SBOL_Jeanne

For Chef Erick Medrano, cooking has always been more than a career choice. It’s been an expression of love and gratitude, instilled in him since he was a young boy. Raised in Guatemala, Erick grew up watching his mother and grandmother cook in a wood fire arcilla (clay oven), filling the house with the sweet smell of fresh baked bread and unique family recipes. It would be those memories that would fuel his childhood dream of one day becoming a chef. Like countless others, Erick would venture to the U.S. with the hopes of a brighter future for himself and his family. Landing in Massachusetts, he would unwittingly a take a fateful stroll down a local street, taking notice of a spot called 224 Boston. [...]

Owner/chef of Fromage at 401 West Broadway for the past seven years, Tatyana Sukennik, originally from Ukraine, has both the delicacy and conviction well expressed in her fine European inspired menu of freshly made crepes, soups, and a distinguished wine bar. She is also someone who seized an opportunity after working at Mass. General Hospital as a medical technol-ogist in the transplant unit for almost twenty years. As with many natural cooks, it was common for her to be encouraged to start a restaurant, but quite another to convert a former pizza place into a sophisticated and unique bistro on one of the busiest and most restaurant saturated streets in South Boston. “My mother was an amazing cook. If you asked her for a recipe, [...]

By Carol Masshardt Healthcare is a challenging profession, and addiction services is among the most daunting. The nature of the issue thwarts patients and those who work with them in a process requiring enormous patience and determination with societal stigma present. Many providers stay clear from this work fearing endless frustration and the utter skill and understanding needed, but the Gavin Foundations Clinical Director, Evangelos “Lucky” Adamos-Nomikos, 37, isn’t one of them. He believes “anyone can recover” and that is what his guiding star every day. “I have been in recovery myself for ten years, and after getting a degree in Counseling Psychology and Mental Health Counseling, I worked in residential jobs and always heard about the “Gavin,” and knew it would offer opportunities. There [...]

By Carol Masshardt This is a story of an old bar with a decidedly South Boston history, now an updated pub by new owners, John and Anne Lydon, and a chef who saw an opportunity. The Shamrock Pub is on the corner of H. and Eighth, formerly Touchie’s, and is as close as it gets to a comfortable spot that knows familiar tastes while stretching into a more diverse neighborhood. First, John and Anne saw that the place was for sale, and it happened to be the location that John’s grandfather, John Clougher, owned in the early 80’s. They both still shake their heads about the leap but seem to smile easily with pleasure when talking about the decision. “I’m an attorney, said John, “I [...]

By Carol Masshardt  At one of the busiest four corner intersections in South Boston rests the lovely and peaceful coffee shop, Esthetic Bean. In a community loved by those from many generations to newcomers, Julia Kotlinska joined the ranks when she moved to Boston and then bought her special spot at 16 Prebble St. in September 2021. “I came from my home country of Ukraine eight years ago and lived in Key West, Florida, but I knew when I visited Boston that I had to be here. I loved it from the first moment. There is old architecture and history but also new. I like the weather, and the people have been especially great,” she said. The small space is filled with carefully arranged teas, [...]