#hangover maura

[superfandomcorp]

New Fanfic ✍🏻

[ladyriot]

Today, I'm thinking about Jane's relationship with the piano. It only really seems relevant in the pilot episode, with the piano visible in Jane's apartment and Hoyt's comment about how her hands used to play piano and were now probably no good for it. But I want to know if she was good, if she loved it, who she learned from.

I can imagine the young and reckless Jane that kicked out a school window and was always in trouble hating being forced to sit still long enough to play, hating the discipline and restriction.

But I can also imagine that it could be the kind of enraptured stillness where you don't register yourself as still because you're so taken in something. I can imagine her finding peace from the chaos in chosen loudness, freedom from her brothers and family.

But then, which parent is the inisister. I think that Jane is such a daddy's girl, especially at the beginning of the show, that if he was the one who wanted her to play, if he praises her for it, she'd continue trying to earn his approval.

But if it was Angela, well, Jane often seems to feel stifled by Angela. So resistance would only make sense.

Does a neighbour teach her? A more formal instructor? Someone strict? Someone kind? Does she teach herself by scouring music books and labelling the keys? Do her brothers learn too but just show so much clumsy disinterest that they're spared? Is it something pressed upon Jane as supposedly "feminine"?

What about when Frank's drunk and angry or nursing a hangover headache? I can hear, "Fuck off that damn piano already!" and see Jane's full-body cringe.

I don't have answers for any of this, I'm just thinking about it. Essentially, how does playing the piano and potentially having had the ability taken away by Hoyt actually figure into Jane's personality and challenges?

I'm also thinking of that one episode of Bones with the piano playing Amish kid with his bag of two-toned stones and how if you love something, you find ways to bring it to you. And also about how Jane would interact with that case. Fascinating.

What does Maura think about it, too, with her entirely different social upbringing? Is it something that impresses her?

Will she ever attempt to relearn to play, begging Maura not to laugh at her half-jokingly but with a serious undercurrent of insecurity?

I can't stop thinking of things I want to know about this.

[potential-fate]

“I’ve never had a hangover in my life!” 

“Liar.” The comment from the end of the bar surprised them all, as Maura cut into the conversation just to call him out. 

He only giggled more before adding, “whatever, whatever. I’m going to go burn all of it off before it turns into a hangover anyways. You joining me, Ashe?” 

Ashe nodded, turning towards the dance floor.

[higginsxmaura]

Christmas wine hangovers are miserable! I can hold my liquor, totally falling into the Irish stereotype here but this?! Name’s Maura and I need all of the hangover cures please and thank you.

@hwhstarters​

[thequeereview]

Golden Girls Just Wanna Have Fun - Film Review: 80 For Brady ★★★1/2

Stepping out of a wet New York winter’s afternoon, it didn’t take long for this lovingly woven comfort blanket of a movie—think The Golden Girls meets a gentler version of The Hangover—to warm me and my big gay heart. Inspired by a true story, 80 For Brady, follows four women, each portrayed by a screen legend—Lou (Lily Tomlin), Trish (Jane Fonda), Maura (Rita Moreno), and Betty (Sally…

[luverofralts]

Arkhelios University

When the cab had taken them back to their dorm, Pia was overcome with the strong desire to stargaze. She wasn’t sure if it was the drinks talking, but she was sure that she would see something amazing if she just kept looking. She’d looked for an hour though with nothing to show for it.

“And this is our dorm kitchen in all it’s crappiness,” Lucy said, leading Ulyssa on a tour of their dorm. There wasn’t much to look at, other than the fly infested leftover food on the counter. What did her tuition go towards if they had to live in a place filled with flies?

While she hadn’t discovered anything new in the stars, all that stargazing had inspired Pia to choose math as her degree. She had gone out drinking, flirted with several guys, and now knew what she wanted to study in school. Her new makeover was paying off.

She was so confident in this new self that she completely forgot about Berenger, the guy she had previously been obsessed with. Everyone was interested in him, and she wanted to be different. Instead, she ran into another cute guy in the hall, and introduced herself. Minutes later, they were kissing.

This development didn’t go over well with Tennyson or Abe. Tennyson was angry because he’d wrongly assumed that Pia would wait around for him to advance their relationship, and Abe was angry because Pia was very publicly making out with his boyfriend.

“Rai, what the hell?”

Well, there went Abe’s relationship. He was furious at his now ex-boyfriend, but also felt a little guilty. He’d cheated on Roman to be with Rai, and now here he was being cheated on. Lucy would never let him live this one down.

Except Lucy was currently too busy with a scandal of her own to judge her brother. She and Ulyssa were extremely drunk, and had started with overly friendly hugs, which had ended with both of them naked in one of the common areas. This was everything Lucy had wanted in life, but she’d probably barely remember it in the morning. Ulyssa finally had noticed her as a potential love interest, and all it had taken was drinking a concerning amount of alcohol. Luckily, most people in the dorm were checking out Abe and Pia’s drama in another room, and anyone who wasn’t didn’t seem interested in the empty common area with the lights off.

“Oh my god, I cheated on Maura!” Ulyssa exclaimed as soon as she’d put her clothes back on. “I can’t believe this. This can’t be happening. This can’t be happening.”

Lucy’s head was already throbbing, and the complete disgust in Ulyssa’s voice didn’t exactly help. She pulled her shirt back on, and watched the only girl she’d wanted to be with since she was a teen lose her mind over sleeping with her.

“I won’t tell anyone,” Lucy whispered as Ulyssa neared hysterics. “No one would believe me anyway.”

“Yes, yes thank you, that helps,” Ulyssa replied, her mind a million miles away from Lucy. “Look, I have to go. I’m sorry, but I have to go.”

Ulyssa disappeared in a shower of sparkles, leaving Lucy alone in a dark common room, rejected and starting a hangover. She could hear Abe still shouting at Pia down the hall.

Well this has been a memorable first whoo-hoo.

[not-to-be-gay-but-holy-shit]

The Raven Cycle as Derry Girls quotes

Whelk: if anyone is feeling anxious, worried, or maybe you just want to have a chat, please, please do not come crying to me.

Blue: Orla, I'm pretty sure interfering with your sunbed sessions isn't very high up on anyone's political agenda

Ronan, deep in denial: I support gays! Even though I myself AM NOT actually gay!

Declan: Our lord doesn't think anyone's a dick.

Adam, a week into Aglionby: Sometimes I feel like I've gone through the fucking looking glass!

Blue, reading Orla's poetry: This one is called Boys. I think boys are really class. Especially those who... have a nice ass.

Orla: Its called a haiku

Blue: That's not what I would call it

Ronan: Drugging people isn't a crime.

Adam: You've a very loose grasp of the law, Ronan.

Gansey: So should us two bad bastards hook up or what?

Adam: I'm sorry?

Gansey: Uh... will you be my buddy please?

Maura: I said you could invite one friend to the reception! One!

Blue, gesturing to the Gangsey: Mom, they don't come separately.

Gansey: We're pack animals, Maura

Declan: I think the only thing we can do now is-

Matthew: Pray for her?

Declan: No?? What use would that do?

Ronan, at church: I'm not gonna bother with any 'never sin again' material, because let's face it, we've been there before. You know its balls, I know its balls.

Ronan: I just assumed they were all dead cat posters.

Gansey: Missing cat posters.

Ronan: If you're an optimist

Gansey, about Orla: She's your cousin!

Blue: Who hasn't lost a cousin or two in their time?

Noah, holding up a crayon drawing of Gansey: What do you think Gansey? You've got red eyes because I ran out of brown.

Gansey: My eyes are green.

Noah, close to tears: Now you tell me!

Adam, about Whelk: He really suits being dead, doesn't he?

Ronan: No, I mean, we said it, but as a joke. As in, 'We're going to beat you up," but like, in a jokey way.

Gansey: I knew it. When I woke up this morning, I had a feeling something terrible was going to happen and also that essentially, deep down, I'm quite an evil person.

Ronan: Its called a hangover, Dick. You'll be grand.

Kavinsky: You fancy boys?

Ronan: Well that's sort of an entry level requirement.

[margseliserobbie]

Thank you so much for making our Bachelor-ette trip and my birthday so special! We’re so lucky to such wonderful, supportive people in our lives who makes us feel so loved! Words cannot begin to describe how grateful we are to have such loving, caring people in our lives. Not to brag, but we have the best friends ever ;) We hope you enjoyed yourselves on the trip and we cannot wait to see you in Mexico for the wedding! We hope the hangover and the post-vacation blues aren’t too bad! ;) Just think: soon we’ll all be in Mexico on the beach again! We love you so, so much!

Love,

Margot & Sebastian

@chacecrawfcrd @bostonboyevans @jadechyn  @jstntimberfake @kit-x-harington @txmholls @hfamemats @jakeglhl @anthonyxmacks @twhiddlesx @hdchris @lilyjxmes @cara-x-delevingne @ronenhfame @phebetonkin @hurricane-maura @sarahdduffy @xxkikistewsxx @saoriises @sebasstan 

[flashfuture]

Kyle always jokes that of course he fell for Conner; he’s always had a thing for California blondes. Conn rolls his eyes. But he does have a soft spot for California, especially San Fran but he does think California does raise some grand heroes lmao. (Man, I was thinking about a dumb one shot AU; where in that “Wandavision-esque” AU where Kyle unnentially create a reality where Hal never falls and I was, like lmao what if he invisions himself as Conn’s civilian boyfriend, pfff) Okay Conn being shown baby pictures and pictures of Kyle from when he was younger from Maura much too Kyle’s utter horror is so funny. Tbh Kyle’s normality is so a feature not a bug, like sometimes I do really think compared to some of his friends he is the superhero equivalent to not jumping the gun sometimes like the “why not just check if southwest has any flights,” if you’ve seen John mulaney’s delta airlines skit. So yeah, maybe I am implying Conn is a bit attracted to how normal Kyle is for a superhero, I don’t blame him. (I also have the idea that it’s one of the first times he’s seen pictures of Alex Dewitt, since like I do hc Alex and Kyle were high school friends and went to the same Catholic school and were both ironically quite art kids).

Okay that be so freaking funny Jess and Kyle going partying “for intel” and getting hammered because they haven’t had fun in like forever and wake up with the boys staring down at them like “for the mission Hal, that’s what you said,” / “god can you save the lecture for when my head isn’t a Gonna explode.” As someone with an accident no matter how you try to train yourself it to have it, it will split out when you stop trying so like yeah, there are just some words Kyle can not say “correctly” and come out weirdly accident like “scones”

OH! I do think Mia and Kyle would get along, and once again Ollie is alone in his anti Kyle camp, tbh. But I also imagine Mia busting into Conn’s apartment only to find Conn and Kyle actually making out and being so dramatic about it screaming “my eyes! My eyes! I need bleach!” And Conn will never live it down.

Conn wiping his thumb aganist Kyle’s cheek after helping him up after being hit out of the sky, “you okay, pretty boy?” / “doubt I’m pretty after that hit” / “your always pretty, to me anyway.”

Aww yeah that’s what’s been going wrong Kyle hasn’t been dating blonds lol. Ooh yes Kyle’s little world. But Conn is there with him. Would be even cooler/angstier if right White Lantern Kyle did this. So right his subconscious pulls together a wanda vision world after he leaves the source wall. 

Everyone is all better. Hal never was Parallax. Guy was never a red lantern. Just right everything is chill but also he’s boyfriends with Connor Hawke. 

But then say Oblivion comes in and fucks this up. And everyone is back and Hal, Guy, and John went to go talk to Kyle and he just his memories of Connor are getting fuzzy again and he can’t even remember why it was him in the first place. and just angst you know. 

it is for certain a feature. like going to sit with Kyle in coffee shops and have dinner with his mom is just so chill. Compared to you know overly spicy chilly and chaos as people run in and out. Conn loves that too and he knows Kyle love the chaos of the arrowfam too. 

Lol Kyle being the voice of reason like “hey he shouldn’t talk to you like that” about the Guardians and the Human Lanterns are like “no he shouldn’t!” 

Honestly the Guardians are trying to hard to control the Human Lanterns and they just can’t. but they know there is no better four to complete the highest stake jobs. 

I do like the idea that Alex and Kyle were childhood friends too. They grew up together they knew each others hopes and dreams. It just I love them. 

Jess and Kyle on a planet agreeing to get info in the party scene. And it’s like you know the Hangover. Jess and Kyle have to track down the other lanterns because they are most certainly not where they started. And Kyle really wants to have his shoes back before he has to face Hal’s hands on his hips glare. 

Lol Mia just busting in the window and Roy just walking in the door and immediately covering Lian’s eyes. 

“Hey you two little ones around here” Roy shouts

“Not until six seconds ago Harper” Kyle grumbles but Conn is already getting up to greet his niece and punch his brothers in the arm maybe harder than needed. 

That is what Im talking about. That’s Dinah Lance’s influence through and through. Conn is always dropping lines at exactly the right time. 

[spratwurst]

PLAYLIST TAG!

rules: we’re snooping through your playlist, put your entire music library on shuffle and list the first 20 songs and then choose some victims

Tagged by @gwynbleidd, thank you!! ♥

I’m putting my entire liked songs playlist on spotify on shuffle for this so it’s gonna be a wild ride yall

Infected - Simon Chylinski (starting out with Subnautica sountracks, this will go great lmao)

I Wanna Run (feat. Maura Davis) - Ki:Theory

Out of My Mind - King Charles

Dear Doubt - Michael Schulte

Wicked Ones - Dorothy

Easy Rider - Eddie Berman

By The River - Stu Larsen

Johnny B. Goode - Chuck Berry

Run For Cover - The Killers

California Dreamin’ - The Mamas & The Papas

Little Love Caster - Laura Marling

Only Love - Ben Howard

Packed Powder - Blind Pilot

Starcrossed - The Hugs

Miserlou - Dick Dale

Alcatraz - Oliver Riot

Fever To The Form - Nick Mulvey

Aberdeen - Avi Kaplan

Wolf Song - Caamp

Hangover Heart - Hank Thompson

Tagging @mothdogs @pre-successful / @a-logical-phallus @pazithigallifreya @diana-maria @viir-tanadhal @im-the-punk-who @forbiddenarchives and whoever else wants to do it!!

[couldnt-think-of-a-funny-name]

So....it was my friend’s 21st birthday party last night...

- I got there and Raychel was immediately like “Molly are you planning on drinking?” and I was like “Yes duh” and she, deep-voiced, goes “Good. You deserve it. You deserve the world and I deserve to see you get it”

- I forgot that I hate chocolate vodka and got a spiked milkshake at the restaurant

- People were just. screaming about anime. Everyone else in the place must have hated us

- “the asshole is my enemy and needs to be punished.”

- “So...my girlfriend like, bought chloroform?” “Have fun with that.”

- I literally forgot to get her a present whoops

- birthday girl, on her third drink: “Listen I know we’re going  back to my house to drink after this but don’t worry!!! I’m not gonna get that drunk tonight, it won’t be bad”

- l m a o

- we get to her house, immediately start doing shots. I hadn’t touched anything yet bc there was a bottle of electric blue shit and I knew damn well that was going into my body but I was told to wait until people got back with sodas for mixers

- but this guy Patrick who I went all thru grade school with goes “Molly, you’re a real man”, hands me a bottle of whiskey and was like “I feel like my entire childhood was leading up to drinking whiskey with you” and honestly I couldn’t argue??? I felt that way too

- a wholesome experience I'm sure all of our old teachers would be so proud to see us finally bonding and getting along lmao

- Jacqui wanted some whiskey and we’re like “you had two margarita’s at the restaurant maybe not” but she didn’t listen and after she took a shot I had to hide the bottle from her to stop her from having any more lol

- Jacqui, drunk “Mollllly you’re my wiiiiife!”

- Raychel (bd girl) also drunk, across the room “But she’s my alpha husband what the fuck!!!!”

- I was not fucking looking when Raychel’s drink was mixed but it was like. Emerald fucking green. I know it had the sour apple shit vodka in it but idk what else. And then they added food dye and cake glitter so it turned into a galaxy drink holy shit

- Jacqui mixed the blue stuff with sprite and I took a sip and it tasted amazing??? So then I poured my own and I don’t know if I used too much alcohol or too much soda but it tasted like draino I literally had a brief Heather Chandler moment

- Kept drinking it but that’s besides the point

- Now, we need to talk about my alcohol tolerance. It’s high. It’s strong.

- So almost everyone else was drunk out of their asses and I’m sitting there like???? What the fuck???? I want to be intoxicated???? This is hell???? Like at this point I had to have had??? A total six or so shots of vodka and the whiskey and I was FINE and mad about that lmao

- That’s my thing it takes me forever to get drunk and then I get really drunk and blessedly never have hangovers so I can’t really complain I guess?

- But when this happens the logical next step is to drink more lmao Raychel started insisting I share her ridiculous drink with her

- That thing....tasted like everything Jesus died to save us from.

- Also I think I ended up drinking more of it than she did lmao

- Pocket full of sunshine started playing and half the room got turnt while the other half watched in confusion

- I kept trying to take selfies with Raychel and in ever one??? She looks inhumanely gorgeous???? And I look like a goblin???? What the fuck

- At this point I was finally getting drunk so Raychel gave me her phone going “you have my favorite face in the world take so many selfies for me!!!” and....bitch I did. I had that phone for about three hours, barely put it down, loved every single one of my angles for the first time in my life, and I honestly do not know how many selfies of me she’s going to find later lmao

- “I once made an art piece out of my pubic hair but like I lost it in someone’s apartment”

- Garrett, who’s apparently never drank before, whisper-yelling in horror “I took a lot of shots....On purpose!!!! ....I’m sorry,”

- He got very wasted very fast and then went upstairs to sleep lmao

- Raychel started crying telling me I was pretty and I was like “Thanks but you do this when you’re sober so I don’t believe you??” and then her friend who barely talks to me comes over and is like “Honey listen I’m the least drunk person her and you’re gorgeous” and it eventually spiraled into “Molly, CHRISTINA AGUILERA thinks she’s ugly. Lady GaGa- BRITTNEY SPEARS CLEARLY HAS SELF ESTEEM ISSUES EVEN THO SHES A FUCKING SEX ICON. So you’re- OH my God!!! Adam Lambert probably thinks he’s the ugliest fucker in the world!!!!! So you’re beautiful!!!!” and like honestly? Feeling good rn

- To counter this I spent like half the night telling Patrick’s shy and quiet girlfriend Maura that she was the prettiest person I’ve ever seen. I couldn’t leave this poor girl alone she was adorable omfg

- Raychel, the one who ‘wasn’t going to get that drunk’: *spinning wildly, holding 13 conversations at once, constantly yelling about the pubic bone and the vulva, crying about plastic babies in a glitter tube*

- UPDATE AS IM TYPING THIS: Raychel has announced that she found a total of 438 pictures and videos on her phone OH MY GOD @PAST ME

- And that’s only on her phone I got a lot on my phone too and other people had cameras out lord knows how many were taken

- So when I’m drunk I feel a little lightheaded but ultimately fine until I like move a limb and it’s like ‘holy shit my head isn’t connect to my body’ like. so fucking dizzy. At one point I stood and was like ‘who wants to bet I can’t walk to the bathroom’ and someone decided to walk me there lmao

- Someone made glitter bombs out of eggs and we threw them in the street while angrily screaming things like “I LOVE MY FAMILY!” and “WHY DOES EVERY ACTUALLY NICE GUY I MEET HAVE A SMALL DICK!”

- Raychel gave me a tiny ball of clay and I really treasured it but then it broke apart I was so sad

- “Burt Macklin is a fucking bitch!” “Don’t talk to the kitten that way he’s the prettiest cat I’ve ever seen!”

- Jacqui got a slice of cake and then remembered she cannot eat when she’s drunk so I ended up eating. just a lot of cake

- My Little Pony songs were playing on the tv???? I’m still not sure how that got started

- Screaming about Alaska Thunderfuck

- I bet Patrick he’d be the first to puke but he left and I think I threw up in the bathroom???? I’m not 100% positive I did but the fact that I have doubt means he wins unfortunately

- There was one guy there I don’t think I actually got his name but he gave me a great hug when he was leaving. You know when like a bird lands on you and you feel like you’re special and have been chosen???? That’s what the hug felt like lmao

- Someone pulled buffalo chicken dip out of thin air which is my weakness and she told me to have some but like. I put one dipped chip in my mouth and knew it was a mistake. I felt it in my stomach. I hadn’t even fucking swallowed yet it was literally just in my mouth and my body was like ‘bitch can you take a break and let me live!’ omfg

- Since Raychel finally dumped her boyfriend I had no qualms about telling her I didn’t like him and she asked why and I was like “he tried to mansplain Greek mythology to me and he wasn’t even right!!!” and for some reason that made at least five people loose it.

- At the stroke of midnight, Raychel, pointing to the crucifix in the living room. “JESUS....HE’S HERE. HE’S ALIVE.”

- At some point I apparently started drunk texting a few of my friend’s that weren’t there w h o o p s

- Me, trying to explain myself to them this morning “You know, that Easter wine just really gets to me”

- I was stuck in the ‘coming down’ stage for like a million years. Like, still clearly drunk but Not As Bad

- And I was trying to get better before I texted my mother for a ride so like. I spent so long chugging water. I literally don’t think I've ever had that much water in my entire life. Raychel’s father and sister kept getting it for me as I continuously told them they were life savers. But it barely helped omfg

- Was definitely still a little wobbly when I woke up for water at like 6:30 but all good now and the hangover skipped over my soul @my genetic makeup bless you

- Fun night though!!! But now I’m off to an Easter family party so...we’ll see how that goes lol

[tonyduncanbb73]

Five Restaurants to Try This Weekend Around Boston: The New Restaurant Edition

Pay a visit to these recently opened spots

Welcome back to Five Restaurants to Try This Weekend, a weekly column in which the Eater Boston team recommends, well, five restaurants to try this weekend. Every Friday, we offer up a blend of old and new spots, typically including a mix of suggestions in Boston proper, Cambridge/Somerville, and farther afield. Sometimes there’s a topical theme; sometimes we just share our favorite standbys or the new places that are exciting us. Bookmark this page for updates; we add new recommendations to the top each week. Can’t hit ‘em all in one weekend? That’s what next weekend is for.

Want more recommendations from Eater staff and fellow readers? Join the Eater Boston Facebook group. Want to make sure your favorite hidden gem is on our radar? Send tips to us via email.

March 30, 2018: The New Restaurant Edition

If you’re not otherwise tied up with Easter or Passover celebrations this weekend, it may be a good time to score a reservation at one or two (or five) of the hot new dining destinations around town. This week’s Five Restaurants to Try are newish to very new and are quickly making names for themselves. From spicy seafood to fried chicken to sashimi, here are some recommendations for the weekend.

For beautiful ceviche and friendly hospitality: Celesteis tiny and adorable and wonderful. The Peruvian restaurant joined Union Square’s bustling dining scene earlier this month, serving up ceviche, lomo saltado (pictured above), and more, along with a nice selection of booze, with a focus on pisco and mezcal. Want to try it this weekend? Note that it’s closed Sundays but open until midnight on Saturdays, with an abbreviated late-night menu kicking in at 10 p.m. 21 Bow St., Union Square, Somerville

For a taste of Uruguay and beyond in a swanky old diner car: La Bodega— from the owners of Cambridge’sacclaimed Salts, which was forced to close in early 2014 due to a burst pipe — sort of quietly opened around Christmas with plans to slowly extend the menu and hours as time went on. It’s been building up momentum over the past few months, and regardless of whether it’s actually celebrated a “grand” opening yet, it’s already well worth a visit. It’s a unique, romantic space (be warned that it can get loud, especially in the diner car section, so don’t count on a very quiet evening.) Drink some wine; eat some steak and assorted small plates; be happy. 21 Nichols Ave., Watertown

For heavenly hushpuppies and hot chicken: And biscuits, too. Southern Proper really does smell like pine, as promised, and the attractive space is the perfect spot in which to gorge yourself on fried chicken — available in classic and hot styles; get the hot if you can handle a bit of a slow burn. Perhaps it’s a bit of a carb-heavy combo for one sitting, but the hushpuppies, biscuits, and chicken are all must-try items, so wear your stretchy pants and dig in.600 Harrison Ave., South End, Boston

For a fun, messy date night: Another newbie in the neighborhood is Bootleg Special, jumping into Boston’s growing Cajun seafood boil scene. Throw on the provided bib and gloves before diving into a big bowl of spicy seafood — choose from crawfish, lobster, shrimp, and more — and be sure to add something boozy on the side, such as a hurricane or daiquiri. 400 Tremont St., South End, Boston

For pretty plates of Japanese food with a touch of Hawai‘i, not to mention loads of sake: Momi Nonmiis the elder of this batch of recommendations, having opened back in October 2017, but we’ll allow it. Located in the former East by Northeast space (it was briefly a burger joint after that), Momi Nonmi serves up beautiful dishes of sashimi, tempura, and more. Splurge on the wagyu beef dumplings, don’t miss the duck confit rice dish, and try out the sizzling loco moco if you’ve got room left. Fan of sake and shochu? The staff will be eager to discuss options with you. 1128 Cambridge St., Inman Square, Cambridge

March 23, 2018: The Bao Edition

Rachel Leah Blumenthal/Eater

Squid ink oyster bao and pork belly bao at Pagu

Today’s theme is bao, simply because we’ve been eating them a lot lately and want to share a few recent favorites with you. Bao is a bit of an ambiguous word; it pops up on menus all over town to refer both to fully enclosed baozi (steamed or baked buns stuffed with various meats or other fillings) and to the wide world of variations on gua bao, or pork belly buns, which sort of resemble a fluffy taco or a sandwich where the bread’s connected on one side. Boston’s got both, but we’re just going to focus on the latter today — steamed bread folded around the traditional filling of pork belly or a range of other meats, sauces, and toppings.

For a meal that fuses Japanese food with Spanish and beyond: Now a little over a year old, Pagu is part of the increasingly awesome edge of Central Square by MIT, a short stretch of Massachusetts Avenue that includes Saloniki, A4cade, Naco Taco, Abide, and lots more. The pork belly bao, served with pickles, peanuts, and cilantro, is exceptional, and there’s another option as well — jet-black squid ink oyster bao, stuffed with panko oyster, “norioli” (nori aioli, naturally), and purple cabbage. Decidedly less traditional; equally worth trying. Also eat: jamón ibérico, Guchi’s midnight ramen, and cedar campfire black cod. 310 Massachusetts Ave., Central Square, Cambridge

For a fun, boozy meal to a loud hip-hop soundtrack: You know it; you love it. Shojo is still going strong in Chinatown — and it’s now a big sibling to two nearby spots, BLR by Shojo and Ruckus. Order a cocktail and get the bulgogi beef bao (with marinated carrots and shinko pear gochujang), the Shojo pig bao (smoked barbecue sauce, kimchi, jalapeno), or the curry cauliflower bao (black bean mayo, onion rings, pea greens). Also eat: pork belly dumplings and shadowless fries. 9A Tyler St., Chinatown, Boston

For a Tiki hangover that is totally worth it: New downtown spot Tiki Rockis a blast. It’s colorful, it’s noisy, and it’s serving up a variety of Tiki drinks that’ll make you happy and pretty tipsy. The food menu focuses on sushi, but there are also some non-sushi entrees, skewers, and appetizers, including the pork belly bun. The pork has a chili maple soy glaze, and it’s served with uni mayo, lettuce, and nori seasoning. Also eat: coconut shrimp and winter squash dumplings, and how about a bowl of ramen at Oisa Ramen next door? 2 Broad St., Downtown Boston

For even more sushi and even more cocktails: Here’s another loud, energy-packed, sushi-packed, boozy option — Fat Baby in South Boston. There’s steak bao (skirt steak, hoisin, pickled Fresnos, bean sprouts) and chicken bao (Thai herbs, carrot, daikon, green chiles, hoisin, and “boom boom” aioli). The Loco Taqueria & Oyster Bar sibling also has some solid cocktails. Also eat: the crispy rice cake snack with tuna, any of the crudo options, and the spicy tuna roll. 118 Dorchester St., South Boston

For bao that are not quite bao but eat them anyway: This is theleast bao-like option of the bunch, but Eventide Fenway’s acclaimed brown butter lobster roll and fried oyster bun are served on light, squishy bao-style buns. It’s an easy win for anyone who loves bao and seafood. Also eat: Maine lobster stew, the green salad, and brown butter soft serve. 1321 Boylston St., Fenway, Boston

March 16, 2018: The Beard Edition

Rachel Leah Blumenthal/Eater

Harissa barbecue duck at Sarma

The James Beard awards — aka the “Oscars of the food world” — are coming up fast, and the nominee list was just announced earlier this week, including a handful of local folks. For the inaugural edition of Five Restaurants to Try This Weekend, we’re featuring restaurants from Boston’s nominees.

For a truly lovely meal you probably won’t be able to eat this weekend because the restaurant’s basically booked up forever: Look, it’s probably too late to get reservations to Sarma for this weekend; sorry. Plan ahead for next weekend…or, like, a month from now. (Or walk in and put your name on the bar waitlist. Try showing up right at 5 p.m. on Sunday.) From Best Chef: Northeast nominee Cassie Piuma, Sarma — sibling to Oleana and Sofra (home to Outstanding Baker nominee Maura Kilpatrick) — serves up “an exhilarating survey of the herbaceous, sun-baked flavors of the Middle East,” according to Eater’s national critic Bill Addison, who named it to his 2016 list of the best restaurants in America. Highlights on the current menu include the Black Sea cornbread, venison wrapped dates, and harissa barbecue duck (pictured above). When ordering, save room for the specials that circulate the room like dim sum, especially the fried chicken. 249 Pearl St., Winter Hill, Somerville

For a dim sum brunch: Sarma’s got its dim sum-like trays of specials; Myers + Chang has dim sum brunch on Saturdays and Sundays from 11:30 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. — you’ve got plenty of time to sleep in. The self-proclaimed “indie diner,” a longtime South End staple, serves a “very personal interpretation of Chinese, Taiwanese, Thai, and Vietnamese specialties,” which includes brunch necessities like Mama Chang’s pork and chive dumplings; grilled corn with Sriracha butter; tea smoked ribs; wild boar dan dan noodles (“hotterest” on the restaurant’s spicy scale); and lots more. Executive chef and partner Karen Akunowicz is a nominee for Best Chef: Northeast. 1145 Washington St., South End, Boston

For a mai tai-soaked brunch: Let’s say you make it to Myers + Chang for Saturday brunch. Why not hit up Tiger Mamafor Sunday brunch (11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.), from Best Chef: Northeast nominee Tiffani Faison? There’s everything from Fruity Pebbles doughnuts to a bacon and cheddar-stuffed waffle that comes with Thai chili butter and maple-glazed bacon, not to mention a rotating selection of enticing cocktails. Past Sundays have featured mai tais; a bloody mary that included tamari, sambal, and wasabi; and more. 1363 Boylston St., Fenway, Boston

For a baller sushi feast: Go nuts at Uni, and don’t even worry about thinking — there are a number of omakase options that leave it all in the hands of the chef, spanning from a 10-piece nigiri omakase ($58) up to $185 for an epic tasting of the restaurant’s immaculate sushi. There are plenty of other ways to drop some major cash here as well, from a whole tray of Maine uni for DIY hand rolls ($65) to beluga hybrid caviar ($375). While sushi’s the focus, there are some don’t-miss hot dishes as well. Our pick: the Korean rice cakes with kalbi oxtail, kimchi butter, and gremolata. Chefs and partners Ken Oringer and Tony Messina are both up for Beards — Oringer for Outstanding Restaurateur and Messina for Best Chef: Northeast. 370 Commonwealth Ave., the Eliot Hotel, Back Bay, Boston

For the weirdest “I can’t believe this menu actually works” menu: Oringer is also behind, among other spots, Little Donkey in Cambridge’s Central Square, which he co-owns with Jamie Bissonnette. (The two of them recently debuted a ready-made food crawl that brings diners to Toro, Coppa, and Little Donkey in a row, with transportation included in the price.) When the duo opened Little Donkey in 2016 — one of the top newcomers of the year — they spoke about how they’re tied to certain themes at their other restaurants, but Little Donkey is a place to break the rules and cook whatever they want. That means that matzo ball ramen co-exists with an extensive raw bar selection, duck nachos, seriously spicy Jamaican jerk chicken wings, and lots more. It shouldn’t work. It does. Don’t miss the manti (Istanbul meat ravioli), poke, or Parker House rolls. 505 Massachusetts Ave., Central Square, Cambridge

[njawaidofficial]

Emmys 2017 Best Actor in a Comedy Series Poll: Who Should Win?

http://styleveryday.com/2017/09/05/emmys-2017-best-actor-in-a-comedy-series-poll-who-should-win/

Emmys 2017 Best Actor in a Comedy Series Poll: Who Should Win?

Up against a strong array of contenders, Jeffrey Tambor is looking to reclaim the title for a third year in a row.

The resident funny guys of television are brought together once again to face off in this year’s category for best actor in a comedy series.

The nominations list boasts a strong array of contenders, as two-time winner Jeffrey Tambor is looking to take the title for a third year in a row. Nominated for his performance in Amazon Studios’ Transparent, Tambor plays Morton Pfefferman (turned Maura Pfefferman), a retired college professor who comes out to his family as a transgender woman. 

Coming off a win last year for best writing in a comedy series, Master of None creator and star Aziz Ansari is back in the hopes of scoring another Emmy winged woman. In addition, William H. Macy receives his fourth consecutive nomination for his acclaimed performance as Frank Gallagher, an alcoholic father of six, in Showtime series Shameless.

Also nominated for a third time is Black-ish‘s Anthony Anderson. Anderson portrays Andre Johnson, an advertising exec struggling to hold onto his cultural roots while raising his family in a predominantly white, upper-middle-class neighborhood. 

Rounding out the nominations pool are category newcomers Zack Galifianakis and Donald Glover. Although Galifianakis already has two Emmys under his belt for Funny or Die talk show Between Two Ferns with Zack Galifianakis, the Hangover star is nominated for his performance on FX black comedy Baskets. On the show, Galifianakis portrays twin brothers Chip and Dale, one of whom is an aspiring clown. Glover is another first-timer for best comedy actor, and also happened to receive five other noms this year for his newest hit comedy Atlanta. 

Who do you think will take home the Emmy? Vote in the poll below and check back to see who’s in the lead. 

The resident funny guys of television are brought together once again to face off in this year’s category for best actor in a comedy series.

The nominations list boasts a strong array of contenders, as two-time winner Jeffrey Tambor returns to reclaim the title for a third year in a row. Nominated for his performance in Amazon Studios’ Transparent, Tambor plays Morton Pfefferman (turned Maura Pfefferman), a retired college professor who comes out to his family as a transgender woman. 

Coming off a win last year for outstanding writing in a comedy series, Master of None creator and star Aziz Ansari is back in the hopes of scoring another Emmy winged woman. In addition, William H. Macy receives his fourth consecutive nomination for his acclaimed performance as Frank Gallagher, an alcoholic father of six, in Showtime series Shameless.

Nominated for a third time, Black-ish‘s Anthony Anderson plays Andre Johnson, an advertising exec struggling to hold onto his cultural roots while raising his family in a predominantly white, upper-middle-class neighborhood. 

Rounding out the nominations pool are category newcomers Zack Galifianakis and Donald Glover. Although Galifianakis already has two Emmys under his belt for Funny or Die talk show Between Two Ferns with Zack Galifianakis, the Hangover star is nominated for his performance on FX black comedy Baskets. On the show, Galifianakis portrays twin brothers Chip and Dale, one of whom is an aspiring clown. Glover is another first-timer for best comedy actor, and also happened to receive five other noms this year for his newest hit comedy Atlanta. 

  The resident funny guys of television are brought together once again to face off in this year’s category for best actor in a comedy series.

The nominations list boasts a strong array of contenders, as two-time winner Jeffrey Tambor returns to reclaim the title for a third year in a row. Nominated for his performance in Amazon Studios’ Transparent, Tambor plays Morton Pfefferman (turned Maura Pfefferman), a retired college professor who comes out to his family as a transgender woman. 

Coming off a win last year for outstanding writing in a comedy series, Master of None creator and star Aziz Ansari is back in the hopes of scoring another Emmy winged woman. In addition, William H. Macy receives his fourth consecutive nomination for his acclaimed performance as Frank Gallagher, an alcoholic father of six, in Showtime series Shameless.

Also, Nominated for a third time, Black-ish‘s Anthony Anderson plays Andre Johnson, an advertising exec struggling to hold onto his cultural roots while raising his family in a predominantly white, upper-middle-class neighborhood. 

Rounding out the nominations pool are category newcomers Zack Galifianakis and Donald Glover. Although Galifianakis already has two Emmys under his belt for Funny or Die talk show Between Two Ferns with Zack Galifianakis, the Hangover star is nominated for his performance on FX black comedy Baskets. On the show, Galifianakis portrays twin brothers Chip and Dale, one of whom is an aspiring clown. Glover is another first-timer for best comedy actor, and also happened to receive five other noms this year for his newest hit comedy Atlanta. 

  The resident funny guys of television are brought together once again to face off in this year’s category for best actor in a comedy series.

The nominations list boasts a strong array of contenders, as two-time winner Jeffrey Tambor returns to reclaim the title for a third year in a row. Nominated for his performance in Amazon Studios’ Transparent, Tambor plays Morton Pfefferman (turned Maura Pfefferman), a retired college professor who comes out to his family as a transgender woman. 

Coming off a win last year for outstanding writing in a comedy series, Master of None creator and star Aziz Ansari is back in the hopes of scoring another Emmy winged woman. In addition, William H. Macy receives his fourth consecutive nomination for his acclaimed performance as Frank Gallagher, an alcoholic father of six, in Showtime series Shameless.

Nominated for a third time, Black-ish‘s Anthony Anderson plays Andre Johnson, an advertising exec struggling to hold onto his cultural roots while raising his family in a predominantly white, upper-middle-class neighborhood. 

Rounding out the nominations pool are category newcomers Zack Galifianakis and Donald Glover. Although Galifianakis already has two Emmys under his belt for Funny or Die talk show Between Two Ferns with Zack Galifianakis, the Hangover star is nominated for his performance on FX black comedy Baskets. On the show, Galifianakis portrays twin brothers Chip and Dale, one of whom is an aspiring clown. Glover is another first-timer for best comedy actor, and also happened to receive five other noms this year for his newest hit comedy Atlanta. 

  The resident funny guys of television are brought together once again to face off in this year’s category for best actor in a comedy series.

The nominations list boasts a strong array of contenders, as two-time winner Jeffrey Tambor returns to reclaim the title for a third year in a row. Nominated for his performance in Amazon Studios’ Transparent, Tambor plays Morton Pfefferman (turned Maura Pfefferman), a retired college professor who comes out to his family as a transgender woman. 

Coming off a win last year for outstanding writing in a comedy series, Master of None creator and star Aziz Ansari is back in the hopes of scoring another Emmy winged woman. In addition, William H. Macy receives his fourth consecutive nomination for his acclaimed performance as Frank Gallagher, an alcoholic father of six, in Showtime series Shameless.

Also, ominated for a third time, Black-ish‘s Anthony Anderson plays Andre Johnson, an advertising exec struggling to hold onto his cultural roots while raising his family in a predominantly white, upper-middle-class neighborhood. 

Rounding out the nominations pool are category newcomers Zack Galifianakis and Donald Glover. Although Galifianakis already has two Emmys under his belt for Funny or Die talk show Between Two Ferns with Zack Galifianakis, the Hangover star is nominated for his performance on FX black comedy Baskets. On the show, Galifianakis portrays twin brothers Chip and Dale, one of whom is an aspiring clown. Glover is another first-timer for best comedy actor, and also happened to receive five other noms this year for his newest hit comedy Atlanta. 

  The resident funny guys of television are brought together once again to face off in this year’s category for best actor in a comedy series.

The nominations list boasts a strong array of contenders, as two-time winner Jeffrey Tambor returns to reclaim the title for a third year in a row. Nominated for his performance in Amazon Studios’ Transparent, Tambor plays Morton Pfefferman (turned Maura Pfefferman), a retired college professor who comes out to his family as a transgender woman. 

Coming off a win last year for outstanding writing in a comedy series, Master of None creator and star Aziz Ansari is back in the hopes of scoring another Emmy winged woman. In addition, William H. Macy receives his fourth consecutive nomination for his acclaimed performance as Frank Gallagher, an alcoholic father of six, in Showtime series Shameless.

Nominated for a third time, Black-ish‘s Anthony Anderson plays Andre Johnson, an advertising exec struggling to hold onto his cultural roots while raising his family in a predominantly white, upper-middle-class neighborhood. 

Rounding out the nominations pool are category newcomers Zack Galifianakis and Donald Glover. Although Galifianakis already has two Emmys under his belt for Funny or Die talk show Between Two Ferns with Zack Galifianakis, the Hangover star is nominated for his performance on FX black comedy Baskets. On the show, Galifianakis portrays twin brothers Chip and Dale, one of whom is an aspiring clown. Glover is another first-timer for best comedy actor, and also happened to receive five other noms this year for his newest hit comedy Atlanta. 

  The resident funny guys of television are brought together once again to face off in this year’s category for best actor in a comedy series.

The nominations list boasts a strong array of contenders, as two-time winner Jeffrey Tambor returns to reclaim the title for a third year in a row. Nominated for his performance in Amazon Studios’ Transparent, Tambor plays Morton Pfefferman (turned Maura Pfefferman), a retired college professor who comes out to his family as a transgender woman. 

Coming off a win last year for outstanding writing in a comedy series, Master of None creator and star Aziz Ansari is back in the hopes of scoring another Emmy winged woman. In addition, William H. Macy receives his fourth consecutive nomination for his acclaimed performance as Frank Gallagher, an alcoholic father of six, in Showtime series Shameless.

Also, Nominated for a third time, Black-ish‘s Anthony Anderson plays Andre Johnson, an advertising exec struggling to hold onto his cultural roots while raising his family in a predominantly white, upper-middle-class neighborhood. 

Rounding out the nominations pool are category newcomers Zack Galifianakis and Donald Glover. Although Galifianakis already has two Emmys under his belt for Funny or Die talk show Between Two Ferns with Zack Galifianakis, the Hangover star is nominated for his performance on FX black comedy Baskets. On the show, Galifianakis portrays twin brothers Chip and Dale, one of whom is an aspiring clown. Glover is another first-timer for best comedy actor, and also happened to receive five other noms this year for his newest hit comedy Atlanta. 

  The resident funny guys of television are brought together once again to face off in this year’s category for best actor in a comedy series.

The nominations list boasts a strong array of contenders, as two-time winner Jeffrey Tambor returns to reclaim the title for a third year in a row. Nominated for his performance in Amazon Studios’ Transparent, Tambor plays Morton Pfefferman (turned Maura Pfefferman), a retired college professor who comes out to his family as a transgender woman. 

Coming off a win last year for outstanding writing in a comedy series, Master of None creator and star Aziz Ansari is back in the hopes of scoring another Emmy winged woman. In addition, William H. Macy receives his fourth consecutive nomination for his acclaimed performance as Frank Gallagher, an alcoholic father of six, in Showtime series Shameless.

Nominated for a third time, Black-ish‘s Anthony Anderson plays Andre Johnson, an advertising exec struggling to hold onto his cultural roots while raising his family in a predominantly white, upper-middle-class neighborhood. 

Rounding out the nominations pool are category newcomers Zack Galifianakis and Donald Glover. Although Galifianakis already has two Emmys under his belt for Funny or Die talk show Between Two Ferns with Zack Galifianakis, the Hangover star is nominated for his performance on FX black comedy Baskets. On the show, Galifianakis portrays twin brothers Chip and Dale, one of whom is an aspiring clown. Glover is another first-timer for best comedy actor, and also happened to receive five other noms this year for his newest hit comedy Atlanta. 

  #2017 #Actor #Comedy #Emmys #Poll #Series #Win

[thepointlessdiary]

Newsflash III: Linn.

Dear—oh for fuck's sake you get it, This part of my incredibly ridiculous life's update is the one that pisses me off. I'm sure you guys (and by you guys I mean myself because I am fully aware I'm the only person reading this utterly pointless diary) have been wondering where Linn's at. Well you gorgeous-only-reader-who-is-currently-typing-the-story, this shit is about to get real. So it was Maura's 18th birthday. There was a lot of alcohol and music and sweaty dry humping teenage dirtbags. Me and Maura were kinda concerned that Linn wasn't there. She knew it was Maura's birthday and it was really unlike her to miss on the booze. So I went to look for her. Because I know that Linn has been wanting to get drunk for a while. That's right, I care. Mind you, when I went to look for her at her house they haven't served any shots or beer so there was no fucking way I was drunk. I went to her front door and knocked waiting for her to show up slaying the game as usual. But Diana opened the door. As soon as she saw me she looked like she wanted to yell at me. What the fuck did I do to you, lady? I smiled, like always, and asked for Linn. She furrowed her eyebrows at me and said "she's sick". I, being the worried fuck i am, said "what? Is she okay? What happened?". She once again took a second to reply, and then she said "she's fine i gave her sleeping pills". I told her to call me if anything happened, gave her a kiss on the cheek like always and walked away. I honestly didn't over think the situation. It just seemed like a normal encounter, right? Nothing bad happened, no insults were exchanged. So I just thought Linn was asleep. I texted her "Hey u ok? Me and Maura are concerned." It was odd that she didn't at least text us. But when we realized she wasn't going to answer we just decided to party and get drunk. The next morning after finally being able to check my phone without the hangover trying to kill me, I texted her again. But she didn't answer. The next day I was minding my own business when the phone indicated me that I received a message. It read "dude WTF!" I answered "yoo u ok?" And she said, making me be confusion itself, "U were rude to her wtf" ... Um... ??? WHAT DO YOU MEAN RUDE?! I was so confused! Rude to who? WHEN?! I don't remember being rude to anyone! She didn't reply. BUT I NEEDED ANSWERS. So I called her. Now the conversation went something like this: Linn: *silence* Me: ... *thinks: bitch wtf say something* Linn: yeah? Me: *thinks: for real?* um... rude to who? Linn: to my mom. Me: ... Me:.... Me: *thinks: WHAT THE FUCK* when? Linn: when you went to check if I was coming to the party. *hangs up* You understand my confusion. I literally went there, asked if she could come out/if she was okay, and left. No way is smiling and being concerned is insulting. So I texted her again. And she responded "she said you were acting weird" and I said that I was worried because apparently she was sick. She replied "She said she was insulted and then she yelled and took it out on me" LADY! I said "Is Linn okay?" not, "I murdered your dog". Linn then told me "I can't ever go out or have anyone come over" I don't even know how to explain this. But apparently they're literally forbidding her from leaving. They almost made her break up with her boyfriend. ALMOST. They're still dating in private. Thank the lords. So she can't leave her house unless it's for school or going to her dad's house. She can't tell me what's going on exactly. She said they're making her stay quiet and that if they find out that she's still texting me she's in huge trouble. I'm so angry. Why would you do this to your daughter. Adopted or not, she's still your daughter and she deserves happiness. She was finally feeling happy and you took that away. I don't know what's going on. What ever is happening you can't solve the issue by keeping her in a bubble away from humanity. Someday I'm going to get her out of there.

[readingfordummies]

Witches of East End - Chapter Four

Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic

Before hiring a certain curly-haired bartender last fall, the North Inn bar was a sleepy little place, the kind of run-down pub that locals liked to gather in to trade gossip and visit one another without having to fight scores of drunk preppies for a table. Memorial Day meant that summer had officially arrived, and even if the town was hidden and unknown, the seasonal wave of tourists to East End brought a good number of visitors who found themselves within the city limits, and several new establishments had begun to provide to this crowd. But not the North Inn. The well drinks were strong and cheap, and other than a decent view of the water, that was pretty much all it had going for it.

How things had changed. It was still a local place but it was no longer quiet or calm. The joint, as they said, was jumpin', and did it ever. There was a loud, throbbing jukebox that played only the good stuff, when rock 'n' roll was performed by real rock stars. Men in tight pants who sang lustily about women, drugs, and wickedness had been put to celluloid parody or reality-TV rehabilitation. The old rock swagger was the exclusive territory of rap music now, the only genre that still celebrated satisfaction in all its forms. The boys with guitars had turned to writing moody little songs, safe little emotional songs that no one could dance to.

Freya liked rap just fine, and was known to blast the latest gangster throw-downs now and then, but at the North Inn she preferred the classics. The Brits: The Sex Pistols. The Clash. The '70s rock-opera - stylists: Queen. Yes. Early Genesis (this was crucial - Peter Gabriel - led Genesis, not the earsore it became under Phil Collins). Metal: Led Zeppelin. Deep Purple. Metallica. Party Rock: AC/DC. Def Leppard. Motley Crüe if she was feeling a tad ironic. Since she'd arrived to work at the North Inn, the place was always blasting with the screech of guitars and the fist-pumping dance-floor anthems that drove the crowd to its feet. But next to the drinks she poured, the music was almost irrelevant.

The redheaded bartender had a way of making the cocktails just right: the gin and tonics tart and fresh, the dark and stormies luscious with bite. It was a party every night, and every evening ended with customers dancing on the bar, losing their shyness and occasionally their clothing. If you came into the North Inn alone and feeling blue, you left with either a new friend or a hangover, sometimes both.

However, a week after her engagement party, the bar, like Freya, was a bit quiet. While the music was still loud and strong, it had an underlying mournful echo. The Rolling Stones sang "Waiting on a Friend": I'm not waiting on a lady, I'm just waiting on a friend . . . , the cocktails were soft and sweet, the gin fizz didn't fizz, the champagne was flat, the beer turned lukewarm after only a few minutes. It was just like the engagement party, but worse. She was glad Ingrid wasn't around to notice; she didn't want her sister any more suspicious than she already was. What happened with Killian that evening had been an impulsive act, but it was over now and everything would be all right. There was no need to panic. So what if all she could dream about was Killian? So what if he had invaded her consciousness, had become the subject of her every waking thought? When she closed her eyes, she could still see his beautiful face, hovering above hers. She would make it go away. She would make him go away. If only it was Killian who was halfway around the world and not her love.

Bran called earlier: he had arrived safely in Denmark and was on his way to his meeting. She knew she had to get used to it; from the beginning he had explained that his life and his work involved a great amount of travel and that he was rarely home, but he was planning to slow down after the wedding. Hearing his voice had cheered her up a little, but her dark mood continued to build as she leaned back on the bar, watching customers arrive. Dan Jerrods and his new girlfriend, Amanda Turner, walked in, and an image flashed in Freya's mind: Dan had Amanda up against a wall, the two of them gasping and grabbing at each other, Amanda's blouse unbuttoned, Dan's jeans at his knees. That was just a few minutes before they'd set off for the bar. It was early in their relationship, and sex was still their way of saying hello. Freya certainly spoke that language.

Right behind the postsex couple was Mayor Todd Hutchinson (fervent masturbation last night in front of a computer), with his friend, flashy developer Blake Aland (a tangle of some sort in his car the other week: it was blurry and the vision wouldn't focus, but Freya sensed some kind of sexual frustration here), then the good reverend and his wife (a flash of leather whips and masks over the holiday weekend). Sometimes Freya felt a bit dizzy from all the information. She should be used to it by now, her talent - she refused to call it a "gift" - but it still came as a surprise.

This was just another display of her nature, the ability to see intense emotion - and it wasn't just sexual passion or romantic love that she was able to see. Freya could also read intense anger and hatred, the opposite of love as it were: murderous rage, overwhelming anxiety. Over the centuries, her talent had been very useful. Although there was very little of it, North Hampton was not immune from crime. When it did happen, it was usually scandalous and spectacular, like the chilling murder of a socialite who had been poisoned at her own dinner party, or sad and unusual, like what had happened to Bill and Maura Thatcher. Their bodies had been found on the beach just last winter, both of them bleeding from the head. Bill died from his injuries but Maura was still in intensive care, comatose at the hospital.

Freya had been helpful in bringing the socialite's murderer to justice. An angry housekeeper who was an occasional customer was behind the heiress's death. Freya saw exactly how she did it, putting a small amount of poison into the champagne, expertly popping back the cork. She had pointed the police in the right direction so that they were able to build their case. The detectives had found a bottle of the toxic substance among the housekeeper's possessions, which led to the conviction, a thrilling conclusion all around.

She served Dan and Amanda their drinks. She smiled at the honeymooning couple - the first two weeks of any relationship was a honeymoon as far as Freya was concerned. Couples waited so long to marry these days, or had been living together for years before, that most honeymoons had very little mooning or honey. The sex, if there was any, was usually of the garden variety, missionary style. Most couples were much more excited about their luxurious hotel rooms than about seeing each other naked. The days of trembling virginal brides slipping in between cold sheets were long past. Which was why Freya looked on new couples with affection. These were her people, worshipers at her temple. She blessed them with her smile and numerous free drinks.

The reverend and his wife ordered a decent bottle of wine, and Blake wanted a beer. She set the orders on the bar and turned to her final customer. "What can I get you, sir?" she asked the mayor.

"Whiskey, straight, thanks Freya."

"Sure thing, Mayor," she said. Todd Hutchinson was young, slick, and ambitious. He had big plans for North Hampton and had swept into office on the campaign donations of people like Blake Aland. The young mayor was popular around town, although Freya knew her sister, Ingrid, was not a fan ever since she'd gotten wind of his proposal to sell the library. Poor Ingrid, there was nothing she would be able to do if the proposal was approved.

Unlike Ingrid, Freya had nothing against Todd, who was polite and tipped well. He was married to a local news anchor rumored to be in line for a national spot on the network. Maybe that was the reason he'd had to resort to online porn. Two huge careers meant couples rarely had time for each other. It was too bad. Freya handed him his whiskey and turned back to the bar.

"What's up tonight? So quiet for a Friday," said her boss, Sal McLaughlin, who'd inherited the North Inn and its bar from his brother, who'd retired. Sal was a cheerful man of seventy, with wiggly eyebrows and a belly laugh. He had hired Freya on the spot and acted as her honorary grandfather. Sal coughed noisily into his handkerchief and wheezed.

"You all right? That sounded pretty gross," she teased as Sal blew his nose again with a big honk.

"Allergies." He shrugged. "Must be the change of weather." He wiped his nose and sighed, his eyes tearing. "Always hits right about June." It had been an unusually sudden change from a rainy spring to a humid summer; the air was thick and heavy, even more so than usual. And the heat was not usually quite this hot so early in the season.

"It's like a funeral in here. Who died?" Sal joked, as he cranked up the AC.

Freya shrugged. She knew it was her energy that was causing the gloom, but she couldn't help it. So it was an off day. She couldn't be expected to keep the party going forever, could she? A hand waved and she walked over to the opposite counter of the U-shaped bar where Becky Bauman was downing dirty martinis like candy. "Another one?" Freya asked.

"Oh, why not." Becky sighed as she stared at her husband, flirting with his date, across the bar. Becky and Ross had recently separated. They had not been married long, but they were the parents of a six-month-old; and Freya saw that a darkness had clouded the love that had once held them together, as exhaustion and sleep deprivation led to nonstop arguments that left both of them even more unhappy and unsatisfied, until Ross had finally had enough and moved out.

Ross was currently deep in conversation with Natasha Mayles, a former model who was one of the town's too-too-toos: too rich, too pretty, too picky. Too good for any man to come near when it came down to it. The Natasha Mayleses of the world certainly thought too much of themselves to settle down with just anyone. It was a wonder what she was doing with Ross Bauman, who was not even divorced yet.

"What happened to us?" Becky asked, as she watched Freya make her cocktail. "I hate him. I really do. I don't know what I'm going to do."

Freya caught a flash of an image: another argument, this one vivid and gut-wrenching, ending in a violence that had not been there before - arms flailing, the baby crying, a push down the stairs. . . . She turned away and paused. Regardless of what her mother or sister believed, truly she did not do very much to the drinks except make them taste better, a by-product of the fact that she made them. Everything Freya made or cooked tasted delicious, a consequence of her magical heritage.

But the ugly scene she had just witnessed - and she did not know who exactly was in danger, Becky, Ross, or their baby; the image did not reveal that much - made her think. Maybe if there hadn't been a bit of love between them Freya would never have considered doing what she was about to do. But there was. She saw the two of them sneaking glances at each other when they thought the other was not looking. Besides, Natasha Mayles was all wrong for Ross. She wandered into the North Inn with her arrogant accent and bored, quasi-European attitude.

Truly, it was a ridiculous rule anyway, why couldn't they use magic? Why not? Just because of a few silly girls who told a few lies? So a couple of lying bitches were allowed to ruin their lives forever? Freya would never forget the way those awful girls had spun their clever story, their crazy histrionics in the courtroom, the growing list of suspects, the carriages that took the condemned down to Gallows Hill. How stubborn and blind she had been! She had assumed no one would believe their accusers, that no one in their right mind would think that she and Ingrid were capable of such evil. To add insult to injury, her own kind, their own Council, took away their powers after everything they had been through - hard punishment indeed. Well. She had had enough. She was tired of feeling afraid. Tired of feeling useless. Tired of trying to pretend she was something she wasn't. Tired of hiding her light in a corner. Under a lampshade, behind a curtain, in a dark room. Tired.

Freya Beauchamp was made of magic. Without magic she was just someone who poured drinks. She had been so good for so long, all of them had, and for what? What was the point of it all, really? It was a waste of their talents; were they really supposed to just live in the shadows and fade away? Act as if they were ordinary for the rest of their immortal lives?

Freya thought of everything they had given up: flying, for one; she still remembered how it felt, moving through the skies, the wind in her hair. She missed the midnight capers in the woods as well, the powerful rituals that were taboo now that pagan was a bad word. The world had moved on, of course, that was to be expected; maybe it would have happened even without the restriction, but now they would never know. Like the rest of her family, she was stuck on this side of the bridge, with no way to return home.

She made up her mind. She touched Ross's beer glass and added just a drop of gingerroot and lemon zest. Then she stirred it with the red straw from Becky's cocktail. The pint of beer turned a bright shade of pink for a split second. Now, this was definitely against the rules, this little mixture she had made, this little love potion. Sure, she had practiced a little magic before, here and there - that boy back in New York, that vampire's familiar she had healed, for instance. But that was in the East Village, where she had been fairly certain what little, insignificant, magic she had performed had been cleverly hidden and absorbed by the city's own kinetic energy.

This was something quite different, different even from the little nudges she gave the police to help solve crimes. This was the first real love potion she had created in . . . well, when the number of years was so big, who was counting? Besides, it was a shame to let such a good couple go to waste, and she shivered at the thought of what might be if she did not: that terrible argument, a child growing up without parents, one dead, the other in jail. Freya increased the power of the drinks she was about to serve. It didn't have to happen. All they needed was a little help to get over the bump. They just needed a little reminder of why they had been together in the first place. She set the martini in front of Becky and the beer in front of Ross. "Cheers!" she told them, holding up her own glass.

"To our health," Becky mumbled. She was probably embarrassed to have revealed so much to Freya earlier.

"Bottoms up," Ross called to Becky from across the bar. He took a huge pull from his glass; and for a moment his face turned gray and it looked as if he were going to be sick, or throw up. Freya felt a wave of nerves - what if she had forgotten to mix it just right? What if she had poisoned him somehow - what if she had forgotten the correct amount to put in the mixture? She rushed to his side, hoping there was still time to serve him an antidote, when the color returned to his cheeks and he took a deep breath. "What's in that?" he asked Freya.

"Why? Is there something wrong with it?" she asked, trying not to feel too frightened.

"There's nothing wrong with it! It's awesome!" he declared, and downed the whole thing in one huge gulp. When he was done, his eyes seemed to light up, and he looked across the bar at his wife with a face full of wonder, falling in love with her all over again. Becky returned the smile tentatively, and in a few minutes the two of them were giggling, then howling with laughter, while Natasha looked confused and unfriendly. Then Ross excused himself from his date, walked over to his wife, and gave her a back-dipping "Times Square - World War Two has ended" victory kiss. Natasha stomped off in a bad mood.

Freya sighed in relief. A few minutes later, she was smiling like a Cheshire cat. Her potion had worked. She still knew exactly how to make them. In an instant, the music on the jukebox suddenly pumped to life: Axl Rose screeching a love song: "Sweet Child o' Mine." She's got a smile that it seems to me, Reminds me of childhood memories . . . The music began to fill up the night, lustful and passionate, making girls grab their boys' hands to lead them to the ad hoc dance floor in front of the jukebox. Dan and Amanda began to dirty-dance, and even the reverend and his wife took a spin. In the corner, the Baumans were making out so heavily - was that Ross's hand up Becky's shirt? - They should really think of leaving; it was getting a tad too heated. Even the mayor sat at the counter with a dreamy look on his face.

Freya drummed her fingers on the counter, swaying to the music. Sal had been right. It had felt like winter in there for a moment. But the frost had melted now. Of course, she still felt terrible about what happened with Killian. But a little magic went a long way.

[tonyduncanbb73]

Five Restaurants to Try This Weekend Around Boston: The New Restaurant Edition

Pay a visit to these recently opened spots

Welcome back to Five Restaurants to Try This Weekend, a weekly column in which the Eater Boston team recommends, well, five restaurants to try this weekend. Every Friday, we offer up a blend of old and new spots, typically including a mix of suggestions in Boston proper, Cambridge/Somerville, and farther afield. Sometimes there’s a topical theme; sometimes we just share our favorite standbys or the new places that are exciting us. Bookmark this page for updates; we add new recommendations to the top each week. Can’t hit ‘em all in one weekend? That’s what next weekend is for.

Want more recommendations from Eater staff and fellow readers? Join the Eater Boston Facebook group. Want to make sure your favorite hidden gem is on our radar? Send tips to us via email.

March 30, 2018: The New Restaurant Edition

If you’re not otherwise tied up with Easter or Passover celebrations this weekend, it may be a good time to score a reservation at one or two (or five) of the hot new dining destinations around town. This week’s Five Restaurants to Try are newish to very new and are quickly making names for themselves. From spicy seafood to fried chicken to sashimi, here are some recommendations for the weekend.

For beautiful ceviche and friendly hospitality: Celesteis tiny and adorable and wonderful. The Peruvian restaurant joined Union Square’s bustling dining scene earlier this month, serving up ceviche, lomo saltado (pictured above), and more, along with a nice selection of booze, with a focus on pisco and mezcal. Want to try it this weekend? Note that it’s closed Sundays but open until midnight on Saturdays, with an abbreviated late-night menu kicking in at 10 p.m. 21 Bow St., Union Square, Somerville

For a taste of Uruguay and beyond in a swanky old diner car: La Bodega— from the owners of Cambridge’sacclaimed Salts, which was forced to close in early 2014 due to a burst pipe — sort of quietly opened around Christmas with plans to slowly extend the menu and hours as time went on. It’s been building up momentum over the past few months, and regardless of whether it’s actually celebrated a “grand” opening yet, it’s already well worth a visit. It’s a unique, romantic space (be warned that it can get loud, especially in the diner car section, so don’t count on a very quiet evening.) Drink some wine; eat some steak and assorted small plates; be happy. 21 Nichols Ave., Watertown

For heavenly hushpuppies and hot chicken: And biscuits, too. Southern Proper really does smell like pine, as promised, and the attractive space is the perfect spot in which to gorge yourself on fried chicken — available in classic and hot styles; get the hot if you can handle a bit of a slow burn. Perhaps it’s a bit of a carb-heavy combo for one sitting, but the hushpuppies, biscuits, and chicken are all must-try items, so wear your stretchy pants and dig in.600 Harrison Ave., South End, Boston

For a fun, messy date night: Another newbie in the neighborhood is Bootleg Special, jumping into Boston’s growing Cajun seafood boil scene. Throw on the provided bib and gloves before diving into a big bowl of spicy seafood — choose from crawfish, lobster, shrimp, and more — and be sure to add something boozy on the side, such as a hurricane or daiquiri. 400 Tremont St., South End, Boston

For pretty plates of Japanese food with a touch of Hawai‘i, not to mention loads of sake: Momi Nonmiis the elder of this batch of recommendations, having opened back in October 2017, but we’ll allow it. Located in the former East by Northeast space (it was briefly a burger joint after that), Momi Nonmi serves up beautiful dishes of sashimi, tempura, and more. Splurge on the wagyu beef dumplings, don’t miss the duck confit rice dish, and try out the sizzling loco moco if you’ve got room left. Fan of sake and shochu? The staff will be eager to discuss options with you. 1128 Cambridge St., Inman Square, Cambridge

March 23, 2018: The Bao Edition

Rachel Leah Blumenthal/Eater

Squid ink oyster bao and pork belly bao at Pagu

Today’s theme is bao, simply because we’ve been eating them a lot lately and want to share a few recent favorites with you. Bao is a bit of an ambiguous word; it pops up on menus all over town to refer both to fully enclosed baozi (steamed or baked buns stuffed with various meats or other fillings) and to the wide world of variations on gua bao, or pork belly buns, which sort of resemble a fluffy taco or a sandwich where the bread’s connected on one side. Boston’s got both, but we’re just going to focus on the latter today — steamed bread folded around the traditional filling of pork belly or a range of other meats, sauces, and toppings.

For a meal that fuses Japanese food with Spanish and beyond: Now a little over a year old, Pagu is part of the increasingly awesome edge of Central Square by MIT, a short stretch of Massachusetts Avenue that includes Saloniki, A4cade, Naco Taco, Abide, and lots more. The pork belly bao, served with pickles, peanuts, and cilantro, is exceptional, and there’s another option as well — jet-black squid ink oyster bao, stuffed with panko oyster, “norioli” (nori aioli, naturally), and purple cabbage. Decidedly less traditional; equally worth trying. Also eat: jamón ibérico, Guchi’s midnight ramen, and cedar campfire black cod. 310 Massachusetts Ave., Central Square, Cambridge

For a fun, boozy meal to a loud hip-hop soundtrack: You know it; you love it. Shojo is still going strong in Chinatown — and it’s now a big sibling to two nearby spots, BLR by Shojo and Ruckus. Order a cocktail and get the bulgogi beef bao (with marinated carrots and shinko pear gochujang), the Shojo pig bao (smoked barbecue sauce, kimchi, jalapeno), or the curry cauliflower bao (black bean mayo, onion rings, pea greens). Also eat: pork belly dumplings and shadowless fries. 9A Tyler St., Chinatown, Boston

For a Tiki hangover that is totally worth it: New downtown spot Tiki Rockis a blast. It’s colorful, it’s noisy, and it’s serving up a variety of Tiki drinks that’ll make you happy and pretty tipsy. The food menu focuses on sushi, but there are also some non-sushi entrees, skewers, and appetizers, including the pork belly bun. The pork has a chili maple soy glaze, and it’s served with uni mayo, lettuce, and nori seasoning. Also eat: coconut shrimp and winter squash dumplings, and how about a bowl of ramen at Oisa Ramen next door? 2 Broad St., Downtown Boston

For even more sushi and even more cocktails: Here’s another loud, energy-packed, sushi-packed, boozy option — Fat Baby in South Boston. There’s steak bao (skirt steak, hoisin, pickled Fresnos, bean sprouts) and chicken bao (Thai herbs, carrot, daikon, green chiles, hoisin, and “boom boom” aioli). The Loco Taqueria & Oyster Bar sibling also has some solid cocktails. Also eat: the crispy rice cake snack with tuna, any of the crudo options, and the spicy tuna roll. 118 Dorchester St., South Boston

For bao that are not quite bao but eat them anyway: This is theleast bao-like option of the bunch, but Eventide Fenway’s acclaimed brown butter lobster roll and fried oyster bun are served on light, squishy bao-style buns. It’s an easy win for anyone who loves bao and seafood. Also eat: Maine lobster stew, the green salad, and brown butter soft serve. 1321 Boylston St., Fenway, Boston

March 16, 2018: The Beard Edition

Rachel Leah Blumenthal/Eater

Harissa barbecue duck at Sarma

The James Beard awards — aka the “Oscars of the food world” — are coming up fast, and the nominee list was just announced earlier this week, including a handful of local folks. For the inaugural edition of Five Restaurants to Try This Weekend, we’re featuring restaurants from Boston’s nominees.

For a truly lovely meal you probably won’t be able to eat this weekend because the restaurant’s basically booked up forever: Look, it’s probably too late to get reservations to Sarma for this weekend; sorry. Plan ahead for next weekend…or, like, a month from now. (Or walk in and put your name on the bar waitlist. Try showing up right at 5 p.m. on Sunday.) From Best Chef: Northeast nominee Cassie Piuma, Sarma — sibling to Oleana and Sofra (home to Outstanding Baker nominee Maura Kilpatrick) — serves up “an exhilarating survey of the herbaceous, sun-baked flavors of the Middle East,” according to Eater’s national critic Bill Addison, who named it to his 2016 list of the best restaurants in America. Highlights on the current menu include the Black Sea cornbread, venison wrapped dates, and harissa barbecue duck (pictured above). When ordering, save room for the specials that circulate the room like dim sum, especially the fried chicken. 249 Pearl St., Winter Hill, Somerville

For a dim sum brunch: Sarma’s got its dim sum-like trays of specials; Myers + Chang has dim sum brunch on Saturdays and Sundays from 11:30 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. — you’ve got plenty of time to sleep in. The self-proclaimed “indie diner,” a longtime South End staple, serves a “very personal interpretation of Chinese, Taiwanese, Thai, and Vietnamese specialties,” which includes brunch necessities like Mama Chang’s pork and chive dumplings; grilled corn with Sriracha butter; tea smoked ribs; wild boar dan dan noodles (“hotterest” on the restaurant’s spicy scale); and lots more. Executive chef and partner Karen Akunowicz is a nominee for Best Chef: Northeast. 1145 Washington St., South End, Boston

For a mai tai-soaked brunch: Let’s say you make it to Myers + Chang for Saturday brunch. Why not hit up Tiger Mamafor Sunday brunch (11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.), from Best Chef: Northeast nominee Tiffani Faison? There’s everything from Fruity Pebbles doughnuts to a bacon and cheddar-stuffed waffle that comes with Thai chili butter and maple-glazed bacon, not to mention a rotating selection of enticing cocktails. Past Sundays have featured mai tais; a bloody mary that included tamari, sambal, and wasabi; and more. 1363 Boylston St., Fenway, Boston

For a baller sushi feast: Go nuts at Uni, and don’t even worry about thinking — there are a number of omakase options that leave it all in the hands of the chef, spanning from a 10-piece nigiri omakase ($58) up to $185 for an epic tasting of the restaurant’s immaculate sushi. There are plenty of other ways to drop some major cash here as well, from a whole tray of Maine uni for DIY hand rolls ($65) to beluga hybrid caviar ($375). While sushi’s the focus, there are some don’t-miss hot dishes as well. Our pick: the Korean rice cakes with kalbi oxtail, kimchi butter, and gremolata. Chefs and partners Ken Oringer and Tony Messina are both up for Beards — Oringer for Outstanding Restaurateur and Messina for Best Chef: Northeast. 370 Commonwealth Ave., the Eliot Hotel, Back Bay, Boston

For the weirdest “I can’t believe this menu actually works” menu: Oringer is also behind, among other spots, Little Donkey in Cambridge’s Central Square, which he co-owns with Jamie Bissonnette. (The two of them recently debuted a ready-made food crawl that brings diners to Toro, Coppa, and Little Donkey in a row, with transportation included in the price.) When the duo opened Little Donkey in 2016 — one of the top newcomers of the year — they spoke about how they’re tied to certain themes at their other restaurants, but Little Donkey is a place to break the rules and cook whatever they want. That means that matzo ball ramen co-exists with an extensive raw bar selection, duck nachos, seriously spicy Jamaican jerk chicken wings, and lots more. It shouldn’t work. It does. Don’t miss the manti (Istanbul meat ravioli), poke, or Parker House rolls. 505 Massachusetts Ave., Central Square, Cambridge