Wollaston Charms

Wollaston is a quaint neighborhood located in the city of Quincy, Massachusetts boasting a beach on Quincy Bay with distant views of the Boston Skyline and a small downtown area with friendly shops and historic nuances. Quincy is known as the city of Presidents (where it all began!) as well as Adam's hometown. Obviously, I've been to the neighborhood more times than I can count, but this weekend while we were dog sitting combined with warm temperatures conducive to long walks and explorations, I took a few photographs and decided to share.

Setting out to Wollaston Beach with Buddy.

We actually walked the beach twice - on an overcast Friday afternoon... ...and then a longer stroll on a sunny blue skied Saturday morning. (We were up at 8:30 which is pretty early for us on a Saturday, believe it or not!)

Coffee in one hand, dog leash in the other, it was a perfect morning.

The strolls continued around the tree lined residential neighborhood streets.

I love this dog! The edge of the neighborhood is defined by a vast stretch of marshland area.

We definitely tuckered Buddy out after all these long walks.But apparently not ourselves, we only worked up an appetite and were back out a couple hours later in search of breakfast.

Newcomb Farms at 31 Beale Street did the trick. It's not fancy food, just your basic breakfast and brunch fare served at a reasonable price.

Their weekend special menu displayed a healthy dose of Red Sox pride!

Hot coffees were delivered promptly.

I ordered the New England Breakfast ($6.75) consisting of French Toast, Scrambled Eggs and four sausage links. I half expected this plate to have home fries accompanying but I ordered pretty quickly without fully scanning the menu listings. 

Across the street is The Wollaston Theater which closed down a number of years ago. Adam recounted dollar movie nights and expressed a fondness for the single screen theater venue that once housed live performances and motion pictures.

It's too bad the cinema closed down, it would definitely be a welcome addition to the neighborhood if it were re-opened.

Peering in the window front, the antique ticket booth still stands among an abandoned looking space.

Speaking of abandoned buildings, the one pictured below just up the street holds quite a significance in terms of popular culture icons.

As evidenced by a small "HJ" orange logo embedded in the stonework of the front stoop, this was the first ever Howard Johnson's.

It wasn't a motor lodge as we know them today but simply a corner drugstore operating a soda fountain.

I thought that was pretty cool.

I also liked this vintage Mobilgas pump that sat at on display at the auto body shop next door. The last sale clocked in at $4.40, probably from as long ago as when the HoJo's was alive and kickin'.

Flash forward to present time, the current pop culture trend of cupcakes sees business booming at the locally owned Babycakes.

At 163 Beale Street it was our last stop before heading back. I ordered four signature cupcakes to-go and later enjoyed the Boston Cream (front right.) It was an excellent cupcake!!

Also pictured is the Peanut Butter Cup, Tiramisu, and "The Babycakes". The cupcakes are baked fresh daily using ingredients from local suppliers. Each day of the week features different flavors. 

One last photograph of a building with historical significance to end the Wollaston montage. The picturesque Josiah Quincy House, the country home of the revolutionary war Colonel sits tucked away on Muirhead Street.

Hope you enjoyed the tour!

10.10.10: Oh What a Night

The first Wedding to grace the pages of III. St Ann's Church in Quincy. Just Married!Fairmont Copley Plaza, BostonCocktail hour in the Ballroom Foyer The stunning Bride & I. Under The Sea themeOpen Bar & Raw BarThe above photo taken after 250 guests devoured oysters, shrimp cocktail & crab claws.Little Mermaid ice sculpture

The Harp player was magnificent. So were the bartenders dirty martinis.

Reception in the Grand Ballroom - Old Hollywood theme. I've never seen a more romantic, more luxurious wedding reception.

Leah & Tray were invited to attend, meeting Adam's family for the first time this evening. Place cards and seating arrangements were based on Old Hollywood couples. I was seated at Orson Welles & Rita Hayworth.

Tables alternated between metallic silver linens with tall feather flower arrangements

and white with black swirled linens with short wide flower arrangements. All the tables were elegantly covered in rose petals and crystals.And set in preparation for a 3 course meal.

At one point I had a dirty martini, a glass of white wine & a glass of champagne in front of me. My kind of wedding indeed.

Glamorous and magical would be understatements. Awe-struck would only begin describe my feelings on the atmosphere created in the Grand Ballroom here tonight.

The band was absolutely phenomenal. They played a variety of hits new and old. Something out of a fairy tale, something out of a movie, an Old Hollywood movie...

The wedding party was announced and following the the bride and grooms grand entrance - a two minute picture and movie montage graced the projection screen. (Awesome job, Adam!) Then, we started the evening off right - on the dance floor. The night was orchestrated so that dance and food were intertwined. If a fabulous song was playing that you felt the urge to hop up and dance, you did so. The courses were paced with plenty of time in between to allow for conversation, mingling and oh did I mention dancing?!

Admittedly, I have a lot more pictures of food than pictures on the dance floor. So let's get to that meal, shall we?

Appetizer: Tartlet of Creamed Leeks, Smoked Bacon, Wild Mushrooms, 

Fresh Farm Egg with Vermont Cheddar Crisp.

The star of the meal, without a doubt. 

An appetizer to go down in history regardless of the event.

Salad: Seasonal Greens, Shaved Parmesan, Grilled Artichokes,

Roasted Tomatoes, Sun Dried Tomato Dressing. The greens were tightly wrapped in a thin slice of cucumber which I thought was an elegant touch to the presentation. The dressing was plated as the salads were served. The white wine option was a CK Mondavi Chardonnay.

The bubbly was a Codormiu Brut from Spain.

I chose the Surf & Turf. Entrée: Grilled Filet Mignon, Bordelaise with Lobster Tail, Lemon Beurre Blanc. Whipped potatoes as well as asparagus and red peppers wrapped in carrot

and a slice of acorn squash accompanied the meal.

The Cake!

Dessert: Customized Wedding Cake with a drizzle of Raspberry

and Mango Coulis with Chocolate Dipped Strawberry. 

Flourless Chocolate Cake.

The twins!Sisters & Cathy (Maid of Honor) after a long night of dancing!
Me being artistic with the table settings.

Leah & Tray in the lobby wheeling the ferns & flower arrangements out on a luggage cart.

Post reception drinks in the Fairmont Oak Bar

A stunning bride and handsome groom, fabulous food and drink, non stop music and dance, a family that knows how to throw one hell of a party, pure romance, sheer elegance and true love; Congratulations Kirsten & Phil!!