what to do • where to go • what to see November 19–December 2, 2007 The Official Guide to BOSTON Holiday Gift Guide panoramamagazine.com light up the holidays at MAKE YOUR OWN RUDOLPH THE RED-NOSED REINDEER® AND HIS BEARY SPECIAL FRIEND CLARICE® ARRIVE THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 8 AVAILABLE FOR A LIMITED TIME ONLY, WHILE QUANTITIES LAST. Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer © & ® The Rudolph Company, L.P. “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” animated program © Classic Media, Inc., an Entertainment Rights group co. All elements under license to Character Arts, LLC. All rights reserved. Make pawsonalized gifts for everyone on your list! Over 300 stores worldwide! ¶ www.buildabear.com ¶ (toll free) 1-877-789-BEAR (2327) a purchase of $25 or more Coupon expires December 31, 2007. Coupons may not be combined and cannot be bought, sold or exchanged for cash or coupons. Not valid on prior purchases, a Build-A-Party® celebration, Bear Buck$® card, in Eat With Your Bear Hands Cafe, in Build-A-Bear Workshop® within Rainforest Cafe® or in Build-A-Dino® within T-REX Cafe™. Not valid with any other offer. Local and state taxes, as applicable, are payable by bearer. Must present original coupon at time of purchase or enter 5-digit code on web purchase. Photocopies prohibited. Valid in the U.S. and Puerto Rico only. Valid for coupon recipient only. Limit one coupon per person, per visit. Nontransferable. Offer good while Key #91388 supplies last. Void where prohibited or restricted. Where required cash value 1/100 of 1 cent. contents FEATURE STORY 15 Holiday Shopping Guide Our guide to finding the perfect gift forfor everyone on your shopping list DEPDEPARTMENTSARTMENTS 8 around the hub 8 NEWS & NOTES 12 ON EXHIBIT 13 DINING 14 NIGHTLIFE 20 the hub directory 21 CURRENT EVENTS 28 MUSEUMS & GALLERIES 32 SIGHTSEEING 35 EXCURSIONS 37 MAPS 43 FREEDOM TRAIL 45 SHOPPING 51 CLUBS & BARS 53 RESTAURANTS 65 NEIGHBORHOODS 78 5 questions with… Author DAVID HOSP on the cover: Ophelia of Maggie Inc. gets in the spirit of giving for our annual Holiday Gift Guide. GOLDEN OPPORTUNITY: Photo: Michael Khachadoorian. Cover model Ophelia gets ready to spread some holiday cheer. Refer Photographer’s Assistant: to story, page 15. Dana Tarr. PHOTO BY M ICHAEL Hair and Make-up: K HACHADOORIAN Rachael Berkowitz. Produced by Heather Burke. ___ NOVEMBER 19–DECEMBER 2, 2007 5 The Official Guide to BOSTON www.panoramamagazine.com November 19–December 2, 2007 Volume 57 • Number 13 Jerome Rosenfeld • CHAIRMAN Tim Montgomery • PRESIDENT/PUBLISHER Christine Celli • EDITOR Scott Roberto • ART/PRODUCTION DIRECTOR Josh B. Wardrop • ASSOCIATE EDITOR Sharon Hudak Miller • ASSOCIATE ART DIRECTOR Heather S. Burke • PHOTO EDITOR Betsy A. Halsey, Della Huff, Michael Khachadoorian, Derek Kouyoumjian • CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Erin Goldman, Eva Medoff, Sarah Shanfield • EDITORIAL INTERNS Jacolyn Ann Firestone • VICE PRESIDENT, ADVERTISING Kristi Wolfrom • ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE Rita A. Fucillo • DIRECTOR OF MARKETING AND PUBLIC RELATIONS Paul Hurst • NATIONAL ADVERTISING SALES HURST & ASSOCIATES, INC. 800-397-8908 • [email protected] Peter Ng • INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY MANAGER Melissa J. O’Reilly • BUSINESS MANAGER Tyler J. Montgomery • OPERATIONS MANAGER George Ghareeb • TECHNICAL CONSULTANT PANORAMA is published bi-weekly by Jerome Press Publications Inc. Editorial and advertising offices at 332 Congress Street, Boston, MA 02210. Telephone (617) 423- 3400. Printed in the U.S.A. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reprinted or otherwise reproduced with- out written permission of the publisher. PANORAMA is a member of the Massachusetts Lodging Association, The Back Bay Association, The Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce, The Greater Boston Convention and Visitors Bureau, Cambridge Chamber of Commerce, the Greater Boston Concierge Association, the Harvard Square Business Association, the Newbury Street League, the South End Business Alliance, the North End Chamber of Commerce and the Downtown Crossing Association. PANORAMA is audited by BPA Worldwide, an independent audit bureau recognized by the American Association of Advertising Agencies. a magazine affiliate ___ ___ 6 PANORAMAMAGAZINE.COM NOVEMBER 19–DECEMBER 2, 2007 7 aroundthehubby Josh B. Wardrop NEWS&NOTES City of Lights is the season…when Boston starts to resemble a Currier & Ives postcard, thanks to ’T the arrival of white fluffy snow, wreaths on every corner and bright, sparkly holiday lights and giant Christmas trees. Over the next two weeks, Boston shows off its Yuletide spirit with tree-lightings and events to kick off the holiday season. On November 23 at 5 p.m., stop by Macy’s in Downtown Crossing for the traditional Christmas tree lighting, or head to Harvard Square on November 24 for Sparklefest, which features carolers and a tree lighting in the Charles Hotel courtyard. Beginning November 24, visitors to Faneuil Hall Marketplace will have chiming accompaniment as they shop, with weekend performances by the FHM Bellringers. On November 29, the City of Boston welcomes the arrival of a majestic tree from Nova Scotia with a tree-lighting at 6 p.m. on Boston Common. On December 1 & 2, the Shops at Prudential Center host choirs, dancers and the big man himself—Santa Claus—at its annual Winterlights Festival. Let the holiday fun begin! Refer to listings, pages 22–24. cont. on page 10 >> news & notes 8 • on exhibit 12 • dining 13 • nightlife 14 ___ 8 PANORAMAMAGAZINE.COM aroundthehub:NEWS&NOTES aroundthehub:NEWS&NOTES calendar of events FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 23 Embrace your inner Jimmy Stewart and come watch one man bring all of Bedford Falls to life in This Wonderful Life—actor Neil Casey’s re-imagining of Frank Capra’s legendary Christmas classic It’s a Wonderful Life—at Lyric Stage Company. Refer to listing, page 24. SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 25 Welcome in the Yuletide Season with a dose of a cappella magic with “A Chanticleer OHLER Christmas,” featuring the world-famous K ISA Chanticleer singers, at Jordan Hall. Thrill to the L lovely vocal melodies of the group called “an BY O orchestra of voices.”Refer to listing, page 22. T HO << cont. BYE-BYE, P and was known for many This year’s anniversary from page 8 BOB’S years as “Bob the Chef’s.” awards show—held THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 29 For half a century, lovers of During that time, it’s host- December 1 at 7:30 p.m. at Acclaimed soprano Renee Fleming joins the great jazz music and deli- ed generations of Boston’s the Orpheum Theatre— Boston Symphony Orchestra for a romantic cious soul food have had rising jazz artists, as well promises to be a star-stud- evening of classical works by Berlioz, one Boston destination as out-of-town talents, and ded celebration of Boston’s University Press host a read- Dutilleux, Duparc and Debussy at Symphony they could always rely on: earned a legion of fans best music, featuring per- ing of actual letters written Hall. Refer to listing, page 21. Bob’s Southern Bistro (pic- sure to be left with empty formances by Augustana, by John and Abigail tured above) in the South stomachs and eyes filled JoJo, The Click Five, Lori Adams (pictured above). FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 30– GLIA A End. However, on with tears. McKenna, Peter Gammons The event, which takes SUNDAY DECEMBER 2 V ARA November 25, all that will and many more, with special place at Faneuil Hall at 7 Modern dance majesty makes its way to C change as one of the city’s guest appearances on tap by p.m., will see Massachusetts Boston, as the renowned Paul Taylor Dance OM BOSTON’S BEST T culinary stalwarts closes Joey Kramer of Aerosmith Governor Deval Patrick Company hits the Hub for three shows at the BY O ROCKERS T its doors forever. and the one and only Bobby and his wife, Diane, and Shubert Theatre. Refer to listing, page 22. HO CELEBRATE TWO P Owner Darryl Settles is Brown. If you’re a fan of Massachusetts Senator Ted DECADES OF BMAS shutting Bob’s doors in local rock—from New Kids Kennedy and his wife, SATURDAY, DECEMBER 1 & order to focus on other Two decades ago, the Hub on the Block to Godsmack— Victoria, reading a selection SUNDAY, DECEMBER 2 business interests and got its own version of the you won’t want to miss it! of letters exchanged by the It’s a thunderous evening of entertainment spend more time with his Grammys to boast about, Refer to listing, page 25. second U.S. President and his from the Far East as Yamato, the Drummers family. So, lovers of Bob’s with the establishing of the wife over a span of 40 years. of Japan, bring their percussive, propulsive signature dishes like Boston Music Awards. These letters—which touched and playful performance to the Cutler BOSTON BIGWIGS “Darryl’s Rising Star” (Bob’s Sure, the names may have not only on their love and Majestic Theatre. Refer to listing, page 26. READ “DEAR JOHN” acclaimed fried chicken changed over the years devotion to each other, but LETTERS served with a Belgian waf- (whatever happened to that the tumultuous period of SUNDAY, DECEMBER 2 fle) and the ever-popular “Aerosmith” group that won On November 19, two of American history that served From harmonizing hippie to the “Godfather “Chicken Martini” will have Outstanding Band from Massachusetts’ first couples as the backdrop to their lives of Grunge” to anti-Bush activist, singer- just a couple more weeks to 1987–1993, anyway?), but will bring to life the personal together—have recently been songwriter Neil Young has worn many hats indulge their appetites. being a BMA nominee is writings of the state’s origi- collected in a new book by throughout his legendary musical career. Bob’s was founded in still a huge deal for acts nal First Couple, as the Harvard University Press.