Boston Common - Niche Media - A side of Boston that's anything but common.
Issue link: http://digital.greengale.com/i/209310
ON THE TOWN continued from page 96 We invite local celebrities to come to read holiday stories to the kids. It's a huge hit, and we've had some of Boston's best: David Ortiz, Gisele Bündchen (and I must say, there were a few extra men in the room that afternoon), Stephen Gostkowski, Bruins head coach Claude Julien, who called himself "Santa Claude." The kids go wild over the characters, like the Grinch, and of course the annual face of the Teddy Bear Tea, Truffles. Where do the Teddy Bears go after the tea? We collect about 5,000 teddy bears each year, which we deliver to dozens of hospitals and charities. We see where there is the greatest need, and then we make our deliveries based on that. I remember a couple years ago, David Ortiz joined us to deliver the teddy bears to patients at Mass General Hospital. You can only imagine the expressions on their faces as they walked into the play area to meet their guest visitor: Legendary Big Papi, teddy bears in hand—a moment we will never forget. After you entertain the kids, it's time for your annual holiday party, which I've heard is quite the entertaining scene. Yes, we have a roast of sorts during our client holiday party, and I usually end up being the main target. There are hilarious videos and skits featuring all sorts of mildly embarrassing things that bring the house down. Over the years, the event's RIGHT: The decadent themes have ranged from the Oscars to Glee to The Price is Right. "Let's Split It" devil's food cake tower. People see the Four Seasons letting its hair down. BELOW: The house What are people's go-tos on the menu here at the Bristol Bristol Burger is consistently voted Lounge this time of year? one of Boston's best. Executive Chef Brooke Vosika puts a twist on chowder to create our famous Golden Nantucket crab chowder. Then there's our award-winning "Who Needs the Bread" Bristol Burgers, always voted one of Boston's best. I suggest finishing it off with our "Let's Split It" chocolate devil's food cake tower layered with truffled ganache, vanilla buttercream, and crème de cacao. When you cook at home, what's your specialty? Sunday is family day. In the afternoons you'll find me in the kitchen making meals for the week to come. As an Englishman, I'd say my specialty is a rib roast with Yorkshire pudding and my mother's gravy. The secret to the gravy? Equal parts stock and wine, giving it a strong, boozy flavor. BC HIDDEN GEMS Bill Taylor is a man of impeccable taste. Here are some of his favorite spots when he's not dining at the Bristol Lounge. Favorite new restaurant: "West Bridge in Cambridge. It's delicious, elegantly presented French food with New England flair. The Egg in a Jar is a must-order." 1 Kendall Square, Cambridge, 617-9450221; westbridgerestaurant.com Italian: "Trattoria Il Panino in the North End serves the most authentic southern Italian dishes you can find in the area. 98 Once winter is over, I look forward to dining on the restaurant's patio during the warmer months." 11 Parmenter St., 617-720-1336; trattoriailpanino.com Chinatown hot spot: "Peach Farm, for seafood and dim sum, and Winsor Dim Sum Cafe. Our guests rave about both of them." 4 Tyler St., 617-482-1116; peachfarmboston.com "We give people a chance to sit back, relax, and celebrate— and to do so in style." —BILL TAYLOR Date night out of the city: "La Campania in Waltham. The food and wine fully live up to the hype. The pizzas that come out of the wood-burning brick oven are simply delicious." 504 Main St., Waltham, 781-894-4280; lacampania.com Summer favorite: "If you go to Nantucket, you must check out Buck-a-shuck night on the Wauwinet deck." 120 Wauwinet Rd., Nantucket, 508-228-0145; wauwinet.com Indian: "Paani in Sudbury is a true hidden secret for Indian food lovers." 621 A Boston Post Road, Sudbury, 978-443-8100; paani-restaurant.com BOSTONCOMMON-MAGAZINE.COM 096-098_BC_ST_OTT_Holiday_13.indd 98 10/31/13 5:41 PM