While many students take their meals in their dorm dining halls, most campuses still have other student dining facilities.  Whether it’s a snack bar, cafe, full restaurant or bar, the prices are geared to a student budget.  Of course, the food is geared to a student palate as well, but if you’ve been subsisting on a diet of cold snacks, a burger may seem pretty darn tasty.

Most non-dorm dining facilities are open to the greater campus community – meaning visitors as well as students.  Plan on using cash, as not all accept debit or credit cards.

Since Boston if full of colleges and universities, I’m sure there are lots of options for a reasonably priced meal.

If you know a great campus cafe or bar, please leave a recommendation in the comments.

Photo credit:  personal collection

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Post from: The Boston Traveler

Boston Globe staffers have done those of us who imbibe alcoholic beverages a great favor. They conducted a survey of sorts that involved sampling numerous drinks at numerous locations to compile a list of Ten Tasty Drinks best indulged in during the summertime.

If you’re in or around the city and can’t decide which drink from your normal repertoire will satisfy your taste buds most, the following suggestions might help get you thinking in the right direction. Make sure to also visit the original gallery of Summer Drinks to Try to find more details, including recipes, and to see lots of pretty pictures of the savory-sounding concoctions below.

Coconut Lime Martini

Coconut Vodka, Simple Syrup, Lime Juice, and Lime Leaves
Find it at Bonfire: Boston Park Plaza Hotel, 50 Park Plaza, Boston, 617-262-3473

Gypsy Rose Lee

Orange Vodka, Elderflower Liqueur, and Lime Juice
Find it at Cuchi Cuchi: 795 Main Street, Cambridge, 617-864-2929

Habanero Margarita

Tequila, Triple Sec, Simple Syrup, Lime and Guava Juices, and Cilantro
Find it at Audubon Circle: 838 Beacon Street, Boston, 617-421-1910

No. 18

Tequila, Grenadine, and Sparkling Wine
Find it at Hungry Mother: 233 Cardinal Medeiros Avenue, Cambridge, 617-499-0090

Raspberry Lime Rickey

Razberi Vodka, Black Raspberry Brandy, Lime Juice, and Soda
Find it at Temple Bar: 1688 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, 617-547-5055

Raspberry Mojito

Rum, Raspberry Purée, Lime, and Mint Leaves
Find it at Sanctuary: 189 State Street, Boston, 617-573-9333

Rhum Cup

Rhum, Pineapple Juice, Honey Syrup, and Cava
Find it at Green Street Grill: 280 Green Street, Cambridge, 617-876-1655

Rosemary’s Baby

Orange Vodka, Pear Liqueur, Pineapple Juice, and Berry Purée
Find it at The Savant Project: 1625 Tremont Street, Boston, 617-566-5958

Sherry Julep

Cream Sherry, Simple Syrup, Mint Leaves, and Cava
Find it at Toro: 1704 Washington Street, Boston, 617-536-4300

Watermelon Margarita

Tequila, Triple Sec, Sour Mix, Lime Juice, and Watermelon Ice
Find it at Gargoyles on the Square: 219 Elm Street, Somerville, 617-776-5300

What’s my personal pick? While Rosemary’s Baby gets my vote for catchiest name, I think I hear that Raspberry Lime Rickey and Raspberry Mojito calling me right now… (Now guess my favorite drink fruit.)

Post from: The Boston Traveler

Canadian Rockies-themed Bugaboo Creek Steakhouse currently has a nice special in progress for diners with children. On Tuesday Family Nights through August 26, 2008, children 10 years old and under eat free after 4pm. The special, which includes an ice cream dessert but no beverage, only applies when orders are selected from the Children’s Menu. Just one child’s meal is free per accompanying adult meal purchase.

Bugaboo Creek Steakhouse is an award-winning, moderately priced U.S.-based restaurant chain with branches in ten states: Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Pennsylvania, and Rhode Island. In Massachusetts, you can find Bugaboos in the twelve locations Braintree, Brockton, Burlington, Dedham, Framingham, Methuen, Milford, Peabody, Plymouth, Seekonk, Shrewsbury, and Watertown.

The last, Watertown, is a simple trip for most Boston residents and visitors because the city is located right outside Cambridge and bordered by Belmont, Brighton, and Newton. If you don’t drive, like me, the area is easily reached via the 70 and 70A MBTA bus lines that depart from Central Square in Cambridge and can be boarded at several connecting points.

Even better for shoppers, the Watertown Bugaboo is a quick walk down the block from the two retail outlets Arsenal Mall and Watertown Mall, which face each other across Arsenal Street. Sure, both malls are typically deserted enough to make one wonder how the stores manage to stay in business.

On the other hand, the relative solitude makes them great for people who prefer quiet shopping time rather than huge crowds. Watertown Mall is presently undergoing major construction and renovations, however, so it’s not as serene as usual.

I’ve eaten at the very atmospheric Watertown Bugaboo a dozen times or so, and I only had one bad experience, in November 2005, with painfully slow service, subpar food, and an entrée that looked nothing like the advertisement or menu description. Since all three things happened during a single visit, I promptly filed a complaint online.

Soon afterwards, a regional manager apologized and promised a replacement meal that never materialized. I stayed away from Bugaboo for about a year after that, which is easy since there’s a nearby Friendly’s, as well as a food court, Old Country Buffet, Papa Gino’s, and Ruby Tuesday inside the malls. Yet, when I eventually got over the branch’s poor performance and returned, everything seemed improved.

Visit Bugaboo Creek Steakhouse online for more details, locations, directions, and instructions on how to sign up for the Creek Club email list in order to receive a free dessert and other unnamed special offers.

Bugaboo Creek Steakhouse: 617 Arsenal Street, Watertown, 617-924-9000
Arsenal Mall: 485 Arsenal Street, Watertown, 617-923-4700
Watertown Mall: 550 Arsenal Street, Watertown, 617-926-4968

Post from: The Boston Traveler

A highlight of her visit was a stop by the popular restaurant Sonsie, located in Back Bay’s high-traffic Newbury Street shopping district. The talented chef was hankering for some pizza to eat with her hands like a real Italian should, and she selected an absolutely divine looking recipe with a mixture of white cheese, corn, and smoked bacon from the menu.

I caught the episode recently during one of my regular Food Network phases, which is when I watch the channel almost exclusively for days and then forget about it for a few months, before repeating the process all over again. Check out the clip of Giada’s Sonsie segment below. It even includes a bit of history about Boston and the origin of the word “sonsie.”

NOTE: If you require closed captions, you can enable that feature on the video players by clicking the CC symbol in the top right-hand corner.

Post from: The Boston Traveler

I passed by my local Cheesecake Factory at CambridgeSide Galleria on my way through the mall this weekend, which is when I noticed the big sign planted right outside the restaurant. To mark its 30th anniversary in style while giving thanks to customers for their part in its great success, the eatery will lower cheesecake prices to the amount they were when the first location opened in Beverly Hills in 1978.

I admit I’ve only had the Factory’s cheesecake twice, though, and both times it was the very tasty low-carb version that I’m not even sure it still sells (that’s how long ago it was). On the rare occasion I order dessert when I eat there, I usually go for the Black-Out Cake, which contains about five servings and lasts me as many days. Wouldn’t I be thrilled if they offered that for a $1.50!

In any case, the restaurant’s website has a detailed menu describing many of its cheesecake varieties; there’s usually more kinds available in the cases at the physical locations. Check out the list now, mark your calendar, and then don’t forget to drop by your local Cheesecake Factory on July 30 for what is a genuine bargain. Seriously — even I’m going to be eating cheesecake on that day. Note, however, that the low price is only applicable with dine-in service, and guests are also limited to one slice each.

Post from: The Boston Traveler

According to the official Slurpee website, imbibers can visit any participating 7-Eleven on the big day to receive a special-sized and specially designed 7.11-ounce cup of the signature drink free of charge. The reason 7-Eleven is giving away the ridiculously popular treat this week is twofold.

Not only is Friday’s date synonymous with the 7-11 shorthand form of the store’s name, but it’s also the convenience chain’s 81st birthday. Thus, the free Slurpees are a way of celebrating the milestone with customers by giving them a complimentary token of appreciation for their patronage over the decades. The annual tradition is fairly new, having started in 2002, the retailer’s 75th year in business.

As someone who has never ever in their entire life drank a Slurpee or even held one in their hand — Really! I’ve always been more of an ice cream and milkshake kinda gal — I’m going out of my way on Friday to stop by 7-Eleven and join the party. The last time I slurped anything remotely resembling an icee I was still a little girl living in Brooklyn and they came from the local pizza parlor, so a bona fide Slurpee should be, um, well, different.

To find a participating Slurpee provider near you, visit the Store Locator at the 7-Eleven website.

Post from: The Boston Traveler

Who doesn’t like to eat? Okay, I know there are some people who don’t enjoy it, but for many, the entire ritual of consuming food is a fun activity, not to mention a necessity.

If you have a thing for food (and drink) and you enjoy learning about other regions and cultures around the world, check out the following posts featured recently on blogs in the b5media Travel and Culture Channel.

• Filipina Soul: Putong Puti (Rice Muffins)
• The Chicago Traveler: Green Zebra Offers Upscale Vegetarian
• The Hawaii Traveler: Aloha, and Thanks For All the Fish
• The New York City Traveler: 5 Favorite Rooftop Bars in New York City (and 1 in New Jersey)
• The Paris Traveler: Let’s Go To Italy (Or My Kitchen) and Eat Some Nutella
• Traveling the Green Way: On the Road: Finding Eco-Friendly Restaurants
• …and This Blog’s: How to Make Boston Cream Pie from Scratch

Bon Appétit!

Post from: The Boston Traveler

Now is a great time to be in Boston if you like the sauce — the barbecue sauce, that is, not to mention the grill — because from Wednesday, June 18, until Sunday, June 22, exceptional BBQ teams from all over the world will be arriving in town to feed the hordes of hungry people attending the Phantom Gourmet BBQ Beach Party. What I like best about this particular event is the ultra convenient location at City Hall Plaza in downtown Boston.

Another big attraction is the event’s aim-to-please setup. With tickets costing less than $10, you truly can’t complain. But keep in mind that’s just the price of admission; the food and drink are extra, although children two years of age and under are admitted free. In addition, cab drivers and concierges can enter with no charge on Wednesday, City of Boston employees can do so on Thursday, and active U.S. military members have the same privilege on Friday, provided a valid I.D. is shown upon request.

The daily 10am–11pm parties include more than just food, too. Organizers have arranged for two bands to play live on each night, starting at 7pm, and attendees are allowed to bring their own beach chairs and towels for an authentic beach party atmosphere.

Besides providing tons of great food, organizers will also donate $20,000 to The Fund for Boston Neighborhoods. So, if you want to feel good about stuffing your face for once, head over to Boston’s One City Hall Plaza (617-635-3682), located right next to the Green Line Government Center T Station, on your preferred day between Wednesday and Sunday to enjoy one of summer’s first official major events around these parts. [More Information]

Post from: The Boston Traveler

That’s where the world-famous dessert was reportedly created in the mid-19th century by French chef M. Sanzian. The dessert has become such an essential component of the state’s identity it was designated the official Massachusetts State Dessert in 1996.

For the uninitiated, Boston Cream Pie is not a pie at all, but rather a cake, complete with a thick vanilla custard filling and a chocolate glaze on top typically described as a ganache made with chocolate and cream. Once you’ve seen or tasted the appetizing treat, it’s hard to forget.

Given Boston Cream Pie’s deliciousness, prominence, and lengthy history, it’s no surprise that just about everybody remotely connected to Boston and half of their family has a different recipe for how to whip up one. No worries, however.

Fortunately, I finally found just what I was looking for to make the dessert’s multilayered construction as clear as possible, even for a novice. Whether or not you’re willing to put in the time, effort, and money for numerous ingredients is another issue, though, totally out of my control.

If you’re game or interested, just follow the jump for a nine-minute video that shows how to make a Boston Cream Pie step by step. I haven’t tried it yet myself, so I can’t vouch for the tastiness of the specific recipe used. Still, there’s no denying that the footage explains everything in a very easy-to-understand manner. I’ll get around to giving it a go one day.

Post from: The Boston Traveler

Writer Wayne wondered why brown eggs are more expensive than white eggs in Massachusetts when the brown variety available in supermarkets is supposed to be local. He points out that since gas costs so much these days, you’d think local brown eggs would be less expensive than non-local white eggs because they don’t have to be shipped here from out of state. You’d also be thinking wrong, as area residents know well — brown eggs are generally more expensive in our stores, just like everywhere else.

One of the first people who responded to Wayne pointed out a few facts found on the website for the American Egg Board. After noting that the color of an egg isn’t related to its quality, the site clarifies how eggs become brown or white: “Breeds with white feathers and ear lobes lay white eggs; breeds with red feathers and ear lobes lay brown eggs.” Simple.

The site then adds that “[s]ince brown-egg layers are slightly larger birds and require more food, brown eggs are usually more expensive than white.” As a result, area residents don’t get a financial benefit just because there’s a large population of the types of hens that lay brown eggs — such as the Rhode Island Red, New Hampshire, and Plymouth Rock breeds — nearby; other factors exist, as well, and they apparently outweigh transportation costs.

Of course, there could be another explanation, as several people mention. Even so, the entire comment thread on the original post is incredibly informative, fascinating stuff, especially if you’re into eggs.

Coming across this topic couldn’t have happened at a more coincidental time either. Not too long ago, an acquaintance and I were talking about how white eggs were suddenly more expensive than brown eggs at the neighborhood supermarket; I noticed the change immediately because it was that odd.

The fluke lasted about three weeks, until the situation reversed back to normal and the price of both varieties increased, along with other staples, including milk and bread (the same has happened all across the United States). That New England has a large number of hens that lay brown eggs never crossed my mind, though, and it’s definitely an interesting regional fact to pass along.

Post from: The Boston Traveler