Boston Eats: Cafe Luna

The last stop of Kyla and Jesse's eating extravaganza was Cafe Luna for brunch -- definitely a proper send-off. 

Caramelized banana, chocolate, walnut, and whipped cream waffles.

Happiness is brunch with friends!

MIT Quidditch

Because....obviously.

If one has a Quidditch Team, one must also have a marching band. 

Boston Eats: Kirkland Tap and Trotter

The next stop on our epic Union Square journey was Kirkland Tap and Trotter, Tony Maw's outpost on Washington Street and Beacon Street in Somerville (Beacon is the same street as Hampshire coming from Inman Square).  Eric and I went to an epic (EPIC) meal at Craigie last year, so trying the more casual eatery seemed like a good way to spend our Saturday night. 

We loved the gardens, chickens, and mural (it's hard to see, but it says "Looking for something exciting never gets old"). 

We sat next to their open kitchen, and I gotta say...this guy is all about making order from chaos.  Color me impressed.

I ended up having the special, grilled octopus.  The texture of succulent charred suckers took the win for strangest bit of the night, but it was quite the tasty meal.

Flowers!

Boston Eats: Backbar

I finally made it to the elusive Backbar in Union Square!

See the sign?  It's the door before that.  Because to find the coolest places, you have to look really confused and keep opening random alley doors.

Skylights made the bar feel bright and cozy.

Olives and salty sweet kettle corn.  My first drink was their daily milk punch, but for my second, I spied an amazing tropical bird glass high on their shelves and decided to ask for "something in that."

The server said, "You know, I think I have a frozen pineapple somewhere...how does that sound? 

And that was how the entire bar became quite jealous of me. 

A singapore sling!  In a pineapple!  I took off the top, and a lovely wisp of smoke emerged.  Because obviously, if there's a pineapple drink, there must be smoke.

Oh-so-happy!  (even if I don't look it...it's hard to smile while drinking through a straw!)

Boston Eats: VeeVee

A new-to-me place in Jamaica Plain was the choice after Kyla and Jesse's marathon Sam Adams days - and it turned out to be a fabulous choice!

One of my favorite houses in JP.  The purple's a little ostentatious, but there are skylights!  And a porch!  And a reading nook!  Clearly, meant to be mine.

I found VeeVee through an article in one of the magazines they have for free near the subway entrance, and it ended up being a great place for the beer aficionado among us to get a flight.  (he ended up testing over 20 beers on his vacation here!)

Sardinian couscous with ramp pesto and ricotta salata.  Delicious.

And no night in JP is complete without ice cream at the original JP Licks!

Boston Eats: Area Four Brunch

My first Area Four Brunch!  A splendid idea.

Croissant (lovely), rhubarb hand-pie (delicious), green tea scone (kinda weird)

I bet you want a closeup of the beauty that is "The Hot Mess."

The magnolias

Colombian Dancers

My dear friend and labmate and her husband performed at the International Fair on campus with the Colombian Student Association here on campus...and I must say, I am so jealous of those skirts! 

Taking a well-deserved bow!

Boston Eats: Afternoon Tea at the Boston Public Library

It's hard to believe that five years ago, I had never been to an afternoon tea.  And now?  They've reached tradition status in my life.  There's just something about the scones, the warm tea, the lounging, the good conversations, the company.  I love it. 

I've been to several spots around the city at this point, but I hadn't been the Boston Public Library's afternoon tea service, served Wednesdays through Fridays. 

When I marry my Boston Brahmin zillionaire, we're totally getting married here.  (ha)

The restaurant is tucked away, and the transition from the much darker (though admittedly cozy) library cafe into the bright white and purple room with sumptuous armchairs was a complete surprise.

Things I am a sucker for: white china. 

Tea sandwiches were excellent. 

Desserts were a nice mix of fruit and chocolate.  It isn't afternoon tea without just a bit of chocolate, you know.

And scones.  Scones, I adore you.

I forgot to mention that purple goblets.  There are purple goblets. And yes, they're the kind you imagined yourself drinking with as a queen when you were playing dress-up at age seven.

Afternoon Tea at the Boston Public Library

Ambiance - absolutely lovely, an unexpected gem of a room; quiet and perfect for conversations

Waitstaff - courteous and helpful, and in no hurry to make us leave; very conscientious of vegetarian and allergen requests

Savory - bread cut into just the right size, nice mix of flavors, the cucumber sandwiches were well-balanced; bread was fresh (no stale edges)

Sweet - good blend of fruit and chocolate

Scones, clotted cream, and jam - warm out of the oven, jam was nice, clotted cream was a bit thin, but certainly pardonable, for it tasted wonderful

Tea quality - I had my standard English breakfast with milk and sugar; tea options were varied but not overwhelmingly extensive

Cost - $32 per person

Overall - a nice meld of traditional tea with a slightly modern setting; if you need a place to go during the week, it's a great option.