The $500 Weekend: Providence, Rhode Island
PEEK AT ANY ACCOUNT of Providence back in its not-so-golden era, and it all sounds perfectly dreadful. But over the years, organized crime and a seedy reputation have given way to culinary sophistication, architectural character, and bonfires beloved by locals…
The $500 Weekend: Portland, Maine
IT’S NOT JUST THE ROLLING HILLS, bustling harbor, and chilled-out vibe that elicit San Francisco comparisons. Like that other City by the Bay, Portland has a dining scene to rival any in the region — Boston’s included. Spend the bulk…
The $500 Weekend: Resort-Town Smackdown!: Great Barrington: Newport, RI: Saranac Lake
GREAT BARRINGTON, MA Getting There (and Back) Car, $40 (gas); two hours each way Where to Stay Driving yourself leaves enough cash to splurge a bit on accommodations. Slumber in style at the homey Wainwright Inn (starting at $100 a…
All Friends on Deck
The slab of lamb being shuttled from grill to cutting board is ready for its close-up—it’s a handsomely crusted, still-sizzling vision from a carnivore’s dream. Our hostess, however, looks worried. "I’m afraid I overcooked it a little," mourns Azita Bina-Seibel,…
The Haunt: A Fine Place to Make Camp
IT’S STANDING-ROOM-ONLY around Laurel’s 15-seat bar on a Thursday night, and the impromptu standup’s just getting started. The prop: a strapping, square-jawed newcomer in snug Levis. "A Fluffer for this one!" vamps the bartender, Eryl, sizing up the eye candy…
Maven: May: Jody Adams, Chef de Tango
SEE THE SLIDE SHOW!
Investigations: Cleaning Up the Art World
The MFA’s orange-hued café serves a mean sautéed hake, but Frederick Ilchman’s having none of it. It’s that blasted eyeball—not on the fish (a meaty filet), but the one staring up vapidly from an art book perched on the curator’s…
The Haunt: Blurring Eras, One Carafe at a Time
The seventysomething at the next table wants to remember the name of the pianist who used to play here. It was Don or Dick—no, Davy?—and he was very, very good. ("He was decent," counters her companion.) "Dave. Dave McKenna," offers…
Foodie Road Trip Redux
It’s just about this time that once a year, every year, the brilliant-hued notion dawns on local foodies to take a gastronomic day trip to some farflung restaurant. Noble plan—if only the target weren’t the same tried-and-true restaurants every time….
Whole Hog
The squeamish will still find plenty to nosh on at Estragon, the new South End tapas joint decked out in equal shares Spanish bordello and ’30s futuristic café. If that’s you, order the grilled goat cheese, garlic shrimp, and patatas…
