Art for the Brain

WGBH, you glorious bastards. I've been blown away by the Digital Mural ever since you built your new building. It's the best thing about traveling inbound into the city other than the cityscape itself, and it seems you've finally hit your stride in the last few weeks, showing us images that are timely and breathtaking. A bit of background might help. A few years back, GBH turned on the juice to it’s giant (30'X45') LCD screen. It's run mostly by good old solar power and kicks on a screen saver for the overnight. The best part? They're doing it to make you think. Their website says they post these images, "to brighten the ride for commuters with an image a day that provokes thought, inspires curiosity, and reflects the content and values of public media." After Teddy Kennedy's death, you put a huge photo of him gazing out at the state he loved, and a few days later a pic of Sid the Science kid grinning for the kids. My attached photo is of the Cape Cod League. WGBH? Consider this my thank you, for always having something interesting up to make me go hrm.

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Landmarks • Brighton

History in the Neighborhood

My father always said the best way to appreciate a city is to "get out into the neighborhoods." I mean, you don't take the trolley tour, watch the unicyclist at Quincy Market, and eat at Legal Seafood and say you've seen the real Boston. Some of the best events are out where the "real Bostonians," not the transplants, live. Take Brighton-Allston, a hybrid with big differences, actually. The Brighton-Allston Heritage Museum shows off civic pride. People are usually more proud of their neighborhoods than their cities. You can see exhibits on how Brighton, once part of Cambridge, declared its independence and then joined Boston in 1874. See how the town went from small farms to one of the "street car suburbs." The B and C rail lines you see today are descendents of that 1870's era. The towns were also the center of the New England cattle industry. Look for a model of one of the slaughterhouses. I wouldn't skip the MFA to come here. But, if you're in the neighborhood (see above), you might want to relinquish half an hour for some local pride.

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Museums • Brighton

Jasmine Bistro

I first noticed Jasmine Bistro in Brighton Center because they advertised “French and Hungarian cuisine.” Interesting combination, I thought, and decided to check them out for myself. It turns out that this tiny establishment serves much more than that. Their menu is divided into sections including “Middle East,” “Near East,” and “Mediterranean.” A random sampling of entrees includes chateaubriand, Wiener schnitzel a la Holstein, beef gulyas, chicken saffron curry, and lamb kebab. While Jasmine Bistro is a tad on the expensive side, the food is as delicious as it is diverse, and the service is polite and attentive. Plus, the bread they give you while you wait is fantastic.

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Restaurants • Brighton

New Balance Factory Store

New Balance has only fitfully shifted its product line toward the Puma-hipster set, so what you’ll find here is what makes them an iconic Boston company: running gear for runners. The nice thing about the store, besides the deep discounts, is that the clothes are not necessarily last season’s rejects like often found at Filenes’s Basement. Sure there might be a rack of bright orange tank tops in XXXL in January, but you are as likely to find a decent selection of running tights that you’d be able to cross country ski in. Another thing to remember is that they actually manufacture other brands of shoes, so it’s worth a look for industrial work boots, sandals, and yes, just some kickabouts. If you’re new to running and looking for some shoes, it’s probably a better bet to skip this place for a customized fitting as you’re unlikely to get the personalized attention you’ll need here. Now that it seems that everyone is wearing high tech workout clothes to everything but work, it’s worth every dime for the trip out to the New Balance Factory store in Brighton.

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Shopping • Brighton

Moogy’s

From the outside, Moogy’s looks like the average Boston College Sunday afternoon hangover cure. And in many ways it is. Near Cleveland Circle, Moogy’s has a laid back atmosphere, with a certain childhood innocence to it. The Brighton restaurant is more than just a place to find all-day breakfast. In addition to the extensive (and cheap) menu, Moogy’s not only offers, but encourages customers to play one of their many board games. Enjoy a cheese omelette while playing Connect Four, or chocolate chip pancakes while sinking your partner’s battleship. Moogy’s also serves wine and beer, which most likely will make a new trendy cocktail hour: beer or wine with a game of Trouble and a side of celery sticks and peanut butter. They don’t open early—11 am on weekdays and 10 am on weekends—but they stay open late, and loitering is strongly recommended.

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Restaurants • Brighton