Dishing some South End restaurant gossip

There's been a lot of whispering about several high profile vacant restaurant properties in the South End getting snapped up. While the rumors are still swirling, I figured I would share what I've heard in recent weeks.

CONFIRMED This has already been reported on other blogs, but it is worth repeating that the SouthEnd Buttery will be opening a second location this fall at 37 Clarendon Street in the space previously occupied by Tadpole. Thank you Richard for taking back a bit of the South End. I love the fact that a former toy store will be converted to a coffee shop. That area has been under served ever since the Nashoba Brook cafe and bakery closed on Columbus in 2008.

BUTTERY UPDATE: The original location on the corner of Union Park and Shawmut will temporarily close once the second location opens to undergo a remodeling to better use the space in the cafe.

CONFIRMED I first commented on the space previously occupied by Rocca at 500 Harrison Avenue this past May. While negotiations between GTI Properties and The Aquitaine Group took longer than expected, a deal was signed recently and the successful restaurant company which already owns and operates 4 South End properties will open their first Italian restaurant in the space formerly known as Rocca. There are no details to share about the name or exact opening, but a complete remodeling will occur. Look for the restaurant to open in early 2012.

RUMORED The space previously occupied by Pho Republique at 1415 Washington Street was of interest to neighboring Foodies Market so they could expand, but renovations may be more than the owners are willing to take on since construction will require significant work to bring this property up to code. However, the optimist in me still hopes if Foodies doesn't snap up this space then someone else will come in, remodel and open a great restaurant - preferably one with a fun lounge.

RUMORED Space previously occupied by banq and Ginger Park at 1375 Washington Street is of interest to Brian Piccini owner of dbar in Dorchester and Deuxave in the Back Bay. Word on the street is this would be a high end steak house. However, nothing has been signed and negotiations continue.

Have you heard anything about these or other properties? Let this South End foodie know.

Après Irene

Work on Monday kept me busier than anticipated and I did not have a chance to get to the gym so last night I went for a walk through the neighborhood as an excuse to get outside. Boston was largely spared from significant damage resulting from hurricane / tropical storm Irene.

Of course there was some flooding, random branches and trees that were toppled from Irene. A large tree near the corner of Union Park and Shawmut Ave came crashing down on a car during the storm and yesterday crews removed the felled tree. All that remains is this stump and the mangled walk way

We were lucky that damage was so minimal here. My thoughts are with those who weren't as fortunate.

My favorite bars in Boston's South End

Here are a few of my favorite South End bars. Although this is not an exhaustive list (nor is it in any particular order), should you find yourself in my neighborhood on any given evening, there is a strong likelihood you'd find me at one of these fine establishments.

Sister Sorel This tiny shoebox of a bar is equal parts shabby and gabby. People congregating around the tiny bar and tapered candles and easily strike up conversation. The drinks here are great and the bar staff is very friendly. You can follow Sister Sorel on twitter thru the head chef and own at twitter.com/AndyHusbands.

Fritz This is the only gay bar on my list, although all these places draw a very mixed crowd. This sports bar is perfect for watching a game or just enjoying some afternoon drinks since it is one of the few places I've included that has large windows open to the street. I love their bloody mary's on the weekends; otherwise I stick to beer at Fritz. You can "like" them on FB here.

28 Degrees Named after the ideal temperature to serve a martini this is one of the neighborhood's premiere lounges. I have to say, I'm not a fan of their olives (I've never actually met an olive I didn't like til 28 degrees), but I love everything else about the place. If its nice out, grab some cocktails and nibble on apps on their comfy patio. Follow on twitter at, 28degreesBoston.

Noche I prefer to go on Thursday nights when many guys from the n'hood are likely to stop by. Andy is the very friendly bar tender and he makes a mean dirty martini. I know that my friend Sean disapproves of the stemware, but I overlook it for the company and Plymouth Gin they pour so freely. They too are on twitter at, NocheBoston.

Stella Just down Washington Street, this restaurant always attracts a crowd. I'm partial to the bar at the back of the restaurant which is open on weekends. Stella is great if you have a melange of drinkers; beer lovers, wine connoisseurs and cocktail aficionados can all drink in harmony here. You can "like" them on FB here.

Franklin Cafe Dimly lit and often times loud, I grabbed dinner at this neighborhood mainstay for the first time in over a year and got to chatting with the extremely handsome bartender, Scott, who only works on Wednesdays. Considering I'm now planning to make this a somewhat regular pit stop (yeah - I'm that shallow), I wanted to be sure to include them on my list of places. Active on twitter, you can follow them at, FranklinCafe.

South End neighborhood bars I still miss (may they R.I.P.)
Pho Republique - I still wimper at the loss of this funky enclave and wish it would return.
Rocca - In the end your menu drove me away, but your lounge was simply the best the South End had to offer and I miss my after work cocktails and your hip-n-handsome staff.
The Waltham Tavern - I'm joking... just curious if any locals bothered to read the entire post!

Free stuff to do in Boston this Friday

Although I'm off to Gotham this weekend, that doesn't mean I'm unaware of all the fun things happening in Boston. If you don't have plans this Friday or if you are tired of doing the same thing, consider one of these options.

Shakespeare on the Common Once again this year, The Commonwealth Shakespeare Co. is providing free performances. This year they are performing All's Well that Ends Well through August 14th down by the bandstand on the Boston Common. Invite that special someone to join you Friday evening under the stars and enjoy some great local theater.

ICA Boston Thanks to the Highland Street Foundation, this Friday (August 5th) Boston's premiere contemporary art museum is free to the public as part of their FREE FUN FRIDAYS series. Be sure to check out their "The Record: Contemporary Art & Vinyl" exhibit. For a small cover charge after taking in the exhibit you can partake in their waterfont dance party "DJs on the harbor: Classic DJ Throwdown".

Of course there are more options such as First Fridays Open Studios, Boston Guerilla Queer Bar which will be overtaking a straight bar in the theater district this month, or joining guys for a drink at Fritz Bar in the South End to watch the Red Sox kick off a hometown series against the Yankees.

Restaurant Review: El Centro

Tonight I visited El Centro, a Mexican restaurant that opened this past May in Boston's South End neighborhood. A few weeks ago when I posted a review of Zocalo, I admitted my lack of experience eating Mexican. I recognize a second visit to a Mexican restaurant does not make me an expert so take this review with a grain of salt.

First impressions of this restaurant are of a cozy, bustling place that is comfortable but not fancy. The staff was friendly and attentive despite being very busy. Main dishes cost between $15 - $23 and most starters cost from $5 - $10. A dinner for two including a shared appetizer, two main dishes and shared dessert is approximately $50 - $60 (drinks and tip not included).

The food was flavorful, good portions and arrived promptly. I've included pictures of both our main dishes (a traditional chicken plate and a chiles rellenos stuffed with ground beef). Although I like the look of El Centro and the food was good, I don't feel like it was a great value. Prices were comparable to dinner at Zocalo which provides a far more elegant dining experience if you are hungry for a Mexican dinner. I'm sure I'll end up going back (friends will inevitably want to try El Centro), but I won't be the one making the suggestion.

Pictures of our dinner: chicken and rice in a mole sauce and chiles rellenos stuffed with ground beef were $18.00 each.

El Centro is located at 472 Shawmut Ave in the South End (617) 262-5708

Reservations: first come; first served

Whose Town?

The Boston Globe has a great section to the paper called "Your Town", which features local news from specific neighborhoods and towns around Boston.

The "news" section from "Your Town" also includes feeds from local bloggers. Yours truly has had posts on this site in the past, but a quick look at the Your Town: South End might make Bostonians wonder what is going on. Nearly every story appears to be about hotels in Chicago and Orlando... Oh yeah, and lets not forget about the article about the 405 shutting down today in Los Angeles. Glad that was there!

Perhaps this section of The Boston Globe should be called "Some Other Town". You can click on the image below to enlarge the image. Its sort of comical.

The Wholy Grain: South End cafe

I first wrote about the Wholy Grain coffee shop when it opened earlier this past spring. This tiny coffee house has quickly become a personal favorite and with the recent opening of their patio and garden, I can easily see myself coming here even more often.

Come in, check out this cute cafe and make use of their free wi-fi. I would recommend trying some of their over sized sweets. The Wholy Grain is located at 275 Shawmut Avenue.

A peek inside the Wholy GrainWholy Grain's private patio and garden

Boston announces 15 new food truck locations

According to Adam's Hospitality and Tourism Industry Blog 15 new food truck locations will debut throughout Boston on Wednesday, July 13th.

New food truck locations will be located in Back Bay, Bay Village, South End, Fenway, Kenmore/BU, Dorchester, Boston Marine Industrial Park/South Boston Waterfront, and the Charlestown Navy Yard.

You can figure out where your favorite food truck is located or look online to see if there is a food truck near you by visiting the city of Boston website here.

Do you have a favorite food truck or does the idea of eating from a kitchen on wheels make you road sick? Boston has a fair amount of good options and there is always a large collection each Sunday at the SoWa Open Market so if you don't have one of these kitchens on wheels near you during the day, come and check it out on Sunday at the Open Market in the south end.

Thanks for the tip Adam.

South End cheap eats

The South End is not a restaurant district, but it certainly has many options for Foodies and in my opinion some of Boston's most interesting dining establishments. Unfortunately, it may cost you more than $50 to have a meal if you don't know where some of the South End's best cheap eats are located.

I thought I'd make a list of a few cheap eats that do this neighborhood proud. I only considered restaurants that are open for dinner and have table service.

ADDIS RED SEA is an authentic Ethiopian restaurant located in the heart of the neighborhood on Tremont Street. Ethiopian cuisine is surprisingly flavorful and a bit exotic at least by my standards. Main dishes range in price with most falling between $8-$15; sharing dishes will make a stop here even more affordable.

ANCHOVIES is nestled discretely on Columbus Avenue and it serves up good home style Italian-American cooking. Main dishes for dinner all come with bread and a house salad and range from $12-$15.

Columbus Cafe is located on the corner of Columbus Ave and Claremont Park. The cozy restaurant and bar also has a small street side patio for al fresco dining. The menu is filled with comfort food all reasonably priced with main dishes ranging from $11-$19.

ORINOCO is a rustic Venezuelan restaurant on Shawmut Avenue, just a few blocks up from Mass Ave. Their coooking nicely blends flavors I normally associate with Latin American and the Caribean cooking. If you are lucky, you can snag a seat outside at one of the few tables they have. Main dishes range from $8-$19.

PICCO Just across the street from ADDIS RED SEA is the Pizza & Ice Cream Co. (PICCO). The menu is mostly pizza, sandwiches and pasta. This place has a large patio that also provides excellent people watching. Main dishes range from $8-$14. For an even cheaper option; split a large pizza and delicious dessert. (I like the brownie sundae.)

What are some of your favorite cheap eats for dinner?

$2 Taco Tuesday Nights

Every Tuesday, Tremont647 and adjoining Sister Sorel have a selection of $2.00 tacos you can order for dinner. Last night, I was going to join my friend and fellow blogger, 40Something Life, for dinner but plans changed when the weather did not cooperate so I opted to head over to Sister Sorel.

I'm a huge fan of cheap eats and one can have quite a dinner (beer included) all for about $10.00 on Tuesday's at Tremont647 or Sister Sorel. That's hard to beat. If you live in Boston or are visiting on a Tuesday night, its worth checking out. Although Tremont647 is larger and better known, I'm partial to eating at the shabby little sister restaurant, Sister Sorel and its candlelit bar.

What you see below are three tacos: lamb and yogurt; mushroom, cheese and poblano peppers; and finally fish and mango tacos. In addition, I ordered a delicious side of guacamole (paid extra for that bit) and my favorite redneck beer, PBR.

Restaurant Review: Stephi's on Tremont

Almost without fail, every Sunday I go out for breakfast. It's a routine that I very much enjoy and thanks to the neighborhood that I live, there are plenty of options all within just a few blocks.

Ever since Stephi's on Tremont opened in March of 2009 it's been embraced by the neighborhood. It was a welcome replacement to the predecessor, which had become run down. Stephi's owners (also the owners of Stephanie's on Newbury) transformed the space into a 60+ seat restaurant that is always busy.

The weekend brunch menu for Stephi's will appeal even to the pickiest of eaters with an even number of breakfast and lunch options ranging in price from $10-$16. Portion size is large no matter what you order and service is consistent. If you make a reservation and don't want to sit on their sidewalk patio, I always recommend requesting one of the oversized booths at the front of the restaurant that provide you a birds eye view of the pedestrian traffic that never seems to end and often is great for people watching.

My preferred breakfast item is Stephi's 3-egg omelet filled w/ smoked salmon, fried capers and a side of home fries. I also ask for the cream cheese on the side (otherwise they stuff that in the omelet too - and its just too much for me).

Smoked Salmon Omelet from Stephi's $12.00

Stephi's on Tremont is located at 571 Tremont Street in the South End
Reservations: Not required but suggested (617) 236-2063

Mark Wahlberg filming "Ted" (part 2)

Earlier this week I mentioned that Seth McFarlane (creator of The Family Guy) is filming in the neighborhood with local boy, Mark Wahlberg, and Mila Kunis. While filming will continue throughout Boston and much of the South End, they were able to capture the scenes they needed out in front of my apartment.

Last night Sergio joined a throng of onlookers as they filmed another scene. They had to film this at night, but it is a day scene so they had the entire block filled with giant lights flooding the streets with artificial sunlight.

Mark Wahlberg filming "Ted"

Movie Director Seth McFarlane is filming outside my apartment for his movie Ted, which stars both Mark Wahlberg and Mila Kunis. This movie has been filming in Boston and in particular the South End for the past few months, but tonight they are filming a "day" scene at Gaslight. For those who have read my blog for awhile you may recall this restaurant was used for several weeks in the fall of 2009 for the Tom Cruise, Cameron Diaz film "Wichita" which was later renamed Knight & Day.

Its not clear to me if Mark or Mila will be appearing tonight. I had hoped I would be able to capture some photos of the stars like I did of Tom & Cameron, but it seems unlikely so instead I've posted a picture of the view outside my window. If something more exciting manifests, I'll be sure to share.

My South End coffee shops

Residents of the South End will be quick to point out that I'm overlooking several beloved coffee shops, but after surviving what can only be described as a brutal winter followed by a cold, rainy spring, I've not ventured far to get my coffee fix. Fortunately, my neighborhood makes it easy to grab a cup of joe.

Within a two block radius, I have four coffee shops; each in their own right attract a strong and loyal following. The four profiled today are: Mohr & McPherson Cafe, The Greenlight Cafe, Wholy Grain, and The South End Buttery.

Mohr & McPherson Cafe
460 Harrison AvenueThis coffee shop is located inside Mohr & McPherson and is easily accessed from the parking lot. Furnished and decorated entirely with the beautiful Asian antiques from the store, this has the funkiest of vibes. The cafe serves good coffee (my favorite local tea MEM) and a variety of sandwiches, salads and treats. Best of all - they provide 50% off same day baked goods starting at 3PM. The free wireless and comfy seats makes this among the neighborhoods best kept secrets.

Greenlight Cafe
560 Harrison AvenueGreenlight's food is from the delicious kitchen of Gaslight Brasserie. As a result, this cafe offers a wide selection of food, snacks and treats. There is ample seating, great natural light and a patio in good weather to enjoy. The coffee is the same you would find at any of the Aquitaine Group restaurants and the staff is friendly and fun (I love Izzy). Greenlight provides 50% off all their baked goods starting at 4pm. Note that this cafe is only open until 5pm and is closed on weekends.

The Wholy Grain
275 Shawmut AvenueThis is the latest coffee shop to open near my house. Located just diagonally across the street from the Franklin Cafe, this tiny coffee house is cutely remodeled with outdoor seating in the front. The space also has a back which provides the owners the option of creating an additional, more private patio. Of all the cafes, this probably has the fewest options, but what they serve is delicious and worth trying. The sweets are all over sized and I'm a sucker for their Jordan Marsh blueberry muffins. Like their rivals, they too offer free wireless.

South End Buttery Cafe
314 Shawmut AvenueThis cafe which has expanded into a full-fledged restaurant was one of the first to open in the section of the south end that I call home. It replaced another coffee shop and thanks to the efforts of the owner it is completely transformed (for the better). The food options, coffees and teas are all delicious (they too serve MEM tea). In addition, they provide outdoor seating, wireless and a constant stream of patrons which make this the best of the bunch for people watching.

Other notable coffee shops
As I mentioned above, since there are so many places to choose from in my neighborhood, I only focussed on the four that are within two blocks of my place. However, other neighborhood favorites include: Berkeley Perk Cafe, Flour and Francesca's. Now that the weather is a bit nicer out I might even venture beyond my two-block radius to be tempted by their flavorful brews and tasty treats.

Pop's Restaurant continues to lack consistency

One of the things I really like about my neighborhood is the variety of restaurants. The Boston Globe's "Top Places to Live" said it best, "It’s not just the number, variety, and quality of restaurants that make Boston’s South End a mecca for food lovers; it’s also the array of specialty purveyors, such as the Five Seventy Market and South End Formaggio."

Unfortunately, not all restaurants in this neighborhood are worth visiting. Such is the frustration I have with Pop's Restaurant. This tiny little restaurant has so much going for it. First the service is consistently friendly, second the place is so cute (esp since they remodeled their bar), and third they have arguably the best patio for people watching in all of the South End.

The problem with Pop's is its inconsistency. One meal can be good and the next a disappointment. Such was the case with breakfast today. After staying away from Pop's for the past couple years, we opted to go in for a Sunday brunch last month. Our food was delicious...So today, when we decided we would like to have breakfast al fresco, we thought we'd give Pop's another try. Both of us ordered the same exact meal we had the month prior but the food bore little resemblance to that previous visit. My order Pop's breakfast: 3 eggs any style, potato hash, toast and side of ham was far more salty this time and plated very differently. The last time the presentation was so visually engaging I actually took a photo and tweeted it. Sergio's order BBQ Pulled Pork sandwich was also significantly saltier and the bread this time was pressed making the sandwich both difficult to eat and not to his liking.

When the food served is to your liking the prices make the restaurant worthwhile with the average breakfast meal $9-$10; lunch items $12-$14 and dinner entrees ranging from $15-$25. The problem is the odds never seem to work in my favor and I'm not much of a betting man. There are simply too many other restaurants that are consistently good in this neighborhood so my suggestion would unfortunately be to keep walking.

Pop's Restaurant is located at 560 Tremont Street in the South End.
Reservations are a good idea for dinner.

Boston Globe Top Places to Live: South End

The Boston Globe published their "Top Spots to Live" listing surrounding neighborhoods and towns for a variety of quality of life standards. I'm proud to say that my neighborhood - the South End - was identified as the best place to live for food lovers. I've lifted the text from the Boston Globe article and posted it below. If you'd like to read the full article, you can link here.

FOR FOOD LOVERS WINNER: South End

Median single-family home price: $1,610,000
Median condo price: $554,888
Population: 25,889
Residential tax rate: $12.79

It’s not just the number, variety, and quality of restaurants that make Boston’s South End a mecca for food lovers; it’s also the array of specialty purveyors, such as the Five Seventy Market and South End Formaggio. Restaurants are plentiful and mostly, but not entirely, pricey. Diners can opt for anything from $44 salmon at Mistral to an $11 traditional Ethiopian beef dish at Addis Red Sea.

Shhh... new Italian restaurant to open in South End

The very successful Boston restaurant company, The Aquitaine Group is poised to open their fourth fifth restaurant in Boston's trendy South End neighborhood in the space formerly occupied by Rocca.

When this new eatery will open in the South End is unclear, but plans to remodel to make it uniquely their own is underway. Lets just hope that they open soon enough that residents like yours truly can enjoy the fantastic private patio for some dinner al fresco.

News of this (although not official yet) makes me very happy. With Rocca, Pho Republique and Ginger Park all closing within the past 18-months SoWa was in need of some good restaurant news. To the Aquitaine Group's latest venture I'd like to say benvenuti and buona fortuna.

Thursday night means Noche

I'm not sure how it happened... Perhaps it was back when the charming bartender Adam came over to Noche to tend bar? However, the "how" is no longer relevant. What does matter is it is Thursday and for the few gay men who still call the South End "home" - this is the bar to be. Cocktails flow, conversation carries and the people watching simply doesn't get any better. The picture of the empty bar provided below will be chalk full of guys of all ages tonight. A recent influx of Boston's version of Bridge-N-Tunnel crowd has not ruined the atmosphere, but there has been a noticeable increase over the past few months. Good thing that the bartenders are so handsome and quick with the pour. If you happen to find yourself in Boston this Thursday and are wondering where to go, why don't you join me and check it out.

Noche Boston
3 Appleton Street
(617) 482 0117

Where all the men are

I've posted this picture in the past, but I never grow tired of it. This tiny park on West Newton Street in Boston's South End always makes me chuckle when I walk past it, because words do matter and no matter how wonderful Mr. (or Ms.) Hiscock was - its an unfortunate name. Ironically, this park happens to be in the traditionally gay neighborhood of Boston, the South End.

If you happen to live in Boston, I say with all sincerity, "I hope you can stop by this spring or summer to enjoy Hiscock".

SoWa Open Market

SoWa Open Market returns starting today, Sunday, May 1st from 10AM – 4PM at 460 Harrison Avenue. Through the past few years, I’ve watched this Sunday market grow both in size and variety. A couple of years ago the market grew so large and popular they moved it up Harrison Ave to where it currently resides.

Each Sunday, the market includes scores of artisans; food trucks selling all sorts of tempting food ranging from the savory to the sweet; a farmer’s market; as well as many unique boutiques that line Thayer Street.

The market which runs every Sunday through the autumn (excluding holiday weekends) draws thousands now and is worth checking out.