Boston Gets its Spring on

Happy Easter!

Boston is truly at its best when the weather turns from dreary winter into those first few sunny, warm days where its not just bearable to be outdoors, but glorious! This weekend the city has been full of tourists and locals alike, all just taking in the scenery, and we were a part of it.

We started out with lunch in Charlestown, one of my favorite places to run because of its lovely architecture and killer hills. After a little wander, we opted for Max & Dylan’s. Our meal started out great with a Sam Adams Noble Pils for each of us and a hot, tangy, gooey buffalo chicken dip.

For my entree, I ordered a grilled pear salad. Unfortunately, the timing with the kitchen was not great, and they brought our entrees out halfway through our appetizer course. They wedged everything on the tiny table, but when I tried to move my hand to get my fork, the salad, which was hanging about 3 inches off the table, flipped over into my lap and then on to the ground, the plate breaking into a few pieces 🙁

They offered to make me another, but at that point I just wanted to leave. I had a few bites of the hubs’ tuna burger which was very good. I would definitely go back to Max & Dylans because everything I did eat was delicious. Hopefully they can time the food a little better so we don’t get everything at once!

After lunch, we walked across the bridge into the North End, Boston’s Little Italy, and a great place to be on a warm day. We walked through North Square past two of my favorite restaurants, Mamma Maria and Carmen.

I stopped into Salumeria Italiana to look around, and it felt like stepping out of the US and into a market in Italy. There was fresh bread in the window. 

Pasta and sauce filled some of the shelves.

Sweet Baci candies, biscuits, and chocolates filled another.

Everything in the store was tempting, but I had a mission in mind. Cannolis.

Forget Mike’s or Modern. If you want the best cannoli in Boston, not to mention some of the best pizza, visit Bova’s. It’s just my opinion, but Bova’s makes the best pastries and feels like the small neighborhood bakery that it is rather than a tourist stop. Everything I have ever gotten here has been incredible, and the service is always with a warm smile.

Bova’s was packed with people picking up breads, pies, and desserts for Easter. I love how you can really feel the holiday spirit in neighborhoods like the North End. It was completely bustling with activity.

I thought these bread loaves were just beautiful.

But I came for the cannoli. I had a mini cannoli with chocolate chips. In just a few bites, it was the perfect treat to eat while walking back to Charlestown.

We checked out a few more of their delightful goodies, and we were on our way.

On the way home, we stopped at a few of the Polish markets in our neighborhood to pick up meat for me to bring to NJ. These stores were also full of activity. The smells inside reminded me of my childhood when we would fill a basket with food and bring it to my uncle’s Eastern Orthodox church to have it blessed. I love how smells can trigger such fun memories!

If you celebrate Easter, what are you doing for the holiday? If you don’t, have you done anything fun this weekend?