offManhattan

When foodies next look to be spoiled outside the five boroughs, they should consider a trip north, where Boston has the historical culinary edge. After all, it was the home of Fannie Farmer, America’s first lady of cooking and author of the “Boston Cooking-School Cook Book.” She pioneered the American food scene decades before Julia Child moved to Cambridge and took over the leading role. This borough of beantown hosts the popular Boston Restaurant Week held for two weeks each March—2010’s edition runs March 14-19th and the following week, March 21-26th—with two-course lunches for $15.10, three-course lunches for $20.10, and three-course dinners for $33.10 at Boston’s top dining establishments.

In addition to the prix-fixe hot spots, when you decide to skedaddle spontaneously this spring, consider putting one of these seven Boston hotel restaurants on your dining out list.

Dear Valentine, Thanks so much for the charming (sappy) poem, the lovely flowers (that have now wilted), and the box of chocolates (after three that tasted a little like silly putty). Sincerely, and much love, your Valentine

Or this year, ditch the expected and celebrate Valentine’s Day by celebrating your valentine, with one of these six titillating, duo adventures.

Boston may best be known for its history, including quite a few historic hotels, but over the past several years it has seen an explosion of chic, New York-style boutique properties. As you might guess, they come complete with chic, New York-style pricing.

But Boston’s high winter vacancy rate means many of these rooms are available this season at about half of what warm-weather travelers will pay this summer. Combine that with free Megabus tickets through March and the upcoming Winter Restaurant Week, and right now is looking like the best time all year to visit Boston. Here’s a look at five of the newest hotels in town.

You already have photos of your tots and tweens grinning under the twinkling LED lights in Rockefeller Center or in front of the Macy’s window displays. This year, rally the family troops for a different day (or weekend) outing. From historic candlelight tours near NYC to cupcake tea parties at the Ritz in Boston, these eight holiday activities for families will jump-start the joyous wintry season. (Of course, all destinations are accessible without a car as you are never too young to lighten your carbon footprint!)

• Recently renovated Savoy Suites in Georgetown is offering a Thanksgiving Holiday Dinner Package starting at $159; while in D.C., visit the new “Inside Tim Russert’s Office” exhibit at the Newseum. [Savoy]
• While you’re shopping for the big feast accoutrement at Greenpoint Farmers Market in McCarren Park this Saturday, donate some produce to the Food Bank for NYC. [DailyCandy]
• If you like your pie extra crumbly (or the aunt with special dietary needs is coming for dinner) gluten-free cooking just got easier. [NPR]
• The Langham Boston has a Thanksgiving prixe-fix for four at $175, and room rates from $165. [LanghamBoston]
• Let the kids know the little ways they can help green Thanksgiving. [GreenGuide]
• Brooklyn Kitchen still has organic locally-sourced birds in case you forgot to reserve the pièce de résistance. [BK]
• The Sagamore Resort in upstate New York is offering a special Thanksgiving package starting at $597 to sweeten their Lake George setting even more. [NYT]

Although the travel industry has hardly escaped being marred by bad economic times, a new website meant to motivate “heritage- and culture-rich experiences” thinks this is a great moment to launch. Gozaic.com (go-zay-ik) offers insights and guided tours on destinations around the world—from the Maya Ruins to San Francisco to the Cape of Good Hope.

With beach bumming behind us for now, we met up with Gozaic’s Amtrak-roving president and CEO John Williams for his top winter recommendations on public transit accessible “places that matter” near NYC.

Either we’re too tired or too busy, at the beach, in a movie, or watching people cook on TV, but somehow, somewhere along the way, art got left out. Here is a list of eight expiring museum exhibits from New York City to Boston that are worth a cultural escape from Manhattan.

“It’s like grandma’s house. On pontoons,” my friend Jason said, sinking into a wicker chair at Green Turtle, a floating bed and breakfast in Boston Harbor. Last weekend, I visited my old college town to find there’s plenty to do beyond scrambling after fly balls at Fenway and succumbing to sales on Newbury Street. With fervor to rival that of our own New York City, Boston prepares for next season with contemporary craft markets, bike tours, harbor ferry rides for the price of iced coffee and sheets of pappardelle wrapped in Bolognese from a star chef in the up-and-coming neighborhood of Fort Point. We sampled the latest additions along with some stalwarts to make the most of weekends in Beantown.

What: Boston Harbor Hotel’s 19th Annual Boston Wine Festival

Where: 70 Rowes Wharf, Boston

When: January 11th—April 4th 2008

Why: What better way to follow this holiday month of non-stop eating and drinking than with a wine festival in one of the best drinking towns in the Northeast? Taste wines from California, Oregon, Washington, and Italy beginning on Friday, January 11th, and indulge in the accompanying smorgasbord of gourmet food. Meritage Restaurant Chef Daniel Bruce will host the four-month event with the Boston Harbor Hotel. What to expect: Bordeaux, lobster bisque, braised chickens, and classy debauchery. Winos and New Yorkers welcome. Check this calendar for a weekly schedule of events.