Boston Parents Paper, Best of the Best 2008
Family Favorites
Favorite Ice Cream Shop
• J. P. Licks, 7 locations. www.jplicks.com More than 25 years ago, Vince Petryk opened his first ice cream shop in Jamaica Plain, convinced that great-tasting, high-quality ice cream and a coolly casual environment would appeal equally to little kids, college kids and everyone else. Turns out he was right. J.P. Licks is a perennial favorite, with seven locations including Coolidge Corner in Brookline, Davis Square in Somerville, Newbury Street in Boston, Newton Centre, West Roxbury, and the newest shop at Brigham Circle in Mission Hill. The original store (at 659 Centre St., Jamaica Plain, 617-566-6676) is the Mother Ship, where all the ice cream is made. In addition to favorites such as Cow Trax, Cherry Ortiz and Fresh Strawberry Rhubarb, the ice cream and nonfat frozen yogurt flavors change monthly. Plus, there are lactose-free flavors, and the coffee is always freshly brewed.
• Kimball Farm, 3 locations. www.kimballfarm.com Forty great ice cream flavors, frozen yogurt, sherbet, sorbet and a history dating back to 1939, when cones cost a nickel … That’s what you’ll find at Kimball Farm, whose trademark ice cream cones today are huge! If you order one for a very little person, ask for a dish to avoid heartbreak; the tops can tumble. Kimball’s Westford location (400 Littleton Road, 978- 486-3891) will keep the family busy long past the last lick, with two 18-hole mini-golf courses, a driving range and a bumper boat pond. If you’re visiting historic Concord, the nearby Carlisle shop (343 Bedford Road, 978-369-1910) makes a handy stopover. And when you head off to climb southern New Hampshire’s Mount Monadnock, just over an hour from Boston, pick up lunch or dinner before your ice cream at the popular Jaffrey, N.H., shop (Route 124, 603-532-5765).
Other Great Picks …
• Order rich, creamy ice cream with wild mix-ins, and enjoy it in a decorated bank vault at Herrell’s (15 Dunster St., Cambridge, 617-497-2179) or stop at the newest location (155 Brighton Ave., Allston, 617-782- 9599; www.herrells.com).
• Combine bowling with yummy ice cream at Ron’s Gourmet Ice Cream (12131 Hyde Park Ave., Hyde Park, 617-364-5274), or have ice cream without the bowling at Ron’s other location (559 High St., Dedham, 781-326-8664; www.ronsicecream.com).
• Take the family out for ice cream made by two longrunning Massachusetts farms: Crescent Ridge (176 South Franklin St., Holbrook, 781-963-1016; and 355 Bay Road, Sharon, 781-784-5892; www.crescentridge.com).
• Richardsons (156 South Main St., Middleton, 978-774-5450; and 50 Walker’s Brook Drive, Reading, 781-944-9121; www.richardsonsicecream.com).
Favorite Bakery
• Gingerbread Construction Company, 2 locations. www.gingerbreadusa.com More than 20 years ago, when John and Janet D’Orsi began making gingerbread houses and cookies as a hobby in their Stoneham home, they didn’t realize they were laying the groundwork for a business. Their tasty, colorful gingerbread houses became such a hit at Christmas, they decided to spread the fun throughout the year, and now also offer gingerbread houses for Halloween, Thanksgiving, Valentine’s Day, Easter – and every day! The Gingerbread Construction Company also offers 17 varieties of muffins and cookies, including gingerbread and peanut butter. Find this delectable business at 52 Main St., Wakefield, 781-246-2200; and 562 Washington St., Winchester, 781-729-7700.
Other Great Picks …
• Clear Flour Bread (178 Thorndike St., Brookline, 617-739-0060; www.clearflourbread.com) features authentic breads of France and Italy made with no preservatives or conditioners, luscious brownies, tea cakes, coffee cakes, macaroons and hand-rolled croissants.
• Petsi Pies (285 Beacon St, Somerville, 617-661- 7437; and 31 Putnam Ave., Cambridge, 617-499-0801; www.petsipies.com) sells fabulous seasonal pies, chicken pot pie, cookies, cinnamon rolls and scones.
Favorite Family Restaurant
• b good, 4 locations. www.bgood.com When it comes to taking kids out for dinner, sometimes the simplest places are the best choices. Jon Olinto and Anthony Ackil, childhood friends in Canton, have opened four b good restaurant locations that offer healthy food served with a minimum of fuss: seven different kinds of lean, freshly ground burgers (all priced at $5.95); hand-cut oven-crisped fries; fresh salads and veggie plates; and milk and fruit shakes. No wonder parents love these stops for quick bites. Check out b good at 131 Dartmouth St., Boston; 272 Newbury St., Boston; 455 Harvard St., Brookline; and 24 Dunster St., Cambridge.
• Anna’s Taqueria, 6 locations. www.annastaqueria.com Locally owned and operated, Anna’s sells freshly made burritos, tacos, quesadillas and combo plates, plus corn chips with salsa or guacamole. Open daily, it’s a good stop for a fast, easy meal on the way to other events. Anna’s locations include 1412 Beacon St., Brookline; 446 Harvard St., Brookline; 822 Somerville Ave., Cambridge; 84 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge; 236a Elm St., Somerville; and 242 Cambridge St., Boston.
Best Candy Store
• Hilliards House of Candy, 3 locations. www.hilliardscandy.com Step out to this local favorite for a sweet treat or the perfect thank-you present for a sleepover host. In operation since 1924, Hilliards sells an extensive selection of chocolates including its best-selling almond, cashew and pecan patties. Find shops at 95 Washington St., Canton, 781-828-9004; 122 Webster St. (Rte 123), Hanover, 781-878-8533; and 316 Main St. (Rte. 138), North Easton, 508-238-6231.
• Phillips Candy House, 2 locations. www.phillipschocolate.com This winner has been selling candy to Bostonians since 1925. Shop here for nine irresistible kinds of fudge, truffles, “heavenly hash” and great gift baskets, including assortments specially tailored for Boston Celtics, Red Sox and Patriots fans. Locations at 818 Morrissey Blvd., Boston, 617-282-2090; and in the South Shore Plaza, Braintree, 781-356-3800.
Favorite Special Occasion Clothing Store
• Wild Plums, 601 East Broadway, South Boston 866-303-3717 www.wildplums.com For any special occasion, you can find great choices for children at this charming boutique, starting with Christening rompers and gowns. The wide selection, featuring Susanne Lively, US Angels, Glam Girl, Katie & Co. And Sweetie Pie includes silk sailor suits, Etonstyle suits, tuxedo-style suits and blazers for boys, and flower girl, first communion and special occasion dresses for girls.
• Olivia Rose, 1945 Ocean St., Marshfield 781-834-8851 www.oliviarosechildrensboutique.com Owner Gloria Peotrowski has a fine eye for kids’ clothes and she offers a great selection of dress-up clothes, christening gowns and communion dresses and suits. Shop here for Sarah Louise, Cach Cach, Corky & Company, Tatutina and Noel Bryan, among others.
Favorite Shoe Store
• Chamberi Shoes, 364 Cambridge Road, Woburn 781-938-4107 www.chamberishoes.com Family-owned for more than 25 years, Chamberi offers stylish and colorful, high-quality children’s shoes imported from Spain. Look here for a great selection of first walkers and shoes with Velcro closings for independent do-it-myselfers.
• Michelson’s Shoes, 2 locations. www.michelsonsshoes.com In the same family for 89 years, this shoe store is staffed by men who know how to size shoes to a child’s foot – almost without looking. They sell a long line of brands for kids including Birkenstock, Crocs and Dansko.
Favorite Children’s Clothing Store
• Rugged Bear Clearance Outlet, 117 Lenox St., Norwood 781-255-0170 www.ruggedbear-online.com With 12 locations close to Boston, the Rugged Bear is known for its well-made casual and outdoor clothing for babies and kids in a wide range of colors. While all locations offer clearance merchandise, the outlet in Norwood has the widest selection and lowest prices.
Another Great Pick …
• Our readers enjoy the back-in-time feeling of stepping into Brenners Children’s Shop (694 Washington St., Norwood, 781-762-2276; www.brennerschildrensshop.com), an independent, family-run store which has been in business at the same location for more than 50 years. Shop here for a variety of clothing in up to size 14 for girls and up to size 20 for boys. You’ll also find communion dresses, school uniforms and Boy and Girl Scout uniforms.
Favorite Sporting Goods Store
• Brine’s Sporting Goods, 3 locations. www.brinessports.com Shop here for good advice and all manner of gear for baseball, lacrosse, rugby, soccer, squash, swimming and tennis. Since closing their landmark store in Harvard Square, Brines has continued to serve its loyal local customer base in three locations west of town: 4 Church St., Belmont, 617-876-4218; 69 Main St., Concord, 978-369-2225; and 15 Concord Road, Sudbury, 978-443-4689.
Best Children’s Bookstore
• Porter Square Books, 25 White St., Cambridge 617-491-2220 www.portersquarebooks.com This “fiercely independent” bookstore opened in the Porter Square Shopping Center in 2004, and quickly became a favorite stop for pedestrians, as well as travelers on the T and commuter rail. Carol Stoltz, who oversees the extensive selection of books in the children’s section, brings in well-known authors for special events, and she encourages browsing.
Other Great Picks …
• Speaking of browsing, check out New England Mobile Book Fair (82-84 Needham St., Newton, 617-964-7440; www.nebookfair.com) for its stacks of discounted books – many for children.
• The largest independent bookstore in New England, Tatnuck Bookseller in the Westborough Shopping Center (Rte. 9 and Lyman St., Westborough, 508-366- 4959; www.tatnuck.com) sells a wide selection of discounted kids’ books along with educational toys and games.
• And since 1988, Bearly Read Books (320 Boston Post Road, Sudbury, 978-443- 4034; www.bearlyreadbooks.com) has offered used children’s classics, sci-fi, fantasy and animal stories.
Best Toy Store
• Henry Bear’s Park, 3 locations. www.henrybear.com You’ll find dolls, trucks, stuffed animals, board games, books, puzzles and so much more at this business that has been serving families for 30 years. Look for special events like Family Game Night, which gives parent and child pairs a chance to try out new board games. Locations at 685 Mass Ave., Arlington, 781-646-9400; 19 Harvard St., Brookline, 617-264-2422; and 361 Huron Ave., Cambridge, 617-547-8424.
• Magic Beans, 3 locations. www.mbeans.com Offering everything from strollers and car seats to dolls, toys and games, the selection here is sure to meet your needs. It’s also a great stop for goodie bag gifts and stocking stuffers. Locations at 312 Harvard St., Brookline, 617-264-2326; 94 Derby St., Hingham, 781- 749-2321; 200 Linden St., Wellesley, 781-235-2120.
Other Great Picks …
• Belmont Toys (61 Leonard St., Belmont, 617- 484-1101), you can buy everything from rubber frogs to Madame Alexander dolls, with lots of games and toys inbetween.
• Boing (729 Centre St., Jamaica Plain, 877-264- 6400; www.boingtoys.com) carries everything from baby toys and dolls to games for big kids.
• Little Bits (304 Washington St., Wellesley, 781- 239-9955; www.littlebitstoys.com) sells a wide range of quality toys and crafts and offers free delivery in Wellesley.
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