The Year in Boston-2009 Favorites
Who says that is staid? Certainly is a city with its share of old world tradition, but of late there has been an infusion of creative and intellectual energy from a very talented community of business and artistic visionaries. Here’s a list of some of ’s best new hotels, restaurants , shopping and entertainment of 2009- some sure to become old favorites in the years ahead.
There is no shortage of hip boutique hotels in , but the October opening of (142 Berkeley St., , 617-261-8700) was highly anticipated and long overdue. Smart and stylish ( 1 Court St., , 617-979-8100)() followed, opening in November. Located just steps from Faneuil Hall , the Ames offers modern rooms with all the high-tech essentials in an historically beautiful building.
Notable newcomers to the restaurants scene? There are so many choices- Market by Jean Georges in the W Hotel, foodie favorite Ten Tables in Cambridge, and Ginger Park which took over the space of the former Banq have all received rave reviews. But (348 Congress St., , 617-737-1234)() a retro-style Italian diner that specializes in delectable homemade pastas is both amazing and affordable -and proves that celebrity chef Barbara Lynch who owns destination restaurants No. 9 Park and B&G Oysters can do low-end as well as high- end. Besides, Italian is always better! .
Best new nightspot: Open in January, at the Langham Hotel (250 Franklin St., , 617-956-8765 )() jumps after work and on weekend nights with a live DJ, small plate global cuisine, and glam cocktails. .
has boutiques for every taste . Best of the new 2009 stores include (667 Tremont St. , , 617-247-shoe)() in the South End for cute women’s accessories and fashions, and fun home goods at (61 Salem St., , 857-362-7380)() in the North End.
In its final production of the spring season, the (264 Huntington Ave., , 617-266-0800)() took a risk with an edgy version of Gilbert and Sullivan’s Pirates of Penzance that was fabulous fun.
Also in the spring, the Lyric Opera Company (The Schubert Theatre, 265 Tremont St., , 617-482-9393) produced a memorable performance of Mozart’s Don Giovanni..
2009 was a disappointing year in sports- without a “world champion” season for any of the city’s major sports teams. The zeal of sports fans for the Patriots, Celtics and Bruins is unwavering of course, but is really a baseball town and the city pauses whenever the beloved Red Sox play.
Apparently Hollywood loves “The Hub” too. Moviemakers came to in droves in 2009. Look for to be featured in several upcoming films including “Knight and Day” with Tom Cruise and Cameron Diaz, Martin Scorsese’s “Shutter Island” starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Ben Kingsley and “The Company Men” starring -native ( and die-hard Red Sox fan) Ben Affleck, along with Tommy Lee Jones and Kevin Costner . can give you an insider’s tour the city’s most famous movie locales.
The term “block-buster exhibit” is bandied about a lot in the press. was a huge coup for the ( 465 Huntington Ave., , 617-267-9300)() which showed dozens of works from the three 16th century Venetian masters (and rivals) during the spring and summer, March 15-August 16, 2009.
is wild about Harry- Harry Potter the Exhibition -that it is. The exhibit opened at the (Science Park, , 617-723-2500)() on October 25, 2009 but both Muggles and Wizards still have time to catch the show which runs in through February 21st, 2010.
Image Credit: Greater Convention and Visitor’s Bureau, Susan Cole Kelley
1 Comment
Boston certainly boasts as far as names in hotels are concerned with some of the top names in buisness at service……….