Salts - 798 Main Street, Cambridge (Central/Kendall)
Salts is a hidden gem of the Boston restaurant scene. It is certainly located out of the way, tucked in to an old industrial area behind Central Square. However, once you step inside the atmosphere is both warm and inviting, aided in no small part by the gracious hosting of co-owner Analia. It is great for either a romantic dinner or a small group celebrating a special occasion with the price point higher than any other restaurant I have yet reviewed.
The cuisine is French-inspired but the ingredients are locally sourced, which means the menu turns out to generally be a taste of New England. This was certainly true with Ann's squash soup appetizer, which we both described as tasting like fall. This is a place that foodies would love, with special attention given to an uncommon combination of ingredients as well as diligent preparation. Between appetizers and the entree, we were given a free sample of artichoke soup with I believe foamed parmesan on top. I was having a hard time keeping up with the ingredients, but the results were superb. The highlight of the evening was the roast duck for two, which Salts is famous for and we were lucky enough to secure one of the final two late in the night. The entire duck is presented on one platter along with vegetables and fruits and the waiter carves it practically at your table. The first bite was perhaps better than anything I had ever tasted before and we both ate as much we liked and were still left with a healthy portion to take home (Note: there is also a tasting menu offered at $75 per person where they ask what you do and don't like on the menu and then come out with six courses tailored to your specific tastes. This was highly recommended by my friend Olivier who suggested the restaurant, but Ann and I didn't feel quite ready to try it out).
Everything about Salts was fantastic, with exceptionally friendly and personal service and fabulously prepared and presented food.
Monday, December 28, 2009
Thursday, December 17, 2009
FRA Shuns Northeast Corridor
I read in the Globe today that none of the $8 billion in stimulus money that was set aside for high speed passenger rail is going to be directed to the nation's only functioning high speed corridor, the NEC. Apparently the issue is that the Federal Railroad Administration, which controls the funds, has said that it will not allow funding for projects until a full environmental review has been conducted. Since the planners along the NEC weren't preparing for this, there is not enough time to complete a full review and apply for this year's funds and probably not enough time to apply for next year's $2.5 billion in high speed rail money available next year. To not fund necessary upgrades to the corridor most supportive of rail travel in this country is short-sighted. The Acela high speed train was the only line in Amtrak's entire system to turn a profit last year. The proposed upgrades, which are shovel ready, could decrease travel time between Boston and DC by as much as an hour! If that doesn't get more people riding, I don't know what will. To require a full environmental review for an existing 450 mile corridor that travels through eight states and the District of Columbia because of a few upgrades is byzantine and ridiculous.
That is not to say that other areas of the country are not perhaps more desperately in need of transit funding. In particular, California is a huge potential market for high speed rail and really needs it to improve air quality and reduce sprawl. The silver lining in this announcement is that infrastructure upgrades in other areas could increase the constituency for rail travel and make continuous future investment more of a guarantee than it has been over the past 3+ decades. However, I firmly believe that we should prove the ability for high speed rail to succeed in the US by demonstrating it in the Northeast while the rest of the country improves its infrastructure.
Here is the full article.
That is not to say that other areas of the country are not perhaps more desperately in need of transit funding. In particular, California is a huge potential market for high speed rail and really needs it to improve air quality and reduce sprawl. The silver lining in this announcement is that infrastructure upgrades in other areas could increase the constituency for rail travel and make continuous future investment more of a guarantee than it has been over the past 3+ decades. However, I firmly believe that we should prove the ability for high speed rail to succeed in the US by demonstrating it in the Northeast while the rest of the country improves its infrastructure.
Here is the full article.
Friday, November 13, 2009
Thoughts on the Worcester Line
Since Intel is located equidistant between the Fitchburg/South Acton and Worcester lines, I sometimes forgo my normal commute and take the opportunity to commute into the city with a co-worker on the Worcester line. I have done this twice in the last couple of weeks and have come to the conclusion that the Fitchburg line is superior. Sure, we have issues with trains being late and often get held up waiting for the single track to open up through Waltham. However, the majority of our trips are spent traveling near top speed for commuter rail, around 60 mph so it feels like you're actually going somewhere.
Compare this to the Worcester line where, since they added 12 minutes of buffer into the schedule, the trains seem to crawl along through Framingham and much of Natick at perhaps 25 mph. It doesn't make much sense to me since the line is almost fully double tracked. I feel that if they were able to optimize the line so you're traveling at or near top speed the whole way, it would make the train an even more attractive option for those commuting from the western suburbs. Perhaps this will happen now that the state has bought the rights to the tracks from CSX. Only time will tell. Until then, I'll stick to my Fitchburg trains.
Compare this to the Worcester line where, since they added 12 minutes of buffer into the schedule, the trains seem to crawl along through Framingham and much of Natick at perhaps 25 mph. It doesn't make much sense to me since the line is almost fully double tracked. I feel that if they were able to optimize the line so you're traveling at or near top speed the whole way, it would make the train an even more attractive option for those commuting from the western suburbs. Perhaps this will happen now that the state has bought the rights to the tracks from CSX. Only time will tell. Until then, I'll stick to my Fitchburg trains.
Friday, October 23, 2009
Want to change the MBTA?
I think I've already told just about everyone who reads this blog about this, but figured I'd do what I can to publicize it anyway. TransitWorks, a non-profit that works to improve public transit, conducts a yearly survey of MBTA riders. Called the Transit Diary project, it gives riders a chance to give an assessment of each trip they take on the MBTA. This comprehensive data is then used to recommend changes. I signed up and I feel that it is one way to affect positive change at the MBTA. You can find out how to sign up on the TransitWorks website.
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Mantra
Mantra - 52 Temple Place (Downtown Crossing)
It's been a while since Ann and I actually ate here so this post is quite late. That said, I thought I should put something down.
Mantra is billed as a French-Indian fusion restaurant. I would say the menu trended more towards the Indian side of the spectrum and that was what I decided to order. The food was good but nothing remarkable for the higher price over your average Indian restaurant.
It has a very central location in the middle of Downtown Crossing and tries to come off as a modern, hip restaurant and nightclub. My biggest complaint is that it is definitely a nightclub first, and restaurant second. It has elements that are nice and flashy, but the details just are not completed well. The tables and chairs are cheap and light, easy to be moved out for the dance floor. There is a giant air conditioning unit with a hose that is just sitting on the side of the restaurant floor. The bathrooms are very modern but not really clean or polished. The space does not have a friendly, intimate feeling like you would expect from a nice restaurant.
Overall, Mantra was ok, but for the price there are a lot more real restaurants in Boston with better menus.
It's been a while since Ann and I actually ate here so this post is quite late. That said, I thought I should put something down.
Mantra is billed as a French-Indian fusion restaurant. I would say the menu trended more towards the Indian side of the spectrum and that was what I decided to order. The food was good but nothing remarkable for the higher price over your average Indian restaurant.
It has a very central location in the middle of Downtown Crossing and tries to come off as a modern, hip restaurant and nightclub. My biggest complaint is that it is definitely a nightclub first, and restaurant second. It has elements that are nice and flashy, but the details just are not completed well. The tables and chairs are cheap and light, easy to be moved out for the dance floor. There is a giant air conditioning unit with a hose that is just sitting on the side of the restaurant floor. The bathrooms are very modern but not really clean or polished. The space does not have a friendly, intimate feeling like you would expect from a nice restaurant.
Overall, Mantra was ok, but for the price there are a lot more real restaurants in Boston with better menus.
Saturday, September 12, 2009
MBTA Efficiency Opportunities
With the suspension of public hearings and withdrawal of the fare hike proposal for now, things have quieted down a bit on the MBTA front. The big news today is that Secretary of Transportation James Aloisi has been forced out and will not be taking over the reins of the new state transportation agency that will be formed this November.
That said, I think it's important to mention a couple of important service changes proposed during the fare hike saga. These changes would save money and improve service efficiency on the T, thus providing a better experience for a vast majority of T riders.
Service Change - Net Cost Savings
Close Low Ridership or Redundant Commuter Rail Stations - $650,000
Eliminate Redundant Green Line B Branch Surface Stations - $27,500
Eliminate Redundant Green Line C Branch Surface Stations - $27,500
Total Annual Cost Savings - $705,000
The reason I say this should be a no-brainer in terms of reform is because rail lines operate more efficiently when stations are better spaced. Everyone who rides the Green Line knows the B and C lines are bad because they have so many stops. Removing a couple of stops that are 1/4 of a mile or less away from other stops would decrease travel times while not really inconveniencing the vast majority of riders. The commuter rail is even more inefficient with too many stops. The trains are driven by large diesel engines and have so much weight that it takes a long time to slow them down. Ideally, the trains should reach their top speeds of 60-70 mph between stops. However, when stations are less than 2-3 miles apart, it becomes impossible to really get going. Taking the Fitchburg Line everyday, I see this when we have to stop at both Belmont and Waverly, which are only a mile apart. The train hardly pulls out of one station before it starts braking for the next. Waverly is recommended to close in this report, which I would fully support. It may inconvenience the few people who use the Waverly stop, but they could pretty easily switch to Belmont. These people would be better served by a convenient local bus system that could bring them to and from the commuter rail stations while keeping the train running quickly for the entire line.
Let's hope the MBTA can take small steps such as these to improve efficiency across all of its operations and provide better service at a lower cost for its riders.
That said, I think it's important to mention a couple of important service changes proposed during the fare hike saga. These changes would save money and improve service efficiency on the T, thus providing a better experience for a vast majority of T riders.
Service Change - Net Cost Savings
Close Low Ridership or Redundant Commuter Rail Stations - $650,000
Eliminate Redundant Green Line B Branch Surface Stations - $27,500
Eliminate Redundant Green Line C Branch Surface Stations - $27,500
Total Annual Cost Savings - $705,000
The reason I say this should be a no-brainer in terms of reform is because rail lines operate more efficiently when stations are better spaced. Everyone who rides the Green Line knows the B and C lines are bad because they have so many stops. Removing a couple of stops that are 1/4 of a mile or less away from other stops would decrease travel times while not really inconveniencing the vast majority of riders. The commuter rail is even more inefficient with too many stops. The trains are driven by large diesel engines and have so much weight that it takes a long time to slow them down. Ideally, the trains should reach their top speeds of 60-70 mph between stops. However, when stations are less than 2-3 miles apart, it becomes impossible to really get going. Taking the Fitchburg Line everyday, I see this when we have to stop at both Belmont and Waverly, which are only a mile apart. The train hardly pulls out of one station before it starts braking for the next. Waverly is recommended to close in this report, which I would fully support. It may inconvenience the few people who use the Waverly stop, but they could pretty easily switch to Belmont. These people would be better served by a convenient local bus system that could bring them to and from the commuter rail stations while keeping the train running quickly for the entire line.
Let's hope the MBTA can take small steps such as these to improve efficiency across all of its operations and provide better service at a lower cost for its riders.
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Toro
Toro - 1704 Washington St (South End, Worcester Sq)
Perhaps first impressions aren't the most important. When I visited this place with Ann shortly after she had first moved to the South End, I came away not very impressed. We had stuck to more traditional tapas that we had had elsewhere and I thought the food was mediocre and overpriced. However, after a year of walking by the place and seeing it packed every night, I decided it was time to give it a second shot.
This time we strayed a little farther from the traditional and found some great dishes. The grilled corn with alioli and cheese was as great as anything smothered in cheese must be. It is also the 'house specialty'. I had bone marrow for the first time and loved it! The short ribs were incredibly tender but perhaps overpriced. We went for a daily special of lamb sausage and it was good but not great. Finally, the dessert plate of churros with melted chocolate was delicious.
I'd recommend Toro as a place to stray a little out of your comfort zone and experience the lively atmosphere every night of the week. I think it's especially fun with a group if you can get a table.
Perhaps first impressions aren't the most important. When I visited this place with Ann shortly after she had first moved to the South End, I came away not very impressed. We had stuck to more traditional tapas that we had had elsewhere and I thought the food was mediocre and overpriced. However, after a year of walking by the place and seeing it packed every night, I decided it was time to give it a second shot.
This time we strayed a little farther from the traditional and found some great dishes. The grilled corn with alioli and cheese was as great as anything smothered in cheese must be. It is also the 'house specialty'. I had bone marrow for the first time and loved it! The short ribs were incredibly tender but perhaps overpriced. We went for a daily special of lamb sausage and it was good but not great. Finally, the dessert plate of churros with melted chocolate was delicious.
I'd recommend Toro as a place to stray a little out of your comfort zone and experience the lively atmosphere every night of the week. I think it's especially fun with a group if you can get a table.
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Train Simulator
This came up in my news feed today and I felt I just had to share it. It is a train simulator that has been done on the major US transit networks. It shows each train trip as a white dot as it travels along each line simultaneously. At one point on the MBTA, there are over 110 trips in progress. It really makes for a cool demo. This comes from the MA EOT blog and shows the MBTA subways and you can follow links to the Commuter Rail or other transit networks.
ACES Train
This weekend I went down to Atlantic City to hang out and do some gambling. One of the nice things about AC is the ability to get there completely via mass transit. My roommate Jay and I took Bolt Bus to and from NYC and stayed in the city with my friend, Will. I had taken Bolt Bus once before and I must say that although the buses are newer and nicer than other Boston-NYC buses, the seats are not more comfortable. I was never able to find a particularly comfortable sleeping position, which was definitely unfortunate on the 4+ hour ride.
The highlight of transit for the weekend was the Atlantic City Express Service train, or ACES, operated by Amtrak between New York and AC. It was just rolled out this year and features four double decker cars with coach, first class, and even lounge seating available. The brand new cars are very comfortable, and as an added bonus, you're never more than one car away from the beverage station.
The train is scheduled to take two and a half hours and makes one stop in Newark. It takes an interesting route in that you leave NYC going southwest along the Northeast Corridor until you almost reach Philadelphia. Then you switch over to New Jersey transit track and go southeast to NYC (this also requires changing from electric to diesel engine). This was the first time I got to travel on the NEC south of New York and the ride was very smooth. I estimate the train topped out at about 80-90 mph. At one point on the way down we were passed easily by an Acela train probably going 125 mph. It would certainly be nice if all of the track between Boston and NYC were as smooth as that we rode over.
Our trip was not without its problems, mainly a 25 minute delay leaving New York on Friday. The trip cost us $29 each way. The bus is cheaper and without traffic can take about the same amount of time, but I would recommend the train for its comfort, access to drinks, and more or less guaranteed travel times.
The highlight of transit for the weekend was the Atlantic City Express Service train, or ACES, operated by Amtrak between New York and AC. It was just rolled out this year and features four double decker cars with coach, first class, and even lounge seating available. The brand new cars are very comfortable, and as an added bonus, you're never more than one car away from the beverage station.
The train is scheduled to take two and a half hours and makes one stop in Newark. It takes an interesting route in that you leave NYC going southwest along the Northeast Corridor until you almost reach Philadelphia. Then you switch over to New Jersey transit track and go southeast to NYC (this also requires changing from electric to diesel engine). This was the first time I got to travel on the NEC south of New York and the ride was very smooth. I estimate the train topped out at about 80-90 mph. At one point on the way down we were passed easily by an Acela train probably going 125 mph. It would certainly be nice if all of the track between Boston and NYC were as smooth as that we rode over.
Our trip was not without its problems, mainly a 25 minute delay leaving New York on Friday. The trip cost us $29 each way. The bus is cheaper and without traffic can take about the same amount of time, but I would recommend the train for its comfort, access to drinks, and more or less guaranteed travel times.
Friday, August 21, 2009
MBTA Fare Saga
As a loyal T rider and blogger on Boston transportation, you can imagine I have been following the recent series of events surrounding the proposed MBTA fare hikes and ultimate ouster of MBTA General Manager Dan Grabauskas. It has definitely been quite a wild ride and I had meant to get a few posts out urging action to halt a fare raise. The good news is that the fare hike has been delayed pending a full review of MBTA finances. The bad news is that the sorry state of affairs and structural budget problems the T faces may not be so easily overcome.
I certainly have conflicting opinions over a number of the things that have happened and I don't think it's right to jump to conclusions. It doesn't seem like Grabauskas was an especially daring or effective GM for the T over the last 4 years. That said, it seems ridiculous that Patrick and Aloisi felt the need to oust him 9 months before the end of his contract with a $300,000 plus buyout. In general, I think that Patrick brings a lot of good ideas to the table but his political abilities are more than suspect and he ends up angering a lot of people trying to get his way. I was in favor of his proposals to put tolls on 93 and raise the gas tax to help the T get out of its financial mess. It was good to see transportation reform get passed but I worry about the independence and prevalence of the T being upheld as part of a government office that includes roads and bridges. It seems like there is limitless political capital to protect cheap roads but almost none to implement a fully forward thinking comprehensive regional transit plan that places a premium on improved air quality, reduced greenhouse gas emissions, and improved mobility for all citizens.
This being said, it was one of my biggest fears that a large (20%) fare hike would be rushed through that would dramatically reduce people's ability or interest in riding public transit to get where they need to go. Unless the costs are kept on par or below driving costs, it's going to be hard to get the majority of residents out of their cars. The fare increase would have pushed my monthly pass to $254 from the current $223. That is a significant amount and I could save a lot of money by driving to and from work every day alone. I would probably still ride the train, but can we say that's true for most people? Clearly there are no easy choices and a lot of the MBTA system is underutilized and expensive to maintain, but can't we do more to improve access and affordability as a long term solution to our region's transit needs rather than quickly raising fares? I think there are a number of strategies that could further strengthen the public transit culture in Massachusetts and make it easier for residents to get around sustainably.
I certainly have conflicting opinions over a number of the things that have happened and I don't think it's right to jump to conclusions. It doesn't seem like Grabauskas was an especially daring or effective GM for the T over the last 4 years. That said, it seems ridiculous that Patrick and Aloisi felt the need to oust him 9 months before the end of his contract with a $300,000 plus buyout. In general, I think that Patrick brings a lot of good ideas to the table but his political abilities are more than suspect and he ends up angering a lot of people trying to get his way. I was in favor of his proposals to put tolls on 93 and raise the gas tax to help the T get out of its financial mess. It was good to see transportation reform get passed but I worry about the independence and prevalence of the T being upheld as part of a government office that includes roads and bridges. It seems like there is limitless political capital to protect cheap roads but almost none to implement a fully forward thinking comprehensive regional transit plan that places a premium on improved air quality, reduced greenhouse gas emissions, and improved mobility for all citizens.
This being said, it was one of my biggest fears that a large (20%) fare hike would be rushed through that would dramatically reduce people's ability or interest in riding public transit to get where they need to go. Unless the costs are kept on par or below driving costs, it's going to be hard to get the majority of residents out of their cars. The fare increase would have pushed my monthly pass to $254 from the current $223. That is a significant amount and I could save a lot of money by driving to and from work every day alone. I would probably still ride the train, but can we say that's true for most people? Clearly there are no easy choices and a lot of the MBTA system is underutilized and expensive to maintain, but can't we do more to improve access and affordability as a long term solution to our region's transit needs rather than quickly raising fares? I think there are a number of strategies that could further strengthen the public transit culture in Massachusetts and make it easier for residents to get around sustainably.
Mamma Maria
Mamma Maria - 3 North Square (North End, Haymarket)
Another restaurant that had comely highly recommended, this time from my brother. Taking advantage of the second to last evening of Restaurant Week, I got reservations for four so Ann and I went with my long time friend Freddy and his girlfriend, Jess.
Let's just say Mamma Maria did not disappoint. To start with, the setting is about as picturesque and romantic as you can get in the North End. Next door to Paul Revere's house (not covered in tourists in the evening), North Sq is one of the few places in the North End where you can find some open space and nice views. The restaurant itself takes up an entire rowhouse and is beautifully decorated. It feels like you're eating in someone's home, yet is elegantly decorated enough to make it a special night out. There even private dining rooms available if you are so inclined.
The Restaurant Week menu was one of the more extensive I've seen with about half of the regular items available at the prix fixe price. There was a lot of back and forth about what each of us wanted to order. In the end, I chose the Oysters for my Primi, Bolognese as my Principali, and Mixed Berries for Dolci. Everything was incredible! The Oysters were cooked with an herb and butter sauce that made them irrestible. The Bolognese was rather simple, just a thick meat sauce mixed with tube pasta, but it was the perfect consistency and the flavor of the meats really shown through. Everyone else really enjoyed their meal and it was certainly another successful Restaurant Week experience!
Another restaurant that had comely highly recommended, this time from my brother. Taking advantage of the second to last evening of Restaurant Week, I got reservations for four so Ann and I went with my long time friend Freddy and his girlfriend, Jess.
Let's just say Mamma Maria did not disappoint. To start with, the setting is about as picturesque and romantic as you can get in the North End. Next door to Paul Revere's house (not covered in tourists in the evening), North Sq is one of the few places in the North End where you can find some open space and nice views. The restaurant itself takes up an entire rowhouse and is beautifully decorated. It feels like you're eating in someone's home, yet is elegantly decorated enough to make it a special night out. There even private dining rooms available if you are so inclined.
The Restaurant Week menu was one of the more extensive I've seen with about half of the regular items available at the prix fixe price. There was a lot of back and forth about what each of us wanted to order. In the end, I chose the Oysters for my Primi, Bolognese as my Principali, and Mixed Berries for Dolci. Everything was incredible! The Oysters were cooked with an herb and butter sauce that made them irrestible. The Bolognese was rather simple, just a thick meat sauce mixed with tube pasta, but it was the perfect consistency and the flavor of the meats really shown through. Everyone else really enjoyed their meal and it was certainly another successful Restaurant Week experience!
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Commuter Rail Wifi
I really need to do a better job posting regularly!
In any event, I just wanted to make a quick post about the state of wifi on the MBTA commuter rail trains. I can't speak for the whole system, but at least on the Fitchburg line it has been fully implemented for some time now and is working great! I am actually making this post while riding the train home from work right now. It used to have issues with service disruptions through some parts of the route, but it seems like a lot of that has been improved. Just another reason to ride the train!
In any event, I just wanted to make a quick post about the state of wifi on the MBTA commuter rail trains. I can't speak for the whole system, but at least on the Fitchburg line it has been fully implemented for some time now and is working great! I am actually making this post while riding the train home from work right now. It used to have issues with service disruptions through some parts of the route, but it seems like a lot of that has been improved. Just another reason to ride the train!
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Food, Inc
Last night I saw Food, Inc in Kendall Sq and I was blown away. I feel like I was relatively well informed about the industrialization of our food supply and the effects that has on our society in terms of health, sustainability, etc. I had even read Michael Pollan's book, 'In Defense of Food'. However, to see the effects in a movie format was much more powerful and they covered a number of issues I didn't know about or hadn't thought about. I strongly recommend going to see this movie. Unfortunately, in the Boston area it is only playing in Kendall Sq, Coolidge Corner, and Waltham. Check out the movie website for more info and showtimes.
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Weekend transit musings
I ran into a couple of frustrations this weekend in my goal to live a sustainable, transit oriented lifestyle. Sometimes I just have to realize that (at least in the US) the convenience of a car is, well..., convenient.
It started Friday. My car is in the shop and I was borrowing my friends car so I didn't want to drive it farther than the train. I was going to my friend's place in Lowell. Coming from Hudson, that's probably a 25 minute trip by car. However, I ended up taking the commuter rail all the way to North Station (53 mins) and then immediately got another train to Lowell (43 mins). I'm not saying it was unpleasant: I got to read, nap, and in general rest, but it would have been nicer and more effective to have driven. Obviously, it would be great if we had more than a spoke and wheel transit system. Think train lines paralleling the major north/south highways, but that is not likely to happen in my lifetime. It would be great if Boston could complete the long sought Urban Ring, nevermind a regional version.
Part 2 of my frustrations came today. I went up to Tewksbury for Father's Day. Since I usually don't have a car, I make the trip up to Wilmington on the Lowell line and my parents pick me up there. It works out pretty well. A Lowell line train travels in and out of the city on a two hour cadence on weekends. This isn't necessarily the most convenient approach if we're going to encourage off peak transit, but I digress. The real pain is getting from Davis to that train. I live about 3 miles from the West Medford station. There is a bus (route 94) that goes from Davis right past that station. However, it is apparent to me that the MBTA doesn't even try to sync up the running of the bus with the running of that train. It runs every hour and this morning I got to West Medford at 11:37 for my 12:11 train. Talk about time to kill. My other option is to spend 25-30 minutes taking the Red and Green lines to North Station, which isn't exactly appealing either. This is just a case where a more system level plan could potentially benefit riders.
It started Friday. My car is in the shop and I was borrowing my friends car so I didn't want to drive it farther than the train. I was going to my friend's place in Lowell. Coming from Hudson, that's probably a 25 minute trip by car. However, I ended up taking the commuter rail all the way to North Station (53 mins) and then immediately got another train to Lowell (43 mins). I'm not saying it was unpleasant: I got to read, nap, and in general rest, but it would have been nicer and more effective to have driven. Obviously, it would be great if we had more than a spoke and wheel transit system. Think train lines paralleling the major north/south highways, but that is not likely to happen in my lifetime. It would be great if Boston could complete the long sought Urban Ring, nevermind a regional version.
Part 2 of my frustrations came today. I went up to Tewksbury for Father's Day. Since I usually don't have a car, I make the trip up to Wilmington on the Lowell line and my parents pick me up there. It works out pretty well. A Lowell line train travels in and out of the city on a two hour cadence on weekends. This isn't necessarily the most convenient approach if we're going to encourage off peak transit, but I digress. The real pain is getting from Davis to that train. I live about 3 miles from the West Medford station. There is a bus (route 94) that goes from Davis right past that station. However, it is apparent to me that the MBTA doesn't even try to sync up the running of the bus with the running of that train. It runs every hour and this morning I got to West Medford at 11:37 for my 12:11 train. Talk about time to kill. My other option is to spend 25-30 minutes taking the Red and Green lines to North Station, which isn't exactly appealing either. This is just a case where a more system level plan could potentially benefit riders.
Sunday, June 7, 2009
Pomodoro
Pomodoro - 319 Hanover St (North End, Haymarket)
This place has definitely been on my radar for some time as a top notch restaurant to try out. I think I ate there a couple years ago with some friends, but if so they have since changed the layout and I don't even remember what I ordered.
The description on the website is pretty accurate: it is a tiny restaurant, though the decor and low lighting makes it intimately romantic. I would not really recommend going with a group larger than four here.
The menu is simple and has more of a seafood tilt than most North End restaurants I have been to. It is also more sophisticated than your average Italian place. You won't find any chicken Parmesan here, yet the items are familiar enough that you won't find yourself stretching too far from your comfort zone if you don't want to. I opted for the Seared Salmon Filet and I must say it was fantastic. The portion was worthy of the price and the salmon was prepared perfectly. It had some sort of green sauce over it that was mildly sweet and spicy at the same time and the risotto cake matched it perfectly. The arugula offered a fresh, tangy change of pace from the salmon and risotto flavors. I paired my dish with a light red but you could also go white if you want.
The one disappointment on the night was the service. The waitress was handling the whole restaurant and she was very nice, but after seating us and pouring our waters, she forgot about us for quite a while while running around to the other tables. She did end up giving us a complimentary fried calamari appetizer, but we noticed that every table had one so maybe we weren't that special. In all it was a great meal and I would go back in a second, though it's moderately steep price tag ($20-30 entrees) prevents it from being a weekly option.
This place has definitely been on my radar for some time as a top notch restaurant to try out. I think I ate there a couple years ago with some friends, but if so they have since changed the layout and I don't even remember what I ordered.
The description on the website is pretty accurate: it is a tiny restaurant, though the decor and low lighting makes it intimately romantic. I would not really recommend going with a group larger than four here.
The menu is simple and has more of a seafood tilt than most North End restaurants I have been to. It is also more sophisticated than your average Italian place. You won't find any chicken Parmesan here, yet the items are familiar enough that you won't find yourself stretching too far from your comfort zone if you don't want to. I opted for the Seared Salmon Filet and I must say it was fantastic. The portion was worthy of the price and the salmon was prepared perfectly. It had some sort of green sauce over it that was mildly sweet and spicy at the same time and the risotto cake matched it perfectly. The arugula offered a fresh, tangy change of pace from the salmon and risotto flavors. I paired my dish with a light red but you could also go white if you want.
The one disappointment on the night was the service. The waitress was handling the whole restaurant and she was very nice, but after seating us and pouring our waters, she forgot about us for quite a while while running around to the other tables. She did end up giving us a complimentary fried calamari appetizer, but we noticed that every table had one so maybe we weren't that special. In all it was a great meal and I would go back in a second, though it's moderately steep price tag ($20-30 entrees) prevents it from being a weekly option.
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Best Suburban Boston Commuter Rail Destinations
Looking for a day trip to escape the city this summer and don't have car? Or perhaps you have a car and are looking for a more relaxing and sustainable way to get out of town. In the last year and a half, I've done a number of weekend day trips and here are my picks for best suburban destination, broken up by departure station and rail line. These choices are based on my experience of actually traveling there, or familiarity with the town and how close the train station is to the sites. Go to the MBTA's website for schedules and more detail.
Departing North Station:
Rockport Line
Top Pick: Rockport (Zone 8: $7.75, Weekend travel time: 70 minutes)
This line has so many choices, it's hard to pick just one (I actually cheated by breaking off the Newburyport line as separate). Salem has its witches and Peabody Essex Museum, Manchester its Singing Beach, and Gloucester its historical harbor, but in my opinion Rockport is the definition of quintessential New England. Its small harbor is picturesque and is still the home of some working lobster boats. Bear Neck and the surrounding town is a compact shopping district with plenty of restaurants. Additionally, unlike some seaside towns, you can just walk a couple blocks down the street and get in the water at Front Beach. Everything is easily walkable from the train station, but to make more of your visit, bring your bike and explore Cape Ann.
Honorable Mention: Salem
Newburyport Line
Top Pick: Newburyport (Zone 8: $7.75, Weekend travel time: 60 minutes)
Newburyport is the terminus of the other spur of the Rockport/Newburyport line and like its brethren is my top destination. It is another port city steeped in history with a small but vibrant downtown with even more shops and restaurants than Rockport. It is located at the mouth of the Merrimack River and offers plenty of entertainment options, from whale watching and deep sea fishing to eco-tours of nearby Plum Island. The only downside is the lack of beach access without a bike or some other way to get you to Plum Island.
Honorable Mention: Ipswich
Haverhill Line
Top Pick: Wakefield (Zone 2: $4.75, Weekend travel time: 23 minutes)
This is probably the best option on a line otherwise lacking in destinations. Wakefield has a decently compact town center with the highlight being Lake Quannapowitt, which is circled by a nice walking trail.
Lowell Line
Top Pick: Lowell (Zone 6: $6.75, Weekend travel time: 43 minutes)
Although not a real glamorous city, Lowell is the birthplace of the American Industrial Revolution and has revitalized its downtown recently and has some charm with old brick buildings and cobblestone streets. You can learn about what life was like for mill girls at the Boott Cotton Mills Museum or take in a game at one of Lowell's two (that's right two!) minor league sports teams, AHL Devils and Single A Red Sox. It's a bit of a walk from the train station to the heart of the city, but there is local bus service.
Fitchburg/South Acton Line
Top Pick: Concord (Zone 5: $6.25, Weekend travel time: 42 minutes)
This historic town of Revolutionary War fame boasts a compact center with shops and restaurants. The preserved village green and North Bridge, site of the first real battle of the Revolution, are within walking distance of the train station. Bring your bike and much of the rest of Minuteman National Historical Park is within reach. A short ride also brings you to Walden Pond State Reservation where you can go for a swim in Walden Pond.
Departing South Station:
Providence/Stoughton Line
Top Pick: Providence (Zone 8: $7.75, Weekend travel time: 65 minutes)
Providence is a city in its own right and is a great destination for a weekend getaway. It boasts a compact and walkable downtown, although it also has its own transit system, RIPTA. You can even grab a bus down to Newport or other RI destinations if you desire. Amtrak service along the NEC provides an even faster and more comfortable train ride down to the city. During the summer, WaterFire is a must see event with music and bonfires on the Providence River. The city also boasts Brown, the Bruins AHL affiliate, and an Italian neighborhood, Federal Hill, that rivals the North End.
I must admit that I am not as familiar with most of the towns south of Boston, not having grown up there, so I can't offer as much advice on which destinations you may want to travel to. That said, I'm not sure there are a lot of worthy destinations. The only plausible one left out is Plymouth, but since I'm not sure where the train station is, I can't recommend it.
Departing North Station:
Rockport Line
Top Pick: Rockport (Zone 8: $7.75, Weekend travel time: 70 minutes)
This line has so many choices, it's hard to pick just one (I actually cheated by breaking off the Newburyport line as separate). Salem has its witches and Peabody Essex Museum, Manchester its Singing Beach, and Gloucester its historical harbor, but in my opinion Rockport is the definition of quintessential New England. Its small harbor is picturesque and is still the home of some working lobster boats. Bear Neck and the surrounding town is a compact shopping district with plenty of restaurants. Additionally, unlike some seaside towns, you can just walk a couple blocks down the street and get in the water at Front Beach. Everything is easily walkable from the train station, but to make more of your visit, bring your bike and explore Cape Ann.
Honorable Mention: Salem
Newburyport Line
Top Pick: Newburyport (Zone 8: $7.75, Weekend travel time: 60 minutes)
Newburyport is the terminus of the other spur of the Rockport/Newburyport line and like its brethren is my top destination. It is another port city steeped in history with a small but vibrant downtown with even more shops and restaurants than Rockport. It is located at the mouth of the Merrimack River and offers plenty of entertainment options, from whale watching and deep sea fishing to eco-tours of nearby Plum Island. The only downside is the lack of beach access without a bike or some other way to get you to Plum Island.
Honorable Mention: Ipswich
Haverhill Line
Top Pick: Wakefield (Zone 2: $4.75, Weekend travel time: 23 minutes)
This is probably the best option on a line otherwise lacking in destinations. Wakefield has a decently compact town center with the highlight being Lake Quannapowitt, which is circled by a nice walking trail.
Lowell Line
Top Pick: Lowell (Zone 6: $6.75, Weekend travel time: 43 minutes)
Although not a real glamorous city, Lowell is the birthplace of the American Industrial Revolution and has revitalized its downtown recently and has some charm with old brick buildings and cobblestone streets. You can learn about what life was like for mill girls at the Boott Cotton Mills Museum or take in a game at one of Lowell's two (that's right two!) minor league sports teams, AHL Devils and Single A Red Sox. It's a bit of a walk from the train station to the heart of the city, but there is local bus service.
Fitchburg/South Acton Line
Top Pick: Concord (Zone 5: $6.25, Weekend travel time: 42 minutes)
This historic town of Revolutionary War fame boasts a compact center with shops and restaurants. The preserved village green and North Bridge, site of the first real battle of the Revolution, are within walking distance of the train station. Bring your bike and much of the rest of Minuteman National Historical Park is within reach. A short ride also brings you to Walden Pond State Reservation where you can go for a swim in Walden Pond.
Departing South Station:
Providence/Stoughton Line
Top Pick: Providence (Zone 8: $7.75, Weekend travel time: 65 minutes)
Providence is a city in its own right and is a great destination for a weekend getaway. It boasts a compact and walkable downtown, although it also has its own transit system, RIPTA. You can even grab a bus down to Newport or other RI destinations if you desire. Amtrak service along the NEC provides an even faster and more comfortable train ride down to the city. During the summer, WaterFire is a must see event with music and bonfires on the Providence River. The city also boasts Brown, the Bruins AHL affiliate, and an Italian neighborhood, Federal Hill, that rivals the North End.
I must admit that I am not as familiar with most of the towns south of Boston, not having grown up there, so I can't offer as much advice on which destinations you may want to travel to. That said, I'm not sure there are a lot of worthy destinations. The only plausible one left out is Plymouth, but since I'm not sure where the train station is, I can't recommend it.
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Memorial Day - A Good Weekend for Trains
I was able to get out and about this Memorial Day Weekend AND leave my car behind! I always feel more liberated knowing I can travel sustainably (and incrementally for free using my monthly pass) just about anywhere I want to go by making use of the MBTA system. In all, I saved at least 160 miles of driving this weekend by choosing to make all of my trips by train. First, I left my car in South Acton as I usually do. By making 2/3 of my commute by train, I save 20 miles each way. Next, to go visit my parents for the holiday, I rode the Lowell line up to Wilmington, a savings once again of about 20 miles each way. Finally, Ann and I went to Newburyport on Monday from North Station saving a round trip of over 80 miles. It was nice to not have to worry about fighting holiday traffic and to be able to make my morning train today instead of having to drive through rush hour out of Davis. As I'm sure I've mentioned, I just find the time on the train more relaxing; it's a good chance to get some reading done, you save wear and tear on your car, and of course it's nice to know you're using and supporting sustainable transit instead of causing more congestion and pollution for everyone.
Friday, April 24, 2009
Earth Day and Greenwashing
I took this write-up from the Center for Biological Diversity email digest that I get on a weekly basis. I must say it encapsulates the hopes and fears of the environmental movement pretty accurately. I personally think there are too many gimmicky 'Green' things going on right now. I think it's good that people are finally 'aware' that they have an effect on the planet, but a lot of it is definitely corporations trying to make people feel good about themselves and, oh yeah, buy more of their product. Overpopulation is the simplest cause of environmental degradation, whether it is through habitat loss or increased demand for resources. Any long term solution must incorporate decreasing birthrates through increasing education, among other things.
Out of all of these awareness events (Earth Day, Earth Hour, etc), I am the biggest fan of Earth Day because of it's history and grass roots beginnings. I am willing to support things that raise awareness, but sometimes these events can be counterproductive or just ridiculous. I remember watching an NFL game and when they went back to the studio they were raising awareness of energy usage by having the studio lights turned off. So the anchors were sitting there in partial darkness, one of them was waiving around a flashlight, yet there were 6 LCD screens visible behind them turned on showing highlights of games and such. If they had really wanted to draw attention to energy usage (or if they wanted to use less energy permanently), they could have turned off those TV screens and been able to have their lights on and still used less energy.
It's great to remember how important our planet is and spread awareness of our impact on it, but it's more important to remember that we have an impact every day and it is in our daily choices that we will determine whether all of us humans can live sustainably on it or if Earth Day will have less of a meaning for future generations.
Out of all of these awareness events (Earth Day, Earth Hour, etc), I am the biggest fan of Earth Day because of it's history and grass roots beginnings. I am willing to support things that raise awareness, but sometimes these events can be counterproductive or just ridiculous. I remember watching an NFL game and when they went back to the studio they were raising awareness of energy usage by having the studio lights turned off. So the anchors were sitting there in partial darkness, one of them was waiving around a flashlight, yet there were 6 LCD screens visible behind them turned on showing highlights of games and such. If they had really wanted to draw attention to energy usage (or if they wanted to use less energy permanently), they could have turned off those TV screens and been able to have their lights on and still used less energy.
It's great to remember how important our planet is and spread awareness of our impact on it, but it's more important to remember that we have an impact every day and it is in our daily choices that we will determine whether all of us humans can live sustainably on it or if Earth Day will have less of a meaning for future generations.
Seven Billion People and Counting -- So Earth Day Matters More Than Ever
Yesterday, Earth Day was commemorated for the 40th time since 1970 -- this year, by about a billion people. How'd it get so popular? Ironically, it's one of corporate America's favorite advertising events. Wal-Mart is plugging "earth-friendly" stuff like Cheerios and STP gas treatment, while Sony is hyping its new video game Trash Panic and General Motors is providing Earth Day lesson plans for little ones. The Minnesota Beef Council's ludicrous line? "Celebrate Earth Day this year with a juicy, lean cut of beef and know you're making an environmentally responsible and healthy food choice" (and please, don't research the environmental effects of meat production). Never mind the fact that Earth Day 1972 arrived with 4 billion people on the planet, while today we're fast approaching 7 billion meat-and-Cheerio-eating, Wal-Mart-shopping, mass-consuming humans. Hey, anybody think overpopulation might be the biggest focus of future Earth Days? Just a thought. Besides, every day should be Earth Day -- as our friends at Grist.org put it, "One day is for amateurs."
Still, if a billion people have each done just one tiny thing to help the planet this April. . .well, that's better than a poke in the eye. And it doesn't mean we can't celebrate all year, which means today can be Earth Day, too. So go clean up a trail or something -- again -- and keep spreading the word about saving the environment. Because with all the people around today (and with all the advertisers cramping our style), we have a lot more spreading to do.
Read a thoughtful article from Grist.org and learn about the real first Earth Day -- which took place in March -- from the Boston Globe.
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Metropolis Cafe
Metropolis Cafe - 584 Tremont St (South End, Back Bay)
On Sunday night, Ann and I were wandering down Tremont St looking for a place to eat and we decided to try out the Metropolis Cafe. I am happy to say it was an excellent choice. Described as a Bistro and Wine Bar, it has a cozy European feel. The menu was simple and had several dishes that I wanted to try. With some help from the waiter, I chose the Rigatoni. It was amazing. The sauce had a familiar flavor, but it was combined with enough spiciness and flavor that you just wanted to lick the plate clean. To top it all off, the menu is priced about $8 less than comparable restaurants on Tremont. Definitely a strong recommendation from me if you're in that area or looking for a new place to try.
On Sunday night, Ann and I were wandering down Tremont St looking for a place to eat and we decided to try out the Metropolis Cafe. I am happy to say it was an excellent choice. Described as a Bistro and Wine Bar, it has a cozy European feel. The menu was simple and had several dishes that I wanted to try. With some help from the waiter, I chose the Rigatoni. It was amazing. The sauce had a familiar flavor, but it was combined with enough spiciness and flavor that you just wanted to lick the plate clean. To top it all off, the menu is priced about $8 less than comparable restaurants on Tremont. Definitely a strong recommendation from me if you're in that area or looking for a new place to try.
Good News for High Speed Rail
In case you missed it, last week Obama and Biden came out with their plan for implementing high speed rail in the US. I am very excited by this proposal and feel that the US is far behind other developed countries in implementing inter city rail. Admittedly, our continent size geography and urban history make inter city rail less practical than most European countries or Japan, but I feel that there is already enough demand to utilize it in certain parts of the country and Obama's 'corridor' plan takes this into account.
It appears to me that the initial $8 billion will go towards improving existing infrastructure to let current generation trains run at their top speeds (around 110 mph). Normally, I would say this is a waste, but it only seems practical since we're so far behind and it will probably require an investment 10 times as large to implement a comprehensive high speed system. My only complaint is that I would prefer to see the focus made on a couple of high priority corridors instead of eleven. In particular, the Northeast Corridor (Boston to DC; I now I'm biased!), should be a model for the country due to its high density cities and relatively short distances. Getting the Acela up to 150 mph for the entire route could virtually eliminate air travel among several of the US' largest cities. I also think California needs a high speed line between the Bay Area and LA and their plan seems to be very well thought out and could accomodate train speeds up to 220 mph.
For more details go here (thanks to Sanjay for sending me the links originally).
It appears to me that the initial $8 billion will go towards improving existing infrastructure to let current generation trains run at their top speeds (around 110 mph). Normally, I would say this is a waste, but it only seems practical since we're so far behind and it will probably require an investment 10 times as large to implement a comprehensive high speed system. My only complaint is that I would prefer to see the focus made on a couple of high priority corridors instead of eleven. In particular, the Northeast Corridor (Boston to DC; I now I'm biased!), should be a model for the country due to its high density cities and relatively short distances. Getting the Acela up to 150 mph for the entire route could virtually eliminate air travel among several of the US' largest cities. I also think California needs a high speed line between the Bay Area and LA and their plan seems to be very well thought out and could accomodate train speeds up to 220 mph.
For more details go here (thanks to Sanjay for sending me the links originally).
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Grotto
Grotto - 37 Bowdoin St (Beacon Hill, Bowdoin, Government Center, Park St)
For our second Restaurant Week dinner, Ann and I checked out Grotto in Beacon Hill. We were both very excited at the prospect of a high end Italian menu with accessible yet intriguing entree options.
The name Grotto is very fitting as it is a cozy underground restaurant in an otherwise nondescript building on Bowdoin St. I would recommend it as a good spot for a special romantic dinner (once again price is an issue for making this a regular stop though Restaurant Week only saved $3 a meal over their regular menu with the same choices).
For the Primi course, I ordered the Cavatelle, which was hand rolled pasta combined with sausage and mushrooms in a thick cream sauce. It tasted amazing, although it was certainly very thick, almost like eating a cheese sauce, and required a very dry wine to cut through the taste in your mouth. Unfortunately my Chianti was not up to the task. I also got a bite of Ann's Sweet Potato Ravioli, and it was pretty good with an emphasis on sweet. I'm not sure I would order it for my meal, though. For the Secondi, we both ordered the Carne, which was beef tenderloin over risotto with asparagus and a red wine sauce. The beef was perfectly seasoned and truly a tasty piece of meat. Once again, my risotto seemed to be coated in a sort of thick cheesy sauce, with parmesan flecks on top of it. It tasted good, but could be overwhelming. Luckily, switching to a Cabernet for the meat certainly helped. The asparagus didn't really seem to fit into the taste patterns of the risotto or the red wine sauce, but overall I was very happy with my selection. To finish everything off, I ordered the Melting Chocolate Cake with Vanilla Ice Cream. For me, when it comes to dessert, simpler is better and it's hard to top this combination. That said, it was executed perfectly and was as good if not better than the Molten Chocolate cake at Finale (if only because they gave you a real portion of vanilla ice cream to offset the chocolate). Ann's dessert was Banana Bread with Caramel Ice Cream. I enjoyed the ice cream but am no big fan of Banana Bread and there was really nothing there to interest me after having eaten my chocolate cake.
All in all, I was a fan and would like to try some more dishes out. The normal $36 prix fixe price tag isn't outrageous for nice occasions and you get the added benefit of being able to walk off your meal through Boston's most romantic (and historic!) neighborhood afterwards.
For our second Restaurant Week dinner, Ann and I checked out Grotto in Beacon Hill. We were both very excited at the prospect of a high end Italian menu with accessible yet intriguing entree options.
The name Grotto is very fitting as it is a cozy underground restaurant in an otherwise nondescript building on Bowdoin St. I would recommend it as a good spot for a special romantic dinner (once again price is an issue for making this a regular stop though Restaurant Week only saved $3 a meal over their regular menu with the same choices).For the Primi course, I ordered the Cavatelle, which was hand rolled pasta combined with sausage and mushrooms in a thick cream sauce. It tasted amazing, although it was certainly very thick, almost like eating a cheese sauce, and required a very dry wine to cut through the taste in your mouth. Unfortunately my Chianti was not up to the task. I also got a bite of Ann's Sweet Potato Ravioli, and it was pretty good with an emphasis on sweet. I'm not sure I would order it for my meal, though. For the Secondi, we both ordered the Carne, which was beef tenderloin over risotto with asparagus and a red wine sauce. The beef was perfectly seasoned and truly a tasty piece of meat. Once again, my risotto seemed to be coated in a sort of thick cheesy sauce, with parmesan flecks on top of it. It tasted good, but could be overwhelming. Luckily, switching to a Cabernet for the meat certainly helped. The asparagus didn't really seem to fit into the taste patterns of the risotto or the red wine sauce, but overall I was very happy with my selection. To finish everything off, I ordered the Melting Chocolate Cake with Vanilla Ice Cream. For me, when it comes to dessert, simpler is better and it's hard to top this combination. That said, it was executed perfectly and was as good if not better than the Molten Chocolate cake at Finale (if only because they gave you a real portion of vanilla ice cream to offset the chocolate). Ann's dessert was Banana Bread with Caramel Ice Cream. I enjoyed the ice cream but am no big fan of Banana Bread and there was really nothing there to interest me after having eaten my chocolate cake.
All in all, I was a fan and would like to try some more dishes out. The normal $36 prix fixe price tag isn't outrageous for nice occasions and you get the added benefit of being able to walk off your meal through Boston's most romantic (and historic!) neighborhood afterwards.
Monday, March 30, 2009
Public comment and project info
A couple weeks ago, I was fortunate (I think) enough to attend my first public meeting for a major transportation project. The meeting in question was an information session about the Green Line Extension that was held at Somerville High School. The presentation was given by the Executive Office of Transportation, which is the state agency responsible for transit expansion projects. The Green Line Extension is the long overdue expansion of the light rail Green Line beyond Lechmere station into East Somerville and Medford. I thought the presentation was very well done and this is a project that will directly benefit a large number of currently underserved metro Boston residents while improving local and regional air quality. The tracks will follow the existing right of way of the Lowell and Fitchburg commuter rail lines and provide an additional seven stations to the Green Line in these communities.
It must be stated that I did not hear a single comment that was entirely negative about the project. Most every politician and resident that stood before the group commented on how happy they were this project would be getting done. (As a follow on to the Big Dig, the state is legally obligated to complete this project by 2014 in order to mitigate the environmental air quality effects of that highway expansion.) However, starting with the politicians, every person who spoke complained about the location of a maintenance facility in yard 8, adjacent to the Brickbottom station. It took a while to find out what about this they were against, but the basic argument was that this facility would hinder the economic development of this area for perpetuity. I don't want to discount legitimate concerns, but having driven through this neighborhood, it is currently an industrial area adjacent to a rail yard. Nowhere else in the project could a maintenance facility be housed and one is certainly required if this project is going to be successful. What amazed me most was the ridiculous analogies people (almost exclusively Brickbottom residents) would draw to show their opposition to this facility. One person said that "Developers don't like to build near three things: Nuclear power plants, chemical waste dumps, and maintenance facilities!" Another compared this project decision to the decision to send an elevated Interstate 93 through East Somerville.
I must say that I understand concern about a major project in your neighborhood. However, looking at the big picture, they can only be thankful for such a development. As I mentioned, this area is almost completely industrial and is one of the poorest parts of the city. Having access to reliable public transit will result in economic dividends on an order of magnitude greater than what will be lost by the location of a much needed maintenance facility.
Green Line Extension - www.mass.gov/greenlineextension
Other MBTA and Transit Documents
Capital Investment Program - 5 year plan outlining transportation needs and detailing planned investments. Interesting to skim through if you want to learn more about the financials of the MBTA
Program for Mass Transit - Long range plan for expanding and preserving transit infrastructure
Stimulus funded transit projects
Fitchburg Commuter Rail Improvement - Very near to my heart, this project would improve travel time and reliability on the Fitchburg Commuter Rail line primarily by improving the tracks to allow train speeds of up to 80 mph.
It must be stated that I did not hear a single comment that was entirely negative about the project. Most every politician and resident that stood before the group commented on how happy they were this project would be getting done. (As a follow on to the Big Dig, the state is legally obligated to complete this project by 2014 in order to mitigate the environmental air quality effects of that highway expansion.) However, starting with the politicians, every person who spoke complained about the location of a maintenance facility in yard 8, adjacent to the Brickbottom station. It took a while to find out what about this they were against, but the basic argument was that this facility would hinder the economic development of this area for perpetuity. I don't want to discount legitimate concerns, but having driven through this neighborhood, it is currently an industrial area adjacent to a rail yard. Nowhere else in the project could a maintenance facility be housed and one is certainly required if this project is going to be successful. What amazed me most was the ridiculous analogies people (almost exclusively Brickbottom residents) would draw to show their opposition to this facility. One person said that "Developers don't like to build near three things: Nuclear power plants, chemical waste dumps, and maintenance facilities!" Another compared this project decision to the decision to send an elevated Interstate 93 through East Somerville.
I must say that I understand concern about a major project in your neighborhood. However, looking at the big picture, they can only be thankful for such a development. As I mentioned, this area is almost completely industrial and is one of the poorest parts of the city. Having access to reliable public transit will result in economic dividends on an order of magnitude greater than what will be lost by the location of a much needed maintenance facility.
Green Line Extension - www.mass.gov/greenlineextension
Other MBTA and Transit Documents
Capital Investment Program - 5 year plan outlining transportation needs and detailing planned investments. Interesting to skim through if you want to learn more about the financials of the MBTA
Program for Mass Transit - Long range plan for expanding and preserving transit infrastructure
Stimulus funded transit projects
Fitchburg Commuter Rail Improvement - Very near to my heart, this project would improve travel time and reliability on the Fitchburg Commuter Rail line primarily by improving the tracks to allow train speeds of up to 80 mph.
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
KO Prime
KO Prime - 90 Tremont St (Beacon Hill, Park St)
The inaugural progressBoston food post! Unfortunately, it's been a little too busy to post lately, but last night's dinner was certainly worthy of the effort. As part of Restaurant Week, Ann and I were joined by a couple of my friends, John and Danielle, at KO Prime. Centrally located near both Park St and Downtown Crossing, it was our first time eating there and I must say I was impressed.
I would describe it as a chic, upscale steakhouse. There's a nice bar area by the entrance with the usual modern fixtures. The staff was very friendly and accomodating. It's probably the fanciest restaurant I've been to in Boston, with a premium placed on presentation. The dinnerware was all oversized and sparkling white. The soup was poured from a pitcher into a bowl containing a garnish in the middle.
I ordered the Market Greens Salad for my appetizer and of course the 10 ounce Grilled Skirt Steak for the entree. I must say the special menu was not the most extensive with only two choices for appetizer and entree. However, it is a steakhouse so you pretty much know what you're going to get. The dressing for the salad was really too strong. However, the steak was probably the best I've had in Boston. It was three thin slices stacked on top of each other over a potato puree
with an onion marmalade on top. The marmalade added a lot of flavor that was nicely balanced by the potato. By the time I got to the last piece, I had used the marmalade, but that was no problem. The flavor of the steak really came through and it was very good with a hint of pepper. For dessert, the only option was Grilled Cornmeal Pound Cake with Fruit Compote. I though the Pound Cake was very nice but thought the fruit was too candied and too strong. I'm not a big fan of mixing in fruit with my dessert (though I love fresh fruit salads) so you might not want to take my word on it. The wine list was extensive and expensive, but we were able to settle on a very nice Cabernet from Mendoza, Argentina for $40.
I was a big fan and am very glad we decided to go for Restaurant Week. That said, the price of the regular menu is certainly very hard to justify except for the most important occasions.
The inaugural progressBoston food post! Unfortunately, it's been a little too busy to post lately, but last night's dinner was certainly worthy of the effort. As part of Restaurant Week, Ann and I were joined by a couple of my friends, John and Danielle, at KO Prime. Centrally located near both Park St and Downtown Crossing, it was our first time eating there and I must say I was impressed.
I would describe it as a chic, upscale steakhouse. There's a nice bar area by the entrance with the usual modern fixtures. The staff was very friendly and accomodating. It's probably the fanciest restaurant I've been to in Boston, with a premium placed on presentation. The dinnerware was all oversized and sparkling white. The soup was poured from a pitcher into a bowl containing a garnish in the middle.
I ordered the Market Greens Salad for my appetizer and of course the 10 ounce Grilled Skirt Steak for the entree. I must say the special menu was not the most extensive with only two choices for appetizer and entree. However, it is a steakhouse so you pretty much know what you're going to get. The dressing for the salad was really too strong. However, the steak was probably the best I've had in Boston. It was three thin slices stacked on top of each other over a potato puree
with an onion marmalade on top. The marmalade added a lot of flavor that was nicely balanced by the potato. By the time I got to the last piece, I had used the marmalade, but that was no problem. The flavor of the steak really came through and it was very good with a hint of pepper. For dessert, the only option was Grilled Cornmeal Pound Cake with Fruit Compote. I though the Pound Cake was very nice but thought the fruit was too candied and too strong. I'm not a big fan of mixing in fruit with my dessert (though I love fresh fruit salads) so you might not want to take my word on it. The wine list was extensive and expensive, but we were able to settle on a very nice Cabernet from Mendoza, Argentina for $40.I was a big fan and am very glad we decided to go for Restaurant Week. That said, the price of the regular menu is certainly very hard to justify except for the most important occasions.
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
U2 in Somerville!
So I wasn't planning on making a post about this, but the buzz of Boston for the last week has been U2's "surprise" show at a local club. Luckily for us, that venue was the 899 seat Somerville Theater right down the street! Unfortunately it was impossible to get tickets, but two of my roommates and I headed down to the square to check out the scene. One thing that was really cool was that JP Lick's was doing U2 specials and had some pretty clever names. Apparently the police were preparing for 10,000, but there were only about 200 people hanging out. It was nice that someone had speakers in their window over the square and were playing the live broadcast though.
Monday, March 9, 2009
Tale of Two Forms of Transit
As you may remember from my earlier post, Friday evening was the first time I got to ride the Acela from Boston to New York's Penn Station. Overall, the ride was about what I expected. The train was clean and very comfortable, a bit of an upgrade over the Amtrak Regional trains I've ridden in the past. We literally flew from Boston to Providence, with houses and woods going by so fast it almost made you dizzy to look at them. After that it got dark so it was harder to tell, but we were moving disappointingly slow, especially when we had to crawl through Mystic and New London. All told the trip took the scheduled 3 hours and 37 minutes and we stepped off in the middle of the city. It was comfortable so I was able to read and get a little nap in. Here are a couple pictures of the train at South Station.On the way back Sunday, we rode the Bolt Bus, which is a new low-cost subsidiary of Greyhound that operates in the Northeast corridor. I wanted to take this bus as an upgrade over the other low cost carriers, namely MegaBus and the Chinatown carriers. It costs about $3-5 more than these other carriers and offers wifi. More importantly, the seats were definitely more comfortable and roomy than the buses I've taken in the past. My main issue with taking the bus is that even with relatively comfortable seats I still get car sick and can't relax as well because your life is basically in the hands of a driver you may or may not want to trust with your life. Fortunately our Bolt Bus driver, aka Ving Rhames with a goatee, wasn't trying to set the land speed record from NY to Boston like some Fung Wah drivers I've ridden with. However, he was maneuvering our 60 foot bus like a sports car through Manhattan and heavy interstate traffic. Let's just say my view of all of this from directly behind the driver did not do a lot to ease my mind. In any event we left New York at 5:30 and despite the heavy traffic, made it to Boston only 15 minutes after our scheduled 9:45 arrival time.
In case you're still reading, here are some Acela fun facts I learned from Extreme Trains (I may be the only person who has ever seen this show)
- each Acela engine is called a power car and generates 6000 horsepower (compared to 4000 for an average engine)
- although capable of speeds up to 200 mph, 150 mph is the highest speed attained by the Acela and occurs in southern MA and RI
- when going around curves at speeds greater than 60 mph, the cars tilt into the curve to cancel the effects of centripetal forces
- each Acela train set costs $25 million and there are only 20 in existence
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Gas Tax & Transportation Reform
So I came across the website describing Governor Patrick's transportation reform plans. It's actually a well designed, informative website. I feel more confident that real steps will be taken to reform the agencies and not just glue them together into some huge inefficient mess. Also, all of the key rail projects are listed in there, including the Fitchburg Commuter Rail improvement project. As this is the line that I ride and sometimes struggle with every weekday, it would be great to see some real improvements. More details on their plans here.
Acela
So my girlfriend and I are going down to New York this weekend and we are going to be traveling in style: on the Acela Express. I'm excited because I'm a big fan of train travel and this is my first time on America's only high speed rail line. I must admit the 3 hour 37 minute travel time from Boston to New York is a little disappointing for a high speed train, but from what I've heard and read, it should be a very comfortable trip. I really hope that with the $8 billion of stimulus geared towards improving and expanding high speed rail in this country, we can make the simple improvements necessary to increase speeds and cut down travel times along the Northeast corridor. The Boston to Washington DC line has the potential to showcase the potential for true high speed rail in this country. In any event, I'll have to take some pictures and share my experience when we get back.
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Gas Tax
So I haven't been doing a great job making posts here, but I'll try and do a better job going forward.
If you pay attention to MA news at all, by now you've probably heard about Governor Deval Patrick's proposed gas tax and statewide transportation reform. You can read an article summarizing it here. The proposal would raise the current gas tax by 19 cents per gallon, making the highest in the country. This additional revenue would be used to improve roads and bridges as well as expand the rails and other public transit. In addition, the transit agencies would all be brought under one roof, bringing further cost savings through efficiencies and reform.
I am optimistically in favor of this proposal. After all, I am comfortable calling myself an envrionmentalist and I strongly support efforts to incentivize sustainable, public transit oriented growth. I feel this is the best way to improve our quality of life and limit the effects of global warming and other pollution. However, do I think he went too far by giving us the highest gas tax in the country and indexing it to the cost of inflation? Probably. Will negotiations with the legislature bring this amount down? Hopefully.
Here's why. A gas tax in itself is not the best way to battle climate change or promote sustainable growth. It only affects one sector of our energy usage. Also, the people who will proportionately be affected most by it are precisely the people who can least afford it. Much of Massachusetts' poor live in areas poorly serviced by public transportation, not to mention small business owners who rely on their vehicles for their livelihood. A carbon cap and trade system would be much more effective at driving sustainable growth and could spread the costs more across society and efficiently towards the worst polluters. If we just need to generate the additional revenue (and we do!), I would propose a smaller inflation indexed gas tax hike combined with a broadening of the sales tax. There is a lot of room to close loopholes in the sales tax or even increase it by a percentage point or two. This would generate at least as steady a revenue source as a gas tax and would broaden the base of people paying into it.
Finally, I think the Patrick administration is missing another opportunity to make some serious transportation reform by ignoring the addition of new tolls on highways leading in and out of Boston. This would generate revenue from the drivers who actually benefit from the improved roadways and give people a more direct choice if they want to commute into the city. Since most of the MBTA commuter rail lines follow a major highway, people could either choose to pay the fare to ride the train and support public transit, or pay the toll to drive in on the highway. Obviously there would be costs associated with operating tolls, but they would certianly pay for themselves and then some. Also, carpool lanes should be expanded on 93 and 90, maybe even Rtes 1 and 2. The current system of lanes is a joke. Traveling into the city on 93 from the north you get maybe 3 miles of carpool lane that restrict you from getting off at certain exits. If we were to make one lane in each direction inside 128 carpool only, it would provide a real incentive for people to carpool. In addition, it might allow express buses to get you into the city faster than traveling alone, providing another incentive to leave your car at home.
I'm generally in favor of the Patrick administration's proposed gas tax, but I think more comprehensive reform is possible and would do more to achieve Deval's stated goals.
If you pay attention to MA news at all, by now you've probably heard about Governor Deval Patrick's proposed gas tax and statewide transportation reform. You can read an article summarizing it here. The proposal would raise the current gas tax by 19 cents per gallon, making the highest in the country. This additional revenue would be used to improve roads and bridges as well as expand the rails and other public transit. In addition, the transit agencies would all be brought under one roof, bringing further cost savings through efficiencies and reform.
I am optimistically in favor of this proposal. After all, I am comfortable calling myself an envrionmentalist and I strongly support efforts to incentivize sustainable, public transit oriented growth. I feel this is the best way to improve our quality of life and limit the effects of global warming and other pollution. However, do I think he went too far by giving us the highest gas tax in the country and indexing it to the cost of inflation? Probably. Will negotiations with the legislature bring this amount down? Hopefully.
Here's why. A gas tax in itself is not the best way to battle climate change or promote sustainable growth. It only affects one sector of our energy usage. Also, the people who will proportionately be affected most by it are precisely the people who can least afford it. Much of Massachusetts' poor live in areas poorly serviced by public transportation, not to mention small business owners who rely on their vehicles for their livelihood. A carbon cap and trade system would be much more effective at driving sustainable growth and could spread the costs more across society and efficiently towards the worst polluters. If we just need to generate the additional revenue (and we do!), I would propose a smaller inflation indexed gas tax hike combined with a broadening of the sales tax. There is a lot of room to close loopholes in the sales tax or even increase it by a percentage point or two. This would generate at least as steady a revenue source as a gas tax and would broaden the base of people paying into it.
Finally, I think the Patrick administration is missing another opportunity to make some serious transportation reform by ignoring the addition of new tolls on highways leading in and out of Boston. This would generate revenue from the drivers who actually benefit from the improved roadways and give people a more direct choice if they want to commute into the city. Since most of the MBTA commuter rail lines follow a major highway, people could either choose to pay the fare to ride the train and support public transit, or pay the toll to drive in on the highway. Obviously there would be costs associated with operating tolls, but they would certianly pay for themselves and then some. Also, carpool lanes should be expanded on 93 and 90, maybe even Rtes 1 and 2. The current system of lanes is a joke. Traveling into the city on 93 from the north you get maybe 3 miles of carpool lane that restrict you from getting off at certain exits. If we were to make one lane in each direction inside 128 carpool only, it would provide a real incentive for people to carpool. In addition, it might allow express buses to get you into the city faster than traveling alone, providing another incentive to leave your car at home.
I'm generally in favor of the Patrick administration's proposed gas tax, but I think more comprehensive reform is possible and would do more to achieve Deval's stated goals.
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Welcome
Welcome to the progressBoston blog. My goal is to share with you my views on the city I love, with a focus on sustainability, politics, even food. I feel like this is a very exciting time to be living in Boston. There are a lot of things about this city that are moving in the right direction and it has changed so much in just my lifetime. However, there are a lot of things that I feel are keeping us from taking our place among the truly great cities of the US and for an area that prides itself on its practical solutions and progressive ideals, we are really lacking in a number of areas.
First, I should probably share a little about myself. I was born in Chicago but moved here when I was less than a year old. I grew up in the small, blue collar suburb of Tewksbury 20 miles north of the city. I decided I wanted to experience a new part of the country and went to Northwestern University in Chicago for college. Although my family is not from the area and I wasn't born here, I consider myself a local. It is where I spent most of the formative years of my life and I truly appreciate the history, uniqueness, and passion that is New England. However, given my family and personal history, I feel that I can also step back and give a more critical view of the area. It is the marriage of these perspectives that I hope to bring to this blog.
First, I should probably share a little about myself. I was born in Chicago but moved here when I was less than a year old. I grew up in the small, blue collar suburb of Tewksbury 20 miles north of the city. I decided I wanted to experience a new part of the country and went to Northwestern University in Chicago for college. Although my family is not from the area and I wasn't born here, I consider myself a local. It is where I spent most of the formative years of my life and I truly appreciate the history, uniqueness, and passion that is New England. However, given my family and personal history, I feel that I can also step back and give a more critical view of the area. It is the marriage of these perspectives that I hope to bring to this blog.
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