Meredith Goldstein is keen on DJs who spin pop music and restaurants that serve real food after 11 p.m. She answered your burning weekend events questions.
Meredith_Goldstein: Hi everybody, it's Meredith Goldstein with the Boston Globe. Let's chat about the weekend, what to do, where to go ...
bb__Guest_: Hi Meredith. I am meeting up with some college friends in Boston this weekend for a girls weekend. Do you have any suggestions on fun girly stuff to do? We are in our mid twenties if that helps :)
Meredith_Goldstein: Good question. I think I'd start with "Spice World," which plays as part of the Schlock-Around-the-Clock film festival at Brattle (nothing says girls and friends like Posh, Baby, Scary, etc.) and then I'd hit up UpStairs on the Square for dinner. The restaurant is pretty in pink.
Meredith_Goldstein: Anyone else have ideas for bb and her ladies?
warm321__Guest_: i want to go out with this guy, but am unsure what to do and how to ask....i dont want it to be a date, i just want to go out as friends...how do i do this?
Meredith_Goldstein: Wow. So, you want to spend time with this person. Very much. But as friends. An easy way to show this is to invite him to go out in a group. Another way to handle this is to simply say, "Hey -- I want to ask you to hang out this weekend, but I don't want you to fear I'm asking you out on a date. Want to hang out as friends? I do, because I think you're very cool." Honesty works.
Meredith_Goldstein: Is it possible that you might not be sure about how you feel? Maybe you want a non-date with date potential?
Jeff__Guest_: Looking to check out a new place this weekend for drinks. Have you been to Mkt or Banq?
Meredith_Goldstein: Heard lovely things about Banq. I have been to MKT (you can read my review in Saturday's paper). I mean, I think it's got a nice after-work scene for office types. If you don't mind spending $13 on a cocktail, it's got some great sips. People seemed nice. I liked the DJ. Worth a try, in my opinion.
poll__Guest_: I live in the Allston/Brighton area and hate going out where there are tons of college kids. What are some bars in that area that might have more people over 25 than under?
Meredith_Goldstein: If you can make your way over to Brookline, the Publick House should have a mixed crowd. The bars and clubs in Kenmore are also a good mix. I mean, your 'hood is about kids. You might have to get out of the green line zone to find your peers. At the very least, go into Brookline -- Publick House, Washington Square Tavern ... the people there should be at least 25.
Meredith_Goldstein: Who else has advice for warm321?
warm321__Guest_: wow, i think that's true, we have such a good connection and great interaction together, honestly we could sit and talk for hours...i think however he had "BAGGAGE". I want to keep friends with him so he can see how could of friends we can be
Meredith_Goldstein: Well, maybe ask him to lunch. Spend some more hours talking. At the very least, you have a nice friend. And maybe more. We all have BAGGAGE, don't we?
yummyos__Guest_: i think warm, you know what you want. sometimes, boys are better as friends and being friends first is a good way to find out. :)
Meredith_Goldstein: Friends is also very safe. I suppose after time, you'll know if you both are ready to risk more.
warm321__Guest_: i find it tough doing things with them and making them "friend
warm321__Guest_: things and not "girl andboy things"
Meredith_Goldstein: It's tough. I'd say just keep being honest. Tell him you're unsure about where you stand and want to keep it "just friends" for the moment.
yummyos__Guest_: and trivia night is a good friend and non friend thing
yummyos__Guest_: its a group or just the two of you thing
Meredith_Goldstein: Very true, yummyos. Trivia is safe. So is bowling. Milky Way in JP, perhaps? A nice "just friends" dinner down the street at Alchemist first?
warm321__Guest_: want to know the catch?
Meredith_Goldstein: Yes, of course we do, warm321.
jstew__Guest_: does anyone have any ideas for a laid back first date? nothing fancy, just some dinner and drinks - maybe somewhere cozy where you can have a good conversation?
Meredith_Goldstein: I always recommend Picco in the South End for first dates. It's strangely romantic (nice lighting) but everything is cheap. It's pizza, so that takes the pressure off. And there are drinks -- a great selection of hard-to-find beers. You can take a nice walk when you're done.
warm321__Guest_: he's a "homebody" or so he says
Meredith_Goldstein: Hmm. He might be. But people need to eat. And who doesn't like trivia? I bet you can get him out on a "just friends" date.
warm321__Guest_: who loves BBall and LOST
Meredith_Goldstein: Basketball and Lost. I think I know this guy.
yummyos__Guest_: that's a catch?
ac1919__Guest_: are there any specific exciting events going on in boston/surrrounding area that are "can't miss" or out of the ordinary?
Meredith_Goldstein: Kurt Vonnegut's son Mark is reading at the Brattle Theatre on Friday night. That's can't miss in my book. Also can't miss are the sing-alongs at the Coolidge this weekend. On Friday, it's "Trapped in the Closet," and on Saturday it's all Michael Jackson. And Paul Foley, one of my favorite DJs around town, is playing all Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson, and Prince on Saturday night at the Goodlife in Downtown Crossing.
Meredith_Goldstein: Not a bad list, right?
warm321__Guest_: EVERY male?
Meredith_Goldstein: Yes, Lost and basketball. Ruining nightlife for men everywhere.
warm321__Guest_: Sounds AWESOME! whether or not i go out with him i want to go to that Regardless!
Meredith_Goldstein: Very good.
ac1919__Guest_: not a bad list at all! thanks!
Meredith_Goldstein: I know. Good weekend for Michael Jackson, right?
yummyos__Guest_: he sounds like he's like trivia. pop culture and sports. to popular topics.
jstew__Guest_: thanks for the recommendation - i think he's into unique beer selections so this place might work.
Meredith_Goldstein: I think he'll be surprised that a pizza place has good beer. And try the ice cream. I'm always shocked by how much I love the Picco sorbet.
warm321__Guest_: are there big march maddness games on this weeekend? if so, what's a cool place to watch them around cambridge
Meredith_Goldstein: Trying to lure the Lost fan to a bar, perhaps? You could go for the usual Game On! screens, or maybe try a Cambridge 1, the pizza place in Harvard and Kenmore squares. Good pies and they're supposed to be showing games.
warm321__Guest_: do i sound CRAZY?
ac1919__Guest_: what are the best trivia nights in the somerville/cambridge area?
Meredith_Goldstein: trailsideentertainment.com/stump.asp
Meredith_Goldstein: That's a good guide. I think trivia is a good way to try a new bar. So, I don't know if there's a "best," but maybe try a new. I think they have one at the Asgard, and it's a huge place ...
warm321__Guest_: Tavern in the square in central has one on tuesdays...pretty fun
citizenlowell__Guest_: Johny D's has the best rivia in Davis
Meredith_Goldstein: Fair enough, Citizen Lowell. I know it's out of the area, but the aforementioned Alchemist in JP also has a fun new trivia night on Wednesdays. Jeoparody. With Alexi Tribeca. Very cute.
diski__Guest_: Snoop says hello. Killington still has good snow.Ques. cool place for 40 somethings pre fenway for my b-day a week from sunday?
Meredith_Goldstein: Happy birthday, Diski! La Verdad. Massive birthday burrito.
ac1919__Guest_: perfect! i live in davis!
diski__Guest_: sweet and margs too! thank you!
Meredith_Goldstein: No prob. Margs. I like that.
diski__Guest_: come join us!
Meredith_Goldstein: That's so sweet. Just have a marg in my honor.
Meredith_Goldstein: Also, for you hard rock fans, Bang Camaro, the band with many, many, many lead singers, is at the Hard Rock on Saturday night.
Meredith_Goldstein: Anyone else have big weekend questions?
Meredith_Goldstein: Ok, folks. I'm off to lunch. Maybe to have a marg. If you have any more questions, I'm at mgoldstein@globe.com. If not, let's chat next week at 11. - meredith
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