Saturday in Witch City

On Saturday afternoon into the evening I met these two lovely ladies for some much needed drinks and catching up.Erin and Tricia are posing with the bronze Bewitched statue situated in downtown Salem. This picturesque coastal Massachusetts town is known as "Witch City" in light of the infamous Witchcraft trials of 1692. No stranger to this destination, I've visited multiple times since Tricia purchased her condo here about a year ago and Adam and I took a day trip way back in the Fall of 2008 to experience what Salem had to offer during Halloween Season. (Probably the most notorious time to visit!)This time it was all about catching up with the girls over some food and lots of drinks. All week I pictured basking in the sun on Pickering Wharf but some unfortunate dark clouds made their way in leading to torrential downpours that spoiled the sun drenched patio dreams.But at least not the patio dreams all together. At Captain's Waterfront Grill & Pub located at 94 Wharf Street I tried the Lobster Bisque ($5.59) and a plate of 6 Oysters on the Halfshell ($12.95) in between sipping some fun tropical drinks. I also photographed Tricia's Capt's Special Salad ($7.95) boasting a presentation of a thinly shaved cucumber slice wrapped around chopped salad greens with a side of steak tips. The lobster bisque was underwhelming; the broth lacked flavor and the essential chunks of fresh lobster were amiss. The oysters didn't live up to my expectations either; an unremarkable batch of this delicate sea creature appeared mangled and tattered. Perhaps a salad would have been my best bet! Noted. The beverages fared much better than the seafood, I sipped on a Coco Loco ($5.59) a tropical island inspired beverage made with a blend of dark rum, Malibu rum, vodka, creme de banana, coco lopez and pineapple juice. Next I enjoyed a Dark N Stormy ($5.25) a favorite mixture of Goslings Rum and ginger beer. Not wanting to venture out into the ongoing downpours - we avoided the rain with another round at the bar downstairs. This time I went all out and ordered a 20 oz version (the latter two drinks being the 10 oz.) or as the menu creatively labels them "Half Mast" and "Full Rig". Oh and I switched up my choice to a Down Island Iced Tea ($8.50) containing rum, vodka, tequila, triple sec and amaretto blended with sour mix and pineapple juice and a dark rum floater. YUM. Captain's Waterfront Grill proved a relaxing location to enjoy a light lunch on the second floor patio overlooking Pickering Wharf and an extended liquid lunch while waiting out the storm at the sprawling downstairs bar. While the seafood didn't truly live up to my expectations, perhaps they were just having an off day.

Back at Tricia's condo we enjoyed some beers - including her boyfriend Dave's homemade batch of Belgian wheat ale while we watched Country Strong. Our kind of movie - drama, good country music and easy to follow after an afternoon spent boozing! We did make it out that evening for some nightlife at Rockafellas, where I drank a Watermelon Margarita ($8) with a delightful sugared rim and we enjoyed the live band. That's three Saturday nights in a row I've been away - first Cape Cod, then Connecticut, now Salem..... I'm hoping to stick around next weekend because as much as I love to venture about New England I can't wait for one where I'm not packing and unpacking all over again. Plus, it's not long before my bags will really be packed for a 4-day, long weekend jaunt to New Orleans!

Have you traveled anywhere near or far lately? Any upcoming travel plans you are looking forward to?

Roxanne and Zach's Wedding

On Saturday night, I was excited to attend my friend Roxanne's wedding.  Roxanne and I met in 2003 when we both advised a local Sigma Kappa chapter and we became fast friends.  So, on Saturday, there was a lot of love and happiness in my heart when I witnessed Roxanne and Zach's nuptials at Old Town Hall in Salem, Massachusetts.

Here are just a few photos from the evening:

Radiant bride walking down the aisle.

Roxanne and I have an appreciation for dresses with pockets.

We always know how to have fun at weddings!

First dance - this photo melts my heart.

Unique centerpieces.

Beautiful (and yummy) wedding cake!

On a personal note, I was thrilled to discover that Roxanne and Zach used the same caterer that we will be using for our own wedding.  The food and service were both wonderful, which makes us feel optimistic for our own wedding!

Congratulations to Roxanne and Zach!  Wishing you both a lifetime of happiness!

Two Birthdays & A Bridal Shower

This weekend I celebrated the birthdays of two good friends. Derek was celebrated on Friday night at Delux and Franklin Cafe, the usual South End stomping grounds.

Mike was celebrated on Sunday night at Victoria Station, a Steak & Seafood restaurant located on picturesque Pickering Wharf in Salem, MA.

The Bridal Shower earlier that day was in honor of Adam's sister Kirsten.

That would be me and the giant shower present from Crate & Barrel. I think no matter what you buy there, you get a larger-than-necessary box filled with an excessive amount of tissue paper. The bridal shower was held at the elegant Boston Harbor Hotel. I adore this hotel and not just because it is within walking distance from my apartment. We stayed here on a family trip to the city when I was very young, maybe five or six? I don't remember the details, just that we stayed at the "biggest and fanciest hotel ever", with an incredible archway connecting the city to the waterfront. I knew from a young age I wanted to live in this city someday. My infatuation's origin can pretty much be traced back to this very spot. No menu accompanied lunch, just great service in a luxury hotel function room with exquisite food and drink.

The views were absolutely stunning. Here is Rowes Wharf complete with the Blues Barge and the Rotunda out the windows to the left.

The front of the room looked directly out over the pristine Boston Harbor. It was a memorable afternoon for sure. I can't wait until the wedding!

Another great weekend with friends and family comes to an end. It was goodbye to July and welcome August. There are plenty of plans in store for this month, beginning tomorrow with my Aunt Joyce's annual visit.

Eclipse

I haven't blogged since Tuesday! What is going on?! Actually, I'll tell you what has been going on. It's been one busy week. When life gets hectic I find it hard to fit in time to blog. I can't comprehend how some of you keep up on a daily basis! June is long gone, and July is now in full force. July is one of those months that always kicks off with a bang. Ya know what I mean?!

Wednesday, the last day in the month of June, was an incredibly exciting evening. After work I headed up via commuter rail to the town of Reading to see Eclipse at the IMAX theater. Tricia, Ashley and myself got in line at 5:30 for the 7:00 show to make sure we got good seats. It might sound crazy, but essential as the front row at IMAX would not be a pleasant experience. Even an hour and a half before the show, there were plenty of fans already lined up.
In a nutshell because anyone who cares already knows exactly how the stories goes, I loved the movie. Definitely the best of the series thus far. Afterward the three of us headed to Salem, where I would be spending the night at Tricia's place. We stopped in at Rockafellas for a post movie discussion and a bite to eat and drink.
I drank a Magic Hat Circus Boy garnished with an orange.
I ate the Fried Brie Salad ($10). Those golden crispy squares are actually warm, thick, gooey chunks of lightly fried Brie cheese. A crisp gala apple and crunchy walnuts over a bed of mixed greens paired to create am awesome salad. I have a feeling we will hit up Rockafellas on our next Salem outing so I will be sure to provide a full review of the service and atmosphere then!
I took the commuter rail into North Station the next morning. Thursday night after work was the big birthday celebration with Adam's family. I say the "big birthday celebration" because Adam is lucky enough to share his day of birth with 3 other members of his family. He has a twin sister, Kirsten and they just so happened to be born on the same day that their twin Aunts Marjorie and Marie were born many years earlier. What are the chances?! Two sets of twins in one family with the same birthdays.

Summer Lunch Series Part 4 and a full recap of my 4th of July on Cape Cod upon my return. What are your 4th of July plans?!