T Stop: Park Street

"Park Street, change here for the Green Line." How many times in the past year have we heard that fabulous voice-over in a thick Bostonian accent? More times than we'd like, that's how many. Yet, the Park Street stop opens up those travelers on the Red Line to the rest of Boston, allowing continuous passage to such quintessential places as the Boston Symphony, Fenway and the always efficient Logan Airport.

In fact, I was at Logan earlier this week coming back from the great Metro city of Paris and as much as I love the T, I'm going to dare to be unpatriotic -- their "freedom" subway is better. It's speedy, concise, and it is not centered around one main stop to connect all the lines to the rest of the city (i.e. Park Street). But I can say one thing that Boston has going for it that France doesn't: that swell Freedom Trail. Unless, that's really the "French" Trail...



Eighth Stop: Park Street



Exiting Park Street and entering the Boston Commons is like finding yourself in a wide, open, green nature preserve -- that is, if nature preserves had Burger Kings and McDonald's across the street and cars honking by every second. But, nevertheless, the Boston Commons is a great place to bring a blanket in the summer, give the old Frisbee a toss or escape from Tufts' Finals Fever. I personally like to sit by the duck pond and pretend that I am in Good Will Hunting, having a deep conversation with Matt Damon. But then my other imaginary friends get jealous...

Moving on, for all you kids who are pretending that you had no life before school and are planning on grazing at Tufts this summer, be sure to check out the various free concerts in the Commons. Did you know that in 1646, grazing on the Commons was restricted to 70 milk cows, but that four sheep could be substituted per cow? Or, that cows were banned altogether in 1830? Yeah, I didn't think so.

In terms of commercial fare near Park Street, the pickings are rather slim. You could easily walk to Newbury Street (hold your horses, this column will get there soon enough!) or tap dance over to the theater district.

With the Majestic Theater designed by the nationally prominent architect, John Galen Howard, in 1903, the district oozes both old fashioned, ornate balconies as well as fresh, modern performances.

Now, as a true citizen of the Second City (Chicago of course!), I'm hesitant to call just any town a theater town, because I know what a theater town is supposed to be -- but Boston is rapidly becoming a very great promoter of both original and Broadway-bound theater.

Currently, the Wang Theater (800- 447-7400) is doing the "Broadway in (name of appropriate city)" program that Chicago started a while back with The Producers. Razzle, dazzle, shake your tail feather. It's fun.

Right now, Boston Ballet's All Balanchine is being performed, but JESUS CHRIST (Superstar) IS COMING April 15-20!

But, if it's only your parents who are coming to town, then Park St. can work with that, too. Believe you me, there are plenty of swanky restaurants just waiting for them to pay for you. California Pizza Kitchen (137 Stuart Street, 617-720-0999) with its pear and gorgonzola pizza ($10.29) or garlic shrimp pizza ($11.59) is always a tasty treat.

Or, there is the classic Legal Seafood (One Park Square, 617-426-4444) to entice the belly with its lobster stew and famous New England clam chowder.

Finally, to round off the heavy hitters there is Flemings' Steakhouse (217 Stuart Street, Boston, MA, 617-292-3025) prime steak ($22.95+) and a bar. Sounds like some good family bonding to me.

Moving on down the road, Far From Heaven be darned. Flash's Cocktail's (310 Stuart Street, 617-374-8888) is a cocktail bar straight out of the '40s, complete with bobbed hair women in the paintings on the wall and leather couches. This place is also known to have grasshoppers (the drink) which, although I am not yet of legal age to drink, a little elephant once whispered in my ear are very good.

Crossing over to Arlington Street, I find myself facing the Caf?© de Paris( 19 Arlington Street, 617-247-7127) Looking inside, they have croissants a-plenty, apple, raspberry, chocolate... the list goes on. And while it isn't quite the same as the ones I frequented last week, with their smoking cigarettes and international mystery, it'll do. In fact, like the T, it isn't half bad.