Greenward Cambridge - An Eco-friendly boutique

Greenward boutique in Cambridge is a great place to shop for Eco-based products of all kinds; many of them unique and the latest in the marketplace.

"Worldwide, over 60 billion tons of plastic waste is produced every year. Plastic is particularly damaging because it is not biodegradable and plastic particles eventually become part of the food chain - as they have for example in our oceans. In some parts of the sea, there is five times more plastic than plankton. Neil Seldman, a waste recycling expert, has labeled our plastic problem as «potentially more dangerous than global warming."» - Sigg Website

HINT: Many of us cannot leave home without a plastic bottle of Poland Spring water, but with help from companies like Sigg, we can change this! The Swiss quality reusable bottles are extruded from a single piece of pure aluminium for seamless, leak-proof durability. They have many designs, colors and options, and even small design friendly bottles for the kiddies!

Phone:617-395-1338
1764 Massachusetts Avenue
Cambridge, MA 02140

Upstairs on the Square - Live Jazz, Afternoon tea and more!

Mary Catherine and Deborah, the owners of Upstairs on the Square have been friends for over 35 years and still enjoy greeting their guests every evening for dinner. Upstairs on the Square makes for a perfect date night, or for a night out on the town with the girls! (Try one of their signature pink cocktails) One of our favorite Spring menu additions include: Early Spring Vegetables & Tiny Ricotta Gnocchi Cardamom Wine Broth, Shiitake Mushrooms & Mint. $23

With two dining rooms, afternoon tea, event happenings and more, there is always something new to experience at this cozy, unique and historic Boston gem! (Obama often pays a visit when he is in town).

HINT: Every third Thursday of the month, dine and dance to live Jazz music from the famous Winiker band.

Phone: 617-864-1933
91 Winthrop Street
Cambridge, MA 02138

The PEM in Salem - Always inspiring!

There is always a new exhibit at The PEM (Peabody Essex Museum) worth checking out. The hot exhibit of the moment: The Kennedy's: Portraits of the Family. With endless family activities, numerous galleries, and outdoor garden restaurant, The PEM guarantees fun, inspiration and intrigue. Why not spend the entire day in historic Salem, there are many museums, shops and beautiful waterfront scenes all around town!

HINT: Sunday, May 2nd enjoy a special presentation. Letters to Jackie: Condolences from a grieving nation.

Phone: 978-745-9500

161 Essex Street
Salem, MA 01970

The Golden Temple - Watch the E Room come to life!

The Golden Temple prides itself on fresh, healthy and local ingredients. This is a favorite hidden gem of ours, not only because of their great food, but also for the unbelievably awesome night life that their E room or we like to call (The Spaceship) brings to life after 11:00pm. A house DJ rocks out every Friday and Saturday evening for a great dance party. Any other night of the week? Create your own party and ask them to throw on your ipod. They are usually happy to accept!

HINT: Try the Shao-Mai (Shrimp/Pork) Lightly steamed, open-faced dumplings, stuffed with finely chopped shrimp, pork, water chestnuts, scallions, Chinese seasonings 6.95

Phone: 617-277-9722
1651 Beacon Street
Brookline, MA 02445

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BOSTONATBEST.COM is coming....oooh the anticipation!

Tapas, Belly Dancing, Hookah and more - Tangierino's!

Tangierino, a Moroccan restaurant sits on a adorable street in Charlestown. Everything we ordered off the menu was a delight. Try the grilled skewers of chicken, tagine of Moroccan style risotto with summer squash, baby green peas, caramelized onions, coconut milk-curry sauce, and parmesan $23. Or order off their full Tapas menu for a lighter fare served from 5pm-Midnight daily.

If you are yet to be sold, after 10pm, the lights dim, the candles are lit, the belly dancers arrive, the music turns up and you and your party can move downstairs to enjoy hookah, drinks, cigars, dancing on tables and more in little alcoves and cozy lounges. This is a true hidden gem in Boston!

HINT: Try our favorite cocktail, The Drunken Camel: Woodford Reserve, peach purée, peach bitters, fresh sour, fresh lemon.

Phone: 617-242-6009
73 Main Street
Charlestown, MA 02129-3780

Stage fright not welcomed - Lansdowne Pub Karaoke

Aside from the oh so popular weekend nights at The Lansdowne Pub, they have started a pretty cool Thursday evening experience for all of you Bostonian's. Every Thursday, one of our favorite Pub's, hosts a Kareoke night. This is not your average Kareoke experience though, since you will be singing front stage with a live band (The Jukebox Heroes).

HINT: This night is always packed and gets pretty wild, so we suggest you get there before 10pm if you want to perform!

Phone: 617-247-1222
9 Lansdowne Street
Boston, MA 02215

Art in Bloom! - MFA

It's no surprise that the Museum of Fine Arts continues to inspire Boston and beyond with new exhibitions each season. However, we wanted to remind you of the upcoming annual Art in Bloom festival at the MFA (April 24th to 26th). Each year, The MFA galleries are transformed by fifty extraordinary arrangements inspired by magnificent works of art, from Asian sculptures to world-renowned European paintings. Some of the weekends events include, floral experts lectures, high tea on Sunday, live entertainment and more!

HINT: One of my favorite Boston floral and event designers instillation's will be featured in the MFA this year! Look for Faxon Green's design throughout the galleries!

Phone: 617-267-9300
Avenue of the Arts
465 Huntington Avenue
Boston, MA 02116

Venture Out! - Tower Hill Botanical Gardens

Tower Hill Botanical Gardens is a great place to spend the day if you are itching to get out of the city. As Spring hits, the 132 acres of gardens, meadows and woodland trails display over 95,000 flowering bulbs. Bring your own picnic or enjoy lunch at Twig's Cafe. (Their cool cantaloupe bisque is excellent!)

Phone: 508-869-6111
11 French Drive
Boylston, MA 01505-1008

HINT: Tower Hill hosts classes every week from classic flower arranging to how to build your own kitchen garden!

Have a Healthy Weekend Boston!

Earth Day is around the corner, and Boston is celebrating this weekend! The largest green convention is in town, and a yoga pop-up store will be available for yoga class every hour on the hour! Go on, have a healthy little weekend and rejuvenate before beach season really hits!

HINT: We just signed up for Peter Crowley's: Freedom Joy yoga class (blend of Vinyasa and Forrest yoga set to house/dance music)

The Martini Perfected - Bar Lola

On the corner of Comm Ave. and Dartmouth Street stands a Tapas Lounge and Bar named Lola. The warm red and amber candlelight is sexy, chic and inviting. We think the Tapas menu and the drink list are perfection. Try their signature martini, The Lolita. It is a delicious concoction of Stoli Perik, Gran Torres (a Spanish orange-flavored cordial) and mango juice topped with Marques de Gelid Brut Cava. Live Flamenco dancers also perform every Sunday!

HINT: They have been known to throw on your ipod if you have a worthy playlist!

Phone: 617-266-1122
160 Commonwealth Avenue
Boston, MA 02116-2707

Deadly drinks to Dim Sum - Empire Gardens

What do you get when you turn an old theater into a Chinese restaurant? A really cool experience at Empire Garden restaurant. This hidden gem is known for their long and deadly drink list and has become a popular pre-game spot in town. However, their Dim Sum on Sundays are also a Boston favorite. This is one that you need to experience for yourself folks...there are no words to explain!

HINT: This is a great spot for large parties. The venue holds up to 2,000 people!

Phone: 617-482-8898
690 Washington St
Boston, MA 02111

Where to watch the game - Cityside

Couldn't score tickets to the game? No problem, Cityside bar and grill is the next best thing. With 30 plus flatscreens, you'll always have a front row seat and won't miss a minute of the action. Cityside offers a great outdoor roofdeck and fantastic wings!

HINT: $8 pitchers of Coors Light...your welcome.

Phone: 617-566-1002
1960 Beacon Street
Brighton, MA 02135

Sophisticated comfort food - Sorellina

My mouth starts to water just thinking about the Kobe beef meatballs and Truffled fries topped with Parmagiano at Sorellina. The ambiance is described as "sophisticated comfort" and that is exactly what the menu, extensive wine list and service brings to your experience. If you have yet to try it, you have not fully enjoyed Boston dining at its best. Trust us.

HINT: Don't have time for a sit down dinner? The bar bites menu and martini list is a fun and elegant option before hitting the town!

Phone: 617-412-4600
1 Huntington Avenue
Boston, MA 02116

Perfect waterfront dining - Sensing Boston

Looking for fabulous waterfront outdoor seating in Boston? Sensing Boston is one of our favorite outdoor dining spots in town. They serve lunch and dinner daily in both their dining room and outdoor patio, not to mention their fabulous brunch every Sunday. From Lobster Bolognese to Beet Risotto, there is something on the menu to offer every palette. Sensing Boston really hits contemporary French cuisine on the nose.

HINT: Every Monday Boston Weekends blog will be sharing our favorite outdoor dining spots. Of course, we will also tell you WHY we LOVE them, and share our favorites on the menu!

Phone: 617-994-9001
3 Battery Wharf
Boston, MA 02109

First Friday open Art Galleries of 450 Harrison Ave!

On the first Friday of each month, the Art Galleries of 450 Harrison Ave. open their studios to the public, offering complimentary wine tasting and gallery viewing from 5p to 9p. Yes, you really can enjoy an evening out viewing art and sipping on a glass of wine for FREE!

HINT: The SOWA Artists Guild at 450 Harrison Avenue is a non-profit association of professional studio artists. Support The Boston Arts and check them out!

Phone: 617-515-2319
450 Harrison Avenue
Boston, MA 02118

Best Sangria in town! - Sol Azteca

Spring weather has arrived, just in time for April Fools! (Hope you didn't fall for one today) I don't know about you, but this weather is making us crave Sangria and fresh guacamole! That's when our team plans to head to Sol Azteca, by far the best Mexican food in town. Their guacamole is made fresh to order and the chicken enchiladas are killer. Rather than mainstream Mexican joints, there is really a old Mexico feel to the taste and style of Sol Azteca.

HINT: Their Sangria won numerous Best of Boston awards! See for yourself:)

Boston
Phone: 617-262-0909
914 Beacon Street

Boston, MA 02215

Newton
Phone: 617-964-0920
75 Union Street
Newton, MA 02459