"boston magazine" news and stories

I've never had sake. Not even once. I mean, it just seems like a really special drink that should only be sampled at certain bars or under special circumstances. In fact, I don't think I've even been with anyone who has ever ordered it either. I think the only place I've encountered the drink is on television and in spy novels where the hero drinks it with the mysterious beautiful girl that he encounters.

But sake is rapidly growing in popularity as a summer cocktail, and Boston magazine has a list of various drinks that you can try and the places in Boston that are serving them.

So what does sake taste like? Is it heavy? Fruity? Crisp and light? Powerful? Bitter? An acquired taste? Give me some hints so I know what I'm in for.

If there's one thing I learned from this list of best sandwiches from Boston magazine, it's this: I really have to get out more.

I've heard of all of these restaurants, but I haven't had any of the sandwiches. God, between this and my other recent admission, you'd think I didn't eat anything but pizza and candy. That's not a bad guess, but it's just that I haven't tried these establishments yet. But having a list like this makes you say "hey, I want to try that!", so it has accomplished one of its goals.

Deluca's on Newbury Street wins for Best Roast Beef; the Union Bar and Grille wins for Best Reuben; Darwin's wins the award for Best Egg Salad; the Flour Bakery + Cafe gets the nod for B.L.T.; the Appleton Bakery + Cafe gets Best Ham and Cheese; Best Meatloaf goes to Solas; Pemberton Farms wins for Best Traditional Turkey; and the Parish Cafe gets the award for Best Tuna Salad.

This is part one, by the way. In the next issue will be sandwiches they call "The New Classics." Which will probably be even more sandwiches I haven't tried yet.

• Is it possible to want to take a magazine cover and devour it? This pic on Boston is only a grilled cheese sandwich and some soup, but I love grilled cheese sandwiches and soup, and it's cold and rainy today and it's comfort food! It's from Picco's, by the way. 
• The magazine profiles some Boston restaurants and the comfort foods they offer to get you through the winter (sorry non-Bostonians): the big burger at Caffe' Umbra, topped with Vermont Cheddar and red onions; the hot chili and cornbread at Firefly's Barb-B-Que & Beyond; the lemon-ricatta pancakes at the Four Seasons; the buttery, gooey mac and cheese from Silvertone (recipe included!); and a recipe for the ultimate (yet easy) mashed potatoes from Aquitaine.
• Profiles of 6 places with cozy fireplaces and corner booths: Hungry I, James Gate, The Fireplace, Antico Forno, Joe V's, and Oleana.     
• There's also an interesting profile of comedian Dane Cook. That has nothing to do with food, but hey, his last name is Cook.