HOCR 2024: Day 2

We covered everything from all the angles but it really did not make any difference because wherever you were it was a great event.  Today brought so many thrills as competing were many New England schools, colleges and universities.

We chatted with crew teams here from Texas to Windsor and London, England.  We met some Olympians, enjoyed a delicious, relaxed lunch and enjoyed what everyone referred to as the best weather they'd ever seen for Head Of Charles Regatta.

All I know that this was largest crowd, by far, I have ever seen at the event and it was free of any incident, just a spectacular day I will never forget.

24 HOCR People

 St. Paul's.  These were the first two crew we mates met. All the way from London.  I thought they were locals.  Not so. Competing tomorrow and then more training until Thursday before they fly back home.

Apparently their school has a long tradition of winners. Good luck mates.

2024 Head Of Charles Regatta: Day One

 

Our first day at Head Of Charles Regatta is always about the people.  We meet with and talk to as many as we can and this year the weather cooperated beautifully so the crowd was the largest we've ever seen.

The Regatta is the largest single sporting event in all of New England with 12,000 participants from all over the world and ten times that viewing.

And everyone is so upbeat and excited for the races, just a great break from all the bad news and divisive politics.  We'll be covering the event live from the Media Center across our social media outlets with some great stories and interesting people.

HOCR 2024

 

It's the best social event of the year.  Really looking forward to covering the Head Of Charles Regatta with behind-the-scenes athlete stories, parties and people from all places.  Dinner anyone?

Dinner At Momosan

What better way to celebrate National Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month than having top quality sushi and ramen in a very cool setting?  That's why we headed on over to Momosan Boston.

Spicy Tan-Tan Ramen

We noshed on California and Tempura rolls and then these fabulous ramen dishes loaded with rich flavor.  The setting is modern and airy with outdoor seating available on these warm summer days and nights.  The service was excellent and the cocktails?  Delicious!  The menu is also surprisingly affordable for this level of quality.  So, yes we highly recommend Momosan.

Spicy Tan-Tan Ramen.

Momosan Boston

Located inside Hub Hall

80 Causeway Street

Boston, MA  02114

AAPI

Estella First Anniversary Party

 Even Sen. Ed Markey was there to lead the Happy Birthday chorus at the recent Estella first year anniversary party.  We totally enjoyed the great food and craft cocktails at the only black-owned and operated club in the Downtown Crossing area.  We love the setup of this space, a lively bar scene on the street level, upstairs dining tables and a private club vibe on the lower level.  Congrats!

The Burren Smokehouse

 

Lisdoonvarna was our destination of the day for a VIP tour of The Burren Smokehouse.  Totally organic salmon is smoked here with chips and sawdust gathered from a local furniture mill and it was really enlightening to follow the procedures and story.

We enjoyed the tour with a Parisian Chef there to learn more about the process and ingredients said to be the best in Ireland, donning white coats and footwear booties.  

Followers know that I love salmon and was lucky enough to enjoy it for breakfast, lunch and dinner while on our recent journey along the Wild Atlantic Way tour.  

I gobbled up a small plate so fresh it was being packed up and shipped out to stores and restaurants all over the world.  It was really the best I've ever had.  Afterward we headed next door to Roadside Tavern for more salmon, a local brew tasting and trading endless stories and laughs with Peter Curtin and the locals.  If you are ever anywhere near it's a great way to spend the afternoon.

Afternoon Tea At Dromoland Castle

 

Dromoland Castle is huge, comfortable and elegant.  We arrived for afternoon tea on a misty day after visiting in Ennis with family.

The polished silver, the cakes and sandwiches, the superlative service, and a perfect cup of Earl Grey was the most relaxing afternoon of our visit to county Clare on our tour.

The International Life

 We're off to Ireland with a new focus on travel and culture which is, of course, filled with food experiences.  With three million visitors we're pretty sure you will want to follow the adventures.  It's so great to be back again on this Epic Tour of County Clare on The Wild Atlantic Way.  Our hosts, The Cliffs of Moher Experience, Aer Lingus and Avis Car Rental, have set up some amazing tours, dinners and hotels.  Follow us everywhere for some great fun!

Cafes Are Back

 

One of the things I missed most during those darkest Covid days was stopping in at the local cafes and coffee shops and spending an hour or two relaxing, reading and writing.  Now they all seem to be back in full bloom just in time for the open doors and windows of spring.

We stopped in at the Tatte Bakery location near Emerson College recently while in town for a movie screening.  This is one of the larger locations with plenty of seating and boy did we feel at home.  There was lots of great coffee and all those delicious pastries.  It's so nice to be back!

Popcorn For The People

 

Thursday January 19 is National Popcorn Day and what better way to celebrate with these delicious treats from Prospector Popcorn that also support a great cause?  When you buy these goodies you will also be supporting their employment of people with disabilities.  And they are doing a great job.

Sparkle on, people!!!

Boston Public Market Harvest Party

 

Boston Public Market is hosting a fun night for foodies on this Wednesday, October 12, in case you want to attend this great event before the tickets sell out.  And they will!  There will be lots of food to sample, an open bar and entertainment.  See you all there!

Tickets can be purchased here

Newport Mansions Wine and Food Festival 2022

 

A great, friendly crowd, a spectacular view in a stunning backdrop, perfect weather, lots of pours and winemakers from all over the world.  What could be better?  The Newport Mansions Wine and Food Festival 2022 was just fantastic.  Yes, the Grand Tasting is gone but, really, we actually like these smaller, more intimate seminars where you get to meet interesting people and spend time talking with the people who make the wine.  Gone is the crowded stampede.

We attended the seminar:  What's Trending In Italy.  Presented by Kobrand and featuring winemakers from Medici Ermete, a big favorite, it was extraordinary.  Thank you to The Preservation Society Of Newport County and to ALL of the new food and wine friends we made!

Surf Club, Newport 2022

 

What's better than a cheeseburger loaded with onion fries and the whole city walking by as you sit and dine? Maybe frozen drinks. Just check out the tiktok vid of our fun visit to Surf Club Newport.  

Plus, this is the only place in Newport where they have a booth table that sits twelve people.  Munch on fried shrimp or scallops and sip gin and tonics with everyone in, well, your immediate circle.

We also got a sneak peek inside the totally swanky new private club.  Very luxe and comfy.  Another tiktok Contact us for details.

Surf Club Newport

Lunch At La Forge, Newport

 

I went with the classic Club Sandwich, loaded with bacon and thick layers of turkey on a crisp bed of lettuce and toasted bread, smothered in mayo.  Delicious. Because that's what you do when dining at a classic spot:  La Forge Casino at the Tennis Hall Of Fame in Newport.

The courts were as green as ever.  We loved the Arthur Ashe tribute poster.  Really, if you ever play you must visit.  I mastered the art of the serve at Boston College.  There is even a video of me out there, somewhere, teaching people how to do it.  So, tennis is a love.

The cool drinks came in handy as it was a warm day.  That didn't stop us from shooting lots of video (follow us on Tiktok) and see the Philadelphia Freedom episode.

My dining companion went with the Reuben Sandwich.  If you're in Newport this summer you must stop in.  It's a classic summer lunch.  

La Forge Newport

Cheers,

William