Mix & match.
Elegant, delicious French-tinged New England selections mark the menu
at L'Espalier, a high-quality standard on Boston's Boylston Street. Chef
Frank McClelland and his team create a daily tasting menu for those who
want to have the marvels presented to them, but diners also are welcome
to shuffle the elements to get exactly what they want.
Shelf life.
Not everyone has drunk the Kindle Kool-Aid, for which the folks at the
Brattle Book Shop are grateful. Used is the catchword for this literary
landmark, founded in 1825, with two floors brimming with previously
owned tomes and a third floor offering antiquarian and rare items. In
stock are more than 250,000 books, maps and more. Browse for bargains in
the outside lot, weather permitting.
Northern excursion.
Head to Boston's North End to find numerous fun spots
like Paul Revere's house and the Old North Church, the oldest church in
town. When it's time for dinner, try Neptune Oyster on Salem Street, a break from the usual Italian fare in the area.
Sweet.
Stone-ground organic chocolate is the base for the delicacies at Taza Chocolate, out on the edge of Cambridge and Somerville. Can't choose?
The chocolate-covered hazelnuts won't disappoint.
Have a pint:
Learn all there is to know about beers and local beer events through
the 99 Bottles blog, written by Steve Greenlee, the Boston Globe's
features editor, jazz critic and beer columnist.