When my friend Maria who lives in Brussels told me that she was going to be in Harvard for a class, I knew we needed to spend a fun weekend in Boston before she dove into her course. I haven’t been to Boston since 2005 so my experience was a bit of a blur. Figure after thirteen years, I was the perfect time to be reacquainted with this quintessential American city.
Getting there
I flew from Washington, DC and was lucky to catch a nonstop flight from Dulles Airport. I rushed to the airport right after work, and two hours later I was in Boston, ready for dinner and drinks! I like that Logan Airport is just a short drive to the city (20 minutes on a Friday night from Logan to Cambridge).
Friday Night the Ritz
Maria and I are both avid foodies. As a matter of fact, she wrote our very popular Antwerp Foodie Guide, and we were looking for a combination of exciting dining experiences in the city. We began our weekend with dinner and drinks at The Artisan Bistro and The Avery Bar at the Ritz-Carlton Boston. I am a big fan of the Ritz Carlton culinary program, and the experiences at their property did not disappoint.
We loved the farm to table menu at The Artisan Bistro. The dishes that stood out were the bacon and honeycomb appetizer and the octopus ceviche. Chef de cuisine, Micole is a fellow Puerto Rican, and she adds a Caribbean spice to her dishes. After dinner, we headed to The Avery Bar for a nightcap. Maria was jetlagged, and I was sleepy by 10 pm on a Friday (because #momlife), so we settled a drink each. I enjoyed a smoky mezcal concoction with a billowy marshmallow on top. Mezcal and marshmallow is something you don’t often hear in the same sentence, but it was surprisingly delicious.
Saturday: Boats, Wine & Steaks
Let’s Run!
Saturday we started our day with an early run along the Charles River. We knew our weekend in Boston revolved around food and drink, so we decided to start the day early with a workout. We stayed at the Royal Sonesta Cambridge and love that there was a bike/walk path right across the street from the hotel.
On a boat!
The followed our weekend agenda with a brunch boat tour with Classic Harbor Line’s Northern Lights boat. Must say, that was one of our favorite experiences of our weekend in Boston. If you know me, you know I love an excellent boat tour. When you first hear “brunch cruise” you may think of basic drunk girls causing a ruckus on a boat. Absolutely the contrary. The Northern Lights offers a delicious brunch buffet (they do not skimp on the bacon), cash bar, and a knowledgeable guide sharing facts and stories about the Boston area.
A Look at City Winery Boston
If you’re looking for a unique experience during your weekend trip to Boston, check out City Winery. This winery and events space adds something unique to the city. Check out their events calendar for performances at their concert hall. Their space also offers a tasting room where you can sample wines made in-house and bites at their restaurant. City Winery offers more than just wine-it’s an experience. City Winery Boston is perfect if you’re planning an outing with a group of friends.
Classic Americana Fare at Abe and Louie’s
I wanted to take Maria to a classic American steakhouse, and we decided on Abe’s and Louie’s near Boston Commons. The dining room has a traditional décor, with dark wooden furniture, the servers are dressed in black vests and bowties, and the menu has everything that you expect from a steakhouse. With all the creativity of modern American cuisine, it’s good to return to the classics. I had the ribeye and lobster: absolute decadence. The ribeye was tender, topped with the succulent lobster. Maria loved her experience so much, that she returned with her husband later during her stay in Boston.
I wish I had something exciting to share about Saturday nightlife in Boston. However, we were suffering from severe food coma. We walked a few blocks before we ordered the Uber back to our hotel.
Sunday Funday
Working off the Food
I introduced my friend to Classpass, which I think is a genius app to find boutique fitness studios throughout the United States and beyond. One of my favorite studios on the app is FlyWheel, an indoor cycling studio. There, we attempted to burn all the delicious food we devoured yesterday. The staff was friendly as always, and the class was energizing.
Sunday Brunch!
We had brunch at ArtBar Cambridge, a favorite restaurant in Cambridge. That Sunday was a bit chilly, so we were bummed we missed out on the great patio seating. We sipped on mimosas and indulged on a lobster roll. The roll had a generous helping of lobster meat on a buttery roll. Pass on the sweet potato tots and order the fries.
SoWa Vintage Market
We met up with a good friend who lives in Boston at the SoWa Vintage Market. We enjoyed checking out all the vendor stands with locally made products, ranging from handmade soaps to fresh produce. If you are spending a weekend in Boston, I highly recommend that you make this experience one of your stops. I liked that it gives you a glimpse of how locals spend a Sunday afternoon.
After the market, we went for a walk in South End neighborhood. We stopped at Café Nero, where we ordered lattes, sat in the patio area and did plenty of people watching. We walked our way back to Boston Commons and admired the beautiful brownstones of the city. We made our way through Copley square which faces the stunning Boston Public Library. The Library is the perfect contrast between the classic and the modern. A true reflection of Boston.
France Meets America at Bar Boulud, Boston
We ended our weekend in Boston with a decadent meal at Bar Boulud at the Mandarin Oriental Boston. The dining room décor takes you back to a wine cave in France with wine barrels, a vaulted ceiling, and lots of red. We started our meal with delicious oysters from the Northeast. For my main, I treated myself to a sinful burger with caramelized onions, a generous helping of blue cheese, and the perfectly baked bun. Did I mention that we did Fly Wheel that morning???
Where we stayed
We had a lovely stay at the Royal Sonesta Boston in Cambridge. Here’s my full review of our stay at the Royal Sonesta Boston.
Weekend in Boston: The Verdict
A weekend in Boston was just what I needed. I was starving for some girl time, and the city provided just that. We both had been to Boston before, so instead of monuments and other tourists sites, we wanted to focus on the food and walk around and take a pulse of the city. I wish we would’ve had more time to explore Cambridge, but you can’t do it all in one weekend!
