Sticky buns are the greatest. Sugary, doughy, and delicious, it’s hard to have just one. The best homemade sticky buns are crafted at Flour Bakery + Cafe. Don’t believe us? Just check out these drool-worthy photos below.
What makes a good sticky bun? The people at Flour Bakery + Cafe definitely know.
You can find Flour Bakery + Cafe at eight different locations around Boston. Click here for a full list of locations and more information. If you have a sweet tooth, don’t miss another of our favorite bakeries in the state here.
One of my favorite summer adventures is my annual mother/daughter overnight trip to Boston. As soon as school lets out, my daughter and I board the ferry and head to the city for some bonding time and fun adventures. These trips typically involve some jointly agreed-upon activities as well as a surprise stop that I plan for the two of us. Since my daughter is a tea aficionado and an avid reader, our last trip involved an afternoon tea time at the Boston Public Library's secret Courtyard Tea Room.
advertisement
Each year we pick a different section of the city to explore. Since our high tea was the highlight of our trip, I decided that the Copley Square/Back Bay area would be our focus. We arrived in the city and took the T to the Copley Square Hotel, changed into some fancier clothes, and set out to explore the area.
We had a few hours before our 3:15 p.m. tea reservation, so we visited the nearby Trinity Church and then did some “window shopping” at the delicious Boston Eataly Italian Market at the Prudential Center. We headed over to the library a few minutes early and wandered through the older sections of the building. We discovered stunning architecture, beautiful old staircases, and brilliant paintings. I vowed to return when I had more time to explore!
Soon it was tea time! Until this point, I had given my daughter a few hints about our intended destination, but it wasn’t until we walked into Map Room Tea Lounge that she realized what we were about to do.
The tea room was very elegant, yet cozy. There were several intimate tables scattered throughout the hidden room. The tables were set up with cloth tablecloths and fine cutlery.
A peek outside revealed the perfectly manicured courtyard filled with greenery and a magnificent waterfall statue.
Our hostess brought us each an old library book. We opened them up and found our fixed menus tucked inside. There were so many teas to choose from that it took us a while to make a decision. Ultimately, my daughter went with the green wedding tea and I chose a fruity blend.
Our waitress cleared our plates and set out a gigantic three-tiered tray filled with more treats than we could have ever imagined. There were six types of tea sandwiches, including Chilled Maine Lobster, Deviled Egg Mousse, and Coronation Curry Chicken Salad (this last one was my favorite).
Our stomachs were getting full, but we couldn’t take our eyes off the desserts. Macaroons, strawberry cupcakes, and two different types of scones were just a few of the treats that adorned our tray.
We had such a good time sampling all the delicious food and tea that time quickly got away from us. We suddenly looked up and noticed we were the only remaining party in the room! With full bellies, we packed up the leftover desserts and headed out to explore more of the city.
If you are a fan of the show “Friends,” you may have heard about “The One in Boston.” No, this isn’t an episode of the popular television show, but rather a reference to the Friends-themed cafe that recently opened up on Newbury Street in Boston! For some great coffee and a bit of nostalgia, you definitely need to check out Boston’s Central Perk Coffee Company.
advertisement
Central Perk Coffee Co. is a wonderful place to hang out with your friends or to grab a cup of coffee and a tasty treat to-go. The java here is amazing and the atmosphere is fun and reminiscent of the show.
The cafe is modeled after the fictional New York City “Central Perk” coffee shop that Ross, Monica, and the other characters often frequented. “Friends” fanatics will instantly recognize the iconic orange couch.
The cafe also features many other fun throwbacks to the show.
Like Rachel and Phoebe, you will want to return again and again for the fantastic artisanal coffee. The shop features three different blends, each of which are named after recognizable “Friends” sayings. I think that the “How You Doin’?” Medium Roast will be my favorite.
For lunch, there are salads, soups, focaccia, and sandwiches. I can’t wait to try “Joey’s Meatball Sub” and “The Moist Maker” Thanksgiving-style sandwich!
You can purchase coffee to brew at home, both in-store and online. All of the blends can be ordered on the Central Perk website. You can buy them as whole beans, ground, or single-serve pods and they are available as one-time or subscription purchases.
Have you taken a trip to Central Perk Coffee Co.? Did you feel like you were sitting in the middle of your favorite TV sitcom? To find out more, please visit the Central Perk Coffee Company website and the Central Perk Facebook page.
