boston

Local Luxury: ChocoLee Chocolates Opens In Boston

Filed under: Dining

If you are looking for the very best chocolate in Boston--designed and concocted in Boston--there is really only one choice. ChocoLee Chocolates (at the intersection of Montgomery and Dartmouth Streets) has just reopened in a new location!

Chef Lee Napoli, a pastry chef at such Boston-greats as Maison Robert, Anago, Metro, Bricco, The Buttery and Sandrine's Bistro, dreamed of her own line of handcrafted custom chocolates. Napoli has won many awards, including Yankee Magazine's Best Five Chocolate Makers in New England (2009), because her artisan chocolate is simply perfect.

At ChocoLee's grand reopening on March 20th, 2010, Madeleine Martino of Marblehead, Massachusetts, said "Nobody makes chocolate like Lee. When you walk into the store, you can see how passionately she loves chocolate! I absolutely crave the salted caramel!"

"Lee designs and makes the chocolate here," said Karen Jane of Boston. "She isn't buying someone else's designs, she isn't a global franchise, and she isn't collecting the world of other artisans. After I found this chocolate, I have never preferred another."

Tags: boston, chocolate shop, chocolates, chocolee, local luxury

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Morgans Hotels Spring Hotel Deals

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels

The Morgans Hotel Group, a collection of boutique hotels that includes the Mondrian in Los Angeles, the Ames in Boston and the Hudson in New York City, has created hotel deals to tempt spring vacationers and local residents. The Spring to Life package is an advance purchase offer with complimentary Internet access and continental breakfast for two, per day, from $175. It can be booked up to seven days prior to the day of arrival (use promotion code PKSP10 when booking by phone).

For local residents in London, San Francisco or any of the other towns the Come out and Play package offers priority access to restaurants and bars and two complimentary drinks from $149 (mention promotion code PKCOME when booking by phone, local ID required). Offers are valid through September 30, 2010.

Tags: boston, hoteldeals, london, mondrian, morgans hotel group

Most Romantic Skyscraper Restaurants - Win their Hearts with These

by Sheryl Young (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Dining

Skyscraper restaurants are widely favored for a romantic evening like Valentine's Day, special anniversaries or on a honeymoon. Or, a skyscraper restaurant is a great way to get your first full view of the sights in a once-in-a-lifetime trip to any of these famous cities, even with a whole family.

When it comes to prices we're not talking Denny's. You're going to pay for the view, but these skyscraper restaurants are worth it. Most serve lunch and dinner and some serve breakfast or Sunday brunch. This price scale is based on dinner entrees (main courses):
$ = Reasonable for the View, entrees at $22-$40 per person.
$$ = Expensive, entrees at $30-55 per person.
$$$ = Very Expensive, entrees $55 and up per person.

Eiffel Tower Restaurant, Paris Hotel, Las Vegas, NV. $$
An 11th floor view of the famous Las Vegas Strip, inside this nearly life-size replica of the real Eiffel Tower. Ride the same kind of elevator up as in the real tower, too. French cuisine with accent on seafood and soufflés. (702) 948-6937. Best time for View:Nighttime.

Top of the World, Stratosphere Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas, NV. $$
Competing with the Paris, this off-the-Strip hotel restaurant gives a skyscraper view from 800 feet above Las Vegas, and takes 80 minutes to revolve a full 360° circle. Las Vegas Review Journal has named it "Best Gourmet Room" in the past. Its signature dish is Chateaubriand. (702) 380-7777. Best time for View:Daytime.

The Signature Room at the 95th�, John Hancock Building, Chicago, IL. $$
(See a spectacular photo here at the website). A wide choice of popular American cuisine, and classic view of the Magnificent Mile in downtown Chicago. (312) 787-9596. Best time for View: Day or Night.

Sixteen, Trump International Hotel and Tower, Chicago, IL. $$$
Shows Lake Michigan, The Wrigley Building and the Tribune Building often seen in movies. This is a Four-Star rated skyscraper restaurant experience, with a large variety of favorite dishes, with seasonal specials added. (312) 588-8000. Sixteen is closed on Sundays unless it is Valentine's Day weekend. Best time for View: Daytime.

Tags: Boston, chicago, France, LasVegas, Prudential, romantic, romantic restaurants, RomanticRestaurants, skyscraper, Trump

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Newspaper Handbags at Fairmont Copley Plaza's Gift Shop

by Alison Wellner (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Handbags, Luxury Travel & Hotels

If you're among those worried about the state of the newspaper industry, here's one way to express your solidarity. Okay, so it won't do anything to save the jobs of your favorite ink-stained wretches, but the gift shop at Fairmont Copley Plaza offers very cool handbags made from recycled newspapers. They're a product of Couture Planet, a Boston-local company, and newspapers themselves come from the Fairmont's guest rooms. Choose the section that you want -- colorful choices include lifestyle,arts, food, sports and my personal favorite, travel -- and then the style, which ranges from tote to wristlet.

If you're more a fan of Boston than of newspapers, the gift shop offers other local products, including cufflinks made from T tokens, parquet from the Boston Garden, or chairs from Fenway Park.

Tags: boston, handbags, newspaper, newspaperindustry

$20 Million Renovation To Add Retail Space To John Hancock Tower

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Real Estate Developments

Earlier this year, Normandy Real Estate Partners and Five Mile Capital Partners picked up Boston's tallest building Hancock Place, better known as the John Hancock Tower, for nearly $661 million (a bit of a steal considering it sold for $1.3 billion in 2006). Now the partners have announced some plans for the glass skyscraper. The owners have obtained city approval to go forward with a $20 million renovation inside the building. The proposal will fill 90,000 square feet of unused space on the high-rise's ground floor and lower levels with three restaurants, shops and underground parking. The Boston Herald reports that a two-level 10,200-square-foot eatery will be located along the Stuart Street side of the tower. A second cafe is planned for the St. James Street side of the tower and 1,960 square feet of space for a small restaurant or retail tenant with another 8,800 square feet of retail is on the lower level. No word yet on what businesses might be potential tenants.

Source

Tags: boston, hancock tower, HancockTower, john hancock, JohnHancock, skyscraper

NYC, LA Top List of Most Expensive U.S. Cities

by Tom Johansmeyer (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels, Real Estate Developments

The list of the most expensive cities in the United States is now out, and unsurprisingly, New York has taken the top spot, with a cost of living that's double its closest follower. Of course, the financial crisis has put a bit of pressure on real estate prices and the cost of goods all over the country, but there are still some places that just cost a fortune.

New York: a two-bedroom luxury apartment (unfurnished) now costs a mere $4,300, off $200 from last year. And, there are other signs that the most expensive city is becoming less expensive, including the shuttering of Café des Artistes and the opening of our first J.C. Penney (ugh).

Los Angeles: this is where you go if you can afford only half the cost of living in New York. Unlike the most expensive city in the country, it makes sense to have a car out there, but get a nice one: you'll be spending a lot of time in it. LA has some of the longest commutes in the country.

Washington, D.C.: in this part of the country, take advantage of a 3.8 percent unemployment rate for the metro area. That's a hell of a lot better than the nationwide 9.8 percent (expected to break 10 percent early next year).

Source

Tags: boston, boston massachusetts, BostonMassachusetts, cafe des artistes, CafeDesArtistes, california, hawaii, honolulu, honoluluhawaii, los angeles, los angeles california, LosAngeles, LosAngelesCalifornia, massachusetts, new york, new york city, new york new york, NewYork, NewYorkCity, NewYorkNewYork, ny, washington, washington dc, WashingtonDc, white plains, WhitePlains

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Chiofaro and Luxury Building Cut Down to Size

by Tom Johansmeyer (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Real Estate Developments

The next luxury condo building in Boston is going to be closer to the ground than expected. ~~Local windbag~~ controversial real estate developer Don Chiofaro has been fighting a losing battle over the new building and is finally yielding to pressure from the community. The $1 billion plan involves two towers, with commercial space in the shorter sibling of the residential tower.

A decorative arch atop the residential building (which would also include a hotel) would push the building from 690 feet to 780 feet. Removing the arch and cutting the size brings it down by 155 feet – to the 625 feet that the Massachusetts Port Authority will allow. Anything higher, Massport says, would get in the way of nearby Logan International Airport's air traffic.

Chiofaro tells the Boston Globe, "I have no problem with 625 feet, if that's where [we] end up," leaving room for a small victory that would put this Icarus a touch closer to the sun. Given how scarce his friends were when he nearly lost his International Place towers a few years ago, I'm betting he isn't likely to get much above the Massport cutoff.

When the building is finally finished, residents will get fantastic views of the Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy Greenway, along with unbeatable bragging rights.

Source

Tags: boston, boston globe, BostonGlobe, greenway, luxury condo, luxury condos, luxury real estate, LuxuryCondo, LuxuryCondos, LuxuryRealEstate, massachusetts, rose kennedy, RoseKennedy

Ames-Webster Mansion, Estate of the Day

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Estates

A couple of readers sent me the Boston Globe story on one of Boston's biggest properties. The Ames-Webster mansion in Boston's pricey Back Bay neighborhood is at 26,000 square feet, one impressive building. The mansion, which was built in 1872, has 50 rooms including 28 fireplaces. The property is currently owned by Reality Realty Trust and could be used as a single family home, multiple units or commercial office space. Right now it is full of office suites.

Details include a stained glass skylight by John La Farge and murals by painter Benjamin Constant and a high arches of intricately carved wood. According to the Globe article, Landvest, the real estate company with the listing, is hosting a cocktail party for brokers in town for Christie's Great Estates 2009 Annual Conference to show off the property. It is expected to sell for between $18 million to $25 million and the listing has a bid deadline of December 15.

Gallery: Ames-Webster Mansion

[Thanks, Tim and Chris]

Source

Tags: ames-webster mansion, Ames-websterMansion, boston, estate of the day, EstateOfTheDay, massachusetts

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Fairmont Copley Caters To Black Friday Shoppers

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels

For some people Thanksgiving is just a prelude to Black Friday, the biggest shopping day of the year. For shoppers who want to get started right at midnight, one Boston hotel has a little help. The Fairmont Copley Plaza has partnered with Wrentham Village Premium Outlets for a midnight shopping extravaganza. The Midnight Madness Shopping Adventure includes elegant overnight accommodations and private transportation to and from the Wrentham Village Premium Outlets. The hotel will also provide a special midnight picnic featuring turkey sandwiches and energy drinks. After returning to the Fairmont Copley Plaza, guests get a relaxing breakfast before a late check out. Rates start at $279.

For more Black Friday coverage, check out Black Friday Deals and other Black Friday 2009 stories today from Walletpop.com.

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Tags: black friday, BlackFriday, boston, fairmont copley, FairmontCopley, fairmonthotels, holiday shopping, HolidayShopping

Liberty Hotel Celebrates Second Anniversary

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels

The Liberty Hotel in Boston is celebrating its second anniversary with their 222 Anniversary Package. The anniversary is today, September 5, but the package runs the rest of the year. The weekend package has an early check-in at 2 p.m. and a late check-out at 2 p.m. The package includes overnight accommodations in a luxury king guestroom starting from $222. It's worth staying in this hotel just to stand in the center atrium, shown above, and imagine what it must have been like when it was the Charles Street Jail.

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Tags: boston, hotel deals, HotelDeals, liberty hotel, LibertyHotel

Absolut Chooses The Flavor Of Boston

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Spirits

What is the flavor of Boston? Boston has become the third city to be chosen by Absolut Vodka to get its own flavor. Like the old Absolut ad above, it celebrates Boston's history with a little tea. The limited edition flavor will be black tea and elderflower vodka in a glass bottle that has a backdrop that is reminiscent of Fenway Park's infamous Green Monster. As part of the launch Absolut will display a "Wall of Pride" on Boylston Plaza at the Prudential Center for 10 days. The wall features quotations from famous Bostonians including sports stars and celebrities. Individual tiles will later be auctioned off to raise money for the Charles River Conservancy. Previous Absolut flavors include black pepper and mango in New Orleans and pomegranate, blueberry, acerola cherry and açai berry for Los Angeles.

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Tags: absolut, boston, spas-awards, vodka

Boston's Yacht Haven Up For Auction

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Yachts & Sailing, Real Estate Developments

A piece of prime Boston real estate is up for auction next week. The Boston Yacht Haven is located on Boston's waterfront and offers around 4.75 acres of land and tideland. The site which has boatslips and a 15,000 square foot boathouse was scheduled for a foreclosure auction back in April but the sale was canceled when the owner MGM Commercial Wharf LLC, declared bankruptcy.

Paul E. Saperstein, the Holbrook auctioneer who will auction off the property on August 14 told the Boston Herald that there was a lot of interest in the property and that it could go for anywhere from $6 to $9 million or even more. The bankruptcy trustee says the primary lender, Northern Bank & Trust, is owed about $11 million. Yovette Mumford, the principal of MGM, pleaded guilty in Middlesex Superior Court to forgery charges last year and spent three months in jail. Her company bought the property for $10.7 million in 2005 and has been running it as a marina/bed and breakfast complex but was unable to meet the mortgage payments. A deposit of $250,000 by certified or bank check will be required at the time of the sale with a 30-day close.

UPDATE: It sold for $8 million which is less than what creditors were owed.

Source

Tags: boston, boston yacht haven, BostonYachtHaven, real estate auction, RealEstateAuction, waterfront property, WaterfrontProperty

Morgans to Open Ames in Boston This Fall

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels

The Morgans Hotel Group, which in addition to the ultra-chic Morgans in New York also owns the Royalton, Hudson, St. Martins Lane, Clift, and Shore Club, will open its newest property dubbed the Ames this fall in central Boston. Described as "Benjamin Franklin meets a supermodel", designed by Rockwell Group in collaboration with the Morgans' design team, the Ames is "a rich blend of "historical ingenuity and innovative and awe-inspiring modernism," as well as a mix of "old-world aesthetics and contemporary luxury, and of dedicated homage to history and forward-thinking innovation." Housed in a 19th-century Romanesque building (above) formerly operated as the headquarters for the Ames tool company, the 113-room hotel offers 95 guest rooms, one apartment and six deluxe one-bedroom suites as well as the Woodward, a luxe new restaurant-bar concept.

Tags: Ames, Boston, hotel, Morgans, Morgans Hotel Group, MorgansHotelGroup, Shore Club, ShoreClub

Recession Trims Sail Boston Event

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Yachts & Sailing, Events

Many towns are cutting back on fireworks and other public events and another public draw nearly ended up cancelled. The Boston Globe reports that Sail Boston, the international regatta of tall ships, has been saved after the state agreed to provide $1 million to cover security costs. Mayor Thomas M. Menino and Governor Deval Patrick worked on a deal to get the Massachusetts Convention Center Authority to pay for the event, In 2000, the Sail Boston event ended up costing the city $1.6 million. But this time Boston will receive $750,000 directly from the state and Sail Boston is also paying $250,000 toward state police costs.

This year's event will be smaller. The event will no longer include the parade of sail, the most striking event when 50 ships fill the harbor watched by throngs of people. Related fireworks displays have also been canceled. This time they will sail in on a staggered schedule and dock for five days. But visitors can still get on board the ships and meet the crews from around the world. The event takes place from July 8-13.

Some wonder whether the downsized Sail Boston event will attract major tourism. It is more likely that the event will attract day visitors more than those staying overnight especially since the event has been up in the air for months. The event remains free for spectators.

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Tags: boston, sail boston, SailBoston, tall ships, TallShips

Famous French Restaurant To Close In Boston

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Dining

One of Boston's more elegant dining institutions has become as victim of the economic slump. Aujourd'hui, the fine dining restaurant at the Four Seasons Hotel Boston will close at the end of June, leaving the more casual Bristol Lounge as the hotel's main dining option. The beautiful, if slightly staid, Aujourd'hui space will be reconfigured for use as a private function venue. The Boston Herald quotes Four Seasons Hotel Boston public relations director Kristan Fletcher as saying that Aujourd'hui's formal (and expensive) style doesn't fit with the way people are dining today.

The restaurant overlooking Boston Garden opened in 1985. It served refined French cuisine and offered tasting menus and elaborate desserts as well as putting on a spectacular Sunday brunch that included a raw bar.

UPDATE: As Aqualung pointed out in the comments, another fine restaurant in Boston, Great Bay in the Hotel Commonwealth is also closing.

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Tags: aujourdhui, boston, fine dining, FineDining, four seasons, FourSeasons, french food, FrenchFood

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