I took the bus up to Boston on Friday night after work. Nick went up Thursday night since he has more flexibility with work and we spent the weekend hanging out with our good friends and exploring the city.
$19 and a 4 1/2 hour ride later I was in Boston around 11pm. Not a bad deal!
They picked me up from South Station Friday night and when we got back to the house I ate a couple pieces of pizza and drank a glass of wine while we sat around the fire pit outside. I had brought a box of kale, chickpeas, tabbouleh, and tofu from Whole Foods on the bus for dinner, but it just wasn’t doing it for me with taste or satiation so I was hungry by the time I got to the apartment.
And then we ate some ice cream and went to bed.
Saturday morning we woke up around 8:30 or so, drank coffee, ate some oatmeal with banana and pb and then Nick and I went for a run on the esplanade and into Cambridge. It was an oddly warm weekend in Boston, in the 80s and sunny, but Saturday morning it was cloudy which was nice for running.
We got home, showered, I ate an apple + pb to hold me over and then we walked over to South End Buttery for brunch.
We started with the pastry basket which included banana bread, blueberry muffins and chocolate scones. The banana bread and muffin were super moist and the butter was so fluffy! But I didn’t care for the scone at all…I don’t think I’m into scones? I prefer my baked goods moist and cakey and scones are dry and crumbly.
I skipped on the mimosas and went for coffee instead along with heuvos rancheros. I had such high hopes for my order but was a little disappointed. The rancheros weren’t bad, but it needed more cheese and avocado and I wished the beans were thicker and not so saucy. Nonetheless, it filled me up.
After brunch we spent the afternoon strolling through Boston. I’ve only been once before (at FNCE last year) and wanted to see as much as possible. I didn’t get to explore much last time because I was there for a conference.
We walked through South End, through Copley Square and into Beacon Hill (such a dreamy neighborhood!) and then walked back through the Public Gardens. I couldn’t get over all the charming walk ups with these gorgeous entryways.
We made our way back home around 5pm and I needed to put my feet up right away. We rested for a bit and then changed into warmer clothes and headed over to a friend’s apartment for drinks + snacks on their rooftop.
When the sun went down it was crazy how much the temperature dropped. During the day I was sweating in a t-shirt and at night I was chilly in a sweater + vest.
We watched the sunset, ate cheese + crackers and drank wine. Three of my favorite things.
And then made our way to Five Horses for a later dinner. Five Horses was very tasty.
We split a bunch of apps including this incredibly doughy pretzel that was fab. Along with fried brussel sprouts with bacon and a cast iron corn bread soaked in honey butter that was insane. I could have eaten that as a meal alone. Now I want to recreate a super buttery, dense corn bread in cast iron this fall at home.
For dinner I ordered the burger. It was calling to me. Along with the shaved brussels with honey and bacon. The burger came with a special sauce and fried onions which took it to the next level.
After dinner we made our way home, sat around the fire for a little and then I headed to bed a little before midnight.
Sunday morning we woke up and were out the door pretty quickly to get breakfast before 9:30am church.
Nick and I walked over to Render Coffee for bagels + iced coffee. I raved about Bodos bagel in Charlottesville last weekend…but I have to say, this was better. Probably because I ate it freshly hot, yet a little toasty so it was chewy and crisp all at once and the veggie cream cheese was perfect. Great bagel. I’ll be back.
After church we made a game plan for the afternoon which included biking over into Cambridge for lunch and to check out the neighborhood. We had ran through Harvard’s campus the day before so we wanted to check out all the cute houses and streets this time.
It’s about a 3oish minute bike ride up the esplanade along the water which was pretty and relaxing.
We ate lunch at Alden and Harlow which was AWESOME. Highly recommend if you’re in the area! I was obsessed with every bite of food that went into my mouth.
We started with a drink called the Borderline which was like a spicy moscow mule. It wasn’t sweet and really refreshing.
And then to share, we ordered this blueberry and pistachio cinnamon roll which was insane. I went for the middle gooey part and that was buttery delight.
And then we also shared the corn pancakes with blueberry compote and honey butter. Also INSANE. I need to recreate this at home too, but I know I will never be able to come close.
I was in a burger mood this weekend so after looking over the menu and thinking “I should order something different since I had a burger last night…” I went with the burger because that’s what I kept going back to. And I’m so glad I did. Our waitress said it was one of their best dishes and I believe her. The burger had a light coleslaw, spicy mayo and parmesan crisp and the burger patty itself was tender and juicy. I made it about half way through this plate before fullness kicked in and I called it quits.
After lunch we biked around Cambridge and then back into Boston. It was a great afternoon spent outside, moving in a fun way and getting to explore more of the city.
We had a 4pm bus back to the city and by the time I got on that bus I was zonked. I took an hour nap right away. And when I woke up, split some pretzels and a luna bar with Nick while typing up this post.
We got back a little later, around 8:45pm, since we hit traffic and I wasn’t that hungry but knew I needed to eat something. So I made some smoothies and we ate some popcorn before heading to bed.
Even though it was a quick trip, it was a great weekend seeing friends and getting to spend time in Boston.
How was your weekend? What’s the best thing you ate? Share in the comments!
You hit all the best spots in Boston! I live in Back Bay right on the Esplanade and love strolling though the South End (best food!), Beacon Hill, and Cambridge–it’s my favorite weekend activity. Come back soon!
You live in such a great area! We will certainly be back soon 🙂
Disappointing meals out are the worst! I don’t think I’m really into scones either – my baked goods need at least a bit of sweetness and softness!
Those walk-up house fronts are so, so adorable. I’d love to live in that kind of place!
Boston is one of my favorite cities 🙂 I live in Canada and I’m originally from Europe but after visiting Boston a couple of months ago I fell in love. It’s such a great compromise between bigger cities and cute little towns. I stayed in Cambridge close to Harvard and we spent two days in the city and wow! I would go back anytime!
Agree that it’s a good compromise. Cambridge was adorable!
My sister lives in the South end area and every time I visit her, I fall in love all over again. It’s so beautiful and has so many good food choices! We ate at Four Horses last time I was there!
Four Horses is SO GOOD. Our second time there and it never dissapoints!
I’ve never been to Boston but it sounds and looks wonderful! That cinnamon roll!!! I was visiting Pittsburgh this weekend and the best thing I ate was a burger and homemade chips with “house sauce” from a place called Burgatory 🙂
If I’m ever in Pittsburgh I’m headed THERE 🙂
Loved reading this because it took me right back to my Boston adventures over the summer. Boston is the one and only city I ever fell in love with enough to say I can imagine living here and not New York.
Arden & Harlow is spectacular, isn’t it? I remember having it and just being in food ecstasy the whole time!
Next time you go to Boston, check out North End, which is where all of the OG Italian restaurants are (had legit the BEST pasta of my life there).
My weekend was quite low-key, some walks around the National Mall (I’m at Georgetown), watching Pretty Woman with friends and just getting lots and lots of much-needed rest and TLC 🙂
If you’re interested, here’s my recap I wrote for Boston earlier this year!
http://www.laughingmyabsoff.com/massachusetts-trip-recap-part-1-boston-cambridge/
A&H was delicious! I will have to check out the North End more – sounds like your weekend was great!
I really want to see Boston again! I haven’t been since I was in middle school. Looks like the weather was amazing. Best thing I ate was a cheese popover!
popovers! I havne’t had one in forever!
Looks like such a fun weekend trip! I think the concept of train travel is so neat. I live way out in rural Kentucky and train travel is not really an option here to go to any cool places. I don’t really think I’m into scones either. I would much rather have that cinnamon roll!
that is something I love about the east coast is how public transportation can get you so many places!
i have been to Boston twice but i feel like i havent seen SO MUCH there. i love your recap on such a relaxing weekend.
it packs a lot in a small space!
Perfect Boston weekend. So glad you enjoyed and got to take in so much! 🙂
Robyn!
That cinnamon roll and those pancakes look phenomenal!! Your weekend sounds absolutely lovely; those door steps are gorgeous… My weekend was quite, productive. With a touch of creative! Whole Foods also supplied some of my nourishment this weekend. My Mama brought home six different DELICIOUS options (trying new “safe” and yummy things with a sensitive diet is such a blessing) but the “salsa verde quinoa” was. the. best. Highly recommend! For dessert the best was a “chocolate peanut butter Larabar” …frozen. With frozen, fresh blueberries. Yummy, yummy. I hope you and Nick have a blessed day Robyn!
This side of Heaven,
Summer Rae
They WERE!!! Hope your weekend was lovely 🙂
They WERE!! Your weekends sounds restful and I’m so glad you enjoyed it 🙂
It looks like such a lovely weekend in Boston Robyn. I love how you explored by walking, running, and eating at delicious looking places. I often crave burgers too; my sister got the BEST burger on Sunday from a little Hungarian restaurant. The best thing I ate this weekend was probably the Hungarian goulash soup and a big juicy apple!
never had goulash but sounds delicious!
That pretzel looks divine! Really, all the food from your weekend looks amazing! Our weekend was pretty packed with my seeing my sister in concert to attending a wedding! Best thing I ate all weekend was the reception food at the wedding. They had the tastiest reception dinner, but my favv part of the meal were the garlicy mashed potatoes. They were kind of chunky and creamy and utterly delish. I felt like it was Thanksgiving.
It was SO CHEWY! Those potatoes sound FAB
I LOVED seeing and hearing you on the Happy Healthy Mom Summit today, Robyn!!
Xxoo,
Julie
aww thanks Julie, I’m so glad you enjoyed!