The Boston Traveler

This post is primarily for the many, many people out there who love a bargain, including the numerous renters paying three times too much money for a roof overhead and the starving college students in town year-round. And we all know a bargain doesn’t get any better than free.
Dunkin Donuts — Free Iced Coffee

Quincy-born, Canton-based Dunkin’ Donuts is doing it again today, May 15, with Free Iced Coffee Day, serving up 16-ounce iced coffees free of charge to anyone and everyone. And unlike at most rival java shops, flavors can be added for no additional charge (I’m a …read more

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The only thing better than booze is free booze.
If you agree with that sentiment, take note because Monday, May 12, brings a free event for those in the Boston area who appreciate a good glass of wine or sake.
From 5:30pm–7:30pm, the award-winning restaurant and lounge Pho Republique and the new local wine publication The Second Glass are jointly sponsoring what they call the Silk Road Social.
During the early evening tasting, which will also feature $2 Dim Sum and mood-appropriate musical accompaniment, attendees will have the opportunity to sample a variety of “exotic spirits” while mingling with like-minded imbibers.
Although the sampling …read more

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Even if you do, mega successful, socially conscious, and very grateful Vermont ice cream maker Ben & Jerry’s wants to give you more … tomorrow … for free!
Free Cone Day, the annual tradition held in honor of loyal customers that first began on May 5, 1979, enters its 29th year tomorrow, just in time for the company’s 30th birthday. So, make sure to set aside time during your busy schedule on Tuesday to stop by your local scoop shop and take advantage of the company’s generosity. You can find out if a shop near you is participating in …read more

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Today happens to be the first day of the three-day Thai New Year, also called Songkran, which is celebrated worldwide from April 13 to April 15. The popular French and Pan-Asian restaurant Pho Republique in South Boston (1415 Washington Street, Boston, 617-262-0005) is joining in the festivities with lots of good food prepared under Chef Arnond Sreesuvan. Since Sreesuvan actually hails from Cha ChoEng Sao, Thailand, diners are guaranteed an authentic culinary experience.
Individuals who decide to have a meal at Pho Republique during the Songkran period will have the opportunity to order from a special Pre Fixe Songkran …read more

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It’s almost time for a not-so-cheap annual event that helps a very, very good cause. Thursday, April 10, Boston and American Express will host the 20th annual Taste of the Nation Boston.
Billed as a “Premier Culinary Event” that will help “make sure no kid in America grows up hungry,” Taste of the Nation Boston takes place at Hynes Convention Center (900 Boylston Street, Boston, 617-954-2000). Tickets can be purchased at the door, and they cost $95 (general admission, 6:30pm–9pm) and $145 (VIP admission, 5:30pm–9pm) per person.
The amount might sound like a hefty price to pay. But, keep …read more

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Happy Easter, everyone!
I recently happened upon a segment from an episode of the daytime talk show The View, a program I never watch. On this occasion, I stuck around long enough to pay attention because the co-hosts were discussing an interesting issue. Basically, they were all agreeing that the prominence of Easter seems to be rapidly decreasing among American holidays.
When I was little, Easter was the most important holiday of the year behind only Christmas and Thanksgiving. Meals and activities were planned weeks in advance, and the entire day was spent attending church, eating, and visiting relatives. …read more

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…soon.
If you already live in Boston or plan on visiting the city and have an inexplicable love for trans fats, I’ve got some sad, bad news to pass on today. This afternoon, the Boston Public Health Commission held a public hearing as the final phase of its deliberations on whether or not area food-service businesses should be banned from selling products with artificial trans fats, partially hydrogenated substances that wreak havoc on human arteries.
There must not have been significant opposition because after the hearings ended, the commission approved the regulation. As a result, Boston now joins New York …read more

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Yummy!
The Boston Irish Tourism Association and Tourism Ireland are certainly doing everything in their power to ensure that the Bay State has the most impressive St. Patrick’s Week possible. In that spirit, coming up next weekend for aficionados of all things Irish is the scrumptious-sounding Gaelic Gourmet Week, which coincides with Boston’s annual Winter Restaurant Week.
Gaelic Gourmet Week takes place from Sunday, March 9th until Monday, March 17th. During that nine-day period, Master Chefs from Ireland, Northern Ireland, and Canada will travel to Boston to add their culinary expertise and dishes to the local fine-dining landscape.
According to the …read more

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An annual tradition is just around the corner for those who enjoy eating great food at great prices. The occasion is Restaurant Week in Boston, which is set to run Sunday through Friday during the weeks of March 9–14 and March 16–21.
This tasty event sponsored by the Greater Boston Convention & Visitors Bureau and American Express offers diners the opportunity to select meals at a wide variety of Boston’s finer eating establishments at prices that are much more affordable than usual. As a result, patrons can order a three-course lunch for just $20.08 this year, as well as …read more

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Travel and Culture Editor Mary Jo Manzanares recently passed along an article about Boston-based American Chef Barbara Lynch and her unique South End venture Stir (102 Waltham Street, Boston, 617-423-STIR).
Officially called a “demonstration kitchen and cookbook library” on its website, Stir opened last fall. The combination cooking school, culinary bookstore, and eatery aims to educate patrons about the best approaches to cooking techniques and ingredients in order to maximize individuals’ experiences in the kitchen.
To achieve that goal, Lynch and her colleagues offer a number of options to both the general public and private parties. They include regular cooking …read more

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