Dorchester Park

We love the feeling of walking through the woods right here in the middle of the city. One of Boston's hidden jewels is the urban forrest known as Dorchester Park. It is a great place to walk and contemplate on a cool fall evening. In the spring it is full of life and in the summer if you go at the right time you may catch an orchestra playing during the summer concert series or a ball game at the little league field that includes a replica of the famous Green Monster of Fenway Park. Hidden in the middle of all the trees are playgrounds and tennis courts. On any given day above 60 degrees you will find so many workers from the Carney Hospital enjoying their lunch or folks from the neighborhood reading their newspapers.

Peabody Square Tree Lighting

You know it is Christmas when they are lighting the city tree in Peabody Square! Many gathered at the intersection of Ashmont Street, Talbot Street, and Dot Ave. for the lighting of the tree. Santa and Mrs. Clause visited via a city tour trolley, and a quite happy man with a santa hat supplied music, hot chocolate, cookies, and was the MC of the event. Afterwards everyone from the neighborhood went to the firehouse across the street and Boston Fire supplied some tasty treats of chili, soda, and cake! It was a blast and a great community activity. We hope when they finish the Peabody Square revitalization they expand the area to host more events like this...

Common Ground Cafe

UPDATE: Common Ground Cafe is now closed. In its former location is now Sweet Life Bakery and Café. Please see our update post.

You have to try this place... It feels like you are eating sandwiches in a magical medieval village. It is dark with tables handmade out of whole trees and covered with a thatch roof. We think they serve some of the best sandwiches in Boston, and they are all made with homemade bread. Chris likes the turkey reuban sandwich with a cold ginger beer and Erin loves the tuna melt. The ingredients are always organic or natural, making the sandwiches extra delicious. You can also stop by their whole foods marketplace after eating to pick up organic and natural foods and products.

2243 Dorchester Ave. Dorchester
617.298.1020
Located in Lower Mills on Dorchester Ave, at the intersection of Richmond St. Just north of the Milton T stop (Ashmont-Mattapan Trolley).

Have you been to Common Ground Cafe? Rate it below.

Dorchester Open Studios 2006

This year's Dorchester Open Studios was great! Although Open Studios was all over Dorchester, we only visited those in our neighborhood. Here is a run-down of this year's art.

Lower Mills: Walter Baker Artists Lofts
The diversity of art was fresh and exciting. There were painters, sculptors, a jewelry and clothing designer and more... an artist who draws with his feet, and another who worked with ceramics. The open lofts were inviting and art interesting, and it was such a treat to see inside the beautiful building. This should be a DEFINITE stop for anyone exploring Dorchester Open Studios next year.

Red Dot
This brand new art gallery showcased a variety of artists. The paintings were bright, colorful and thought provoking. If you haven't stopped by this gallery yet, make it a point to do so soon!

Dot Art
This community-based art group is housed in a small building on Dorchester Ave and also the Baker Lofts Building. Their featured artists were their youth and teen artists, which was impressive to see their talent. Courses for adults and youth are offered throughout the year. You can pick up a schedule at their building.

The Ice Creamsmith

Be sure to head to the Ice Creamsmith before it closes for the winter (It closes on Thanksgiving)! We love the homemade ice cream and small-town feel when you step into the Ice Creamsmith. We've tried a bunch of their flavors, and have yet to settle on a favorite... they've all been good! Although if we had to choose, Erin would take the pumpkin ice cream and Chris the banana!

www.theicecreamsmith.com
2295 Dorchester Avenue, Dorchester
617.296.8567
Located in Lower Mills at the intersection of Dorchester Ave, and Washington St. Just north of the Milton T stop (Ashmont-Mattapan Trolley).

Have you been to The Ice Creamsmith? Rate it below.

Coming Soon: Dorchester Open Studios

Featuring the works of over 80 artists who live and work in Dorchester! We will be checking Dorchester Open Studios out on October 21 and 22. See their website for the complete list of venues and directions. Three studios are located in Lower Dot: Dot Art (Dorchester Community Center for the Visual Arts) north of Peabody Square, Red Dot Gallery and Walter Baker Lofts, both in Lower Mills.

www.dorchesteropenstudios.org
Dorchester Open Studios
Located at: Red Dot Gallery and Walter Baker Lofts in Lower Mills at the intersection of Dorchester Ave, and Washington St. near the Milton T stop (Ashmont-Mattapan Trolley) and Dot Art at 1775A Dorchester Avenue north of the Ashmont T stop.

Lower Dot is for Deval

From the signs and bumber stickers around our neighborhood it is apparent that Lower Dot is voting for Deval Patrick for governor in the Democratic Primary. Plus he is the only candidate with an office in Dorchester and he doesn't live too far away in the nearby town of Milton.

We will be taking our pilgrimage to Florian Hall in Dorchester to vote for him after we get out of work that day. Don't forget to vote on Tuesday September 19th!

www.devalpatrick.com

Flat Black Coffee Company (Coffee House)

We get our caffeine fix and help out the world when we buy a cup of coffee from Flat Black! Chris loves reading his paper there with a cappuccino or a Flat Black Freeze when it's hot out, and Erin likes to stick to her basic hot or iced coffees. Most of their selections are organically grown, shade grown, and fair trade. In addition to being socially and environmentally conscious, their drinks are great and the atmosphere hip and relaxed. The red swivel chairs are fun, and you're in luck when the window seats are open! The baked goods are tasty, as well.

www.flatblackcoffeecompany.com
1170 Washington St. Dorchester
617.298.1800
Located in Lower Mills at the intersection of Dorchester Ave, and Washington St. Just north of the Milton T stop (Ashmont-Mattapan Trolley).

Have you been to Flat Black Coffee Company? Rate it below.

Dotini

We made Dotinis today! It was awesome. What is a Dotini you say? It is named after our beloved Dot (Dorchester) and is created by mixing citron vodka, Chambord, lemonade, and those "famous from your childhood" Dots candies. It has been made famous by both the Ashmont Grill and "Martinis on the Avenue", which is now an annual fund-raiser for the St. Mark's Main Streets (and Fields Corner Main Streets).

www.smams.org/dotini_party_06.php
Martinis on the Avenue @ The Blarney Stone (Tuesday 09.12.06)
1505 Dorchester Avenue. Dorchester
617.436.8223
Located in Fields Corner on Dorchester Ave. Just sorth of the Fields Corner T stop.

Farmers' Market (Milton Lower Mills Wharf)

There were about a dozen farm stands located along the Neponset River and near the Milton Landing Wharf. They had great fresh vegetables and fruits grown locally, fresh baked breads, salsa, homemade pies, maple syrup, potted plants and herbs, and even hand-made pottery, which make up this farmer's market. We stopped by the Re-Vision Urban Farm booth, where since 1990 their farm/homeless shelter has been growing vegtables off Blue Hills Ave. We have to say, our favorites were the Mango Salsa... mmmm! And Strawberry Rubarb Pie, fantastic!


Early July - Mid October
Thursday 1 - 6 pm

Wharf St., Milton
Located in Milton Village (Across the river from Dorchester Lower Mills) off of Adams Street. Just south of the Milton T Stop (Ashmont-Mattapan Trolley).

Have you been to the Milton Village Farmers Market? Rate it below.

Ashmont Grill

We love the Sunday brunch at the Ashmont Grill, although dinner is also excellent. It is one of our favorite restaurants in the entire city. This establishment in Lower Dot has a hip atmosphere with beautiful exposed brick walls and an amazing gourmet menu that highlights local and seasonal foods. The Huevos Rancheros is Erin's favorite brunch item and the portobello mushroom sandwich is her favorite for dinner (the soups are also really great). Chris loves the French Toast for brunch and the Grilled Free Range Chicken Breast with sweet corn polenta cake & grilled summer squash for dinner. We have yet to enjoy the garden patio seating in the back, but we can't wait to try it, along with exploring their extensive beer and wine selection at the bar.

www.ashmontgrill.com
555 Talbot Avenue, Dorchester
617.825.4300
Located in Peabody Square at the intersection of Dorchester Ave, Ashmont Street and Talbot Ave. Just north of the Ashmont T stop.

Have you been to the Ashmont Grill? Rate it below.

Our New Blog

Welcome to our new blog! We are going to post cool things to do, cool places to eat, and cool stores in this amazing neighborhood of Boston...

Check back here soon...