Saturday Stoop Lunch

So, most people who look for sandwiches in the South End head straight to the Buttery. And maybe, just maybe, I haven't given enough of a chance to the Buttery. But I think it's just... a little overrated. I'd much rather swing by the wonderful South End Formaggio. This go-to gourmet market deserves a entire series of posts dedicated to it's cheese, charcuterie, wine, beer, baked goods, exotic oils, fresh produce... you get the picture. 

In addition to all this mad goodness, they also have an array of sandwiches. Classics like butter and ham and turkey and swiss sit pretty next to more fun combinations like goat cheese arugula and fig jam and avocado and black bean torta. Being the fish girl I am (which is bizarre considering I grew up in wonderful landlocked Colorado), I opted for the homemade tuna with american cheese on grilled wheat. Filled with yummy things like pickles and green olives, this is a tuna for kings. 

One Tate's Butterscotch Pecan cookie from the bakery counter and a decaf iced tea from Wholy Grain across the street and I had the perfect makings for a stoop lunch. I polised it all off seconds before a spring shower started. Happy Saturday, all!

-xo-

eb

RAWR! Yum.

Butterscotch is just so good. 

Has always been a favorite of mine.

What a Lovely Seasonal Muffin

Nommers, Flour does it again.

A quick morning trip to the Back Bay location this lazy Saturday called for one of Flour's seasonal muffins, the raspberry rhubarb and a cup of oh-so-fresh grapefruit juice. Big, not to sweet and generously filled with plump raspberries and my favorite summer ingredient, tart and refreshing rhubarb. It was nice and quiet this morning, the tables filled with old couples sharing sweets. The crowds sure to come had yet to rustle from their slumber. What a perfect way to start the weekend.

-xo-

eb

Love me some grapefruit - in any form.

YUP!

Tulip Time

Ain't this just a charming little South End park? Hayes Park is one of my favs. A quiet quaint corner space with weeping willows, a small playground and a couple of benches for moments of contemplation. Wonderful.

-xo-

eb

The 570

Friend! Friend! Have we talked about The Five Seventy?!

My most sincere apologies.

Where to start when it comes to The 570 (as I like to call it)? The 570 is a market. The market. My market. And, in my humble opinion, the best damn corner market in Boston. (Yelp thinks so, too) This little place, conveniently located right around from my oh so humble abobe, is the jam. Owned by my Union Park neighbor, Alan, The 570 has it all. Beer, wine, local produce, oodles of fine chocolate, fresh-from-the-oven-every-morning baked goods, deli wonderfulness, salads, fresh squeezed juices, breakfast sammies,  the best curry chicken salad you'll ever have and well, you get the idea...
THEY HAVE EVERYTHING.

And not only are they stocked to the brim, they are really incredibly nice in there. Every time I walk into The 570, I feel at home. They go out of their way to make sure everyone who walks in their door, walks out a little happier. A certain special they make (a vegan eggplant parm that will blow your mind) is a favorite of mine. The people behind the counter are so amazing, that they give me a call every time they make it. Talk about good service.

(Now I don't drink coffee, but I hear that people rave about the coffee down the street at the South End Buttery. But here's the truth, everyone who has tried both swears by the coffee at The 570. Just an FYI for all you caffeine fiends.)

As I settle more into my little life in Boston, it's so nice to have a place that makes ya feel good. A morning started with my favorite Swiss Chard and Celery Juice puts a smile on my face. The next time you find yourself in the charming South End, swing by The Five Seventy Market (that's 570 Tremont, y'all), tell Alan hello and find yourself falling for the best little corner store ever.

-xo-

eb

MY JAM.

MY JAM (in the fall!)

Alan loves a good seasonal display. 

Lights and trees in the winter. 

Flowers in the spring and summer. 

And pumpkins in the fall. 

(Don't call me pumpkin, pumpkin)

Ma!

My mom always says she's so lucky to have kids that live in places that are great to visit. I guess that makes me happy, too, cause it's pretty easy to talk her into a weekend trip. She's been here before, but we explored a bit more this time, knocking Cambridge walking, the indy Coolidge Corner Theatre and Fenway off our list.

In true "parents are in town" fashion, we also hit up some superb eats. Russel House Tavern called for a brunch of Salad Niçoise with Salmon and a brekkie pizza (farm fresh eggs make all the difference) and some rosé. Nom. Coppa in the South End for dinner - where you can't go wrong with anything on the menu. Ever. A Fenway Frank and Sam Adams brews as we cheered on the Sox (how Boston is that?). And even though she's been before, we hit up favorite Island Creek Oyster Bar for dinner. You can't have guests in Boston and not stuf their face with fresh New England seafood. We ended the weekend with salads and one peanut butter cookie to share from Flour. Their new Back Bay location now offers the best lunch option around.

All in all, a wonderful weekend with ma. And, the best part wasn't that she did my laundry at the end of her visit (although what are mom's for other than to take care of their little chickens?), it was spending some QT with someone so positive, strong, caring and sincere. Hope I can be half the mom she is someday.

So, in anticipation of Mother's Day, Mom, guess what? You're the best. Love you!

-xo-

eb

The Russel House Salad Niçoise was unreal. Look at the salmon! NOM.

Sweet Caroline! (and eb and mom!)

My All-American Beer Holder. Aka white Chucks. 

Park ya heart at Union Park

----------------
sweet spring is your

time is my time is our

time for springtime is lovetime

and viva sweet love

e.e. cummings
----------------

So my little park, Union Park is waking up from it's New England hibernation. And, let me tell you, I couldn't be happier. The fountains have been turned back on and this year's flowers have been planted and are joining the perennials. Nothing is quite as relaxing is sitting on my stoop or up in my apartment with the windows open, listening to the sound of the fountains. One of my most favorite New England things. 

The only issue with Union Park is that you can't get it in. Enter one giant collective waaaah waah here. Well, technically, I lied. You can enter the park a few times a year. And it's actually pretty great when you can. The neighborhood association throws concertes four times a year where you can bring a blanket, wine and snacks and listen to music in the park. Pretty stellar, indeed, right? 

But you know what? A little rebel in me is thinking that four times a year is not enough. Yesterday morning, I saw a couple had jumped the fence and were laying on a blanket, relaxing in the sun. It looked awesome. So if you can't find me and my Instagram feed is blowing up with photos of grass 'n fountains 'n flower 'n sunshine, you'll know where to find me. Breaking the rules, soaking up goodness right in the middle of my own little park. 

-xo-

eb

Twin Donuts! The noms!

Growing up in the Butner home, weekends meant a couple of things: one you would be spending time outdoors running around doing something and two, donuts would be consumed.

The art of the donut (or donnies as my dad calls them) is something to be studied. Since I've moved to Boston and away from Bob's donuts, I've felt hole in my heart (see what I did there?). Bob's on Polk Street is open 24 hours. They make sure a fresh round of donuts is available right at 2am. Hot out of the fryer. Smart folks at Bob's. Known for their apple fritters, it is my humble donut opinion that You. Just. Can't. Go. Wrong. At. Bob's.

So, finding myself in Boston with a donut hole in my heart, I've been doing research on where to find the best local fried dough. And considering that if you yelp donuts in Boston, you're thrown back pages and pages of reviews on Dunkin' Donuts, I needed to do some digging to find a real mom 'n pop place. This article on Boston's independent donuts shops helped a lot. If anything, created a checklist for me (and a sure increase in trips to the gym - ugh - I digress).

Enter Twin Donuts. Or twin donuts as you can see from the awesome and stellar neon sign that acts as the pearl gate to donut goodness. A bike ride away in Allston, this place is legit. Old School like nobody's business. No frills here, just honest to goodness calories and, well, goodness. You can grab a donut from the counter, or sit down to be served standard breakfast fare like egg combos, brekkie sandwiches, flap jacks and omelets. The healthiest thing on this menu must have been the... errr... let me get back to you on that.

On to the donuts. Since I'm in Boston, I took a chance to snag the last Boston Creme (and this was only at 9:45am) and a Honey Glazed. Now where I come from (the West, remember here, people), this Honey Glazed thing was new to me. I guess as the donut traveled West, we dropped the Honey and called it just plain Glazed. Regardless, both donnies stood up to the test. I left satisfied and charmed.

So, twin donuts, thanks for filling that donut hole in my heart. See ya again real soon.

-xo-

eb

(And speaking of indy donut shops, if you ever find yourself in Sisters, Oregon get thyself to Sisters Bakery - no joke, one of the best donuts I've ever had in my life. Perfect for Bachelor skiing mornings.)