Los Angeles Hound in Boston for 18 hours, what to do??

[Foodandwine]

Hi there..
Los Angeles Hound arriving BOS first Thursday of December at 11;30 p.m. and leaving from BOS late afternoon the following day. Want to enjoy the town. I plan on taking the train to the city center and back. What would suggest that I do? I like ethnic low brow places with lots of character. Also fun drinking spots as well. I will not have a hotel, so is it possible to pull an all nighter and ( an places to rest ) will probably head back to the Airport around 3 or 4 pm the following day. Just looking for tips, suggestions and whatever from my fellow Hounds in Boston. Thanks in advance

[C. Hamster]

Hope you're still awake and contemplating lunch!

[Foodandwine]

Here is my Trip Report:

Landed at Logan at 11:30 pm or so.. I took the Silver Line to South Station, transferred to the Red Line, then transferred to the Green Line. Exited at Copley. After asking some friendly people for directions I took the advise of our fellow Hound (total 13) and ended up at the Delux (cool place witha very cool bartender, Jennifer, whom poured a mean Crown Royal Manhattan Up ) we chatted awhile about my evening and plans, then she gave me directions to the Franklin. Wanted to stay, but too little time. The evening is starting well! Walked over to the Franklin, I must say coming from Los Angeles I could really appreciate the architecture that this area has to offer. Once at the Franklin, I was already feeling like a local! Had a few draft beers (a Rhode Island brew which comes from tall Red pull, I believe that the name starts with an N ) gosh drinks are cheap in Boston. $3 for a Draft ( think $8 or more in LA for a spot like the Franklin ) I chatted with lots of the local color. I'm straight, however, the crowd here is very diversified. Spoke to a few people and asked for walking directions to Chinatown.. drank two beers ( I think its now about 2 am ) Headed over in a straight line across the freeway, pretty simple walk, and was in the land of Clams and Black Bean sauce. The nice brisk walk was about 20 minutes or so.. After nodding out in the Clams which were very good.. ( well the waiter patted me on the back ) I was off to the W Hotel.. ( Thought I would blow off an hour or two there on the Lobby Couches. (The hip security guard after our brief and cordial conversation suggested that I was no longer welcome ) So its South Station for me. Nice walk and hung there for an hour before I got a Bagel, then off to walk around a bit ( the morning air was fresh and nice ) Made it to the Tufts Orange line station for a ride to Jamica Plain for my 10 am Samuel Adams tour and tasting. Tour was nice and the beers a welcome mid morning treat. After the tour I was meeting 4 friends from an airline blog that I subscribe to at Pizzeria Regina on Thatcher. Caught a farmers market on the way to Reginas ( right outside the Haymarket station ) I had to have a mixed dozen of Oysters and Cherry stones for $10 bucks.. Wow! They were so fresh and tasted just like they were taken from the sea.. Now.. as I waking over to Reginas I felt the need for a Cannoli at Mikes!! Sweet.. ate it and dusted suger on my black sweater showed the enjoyment. Met my new friends ( actually the first time I met them.. at Reginas) 3 more beers, couple of great pies for the group. Then off to Mikes with some of guys from lunch in tow for some biscotti. Then its time to say goodbye.. Orange line to Blue Line ( nodded out again and missed the Airport stop by two stations ) no worries over the bridge at the stop that I had woken up at..and before you know it I'm in the United Lounge at Logan! Double Rum and Egg Nog. Overall great time, and YES you can do an all nighter in Boston. Everyone I had encountered was really nice ( even the security guy at the W ) weather was warm during the day on Friday and not that cold during the night on Thursday, I actually enjoyed the brisk night..Thank you Boston for an very enjoyable time. And most of all to: total 13, whom gave the lead on Delux and Franklin.. Iff any of you are ever in Los Angeles and need some recommendations I am happy to return the favor..

[Jenny Ondioline]

The beer you had was Narragansett, which back in the day was the local workingman's brew. When it was revived a few years ago, the new owners kept the prices low, to their credit.

Straight Gansett lager is a perfectly serviceable beer, but their seasonals lately have been genuinely great.

[robwat36]

Also, the Narragansett price is not representative of drink prices around here, which can be as steep as any other generally expensive city. It tends to be budget-priced, PBR-style.

[C. Hamster]

Yep. You can get 'Gansett tall boys for $2.

Great report.

[bear]

Awesome report. Really fun. Thanks for taking the time to write it up.

I can't believe that you managed to mostly stay awake after sleep deprivation and all that beer. Truly impressive!

[total13]

Glad it worked out for you. South End is a good section of town for someone from LA altho I was thinking I was constricting you a bit going from the Deluxe to the Franklin to Chinatown. Good you got to the north end too to mix it up a bit. How come no food at Deluxe or Franklin? South St. Diner didn't appeal? Thanks for reporting back.

[jajjguy]

Holy effing spit, that is amazing! Thanks for the report, I had been anxiously wondering how you'd make out!

[Niblet]

If I were to embark on your plan, I’d have the following agenda. I’d also make sure I had a good book.

Incidentally, if this was a Friday or Saturday, you could check out Rise after-hours club. May be worth checking just in case they’re open but don’t advertise it http://www.riseclub.us/

11:30pm arrival – catch the Silver Line to South Station.

From South Station, head to Kingston St and check out:
Good Life bar (http://www.goodlifebar.com) for music, their schedule is on their site, or
JJ Foleys (http://www.jjfoleysbarandgrill.com) , a fantastic Irish bar. They pour an excellent Guinness.

When they close, it’s possible Silvertone (http://www.silvertonedowntown.com/home.html) on Bromfield St. will still be open. It used to be this way for industry folks, but don’t know if that’s still the case but it's nearby so why not check it out. Then…

View the holiday lights in Downtown Crossing as you're walking through, then kill a few minutes seeing the tents in the Occupy Boston site on the Greenway across from Bank of America building, then maybe wander through South Station to see which trains are coming or going.

3:00-5:30am: South St. Diner (http://southstreetdiner.com/afterhours.php) for burger with blue cheese dressing, bacon, lettuce, tomato, onion. This place is good because they have counter seating, and free wifi. Alternative is Chinatown just a few streets away: maybe Peach Farm or Chau Chow City. They are mostly circular tables for parties, though.

5:30 – walk to Charlie’s Sandwich Shoppe (429 Columbus Ave), which opens at 6am.

8:30 Walk to Boston Public Library (www.bpl.org) which opens at 9:00 to see John Singer Sargeant murals and old books, OR hop on the Green Line, Science Park stop, to Museum of Science (http://www.mos.org) which also opens at 9:00. There is a Pompeii exhibit happening there now.

Late morning (from either BPL or MOS): take Green Line to Haymarket and bar-hop through Faneuil Hall. There are tons of pubs and a great way to spend your remaining time.

To get back to the airport, take Blue Line via Green Line (www.mbta.com).

Good luck and I, too, will look forward to your post-trip report!

[Foodandwine]

Found my prior post, this is what I did that time ( see my update towards the end of the thread )

http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/651986

[bear]

Has anyone ever hung out at the South St. Diner in the middle of the night? Is it feasible to spend a couple of hours there?

[LeoLioness]

I've certainly made a 2:30 am pit stop or ten there there..I don't know how they feel about people camping out, but if you keep ordering food, you're probably okay.

[boston_bc]

Good late night food at Stella in the South End - pseudo gourmet Italian food and I think they serve until 1 or 2 AM. Cool bar too.

I don't think you can find an all-nighter in Boston, especially in December.

[Veronicasawyer]

fyi, there is no place to leave your luggage at logan. You can take the silver line from the terminal and store it at south station. That is if you plan on pull an all nighter, but that is not something easily done in Boston.

Chinatown, the north end, faneuile hall are all places to explore. You may want to even hit the seaport area before heading back to logan. The silverline is easy to catch and will take you back to your terminal. I would suggest looking at hotel.

[Foodandwine]

Thanks for the replies Boston. I will not have any lugguage. Seems like Boston is not an all night town. I have been before ( just once) for the day and had fun and actually stayed overnight at the Hyatt at the Airport. Since I was arriving at 11:30 PM or so. I thought that I would head into the city, have some evening fun and just need to find somewhere to park myself from say 3:00 to 6:00 am Does not seem to be the case? Huh?

[E Eto]

Very unlikely. Boston is the sleepiest town I've ever lived in. Especially on a weeknight. If I were you, I'd just settle in at a cheap hotel, and do your grazing starting early in the morning. You'll be much better off.

[passing thru]

absolutely agreed. Boston's puritan legacy has left the city with very little to do late at night...

[Dave MP]

I think you should try pulling an all-nighter....just to see what happens. I'm quite curious about where you'd go, and if you migrate between a few different restaurants, it could be totally doable. Mc Slim JB's list of closing times is helpful too,

I was really looking forward to reading your report about "How a Los Angeles Hound stays up all night in Boston"

Dave MP

[Foodandwine]

Finally a Boston Hound with my point of view. DaveMP I am stiil working on it. Will keep you all posted.. Gosh the T closed early! But I am comitted..

[E Eto]

By all means, if you are willing to be the guinea pig, go for it. Just be prepared for sub-zero temperatures (or perhaps some snow) in the overnight hours (December can be a crapshoot between unseasonably cold and slightly comfortable), and walking lonely streets, unless you want to cab it between spots. Looking forward to a report.

[Dave MP]

If this is happening the first Thursday of December, that is in 2 days. Forecast isn't too bad!

[robwat36]

Subzero? Where are you?

[Kinopio]

Glad you are doing it. Sounds like an episode of The Layover. Between South Street Diner and Bova's in the North End you can easily kill a few hours till sunrise.

[C. Hamster]

Bring walking shoes and/or cab money.

[total13]

I think I have the plan. If the T is still running, take it to Copley and walk over to the Deluxe on Clarendon St. Funky place with decent food, they close at 1. Then walk 2.5 blocks to Shawmut Ave. for last call of food and booze at the Franklin Cafe (1:30). A nicer place with good cocktails. Then walk or cab to Peach Farm in Chinatown who are open til 3, then the South St. diner for that those few hours when nothing's open. Then back to the South End to Charlie's on Columbus Ave. who open at 6, an iconic Boston breakfast spot. After that, everything will be open again. Hi of 51 and low of 35 on Thurs. so not too bad.

[beetlebug]

Sounds like an excellent plan. Be sure to get the turkey hash at Charlies.

BTW, love that you can stay up all night. I'm an early bird v. a night owl and love the calm of the city/river at dawn and would love to see the city in the wee hours of the morning.

[Foodandwine]

Thanks total13 for a nice plan. I will use this as a guide and see what else comes up. I like the adventure. I am going to post what I did last time during the day, if I could find the thread.. Boston you are very helpful.. Thanks to all. Still seeking so let ride if you have any tips..

[C. Hamster]

It's more like a 7-8 block walk from The Deluxe to the Franklin Cafe but they are both good suggestions.

[Kinopio]

I would find a restaurant downtown that is open til 2 and get a couple drinks there. Not sure about thursday night, but at least on weekends there are restaurants in Chinatown that are open late, till maybe 3 or 4. Close to chinatown is the South Street Diner, which is open 24 hours. I believe Miel, on the waterfront, is also open 24 hours. If you are pulling an all nighter and want a drink in the morning, The Tam opens at 8am and is located downtown.

I would save the North End for lunch the next day.

-----
South Street Diner
38 South St, Westborough, MA 01581

[Foodandwine]

Hi Boston, Thanks for the tips so far. I will be there Thursday Night.. Any other suggestions that you can think of. Much appreciated..

[Kinopio]

Read the list of restaurants open late on this thread
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/819851

[bear]

The South Street Diner on the outskirts of Chinatown is open all night. Old-school Boston institution with a pretty big menu of typical diner fare.

-----
South Street Diner
178 Kneeland St, Boston, MA 02111

[Unfoodie]

It's not possible to pull an all nighter in Boston because most bars close at 1am and the rest close at 2am. Therefor 99% of all etablishments are closed. Unless you want to hang out at a Dunkin Donuts from 2am - 7am you might want to reconsider your overnight plans.

[viperlush]

I guess he can always hang out with the Occupy Boston people.

[Foodandwine]

I hear your point about overnight and understand. I assume that I will find a place for the evening if need be. Thank you for your tips so far. Chinatown is a thought, I was thinking the Italian District as well. I am going to purchase an all day Transit Pass to get around. Any good seafood spots that might not be too expensive?

[viperlush]

Just remember that the T and buses don't run all night.

Here is a thread from a couple years back with some late night dining options around the city
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/606467

The Italian District is called the North End. Here is a thread to get you started.

http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/606467

For seafood I would suggest Eastern Standard Kitchen (raw bar) , James Hook (inexpensive lobster rolls), and Peach Farm.

-----
Peach Farm
4 Tyler St, Boston, MA 02111

Eastern Standard
528 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston, MA 02215

[C. Hamster]

If your plane is late you will have to take a cab. Public transport generally shuts down around 12:30 or so.

Once you are in there is precious little in the way of anything that stays open all night. And I'm not sure how keen anyplace would be to have someone linger for long periods of time.

That said I think there is a diner by South Station that stays open all night.

[Swankalicious]

Peach Farm in Chinatown is a must-do!! I'd also recommend snacking heartily at Gourmet Dumpling.

-----
Peach Farm
4 Tyler St, Boston, MA 02111

[Luther]

If OP wants casual HK-style food (maybe not the best use of time if they're from LA), Best Little Restaurant is a much better choice than Peach Farm.

-----
Peach Farm
4 Tyler St, Boston, MA 02111

[rlee21]

Chinese may not be the best option in Boston given the abundance of truly excellent food in the San Gabriel Valley. However, I do think one possible exception is Dumpling Cafe for its xiaolongbao, which I compare favorably to the likes of Din Tai Fung.