Convivial pursuits

[Back Bay T station; 2pm, 1/5/08]

I met up with a bunch of people this morning to walk and have lunch, starting at the Forest Hills T station in JP and ending in the South End, at the Addis Red Sea Ethiopian restaurant. Walking into the restaurant from the cold Boston street was like stepping through a wormhole into Addis Ababa -- quite warm and very fragrant, with African art and furnishings throughout. There were 10 of us for lunch and we ordered various combination plates and shared everything, so we got to try quite a lot -- wonderful, spicy dishes scooped up with injera, their airy, sticky bread that serves as a utensil. I also had a Harar Ethiopian pilsner, which was slightly sweet and a good light accompaniment for the meal. Afterwards, most of the group walked back (about 4.5 miles), but a few of us took the T back, including myself simply because I needed to get some things done back at home.

I drove back to Belmont, stopped at UPS and the dry cleaners, and then I figured heck why not drop in and check out Vicky Lee's. It's a lovely little cafe I've passed by dozens of times but hadn't been in. Spare and clean, with delectable-looking pastries, it's homey and elegant at the same time. I'd planned to buy something to take home, but it was so lovely I decided to get a cup of coffee and a brownie and just sit by the windows for a few minutes and enjoy.

[Surreptitious photo at Vicky Lee's]

I was also out last night, meeting up with a couple of friends after work at Solea in Waltham, which I've been to umpteen times, but is always good for South American tapas. We had a great time catching up on things.

Tomorrow is another busy social day, with brunch plans in Cambridge and then in the afternoon a photography exhibit opening, the first public exhibit of photos by an acquaintance's boyfriend. Several friends are planning to go to that, so it should be fun. But I am hoping to have a very quiet evening afterwards. All the fun company and exploring more new places and meeting new people has been energizing, but it will catch up with me if I don't have quiet time to regroup before the workweek. Tonight, K is out, so I'm enjoying some quiet time tonight, too. I may do a little knitting or start reading Oliver Sacks' Musicophilia, then off to sleep.

Comments

[mm]

I really like the first photo ....

[Dave]

Yeah, that first photo rocks. As does Ethiopian food - yum!

[Lorianne]

What Dave said. It's been forever since I've had Ethiopian food. There used to be (possibly still is? who knows!) a great Ethiopian place in Central Square, so we went there a lot during my Cambridge Zen Center days. Finding Ethiopian food in New Hampshire is a bit more problematic: another benefit of moving closer to the Big City.

[Lucy]

Real 'Wow' factor to that first one! You're making me feel hungry here.
Frost pictures gorgeous too.

[joanna]

I love the first photo, too. The orange things look like comets streaking across the page.

[Leslee]

Hey thanks, all. I snapped few photos since I figured out on the last walk that these being non-bloggers they didn't get the concept of stopping and photographing mid-sentence. The food was wonderful, and I've liked the people I've met in this walking group.

Lorianne: There's another Addis Red Sea restaurant in Porter Square - I walked by it today. Apparently not as lushly furnished, but I think the food's supposed to be good. We should go on one of our next excursions!

[Tall Girl]

You eat so well...

[Lorianne]

Yes, I've been wanting to get to Porter Square one of these days: I never got around to it before Christmas. So maybe some weekend we could go shopping in Porter Square followed by Ethiopian food. I'm always game for an excuse to shop & eat. ;-)

[leslee]

TG: I try. ;-)

Lorianne: Sounds like a plan!