Travelogue – (feeding our guilt in) Boston
Well folks, our mileage run is over. Boston was the last stop on our journey, and an eye-opening one at that. Coming off a fun visit to Provincetown, we were excited to attack our last city with gusto. The only problem was…. history got in the way.
Seeing all of the old buildings should have been our first clue that we were in for some schooling. To be fair, we arrived with eyes wide open; we know that Boston is a historically significant city. We just didn’t know (uh, remember) the extent of its footprint on history. Somehow, everything we learned in school was lost on us. You know, things like: Boston’s place as the backbone of the American Revolution, the details of Paul Revere’s messenger ride. You get the idea.
Bottom line – we felt guilty. So what did we do? We worked the shit out of The Freedom Trail and ate away our guilt for not paying enough attention in history class. Here are a couple of brief highlights of the food (not the historical sites – we don’t feel worthy).
Regina Pizzeria
We asked around for advice on where to best dampen our history-ignoring guilt with pizza. We got a variety of opinions, but Regina’s Pizzeria came up most often. We learned that it would, without a doubt, be packed, so we strategically timed our visit to their flagship North End location for mid afternoon. We got in with no wait.
Deliberating over a beer, we pretty quickly decided on the Mediterranean – marinara sauce, roasted red peppers, caramelized onions, olives, red pepper flakes, capers and Feta cheese. Oh, and topped with extra virgin olive oil and Fresh Basil. Take a look.
It was an outstanding creation – very flavorful with a nice hit of spice. What made it remarkable for us was the crust. It was on the thick side without being dense and chewy; it didn’t skimp on substance, but it also had some of the light and crispy characteristics that we love in a thin crust. Truly perfect.
On our way out the door for more of an edumacation, we were happy to not be in this fast-forming line.
J.P. Licks
When it was time for ice cream, there was no question regarding where to go. We headed straight for the Harvard Square location of J.P. Licks. We were in a decision making haze but ended up going with one of their April flavors, “Batter Up!”
Who else serves up cake batter ice cream with brownie bits. We don’t know about you, but our moms never made cakes with brownies in them. This was 100% ice cream realness. An awesome treat (that we would probably never order again). File it under too much of a good thing.
Boston was great. We have a lot more to say about our time there and the other stops on our journey. For now, we’re planning our next adventure, which just might involve traveling to some sort of trivia competition. We have to show off our newly honed knowledge of history. What was the Boston Massacre? Easy. Who is James Otis? No problem.
It’s been far, far too long since I’ve been to Boston. Maybe one of these weekends I’ll shoot up there for a couple of days and hit some of the spots you mention in the post. Cake batter ice cream with brownie bits? Yum!
For real. cake batter ice cream with brownie bits. Sometimes we think it would be better to be like a few peeps we know who just aren’t into food.
Pizzeria Regina – I love them!
That’s high praise coming from a MA guy!
If you eat like this in Boston, you better not go to Paris!!!!!
Oh, we’ve gone down that road a couple of times. One time, though, we were smart enough to make ourselves run the Paris Marathon in order to enjoy the food (as a reward).
yummy yum yum yum! and i think you’ve just handled boston perfectly! we locals (formerly) really know how to eat off our guilt!
We’re excited to talk with you about our experiences, Lorna. We really enjoyed Boston – and not just the food
I miss really good pizza! A lot of pizza joints don’t deliver on the crust, and your selection looked awesome.
Yes, the magic of this pizza was in the crust for sure. It’s one that will stick as a favorite.
I’m one of those crackpots that could just eat the pizza crust, and that one has given me crust envy
I missed that ice cream place, dammit! The strangest thing about Boston to me was that there’s no historical marker or monument at the site of the Boston Tea Party (though I hear one is in the works.)
Scott – Next time you have to get over to J.P. Licks. When you go, let us know and we’ll let you know where to have your meal right before (and we’ll also tell you where the hospital is in case you suffer from too much of a good thing).
I am drooling over that pizza right now, damn that looks so tasty. I have always wanted to go to Boston, but for some reason we just haven’t pulled the trigger and gone. I have a feeling though that an Eastern US road trip will happen at some point. I’m just hoping that the Sox are still playing at Fenway when we come thru…
We were totally impressed with Boston on all levels. It’s a great place to have a variety of experiences. Lots of impressive stuff in addition to the food.
We arrived on the day of the Sox’s season opener. It was crazy. Good crazy but overwhelming for a newbie to the city.
I can *so* relate to culture/monument guilt. I do it all the bloody time. We never made it Pura Besakih in 3 months in Bali…
It was irritating… We could sort of piece together the broad overview of, say, Paul Revere, but we couldn’t remember any details. Lots of “Oh crap… it’s right there on the edge of my brain but I can’t quite remember it. Hmmm…. let’s go eat pizza.”
Goddamit now I’m hungry!
Was in Boston once, briefly. I had a bagel. It was good!
Love that you lead off with how historically significant Boston is, but then only share the food with us! That pizza looks incredible…you know just what gets me.
Can’t wait to hear what you have planned next!
We don’t yet feel worthy (or motivated) enough to share details of the Freedom Trail.
We’re planning what’s next… Maybe a road trip, definitely our annual camping trip and (hopefully) back to Argentina.
nothing like working the shit out of training for a boston-only themed trivia competition and combining that with eating.
that pizza looks off the chain.
Pizza is Chicago is on my list of things to do – although I’m a think crust fan.
It is hard to tell, but the crust on that pizza was luscious. It wasn’t thick per se, but it wasn’t cracker-like either. It was more like a thin piece of artisan bread – chewy, crusty… Oh my God I am so hungry.
funny how history lessons never stuck. “why is this so important”? we asked.
“because you’re gonna feel like a dumb-shit later” should have been the answer.
So true!
Boston is a great place to visit. I have been there a couple of times. However, I must not read posts like this during meal times. Yummy!
You’re making me drool over that pizza. Although I’m more of a simple cheese and pepperoni pizza, that one looks delicious!
It’s been a few years since the last time I went to Boston, that means it’s time to go back!
You’re close, Norbert. No excuse to NOT pop up there for a quick visit.
I’ve only been to Boston for a weekend, but loved it and ate pizza 3 times while I was there. It was so good, I just couldn’t stop.
I’ve only been to Boston once but was blown away by the Freedom Trail! I, too, had forgotten a lot of my American history. It was so cool to see all of these historically significant places for myself. Plus, following a red brick ribbon around town was fun! I didn’t get any of that delicious looking pizza or ice cream though.
Sounds like my type of crust on that pizza, thin but with substance.
Did I just describe my self? Crusty, thin…..
Boston is at the top of our walkabout list! So motivated to make it happen now! The pizza looks incredible and I love feta on a pizza!
I have never been to Boston but I sure would like to visit someday. Pizza and ice cream are at the top of my favorite foods list so I must check out Regina Pizzeria and J P Lick’s. That ice cream looks amazing. Thanks for the post!
Oh man, I hated history class and I bet I know even less about history than you guys. I think the food in Boston is probably way more interesting anyway. Did you guys make it to Dick’s Last Resort restaurant. I was hoping to get a funny story out of that one.
Ha! So glad you enjoyed my city! And Provincetown! Awesome place. Keep it up!
Cake batter ice cream with brownie bits…sounds so bad but so good…
Man, that pizza looks and sounds amazing. Going there in July…gonna check it out. Thanks for the tip.
Jason
One order of each without the history…………….haha joking.
that pizza looks like its to die for!
It amazes me that people line up for restaurants like that, I have never seen anything like that but in the states, never in Canada. People will always just try the next restaurant down the road! haha
Love it: eating food to deal with the guilt of feeble history knowledge.
Now what did you do to deal with the guilt of eating the pizza and ice cream??!
That pizza looks delish! Can’t believe I actually miss pizza (never a big fan of it) – it just goes to how much I’ve been enjoying Colombian food (not really)
Update: We ate that mediterranean pizza from Regina Pizzeria…twice. It was awesome!! Capers on pizza – brilliant. Thanks for the suggestion!!