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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, [...]

By Carol Masshardt Filomena Lograsso, 75, of Sal’s Italian Ristorante and Pizzeria on L. St., looks back to her childhood in Abruzzi, Italy, and draws a quick connection to her lifelong skill and passion for cooking. She also looks ahead to a time when the third generation of her family with husband, Salvatore, continue the fine tradition. But, for now, she is in the kitchen most every day as she has been since 1986 when she and Sal turned a convenience store into the restaurant. “I came from Italy in 1965 at age 17,” she said. “I never studied cooking in the sense of going to school, but I watched my mother. She was a good cook, and I remember her making sauce, homemade pasta, [...]