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If you’ve ever run the Boston Marathon, you are probably feeling a little like I am right now. I wish I was running this year! I love this race and this day so much, and I am definitely a little jealous of all of those runners who get to take back Boylston Street this year. Note, I was not jealous of them on sub-zero training days this winter.

It’s always fun for me to relive my Boston Marathon memories, whether as a spectator or runner, and I thought it might be fun for those of you outside Boston to experience it as well. Below are all of my Boston Marathon Expo and Marathon Monday recaps, along with a post on my thoughts after the 2013 Boston Marathon.

I am wishing all the best to runners who will be out there this Marathon Monday; I will be there losing my voice cheering!

Hereford and Boylston

{Right on Hereford, Left on Boylston – go take back that finish line!}

Boston Marathon Expo 2010 – I called this post Inspiration is Everywhere, because it always has been the case with the marathon. But now? I can’t even begin to marvel at how courageous and incredible the first responders and survivors have been. It reminds me I have absolutely no excuse to skip a run or to ever complain about anything, pretty much.

Boston Marathon 2010

Boston Marathon 2011 – Cheering!

Boston Marathon Expo 2012

Boston Marathon 2012

Boston Marathon 2013 – One of the worst days in this city’s history, one of the saddest days of our lives, and the worst day of many people’s lives, yet a day where everyday people became heroes, running toward what many of us would run away from.

Tags: Boston, Boston Marathon

Well Happy Friday! For many it’s a holiday weekend and for many in Boston, a long weekend, culminating in what will once again be the best day of the year when we take back Marathon Monday.  Boston will be buzzing with energy and pride this weekend leading up to the Boston Marathon, and there are lots of fabulous restaurants in the city to celebrate in.

I recently attended the reveal of the new Bar at Grill 23. It takes what was previously a dark steakhouse and makes it chic, bright, and modern, all while maintaining some of that classic feel. It’s a gorgeous blend of old and new, and just in time for Spring and Summer, the windows open out on to the beautiful Boston streets. Grill 23 is a pretty key spot for your Marathon weekend dining as it is just blocks from the finish line.

Grill 23 Bar

The Bar at Grill 23 features lots of classic cocktails with a Grill 23 twist, as well as some I have not heard of. Fresh ingredients take up a section of the bar, and it was fun to check out all of the vibrant colors while we ordered our drinks.

cocktail ingredients

They also have a really fabulous by-the-glass wine list, and on the very chilly day I stopped in, I was in the mood for one of my favorites, a Cabernet Franc. I love that Grill 23 has a wine list made up of $23 bottles of wine, and it actually features some great selections like abovementioned Cab Franc. The $23 wine list is perfect for groups of friends to be able to try a few bottles with dinner without breaking the bank.

Cabernet Franc

At the opening of the bar, we feasted on cheeses, charcuterie, and my favorite, mini versions of the House Blend Burger. A burger and a glass of Cab Franc were simply perfect together.

Grill 23 burgers

I really enjoyed the time I spent at the Bar at Grill 23, and I look forward to returning for sampling more of their bar bites and creative cocktail menu.

If you are in the Boston area, will you be cheering on Marathon Monday? If you live somewhere else, what are your weekend dining plans?

Tags: Boston, cocktails, Dining out, events, Grill 23, Restaurants, wine

As we settle into our new home, we are marveling at our location and excited about warmer weather, longer days, and more time to explore. Life in the new house hasn’t been perfect; it’s been cold, there’s work to be done, and our shower is the coldest I have ever used. Still, we know we hit the jackpot with this home, and we stop almost daily to say how much we love the house.

I love that we were able to stay in Dorchester. Everyone is so friendly, and there are great restaurants and  some beautiful scenery within walking distance from our house.

We’re technically in Lower Mills in Dorchester, close to the Milton line, but we are also very close to Ashmont, making commuting into downtown Boston and Cambridge pretty easy. . . as easy as life on the MBTA can be.

Baker Chocolate Factory

Lower Mills has some beautiful spots, including the Baker Chocolate complex. I love the old mill and mill-style architecture. It always makes me wonder what life was like when the chocolate factory dominated Lower Mills. I bet it smelled great, but I am fairly certain life was not easy for anyone back then!

The shops and restaurants around Lower Mills are adorable. When we were in the process of buying our house, we stumbled upon the Lower Mills holiday stroll, and it was so charming, right out of a holiday movie.

The Ice Creamsmith is currently closed for the winter, but it’s old fashioned exterior adds to the charm of the village, and the promise of homemade ice cream will get us through to March when they reopen.

Ice Creamsmith

The Ledge Kitchen and Drinks is one of our absolute favorites. We have been fans a long time, especially of the Ledge patio. The Ledge is a short walk from our house, and we have been enjoying dollar oysters and their flatbreads. Sadly, the restaurant has been sold, and a new one will take its place, only no one, including the staff, knows when.

Until they close we will continue to stop in. The food and staff are so great, and we will be sad to see them go.

Ledge Kitchen and Drinks

Just down from the Ledge is the sweetest little bakery, Sweet Life. Their cookies and pastries and breads are SO good. Their coffee is also great, and I am pretty sure that Sweet Life will be our fuel-up stop on the way to the boat on summer weekends. I am imagining that everything we love in our neighborhood now will be that much better when it’s light and warm.

Sweet Life Bakery

Then there is one of my favorite features of our new house’s location: we can walk to Steel and Rye.

Steel & Rye

Steel and Rye recently started serving brunch, and we have already been twice. With a serious brunch cocktail list, oysters, house-made donuts, and other incredible treats, their brunch is one of the best in the Boston area.

Steel & Rye

Last, but certainly not least, are Chris Douglass’ Ashmont area restaurants Tavolo and Ashmont Grill. Tavolo is perfect for pizza and wine, while Ashmont Grill is just perfect for everything.

Tavolo

We especially love to wander over to Ashmont Grill for cocktails and apps. What’s even better is how, with these restaurants, Douglass really added to positive change in the Ashmont area. Many other businesses followed him into the area, resulting in a vibrant neighborhood.

Bee's Knees Cocktail

So there you have it; our little corner of the world, and all of the fun and food that we are looking forward to being part of our lives. It’s an exciting time; now if it would just get warmer so we can actually spend some time outdoors, it would be perfect.

Tags: Boston, cocktail, Dining out, Dorchester, Food, pizza, Restaurants

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