It’s my first time in Boston. My first day went like this:
“How much is the bus to downtown?” I asked a young, curly-haired girl at the stop outside the airport.
“It’s free.”
Blank stare.
“I think it used to cost something but t was creating such a problem…”
This would not happen in Montreal.
I’m staying next to Chinatown in an almost new building. I walked the Freedom Trail yesterday. Boston Common, Boston Public Park, Boston Massacre, Quincy Market, Little Italy. Tourist stuff done.
Disappointments: Quincy Market. It’s not a fresh fruit and veg market. It’ a bunch of chowda’ shops, giant cookies, over-the-top ice cream sundaes, and all tourists. Then the Bruins game let out and some locals joined in. There was music outside but it felt a little too much like Place Jacques Cartier in Montreal on a weekend in summer.
Happy surprises: The busker at the market. Brian Stankus. A little bit of Dashboard Confessionals in his voice. I sat and listened to four songs before giving him money and saying thanks. Most people don’t applaud. He deserved some clapping.
Cute wine shop in Little Italy called The Wine Bottega. Apparently sommeliers in the know come down from Montreal to visit. It’s almost all natural, organic, and a ton of biodynamics. Then, because it’s Little Italy, I found an Italian liquor store with craft limoncello. And got some recommendations on whole lamb butchering and artisanal bread in the area from Carrie at the Wine Bottega. I bought neither. But both smelled good.
Then Happy Hour. Bartender: Russell at Q Restaurant. Ginger cocktail and sashimi. I bought gluten-free soy sauce on Washington Ave. (Street?).
He recommended Shojo for more cocktails.
Ended up splitting a bottle of natural wine I bought with the bartender manager and bartender there. They chisel the ice cube for an old fashioned because it’s that kind of place.
Bonus: Gluten-free menu with drunk chicken and rice vermicelli.
Day 2: Italian antipasti and detox smoothies…
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