End, we always stopped in here and headed to the deli counter for a fresh prosciutto sub with mozz, basil, tomatoes….oh so good. When you get off the T at Haymarket, look directly across the greenway, and you’ll see it!




So many more, but that’s enough to keep you full for at least a couple days I’d say! Let me know if I missed your favorite hidden gem!!

Mangia mangia!
Little B

I’ve been holding out on you…the best burrito revealed…

Last night, after some much needed retail therapy (a girl’s gotta do something to lift her spirits in this crappy weather), I decided I was too tired to cook. Though I generally have a healthy sense of adventure, I wanted something reliably delicious, so I stopped into Cactus in Maverick Square (in Eastie – one T stop on the blue line from Aquarium). Honestly, I should have written this review from the start. The fact is I’ve secretly been comparing all burritos to my favorite burrito in the city this whole time. It gets a 10 in my book and I’ll do my best to explain why.

Cactus is a little hole-in-the-wall with maybe 3-4 tables and some counters with stools against the wall. My mouth starts watering every time I walk in from the sight and smell of the most delicious looking Mexican food, freshly prepared and waiting for me behind the counter. Though I typically stick to my order of a small chicken burrito (and there’s nothing small about it), I would venture to say that Cactus can do no wrong. I’m just too in love with this particular burrito to ever choose something new. These people know how to make good food, that’s all it comes down to.

So as I stand there waiting, they throw together some shredded chicken, guac, beans, hot sauce, sour cream, pico, cilantro, tons of cheese….I know none of this sounds particularly out of the ordinary for a burrito. But when they wrap that bad boy up and throw it on the grill for a minute, the end result is heaven. Perfectly melted, perfect balance of flavors…I honestly can’t praise it enough. And grab some Jarritos (soda) at the counter for the full experience.

I know my typical Mexican restaurant review consists of burritos, guac, and margaritas…but really, when you’re the best at one thing…best to just stick with that one thing. No margaritas here, and I’ve only had the guac IN a burrito, but trust me, you won’t be disappointed.

My apologies for holding out on you for so long…maybe I was just being selfish? Anywho, now you have it - my absolute favorite burrito. I dare you, Beantown, to find one better.

Feels good to be honest, doesn’t it?
Little B

Decent Drink, with a Fantastic Finale

A long lost friend of mine recently moved to Cambridge, and my excitement to show her around the city has been consuming me ever since. We talked briefly yesterday and she expressed an interest in a place with “fun cocktails.” In a daring attempt to be impressive, I decided to take her someplace I’d never been, but has been the subject of a lot of buzz: Drink. A short walk over the bridge on Congress St. by South Station, you’ll likely walk right by this little bar. Oozing with exclusivity, Drink is a basement establishment with an unassuming sign out front written in about 48 point font. So make sure you know the address if you’re chic enough to try this place, or you’ll end up backtracking like we did.

The vibe was fairly mellow and the bar reminded me of the game snake the way it weaved across the entire room. We grabbed a couple seats and were offered a food menu and the tiniest glass of water I’ve ever seen (it literally looked like a shot glass). If you haven’t heard of Drink yet, here’s the premise…these bartenders are seemingly so good at their trade, that you can just tell them a couple key ingredients you’re feeling at the moment, and they’ll mix you up something amazing every time. My friend expressed an interest in pomegranate, and I said I liked vodka or rum base with a citrus vibe. Shortly thereafter she was presented with a Jack Rose and I with a Traditional Daiquiri (who knew they came without the strawberry?). Both were small, but good…nothing mind-blowing by any means though. The atmosphere was nothing special either, and for $10.75 a pop, I suppose I just had higher expectations for this experience. I will say their calamari was very good, though again…small (and $12). The real kicker came at the end, when it came time to pay. As we sorted through our wallets, pulling out credit cards and cash and calculating what we owed…the bartender grabbed the bill and a credit card TWICE, thinking we were ready to pay. I feel like a server who can intuitively know what drink would be perfect for you, should also be capable of assessing whether the bill is all set – or at least having the courtesy to ask us, rather than walking off with it without a word. Hmph.

Over the course of the evening, my friend had mentioned her want to try out Finale. And since the night was young, we hopped on the T and went for it. This famous bakery/desserterie has 3 locations – Park Plaza (which is where we went), Harvard Square, and Coolidge Corner. I’ve been for lunch before because my office is close to one, but I’d said their specialty really is dessert. Skip it and go for the burrito at noontime.

We found ourselves staring at a delectable menu of sweet cocktails, and after the “eh” experience we’d both had – we each ordered a fun one. I had Coconut Hot Chocolate - $9 (the weather was brutal outside and I had a chill – wah!), and she ordered the Hazelnut Martini - $8…both highly recommended by the waitress. Her gentleman friend joined us and ordered a Minty Chocolate Martini - $8. All were delicious, but in the end we all agreed the Hazelnut martini was the most delicious dessert/drink we’d hzad in recent history….I highly recommend it. We complemented our drinks with the Boston Cream, accompanied by mini whoopie pies, gelato on an almond Florentine, apricot sauce, and fresh fruit ($11). The dessert chef had mirrors above his station so we were able to watch as various dishes were decorated and sent it. How fun! We ordered more than one Boston Cream, and turns out there was plenty to share. The dessert was very good and you probably cant go wrong here if you have a sweet tooth, but I really just can’t say enough about the hazelnut martini. Yum.

Overall assessment of the evening? Save your pennies if you want a “fun” cocktail and head over to Flash’s in Park Plaza (review to come!) - friendly vibe, bigger/better drinks, and no attitude. And next time you take a date to see a show or a movie, stop by Finale after for something sweet to seal the deal.

Livin’ la dolce vita…
Little B

Via Matta when you're feeling classy...

Via Matta has been on my list of “someday” restaurants for a while now. It receives consistently good to great reviews on Yelp and is conveniently located downtown. Sadly though, it’s a bit off my dining price point for a standard night out. Last night, however, I had a date planned with my bestie (Packie) to go see Wicked (fantastic show, btw…definitely go if you haven’t!), so we decided to get all jazzed up and head out for a nice dinner before the show.

We made reservations for 5:30 – absolutely not needed on a Tuesday night, but if you’re registered with OpenTable.com, you make a reservation for everything. Reservations add up to free gift cards, and who doesn’t love that? We showed up at 5:26 since we came straight from work, and the hostess informed us that we were a bit early and the dining room wasn’t open yet. Seemed a little picky to me, but you don’t have to ask us twice to get a drink at the bar before dinner, so that’s just what we did.

Their cocktail list was unique and creative but nothing jumped out at us, so in the end we decided to spring for Cosmos…$12 each and delicious. Prices were as to be expected at this particular establishment.

The hostess came over mid-martini and told us our table was ready, so we carried our pretty pink drinks over and found our little table for two decorated with tealights (good spot for a little romance if you’re there on a date). They served us some delicious bread with olive oil while we decided on our meals. We ordered a bottle of the Salviano, Orvieto Classico ($36)…purely because it’s from a region of Italy I studied in during college and because Orvieto tends to put out nice wines. And it was nice, indeed!

We ordered the spicy calamari with tomatoes, olives and capers ($14). Also, delicious. And, being the classy place this is, they brought us our own little bowls of calamari instead of making us divvy it up from a shared plate. For dinner, I opted for the Chitarra (basically homemade spaghetti) with lobster, peas and spicy tomato sauce ($28). Again…fantastic. I wasn’t even terribly hungry going into dinner, and I polished off this entire meal. So very good. Packie had the Chicken alla Milanese with cherry tomatoes, arugula and red onion ($23). The meal was good, but to use her words, it was “nothing to write home about.”

Overall, it was a really nice dining experience. Like I said, you’re likely to drop a pretty penny in this place so make sure you like your date a lot if you’re planning on treating them to dinner here. But a great place for a relaxing, classy - even romantic evening.

Salute!
Little B

Sweetwater for a Sweet Summer Happy Hour

So I’m terrible at softball, but one of my favorite ways to tackles the mid-week blues is to hang out with the guys (and a couple girls who can handle the harassment) and throw the ball around in a not-so-competitive atmosphere. Win or lose - our after game destination is the same: Sweetwater Café in the Alley next to the Commons.

The word “café” isn’t really a good description of Sweetwater – honestly, it’s kind of a dive…but I mean that in the best possible way. The scene is laid back so it’s acceptable to waltz in with your grungy softball clothes on and have a few laughs with the team. Outdoor tables are almost always open and perfect for throwing back a few pitchers. And the waitresses do a great job of keeping them coming!

One note from personal experience – this is definitely not the place to take your kid for a burger after work – there’s no telling what inappropriate comments are going to come out of the mouth’s of semi-drunken beer-league players from Southie.

But! If you want to enjoy the last few days of summer with a bunch of friends, Sweetwater is the place to be. Good service, not crowded, and just generally a good time all around.

Cheers!
Little B