Get : Hot 100 2007

Stuff at Night Hot 100 2007

Tamara Wieder — Wed, 15 Aug 2007 16:27:00 GMT

BOSTON’S IN the midst of a heat wave the likes of which it’s never seen. But this kind of warmth doesn’t respond to even the most heavy-duty air conditioners. And why would we want it to? It’s our fine city’s most innovative restaurateurs, fashionistas, and trendsetters who’ve been boosting temperatures this year — and we’ve compiled our annual list of the 100 conversation topics, trends, obsessions, and ideas that we think are most likely to spontaneously combust. For the first time, our list even includes 10 local notables weighing in on what’s hot in their worlds these days. So read on — but with such extreme temperatures, we suggest you have a cold drink nearby.

Vist the HOT 100

Hot Group Dynamic: Bang Camaro

eldean — Wed, 08 Aug 2007 18:44:00 GMT

We were that little kid who never played well with others, and to this day, group projects make us cringe. But in the case of Bang Camaro, the bad-ass band out of Boston, it's all or nothing. The band's 20 - count 'em, 20 - lead singers belting out metal-rock ballads like "Push Push (Lady Lightning)" are the stuff of legends, and since we reported on the release of their debut CD back in February, they've managed to turn a few more heads. In fact, the guys caught the attention of the folks over at MTV and Rolling Stone, and they're currently filming a segment for an upcoming episode of TLC's American Chopper. But there's still time to see them locally: upcoming gigs include two Tweeter Center performances - the Download Festival (August 18) and Loco Fest: Locobazooka! (September 9) - and an October 26 date at the Roxy. Catch a show and see why the term "strength in numbers" has never been so fitting.

Hot Seat: Bar Dining

eldean — Wed, 08 Aug 2007 18:43:00 GMT

Tired of drawn-out dinners tucked away in stuffy restaurant corners, during which the only person you see is your harried server as she drops your appetizer on your table and heads back to the kitchen? So, apparently, are a lot of people, because these days the popularity of dining at the bar is soaring. Besides affording you the best view of the TV (if your restaurant of choice has one), eating at the bar gives you the opportunity to interact with other diners and chatty bartenders. And bar grub is no longer all fried this and pre-made that; today's bar dining is innovative and varied in cuisine and price. Some of our favorite stools are at Davio's (75 Arlington Street, Boston, 617.357.4810), the Washington Square Tavern (714 Washington Street, Brookline, 617.232.8989), Eastern Standard (528 Comm Ave, Boston, 617.532.9100), and No. 9 Park (9 Park Street, Boston, 617.742.9991).

Hot Buzz: Small-Batch Vodka

eldean — Wed, 08 Aug 2007 18:41:00 GMT

This ain't your grandfather's bathtub gin. Hell, it's not even gin. We've come a long way from moonshine, baby, and small-batch vodkas are excellent proof (wink wink). Distilled in small quantities to ensure premium quality, these are some stellar vodkas. Everyone from local "backyard" distilleries to wineries to big guns such as Stoli are getting into the spirit of small-batch spirits. Eager to start sipping? Head to the vodka lounge at the Good Life (28 Kingston Street, Boston, 617.451.2622) to sample from their excellent selection, including small-batch favorites like Kutskova from Russia, French vodka Jean-Marie XO, Napa Valley anomaly Charbay, or New England darlings Cold River and Triple 8. For a fruity treat, try the Apple Vodka from Nashoba Valley Winery (100 Wattaquadock Hill Road, Bolton, 978.779.5521), the epitome of a small-batch spirit, available only from the winery itself. Teetotalers need not apply.

Hot Relocation: Emporio Armani

eldean — Wed, 08 Aug 2007 18:40:00 GMT

We're suckers for centralized shopping, and the merits of an indoor experience - as opposed to tramping through rain, sleet, and snow with an armful of oversize bags - aren't lost on us. That's why we couldn't help but get a little giddy when we heard that Emporio Armani (214 Newbury Street, Boston, 617.262.7300) has plans to move a few blocks over to Copley Place (2 Copley Place, Boston, 617.369.5000). Lips are sealed over at the Armani camp and no one was available to comment on the record, but we've heard whispers that the Newbury Street store will be closing at the end of the month and reopening in its new - and, rumor has it, greatly improved - digs at the beginning of October. In related but not-so-great news, be sure to squeeze in your last few visits to the patio at the adjacent Armani Café (214 Newbury Street, Boston, 617.437.0909). No official word yet on when doors are closing, but we'll be sad to see this one go.

Hot Grape Gurus: Young Wine Stewards

eldean — Wed, 08 Aug 2007 18:37:00 GMT

Call them sommeliers, call them wine stewards, but don't call them stuffy. There's a new breed of winos in town, and they're making the art of vino hip, fun, and accessible. It used to be intimidating to order a bottle of wine at dinner; a tuxedo-clad octogenarian would shuffle up to your table, sneer for a bit, then silently (yet obviously) judge you when you didn't swirl and sniff your glass like a connoisseur. No longer, thanks to the fine-dining dynamos of Boston. You're in good hands with people like Kate Smith of the Butcher Shop (552 Tremont Street, Boston, 617.423.4800), Jason Irving of Harvest (44 Brattle Street, Cambridge, 617.868.2255), Erin O'Shea of Eastern Standard (528 Comm Ave, Boston, 617.532.9100), and Marco Deary, who does double duty at Via Matta (79 Park Plaza, Boston, 617.422.0008) and Radius (8 High Street, Boston, 617.426.1234). Taking the wine world by storm with passion, dedication, and enthusiasm, these young guns are shaking up wine lists all over town - but they won't shake your confidence in the process.

Hot Call: Apple iPhone

eldean — Wed, 08 Aug 2007 18:35:00 GMT

Forget the status bags and pricey scarves: the iPhone has proven itself the most covet-worthy accessory of the season. With its bad-ass phone features, widescreen iPod with browse-able album covers, über-advanced Web browser, impressive photo skills, and overall aesthetic (and you know there's some cutting-edge technology lumped in there too), the gadget has exploded onto the scene as a must-have for computer nerds and amateurs alike. But let's be honest: you totally bought yours so you can whip it out at a crowded party and revel in the "oohs" and "aahs" of your late-to-the-game peers. Considering how many features are packed into the device, the price tag ($499/4GB; $599/8GB) doesn't seem all that unreasonable. Just make sure this one doesn't meet the same demise as your most recent cell phone, in the bottom of a toilet bowl. Buy one at local Apple Stores and AT&T retailers; visit www.apple.com for more information.

Hot Transformation: Landsdowne Street

eldean — Wed, 08 Aug 2007 18:32:00 GMT

No longer a haven for the glittery club kids who spill into the streets in the wee hours of the morning, Lansdowne Street is changing its tune. (Because, frankly, those club kids aren't raving the night away quite like they used to.) First on the docket was Ken Oringer's chic taqueria, La Verdad (One Lansdowne Street, Boston, 617.351.2580), while the Quarter and Rocket (36 Lansdowne Street, Boston, 617.536.2100), formerly home to the Embassy and the Modern, have morphed from dimly lit nightspots to casual drinkeries. And while the Lyons Group won't confirm or deny plans (which we take to mean that big things are in the works), it's been reported that Avalon and Axis will be razed to make way for a 2500-seat, 35,000-square-foot concert venue.

Hot Label: Wines at Bin 26

eldean — Wed, 08 Aug 2007 18:30:00 GMT

We've sampled heavily from the lengthy wine list at Beacon Hill's Bin 26 Enoteca (26 Charles Street, Boston, 617.723.5939). And though we've discovered a few new favorites, it's the restaurant's flair, flavors, and charm that we've been itching to bottle up and take home. Sensing the demand, co-proprietors and brother-sister team Babak Bina and Azita Bina-Seibel created their own wine label, Solare, available in both bianco (white) and rosso (red) for easy pairing with a variety of meals. Named for sunny central Italy and developed in conjunction with family friends in the region, both blends can be purchased at Bin 26 for $6/100 ml, $12/250 ml, $22/500 ml, and $29/bottle. Or uncork a bottle ($13) at home; simply visit BRIX Wine Shop (1284 Washington Street, Boston, 617.542.BRIX) or Beacon Hill Wine & Spirits (63 Charles Street, Boston, 617.742.8571) to get yours. Solare wines have also made the menu at the pair's other restaurant, Lala Rokh (97 Mount Vernon Street, Boston, 617.720.5511).

Hot Find: Lee Authentics

eldean — Wed, 08 Aug 2007 18:28:00 GMT

Most of us have more denim than we know what to do with. Yet in a product category that seems completely oversaturated, new denim lines are continually being launched (including Victoria Beckham's latest). With hundreds of brands to choose from, the entire jean-buying process can be overwhelming. But there's something to be said for going with an original. Founded in 1889 as H.D. Lee Mercantile Company, Lee Jeans has fused the quality and craftsmanship for which they're famous with updated shapes and styles. In fact, the true-blue denim alums launched three high-end lines - x-line, Lee Gold Label, and Lee Works of Denim - under the name Lee Authentics. Even though the jeans have been around for a few seasons, few in Boston know they exist. It's our duty to spread the word: made with Turkish, Italian, and Japanese denim and shipped to Europe for finishing, Lee Authentics give other high-end brands a run for their money. They're pricier ($100 to $200) than the Lee jeans you remember from your youth, but the perfect fit and luxe look is worth every penny. Get a pair at www.lee.com.

Hot Sweat: Mind/Body Workouts

eldean — Wed, 08 Aug 2007 18:26:00 GMT

Life is hectic. Staying in shape shouldn't be. So isn't it nice that relaxing your mind and working your booty can go hand in hand? A trendsetter in the genre that hit mainstream gyms a few years back, Exhale Mind Body Spa (28 Arlington Street, Boston, 617.532.7095) has maintained its core-fusion cult following, while the recent $7 million renovations at the Sports Club/LA (4 Avery Street, Boston, 617.375.8200) included an impressive 9000 square feet of mind/body studios. Boston's latest fitness darling, Equinox (131 Dartmouth Street, 617-578-8918), promises to help you sweat it out and ease your mind with Power Flow Yoga, "a dynamic, physically and spiritually energizing form of yoga that sculpts every muscle in the body." We feel better already.

Hot Overnight: Liberty Hotel

eldean — Wed, 08 Aug 2007 18:22:00 GMT

We try to avoid overnights in the big house whenever possible, but when the doors open at the Liberty Hotel (215 Charles Street, Boston, 617.224.4000), we'll be lining up for the chance to spend an evening there. The property, the former home of the Charles Street Jail, was, at press time, scheduled for a late-summer opening. Built in 1851 and used as a prison until 1973, the building sat idle (in a prime location with views of the Charles River and the Boston skyline) until now. The four-star luxury hotel features 300 rooms, 10 suites, and 6000 square feet of meeting space, in addition to a casual restaurant, a fine-dining establishment, and a lobby bar with some of the jail's cells intact.

Hot Heads: Hats, Hats, and More Hats

eldean — Wed, 08 Aug 2007 18:21:00 GMT

"Put a lid on it" takes on a whole new meaning this season. Whether or not you consider yourself a hat person, with so many shapes and colors to choose from, you're sure to find a style that will cover your pretty little noggin' to your liking. Marc Jacobs took a vintage, lady-like direction on the trend, with bon-vivant multicolored hats with knit crowns. Nina Ricci brought back feathers, Michael Kors did fur, and Proenza Schouler did 1920s-inspired caps. Fedoras or riding cap, Russian princess-y fur or fuzzy knit, it's time to top off your look with a hat of some sort. Get inspired by the mad hatter himself, Philip Treacy (www.philiptreacy.co.uk).

Hot Feet: Shockingly Bright Shoes

eldean — Wed, 08 Aug 2007 18:18:00 GMT

Accessories turn Technicolor this fall, with bright colors adding brilliance and fun to even the simplest of looks. Pick up yellow Prada kitten heels ($450) at Barneys New York (Copley Place, 100 Huntington Avenue, Boston, 617.385.3300), and Christian Louboutin bright-green patent-leather Mary Janes ($595) at net-a-porter.com. Or spice up your step at Moxie (51 Charles Street, Boston, 617.557.9991), where you'll find bold brights from Tory Burch, Marc Jacobs, and Modern Vintage.

Hot Color: Shades of Gray

eldean — Wed, 08 Aug 2007 18:16:00 GMT

The color gray can be gloomy and depressing, making you look boring and drab. But a cool, neutral gray with sleek lines - well, that's what we call a closet must-have. Designers are painting the runways in Europe and here at home with shades of gray and tan, a carry-over from the neutrals we saw this spring. 3.1 Phillip Lim is a genius when it comes to taking subtle colors and the softest materials and creating stunning, show-stopping pieces that are completely wearable and actually affordable. Check them out at Dress (221 Newbury Street, Boston, 617.424.7125).