Tag Archives: back bay

Hotel 140 Offers Boston’s Most Affordable Stay

Located on Clarendon Street just across the street from the old John Hancock building, Hotel 140 offers one of the city’s best priced accommodations at under $200 a night. The boutique hotel is situated in a recently renovated historic landmark building listed on the National Register of Historic Places in Boston’s Copley Square. The Lyric Stage is also located in this building, so you can simply step outside the hotel and check out a production.

Hotel 140 offers a variety of rooms from king bedrooms to suites with full kitchens. If you are looking to stay in the city for an extended period of time, be sure to ask about the special weekly or monthly rates and rooms. The modest and affordable accommodations offer the best value for the dollar in the city- including deals on theater productions to college visit specials- and you can’t beat the downtown location. There are numerous great places to go for drinks or dinner; the on-site Stuart Street Grill is an ideal spot for grabbing a quick breakfast before heading out to a day on the town.

Zocalo Cocina Mexicana

Zocalo Cocian Mexicana is a fast and friendly neighborhood restaurant. They feature authentic and delicious Mexican food based on the culinary traditions of Oaxaca and Veracruz. They prepare each dish individually, using only the freshest available produce. Visit zocalobackbay.com for more information.

The Rattlesnake Bar and Grill: Boston’s Summertime Favorite Roofdeck Bar

The Rattlesnake Bar and Grill has been a staple in Boston’s lifestyle scene for decades. The rooftop deck opens up as soon as the warm weather debuts and Poe’s Kitchen offers some of the funkiest tacos in town ranging from grilled lamb tip and Hudson Valley duck to smoked pork and grilled scallop prepared by Chef Brian Poe. Wash it down with a pineapple sage or berry acai mint margarita for a fun night out on the town. There is also a good selection of tequilas and whiskeys available here. Click here for more information.

MET Back Bay: Kathy Sidell’s Latest Restaurant Contribution

METBackBay1 MET Back Bay, the latest venture from restaurateur Kathy Sidell Trustman, has opened in an historic 1877 brick townhouse on the corner of Newbury and Dartmouth Streets. The menu here pays homage to the former Joseph’s restaurant, which previously occupied the space. Here you can find Trustman’s interpretations of Joseph’s classics, including oyster Rockefeller and clams casino with MET’s baked crab wrap with creamy coconut rice baked in a soy wrapper served in the Living Room, Library, Game Room, Terrace or Townhouse. Prime steak, tuna toro and other tartares are also prepared tableside. Check out the website at metbackbay.com.

Met-Back-Bay-Boston-Courtesy

Deuxave Restaurant & Bar: A Duo of Flavor

deuxave Co-owners Brian Piccini and Executive Chef Christopher Coombs (who appeared on The Food Network’s show Chopped) have come together to showcase American Nouveau Cuisine with the opening of Deuxave Restaurant & Bar in the Back Bay. The duo from Dorchester’s dbar fame named Deuxave after its location at Massachusetts and Commonwealth Avenues. Be sure to check out the back bar, which was designed with an array of mirrors by Piccini to reflect the Back Bay skyline through the expansive bow front windows. The French-inspired restaurant serves up everything from Moroccan spiced Colorado lamb saddle to seared Hawaiian ahi tuna. Visit deuxave.com for more information.

Johnny Cupcakes: Fat free T-shirts?

cupcake Imagine a cupcake shop that offers zero carbs, sugars and fats! Impossible, you say? Not when you are Johnny Cupcakes, the quirky clothing store designed with cupcakes on them. Started by a kid who sold T-shirts out of his car, the company is now a multi-million dollar business and owner Johnny Earle was ranked #1 “Best Entrepreneurs 25 and Under” by BusinessWeek. Inside the shop, you will find a uniquely decorated interior, including antique refrigerators and all sorts of baking products with fun clothing items sitting prominently on display on baking trays and in glass pastry cases. Visit johnnycupcakes.com for more information.

Get Clinked at The Back Bay Hotel

If you have ever wondered what it might feel like to get clinked, The Back Bay Hotel offers a way to do so – in luxury. Located in the former headquarters of the Boston Police Department and owned by the Irish hotelier, this newcomer to the hotel scene has an unbeatable location near Copley Square, Newbury Street and the John Hancock Building.

The interior is stylishly designed making it a favorite for tourists and those traveling here on business. You won’t believe your eyes when you see the hotel’s beautiful two-story glass waterfall, indoor ‘river’ and illuminated glass staircase. The rooms here are spacious and luxurious yet surprisingly affordable.

Staying true to its heritage, Cuffs, an authentic Irish pub, is one of the best places in the city for a pint of Guinness along with comfort food favorites such as fish and chips, chicken pot pie and boneless short rib. For upscale dining, try the pan roasted sea scallop in brown butter and foie gras, roasted monkfish or charred flank steak at the neighboring Stanhope Grille.

Insider’s Tip: For a unique way to see the Back Bay Hotel’s nearby sights in this bike-friendly city, ask about the Urban Adventours package complete with hybrid bicycles, helmet, locks, maps and snacks.

Douzo Sushi Does it Right

Newbury’s Stephanie Sokolove Unwinds at Bella Santé Spa

Stephanie’s on Newbury restaurant is as iconic as ritzy Newbury Street itself, and when namesake owner Stephanie Sokolove is not enjoying her award-winning patio and sophisticated comfort food, she goes to fellow Newbury Street business Bella Santé Spa.

“When I think of unwinding it is all about getting pampered,” Stephanie Sokolove told citybuzz. “For that I turn to Bella Santé Spa.” Similar to Stephanie on Newbury’s numerous accolades, Bella Sante Spa is a multi award-winning spa, receiving the most ever “Best of Boston” nods for its massages, skin care, and nail salon than any other spa in Boston. It’s known for the Swedish-based Bella Santé Massage and the Bella Santé Spa Facial, which includes a double exfoliation process and mineral infused fabric mask.

“The service is exceptional, the treatments are divine,” adds Stephanie. “And there is one located on Newbury Street, right down the street from my restaurant, so sometimes I am able to sneak away for a massage after work.” That sounds like a divine day, indeed! Visit bellasante.com for more information.

*** Stephanie Sokolove is the Owner and Executive Chef of the iconic Newbury Street restaurant Stephanie’s on Newbury, which has won her the nickname of “Queen of Patio Dining.” Stephanie just opened the Stephanie’s on Newbury sister restaurant, Stephi’s on Tremont, in Boston’s South End. Stephanie is known for her upscale, sophisticated take on American comfort food.

Major Landmarks Along Boston’s Irish Heritage Trail

It has been said that Boston has more Irish people than Ireland, so what better way to celebrate its historic roots than a walk along the Irish Heritage Trail throughout downtown Boston and Back Bay.

Along the way, you’ll find the Boston Irish Famine Memorial that include eight narrative plaques that recount the 150^th anniversary of the country’s historic famine. Stop by the Boston Public Library’s Irish collection, which houses over 13,000 items, including materials on the formation of the Irish Free State, the Abby Theatre and Seamus Heaney. The Colonel Shaw Memorial is the city’s most prized public art, which took 14 years to complete, depicting the state’s 54th Black Infantry Regiment which fought valiantly in the Civil War. End the day with a stop by Fenway Park, which was built by Irish immigrant Charles E. Logue.

The Trail is divided into three sections with 20 sites located in downtown Boston and Back Bay, covering more than three miles and over 50 other landmarks in Boston neighborhoods. Other highlights on the walking tour include the Rose Kennedy Garden, Kevin White statue, James Michael Curley statues and the Boston Massacre Memorial.

Post 390 Gets the Stamp of Approval

Ever felt like you needed a drink while at the post office? Himmel Hospitality Group did too, which is why they created Post 390. Situated at the site of the former Back Bay Post Office Annex, this place boasts killer views, an impressive beer and wine selection, and super-chic clientele.

On the first floor of this two-story urban tavern, a lively bar scene of a polished after-work crowd surrounds the cozy four-sided fireplace. Upstairs, there’s a second bar, open kitchen, and a fireside dining room with floor to ceiling glass windows that showcase the unbeatable views of the John Hancock Tower and Copley Place.

The bar (or shall we say, bars) boasts one of the best beer selections in the city with 12 brews on tap and 30 microbrews available in bottles, and they also have more than 200 wine selections. Post 390 offers a wide array of aptly named Bostonian drinks, including The Green Line, Dirty Water, Boston Tea Ketel and of course, The Back Bay.

As a sister restaurant to Grill 23, Harvest and the new Bistro du Midi at The Heritage on the Garden, Post 390 showcases Chef Eric Brennan’s talent here with a modern twist on classic comfort food favorites – think beer and bacon macaroni and cheese – in a chic setting. Visit post390restaurant.com for more information.

Boston Chocolate Lovers Unite on a Walking Tour

Bet you didn’t know that every Boston neighborhood has a chocolate story! Taste of Chocolate offers a walking tour every Saturday and Sunday of the city’s best neighborhoods, including Beacon Hill, Back Bay, South End and Cambridge, where you’ll learn about fine chocolates and indulge in a variety of delicacies. From the Toll House cookie to Baker’s chocolate, New England has a deep, dark and sumptuous history in chocolate.

On the tour, you’ll learn the history and creation of luxury chocolate by visiting a third generation market whose founder worked with Julia Child, tasting chocolate soup, and enjoying a formal tasting with an acclaimed pastry chef.

Even if you already have a love for chocolate, you are guaranteed to leave with a deeper appreciation of this one-of-a-kind experience. The tour company also hosts an on-going series of chocolate workshops designed as a hands-on introduction to the world of chocolate making.

Shreve, Crump & Low Sparkles with History

When you first step into the newly renovated Shreve, Crump & Low jewelry store, you will quickly know you have come upon something special. Shreve’s is the oldest jeweler in North America in its third century of operation offering everything from diamonds, pearls, and gemstones to timepieces, corporate gifts and even a wedding registry.

The store underwent a $10 million dollar renovation in the spring of 2007 and now houses some of most coveted jewelry collections in the country. Throughout its history, the store has sold antiques, stationery and fine linen and even exhibited artifacts from Rome. Most notably, Shreve’s designed a silver cup to honor Boston Red Sox hero Cy Young, which later became known as the Cy Young Award.

Today, the shop exudes luxury with its dark mahogany and marble paneling and new display cases. When you’re looking to splurge, stop by for a rare pearl from Mastoloni or a beautiful Charles Krypell design with emeralds and rubies. Visit shrevecrumpandlow.com for more information.

Imbibe at M Bar for an Ultra Cool Experience

The Mandarin Oriental has finally made its debut in Boston and M Bar has already made a name for itself. The stylish and chic bar caters to a 20s, 30s and 40s+ crowd. The bar is almost at capacity on Friday nights when not only hotel guests come down for a drink, but many locals head over for a cool mandarin martini.

You can’t beat the hotel’s ideal Back Bay address located smack in the heart of Boylston Street- making it a perfect meeting place. The interior features a blend of green and gray stone and an illuminated glass bar top, intimate banquettes, and dramatic floor-to-ceiling windows. The custom-designed wine wall houses some 300 vintages.

If you are feeling hungry, take a look at the light fare menu, which ranges from artisan cheeses and Asian-style tapas to braised Kobe short ribs and a poached Maine lobster roll. There are also full size entrees, including an eight-ounce grilled skirt steak and grilled chicken tandoori sandwich, but most people come for the specialty drinks. Click here for more information.

When it Comes to Sashimi, Go to Uni

Uni Sashimi Bar, located inside The Eliot Hotel and adjacent to the famed Clio restaurant of chef/owner Ken Oringer, offers some of the best sushi in town. At this tiny Back Bay bar which opened in 2002, you will see sushi chefs hard at work preparing rolls and sashimi. Sip on a Japanese scorpion bowl for two or their popular spicy Enter the Dragon cocktail, while noshing on sushi flown in from around the world. The menu here changes daily, but you can typically find Scottish salmon, Japanese fish and yellowfin tuna. Since the restaurant is next to Clio, you can also order off its Asian-inspired dessert menu, which includes miso dark chocolate cremeux, rhubarb shortcakes and a sweet mascarpone beignet. Check out the website at unisashimibar.com.

Insider Tip: Don’t miss the popular all-you-can-eat Maki Mondays for $32 and four-course sake bomb Tuesdays for $35.

Indulge in a Night of Luxury at The Lenox Hotel

Location. Location. Location. If you are looking for the best place to stay in the heart of Boston then look no further than The Lenox Hotel. Situated in Back Bay at the corner of Boylston and Exeter Streets, the gorgeous hotel is within walking distance of Newbury Street’s upscale boutiques, Symphony Hall (home to the Boston Pops) and the Museum of Fine Arts. Come here in April for a front row spectator’s seat to the Boston Marathon, which can be viewed from the hotel’s sleek rooftop.

The Lenox Hotel is modeled after smaller, boutique European hotels offering three restaurants, rooms with four-poster beds, wood-burning fireplaces, and marble bathrooms along with a complimentary Lexus SUV hybrid car service to take you around town. If you can’t bear the thought of leaving your furry friend behind, request a stay in one of the pet friendly rooms. On the other hand, don’t worry if you are allergic to pets – the hotel is the first of its kind to devote an entire floor (heaven on eleven) to PURE allergy friendly guest rooms.

Now you know why John Travolta, Katie Couric, Michelle Pfieffer and Steve Martin have all stayed here.