Next Sunday, like many people in Boston, we'll be avoiding Superbowl
hype. Last year we heard a lot about the record viewership for the
game. But, if you look a bit deeper you learn less than half the TV
households were tuned in. (see details below)
This week we'll tell you about interesting things to do, places to
visit, and great dining without televisions flashing and people
"getting their edge on" for the game.
We love dining at bars, and prefer places without televisions.
When I called Craigie on Main in Cambridge to ask if they had any
special plans for the night they joked, "What Superbowl?" This could be
your evening to sneak into the one of area's most favored dining spots
with less competition. The hamburger from the bar menu is one of Ed's
favorites.
If they're full, Central Kitchen right around the corner will also be a
safe place to enjoy a football free evening. Be sure to order the
mussels from Brussels.
In the Back Bay, La Voile will have lovely French bistro fare at their
tiny bar or in the dining area. We were sitting at their bar one
evening when a slightly tipsy patron came up to the computer screen
where orders are placed and asked why the game was not on. While the
staff tried to explain that it was not a TV, we told her we wouldn't be
there if it were. She told us we were not true Bostonians and staggered
back to her table.
If you have a split in your party and someone wants to be near a TV, we
suggest Sel de la Terre in the Back Bay. The downstairs bar has
television and will be game-oriented, but the dining room and upstairs
bar will be a safe zone. This could be your night to enjoy their dessert sampler.
To thumb your nose at sports mania, move next door to L'Espalier where
every ounce of their attention and yours will be on the enjoyment of
fine wine, food and wonderful cheese. We do love their cheese service.
One of our favorite bars and favorite Sunday evening spots is
Hamersley's Bistro in the South End. They have plenty of warm
hospitality, good music, great food, and don't feel the need for the
distraction of TVs or sports.
The photos here are Hamersley's halibut clam roast and their famous chicken.
More on this topic tomorrow!
Details:
Central Kitchen
567 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA 02139
http://www.enormous.tv/central/index1.html
Craigie On Main
853 Main St, Cambridge, MA 02139
www.craigieonmain.com
Sel de La Terre
774 Boylston Street, Boston,
MA 02199
http://www.seldelaterre.com/
L'Espalier
774 Boylston Street, Boston,
MA 02199
http://www.lespalier.com/
Hamersley's Bistro
553 Tremont St
Boston, MA 02116
(617) 423-2700
Get directions
www.hamersleysbistro.com
Here's the report on the ratings.
After last year's football game, Lisa de Moraes on Washingtonpost.com reported, "Household ratings measure the percentage of the country's homes with TVs tuned in to a show. On Sunday, 43.3 percent of TV homes were watching the Super Bowl between 6:31 and 10:12 p.m..."
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/02/04/AR2008020401109.html
