LUNCH AND DINNER WITH PAULA
When Paula suggested going to Legal Sea Foods on the wharf, I didn’t expect that we’d actually meet up for lunch in Boston. Legal is another Massachusetts institution like Dunkin Donuts, Herrell’s Ice Cream and Samuel Adams beer.

I had two cravings while in Boston: clam chowder and fish and chips. I had the chowder at Legal Sea Food, and the fish and chips at Scollay Square (21 Beacon Street, No 1) – a restaurant named for Boston’s old entertainment district lined with burlesque and vaudeville houses, and all kinds of commercial enterprises that made it the hubbub of the city. Scollay Square was razed in the early 1960s to make way for what’s now known as Government Square. Before becoming the entertainment center, Scollay Square catered to Boston’s elite class who apparently vacated for Beacon Hill.

I believe it was owner Christina Braga who made sure our party of four would eventually have a table at this small, old bank-like space trimmed with photographs of the neighborhood’s former self. Scollay Square might be the place for today’s professional elite from the State House, Financial District and City Hall to hang their hat and chow down on comfort foods like Pub Style Fish and Chips, baby ribs, Porterhouse Pork Chop, and Lobster Mac and Cheese. The food is moderately priced and satisfying with little to no fuss. You can fill your belly on it. I recommend the bar. Not a bad spot to enjoy a Samuel Adams while waiting on a table.

SHEPARD FAIREY SURVEY @ ICA
On Thursdays evenings, the Institute of Contemporary Art (ICA) relaxes their admission fee – it’s FREE. We went to check out the Shepard Fairey survey on display through August 16.

Followers may know Fairey best for his Andre the “Giant Obey” graffiti stencils or stamps slapped on street signs or any outside surface. The masses now know him for the iconic Obama “Hope” poster. The original is on display in all its largess in the exhibit. I haven’t decided whether I enjoy Fairey’s work as much indoors as I do outdoors.

I know the museum is aesthetically hip situated on Boston’s wharfs (100 Northern Avenue), but having to walk through a fenced-in parking lot to get to the entrance, doesn’t speak “pedestrian friendly.” The regular admission fee is $15 for adults; $10 for children. Actually, kids get a kick out of contemporary art. At one point I was fascinated watching a toddler’s attempt to make conversation while somersaulting in front of French artist Kader Attia’s “Oil and Sugar #2,” a video installment.

The museum is offering a bike tour of Fairey’s work in Boston and Cambridge June 28. Actually the Acting Out: Social Experiments in Video was kind of interesting.

Missed out on the free day (Wednesdays) at the Boston Museum of Fine Arts.

To be continued…in Concord, MA (the final chapter)