neighborhood faves: Beverly Hills

spending the last eleven months in beverly hills (with a stellar resident tour guide bee tee dubs), I definitely have my fair share of favorite places. whether it's the perfect chicken sandwich, or the best rooftop for drinks, I've got you covered. I've founded up a list of my favorite places & spaces that are must sees the next time you're in the neighborhood.

food:

honor bar was the first restaurant we hit when I visited LA last summer, and home of the best chicken sandwich (currently tied with another neighborhood favorite, but that's for a different day). love the ambiance, the great location, and of course the food. their french fries are amazing, and there's even a liquor store attached where you can buy a bottle of bubbly and share it at your table. I've heard great things about their sushi, but you'll have to take other people's word on that (my relationship with the whole raw fish thing is touch and go.)

urth caffé can be a total zoo (equal parts tourist trap & hip spot) but totally worth it for brunch and great people watching. inside is cutesy, but try and snag a table outside in the sun. 

il tramezzino is a tiny little panini restaurant not too far from work that makes a nutella and banana croissant that will make you weep (pressed in a waffle maker to melt the nutella and bananas, crisp up the outside, and then topped with powdered sugar- holy yum.) I'm pretty partial to the chicken dijon (avocado & dijon/honey mustard is always a winning combo in my book), but the chicken special is also great (hint hint it's the basil garlic sauce that seals the deal).

sirtaj was the go to spot after a grueling day of soccer practice all season. amazing indian food, great servers (the bartender on Monday nights was the best), and mellow vibe. order the chicken tikka masala, garlic naan, and the potato croquette (but make sure it's a Monday & ask for it to be extra spicy). and if you have room (ie make sure you have room) order the chocolate samosa- so good.

mulberry street is the LA equivalent to Boston's Ernesto's (check out my north end neighborhood faves here) and THE place to go to for a slice. chicken parm is my favorite, but be sure to try the garlic knots with a side of sauce to dip.

shop:

planet beauty is california based beauty boutique that is like a baby sister to sephora. less total brands, but amazing quality. shop big names like stila (my favorite eyeliner of all time here), OPI, Essie (check out my favorite picks from either brand here), Sarah Happ (amazing lip scrub and treatment), sigma brushes (rival MAC quality brushes), or smaller like ahava (great line from Israel made from Dead Sea minerals) and nuxe paris (their dry oil is my go-to for taming my curly hair post brushing, and the shimmer version is amazing for summer goddess skin). plus they have amazing buy two get one free deals (jump on that bandwagon sephora!) that are perfect for stocking up on your favorite products or trying something new.

kyle by alene too is the boutique owned by real housewives Kyle, which would usually make me run in the other direction, but their window displays always draw me in. they carry typical LA girl wardrobe staples, but also manage to incorporate amazing pieces from Elizabeth and James, Mara Hoffman, Tolani, and Rebecca Taylor to keep it interesting. the boutique space is the former home of a bank, so the back room features a vault loaded with past season goodies that they open up for sales at different points of the year. 

planet blue is great for fun bathing suits, cheeky wild fox pieces, and dainty accessories. while I'm not the biggest fan of the shopping experience there (think sales associates who are more interested in appearing cool vs. helping customers), their buyer does a great job having a good mix of trendy pieces and lust investments.

go:

SIXTY Beverly Hills (formerly known as the Thompson hotel) has my favorite rooftop for cocktails and enjoying a beautiful day. it's the go-to spot for showing out of town visitors (amazing views of the hills and all of LA), bungalows and a great pool for lounging, and mellow music & people. my go-to is the Beverly Hills lemonade, but swap out the vodka for tequila- amazing.

the Beverly Hills farmer's market is every sunday morning/early afternoon and is such a fun way to start a sunday funday. great people watching (may or may not have seen a celeb or two before), picking up fresh and organic fruits & veggies for the upcoming week, tasting some amazing food (the chilaquiles are RIDICULOUS but literally the hottest thing I've ever eaten. get their early, before the guacamole is gone, or else you'll be crying like a little baby), and jamming out to the live music on a beautiful morning.

xx,
marissa 

neighborhood faves: beacon hill

while the north end has been my home for quite some time, and the south end is one of my newer obsessions in boston, beacon hill (and charles street specifically) has always been my favorite. it's the first neighborhood in the city I called home, housed my college right on the tippity top (holla suffolk!) and is the epicenter for preppy bostonians . I'm obsessed with the old world charm, the cobblestones, the old buildings, and the incredible boutique shopping and amazing restaurants. I've rounded up a few of my favorite boutiques for scoring the best pieces, and my favorite restaurants for incredible meals and the prettiest cocktails.

shop:

crush boutique has been one of my favorites forever. my broke college self was famous for window shopping/lusting after their pieces whether it was this location, or their other on newbury street. they carry a bunch of my favorite boutique brands like bb dakota, splendid, olive & oak, and plenty by tracy reese.

wish boutique is another one of my favorites. where crush is a bit more edgy and trend driven, wish stocks more of a classic look with timeless basics, which I love. the spot for the perfect fitting pair of jeans, a great dress for an 'oh so special' occasion, a tops that blend seamlessly with the rest of your wardrobe. classic brands like j. brand, ella moss, theory, tibi, and vince are always my go-to's.

the beauty mark is the cosmetic and skin care destination on beacon hill. packed with harder to find brands like kai, duwop, julie hewett, and lipstick queen- it's a far cry from the glowing aisles of a sephora or ulta. the store also doubles as a beautification destination- have your lashes done, your makeup applied and a mini (or full) mani while you wait. definitely my kind of place!

dine/drink:

the king and I is hands down my favorite thai restaurant in boston. their pad thai is my favorite, and I've tried my fair share of pad thai (and nothing else compares). small location, but super clean, the staff is always friendly, and the food is always fresh and amazing.

the paramount is one of my favorite breakfast places in the city. I am a sucker for their french toast (caramel and banana) and pancakes (chocolate chip) and the giant line I'm always met with, tells me that the rest of the city is too! any restaurant that's managed to stick around since the 30's has to be doing something right.

the liberty hotel is an amazing mix of restaurants and bars that each have their own vibe/clientele. the hotel (a former prison- so cool!) is split into clink, alibi, liberty bar, the yard, and catwalk. clink and alibi utilize the old bars for the true prison feel, and feature framed celebrity mug shots. it's a tight space, it is a old jail remember, but a great place for grabbing drinks with your girlfriends or date night. liberty bar and the yard are located in the lobby (and the tiers above the lobby), and are the best for people watching. the yard is the outdoor space and fun if you have a table with a big group, or for a nice summer night.

what are some of your favorite spots on beacon hill?

xx, marissa

neighborhood faves: south end

working in the south end for the past year and a bit has given me a new appreciation for the neighborhood that I fell in love with during college. there are so many unique and interesting boutiques/studio spaces and some of the most amazing restaurants in the city, that it's easy to stick to the same places you know and love. based on recommendations from my bosses/their friends (some of who have lived in the neighborhood for 30+ years and seen the sub-par places come and go), I've branched out and tried new places/popped into boutiques that I may have missed. here is a round up of some of my faves:

DINE:

Myers + Chang- my hands down, favorite restaurant in the South End. whenever we're ordering in lunch for a birthday/celebration/just because at work, this is always my pick. it's fresh, real ingredient Asian cuisine, that will make it almost impossible to eat your standard Americanized Chinese food. the blackened udon noodles are my favorite, but their spring rolls, thai ginger chicken, and pork dumplings are all equally amazing.

The Beehive- is a restaurant that my roommate and I tried during last years Restaurant Week and instantly fell in love! during the warmer months the outdoor seating is the best- twinkle lights, small bistro tables, and perfect people watching. but inside and downstairs is what makes this restaurant truly amazing. the vibe is an old speak easy with a stage for jazz performers (every night!), small intimate tables, dark lighting, and thick drapes. there's also a great bar area that's perfect for grabbing drinks with girlfriends- the queen bee is my favorite (I'm a sucker for anything with champagne and elderflower). there isn't anything about this restaurant that isn't just the coolest. one of my favorite spots for bringing people who are new to the neighborhood.

Cinquecento- amazing Italian that defines it's style at "Roman Trattoria", whatever. gorgeous ambiance, perfect spot for a date night or girl's night out, or for after-work cocktails. my favorite dish is definitely the pollo al mattone, but the kale salad is a pretty close second (trust me, order it).

SHOP:

M. Flynn Studio- I may be a bit partial to this store for one reason or another, but if you're looking for a boutique that carries amazing designers (including their own in-house brand), unique & classic pieces, and great gifts at any price point, you've found your perfect place. everything from custom engagement rings/wedding bands to fun statement necklaces, gorgeous clutches, and vintage costume jewelry. or well known designers (like Alexis Bittar, Erickson Beamon, and Clare Vivier) and newer designers like (Les Nereides, Wevly Wilson, Doloris Petunia).

FLOCK- this store is a perfect mix of Anthropologie + Urban Outfitters = a cool indie boutique. the owner stocks her shelves with cool hippie inspired pieces, awesome jewelry, and cool trinkets that you can't help but scoop up. a lot of fresh and young pieces that are different from many of the boutiques in the area/Newbury Street.

PATCH NYC- the coolest place for unique housewares, candles and things that you never knew you needed to have, but totally do. this designer duo has had collaborations with just about everyone (Target, Anthropologie, and West Elm), and also have a studio/gallery space for their art work. the boutique feels like the perfectly curated home of your eclectic aunt/uncle or a worldly professor.

what are some of your favorite spots in the South End?

xx, marissa

neighborhood faves: the north end

what I love so much about Boston is that every neighborhood is different; each with it's own quirks and personality. I may be a little partial since it's where I live, and have lived since college, but the North End definitely holds a special place in my heart. these are a few of my favorite spot in the neighborhood- whether I need a bit of retail therapy, or some amazing food.

Shake The Tree / LIT Boutique / Twilight Boutique

Ernesto's Pizza / Antico Forno / Bova's Bakery

Shake the Tree is one of my favorite spots for funky and eclectic finds. the perfect place for cute stuff for your home, or your super stylish friend that is difficult to shop for. the owner does an amazing job stocking her shelves with super special items, that have a touch of anthropologie mixed with smaller boutique brands. 

best bet if you're looking for: cool housewares, delicate semi-fine jewelry, and fun kitschy items.

LIT Boutique is my go-to for fun dresses, cute tops and statement jewelry. their buyer does an amazing job bringing in pieces that fall in every different price point, which is amazing when you're a college student looking for a cute going out outfit, or looking to find a fun present for your best friend without breaking the bank. the majority of my dress collection is from here, and most of them are under the $100 price point (both of my dresses for my college graduation/party were from here)

best bet if you're looking for: fun dresses, cute shoes/purses, and trendy accessories

Twilight Boutique is my favorite spot for their collection of JoJo Bling earrings and other fun accessories. They also carry great dresses, and clothing pieces- but their price point is significantly higher than LIT. 

best bet if you're looking for: fun sparkly accessories or JoJo's

Ernesto's Pizza is my favorite non-traditional slice of pizza in the North End. the Buffalo Chicken is my absolute favorite, but their BBQ chicken is a close second. their slices are actually two, so don't make the rookie mistake of ordering two- you'll end up with 1/2 a pizza. in college my roommate and I would get a slice of buffalo and a slice of bbq and split them for the best of both worlds.

best bet if you're looking for: slices with lots of toppings! don't even bother with the cheese- too many other combinations to try (and make sure you get it heated up)

Antico Forno is my favorite restaurant in the North End. away from the tourist trap that is Hanover Street, you don't have to deal with long lines, being rushed in and out, and the food is amazing. the gnocci is my absolute favorite, but their pizza is pretty amazing too.

best bet if you're looking for: delicious Italian food that's off the beaten path

Bova's Bakery is the best late night gem in the North End. don't even bother going to Pompeii, unless you like awful service, terrible pizza, and ridiculous lines. Bova's around 2:30/3 am is a prime spot for people watching since all of the drunk people are stumbling in looking for food to fight their midnight munchies. the calzones (chicken parm is my favorite) are the best, but they also have arrancini (rice balls), and pastries (if you're looking for something sweeter. if you're looking for a late night slice, don't bother going here if it's after 1 am. some weird law stops them from being able to sell it. and bring cash ($10 credit card limit).

best bet if you're looking for: late night munchies or drunk people watching

what are some of your favorite North End spots? do you love this neighborhood as much as I do?

xx, marissa