By adamg on Sun., 1/12/2014 - 10:31 pm
The Globe travel section yesterday ran an introduction to an exotic locale where both the shopping and the dining offer a break from the humdrum - and where the locals are friendly and, in many cases, able to converse with you in English.
There’s nothing ordinary about Jamaica Plain, or "JP" as it’s called, a dynamic Boston neighborhood located southwest of downtown.
Unfortunately, the article doesn't state which airlines fly there or what shots are required.
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Right On
By Bob Murphy
Sun, 01/12/2014 - 11:11pm
Sometimes I wish this were a Facebook page so I could just "like" your witty and sarcastic posts like this one! Good to know the Globe realizes JP is a Boston neighborhood; I'm sure their counterparts at Boston Magazine will still give a Best of Boston award to some restaurant in Somerville, and grant a restaurant in JP with a Best South Shore award since anything past the South End is terra incognita for those folks (but Cambridge and Somerville are somehow an extension of Downtown Crossing).
ditto
By Carty
Mon, 01/13/2014 - 7:19am
ditto
Facebook page
By adamg
Mon, 01/13/2014 - 7:28am
We got ya covered :-).
https://www.facebook.com/universalhub/posts/10151901589263175
The author didn't even bother to learn
By MC Slim JB
Mon, 01/13/2014 - 7:33am
any of the quaint colloquialisms employed by the residents. For instance, saying "JP" (with emphatic air-quotes) is a tourist usage that makes locals cringe, like referring to San Francisco as "Frisco". Everyone who's lived there for longer than two weeks knows it's Tha Jape. Also, no mention of the Jamaica Plain Games, like the daily Demolition Derby on the Raceway, or Trolley Dodge 'Em on South Huntington? Completely ignoring craft cocktail destination The Drinking Fountain? Pffft. Carpetbagger.
And they left out the best part
By adamg
Mon, 01/13/2014 - 7:53am
US dollars are accepted everywhere!
Maybe they left the Drinking Fountain out because it is, after all, a bit off the beaten path. Fortunately, though, motorists who run low on fuel getting there can find welcome respite at Hatoff's, where, as the locals will reassure you, gas is gas.
I'm wondering if they'll let me in
By MC Slim JB
Mon, 01/13/2014 - 8:05am
to Salmagundi, which is listed as a destination for "hat aficionados". What if I'm not a hat aficionado, but just like wearing hats every so often? A glossary of hat aficionado jargon would have been appreciated. What's that edge part that goes around at the bottom? The "brim", you say? Aha.
I like to wear hats, but I
By Ari O
Mon, 01/13/2014 - 8:47am
I like to wear hats, but I just don't ever want to be referred to as a hat enthusiast. I hope they just call me a guy who likes to wear hats.
Slightly paraphrased from Mitch.
AFICIONADI ONLY!!!
By Sally
Mon, 01/13/2014 - 10:26am
We don't take kindly to hat dabblers here in the Jape.
I love wearing hats
By whyaduck
Mon, 01/13/2014 - 12:15pm
but never visited Salmagundi because I don't want to feel "not worthy." My bias, I know, but I am just not in the "aficionado" category.
Also, what year did "JP" become "The Jape?" Yikes.
It's not The Jape
By MC Slim JB
Mon, 01/13/2014 - 12:33pm
It's "Tha Jape" (rhymes with Tha Cape), and when you say it, you're supposed to fold your arms across your chest, tilt your head slightly to one side, and nod firmly downward on the second syllable. Everybody knows this.
In all seriousness, Salmagundi is awesome.
By Sally
Mon, 01/13/2014 - 3:30pm
Hipstery but also genuinely nice young people who are super, super into what they're doing. And they have a pretty good price mix, IMO.
Salmagundi is also one of the few places left in Boston that
By MC Slim JB
Mon, 01/13/2014 - 6:01pm
carries quality, beautifully-made men's hats that are properly sized, none of this M / L / XL / one-size crap. If you're going to own one, it should be something your great-grandfather wouldn't have looked at and thought, "Peasant".
Used to live by there
By mediaseth
Mon, 01/13/2014 - 9:07am
I lived up the hill from there on Forest Hills Street. I'd do my laundry at the Rossmore because the laundry room in my building was a disaster. As an incentive to do the chore, I'd go into The Drinking Fountain during the dry cycle, or occasionally to the Midway. They were always very friendly to me.
I've lived in Lynn since 2007, but I'm looking forward to returning to that stretch of Washington to support friends at the Midway Sunday night.
I lived in JP for five years,
By Hyde_Parker
Mon, 01/13/2014 - 10:08am
I lived in JP for five years, and in that time I never heard anyone refer to it as "The Jape."
Erm...
By Sally
Mon, 01/13/2014 - 10:23am
You probably never played Trolley Dodg'em either or went to the Drinking Fountain for a Rob Roy. Methinks he was joking.
Ohhhhhhhhhh!
By whyaduck
Mon, 01/13/2014 - 12:17pm
Thank you, Sally! Actually, JP being known as "The Jape" is not too far fetched, come to think of it...
I wonder
By cybah
Mon, 01/13/2014 - 10:31am
if "Jape" just typed wrong and is suppose to be "JayPee" or "Ja-P" not "Jape"
Actually
By Sally
Mon, 01/13/2014 - 10:48am
It is pronounced "yah-pay."
actually, we do refer to it as JP
By anon
Mon, 01/13/2014 - 12:12pm
So commonly that when I'm in another part of the country I accidentally say "JP" and people think I'm referring to Japan.
Anyone who has been in Camberville about a year knows what "JP" means; folks in Brookline/Allston know about JP within a month or two, etc.
if I start to hear and read "Jape" everywhere soon...
By Ron Newman
Mon, 01/13/2014 - 4:31pm
... I'll know exactly who to blame.
If Tha Jape catches on, I'll be consigned to the same circle of
By MC Slim JB
Mon, 01/13/2014 - 5:48pm
Hell as the people who coined SoWa, E-Bo, and SoBo. Tha Jape: it could happen.
JP is served by discount
By Ari O
Mon, 01/13/2014 - 8:49am
JP is served by discount carrier Orange Airlines, known as one of the more unreliable carriers in the local air travel network. All of its planes are more than 30 years old, and show considerable rust. The airline is prone to delays, although it is seen as somewhat more reliable than other local carriers including GreenAir, Blue Airways, FlyRed and United.
and what about silver lines?
By Stevil
Mon, 01/13/2014 - 9:18am
Oh wait, no matter how u cut it it's a BUS!
As an added bonus
By Kathode
Mon, 01/13/2014 - 8:58pm
all bags fly free.
I tried to take the local
By Dpalomares
Mon, 01/13/2014 - 8:59am
I tried to take the local transportation there, I waited for the green line for over an hour, til a local told me it was temp. Suspended. I never got to try the desert specialty boutique "JP Links."
Spent 9 years there
By mediaseth
Mon, 01/13/2014 - 9:14am
1993 - freshman at Emerson, they told me never to take the Orange line out "that way."
1996(I think it was) - A few parties and a rockabilly show at the Midway later, I learned never to listen to anyone "born and raised" in greater Boston about greater Boston. Too many prejudices - though it's prejudiced of me to assume that.
1998 - 2007, I lived in Jamaica Plain. When I could no longer afford it, I had no qualms about moving to downtown Lynn, which is actually safer than living on my old street in JP. Just don't listen to what the "born and raised" have to say about it. It's actually a cool place to live.
I'm glad the Globe is finally reporting on what everyone else figured out 12 years ago.
Twelve years ago? Umm...!
By anon
Mon, 01/13/2014 - 10:01am
Twelve years ago? Umm...! You mean when you turned 15 and your parents finally allowed you to take public transportation into the big bad city? Hipster, please.
Close..
By mediaseth
Mon, 01/13/2014 - 11:48am
I think I was 14 when I was first allowed to take public transportation into the City (or when I first did, anyway). Only, it wasn't Boston. It was NYC. That'll probably make you more critical. ;)
But you should also know that I'm too old to be a hipster...accuse me of whatever it was called before, I suppose, but I'm not sure I'd join any club that would have me as a member.
NIce Groucho Marx quote...
By anon
Mon, 01/13/2014 - 2:37pm
NIce Groucho Marx quote...
You just made me spit my
By anon
Mon, 01/13/2014 - 2:13pm
You just made me spit my water out....thank you!
Had the federal shutdown lasted longer....
By Michael Kerpan
Mon, 01/13/2014 - 10:06am
... by even one day, Lynn was next on my list of places I planned to visit (for free using my already-acquired Charlie Card). What are the must-see sights?
Depends on your interests, but generally..
By mediaseth
Mon, 01/13/2014 - 10:16am
High Rock Tower in the Highlands, Lynn Woods (mountain biking, hiking - 2600 acres I think), Diamond District victorians, downtown restaurants/cafes, LynnArts, Raw Art Works, Lynn Museum, if there's an art show up, Visionspace gallery, a concert at the Lynn Auditorium, a live band in any number of small bars, dive bars that aren't overrun by hipsters completely yet, A theatre production by Arts After Hours (next one is Ave Q), golfing at Gannon, or get to know some locals for good loft parties and other spaces..
I maintain an events calendar at lynnhappens.com (plug)
Thanks
By Michael Kerpan
Mon, 01/13/2014 - 10:20am
I've been planning on visiting Lynn for about 16 years -- one of these years I will actually do it.
And if you're doing any redecorating...
By Sally
Mon, 01/13/2014 - 10:27am
Zimman's for fabrics and decor--such an amazing place.
YES!
By mediaseth
Mon, 01/13/2014 - 10:33am
And R&B Consignments on the Lynnway has expanded and beats the pants off of Oldies in Newburyport. There's also the smaller but friendly Ocean St Treasures if you're into antiques.
For high end lighting, there's Lucia's on Western Ave. For high end closets/movable walls, there's Noteborn (upstairs showroom on Market St. near Zimmans), but sadly, we lost Lynnway Lumber. There were good for restoration projects.
Thank you!
By Sally
Mon, 01/13/2014 - 10:50am
Noting all of these to add to my next Zimman's outing...
Oh don't forget Wyoma Square!
By Sarcastic Sam
Mon, 01/13/2014 - 10:47am
home of Fauci's Pizza and....uh...a church and a baseball diamond.
The real purpose of this post is not the above , but to ask what are your favorite Latin-American restaurants in Lynn? I hear there are some great ones. Anything Cuban/Dominican/PuertoRican/Nicaraguan etc?
I order from Fauci's
By mediaseth
Mon, 01/13/2014 - 10:54am
Forced to give up gluten (not on a fad diet), Fauci's is the only pizza shop in Lynn that has a gluten free option. Otherwise, I'd recommend Enzo's downtown.
I'm partial to Tacos Lupita because I can eat safely there (see above situation), and therefore I'm not a good person to seek restaurant advice from.
For most diverse menu in a single establishment, I'd have to nominate my local haunt, Tatiana's.
We also have more breakfast/brunch places than any city our size I know. My favs are Mildred's, Christopher's, Tatiana's, 47 Central, D'Amici's (downtown location), Capital Diner - and that's narrowing it down and in no particular order.
We have Cambodian, Vietnamese, Russian/Eastern European markets, Iraqi markets (though no actual Iraqi restaurant, yet)...
Pretty much anything. Even high end dining with Rosetti's, The Blue Ox, and Antique Table.
Nice, thanks
By Sarcastic Sam
Mon, 01/13/2014 - 1:02pm
Much appreciated...I guess i need to try them all!
Born and raised there and it
By anon
Mon, 01/13/2014 - 11:38am
Born and raised there and it was a great place to live in the 70's, 80's, 90's, etc. It was safe even before the hispters and young money makers thought it was safe to walk though and live.
12 Years Ago?
By HenryAlan
Mon, 01/13/2014 - 10:10pm
That's more than 10 years too late to demark JP becoming a thing. 12 years ago was already 5 years in to Roslindale starting to be a thing.
Hey, Globe....
By moxie
Mon, 01/13/2014 - 9:30am
Isn't there a canned story about Boston's Best Beloved Burgers. or eight photos of Linda Pizzutti that have gone begging, because of this editorial decision? Can't we get back to the kind of relevant, hard-hitting local journalism that makes you the go-to site for stories about Resumes that Get You Noticed, or Your Photos of Pets in Red Sox Gear?
"JP" you say?
By anon
Mon, 01/13/2014 - 9:55am
sounds quite charming and quaint! Finally, something else to do on a weekend other than the Vermont chalet. And one does get so tired of shopping on Newbury St ! So lovely that the locals are service oriented and outgoing! One does get so tired of the typical huffy attitude in Boston!
Is there any evidence that this article wasn't cribbed
By Nancy
Mon, 01/13/2014 - 11:02am
from the NYT or New York Magazine with "Williamsburg" being replaced with the words "Jamaica Plain" and "JP" and the charming attractions changed? Sounds like hipster paradise to me.
They don't pay people to actually travel
By SwirlyGrrl
Mon, 01/13/2014 - 11:37am
A little web search, a few details from Google Maps and POOF - instant travel guide!
I'm sure this same article could be recycled for any number of bigcityhipneighborhood destinations.
The weird thing is
By Sally
Mon, 01/13/2014 - 12:04pm
that it just seems to miss so many of the places that would actually bring me to JP if I didn't live here--our awesome bakery-cafes (Ula, Canto 6, Bartlett Square, Blue Frog), Cityfeed which is fun hipster-central groceries and sandwiches and perfect people-watching for non-JP folk, and the great little galleries on Centre and South). Just seems kind of spotty, though I suppose that's to be expected.
And why I don't visit...
By whyaduck
Mon, 01/13/2014 - 2:10pm
Cityfeed = fun hipster-central.
I'm a more Doyle's sort of aficionado :)
I hear you
By Sally
Mon, 01/13/2014 - 3:09pm
I like Cityfeed though--it is pricey and hipstery but also a good-hearted place and they do great events with their local purveyors and First Thursdays and so on. I was thinking more as a spot for visitors to get the JP vibe and watch the world go by.
I love Doyle's but it's definitely been impacted by the Sam Adams brewery tour crowd, which is a bummer.
The article is kind of pathetic
By Anon
Mon, 01/13/2014 - 12:53pm
The Jape is a fabulous place, but that article reads like it was written by a high school student from somewhere outside Boston who happened to spend an afternoon walking down Centre St for a class assignment and then went home and did some quick wikipedia research for filler.
"It’s a neighborhood made to return to again and again."
Really?
Safe and warm by the pond
By erik g
Mon, 01/13/2014 - 1:46pm
I like that the Glove travel guide lists exactly one place east of the Orange Line in its list of attractions. Intrepid travel reporter or not, Ms. Regis is apparently too frightened of Parkside Jape to venture into its crime-besotted streets. (Note to brave visitors to our fair town: Star Fish Market in Egleston Square has the city's best fried fish, Canto 6 makes a bangin' ham-and-fennel-slaw sandwich, and the Sam Adams Brewery is a great place to get drunk for free at 10AM on Saturday)
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