Petsi Pies - Cambridge and Somerville Pie Heaven I'll never forget my first bite of Petsi Pie's mixed berry pie. It was a small, delectable explosion in my mouth. Tart, sweet, and absolutely scrumptious. She had me at one bite. I've been a fan of Petsi's savory and sweet pies ever since.
That first bite was at Danny Lipset's broker open house and I knew a good idea when I tasted one. I've held a number of Petsi Pies broker opens since. It's a sure way to draw a crowd of agents.
Proprietor Renee McLeod, nicknamed Petsi as a child, opened her first pie shop in 2003 on Beacon Street in Somerville by the Star Market. In 2006 a second Petsi's opened near Harvard Square in the former Cremaldi's on Putnam Ave.
Petsi Pies serves dessert pies, savory pies that can be a main course, as well as scones, cookies, coffee cake, and cupcakes. Baked fresh daily, delicious and moderately priced.
Some of the pies on the menu include:
Savory -
And sweet -
There are a few tables tucked into the small Somerville space and a more expansive dining area in the Cambridge shop. Stop by for a tasty treat or place an order in advance for pies of your choice. 48 hours notice is required for pie orders and it might be a good idea to give more advance notice at Thanksgiving - a holiday that's all about pie.
Petsi Pies at 285 Beacon Street, Somerville MA 02143 is open 7 days a week. 617-661-0686
Monday - Friday 7:00am - 6:00pm, Saturday 8:00am - 4:00pm, and Sunday 8:00am - 2:00pm
Petsi Pies at 31 Putnam Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02139 is open Monday to Saturday. 617-499-0801
Monday - Friday 7:00am - 9:00pm, Saturday 9:00am - 6:00pm
********
Elizabeth Bolton is a real estate agent at Coldwell Banker on Huron Avenue in Cambridge Massachusetts. Read more about real estate in Cambridge and more on her blog Centers and Squares.
Industrial Credit Union - Boston MA If you're moving to Boston or nearby there's a good chance you're thinking about opening up an account at a bank. Why not choose a credit union instead?
When I grew frustrated with hefty charges at my local bank I decided to search for a credit union. Some of the things I wondered about included:
After some digging I discovered Industrial Credit Union in Boston and have been a loyal - and happy - customer for several years. After lots of irritations with banking practices it's great to do business with an institution that offers superb customer service - and interest on your money! Happily, their service charges and fees are significantly lower than my former bank's.
Industrial Credit Union (ICU) will celebrate its 100th anniversary next year. There's just one branch, a block from Faneuil Hall in Boston's Financial District at One Liberty Square.
It's also possible to do all of your banking by mail or online via direct deposit and their super online banking system. I became so enthusiastic about their online banking (which is free) that it was a pleasure to pay my bills - I actually looked forward to getting a bill in the mail. The ICU is also a member of the SUM network that allows you to use your ATM card at participating SUM banks without incurring a fee.
Who is eligible to join? If you live or work in the Greater Boston area you can join ICU. And if you're here for school or only for a few years, when you move out of state you can still keep your account.
Vice President and COO, Thomas Donahue explained that while credit unions traditionally were affiliated with companies, ICU is a community credit union serving residents and workers in the community. ICU is the oldest community credit union in the US.
The credit union offers:
If you're frustrated with high fees and service charges and low or no interest on your money - maybe it's time to consider a credit union.
Industrial Credit Union is located at One Liberty Square, Boston MA 02109. Hours are Monday - Friday, 8am to 3:30pm. The phone number is 617-742-1616.
Armando's Pizza - 163 Huron Ave - Cambridge MA When I give directions to my Cambridge real estate office it's all about food - we're around the corner from Hi Rise, across the street from Sarah's, and next door to Armando's Pizza. If you're at all familiar with Cambridge you'll know right where we are.
Armando's Pizza has been a Cambridge institution for decades. It's not a big storefront so it might be possible to overlook the restaurant - if you weren't brought up in Cambridge, if you don't work in the neighborhood, if you haven't been introduced by your foodie friends, or if you haven't come across all the online rave reviews.
Armando's does a booming business and once you taste the pizza you'll understand why. You can get regular - "New York style" pizza some call it (thin crust) or Sicilian (deep dish) by the slice or the pie. There are also a variety of grinders or subs, dishes including chicken or veal parm, salads, and soup. The Armando's Special - sort of an omelette on a sub roll - is one of my favorites.
Armando and Dorothy Paolo bought the pizza place in 1971. The business is very much a family affair - nowadays it's more than likely that grandson Michael will be behind the counter greeting customers by name. Kids often get a free pack of cookies, the walls are covered with team photos from the Little League teams they've sponsored for decades, and for years Armando was our office Santa Claus.
Business is brisk - families, local office workers, cops, kids from the school around the corner, construction crews whose pickups line the block at lunch time - we're all in line for a slice and a soda. Multiple pizzas are boxed, stacked and delivered around town at lunch and dinner time. Fast, friendly, inexpensive, and best of all - mighty tasty. Once you're introduced to Armando's chances are you'll become a regular too.
Armando's Pizza is at 163 Huron Avenue, Cambridge MA 02138. The phone number is 617-354-8275.
**********
Elizabeth Bolton is a real estate agent at the Coldwell Banker office next door and writes about real estate in and around Cambridge on her real estate blog where you can also search for homes for sale in Cambridge and in Massachusetts.
Sarah's Market and Cafe - Concord Ave - Cambridge MA Since owner Raj Patel bought Sarah's in 2003 this corner store and cafe has become a neighborhood favorite. Located in Huron Village, about a mile from Harvard Square, Sarah's is directly across the street from my office and a favorite with Coldwell Banker agents, Harvard employees, Cambridge police, local students, and neighborhood residents who fill its tables on a daily basis.
Sarah's is a combination convenience store and restaurant. Walk through the convenience store - well stocked with groceries, gourmet items, cards, newspapers, and the ever popular lottery tickets - to the cafe.
Orders are taken at the counter and cooked to order in front of you. Kudos to the cooks - I worked in restaurants for years and most cooks were prima donnas whose behavior would never pass public muster. Sarah's cooks keep the food coming at a rapid clip and are friendly to boot. Don't be surprised when you're greeted by name at the counter.
The lunch and dinner menu at Sarah's Cafe - on the blackboards that line the walls - includes a variety of sandwiches, wraps, salads, soups, and entrees. I haven't sampled everything but some of my favorites include:
The salmon salad's become such a favorite with my family that we often order three and take them home for dinner.
Sarah's Cafe serves one of the very best breakfasts in town. Breakfast sandwiches are available any time and happily the full breakfast menu is served all day on the weekends. Omelettes, eggs, pancakes - even the toast is superb.
Sarah's serves a variety of coffees and cappuchinos. Muffins, cookies and cakes are also on the menu. Customers are welcome to purchase drinks in the market to accompany their meals.
Sarah's Cafe does a busy take-out business and also can provide catering dishes for your event.
Super friendly and mighty tasty - Sarah's is hard to beat.
Sarah's Market and Cafe is located at 200 Concord Avenue, Cambridge MA 02138 and opens at 7 am seven days a week. 617-876-5999.
**********
Elizabeth Bolton is a Cambridge real estate agent at Coldwell Banker on Huron Avenue just across the street. Stop on by after your meal!
Restored Vintage Radiators - Somerville MA - A1 New and Used Plumbing and Heating I'm a big fan of steam heat. It's a wonderful even heat that adds some moisture to the dry New England winter air. Some people have misgivings about steam heat - usually stemming from a poorly maintained system in an apartment they once rented. When steam radiators are pitched incorrectly loud knocking can result. It's an easily fixed problem that many a landlord fails to attend to. As a homeowner I've never had any problems with my steam radiators that a plumber couldn't address.
And while I'm partial to steam, hot water radiators also provide a very even heat. The easiest way to tell if a radiator is for hot water or for steam is to look for a torpedo-shaped valve, about 2-3 inches high on one side of the radiator. Find one - you've got steam heat. No valve - it's a hot water radiator.
If you're searching for a new radiator to replace a broken one, or need to add another radiator to your system, or simply want to add some real pizazz to your antique home by trading up to some truly beautiful radiators - A1 New and Used Plumbing and Heating on Prospect Street in Somerville Massachusetts is the place to go.
Even if you're not in the market for an antique radiator you can't help but notice A1's office as you come into Union Square. The shop is across the street from Dunkin Donuts and the rows of radiators lining the driveway are hard to miss. Or perhaps you read about the shop in Yankee Magazine or saw Fran on This Old House.
Fran Fahey opened A1 New and Used Plumbing and Heating 29 years ago. Today his huge collection of antique radiators is a treasure trove and one of the best places in the US to get restored vintage radiators. Stroll around the jam-packed yard and you'll see beautiful, ornately decorated radiators in many sizes and shapes, more utilitarian radiators both new and old, and some very unusual,extraordinary examples as well. It's a delight for any fan of architectural salvage.
A1 New and Used Plumbing and Heating restores and refinishes antique hot water and steam radiators. They also carry radiator fittings and controls, radiator valves, and the antique wood knobs for the valves. Pictures here show a restored vintage radiator and another with a variety of finishes on the fins. The gorgeous detail on the radiators pops with the restored or enhanced finish.
Fahey advises homeowners to visit the shop with their plumber or contractor. Replacing or adding a radiator is a complicated endeavor that's probably outside the scope of the DIYer. Involving your contractor or plumber will ensure that you get the right radiators for your house and heating system.
A1 New and Used Plumbing and Heating is located at 30 Prospect Street, Somerville MA 02143 and is open Tuesday - Friday from 8am to 4pm and on Saturday from 9am to 2 pm.
***********
Restored Vintage Radiators - Somerville MA was written by Elizabeth Bolton, a real estate agent at Coldwell Banker who works with buyers and sellers of houses and condos - old and new - in Cambridge, Somerville, and nearby towns. Read more by Liz in her real estate blog.
 |
|
|
Enthusiasm, dedication, and a passion for all things real estate. Serving buyers and sellers in Cambridge, Arlington, Belmont, Medford, Somerville, Watertown and nearby Massachusetts communities.
ActiveRain Corp. is not responsible for the accuracy of the site's content (which is written by members of the ActiveRain Real Estate Network) and does not endorse the views of the real estate agents, mortgage brokers, and others listed here.
Powered by the ActiveRain Real Estate Network
© 2009 ActiveRain Corp. All Rights Reserved
