Boston Music Awards coming to Liberty Hotel

The Liberty Hotel will host The Boston Music Awards on Sunday November 20th at 7pm. The Boston Music Awards celebrates the region's best talent from a plethora of musical genres including garage, rock, pop, blues—metal, punk, indie, Americana, international, jazz, hip hop, rnb, electronic, folk, and more.

Tickets start at $20, with VIP tickets going for $99.

All proceeds from The 24th annual Boston Music Awards will go Ernie Boch Jr.'s Music Drives Us Foundation to help keep music in the schools.

King of the Wing competition coming to Game On

Game On at Fenway Park will host its 2nd Annual King of the Wing competition on Tuesday November 1st at 6pm. Local restaurants will compete for the titles of "Best Buffalo" and "Most Creative" wings. Particpants and celebrity judges will vote on the winners, who will receive a grand prize along with a trophy to show off in their establishment. The $30 admission, which includes all you can eat wings and Harpoon draft beer, will benefit The Boys & Girls Club of Dorchester and The Rodman Ride for Kids.

Opposition grows to proposed Dunkin Donuts in South End

Universal Hub reports today on the formation of group opposed to a new Dunkin Donuts proposed for 655 Tremont Street in the South End.

This MEGA project would significantly impact the character of the South End historic district and the vitality of its existing businesses

Residents earlier this month expressed disapproval of the plan at at a neighborhood association meeting citing concerns including trash, rodents, and the over population of restaurants in the South End.

Perhaps this group should explain why having a Starbucks several blocks down the street is ok for a historic district but a Dunkin Donuts is not? I suspect that many people in this neighborhood would be happy to have an option for an inexpensive cup of coffee open on Tremont Street.

Pumpkin Pageant Friday in Fort Point

The Friends of the Fort Point Channel will host a Pumpkin Pageant on Friday October 28th from noon-4pm along the Fort Point Channel section of the Boston Harborwalk (from the Children's Museum to The Barking Crab). In addition to free pumpkin carving for adults and children, the public will be able to vote on pumpkins designed by local businesses and prizes will be awarded in several categories. There will also be free cider, popcorn, and pretzels.

JM Curley to open in Downtown Crossing

Boston Restaurant Talk reports today that BiNA Family Hospitality (Bina Osteria, Bin 26, La La Rokh) will soon open JM Curley, a two level, moderately priced American restaurant and bar at 21 Temple Place in Downtown Crossing. The name comes from former Boston Mayor and Governor James Michael Curley. The chef will be Sam Mansour.

MET Back Bay to offer free soup shots

The MET Back Bay will offer free soup shots today-Saturday at lunch and dinner in honor of the cold weather and the prediction of the city's first snow flurries for tonight. All ones needs to say is "Warm Me Up" to the server to get a free shot of the MET Back Bay's new chicken pecorino soup.

Descent set to open Friday

Update as of November 15th: I am hearing that Descent at the W Boston is set to open this Friday, November 18th.

Descent at the W Boston Hotel is set to open next week reports Grubstreet Boston today.

A giant, street-level, mod red chandelier and funky starburst-imaged staircase give way to dimly lit raw stone foundation walls, chalkboard graffiti, a glittered epoxy floor, and grey leather banquettes/ ottomans dressed w/ red throw pillows, also what Andy Dufresne said to Morgan Freeman, when he wanted to incite a very gentle and playful prison riot. (Thrillist)

Thanks to Boston Restaurant Talk for the heads up on this!

Green line service to Lechmere to be restored November 5th

Universal Hub reports today that Green Line service to Lechmere and Science Park stations will be restored the weekend of November 5th. Green line service to these stations was suspended this past April to allow for the reconstruction of Science Park/West End station to make it accessible to all. The re-opening will make for easier access to the Museum of Science, the Cambridgeside Galleria, Hotel Marlowe and the Royal Sonseta Hotel. The Boston Herald has more about the reopening in an October 27th story.

Tripadvisor comments from Boston area hotel guests

Here are several of the most interesting recent Tripadvisor comments on Boston area hotels. The names have of hotels are not included in the excerpts below. These are merely snapshots of individual guests' experiences and may not reflect your experience at any of these hotels.

We ate the Sunday buffet for $25 a person. It was tasteless... I have had a better breakfast at Hampton Inn for free. The front desk was not friendly. I asked to speak to the concierge and the girl at the front desk did not know one existed! Ha!!!

Overall, the location was great, but for such a price, I was very very disappointed. The hotel could have done little things like even offer loaner umbrellas on a rainy day for its guests, which might have made the experience somewhat more palatable. Otherwise, if you have a choice, I would strongly suggest staying away or paying much less.

The concierge only works until 7:30PM on a Saturday night - strange considering this is in the heart of Back Bay. And charging $11 for Internet is beyond ridiculous.

The worst part of the hotel was the front desk, concierge and bellman service. They were woefully understaffed - 3 ppl on the front desk during peak times to check people in and the lines were 40 ppl deep. Same for the concierge and I very rarely every saw a bellman.

We walked back Halloween night when the Nor'easter hit Boston and asked the doorman to enter, he literally made us wait outside in the sleet until we could find our room key. 3 minutes later, when we produced our room key, we were granted access to the Mecca that is the (hotel name redacted), covered in sleet. Besides the fries, this hotel has no legs to stand on.

This is a perfect location for walking and T, but the noise of traffic, police sirens, ambulance and, especially, partying made sleeping difficult. Staff were polite and helpful, except when we came in from having been caught in the rain and they acted as if they thought we were homeless and were there to use the restrooms.

From a service standpoint, while the front desk staff members were helpful, it would have been nice had the doorman held open the door for me when I was dragging two bags out the front door of the hotel (bad first and last impression - both times he was chatting with someone off to the side; he did come over eventually to ask if I wanted him to hail a cab, but by that point I didn't need his help).

The shower was straight from the 60s, with a temperature reader to boot. It took us 20 minutes to figure out how to use the old-fashion contraption, just to find brown water (which was apparently was fault of the city and not the hotel). I will say that the location is superb and the beds are super comfy.

We also had some bites during our stay - so wonder if the hotel's purported pet friendly policy leaves a few fleas lying around. I guess pets should really be restircted to certain floors/rooms and those of us who don't see the need to bring pets on holiday should be spared? So flea-bitten and noisy - otherwise good value.
Overall verdict not bad but scope to do better - you can't please (fleas?)everyone

Skipjacks responds to Globe fish labeling story

Skipjacks owner Jeffrey Senior today issues a response to the recent Boston Globe series on seafood mislabeling, in which one of his restaurants was mentioned in the first sentence.

First, you should know that our fish purveyor has always referred to this item as “White Tuna” and has sent it to us and invoiced us using this name. We could have never conceivably known that he was selling us Escolar instead of White Tuna. The problem is bigger than just our fish supplier. In fact, Escolar has been identified as White Tuna on every sushi menu in the country.

We discovered this disparity in August and immediately changed the label on our menu, as per FDA specifications. We are still investigating our fish purveyor’s contribution to this inconsistency and assure you that we believe in operating every day as an ethical and socially responsible business.

Study says Bostonians dine out the least

Boston Restaurant Talk reports today on Zagat survey which indicates that people in Boston dine out the least of the major markets in the country. (Texans dine out the most) What do you think?

NYC could see more than 100 new hotels by 2014

HotelChatter.com reports today that 120 additional hotels could open in New York City by 2014. It sounds like an exciting time in New York, but also one that raises some questions.

Of course, people will always love to visit New York, and Mayor Bloomberg has been heavily pushing a campaign to promote Lower Manhattan, which includes deals with places like Gild Hall, Andaz Wall Street and Hilton Millenium. But without enough jobs to support those travel expenses, and with cost-cutting companies avoiding unnecessary expenses (read: hotels), who exactly will be the ones spending money on these new properties?

While Boston is a smaller market than New York City, it also has need for more hotels, especially ones to support the possible expansion of the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center . Boston has seen eleven new hotels open since 2006 with the latest being the Hotel Veritas which opened in May 2010.

Late Night Dining on the rise in Boston

The Boston Herald reported Monday on how more restaurants in Boston are serving food later into the evening, often until closing time. The article cites Kingston Station, Bina Osteria, The Salty Pig, Eastern Standard, and Island Creek Oyster Bar as restaurants that do late night dining well.

For years, patrons longing for higher-end fare in the wee hours of the morning were limited to a string of restaurants in the South End such as Stella and Franklin Cafe. However, as the late-night trend has emerged, more neighborhood restaurants are giving it a try.

Earlier this year Bricco in the North End announced that it would make its full menu available until closing time.

Sandrine's Bistro to celebrate 15 years

Grubstreet Boston reports today that Sandrine's Bistro in Harvard Square is getting ready to celebrate its 15 year anniversary with several specialty menu items.

Local restaurants called out for mislabeling of seafood

The Boston Globe today calls out several local restaurants, including Skipjack's, Legal Seafoods, Blue Ginger, McCormick & Schmick's, Doyle's, and Bertuccis among others for the mislabeling of the fish they serve. The findings are the result of a five month long investigation by the paper into the mislabeling of seafood across the state.

It showed that Massachusetts consumers routinely and unwittingly overpay for less desirable, sometimes undesirable, species - or buy seafood that is simply not what it is advertised to be. In many cases, the fish was caught thousands of miles away and frozen, not hauled in by local fishermen, as the menu claimed.

Reading this story makes me think about how I had heard recently from a source at a popular seafood restaurant that the chef had recently started using a cheaper seafood supplier. It was said that the customers probably wouldn't know the difference.

Thanks to Universal Hub for the heads up on this!

Salvatore's now open in Downtown Crossing

Salvatore's newest location is now open at 545 Washington Street (next to The Opera House) in Downtown Crossing. The upscale Italian restaurant in Boston's Theater District is the fourth Salvatore's, with the others being in Lawrence, Meford, and Boston's Seaport District. The owners of Savatore's also own Sal's Pizza, which has Boston locations on Tremont Street, Commonwealth Avenue, and Brookline Avenue.

New restaurant coming to Fort Point neighborhood

A new restaurant is coming to a residential development planned for 381 Congress Street in the Fort Point neighborhood reports The Boston Globe today. The developer is negotiating with an unnamed but popular chef to run the restaurant, which will feature a 1200 square foot outdoor patio.

Alani (the architect) said perhaps the project’s most significant feature is the outdoor dining space that will bring new activity to streets in the district, which has just begun to emerge as a dining destination with several new restaurants and cafes.

This new development is just steps from the new Trillium Brewery, currently under construction at 369 Congress Street.

Rosa Mexicano coming to Seaport District

Boston.com reports today that upscale Mexican restaurant Rosa Mexicano is coming soon to the Seaport West office building in the Seaport District. The restaurant, which has signed a 15 year lease, will include a patio overlooking Boston Harbor and Downtown Boston.

All of our award-winning dishes remain faithful to their traditional roots while incorporating regional accents and inspired innovation. You’ll know just what we’re talking about when you try our Pomegranate Margaritas or Guacamole en Molcajete, made in a traditional lava-rock mortar and prepared tableside. (Rosa Mexicano website)

Giant panda sculpture on display at Franklin Park Zoo

Franklin Park Zoo now has on display a 15 foot high, two ton, red panda sculpture made of hay. The sculpture was made in Killington Vermont as part of the town's annual Hay Festival, after which organizers transported it to Boston to celebrate the birth this past summer of the Zoo's twin red panda cubs. The sculpture was built from five large round bales of hay and 24 square bales. It is on display now near the Zoo's Serengeti Crossing exhibit.

Harpoon to host pre-Thanksgiving Beer-B-Que

The 5th Annual Harpoon Helps Grateful Harvest Beer-B-Que to support the Greater Boston Food Bank takes place on Sunday November 13th from 3pm-6pm at the Harpoon Brewery in Boston. Harpoon Helps is teaming with The New Barbecue Society to present a delicious way to support the food bank.

Tickets are $55 per person, which includes passed appetizers, turkey with all the trimmings, 3 Harpoon beers, and a commemorative Beer-B-Q beer mug. Tickets must be purchased in advance. 100% of the money goes to the Greater Boston Food Bank.

The passed appetizers (3pm-4pm)include BBQ pork spare ribs with three different kinds of sauces, smoked cheese and charcuterie, and jalapeno poppers.

The dinner menu (4pm-6pm) includes Harpoon Ale brined turkey (barbecue dry rub, apple smoke), southern cornbread and fatty sausage stuffing, garlic smashed Maine potatoes, collard greens with smoked slab bacon with maple syrup, smoked pumpkin and root vegetable gratin, Grandma Wolff's cole slaw, and cranberry relish.

Dessert is apple bread pudding with Harpoon cider sauce.

Harpoon Grateful Harvest Ale will be the featured beer of the event.

Just writing about this menu makes me hungry!

Chez Henri, Roxy's to face off in National Sandwich day competition

Boston Restaurant Talk reports today that Chez Henri's cuban sandwich and Roxy's Gourmet Grilled Cheese are going head to head in a National Sandwich Day face off at the Cambridge restaurant on Thursday November 3rd. The event will involve a three course dinner, available beginning at 5:30pm, in which diners will vote on a winner for each course. The results will be totaled at 10pm. The dinner's cost is $39 per person. To reserve call Chez Henri at (617) 354-8980.

Former BSO backup conductor getting into the liquor business

Wicked Local Brookline reports this week that former Boston Symphony Orchestra assistant Federico Cortese is becoming a silent partner in a convenience store that sells liquor in Brookline near the Brighton border.

The selectmen voted unanimously to approve the transfer of the license from the store’s current owners and joked that Cortese, who spent five years backing up Ozawa, could have performed for the board.

Uno Due Go set to open today

Boston Restaurant Talk reports that Uno Due Go is set to open today in Downtown Crossing.

Suffolk Downs Food Truck Festival this Saturday

The Suffolk Downs Food Truck Festival will be held Saturday October 22 from 12pm-5pm. Admission is $5 with proceeds to benefit local charities. The festival will coincide with $100,000 Robert M. O’Malley Stakes (Post Time is 12:45pm). The lineup includes Captain's Coffee Brewers, Daddy's Fried Dough, Franca's Wood Fired Catering, The FroYo Truck, Frozen Hoagies, Go Fish, Grilled Cheese Nation, Lobsta Love, Mobile Home, Spoon Truck, Sweet Truck, Trolley Dogs, & Woodman's of Essex. Parking is free but there will not be an ATM on site at the event so come prepared.

Beyond Bubbie's Kitchen set for Sunday

The New Center for Arts & Culture presents its Third Annual Beyond Bubbie's Kitchen event this coming Sunday October 23rd at 5pm at the WGBH studios in Brighton. Thirteen of Boston's best chefs will present their modern twists on traditional Jewish dishes for tasting. Feed Me Bubbe author Avron Honig will be at the event with his 84 year old Bubbie, the inspiration for his book and online kosher cooking show.

Participating restaurants include The Fireplace, Ole Mexican Grill, Lineage, Woodward at the Ames, BOXX 109, Russell House Tavern, Grill 23, Bergamot, Bistro du Midi, Nubar, Foundry on Elm, Upstairs on the Square and Area Four.

Tickets are $36 for young adults and $72 for adults.

Thanks to @Hotelie82 for the heads up on this.

Custom House clock time not visible at night

Universal Hub reported yesterday that a complaint was made to the City of Boston (via the Citizens Connect smartphone app) about not being able to read the time on the clock on top of Marriot's Custom House extended stay hotel at night. The complaint stems from the fact that the numbers on the clock are lit up in the evening but not the hands. A source at the hotel tells me this has been mentioned many times but the reason they are not lit up now is because they never have been.

Island Creek Oyster Bar heading to Head of the Charles

Boston Magazine's Chowder blog reports today that Island Creek Oyster Bar will have a stand selling the restaurant's lobster rolls, clam chowder, and oysters on the half shell at this weekend's Head of the Charles Regatta. It will located near Harvard Stadium at the race's end.

Boston restaurant business on the rise

The Boston Herald reports today on how the restaurant business in Boston is on the upswing. Nearly 3,000 new restaurant seats have been added in the last two years alone. More revenue for the restaurants also means more meals tax money coming into the city.

Restaurant revenues in Boston swelled to $1.83 billion for the first eight months of 2011, up from $1.67 billion during the same period a year ago — a nearly 10 percent hike, according to the state Department of Revenue. Meal tax revenues for Boston totaled $13.7 million for the January-to-August period.

Dante to host sausage competion

Grubstreet Boston reports today that chef Dante de Magistris will host a "Sausage Festival" November 20th at Restaurant dante in the Royal Sonesta Hotel. For $20 you can sample sausage creations from Jamie Bissonnette, Evan Deluty, Louis DiBiccari, Marc Orfaly, Brian Poe, Tiffani Faison, Colin Lynch, William Kovel, Mary Dumont, Patricia Yeo.

Vietnam National Symphony coming to Symphony Hall

The Vietnam National Symphony Orchestra will visit Boston on October 24th at 8pm to play a concert at Symphony Hall. The program will include Samuel Barber's Adagio for Strings, Dam Linh's Violin Concerto "Thang Long", Antonin Dvorak's Symphony No. 8 along with two Vietnamese folk songs
Trong Com and Ly Hoai Nam .



Tickets are $25-$55.

Liberty Hotel to host Halloween party for dogs

The Liberty Hotel will host a Howl-oween costume party on Wednesday October 26th at 4pm in the "Yard" as part of the hotel's weekly Yappier Hour. There will be a tricks, treats, and costumes contests for both humans and canines. Prizes will be awarded for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place. Admission is free.

Jerry Remy's to host Occupy Fenway event

Jerry Remy's Sports Bar & Grill in the Fenway announces an interesting event on its Facebook page today.

#RedSox fans ... still angry over the worst collapse in baseball history? Join us this Wed for Occupy Fenway! Fans will have the chance to get their anger out at an open mic from 5 - 7 pm. Don't live close by? You can participate too by sending in your gripes via twitter. Send your message to @jerryremysgrill using the #occupyfenway hash tag. Tweets will be posted on one of Remy’s famous Screen Monsters too. We will have $5 burgers/fries ... sorry, no chicken allowed!

Radisson Boston adds to its management team

The Boston Herald's Inside Track reported yesterday that the Radisson Boston Hotel has brought on Laura Kinsman (from the Mondrian in Los Angeles) as the hotel's director of events and Byran Barbieri (from Regan Communications) as the hotel's public relations manager.

The Radisson, which was bought last fall by Northwood Hospitality, is in the midst of being transformed into an upscale property. Last month The Radisson hosted The Boston Film Festival at its Stuart Street Playhouse.

Pops in the South End closes

Boston Restaurant Talk reports today that Pops restaurant on Tremont Street in the South End closed its doors over the weekend.

According to a source within the Boston media, Pops Restaurant on Tremont Street shut its doors over the weekend. A call placed to the eatery yesterday evening could not go through as no one was answering, and OpenTable is no longer taking reservations for the place.

Earlier this year a proposal by Pops to extend its hours was prevented by strong neighborhood opposition. Neighborhood opposition in the South End has also tabled two restaurant development proposals this year.

Oyster Orgy set for Monday

Tavern on the Water and Harpoon will an event called the "Oyster Oyster" on Monday October 17th from 6pm-9pm at the Charlestown waterfront restaurant. The fall celebration will offer oysters prepared eight different ways including fried, baked, stuffed, on the half shell, and as shooters along with Harpoon seasonal beers. Tavern on the Water also offers one of THE best views of the Boston skyline.

Admission is $30 in advance and $40 at the door (if available). Admission gets one ten tickets, with oysters at the event "costing" one ticket and beer "costing" two tickets. Extra tickets can be bought on-site for $2. Call 617-242-8040 to order.

Restaurant tip proposal debated in San Francisco

There is a move in San Francisco to require restaurant diners to leave a standard 25% gratuity reports CBS San Francisco.

Is this fair? Some in the food industry say “yes, it’s about time.” However, many “foodies” are not as happy with the idea. According to the Times, for the most part, people, on average tip between 15% – 20% and the restaurant worker actually has to claim 15% with the IRS.

Restaurant workers in San Francisco earn a minimum wage of $9.92 per hour (San Francisco's rate is higher than California's $8.00 minimum wage rate). The state of California does not allow employers to subtract tips from the minimum wage as is the case in Massachusetts where tipped restaurant employees are paid $2.63 per hour.

What do you think of the mandatory tipping proposal? Would you like to see that happen here in Boston?

South End residents oppose new Dunkin Donuts

South End Patch reported this week that residents expressed vociferous opposition at meeting this week to a Dunkin Donuts proposed for 655 Tremont Street.

At Wednesday’s meeting, residents in opposition to the proposal listed off concerns ranging from rodents and noise to increased loitering and crime. Condo owners who live at 655 Tremont worried that the value of their homes would decrease if the restaurant moved in.

So a teenager was murdered last month across the street from this location and the people who live there are worried that a Dunkin Donuts would decrease their property values? It's also important to note that there is a Starbucks a block down Tremont Street from this location.

Dine out on November 10th to support The Boston Public Market

Twenty two of the Boston area's best restaurants are coming together on November 10th at 7pm to raise money to help support the Boston Public Market Association in the establishment of a year round public market in downtown Boston. For $2500 the restaurants will serve you and nine guests a multi-course meal featuring seasonal ingredients and wine pairings. Each dinner will also feature a speciality cocktail made with Boston-produced small batch rum, whiskey, or vodka from Bully Boy Distillers.

Participating restaurants include Area Four, Ashmont Grill, Coppa, Dante, Davios, Eastern Standard, Erbaluce, Fairmont Battery Wharf (Aragosta Bar and Bistro), Hammersley's, Island Creek Oyster Bar , Lineage, Lumiere, Oleana, Rialto, Russell House Tavern, Sam's, Sel de la Terre, Taranta, Tavolo, The Butcher Shop, Union, and Upstairs on the Square

To reserve your table email harvestdinnerparties@bostonpublicmarket.org or call Mimi Hall at 617-510-3796.

The Boston Public Market could become a reality as soon as 2012 as the public advocacy process continues. The plan is to have the year-round public market feature local and regionally grown produce and other agricultural products.

Five Guys Burgers coming to Boston

Boston Restaurant Talk reports that Five Guys Burgers will be opening soon at 58 Summer Street in the Downtown Crossing area of Boston. It's great to see another new restaurant in Downtown Crossing. Personally I'm not sure what all of the hype about Five Guys Burgers is about though. I've been to the one in Foxborough and it was good but nothing amazing. If In-N-Out Burger was opening up in Boston now that would be really exciting!

Columbus Cafe to close in November

South End blogger BosGuy reports today that the Columbus Cafe in the South End will indeed close this November. It was reported earlier that restaurant appeared to be for sale.


Thank you to South End Patch for the heads up on this!

New costume store opens in Boston

New Millennium Costumes, Boston's newest costume store, is now open at 151 Tremont Street across from the Boston Common.

New Millennium joins Cambridge's The Garment District/Boston Costume, Dorothy's Boutique in Boston, I Party (Boylston Street in Back Bay, South Bay, and Brighton), and Brookline's Party Favors' recently opened Halloween satellite store (957 Commonwealth Avenue near BU) as the top places to get your Halloween attire this year.

Papagayo to host Boo La La costume party

Papagayo will host a Boo La La costume party on Monday October 31st from 7pm to 9pm. The restaurant is teaming up with Rue La La to host a party that includes a hosted bar with Halloween-themed, tequila cocktails and hors d'oeuvres highlighting the Papagayo menu. There will be prizes for the best costume with the first place winner getting two club seats to a Bruins game, second place getting two arena seats Bruins game, and third place receiving a gift card redeemable at Papagayo, Scollay Square, Max & Dylans, Andiamo, or Tavern on the Water. Everyone attending the party will receive a mystery gift card envelope which can be redeemed at a future visit to Papagayo. The mystery gift could be 10 percent off a meal, free appetizers, etc. There will be three grand prize envelopes containing a private dinner for 10 at Papagayo’s intimate Tequila Table.

Tickets, which are $39 per person and include tax & gratuity, are available at http://boolala.eventbrite.com/.

Mobile Food Festival cancelled due to Occupy Boston

The Rose Kennedy Greenway Conservancy announced today that the Greenway Mobile Food Festival, scheduled for October 15th, has been postponed until the spring. A new date will be announced by the conservancy. The festival had been planned to take place on the Dewey Square section of the Greenway, which is partially taken up by the Occupy Boston encampment. The festival was to include twelve food trucks, with family friendly events from 11am-7:30pm. The Greenway Conservancy deemed that the large number of people from the combined two events would have impeded public safety. Occupy Boston should be ashamed of themselves for causing the cancellation of such a good event in our city. Events like the planned mobile food festival make our city a strong and more vibrant place for residents and visitors alike.

Thanks to Grubstreet Boston for the heads up on this!

Turkish food truck coming to Boston

Boston Magazine's Chowder blog reports this week a food truck serving Turkish fare will soon be operating on the streets of Boston. The truck, to be called "Turkish Delight by Meatballs & Etc.", should be open for business October 20th and will split its time between Northeastern University and Bay Village (across from the Park Plaza Hotel).

Trade uncovers windows

Northendwaterfront.com reports today that the soon to open Trade at Atlantic Wharf took the covers off the restaurants windows today.

Casino bill amendment could revive happy hour

WBZ-TV reports tonight that an amendment added today to the casino bill currently being debated in the Massachusetts State Senate could pave the way for happy-hour alcohol specials to return to Massachusetts after being banned in 1984.

The so called "Restaurant Equality" amendment was crafted by the Republican Senator (also restaurant owner) Bob Hedlund, Democratic Senator James Timilty and the Phantom Gourmet's Dave Andelman (President of the Restaurant and Business Alliance).

The basic idea of the amendment is to give restaurants and bars the chance to offer the same deals as ones that could be offered in the casinos if the proposed bill goes into law. WBZ also reports that the Senate, before passing the Restaurant Equality amendment, passed an amendment to allow casinos to serve free alcohol to patrons, an industry wide practice.

Currently restaurants and bars can offer liquor specials (such as $2 Molsons at The Tap) as long they offer the special at all hours the establishment is open. Many bars and restaurants in the state currently offer special happy hour food menus to attract a (hopefully drinking) crowd during the the traditional happy hour time.

The Restaurant and Business Alliance previously lobbied successfully for the recently passed Restaurant Rejuvenation Act (aka The Brunch Bill) which allowed restaurants to serve alcohol on Sundays before noon.

What do you think of this amendment? Does our state really need Casinos? Do we really need Happy Hour to come back?

Culinary bike tour set for this Saturday in the suburbs

Grubstreet Boston reports today the Tryst in Arlington, Wilson's Farm in Lexington, and Turtle Creek Winery in Bedford have teamed up with Quad Cycles in Arlington to offer a culinary bike tour this Saturday October 16th. It sounds like an awesome event - you get to bike, shop at an excellent market (got to love Wilson's Farm), sample locally made wine, and then end with an dinner that you shopped for earlier.

Circus comes to TD Garden this week

The Ringling Brothers Barnum and Bailey Circus will be at the TD Garden this week from October 12th-16th. Today the Asian elephants will be making the final leg of their trip to the TD Garden on the streets of Cambridge and Boston. The TD Garden Facebook page reports the animals' walk begins around 2pm.

The animals will depart Pacific Ave in Cambridge then turn right onto Albany St then right onto Mass Ave. They will turn left on Memorial drive and stay on Memorial Drive to the Charles River Bridge on Msgr O'Brien Highway. They will turn right to cross the Charles River Bridge and pass in front of the Museum of Science. They will then go down Martha Road and take a left on Nashua Street to the Garden ramp.

NBA game cancellations to have negative effect on hospitality industry

BostInnovation reported earlier that if the NBA and the NBA Player's Association didn't come to an agreement today then the first two weeks of the NBA season would be cancelled, with the possibility of the entire being wiped out. This would have a strong negative effect on the businesses in the TD Garden area and around the city.

Roughly 50 percent of the revenue for restaurants and bars around The Garden comes from the Celtics, and with the Boston Blazers no longer occupying a space in the area’s sports landscape, it’s awfully difficult to see how those owners are going to turn a profit this winter without the NBA.

The AP just reported that the NBA has just cancelled the first two weeks of the season.

Burton's Grill in Boston to close

Boston Restaurant Talk reports today the Burton's Grill on Boylston Street in Boston's Fenway neighborhood will be closing for good next weekend. The restaurant's last day will be October 15th.

Steve Jobs memorial service to be held in Kendall Square

BostInnovation reports today that the Kendall Square Association will host memorial service for Steve Jobs on Tuesday October 11th at 4pm. The memorial will take place at the new Entrepreneur Walk of Fame, located next to the outbound Red Line entrance, where there Steve Jobs was honored with six other innovators just last month.

Dunkin Donuts proposed for Tremont Street in South End

South End Patch reported recently that a Dunkin Donuts is being proposed for a vacant commercial storefront on Tremont Street in the South End. One wonders how the Dunkin Donuts proposal will fare after neighbor concerns have already caused the cancellation of redevelopment plans (that included new restaurants) for buildings at the corner of West Newton and Washington Streets and the corner of Washington Street and Worcester Square in the South End.

Home Sweet Home coming October 22nd

Home Sweet Home IV, a dessert competition party to benefit the Cambridge Housing Assistance Fund, will be held on October 22nd at the Hyatt Regency Cambridge. The event, which will be emceed by TV Diner's Billy Costa, will feature dinner & dancing along with professional and amateur dessert competitions.

The professional dessert competition judges are Annie Copps, Amy Traverso, Jill Epstein, and Andrew Rimas. Participating restaurants include Abby Park, Amelias Trattoria, Butter Cafe & Bakery, Blue on Highland, Blue Tierra Chocolate Cafe, Chocolate Therapy, The Chocolate Tarte, The Fireplace, Harvest, City Table, Finale, Henrietta's Table, Kickass Cupcakes, Showcase Live, South End Buttery, Sweet, Sofra, Taffe, Toscanini's, Temple Bar, and Zephyr on the Charles.

The amateur dessert competition is sponsored by How2heros.com and The Cambridge School of Culinary Arts and will be judged by Lee Napoli, Claire Silverstein, and Lynne Viera.

Entertainment will be provided by The Love Dogs Band.

Tickets are $50 for the dessert and the dancing part of the event and $100 for a VIP Passport (which includes dinner and wine).

Vermont tourism on the rebound

The Vermont tourism industry, devastated by Hurricane Irene in late August, is showing signs of a rebound reports The Boston Globe today. The fall foliage season usually brings in 3.6 million visitors who generate about $332 million per year for the state's economy.

After images of Vermont’s bridges and villages underwater splashed across the media last month, the state has been able to turn that message around, thanks to an aggressive marketing campaign. Officials spent an extra $50,000 on radio and TV ads, as well as billboards. They worked social media channels and created digital postcards with foliage scenes to entice people back.

Mandarin concierge goes above and beyond for guest

Bing's Travel blog reports on some of the most unusual concierge requests from around the world, including one from the Mandarin Oriental Boston that involved picking up a guest from the airport in a helicopter to avoid traffic backups during a recent presidential visit to Boston. Now that is great service!

SOWA to get Winter Farmer's Market

South End Patch reports today the people behind the SoWa Open Market on Sundays have announced they will hosting a weekly indoor winter farmer's market at 460 Harrison Avenue. The market will be held every Sunday, November 13th-April 29th, from 10am-4pm. The market will feature local produce, herbs, baked goods, live plants, free range meats, cheese, organic coffee, and more. The last outdoor SoWa Open Market, which includes the antique market and outdoor farmers market, will be on Sunday October 30th.

NYC's Naked Cowboy to visit Legal Harborside

The Boston Herald's Inside Track reports today the New York City's famous Naked Cowboy is to make an appearance at Legal Harborside on October 15th for an event to close out the restaurant's month long celebration of the oyster.

Lenox Hotel to install car charging station

The Lenox Hotel will install an electric car charging station outside the hotel reports Boston.com today. The charging station will be located on the Exeter Street side of the hotel. Hotel guests with an electric car will receive free valet parking along with a free charge. Visitors to the hotel's restaurants who valet will also be able to get a free charge. The Lenox Hotel has long been a leader in bringing green hotel practices to the hospitality industry.

Navy ship to visit Boston this weekend

The USS Stephen W. Groves will arrive in Boston at the Charlestown Navy Yard this Friday October 7th at 8am. The Oliver Hazard Perry-class ship, with a crew of 184, is based out of Mayport, Florida. Members of the crew will participate in Sunday's Columbus Day parade, beginning form Christopher Columbus Park at 1pm, as well as in a community service event Friday morning at the New England Shelter for Homeless Veterans.

The ship will be open for public tours on Saturday from 1pm-4pm, Sunday from 10am-4pm, and Monday from 10am-4pm. It's important to note the ship is not handicapped accessible. As there are a number of steep ladders required to tour the ship those with heart conditions, breathing difficulties or other medical conditions will not be allowed to board.

MBTA orange line to get new stop

The MBTA board has approved the construction of a new stop on the orange line subway at Assembly Square reports The Boston Globe today. This new stop will enable a new development under construction at the Assembly Square site to connect directly to Boston when it opens in 2014.

The developers intend to work alongside the T while building the first 400 housing units, the first commercial blocks, and a public park along the Mystic. Long-term plans call for 2,100 apartments or condos, a 160-room hotel, a cinema, and more than 2 1/2 million square feet of commercial and retail space. Separately, furniture giant Ikea holds a permit for an adjacent plot to build its first store inside Route 128.

Top Boston Hotels to follow on Twitter named

BostInnovation has a great piece today on the top twenty Boston area hotels to follow on Twitter.

Boston has a list of award-winning world-class hotels, and lucky for us, most of them are on Twitter. Their Twitter accounts aren’t just for guests, though – these hotels are in the know about the coolest people, places and events in Boston.

Uno Due Go to open soon

Uno Due Go, the new fast-casual concept from Uno Restaurant Holdings, is set to open this month at 52 Summer Street in Downtown Crossing. This restaurant will be a great addition to the Downtown Crossing/Financial District dining scene, which recently two spots of the similar concept, Eat Kitchen and Freshii.

Uno Due Go features deep dish pizza, all natural flatbreads, freshly made paninis, grab and go wrapped sandwiches and salads, soups, snacks, breakfast sandwiches, coffee and a full array of beverages. The food selections contain natural and organic ingredients as much as possible and the beverages include healthy offerings, such as juices rich in antioxidants.

Enormous Room closing

Universal Hub reports today (via WickedLocal Cambridge) that nightclub/restaurant Enormous Room in Central Square is closing this weekend. The last day of operation will be Sunday.

Eat Your Heart Out fundraiser set for November 7th

Eat Your Heart Out Boston 2011 will take place Monday November 7th at 6pm at The Paradise Rock Club. The event includes music from Kingsley Flood and Jennie Dee & The Deelinquents along with food from some of Boston's best chefs.

This year's chef lineup includes Tim Wiechmann of TW Food, Barry Maiden of Hungry Mother, Jamie Bissonnette of Toro & Coppa, Jeremy Sewall of Island Creek Oyster Bar, Louie DiBicarri of Storyville & Chef Louie Night, Suzi Maitland of Trina’s Starlite Lounge, Will Gilson of Eat Boston, Seth Morrison of The Gallows, Michael Leviton of Area Four, Andy Husbands of Tremont 647, Rich Morin of Lineage, Laura Henry-Zoubir of Regal Beagle & Church along with the Island Creek Oyster team.


Tickets are $35 and event proceeds will benefit Future Chefs and Zumix.

Eat Your Heart Out Boston is a group of local, like-minded, music-loving foodies who got together in early 2008 with the intention of raising funds for Boston area food- and music-related non profits. The group’s mission is to support local, independent musicians, up-and-coming kitchen talent, and the growing number of small, philanthropic organizations based in Boston. (Eat Your Heart Out website).

South End restaurant seeks to remove trees for patio

The Parish Cafe in the South End is seeking permission to remove two city trees from the sidewalk on Tremont Street in order to allow the restaurant to install patio seating reports South End Patch today. This is the second time restaurant ownership has proposed the tree removal idea. The parks department will hold a hearing on the issue October 18th at 10:30am.

Bruins to get championship rings tonight

The Boston Bruins will receive their 2011 Stanley Cup Championship rings tonight at the Boston Harbor Hotel reports the Metro today. The Boston Bruins open the 2011-2012 season on Thursday at 7pm vs. the Philadelphia Flyers at the TD Garden.

DESCENT to open at W Boston this month

DESCENT, the subterranean lounge at The W Boston Hotel, is opening this month. It plans to be open Wednesday-Sunday from 5pm-2am. Check out this photo of the bar at DESCENT!

DESCENT reinvents the “Red Light District” with the unique spin of W Hotels Worldwide. On the corner of Stuart and Warrenton streets: home of Boston’s former “Red Light District” with a storied past, DESCENT allows patrons disappear into the depths of the urban landscape. Guests enjoy hand-crafted cocktails by international mixologist, Charlotte Voisey, under the glow of electric lighting while listening to DJ’s from across the globe remixing the hottest sounds. (DESCENT Facebook page)

"DESCENT will be a destination for artists, writers and tastemakers to gain inspiration through exciting cocktails. With a feeling of 'joie de vivre', guests are invited to indulge and let their worries slide away. There will be an emphasis on local brands and ingredients calling to mind Boston's rich history of spirit culture." (DESCENT Beverage manager Laura Engle on DESCENT Facebook page)

South End restaurant proposal tabled

South End Patch reports today that Stella owner Evan Deluty and his business partner Kevin Sullivan have decided not to go ahead with their plans to open a Latin-themed restaurant in a vacant space at the corner of West Newton and Washington Streets in the South End. They made the decision after several neighborhood meetings at which some residents opposed the restaurant proposal's idea to place a patio that would be open after 11pm on the side of the building facing the adjacent community garden as well as the planned full liquor license.

Just this past month neighborhood opposition in the South End derailed another redevelopment proposal that would have included a new restaurant.

What do you think? Should an idea which would bring much life to a dead corner in the South End be put to so much scrutiny? If you lived next to the proposed restaurant would you want people dining outside your windows past 11pm?

WZLX Monster Food Truck Festival coming to Framingham

Shoppers World in Framingham will host the WZLX Monster Food Truck Festival this coming Sunday October 9th from 11am-5pm in the shopping center's parking lot. The food trucks attending so far include Captain's Coffee Brewers, The Cupcakory, The Fashion Truck, Go Fish, Grilled Cheese Nation, Jake's Sweet Meat BBQ, Lobsta Love, Mobile Home, Snappy Dogs, Spoon Truck, and Woodman's of Essex. More food trucks may be added as the event date gets closer.

Food Truck Festivals of New England, the group producing the Framingham event, is also presenting a food truck festival at Suffolk Downs on October 22nd.

For more information check out this great article on the Framingham event from Boston.com

Mobile Food Fest coming to Greenway

The Rose Kennedy Greenway will host the Greenway Mobile Food Fest on Saturday October 15th from 11:30am-7pm. This celebration of the fall harvest will feature local food trucks parked on the Greenway along with live folk music, pumpkin themed tastings, farm fresh seasonal produce, lawn games and activities for the kids.

The Fest takes place in Dewey Square Park (located across from South Station) and the Fort Point Channel Parks (located between Congress & Oliver Streets).

Comics Come Home coming to Agganis Arena

Comics Come Home XVII, the longest running comedy benefit show in the country (17 years) will return to the Agganis Arena at Boston University on Saturday November 12th at 7:30pm. Host Dennis Leary will be joined by Lenny Clarke, Kenny Rogerson, Tony V, Robert Kelly, Dom Irrera, Joe Derosa, Artie Lang and Nick Di Paolo. The show will benefit The Cam Neely Foundation for Cancer Care and The Neely Cancer Fund at Tufts Medical Center's Cancer Center and its Floating Children's Cancer Center. Tickets ($40-$125) are on sale now. This event is truly THE best comedy show in Boston all year.

South End House Tour set for October 15th

The South End Historical Society presents it 43rd Annual South End House Tour on Saturday October 15th from 10am-5pm. The tour is a self guided walking tour of homes in the South End, the largest Victorian brick rowhouse district in the United States. Enjoy the rare opportunity to go inside the restored townhouses on the tour and learn more about the architectural significance of this neighborhood, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Tickets are $25 in advance and $30 on the day of the tour at the Boston Center for Arts (539 Tremont Street).

Boston Book Festival set for October 15th

The Boston Book Festival is coming to Copley Square on Sunday October 15th.

On October 15, over a hundred celebrated authors and presenters will gather in Copley Square for the third annual Boston Book Festival. We have curated a program this year that features several Pulitzer Prize winners, some of the foremost Civil War historians, political leaders, world-renowned scientists, thought leaders, stars from the world of children’s literature, celebrated novelists, poets, philosophers, and steampunkers in full regalia. Our goal is to provoke, elevate, delight, amuse, and inspire you. (Boston Book Festival website)

All of the author events take place indoors at The Boston Public Library, Trinity Church, The Old South Church and The Back Bay Bay Events Center. Admission is free to all of the author and admission is on a first come-first served basis. This year the Book Festival will offer a limited number of guaranteed seats to selected lectures for $10 per event. Tickets must be purchased in advance. There will also be a street festival which takes place in Copley Square, rain or shine.

From the Top live taping set for Sunday

From the Top, the award winning NPR radio show featuring the country's best young classical musicians, will hold a live show taping this Sunday October 2nd at 2pm at New England Conservatory's Jordan Hall.

Be part of the live audience at New England Conservatory's Jordan Hall for an exhilarating evening of incredible performances by inspiring young talent. Hosted by acclaimed concert pianist Christopher O'Riley, the show highlights the amazing performances, heart, and humor of our nation's best pre-collegiate classical musicians through music and interview segments. From the Top tapings are a great introduction to classical music for families. (From the Top website)

For tickets call the Jordan Hall box office at 617-585-1260.