Relaxing in Boston

Any first-time visitor to Boston has to go to Faniel Hall, the Boston Harbor, the aquarium, the Boston Common, Newbury Street, the Freedom Trail, and Harvard Square, among other places. Since I have done all of this, I now prefer more offbeat ventures, my favorite restaurants and cafes, and shops. I also have a few favorite picnic places. (Will be included in rest of journal.)

Quick Tips:

Best Way To Get Around:

Subway, car, taxi and bus are all reliable ways to get around the city. The subway is most convenient. Taxis can be expensive. I prefer to drive, but it can be hard to find a parking spot.

Someday Cafe in Somerville is a hangout for writers, students, and people who want to relax. Located right in the center of Davis Square, its windows are always steamy and music from inside (sometimes folk, sometimes alternative) leaks out onto the street. It's the perfect place to bring a lap top, a book, or a friend. There are antique couches and funky furniture placed randomly around the cafe, and tables along the windows, which are always in high demand. It seems like everyone is always meeting someone there. It's a friendly place.

They have dozens of teas, displayed in glass jars. They also have chai, lots of flavors of coffee, and pastries and bagels. I know of one author that wrote an entire book there.

It's also next door to an independent movie theatre, which makes it a convenient place to go right after the movies. Perfect for weekday nights or Sunday mornings. It's a unique part of Davis Square.

The Elephant Walk, a French and Cambodian restaurant in Cambridge, is a great place to go if you're in Boston. I went there once with friends, and once with my family, and everyone raved about it. The restaurant has also published its own cookbook, which is fairly well-known.

There are two levels to the restaurant; I prefer the upstairs as it's more elegant and feels more unique than the downstairs dining room. Also, you have a view of the busy Massachusetts Avenue from the upstairs dining area. In the center of the upstairs is a circular railing that looks down onto the spiral staircase that leads to the lower level. There is nice lighting throughout the restaurant and high, wooden ceilings.

The food if the best part of the Elephant Walk. I've had the Cambodian duck leg confit with bean thread noddles, which was amazing. They also have great soups, like S'ngao Mouan, which has sauteed chicken with coconut milk and lemon grass. The menu includes a variety of vegetarian dishes, like Vegetarian Mee Siem which is a dish or rice noodles, tofu, and vegetables, sort of like a pad thai.

I never had dessert there, but the dessert menu looks outstanding.

The service is always fast. Both times I ate there, I left totally pleased with my entire dining experience.

Overall, the restaurant is worth going to, especially if you are looking to eat something a little different. I had never tried French Cambodian food until going to The Elephant Walk, and I was very impressed.

If you are travelling to Boston for the first time, I think there are better places to go that are situated in more exciting, "happening," areas of the city. But if you've already visited the city and are just looking for something different that's very good, definitely try this place out. Also, I believe there is another Elephant Walk located in central Boston, but I've never been.