How To: Have A (Real) Girl's Night

This wasn't the only thing that
made my Valentine's Day great!

After college, there are many times when the term "penny pinching" is a gross overstatement. True friends will remind you that you only live once. Even truer friends will ask you to be their Valentine's Day date and enthusiastically encourage you to indulge yourself. 

That's what I have my friend Megan for. 

With our S.O.V.S.' elsewhere on the planet, Megan and I organized for ourselves what would be the ultimate Valentine's Day...just for the two of us. We settled on sushi as our main event and selected the Back Bay locale known as Basho Japanese Brasserie. I coordinated our reservations and we settled on an 8:45 seating. Normally this would be unpleasantly late for me to be eating, but I knew Megan and I would pass the time with good conversation and some sort of adventure.

Megan, like me, enjoys a healthy tasting of beer every once in a while so it only seemed natural that we whet our appetites with some beverages at Boston Beer Works following our long days at the office. Megan met me at the Brookline Avenue location just a after 7 p.m. and we chose to sit at the bar. After we settled in, Megan informed me of a mini-sampling option they offer so that we could try a few different beers at once. When the bartender came to take our order, we instructed her to pick her three favorites from the menu and include the milk chocolate stout they were featuring. Once our "micro"-brews arrived, we began exploring the flavors of  Bunker Hill blueberry ale, Landsdowne lager, Patriot pilsner and the milk chocolate stout. Pretty soon, we were lost in conversation and our beverages but ordered one round of full-sized beers before we crossed Yawkey Way where our dinner awaited us.

This is my valentine with our sampling of beers, from light to dark!

Once inside Basho, we waited a mere five minutes to be seated. The lighting was dim with a pastel glow and Megan and I were seated towards the front of the restaurant by the windows which was both intimate and cozy. By this point, we were starving so everything on the menu enticed us. We settled on appetizers of gyoza and vegetable tempura (which we varied between sweet potato, avocado and cauliflower). Megan chose a Philadelphia roll as her dinner and I eagerly ordered my favorite, Spicy Tuna. Our cocktails came quickly which was excellent because I had been craving a lychee martini for some time. The service was friendly and attentive to clearing excess dishes. Even our dessert, a tart creme brûlée, was briskly whipped up and delivered to our table.

My favorite sushi roll thus far: Spicy Tuna.

Like any good date, we lost track of time and were likely laughing and smiling our way out of Basho sometime after 11. Pleased we had only spent about $50 each on the entire evening, we made a vow to try and repeat a girl's night tradition very soon! 

Basho's interior: Day light.

Did you spend Valentine's Day with someone other than your significant other? Tell us all about it! 

We'd love some recommendations and date ideas! Comment below, 'like' us on Facebook or find us on Twitter @citygrlthoughts

Can't wait to hear your ideas!

Taking the Confusion Out of 'XLVI': Where to Go for the Superbowl

If you can't GO to the game in Indy, might we suggest one of these places?

With the big game less than a week away, and many of you wishing it was the weekend again, we thought we'd get you day dreaming about where you might be once kickoff rolls around on Sunday.

While many prefer the quaint and cozy party with family and friends, we realize that some socialites would rather be throwing one back with 40 of their closest friends (and neighbors) in the city.

If you happen to be one of those party people, we applaud your skills as you balance a tortilla chip dripping with salsa and dodge shoulder bumps and thunderous cheering. Here are the best places to make it happen!

• Trina's Starlite, Inman Square, Somerville: Named best neighborhood bar in 2011 and famous for their weekday brunches, fried chicken and sloppy joe's, this venue is not to be missed! The cocktail menu has an equal playing field with all drinks being $9 and an intriguing selection of beers from High Life bottles to keg specialities like a Coffeehouse porter. They're open until 1 a.m. on game day so we suggest you give them a shot!

• The Bone, Downtown, Framingham: If you're out in the 'burbs or just looking for a new spot, you should probably add this spot to your bucket list. Boasting their award winning food and sports viewing on HDTV, The (Chicken) Bone also offers delivery of their 13 flavors if you've already scored a venue to watch the game. We know some like it hot but we'd recommend being cautious with the sauces!

• The Biltmore Bar & Grille, Upper Falls, Newton: Originating as a speakeasy, this classy spot is festive from its tin ceilings to its polished mahogany paneling. With local produce and dairy, The Biltmore earns a seal of approval from true New Englanders who have an appreciation for local flavors. Pull up at their salvaged tables and order oysters from the raw bar, sample proscuitto wrapped scallops or sip on creamy Yukon Gold potato soup as Brady and Manning duke it out!

• The Stockyard, Brighton: After reading the history of this place, we were a little worried we'd be supporting the enemy, but never fear; Stockyard founder Corneilius Manning doesn't seem to have any common threads to the dastardly Eli. We were relieved because the seared ahi tuna appetizer seems too good to pass up! Of course, with traditional game day snacks like potato skins and mozzarella sticks, The Stockyard has plenty of screens and a vintage vibe that will getting you cheering to the leather heads of yore!

• Ruth's Chris, Boston: We too were skeptical when we read that this steakhouse is a Boston favorite for Superbowl viewing but like other city adventures, we just went with it! If you're compromising with a date on a Superbowl venue or romantic night out this weekend, this spot might be just the place to agree on. It surely has a "warm, comfortable atmosphere" and the bar recognizes Boston history through its namesake, James Michael Curley. It won't be open all hours of the night, which leaves plenty of time to barhop around Faneuil Hall or the Quincy Marketplace before locals starting singing "We are the Champions". (Knock on wood!)

• Game On, Fenway/ Landsdowne, Boston: It wouldn't truly be a comprehensive list if this watering hole wasn't listed somewhere. If you've never been to the city, Game On is one of the most popular sports bars neighboring Fenway Park. As with many city bars, the Game On menu features everything from a raw bar to soups and savory chicken wings to (not so) simple salads. While there's still time, sign-up for an All Star card to ensure return visits greet you with V.I.P. status, discounts and other cool benefits. It's like watching the game from a luxury box!

• Jillian's, Fenway/ Landsdowne, Boston: If Game On seems a little too tame for you (despite what the line out the door might indicate), turn the corner and head up the street to Jillian's for "dancing, bowling, professional billiards or great food and drink..." They'll be open long after closing ceremonies and confetti floats over the field so grab some friends and order up some coconut shrimp or beef teriyaki skewers and salute the Pats until 2 a.m.!

• 75 Chestnut, Beacon Hill, Boston: When you don't want to trek all over the city, a spot like 75 Chestnut is just what the doctor ordered! Nestled in the Beacon Hill district, this is more of a posh venue for those trying to avoid the "college crowd". With recipes such as beef stews, turkey sandwiches and clam chowder, there's something here for everyone even if you just park yourself at the bar. Personally, they had us at "tequila lime cocktail sauce"!

• Big City, Allston: The website of this hangout displays a banner advertising its claims to fame: "Pool Hale. Pizza Kitchen. Beer Bar". If this sounds like the kind of place you're into, start practicing your moves (and we don't mean Hail Mary). With 15 pool tables, 4 foosball tables, 80 beers on tap and "signature pizzas", we have a feeling the good times might go into over time if you choose this spot on Sunday. (Luckily they're open until 1 a.m.!)

• The Greatest Bar, Boston: This top locale is a frequent favorite among the twenty-somethings even on a regular weekend, so if you're looking for a fun crowd look no further! The menu is available until midnight and provides comfort food from pretzel sticks to quesadillas and you can enjoy an Amstel or Blue Moon from any one of the four levels. In addition, HDTV's will be aplenty as well as Jim Beam promotions and prizes! 

Where are YOU catching the game? Will you be with friends or family? Got any cool game day recipes or ideas to share? Send them to us at COSMOpolitique@gmail.com, in our comment box, on Facebook or by following us on Twitter @COSMOpolitique

We hope you enjoy the game and GO PATS!

Tunes & 2012: Where to Go for the Hottest Shows of the Year

     With a busy start to the new year, we can imagine how planning ways to spend that Christmas bonus might make you a little anxious. (Especially if saving money was one of your resolutions.) But what if we said that there was a great way to spend it on yourself and turn it into a once-in-a-lifetime trip? 

Well, if you like traveling and music, you've come to the right blog.

      As early as January, the 2012 music festivals have begun to gain momentum and everywhere from Miami to Indio and Vail Valley to San Bernadino is hosting one! With our quick 2012 festival guide, we're sure you'll find the perfect excuse to gather some friends and make it an unforgettable trip.

• March 2-4: Snowball Fest, Vail Valley, Colorado Due to the rapidly approaching date of this show, we suggest grabbing the $160 passes sooner rather than later. For fans of Afroman, Bag Raiders and Crushendo (formerly Slim Thugz), this year's line-up will make you thankful you worked so hard this year. And if that doesn't do it, then the 6,000 acres of snow for scenery certainly will! 

• March 3: Cyprus Hill Smokeout, San Bernadino, California Despite its declaration as a music festival and medicinal marijuana expo, don't let that stop you from this "mind opening" experience. The promotional video on their website, features clips from previous shows and a massive audience and the line-up boasts such acts as The Dirty Heads and Wiz Khalifa. With over two dozen acts, GA tickets for $86 and plenty of hemp-related shopping, we suggest packing your car now. (And don't forget to pack lots of snacks!) 

• March 9-18: SXSW, Austin, Texas After doing our homework, the (approximately) 90 stages at SXSW really got us excited. If that wasn't enough, this event doubles as a film festival! SXSW's schedule of events will keep you busy everyday which is why registration for their entrance packages (known as "badges") is especially important. Prices range from $750 to $1195 until February 10 and not that we don't think bands like The Ettes (Nashville), Fanzine (London, UK) and THE GRANNIES (San Francisco) are worth it, but planning for an event as large as this can take a lot of time, especially when it comes to finding accommodations!

• March 23-25: ULTRA Music Festival, Miami, Florida We envy those of you who have spring break during this time and don't need to run to Human Resources with a vacation request. Take the advice from an older and wiser generation: DO NOT MISS THIS SHOW. The website blasts the foreboding words "SOLD OUT" but as with any event, if you can find tickets online, spare no cost. This year's lineup includes acts like Hardwell, Jack Beats and Kraftwerk but Loco Dice, Miike Snow and New Order will also be present for "the biggest dance music event in America". As if we haven't dropped enough names already, the full list of performers is available on their website as well as a gallery from last year and countdown to the 2012 show.

• April 13-15 & 20-22: Coachella, Indio, California After seeing some snapshots of "Coachella cuties" from last year's show, stars like Victoria's Secret model Alessandra Ambrosio and Kate Moss put tickets to this event on our wish lists. While traditional tickets are unavailable, there seems to be some fine print that might gain you entry. Our motivation? Acts such as Pulp, Radiohead and Santogold are just a few of the things on our "most wanted" lists this year. Let us know if you get into what is known as California's flagship festival, we'll want to see pictures!

Heading to JassFest, SunFest, Sasquatch or any other "fest"'s this year? We want to hear about them! Send pictures and comments to cosmopolitique@gmail.com or tweet us @COSMOpolitique.

"Looking Forward" to 2012: First Night in Boston

If you're sitting at your cubicle (or in your bedroom at your parents' house) daunted by the idea of an unplanned New Year's weekend, we can sympathize. In fact, with so much to do in one of the best cities in the world, its easy to forget just how easy planning can be without breaking the bank. And don't feel bad because you just couldn't swing that trip to NYC with your friends. Boston has a celebration all its own that honors the firsts and lasts of everything this holiday.

On firstnight.org, the official website of Boston's annual winter celebration, the facts page boats that "First Night is the oldest and largest New Year's Eve celebration of the arts in North America". However, if you're not a fan of all things artistic, don't fret. With over a million people expected to celebrate this year, there is something in the city for everyone. 

What to do:

• Beginning at 5:30, the annual holiday procession commences at 5:30 in front of the Hynes Convention Center. If you enjoy the pomp and circumstance of a holiday parade, grab a spot along Boylston St., or where Charles St. meets Beacon St. This is a great family activity and for those who might want to call it an early night.
• While considered art, the annual display of ice sculptures is an entertaining way to spend time between city adventures. This year's collection will include five masterpieces illuminated by a variety of lights. Weighing between 30 and 45 tons, each sculpture is impressive and might motivate you to take on a hands-on project in the coming year!
• Got plans during the day but want to see the year out with a colorful explosion of delight? Don't miss the midnight fireworks over Boston Harbor! The Zambelli family, famous in the firework business for a little under a century, has been making the skyline sparkle in more than 18,000 cities alone for nationwide July 4th celebrations. We can't wait to see what they have up their sleeves this year!
• If you're looking for a party, websites like Clubzone.com have full listings of the festivities going down at venues like the Seaport Hotel and Club Mantra. (But hurry because these can sell out up until the day before!) Ticket prices may include amenities such as bottle service, hors d'oeuvres and champagne tots at midnight.
• For the comedian (and comedienne alike), acts such as Dan Kelly and John Pinette, will be performing  at venues across the city. Their events, as well as others, can be found on Boston.com's calendar page.
• Despite the expected increase in visitors to the city this weekend, there are still plenty of ways and places to steal a moment or two of romance on this holiday. Thanks to this guide we found, you can sweep your significant other off their feet at midday or midnight if you check out Boston.com's "Best Places to Kiss" gallery.
• However, while some chose Boston because we know how to "do it big", some prefer the quaintness of a simple dinner out and watching Dick Clark in the comfort of their own home. We can understand that but don't miss out the celebrating entirely! From Aura Restaurant to The Beehive, there's a festive spot for everyone! (Reservations recommended!)

Like our tips? Have some of your own? Comment below, 'like' us on Facebook or send us a tweet! @COSMOpolitique 

And have a very Happy New Year! xoxo