Stacey Marcus

Seasonal cocktails are one thing, and bars and restaurants around Boston are putting on their holiday best. But some spots in the city go above and beyond for Christmas and Hanukkah, with over-the-top decor like themed trees and light displays, and even special programming to make the season bright. If you can't get enough holiday spirit, these are the places on your dining-out list in December. Make a day of it with a stroll through a holiday market or outdoor light display this season. RECOMMENDED: Full guide to celebrating the holiday season in Boston

This year’s Lunar New Year begins on Saturday, February 10 but there are plenty of ways to celebrate The Year of the Dragon in Boston before, during, and after its official launch. Boston joins cities around the country in hosting colorful festivities including parades, performances, feasts, and festivals. February is a busy month in Boston with Super Bowl watch parties and Valentines (and Galentines) events,  but the Lunar New Year offers a plethora of aways to celebrate the Year of Dragon. In celebration of the luckiest sign of the zodiac we curated a few ways to celebrate the Chinese New Year in Boston. 

Can you imagine a better destination than Boston to celebrate tea this holiday season? This year marks the 250th anniversary of the Boston Tea Party. We all know the story about the colonists tossing 340 chests of tea weighing over 92,000 pounds into Boston Harbor. But do you know the best spots to enjoy tea in town today? We’ve curated a list of spots for everyone who wants to don their holiday best and enjoy a spot of tea with scrumptious seasonal sweets from the top tearooms in and around the city. And perhpas afterwards you will be in a festive mood to check out the best Christmas lights in town or go ice skating and we have got you covered on those fronts as well! RECOMMENDED: Full guide to the best things to do in Boston

Looking for something sweet for your Valentine's boo? Boston is brimming with creative ways to express your love. In case you missed it, Travis Kelce formed a Taylor Swift signature heart after his epic touchdown. While you may not have as dramatic a play as the tight end to release Cupid’s arrow, if you live in Boston you’ve got a bevy of romantic bars and restaurants to visit plus a long list of things to do on Valentine’s Day. There’s also a plethora of sweet spots in and around Boston to shop for Valentine’s goodies. Along with classic confections, we curated a list of novel Valentine’s treats like a heart-shaped pizza, a sweetheart stack of pancakes, and a cherry chocolate shake.  Sweetheart Stack Courtesy Sugar Factory Boston "Pancakes are always a treat, but especially on Valentine's Day - and we've recreated them with the Sugar Factory flair - the Sweetheart Stack is a decadent stack of pancakes with a creamy Tres Leches sauce in place of the traditional syrup. And of course, they're pink, like our famed Pink Room. Valentine's Day is the ultimate holiday for us at Sugar Factory -- sweets, desserts, romance, pink dishes, candy, photo ops, and more.” says Sugar Factory Boston Executive Chef Jaime D’Oliveira. The fluffy pink buttermilk stack is topped with a creamy Tres Leches pink sauce and fresh berries sprinkled with strawberry shortcake crumbs.  Vanilla Heart-Shaped Cruller Courtesy Union Square Donuts (Available 2/08-2/14) Show your sweetie just how much you lov

As we count down the days to bid adieu to 2023, it’s time to think about how to celebrate on December 31. Before crafting New Year’s resolutions, you need to wrap up 2023 by figuring out what to do, where to dine, and what to drink on NYE in and around Boston. We reached out to nine Boston beverage aficionados to see what they will be mixing and pouring to toast the New Year, so read on for their favorite New Year's Eve cocktails. But if you’re still searching for ideas, check out these parties and fancy restaurants around Boston to celebrate on the last day of the year.  Ben Sandroff, Atlántico bartender Courtesy Tequila por mi Amante This cocktail first appeared in Charles H. Baker’s Gentleman’s Companion in 1939. It calls for infusing a Blanco or reposado tequila with summer strawberries at the peak of ripeness. “We start our version in the summertime when the strawberries are at their sweetest, we flash freeze them before putting them and then infuse the concentrate into a blend of mezcal and tequila around Thanksgiving. We let it infuse for 4 weeks just in time for the holidays… a delicious taste of summer in the dead of winter,” says Ben Sandroff, Atlántico bartender. Jahaziel, Revere Hotel bartender Courtesy   RG Old Fashioned “We welcome the New Year with our special RG Old Fashioned, featuring Whistle Pig 10-Year Rye, Bogart's Bitters, and Demerara syrup. This luxurious blend offers a rich, spicy kick, ideal for toasting to new beginnings. It's more than just a d

Foodies with a fork in Boston’s dining scene await the arrival of the next restaurant to launch in and around the city. While the tapestry of new eateries heralds a new dawn of dining, Boston’s iconic foods are etched in history and on the menu for those hungry to savor Beantown’s flavors. Some of the city’s signature seafood and sweets have been around for over a century. We’ve rounded up seven classics that have stood the test of time and that are all worth a taste this summer.  Lobster rolls Photograph: Courtesy James Hook & Co. Boston has a rich history of seafood making the fan-favorite lobster roll one of the most iconic foods in the area. “We have some of the longest-running seafood companies in the space making Boston the perfect spot to enjoy the highest quality lobster rolls whether it be the classic mayo style or with butter,” says James Hook Jr. of James Hook & Co., a family-owned business who has been serving up seafood since 1925. Their signature lobster rolls are carefully made with handpicked fresh lobster meat, tossed with a special mayo sauce, or served with a side of sea-salted butter on a toasted hotdog or brioche roll.  Clam chowder Photograph: Courtesy Legal Sea Foods Clam chowder is a seafood staple in Boston. “We firmly believe Legal Sea Foods' legendary New England Clam Chowder is an essential choice for any seafood lover. Famously served at Presidential inaugurations for decades, this rich and creamy dish is filled with tender New England clams a