Grownups getaway to one of America's greatest cities on new Scots flight

Scottish Sun

4 days ago

Get there in just over six hours thanks to the new JetBlue direct service from Edinburgh
BOSS'IN IT Grownups getaway to one of America's greatest cities on new Scots flight
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EMERGING from the lift, we followed the illuminated red exit signs, along darkly lit corridors, before pushing through heavy velvet curtains and went IN.
No, we hadn't gone through the wrong door - this was the 'secret' entrance to Blind Duck, a speakeasy hidden on the 18th floor of Boston's Raffles hotel.
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Dark and moody interior at Blind Duck, a secret Speakeasy at Boston's Raffles Hotel
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Punch served with style at Blind Duck
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Boston is a fabulous city worth exploring day and night
Inside it was dark and moody, but the customers were anything but, as they sipped fabulous cocktails, including Duck Punch, served from a gorgeous duck-shaped decanter complete with silver head and neck.
Nibbles quickly appeared at our table. Okonomiyaki Fries - don't mind if I do. Lobster Tartine, Tuna Tartare, Duck Bao Bun (what else!) and more were soon demolished.
It was our first night in the city and we were starting on a high that set the tone for the whole trip. This was Boston for grownups and we planned to take in all its late night thrills.
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WR070X Boston skyline with sailboat in the foreground, Massachusetts, USA
Credit: Alamy
My pals and I had flown on the recently launched direct JetBlue service from Edinburgh.
The six and a bit hour flight was fantastic thanks to being lucky enough to bag myself a seat in the airline's Mint cabin - business class fully lie-flat bed, great food choices from the Delicious Hospitality Group, who sure lived up to their name, and super friendly cabin crew.
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Heather enjoyed her Mint Class cabin onboard the new JetBlue direct flight to Boston from Edinburgh
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The Westin Copley Place Hotel was a great base in the city centre
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Heather gets her bearings at View Boston
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Fabulous food was on the cards on the first night at the brilliant Mida South End
As it was a daytime flight, I took advantage of the in-flight entertainment, accepted some more complimentary drinks and nibbles, don't mind if I do, before being fed again with a lovely scone and jam before landing.
After checking into the Westin Copley Place hotel, I had time for a quick change in my room with its fab views of the square which hosted a lovely market that weekend and nearby churches.
Then we hit the town and began by taking in the cityscape from way up high at View Boston observation deck on top of the Prudential Tower.
We took a wander round the fun exhibit, some pix at the Boston sign and a drink at the bar.
Bearings found, we enjoyed a fabulous feast at Mida South End, an Italian eatery in a cracking setting. It was packed to the rafters and after demolishing my lip-smacking Spaccatelli al Pesto, I could understand why.
The cocktail list was mouth-watering and the wine divine. What a welcome to this incredible city.
Then we headed to that not-so-secret speakeasy for some nightcaps before tiredness won the battle and we reluctantly headed by to the West and hit the sack.
After a satisfying hotel breakfast the next morning, we took to the water like, well, ducks, but in kayaks, on a 90 minute venture with Paddle Boston along and across the incredibly clean and calm Charles River.
Red Sox star Triston Casas left in horror as Jarren Duran fixes broken-down car at Fenway Park
My fear of drowning quickly subsided thanks to Zac our guide who assured me it was mega safe and he'd save me if I fell in. It was a perfect and peaceful way to see some of the city.
There were plenty of others out enjoying the same things, along with packed Duck Boat tours, sailing clubs and even university rowing teams practising their skills (and skillfully avoiding us amateur kayakers) but it still felt serene.
We rewarded our paddling efforts with a luscious lunch at Shy Bird, an American-style restaurant where my smashed falafel wrap was just what I needed. Messy, but oozing yummy flavour. Finger-licking good!
Culture was the call for the afternoon as we visited the Isabella Stewart Gardner museum.
It's based in her former home which she donated to the city on the understanding not one item of the huge collection she'd amassed from around the world was to be moved.
And that included leaving blank spaces and even empty picture frames on the walls after an art heist in 1990, as sadly the loot was never recovered.
It's an eclectic collection with more than a nod to Scotland, surprisingly, alongside items of furniture from the likes of China and creations from great artists like Titian, Rembrandt and Michelangelo.
The stunning courtyard, packed with flowers of every variety, is worth taking the weight off and just admiring the sheer beauty of the place.
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Heather takes to the water with Paddle Boston
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Stunning courtyard at the Isabella Gardner Museum
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Food as good as it looked at Urban Hearth
Beauty was served up on a plate later when we were lucky enough to dine at Urban Hearth in the North Cambridge area of Boston. Every dish from chef and owner Erin Miller was a creative masterpiece. All looked stunning and tasted even better.
Just order two or three dishes ahead and share. Tapas Boston style and delicious with it.
Next day a quick change of hotel - well we wanted to sample as much of the city as possible - took us to the seaport and the highly-recommended Renaissance hotel.
Astonishingly, they had our rooms ready and it wasn't even 11am. How's that for service!
Then we jumped in a couple of Ubers and headed to Harvard Square, to wander the hallowed grounds of the famous Ivy League uni, and pop into the university shop for a souvenir.
A quick lunch went down a treat at Alden & Harlow, whose ginger-infused Citizen Cider was fabulously thirst-quenching.
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Classy Renaissance Hotel at Boston Seaport
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Harvard is famous for its university
Credit: Kyle Klein
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Heather and her pals have fun with some props after the theatre show
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Dine, drink and drive at F1 Arcade Boston
The cooling interior of the American Repertory Theatre was warmly welcomed as a break from the blistering sun (temperatures were hitting 30C), as we took our seats for a hilarious and brilliantly acted two-person play 'Two Strangers Carry a Cake Across New York'.
Even if, like me, you are not really into theatre, go. You will love it I guarantee. The young girl and guy are destined for stardom, I reckon.
And don't forget to have fun with the props at the end for those quirky insta pix.
Talking about fun, we laughed until we literally cried (well maybe I cried with frustration too) when we pitted against each other at the F1 Arcade Boston, at the seaport.
Book a racing simulator, grab a cocktail or beer, take a seat in your F1 car and get revving for the race of your life as you roar round a track, trying to overtake your opponents and claim the ultimate victory - or avoid crashing like me!
Defeated but not dejected, we headed for supper at one of Boston's top restaurants, Grace by Nia.
It's truly gorgeous inside, all art-deco greens and golds, with dazzling chandeliers and ceiling-skimming gold-leafed palm trees.
We literally devoured the entire menu as we were serenaded by a brilliant band who had us all swaying and singing along in our sumptuous velvet seats.
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Stunning interior at Grace by Nia
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The food was stunning
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Jazz brunch at Beehive
The fried green tomatoes were fab and my Bourbon stir-fry was, well, wow. Plump and succulent prawns bursting with spicy flavours mixed with mushrooms, onion and peppers. Sensational. Food definitely worth going back for.
Food and music were back on the menu the next morning at a groovy jazz brunch at the Boston Institute that is Beehive. It's eclectic, quirky, bohemian and not to be missed. The shakshuka with polenta is a must as the music livened us up for another afternoon of fun.
And that was to be had at my first-ever baseball game at the Boston Red Sox's Fenway Park.
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Heather and pals at Fenway Park for Red Sox baseball game
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Masataka Yoshida of the Boston Red Sox runs out a hit against the Tampa Bay Rays during the game at Fenway Park o
Credit: Getty
I hadn't the first clue what the hell was going on but I was soon cheering and clapping and Mexican-waving with the rest of the near 40,000 crowd as the home team hammered the Tampa Bay Rays. Go Sox!
Now, if you like Chinese food, then I challenge you to find better than Mr H at the Seaport.
Our dining space was open to the night breeze as we spun the lazy susans, laden with sumptuous creation after sumptuous creation brought to us by the incredibly attentive staff.
Spicy cucumbers were a huge hit, as was the tangerine tuna, spicy salmon puffs and drunken octopus - and that was just for starters.
Main attractions included rice dumplings stuffed with shitake mushrooms, crab and shrimp Shumai with caviar (my personal fav) bobo salmon and my meat-eating diners swore by tender strips of grilled wagyu sirloin.
But the showstopper was the chocolate Buddha dessert which came dramatically surrounded by dry ice clouds wafting its tempting aromas.
I was a tad nervous about eating him, unlike my pal Suzy who decapitated him with one swift swipe of a spoon and downed his head in one!
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Dining at Mr H in the seaport area of Boston
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Stunning Buddha dessert
But we did toast his demise at Deck 12, a rooftop bar at the nearby Yotel, drinking in the views of the twinkling lights of the many skyscrapers that dot the harbour line, along with the crafted cocktails.
Our last day highlights began with a delicious lunch of super-satisfying clam chowder in the glorious setting of Rowes Wharf Sea Grille, washed down by a Basil Brush mocktail.
Set within one of the city's most iconic hotels - the Boston Harbour Hotel - I can't recommend it highly enough.
Then we took to the water once again, this time for a leisurely cruise onboard Schooner Adirondack, sailing out into the harbour, taking in the sights while supping a cooling drink in glorious afternoon sunshine.
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Heather and pals set sail in Boston Harbour
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Boston Common is gorgeous
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The bar where everybody knows your name
A walk along the city's must-do Freedom Trail was next. It's easy to follow - just watch for the coloured paving bricks and you cannot get lost.
There are plenty of places to stop and learn along the way, so perhaps download a guide to help you get the most out of the 2.5 miles.
It starts at beautiful Boston Common, the oldest public park in the US (take a detour to the Botanic Gardens they are fabulous) and meanders through the city's downtown, taking in the golden-domed State House and the iconic old Ironsides warship.
And that little history lesson brought our Boston grown-ups getaway to an end.
Well not without a last photo opp at a bar that's definitely not a secret. Cheers Boston!