Boston IT Party

ByEmily King
September 28, 2006
4 min read

To maintain IT’s jet-setting reputation, co-editor Emily King recently took a weekend jaunt to Boston. She writes:

I’ve visited Boston twice. I’ve been to Faneuil Hall, seen the Paul Revere House, visited the graves of John Hancock and Samuel Adams, and learned about the Boston Tea Party from tour guides. This time, though, I made my way to Beantown to visit friends, so I did what residents actually do. Here are my five tips:

Go to the suburbs—Boston residents may hold a grudge against their commuting co-workers, but the towns around Boston are adorable—not your typical Home Depot, Target, Applebee’s-in-every-stripmall suburban outposts. This trip, I only visited Newton and Wellesley, but both have charming town centers, beautiful homes, and tree-lined streets. Have a sweet tooth? Try Truly Yogurt in Wellesley. It’s a popular destination for townies; stars have even been known to visit—including Will Ferrell this past summer. There are darling shops in each town. Jasmine Sola, a women’s clothing boutique, has locations in both.

Trace the path of the Boston Marathon (with someone who ran the race in 3:17)—I was out of breath as we chugged up Heartbreak Hill. In a car. It’s amazing to see what these 20,000 runners put themselves through each April, but it’s even more interesting to take in the route itself. The layout of Boston and its surroundings can be confusing. Following the marathon route somehow put the city and its environs into focus for me. Plus, it’s a good way to take yourself through the suburbs and pass by famous New England colleges: Wellesley, Boston College, and Boston University.

Eat—I had some particularly delicious meals in Boston, beginning with a late dinner at Bin 26 Enoteca on Charles Street. The new wine bar (it opened several weeks ago) was packed when we sat down for dinner at 9:30 p.m. We enjoyed our Italian-inspired, locally sourced food—as well as the bottle of Prosecco—and they catered to the special requests of my picky friends: No sauce on the fish for Jenn and a very well-done hanger steak for Jess. I enjoyed my favorite Italian pasta dish, linguine with clams. Dinner the second night was at Stephanie’s on Newbury. We shared a tasty but pricey bowl of mussels and a Caesar salad. Technically, I didn’t eat at Harvard Gardens, but I heard good things from friends who had just eaten before our arrival. We went there post-Stephanie’s to meet up with them and sip dark ‘n stormies. The bar was busy and alive, but quiet enough for talking. My favorite meal was brunch at Union Bar and Grille in the South End. The ambience of the place was special, especially at noon with sun pouring in the floor-to-ceiling windows. I ordered a satisfying goat cheese and spinach omelette served with home fries.

Spend Sunday morning on Boston Common—Sit on a park bench with the Sunday Globe. Take reading breaks to look at all the happy families and dogs frolicking about. You’ll swear you’re on a movie set.

Even though you can get one at home, treat yourself to a manicure and pedicure at Thy Nails and Skin Care Salon—The salon is right on Newbury Street, Boston’s fashionista boulevard. After you’ve purchased your Valentino suit and your Marc Jacobs coat, take a break for a relatively cheap treat. For $35, Thy and her staff (four or five people work on you) will scrub, clean, and polish your toes and nails for 40 minutes of bliss.

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