We took a semi-impromptu trip to Boston, MA recently. It was supposed to be work-related for Chris but that got cancelled. We decided to go anyway as it was a beautiful fall day. I will skip the stuff that happened while we were preparing to go and resulted in us not getting there until after 4pm....but once we got there it was great. We parked at the underground parking garage at Boston Common, visited the Cheers bar, and walked to Quincy Market and Faneuil Hall.
Google says it's only 1.4 miles from Cheers to Quincy Market but it felt like 12. There was a hill which I was not happy about. While wandering Quincy Market and all its glory, we had dinner at Boston Chowda. We shared their combo meal of a generous cup of chowder, a lobster roll, and a soda. Everything was delicious but not the best we've ever had. The lobster roll could have used a touch more mayonnaise. Chris thought the roll they used, though delicious, was not the right roll. They used a soft hoagie-type roll so there was lots of bread surrounding the lobster salad. Chris felt the traditional hot dog roll would have tasted better, especially with the less mayonnaise.
While we wandered Quincy Market, prior to deciding upon Boston Chowda, we saw people carrying white pastry boxes with "Mike's" on the lids. This caught my eye because A. it's pastry and 2. clearly these people knew something we didn't. While in line at Chowda, I noticed that the couple in front of us also had the same box. They were nice enough to give us directions to Mike's Pastry, which they said was quite close, and closed at 9pm. It was only 6-ish at the time so we were in good shape.
We left indoor market and wandered the night streets a bit. We walked to the North End Harbor and enjoyed the lights on the dark water. We took some pictures as light and my amateur skills allowed. As it got later, we decided to try to find Mike's before we hit the road. We headed out NOT from the spot where we received the directions, so that alone should tell you something. An hour and a half later, with an unplanned/unguided tour of the financial district under our belts, we finally asked a security guard where to go and then confirmed directions along the way with a couple walking toward us...who were holding a Mike's box.
We finally found the Little Italy section of Boston, where Mike's is located. Even though it was getting close to 9pm on a Thursday, the streets were bustling with pedestrians. People were wandering, touring, and heading to or from one of the many delightful restaurants along Hanover Street. We pressed forward, very concerned that we would not get to Mike's before 9pm. We needn't have worried. At 8:55pm Mike's was PACKED. The floor is wide open, no tables to get in anyone's way. There also didn't seem to be a discernable line, just a mass of people moving forward to the display cases. We peeked around shoulders and hips to get a look at what was offered and first thing Chris notices is that there are no prices showing. This concerns both of us, but for different reasons. Chris is concerned because he doesn't like to spend money. I am concerned because I dont have any.
Everything in the cases is HUGE. Enormous, if you will. Seriously. Their cannoli are the size of my 2 year old niece's thigh. I then assumed, of course, that the prices would match. I ordered a piece of cheesecake (I would liken the size to the portions at Cheesecake Factory. You could feed 4 people.) and a pecan-caramel brownie. The brownie was easily 2 inches thick, if not more. So, literally, it was a 2x4. The 2 luxurious, decadent desserts came to only $7.50. I was thrilled and then wished I had ordered a third item. Chris got a profiterole, a giant cream puff essentially. It was the size of a softball and covered in chocolate. He also got one of the giant cannolis. His total was about $8.
I am not normally a fan of cannolis, finding the filling too sweet, but this cannoli really was delicious. Just sweet enough, just riccotta enough. The profiterole, however, was beyond heavenly. Rich, creamy, chocolatey, with light pastry....y u m. Chris always picks the best stuff. My cheesecake was divine. It was moist without being mushy. It was glazed with strawberry juice and a giant piece of the fruit. The brownie was very good, but I think (for me) too sweet with both caramel and pecans together. Don't get me wrong, I ate it anyway but for me it was just "ok".
I told the lovely lady behind the counter that we had been searching all night for Mike's because we saw the people with the boxes. In her gorgeous accent (Italian I assume, but maybe Greek) she said, as she handed me my order, "There. Now you have box too."
If you were concerned about my comment regarding the crowd, don't be. They had at least a half dozen busy bees behind the counter waiting on people. That large crowd was nothing for them and we waited no more than 5 minutes to be waited upon. I would like to pop in there some time when it isn't so busy (if that ever happens) so I can take time to puruse the cases and the shelves of cookies behind them. For now, we can puruse the website: http://www.mikespastry.com/index.html.
If you are in Boston and can get to the Hanover St. area, it's worth it. You will have Mike's and another bakery, Modern Pastry, to satisfy your sweet tooth along with at least a dozen fine looking restaurants that Chris and I can't wait to try. Here is a helpful list: http://www.bostoncitylinks.com/italianrest.html. We were intrigued by the Cantina Italiana, both for price and menu offerings.
That area is also wonderful just for wandering. Venture off of Hanover St. and there is cobblestone, Paul Revere's House, and delightful nooks and crannies of smaller restaurants, bars, and neat apartment buildings.
We must have walked 6 miles out of our way to get to Mike's, when we were only about 3/4 of a mile away at the Market. It was well worth it but 2 weeks later, my back still hurts. If you're going to wander aimlessly (and lost) around Boston, please wear proper footwear. Thank you.
http://www.bostonchowda.com/
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