Lunch and The City: Sorelle Bakery & Cafe

I have been dying to try Sorelle Bakery & Cafe on my lunch hour.  I walked by it a few times and it looks so inviting.
This past Thursday was a really nice day so I walked over.  This one is located at 282 Congress Street (Boston).

It looked like most people were taking their orders to go, but you could sit and eat, which if I wasn't in a hurry I would have.  The sun was shining in the big windows...soothing music playing...very nice atmosphere.

There was so much to choose from and everything looked amazing.

I decided to be somewhat good and got a Mediterranean Salad with chicken and it was really good, perfect actually.

But couldn't stop thinking about all of their desserts!

www.sorellecafe.com

Lunch and the City: Food Truck Wars

I am so bummed I didn't venture out during my lunch hour yesterday.  When I was leaving work for the day this is what I spotted across the street from my building (Dewey Square, across from South Station at 600 Atlantic Avenue, Boston):

Four different food trucks!  Let's take a closer look, shall we...

The Clover food truck is here, faithfully, everyday.  I talked about this truck in a past post, it's really good.

Then there is this this $5 lunch truck, I've seen this one before but haven't tried it yet.

I haven't seen this one before!  BBQ Smith, sounds yummy.

And a cupcake truck?!  Are you kidding me?!  Kick Ass Cupcakes...I will just have to see how kick ass these cupcakes are!

Just around the corner (corner of Atlantic Ave & Congress Street) is this nifty little truck...again can't wait to try it.

So many new choices, I am so excited.  Then as I was crossing the street, this truck drove by - Grill Cheese Nation!  OMG!

Keep on truckin' (and eating!)

Nolan and The City - Swan Boats

Last month my Nolan had his tonsils out.  I know, this is a common procedure, but it did take a solid two weeks before Nolan was back to his high-energy self.  There were lots of sleepless nights and lots of tears.  We are so glad that is behind us and hoping for less sickness this winter.  He had eight strep throats and three bouts of pneumonia last winter.

Last week we had to go for a follow-up appointment at Mass Eye & Ear in Boston.  After the appointment I promised Nolan a surprise before we went home.  I told him it was something in one of his books that I used to read to him.  He couldn't guess and was asking all kinds of questions along the way.

We were making our way to the Public Garden.

We got off at Park Street Station and (hurriedly) walked through the Boston Common to get there.  We did stop to get a very cool balloon from the balloon man for a buck!

 A light saber of course.

We finally get to our destination.  It's the Swan Boats!  (Which by the way is only $1.50)

 

Me:  "Well don't you want to go on"?  Nolan:  "Well...Mum, there are no sides on that boat.  I'm not going on that thing".

 I'll just sit on the duck...

 Now Mum you sit on the duck...

Lunch and The City - La Belle Nail Salon

While my past "Lunch and The City" posts have been all about food, sometimes it's about what errands can you cram into an hour.  Usually a manicure or pedicure is not one of them.  Until now…La Belle Nail Salon opened it's doors a few months ago on South Street (100 South Street, Boston) which is located on the block behind my office building.  Woo Hoo! 

My good friend Maureen (how lucky am I that I get to work with one of my bffs!) and I went to check them out.  We both got fabulous relaxing pedicures while sitting in lovely massage chairs…ah…it was like a 1/2 hour vacation from work.  I nearly dosed off I was so relaxed.  We could get use to this.

 

La Belle is very clean and everything appeared to be extremely sterilized.  

They gave us 20% off our first pedicure and also they also gave us a card that they stamp, after 10 stamps you get a free pedicure, sweet deal.

So yeah, I will be choking my lunch down in 15 minutes or less so I can go get a manicure or pedicure every once in a while J

La Belle Nail Salon

100 South Street

Boston, MA

617-292-3348

Lunch and The City - Country Meets City

Back in April when I did my first "Lunch and The City" post I mentioned that in the warmer months there is a farmer's market right across from my office building.  When I stepped out for lunch today I was happy to see it's back!  A real sign of spring/summer that put me a happy mood.  I had to walk over before I even got my lunch.

This farmer's market is actually called Boston Public Market and is located in Dewey Square, across from South Station at 600 Atlantic Avenue, Boston.  It's a mix of Massachusetts farms and bakeries selling their organic or all natural goods right in the middle of the city's hustle and bustle.

Here are few I visited:
Stow Greenhouses selling fresh cut flowers.

"When Pigs Fly" all natural breads.

"

 I love the name of this bread, it cracks me up.

I sampled some chocolate bread, so good.

Kimball Fruit Farm had herbs and vegetables today

Hi-Rise Bakery from Cambridge looks like some more nice breads.  I was thinking about giving up bread, um not ready to do that yet.

This guy was selling some beautiful plants...

but I didn't catch the name of his farm because I was distracted by "Baking with Joy" an all natural bakery!

They were offering 13 different samples!  I tried an oatmeal and jam thingy and blond brownie.  I had to get out of there and go get a salad before my lunch became the 13 different baked goods samples.

Boston Public Market is comes to Dewey Square every Tuesday and Thursday May 28 to October 30th.

Lunch and The City - Cafe de Boston

Another installment of Lunch and The City - Cafe de Boston!

Cafe de Boston is another new favorite of mine located at 75 Federal Street, Boston.
At the height of lunch hour, it is crazy in here and can be overwhelming.  There is so much to chose from, they have everything!  Pizza, a hot food bar, a cold food bar, any kind of kebob or wrap you can imagine. 

I went for my usual salad.  But this was no usual salad procedure.  It's one of those, they mix it for you, types.  And it has so much to choose from your head will spin.  Pretty cheap too--$6.95 with unlimited ingredients.

I went with something somewhat simple, as I got nervous when it was my turn.  There was just so much!  Mine was organic mixed greens, avocado, carrots, tomato,cucumber, a little feta and chicken with Olive oil & lemon dressing.

They also have little desserts.


Look at the gelato! 

I couldn't resist.  I figured I was having a salad, I could go for the gelato? right?  I AM always looking for a balance.  They give you two big scoops of two different kinds (and that was a size small!) - I picked caramel and chocolate O-M-G, it was so good.

I was so full.  I was like Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzz at my desk.

Their website is http://www.cafedeboston.com/

Lunch and The City - Trattoria Andiamo

This week's Lunch and The City (you know like "Sex and The City" but different LOL):

A good salad is hard to find!  Here is one of my favorite places to get a great salad.  It's called Trattoria Andiamo, but I can never pronounce it so my friends at work and I refer to it as "the good salad place".  It's located on South Street in the "Leather District" of Boston and has much more than salad. 

Trattoria Andiamo is a family owned business by two sisters Sandy and Donna.  Each fabulous meal, sandwich or panini are inspired by their Italian mother's home cooking.

Here is Sandy with some of her staff. 

On this particular day I got my usual--Garden Salad with Rosemary Chicken. 

They sell Iggy's bread, an all-natural bread that I cannot resist.  My favorite is the Focaccia.

Another nice touch is Donna gives you a free sample of their homemade soup of the day, which was Lentil and it was so good! 

They sell beer and wine, not that I am going to get wasted during my lunch hour, but it's nice to know I do have the option (kidding of course!). 

They also cater parties and corporate meetings/events.

I told Sandy and Donna that I was going to blog about their restaurant because it is one of my favorites and Donna gave me a free cookie! 

You can find them on Facebook or their website http://andiamoboston.com/