Hottest and Nottest Valentine's Date Spots
Rachel Shing, M'11
In case you missed the seasonal cue from commercials featuring super shiny jewelry, talking stuffed animals, and lip-shaped candy, Valentine's day is here!
If anything along the lines of "Oh no, I forgot because I was studying for anatomy!", or "Blah, I have to see my significant other instead of studing for anatomy!" has come to mind, worry not! In honor of this Hallmark Holiday, we've dug up some of the hottest and nottest places in the area to romance, or send running, that oh-so-special-someone -- all of which are, of course, approved for a med school budget.
#3 Hottest - Isabella Stewart Gardener Museum
The Isabella Stewart Gardener Museum offers a beautiful place for you and your loved one to warm up and think of spring, especially if you can't afford a romantic tropical getaway. Enjoy exploring the wonderful interior garden and the fabulous art collection together, and of course be fabulous together. If you can, time your visit to coincide with one of the Museum's weekend concerts so you'll be visually and audially romanced.
#3 Nottest - The Tam
Nothing says "I don't love you" more than a planned outing at a dive bar whilst you purchase your date $2.50 beers and proceed to ignore him/her for the other med students and townies hanging out, along with Big Buck Hunter and, let's not forget, Naked Picture Hunt.
#2 Hottest - Mike's Pastry
"Sweets for your sweet," as they say and Mike's Pastry in the North End is the perfect place to find them. The Italian shop offers everything from marzipan to pizza to cappuccino at relatively low prices. The shop can become very crowded with people ordering and the few small tables are often filled, but Mike's Pastry provides the perfect take-out to share after a romantic dinner. Finding the shop can be difficult but provides the opportunity to roam the narrow streets and peruse the quaint storefronts of the North End. Don't forget to hold hands all the while!
#2 Nottest - Ding Ho
Some small eateries are considered quaint, the argument being that the smallness adds to the atmosphere. Don't get me wrong, Ding Ho is a godsend when you're looking for a quick, cheap, tasty lunch. But the beyond-miniature size only really adds to its "Ding Ho-ness,", which frankly isn't a good thing. To drive things even further from romantic, force your date to attempt to eat the 5 pounds of Chinese food you just purchased for $4.25 inside the store, and watch chaos ensue as the other 6 people in line/who can fit in the place angrily try to exit.
#1 Hottest - Skating on Frog Pond
It is hard to imagine anything more romantic than ice skating on the Common, a light snow falling around you, and the person you love standing by to help you up after the inevitable fall on to your gluteus maximus. The Boston Common Park One Skating Facility is an outdoor rink and is open seven days a week, weather-permitting. For those with little skating experience, the facility also offers lessons. For information, call (617) 635-2197. After your fill of falling, stroll over to Charles Street for your pick of coffee shops serving hot chocolate.
#1 Nottest - Picnic in Anatomy Lab
Spread a checkered cloth over a neighboring table. Use the bits-bucket to chill the Andre champagne you brought. Cut food with your scalpel and eat using two blunt probes or maybe just a set of tweezers. Make sure El-Bermani is present to heckle, or applaud, for all of this. If your sig-O can't see that anatomy means more to you then s/he does after this, then you two might just be soul mates.
Disclaimer: Hottest locations pilfered from The Boston Insider