Elm Street Taproom—which is not a brewery, by the way—is so scarily like Democracy Brewing in look and feel that the two appear to be like doppelgangers, almost like beer-based versions of, say, Larry David and Bernie Sanders.
OLD TOWN ROUTE: HOW TO HIKE DOWN THE MIDDLE OF 128 (AND LIVE TO TELL ABOUT IT)
That section is a continuation of the road … but on the other side of the highway—and it can’t be accessed unless a) you have wings, or b) you have a death wish and think it would be fun running across the highway.
FIRST LOOK: EAST OCEAN RESTAURANT IN NORTH QUINCY
On the menu: pork blood with chives, steamed beef tripe, spicy jellyfish, cold chicken feet, pork blood congee (a type of rice porridge), jellied tofu, and shark fin and pork dumplings.
MEET THE NEW SPOTS… SAME AS THE OLD SPOTS
Longtime institutions are closing, but could a new batch be primed to replace them?
FIRST LOOK: MOD ESPRESSO
Upscale casual with macarons and opera cakes. Yes, opera cakes
HOLIDAY EATS: ESSENTIAL PIT STOPS AND HIDEAWAYS FOR GREATER BOSTON SHOPPERS
Boston has some vibrant, interesting, and charming neighborhoods where people can do their holiday shopping in a much more enjoyable manner, and there are typically plenty of cozy little local spots to duck in out of the cold to grab a bite to eat or drink.
FIRST LOOK: HORSE THIEVES TAVERN, DEDHAM
While some places simply say that their takes are inventive or modern and then offer what everyone else is offering, this spot really does have some interesting takes on New England classics.
PLYMOUTH ROCKS: HIKING, EATS, AND MUCH MORE ON THE SOUTH SHORE
This will take you to the town wharf and with it, a whole lot of good stuff, including a breakwater that goes more than half a mile out into the ocean, various walkways and boardwalks with more views, several restaurants and food spots like the Lobster Hut and Cupcake Charlie’s.
FIRST LOOK: AVENUE KITCHEN + BAR, SOMERVILLE
Its menu includes mostly new American fare and modern takes on old-fashioned items, including black garlic hummus, maple chili duck wings, roasted beets, beer-steamed mussels, a Cobb salad, burgers, crispy chicken sandwiches, macaroni and cheese, steak frites, and, well, you get the picture.
KRISTIN’S, BRAINTREE: A BREAKFAST SPOT FOR PEOPLE WITH A (VERY) SWEET TOOTH
The slightly quieter Braintree Square a short distance to the north is where you’ll find Kristin’s, and it often has much longer lines than the other places in town.
