Visiting Boston, Day One

Day One, 8/21: We took the red-eye flight from Seattle to Boston. However, a couple of toddlers (who sat right behind us) "entertained" the entire flight with their crying-for-mommy and made a successful noisy attempt to keep some people awake. Glad that I caught some naps between their crying and wooing. Since this is my first trip to Boston area, we had decided to take T (subway) between the airport and the hotel. So both Geoffrey and I purchased the 7-day link pass for $15 per person. In that way, I can make good use of the pass and take time to do some sightseeing at Boston while Geoffrey tried to enjoy his conference.

 Marriott Long Wharf with lots of tourists

Although typically the hotel guests can only check into the guest rooms in Marriott Long Wharf, we were lucky enough to get into our room early in the morning and took a nap to make up the loss of sleep due to the red-eye flight. By the time I woke up to myself, it was almost noon and time for some brunch. Therefore, the first stop was surely Quincy Market in a short walking distance from the hotel. The market was full of tourists from all over the world. Spanish, Chinese, Greek, Italian and a lot of other languages that I can't identified were ringing around me.

We shared a clam chowder in the bread bowl and a piece pizza from Regina. The chowder was ok but too much potato fill the stomach easily instead of the nice creamy soup. The pizza was not enjoyable because it was not heated well or the seasoning was just not that great. Or I just did not choose the wrong flavor. We also tried some gelato (pineapple/orange/melon), ok but not impressive. We walked around the Quincy market and did whatever tourist should do--taking pictures.

After the short tour, we took a break from the heat after lunch and rested at the hotel. Geoffrey took a nap again.......Then, it came to dinner time. We set out to "Little Italy" area, where a strip of Italian restaurants, cafe, and pastry shops were feeding the hungry crowd. For the dinner, I picked "Daily Catch" with featuring Sicilian pasta. We shared a garden salad with some Italian soft bread/butter, an order of Calamari meatball in marinara sauce (very nice, but it would be better if the meatball could have been served hot instead of slightly warm), and a served-on-pan black pasta (Aglio Olio, ground squid sauteed with garlic + olive oil). Needless to say, the pasta was handmade and tasted just great. It's not something pasta you have in any chain restaurant. But be aware, it's a small place and CASH ONLY. Worth it!!

Calamari Meatballs

Garden Salad and Bread&Butter

Black Pasta served with the pan

We also walked by the famous Mike's pastry and Modern pastry that served a variety of Italian dessert, esp cannoli. The shops were always filled with tourists. Unfortunately, we were not in the mood for dessert. So we decided to pass.

Mike's Pastry