Townsman x Circle

I hope you all had a Merry Christmas and have fun plans shaping up for the new year! Speaking of, if you're getting together with a big group of friends to ring in 2018, Circle Pay is a new app you should definitely check out!

Circle. They are like Venmo, but way more fun. With an interface built around conversations where you can include GIFs and laughter-filled musings with your cash, it's like texting for money. Plus, faster cash out and designed for unique purposes like splitting checks at restaurants.

Townsman. Chef Matt Jennings chic New England brassiere where food and cocktails are devoured with utter delight. (If you are a regular reader, you know it is one of my go-to spots!)

An intimate group gathered at the convivial high top table fronting the bar, where creative and personalized Circle Pay poem place settings greeted us. Over cocktails + Townsman's signature brown bread with salted maple butter + a three course meal we caught up on life while learning about the app!

Course 1 - Seasonal Farm Minestrone. This piping hot soup served in a chic bowl was so comforting on a cold night, befitting from layers of flavor thanks to an herbed pistou. Additionally, I loved the swap in of nutty farro for pasta.

Circle fun fact #1 - No fees! No fees for sending money across border / between currencies + no fees for instant cash outs.

Course 2 - Char-Grilled Steak. The medium rare strip was tender with a rich char - another terrific cold weather dish complemented by savory roasted fingerlings and tons of braised greens over a sweet puree of butternut squash.

Circle fun fact #2 - Your money is insured. All deposits held in Circle Pay are FDIC insured up to $250k.

Chocolate Pecan Tart. The perfect personal sized tart with an equal sized scoop of luscious maple ice cream. 

Circle fun fact #3 - Group Payments. Zip money around in a group chat with up to 20 people. 

Cocktail - Senor Picante. I love when cocktails advertised as spicy actually deliver the heat! This one has tequila, sherry, fresno, grapefruit and guajillo salt.

Circle fun fact #4 - Events. You can set up an event page to collect money from a larger audience, such as fundraising for a marathon or a charity collection. I know so many of you would benefit from something like this!! (But if not, there will always be the hilarious feature that is GIPHY!)

Interested?! Sign up right this way...

This dinner was complimentary and I was compensated for my time. 

All opinions are my own. 

Townsman

120 Kingston Street

Boston, MA 02111

Cocktails, Lately

Trade / 540 Atlantic Avenue / Financial District

Beets by Trade / Bully Boy vodka, beet + cucumber simple syrup, lime, pineapple 

Waxy's / 1032 Beacon St / Brookline

Shake Rattle + Rum / Three Olives coconut water vodka, The Real McCoy 5 year rum, pineapple, ginger, angostura bitters 

Il Molo / 326 Commercial Street / North End

Sidecar / Cognac, Contreau, lemon juice, orange slice + demerarra sugared glass

Three destination worthy drinks! 
 Where have you had a great cocktail lately?!

Around DTX | Les Z, Townsman, Yvonne's

Today I'm giving a little shoutout to some staples around my office. Whether you're looking to switch up the after work routine or happen to be Downtown or Financial District bound, here are four fun bars to check out. The happy hour eats are highlighted where applicable!

Les Zygomates | 129 South St | Leather District

A classy wine bar and bistro with a relaxed vibe, Les Z has definitely earned a spot as a favorite. With 1$ Oysters on weekdays from 3-7 pm, live jazz and an outstanding wine list, you can't go wrong. 

Townsman | 120 Kingston Street | DTX / Financial District / Chinatown Border

Townsman's Cider Shrub ($11) made simply with vodka, a cider reduction and black salt (photo above, far right) is one of the best cocktails to hit the scene as of late. There's something about a shrub that is fresh, dazzling and really speaks to me. And that black sea salted rim is brilliant. An exciting rendition of an old school cocktail to try at Townsman is their Dry Martini Service ($12) combining Plymouth gin, Dolin dry vermouth, Chambery and Fees Orange Bitters, served resting in an iced carafe garnished with a lemon twist, pickled onion and a Castelvetrano olive. Alongside, nosh on tasty plates like Brussels Sprouts ($8) with malt vinegar aioli, harissa spice and pork fat croutons and the Spring Carrot Creste di Gallo ($24) an exceptional pasta dish with chicken sugo and toasted breadcrumbs.

Central Bistro | 101 Arch Street | Downtown Crossing

Central Bistro (formerly Petit Robert Central) exudes a warm, tasteful Parisian inspired atmosphere that livens up the midday workweek lunch. Pictured above is the Central BLT ($10) and their black raspberry and vanilla ice cream Baked Alaska ($9). After work it's easy to find a spot at their sprawling wraparound bar, where a solid beer and cocktail program and the Rendezvous menu: $5 appetizers from 4-6 pm await you. 

Yvonne's | 2 Winter Place | Downtown Crossing

I love this bedazzled chandelier in the women's bathroom at Yvonne's. The space in its entirety is luxe, opulent and worth checking out. It is almost always packed but if you've snagged a seat or standing room at one of two bars, give the Bairdly Legal ($11) with mezcal, cynar, passionfruit, and grapefruit soda a try.  My only experience with the food has been passed appetizers at events here, but if they are any indication, it's seriously good!

Where else do I need to check out?!

eats + drinks | Gracenote, Granary, Silvertone

Gracenote Coffee Roasters | Leather District

Lattes at Gracenote Coffee: This tiny espresso bar at 108 Lincoln Street is conveniently located right where the bus drops me off every morning. Even if you don't take a Mass Pike express bus into town this independent roaster is worth a visit. The finest beans sourced from for example: La Papaya Farm in Ecuador, Misty Valley, Ethiopia and Irati AB, Kenya are meticulously roasted. 

Strong and rich espresso with thick frothy milk, this is one of the best lattes I have ever had.  The barista art puts a smile on my face and makes them photo worthy, every time. (Yes, there are three different lattes pictured here. Give them a second glance and you can tell! So pretty!)

    Granary Tavern | Financial District

The New Guinness Nitro IPA alongside BBQ Pork Nachos ($12) and Fried Chicken + Waffles ($17) at Granary Tavern. The nachos are next level with house made potato chips, pickled onions, fresh cheese + avocado aioli. And with an ideal ratio of chicken to waffle to maple drizzle + honey butter, the latter dish is a home run.

Townsman | Edge of FiDi and Chinatown

A single cocktail at Townsman: the Green Girder ($12) with Beefeater Gin, fresh celery juice, smoke and salt. The cocktail was terrific and I love cocktails with a celery element! The fact that I haven't had a meal here yet and I work SO close is inexcusable. They are sweeping every publications best new restaurant category, pretty much every where you turn there's a positive buzz about Townsman. One of these days....

Silvertone | Downtown Crossing

Ultimate comfort food at Silvertone: Mac + Cheese ($10) topped with toasted buttered breadcrumbs + peas and Meatloaf + Mashed Potatoes ($12) with brown gravy + the vegetable of the day, bok choy.  

Where have you guys been eating + drinking lately? New hotspots? Old favorites?

Lunches | Downtown Boston

After working at the Schrafft's Building in Charlestown for nearly 7 years, I had the good fortune of transitioning to a project within my company that moved us to an office in Downtown Crossing. Working in the city is much more exciting than being on the outskirts for the lunch options alone. It has been over a year now, so sharing some of my favorite lunchtime eats is long overdue. (Additionally, a lot of my favorite spots are in Chinatown, which will come in a separate post.) 

Gene's Chinese Flatbread Cafe - 86 Bedford Street 

I always get the #4 - Hand Pulled Noodle ($6) and a Cumin Lamb Skewer ($1.50) with a green tea juice box. If I'm there early enough I'll grab a small table to watch the chefs "Biang Biang" noodle-making in action and the place fill up with regulars. These thick and wide noodles coated in garlic and chili paste, generously spiced with chili powder and accented with scallions and cilantro are jealousy inducing good. If you have not tried them yet, I guarantee you are looking at that photo, itching to slurp some up at this very moment. Eating here kind of feels like you are part of a secret lunch club. 

Gene Wu's hole-in-the-wall establishment is cash only and open from 11am - 4pm.

The Taco Truck

Yes, their tacos are excellent, but have you tried their Tortas? A torta is a toasted Mexican sandwich with white onions, pickled jalapenos, avocado crema and black bean spread. Pictured is the Carnitas Michoacan Torta ($6.50) which in addition to the above contains slow braised sweet pork and fresh cilantro. Mexican street food in the form of Tortas, for the win. 

Roxy's Gourmet Grilled Cheese 

One of the first food trucks to hit the streets of Boston and still one of the best. Their gourmet Grilled cheeses are classic comfort with a twist. On this day I enjoyed the Green Muenster Melt ($6) made with muenster cheese, applewood smoked bacon and guacamole, the Roasted Tomato Soup ($3) and a Blueberry Mint-ade ($3). 

Avery Provision - 571 Washington Street

They have plethora of lunch options here but the sushi counter for a Maki-Rito ($9.95) is where it's at. Spicy tuna, crunchy tempura flakes, crisp english cucumber and creamy avocado are wrapped tightly in sticky white rice and nori and instead of slicing up the roll, it is left whole to enjoy burrito style - a fun take on sushi. Of course, you could always stick to regular maki, though, they tend to be a splurge compared to the options next door in Chinatown. I like the Shrimp Tempura Roll ($11).

 Captain Marden's Seafood Truck
This phenomenal Crab Cake Sandwich is best enjoyed in the summer time when the Cod Squad truck is out and about. It comes on a lightly toasted bun with crisp lettuce, onions and tomatoes. On the side some equally amazing hand cut French fries and a scoop of zesty coleslaw. 

The lunch options in Downtown Crossing and the Financial District are endless, especially with the consistent presence of food trucks in Dewey Square, Government Center and Post Office Square. The City of Boston Food Truck schedule can be found here.