Boston tourist

Up early on day two of a really quick trip across the pond to Boston! First stop was Flat Black Coffee company. Fab Americano coffee and a chocolate chip scone to kick off the day.

Then we did a trolley tour. We chose Cityview Trolley Tours because our tickets came with a free harbour cruise! We used a Groupon which got us almost 50% off and included a 45 minute harbour cruise with beautiful views of the city. It was fab being out on the water on a glorious sunny (but windy!) day. 

Some of the photos from the trolley tour:

After here we got back on the trolley tour to finish the loop. We got on at aquarium which is their first stop. We stayed on until stop 8 as wanted to go to the Cheers bar. If you stay on the round trip should last approximately an hour. All in all I thought that was pretty awesome.

As I said we got off at the Massachusetts State House stop. We had a wander through there (you enter via General Hooker entrance!) 

Then we walked up the street to Cheers! We got a seat in the set bar.

Of course we went to the gift shop!! Got a couple of souvenirs including a cheers baseball type top and an old fashioned badge. 

We walked back through Boston Common - squirrel!

When we finished off the tour we went to Faneuil Hall to get lunch. We went to the Boston Chowda Co. Of course I got a lobster (lobstah!) roll. I went for the vot buttered roll option. OMG amazing!!! 

I then had a chocolate chip cannoli for dessert. I think it was from Carol Ann's Bakery. 

We then went on the harbour cruise which I thought was such a lovely way to wile away the hour. Spotted this duck house on the way - how cute is this?? 

Went to Macy's for a little retail therapy. I picked up a fab new Patriots top (be rude not to!)

After a shower and change we headed out for dinner. We walked around the city and came across a memorial for the Irish Famine - a nod to the strong presence here if there could ever be one! This depicts the same family before and after the famine...

Now what I love about being a grown up is that if you want to you can eat dessert before dinner and that's exactly what we did. We went to Omni Parker House which is where Boston Cream Pie was created. We had  a piece of pie each with prosecco! Why not?? 

After there we walked to 21st Amendment which is a bar by Massachusetts State House. The size of their glassss of wine!! Definitely get money's worth :)

For dinner we went to Bostonia Public House. We got there around 9pm on a Friday evening and even though it was jammed we managed to get a table for two.

Here's the menu:

We shared the lump crab dip with homemade potato chips (crisps back home) they were delicious.

I had a blueberry cocktail with the starter which I can't recall the name of but it was v good.

I ordered the lobster mac n cheese. The server wasn't wrong when she told me that it was a bit plate! Delicious, creamy, well cooked pasta absolutely jammed with lobster. I couldn't finish it though which was a shame. 

I then had a (large) glass of American Riesling which went pretty well with my main. 

Last stop of the evening was Warehouse Bar and Grille... Clearly staying classy! 

Boston mini break - day one

Spent three days in Boson recently... Whirlwind trip really but it was FAB! 

Started off as most (every?) Irish person starts their holiday - with holiday pints! Except I chose prosecco to go with my sausage bagel :) 

They have US Pre Clearance at Dublin Airport. I think it's great except the self service kiosks. I tried to use them but ended up having to queue!  

Here was the view from my seat on approach to Boston on the Aer Lingus flight. Just wow!!

We stayed at the Hilton Downtown / Faneuil Hall. I loved all the vintage telephones I spotted around.

We had a wander along the waterfron then went for a drink at Atlantic Beer Garden which had fab views of Seaport.

For dinner we went to Crush Pizza on State Street. I thought this was like a Pizza Hut or something. It's way way better!!! 

You choose your pizza, it's made there and then and then in it goes to one of their 300 degree wood fired ovens. 

You have the option to build your own pizza - including white pizza but I ordered the bourbon BBQ chicken pizza. Loved the sauce and it was laden with toppings. They finish that pizza with tortilla strips and cilantro. 

Luckily I love both so I really enjoyed it. I had a cider with it as couldn't see any wine.

After there we had a wander around towards the old State House and then through Faneuil Hall / Quincy Market.

We had a drink at Tap Trailhouse. We got a seat at the open window and managed to be entertained by the open air concert nearby :) 

We walked back near North End. Do love all the lights at night.

Finished off the evening with a drink at Warehouse Bar & Grille. I chose to have super classy Underwood Pinot Gris which came in a can :) 

An impressive new kid in town

Booked Cirillos on Lr Baggot St for food after being to the Boston College / Georgia Tech game a few weeks back. 

We were told we'd have to give the table back within 1.5 hours which was no issue because the service is v efficient. They did manage to take in walkins but it seemed like it was getting v busy so if you're looking to go I'd suggest you book ahead or you can get takeout. 

I was super delighted to discover that I could order an actual white pizza without having to ask for a pizza with no tomato sauce (I don't like tomato sauce on my pizza so? Why is that such a big deal?!) 

Anyhow the three of us ordered the antipasti sharing plate. I loved the cheese and the bread. I didn't get to try the salami, pancetta or the veg but it all looked so so good. You snooze, you lose right? :) 

Shared a bottle of their house red wine which is currently a Sangiovese / Merlot and is v smooth. Kinda far too easy to drink! 

For my main I got a white pizza - Pupillos. That was topped with sweet salami, ricotta, mozzarella and black pepper. Yummo!! The crust was incredible. I'd be the size of a house but would happily eat that ALL day. 

Left room for dessert? Hells yes! I got their special - an extremely light five star tiramisu which I did actually reluctantly share because it was just AMAZING! 

Great food, wine and a little banter with the staff. Who, by the way, are fab. 

Will definitely be back soon. Even if it's just to get takeout :)