A long awaited return to visit Boston, Massachusetts
The last day was spent visiting my former residence, Charlestown. A schooner ride from Charlestown Navy Yard afforded perfect views of the city looking back from the Boston Harbor to Rowes Wharf. Lunch of steamed New England lobsters (oh, yes!), clams and oysters, and traditional trimmings with clam and corn chowder served on the docks in Charlestown seemed to epitomize the New England experience.
Charlestown bound
A schooner ride with beautiful views of the city from Boston Harbor
A little swarthy music to serenade us
My old stomping grounds in Charlestown
An invitation to dine at Asana Restaurant in the Mandarin Oriental Boston was the perfect way to end this trip to Boston. Happy to have dinner again with Eileen before leaving town, we enjoyed a superb meal with lovely wine pairings. Our table by the window looking out on Boylston Street provided a wonderful view as the sun set during our memorable evening.
Mandarin Oriental Boston
One of my favorite courses was a Hand Cut Cavatelli with Braised Lamb, Olives, Muscat Grapes and Parmesan. The unique and piquant flavors of this dish were perfectly accompanied by a Grenache from the Rhône Valley in France. I also really enjoyed the main course of Black Cod with Shiitake & Bacon Dashi, Vegetables, Green Onion, and Sesame-Chili Kale Crisps paired with a delicious Chassagne-Montrachet, Bruno Colin, 1er Cru.
Dinner at Asana
With three dessert selections and every one delightful, it would be hard to choose a favorite, but we all enjoyed a glass of Moscato, La Spinetta, Moscato d’asti to end our meal. We were also privy to try a new dessert (not yet on the menu) that was spectacular: Exotic Fruit Soup with Mai Tai Sorbet combined a compote of tropical fruits including mango, papaya, kiwi, and dragonfruit with the refreshing flavors of lemongrass, ginger, and lime leaves.
Exotic Fruit Soup with Mai Tai Sorbet
It was hard to leave Boston early Sunday morning as we headed to the airport, not knowing when we might return. It is a fabulous city with lots of spirit and a real soul; there’s a unique vibe to this city that that I have not found anywhere else. It’s the people, the scenery, the history, the food, the sports teams, the ethnicity and the culture of the city. It’s something as simple as a walk to the North End to buy a cannoli. There is a part of me that I left behind when I moved to Atlanta, but I always find it when I return.
I finally got my cannoli at Modern Pastry
Summer and fall are the perfect seasons to visit Boston. Make plans to visit soon. You will be glad you did.
Would you care to join me for tea? 😉
The next post will also be about our trip to Boston and a few other friends that we met while in town.
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Spectacular pictures, from what sounds to have been a spectacular trip.
Fantastic!
And so glad you were reunited with your BFF, Eileen!
Wonderful and what stunning beautiful weather you had! Lucky! The photos are gorgeous and the food all looks amazing…. mmmm seafood and chowder! What a great time you guys had! Boston is a gorgeous city and I do want to get back (I never lived there, only visited) and your post makes me yearn even more. And it actually makes me want to get back to visit Philly where I lived and went to school!
What a great post! It really makes me miss Boston…especially the photo of the BPL where I studied AND then cavorted around Boylston and Newbury for food and material goodies 🙂 Beautiful photos..you truly captured the essence of the city!