Saks Fifth Avenue Renovation Almost Done

I hope everyone had a great Labor Day. Long weekend's are great, or in my case long weekend's attached to a week off - makes me not want to go back to work. Too bad I didn't win the Megamillions on Friday ($132MM would have helped out nicely).

Anyhoo, I decided to spend some of my weekend walking around the city and seeing what was new. Based on a recent Globe article about how the Saks Fifth Avenue renovation is almost done at the Prudential - I decided to start there.

The upscale department store at the Prudential Center in Boston this week unveiled a Swarovski bejeweled mural along its escalator as part of the store's latest renovations. The sparkling spectacle is the largest crystallized wall and the only one of its kind in North America, with more than 1 million crystal elements.

The current renovation began in January 2006 and included replacing traditional cosmetic counters with clusters of smaller bays with chairs and mirrors, adding walk-in boutiques along the walls featuring handbag collections from Louis Vuitton and Dolce and Gabbana, and moving the shoe department upstairs with new designers such as Fendi and Valentino.

The renovations are expected to be completed by Sept. 25.

Hmm, what the article failed to mention was that the elevator isn't working yet. Color me disappointed when I got there. I wanted to take some closer shots, but the area was roped off.

Click (here) to read the Globe article.

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Mix 98.5 Summer Concert Series - 6/26

Just like last year, Mix 98.5 is hosting their Summer Concert Series at the Prudential Center. For those of you that get lunch breaks at work (lucky ducks) or those of you that are on vacation (even luckier ducks), swing by the Prudential Center South Garden at 12:30pm to watch the free concerts.

Here's the schedule of artists for the summer:

Thursday, June 26 - Tristan Prettyman & The Last Goodnight
Thursday, July 10 - The Spill Canvas & Jon McLaughlin
Thursday, July 17 - Newton Faulkner & Delta Goodrem
Thursday, July 24 - Augustana

Click (here) to go to the Summer Concert Series website.

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Mandarin Oriental Opening Postponed Til October

I think we were all probably expecting this. I just walked past the Mandarin Oriental the other day on my way to the new Apple store (here) and it looks pretty close, but definitely not ready for a July opening like it was originally scheduled.


Part of it was probably due to the four alarm fire that broke out a couple months ago (here).

So, they've rescheduled the grand opening for October.

That's three months later than the originally-planned opening date. The hotel suffered a setback from its original July opening when a four-alarm fire broke out on the fourth-floor's fitness/spa area in March. Construction is continuing.

The Back Bay project, headed by Suffolk Construction, includes a 148-guest room hotel, 50 luxury condominiums and 25 apartments, mixed retail and other amenities, including a 16,000-square-foot spa. Frank Nicholson, of Massachusetts, is the interior designer.

Is it just me or does the artist rendering from over a year ago look nicer than the real thing?

Click (here) for the blurb in the BBJ.

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Ben & Jerry's Free Cone Day Tuesday - 4/29

I have friends that used to skip class to go to this event and just roam from the city going to every Ben & Jerry's around to get their free ice cream. I wonder if they'll be taking a sick day tomorrow from work to do the same?

As is the annual tradition, Ben & Jerry's is holding their Free Cone Day tomorrow, Tuesday 4/29.

No, this is not one of those internet pranks that makes you send ten emails to your friends for a free pair jeans. This is as plain and simple as vanilla. “Jerry and Ben started their first Free Cone Day as a thank you to their customers,” said Debra Heintz, Retail Operations Director. “It’s cool,” added Heintz with full pun intended, “we get to continue the peace, love and FREE ice cream tradition every year across the world.” Free Cone Day is Tuesday, April 29th, 2008.

In 2007 Ben & Jerry’s Scoop Shops gave away more than 1 million free cones worldwide!

Nothing beats free ice cream, except for maybe free ice cream on a hot/sunny day. Hopefully it the rain stops by tomorrow.

So swing by Park Plaza, Newbury Street, the Prudential Center, or Harvard Square and get yourself some free ice cream. Or better yet, go to all four locations - be sure to walk though so you can burn off some of the calories.

Click (here) for a link to the Ben & Jerry's press release.

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Gillette's New Posterboy

Guess who's going to be the new spokesperson for Gillette Razors?

That's right, it's John Cena from the WWE.

Cena, a native of West Newbury, will be featured in the advertising campaign for the launch of the new Gillette Fusion Phenom razor, as well as public appearances at mobile marketing events throughout the United States during the summer of 2008.

Boston-native TV star repping a Boston-native company. Love it. Although, Gillette is now a Proctor and Gamble company and should be leaving its sweet digs in the Prudential Tower for Ohio if it hasn't already.

Click (here) for the link to the Globe.

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Prudential Center Winterlights Festival

Going on this weekend at the Prudential Center is their 6th Annual Winterlights Festival. It's finally starting to get cold out, so I'd advise going somewhere indoors. Entertainment will take place on 2 stages throughout the weekend.

A few of the activities that will be going on:
Free Face Painting
Letters to Santa with Crane & Co
Cookie Decorating at Legal Seafood

Click (here) to get the entire schedule of events at the official website.

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Rachael Ray Book Signing 11/17

Many thanks to Missy for letting me know about this upcoming event. Rachael Ray (you guys watch Food Network right?) is coming to the Barnes and Nobles at the Prudential Center this upcoming Saturday 11/17 for a book signing.

The superstar chef, beloved TV host, and best selling author serves up all new recipes for everything from Date Night Dinners to Fancy Fake-Outs in this yum-0 cookbook that includes a super-delish selection of fast and fabulous 15 minute meals.

According to flyers and ads in the paper, the book signing is at 3pm, but if you swing by the B&N at the Prudential Center, you'll see a sign that says they'll be handing out wristbands at noon on Saturday and only folks that have wristbands will get to participate in this event.

So if you want an autographed copy, get there early. I'm not sure if you can get a wristband, leave, and then return later at 3pm. You could try calling the store and asking. Or bring a book with you to read while you stand in line.

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Haru: A Review

Has anyone else noticed that the only restaurants opening in Boston lately are either sushi restaurants or steak houses? Not that I'm complaining, I love myself some sushi or a nice medium rare ribeye. But what ever happened to variety?

We went to Haru this past weekend to check it out. For those of you that haven't been keeping up, Haru (a Japanese chain out of NYC) has taken over the space that was formerly Dick's Last Resort at the Prudential Center. Click (here) to read more about the restaurant.

How was the food? I'd have to say average. I found the menu to be a little short. Maybe I'm too used to Douzo or Fugakyu where the menu goes on for pages and pages. But nothing on the menu really jumped off the page at me.

We tried a couple of the specialty rolls and I have to say that the ingredients they chose to go into each roll just didn't mesh well together. Dear Haru: Please redo your specialty rolls menu.

Lastly, we had a few pieces of nigiri: Salmon, Yellowtail, Scallop, and Sea Urchin. They were fine. I think the scallop was my favorite.

Overall, I was not terribly impressed with Haru. Of the three sushi places in the immediate vicinity (Osushi, Douzo, and Haru) I'm planning on stickign with Douzo. And if you're curious, I'd rank them Douzo, then Haru, then Osushi. Osushi is HORRIBLE. Actually let me rephrase, the sushi at Osushi is HORRIBLE. The drinks are fine.

I haven't tried Oiishi Boston yet (in the South End). Yes, I know its been open forever but I can't bring myself to try it because everyone keeps telling me it's so expensive. It's the same reason I haven't been to O Ya (South Station) yet. I know one of the sushi chefs there and I still won't go, cause he told me "You won't make it out of there without spending at least $100".

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Haru Opening in the Prudential Center Today

Has anyone eaten at Haru before? It's a New York City chain owned by the Benihana Inc. They took over the space in the Prudential Center previously occupied by Dick's Last Resort and according to a sign I saw this weekend while walking through the mall, it opens TODAY.

According a super old Globe article (here):

The 165-seat Haru restaurant will include a sushi bar, a lounge area, private event space, and outdoor seating, Boston Properties said.

"Haru is one of today's most renowned names in Japanese cuisine," Bryan J. Koop, senior vice president of Boston Properties, said in a statement. "Their innovative menu, partnered with the restaurant's Asian-influenced and stylish decor, is a perfect addition to the Prudential Center's restaurant offerings."

I am a big sushi fan, so I welcome the addition. I just wish it was Nobu instead of Haru. No offense to Haru, I haven't tried you yet so maybe you're terrific. But man, Nobu is delicious....

If anyone decides to go check it out on opening night tonight, please let me know what you think.
PS. Sorry for not posting this weekend, I was too busy watching the Red Sox kick the living daylights out of the Rockies. w00t.

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Beef...It's What's For Dinner

Personally, I always thought the Applebee's located in the Prudential didn't really fit in. Well, now it's gone and coming in it's place will be the newest outlet of The Daily Grill national steak-house chain. The chain is owned by Grill Concepts, a Beverly Hills based restaurant company.

As much as I love steak, don't you think it's getting a little crowded in Back Bay? We've already got: The Capital Grille, Abe & Louie's, Morton's, The Palm, The Oak Room, Grill 23, and Smith & Wollensky.

According to the Back Bay Sun, "The closing of Applebees marks the complete elimination of the casual dining brand from the Back Bay." What about Cheesecake Factory? That's pretty casual don't you think?

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