The Boston Tea Party*

*with equal parts hard cider

Dave's work trip was finally at an end so we spent five days making our way back home from Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Thursday we went up to Kittery, Maine to do some shopping and then headed down to Boston, Massachusetts.

Dave had booked us into the Boston Park Plaza Hotel. The room was nice (I would have taken a picture but we'd already spread our stuff all over) but the bathroom needed a renovation.

Very...public restroomish. And take a look at the back of the door.

A bottle opener. Seriously.

That night we had dinner at MJ O'Connors, the pub next door to the hotel. A pint of Magners and Guinness Beef Stew. Yum!

On Friday we went to Brattle Book Shop (established 1825)

Art work on the side of the book shop

We went to the New England Aquarium, home to Myrtle the green sea turtle - 70+ years old and over 500 lbs. Did you know that penguins bite? and projectile poop?

Along with the turtles these are my favourites...

We also wandered around the Market Square. Quincy Market and Faneuil Hall. Had a cider at the Black Rose and of course, went to the Hard Rock Cafe. We met up with Dave's friend Ted at MJ O'Conners for a cider (Dave) and Irish Coffee (me).

On Saturday we went to Windsor Button (established 1936) where I bought buttons for the baby sweater I'm making and a skein of silk/seaweed yarn. I know, it sounds weird but its soft and beautiful. We strolled the Boston Commons and the Public Gardens.


In winter the Frog Pond is iced over and the Bostonians come here to skate.

Indulged in a bit of park bench smooching...

Afternoon Tea was set for 3pm back at our hotel. We had time to kill so we went to the pub next door and had a pint of cider.

Before our courses began we each had a glass of white port, infused with tea. Lovely was the only way I could describe it.

First course
The scone recipe was described as a cross between a scone and a Scottish rock biscuit. It was very good - made with currants, not too sweet.


Second course
Egg salad, chicken salad, salmon and pork tenderloin. Spiced cake, petit four, dark chocolate truffle and chocolate dipped strawberry.


Third course
Tea infused Crème brûlée.

We were lucky enough to be served by Cindy, one of only a handful of tea sommeliers in the world. She was very helpful in choosing teas and also suggested that we share pots of tea so we could sample a variety of the blends. Of course I bought tea to bring home. :)

The lobby of the Boston Park Plaza.

All in all, a great trip and I certainly wouldn't mind another visit.