BostonZest

Clam Cravings Cured at Wollaston Beach

Summer opened as a brilliantly shiny, warm day, so we jumped into a Zipcar Mini, peeled back the sun roof, and headed to Wollaston Beach and Tony’s Clam Shop.

 

There’s something about the first day of summer– maybe it’s vacation memories or that “schools out” feeling that never fades– but I always want to celebrate. And having a beach and clam shack nearby were just too tempting.

We rolled into Tony’s to christen the new season and parked next to the fish-delivery truck just in time to hear the driver say, “These are just 5 minutes out of the water!” Boston Chowhounds had recommended this as the best of the seafood fryers along Quincy Shore Drive, so things were looking good.
 

You can eat inside with a great view, but we needed to be outside.

As first-tmers at Tony’s, we wanted to try everything, but instead decided to construct our own appetizer platter.

 

The Steamers were sweet. The Fried Clams– cooked just right. And, look at the golden brown on those Clam Fritters! (Not quite the same as the clam cakes we were used to in Rhode Island.) It wasn’t tough to pick a favorite. Our forks kept dueling over the Fried Scallops.

 

We were happy, but couldn’t wait to get across the road for a dose of ocean and that Boston skyline.

Some clam shack tips from Penny-

• Ordering one fisherman’s platter for a group can give you a taste of everything and will probably have enough fries and slaw for everyone.
• Think about whether you really want those fries and go for small boxes of a few items like we did.
• If the lines aren’t long, consider ordering one or two items at a time, so you can eat everything at its best– fresh and hot from the frier.

We always try to remember our readers outside of Boston. Here’s some help to find your own place to play hookey from work and your diet!

Details:
Tony’s Clam Shop, 861 Quincy Shore Drive, Wollaston, MA 02170, 617.773.5090 (map)

Words: Ed Cherubino
Photos: © 2010 Penny Cherubino

How to Get to the Esplanade from Boston

“How do I get to the Esplanade?” “How do I get to the River?”

Whether it's for the Fourth of July, a concert, a special event, to exercise, or simply to enjoy this historic park, newcomers to Boston ask these questions all the time.

Because Storrow Drive cuts off the Charles River Esplanade from the rest of the city, you have to know where the pedestrian crossings are to get to the park.

The Esplanade is the park on the Boston side of the Charles River. It reaches from the Museum of Science in the East to the BU Bridge to the West. The photo above is a view of the park from the Cambridge side of the river.

Here’s a rundown of where you can cross from East to West.

• Martha Road/O’Brien Highway has crosswalks to the park.
• Blossom Street in the Massachusetts General Hospital campus has a ramped pedestrian bridge
• Charles Street has a bridge that takes you across to a spot right near the Community Boating building.
• Arlington Street will connect you to the Arthur Fiedler Footbridge and the Hatch Shell.
• Dartmouth Street at Back Street has a crossover that will position you near the lagoon, canoeways and the stone bridges to the Esplanade Islands.

Yes, in some places it looks like you are going into a strange area. For example you have to follow Fairfield Street all the way to Back Street to access its crossover

• Fairfield Street at Back Street’s bridge will take you to the bike path and another bridge to the Islands.
• Massachusetts Avenue at the Harvard Bridge (also known as the Mass Ave Bridge) has a ramp on its east side that will lead you down to a multi-use path along the river.
• Silber Way (Formerly and still called Sherborn Street by most Bostonians) will take you across to one of the nicest, scenic views of the park and the city, plus a state-of-the-art Parcourse.
• In back of Marsh Chapel at BU there is a crossing bridge to the park.

We created a map to show you these points of entry. Click here. (It may take a little time to load with the blue place markers. Wait for them!)

 

Want a taste of the Pops on your phone or MP3 player? Here’s a link: A full list of the Boston Pops recordings with Kieth Lockart and below are a couple of listener favorites. Click over to listen to a sample and read a full list of the songs on each album.

Related Post:

What's Open in Boston on July 4th?

Details:
Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photos: © 2010 Penny Cherubino

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Getting Us Outside: Another Way Dogs Are Good for Us

Street Food???

Yes, street food is a growing trend in Boston. Sidewalk vendors are popping up all over the place. But, that doesn't explain this pair sitting on a Back Bay sidewalk this morning.

 

It was in front of an MIT fraternity. Maybe it's a hack! The great onion hack of 2010!

I just found a book about the hacks at MIT. Interesting! And, of course if you are an onion lover there's a book for you too!

Details:

Word and Photo: Penny Cherubino © 2010 Penny Cherubino

Sammie’s Our Sunday Dog!

 “Who Me? I’m your Sunday Dog?"

Don’t look so surprised, Sammie– (I actually see a bit of, “it’s about time” in that look.) And, she’d be completely justified.
 

Alright Sammie, now you’re milking it, j-u-s-t a little.

But she’s right. After all we’ve known Sammie all of her life. She’s been our Maggie’s friend for nearly 11 years.

Sammie came to Boston as a rescue. While we’re not sure of her lineage, there must be some Chow Chow in there, don’t you think?

 
We all ran into each other yesterday while out for a walk, and Sammie & Maggie got to spend some quality time together. It’s good to know some things never change.

Here’s to you, Sammie!

Starting all your Amazon shopping from BostonZest will support the site and keep profiles of great dogs like Sammie coming your way.

Details:
Writer: Ed Cherubino
Photos: © 2010 Penny Cherubino

Art You Walk Through...

“There are three forms of visual art: Painting is art to look at, sculpture is art you can walk around, and architecture is art you can walk through”  -Dan Rice

Where is it? Guess first then click the map.

 

Details:

Photo by Penny Cherubino

Once Upon A Small Boston Kitchen- Our Friday Link

Meet "Once Upon a Small Urban Kitchen" another of my favorite local reads. Yesterday Katie broke the news of an upcoming Boston Local Food Festival so she moved to the top of my list of great web addresses to share with BostonZest readers.

 

Click over and enjoy learning what's going on in that small Boston kitchen. 

What else am I reading? Right now I'm rereading the Cheese Chronicles. I returned the library book but liked it so much that I bought the Kindle edition. Yes, both Ed and I still love our Kindle! When you live in a small space, it can be a great way to keep those must have books around. 

Details:

Writer: Penny Cherubino

Screengrab from Once Upon a Small Boston Kitchen

Take Your Dog to Work Day

Take Your Dog to Work Day is officially tomorrow (Friday, June 25th), but we thought some of you might need a day to run it by the boss– unless, of course, you are the boss. 

Either way, it's a chance to spread the word about a practice that many people already embrace daily. But, it wasn't always that way.

The first "Take Your Dog to Work Day" was organized in 1999. And, it's one reason why today, it's much easier to say, "I like to take my furry friend to work. It's good for both of us!" 

 

"Spike" Helps out at the Back Bay Framery on Newbury Street

Besides emphasizing the value of a dog's companionship, this special day also helps promote the importance of pet adoption.

If you're thinking about bringing a 4-legged friend into your life, please consider any dog who needs a home. And, if you've already decided on a specific breed, there are adoption groups for every type of dog. Petfinder is a good place to start.

For more about BostonZest dogs who regularly keep their people company at work, see Related Posts below:

Sadie & Spike Are In Our Frame Today

India is a Sweetheart! Our Valentine's Day Sunday Dog

If your dog could use a briefcase to carry all the stuff needed at work, consider a doggie backpack. And, remember to pack lunch, treats, lots of water, and maybe a favorite toy. 

 

Details:

The Back Bay Framery

www.backbayframery.com
227 Newbury Street
Boston, MA 02115
(617) 424-1550

Writer: Ed Cherubino

Photos: © 2010 Penny Cherubino