Massachusetts

Beard Papa’s in Boston

by 2 Comments

Beard Papa's in Boston's ChinatownBack in 2006, when I was a wee baby blogger, I read an article about a place in San Francisco that sold the most amazing cream puffs called Beard Papa’s.

It was was one of my first blog posts about food and when I noticed a trend with food and lawyers. In the article, an attorney named Jordan Goldstein, gave one of my favorite quotes ever about food.

It was one of the best days of my life, said Goldstein, who returned with his friend 24 hours later to procure six more pastries. “These are like eating air.

I never forgot that quote and always remembered thinking about the cream puffs that inspired it.

cream puffs being filled collageSo last week I was at work and we were talking about food. Like always. We were saying how bringing food to employees, inspires so much goodwill and that we would all like a sweet snack. By the way, we have been bringing in snacks to share just about every week.

Then one of our supervising attorneys, who was not in the room while we were talking about wanting gifts of food, brought us some mini cream puffs. We were so happy!

smiling baker with cream puffsCome to find out, he got them from Beard Papa’s! They just recently opened in Chinatown, which is just around the corner from my current office.

After work last night, I decided to stop by and see the place for myself. There was a line of people and a bit of a wait for the cream puffs. By the way, the scent inside was thrilling and intoxicating.

The bakers fill each cream puff as you wait. I got two regular sized puffs so that I could share one with G.

We both inhaled them! The cream squishes out all over the place and the puff is delicate and crunchy. They are messy. But messy in such a playful way that you will need to lick your fingers and juggle keeping the puff together. Then you realize that you have eaten the whole thing in 5 seconds!

Ha! It’s wonderful. Now I know what Jordan was talking about.

Is He Back? The Modern Day Milkman.

by

milkman in milk truckJust before arriving at work one day last week, I saw this milk truck from Thatcher Farm. With a modern day milkman.

It wasn’t until editing this picture that I noticed he had been looking my way. I was too busy with my phone and he must have been wondering why I was taking a picture. I’ve heard of their farm before and learned that they have a dairy delivery service in the Boston area. Pretty cool.

My parents and their contemporaries talk about the milkman, the rag man and others who delivered or picked up items to and from homes on a regular basis when they were young. Sometimes in a cart with a horse.

Most people don’t have their milk delivered anymore. Many like me don’t drink dairy milk. Usually it’s almond milk, but I drink coconut milk, hemp milk and other milks sometimes too. Not that I’m against dairy. I eat cheese and yogurt all the time. I love ice cream and eggnog as well.

Getting a dairy delivery fresh from the farm seems to happen a lot more nowadays. A recent CNBC article says the milkman may be returning to modern day life. But it looks like he is already here.

MBTA Customer Appreciation Day: April 24th

by

MBTA customer appreciation dayFor all the heartache and pain that we suffered during the winter on the T, we will all get to ride for free tomorrow. It’s MBTA Customer Appreciation Day!

So, if you ever wanted to ride the entire MBTA system all day, tomorrow is the day to do it. A few more deals have been added in as well. There are 15% off discounts for May passes.

Also, you can show your Charlie Card at different Boston area retail locations for discounts. The 20% discount at New Balance looks like the best deal to me.

While I’m not sure that this one day and a few discounts makes up for the lack of reliable public transportation this winter. Nor do I really feel that there is enough appreciation of the customer. However, it’s something. But the T still needs a permanent fix.

+ + +
Photo Credit: Mass. DOT Blog

If You’re Decorating Your Office….

by

PacificoYou might be interested in some art by Isabel Shamitz. Especially if you’re looking for some nice art to decorate an office space. If you just want to look for free, then stop by the library this month and take a look.

During April, the Thomas Crane Public Library in Quincy, has an exhibit of Shamitz’s work called A Tale of Two Cities: an exploration of Boston and Quincy images.

As I was walking around picking up some books that I had put on hold and looking at the new DVDs, I saw her paintings. The colors, texture and mood drew me right in! Because the exhibit focuses on the Quincy and Boston area, I recognized some places too.

If you’re from the area, you’ll probably have a sense of familiarity. Also, Shamitz’s style reminded me of Edward Hopper’s Nighthawks.

That feeling of looking into the private world of another by glancing into a coffee shop window and seeing strangers interact. A certain light that puts you into a nostalgic mood when you’re not even sure what you’re feeling nostalgic about. But it’s there and quite palpable.

Since my work brings me to many a different office, one of the first things that I notice is the art work on the walls. That and where is the coffee located.

+ + +
Image: Screen shot of painting by Isabel Shamitz from Thomas Crane Public Library event website.

Subway Stories: South Station Last Night #MBTA

by

South Station TIt was so cold last night! But as I walked from work to the T, I couldn’t help but notice how beautiful South Station looked.

Lit up in red lights and glowing against the sky above and snow below. It took a few takes to get this picture on Instagram. But I think it was worth have freezing fingers for a few moments.
Dog on platformWhile waiting for the Braintree train at South Station, I noticed the most beautiful dog. It was sitting quietly until a train went by, then got up and looked like he was ready to go! So was I!

The Braintree train arrived without waiting long at all and it seemed like things were starting to get back to normal here in Boston.