City Living (Boston)

Beyond the Burbs: Sugaring Season

Last week was all about pancakes. This week we’re boiling down sap to make syrup. This weather is throwing all the sugar shacks for a loop. You can travel out to “beyond the ‘burbs” in just about any direction and find a sugar shack. It just depends how far you want to go, and most…

Shrove Tuesday: An Ode to All the Pancakes In Boston & Beyond

Shrove Tuesday, also known as pancake day, always falls 47 days before Easter and is always February 3 and March 9. In some English churches at noon on shrove Tuesday the pancake bell is rung signaling that it is time to prepare the pancakes. It signals the first day of lent a day when traditionally…

Step Outside & Get Lost in Willliam Forsythe’s Artifact: Boston Ballet will be Remembered for This

Boston Ballet’s performance, which is the North American premiere of William Forsythe’s full length Artifact. It is a spoken word piece, a ballet, a concerto, an artwork all in one.

Boston Hotel Spotlight: Element Seaport

Finding a hotel in any metropolitan city can be a little mind boggling. There are the posh hotels downtown that risk being party central, budget busting, or just too close to the hustle and bustle to be conducive to a good night’s sleep. There are the hotels that claim to be in the city but,…

Appy Hour: Taking Steps Forward with Xfinity and More

(Sponsored by Xfinity) –This weekend, we dropped a cell phone in the snow. My daughter and I trekked back out and retraced our steps. The snow blowing everywhere made it hard to see and I didn’t have much hope of finding anything. After searching a while, we gave up and came back in. A while…

Brunch a Love Story: Il Casale

il Casale Cucina Italiana in Belmont is a warm, welcoming space. The dining room is often filled with regulars from around town, the occasional Top Chef film crew, and those who have heard how good the food is. I am a fan of dinner at il Casale and have been in for special occasions and…

New England Super Bowl Wagers

Two years ago, Boston Ballet and the Pacific Northwest Ballet had a fun wager going and were dancing off over the prospective Super Bowl winners because smack talk with a side of saut de chats and sissons is so much fun! This year the bakeries are getting in on the action. Somerville’s beloved Lyndell’s…

Super Bowl Skillet: Potatoes & Buffalo Chicken Dip

This all-in-one Super Bowl Bite stays hot in the cast iron pan and only takes a little prep. I used Willow Tree Farm buffalo chicken dip in this version but you can also make it with the chicken Ceasar dip. I suggest serving one of the dips on the potato skillet and the other just…

La Chandeleur: Crêpe Day aka Candlemas

February 2nd is La Chandeleur, a French holiday. Some say the holiday celebrates the sun and longer days of sunlight ahead. As for Candlemas, that refers to February 2nd the date marking when Jesus was presented at the temple in Jerusalem. Before this religious tie in, Chandeleur was rooted in pagan traditions celebrating the fertility…

Best Boston Super Bowl Parties: Bite by Bite

You can make cute football shaped foods, and go all out with the decor for an awesome DIY Super Bowl party but when push comes to tackle, there are only two important things for a successful Super Bowl party: a big tv & some tasty food and drinks. If you live in the Boston area, you have some…

Super Bowl Party: Chicken Stuffed Avocado

These chicken stuffed avocados are a quick and easy way to keep the party going without missing any of the game. Make a tray of them for a crowd or a plate for two. Chicken Salad Stuffed Avocados with Hot Sauce (serves 2) Ingredients Prepared chicken salad, 2 scoops, about 4 TBSP 1 ripe avocado…