Boston’s Favorite Waterfront Scene
comes to Kennebunk, Maine

Lori Lilly, owner of Tia’s Restaurant and Outdoor Bar located on Boston’s Waterfront will be re-opening not one, but two exciting locations this season. Tia’s of Boston – which will be swinging into it’s 32nd year on April 15 – is a well established restaurant and outdoor bar for people that want to experience delicious New England seafood and American cuisine, and sports a fantastic people viewing setting while sitting on the waterfront park and the Boston harbor. While Tia’s Topside, located in Kennebunk, Maine overlooks the majestic Kennebunkport Harbor and the Kennebunk River, it offers guests a completely unique experience.

Tia’s Topside is a stunning two floor restaurant and bar that overlooks the Lower Village. The modern-nautical venue features a fire pit with rocking chairs, tiki torches, porches and patio for outdoor dining or functions, along with an indoor fireplace that adds a touch of romance. This boutique restaurant has already become a popular place for dining as well as for special events such as showers, birthday parties, and rehearsal dinners.

Lori Lilly chose this lovely location because of the charm of the Kennebunkport area. Set in a dynamic little village, she hopes to bring the success of Tia’s of Boston to this setting. Alex Fuentes, chef/co-owner, has earned a remarkable reputation and delivers innovative New England cuisine while using only the freshest and highest quality of local ingredients. Tia’s Topside will open in May and will begin taking reservations on April 15. † www.tiastopside.com

By Madeline Rau

Trattoria Longo

When we finished Kate Jennings’ fudge toffee brownie and lemon upside-down cake for dessert, we still had one more stop to make in Rhode Island, but this time we were leaving Providence and traveling to Westerly, a town about 50 minutes south. My friends and I were heading to Trattoria Longo Meatballs & Martinis, an Italian restaurant that moved to Westerly from its spot on Federal Hill in August. In its new location, Trattoria Longo sits directly across from the Westerly Amtrak station and is only 20 minutes from Foxwoods Resort Casino, making it a convenient pit stop.

The restaurant strives to create “a taste of great memories,” drawing upon a time when Frank Sinatra was king and Italian food was carefully prepared in grandmothers’ kitchens every Sunday afternoon. In fact, at Trattoria Longo, both of these things are still true. Black-and-white photos of the Rat Pack cover the walls, and as Sinatra serenades guests with the music of days gone by, restaurant chef-owner Jerry Longo’s mother is in the kitchen making homemade meatballs. Longo’s sister and daughter both work at Trattoria Longo as waitresses, while his wife makes the restaurant’s desserts.

From the menu of Italian-American classics, we decided to order a veal cutlet with broccoli rabe, eggplant layered with fresh mozzarella and tomatoes, two famous meatballs and several pasta dishes, our favorite of which was penne in a blissfully rich vodka sauce. We washed it all down with several martinis.

Despite the elegant black-and-white décor of Trattoria Longo, the restaurant made me feel like I stepped into Longo’s personal kitchen. At this Westerly establishment, every day is a Sunday afternoon, filled with family, dependable Italian-American cuisine and, of course, a little Sinatra.

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Trattoria Longo — 12 Canal St., Westerly, RI 02891
www.trattorialongo.com

Longwood Giving and the five beneficiaries of the
Friends with Benefits Gala on April 25th, have come together and will donate fifty(50) percent of the proceeds to the One Fund Boston. It was formed by Governor Deval Patrick and Boston Mayor Menino, to raise money to help those families most affected by the tragic events that unfolded during Monday’s Boston Marathon.

Boston’s Best Workouts

By Melina DiPaola

By now we’re all used to the once trendy, unfamiliar workouts like yoga, pilates and interval training. So what is a seasoned fitness enthusiast seeking out new stimulation (or a fitness newbie looking for non-tedious activities) to do? Enter a slew of engaging, lively and fun workouts, easily accessible right in our backyard.

Thai Stretching at Exhale Spa

I received this therapy on a blizzardy afternoon, and full of tension after a tough cycling workout. The atmosphere of any Exhale Spa is enough to immediately ease even the most stressed of minds and bodies. My therapist, Nora, led me into a spacious room furnished with an in-floor bed dotted with pillows. When I landed upon it, I was taken away into a blissful world of assisted hip opening, leg circles and spinal twists inter-weaved with targeted massage. As odd as it sounds, If you’ve ever wished that someone else would take control of your limbs and assume responsibilities for your movements then this is the relaxing light workout for you. † www.exhalespa.com

REV at Sports Club LA

When you think of spinning, you may think of pedaling away to monotonous techno music as the minutes tick slowly by. Enter extraordinary cycling instructor, Meredith. She is a maniac on the bike, working just as hard as she tells you to, and makes you want to listen. Her choreography and music are so varied that even an hour long class leaves you wanting more. Her class is guaranteed to make you focus on your body and the present moment, allowing your thoughts and mental clutter to float away. † boston.sportsclubla.com

Tone at Btone Fitness

Btone fitness is the home of Boston’s only SPX Reformers – pilates reformer-like machines on steroids. Offering an array of resistance options, the machines utilize springs creating a challenge throughout the entire range of motion, increasing strength gains and adding a visible boost in muscle tone. As a bonus, the core gets an intense workout no matter what body part is being targeted. The multitude of exercises that can be done on this machine ensures that boredom will never be an issue. † www.btonefitness.com

Stacked at Equinox

A unique circuit-based class, Stacked alternates total-body strength moves with intervals on the gym’s rowing machines. The exercises are challenging yet easily modified for beginners, and the rowing portion of the class gets the adrenaline pumping and primed for the next strength move. The rowing intervals are casually timed, making it easy to work to beat your own record or someone else’s, in a friendly, no-pressure environment. † www.equinox.com

UXF Burn at BSC

This interval-based class uses weights, steps and other props to work the entire body in minimal time. Sit-ups, lunges and plyo moves are alternated with easy-to-follow cardio intervals such as high-knees and jumping rope. This challenging class will get you in tiptop shape in no time. † www.mysportsclubs.com

Ultimate Boot Camp

This results-oriented boot camp brings your workouts outside and immersed in your surroundings. Offering workouts in locations from Boston Common to the city’s outlying suburbs, there is a location for everyone. The 4-week program measures progress with “before and after” fitness testing – so results are pretty much guaranteed. By utilizing circuit training, group drills, relays and calisthenics, Ultimate Boot Camp provides a complete workout in a community-like environment.
† www.ultimatebootcamp.com