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Boston Globe
2 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Boston Globe
Meet the city that inspired Beverly Hills
Not to mention, Beverly Hills, Calif., was named after our fair city by real estate developer Burton Green in 1907. (Our Beverly was founded in 1626.) The Massachusetts Beverly has hills, too; one of the prettiest is Long Hill ( Get Starting Point A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday. Enter Email Sign Up And there's this: Beverly Harbor was a base for early American naval operations. Privateer Hannah, converted from a fishing schooner to a warship armed with guns and cannons, was the first ship commissioned by General George Washington during the Revolutionary War. In 1775, Captain Nicholas Broughton patrolled the coast in the Hannah , engaging with the British Royal Navy sloop HMS Nautilus. Advertisement Culture — we've got it Fast-forward 250 years: What is Beverly like today? This North Shore city, with a population of around 42,500, 'packs a punch for a town of its size,' says Erin Truex, executive director of Beverly Main Streets ( Why are we sharing this now? On June 14, Arts Fest Beverly ( The best-known spot in Beverly is probably the 103-year-old Cabot Theatre ( There's no Rodeo Drive, but Beverly, Mass., offers its own form of eye candy — art. This piece by artist Jennifer Toler at Porter Mill Studios is one (very cool) example. Diane Bair Musical theater fans may also be familiar with award-winning North Shore Music Theatre ( Advertisement The old warehouses along downtown's Rantoul Street have been renovated and transformed into housing and maker spaces like Porter Mill Studios ( Montserrat College of Art campus ( If you want to make art, not just admire it, Beverly offers some options, including Score & Slip ( Clay Dreaming ( One of Beverly's more unique businesses is The Castle, a board game cafe with 1,000 games. (Tip: If you're drinking, don't play Uno!) Diane Bair Wandering around Beverly's downtown, you'll get a whiff of 'college town vibe,' which makes sense: In addition to the art school, Beverly is home to Endicott College ( The Castle ( Gentile Brewing Company ( Advertisement Mission Boat House sits on an iconic spot in Beverly, with views of the Beverly-Salem Bridge. Diane Bair Local haunts (minus the witches) Those who remember the old McDonald's restaurant on the Beverly-Salem bridge will notice a spiffy waterfront restaurant in its place, Mission Boat House ( A&B Burgers ( Rosetti Restaurant ( Don't let the strip mall location fool you: The Italian and Italian-American food at Rosetti Restaurant Beverly is worth a visit (shown here: shrimp flatbread). This is the sister location to Rosetti Restaurant in Lynn. Diane Bair One of us lived in Beverly for several years, and after a nine-year absence, we were happy to see some old favorites still operating, including Soma ( Siam Delight ( For dessert, there's an outpost of Harbor Sweets ( Henry's Fine Foods ( Advertisement You haven't really seen Beverly until you've gone to Lynch Park , the city's unofficial backyard. There's a small beach, perfect for watching kite-surfers in the cove, and a wide green lawn with picnic tables and lawn-facing benches. There's a snack bar, open seasonally, a band shell, and paths that lead to the ocean. The park's famous tiered Rose Garden is modeled after Italian gardens, and a much-loved spot for wedding photos. Another irresistible photo op: the Falconer statue, a replica of the original in New York's Central Park, which was sculpted by George Blackall Simonds in 1872. Given all of this, we were happy to be back in the old haunt. Yes, it's a bit gussied-up with all of those reimagined warehouses, not to mention a Whole Foods Market. But it still has a friendly feel, good places to eat, and a burgeoning art scene. 'Everybody knows Salem, but Beverly is a sleeper,' says Mark Jaffe, who's on the board of the Cabot and has lived in Beverly for most of his life. 'And the history is incredible. I can't imagine living anyplace else.' Diane Bair and Pamela Wright can be reached at
Boston Globe
23-05-2025
- Boston Globe
How to build a perfect visit to Sandwich
First things first — a cup of Joe and a good book Get Starting Point A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday. Enter Email Sign Up Are you thisclose to losing it after a long drive? Treat yourself to a stop at Snowy Owl Coffee Roasters ( Please don't tell us you're bringing an e-reader or other device to the beach. Nooo! The beach is the place for real newspapers, magazines, and actual books, things that won't be destroyed by gritty sand and sunlight. Find a killer selection of new and used tomes at Titcomb's Book Shop ( Advertisement It's worth bringing your bike to take a ride along the Cape Cod Canal Bikeway. There are benches along the way, people fishing, and views of boats plying the canal. Diane Bair Best reason to bring your bike: Cape Cod Canal Bikeway You drove over this sparkling blueway as you crossed the Sagamore Bridge; now get to know it on two wheels. The bike path is actually a service road for the US Army Corps of Engineers, but locals know it as a recreation hot spot for cycling, walking, and fishing (stripers, bluefish, and sea bass.) Flat, wide, and paved, the bikeway runs on both sides of the canal, with seven miles on the north side and 6.5 miles on the south. The bikeway connects several recreation areas along the Cape Cod Canal, including Most colorful place in town: Sandwich Glass Museum Glass was manufactured in Sandwich two centuries ago by the Boston & Sandwich Glass Company; Sandwich glass is now highly prized and collectible. The Sandwich Glass Museum pays homage with a gorgeous collection of blown and pressed glass pieces. Exhibit rooms take you through the history of glassmaking, with beautiful displays and some unique items like witch's balls, used to protect homes from evil spirits since the 1800s. It offers glassblowing demonstrations daily, on the hour, and sells art glass made by local and national artists in its gift shop. $14; Advertisement Best place for garden inspo: Heritage Museums and Gardens Hostas, heather, herbs, rhododendrons, and daylilies galore — those are just some of the reasons to wander through these landscaped garden paths overlooking Shawme Pond. The property also features a Shaker Round Barn filled with antique cars, an art museum showcasing New England folk art, and a classic, working carousel. It's a nostalgic vibe that will tune you into the slower side of the Cape. $25; Charlotte Cucchiaro of Brooklyn, N.Y., explores the newly-reconstructed Sandwich Boardwalk. Diane Bair Best short-and-sweet walk: Sandwich Boardwalk Newly reconstructed after a brutal winter storm in 2022, the ¼-mile-long Sandwich Boardwalk off Wood Avenue offers a scenic walk across marshland, over Mill Creek and on to Town Neck Beach. The new bridge, like the old one, is a favorite spot for fishing, kids clamming, and just hanging out. Now, it has pressurized wood, metal pilings, and sits four feet higher than the old version. It's wider, with accessible ramps (Town Neck Beach is not yet fully accessible). Free, but you'll pay for parking; Tourists are welcome at Cafe Chew in Sandwich. If you love a hefty sandwich and some Cape Cod chips, this is your place. Diane Bair Best place for a sandwich in Sandwich: Café Chew Looking for a quick, hearty bite to bring to the Cape Cod Bikeway, or just can't resist a chunky sandwich on good bread? This little place in Merchant's Square offers indoor and outdoor dining and a nice array of sandwiches, breakfast items, pastries, and salads. The owners are new-ish, (2023) but the menu is the same, so you can still order, say, The Pilgrim ($14.25), a delicious stack of roasted turkey, sage stuffing, cranberry mayo and lettuce on cranberry-pecan bread, served with Cape Cod Potato Chips (of course) and a pickle. The blackboard specials are worthy, too. Advertisement Best place for seafood-with-view: Fishermen's View For boat-to-table dining for lunch and dinner, this is a dandy choice. Owned by two commercial fishermen (who are also brothers), this upscale casual spot offers a sleek waterfront setting (with views from nearly every table) and an expansive menu of fresh oysters, crab baskets, sushi, steamed lobster, or whatever just came off the boat. Live music in season adds a festive touch. Entrees from $34; Twin Acres ice cream. Diane Bair Best place for ice cream: Twin Acres Ice cream shops on the Cape are like Dunks in the city; there's always one nearby. Our favorite in Sandwich is Twin Acres, serving 70-some flavors of hard ice cream, soft-serve, vegan ice cream, sundaes, and sausage rolls, in a pretty landscaped setting. How do you know this place is excellent? People line up for cold treats when it opens in mid-March, regardless of weather. Flavor to try: Campfire S'mores, a perfect blend of toasted marshmallow ice cream, sandy graham cracker swirls, and chocolate chunks. Best place for that classic B&B experience: Isaiah Jones Homestead B&B So, you're thinking you might want to stay awhile? Yay, you. Many Cape visitors are looking for an inn or B&B since it fits with the Olde Cape Cod motif. One that fits that description, located right in the village: A c.1848 Italianate Victorian, the Isaiah Jones Homestead. Originally built for a doctor and his family, the house offers six tastefully-appointed guest rooms. Three queen bed rooms and one king room are located in the main house, with two king-room suites in an adjacent carriage house. New owners Robert and AnaLisa Luippold live onsite, and have overseen major renovations to the property, so it's not just old, but old and comfortable. They offer a hot breakfast, including house-baked pastries (or purchased at Beth's Café nearby) and a daily port and sherry reception. Rates from $279; two-night minimum may apply; Advertisement For more information: Sandwich Antiques Center offers 5,000 square feet of browsing, with everything from Fiesta to old farm implements. Diane Bair Diane Bair and Pamela Wright can be reached at
Boston Globe
16-05-2025
- General
- Boston Globe
Moose on Main Street — and other reasons to go to Greenville, Maine
Beane has been doing this job for three years, and is out in the woods nearly every day, fishing, hunting, and guiding. He encounters moose regularly, on the logging roads in a mud-spattered Chevy Suburban (our transportation on this day) or from a canoe in one of the many ponds. 'We get a lot of people from Massachusetts and New York — and a New Zealand couple last fall — who've never seen a moose,' he says. 'It's always a unique experience.' Get Starting Point A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday. Enter Email Sign Up This is the view of the lawn and lake from a carriage house room at the Lodge at Moosehead. Nice, eh? Diane Bair Searching for Bullwinkle Thanks to this job, we've seen moose in the Moosehead region, in Attean Pond, and even along the shoreline of Greenville's famous landmark, 40-mile-long Moosehead Lake. But it's always a thrill to see a 1,000-pound ungulate in the wild, and we were here for it. Along the logging roads (privately owned but open to the public for respectful recreation use), we saw forests in various stages of growth and harvesting. Moose like to forage budding hardwoods, along paths they can navigate with a rack of antlers, Beane told us. Advertisement We drove past a stand of white birch trees, and Beane stopped the truck: 'There's a moose down there.' Before we could get a good look, the hulking dark shape vanished. 'You might see a massive face sticking out between two trees. Then they disappear like a ghost,' Beane said. We saw a few white-tailed deer, wild turkeys, a woodcock, a snowshoe hare, and an eagle, but no Bullwinkles. He didn't do a moose-call, but described it as an 'Errrr sound, deep, guttural, and nasally,' using a funnel-like device. Tread carefully — there might be fresh moose scat under your feet as you head out to the ponds near Greenville in search of you-know-what. Diane Bair To boost our chances, Beane parked the truck and we hiked to a couple of ponds to look for moose eating grasses in the water. No joy there, either. 'It's too early for moose to be at the ponds. The grass isn't tall enough yet,' he assessed. We did see fresh moose tracks in the muddy road, and moose scat (poop) in the trail. 'The dark color indicates it's pretty fresh,' Beane said. But no moose, only some overturned tree roots with moose-like shapes. Our necks were getting sore. 'Is there such a thing as moose-neck?' we asked our guide. 'No — only whiplash when you see a giant one!' he said. Advertisement C'mon, moose! We were thinking, hoping to conjure one. 'The moose must be at a meeting today, and nobody told me,' Beane said. At the Moose Lodge, maybe? 'No moose for you!' our companion Paul said. (Seinfeld fans will get it.) Still, it was nice to be out in nature, enjoying its fresh May greenness, even on a rainy day. We didn't see another soul on our journey. It was relaxing, even as we bounced along the bumpy gravel roads. Moose watching demands a Zen-like level of awareness — you block out everything else as you search the landscape for a moose-like form that might emerge any minute. Or not. 'I'm hoping for a surprise moose on our way out,' Beane said, as we headed back toward Greenville nearly four hours later. But we still had a shot. 'At night, you can see moose ambling around town,' he noted. Thus, the moose warning signs along the roadways. 'You can see a lot of deer up and down Main Street, too.' So, we didn't get lucky on this safari, but we vowed to come back in summertime and paddle one of the pristine ponds to give it another go. Even if you strike out moose-wise, you still had a nice paddling experience. She'll be dreaming of ungulates in this snazzy number. Outfit your whole family in moose gear in Greenville. Diane Bair Moose Overload: It's a thing But in Greenville, there's no lack of moose-y things. You can quickly reach Moose Overload and never actually see the real thing. In Northwoods Outfitters' retail store, we saw infant-size moose-printed onesies, adult jammies with moose, moose-emblazoned socks, and 'moose ears' pastries. Pop into the Kamp Kamp general store, and you can buy a lamp with real hooves as a base. We're not sure if they're moose feet or deer feet, but still. The Corner Shop (books and gifts) has an entire display children's picture books devoted to moose subjects Even Northern Maine Minerals, a store with rock and mineral specimens, has a giant stuffed you-know-what. Advertisement We suspect these are deer hooves, not moose, but this lamp at Kamp Kamp still makes a statement. Or something. Diane Bair In summertime, you'll be focused on the water, though. Greenville is located on the southern end of Moosehead, Maine's largest lake. The passenger steamboat Katahdin, aka The Kate (seasonal, from $60; cruises past piney islands and Mt. Kineo, the 800-feet mountain that seems to rise from the water. Fishing of all kinds is a major pastime here. The adjacent Moosehead Marine Museum (mid-June to mid-October) is full of nautical finds. Wake up to this? Absolutely. Lakefront campsites at Lily Bay State Park are among the best in New England. Diane Bair Where to camp, stay, and eat Love to camp and hike? Get ready to be wowed by 952-acre Lily Bay State Park ($6 day use per person, non-resident; $30 + $5 fee to camp, non-resident; Prefer to sleep indoors? The Lodge at Moosehead Lake ) from $425 in summer season; Advertisement The inn serves breakfast to guests, and offers chef's tasting dinners about once a month in high season. Innkeeper Beverly Burgess does the cooking herself, or brings in a guest chef from another acclaimed Maine restaurant. But Burgess—not a trained chef-- holds her own in the kitchen. On our visit, her seven-course dinner included a spring pea soup with wasabi cream--pure springtime in a bowl. The tuna crudo made a convert of the raw tuna hater in our party. Relying on ramps, fiddleheads, and other seasonal greens, the meal was a medley of lovely bites. Halibut with apple-fennel foam and ribeye with porcini dust were among the courses. The arancini in pea and ramp puree with parmesan tuile at 368 Maine tastes as good as it looks. Diane Bair Where else to eat in town? With a population of around 1400, Greenville is small, so there aren't a lot of choices. The Stress-Free Moose ( Takeaway message here: C'mon up for some moose watching (by water, if possible) and enjoy the raging beauty of bluer-than-blue Moosehead Lake. You'll likely get lucky, moose-wise. Even if you're skunked, you'll have a good time. We did. Just don't blame us if you bring back some moose-printed pajamas. And please leave the moose poop on the trail, for someone else to discover. If you go: Advertisement Diane Bair and Pamela Wright can be reached at
Boston Globe
25-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Boston Globe
Fort Lauderdale is easygoing and easy to get to. Let's hear it for Miami's little sister.
On a recent visit, inspired by cheap airfare, we found that price tags were lower than those of Miami, from drinks to transportation. While you can find excellent restaurants (Fort Lauderdale was recently added to Michelin coverage), posh hotels, and lively nightlife, it's a more low-key feel. 'Even the luxury side feels more casual here,' says Ebony Tyre, PR manager for Get Starting Point A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday. Enter Email Sign Up With tips from Tyre and others, we set out to discover what makes Fort Lauderdale … Fort Lauderdale. Here are some highlights. Advertisement Greater Fort Lauderdale has 24 miles of golden sand along its shoreline. Diane Bair Where the action is, and isn't We visited at the end of spring break season, and by night, Las Olas Boulevard — the city's hot zone for dining and nightlife — was hopping. It wasn't the beer-pong-in-the-street scene you'll find at some breaker destinations, but the streets were full of college-age revelers, shades of 'Where the Boys Are,' the 1960 movie that put Fort Lauderdale on the map with this demographic. The city doesn't encourage this — 'We're more about families on school break,' says Tyre — but that's the reality. By day, while the students are sleeping, Las Olas is more sedate. We had a great lunch at Casa Sensei ( We boarded an elevator filled with young women in slip dresses, platform heels, and lots of competing perfume on a Wednesday night at the W Fort Lauderdale ( With its upscale, modern feel, the beachfront W resort offers luxurious digs and nice amenities, including Advertisement Need a cool respite from the beach? Rent a kayak at Birch State Park and enjoy a short but sweet paddle. Look for birds, turtles, and lizards as you go. Diane Bair A quick bike ride (the hotel has bikes) or 20-minute walk away along the beach reveals something entirely different: Hugh Taylor Birch State Park ( Costumed Polynesian dancers keep things lively at Mai-Kai, a classic Fort Lauderdale experience that goes way beyond the typical tiki bar. Diane Bair Quintessentially Fort Lauderdale Unabashedly touristy and fun, the Mai-Kai draws folks from far and wide, Tyre told us. Not your typical tiki bar, Mai-Kai Restaurant & Polynesian Show ( Fort Lauderdale is called 'the Venice of America' and the 'yachting capital of the world' for good reason: It boasts 300-plus miles of inland waterways, including the Intracoastal Waterway and the New River. Get a peek at mansions and mega-yachts on a narrated water taxi tour ( Advertisement By land, the city is served by Circuit, offering on-demand rides on all-electric vehicles for free (or cheaply) via the Circuit app. We didn't have great luck with this service, but maybe that was due to spring break. In any event, we didn't rent a car but had no trouble using rideshares to get around. A ride on the water taxi reveals why Fort Lauderdale is known as "the yachting capital of the world" — big, shiny boats that rival those in Nantucket Harbor. Diane Bair Ye Olde Florida lives here It's always fun to stumble upon something unexpected when you travel. In the Riverfront neighborhood, we discovered a pocket of Olde Florida, a complex of historic buildings operated by History Fort Lauderdale ( We returned to the historic neighborhood later that night, for dinner at the House on the River ( Advertisement Las Olas Boulevard is a lively zone for dining and entertainment. Award-winning Casa Sensei offers delicious food (like this Asian ginger salad with shrimp) and canal views. Diane Bair Within the stretch of sleek, modern hotels along Fort Lauderdale Beach, another 'olde' bit of the city exists. The Casablanca Café ( Confession: We never made it to Bonnet House. On our way, walking along the ocean, we succumbed to the allure of the beach and plopped down on a seawall to enjoy the sun-drenched scene. Because, no matter where you go, it's the beach that makes Florida … Florida. For information, visit Diane Bair and Pamela Wright can be reached at
Boston Globe
18-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Boston Globe
Play pickleball, eat a torta, and sleep in a former saloon. Here's the latest from Newport.
Newport's new 24-room Island House Newport hotel opened March 13, 2025. Island House Newport Get Starting Point A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday. Enter Email Sign Up So long, Jimmy's. Here's the Island House Newport Anyone with fond memories of partying at the beloved, Cheers-ian Jimmy's Saloon, opened in 1976, felt a twinge of nostalgia when it closed in 2018. Now, that space is home to the 24-room Island House Newport. Designed primarily for families, wedding groups, larger parties, and those who want a homey vibe, the hotel offers large suites with customizable room configurations. Rooms can accommodate between two and 12 guests (in one of the two apartment-size penthouse suites). Half of the rooms have full kitchens (there's a Stop & Shop nearby), and all rooms have microwaves, mini-fridges, and coffee makers. The appliances are in shades of blue, keeping with the beach-glass-hued design aesthetic. The back porch holds Adirondack chairs and fire pits. Advertisement Operated by Main Street Hospitality (they also manage Newport's Hammetts Hotel), Island House Newport isn't on the water, but it is centrally located on Memorial Boulevard. Cliff Walk and First Beach are nearby, and the International Tennis Hall of Fame ( The former Jimmy's Saloon is now a homey boutique hotel. Guest rooms are decked out with cute blue gadgets — and there's no stale beer smell, yay. Diane Bair Calling all picklers A sprawling space in Middletown, right behind the Home Depot, was once a bowling alley, and then Island Cinemas. Now it's home to Newport Pickleball Club ( A hybrid of tennis, badminton, and ping-pong, Advertisement Broadway is one of Newport's go-to zones for food and indie businesses; a newcomer, Monarca Mexican Cuisine, is gaining a following. Diane Bair Authentic Mexican cuisine on Broadway A couple of new eateries are opening (or have recently flung open their doors) in Newport lately. CHOMP Newport ( Newport's six-block Broadway District is lined with cool indie businesses, including Empire Tea & Coffee and Closet Revival, a vintage and consignment store bursting with fun finds for men and women. A newcomer to the 'hood is Monarca Mexican Cuisine ( Advertisement Diane Bair and Pamela Wright can be reached at
