Among our Salem Street travels the Neptune Oyster merely provided a photo op background. (But if you are passing through and able to score a table or a seat at the bar, I'd recommend it!) We had other plans that included meeting up with Leah and checking in at The Liberty Hotel. I have spent some time at the historic Charles Street jail turned 5-star luxury hotel since its opening in September 2007, but never actually spent the night. 
Celebrations such as a bachelorette party are deemed worthy for booking a hotel less than a mile from where you live, especially when this hotel happens to be an architectural wonder where classic history meets contemporary travel. What I'm saying is, even if you don't book a room, this hotel is a must visit for locals and tourists alike. 
Entering into a commanding granite building, up a small escalator you are greeted by a stunning 90 foot octagonal atrium that features a vibrant scene with rich hues of purple and maroon complimented by soft creams and bold whites. 
The lobby with a breathtaking catwalk rotunda and adjoining bars Clink and Alibi showcase modern decor of sophisticated couches and banquettes, regal leather chairs, mahogany tables and granite counter tops amongst preserved wrought iron jail cell facades. Magnificent Christmas trees hang upside down from the ceiling capturing the spirit of the holidays. 
We were offered complimentary glasses of champagne (yes, please) at the reception upon check in before making our way to room 1512. 
The 15th floor view of The Charles River and surrounding city scape (from the hallway) was incredible!
Craving #2, as previously mentioned, was satisfied and then some at Clink's extensive make-your-own bloody mary bar. 
A round two-tiered table next to an expansive light filled window offered every kind of hot sauce and garnish imaginable. 
Celery, olives, horseradish all obvious choices, but followed up with jalapeno cheese and mini shrimp cocktail now that is what I'm talking about!
An impressive selection of salt and pepper to boot. 
The Liberty Bar which distinguishes itself from Clink, located in the lobby and not an actual restaurant is where we enjoyed our drinks and the company of Mitch the bartender. 
The Liberty Bar offers a small appetizer/bar bites menu. The girls munched on Skinny Fries with harissa aioli and Crispy Chicken Skewers with black pepper and lime that I photographed but inevitably couldn't stomach, as I retreated to nurse a delayed hangover back in our room. 
Yeah, that bloody didn't sit so well. Back in 1512.....
I relaxed in the plush down comforter and pillows with the tranquility station on the TV, followed by an invigorating shower with earthy scented bath products. 
That night we Red Line-d it over to Central Square where I barely made it through the 40 minute wait for a table at Cuchi Cuchi. (They do not take reservations on Friday or Saturday nights). 
My readers, my friends, you know me well enough by now to know, I'm never the first to leave a party. I don't care if it's night #2 or #20, I pride myself on being able to hang, to keep the good times rolling long after last call, and I rarely encounter a hangover a Bloody Mary or greasy french fries can't cure. It pained my heart that I wasn't able to get it together long enough to stop vomiting in the bathroom at Cuchi Cuchi. (Sorry for the painful mental image! But understand why I have no photos of this dinner I'd so been looking forward to sharing with my cousins and blogging about.) Unable to imbibe in their signature hand muddled fresh fruit and herb infused cocktails, at this point I couldn't even keep down soda water and bread.
I longed to sip a Thai Basil Cocktail pictured above from at a past outing. The flashy Victorian decor, antique statues draped in beads and a bar baked by stained glass windows creates a captivating interior that all missed the camera. Glitzy and glittered to the nines are everything from the bathroom essentials to the flapper dressed waitresses. 
Decadent, vintage, wildly fun and funky, I knew it was a fabulous spot to celebrate Carly's last days as a single woman. As we were seated the girls ordered cocktails round two and soon began the feast on exotic international small plates. Passing up this meal and night was a sad moment of my life indeed. But, I guess sad is relative. You live and learn even at 26! (Moral of the story: do not try to keep up with your 23 year old cousin who can down whiskey like a fish.) Extreme delayed hangover, whiskey induced sickness or otherwise, this was unlike any feeling I could remember as the lovely hostess called me a cab, I hugged the hotel toilet for awhile longer and slept it off. After some innocent fun out on the town at The Middle East and Beacon Hill Pub, 
the girls returned home. 
Another bottle of champagne was popped and late night room service in the form of $17 Vermont cheddar cheese burgers with sweet potato fries were ordered. 
I held down half a burger and was incredibly thankful for that.
Lets see if I can wrap up day three in this post.......
Brunch at Harvard Gardens across the street was just splendid. Eclectic American cuisine in a friendly atmosphere with breakfast cocktails hit the spot. Please note he fact that I can once again drink. 
And all is right in the world. In my hand would be a Peach Bellini prosecco and peach nectar.
The food was excellent. For Carly a Breakfast Sandwich ($9) egg, tomato, fontina and canadian bacon with hollandaise sauce on a croissant. 
For Cassie a Side of Seasonal Fresh Fruit ($4) & Marble Rye Toast ($2) 
And pour moi Nutella and Banana Thick Cut Brioche French Toast ($11) sweet french toast layered with Nutella and fresh bananas topped with a caramel maple syrup
If you caught my Best of Boston Eats in 2010 post, you know I loved this dish! I had not been to Harvard Gardens in ages (since before I technically lived in Boston) so it was nice to pay this neighborhood restaurant a visit and re-discover a quality Beacon Hill brunch spot. 
After brunch we freshened up, packed our belongings and were ready to hit the town by 11:30 or so. Hotel check out is at noon, which makes for a leisurely morning.
One last shot in the Lobby. 
We set off down Charles Street, 
and meandered through the Public Gardens.
I realized my cousins, Florida girls born and raised, have never experienced a frozen pond nor had they been ice skating. They've only ever visited us in the summer on Cape Cod. (Next trip, we'll rent ice skates!) After we spent the afternoon shopping the entire length of Newbury Street, we were famished. 
Now that's a Bloody Mary ($6.50) and reasonably priced to boot, enjoyed at The Pour House located at 909 Boylston Street. 
The good old Pour House, a local standby with graffiti walls and a lively crowd (rowdy college kids watching football on a Sunday, check) is a spot I've visited many times before whether for breakfast, lunch, dinner or cheap beers, they never disappoint. Their Bloody Marys are some of the best in town and for less expensive quality bar food, I knew we'd be in good hands. 
For our last meal together, a serious plate of Nachos Pollo ($8.75) were inhaled. Crunchy tortilla chips smothered with melted cheddar and piled high with jalapenos, black olives, shredded lettuce, tomatoes, black beans and seasoned grilled chicken then topped with homemade salsa and sour cream.
Being able to spend these days with cousins is time I will always cherish. We'll be back at it in February for Carly's Wedding in West Palm Beach! I.can't.wait! 
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