Peabody Square Tree Lighting

We forgot to post these pictures, but here is the Peabody Square Tree Lighting in December 2009! Better late than never. Happy holidays!

Dorchester-Milton Restaurant Week

Nine of the finest restaurants in Dorchester (and neighboring Milton) have grouped together for a Dorchester-Milton Restaurant Week from January 17th to the 31st (excluding Fridays and Saturdays). They will offer three course pre-fixe dinners for $30.10, as well as their regular menu items.

Check out their websites for more information:
224 Boston Street
88 Wharf
Abby Park
Ashmont Grill
Blarney Stone
dbar
Dot 2 Dot
Ledge
Tavolo

(Photos: Top - The crab cakes at Ledge. Bottom - Interior of the Ashmont Grill)

Pat's Pizza

When you walk in this place, it is classic Dorchester! From construction workers on their way home to hipsters getting ready for a night out, Pat's is a Lower Dot staple and offers the finest pizza and subs around. Whether it is a Super Bowl party or a night you just don't feel like cooking, Pat's always offers cheap, fast, and kind service. Chris loves the (only found in New England) steak bomb sub (pictured below), where the steak, cheese, mushrooms, onions, and peppers blend into a comfort food dream. Erin loves a slice of the traditional peperoni pizza.

www.patspizzaoflowermills.com
2254 Dorchester Ave., Dorchester
Located on Dorchester Ave. Just north of the Milton T stop (Ashmont-Mattapan Trolley).

Have you been to Pat's Pizza? Rate it below.

It Is Time For Sushi to Come to Lower Dot!

Calling all local restaurateurs! There is one major thing missing on the Dorchester dining scene, and that is sushi! Here is the evidence as to why we believe the opening of a sushi restaurant will be a gold mine for whomever is willing to take up the challenge.

First, it is obvious that Dorchesterites have the gourmet tastes to support not just one, but probably multiple sushi restaurants. Almost everyone we know in Dorchester eats sushi, yet all of us have to travel downtown to get it. Sushi restaurants are no longer exclusively for the most affluent communities.

Second, out of any neighborhood in the city, Dorchester has the most perspective restaurant patrons. With our 92,000 residents and the fact that on the weekends you almost always have to wait for a table, it is clear that Dot could use more dinning options.

Third, the nearest sushi restaurants according to Yelp! and Google Maps are located all the way in East Milton Square (Ichiro Sushi, pictured below) and Jamaica Plain (JP Seafood Cafe). Both of which are far beyond walking distance or public transit from Dot.

Fourth, Dorchester is one of the few neighborhoods in the city without a sushi restaurant. Jamaica Plain, Roslindale, South Boston all have sushi restaurants and of course Allston-Brighton and the South End have multiple.

Now we do realize that there has been a proposed sushi and sports bar establishment for Upper Dot (Van's in Savin Hill), which has been in the planning stages for some time now. Although we are quite excited for its opening, we would suggest there is still a need for sushi somewhere in Lower Dot, perhaps even a small establishment in Peabody Square, Lower Mills, or Fields Corner? The gauntlet has been dropped!

Patriots Tailgate Menu at Tavolo

How good does this combination sound? Gourmet comfort food, tasty beer, and watching the Pats win another game with a pretty swell crowd. Well that is what you can get at Tavolo, while they are running this Patriots game day special. When we went, Chris had the "Not Your Mother's Chili" matched with Harpoon's Leviathan and Erin had the meatball sliders with provolone and marinara on a corn bun accompanied by a raspberry ale. Delicious! The details: For $20 you get two Harpoon beers and one dish from their "tailgate menu" and Tavolo is now open every Sunday at noon.

Check out our blog entry from last year for a description: Tavolo

www.tavolopizza.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).

Dorchester Open Studios 2009

Every year Dorchester Open Studios showcases the best artists in our neighborhood. This year it runs from noon to 5 on Saturday 10/24 and Sunday 10/25. Check out our blog entry from two years ago for a description: Dot Open Studios 2006

Vietnamese and Irish Festivals in Dot

This weekend is a great one for celebrating our neighborhood's diversity by attending both of the scheduled ethnic festivals. On Saturday at Town Field in Fields Corner, you can attend the annual Tết Trung Thu (August Moon Festival), which takes place from 3-8 pm. Then on Sunday head on over to Adams Corner for the all-day Irish Heritage Festival. Both will include plenty of food, music, and celebration.

Here are their websites for more info:
Tết Trung Thu (English Translation)
Irish Heritage Festival

ADORE-chester! Top 5 Bites in Dorchester

One of the best things about Dorchester is the quality and diversity of restaurants. The food is authentic in flavor and represents the passion, community, and culture that are at the heart of our neighborhood. As part of the ADORE-chester! blog project, we lay out our top five choices of dishes from around the neighborhood (and five more we couldn’t help but also list) as we continue on our journey, eating our way through Dorchester.

Our top five bites in Dorchester (in no particular order):
These are the MUST tries if you haven’t already

1. Fried chicken wings from Mrs. Jones
2. Ginger ice cream from the Ice Creamsmith
3. Tiramisu dessert from Tavolo
4. Grilled beef bahn mi from Ba-Le
5. Any martini from dbar

Tier Two (in no particular order):
These are the highly suggested if you haven’t tried already

6. Trainwreck fries from Ashmont Grill
7. Homemade ginger beer from Irie Jamaican Style Restaurant
8. Ham and cheese croissant (baked by Sel de la Terre) with latte from Flat Black
9. Poulet en sauce from Belle Cuisine
10. Dim sum at Chau Chow Seafood

UPDATE 10/4/09:
And by request, here are our top 5 drinks in Dot! (in no particular order)

1. Dotini at the Ashmont Grill. Seriously Dorchester's own drink, with a side of candy.
2. Mojitos at the Blarney Stone - One of the best we have ever had.
3. Grapefruit-Infused Basil Gimlet at Tavolo. Feel like you are on Mad Men while still living in the 2000s.
4. Espresso Martini at dbar. Coffee and liquor - what is there not to love about that?
5. A pint of Guinness at the Banshee. Transport yourself to Ireland for a moment.

To read the other ADORE-chester! postings, please check out their blogs:
The Dorchester Think Tank
The Dottie Hottie
The Dot Matrix
Dot Boston
Local Spice
Candeliera Silva
Social Butterfly Experiment
dotmass
Greening of Dorchester

Boston's Barista Competition Will Take Place in Lower Dot

Peabody Square is the host of Boston's first annual Barista competition. On October 24th, numerous coffee shops from around the city will be competing for the crown of the White Chrome Barista Throwdown. This competition, located at Flat Black Coffee Company and then Tavolo, will include events in coffee knowledge, latte art, and drink creation, with celebrity judges. It is open to the public and there will be free lattes during the practice rounds and free coffee during the demonstration period. For more information, go to www.flatblackcoffeecompany.com. Good luck Flat Black!


White Chrome Barista Throwdown Hosted By Flat Black Coffee Company and Tavolo
1906 Dorchester Ave./1918 Dorchester Ave., Dorchester
Located on Dochester Ave. just north of the intersection of Beale Street. Just west of the Ashmont T stop (near the southern entrance/exit).

If you can't make it there will be live streaming video at: www.ustream.tv/channel/whitecrome.

88 Wharf Riverfront Grill

You may think you are walking into a condominium complex, but in fact it is the latest gourmet restaurant to open up near Lower Dot, just over the river in Milton Village. 88 Wharf Riverfront Grill is an upscale restaurant with both indoor seating and tables on the patio, which overlook the town wharf. Chris enjoyed the well-cooked Steak-Frites, while Erin had the salmon with potatoes and spinach, which was delicious. It is fantastic that Milton Village has followed the lead of Dorchester with a new eatery, which includes Milton's first restaurant with a liquor license.

www.88wharf.com
88 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 88 Wharf Riverfront Grill? Rate it below.

Ledge

The newest eatery to open in Lower Dot, it offers another upscale dining option to the neighborhood. Erin had the broiled crab cakes on top of mixed greens which were large and tasty and accompanied by a strong mustard aioli. Chris had the hanger steak with caramelized shallot blue cheese butter sauce and a side of sweet potato fries and herbed orzo. The sauce was an excellent compliment to the well-cooked steak's flavor. We did not have the most desirable seats, right next to the crowded bar, but this is expected when a restaurant first opens. The restaurant interior is hip and modern, and the many televisions in the bar area are almost overwhelming. It would be a great place to catch a Sox playoff game. The back patio is large and offers a separate bar, we can't wait to go back an enjoy it on a warm fall evening.

www.ledgeboston.com
2261 Dorchester Ave., Dorchester
Located on Dorchester Ave. Just north of the Milton T stop (Ashmont-Mattapan Trolley).

Have you been to Ledge? Rate it below.

88 Wharf Riverfront Grill Now Open

Somehow we missed the opening of a new restaurant just over the river from Lower Dot. We were just informed that 88 Wharf Riverfront Grill, a new contemporary American restaurant in the Milton Landing building, not only is open for business, but also has patio seating overlooking the Neponset River and the town of Milton's first restaurant liquor license. I guess we have another place to visit real soon. If the restaurant is up to Lower Dot expectations then expect a review in the next month or so. Until then consider checking them out and let us know what you think.

Ledge Now Open

People have been writing in to let us know that Ledge, a new restaurant and bar in Lower Mills, has officially opened. We are still suffering some jet lag from a trip to Japan, so we may take advantage of this and check the place out in the next few days. If the restaurant is up to Lower Dot expectations then expect a review in the next week or so. Until then consider checking them out and let us know what you think.

Time For Awesome Fresh Vegetables in Lower Dot!

This year there is a third farmer's market being added to Lower Dot! The newest addition will be Fridays from 3-7 at the ODWIN Learning Center parking lot (1943 Dorchester Ave.) across from the new Carruth Building. Next year it will move to the northern entrance of Ashmont station in Peabody Square. There are of course the two classic farmer's markets at Milton Village (just over the bridge from Dorchester - behind the store fronts on Adams Street), which takes place every Thursday from 1-6 and Fields Corner, which takes place in the parking lot across the street from Town Field on Saturdays from 9-12. Erin and Chris will also be enjoying their farm share this year from Dorchester's own Re-Vision Farm.

Check out our blog entry on farmer's markets from three years ago: Milton Lower Mills Wharf Farmer's Market blog entry

Click here for more info on the Ashmont/Peabody Square Farmer's Market

Click here for more info on the Milton Lower Mills Wharf Farmer's Market

Click here for more info on the Fields Corner Farmer's Market

Design and Architecture Festival at Ashmont

This weekend numerous events related to the Common Boston design
and architecture festival are happening in Lower Dot. There are neighborhood tours, opening buildings, a photo exhibit at the Ashmont T station, Dot Bike tours, food tours, and lectures going on throughout the neighborhood. It's all free and open to everyone and the Boston Society of Architects are really trying to get the whole community involved.

For a schedule and more information: Common Boston

Arts in the Park Day 2009

Submissions are now being accepted for the first annual Arts in the Park Day at Dorchester Park. The outdoor arts festival will be held on Saturday, June 6th from 11 am to 3 pm. It is a juried show for all media. Go to www.thedac.org for more information.

This post's artwork is from Ashmont Hill artist Shane Ruff. For information on his work, see this recent Dorchester Reporter article: Ruff Styles or his website: Ruff Studio.


Top is a proposed pubic art installation and below are titled "Dot over U 3" and "Dream in Black & White" respectively

Eating and Biking Events in Dot

If you like food and/or biking, there are two awesome events coming up in Dorchester!

The First Annual Taste of Dorchester is Thursday, April 30 from 6-9 at the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers on Freeport Street. For $30 (or $40 at the door), you can chow down on every single awesome Dot restaurant in one sitting! It includes the likes of Ashmont Grille, Tavolo, Irie Jamaican Restaurant, Flames, dbar, Dot-2-Dot, Pat's Pizza, Chau Chow, Big Moe's M&M Ribs, Shanti, Saigon Seafood, and you can top it off with The Ice Creamsmith. There are so many more, we don't have to room to name them all... Taste of Dorchester

When you have recuperated, get on your bike on April 25th at 12:30 p.m. at the entrance to the Franklin Park Zoo and and ride with DotBike on the 'Shiny Green Dot Ride.' Enjoy the ride, while burning off all those calories you gained from the Taste of Dorchester! For more information: Dot Bike

Belle Cuisine Haitian Restaurant

UPDATE: Belle Cuisine now closed. In its former location is now Brother's Crawfish. Please see our post.

With the broadcasting of Haitian television and the sounds of Creole being spoken by the patrons, you will think you have been transported to the Caribbean. The wonderful smells of rice and beans and the welcoming owners make this small and unassuming new Haitian restaurant in Fields Corner a hidden gem. Erin ordered the Poulet en Sauce (chicken and sauce) plate with Du riz Blanc (white rice with peas and seasonings) and a side of plantains. Chris got the turkey and sauce, Du riz cole (rice with beans) and plantains. Everything was full of great flavors that complimented and combined for a great dinner. You can take out or eat in... Bon Appétit.

Belle Cuisine Restaurant
272 Adams St., Dorchester
617.379.2415
Located in Fields Corner near the intersection of Adams Street and Park Street. Just east of the Fields Corner T stop.

Have you been to Belle Cuisine? Rate it below.

Shepard Fairey Puts Up Public Art in Dot

For a very short time period, controversial artist Shepard Fairey posted a billboard (legally) on Hoyt Street and Dorchester Ave. The Dorchester Reporter said it was paid for by the Institute of Contemporary Art and that Fairey’s trademark Andre the Giant image can be seen on the image. Pretty cool...

Dot on TV Diner

Billy Costa's TV Diner on NECN did their entire episode last week on Dorchester! This completely edges them ahead of Phantom Gourmet in our books...

Click here for the clips: Ashmont Grill, Shanti, dbar, Restaurant Laura.

Ashmont/Peabody Square Station

The Boston Globe reports this morning in a story about the Science Park station that the MBTA will be adding "Peabody Square" to Ashmont Station. We knew there was support for this in the neighborhood, but had not heard it was actually going to happen. Pretty neat!

"For the MBTA, the bestowing of a secondary local name to stations is becoming increasingly common as a part of other, larger renovations. The designation Boston Public Library was added to the local signs on the Green Line at Copley Station. On the Red Line, the label Peabody Square was added to signs at Ashmont Station."

Click here for the full story: The MBTA gives a nod to the old West End

Hope in the Hood Ball @ Tavolo

Hope in the Hood Ball! Join other Dorchesterites as they celebrate President-Elect Obama's historic inaugruation on January 20th at Tavolo in Peabody Square. There will be a DJ, cocktails, hors d'oeuvres, music and dancing. Their website says, "dress to impress at our 'creative' black tie event and be sure to get you picture taken with the the Choice for Change himself." The cost is $20 per person at the door. For more information click here.

www.tavolopizza.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).

Peabody Square Tree Lighting 2008

On Saturday, Nov. 29th the annual Peabody Square Holiday Tree Lighting will be held at 7 pm. As usual Santa and Mrs. Clause will visit via a city tour trolley and holiday munchies will be provided by the Peabody Square Firehouse.

Check out our post from last year: Peabody Square Tree Lighting 2007

DotPark2 and Lower Mills Merchant Holiday Stroll

On November 10th the Dorchester Park Association will be holding DotPark2, a fundraiser to support the Dorchester Park maintainance of the urban forest. It will be held at Tavolo. For more information and tickets: http://dotpark.org/dotpark2.htm

On November 13th from 6-8 pm, the Lower Mills Civic Association and Lower Mills Merchant's Association will be sponsoring the First Annual Lower Mills Holiday Stroll. Over 30 participating shops in Lower Mills will be offering discounts, giveaways, and exhibits. The fun begins at St. Greg's Auditorium, where you can pick up your eco-shopping bag, food, live music, and raffle.

Martinis on the Avenue: Dotini Election Special

"Martinis on the Avenue", which is now in its fourth year, is an annual fund-raiser for the Fields Corner and St. Mark's Main Streets. $30 in advance or $35 at the door, including the Blarney’s famous hors d'oeuvres, a live auction and taste the new "Presiden-Tini." And of course, you can still get a Dotini, Dorchester's unofficial cocktail!

www.fieldscorner.org/events
Martinis on the Avenue: Dotini Election Special Featuring the Presiden-tini
@ The Blarney Stone (Tuesday 10.30.08 @ 7 PM)
1505 Dorchester Avenue. Dorchester
617.436.8223
Located in Fields Corner on Dorchester Ave. Just south of the Fields Corner T stop.

Wainwright Bank and Flat Black in The Carruth

The new Flat Black Coffee Shop and Wainwright Bank are finally open in the Carruth! We checked out the bank and the employees were very nice and the ATM works well. They also have a socially progressive mission, which makes opening up an account all the better. We also visited the new Flat Black cafe inside the bank, and it was great. The coffee continues to be high quality and their pastries were excellent (word on the street is that are from Sel de la Terre). They will also be offering free wi-fi if you want to check your e-mail. It is a great addition to Peabody Square.

www.wainwrightbank.com
www.flatblackcoffeecompany.com
1906 Dorchester Avenue, Dorchester
617.825.1440
Located in Peabody Square on Dorchester Ave. Just west of the Ashmont T stop.

Have you been to Wainwright Bank & Flat Black in The Carruth? Rate it below.

Dorchester Open Studios Next Weekend

It is time again for Dorchester Open Studios! Dorchester Open Studios showcases the best artists in our neighborhood. Check out our blog entry from two years ago for a description: Dot Open Studios 2006

www.thedac.org
Dorchester Open Studios 2008 (Saturday 10.26.08 and Sunday 10.27.08)
12-5 PM

Lower Dot Locations:
Walter Baker Artists Lofts
1231 Adams Street, Dorchester
617.436.8223
Located in Lower Mills on Adams Street. Just north of the Milton T stop (Mattapan-Ashmont Trolley).

The Boston Home
2049 Dorchester Avenue. Dorchester
Located on Dorchester Ave. Just south of the Ashmont T stop.

Tết Trung Thu

Over a hundred people attended the first annual Tết Trung Thu - Vietnamese Harvest Festival at Dorchester Park this year. The festival begin with Vietnamese music and an opening ceremony, followed by dragon dances and traditional drums and percussion. Celebrants brought homemade lanterns or purchased some there, and after sundown they were lit and followed by a procession. Everyone also enjoyed the traditional moon cakes.

Dorchester Symphony Orchestra Debut

The Dorchester Symphony Orchestra (DSO) debuts this month at All Saints Church near Ashmont Station. The program of two symphonies including works of Mozart, Beethoven, and Hayden, is scheduled for September 20th at 7 pm.

www.dorchestersymphony.org
617.822.3979

www.allsaints.net
All Saints Church
209 Ashmont Street, Dorchester

Located on Ashmont Street. just east of the intersection of Dorchester Ave. Just northeast of the Ashmont T stop (near the northern entrance/exit).

Tết Trung Thu - Vietnamese Harvest Festival At Dorchester Park

The first annual Tết Trung Thu Festival will be held Saturday, September 13th at Dorchester Park from 6-8 pm. Tết Trung Thu is a Vietnamese traditional holiday that celebrates harvest. The celebration will include lanterns, singing, and moon cakes.

Tavolo

It's new, stylish, yet unpretentious in their attempt at Italian food for the modern eater. Aside from the chalk-artwork in the dining area, our favorite part is the bar. It hosts a large U-shaped bar made out of slate where the friendly bartenders write your names down and offers you chalk to play with your own artistic abilities. Look up and you'll see the three flat screen TVs and light fixtures made out of small drink bottles. The food is standard Italian - Erin had the Arugula pizza with prosciutto and Chris had the cheesy pasta with funghi and mortadella. They offer a build-your-own anitpasti platter which we are very excited to try next time. The cherry citrus biscotti should not be passed up, perhaps made by the same baker that does the desserts for the Ashmont Grill? We look forward to making Tavolo a regular afterwork stop. Some other perks include: espresso drinks, bar open 'til 11pm, and offer take-out.

www.tavolopizza.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).

Have you been to Tavolo? Rate it below.

Tavolo Opens August 9th

Word on the street is that Chris Douglass opens his third restaurant Tavolo tomorrow. It is located in the new Carruth Building adjacent to Ashmont Station on the red line. If the restaurant is up to Lower Dot expectations then expect a review in the next few weeks. Until then consider checking them out and let us know what you think.

News: Co-op Houses Become Popular in Lower Dot

(Photo courtesy of Chris Lovett)

Joining other urban areas such as San Francisco and Brooklyn, the Boston Globe reports that co-op houses are becoming very popular in certain neighborhoods of the Boston, including Fields Corner in Dorchester. Co-op houses are hip these days with high rents and living costs, especially with the under 35 crowd (although the article also highlights a co-op for people over 50 and one resident in The Big Top Co-op in Dorchester who has been living there for 25 years). Co-ops are essentially urban communes, where residents pool money for rent, heating, and food. The triple-decker commonly found throughout Dorchester appears to be "the" building for co-ops and many are quite able to use the small urban back yard to grow vegtables and gardens.

The Boston Globe August 2, 2008 Article: Cheaper by the Dozen

Summer Is the Time for Lower Dot Farmer's Markets...

There are two farmer's markets in Lower Dot! The Milton Village Farmer's Market (just over the bridge from Dorchester - behind the store fronts on Adams Street) takes place every Thursday from 1 - 6. The Fields Corner Farmer's Market takes place in the Orlando's Food Basket parking lot on Saturdays from 9 - noon. Check out our blog entry from two years ago: Milton Lower Mills Wharf Farmer's Market blog entry

For the Milton Lower Mills Wharf Farmer's Market: Milton Lower Mills Wharf Farmer's Market

For the Fields Corner Farmers Market: Fields Corner Farmer's Market

Wine Club at the Ashmont Grill

We finally made it to the much acclaimed "Monday Night Wine Club" at the Ashmont Grill. Wine Club offers a four-course meal paired with four wines (and on occasion beer...). We went on Portugal wines night and enjoyed a wonderful meal with Portugese flavored dishes such as bacalhau (salted codfish), clams, grilled beef, and o bolo de chocolate (decadent chocolate cake). Along with each dish is served a wine with a description. The wine flowed, Erin couldn't finish it all, but Chris did. Wine Club tries to create a social atmosphere so you may get seated with other guests, but it seemed inconsistent. (It might be nice if they gave you the choice...) Wine Club starts at 6:30pm on Mondays and costs $30.

Check out our blog entry from two years ago for a description: Ashmont Grill

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.