MyBoston

BACK BAY & BEACON HILL

LIFE ON NANTUCKET INNKEEPER JENEANE LIFE 5 BEST ROOFTOP SPOTS FOR MEMORABLE NIGHTS OUT

25 Years of Sweet Success

Joanne Chang’s Flour Bakery

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Red Painted Chinoiserie Decorated Tilt-Top Candlestand, Eastern Massachusetts, circa 1800

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12 Sweet Success Joanne Chang celebrates 25 years of Flour Bakery.

16 Life on Nantucket Hospitality entrepreneur and innkeeper Jeneane Life returns to the island she loves.

COLUMNS

4 PUBLISHER’S NOTE Your Stories, Your Magazine

6 LOCAL PULSE Community Calendar

10 5 BEST Rooftop Spots

22 BOOK CLUB Favorite books of Boston Athenaeum members

24 LOCAL SOCIAL Community Gatherings

30 MY SUNDAY Rey Moraga

32 PHOTO OP Dog Days of Summer COVER

Joanne Chang, James Beard Awardwinning pastry chef and co-owner of Flour Bakery

Photograph by Ben Flythe

EYECARE & AESTHETICS CRAFTED FROM CURIOSITY

YOUR STORIES, YOUR MAGAZINE

aAS JULY TURNS to August, some of us are savoring the city heat, while many have slipped away to the Cape, the islands or destinations farther off. For me, the end of summer means my annual European trip to visit my family, but I may skip this year and explore locally instead.

This month, we’re proud to feature two incredible women who bring a deep sense of place and purpose to their work. Joanne Chang has been sweetening life for Bostonians for 25 years in more ways than one—she’s a gifted baker, a good neighbor and

a spirited supporter of local causes. Those of you who escape to Nantucket from time to time might know the historic Carlisle House Inn. Jeneane Life talked to us about how she came to own the inn, what being an innkeeper means to her, and some of her favorite island places.

Whether you’re in town or away, MyBoston is your magazine, created and shaped by the communities of Back Bay and Beacon Hill, and written by locals. We want this publication to be a true community voice, and that means we want to hear from you. Whether it’s a local recommendation, a beautiful photo or a hidden gem you’re willing to share, there are pages in My Boston waiting for your input. Don’t hesitate to contact us about contributing—we’ll guide you through it.

And please visit and support our advertisers. Without them, none of this would be possible. They believe in our neighborhoods and invest in making sure this magazine gets into your hands every month. If you stop by, please let them know MyBoston sent you.

See you around the block,

Renata Coker Publisher, MyBoston

www.mybostonmag.com @mybostonmag

Publisher

Renata Coker

Renata.Coker@mybostonmag.com

Editor Claire Vail editor@mybostonmag.com

Writers

Celina Colby

Julie Miller

Rey Moraga

Morgan Vail

Photographer Ben Flythe

Creative Director

Kijoo Kim

Advisory Board

Collin Bray

Robert Dimmick

Leigh Harrington

Lisa Mulman

Sharin Schober

David Sharff

Cindy Sullivan

WAINSCOT MEDIA

Chairman

Carroll V. Dowden

President and CEO

Mark Dowden

VP, Group Publisher, Regional

Thomas Flannery

VP, Content Strategy

Maria Regan

VP, Director of Digital Media

Nigel Edelshain

Art Director

Rosemary O´Connell

Associate Editor

Sophia Carlisle

Advertising Services Director

Jacquelynn Fischer

Operations Director

Catherine Rosario

Production Designer

Chris Ferrante

Print Production Manager

Fern Meshulam

Circulation Manager

Kathy Wenzler

Advertising Production Associate

Griff Dowden

MyBoston

PHOTOGRAPH BY CULLEN HLAVIKA

Community CALENDAR

It may be hot outside, but seriously cool things are happening this August.

Here are our picks for art exhibitions, films, concerts and other community events in and around Back Bay and Beacon Hill.

BY MORGAN VAIL

August 1-30

Wild Flowers of New England

See a variety of photographs featuring lilies, daisies, ferns, milkweed and other plants at this wonderful exhibition. Witness the work of Edwin Hale Lincoln, a Massachusetts photographer who sought to preserve wildflowers through his artistic medium. Boston Athenaeum, 101/2 Beacon St. Tickets are available at www.BostonAthenaeum.org. Call 617227-0270 for more information.

August

1, 8, 15, 22, 29

Free Wine Tastings

DeLuca’s Market offers complimentary tastings of wines from around the world to anyone who stops by on Fridays in August from 4 to 7 p.m. Attendees must be over 21 years old to participate. 11 Charles St. and 239 Newbury St. Call 617-523-4343 for information.

August 1-24

Fine Choices 2025

Attend Pucker Gallery’s “Fine Choices” exhibition to enjoy selected pieces of art intended to tap into the spiritual and create a haven for delight in creation. Free. Open 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. except for Sundays (1 p.m. to 5 p.m.). 240 Newbury St., 3rd Floor. To learn more, call 617-267-9473.

August

Sushi Workshop for Home Chefs Dive into the world of sushi with a hands-on class. Work with a delicate balance of flavors, follow the direction of an experienced sushi chef, learn about fusion techniques, and immerse yourself in culinary art before finally enjoying your meal.

From 12 to 3 p.m. Selfup Venue, 19 Kingston St. Tickets are $120 on selfup.com. Call 857-219-2519 for more information.

August 4

Hits and Heat: Throwing It Back

The Latin American Association of Berklee Students is rewinding time to the ’90s and ’00s with some Latin urban and pop music. This studentled production focuses on the art and culture of the Latin American community and welcomes any visitors in the area to enjoy the performance starting at 7:30 p.m. Free. David Friend Recital Hall, 921 Boylston St. For more information, call 617-266-1400.

During August, visitors can enjoy the splendor of wildflowers indoors in this photography exhibition at the Boston Athenaeum.

Photograph by Autumn Brown Photography

August 6

Mercury Orchestra

Boston Landmarks Orchestra presents Mercury Orchestra at the Hatch Memorial Shell. Come hear performances of Respighi’s “Pines of Rome” and Finzi’s “Intimations of Immortality” led by Channing Yu. From 7 to 9 p.m. Free. Hatch Memorial Shell, 47 David G Mugar Way. To learn more, call 617-987-2000.

August 6

“Commitment Phobia” Screening

Come see a screening of “Commitment Phobia.” This one-and-a-half-hour film is in German (with English subtitles). Directed by Helena Hufnagel, it’s about single living, love and attachment. 8 to 10 p.m. Free. Goethe-Institut Boston, 170 Beacon St. For information, email Karin.Oehlenschlaeger@ goethe.de.

August 7

Jewish Heritage Center Open House

Attend an open house at the Wyner Family Jewish Heritage Center! Learn about Jewish culture, read highlights from ancestry archives, meet incredible experts and more. From 6 to 8 p.m. Free. American Ancestors, 97 Newbury St. For more information, call 617-226-1245.

Above: Choose any of four dates in August to learn self-defense techniques for free on the Rose Kennedy Greenway.

Photograph by Nicole Marie Photography, via The Greenway Conservancy Bolow: Executive Director Rachel King and Programming and Outreach Manager Sarah Quiat in discussion at the Wyner Family Jewish Heritage Center at 97 Newbury St.

Photograph by Claire Vail

August 7, 14, 21, 28

Self Defense on The Greenway

Enjoy the beauty of the Rose Kennedy Greenway while taking informative, fitnessfocused self-defense classes with UFC Gym Boston on the Dewey Square lawn. Free. Rose Kennedy Greenway Mural. Call 857-930-1926 to learn more.

August 8

Hailee Kim’s Senior Recital

Attend a senior recital by Hailee Kim, a South Korean singer-songwriter performing both covers and original songs drawing from elements of pop, funk, R&B and K-pop. 9 p.m. Free. Jackson Browne Stage/Berklee Dining Hall, 160 Massachusetts Ave., Boston.

August

Coolidge at The Greenway:

“The Blob”

Listen to a scientific overview of Boston’s 1919 Great Molasses Flood by engineer Dr. Jordan R.M. Kennedy. Then enjoy watching “The Blob,” a classic science fiction film, under the stars. From 8 to 10 p.m. Free. Wharf District Park, located between Milk and India Streets. Rain date: August 14. Call 617-734-2500 for additional information.

August

“Welcome to Yiddishland” Movie and Dinner

Attend a screening of the film “Welcome to Yiddishland,” which presents a view of the current Yiddish cultural revolution, featuring interviews with performers and musicians connected to the language. Enjoy a post-screening conversation with Lisa Newman of the Yiddish Book Center, co-producer of the movie. Dinner is included! 6 to 9 p.m. The Vilna Shul, 18 Phillips St. Tickets are $25 on www.vilnashul.org. For more information, call 617-523-2324.

August

“The Pirates of Penzance”

Watch the Boston Summer Opera and the Horizon Ensemble put on their first operetta, “The Pirates of Penzance” by Gilbert and Sullivan, bringing back the honored tradition of the Arlington Street Church’s operettas. The Horizon Ensemble orchestra will be led by Julian Gau, and Hannah Shanefield stage directs. From 7:30 to 10 p.m. Arlington Street Church, 351 Boylston St. Tickets at www.bostonsummeropera.com. Contact bostonsummeropera@gmail.com for more information.

August 16, 17

15th Annual African Festival of Boston

Attend this two-day celebration of cultural heritage with music, cuisine, fashion shows, wellness activities, storytelling and more lively programming in appreciation of all 54 nations of Africa. The event will showcase a wealth of different vendors. 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Free. 139 Tremont St. For more information, call 781-692-7563.

August

Celebrating What Unites Us: Italy

Explore Italian culture and appreciate the impact of Italy’s art and food. 4 to 5 p.m. Free. Armenian Heritage Park on the Greenway, next to the Carousel between Faneuil Hall Marketplace and Christopher Columbus Park. 617-803-8785.

“Red Lawn Chairs and Pool,” Maria Muller, hand-painted photograph Photograph courtesy of Pucker Gallery

Rooftop SPOTS

’Tis the season to be outside, and we’ve rounded up five stunning spots for summer sips, skyline views and memorable nights out.

BY JULIE MILLER

Above right: Contessa’s glamorous décor evokes Italy and elevates any evening.

Photograph by Ken Fulk

This photo: Drink in classic Boston views and expertly crafted cocktails at Long Bar & Terrace.

WHETHER YOU’RE HOSTING a guest, planning a girls’ night out or just looking for your new goto for cocktails and dinner with a view—these rooftops are worth the hype.

1. BEACON HILL HOTEL

Rooftop views | Seasonal oysters

Hidden gem

Tucked away on charming Charles Street, the rooftop at Beacon Hill Hotel is one of the neighborhood’s best-kept secrets. It’s quiet, elegant and perfect for an al fresco spritz or a plate of New England oysters. It offers everything from light bites to a full threecourse meal—ideal for a date night or a midweek reset. Pro tip: Go at golden hour for peak ambience.

2. CONTESSA

Italian glam | Designer crowd

Northern Italy vibes

Perched above Newbury Street’s fashion district, Contessa blends art deco elegance with the charm of a northern Italian villa. It’s the go-to spot for chic dinners, birthday toasts or a girls’ night with a view of the Boston Public Garden. Yes, it’s as photogenic as everyone says. Don’t miss: The gnudi dumplings—a Florence favorite and hard to find in Boston.

3. LONG BAR & TERRACE AT RAFFLES HOTEL

Global elegance | Afternoon tea

Sophisticated ambiance

Located inside the luxurious Raffles Hotel, Long Bar & Terrace is a refined oasis for predinner cocktails or an upscale catch-up. With its clean design and serene outdoor seating, it’s perfect for client meetings or impressing outof-towners. It’s a little slice of style in the city.

Pro tip: Try Amar (inside Raffles) for gardeninspired afternoon tea, served Thursday through Sunday from 2 to 4:30 p.m.

4. ROOFTOP@REVERE

Trendy vibes | Firepits and cabanas

Events and yoga

If you’re looking for energy and views, Rooftop@Revere is it. With stylish cabanas, firepits and a panoramic view of Back Bay, it’s made for cocktail nights and summer parties. It even hosts fun events like a Saturday community yoga series. Pro party tip: This rooftop also books private events—and it’s a vibe.

5. STRATUS ROOFTOP BAR

Sky-high cocktails | City skyline Marathon Monday drink

For jaw-dropping views, Stratus is Boston’s highest rooftop bar—literally. Located at View Boston at the top of the Prudential Center, it offers panoramic scenes you won’t see anywhere else in the city. The vibe is upscale but relaxed, perfect for out-of-town guests. Favorites: The Boston Marathon Cocktail and the baked brie with jam. Who says rooftop season can’t include comfort food?

Tag me @majolicamedia and @juliessphotos if you visit one of these rooftops—I’d love to see where summer takes you!

Julie Miller is a Boston local, a travel and style lover, and the founder of Majolica Media. Find her on IG and TikTok under @majolicamedia and @juliessphotos for all things travel, style and photography.

Day or night, the stylish rooftop lounge at the Revere Hotel gives off summer vibes and panoramic views of Back Bay.

25 Sweet Success

Joanne Chang celebrates 25 years of Flour Bakery.

BY CELINA COLBY

25 YEARS AGO, Joanne Chang walked the streets of Boston and Cambridge scouting neighborhoods and dreaming of opening a bakery. Now, she serves sweet sticky buns and flavorful breads from 10 different locations of Flour Bakery + Cafe, dishes out piping hot Chinese small plates at Myers + Chang, and has published five cookbooks.

Chang never anticipated this kind of expansion and celebrity when she opened the first Flour Bakery in the South End.

“I lived upstairs and baked downstairs. It really was an extension of my home,” says Chang. “When I take a step back and look at what Flour has become, I’m a little bit shell shocked, like, how the heck did this happen?”

But Flour was clearly special from the start. The expansion began when some of Chang’s devoted staff were searching for growth opportunities. Not wanting to lose such a talented team, Chang opened new locations and created new positions. That cycle continued in an effort to keep Flour employees in the family. Several of her current team members have been with

Opposite page: The pastry counter at Flour features Chang’s award-winning treats.

Photograph by Kristin Teig

This page: Joanne Chang, founder of Flour Bakery

Photograph by Kristin Teig

Flour for more than 20 years.

Community is an essential part of the core five missions of the business. Those missions include making great food, giving warm and welcoming service, giving back to the neighborhood, running an efficient and profitable business and making Flour great for both guests and team members. Chang works hard to foster that positive environment within the staff, but also in the neighborhoods Flour serves.

“We are part of a community;

we are part of a neighborhood that has welcomed us,” says Chang. “The first bakery was successful almost immediately, and I recognized very quickly that I couldn’t have continued to operate the bakery if it weren’t for the massive support of every neighbor and every business around us.”

When the opportunity to open an outpost in the heart of Boston Common arose, Chang couldn’t refuse. In many ways, this new location in the former Earl of Sandwich space is a culmination of Flour’s 25 years. It’s an

opportunity to serve Bostonians at the very core of the city.

“We’ve always talked about being a neighborhood bakery,” says Chang. “This is the oldest public park in America, and it’s essentially a neighborhood park for Boston.”

Crowd favorites from Flour’s menu, like the egg sandwich and the banana bread, can be found at its Boston Common location. But it’s the first of the Flour bakeries to have special sitespecific items on the menu year-round. These include an all-beef hot dog on a house-made milk bread roll and creamy soft-serve ice cream.

Hungry park-goers can also order the Embrace morning bun, a treat inspired by the Embrace statue that features delicate twists of brioche babka twists wrapped together in a cinnamon chai coating. All profits go to The Boston Foundation and the Embrace Boston racial justice organization.

THE MOM TEST

As with all Flour bakeries, quality is held to the highest possible standard.

“It’s something we call the mom test,” says Chang. “We’re making sure that every single piece of food is something that we would present to our moms.”

Above: Flour’s luscious strawberry cupcakes make a delicious—and beautiful— summer treat.

Photograph by Brian Samuels

Right: Flour offers a creative menu of breakfast and lunch items, including a wide variety of salads and sandwiches.

Photograph by Leah Willis

Opposite page: The stalwart staff at the ever-popular Flour, taking orders from customers on a typically busy day

Photograph by Kristin Teig

Chang plans to open the next location of Flour in the Longwood neighborhood in January. She’s also releasing a new cookbook, “The Joy of Cookies,” next year. These achievements join a long list, including two James Beard Awards and an appearance on Food Network’s “Throwdown! with Bobby Flay,” where her sticky buns beat out his for the win.

Not only did Chang never expect to open multiple locations of Flour, she never expected to be a chef at all. She graduated from Harvard College with degrees in applied mathematics and economics and worked as a management consultant. But her heart was always in baking. When she took the plunge into the culinary

world, she honed her skills in the high-end kitchens of restaurants like Biba in Boston and Payard Patisserie and Bistro in New York City.

GROWING WITH CHARM

Chang credits her husband and business partner, Christopher Myers, with helping grow Flour to what it is today. His experience in the restaurant industry helped show her how the bakery could expand while retaining its charm and quality.

“I often think that he doesn’t get enough credit. If it weren’t for him, I would still have just one bakery and be in the South End living upstairs. And it would be lovely, but it wouldn’t be what we have today,” says Chang.

Love is at the heart of Chang’s

success. Her and Myers’ love grew Flour to new heights. Her love of Boston brought flaky pastries and mile-high sandwiches to every corner of the city. And it’s love that she hopes to instill in diners when they visit.

“I really want everyone to leave happier than they came in,” says Chang. “I think the act of connecting with people is so powerful, and so I hope that when people leave, they feel seen. That’s our way of making the world a sweeter place.”

Celina Colby has been writing about culture, art and community in Boston for more than 10 years for The Bay State Banner, Eater, BrooklineHub and many others.

Opposite page:

Photographs by Claire Vail

Hospitality

entrepreneur and innkeeper Jeneane

Life returns to the island she loves.

BY CLAIRE VAIL

OONCE HOME TO motley crews of whaling men and their families, Nantucket is New England’s own island paradise, a paragon of coastal beauty and a perfect antidote for these anxious times.

There are no bad angles on Nantucket. Every view is a postcard: cobblestone streets lined with pastel-hued hydrangeas, cedar-shingled homes with rose-dotted trellises and lush privet gardens, pristine dunes topped by lavender-and-gold sunsets. Visitors fly in on private jets, supersize yachts dominate the harbor, an ice cream cone is $15, and even the dogs have that straight-from-the-spa look. But if you have the means, Nantucket has a rare tranquility that can restore mind, body and soul.

Ask a Nantucketer what makes their

island special, and you’ll get a variety of answers: the maritime history, the natural beauty and surprisingly varied landscape, the local characters, the annual film festival, the isolation from a schedule-obsessed mainland. Nantucket has undeniable mystique. A significant percentage residents weren’t born on the island but moved there after being lured by its siren call.

Jeneane Life, owner of the Carlisle House Inn, is one such convert. Raised in Indiana, Life had never seen the ocean before summering on Nantucket as a teen. And yet, though she has lived on the island six months of every year for a decade and has visited countless times before, Life says she’ll never truly be considered an islander.

“I’m what the locals call a wash-ashore,”

Jeneane Life in the doorway of the lighthouse at Great Point.

This page: A native Hoosier, Life fell in love with Nantucket in her teens.

she laughs. “I wasn’t born here, but I fell in love with it pretty much right away.”

Poised and affable, Life excels at making other people comfortable. She glides though the inn’s common rooms, greeting newcomers, plumping a throw pillow, making sure the afternoon chocolate cookies at reception are served warm, and leaving happier guests in her wake.

Despite being owner and CEO of the Carlisle, plus two inns back in Indianapolis, Life is admirably handson. She strips beds, wipes down counters, inspects the berries before they’re served at breakfast, assembles cribs and makes sure the chocolate chip cookies are served warm promptly at three each day.

Life is quick to praise her staff, especially Helen Mills, the inn’s 25-yearold manager and a fellow wash-ashore who has worked for Life for the last three years. Mills trains the handful of young women who work at the inn, and who are all J-1 visa holders, mainly from Eastern European countries and Jamaica. All are busy soaking up adventures that will shape their character, exactly as Life once did.

FINDING HER CALLING

Life’s romance with the island began at 19, when she was invited through a friend’s mother to fill an opening on the staff of the Century House bedand-breakfast. Though Life had lived in Germany and was a keen traveler, she’d

never been to New England before. The owners, who lived in Cambridge, left her and four other college-age women in charge of the hotel.

“We did it all,” Life explains. “Cleaned the rooms, did the laundry, made a full hot breakfast, went shopping for the supplies, made reservations. We had no computer back then.”

It was hard work, but she discovered she enjoyed making people feel comfortable. She returned for two more summers during college, made friends and let the island’s magic get under her skin.

An eight-year stint in the corporate world followed, after which Life decided to return to hospitality. In 1996, she married, got pregnant and launched her first 10-room guest house, called the Stone Soup Inn, in her hometown of Indianapolis. It was a success, and two years later, she opened a second establishment, the seven-room Looking Glass Inn, which she designed with her mother. In 2001, Life bought a third inn, which included a spa, salon and restaurant.

Running the Indianapolis inns was rewarding, but Life missed the Nantucket summers. Occasional visits weren’t long enough. Newly divorced with two young sons, she gradually began to consider the prospect of buying an inn on the island she loved.

She engaged a real estate agent, but properties sold too quickly, so she began visiting inns while on vacation,

which is how she discovered the Carlisle House Inn in 2017. Built in the mid-1700s, the property had impressive character and history, once having been home to Love Pollard, sister of Captain Pollard of the Essex, the whaling ship whose dreadful fate inspired Melville to write “Moby-Dick.” The inn also had living space for Life and her nowteenage boys.

“I called the owner and said, ‘Sell me your inn!’” Life chuckles. The woman told her to call back in one year. Life did, and the sale moved forward.

The bones were solid and the inn functioned, but the décor was outdated and the bathrooms needed work. In her house in Indiana, Life worked from photos she’d taken of the inn, using painter’s tape to block off areas and physically stage how she intended to transform each room at the Carlisle. She purchased furniture in Indianapolis, loaded it into a U-Haul and drove it to Nantucket. She signed the purchase deed on May 8, decorated the space and opened three weeks later on Memorial Day weekend.

“Looking back, it was insane,” says Life. “I’d never do that again, but I was determined.”

18TH-CENTURY CHARM

While many of the newer hotels on the island feature ultra-modern

JENEANE’S PICKS

Jeneane Life, owner of the Carlisle House Inn, shares some of her favorite island activities and eateries.

The Steamship Authority

Nantucket is closer than you think, only 26 miles from Hyannis, Cape Cod. You can choose a seasonal high-speed passenger-only ferry, the M/V Iyanough, which takes one hour, or take your time on the two-hour traditional ferry. www.steamshipauthority.com

Gail’s Tours

If it happened on Nantucket, seventh-generation native islander Gail Nickerson Johnson knows about it. This savvy tour guide picks you up in town and takes you around the island in her van, spilling all of Nantucket’s tea on this fun, informative two-hour tour. 508-257-6557.

American Seasons

Sailor’s Valentine at The Nantucket Hotel

For al fresco dining with lovely views, try Sailor’s Valentine, where hearty, fresh seafood is served with an Asian twist. Try the red curry and lime Thai mussels, the Berkshire pork belly with chipotle ginger glaze or the Glambake, a mouthwatering stew with lobster, chorizo, clams and corn. Call 508-228-4730 for reservations.

or, The Whale

décor that seems better suited to Miami than Nantucket, Life retained the Carlisle’s 18th century character, inside and out, with some contemporary adjustments.

Life’s many experiences abroad, on-island and off, contribute to her design. The inn’s living room walls are painted a deep marine, creating a sea of negative space that offsets her eclectic collection of curios— salvaged hurricane lamps, a handcrafted box with silver seahorse handles, an assortment of polished driftwood.

Chef-Owner Neil Ferguson’s locally sourced creations are so exquisite he’ll spoil you for all other dining experiences. Try everything, but especially the Giannone chicken with celery root and the seductive honey-roast halibut with fennel and chorizo. Co-owner Cheryl Fudge’s design and personal artwork create a gorgeous ambience. Call 508-228-7111 for reservations.

Named for the alternative title of Melville’s “Moby-Dick,” this beautiful downtown Main Street bistro serves lunch, dinner and brunch. Chef Manny Rojas and his team serve up creative dishes with continental flair. Tuna tostadas with jicama and Basque cheesecake with sour cherry glaze are two standouts, but everything is scrumptious. Call 508-825-5897.

The Juice Bar

It’s an understatement to call The Juice Bar a local favorite, and long lines are the norm. Open since the late 1970s, this sweet shop sells over 40 unique flavors of the best homemade ice cream you’ll ever try, plus baked goods and drinks. www.ackjuicebar.com

Above right: The gorgeous Glambake at Sailor’s Valentine at The Nantucket Hotel + Resort

Bottom left: The fluke filet with brown butter and capers at American Seasons Photographs by Claire Vail

Tuna tostadas and cocktails at or, The Whale

Opposite page: Life and her manager, Helen Mills, take a break in the inn’s living room.

Top: A bright, airy guest room at the Carlisle House Inn.

Bottom: A flying whale is the Inn’s signature image.

Then there’s the spa-like ambience. The air smells fresh, like it’s been piped in from the ocean’s edge, remarkable in a building that’s older than the United States. Barely audible guitar music floats down from invisible speakers. The effect is both soothing and stimulating.

Mornings are muted, a relief for late risers. The upscale, self-serve continental breakfast features bowls of fresh berries, croissants and other treats. Guests can sit at tables in a window-filled room overlooking the inn’s flowery garden or eat al fresco. In the evenings, it’s easy to strike up conversations around the fire pit while toasting s’mores.

Like most of Nantucket’s hotels,

the Carlisle House Inn is seasonal, open from April to early October. June, July and August are the tourist high season, but according to Life, May and September have charms all their own. She suggests visitors consider booking in September during the middle of the week, since weekends tend to be taken up with weddings.

“September is a great time to visit Nantucket. Stores and restaurants are still open, the crowds have thinned out, the weather is still good, and you have the island to yourself,” says Life.

ADVENTURES GALORE

Life knows every inch of the island and can recommend activities to suit any taste, from five-star dining to

Gray, cedar-shingled houses and hydrangea bushes line Nantucket’s streets.

off-road adventures.

“People come here for all kinds of experiences,” Life says. “Some come for history, others for beaches, nature hikes, theater, world-class cuisine. You can get it all on this tiny strip of land.”

One of Life’s favorite excursions is to Great Point, on the northernmost tip of the island, a protected area that relatively few people visit. Life rents out two Jeeps to guests for the journey, which requires letting half the air out of the tires to drive on sand. The rewards are great: colonies of seals, a picturesque lighthouse, excellent fishing and empty beaches.

It’s one of many semi-secrets Life happily shares with her guests, many of whom return year after year.

“It’s great to have people come back,” she says warmly. “You get to know them over time; some become friends. Getting to know people is one of the best things about this business.”

Some of the guests inquire about the inn’s iconic symbol, a whale with wings. There’s one in the living room and another adorning the bright blue-and-gold quarterboard (that’s Nantucket for sign) over the entrance.

A quarterboard, Life explains with a touch of pride, is a nautical term derived from the sign on which a sailor would scrawl his name to designate his sleeping area.

But why a flying whale?

“People say, ‘Oh, that’ll happen when pigs fly.’ Well, I’m the kind of person who can make pigs fly, but in this case, since it’s Nantucket, I made the pig into a whale.”

The Carlisle House Inn is open April through October and for the December Christmas stroll. For more information, call 508-228-0720 or visit www.carlislehouse.com.

Claire Vail is a photographer and writer who covers culture, history and travel for MyBoston and other publications.

Pages With History

Discover the favorite books of Boston Athenaeum members.

BY THE BOSTON ATHENAEUM

FOR MORE THAN 200 YEARS, the Boston Athenaeum has been the literary and intellectual heartbeat of Boston. Members and visitors are part of an unbroken literary conversation that once included Louisa May Alcott, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Nathaniel Hawthorne and John Quincy Adams, and continues with today’s poets and scholars, along with the delightfully bookish. For more information, visit www.BostonAthenaeum.org.

The recommendations below include books that either shaped the Athenaeum’s past (like Alcott reading Austen) or are shaping its present through book talks, discussion groups and member circulation trends.

AFTER LIVES: ON BIOGRAPHY AND THE MYSTERIES OF THE HUMAN HEART

by Megan Marshall (2025)

Marshall melds historical research with heartfelt personal reflection in this essay collection. It was our pleasure to host Marshall for a sold-out author talk this spring. She dazzled us with her curiosity and sincerity, both of which are evident in her essays on love and loss. Marshall’s Pulitzer Prizewinning biography, “Margaret Fuller: A New American Life” (2013), is also worth a read!

NORTHANGER ABBEY

by Jane Austen (1818)

Austen’s enduring popularity is no surprise given her humor and clever heroines. It’s also no surprise that writer Louisa May Alcott was drawn to Austen’s wit—Alcott checked “Northanger Abbey” out of the Athenaeum on December 9, 1871. She was a frequent visitor to the Athenaeum in the 1870s, and her reading list has some intriguing titles (including “Why Paul Ferroll Killed His Wife” and “Married or Single?”). “Northanger Abbey,” however, stands out for its blend of irony and romance, and the copy Alcott took home can still be found in our special collections.

HEART LAMP: SELECTED STORIES

by Banu Mushtaq (2025)

This book broke new ground as the first short story collection to win the International Booker Prize in 2025, and it’s little wonder, given the sensitivity and humor with which Mushtaq approaches these stories of Muslim women and girls in India. We’ll be exploring “Heart Lamp” in depth in one of our upcoming “One Time Only” discussion groups, one of dozens of member gatherings we host every month to chat about books, movies, hobbies and more.

JAMES: A NOVEL

by Percival Everett (2024)

Far and away one of the buzziest novels in recent memory, Everett’s reimagination of “Huckleberry Finn” was the Athenaeum’s most circulated book of 2024 (in both hardcover and ebook form). With its combination of thrilling adventure and biting critique, James provides a new look at an American classic.

COIGN OF VANTAGE, OR THE BOSTON ATHENAEUM MURDERS

by John McAleer (1988)

The Athenaeum’s iconic architecture has led many curious bibliophiles to our red doors, including fictional writer Austin Layman in this thrilling whodunit mystery set at the Athenaeum. The murders are fortunately fictional, but McAleer’s charming rendering of the flamboyant setting and characters makes this book irresistible to those who frequent the Athenaeum.

Local book clubs! Would you like to recommend favorite books to our readers? Reach out to editor@mybostonmag.com.

The Boston Athenaeum is a member-supported library in the heart of Beacon Hill.

The Boston Athenaeum library

JUNE HOME SALES

Back Bay and Beacon Hill

Brought

to you by Lara Shuqom, Principal of The Collective

The accuracy of the statistical data in this table is not guaranteed by MyBoston magazine. The listings broadly represent the local real estate market rather than the listings of any single agent or agency. MLSP in condo and single-family sales in Beacon Hill and Back Bay from 6.1.25-6.30.25.

Opportunity in Back Bay

Garden Club of the Back Bay’s Twilight Soirée

ON JUNE 9, MEMBERS of the Garden Club of the Back Bay gathered at The Newbury Boston near the Public Garden for their Twilight Soirée, featuring light refreshments, canapés and good company.

1. (L-R) Donna Newton (copresident of the Garden Club of the Back Bay), Liza Meyer (president, Friends of the Public Garden), Maura Harty (copresident of the Garden Club of the Back Bay)

2. (L-R) Wendy Oleksiak, Kim Buttolph

3 (L-R) Diana Coldren, Serge Savard, Colleen Coppersmith

4 (L-R) Bill Taylor, Sandra Gilpatrick, Jolinda Taylor

5 Georgia Lee, Cynthia Britt, Janet Dracksdorf, Diane Young-Spitzer

6 (L-R) Anne Swanson, Claudine Lewis, Maureen O’Hara, Margie Lunder

Photographs by Lynsie Sabbatelli

Boston’s Most Talked-About Bite

Scampo’s Lobster Pizza

If you know, you know — and if you don’t, it’s time. Scampo’s Lobster Pizza isn’t just a Best of Boston 2025 winner — it’s pure indulgence on a plate. Crispy, golden crust, generous lobster, and that signature Lydia Shire flair that turns every bite into an experience.

This is the dish everyone’s buzzing about — bold, luxurious, and absolutely unforgettable.

If you’ve never had it, consider this your sign.

BEACON HILL ART WALK

EVERY FIRST SUNDAY in June, Beacon Hill residents open their private gardens and courtyards to allow artists to display and sell their work. This year, thousands of visitors came to browse and buy, listen to live music and enjoy the beauty of the artwork and the neighborhood.

1 Thousands come to enjoy the annual Beacon Hill Art Walk.

2 Residents open their private courtyards for the event.

3 Visitors can buy their favorite work on the spot.

4 Artist Coco Berkman displays her linoleum prints.

5 Visitors can expect to see works in oil, watercolor and many other mediums.

6 Artist Frances Henderson’s works are inspired by a life near the sea.

7 Surfside Ceramics in Quincy uses crystalline glazes for amazing effects.

8 Hidden alleys and ivycovered walls set off the art.

Photographs by Claire Vail

FINE DINING GUIDE

ROCHAMBEAU

Step into Back Bay’s most coveted summer setting — the Lillet Patio at Rochambeau.

Step into Back Bay’s most coveted summer setting — the Lillet Patio. Sip, savor, and unwind with our signature seasonal menu and $1 oysters served daily. First come, first served — or elevate your next birthday, happy hour, or private gathering with a patio takeover.

or night, let the patio set the scene.

Newbury Street Icon. The art of people-watching meets the perfect lunch. Overlooking Newbury Street, Sonsie’s patio is made for everything from power lunches to spritz towers under the sun. Planning a celebration? Our sought-after patio is available for reception-style events all season long.

BAR & LOUNGE

Patio Season with an Edge.

Once the old Charles Street Jail — now the city’s go-to for elevated cocktails, bites, and late-night energy. Alibi’s is the ultimate backdrop for your next company outing, birthday, or engagement party.

ALIBI

SONSIE

Scoring a Beacon Hill Rental

Jenna Taylor, a Realtor with Fenway Property Advisors, offers advice on the sometimes-tricky task of renting in one of the country’s most desirable locations.

BY CLAIRE VAIL

What are most of your rental clients looking for in a property?

Location, location, location. First and foremost, they usually want to be close to what’s important to them. A lot of rental clients are moving here for residency programs at Massachusetts General Hospital and looking for great walkability to everything they’ll need.

Does the market favor renters or owners right now?

Rents have, generally, always trended upward, so while renting can make sense in many cases (especially when starting out in Boston), the rental market does usually favor the owner in most aspects. I always enjoy helping people learn about the many benefits of becoming an owner themselves and helping them take those steps.

What’s the best advice you can offer for someone looking to rent in Beacon Hill?

Having your ducks in a row prior to your search is key so that you’re ready to jump on a unit the moment you see it. Prepare your pay stubs, ID and credit (which sometimes means unfreezing it) and make sure that if you have a guarantor, they’re also ready to send the required supporting documentation. The best opportunities tend to move quickly, so be aware that, generally, most properties are coming and going in spring and summer.

What do you think is special about Beacon Hill?

There’s literally nothing else like it, from the classic architecture and historic properties to having quick access to the Common and Public Garden, shops, cultural events and restaurants. I’ve noticed Beacon Hill has become a more pet-friendly area, which appeals to me! I stop to pet EVERY dog, so Beacon Hill is my favorite for all the pets.

Jenna Taylor is a Realtor with Fenway Property Advisors, representing rental properties in Beacon Hill. With over 10 years of experience in finance, specializing in private equity and real estate investments, she leverages her knowledge of the real estate market, negotiating and project management to be an advocate for buyers, sellers, investors and renters.

Jenna Taylor and her canine companion, Walter, on a stroll through Beacon Hill

Photograph by Claire Vail

REY MORAGA

The hotelier and Back Bay resident shares what he does on a typical Sunday.

BY REY MORAGA

AFTER THE RUSH of the week, my weekends in Boston—my home for the past two years— are sacred. These are slow days spent in the neighborhoods of Back Bay and Beacon Hill, centered around comfort food, strolls around the cobbled streets, and recharging for the week to come.

Sunday mornings all depend on how sporty (or languid) I am feeling. Most of the time, I like to head out for an early walk or join our hotel’s running club sprinting around the Esplanade. It has become a weekend ritual to pick up something for breakfast at Café Pastel or from the new Flour Bakery on the Common.

With a warm chocolate croissant in hand, I almost always make my way to Charles Street, which is peppered with trendy boutiques, art galleries and antique shops. I like to fill my home with eclectic art, souvenirs and books, and I have been collecting objects for my dream cabinet de curiosités. My favorite shops are Upstairs Downstairs and Fabled Antiques, and a recent find was Lisa Fine’s tome “Near & Far: Interiors I Love” from Beacon Hill Books & Café.

Back at my third-floor apartment on Marlborough Street, I practice playing the piano. I’ve been studying Debussy’s “Clair de Lune” and “Bohemian Rhapsody” by Queen recently. I’m not the best player, but I feel so relaxed every time I hit the keys.

There are Sundays I need to be at the hotel to welcome important guests. I typically inspect the rooms before a guest checks in, from the butler’s handwritten note and the chef’s welcome treats to the flower arrangements. Every detail, no matter how big or small, is so important.

In the afternoon, I like to have friends over for some nibbles and drinks. I love to cook and entertain, and we always find a reason to celebrate. Whether curating a playlist or putting a menu together, l’art de recevoir is something I have been so obsessed with. If the weather isn’t perfect, the afternoon might involve a visit to the Gardner or the Museum of Fine Arts.

During the season, I may enjoy a Sunday matinee show of the Boston Ballet or Boston Symphony.

Dinners are sacred and often spent feasting with a home-cooked meal, which could be a hearty plate of carbonara with guanciale I picked up from Eataly earlier in the day. On evenings when I feel like eating out, I head to Mistral. José, the friendly

bartender, already knows my usuals: the corner seat by the bar, a French Martini to start, and the half whole-roasted duck with a generous serving of wild mushroom risotto. I am usually in bed by midnight, powered and ready for the new week ahead.

A true hotelier at heart, Rey has worked with some of the world’s most prestigious hospitality brands and lived in Paris, Manila, Siem Reap and now Boston. Currently, he is director of guest experience at Raffles Boston. His passions include grand hotels, food and wine, photography, classical music and wakeboarding.

Top right: I love fine things and fresh flowers.

Right: My living room in Back Bay, where I practice piano Photographs by Rey Moraga

Rey Moraga Photographs by Faith Flynn

DOG DAYS OF SUMMER

DOG WALKER AND BOARDING business owner

Margaret Brady says that every day when she walks the dogs, people ask for directions to Acorn Street or a great local spot for a bite, and she and the dogs usually escort them personally. It’s all part of being good ambassadors for Beacon Hill. See more on Instagram @beaconhilldogs.

Have a great image for Photo Op? Submit your

The dogs of Beacon Hill take shelter from the August heat. Back row, from left: Sadie, Whaler, Quinn.

Front row, from left: Bailey, Gus

Photograph by Margaret Brady

/ MyBoston BACK BAY & BEACON HILL

Celebrating 20 Years in Business!

Imagine sipping coffee beneath an open sky, dining al fresco under the stars, or simply relaxing in a perfectly controlled outdoor space—all with the push of a button.

At Distinctive Pergolas, we specialize in custom-designed, motorized louvered roof pergolas that redefine outdoor living. Whether it’s a rooftop escape above the Charles or a serene backyard oasis in the suburbs, our pergolas deliver shade when you want it, sun when you need it, and shelter when it matters most.

We design and install premium systems with architectural elegance, built to endure Boston’s weather while enhancing your home’s value and lifestyle.

Dream

Kathy Egasti Owner/Project Coordinator

Egasti Owner/Engineer/Builder

IT’S NOT EASY TO FIND THE PERFECT HOUSE, BUT IT’S EASY TO FIND THE PERFECT REAL ESTATE AGENT.

Call (or text!) Peter at (508) 353-9721, or email him at peter@mgsgrouprealestate.com.

Meet Peter Hill.

With decades of valuable experience and a savvy knowledge of the area you can only get from growing up here, Peter Hill not only knows how to treat his clients like they’re the Royal Family, he also knows how to negotiate like the head of the United Nations. And he’s nice. Yup, nice, as in you’ll not only enjoy going on your real estate journey with him, but you’ll also miss him, once it ends. What’s more is that he’s part of the MGS Group Real Estate family, so he’s got 15 stellar agents behind him, plus a list of connections and resources as long as the Charles River, that can assist clients with everything from preparing their home to sell, to doing in their new home. So, if you’re ready to buy or sell, or both, don’t make a move without calling (or texting!) Peter at 508 353-9721.