#44 The Southend Buttery

The South End Buttery

314 Shawmut Avenue
Boston, MA 02118

Trip: 20 Min walk from the NEU Campus into the South End. However, the MBTA Silver Line does run through this area.

Cost: $3.00 for a Red Velvet Cupcake

$2.00 for an Iced Double Espresso

So, we went here to try the cupcakes, and of course in the policy of consistency, I went with the Red Velvet and cream cheese frosting. However, The South End Buttery has been voted the best Coffee Shop by numerous magazines and websites for the past 2 or so years, and about 3 years ago they had the best cupcakes in town.

With a tour detour from the main posting, this is a great Cafe`, and is crowded on a weekend morning, there was not an empty table inside or out. My espresso was delish, and fairly priced. I would always come back here for a morning coffee, if I did not live so far away. The only negative is if there is no space anywhere to sit, its hard to find anywhere around the block to sit and enjoy.

With all that being said, the cupcake: it was a moist cupcake, with the

proper coloring all around. The cream cheese frosting was sweet, it seemed like it might have been like a cream cheese butter cream? Im not sure, I don't know my baking terms like I should. But over all the combination of the icing and cake were very nice. A super sweet combination, and the cupcake itself was a tad large, two people can easily split it. And since we all had one to ourselves, no one had finished the poor sad cupcake.

Out of the three cupcake places in Boston, this has the #2 ranking.

Don't Forget to Check Out Their Website:

http://www.southendbuttery.com/site/

#001 Fourth of July Special

The Fourth of July Fireworks

The Esplanade on the Charles

Travel Time: 20 min walk to the Mass Ave/Sm

oot Bridge. OR Orange Line MBTA to downtown crossing to change to the Red Line MBTA To MGH.

Cost: Free!

This is one of the most popular attractions in Boston on July 4th. Almost everyone and their grandmother is out on the esplanade. So be prepared for

everything, the drunken college and high school students, little old ladies, and even the special few who think its a great idea to have a bicycle in a mass group of people. If you have personal space or people issues, you may want to move far away from the river, so not to have to confront these issues.

Now the Boston Pop's will begin at 9, the actual fireworks will not begin until about 10 or 10:30pm. So be prepared for a long night, there are some crazies out there that will get to the esplanade around 8am on the 4th, in order to get the best seats of the house, in the DCR Hatch Shell, so they can see the Pops perform, while I'm sure this is cool and all, I dont think it's necessary. We arrived maybe between 8pm and 815pm there was plenty of good seating still available, although the crowds were quickly filing in and by 8:45pm there was barely any standing room available, nor was there any room to walk. If you are trying to meet people it was a pain, mainly because the cell service was super shotty, since everyone was trying to use their phone in the same small radius.

The show did also feature Kenny Chesney, which was because CBS, yes the television studio, took over this production of the fireworks, but we won

't go there.

The fireworks started on time, and they were awesome! They lasted between 45

-60 min, and featured every kind of firework available, colored ones, shaped ones, loud ones, silently but deadly ones. It was awesome, my favorite, and probably always will be, are the white ones that look like weeping willows, its the

only way I know how to describe them. Please see picture!

Now, once the show was over, and its not like a concert, there's no inkling of an encore. There is a mass exodus, and there is no way to escape it. Even if you wait a couple of minutes, so if half the crowd, the only good thing is that the MBTA T is free after the show! So you might as well bite the bullet, join the crowds and wait in line to go to where ever your next July 4th destination is.

If you are ever in Boston on July 4th, this

is a must see/do, even with ALL the other Bostonians and tourists around.

Dont Forget to Check Out Their Website at:

http://www.july4th.org/

#38 Kickass Cupcakes

Kickass Cupcakes

378 Highland Ave. Davis Square
Somerville, MA 02124

Travel Time: 45 min, MBTA Orange line to Downtown Crossing, switch MBTA Red line to Davis Square.

Cost: $3.00 for a Regular Red Velvet Cupcake

So I heard about this cupcake shop from one of my friends; so I added it to the Bucket List mainly because the name was awesome, and I am always open to trying new places.

Well first off, this was an extreme disappointment. For the travel time and cost of the cupcake definitely not worth it, and I know for a fact I will not be going back there again. I had the red velvet cupcake, so I can compare it to Sweet, and keep everything on a level playing field. At first glance the cupcake looked really good, a nice cream cheese frosting, with a candy red heart on top, and the cake had a nice red color on top. The only appearance issue was that the icing did not cover the whole cupcake, and was mainly centered.

The cake itself was really dry, and did not have that awesome red velvet flavor I love so much. I think I make better red velvet from the box. The frosting was ok, it was super sweet. Overall I was not impressed, and my thought was, SWEET was way better.

My friend that took the adventure with me got a cookie dough cupcake, which was also only OK, there was real cookie dough in the middle of the cupcake which was cool, but other than that the rest of the cupcake was definitely under par, and even she said that SWEET was better.

So for all those out there don't even bother. DO bother going next door to the bake shop called When Pigs Fly (bread).

Side Note: Davis Square is AWESOME, and we did enjoy a hipster afternoon going through the two different vintage clothing stores as well as walking through the square. There are some really cool bars and restaurants, including an all vegan cafe (if thats your thing).

Don't Forget to Check Out Their Website! http://www.kickasscupcakes.com/

#3 Boston Celtics Game

Boston Celtics

TD Bank North Garden

Travel Time: about 15-20 min Orange Line T ride to North Station.

Cost: (it was a date, so I never found out) But approx 30-40 for the upper sections of the Garden.

Well this seems as good a time as any to post about going to my first Boston Celtics game, and actually my first professional basketball game, especially since the Celts have made it all the way to game 7 of the 2010 NBA Finals, in LA. Since everywhere else in Boston is supporting Celtics fever, I figured I may as well jump on the bandwagon (hey even the Pru is green!)

I went to the Celtics vs. Detroit Pistons, on March 15, 2010, it was so close to St. Patty's day that they had on these special jerseys, they were actually green and gold compared to the normal home jerseys of green and white. The first thing I noticed about the garden, was that it was packed! and this was a monday night, and there was barely an empty seat in the house. Now, the funny thing about this game, was my date told me that I shouldn't expect anything great out of this team, because they were having a mediocre season, and had lost real bad a couple of nights before. (well just look at them now!)

Just a few game points: I saw Nate Robinson slam dunk, and then hang on the rim, which was awesome since he is such a little guy, and the reigning NBA Slam Dunk Champ. The whole garden was rocking throughout the entire game. I was introduced to Gino, during the 4th quarter (see picture). And I was part of the first ever fan wave at a Celtics Game, now who can say that? (check out the article here.

http://espn.go.com/nba/recap/_/id/300315002/detroit-pistons-vs-boston-celtics).

Final Score: Boston:119 vs. Detriot: 93

This was a great night, and a great season for the Celtics. If you ever get the opportunity to go to a game, do not hesitate to say yes!

Dont Forget to Check Out Their Website:

http://www.nba.com/celtics/

# 15 Flour Bakery

Flour Bakery

1595 Washington St., Boston MA 02118

Travel Time: 30 Min walking from NEU Campus, or Sliver

Line MBTA To Washington Street.

Cost: Sticky Buns: $3.00

So FUN FACT, there are TWO Flour Bakery's in Boston MA, with 2 different phone numbers. With that said, here is the story of why this was a FAIL:

Flour Bakery, for those who do not know, has been a featured WINNER on Throw Down With Bobby Flay! For their sticky buns. So clear

ly they have the best sticky buns in Boston, and for that reason alone they sell out every weekend by 11am at the latest. SO, Flour has a reservation service, where you can call ahead either the day before or the morning of, and order whatever treats you so desire from the bakery. The morning of our adventure, I woke up and called the number I had found from google, at 9am, when they opened, and ordered 7 sticky buns for me and all the other chicas that were joining me on this adventure, I had told so many people about it, everyone was excited. I figured everything was smooth sailing from there, boy was I wrong. We take the walk down Mass Ave, into the South End, at 11am on a SUNDAY! It was gorgeous out, so it was a nice walk anyway, and we arrive at the South End Location. It was

packed, with a line out the door, but I wasn't worried, we had called ahead. We get to the front, and the guy looks for our order. Its not there, but there was one sticky bun left in the shop, which they put aside for us. They call the other location...and yep, there was our order. I had made t

he reservation at the WRONG Location, even though I could have sworn I asked the girl when I ordered them if I was calling the South End, but che sara sara. SO all 6 of us, split the one sticky bun left, and ordered various other bakery items. DELICIOUS!

However, since I royally screwed up, there will be a do-over.

Tip: Call the right store ahead, to save time and guarantee that sticky experience.

South End: 617.267.4300

Fort Point Channel: 617.338.4333

Do Over:

So I told my mother about this bakery while I was starting this blog, and she came to visit this weekend, and had a strong desire to go to Flour, giving me the perfect opportunity to right all my wrongs from the first attempt. To begin with I called the right Flour, put aside enough sticky buns for everyone, even though no one actually ate a whole one, it was still good to know I did it right.

With that being said, the sticky buns were delish! And I am super happy to come back to this bakery to now try all the other delicious treats that are in store.

Don't Forget to Check out Their website here: http://flourbakery.com/

#6 Sweet Cupcakes

Sweet Cupcakes

Mass Ave, Boston MA

Travel Time: 20 min walk from NEU.

Cost: Delicious Red Velvet: $3.00

4 mini cupcakes: $7.00

Sweet Boston is a great stop if you find yourself down Mass Ave, and provides sweets that will brighten your day. The shop inside is small, with about three tables for 2 people, but that shouldn't hinder you. The venture is totally worth it. Sweet has the best cupcakes around, with a variety

of different flavors, if you will. I was able to try the red velvet (see the photo), as well as the cheesecake and cappuccino varieties. The best thing about this place is the availability of mini cupcakes! (love anything in the miniature variety). They also have cakes for any occasion (birthday anyone?). Definitely a place to check out!

Don't Forget to Check Out There Website!

http://www.sweetcupcakes.com/

#1 Go to a Red Sox Game at Fenway Park

Fenway Park!

Travel Time: 20-30 min walk from NEU

Cost: $35.00 for bleacher seats.

So, I have lived in Boston for 3 years, and NEVER have been to a game at Fenway Park. And to make that even more unbelievable, I live, at most, a 20 minute walk away from Fenway! Well that all changed yesterday, April 25th, 2010. I went to my first game at Fenway. I got a group of my friends together, and we saw the BoSox play the Baltimore Oriels. The 9 of us sat in the bleacher section, and had a great time! (Thats me in the sunglasses that never leave my face!).

Now, the final score was BoSox 6 and the Oriels 7! Despite this loss, the game was really exciting especially towards the end, because we went into extra innings. I have to say, this had to be every young baseball players dream, it was the 10th inning, 2 outs, 2 men on base, and a full count, with the Red Sox up at the plate to not only tie but win the game! And the poor player hits an almost line drive, just a little too high, and the Oriels short stop catches it, and game over. It was really exciting though, the whole stadium was up on their feet. People were clapping, screaming, hitting the sides of the field, really trying to rally behind this team.

I was also shocked at how packed this place was. It was amazing, almost every seat was taken EVERYWHERE, even in the "nosebleeds" (since the green monster doesn't really have them). As I did a walk around the Green Monster, and just observed the fans, I could not help but think "wow what an amazingly brand loyal town" because everyone was wearing something BoSox, a hat a jersey a t shirt, sweat pants, everything and anything has a Red Sox logo on it. It was really amazing, at least from a marketing perspective, because even a local sports team is a business. But that is not the point....

So my advice to all your first time Fenway goers out there: 1) go in the right gate 2) bring good friends 3) Have fun. No matter what happens it is impossible to enjoy yourself, unless of course the Sox lose, and even then its still a good time.

Go Sox!

Don't Forget to Check Out Their Website: http://boston.redsox.mlb.com/index.jsp?c_id=bos 

The Bucket List

As a college student in Boston I never really left my campus bubble. Boston is a great city, and now that I am packing up and shipping out to Europe in September, I've realized I never got to explore the amazing sites and stores that Boston has to offer. And so, with maybe 4 months left in this great city, I'm putting myself (and my willing friends) to the test: to try and complete The Boston Bucket List.

So without further ado, The List:

1. Red Sox game at Fenway
2. Boston Bruins game at the TDB Bank North Garden
3. Celtics Game at TDB Bank North Garden
4. Museum of Fine Arts
5. Museum of Science
6. Sweet Cupcakes
7. Burdick Cafe
8. Boston Commons
9. Newbury Street
10. Boston Symphony Orchestra or "POPS"
11. Complete the Freedom Trail
12. Quincy Market and Fanueil Hall
13. Explore the USS Constitution
14. DCR Hatch Memorial Shell
15. Flour Bakery
16. Duck Tour
17. Sam Adams Brewery
18. North End
19. JFK Presidential Museum and Library
20. New England Aquarium
21. Harpoon Brewery
22. The Christian Science Center/Mappaporium
23. Arnold Arboretum
24. Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum
25. Find a decent BAGEL! (aka Bagel Rising)
26. The Sky Observatory at Prudential
27. Institute of Contemporary Art
28. Castle Island
29. Bunker Hill Monument
30. Boston Tea Party Ship
31. Haymarket
32. Toscanini’s Ice Cream
33. Sofra Bakery
34. Crema Café
35. Simon’s Coffee House
36. Disel Café
37. Kickass Cupcakes
38. Mr. Bartley's
39. South Street Diner
40. SoWa Market
    
41. Chinatown
42. Southend Buttery
43. Museum of Bad Art
44. Lulu's Sweet Shop

This list is subject to any additions!


**This is my disclaimer some of these have been completed before the start of the blog, and I will post my experiences as well as pictures to prove that indeed they have been crossed off the bucket list. **