Who wants some?? ~ I do!!

Not so long ago I was introduced to this brilliant comedian by my boyfriend. I can honestly say that I almost cry and occasionally wet my pants laughing when I watch some of his stand up. Enjoy :)

Martini at 11 am on a Sunday, anyone?

Name: South End Buttery
Location: 314 Shawmut Avenue (South End, Boston)
Price: $$- $$$
Highlights: relaxing atmosphere, American/English cuisine, organic fresh simple bla bla dishes
Low Point: the zombie like people on the cafe side in search of muffins and croissants that come there on weekend mornings
 
Yes, I am well aware that I am the worst blogger of all time aren't ppl supposed to update them daily or at least weekly but I do have a good excuse the Swedish part of me should be good at this- what did we say when people accused us of not being neutral during WWII?... I was busy... with stuff...NO! I was busy living a life! nice save Anastasia. Since I have been oh so bad at keeping up this blog, I have decided to blog non-stop in these coming days. It is a promise! I am Russian-whatz iz theze truzt you zpeak of?

Now before I begin let me establish one thing- Starbucks is not, I repeat, is not a cafe. There, now that it is out of the way, please do not ask me to review Starbucks "gee she is such a bitch".

Yes I am bitter they cannot spell my name

We begin with my all time favorite place here in Bean town- the South End Buttery can't believe I am going to share this with you four people that might read this blog. This is a small yet chic bakery/cafe/restaurant/amazing brunch that incorporates a twist on American and English cuisine. I have been here several times now but let me tell you the story of how I initially discovered this place. It was a cold and dark evening okay it was around 17.00 and it was still bright and it wasn't so cold, my friend and I were walking around trying to find an open cafe. When I realized that most of them were closed, my friend suggested that we try a place he had previously walked by. Thus began the walk through maybe not the safest street of all time. While walking on Washington street I saw things that might of scared me for life- only in America will you see C-class and 5 series parked in the projects. Finally, after putting my life in the hands of a Peruvian's memoria, we made it to this amazing neighborhood gem. 
The baked goods are amazing, the coffee is made the way it supposed to, the staff is kind do people even pay attention to that? and hearing some European languages being tossed back in forward made me feel at home.
I returned a few times after that cold and dark night schhh and the latest time my marketing group and I went there for a Sunday brunch. I am not going to lie- I thanked myself several times that I reserved a table for four because the moment I walked in and saw the herd of human beings all standing in puddles of drool  waiting for their croissants at 11 am on a Sunday- I knew I was not missing out.
This place is amazing and I highly recommend it please do not come here in sweat pants and your salt covered UGGS If you want to spoil yourself on a nice Sunday morning this is the place to be Stephanie's is so 2009 and be sure to wear something nice cause people here definitely do not mind wearing some bling and fully tailored Boss/Klein suits yes you two businessmen at the bar.. it's 11 am in the morning! I am okay with you drinking at 11 am but the suit? is it necessary? 

This guy knows his way around shady alleys :)

Do you know the F word? - Fornecation?

Film: The King's Speech
Cast overview: Colin Firth, Helena Bonham Carter, Geoffrey Rush and some others I pressume
Stars: **** this means 4 out of 5

Last weekend I went with a friend to the movies to watch my darling Colin Firth Anastasia Firth does sound pretty nice if you repeat it 5 times in his latest roll as the King George VI- the king with the stammer and a dirty mouth where is Orbit when you need it?
This film tells the story about George ('Bertie') as he reluctantly assumes the thrown after his brother abdicates well actually he falls in love with a not yet divorced woman who learned some interesting skills while in Shanghai. Bertie is plagued by a dreaded stammer which makes people question if he is suited to be king. Bertie's wife a too talented Helena B Carter who does not have time to look at what she is wearing..ever finds an unorthodox speech therapist by the name of Lionel Logue who through a set of unexpected techniques, and as a result of an unlikely friendship, helps Bertie find his voice and boldly lead the country through war.

This movie was really something. A great performance from all of the main characters.
It was funny, sweet, charming and being a history nerd an absolute delight to watch. I strongly recommend this film if you just want to feel pure joy when leaving the cinema.

I rather wear fur than go naked.. but I can settle with faux fur too

Purchase: two faux fur vests
Location: Filene's Basement
Price: $$

Over Christmas break I went to visit my family in St Petersburg do not complain about it being cold in Boston.
As soon as I stepped out from the airport the fur cadaver extravaganza began robbing in my face. Every single woman in Russia posses some sort of fur piece. It can be everything from a mink coat to a fox vest or a hat made out of her husband.
Personally, I am an animal lover you can say that in English without sounding gross, right? but I am also a fashion lover and Russian on top of that. Of course the dilemma grew as I tried on fabulous silver fox vests when I was in one of the fur stores on Nevskij Prospekt there is 8 women for every man (and 5 fur stores for every woman) in Russia but I tried to resist myself from temptation. I felt like an alcoholic going to a wine tasting session that never actually got to purchase a bottle.  The extreme physical or mental suffering!
Nevertheless, I held my promise to the animal kingdom and returned to Boston empty handed.

Then, yesterday, I decided to visit Filene's basement for some bargain hunting that's after I typed, printed and signed a contract with myself stating I am no longer allowed to spend money on clothes and as I was roaming the halls of amazing brands mixed with mockery pieces, I came face to face with what I believed was the enemy of all Russian women- FF not the Ferrari station wagon Faux Fur.
I began to wonder if maybe, just maybe I should try on the horrendous thing hanging on the hanger staring me up and down.
I swallowed my Russian pride and decided to try on the gray ball of fur.

Well let's just say I ended up purchasing two pieces of faux fur and honestly.. I love them both.
They are soft, stylish and best of all -my conscious feels good I do not need to go to church on Sunday
The importance is to find a brand that specializes in faux fur. Good quality faux fur might be pricier but it will definitely look and feel great!

Remember: If I as a Russian am willing to wear faux fur- so should you!

 

Ferrari's super fast...station wagon

Car: Ferrari FF
Price: not been announced (estimate around $320,000)
Facts you ought to know (and google if you have no clue what they mean- I know I do it all the time): front-mounted 651 hp 6.3-liter V12, features Ferrari’s first all-wheel-drive system which is said is a unique design that weighs 50 percent less than conventional systems, the cargo compartment holds 15.9 cubic feet of miscellaneous things kids hockey sticks, dad's golf gear, mum's shopping bags, grandpa's wheelchair, neighbor's IKEA assemble-yourself desk..

As you may of heard Ferrari just recently unveiled their new take on the growing number of exotic "four-door coupes" on the market today- by launching the Ferrari FF.
Basically, the car that will scream "I am a successful man with a Ferrari.. but not successful enough to get a weekend sports car and, therefore, need to share this one with my wife and three kids".
Ferrari claims that this station wagon has a top speed of 208 miles per hour and that it is able to accelerate from 0-60 mph in 3.7 seconds.
Do not get me wrong, getting to the nearest Home Depot in 10 minutes is extremely impressive but I suggest to leave that job for the Porsche Panamera.

Also, when looking at the company's video regarding the FF, they heavily advertise that this machine can live through extremely snowy and icy conditions. So if you are planning on taking the family for a quick visit to Sears in Alaska- well then this car is for you!

I am still trying to comprehend this trend of abandoning the true essence of the sports car image (just you and the car connecting with every gear change) and turning it into a, dare I say it- a family affair.

As a good friend of mine said- at this time Enzo Ferrari is probably rolling in his grave.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bn99cOS6QY0&feature=player_embedded#!

A snail in the garden is an escargot on a plate

Name: Petit Robert Bistro
Location: 480 Columbus Ave (South End, Boston)
Price: $$ ($$$ I drink to much wine)
Highlights: relaxing atmosphere, the native French speakers, the great wine list, French cuisine, European portions 
Low Point: the location I would prefer for this place to be surrounded by more greens, what can I say I am tree-huger


As we turn of from W. Newton right onto Columbus Avenue, Petit Robert Bistro's warm lights and small replica of La Tour d'Eiffel awakes my inner nostalgia.
With my heart constantly yearning to be back in Paris, I thought this would be the perfect opportunity to have my friend experience one of my favorite restaurant/cafes depending on your craving in South End Boston.

I have previously eaten here a few times, however, I have always preferred sitting down for coffee or a glass of wine in their bar area.
The French cuisine is good, the price is right, the atmosphere is relaxing and the waiters, well, they are French those who are not try to mimic the french ways.
Now, to some the waiters might come of as inattentive or unfriendly yes, you lady wearing a two sizes too small red dress with fake french manicure nails but in reality they are very knowledgeable about the cuisine and service etiquette.
If you want an upbeat waitress that jumps up to your table immense slightly creepy smile permanently marked on her face and joins you for a drink when you merely suggested it as a joke- well then you would go to T.G.I Fridays.

One of my favorite night's at Petit Robert was a return visit in the end of August with three of my good friends.
I ordered Escargots Bourguignons as my hors d'oevres, grilled salmon fillet with lemon and ciboulette butter for my entrees and finished the meal of with an espresso expresso as that same lady pronounced it later and a pear tarte.

First arrived the escargots. For some, the idea of snails drenched in butter and garlic might seem slightly unappealing, only let me tell you that this amazing dish needs to be tried at least once in a person's life the worst that can happen is that you might experience it tasting similar to poultry- pricey poultry.
The thought of these little snails being fasted and purged to relieve their digestive system of any toxicity, came across my mind for a split second. But as that quite disturbing thought emerged, my first glass of Pinot Noir hastily washed it away.
The escargots- chewy yet firm, mild- were of course merely vessels for the delicious sauce.

Then arrived my entree, I closed my eyes and prayed for the salmon to be prepared perfectly. In all honesty, I tend to judge restaurants by how well they can perfect a salmon dish. This simple yet delicious fish tends to always end up too overcooked or too undercooked. 
This salmon had a delicate pink color never judge a piece of salmon by the color alone and was still releasing steam. I cut the first piece and took a bite- perfection.
The fish was perfectly cooked. It was moist, tender, and perfectly flavored.
After I finished my second glass of wine, we all decided to pick one of the desserts.
The espresso and my pear pie was a perfect, light ending to this dinner.

Petit Robert Bistro never disappoints me when I stop by for a coffee and pastry after a long day of errands a.k.a shopping. They have good coffee dear "cafes" please buy an espresso machine, delicious desserts, amazing green tea and the beer and wine assortment fulfill my list of must haves.

I strongly recommended this place there are three of them in Boston. During the summer you can sit outside and in the winter you can look out the window see the mini Tour d'Effiel and fantasize about being in Paris.