Rhode Island & Boston Day 4

Yesterday consisted of walking down memory lane with F in Rhode Island. I won't go into to much detail, but enjoyed pastries in the morning at Seven Star Cafe (most adorable accented, sweetheart of a barista helped us) and ice cream at Gray's Ice Cream in the afternoon (huge size 'small'). 

In between we ate lunch at East Side Pockets, saw the River Park in downtown Providence with its WWII memorial,  and walked the grounds at Sakonnet Winery. Overall a wonderfully slower paced, laid back day.

Returning to Boston to change, we made our way back over the bridge to Cambridge for dinner at Oleana. Cute Mediterranean atmosphere and a waitress that show with confidence in each selected word. I thoroughly enjoyed the surroundings and champagne and most of the dishes we ordered. Each plate that tastes good, tastes delicious, a couple were lack-luster (ie I don't recommend the snow peas or pork roll). A surprise dish of savory custard and another of short rib were by far our favorites. A dessert of Baked Alaska ended the dinner on a sweet, mouth watering note.

Baked Alaska

Boston Day 3: Mike's Pastry, Old North Church, Charles River

Paul Revere and the Old North Church in the background

Today has been a fairly laid back day, just as vacation should be. Another slow morning before heading to the North End of Boston where Mike's Pastry awaited with endless sweets. The anticipation was killing me as I'd seen countless people yesterday with Mike's Pastry boxes. I've only ever seen cannolies on Cake Boss until today. F and I selected Florentine and Pistachio cannolies to start our day. Nothing like what I expected. I guess my mind was thinking cream puff; this was very different: harder, crunchier shell and thick rich creame. So delicious, but I don't think I'd be able to eat more than one, since they are so rich.

We wandered around the North End for the rest of the morning along the Freedom Trail, a line of bricks in the middle of the sidewalk lead us from one historic attraction to the next. We journeyed from Paul Revere monument to the Old North Church to the second oldest graveyard in the US, then down to the harbor before turning around and passing Paul Revere's house off of a picturesque square I forget the name of.

I just found out one of my ancestors is buried in this graveyard
- wish I could have looked for the headstone!

Crossing to Cambridge, driving through Harvard and MIT, we walked along Charles River and downtown on our way to lunch at Garden at The Cellar. A friendly acquaintance of F's is the chef there, so he was kind enough to send us out a dish before our meals of beet salad and pastrami sandwich. Full and satisfied again, we headed back towards the river and leisurely trekked half way across the bridge to admire Boston's beauty, especially on such a sunny and cloudless day.

Later, we had to make a somewhat touristy stop at Cheers before dinner. If I have to explain what Cheers is, I'll cry. 

Where Everybody Knows Your Name!

Finally, we had glasses of vino while waiting for a table at Toro. Well worth any wait. Tapas and paella made me feel like I was back in Spain. It's understandable why the place is constantly packed: amazing food and great atmosphere. The music is kind of out of place, blasting rap and pop when you'd think they'd play something more guitar based, but tall ceilings, dark wood, candlelight, and touches of Spain make up for the music. There is a bull head art piece on the wall and in the bathrooms they have posters "advertising" El Real Maestro de Sevilla en la Plaza de Toros, which I love as Sevilla is where I lived and saw an actual bull fight. 

Bone Marrow

They call this a "spite" house - to spite those who wanted to hang out in the alleyways

Boston Days 1 & 2: Quincy Market, NE Aquarium, Fenway Park

Two days ago, F and I landed at BOS after a long day of travel. We immediately went downtown Boston for him to show me around his city. Quincy Market arrived first on the list as we needed food, and fast. We made a beeline for Durgin Park, "Established Before You Were Born, " to eat some typical New England staples in a place that screams 'I'm in Boston:' checker table cloths, old outfits, and heavy Boston accents. Cornbread started us off before our bowl of clam chowder warmed us up. We split fish and chips and shepard's pie, finally filled up after not eating a proper meal all day.

I bought a Boston Strong T shirt while browsing Quincy Market and F pointed out different places significant to him as we walked along the harbor, past Post Office square to the car. F's family dog awaited him at home after a long separation, so day 1 ended pretty mellow as they reunited and we rested after too much time on a plane.

Day 2 started slowly, as our plans to start with an early morning run quickly vanished. We drove to Flour Bakery for some morning eats and coffee/hot chocolate. I guess the lady that started this place was originally some sort of super smart scientist but feel in love with baking and opened her this! I'm glad she did because her gluten free blackberry poppy seed bread hit the spot and F seemed happy with his breakfast sandwich and pop-tart esq pastry.

We crossed the bridge, stopping to peek into the Boston Tea Party Museum/gift shop, before walking to the New England Aquarium. The staff at the aquarium is by far the most involved and interactive I've ever experienced. They had numerous feedings and touch stations and a special demonstration with Axotals. Staff walks in the water with the fish, answering questions and pointing out fish and turtles and sting rays as they swim by. Unfortunately, the center exhibit has been closed for the past 10 months for renovation. We happened to be there as they were refilling it for the first time since 1984, a large project! We had a great time and when we left, the sun welcomed us for a day of exploring the city.

George Washington in Public Gardens

85 Year Old Turtle

We headed to Chinatown before walking through Public Gardens, then down Newbury Street. My mom would love this street: full of all the shopping you could possibly want and more, as well as a cafe for each boutique you pass. We stopped at Copley Square to see the memorials from the Boston Marathon bombings. People hung their running shoes along with flowers and signs to pay respects to the tragedy.

After returning home and back downtown, we had a quick, satisfying dinner at Eastern Standard. Burgers, steak, asparagus, and of course drinks/oysters to kick it all off. We somewhat rushed so we could make our way to Fenway Park! 

Red Sox vs Twins. The stadium is old and outstanding. Not a bad seat in the house. Boston accents calling out with clam chowder and popcorn. Old fashioned score board and the new screens mock the same colors and design as the Green Monstah (the wall that eats the ball when swinging for the stands). We got our tickets' worth as the game tied up and stretched 11 innings. F almost caught a foul ball. I've never had so much fun at a baseball game as I did last night. Unforgettable. Short T ride back to the car and goodnight.

F's turn to touch a shark!

Shark & Sting Ray Petting!