Dot Stop Blog

If you want to know more about Dorchester past and present, take a journey over to the new Dot Stop blog: www.facebook.com/DotStop/

Peabody Square Tree Lighting 2012

Here is a photo from this year's Peabody Square Tree Lighting! Like a "Where's Waldo" book, see if you can find Santa. Happy holidays!

Ashmont Hill Chamber Orchestra

The Ashmont Hill Chamber Music opens their 27th season on Sunday, December 9th at 3 pm with a free concert at Peabody Hall in Ashmont’s historic All Saints Church. They will be performing Beethoven, Schulhoff, Sibelius, and Schumann. For more information: www.ashmonthillchambermusic.org

Peabody Square Tree Lighting: This Saturday!

This Saturday is the annual Peabody Square tree lighting. Head on down to the square (near the north end of Ashmont Station) at 7:00 on Saturday (11/24) to enjoy the treats and Santa in a trolley...

New Historical Mural in Lower Dot

We were lucky enough to catch this art be created today in Lower Mills, as local artist Gregg Bernstein paints his new mural of what Pierce Square looked like over 100 years ago. Commissioned by the new Sweet Life Café, the artist drew his inspiration from an old postcard, which shows the trolley line that use to travel down Dot Ave.

The Dorchester Reporter has an excellent story about it: Lower Mills Mural to Depict Bygone Village

Dorchester Open Studios This Weekend!

Every year Dorchester Open Studios showcases the best artists in our neighborhood. This year it runs from noon to 5 on Saturday 10/20 and Sunday 10/21. Check out our first blog entry about Open Studios from 2006 for a longer description: Dot Open Studios 2006

For the program and complete list of sites: www.dac-online.org

Sweet Life Bakery and Café

After months of waiting, Lower Dot finally has a new bakery! Located in the heart of Lower Mills (in the old Common Ground location), Sweet Life Bakery and Café offers an array of wonderful baked goods and cakes, while also offering a full breakfast and lunch menu. Their hours span from 6:30 am to 6:30 pm, which means you can fulfill your latte and muffin fix at any point during the day.

We had lunch there recently. Chris had the chicken salad sandwich on brioche, while Erin decided on the turkey Florentine panini and orzo pasta salad. We both thoroughly enjoyed an assortment of cookies for dessert. Sweet Life has a daily sandwich special and offers many wonderful breakfast treats, such as brioche french toast, omelets, and on certain days waffles or croque-monsieurs.

Sweet Life Bakery and Café @ Facebook
2243 Dorchester Avenue, Dorchester
617.696.6510
Located on Dorchester Ave. Just north of the Milton T stop (Ashmont-Mattapan Trolley).

Have you been to Sweet Life Bakery and Café? Rate it below.

Eye and Eye Optics

Do you need some new styling spectacles? Eye and Eye Optics is the place to get that great pair of glasses or sunglasses, at a reasonable price, while supporting local business. Plus, your new pair will be ready in about a day. Recently, Erin got a new pair of vintage glasses (see below) that she is quite pleased with. The owner Bobin Nicholson is a native of Jamaica, who has lived in Boston since he was young. He will surely welcome you into his shop and help you find that perfect pair of eye wear.

www.eyeandeyeoptics.com
2271 Dorchester Avenue, Dorchester
Located on Dorchester Ave. Just north of the Milton T stop (Ashmont-Mattapan Trolley).

Have you been to Eye and Eye Optics? Rate it below.

(Photo of Bobin Nicholson courtesy of Eye and Eye Optics)

Sweet Life Bakery and Café Opening Soon!

From the look of the new awning on Dot Ave. in Lower Mills, Sweet Life Bakery and Café is about to open. The word on the street (from a kind Dorchesterite sitting on the bench out front) is that they will be open in three weeks. Let's hope!

UPDATE: The Lower Mills Branch of the Boston Public Library is reporting that Sweet Life is now open. We hope to drop by soon and let you know what we think!

Art or a Misplaced Toy?

Recently, while wondering around Lower Dot, we came across this figurine... Is it a permanent art installment or a misplaced child's toy?

Ashmont/Peabody Square Farmers' Market

It is July, so that means it is farmers' market time again in Dorchester. Why buy produce that was picked prematurely weeks ago in far away places, when you can buy the freshest locally grown fruits and vegetables at the farmers' market? We frequent the Ashmont/Peabody Square Farmers' Market and argue this is one of the best in the city. It has an amazing selection of local fruits, vegetables, and fresh flowers. This year they raised the stakes with two new additions! There is now a fishmonger from Red's Best, who deals the freshest locally caught fish, and Tavolo has a booth with all sorts of Italian products, including pizza dough, fresh pasta, olives, sausages, meatballs, and sauces.

Have you been to the Ashmont/Peabody Square Farmers' Market? Rate it below.

Here is the schedule for all of Dorchester farmer's markets:
Dorchester House Farmers' Market: Tuesdays 11-1:30
Grove Hall Farmers' Market: Tuesdays from 3-7
Codman Square Farmers' Market: Thursdays from 1-6
Bowdoin Geneva Farmers' Market: Thursdays from 3-6:30
Milton Lower Mills Wharf Farmers' Market: Thursdays 1-6
Ashmont/Peabody Square Farmers' Market: Fridays 3-7
Fields Corner Farmers' Market: Saturdays from 9-12

Wahlburgers in Dot?

The Dorchester Reporter seems to be starting a campaign to get the second location of Wahlburgers to be here in Lower Dot. It does seem like a natural fit, since the Wahlburg family hails from Dorchester and their restaurant uses our neighborhood as part of their Hingham restaurant's theme. They are asking you chime-in on their Facebook page to give your opinion.

(Photo courtesy of DJ Joe Stick)

Food Truck Festival in Dot

 
It was a beautiful day last weekend in Dot for the New England Food Truck Festival. It was held at the UMass Boston campus, and from the lines some might say it was one of the most popular stops of the traveling food festival. From lobster rolls to tacos, hipster sandwiches to old school jumbo hot dogs, every food truck desire could be found. We recommend next year getting there early and being wise in your line choices!

Mad Men Sundays Returns to Tavolo!

After a 17 month hiatus, Mad Men returns to television for its fifth season. Keeping in tradition, Tavolo will be hosting its regular Mad Men Sundays. They will have 1960s themed cocktails, appetizers, and a best dressed contest this Sunday for the season premier. The two hour episode starts at 9 pm.

www.tavoloristorante.com
1918 Dorchester Avenue, Dorchester
617.822.1918
Located on Dochester Ave. just north of the intersection of Beale Street. Just west of the Ashmont T stop (near the southern entrance/exit).

Upper Dot Adventure: Van Shabu and Bar (UPDATED)

It has been a while since we reviewed an Upper Dot establishment. With a new shabu shabu bar opening up, we found just the place to review. In a completely new building, Van Shabu and Bar was sleek and clean. Hip pop music accented the diverse dinners. We started with lychee martinis (there is a full bar) and sashimi (we overheard that their sushi bar will open in two weeks!). We had a split hot pot of pork and kimchi broth, with beef sirloin and seafood selections. The shabu shabu came with a fresh assortment of vegetables. The staff was attentive and the food was well-prepared. Once this place starts serving sushi (since we love sushi and Dorchester still has no sushi restaurants), we may be visiting quite regularly.

www.vanshabubar.com
1156 Dorchester Avenue, Dorchester
617.436.8100
Located on Dorchester Ave. Just west of the Savin Hill T stop.

UPDATE: Van Shabu and Bar now has a full menu of sushi. We can report that it not only tastes amazing, but its not overly priced (and they offer excellent specials, including all-you-can-eat sushi and hot pot on certain days and nights). Click on their website link above for their full menu.

Have you been to Van Shabu and Bar? Rate it below.

Food Truck Festival in Dot

The UMass Boston/Bayside Expo Center will be the site for the 2012 Boston Food Truck Festival. On June 10th, there will be up to 30 Boston-area food trucks to sample from! Tickets are now on sale: http://ftfneboston.eventbrite.com/?ref=ebtn. You should get a ticket soon.

UPDATE: This is a change from the originally scheduled date of May 26th.

(Photo courtesy of Bianca Garcia)

Dorchester Winter Farmers' Market!

The Winter Market was packed with Dorchesterites, shopping for vegetables, breads, and cakes. We were able to pick up some wonderful garlic and kale. We also saw plenty of grass-fed beef, collard greens, sweet potatoes, potatoes, butternut squash, and radishes. It is amazing what they can grow locally during the always cold New England winter. Some standouts included Good Measure Bakery, Lawton Cheese and Meats, Silverbrook Farm, and Oakdale Farm. The Winter Farmers' Market runs Sundays 12-3 from January to March.

Dorchester Winter Farmers' Market
The Great Hall, Codman Square
6 Norfolk St., Dorchester
Located in Codman Square. Just northwest of the Ashmont T stop (Walk about 1/2 mile up Talbot Street).
dotcommcoop.wordpress.com

New Asian Resturant and Bar on Dot Ave.

We have been driving by this place in Savin Hill for over a year and it was always under construction. Originally, we heard it was going to be a sushi bar. Instead, they seem to serve Japanese shabu shabu with some other types of Asian cuisine. If they are up to our standards, we hope to review them soon...

For a review from boston.com, check out: http://www.boston.com/yourtown/boston/dorchester/gallery/van_shabu_restaurant/

(Photo courtesy of boston.com)