Hello to THE MOST fabulous followers ever! My apologies for the long drought in posts. Hell, call it writer’s block, the craziness of my real life job, or just being lazy…or maybe all of the above. BUT hopefully, you will love this post as much as I loved writing it. I travel to the Boston-area SEVERAL times a year. I have been telling the hubs how much he would love Boston, because he loves old cities that exude culture and history. If that isn’t the definition of Boston, then I don’t know what is. As I was finalizing my flight, I hear Ryan on the phone mentioning he will be in Boston the SAME WEEK. PERFECT opportunity for him to experience one of my favorite places to visit. I immediately start brainstorming and researching food, activities, fashion (WHAT WILL I WEAR?!?)…all things Beantown, baby. As I scoured the inter-webs, I started finding all sorts of great restaurants. And not just Italian from the North-End. Actual FOODIE restaurants. I knew the food scene in Boston had been transforming, but I had no idea it would be this good. So, are you ready to read the details? ENJOY!!!
FOOD
Row 34: WHOA, I absolutely LOVED this place. Imagine a contemporary/industrial setting with the FRESHEST raw bar known to man. This restaurant, open almost a year, is the sibling of Island Creek Oyster Co. They call it the “workingman’s oyster bar,” serving only wine and beer. It is hip, open, and delicious…and good luck getting a table. The only reservation I was able to secure was for lunch. Let’s talk about one thing: the dessert. Seriously, I thought I had died and gone to heaven. You can see a picture of it above. This peanut butter, chocolate candy bar ALONE is worth the trip there. Don’t miss this one!
Asta: The concept behind Asta is a nod to the oh-so-famous Nordic restaurant, Noma. Both restaurants focus on ingredients that are from the Earth or an extension of what we would call farm-to-table. The influence is very obvious starting with the amuse-bouche and continuing throughout the meal. We are talking about wild mushrooms presented on an actual log, dishes served on rocks, and everything sourced from local growers. The restaurant is a tasting-menu only establishment. HOWEVER, Asta will allow the table to order any combination…3, 5, or 8 courses, with or without wine pairing. This is extremely rare…most restaurants that provide a tasting menu require the entire table to coordinate. The decor is very simple. With light wood and random, furry seat cushions, the feel is both hip and eclectic. The chef’s counter is the prime place to sit and watch the staff prepare the unique ingredients that go into each dish. I was shocked to see the dining room so empty, but I imagine people are turned off by the tasting-only menu. The hubs and I shared the 5 and 8 course meals. We had some OUT OF THIS WORLD dishes and some dishes that somewhat left us hanging. I would absolutely recommend this to anyone…it is quite the experience.
Neptune Oyster: It is very rare that you will see me fall into a tourist trap. However, this time I did. About halfway through our create-your-own tour of the Freedom Trail, I made a point to stop into Neptune Oyster. The reviews were outstanding and being in Boston, all I wanted was fresh seafood. As we made our way into the North End, we bee-lined straight for the small, unassuming restaurant. The place was very lively. People laughing, champagne flowing, and wannabe patrons crowding the doorway. And with that, our name was on the list, and we had 2 hours to kill. PERFECTO. Pizza and wine sounded like a perfect snack while we waited. After we finished our pizza and wine and had a contest about who could find the best dessert, we strolled back over to Neptune Oyster. We had one rule: everything we get MUST be local. So, we ordered a fabulous bottle of Albarino and a sampler of fresh, local seafood. It.Was.Amazing. We sat right in front of the window to people watch. Clemson was in town playing Boston College, so it was fun to see the Southerners decked out in their gear. It was an awesome meal…the company, the atmosphere, the food…perfect afternoon.
Antico Forno: While we were waiting on our table at Neptune Oyster, we decided to grab pizza and wine at this authentic Italian, neighborhood restaurant. Yes, fat kid problems, I know. The thin-crust pizza was out of this world. The restaurant is very unassuming, but a perfect spot to take the family during the week. The wine was great, and this was a perfect pit stop!
Liquid Art House: As if we hadn’t eaten enough that day, it was time for dinner. Liquid Art House is swanky, hip, loud, and pretty amazing. As you walk in, live art exhibits immediately surround you, a HUGE bar houses Boston’s most beautiful people, and a spacious dining room completes the space. The focus of the restaurant is clearly its art…even the plates and flatware were for sale. Once we see the menu, the food becomes OUR focus. Most of their ingredients are locally sourced and the attention to detail is clear. From our starters to the dessert, everything was amazing. We were a little disappointed in the wine selection, but the bottle she suggested ended up pairing well with our meal. This is a restaurant I will absolutely be visiting again!! Oh, even the bathroom was super-cool…
FASHION
So, what did I wear on this trip? I kept it super casual, for the most part. This is becoming a regular theme of mine…and I love it. Of course, I didn’t get a good picture of my last night’s outfit, but I will give you the details anyways.
1) Starting from top left of the first collage:
SHIRT Chaser Brand Mr. Skully • CAMO VEST J Crew • PANTS Michelle by Mason (similar here) • SHOES Christian Louboutin Pik Boat (similar here) • BRACELETS WILL Leather Goods and Vita Fede • SUNNIES Illesteva Build Your Own
2) Next outfit: the cage-back shirt (AMAZE-BALLS), jeans, and hat:
SHIRT Chaser Brand • JEANS Rag & Bone • HAT Janessa Leone Ruby • BAG Saint Laurent Betty Mini
3) Final outfit (Selfie!):
SHIRT Alexis Minsk Top • PANTS Helmut Lang Leather Skinnies • BOOTS Rachel Zoe Nico Over-the-Knee
I hope y’all enjoyed all-things BOSTON. It’s an awesome city with GORG scenery, and some pretty hip spots. If you go this time of year the fall foliage is literally to-die. But, you will miss the Red Sox in action. Fenway Park is a MUST-VISIT. Feel free to email me ([email protected]) with any questions or leave a comment. I absolutely LOVE hearing from you!! Make SURE you check out my Instagram to keep track of my travels. Where will I head to next?
♥ always-LL
