Jamaica Plain

Jamaica Plain, Boston Reviews

Don't Forget About JP!

Here’s a neighborhood that deserves a lot more credit than it’s getting. Right now, the people who really love JP are the ones who live there. But appreciation for JP needs to expand.

My fellow Bostonians, I urge you to hop on the orange line, ride the Southwest Corridor bike path, or find any other way to get yourself over to Centre Street. Admittedly, I hadn’t really explored JP much until recently.

But since discovering the allure of this neighborhood, I’ve found myself visiting again and again. I still have yet to get a taste of everything, but there’s plenty of nifty places for shopping like Boomerangs and 40 South Street, quality local and organic groceries like Harvest Co-Op and City Feed & Supply, and lots to eat and drink at Doyle’s and new hot spot The Haven.

And if you want to treat yourself to a real nice meal, Ten Tables is the place to do it. JP borders some of the most crime-stricken neighborhoods in Boston, but when you’re in the middle of JP, you would never know it.

The community in JP is energetic and welcoming. There’s usually something fun going on at the Hallway Gallery, and there’s always great music at the Midway Cafe. And if you’re a biker, both Ferris Wheels and Bikes Not Bombs have helpful and knowledgable employees.

If you’ve got a Saturday with nothing planned and you haven’t been to JP, I recommend taking a day trip. You can check out the shops and restaurants during the day, and as the hours wind down, take a walk down Pond Street to Jamaica Pond and catch the sunset.

Don’t miss out on a chance to explore a really unique part of the city. Shane S.

 

Springtime In JP

Burgeoning blossoms, mild temperatures and the sweet tickle of pollen in the air… It’s the euphoric cocktail of springtime that lures Bostonians to the nabe of Jamaica Plain in droves this time of year. JP’s vernal awakening begins in early April to the iconic hum of Boston Police’s Gaelic Column of bagpipers at Doyle’s Pub’s annual five-mile road race.

The runners’ efforts are further rewarded at the finish line with a pint of beer and an afternoon street party complete with outdoor music and food from Doyle’s long-standing menu. As April gives way to May, the retailers of Centre and South Streets resume their evening bustle as they showcase the work of local artists on the ‘First Thursdays’ of each month running through September.

This year patrons of the event will benefit from the additions of the newly opened Aviary gallery and Monumental Cupcakes at the JP Art Market both located on South Street near the canine-friendly Polka Dog Bakery and one-of-a-kind Hallway Gallery (42 and 66a South Street, respectively) whose wall space to floor space ratio is a true marvel of efficiency.

The nabe’s crowning event of the season is the eagerly anticipated Lilac Festival at the Arnold Arboretum on the second Sunday in May. This year it’s being held on the 8th. The occasion marks the only day of the year that picnicking is officially allowed on the famed grounds, so pack a blanket and some sandwiches or pick one up at nearby Fiore’s Bakery (55 South Street) or slightly more distant City Feed (672 Centre Street). (Note: the ‘Farmers Lunch’ at City Feed is delicious!) Spend the afternoon wandering the grounds while taking in the horticultural aroma and color of the festival’s namesake.

It’s all part of the aforementioned cocktail that will leave you smiling from ear to ear. How to get there? On-street parking is available on Centre and South Streets and a free public lot is available between Thomas and Burroughs Streets off of Center.

South Street shops and the Arnold Arboretum are each a ten-minute walk from theForest Hills T stop on the Orange Line or via 37, 38, 39 and 41 bus lines. Dedicated bike paths exist on Centre Street and the nearby Southwest Corridor.

Sydney T.

 

Jamaica Plain: Boston's Melting Pot

Jamaica Plain is being gentrified faster than any Boston nabe right now; but the cultural, ethnic, physical and economic diversity remains intact. Hyde Square, one of JP’s more diverse neighborhoods, is situated along Centre Street.

The ethnic diversity is best seen through the plethora of restaurants located in the square, including two Cuban restaurants, an El Salvadorian restaurant, a Mexican restaurant, and Sorrellas, home of Boston’s best pancakes. The neighborhood also boasts two excellent bars: the newly opened and renovated Canary Square for food, drinks and great atmosphere, or Brendan Beehan’s Pub, which has an extensive beer selection but serves only as a watering hole.

Home to many people of Hispanic origins, while also accommodating many hipsters and crunchers alike, Hyde Square is one of Boston’s greatest melting pots. Further up Centre Street is JP’s economic center.

This neighborhood is at the base of Sumner Hill, which boasts large, beautifully renovated Victorian homes and quiet streets; a popular family neighborhood. Along the main thoroughfare, however, the sidewalks are crowded and the local restaurants and stores are constantly busy with local traffic.

Popular spots include, Bukkharra, Boston’s best Indian food, The Purple Cactus for enormous gourmet burritos and the original location of JP Lick’s for delicious homemade ice cream. Illustrating the crunchiness of the neighborhood is City Feed.

City Feed is the local version of whole foods, offering a variety of natural foods, locally grown produce and amazing sandwiches. If you’re looking for more formal dining, Centre Street can accommodate for that as well at Ten Tables Restaurant, which was featured on The Food Network.

Literally containing only ten tables, this place fills up fast, so be sure to call ahead for a reservation. Scattered amongst the various dining choices, JP also offers many boutiques and unique retailers to poke in and out of while you stroll through town.

In the Stony Brook part of Jamaica Plain, many visitors flock to visit the Sam Adams Brewery. While the brewery tour is fun and offers free beer, there are other not-to-miss places located within the same building.

Ula’s Cafe makes excellent sandwiches on homemade bread, and Bella Luna is a fun place to stop for dinner or drinks. Eating, drinking and shopping only make up some of what JP has to offer.

Don’t miss all of the wonderful ways to spend time outside here. Take a bike ride along the 4.7 mile Southwest Corridor Park, which is also home to many festivals and celebrations like the Wake Up The Earth Festival in May.

On the other side of Jamaica Plain, take a stroll around the 68 acre Jamaica Pond and see some of Boston’s most historic mansions. JP’s largest outdoor attraction is the Arnold Arboretum.

With more than 250 acres of exotic plants and trees collected from around the world by Harvard University, the paths of the Arboretum are perfect for walking, running and riding bike. Don’t feel restricted to the paths though; the land is open for exploration, and a great place for a family picnic.

Jake S.

 

My other adopted child is double parked outside in the bike lane, sorry

Jamaica Plain, well as a transplant from SF I can say that Centre St puts out a Trustfundian/slumming vibe with countless coffee shops, vintage stores and enough “casual fine dining” places to grab brunch to satisfy any one on a Sunday morning. Although the Queer/Breeder populace—let’s just call them stroller people—seem to be displacing the locals to Roxbury and further away as rents rise and communes fold.

The orange line and buses are well placed and a brand new bike lane has been put in all the way down Centre st. There are two choices for Groceries, overpriced organic local or “local” Mom and Pop Places.

Mine has been a steady diet of Stop N Shop and MEATLAND! Meatland, a classic butcher shop where if you’re real nice and tip a little they will do any custom cut or ground. My favorite bar, bar none is The Galway house with its Reno like feel.

The cheesy decor and plasma TV’s EVERYWHERE and blue haired Lady’s drinking in the corner. Not to mention a great selection of beers on tap, 2 kinds of Fernet equals a happy guy. Oh and Drink specials on Wednesday, cheers.

Peter H.

 

Diverse and ‘Neighborhoodie,' J.P. an Ideal Nabe to Put Down Roots

Ask one of Jamaica Plain’s residents to describe their nabe and you’re likely to get one of the following descriptors: community centered, diverse, accepting, polyamorous, enlightened, spirited, gay, and environmentally aware. Sounds like San Francisco in 1967?

Like an urban Quaker colony? Like a free-lovin’, barefoot dancin’ ‘speak when the sprit moves you’ good time? Well, that’s just about right, Though I would be remiss in not mentioning the few condo-owning yuppies, reluctantly boogying on the outskirts of the drum circle; even they deserve a little credit, no?

J.P.s highlights include but are not limited to: -Former breweries that have been refurbished and reopened as mixed use buildings: see Bella Luna Restaurant and Milky Way Lounge. -EE Cumming’s grave stone in the Forest Hill Cemetery, ironically carved in all caps. -The Footlight Theater, the country’s oldest community theater. – Gays for Patsy, a nonprofit, all-volunteer organization of Country/Western dance enthusiasts dedicated to sharing the joys of dancing while raising funds for local charities. – Eliot School, a converted schoolhouse offering classes to all ages in green furniture design, quilt making, and graphic narrative writing, among others. -Ten Tables, a diminutive nook of a bistro serving seasonally inspired bar bites and cocktail flights. -Thousands of acres worth of green space, including a significant portion of Boston’s Emerald Necklace of parks, designed by 19th Century landscape architect, Frederick Law Olmsted.

While most JP community members agree it’s all good in the neighborhood, there does exist the very real fear of gentrification. An upturn in the real estate market has led to the conversion of many older homes and commercial buildings into condominiums, and the predominantly Spanish speaking populations, living in Hyde, Egleston and Jackson Squares, risk being priced-out of the very neighborhoods they helped to shape.

Watch this video for a great montage of the many voices and opinions—however disparate—of J.P. residents. Notice the fierce sense of pride that transcends yuppie vs. hippie, working class conservative vs. lesbian, rivalries. http://www.jamaicaplainspoken.com/ caite m.

 

Quirky, Friendly and Close Knit Relations in Jamaica Plain