Not quite a 365 project, but....

More like a 52 project.

I usually hate New Year's resolutions. There's nothing original to resolve, and everyone poops out on plans to save more money, go to the gym more often, or keep in touch with friends better.

However.

Sam and I came to the conclusion that the best kind of resolution was to just do something that made us happy--we agreed to make our best efforts to visit one new place a week in Boston, every week, for a year. Places could include restaurants, bars, parks, museums, other attractions, but the ultimate goal was to escape the rut and routine of going to the same places over and over again, when we live in a city of so many options!

So far, so good. I'm behind on keeping note, so this post will be a little excessive, but I'm also hoping that updating with a new place a week will galvanize me to write more frequently.

Week 1: Brunch at the Friendly Toast
The Friendly Toast, in Kendall Square, is a new outpost of the original Friendly Toast in Portsmouth, NH. The Boston iteration lacks the 24-hour convenience of the former, but what it lacks in hours it makes up in kitschy charm and delicious toast. Boston needs more 24-hour places, as far as I'm concerned. South Station Diner is great, but its a little remote from most neighborhoods, and it's too tiny to take a whole crowd at 4 am. Anyway.

Sam and I caught up on all the New Year's Eve gossip over basic and delicious eggs/toast/homefries/bacon, and made friends with a great couple sitting next to us. They overheard us bemoaning all of a sudden being grownups, and piped in with some of their expert suggestions: not to worry too much, and to avoid credit cards. I love talking to strangers--I think my mom bred it into me to talk to people in all sorts of environments, and while I know it surprises friends I'm with sometimes, meeting people enhances any experience, even if it's a single-serving experience, a la Fight Club.

Week 2: Dinner at Teranga
Flaking on other plans, I met Sam, Vilvaraja (referred to as V in the future) and Jake at Teranga, a tiny Senegalese restaurant that opened recently at the corner of Washington and Mass Ave, right next door to the fabulous Mike's Diner. We were lucky enough to have the owner as our waitress! I love Ethiopian food, but wasn't sure quite what to expect at Teranga. I ordered a spicy fish dish (I rhyme, fantastic), but wasn't expecting a WHOLE fish, eyes, mouth and all, to end up on my plate. I tried to avoid eye contact, then picked the skeleton clean.

Week 3: Vietnamese Food in Chinatown (can't remember the name of the place!!)
Sam taught English in Vietnam last year, and a friend she met there was in town visiting with his cousin. My friend Will is also Vietnamese, so when we decided to go to Chinatown for authentic Vietnamese food, I dragged him along too. When we got there, the...gringas? is there a similar word for non-Asians? among us boycotted the menu and asked our Vietnamese friends to order us the best of the best. For less than $10 a person, including tip, we feasted on soups, noodles, rolls, and other delicious things I don't know the name of. I'll definitely be going back.

Week 4: Drinks and Snacks at Regal Beagle
Coolidge Corner has some wonderful restaurants, but lacks a true bar scene. Regal Beagle is still more of a restaurant, but Sam and I snagged bar stools in the back, with a good view of both parts of the long, skinny space. I ordered sweet potato fries--which turned out to be whole fried sweet potatoes! Cocktails were strong, but tasty, and named after things from the show Three's Company--a little before my time, but cute concept. We also loved whoever's writing is on the chalkboard detailing the rotating menu line-up. The place is super busy because it just opened recently, but I'm hoping it turns into more of a low-key neighborhood hangout...

Week 5: Publick House for dinner
I cheated a little, I'd been there once before, but Sam and our mutual friend Lisa hadn't. Publick House is famous for three things: beer, mac and cheese and mussels. We skipped the mussels in favor of mac and cheese this time, and gossip over food and beer. One thing I'm loving about our plan to try a new place a week is that it's a great excuse to invite people along. I took classes with Lisa senior year, but don't think I'd seen her since graduation!

Week 6: New Place Jackpot!
Sam and I marked off 3 in one day! (four for Sam!) We headed to Metropolis in the South End for brunch and people-watching, a gallery space for an indoor Valentine's-themed arts market, topped off with South End Buttery for a snack on the way home. I spotted possibly the cutest child I've ever seen in my entire life at the Buttery, so we loitered and watched him run around the coffee shop. Sam went into the Boston Public Library for the first time waiting for me to get to Copley to walk to the South End--I can't believe she'd never been in there! She discovered the wonderful courtyard, and I recommended the Russian section for quiet study space since she's taking night classes.

The quest to try new places continues! We'd love recommendations. A personal favorite, something off the beaten path or in a neighborhood we might not be familiar with, a brand-new spot...and if you want in, just let me know! The more the merrier. Stay tuned...