On the Cover . 5 | Seven50 Grill

---

This is an image I made a block away from our office in Dot.MA. We're looking into the 'conservatory' or 'greenhouse' seating area of an abandoned restaurant, the Seven50 Grill. The light at this particular time of day melded the interior view, looking through the glass, with the exterior scene behind me, reflected in the glass. No compositing was used, although a little editing was done to create a painterly texture and bump up the saturation. Camera: Olympus D-620L. The image will run on the 3/15-4/1 cover of Roofscape.

Image ... Seven50 Grill. Dorchester, Massachusetts.

January 29, 2010

---

Biked to Coolidge Corner, Brookline yesterday - from Uphams Corner, Dorchester. Nearly died. Looked over a project then went to this place to warm up with some tea. The place was freezing, the tea got cold in two seconds. I didn't get warm, so when we left I was chilled and shivering. I knew I wouldn't make it home. I'd have to stop somewhere warm. So by chilly circumstance I got to do something I've wanted to for years. Eat at the Busy Bee and chat up the waitresses about the Winter Hill Gang (Whitey Bulger's crew).

Sat in the book furthest back, as far away from the door as possible, next to the warmth of the kitchen. The waitress let me because the place wasn't busy. Ordered spaghetti and meatballs. Found out they obviously didn't eat here for the food.

So I was wondering - where did they sit? They were gangsters. Creatures of habit. Probably always sat in the same spot and had their table. Thought to myself, right here, down back, out of the middle of things, keep eyes on the whole place.

So when I was done, having hardly touched the horrid strings, asked the waitress, "This is where the Winter Hill Gang used to hang out isn't it?" She affirmed and I asked, "Where did they sit?" She said that was before her time but called over a senior staffer and asked her.

"Always right up front. First two booths," she said. Of course. Stupid me, although I got the always part right. They were gangsters. To watch the door and get out fast if need be.

Waitress #1 filled me in on the story she'd heard. The FBI bugged the napkin dispensers at those two tables to record the gang's Busy Bee business meetings. And no one ever knew, not even the owner (she said gesturing to the guy in a Busy Bee cap sitting at the counter watching the lottery on TV) until the whole Bulger story came spilling out when Whitey skipped. "He's dead," she said. And waitresses often know whatever needs to be known.

On the way home stopped by the garden. No criminal activity. Everything intact and in place but for a few things blown around a bit. Brought back a book and some packets of seeds to start. Coming wasn't as bad as going, but it wasn't easy. Walked parts of the way in scattered snow showers.

Driveway Shrine. Dorchester, Mass.

Bay Village | Cityscape . 1

---

Mike and Patty's is probably the smallest restaurant in Boston, located in the smallest and possibly least known neighborhood of Boston, consisting of maybe a dozen blocks, Bay Village. Hidden away between the South End and Theatre District, Park Square and the Mass. Pike, Bay Village is filled with small, quaint brick townhouses inhabited by 2,100 souls, most of average stature.

M&P seats ten, at a pinch, elbow by elbow, toe to toe. So it's small, but the food is BIG.

Mike and Patty's
12 Church Street, Bay Village - corner of Church and Fayette Streets
Boston, Massachusetts 02116
Tuesday - Friday, 7:30 am - 3:00 pm
Saturday, 8:00 am - 2:00 pm
Sunday, 9:00 am - 2:00 pm
Monday, closed.
Phone: 617.423.3447
Email: eat@mikeandpayys.com

January 16, 2010

---

Programmed a Teddy P. set late last night. I was amazed at the huge number of great hits he had. Then did research for the Sunday gospel set. There's going to be lots of great new music, mixed in with the favorites.

Finished the 1/15/10 magazine cover, updating Beans About Boston. Now working on bringing the Beans pages (questions-answers) up to new standards and editing text.

Photographed in Bay Village (see below) and the South End yesterday. Started a small article about Bay Village - or Mike and Patty's, I can't decide which.

January 7, 2010

---

Writing an article on Martin Luther King's time in Boston for the 1/15/10 issue, his 81st birthday. He might still be alive today. What a different world we'd live in. What a different world we do live in thanks to his brief presence.

Working on Beans About Boston, pulling the page together, collecting and editing all the questions, answers and background info. The next issue's will be on MLK, of course, related to Boston.

Peter and I did some PR in the South End for our new (since Seotember 1) design/build business. Sunny, maybe up to 40°, just slight breezes now and then. Perfect for walking around, did four hours or so of flyering.

Broke for lunch at Francesca's. They had a crab soup that was superb. I didn't get any, but tried some of Peter's. We both got the mini of the day - a small sandwich on a split, lightly toasted English muffin - ham, cheese, lettuce and mustard with tortilla chips on the side, for $4. These are always great, change daily and are often inventive.

I'm going to review Francesca's for Boston's Best, because it is. Great people watching from the counters along the windows overlooking a very hip stretch of Tremont Street - across from the BCA, St. Cloud, Boston Ballet and surrounded by easily a dozen of the South End's top restaurants. Not to mention the hotties inside the spot. We have a new fave pit stop, well worth a slight detour. Charlie's has worn out its welcome. Is there no loyalty left? No ... I mean yes. Absinthe maketh the heart grow fonder. We're both hopeless foodie snobs.

At lunch I was telling Pete about the MLK article I'm working on. We had to divert to Dudley to pick some printing, so there and back again we did a little tour - the People's Baptist Church, MLK's apartment building at 397 Mass. Ave., the Hi-Hat jazz club location at 400 Mass. Ave. across the street, the jazz mecca around the corners of Mass. and Columbus, the Savoy where the Christian Science Plaza now is, St. Botolph St. where MLK also roomed.