BostonZest

Farmers Markets' - Some Opening Dates

We have opening dates for some of the Boston area farmers' markets. Both my recent "Fresh & Local" newspaper column and my latest Market Scene report over on Serious Eats were previews of the upcoming market season. 

Here are a couple of news tidbits!

City Hall Market Has a New Manager 
The City Hall Farmers' Market will be co-managed this year by Mass Farmers Markets and the Boston Public Market Association. The market manager will be Megan Harrington. Many shoppers know Harrington from the Dewey Square Market. She said the Boston City Hall Market will give the association more opportunities to educate the public about the goal of establishing a public market in Boston that operates year-round, from a permanent and prominent home. 

Prudential Center and Kendall Square Markets 
"We are really looking forward to the Prudential Center farmers market's second year! Boston Properties has been so supportive in promoting us ..." said, Cathy Gilson of Gilson Family Herb Enterprises and The Herb Lyceum. "Boston Properties asked David [her husband David Gilson] to start another market in Cambridge... in Kendall Square near the MBTA." Both markets will have a new on-site market manager, BJ Pessia. At the start of the season, Pessia will work side-by-side with David Gilson to gets to know the vendors and customers. 

The following opening dates have been announced.  For details on more markets statewide go to www.MassFarmersMarkets.org.

South End/SOWA: May 16th (Sundays) 
Copley Square: May 18th (Tuesdays and Fridays) 
Kendall Square: May 19 (Wednesdays) 
Prudential Center: May 20th (Thursdays) 
Boston City Hall Plaza: May 24th (Mondays and Wednesdays) 
Cambridge Charles Square: May 23rd (Sundays) 
Central Square, Cambridge: May 24th (Mondays) 
South Station/Dewey Square: May 27th (Tuesdays and Thursdays) 
Roslindale/Adams Park: June 5th (Saturdays) 
Cambridge Charles Square: June 11th (Fridays) 
Harvard University Farmers' Market, Cambridge: June 15th (Tuesdays) 
Brookline/Coolidge Corner: June 17th (Thursdays) 

   

Details:

Writer: Penny Cherubino

Photo: © 2010 Penny Cherubino

 

"Lone Holdout–A Memoir" by Linda Cox

If you were on a jury, and convinced the accused was innocent, would you be strong enough to vote alone, time after time, and ultimately hang the jury? Linda Cox was. In her memoir, "Lone Holdout," she tells the tale of the trial, stressful days in the jury room and her personal quest to defend an innocent man. 


 
Following her jury service, Linda slowly and thoughtfully came to a decision that it wasn't enough to have kept Carlos Montilla from being convicted by one jury. She had to help him gain his freedom from the accusation that threatened to separate him from his family.

Linda gathered a team of "white knights" and led them on a crusade to gain freedom for this young Hispanic immigrant. 

Friends, like me, have learned a lot about Linda in the pages of this book. Sure, we'd heard her talk about those days, and had read the stories in the Boston Globe and the Los Angles Times about what she had done. 

But, we'd only been shown the surface of her experience. After reading "Lone Holdout," I know the depth of what she went through to help a man she'd never met, until fate put them together in a courtroom. 

For the past two years, Linda and I have worked together on a number of projects, while she was in the final stages of publishing this book. And, in the interest of fairness and full disclosure, I have to say that we are currently co-authoring a book about the history of the Esplanade. But, you don't have to take my word for it. Read the reviews on Amazon. 

The book is just out, and Linda is about to make her first appearance to promote it. You'll be hearing a lot more about "Lone Holdout."

 
On Wednesday, May 5th, Beacon Hill Village will host a "Conversation with Linda Cox." 
The event will take place from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. at 64 Beacon Street, Boston MA (Map)
Admission is $20.00 (Free to members of Beacon Hill Village and Beacon Hill Seminars)
Reservations Required- call 617-723-9713 or email info@beaconhillvillage.org

And, of course you can buy "Lone Holdout–A Memoir" from Amazon right here. 

Details:

Lone Holdout-A Memoir

Charles Street Press

www.charlesstreetpress.com

Writer: Penny Cherubino

Photos: Courtesy of Charles Street Pr

"Fluffy White Rabbits" Found at "Bottles"

We were on the hunt for "Fluffy White Rabbits" when we found ourselves standing in front of "Bottles." Penny and I had heard about this North End wine & beer shop from Dann and Martha at Pretty Things. So, it seemed like a good place to look for their new hop, hop, hoppy offering.

  

It's not a large space, but well put together. As you walk in, there's an impressive wall of wine to the left– (I'd like a wine cellar set-up like this).

There's a beer display in the middle of the store, a cold case in back, and an array of wine up front.

 

"Bottles" features interesting wine displays including this enticing vertical tastings selection from Antonio Cerri.

 

Not inexpensive, but maybe we could split the cost with friends and have a special tasting– (the wheels are always turning).

While there are still plenty of neighborhood "packies" around, "fine wine & craft beer" shops, like "Bottles" seem to be joining the mix in Boston.

By the way, I did capture my "Fluffy White Rabbits"– thoroughly enjoyed them and had to go on the hunt again. Plus, we discovered a sparkling French rosé to help us keep our New Year's resolution to pop a bottle of sparkling wine, on the first of each month, in 2010. We'll let you know how we liked it, in Saturday's post.

Need a Mother's Day or Graduation Gift? An Amazon Gift Card will make everyone happy, and you can print it out instantly or send it via email.



Details:

bottles 
fine wine & craft beer
372 Commercial Street, Boston, MA 02109
617-391-0021

Writer: Ed Cherubino

Photos: © 2010 Penny Cherubino

Lobster Salad at Rendezvous = A Best Bite

Steve Johnson at Rendezvous in Central Square has a way with salads. On a recent visit I had to choose between the "Salad of frisée lettuce and Maine lobster with blood orange, pomegranate seeds and mint,"  and the "Boston lettuce salad with apples, cheddar cheese, spiced pecans and cider vinaigrette." 

 

I opted for the lobster salad because the Boston lettuce is usually on the menu and the lobster is a sometimes thing. Johnson told us everything was perfect for featuring this dish right now–  a good lobster supply, and some great citrus in the market. This is my kind of lobster salad. (Steady readers may know of my crusade against places that put mayo and fillers in their lobster rolls without calling them lobster salad rolls.)

Here's what I wrote on Chowhound, "The lobster salad on the current menu is a show stopper. Perfectly cooked lobster with a citrus dressing and blood oranges. It looked like a party. Steve Johnson is one of the few chefs who can tempt me with a salad."

Even if you take Mom to Rendezvous for Mother's Day, you can still give her an Amazon gift card to buy herself a treat!

Details:

Rendezvous in Central Square 

502 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02139

(617) 576-1900

www.rendezvouscentralsquare.com

Writer: Penny Cherubino

Photos: © 2010 Penny Cherubino

Mother's Day 2010 Dining in Boston

Time to make reservations, if you plan to treat Mom to a meal out on Mother's Day. This is one of the BIG restaurant dining days, so the places with excellent food will fill up fast. Sunday is Mother's Day, and it's graduation season in Boston with Northeastern University, Berklee College of Music and Emmanuel College all holding commencements that weekend. 

Our picks

We had a great meal at Bistro du Midi this week, so they go to the top of this list. Chef Robert Sisca is planning a special three-course brunch menu from 11:00 am until 3:00 p.m. At 5 p.m. they'll reopen with a few special choices for Mom added to their regular menu. With the Public Garden across the street, a Swan Boat ride or stroll might be the icing on this Mother's Day treat. If your family is a buffet brunch bunch, why not take Mom to the brunch buffet that's spectacular all year round at the Blue Room in Cambridge. They're having five seatings between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. and Chef Jorge Lopes is promising that for Mother's Day, he'll make this well-loved buffet even "More Spectacular!"

If your budget is tight but you want excellent food and service for Mom, make an 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. reservation at Union Bar & Grille in the South End, and you can treat her to their "$9.95 Early Riser All Inclusive Brunch Special." It's available 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday and 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Sunday.

For more Mother's Day dining ideas, here are three excellent lists of restaurants with special menus and hours for May 9, 2010.

Don't be surprised if some places require a credit card to secure the reservation. This is the type of holiday when people may book multiple restaurants and decide where to go at the last moment. That can make the restaurant turn away other potential customers, so a guarantee may be needed to reserve.

Open table always does a great job guiding you to the right reservation. What's more, you can just click through and reserve from this list.

Boston Chef's has a shorter list from their members.

Gayot lists favorite brunches.

And for the best gift, let her choose something from her wish list. Get an Amazon gift certificate! You can send it by email or print it out to tuck into a greeting card.



Details:

Writers: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photos: © 2010 Penny Cherubino

Fire in a Pet Friendly Building, Be Prepared

The Back Bay condominium building that had a nine-alarm fire earlier this month was pet friendly. Many residents were at work when they learned that the place where they'd left their dogs and cats was on fire. It's every pet lover's worst nightmare.

Naturally we thought about how we could keep our Maggie Mae safer if it ever happened at our home. Penny wrote her "City Paws" Newspaper column about it that week. Click over To the Back Bay Sun  to learn about the wonderful work of the Rescue League of Boston (ARLBoston) staff at the fire.

We wanted to share the tips portion of that column with our Sunday Dog readers and encourage you to add your own ideas, suggestions and questions to the comment section. We'll try to get the experts to answer any questions you have. 

How You Can Prepare for an Emergency

"Have a carrier nearby your door. That way if somebody did find an animal they have something to put it in. Or a leash," said Brian O'Connor, Manager of Animal Rescue Services for ARLBoston. This would also help if you have to leave quickly with your pet.

"Carry a picture in your wallet, so you can give the rescuers a picture of your animals," Martha Smith-Blackmore, DVM, Director of Veterinary Medical Services at ARLBoston suggested.

Consider keeping your pet in a room with a closed interior door when you're not there. One fire victim learned that firefighters found her front door gone and her dog running loose. This Puggle was caught and brought out by the fire department. Having a collar and license on your dog will also help.

Think about where you and your animal might live for a few days if you couldn't go home. Boston has many pet friendly hotels. Find one you like and add their number to your cell phone. Then you won't have to figure this out in a crisis. 

Finally, send a donation to the Animal Rescue League of Boston. They were there for the residents of the fire building because of donations, large and small, that were made by pet lovers like you. You can learn how at www.arlboston.org.

Details:

Writers: Penny & Ed Cherubino

Photo: © 2009 Penny Cherubino

Zurca Circus Big Brass Band Jammin' at the Pru

Here are some scenes from yesterday's concert in the South Garden at the Prudential Center. For more Jazz Week fun, click over to JazzBoston.org.

 

The members of Zurca CIrcus Big Brass Band are students at New England Conservatory. They describe their music as "Contemporary New Orleans." We describe them as fun to listen to, fun to photograph and musicians to watch. Remember, you saw them here first!

Details:

Writers: Penny & Ed Cherubino

Photos: © 2010 Penny Cherubino