The Beantown Bloggery

This works out perfectly.  My weight-loss bet ends tomorrow (FINALLY!).  I've lost 17 lbs since January.  Sadly, I'm still going to lose.  At least it motivated me to lose some weight.  Now, if only I could lose about 15 more, I'd be back to where I started before the whole 'graduate from college and get a job sitting in front of a computer 12 hrs a day' thing happened.  

It’s that time of year again! Ben & Jerry’s will be thanking Boston, along with all of its loyal customers, with their annual Free Cone Day on Tuesday, April 3. Boston-dwellers can visit local Scoop Shops between 12:00 – 8:00 p.m. to get their free ice cream. What better way to celebrate thirty-four legenDAIRY years than with ice-cream lovers all around the world!?

Click (here) for more info.

Tickets just went on sale for this summer's Rock and Blues Cruise Summer Series. 

ROCK AND BLUES CONCERT CRUISES RETURN TO BOSTON HARBOR

2012 Series to include Ryan Montbleau Band, Melissa Ferrick, Max Creek, Adam Ezra Group,
Tall Ships Cruise with Bellevue Cadillac, Booty Vortex and more to be announced

The Rock and Blues Concert Cruises will return for an eighth season of summer fun and promises to be better than ever. The 2012 series will again take place aboard the Provincetown II operated by Bay State Cruise Company, providing one of the best concert experiences anywhere on the Boston Harbor.

This year’s series is expected to include twelve concerts, beginning Saturday June 2 and running through the end of August. The June 2 season kick-off will feature a double bill with the Adam Ezra Group and Max Creek. On Saturday, June 23, The Ryan Montbleau Band returns to the Provincetown II to celebrate Ryan’s birthday and the launch of their new CD.

The Tall Ships and the U.S. Navy will gather in Boston in early July to celebrate the bicentennial of the War of 1812. The Rock & Blues Cruise will join in the celebration, with a special Tall Ships Cruise featuring Bellevue Cadillac and the Evan Goodrow Band on Tuesday, July 3. On Saturday, July 6, Booty Vortex will host the annual Booty Cruise, a show that is fast becoming a tradition on the Rock & Blues Cruises. Finally, singer-songwriter Melissa Ferrick takes to the water with her band on Friday, July 27. She will be joined on board by special opening act Rose Polenzani. The show will be presented with the support of the legendary music listening room Passim.

The 2012 summer schedule to date is:

June 2 Adam Ezra Group and Max Creek
June 23 Ryan Montbleau Band
July 3 Bellevue Cadillac Boarding with special guests The Evan Goodrow Band
July 6 Booty Vortex
July 27 Melissa Ferrick Band with special guest Rose Polenzan

Click (here) to get tickets.

5 Napkin Burger is excited to announce the second installment of their Beer and Bourbon Dinner Series with Stone Brewing Co. kicking it off on Tuesday, April 3rd followed by Long Trail Brewing on April 24th. After the success of the first series in Boston, 5 Napkin is thrilled to showcase another two exciting breweries.

Each dinner will begin at 6:30pm with an informal cocktail reception where guests will mingle with the brewers and dine on passed appetizers made with the beer! The evening will then proceed to a seated 2-course dinner and every bite of food will be expertly paired with a different beer (totaling four throughout the evening). Chef Andy D’Amico and the breweries will be working alongside one another to bring guests new flavors and new beer experiences.

To attend one dinner is $45 (including tax and gratuity) and for those real beer lovers, the cost to attend both dinners is $80 per person, also all inclusive.

Stone Brewing Co. menu includes: Tuna Tataki Wontons, Grilled Chicken Skewers, Cheddar Tots, Guacamole & Housemade Chips, Peel & Eat Shrimp & Beer Boil, choice of Mushroom Bleu Burger or Veggie Burger, and Smores Pie.

Stone Brewing Co. beers include: Stone Levitate Ale, Stone IPA, Arrogant Bastard Ale, and Stone Smoked Porter.

Long Trail Brewing menu includes: Pork Taquitos, Spicy Salmon Wontons, Turkey Meatballs, Tempura Fried Vegetables, Mac & Cheese, choice of Beantown Burger or Veggie Burger, and Mini NY Cheesecake.

Click (here) to get tickets.

Because I think everyone would rather see pictures than read words.  I'm going to cut to the chase.

1.  Flour (congrats to Joanne Chang!)
2.  Bristol Lounge
3.  Picco
4.  Hi-Rise Bread, Co.
5.  Finale

Pictures in no specific order.   BAM!


Click (here) to read what Zagat had to say.

Phillips Candy House to Sponsor 20th Annual Spring Egg Hunt
Eggs-travaganza of 10,000 eggs to be hidden at Dorchester’s Pope John Paul II Park

In celebration of the Easter holiday, Phillips Candy House, Boston’s oldest chocolatier, will sponsor the 20th Annual Department of Conservation & Recreation’s Spring Egg Hunt. This year, the egg hunt eggs-travaganza includes a total of 10,000 eggs. In addition, children and families will enjoy samplings of Phillips’ signature hot cocoa.

Immediately following the hunt, the Phillips family invites kids and parents to join them at the Candy House for photos and a meet and greet with the Easter bunny.

Easter Bunny, Families of Greater Boston,
Mary Ann Nagle, Owner - Phillips Candy House, and
Officials from the Dept. of Recreation & Conservation

Saturday, March 31, 2012
11 AM: Easter Egg Hunt

Pope John Paul II Park, Dorchester (at Gallivan Blvd. Entrance)
2 – 4 PM: Easter Bunny Guest Appearance and Hot Chocolate Sampling
Phillips Candy House, 818 Morrissey Boulevard, Boston (800) 722-0905

If you're reading via RSS or Email and can't see the trailer below, I suggest open up the Bloggery in your web browser. 

Americana Trio plays a Trio of Buster Keaton Shorts
 







Stumbling through shooting galleries, trains, secret societies, and falling houses Buster
Keaton delivers outrageous stunts and antics in 3 classic shorts:

"The High Sign"(1921) "The Goat"(1921) "One Week" (1920)

This March, enjoy these films along with fresh new film scores, performed live. Brendan
Cooney’s original scores give these films a classic 1920’s urban-Americana soundscape,
combining many strands of American roots music. Ragtime and old-time meet the blues,
bluegrass and hot jazz, played live by a talented trio of musicians:

Kyle Tuttle- Banjo; Andy Bergman- Clarinet; Brendan Cooney-Piano

Friday, March 30th
8pm (7:30 doors) $10
THE ARMORY
191 HIGHLAND AVE
SOMERVILE, MA

Click (here) to get tickets.

The Boston Museum submitted a proposal a few days ago to build a new museum at the corner of Blackstone and North Streets, adjacent to the Rose Kennedy Greenway and along the Freedom Trail in downtown Boston  I'm a big fan of museums, therefore, this is definitely something I'm in favor of. 

The Museum proposal, submitted to the Massachusetts Department of Transportation, owner of the Big Dig “Parcel 9” site, also contains detailed plans for a ground floor public market which will provide modern, indoor space for many of the historic Haymarket pushcarts on their traditional market days.

The Museum will celebrate the uniqueness of Boston and its environs through five interactive galleries on innovation, sports, politics, people, and growth. Visitors will travel via glass elevators up to the fifth-level Boston Gallery, where they will watch an introductory video, enjoy the panoramic view, and gather information for exploration of the city. As visitors descend to the lower floors, they can spend time in one or all of the Museum’s galleries before continuing on their visit to the Freedom Trail and other attractions. In addition to the five permanent galleries, a travelling exhibit gallery will provide an ever-changing array of informative and educational exhibits.

Click (here) to find out how you can help.

It's been a while for me since my last beer fest.  I'm trying to cut down on my beer consumption.  Doesn't help, though, my whiskey consumption has gone up as a result.  But I digress.  Tickets for the "Hyper-Local Craft Brew Tasting" just went on sale this weekend.  Beerfests always tend to sell out, so I figured get them, while the getting's good.    

SBN's Hyper-Local Craft Brew Tasting connects Local Brews with Local Crops and Ingredients

Following the success of The Local Craft Brew Tasting component of the Boston Local Food Festival, Sustainable Business Network of Greater Boston (SBN) realized the growing interest and importance of local craft brews. SBN's Hyper- Local Craft Brew Tasting plans to reach aspiring and established brewers as well lovers of craft brew. The brewfest will feature local craft brewers and highlight, promote and celebrate brews that are made with as many local crops and local ingredients as possible.

Come try local brews such as beer, wine, mead, and cider, made with locally sourced ingredients, including hops, barley, wheat, fruit and many other local items used for flavoring- herbs, teas, flowers, coffees, chocolates, honey and more.

2 Sessions: 3pm-6pm; 7-10pm, Saturday, June 16th, 2012
The Armory, 191 Highland Ave, Somerville
$30 per person, per session.

Click (here) to get tickets.

Click (here) to RSVP.

Here's another cool charity event going on right now.  This one's a raffle. 

Boston Celtics star Paul Pierce is offering hoops fans the chance to win the ultimate Celtics experience, by placing twelve tickets to his personal luxury suite up for grabs when the Celtics take on the Miami Heat on April 1 at the TD Garden. The winner will be chosen through a special online raffle with proceeds benefitting Pierce’s Truth on Health Campaign.

Raffle tickets are $2 with a minimum purchase of five tickets and can be purchased now.  The winner will be selected on March 30 at 11AM.

“I am thrilled to offer my fans a chance to sit in my suite while helping to raise funds to support my Truth on Health Campaign,” said Pierce. “It is critical for kids to understand that staying active and eating healthy are the keys to leading a happy and fulfilling life, and all of the funds we raise will help give kids the tools and information they need to live a healthy lifestyle.”

The raffle package includes:

· Twelve (12) tickets to Pierce’s personal luxury suite for the Boston Celtics vs. Miami Heat game on April 1 at 3:30 p.m. EST at the TD Garden
· $500.00 worth of food and beverage in Paul’s suite
· Autographed Paul Pierce basketball
· Twelve Paul Pierce Activity Watches

About the Truth on Health Campaign

Boston Celtics Captain and 2008 NBA Finals MVP Paul “The Truth” Pierce and his foundation, The Truth Fund, launched the Truth on Health Campaign to help empower and encourage young people to lead healthier lifestyles. The Truth on Health includes an awareness campaign and sustainable programming designed to help young people lead healthy lifestyles by incorporating physical fitness and healthy eating into their daily lives and encouraging a commitment to be active for at least 60 minutes per day.

Click (here) to get tickets.

The Boston Chi Omega Alumnae Chapter
Hosts the 7th Annual Pot Full of Wishes! Fundraiser
to Help Grant Wishes through the Make-A-Wish Foundation®
of Massachusetts and Rhode Island

Saturday, March 24
5:00 pm to 9:00 PM
Sweet Caroline’s
1260 Boylston St, Boston

More than 500 children in Massachusetts and Rhode Island are diagnosed with life-threatening
medical conditions each year and the Make-a-Wish Foundation® of Massachusetts and Rhode Island
strives to grant each of their wishes. For the past six years, the Greater Boston Chi Omega Alumnae
Chapter’s A Pot Full of Wishes! event has helped fund those wishes, raising more than $53,000 for seven children with life-threatening illnesses.

This year's auction and raffle will be held at Sweet Caroline's Bar & Restaurant in the Fenway,
where nearly $20,000 worth of donated goods and services will be up for grabs, including an African
Safari donated by Zulu Nyala, a Weekend Golf Getaway donated by the Biltmore Hotel, and an official Tom Brady autographed Football donated by the New England Patriots.

Click (here) for more info.

I went to the Mad Men & Canadian Club party sponsored by stuff AGES ago.  I believe it was for Season 1 (possibly 2), which at this point was a ridiculous number of years ago.  Whiskey is probably one of my favorite things in life (even the Canadian kind) so I would advise you to rsvp.

I got an email announcing that March 20th is National Ravioli Day.  Who knew?  A quick google search uncovered a probably unreliable website that did indeed verify that it's National Ravioli Day.  But that same website said that March 20th is also Bock Beer Day.  That's reason enough for me to scarf down some Italian food and wash it down with some beers in "celebration." 

Here's a list of places to find said ravioli.

Avila Restaurant (1 Charles Street South, Boston- 617. 267.4810):
Lobster-Corn Ravioli ($28) served with lobster sherry cream.

Davio’s Northern Italian Steakhouse (75 Arlington Street, Boston- 617.357.4810):
Lobster Ravioli ($31) - with sherry red pepper cream, and lemon tarragon spiked lobster.

Flemings Prime Steakhouse (217 Stuart Street, Boston - 617.292.0808):
Roasted Mushroom Ravioli ($10.95; $6 at the bar nightly from 5-7pm) - stuffed with Portobello and shiitake mushrooms and served in a porcini butter sauce.

Legal C Bar (736 Legacy Place, Dedham – 781.234.6500):
Pumpkin Ravioli ($16.95) – served with blue cheese and sage brown butter.

Legal Harborside (270 Northern Avenue, Boston – 617.477.2900):
Misty Knoll Farms Chicken ($28 – available on the second floor) –served with truffled celery root and egg ravioli, wild mushrooms.

Legal Sea Foods (all locations):
Fish-Shaped Cheese Ravioli ($6.50 – kids’ menu) – served plain or with red sauce.

Strega North End (379 Hanover Street, Boston- 617. 523.8481):
Ravioli Alla Aragosta ($22.50) - Lobster stuffed ravioli finished with crab meat in a pink sauce.
Ravioli Alla Formaggio ($15.95) - half-moon shaped cheese ravioli served with a plum tomato sauce and fresh ricotta cheese.

Strega Waterfront (One Marina Park Drive, Boston – 617.345.3992):
Ravioli Aragosta ($26) - Lobster filled ravioli finished in a crabmeat cream.

Towne Stove and Spirits (900 Boylston Street, Boston – 617.247.0400):
Ravioli Carbonara ($17) – ricotta, crisped pancetta, sweetest canned peas.

You know how I know I'm old?  Apparently I'm older than the Museum of Science's Omni Theater.  I still remember going there my first week in Boston back in 2000 during pre-orientation at MIT.  Well, happy 25th birthday to the Omni, and thanks for the free stuff!

On Wednesday, March 21st, the Museum of Science, Boston will celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Mugar Omni Theater by giving away FREE passes to the theater and by sharing fun facts and photos! The Museum invites you to swim alongside some of the Earth's most graceful creatures in Dolphins, go on a heart-pounding science adventure exploring the evolution of tornadoes in Tornado Alley, or journey with more than 1.5 million animals over 500 miles across the Serengeti plains in Africa: The Serengeti.

Back by popular demand for a limited time!

In the third annual Free Film Fridays, visitors can experience the giant dome magic -- for free -- every Friday throughout the month: March 2, 9, 16, 23, and 30. Swim alongside some of the Earth's most graceful creatures in Dolphins, go on a heart-pounding science adventure exploring the evolution of tornadoes in Tornado Alley, or journey with more than 1.5 million animals over 500 miles across the Serengeti plains in Africa: The Serengeti.

Click (here) for the Omni website.

We probably want to keep these banners indoors in order to protect them from the elements, but otherwise, I think my vote would be for a top the dome at MIT in the spirit of one of those beloved hacks.  

Where would you hang the Bruins '11 and Celtics '08 championship banners?

The TD Garden, in partnership with the Boston Bruins and the Boston Celtics, announce today that it will temporarily relocate the teams’ 23 championship banners from its rafters to The Salvation Army Ray & Joan Kroc Corps Community Center in Dorchester, MA, and for the two most recent
banners, additional locations as determined by a social media fan campaign.

“The TD Garden is home to the most championship banners of any professional arena in the country and it’s an unprecedented act to bring them all into the community and make them accessible to Bruins and Celtics fans.” said John Wentzell, President of TD Garden. “Through our partnership with the teams and our social media channels, fans will have the opportunity to determine additional locations the banners will visit.

The TD Garden is hosting a social media fan campaign on its TD Garden Facebook page (here) and Twitter (@TDGarden, #mybannerdayis), where fans are invited to suggest additional locations to temporarily house two of the banners, the Boston Bruins 2011 NHL Stanley Cup Champion banner and the Boston Celtics 2008 NBA World Championship banner. Fan suggestions can be submitted via these social media channels through March 21, and from these suggestions the TD Garden will select additional locations for them to appear from March 21-23. All banners will return to the TD Garden on March 24.

I'm a big fan of live events (particularly live music) and recently heard about a site called Scorebig.com.  The best way that I can describe it is that it's like Priceline for event tickets.  So far I've used it three times, and each time I've gotten tickets for more than 70% off.  Granted these were classical music concerts and plays - not Celts tickets. 

But I figure if there's savings to be had, it'll beat the scalpers on Stubhub at least some of the time.  I also find myself going to events that I normally wouldn't go to, which is nice because it takes me out of my normal wheelhouse. 

The secret is to not be in a rush and to make lowball offers.  If your offer doesn't get accepted, just go back the next day and add $5 to your bid and lowball again.  Repeat until you get the tickets or you hit your price ceiling.  I'm going to try for some basketball tickets soon I think.  I'll let you know how that goes.  Obviously, the more popular the event, the less of a discount you're going to be able to get. 

For example.  I just bid on a classical concert that isn't taking place until the end of May.  I started bidding at 20 bucks for 5 star seats (which the website said normally goes for $150).  If your offer doesn't get accepted, you have to wait 24 hours before you can try again.  No problem, I had 2 months.  Each day of last week, I increased my bid by $2.50.  5 days later, I got the tickets for $32.50.  Again, this was for a classical music concert (apparently not terribly popular).  If I was bidding on Celtics tickets, I would not expect to save nearly that much money due to increased demand.

If any of you are interested in going to live events, I'd say it's worth checking it out and adding it to your standard arsenal of craigslist and stubhub.    

Click (here) to get more info on Scorebig.

Restauranteur Bob O’Guin is proud to announce he has taken over ownership of Common Ground Bar & Grill. Additionally, O’Guin is excited to introduce a new chef, menu and overall experience at this beloved neighborhood restaurant and bar. O’Guin and his new Executive Chef Jaime Suarez are bringing Common Ground Bar & Grill to an entirely new level and in the direction of a destination restaurant – an amazing bar with craft beers and cocktails and menus that focus on items that are local and all made in house.

Chef Suarez has worked in kitchens in and around the city including Grafton Street Pub & Grill, The Fireplace and Casablanca. Now with the chance to exhibit his cooking prowess and desire to create in the kitchen, he is taking the menu at Common Ground to a higher ground.

Common Ground is located at 85 Harvard Avenue in Allston, Massachusetts.



Click (here) for the Common Ground website.

I have a soft spot in my heart for Hong Kong movies.  I grew up watching them.  And I've only ever seen one on the big screen, on one of my trips back to HK many years ago.  So, I'm pretty excited about this one.  

This weekend ArtsEmerson gives the Boston release to Hong Kong maestro Johnnie To's 2011 film Life Without Principle.

Friday March 16 - Sunday March 18
Life Without Principle
Directed by Johnnie To with Denise Ho, Lau Ching Wan, Richie Ren
2011 Hong Kong, 35mm, 107 minutes
In Cantonese with English subtitles

Johnnie To’s latest depicts Hong Kong society in the wake of the global financial meltdown. A bank teller, a gangster and a police inspector—all in dire need of money—are connected through a crime involving several million dollars.

“No one has as complex, and as clear and uncluttered, an urban vision as To, and this film is no exception: inner-city chrome and commercialized carp have rarely looked so sleek… Clearly contemptuous of capitalism’s emotionless and ever-gnashing maw, Life Without Principle… is riveting entertainment, particularly as much of it turns on the exchange of banal banking palaver about “financial instruments” and “risk assessment,” with only the occasional To tornado of skullcracking mayhem slivered throughout the movie’s shifting-mosaic time structure.” – Chuck Stephens, Film Comment

All ArtsEmerson film screenings take place in the Paramount Center's Bright Family Screening Room.
559 Washington Street, Bosto.

Click (here) for more info.

I remember exactly when the King Fung Garden in Chinatown closed.  Needless to say that I'm pretty excited to try out the new China King. 

Erwin and Doris Mei are proud to announce the opening of China King in Boston's famed Chinatown. Located at the bustling corner of Oxford and Beach Streets, and just footsteps from the Chinatown Gate, China King will serve the dishes that made Chef/Owner Erwin Mei Chinatown’s best-known chef for over a decade, including Mei’s signature Peking Duck with homemade pancakes, presented in 3 courses: skin, stir-fry and soup.

China King marks a return to Chinatown for the Mei’s who owned and operated King Fung Garden from 1995-2008. The tiny restaurant attracted an enthusiastic cult following for its uncompromisingly authentic food and friendly service. Patrons included Lidia Bastianich, Emeril Lagasse, Marcus Samuelsson, Julia Child and virtually every top Boston chef—including Ken Oringer, Chris Schlesinger, Barbara Lynch, Daniel Bruce, Evan Deluty, Michael Schlow and Jasper White.

China King will serve all the dishes Erwin Mei popularized at King Fung Garden, including: Peking Ravioli, Steamed Pork Buns, Scallion Pie, Shanghai Chow Mein, Rice Cake with Pork and Pickled Cabbage, Sweet Pickled Jellyfish, Spicy Salt and Pepper Fried Squid, Pork with Pickled Mustard Greens and Hon Sue Lamb. The Tomato and Pork Soup is Mei’s re-creation of the tomato soup served at the legendary Carl’s Pagoda—the first time this soup has been served in Chinatown since Carl’s closed its doors two decades ago.

As excitement surrounding the release of the major motion picture The Hunger Games reaches a fever pitch, The Harvard Lampoon visits The Harvard Coop on Tuesday, March 20th at 7:00pm to speak and sign their New York Times bestseller THE HUNGER PAINS, a hilarious send-up of the immensely popular dystopian young adult novel.

When Kantkiss Neverclean replaces her sister as a contestant on the Hunger Games—the second-highest-rated reality TV show in Peaceland, behind Extreme Home Makeover—she has no idea what to expect. Having lived her entire life in the telemarketing district’s worst neighborhood, the Crack, Kantkiss feels unprepared to fight to the death while simultaneously winking and looking adorable for the cameras. But when her survival rests on choosing between the dreamy hunk from home, Carol Handsomestein, or the doughy klutz, Pita Malarkey, Kantkiss discovers that the toughest conflicts may not be found on the battlefield but in her own heart . . . which is unfortunately on a battlefield.





Starring Rachel Bloom (Kantkiss Neverclean), Katie Amanda Keane (as Effu Poorpeople), Thomas Lennon (Buttitch Totalapathy), Robert Ben Garant (as Seneca Crane’s beard), Mindy Sterling (Kantkiss’s Mom), Cedric Yarbrough (Cinnabon), Todd Fasen (Pita Malarkey), and Alex Berg (Smash).

Directed by David Lincoln.

Click (here) for the Hunger Pains website.

Ok, Neon Underground, here's me doing you guys a solid as you requested.  

Click (here) to RSVP.

When I see the words "unlimited" and "food" in the same sentence, I get really excited.  I haven't had unlimited pizza since my high school days back in Texas when we used to go to CiCi's.  I'm pretty sure Avila's pizza is going to be way better.  

In honor of the much-loved Sunday supper tradition, Avila is introducing a delicious all-you-can-eat pizza and pasta dinner. This is the perfect excuse to round-up your family and friends, before the work week begins. Enjoy an unlimited amount of Avila’s fresh baby arugula salad; a choice of the al dente Angel Hair Pasta with Pomodoro Sauce, or hearty Gnocchi Bolognese; and, a selection of sizzling handmade pizzas for only $20 per adult and $10 per child. Indulge in a scrumptious evening of pasta and pizza galore that is sure to satisfy everyone at the table!

The special unlimited menu features the following selections:

Salad
Baby Arugula Salad
served with shaved parmigiano and lemon olive oil

Pasta
Angel Hair Pasta
topped with fresh basil and pomodoro sauce
or
Gnocchi Bolognese

Pizza
Margherita Pizza
Topped with sliced tomato, fresh basil and fresh mozzarella
or
Traditional Pepperoni Pizza

Available Sundays from 5:00-9:00pm beginning March 11th
Cost: $20 per adult and $10 per child (gratuity not included)

Avila Modern Mediterranean
One Charles Street South
Boston, MA 02116 

First off, happy birthday to Bloggery media rep DanDan.  I will be hungover for several days thanks to you.  Secondly, see below for his review of SNAP!

I recently got the chance to swing by The Hawthorne and taste one of the newest spirits to hit Boston: SNAP!

This spirit, inspired by ginger snaps, packs a punch at 80 proof and tastes sweet, without being too syrupy like many liqueurs. SNAP, made organically from hearty black strap molasses, fresh ginger root, clove, brown sugar, rooibos tea, cinnamon, nutmeg and pure sugar cane, makes a great base to any cocktail.

While there, I tried several SNAP based cocktails including a cinnamon-y Snapback (SNAP, calvados, cinnamon, lemon juice and allspice), a perfectly balanced SNAP-Break (rye, SNAP, rooibos, cardamaro, and angostura orange), a creamy SNAP Flip (bourbon, SNAP, egg, cinnamon, and angostura and mole bitters) and even tried rolling my own with a SNAP Old Fashioned (absolutely delicious!) and a SNAP and fernet cocktail. Not only was SNAP great as a standalone, but it added a good deal of complexity to every mixed drink I tried.

In addition to The Hawthorne, you can find SNAP based cocktails at Sweet Cheeks BBQ and Foundry on Elm in Somerville. Definitely worth heading out and giving it a try!

Click (here) for more info.