May 2009
22 posts
WELCOME TO X MARKS THE SPOT! →
About Us (the reviewers, writers, and...
Our names are Yurie, Erin, and Holly and together we created X Marks The Spot! The three of us are Emerson College students and we are all extremely passionate about finding great deals in Boston. So, we decided to create this blog to share our findings with other people living in Boston. However, because we are underage we obviously didn’t review any bars, over 21 clubs, or lounges. But we...
How To Navigate X Marks The Spot:
Together we reviewed different places on Newbury Street, in Downtown Crossing, and in Cambridge and Harvard Square. You might be thinking: “why did they choose those areas?” Well, let us tell you:
1.) We chose Newbury Street because it’s generally pretty difficult to find affordable places that are open later AND are also tasty, so we wanted to make it easier for you.
2.) We...
Newbury Street →
Looking for fabulous sushi?
Snappy Sushi (yes, the sign says Shino Express Sushi) is a must on Newbury Street. Not only does it provide the perfect atmosphere (you really feel like you’re in a café in Japan) to enjoy fabulous sushi, but the prices can’t be beat. With its brightly colored interior and unique sushi rolls and combinations, Snappy Sushi is truly unlike any other restaurant in Boston. But, because of...
Looking for jewelry for any season?
Zinnia is the perfect little jewelry store to find anything that you’re looking for, all at a reasonable price. Although this store does provide pricer pieces, perfect for a meaningful gift, all of the items still are relatively inexpensive, especially compared to other jewelry stores on Newbury. The store even has a sale section on the back that provides perfect accessories, particularly...
Looking for an alternative to H and M?
Lit on Newbury is the perfect place to find affordable and fashionable clothing. The store provides a great environment to shop, with good lighting and brightly colored walls. Although the prices are all already in competition with H&M’s, they also have a great sales section. Although sometimes it can be tricky to find high quality pieces, this store offers a great selection considering...
Looking for a unique cafe (with great vegetarian...
The Other Side Café is simply a cool place to be! Located at the end of Newbury Street, it is a casual restaurant/café that offers a great variety of vegetarian and vegan, as well as traditional American comfort food. The seating is divided into two floors with the second floor overlooking the first from a balcony. The atmosphere is darker and edgier than other cafés, with dim lighting and unique...
Looking for the perfect escape to relax or study?
The Trident Booksellers and Café on Newbury is a place to relax with a smoothie in one hand and your favorite book in the other. This unique café/bookstore is the last independent bookstore in Boston. Its great menu of smoothies and snacks, as well as fresh juices and a variety of teas will keep you occupied on an afternoon, accompanied by a book of your choice. Open until midnight, this is also...
Looking for vintage?
Poor Little Rich Girl is a great consignment and vintage store with an adorable name. PLRG has a wide assortment of shoes, accessories, and clothes. With the front of the store acting as more of the consignment section, with more modern designers and brands for lower than retail prices. The back of the store has vintage clothes organized by date. Although the vintage pieces can get a bit pricey,...
Looking for an affordable lunch on Newbury?
Newbury Street isn’t exactly known for it’s affordability, but Scoozi offers a surprisingly inexpensive lunch menu that still offers that ritzy Newbury atmosphere. Their peach iced tea is extremely popular and the perfect drink to enjoy on a nice day on their outdoor patio. The patio is perfectly positioned for people watching too. Despite how busy the restaurant can get, Scoozi prides...
Downtown Crossing →
“You can check out a list of events that are going on in the downtown crossing...”
– http://www.downtowncrossing.org/events/index.php
Looking for a go-to sushi place?
Check out Zen Japanese Grill & Sushi Bar on Beacon Street. All sushi is around $10 dollars, although they do also offer larger, slightly more expensive dishes. Open until 11p.m., Zen is the perfect place to grab a late night meal. Next time you’re in the mood for sushi, whether it be for lunch or dinner, wander through the common to Zen for a tasty meal.
Hours:
Monday -...
Looking for a great bookstore?
You’ve probably heard of it before, but you probably have never poked around in the Brattle Book Shop. With most of their books priced at around $3 on their outdoor sale tables, this bookstore is the perfect place to pick up a great book for pleasure or to look for a novel for school, all at a low price. You can also wander into the bookstore and explore their three floors of antique and...
Looking to spend under $8 for a fabulous meal?
Delicato Café is the perfect place to get a great omelet (all for under $6.50!), sandwich, soup, or salad. Not only is everything on their menu under $8, but you get great portions of their tasty food. This café is the perfect place to have a leisurely breakfast before class or to relax and enjoy a delicious lunch. Come here with friends, family, or by yourself and you’re bound to have a...
Looking for an alternative to your usual lunch?
Check out Black Seed Café and Grill on Tremont Street. Offering everything from Middle Eastern to Mediterranean salads and sandwiches, to bagels and smoothies, this café is really the perfect place to grab a bite before heading into the common for a picnic or walk. With everything around ten dollars and under and the large variety of choices, this café is really the ideal place to have breakfast...
Looking for cheap accessories for any and every...
So Good Jewelry is the perfect place to find a present for a girlfriend or to grab something for yourself. This store provides every kind of accessory imaginable from earrings in every color and style, to jewelry displays and scarfs. So Good is the perfect place to go with friends to browse the racks, because otherwise the store could be a bit intimidating. Don’t hesitate to ask if you...
Looking for good market? (and tired of the north...
The Lambert’s Marketplace in Downtown Crossing is a convenient place to stop by when you are out on a walk on a nice day. The market offers fine produce and service, with a wide variety of foods and groceries. The prices are reasonable, compared to other markets. Although there are two locations in Downtown Crossing, make sure to check out the outdoor market across the street from Borders on the...
Looking for a good late night meal?
Awarded “Best of Boston” by Boston Magazine in 2008, the Silvertone Bar and Grill is an awesome place to dine with your friends. The space is very cozy, located in a basement, walls fully decorated with vintage posters and neon lights. The cooking can be labeled as American comfort food, consisting of soups and sandwiches, as well as main course entres such as steak and chicken. ...
Looking for cheap shoes?
Rainbow is a great place to go with friends to find an interesting assortment of clothes and shoes. The prices are generally dirt cheap, the only difficulty lies in finding something that would actually be acceptable to wear outside. However, this is also where the true genius of Rainbow lies. Most of their clothing seems to cater to those individuals who would rather not wear clothing at all (the...
Looking for inexpensive and healthy fast food?
UFood is the perfect place to grab a burger and fries that you wont feel guilty about later. UFood offers a great assortment of healthy favorites on its menu from the Classic Burger and Unfries to Fire-Grilled Sirloin Tips. Their trademarked UnFries are essentially french fries that are baked rather than fried and are 100% free of trans fats. We love the idea of being able to get a side of steamed...
April 2009
11 posts
Cambridge and Harvard Square →
Looking for a throwback theater?
The Brattle Theater is the epitome of the classic movie theater brought to life. Stepping into the Brattle transports you to another time entirely, a simpler time when a night at the movies was the pinnacle of excitement. Prepare for the Gilmore Girls-esque feeling as you get snacks at the snack bar and take your seat in the classic balcony. The Brattle doesn’t show mainstream films, at the...
Looking for Kick Ass Tex-Mex and Cajun?
The Border Café on Church Street is open until 2am on Fridays and Sundays. Being under 21 isn’t a problem here, they’ve got a separate bar section for those who are of drinking age but the restaurant accepts everyone! The Border Café prides itself on its friendly and chill environment and takes extra care to make sure everyone is enjoying themselves. The food is Border Café’s...
Looking for a quick burger?
Flat Patties, located in The Garage in Harvard Square, has fantastic and incredibly cheap fast food favorites served in an atmosphere ten thousand times better than any McDonalds or Burger King. If you’re looking for something quick and healthy then Flat Patties is definitely not your scene; but when you’re craving some greasy fries or old favorites like Root Beer Floats you’ve...
Looking for late night groceries or a snack?
It’s 3AM and you’re in the middle of making a late night batch of Mac and Cheese when you realize you’re out of milk. Normally this would dash your Kraft dreams, but the Market in the Square has your back. Open 24 hours a day, Market in the Square feels like your own personal pantry only much bigger…and filled with a lot of people you don’t know. Not only do they...
Looking for a healthy and cheap sit-down...
Then check out Shabu Ya! Shabu Ya is a unique restaurant unlike any other. Their signature dish, Shabu Shabu, is a healthy and delicious Japanese delicacy that is similar to hot pot, a soup with ingredients of your choice. After choosing a kind of broth, the pot of soup is brought to your table and cooked in front of you while you manage your own ingredients, such as vegetables and different kinds...
Tired of Starbucks and Dunkin' Donuts? And looking...
The Crema Café is a dream come true for those of you who are sick of Starbucks. The small and cozy space is a comforting atmosphere to spend your afternoon, either with friends or by yourself. Besides the variations of coffee beverages, there are plenty of options for tea drinkers as well. This café is also the perfect place for a light meal. The menu consists of vegan and vegetarian options for...
Looking for a delicious treat?
Then check out Lizzy’s Homemade Ice Cream! Located across from the Border Café on Church Street, Lizzy’s serves 32 flavors of ice cream as well as different flavors of yogurt, lites, sherbets, Tofutti, and sorbet, as well as flavors for those over 21 and ice creams made with no sugar added. Love toppings? They also have numerous wet and dry toppings to choose from, including everything...
Looking for a place to hangout during the week?
Then checkout The Harvard Coop Bookstore. Located right off the Harvard Square T stop, The Coop is the perfect place to look for a great new book or check out different writers during various book signings and discussions. Check out their calendar of events here. Next time, instead of going to the library to do homework wander over to The Coop, grab a coffee from The Coop Café, and relax.
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Looking for cheap jewelry?
Then Beadworks is the place for you! Located on Church Street, Beadworks provides customers the chance to create their own jewelry at a cheap price. With hundreds of different varieties of beads, Beadworks is the perfect place to make jewelry for yourself, a friend, a family member, or a significant other at a low price. They even offer different classes that you can take, such as Wire Work...
Looking for cheap CDs/DVDs?
Then Planet Records is the place for you! Located a block away from the Harvard Square T stop, Planet Records sells new and used movies and music. You can even bring in your used CDs, LP recorders, DVDs, and VHS tapes for store cradit or cash! Planet Records sells all different kinds of music and the perfect place to wander into on a gloomy afternoon because it will surely brighten your day.
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