Front and Centre
Newbury Street may get all the glory, but new shops and cafés in Newton Centre rival those of any chic city ’hood.
- Photo by Robert Boyd.
10 A.M.: Start the day at Donna Jessica for Dell’Arte, where racks of custom-made dresses, tops, and jackets stand out against stark white walls (55F Union St., 617-559-9998). Down the street, Gilda’s carries vintage accessories and edgy clothes by brands like Mo Koshji and Lainey Keogh (101 Union St., 617-964-7199). Or go casual with funky separates in fall colors at Sumi Seo (1207 Centre St., 617-964-7864).
12 P.M.: Break for lunch at Arrow Street Crêpes, the new outpost of the Harvard Square institution (216 Sumner St., 617-527-6552). The wild mushroom, thyme, and melted Swiss rocks, as does the smoked chicken, Brie, and caramelized onion. (Sweet tooths love the dessert crêpes.) Get yours to go for DIY alfresco dining on the Newton Centre Common.
1:30 P.M.: Bring your new purchases to Bead & Pearl, where owner Kinga Zielinska can help you make jewelry to match (1280 Centre St., 617-558-3577). Sift through boxes of vintage beads, semiprecious stones, and gold baubles from Germany, Thailand, and the Czech Republic, then string together earrings, necklaces, or bracelets.
3 P.M.: Stash doesn’t look like much from the outside, but that’s what makes its lineup—studded leather Bulga bags, metallic Allison Burns belts—such an unexpected treat (63A Union St., 617-969-1660). Three doors down at Karma, Kim Puni Meston sells wooden wall hangings, silver jewelry, and woven South American throws (57 Union St., 617-965-2851).
4:30 P.M.: Wind down with a wine and cheese tasting at Vinodivino in nearby Newton Highlands (899 Walnut St., 617-527-8466). The store sells only bottles rated 85 or higher on the 100-point scale used by wine experts. Sip an affordable merlot or pinot gris—many selections are less than $20—and contemplate your day without a hint of buyer’s remorse.
12 P.M.: Break for lunch at Arrow Street Crêpes, the new outpost of the Harvard Square institution (216 Sumner St., 617-527-6552). The wild mushroom, thyme, and melted Swiss rocks, as does the smoked chicken, Brie, and caramelized onion. (Sweet tooths love the dessert crêpes.) Get yours to go for DIY alfresco dining on the Newton Centre Common.
1:30 P.M.: Bring your new purchases to Bead & Pearl, where owner Kinga Zielinska can help you make jewelry to match (1280 Centre St., 617-558-3577). Sift through boxes of vintage beads, semiprecious stones, and gold baubles from Germany, Thailand, and the Czech Republic, then string together earrings, necklaces, or bracelets.
3 P.M.: Stash doesn’t look like much from the outside, but that’s what makes its lineup—studded leather Bulga bags, metallic Allison Burns belts—such an unexpected treat (63A Union St., 617-969-1660). Three doors down at Karma, Kim Puni Meston sells wooden wall hangings, silver jewelry, and woven South American throws (57 Union St., 617-965-2851).
4:30 P.M.: Wind down with a wine and cheese tasting at Vinodivino in nearby Newton Highlands (899 Walnut St., 617-527-8466). The store sells only bottles rated 85 or higher on the 100-point scale used by wine experts. Sip an affordable merlot or pinot gris—many selections are less than $20—and contemplate your day without a hint of buyer’s remorse.
Originally published in Boston magazine, September 2006
