Secret Boston and Lisa Johnson Fitness!

If you have yet to sign up, you should join Secret Boston Facebook group. They have killer fans and a very active page. Secret Boston encourages their fans to promote their businesses, share their favorite spots in the city, and even asks daily questions like where are you eating lunch today? My favorite part of the group is their weekly promo contests! This is where I won 3 private Modern Pilates sessions with Lisa Johnson Fitness!

Lisa Johnson is a fitness guru. Her knowledge in the world of health and wellness is fascinating. She shares all of her insights on her fab website. The site includes recipes, tips and workouts for a healthy, happy and fit lifestyle. I enjoyed spending time at her award winning Modern Pilates studio last week. I am in the best shape of my life, and her instructor still pushed me past my limit. It was a great experience with visible results and did I mention FUN?

HINT: Mention Boston Weekends Blog and receive 3 private 60 minute sessions for $99.00 at any of their 3 studios!

Brookline Studio
Phone: 617-232-1010
1285 Beacon Street
Brookline, MA

Bistro Du Midi - Croque Monsieur anyone?!

Bistro Du Midi sits on the corner of Boylston and Arlington Streets across from the Boston Common.The two floor restaurant brings in a modern French inspired menu and aesthetic. In the Spring and Summer seasons, the entire front of the restaurant opens to an outdoor eatery, making for a sweet and romantic experience. From the menu, we can't get over the Lobster Macaroni Gratin $23 and the Croque Monsieur $12.

HINT: The wine list features a few from The South of France that are a rare find in Boston!

Phone: 617-426-7878
272 Boylston Street
Boston, MA 02116

The Boston Design Center - Find Inspiration!

We love the idea of an afternoon outing at one of our favorite museums in the city. However, last week we came across a different kind of attraction that also offers design and inspiration: The Boston Design Center!

Find over seven floors of model rooms, fabric stores, upscale and chic design, decorating boutiques and warehouses. We left the BDC completely inspired. Check out the one of a kind views of Boston's waterfront from the top floors!

HINT: The best part of this hidden gem, it's FREE!

The Boston Design Center

1 Design Center Place

Boston, MA 02210

Devlin's - Simply Perfect.

Devlin's is a favorite spot to warm up on winter nights, however we look forward to the opening of their outdoor patio and bar every year! From the Mussels to the Lobster with Penne, your palate will be pleasantly surprised by Devlin's perfected menu. Meet for dinner and then head over to the other side for a great selection of beers on tap and DJ every Thursday-Saturday, or enjoy a warm summer night out on the secluded back patio and bar!

HINT: They make one of the best pomegranate martinis in the city.

Phone: 617-779-8822
332 Washington Street
Brighton, MA 02135

Woodward and The Ames - Ooh la la!

The Ames Hotel is an absolute beauty! The ambiance is breathtaking, the nightlife vibrant, and the family style menu at Woodward is perfect for group dining. The chic eatery turns into a happening two floor bar scene past 11pm. Think NYC Meatpacking meets Classic Boston. This hot spot is definitely buzzing around town, and we can see why!

HINT: Their weekend Brunch is also FAB and is served until 3pm!

Phone: 617-979-8100
1 Court Street
Boston, MA 02108

DANCE at Redline! - Cambridge

Redline in Cambridge is all about dancing! We love the set up. The DJ and dance floor take over the room front and center with bars surrounding the interior. The service is FAB and the crowd always brings in a feel-good vibe. Redline is a perfect spot for some simple, old-fashioned fun!

HINT: For you beer snobs, they serve Hoegaarden and Leffe on tap!

Phone: 617-491-9851

59 John F. Kennedy Street
Cambridge, MA 02138

HAPPY CINCO DE MAYO - Celebrate at MASA!

Live Salsa on Thursdays, a happening bar scene, killer Tapas and patio seating...need we say more? Masa restaurant has an extensive Tapas and dinner menu and a FAB selection of flavored Margaritas. (Try the Habanero Watermelon Margarita)

Off the Tapas menu, we are still talking about the Masa style BBQ Mac & Cheese with Smoked Gouda, Roasted Peppers, Chorizo, Onions and Garlic. 5.95 We vote MASA for the best Cinco De Mayo party in Boston tonight!

HINT: In honor of Cinco De Mayo, they are offering $5 Margaritas for the entire month of May!

Phone: 617-338-8884
439 Tremont Street
Boston, MA 02116-6304

Tete - A - Tete - A salon perfected.

The experience of Tete-A-Tete hair salon and spa in Newton Center is well worth a trip to the burbs. We have met many who have lived around the world yet still swear by the stylists of Tete-A-Tete. Their word of mouth alone has kept them going strong, but I decided I would be so kind as to share this hidden gem with all of my readers. Downstairs, get the full experience from their spa to their nail salon.

HINT: Thinking of getting bangs? Just ask for Sharron, we call her the "Bang Master" She books up fast...so I recommend calling a few weeks ahead of time.

BOSTON WEEKENDS SPECIAL: Mention Boston Weekends when booking your appointment and receive 20% off your first visit.

Phone: 617-559-0660
765 Beacon Street
Newton, MA 02459

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

BOSTONATBEST.COM

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