July and August may be hot, but traffic, parking, and reservations all are easier. Saturday the 5th we decided to walk the Rose Kennedy Greenway. It’s a pleasure to see it thriving in all senses of the word - landsacping has matured and is varied and interesting, and people have embraced the fountains, swings, and beer gardens. We parked in the Haymarket garage above Boston Public Market (3 hours parking for $3 if you make a purchase in the Public Market). After walking the length of the Greenway and back we were hungry and willing to brave the line (even in July) at Neptune Oyster. After a 30 minute wait we ordered a dozen assorted oysters, scallop crudo, white anchovies, soft-shell crab, and lobster panzanella. Just the right amount for the three of us, but the service was a bit…disjointed. Everything but the oysters came out and when we asked what their status was, and our waitress said only that “the oysters come from a different place”. They finally arrived but our enjoyment was diminished (erased?) by the lingering flavors from the crab, panzanella etc. While the soft-shell crab, scallop crudo and panzanella were all excellent, we think the inversion of our order (oysters last) would never have happened at Row 34, Select, Saltie Girl,…
On Sunday we decided to visit SOWA Market, with a stop first at Bar Mezzana for brunch. Street parking was a bit challenging, probably because of SOWA Market, but with persistence I landed a spot a short walk from Bar Mezzana. My spouse and daughter had Bloody Mary’s, I had a refreshing basil/lime mocktail from their extensive list. Yellowtail crudo with grapefruit and chili, and burrata with grilled stone fruits and prosciutto made an excellent start. Duck confit hash, mortadella egg sandwich, and eggs in purgatory with crumbled sausage were wonderful mains. Not busy at all at 11:30 when we arrived (perhaps one or two other tables; we were alone outside on the terrace) but it began to get busier by the time we departed.
SOWA Market was lively as ever, with many more food options than our last visit (last summer). The outdoor section is sweltering in the sun - a shade structure like the one covering the Ithaca farmer’s market would be a big help. The vintage market (indoors, downstairs) is always fun to peruse, and offers a welcome repite from the heat.
Looking forward to several more low-stress weeks of summer. I think Moecca is up next.