Boston Beckons

Cambridge is dear to my heart because it is eclectic, as I like places to be. It is multi-ethnic and if you just do Mass Ave for a couple of blocks, you'll find 10 different types of cuisines within. It has bookstores that cater to every conceivable palate. AND, it is the home of Filene's Basement . Folks, we are talking serious shopping here. You can also be seduced by Faneuil Hall Market everytime you go. You can dine at the Bay Tower for your birthday; you can have the best clam chowder in the world at the Westin's Turner Fisheries

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The deluxe room is positively luxurious. Westin makes a big deal about its bed and bedding, so much so, that you can purchase the stuff on the web if you feel that your bed just doesn’t measure up anymore after a night here. It’s the down feathers, I suppose, that make a difference. Chuck also favored the bath robes, and for $75.00, you can own one. We were always on upper floors, so the view from the oversize window (they actually open in this hotel) is nothing short of grand. Both times, we had panoramic views of downtown, but I do know that some rooms face the Charles River too. King size bed naturally, night tables, reading lights, desk, chairs with T1 or greater lines for internet. Love Seat or couch by one of the windows if you have a corner room; huge dresser which also holds TV, VCR (which you can rent) and what not. Some rooms have coffee makers. All amenities including iron, hair dryer, mini-bar, safe.

They have 24 hour room service, and we can vouch for that. One early morning (3 am to be precise), we were both wide awake and decided we were in the mood for mango sorbet. Yes, you guessed it: it was delivered promptly to the room and we loved every spoonful.

You can also enjoy the fitness center, and pool/sauna. There are 4 restaurants here, including a charming clam bar which doubles as a waiting area for the Fisheries Restaurant. If you feel like spending your money, you can visit Copley Place which is connected to the Westin by skybridge. The skybridge is also a great spot to take photos.

If you''re walking outside, the Mariott Copley Plaza is right next door. We stayed there as well.

On the second level of the Westin, are several shops and/or kiosks which sell incredibly beautiful and unusual merchandise, i.e. jewelry. We never took time to explore that floor fully, but walked across many times, as we would come in from one of the side entrances and take the escalator up. Even if you're not buying, it's eye candy.

As far as recommendations go, what more can you add to a hotel that's had the AAA Diamond Award for 14 consecutive years?

For more Westin Experiences, go to:
Westin St. Francis, San Francisco
Westin Essex House, Manhattan

We were able to get an upgrade at the desk because I think I was staying there for 6 days or I spoke Arabic to the desk clerk. Whichever it was, I thank the stars the prevailed that day.

The room was sumptuous, with a king size bed, working desk with IT capablities, love seat, armchairs, a view from both our room and the 19th floor lounge which has to be experienced. Room service is almost perfect, and the plush white bathrobes are wonderful. There is a special key which will allow you to get access in the elevator to the 19th floor lounge which is reserved for the "big guys".

There, we met the most wonderful and resourceful concierge ever; his name was Fred and he seemed to have a handle on everything. He knew I loved the cookies they served, so he was kind enough to bring them to my room one night.

He also had quite an interesting music collection, and as he knew we were from New York, he surprised us with some fresh lox one morning. The other guests were asking us if they could have some, and we were more than happy to share.

Essentially, you can have breakfast there, or just go up to enjoy the view from the terrace. You can also go for pre-dinner cocktails, which include some delicious hors-d''oeuvres, most of them hot. There is nothing left for wanting there.

The concierge also found some interesting restaurants for us, not that Boston is lacking in that department, but we were looking for specialty dining.

The hotel is not far from Downtown Crossing , and I used to walk there almost everyday, whether it be to shop, get my nails done, or witness a mob of teenagers shrieking because Britney Spears was appearing there.

If you have time or the inclination, you can use the pool, the sauna, or have a massage. They have conference rooms if you wish to arrange same for your business.

The Swissotel became a point of reference by which we critique other Western Hotels.

You do notice its age, despite the very art deco melange of colors that greets you as you walk in. The carpeting is worn in some places, but this too, can be overlooked. The sitting area is immediately available from the door, and it goes on for quite a distance. I liked very much the idea that they had several separate sitting arrangements so that you could have some privacy, if you needed it.

They also have on the ground floor a fantastic café where you can have continental breakfast fare every day. The muffins and bagels are very fresh, and you can have gourmet teas and/or coffees. It''s very sunny in there as there is a large glass partition which opens to a terrace, for dining, weather permitting. At the time we stayed, it was freezing, so that did not happen.

The rooms are very cheerfully decorated as well, and ours gave us a terrific view of the Charles River. We had the essentials, such as the coffeemaker, an iron and ironing board, a cable tv, IT access with cable connections available at an extra charge.

Room service charges are a bit steep, so if you don''t want to pay $19 for pancakes, go downstairs instead.

Though they have spa and pool facilities, we didn''t take advantage of that. It''s a great place to stay if you are in Cambridge proper, as you can get to it by "T" on the Greenline, which for me is perfect, as it can get me to Boston University to see my daughter Michele. Rates quoted above were internet special.

It should come as no surprise that when I spot a name like this, I am going to either check out the menu from outside, or just go right in. In this case, we just went right in for lunch as we had walked quite a bit and were famished.

Brookline is a ritzy Boston neighborhood, I am told. Perhaps this is the reason that you'll find more luxury cars parked along its streets than anywhere else

. The menu features wooden grilled meats , Moroccan tajines , seafood , pickled turnips which I adore (they should be a reddish beet color and not soft, otherwise, it's a bad recipe), and other dishes which feature North African cuisine. You will see a beautiful sky blue ceiling reminiscent of mediterranean colors; the seating is simple in that you can have a traditional table or a booth. The restaurant also has objects on the wall, and metal tea urns which are so well recognized in the Middle East. The food is exquisitely prepared and portions are too generous. Go for the couscous with Moroccan lamb ; I had a grilled lamb sandwich on a sesame bread that was heavenly. The owner will come to your table, and introduce himself. He is quite elegant and debonair in style, and I'd say he would do much better on the screen than in a restaurant. The experience was excellent because we did return there and brought a guest.

They serve lunch and daily and are closed Mondays.

Here are some other great M.E. restaurants:

East West Café , Santa Rosa, California
Dervish Turkish Restaurant New York
Petra Pacific Grove, California
Middle East Cambridge, Massachusetts
Sultan's Pub Istanbul, Turkey
Saltanat Restaurant Istanbul, Turkey

In the restaurant proper, the booths are adorned with colorful prints of various fish on the wall above the table. The seats ensure privacy with an extended glass backing; service is fairly quick and what I do like is that they will prepare your fish whichever way you'll have it: steamed, broiled, baked, fried, grilled or not quite blackened with seasoning, but close enough. All their desserts are made in house, so indulge yourself if you can. During dinner, you will hear light jazz music which adds to the ambiance. If you take a table close to the window, you can watch people passing by--especially in the winter, when it's cold or near the holidays. The street offers a wonderful bouquet of lights in strings and swirls.

If you are taking the T to get there, on the Green line get off at Copley, or on the Orange line, exit at Back Bay. If you are driving, make sure that the restaurant validates your parking voucher for $7.00. They accept all credit cards.

Naturally, when I agreed to meet my daughter there for dinner, I had no idea I would have to go through a crowd of young'uns with mohawks, dressed in frightening black leather, with tattoos that made our freshly hennaed designs meek. Nor did I know that I would see more holes on people's faces than swiss cheese. At 50 years of age, I can readily say I was probably 2-1/2 times the median age of the clientele. But what the heck?

Surprisingly, the food was excellent and I'm a native of the middle east, so I don't say this lightly. If deafening noise is not a hindrance to your conversation, then by all means you ought to try it. We were seated mid-way through the first level of the restaurant. It apparently has more rooms up and downstairs. Unfortunately, belly dancing night is Wednesday, and this was not Wednesday.

The menu is bona fide middle east, and the prices are quite reasonable. Babaganoush came as the appetizer and the pita bread was warm and fresh. Michele had shish-kebab on a pita with french fries (not really middle east), and I had the falafel which was excellent and not too overdone. They have the "salata baladi" which is just the way I love to have salad, but there was no room to accommodate the generous portions.

There is a bakery on the premises, but we didn't indulge; like Espresso Royale, the walls here serve as art galleries for the local and not so local artists. If you can imbibe alcohol, rest assured that there is a bar in every room; we modestly asked for cokes.

Our waitress was very kind, and took an interest in our tattoos even though she had real ones. Service is not terribly prompt, but it gave Michele and I a chance to talk about Boston U. and her life on campus. Neither one of us was able to finish our portions.

Despite rumors to the contrary, the bathroom was quite clean and responsive. If you are coming here by T, take the red line and get off at the Central Square Stop. Two blocks further, the club is right on the corner, and I mean right on the corner, of Massachusetts Avenue and Brookline Street.

Student notices and things of interest to the college community are posted all over the walls.They also feature photographers and artists on their walls which is a nice way to subliminally get culture as you "caffeinate" . There are board games to be played here while you have your Java. Despite word to the contrary, I found the bathroom to be quite clean.

I had a grande latté with biscotti and Michele opted for the Earl Gray (I'm so proud of her to have acquired that tea taste!). The staff is quite friendly and articulate if you can get past the face jewelry, and the hair colors that continue to shock after first glance. There was no canned jazz music, but music that was rather upbeat; as my daughter and I warmed our bodies with the liquids, we needed to keep our freshly tattooed arms uncovered so that they could dry properly.

Their menu goes beyond the scones and croissants to include variety of cookies, muffins, cinnamon rolls and pastries which are baked fresh in the store. Bagels and sandwiches round out the menu, and a myriad of drinks aside from the coffees and decafs. A variety of teas, including the healthy Yerba Mate, which is enjoyed all over Latin American as a tonic. You can also purchase their whole-bean coffees to take home.

Espresso Royale is a chain of stores with a focus on the college campus denizen. I found the quality of the coffee to be excellent, and they are even dearer to my heart because I can get raw sugar there as well. If you're looking for friendly, unpretentious, this is a great place to slurp your caffé latte.

We were dressed quite elegantly for the occasion; Chuck had a suit and tie, although it's not required, and I had a long, black velvet dress on with a shawl. As we made it to the 33rd floor of the building, we got out of the elevator and as soon as we entered the restaurant, you can't help but be completely struck by the view. And it was a very clear night.

Someone was playing the piano, as it was a weeknight; the window panes are floor to ceiling, thus allowing for an amazing view of Boston's harbor, and that clock!! Zillions of little lights stare back at you unflinchingly.

We were taken to our table which was on the second level; this restaurant is very cleverly laid out, so no matter where you are seated, you can see the view. There are 3 tiers, with the first having the tables about the glass windows; the advantage of the second tier is that you get a wonderful, romantic, red cushiony leather semi-circular booth thus allowing for more privacy, and you are still dumb struck by what is in front of you.

They do have a dress code here, and I learned that business casual means jacket preferred but not required, and absolutely no jeans or t-shirts. Smoking is positively prohibited, much to my delight. If the mood strikes you, you may get up and dance to the music.

The food is excellent, but frankly, I was more excited about the venue, and the fact that we were celebrating my birthday here. We had roasted lamb w/potatoes for the entree, and for dessert, the kitchen prepared a very lovely raspberry/nut concoction which they presented to me with a candle. It made for an unforgettable moment.

The restaurant staff here is very attentive and courteous; they pay attention to every last detail to ensure that your dining experience is one of the best in Boston, and it was. I almost hate to say it, but the food was incidental.

Three levels of bargain merchandise await you by way of women's clothing, lingerie, shoes and perfumes, gourmet foods, leather goods, housewares that are always so damn exquisite, like plates from Portugal or hand painted water carafes.

Yes, there are men's suits, ties, shirts, shoes, fragrances, sportswear, but I spend very little time shopping for men's things here because Chuck gets there before I do; his clothes closet is 4 times the size of mine.

One of the things I recommend you do here is come with lots of patience and carry very little. This is a haunt for bargain hunters, and sometimes you really have to dig deep to find what you want at a drop dead price. I was able to buy a two piece dress suit for the summer for $7.00 (date on the price tag was the one before they donate it to charity). Bras are a great buy and you can recognize the brands regardless of the fact that they clip off the name. The shoe racks are awesome, and if you are shopping near holiday time, you can get some elegant gifts for next to nothing. They do place boxed gifts all over the store, regardless of whether they fit into the department or not. It's a great strategy to get you to look up instead of just down the aisle. Items are priced according to the date they've arrived in the Basement -- the older, the cheaper. I have never been in Boston and missed a trip to Filene's no matter how short in time. If you love a great bargain, or if you just want to browse, go there. By the way, there are no cars allowed in Downtown Crossing during business hours; the streets have police signs that say do not cross. Adding to the bustle of the area are many street cart vendors with t-shirts, jewelry, hats and the like.

Permanent exhibitions include Picasso, Durer, Jim Dine (spanning quite an era). There is also an extensive exhibit on Egyptian art and life in pharaonic times; African tribal art including some interesting wooden sculptures, and Greek sculpture from the classical era. There is also a area which recreates an 1800's New England House, rooms and all.

The Gift shop is a treasure trove, and a bit pricey. They do have other venues in Boston. If I recall correctly, the first Friday of every month brings with it concerts,cocktails and appetizing tid bits. Admission is $12. Kids under 18 are free.

When there is a travelling exhibit, you need to call ahead for tickets, and the price is around $15 during the week and a bit higher on the weekend.

Everything is covered in blue rugs or painted blue, so you already have a feeling you're going beyond terra firma. All the walls in the lobby are glass so that you can watch the film running through the system while you wait...pretty cool.

Once you are seated, you are completely surrounded by image, sound, graphics flashing overhead,-in other words you are immersed into the action.

Omar Sharif narrates this tale, and is Egypt's favorite son, having brought fame to this land. He plays the part of a wise grandfather relating the story of the ancients to his grandaughter in the hope of instilling in her the sense of awe by recounting the story of one of the world's seventh wonders. The action speeds up via aerial shots of the Nile's thundering falls, and looking at the pyramids from their top down,-gasp! Thank you National Geographic!

It takes us over the Valley of the Kings, and to the determination of one Englishman (Howard Carter) to find King Tutankhamen's tomb. We also follow along some of the areas that have been subject to looting; as our eyes continue on the path of the pyramid's incline, we are reminded of the wonder that these structures, built over 5,000 years ago, the construction of which continues to amaze modern day architects. We also hear again how a dead king was buried in the chamber with "eternal" food, vessels, gold and other riches to sustain him in his continuation in the beyond.The pyramid of Khufu is the largest of the three which stand at Giza.

There are other exhibits and interactive challenges such as Science in the Park, and a hands on experimentation station called "Investigate". We did not linger, but did stop by a picture booth to get a souvenir picture of the 2 of us with the Museum of Science Logo. For $5.00 you get a fun colored picture with faces placed inside a pyramid.

You can get here by "T" on the green line Science Park and walk over the traffic circle on the sky ramp, then walk about two blocks past the police station. If you're driving, there is a large parking garage with fair rates. There is no on-street parking in the vicinity. The lobby for the theater has glass walls so you can observe the equipment, and watch the giant film running through the projection system while you wait.

The largest and most famous of all the pyramids, the Great Pyramid at Giza, was built by Snefru's son, Khufu, known also as Cheops, the later Greek form of his name.

You may have guessed by now that my daughter Michele and I are not terribly interested in the high end boutiques and galleries which populate Newbury Street. So, our amblings found us on the upper end of the street which is clearly an area with the young and hip in mind. Be that as it may, one should stroll all the way down Newbury just to see the street change, and go from ridiculous to sublime, or vice versa.

There was a sign in this gift shop which is situated below ground level offering henna tattoos. So, Michele and I decided to investigate. We entered the store, and it is neatly arranged, with open vitrines displays of statuettes, musical instruments, all sorts of self-stick henna designs and jewels for the body, jewelry, and some clothing. On the counter, you will find the henna design books from which you can choose your ornament. I decided to do a floral design which covers most of the hand and up the pointer finger. Michele went for something more "subtle" which was a cross between geometric and floral on the inside of her lower arm.

We were watching as the shop owner was painstakingly finishing up her tattoo on a young woman and for $20.00 each, we would leave this place irrevocably changed, at least for 2 weeks. We learned an interesting fact from the artist, in that you have to prime the area with oil (olive or other will do) so that the henna dye takes better. She applies it with a fairly thin brush but the mixture is thick and gets clumpy as it dries then it falls off and hopefully leaves a design with sufficient reddish/brick color. This art form is called Mehndi and has been used in the Mid-East and Asia for centuries. It is a traditional art of decorating the hands and feet with a paste made from the leaves of the henna plant. It is also believed that this ritual protects the wearer from evil spirits.

On the more practical side, it’s fun, doesn’t hurt, and fades after a couple of weeks.

The memorial in Boston is simple, yet majestic in its brevity. As far as memorials go, I have seen the one in Washington DC which is a totally devastating experience of 5 hours; there is also a smaller, but very poignant one in Ft. Lauderdale. This memorial is different in that it is not housed anywhere. It stands freely, in the open, with its etched glass towers which are illuminated at night. The numbers of the six million victims who perished during the Holocaust can be seen on the 54 foot towers, but who can get up that high?

There are 6 towers, each immortalizing the 6 major death camps built and utilized by the Nazis, with Auschwitz as the most infamous and Treblinka not far behind. As you walk through the towers, there is a black granite path which stands between them, bearing the names of the camps. There is a sort of smoldering smoke which rises from the granite floor as well. It is very powerful and evocative in its symbolism. The number 6, as you can see, plays a role in this particular memorial.

There is a dedication by Elie Weisel, the incredible Elie Weisel, the survivor. On the sides of the path are plaques with more information and dedications. You will see the word "Remember" as you first walk through the first tower, and again as you exit the last tower. Holocaust survivors who relocated to Boston initiated and supported the project. The photos of the memorial by day and night are taken from the memorial’s website.

If you are interested in delving into this subject more deeply, you should go to: link

My first meeting of Cambridge was to visit a customer of mine, Charrette, located on Brattle Street. I learned quickly at that time that "thou shall never attempt to navigate Boston streets". Otherwise, I could see that I was going to love the place. Right across the street, there was a specialty stationery store, a bath shop which was not part of a chain, a funky clothes boutique, and a sidewalk café. Our first lunch was at a small middle eastern restaurant so well hidden in fact, I don’t know how we ever found it. The ambiance was divine and the food matched the atmosphere.

Near the T Station at Harvard Square, you can hear self-appointed preachers at any time of day; there are also interesting musicians from time to time, and other kinds of street performers. Next to Au Bon Pain, one evening, we watched brows deep in concentration over chess games on permanent tables. It’s wonderful to walk around Harvard Square, by day or night, it’s always bustling with activity, and window browsing is addictive. And yes, we did go by the restaurant which appeared in the scene of Good Will Hunting.

Next to the Harvard Museum Shop, there is an alley with shops on both sides; one of the most interesting is Selleto with handmade soaps, scented candles, and all sorts of things which smell divine. There is also a very high brow bookstore on the same side. Speaking of which, Harvard Square is home to one of the country’s best travel bookstores!! You must make this a stop at all costs: it’s called Globe Corner Bookstore and is located at 28 Church Street, phone # is 617.497.6277. You can check them online HERE

Nightlife is not lacking here; there are theaters, jazz clubs, movie houses, comedy clubs, and quite a palette of restaurants. On a very cold January night, we went for authentic Jamaican food and enjoyed reggae and soca on the dance floor. As far as lodging, the bed and breakfast route is the most charming, but Sheraton has a location here if you prefer a full fledged hotel. Keep in mind that the occupancy rate of rooms in Boston is sky high, and so are the prices, so book early. No matter where you decide to stay, ensure that you include Cambridge in your itinerary.

It seems to me that the most important order of the day in any sort of Italian celebration is "Mangia" (eat) as there is no possible way to escape the floating aroma of sausage and peppers whizzing by your nostrils. It is a passionate commemoration of all things Italian.

San Gennaro (St. Januarius)was a martyr saint who would not cede to giving up his worship of the lord for Timothy, a pagan governor of his times. He had been appointed by one of the emperors to seek out believers in Christ and sacrifice them to idols. San Genaro is the patron saint of Napoli (Naples).

The Stars of the show, aside from the saint himself, are the sausages and peppers, linguine and mussels, tomato, onion & fresh basil salads. Let us NOT FORGET the almighty zeppole , which is deep fried, and then sprinkled very generously with confectioner's sugar. Sort of a beignet or greek loukoumades.

At some point in the celebration, an effigy of San Gennaro is held up and has dollar bills all over it. Here in Boston, instead of the floats, they have a marching band with all the instruments come down one of the cobblestones streets as people patiently wait on the sidewalks to see them pass by.

They will also have rides for the kiddies and games that look so simple and yet so unattainable. There were some locals that sang old Italian favorites like O Sole Mio, Mama, Arrivederci Roma etc... This is probably the only time of the year that I will eat sausage. They are sweet and pungent, but trust me, they will want to leave your body later on in the day.

Parking in Boston is nothing short of an acrobatic feat. Get there as early as you can so at least, you have a chance.

Aside from the festival, you can find freshly made nougat with pistachios with a taste unparalleled to anything I've had before. I buy it in Boston and bring it back home.