To celebrate our first year, we’re introducing you to our core crew.
Healthier
Personal trainer Cindy Sullivan shares tips for relieving stress.
Photograph by Claire Vail Styling by Tara West
Men’s jacket by Mr. Sid Women’s suiting by Max Mara Hair by Carla Derrico, Stilisti Salon
Makeup by Niambi Strickland, Stilisti Salon
ABECOMING A BOSTONIAN
AS WE CELEBRATE the one-year anniversary of MyBoston magazine, I find myself reflecting on this extraordinary journey. What began as a simple idea—to tell authentic neighborhood stories—has grown into a publication that connects, celebrates, and uplifts our community.
Over the past year, I’ve had the privilege of visiting incredible local businesses, meeting inspiring people, and forming meaningful relationships with talented individuals who make Back Bay and Beacon Hill such remarkable places to live.
I’ve also started to become a proper
Bostonian. When you’re new to this city, you quickly fall in love with brownstones. You start judging streets by their facades and developing an eye for which side catches the morning or afternoon sun. You feel like you’re in a movie—the sunsets in Back Bay, the quiet of Beacon Hill, the Sunday buzz on Charles Street. Even ordinary errands feel cinematic. You embrace the seasons, sometimes all four in a single week. But fall—that’s the reward. The cherry on top. Soon, like everyone here, you become loyal to a particular park, bookstore, lobster roll, and Newbury Street café. You even begin to take an interest in sports.
And you learn that people support what they help to create. That’s why I’m deeply thankful to all our contributors—neighbors who became our writers. I’m also incredibly fortunate to have found our wonderful editor, Claire, and our talented cover photographer, Ben. You can read more about our team in this issue. We’ll also take you to the new Doyle location to see what treasures await and, in another feature, help reduce your holiday stress.
This issue is dedicated to our readers, partners, and friends. It is my honor and privilege to serve the Back Bay and Beacon Hill communities. Thank you for allowing us to share your stories! I wish you a Thanksgiving filled with happiness and cherished moments with family and friends. Happy reading!
Renata Coker Publisher, MyBoston
www.mybostonmag.com @mybostonmag
Publisher
Renata Coker
Renata.Coker@mybostonmag.com
Editor and Photographer
Claire Vail editor@mybostonmag.com
Writers
Kate Bergman
Cindy Sullivan
Morgan Vail
Photographer Ben Flythe
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
SVP, Group Publisher
Thomas Flannery
VP, Content Strategy
Maria Regan
VP, Director of Digital Media
Nigel Edelshain
Creative Director
Kijoo Kim
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
Photograph by Ben Flythe Styling by Tara West Wardrobe provided by AKRIS
Custom Jewelry by Cynthia Britt Hair and Makeup by Niambi Strickland, Salon Stilisti
Photographed at The French Library
Community CALENDAR
November exhibitions, author talks, concerts and other events happening in Back Bay and Beacon Hill.
November (through January 2026)
Athenaeum and Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum: Allan Rohan Crite Exhibitions
Two concurrent exhibitions between the Boston Athenaeum and Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum will feature the artworks of Allan Rohan Crite, a South End artist who devoted his life to depicting the multicultural, multiracial, and multigenerational community of Boston. The two exhibitions are:
• “Allan Rohan Crite: Urban Glory” at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum (October 23 – January 19)
• “Allan Rohan Crite: Griot of Boston” at the Boston Athenaeum (October 23 – January 24)
Now through November 16
Childs Gallery: Intimate Structures— Sean Flood & Jillian Freyer
Artists and life partners Sean Flood, a painter, and Jillian Freyer, a photographer, have paired their work to create an exhibit that explores the many different environments that shape our lives. The juxtaposition of Flood’s and Freyer’s creations demonstrates how two different people react to spaces and experiences in their daily lives, and how they interpret those moments from a personal and creative perspective. Free. Childs Gallery at 168 Newbury St. Call 617-266-1108 for more information.
November
2
Jordan Hall: All Mozart
Experience Mozart’s exquisite, intricate chamber music in Jordan Hall. The Boston Symphony Chamber Players will perform some of the musician’s most accomplished works, including the Divertimento for string trio, K. 563, and the Quintet for Piano and Winds, K. 452. Jordan Hall, 30 Gainsborough St. Call 617-987-8600 for tickets.
November 2
MFA: Of Light and Air—Winslow Homer in Watercolor
Famous for his evocative watercolors, Bostonborn painter Winslow Homer depicted a variety of landscapes from Maine to the Caribbean. The MFA has the largest collections of Homer’s watercolors, but many of his works haven’t been displayed in nearly 50 years due to their sensitivity to light. This exhibition brings together dozens of Homer’s paintings for a new generation to experience. 465 Huntington Ave. Call 617-267-9300 for tickets.
November 5
French Library: Walking Tour of Boston
Explore Boston’s many historical, political, and cultural connections to France with guide Steven Galante on this 90-minute walking tour, given in French only. Tour begins promptly at 10:30 a.m. at the Massachusetts State House and ends at Faneuil Hall, with the option to join the guide and group afterward for coffee at Tatte Bakery at One Boston Place. $35 for non-members. From 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m., 24 Beacon St.
“The Blue Boat,” by Winslow Homer (1892). The MFA’s Winslow Homer exhibit starts November 2.
November
6
Copley Square Library: Find Grants for Nonprofits
Get a free lesson in how to use Foundation Directory Online, an extensive database containing profiles of 226,000 U.S. foundations. The Boston Public Library offers free access to this software and will teach you how to use this tool to find funding for your nonprofit organization. 2 to 3 p.m., 700 Boylston St. Free. Call 617.536.5400 for more information.
November
Boston Ballet:
6-16
George Balanchine’s Jewels
You’ll be dazzled by Boston Ballet’s season opener, a compilation of three unique neoclassical ballet styles in a single evening. Balanchine’s “Jewels” explores three different periods in the famed choreographer’s lifetime: Diamonds looks at his early career in Russia, Emeralds his time in France at the Ballets Russes, and Rubies his work with the New York City Ballet. Boston Ballet, 19 Clarendon St. Call 617-695-6955 for tickets.
November 7
Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum: Botanical Talk & Tour
A member of the museum’s horticulture staff will give a 30-minute presentation on the role of plants at the Gardner, after which guests are invited for an hour-long guided experience through the galleries to experience the courtyard and discuss the botanical imagery throughout the collection. 12:30 to 2 p.m., 25 Evans Way.
November 7-9
Boston International Antiquarian Book Fair
Browse and buy fine and rare books, maps, manuscripts and ephemera from around the world. This three-day event will appeal to antiquarians, antique hunters, and book lovers of all kinds. Friday from 4 to 8 p.m. ($25), Free on Saturday (noon to 7 p.m.) and Sunday (11 a.m. to 4 p.m.). Hynes Convention Center at 900 Boylston St.
November 8
Boston Veterans Day Parade
Honor the service and sacrifices American veterans have made by attending the Boston Veterans Day Parade. The parade will start at the Boston Public Library, then proceed down Boylston Street to Boston Common, eventually turning onto Tremont Street and ending at City Hall Plaza. Begins at noon.
November 11
Trinity Church: The Music of “Interstellar” Experience an evening that’s out of this world as the historic venue of Trinity Church is transformed into a cathedral of stars, thanks
to immersive projections by the Charles Hayden Planetarium team. “Interstellar” organist Roger Sayer plays Hans Zimmer’s Grammy-winning score while immersive visuals transport you to a galaxy far away. Trinity Church in Copley Square. 7 p.m. For tickets, call 617-536-0944.
November 12
Boston Lyric Opera: Ride of the Valkyries Described as a “madcap operative mashup,” this spectacle is a wild ride that takes its cue from Wagner’s soaring arias and thundering music but doesn’t stop there. Lead singers Christine Goerke and Morris Robinson carry the evening. One night only, 8 p.m. SoWa Power Station at 550 Harrison Ave.
Top: Lia Cirio and Lasha Khozashvili in George Balanchine’s “Emeralds.”
Left: The Boston International Antiquarian Book Fair takes place November 7 to 9.
November 13
Harvest Festival & Auction
Kick off the holiday season while supporting two worthwhile causes! The Harvest Festival & Auction benefits the Neighborhood Association of the Back Bay’s civic advocacy for its residents and Women’s Lunch Place, a day shelter for women in need and who are experiencing homelessness. Join your neighbors and friends at 67 Newbury St., the shelter’s dining room, from 6 to 8:30 p.m. for a bountiful buffet, music, wine, craft beers, and a wide variety of auction items to vie for! For tickets, call 617-267-1722.
November 13
ICA: An Indigenous Present
Join curator Max Gruber for a dialogue about the 15 artists featured in an exhibit about 100 years of contemporary indigenous art. 7 p.m. at the ICA, 25 Harbor Shore Dr.
November 16
Goethe-Institut Film Series at the Coolidge: “What Marielle Knows,”
11 a.m. German with English subtitles. $7, Coolidge Corner Theatre in Brookline. In an effort to expose larger audiences to German films, the Goethe-Institut has partnered with the Brookline’s recently expanded Coolidge Theater. Join others for a screening of “What Marielle Knows,” a thought-provoking sci-fi drama by director Frédéric Hambalek. 290 Harvard St., Brookline.
November 18
Vilna Shul: Challah Braiding with Mandylicious
Love challah bread? Let Boston’s premier challah artist, Mandy Silverman, aka “Mandylicious,” teach you the art of challah baking and braiding, in time for the Thanksgiving holidays. Registration includes two challah breads, recipe and instruction guide, and a special gift. $36. 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Vilna Shul, 18 Phillips St. For more information, call 617-523-2324.
November 19
Beacon Hill Civic Association: Garlands & Greens
One way to help keep Beacon Hill beautiful is to join host Tom Kershaw at the Hampshire House for the Beacon Hill Civic Association’s annual Garlands & Greens fundraiser. This holiday celebration will feature hors d’oeuvres, drinks and live music to raise money to decorate the 1,100 gas lamps on Beacon Hill for the holidays. For times, tickets and more information, visit www.bhcivic.org.
November 22
Camp Harbor View 5k Road Race
This 3.1 mile-race takes runners through the iconic Boston neighborhoods of Back Bay and Kenmore along Commonwealth Avenue with the start and finish at the Boston Common. With a pre-race runner’s village and post-race
party on the Common, it promises to be a festive and fun morning, all in support of Camp Harbor View. Contact Jaclyn McGrory at 617-396-7877 for details.
November 25
Berklee Performance Center: Holiday Extravaganza
Enjoy the sounds of the season along with choreographed dance in this two-part concert produced and directed by Berklee professor Tia Fuller. The first part features Berklee’s Diamond Cut Big Band performing Duke Ellington’s The Nutcracker Suite, a jazz interpretation of Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker. The second part stars master saxophonist and Berklee alumnus Jaleel Shaw performing classics from Berklee’s GenNext All-Stars’ new holiday recording, Noel. 8 p.m. at 136 Massachusetts Ave.
November 28- December 28
10th Annual SoWa Winter Festival
Get in the holiday spirit and browse more than 100 local vendors who offer a wide range of handmade art and gifts, while enjoying specialty foods and drinks. $10, children 12 and under are free. 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on opening day at 550 Harrison Ave. Find out more at www.sowa.com.
November 29 & 30
High Street Place’s Holiday Market
This festive holiday market showcases 10 women-owned small businesses, with food and drink, live music and special holidaythemed photos ops. 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
On November 11, Trinity Church will feature a live concert with the music of the film “Interstellar.”
Berklee’s Nov. 25 Holiday Extravaganza features (left to right) Berklee alumnus Jaleel Shaw and Professor Tia Fuller.
AT THE END OF NEWBURY Street sits the new Lyrik complex, where bright young things in small black frocks disappear through the lipstickred entrance of the CitizenM hotel. Like bubbles in a glass of champagne, they’re headed up, up, up to Boston’s newest scenic and scene-y roof deck wine (and then some) bar, which serves up unparalleled views of the city alongside creative snacks and an
impressive cocktail and wine list. Designed to dazzle, Bubble Bath Back Bay is Tiffani Faison’s latest offering, as playful and fashionable as the celebrity chef herself. The first location, on High Street in the Financial District, is still doing well, after opening in March 2022. The Back Bay space is stunning, and the food eclectic, with cold and hot upscale snacks that complement the various wines, some
”We have the best view in the city,” says Chef Tiffani Faison, pictured above.
of which are rare. Bubble Bath is the perfect place for impressing a date or out-of-town guests.
Sleep doesn’t seem to be on the menu for Faison, who became famous back in 2005 after appearing in the first season of the TV show “Top Chef”, launching a career that included work in several high-profile restaurants in cities across the U.S. and many more television gigs on the Food Network and the reality show Chopped. Though her reputation looms larger than Boston, she has established her company here, opening several restaurants across the city, including the Fenway’s popular barbecue joint Sweet Cheeks Q and adult snack bar Fool’s Errand. Her food has been highly commended by reviewers, and she’s been a finalist four times for the James Beard Award for best chef in the northeast.
A NEW DINING CONCEPT
The word “irreverent” crops up in association with Faison’s culinary productions. The chef said her goal with Bubble Bath was to offer Bostonians a new dining concept.
“I think less about trends when opening and ideating new concepts. The trends make me nuts. It makes our city homogenous. I work on spaces I think are needed and where I would want to spend time. I wanted a place where you could pop in, have a drink, stay, leave, make it yours. I wanted to
build a community of regulars who appreciate delicious, quality beverages and food without pretense.”
The mood at Bubble Bath is far from pretentious. It’s effervescent, thanks in big part to the wow factor of Boston’s sparking nighttime skyline, visible through the inside dining room’s panoramic windows, but dramatic and up close out on the large patio. White sofas and large glass bubble sculptures underscore the fun theme.
As you might expect, the wine list doesn’t disappoint. Champagnes are divided into “classic blends, blanc de blancs, and blanc de noirs” (white champagne from dark grapes). You can go big, with a $600 bottle from Pol Roger (Epernay 2008)—Winston Churchill’s favorite house, and the champagne served at William and Kate’s wedding. There’s a range of interesting reds, including delightful light-bodied Gamays from Guy Breton, a good selection of whites, and an exciting cocktail list that leans into spices and Italian aperitives. There are by-the-glass options, and full bottle service. Zero-alcohol choices such as the “phony Negroni” ensure that non-drinkers won’t feel left out.
If you’re feeling peckish, there are salt and vinegar fries, and ‘fancy lil’ sammies,’ such as butter and gruyere mortadella or lobster buns. There are more upscale options, too, such as steak tartare tonnato and white sturgeon caviar served
with potato chips and sour cream. Anyone craving something more decadent can opt for a full caviar cart with “tea service.”
BEST VIEW IN THE CITY
Says Faison: “We’re playing outside of the “dining” scene in Boston. We recognized that there was a lack of bars and lounges that offered both cocktails and a significant wine list in Boston. Obviously, we have the best view in the city, but we are constantly challenging ourselves to meet the moment with our food and beverage program as well as the service we provide.”
Bubble Bath seems to be meeting the moment, judging from the happy vibe and full house. Servers seem genuinely motivated to make patrons happier, handing out blankets to keep off the evening chill.
Faison calls the feeling “elegant and irreverent, sophisticated and approachable.”
“The goal was to create a space that allowed the city to be the art and the focus. I wanted spaces within the space. If you come in three nights a week, you can have three different spatial experiences,” she says.
Claire Vail writes about food, art and culture for My Boston.
Above: Fancy little sandwiches complement the cocktail and wine list.
Below: Patrons can’t resist snapping pics of the views.
Photographs by Claire Vail
Objects of Desire
Auction house Doyle has a new home at The Vendome, run by two experienced appraisers who take a personal approach to buying and selling art and antiques.
BY CLAIRE VAIL
iIN ONE OF THE LARGE bay windows of their new gallery at 290 Dartmouth St., Doyle auctioneers Kathryn Craig and Chris Barber are grappling with two cast-iron Dalmatians to the beat of ’90s club hits. The window display has an improvised animal theme, curated from a lot that’s up for auction in another week. It’s a Friday afternoon, but Craig and Barber have miles to go before they sleep. There’s still a tower of boxes to build, more set up, then a drive out to the ’burbs to pick up a lot from a seller. With wisps of packing material
swirling at their feet, the team moves on to preparing the gallery for auction, hanging paintings and staging intriguing displays in a nimble, rhythmic two-step: Lean in to assemble, lean back to observe, and repeat. They save their breath for a few good-humored observations and directives.
At the moment, the gallery is a temporary jumble of fascinating and incongruous objects—relics from centuries and cultures past. Two American folk-art portraits solemnly stare down a pair of low-slung, burnt-orange leather
Photographs by Claire Vail
recliners. There are bundled Persian carpets, antique game boards, bucolic landscapes in dark wood frames, statues of deco-era nymphs, elegant silver tea sets, and a bright-eyed ceramic parrot surveying the room from a glass case. In another week, everything will sell, and the gallery will fill, empty, and fill again in rapid succession.
A family business, Doyle was founded in New York by Newton, Massachusetts, native William Doyle in 1962. When he became ill in the 1990s, he passed the running of the business to his wife, Kathy. In 2019, Kathy turned it over to their daughter, Laura, who had already put in nearly two decades learning the trade under both parents. It’s the largest woman-run auction house in the U.S., with about 100 employees overall, including specialists in
furniture, Asian decorative arts, jewelry, Americana, and rugs and carpets. New York has the largest staff and the most activity, with the other locations run by teams of two or three appraisers and a handful of administrators.
Though small compared to giant brands such as Sotheby’s and Christie’s, Doyle has earned a reputation for handling interesting and important collections with care, and for securing high prices at auction. They’ve appraised and sold estates for a long list of cultural icons and Hollywood A-listers, including Bette Davis, Stephen Sondheim, Louis Armstrong, and Oleg Cassini. They’ve also sold the goods from timehonored New York institutions like the Russian Tea Room and Elaine’s.
In 2003, Doyle set a new world record for the auction sale of a piece
of Chinese porcelain when a rare flask from the Yuan Dynasty sold for six million dollars, a coup that made the papers. Artists and artist estates also are something of a specialty for Doyle; recently they managed the sale of Vermont artist Ogden Pleissner’s paintings. The Boston gallery sees a lot of fine art and jewelry.
Laura Doyle likes to emphasize the importance of the human touch. “The auction business has been transformed by technology, but at heart, what we do is about people. It’s personal. These objects have a great deal of meaning for buyers and sellers, and the stories and emotion behind collections transcend the transactional. We pride ourselves on building lasting relationships with our clients.”
Doyle’s approach has served the house well, and its reach is global,
Above: Doyle auctioneers Kathryn Craig and Chris Barber at the new Back Bay gallery
Left: CEO Laura Doyle took part in her first auction at age 8. Photograph courtesy of Doyle.
OLD MASTERS AND MORE
This auction on December 12 will feature over 300 lots spanning an impressive range of categories, from archaic Asian works of art and Old Master fine art to American furniture, 20th-century contemporary pieces, and jewelry. Visit www.doyle.com/ locations/boston-new-england or call 617-999-8254 for more information.
with buyers and sellers from around the world. Its New England presence, which started as a pop-up gallery on Clarendon Street in 2022 intended to last just six months, lasted two years. In 2025, when the opportunity arose to establish a permanent home in Back Bay, Doyle seized it.
A IS FOR AUCTION
While the popular PBS TV series “Antiques Roadshow” did a lot to dispel the myth of the haughty appraiser, auction houses and high-end antique dealers still have a certain reputation for snootiness. People are always apprehensive about being made to feel ignorant. They’re also wary about being taken for a ride.
“Some people have the idea that auction houses aren’t approachable, and for them selling a collection can be a little frightening. We try to dispel any fears or negative expectations. I’m very upfront and transparent about the process,” says Craig. “We hand-hold all the way.” Barber nods.
According to them, there’s no such thing as a typical auction. “There are commonalities, but the flowchart almost never works the same way twice,” says Barber.
Usually, estate representatives or private individuals will approach Doyle to get a proposal for how it would handle selling the inventory. Doyle’s team might look at photographs to determine if the collection is something they’d handle.
The next step is to meet the seller and see the items in person.
Doyle then appraises the collection and offers a ranged estimate for what they could expect at auction. Most auction houses take a 10 to 30% cut of the profits, depending on the collection’s value, but even that spread can vary, depending on the value of the items.
Before the auction, items are photographed, catalogued, and put online with prices, descriptions of condition, and measurements. After registering, people can bid online, over the phone, or in person.
EYE OF THE BEHOLDER
The beauty or rarity of an object can drive up the price, as can the fame of the artist. But a good backstory can turn an otherwise unremarkable piece into a treasure, says Barber.
Over several decades last century, Nina and Bertram Little amassed an impressive collection of folk art in their summer home—Cogswell’s Grant—in Essex, Massachusetts, now a Historic New England property. They were, according to Barber, scholars and collectors of American folk art of the highest order “before that was a thing that anyone was doing.”
Sotheby’s had a landmark sale of their collection in 1994 that changed the folk-art market forever. “There were some things that either didn’t sell in that auction or that the family held back. And we have about 20 of
those things in an upcoming auction,” says Barber.
Barber holds up a game board that’s about 15 inches square, with a dull colored checkerboard on top. It’s a plain pine board from around 1840, nothing special to look at. Except that it is, Barber points out, because Bert used it for a drinks tray when he and Nina entertained guests.
“That’s the kind of story that people will latch onto and pay a disproportionate amount of money to be able to say that they own that. If it had no relationship to Bert and Nina Little, it’s a game board that’s worth $400, but because these people were so seminal in the world of Americana, it might sell for thousands.”
A GOOD HOME
For Barber, who fell in love with art history in high school and trained at Christie’s after college, the ideal is to sell the right item to the right buyer at the best price.
“You’re putting items in a place that’s better for them. And that sort of satisfies my preservation, art, historical side. I’m happy when objects go to a place where they’re cared for and loved,” he says.
After working in the business for more than two decades, Craig and Barber have ample networks of collectors and can provide them with tips about items of interest coming up for sale.
“An auction house is most successful when the list of people who
might buy something at their auction house is as large and, let’s say, active as it can be. You need to know your market and who all the people are, but you also should know the best buyers within that group,” explains Barber.
Doyle’s team always has the option to put items up for sale in the region where they are most likely to sell. Contemporary art, for example, might do better in New York than Boston. Paintings by southern artists might move faster in the Charleston gallery.
Says Craig, “We just took in a collection of eight Picasso ceramics, worth $60,000 to $100,000. It’s from Boston, but we’re selling it in New York
because there we have a broad range of buyers for that specific category. They might not make their way up here to Boston to see them in person, but they will in New York.”
Shepherding items into the right hands is a pleasure for Craig, too, which is why she’s never left the house. She was hired full time after a college internship at Doyle’s New York office, and remained working there in Manhattan until 2012, when she announced she was leaving for Boston to start a family. She submitted her letter of resignation, but after a tearful meeting, Laura and Kathy asked her to continue with Doyle as the New England Regional Advisor. She didn’t hesitate.
“I love so many aspects of this job,” says Craig. “Helping families navigate the process of selling their collections is a privilege I don’t take lightly. Researching a piece of silver, a work of fine art, or a stunning piece of jewelry, satisfies my scholarly curiosity. And nothing compares to the thrill of discovering a hidden gem that might have gone unnoticed.”
Claire Vail writes about food, art and culture for MyBoston.
MyBoston Meet the Team!
To celebrate our first year, we’re introducing you to our core crew—the people behind the scenes who bring each issue to life.
iIT TAKES A VILLAGE to find, write, photograph, and publish the most compelling stories in Back Bay and Beacon Hill. Here, we introduce you to MyBoston’s core creative team.
Renata Coker
Renata is the founder and publisher of MyBoston magazine. She oversees the publication and manages partnerships and brand direction, ensuring content aligns with our audience and mission.
Why did you start this publication?
No one was telling the stories of Back Bay and Beacon Hill with the sophistication, depth, and local insight they deserve. I wanted a magazine that celebrates the people, organizations, and culture that make these neighborhoods exceptional— something our readers would truly connect with and read cover to cover.
Describe your role at the magazine in three or four words.
Connector, curator and community champion.
What was your biggest surprise this first year?
How quickly people embraced the magazine—there’s a stronger sense of community in this big city than I ever expected, and a real hunger to connect, gather and participate.
What would your dream cover be?
A secret! Not many magazines here photograph their own original covers, and I am proud that we do. Our covers are hard work to create, but it’s worth the effort because they’re so celebrated and anticipated by readers. We love to keep them secret until the delivery date, and they’ll always feature an everyday hero, neighbor or local icon. We also enjoy making “behind the scenes” social media posts about how we shoot our covers, which people love to watch!
What’s something you’d like MyBoston readers to know about you?
I grew up in the Czech Republic and speak five languages. I started my career as a schoolteacher, then moved into public radio and television, producing my own show, and even toured Europe as a professional singer. During the pandemic, I launched a knitting business. When I came to the U.S., I had to rebuild my career from the ground up, proving it’s never too late to create something meaningful!
How would your closest friends describe you?
Determined, loyal, creative, and social.
Favorite movies and books?
“Kolya” (Kolja), an Oscar-winning Czech film that celebrates the unexpected bond between a man and a young boy, and “Zelary,” an Oscarnominated Czech film that portrays a woman’s transformation from city medical student to a rural village wife during World War II. My favorite book is Milan Kundera’s “The Unbearable Lightness of Being.” First published in the U.S. in 1984, the novel explores love, identity and existential freedom.
Claire Vail
Editor and lead writer, Claire also takes excellent photographs for many of our stories, including last month’s feature on the Museum of Fine Arts and this month’s piece about Doyle.
Why did you say Yes to this project?
Our publisher Renata and I clicked over cappuccino at Jonquils Café & Bakery. Her energy and enthusiasm are contagious, and I figured (correctly) that it would be great fun to work with her! Also, I’ve been a writer and photographer for years, and was intrigued by the opportunity to portray the city I love and have lived in for 25 years.
What’s your favorite hidden corner or ritual in your neighborhood?
I like strolling around Beacon Hill at any time, and remembering how many important moments in my life happened here: Moving a small library up five flights of stairs to our postage-stamp sized apartment on Myrtle Street; getting engaged over dinner at 75 Chestnut while the whole restaurant cheered; pushing our daughter on that spinner thing at the Esplanade playground until I nearly blacked out.
Most memorable or funniest moment while working on an issue?
When Renata took me—a Netflixaddict and aspiring introvert—to four different events on a single evening. We started at The Newbury for a lesson in how to make the perfect mint julep, then we sampled nachos at a taco joint, dropped in at a pop-up, and finally climbed the roof of the Pru, which was decked out like Mount Olympus for a Greek embassy event.
Is there one photo or article from the past year that feels especially meaningful to you?
I typically go to the Museum of Fine Arts at least once a month by myself so I can really focus, so I loved writing and photographing the MFA story. I spent four hours in the museum that day, and I was thrilled to get the second to last ticket to the van Gogh exhibit.
What’s something you’d like MyBoston readers to know about you?
I own hundreds of art books on many different subjects, but I’m especially drawn to medieval and Baroque art. I love traveling and will drop everything to do it. If I could have a button to teleport somewhere, I’d choose Paris or Palaiochora, a village in southwest Crete—it’s got everything I need to be happy.
Night owl or morning person?
Nighttime is the right time, until the wee hours.
How can people submit an idea for (or write for) MyBoston magazine?
We welcome ideas! Our focus is the people and businesses of Back Bay and Beacon Hill, and we want to cover whatever local stories spark your curiosity. Please email editor@mybostonmag.com with any suggestions or offers to write for us.
Ben Flythe
Ben photographed many of our covers this first year, including those featuring Keith Lockhart, conductor of the Boston Pops, and Pierre Terjanian, director of the Museum of Fine Arts.
Why did you say Yes to this project?
I’ve known Renata for several years now. When she presented the magazine’s concept, I said Yes because I know firsthand how many remarkable people live in Back Bay and Beacon Hill. There are so many stories to tell, and I’ve always wanted to highlight the impressive people who call our neighborhoods home.
What’s the most surprising thing you’ve learned in this first year?
How small Boston really is. Everyone knows everyone else, and you’re only ever two steps removed from just about anyone in the city.
What’s your favorite hidden corner or ritual in your neighborhood?
When I take the T into Back Bay, I often get off at Park Street to walk across Boston Common and the Public Garden. During the summer, I literally stop to smell the roses and take the long way around the lagoon.
How is Boston different from other places you’ve lived?
Boston is criminally underrated for its contributions to arts, culture, and community. I was fortunate to have lived in Italy for a short time and travel extensively through Europe. Still, Boston is hands down one of the most culturally significant cities in the world.
Most memorable or funniest moment while working on an issue?
When prepping to photograph Keith Lockhart at Symphony Hall, I planned to make portraits in the orchestra seating. But when I arrived on the day of our sitting, I learned that a private event the night before had cleared all the chairs and replaced them with cocktail tables. Thankfully, I had time to pivot and work in the mezzanine instead. You can plan all you want, but you have to stay light on your feet!
What are three words your closest friends would use to describe you?
Dedicated, thoughtful and curious.
What’s a perfect day off from work like for you?
Honestly, I can’t sit still, so my “days off” rarely look like true days off. A perfect one might be a leisurely breakfast at a local café followed by hours working in my darkroom, processing film or making traditional silver gelatin prints.
Favorite travel destination and why?
To quote the Billy Strayhorn song, Lush Life: “A week in Paris might ease the bite of it.” I love people watching in Parisian cafés (visit Les Deux Abeilles near the Eiffel Tower— you won’t be disappointed), walking along the Seine at twilight, and spending a sunny afternoon at the Musée Rodin and its sculpture garden.
Tips for Healthier Holidays
Personal trainer and longtime Beacon Hill resident Cindy Sullivan shares tips for relieving stress over the holidays.
BY CINDY SULLIVAN
TTHE HOLIDAYS IN BOSTON are magical. For me, the magic is in the white lights along the Commonwealth Avenue Mall, the Nutcracker at the Opera House, skaters gliding on Frog Pond, and the beautiful window decorations of the Charles Street shops. And it just so happens that our family celebrates two birthdays this time of year: that of my daughter, Holly (hello December baby name), and my own. But to be totally honest, as joyful as the season can be, it also can feel totally overwhelming! There have
been years that I’m actually relieved when January rolls around and then immediately regret that I didn’t savor my favorite time of year more.
Over time, I’ve learned (sometimes the hard way) that the best way to actually enjoy the holidays is to take care of myself, set boundaries, and remember what matters most. Here are four strategies that help me de-stress. They include simple, doable “mindset” and “actionable” shifts that can make a big difference.
Even in colder weather, the Esplanade is a beautiful place for a stroll. Photographs by Claire Vail
1
MOVE YOUR BODY
When the calendar is jam-packed, exercise is often the first thing to get cut. But research shows that moving your body is one of the best ways to manage stress. You don’t need a gym or an hourlong workout. Even a brisk ten-minute walk through the Public Garden or up and down the Esplanade can lift your mood and clear your mind.
I like to call these “exercise snacks.” They are little bites of movement that fit into a busy day: a stretch while the cookies are in the oven, a few squats while the coffee brews, or a post-dinner walk to admire the holiday lights on Mount Vernon Street. Movement resets your body and brain, giving you more energy to tackle whatever is next.
2
SET REALISTIC EXPECTATIONS
I admit I’m a “recovering” perfectionist who used to think the holidays had to be flawless. The perfect tree, the perfect meal, the perfect gifts. And let’s not get started on all the holiday cards I used to send. Spoiler: I’ve learned that chasing perfection is the fastest way to drain your joy. No one remembers if the napkins matched or the pie crust was slightly overbaked. What they remember is how they felt.
Now I set more realistic expectations. That might mean alternating busy days with slower ones. If Saturday is for shopping at Copley Place, wrapping, and decorating, then Sunday is leftovers, pajamas, and maybe a walk along the Esplanade. I also prioritize. Do I really need to send 300 holiday cards now that my daughter is 21? No.
Try this: When you feel a perfectionist voice creeping in, pause and ask yourself: Will this matter in a week? In a month? If the answer is No, then let it go. Choosing good enough often brings more peace than pushing for perfect.
3 STAY CONNECTED ON YOUR TERMS
The holidays are about togetherness, but too much togetherness or the wrong kind can quickly tip into stress. Staying connected should feel good, not draining.
I love this quote by Jane Fonda: “’No’ is a complete sentence.” You don’t have to attend every cocktail party on Marlborough Street or say Yes to every dinner invitation. A simple, “Thank you for including me, but I can’t make it this time” is
enough. I stopped overexplaining only a few years ago, and that’s a tip that’s good all year long! Protecting your energy is not selfish, it is necessary.
At the same time, don’t isolate yourself if you are feeling lonely. Connection does not always mean a big gathering. A quick call to a friend, a handwritten note, or meeting someone for a stroll down Charles Street can lift your spirits. I personally need to do this more of this all year.
Grab some exercise “snacks” anywhere you are, including the kitchen.
Photograph courtesy of Cindy Sullivan
4
BALANCE TREATS WITH SELF CARE
The holidays wouldn’t be the same without indulgences. Who doesn’t love all the special meals, cookies, and festive drinks? I never want to skip those moments, but I have learned I feel my best when I balance them with self-care.
That means drinking water (yes, even between glasses of champagne), making time for
vegetables among the cheese boards, and getting enough sleep when I can. It’s about nourishment rather than restriction. Balance helps your body and mind feel supported, so you can fully enjoy the treats that make the season special.
The holidays don’t need to be perfect to be meaningful. By moving your body, setting realistic expectations, staying connected
on your terms, and balancing celebration with care, you can protect your energy and actually enjoy the season. At the end of the day, the best holiday memories aren’t about flawless tablescapes or perfectly timed dinners. They’re about laughter, connection, and being present (not presents). Letting go of perfect leaves more room for peace and joy, and isn’t that the whole point?
Cindy Sullivan, a longtime Beacon Hill resident, is a certified personal trainer, creator of the EverStrong Fitness Program, and health and wellness advisor for MyBoston magazine. Cindy specializes in helping midlife and older adult clients build strength, balance, and confidence at every age.
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LATTES
MyBoston checks out the five best lattes in Back Bay and Beacon Hill.
BY KATE BERGMAN
BROWN SUGAR PUMPKIN LATTE
George Howell, 400 Newbury St. New to the neighborhood, this George Howell location just graced Back Bay with its presence. Known for its high-quality coffee sourced from places like Costa Rica and Colombia, George Howell is some of the best in Boston. And when the cream of the crop coffee hits seasonal fall flavors like pumpkin, red apple and chai, it’s a delight in every sip.
Insider tip: This is a premier workremote café—free wi-fi, plenty of seating and a strong cup of delicious coffee is the perfect prescription for a productive day.
STRAWBERRY MATCHA LATTE
Bon! Specialty Coffee, 22 Beacon St. Certainly the neighborhood’s—and quite possibly the entire city’s— newest hot spot café. If you haven’t already seen the identifiable red lids on takeaway cups around Boston, you will now. At Bon! they are handwhisking matchas to order, and that extra touch shines through in the wonderful flavor.
Insider tip: While the specialty lattés may be on the pricier end due to the high quality ingredients in every drink, the cold brew here is an astonishingly affordable $3.50!
BANANA CREAM LATTE
The Bittersweet Shoppe, 257 Newbury St.
Is it just me, or is banana having a moment? It’s the perfect unassuming fall flavor, reminiscent of a warming banana bread, just in latte form. Walking into The Bittersweet Shoppe feels like stepping back in time to an oldfashioned hangout, complete with a fountain soda menu, ice cream, and, of course, every flavored coffee imaginable.
Insider tip: The patio here is prime people watching: Grab your latte, a seat at the patio bar facing Newbury Street, and settle in.
AUTOMNE SHAKERATO
Café Sauvage, 25 Massachusetts Ave.
This delightful drink deserves an explanation: espresso shaken with pumpkin purée, oat milk and brown sugar. If I may, it is the perfect fall latte, enjoyed hot or iced. Don’t sleep on the brunch here! Sitting on the patio enjoying the quiche du jour alongside an Automne Shakerato or Freddo Cappuccino is as close to Paris as you will find in Back Bay. Insider tip: If you love a nightcap, the very same pumpkin purée can be enjoyed after hours in Café Sauvage’s Pumpkin Espresso Martini.
PUMPKIN SPICE LATTE
Concepts Cafe, 18 Newbury St. This café is somehow both on the beaten path and completely off it at the same time. Tucked away on the third floor of popular sneaker store, CNCPTS on Newbury Street, this café has a deeply hidden feel, like you’re part of a secret club when you step inside.
Insider tip: From time to time, Concepts Cafe will create special popups with other brands, like this Parisian-inspired partnership with Puma in honor of its first women’s footwear collaboration.
Kate Bergman is the creative force and founder behind Bucket List Boston (@bucketlistboston) a lifestyle social media platform and creative agency with nearly 200k followers. Kate has been featured in The Boston Globe, BU Today and Boston Herald, among other local publications. Website: www.bucketlistboston.com.
Opposite Page
Top: When you step into The Bittersweet Shoppe on Newbury Street, you step back in time.
Bottom: George Howell dusts its take on a PSL with pumpkin spice.
This Page
Top: Café Sauvage brings the feel of Europe to Mass Ave. Center: Kate Bergman sits at Concepts Cafe, which transformed into a Parisian-inspired pop-up in April.
Left: Bon! Specialty Coffee is viral for its Strawberry Matcha made with ceremonial grade matcha and real strawberries, whisked to order.
Photographs by Kate Weiser
SEPTEMBER 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 9.1.2025-9.30.2025.
Boston’s most talked-about lobster pizza – Scampo’s signature, Boston’s Best 2025 – just got even better.
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MyBoston’s Fall Soiree
MYBOSTON MAGAZINE held its fall soiree on September 9, a beautiful, fashionable gathering at twilight in Beacon Hill, in architect Miguel Rosales’s stunning garden, surrounded by his home-grown plants. Guests toasted the success of the magazine, and publisher Renata Coker, Rosales, and his husband, John David Corey, gave brief remarks about what MyBoston means to the community. We are so grateful to our friends and neighbors and delighted to share special moments like this with you!
Photographs by Claire Vail
Top: Dr. Anna Petropoulos and her team with Marisa Marino, Cynthia Britt, and Lara Shuqom
Kate Berger, Sarah McManus, Barabara Bouquegneau, Lydia Costello
Above (from left): Jennifer Hill, Alison Reichert, Bob and Laura Cousineau
Left: Merritt Mulman, Silke
Berlinghof, Paul Scheufele
Collin Bray, Jessica Caldarola
Moondance Gala Dazzles in Denim and Diamonds
ON SEPTEMBER 20, 2025, the Esplanade Association (EA) hosted its 16th Moondance Gala, welcoming guests for an unforgettable evening of celebration and generosity within the Charles River Esplanade state park, a property of the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation. Supporters raised over $2.3 million to benefit EA’s enhanced care, preservation, and programming of the beloved landmarked riverfront, and to increase park access and welcome with EA’s forthcoming Charlesbank campus and Smith Family Pavilion at the Lederman Park end of the Esplanade. More at www.esplanade.org.
Left: Esplanade Association Executive Director Jen Mergel, musician Tim Hall. Rght: Alexi Conine, EA Board Chair, with Maryann Thompson, Charlesbank architect Photographs by Claire Vail
Above: Moondance guests. Photographs by Claire Vail
Decor by Dicicco Design and lighting by Frost, in an evening planned by Freed Events Photograph by Michael Blanchard
Top: Esplanade Association co-founder Jeryl Oristaglio with Moondance originator Billy Evers Bottom: Alberta Chu supports the Charlesbank paddle raise. Photograph by Michael Blanchard
Photo by Carl Heyerdahl.
VIVIEN LI
An active local volunteer, climate advocate, and Back Bay resident shares her favorite Sunday activities around the neighborhood.
BY VIVIEN LI
UNLIKE WEEKDAYS, my Sundays are leisurely, with time for family and friends and browsing on Newbury Street. Sunday mornings I get The New York Times from Jimmy, Commonwealth Avenue Mall’s unofficial “Mayor,” who’s been selling Sunday papers and giving out dog treats for almost 30 years.
I take my time reading the paper over hot chocolate from L.A. Burdick and a sticky bun from Flour. Since holiday parties are starting soon, I am stocking up on Burdick’s handcrafted chocolate penguins and some of Flour’s addictive spicy pecans to give as gifts.
I don’t drive, so friends often join me for walks on the Esplanade or to Chinatown, where we go to Winsor Dim Sum Cafe. I like to show outof-town guests the Boston Public Library—particularly the historic murals and iconic reading room— before treating them to “high tea” overlooking the courtyard. My birthday
this year was on a Sunday, and my family arranged for us to have the tea room’s “throne” seating and, because of my sweet tooth, everyone gave me their macarons and chocolates.
I’ve received a lot of baby shower invites recently, so I often head to Posman Books on Newbury Street. Expectant parents don’t get cute onesies from me. Instead, they get gifts that encourage early reading: “Goodnight Moon,” “The Very Hungry
Caterpillar,” and a selection from the “Little People Big Dreams” series about leaders like Nelson Mandela, Oprah Winfrey, Greta Thunberg, and Michelle Obama.
I also typically stop by SEE to check out their “Sexy Specs” collection. They carry a wide range of limited-edition eyeglasses, and lately, I’ve gravitated towards their brightly colored unique frames. After all, why should Elton John have all the fun?
In 2022, when Prince William and Princess Catherine visited Boston to present the Earthshot Prize Awards for climate innovation, those of us on the Boston Host Committee and guests were asked to wear outfits that evoked the theme of environmental sustainability. It was then that I discovered Castanet, a luxury consignment boutique on Newbury Street. Nowadays, I often go by to get suggestions from Cassie, the boutique owner, about easy-to-pack travel outfits.
Sunday dinner at home is often just leftovers and fresh produce from the Copley Square Farmer’s Market. Afterward, I watch “60 Minutes,” write some thank you notes, and check the coming week’s schedule. I text my daughters, “Night night, love you” before going to bed by midnight.
A long-time waterfront and climate advocate, Vivien Li volunteers at local soup kitchens and food pantries to help address food insecurity. During her frequent travels, she likes to sample local cuisine and visit museums.
Photograph by John David Corey
PETROPOULOS, MD, FRCS
IF YOU’RE BUYING OR SELLING, PETER CAN GIVE YOU ONE MORE THING TO BE THANKFUL FOR.
Call (or text!) Peter at (508) 353-9721, or email him at peter@mgsgrouprealestate.com.
If you’re thinking about taking a real estate journey, here’s your guide. Peter Hill is smart, savvy and has the kind of personality that makes working with him not only successful, but also fun. (Yes, fun!) Not only does Peter have extensive experience, a list of vetted resources and connections and a commitment to providing over-the-top personal service, he also knows the intimate details of every town from the South End to the suburbs. And as part of the MGS Group Real Estate family, he has the support of 12 of the city’s best agents behind him.
So, whether you’re interested in downsizing or upsizing, moving to the city, or out to the burbs, give Peter a call at (508) 353-9721. You’ll be grateful you did.
