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: Hey everybody, it's Meredith from the Boston Globe. Let's chat about the weekend. Need plans? I hear Justin Timberlake's DJ is in town .... and a few good bands ...
Paul_Faircloth__Guest_: I'm looking to take my wife out for her birthday. She's 33. Any suggestions for a romantic dinner followed by a few drinks somewhere?
Meredith_Goldstein: Very romantic, Paul. I just tried a new, very romantic restaurant in Cambridge -- Hungry Mother. It had a nice, cozy vibe, and after you eat, you could take her to Cuchi Cuchi in Central Square. www.zagat.com/Blog/Detail.aspx?SCID=34&BLGID=10932
Meredith_Goldstein: Both places are short on TVs, which means you won't ignore her for Sox, etc.
hungryhippo__Guest_: who is jt's dj?
Meredith_Goldstein: Apparently, it's a guy named Freestyle Steve. He's supposed to be at Venu on Saturday night. Mainly works for Timbaland, but also for Justin.
585__Guest_: Hello Meredith! Two questions 1) where are a few fun places to meet for a post work drink near Broad street in the Financial District (friends staying at the Hilton there)?
585__Guest_: And 2) where are a few good places to go to dinner on Friday night around 7pm with 4 or 5 adults and a 2 year old in Fanuiel Hall? Thanks!!!
Meredith_Goldstein: Ok. Let's start with 1. I'd try MKT, which is a new spot (used to be Aqua). Drinks are over $10 -- but very good. Nice plates to share. And I'm always a fan of a nice glass of wine at Les Zygomates.
Meredith_Goldstein: No. 2 -- Durgin Park, Wagamama, or, dare I say it, Dick's Last Resort. Dick's is great with kids. durgin-park.com
585__Guest_: l'espille? or however you spell it. that is supposed to be romantic!
Meredith_Goldstein: I'm assuming that's a bit of advice for Paul and his wife. Good one. But expensive :) lespalier.com
heppaly__Guest_: Hey Meredith, my girlfriend's sister and boyfriend are coming on saturday. They are both very New York centric. Anything good going on for Saturday? They are in their late 20's
Meredith_Goldstein: By New York-centric, do you mean that they want to pay a lot for food? Or, do you mean that they're Brooklyn hipster types? I'm going to throw out two options. One is the Boston Derby Dames brawl, which is live roller derby -- with DJs. bostonderbydames.com
Meredith_Goldstein: Option 2 is to do the Bob Dylan Newport Folk Festival film at 3 p.m. at the MFA, and then take them to La Verdad near Fenway for dinner. Yes, risky with the crowd, but La Verdad is usually empty enough on game nights and they'll get a safe sense of Red Sox Nation while sipping a nice martini at a nice, clean bar.
585__Guest_: right-o!
585__Guest_: Thanks for the suggestions... I have heard wagamama is good!
Meredith_Goldstein: Yes, 585. I mean, it's safe to say that kids like noodles.
SuburbSally__Guest_: I have some pals coming into town this weekend from Long Island, any chance you could recommend something South of Boston, South Shore?
Meredith_Goldstein: When I get down to the South Shore, I like to stop by the Art Center. ssac.org
Meredith_Goldstein: It's a very cool place and then ... Marina Bay. Yes, Marina Bay seems obvious, but I think Long Islanders will like it. Especially if the weather holds up.
DChap31: hello
Meredith_Goldstein: hello
DChap31: how is gypsie bar on saturady nights?
Meredith_Goldstein: Hi there. If you do Gypsy Bar, Saturday is the night to go. The dance floor is very packed, you'll hear top 40 mash-ups and some old standards, and the crowd is usually 22 to 32, I'd say. It's a hot spot, if you like nightclubs.
DChap31: Sorry I spelt that horrifically
heppaly__Guest_: those sound like very interesting options Ill look into them thanks
DChap31: Sounds as though, that isn't your scene
Meredith_Goldstein: On some nights it can be DChap31, but ... on many nights I like my space and a good pub as opposed to a crowded dance floor.
Meredith_Goldstein: Not sure if there are any indie music types out there, but the Republic Tigers should be a good show at Great Scott on Sunday. If you like Grey's Anatomy music, you should go.
DChap31: Understandable, one of my friends is having her 24th birthday there is Saturday and I was just wondering what you thought. Thanks
Meredith_Goldstein: It is a perfect place to have a 24th birthday on a Saturday night, actually. You should stop by Silvertone first for dinner.
Meredith_Goldstein: Any other questions? You guys are quiet.
DChap31: sorry attempting to multi-task at work.. oops
DChap31: I have never heard of Silvertone. What is the perks with that restaurant.
Meredith_Goldstein: It's right in Downtown Crossing, an easy walk to Gypsy Bar, and it has very, very good Mac n Cheese. Although, don't get so full that you can't dance.
hungryhippo__Guest_: DChap31 - it has the best food and and excellent wine list. just my two cents.
Meredith_Goldstein: Agreed.
hungryhippo__Guest_: do you know of any non expensive, chill places for drinks in the South End? I'm think something in between Clery's and the crazy line at Beehive...
Meredith_Goldstein: Very chill and cheap is Delux. And like Silvertone, great food. Just get there early because it gets packed.
alcookie12__Guest_: I'm going to the New England String Ensemble concert at Jordan Hall on Sunday. Any place to catch a little brunch around there?
Meredith_Goldstein: Alcookie12, you may want to try Mission Hill eats. The Mission (that's a bar restaurant), Flann's ... all good brunches. flanns.com
Meredith_Goldstein: Parking should be easy over there, and if it's nice, you could walk up to Jordan Hall.
arthegall__Guest_: Do you have recommendations for mexican restaurants in or around JP?
Meredith_Goldstein: http://www.burritoblog.com/massachusetts/tacos_el_charro/
Meredith_Goldstein: I love this burrito guy. He's so honest. He loves what I love. Burritos.
carl__Guest_: I recently stumbled into The Ivy, and my girlfriend and I loved it. great atmosphere/cocktails/food. Also, it was cheaper than I thought. Can you suggest something similar?
Meredith_Goldstein: Yeah. I remember when Ivy opened, there was all of this attention, and then you sort of forget it's there. You know, you might like MKT. I was mixed on it, but at the end of the day, it's a nice lounge vibe and there's the option of small plates. You also might like walking over to Silvertone. And on a less crowded night, you may like Alibi at the Liberty. It gets nuts on Saturday nights, but for a 7 p.m. dinner, the food is great and it's a nice vibe.
Meredith_Goldstein: Also, for those looking for daytime stuff to do, it's Brookline Artists' Open Studios this weekend.
Meredith_Goldstein: brooklineart.net
GREG__Guest_: HI MEREDITH
GREG__Guest_: I'm looking for some nice walking paths in and around Boston, any tips?
Meredith_Goldstein: I really like walking around the pond in JP. Park the car, take the path, and when you're done, you can stop by JP Licks as a reward.
Meredith_Goldstein: And in that area, there's always this: arboretum.harvard.edu
Meredith_Goldstein: Ok folks. Thank you so much for chatting. Please check in with me next week, and if you need me before then, I'm at mgoldstein@globe.com.
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