Here’s What You Can Expect from the Boston Episode of 36 Hours

Kristen Kish and Kyle Martino host ’36 Hours’ / Photo courtesy of the Travel Channel

Since 36 Hours premiered in August, viewers have followed hosts Kristen Kish and Kyle Martino as they explore new cities, following itineraries of eats and activities built by editors at the New York Times, which publishes a travel column under the same name.

But in the season finale, which airs next week, Kish will return to a familiar land. The episode takes her and her TV sidekick to Boston, where Kish, who was raised in Michigan, has lived for the past ten years.

They stay at the Liberty Hotel, sample octopus salad and charcuterie at Salumeria Italiana in the North End—one of Kish’s “absolute favorite places”—walk the Freedom Trail, and have lunch at Row 34 with director Paul Feig, who, as locals know, is in town working on the Ghostbusters reboot starring Melissa McCarthy, Kristen Wiig, and Chris Hemsworth.

“Boston oysters are kind of like the people—salty, tough, but really good,” says Martino after trying some of the seafood bar’s all-local offerings.

While Martino, new in town, ponders the literal meaning of “Boston Strong” out on the Charles River with Harvard grad and professional rower Matt O’Leary, Kish heads to the South End to prep for a very special meal.

The chef returns to Stir, the demonstration kitchen where she began learning from James Beard Award winner Barbara Lynch, to prepare an elaborate meal for her and Martino.

“I’m cooking for my mentor again, and she taught me a lot, but I also have revamped my style and kind of found my own way, and I’m excited for her to see that,” says Kish.

The reunion is a sweet one.

Kish and Lynch share a hug and affectionately call each other “chef.” Lynch raves to Martino about Kish’s technique and drive. Kish brings Lynch to the verge of tears when she reminds her that she kept a note from her mentor in her pocket during the finale of Top Chef, which Lynch insisted that she compete on.

During their remaining time in Boston, Kish and Martino hit up a game of vintage baseball, learn how to trap lobsters, eat lobster rolls at Sullivan’s on Castle Island, dance inside L Street Tavern—the Southie bar made famous by Good Will Hunting—and push their taste buds to their absolute limits at “Hell Night,” East Coast Grill’s all-spicy special that intensifies in heat course by course.

The New York Times has been updating its popular “36 Hours” column to coincide with the episodes of the Travel Channel show, and today, the newspaper published a new itinerary for Boston, revised from its 2010 visit. Curiously enough, the new piece by local writer Ethan Gilsdorf doesn’t have much in common with Kish and Martino’s itinerary, save for Row 34 and the Liberty Hotel.

The Boston episode of 36 Hours premieres on Monday, September 21, at 8 p.m. on the Travel Channel.