Category: All About Newton

News, events, children’s activities in Newton, MA.

  • Foodie Finds Near Newton

    Foodie Finds Near Newton

    I am lucky to have foodie friends and these are some of the discoveries I have made living in Newton for the past 10+ years by asking them. And the funny thing is, some of these are new to me too!

    How about you? What foodie finds have I missed? Please share in the comments section! Thanks!

    Praline

    Praline

    203 Belmont St

    Belmont, MA 02478

    Praline

    It’s a little bit of Paris in Belmont with handmade confections and pastries. They also sell crepes! We tried the ham and cheese crepe, chocolate croissant and chocolate macaron. Everything was top notch! Praline

    If you are headed to Sophia’s Greek Pantry and/or Linda’s Handcut Donuts, make a quick pit stop. It’s just one block away.

    Walnut Market

    20 Lincoln St

    Newton Highlands, MA 02461

    Exceptional, curated selection of obscure beers, wines, and fine foods. A huge variety of International and local foods, as well as exotic beer and wine. They also have a great selection of British and European chocolate.

    Walnut Market

    We like Canadian products and they have Canadian smoked turkey and Canadian bagels. The British and European chocolate is also a hit with my kids and closer to us the Kiki’s Kwik-Mart.

     

    Arak Market

    585 Mt Auburn St

    Watertown, MA 02472

    Armenian & Middle Eastern food shop offering produce, olives, cheeses, pastries & other items.

    The largest Armenian market in Watertown, Arax has been part of the Armenian community since 1974. Armenians and other Middle-Easterners crowd this market for items such as imported spices, cheeses, olives, jams, sausages, yogurts, coffee, and many other items. Arax also has fresh pita bread everyday.

    We tried a bunch of baklava pastries and the lahmjoune which was so good, we went back the next day for more.

    Kiki’s Kwik-Mart

    236 Faneuil St

    Brighton, MA 02135

    Brit candy and specialty food.

    KiKi's Kwik Mart

    The description says, “convenience store with deli for coffee, prepared foods & sandwiches, including a sub of the month,” but we are all here for the candy! My friend Penny whose mother is Irish told me that when Nestle bought out Cadbury, they reformulated the chocolate so it’s waxy like the American chocolate. The only way to get the good stuff is to buy Cadbury in Canada, the U.K. or Europe. Our Brit friend Lydia told usa bout Kiki’s which has all the good candy plus Brit foodie specialities like crisps.

    My friend Penny says that the turkey sandwich is amazing.

     

    Sophia’s Greek Pantry

    265 Belmont St

    Belmont, MA 02478

    Try the Honey Vanilla 2% yogurt they make themselves. It’s amazing! My teen daughters have said that I have ruined them for any other yogurt.


    Sophia's Greek Pantry

    The description again does not do it justice, “Market for Greek/Balkan imports & prepared foods, including olives, yogurt, pastries & coffee.” They make their own yogurt. The 2% yogurt tastes as rich as fully fatted. Try the Honey Vanilla yogurt and be sure to buy some of the granola sold there made with their Greek olive oil.

    Sophia's Greek Pantry

    They scoop the yogurt for you and there are other flavors. My daughter likes the strawberry banana.

     

    Linda’s Hand Cut Donuts: Breakfast & Sandwich Shop

    247 Belmont St

    Belmont, MA 02478

    Try the honey dipped donut which tastes like the best cinnamon sugar donut you’ve ever had in your life. Check their hours before you go. They close early!
    IMG_2155

    The description says, “Old-school corner spot known for a variety of donuts, coffee, sandwiches & bagels.” What it should really say is: the woman in line in front of me came from Woburn for their donuts. They are really that good.”

    Linda's Hand Cut Donuts

    This is right down the street from Sophia’s Greek Pantry so do yourself a favor, and go to both!

     

    Fastachi

    598 Mount Auburn Street

    Watertown, MA 02472

    Fastachi

    Fresh, hand roasted gourmet nuts, dried fruit, gift tins and more.

     

    Owen’s Poultry Farm

    585 Central Ave

    Needham, MA 02494

    People order their Thanksgiving turkeys well in advance from Owen’s Poultry Farm but they also have a great frozen chicken pot pie, fresh eggs, prepared food, and, of course, chicken.

     

    Volante Farm

    292 Forest St

    Needham, MA 02492

    Volante Farms

    With a farmstand supermarket, a bakery, a kitchen and a greenhouse, this is a good stop to linger and explore.

     

    Russo’s Market

    560 Pleasant St

    Watertown, MA 02472

    Russo’s sells wholesale produce to supermarkets in town like Whole Foods. Buy the same stuff here at half the price!

    Russo’s Market started off as a green grocer and has grown into a gourmet (but at wholesale) prices speciality market. It has fruits, vegetables, flowers, plants, specialty products, imported and domestic cured meats, cheeses, prepared foods and more.

     

    Great Harvest Bread

    316 Walnut St

    Newtonville, MA 02460

    Try the Cinnamon Chip Bread!

    Cinnamon Chip Bread

    Bakery chain specializing in whole-grain breads & muffins made with Montana wheat.

     

    De Pasquale’s Sausage Company

    325 Watertown St

    Newton, MA 02458

    Their cheese and garlic sausages are renowned. 

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    DePasquale’s Sausage Company produces premium sausage products, including sweet italian sausages, in Newton, Massachusetts.

     

    Bread and Chocolate

    4 Hartford St

    Newton Highlands, MA 02461

    Bread and Chocolate

    They serve breakfast and lunch both to go and on the premises. Everything is good. And be sure to save room for dessert! It’s hard to pick a favorite though my daughter loves their Red Velvet cupcakes.

     

    Rosenfeld’s Bagels

    1280 Centre St

    Newton Centre, MA 02459

    This is the closest thing we have in Boston to a New York Bagel!

    Bagels with an array of cream cheeses, plus challah & special offerings for the holidays.

     

    Antoine’s Bakery

    317 Watertown St

    Newton, MA 02458

    Try their freshly baked Italian bread and their cookies! This is a North End kind of bakery right here in Nonantum!

    Longtime bakery for French, Italian & American sweets, including cakes, cookies, pastries & pies.

     

    Icing on the Cake

    230 Adams St

    Newton, MA 02458

    The closest thing we have to Cake Boss!

    Veteran bakery making cakes, cupcakes & cake pops, including custom creations for special occasions.

     

    L’Aroma Cafe

    15 Spencer St

    West Newton, MA 02465

    I love their Hibiscus Lemonade with has a shot of ginger flavor and my kids love their Iced Chai Latte which they claim is the best in all of Boston. Their bakery treats are great too! I also book all my meetings here. There are big spaces too if you have a large group.

    Bakery treats, espresso & cafe fare are the draw at this compact fixture with an easygoing ambiance.

     

     

  • FREE Walk-In Flu Shot Clinic at Newton-Wellesley Hospital

    FREE Walk-In Flu Shot Clinic at Newton-Wellesley Hospital

    BE WISE & IMMUNIZE!

    Help us keep our community happy and healthy this winter.

     

    Join Newton-Wellesley Hospital for a FREE Walk-In Flu Shot Clinic. Open to adults, ages 18 and older.

      

    Tuesday, October 13, 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm

    Newton-Wellesley Hospital

    Wikstrom Surgical Center/East Lobby

    2014 Washington St., Newton

     

    Friday, October 16, 10:00 am – 1:00 pm

    West Suburban YMCA

    276 Church St., Newton Corner

     

    Tuesday, October 20, 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm

    NWH Urgent Care Center-Waltham

    9 Hope Avenue, Waltham

     

    Thursday, October 22, 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm

    Jewish Community Center

    333 Nahanton Street, Newton

     

    Monday, October 26, 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm

    Waltham Community Day Center

    16 Felton Street, Waltham

     

    Thursday, October  29, 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm

    Newton-Wellesley Hospital

    Wikstrom Surgical Center/East Lobby

    2014 Washington Street, Newton

     

    For more information, please visit www.nwh.org/flu or call 617.243.5900.

    FREE Walk-In Flu Shot Clinic.

  • NEW Sapporo Restaurant! Under Newish Management!

    NEW Sapporo Restaurant! Under Newish Management!

    Sapporo has a new but familiar owner.

    Sapporo Restaurant Newton Centre Korean and Japanese foodWinnie the amazing waitress who could manage a full house on her own has taken over.

    NEW Sapporo! Under Newish Management!
    It’s nice to see the American Dream in full force!
    Sapporo Restaurant Newton Centre Korean and Japanese food

    She’s revamped the menu to streamline it a bit. She’s also added new items but what we really noticed was a sense of revitalization. There are now two waitresses and two sushi chefs. The place buzzes with energy and good vibes.

    Sapporo Restaurant Newton Centre Korean and Japanese food

    The food, as always, is delicious with a mix of Japanese and Korean specialities including sushi, bibimbap, tempura, teriyaki and udon.

    Sapporo Restaurant Newton Centre Korean and Japanese food

    Check it out in Newton Centre across from T stop at the basement level.

    Sapporo Restaurant Newton Centre Korean and Japanese food

    Sapporo Restaurant Newton Centre Korean and Japanese food

  • New Home Wares Store Worth Checking Out!

    New Home Wares Store Worth Checking Out!

    My friend Liz gave me the heads up on this new gift store!

    Greentail Table Newton MA

    Greentail Table

    343 Watertown Street
    Newton MA, 02458
    617-244-3510

    Greentail Table is a brand new destination resource for inspired, modern tabletop and home entertaining wares including housewarming and hostess gifts.  We aim to provide a discerning design-conscious clientele with a mix of high quality, well-designed and beautifully crafted products for entertaining and everyday use as well as for gift-giving.

     

    Greentail Table, Just went here yesterday for an engagement gift – very well appointed, stylish shop – good for unique table gifts, hostess, wedding etc. across from stoddards in nonantum on Watertown Street.

    I felt as if I were in a shop in the South End, San Francisco or Paris….

    Owner was super nice so I thought I would pass the word, she has been open just about a year.

  • Newton Food Pantry Fundraiser

    Newton Food Pantry Fundraiser

    Please consider attending this event to support the Newton food pantry.
    Newton Food Pantry Event
    A Taste of Newton’s Finest Restaurants
    GREAT FOOD  –  SILENT AUCTION  –  LIVE MUSIC
    Join us as the community comes together
    for a night of fabulous food while
    helping fight hunger right in our neighborhood.

    All proceeds benefit the Newton Food Pantry.

    Thursday, October 15th
    6:30-9:30pm

    The Windsor Club
    1601 Beacon Street, Waban

    $75 per person

    Go here to buy tickets.

  • Tufts Health Plan 10K for Women, 1K for Kids

    Tufts Health Plan 10K for Women, 1K for Kids

    Bring the little ones along for the 1K for Kids and share in the fun and healthy activity at the Tufts Health Plan 10K for Women on Monday, October 12, 2015. The 1K for Kids will be held on the historic Boston Common at 10:30 a.m.

    Tufts Health Plan 10K for Women, 1K for Kids

    This event is free and open to all, and is a great way for kids to exercise while meeting other children interested in fitness activities. The race is recommended for children ages 10 and under. The children’s race day will start with a warm-up stretch led by Olympic gold medalist Joan Benoit Samuelson.

    The 1K for Kids race course is a fun loop through the Boston Common and at the end, the young athletes can enjoy a healthy snack, get their face painted and more!

    Please register for the 1K for Kids here. Registration will also be available at the Boston Common on the day of the race.

    The whole family can then stay to cheer on the field for the 39th running of the Tufts Health Plan 10K for Women starting at noon.

    There are more than 7,000 Tufts Health Plan 10K for Women participants that include elite athletes, wheelchair and handcycle racers, visually impaired runners, recreational runners and walkers.

    For more information and to register for the 2015 Tufts Health Plan 10K for Women please visit here.

    In addition to the race, the Sports & Fitness Expo, on the Boston Common, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., will offer a variety of activities focused on supporting health and wellness. Browse new fitness clothing and accessories, sample healthy foods and enjoy fitness demonstrations and many other tools used to encourage people to take part in an active and healthy lifestyle.

  • Property Brothers in Framingham!

    Property Brothers in Framingham!

    HGTV’s “Property Brothers” Jonathan and Drew Scott — known for helping couples find, buy, and transform extreme fixer-uppers into their ultimate dream homes — are welcoming World Market‘s first location in Massachusetts!
    Property Brothers in Framingham!
    On SundayOctober 4th the design duo will connect directly with fans, sign autographs and take photos at the grand opening of the new World Market store in Framingham, MA.
    Grand Opening Event:
    Meet Jonathan and Drew Scott from HGTVs Property Brothers
    Grand Opening Cost Plus World Market Framingham, MA store
    Sunday, October 4th 1 – 3pm

    • First 200 customers who bring 5 non-perishable, non-glass food items for charity will meet and get an autograph photo of Jonathan and Drew Scott. Food will be donated to the Hope Worldwide Food Pantry (Boston chapter).

    World Market Framingham, MA
    363 Cochituate Road

    Framingham, MA 01701
  • Beer Summit Harvest Fest in Boston

    Beer Summit Harvest Fest in Boston

    Beer Summit, one of the longest running and most respected craft beer tasting events in New England, returns this fall for its annual Beer Summit Harvest Fest taking place November 20 & 21, 2015. Beer Summit Harvest Fest gives beer lovers the chance to experience over 60 breweries pouring 200+ beers and the opportunity to meet some of the best brewers in the country. Named by Boston Magazine as “Best Booze Festival” in its 2015 “Best of Boston” issue, Beer Summit places emphasis on local beers, with a great amount from New England, but also shines a spotlight on talented breweries from around the country and overseas.
    Beer Summit Harvest Fest in Boston
    With the first Boston Beer Summit held in 1999 and seasonal shows including Harvest Fest held each year since, this November will mark the 49th Beer Summit event in the city.
    Beer Summit Harvest Fest is held at the Castle at Park Plaza, 130 Columbus Ave in Boston, MA.
    November 20 & 21, 2015

    Tickets for the three different tasting sessions are on sale now at www.beersummit.com and are expected to sell out in advance.

    Curated by Beer Summit founders Mike Munnelly, Conor Brennan and Shawn Rich, Beer Summit Harvest Fest brings together some of the most celebrated and talked about breweries in the country, some of which will be pouring a variety of great seasonal offerings – perfect for November’s autumn chill. Beer Summit once again welcomes a number of Massachusetts based breweries to its event, including Opa Opa Brewing Company from Williamsburg, Bad Martha from Martha’s Vineyard, Down The Road Beer Co. from Everett, Naukabout Beer from North Dartmouth and Lookout Farm Cider House from Natick.

    “This fall’s Harvest Fest will feature one of our most exciting brewery lineups yet.  With our fall event, we’re able to showcase some great seasonal autumn brews as well as preview some of the coming winter offerings from New England and beyond.  With 200 plus different beers being poured, there is really something for every type of beer drinker to discover,” says Mike Munnelly, co-owner of Beer Summit.

    Allowing ticket-holders to explore some of the world’s most unique and celebrated breweries, Victory Brewing from Downington, PA, Stone Brewing Company from San Diego, CA, Finch’s Beer Company from Chicago, IL, Crean’s from Dingle Brewing Company in Dingle, Ireland and Stiegl Pils from Salzburg, Austria will all appear at Beer Summit Harvest Fest.

    As with each Beer Summit event, attendees can also enjoy foods from local vendors and music entertainment.

    The Beer Summit Harvest Fest 2015 lineup as of Sept. 16, 2015 is as follows:

    3 Beards Beer Company (Holyoke, MA)
    Bad Martha (Martha’s Vineyard, MA)
    Bay State Beer Company (Leicester, MA)
    Blue Hills Brewery (Canton, MA)
    Cisco Brewers (Nantucket, MA)
    Clown Shoes (Ipswich, MA)
    Coronado Brewing Company (Coronado, CO)
    Crean’s of Dingle Brewing Company (Dingle, Ireland)
    Dinkel Acker (Stuttgart, Germany)
    Down The Road Beer Company (Everett, MA)
    Downeast Cider (Charlestown, MA)
    Far From The Tree Cider (Salem, MA)
    Finch’s Beer Company (Chicago, IL)
    Foolproof Brewing (Pawtucket, RI)
    Green Flash Brewing Company (San Diego, CA)
    Grey Sail Brewing of Rhode Island (Westerly, RI)
    Harpoon Brewery (Boston, MA)
    Heavy Seas Beer (Baltimore, MD)
    Henniker Brewing Company (Henniker, NH)
    Hofbrau Original (Munich, Germany)
    Ipswich Ale Brewery (Ipswich, MA)
    Lagunitas Brewing Company (Petaluma, CA)
    Lookout Farm Cider House (Natick, MA)
    Narragansett Beer (Narragansett, RI)
    Naukabout Beer (North Dartmouth, MA)
    Newport Storm Beers (Newport, RI)
    Opa Opa Brewing Company (Williamsburg, MA)
    Samuel Adams (Boston, MA)
    Saranac Brewing (Utica, NY)
    Sierra Nevada (Chico, CA)
    Smuttynose Brewing Company (Hampton, NH)
    Stiegl Brewery (Salzburg, Austria)
    Stone Brewing Company (San Diego, CA)
    Trinity Brewhouse (Providence, RI)
    Two Roads Brewing Company (Stratford, CT)
    Vermont Hard Cider (Middlebury, VT)
    Victory Brewing Company (Downingtown, PA)
    Yuengling (Pottsville, PA)
    Tickets and Session Tasting Times:  Tickets for Beer Summit are $55 per person, per session (must be 21+ to purchase and attend). The schedule for Beer Summit’s tasting sessions is as follows:

    Friday November 20: 6:00pm – 9:30pm

    Saturday November 21: 12:30pm – 4:00pm

    Saturday November 21: 5:30pm – 9:00pm

  • Newton Ranks #42: Top 100 Best Places to Live

    Newton Ranks #42: Top 100 Best Places to Live

    Liveability ranked 2000 small to mid-sized cities in the U.S. with populations between 20,000 and 350,000 to come up with their third annual Top 100 Best Places to Live. Newton came in at #42! Cambridge was the only other Massachusetts city to make the list coming in at #99.

    newton_ma-1.jpg

    Top 10:

    1. Rochester, Minnesota
    2. Bellevue, Washington
    3. Madison, Wisconsin
    4. Santa Barbara, California
    5. Boulder, Colorado
    6. Palo Alto, California
    7. Bismarck, North Dakota
    8. Ann Arbor, Michiga
    9. Iowa City, Iowa
    10. Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
  • Rick Riordan at Harvard Book Store Oct 5th (and more)

    Rick Riordan at Harvard Book Store Oct 5th (and more)

    Harvard Book Store is pleased to announce our upcoming kid-friendly events that your whole family will enjoy!

    Rick Riordan presents Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard, Book 1: The Sword of Summer

    Monday, October 5, 2015 at 7pm

    Back Bay Events Center, 180 Berkeley St., Boston, MA 02116

    Tickets on sale now at www.rickriordan.eventbrite.com

    Jason Segel presents Nightmares! The Sleepwalker Tonic, in conversation with Karen Sama of 826 Boston

    Wednesday, October 7, 2015 at 7pm

    Old South Church, 645 Boylston St., Boston, MA 02116

    Tickets on sale now at www.segelnightmares.eventbrite.com

     

    Chelsea Clinton signs her book for children and teens, It’s Your World: Get Informed, Get Inspired & Get Going!

    Wednesday, October 21, 2015 at 6:30pm

    Harvard Book Store, 1256 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, MA 02138

    Signing line tickets on sale now at www.chelseaclinton.eventbrite.com

    Tavi Gevinson presents Rookie Yearbook Four

    Sunday, October 25, 2015 at 12pm

    Brattle Theatre, 40 Brattle St., Cambridge, MA 02138

    Online pre-sales (ticket + book) on sale now at www.harvard.com/event/tavi_gevinson/

    $5 tickets go on sale September 29 at 9am