Growing up in my family, we never missed a meal. My mother’s cooking always brought the family to the kitchen table, especially for dinner. When I moved to LA not knowing a soul, the city, in essence, became my family. Like with any family, you don’t always get to choose who you get (I wanted New York), but you find yourself loving them anyway.
This city has provided me with so many experiences, so much opportunity and every time I eat at the bar, I appreciate the chance to connect deeper by understanding more of its history, culture and people. When a video project came up that took me to some of my favorite US cities, I welcomed the opportunity to get to know some other “families,” and eat some good food…This is the first part of my mini-tour of 4 US cities and their restaurant bars.
BOSTON
Home of my alma mater, Boston is a historic city with both the advantages of a big city and the quaintness of a small town. I’ve spent quite a bit of time in downtown, on my favorite street – Charles Street. Whether alone or with friends, you can always find me at PANIFICIO on Charles Street. It’s a real family joint, owned by my friend Chris Spagnuolo, with amazing pastries, coffee, sandwiches, salads, pizza – not to mention a wine and beer license. I wish every café were like Panificio. It’s an easy place to fall in love with Boston from…
Looking Out Onto Charles Street
Just down the street, SCAMPO is located inside the Liberty Hotel. Restored from the old Charles Street Jail, the hotel preserved much of the original stone and brickwork, as well as many of the cell bars. Scampo feels much like the beating, pulsing heart of Boston, filled with young professionals in its vibrant, lively atmosphere. Me? I go there for the lobster pizza…it’s fresh and decadent, and quickly became a series regular in my food dreams.
Scampo at the Liberty Hotel in Boston
Scampo's Lobster Pizza
Another favorite is Barbara Lynch’s SPORTELLO in South Boston on the Waterfront. The entire restaurant is one long, winding bar (Sportello being Italian for counter), which gives it the feel of a classic diner. Both the food and the decor of Sportello is modern, simple and clean. The food is prepared through induction cooking, so the pan is heated up by a high-frequency electromagnetic field…uh or something like that. The point is, everything heats faster, more evenly and doesn’t burn. All I know is, the food is phenomenal and the kitchen is one of the cleanest I’ve ever seen in a restaurant. It’s an easy, casual place to bring a date or to enjoy a meal solo on a weeknight. When you’re done, stop by DRINK for its namesake. Another Barbara Lynch classic, it’s a bar dedicated to the art of the cocktail.
Sportello Counter
Crispy Sea Bass
Tagliatelle Bolognese with Fried Basil
Bread Pudding
Oh how I love Boston. I loved this city long before I even met it. In college, my friends and I used to play this game called “Fuck, Marry, Kill.” One person names three nouns and another person has to decide which one they’d fuck, which one they’d marry, and which one they’d kill – pretty straightforward. It’s always fun to play with inanimate nouns…like foods, or locations. If I had to pick for Boston, I think I’d have to marry Boston. I love it too much to kill it (and we have too much history together), but it’s not the kind of city one would fuck…(One of the reasons why I left).
Now, New York on the other hand…(*she blushes*). That’s the next stop! Stay tuned…
