With the autumnal equinox just past, it’s officially fall - but on a recent, atypically warm late September afternoon when I visited Canary Square, it seemed like summer at the sleek but not slick restaurant and bar.  The doors to the patio, still verdant with topiaries and lush window boxes, were wide open and the airy space was filled with pleasant breezes.  With the Smiths and Drop-Kick Murphy’s playing in the background, the friendly staff greeted customers, both new and old, as they saddled up at the comfortable and spacious bar. With an emphasis on fresh locally produced products, the …

Since The Haven opened roughly a year ago, the Hyde Square restaurant has offered its diners a wide selection of Scottish and craft beers, and wines to compliment its fine food.  Having acquired its cordials license in April, owner Jason Waddleton recently unveiled a new menu of creative cocktails (all priced at $7.50) over which the personable proprietor presided.  The “Dark and Stormy” is a mix of ginger beer and a spiced rum concoction.  Its name, said the Scottish-born Waddleton is “inspired by the country’s weather” but feel free to sample one at any time of year.  The effervescent …

On a recent summer’s evening, with temperatures in the 90’s, my editor and I made a stop at Ten Tables Bar for one of their creative cocktails.  Though the bustling bar at the elegant eatery appeared to be standing room only, beverage director and super sommelier Stan Hilbert somehow managed to find seats for us near the window overlooking steamy Centre Street. Ten Tables does not possess a full liquor license.  Instead, the restaurant operates with what is known as a "cordials license." According to DrinkBoston.com, the cordial license was reportedly created in 1994 to accomodate restaurants…

Some sweaty summer day when the sun is beating mercilessly on Centre Street, and the #39 bus blows hot exhaust in your face, be sure to stop in for some relief at the Galway House.  Since opening in 1950, The Galway House has been a favorite watering hole for generations of JP’ers. If you haven’t been there before don’t be put off by the slightly forbidding façade (which incidentally was beautifully memorialized in an iPhone drawing and video by local artist P.M. Allen.) The nicely air conditioned Galway stocks a full bar as well as a big selection of draft and bottled brews but we asked …

Whether you’re Irish or not, if you want to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in Jamaica Plain you won’t have far to travel. The neighborhood is home to many celebrated Irish pubs.  Patch stopped off at three of them: Doyle’s, James's Gate and Brendan Behan’s, to toast the holiday. If I expected some kind of green cocktail, colored with crème de menthe or Midori, I would have been wrong.   Nor was there any sign of Bailey's Irish Cream.  If you want to imbibe like the Irish at any of the landmark pubs nearby, there are two authentic choices:  beer and whiskey. The venerable Doyle’s, which was …

If you're winter weary and cabin fever's got you down, leave the car parked and stomp your way past the snow piles to Costello's Tavern.  Bartendress Nancy suggests a "Hot Toddy."  ($5 plus generous tip for the smile)  to take away off the January chill.  "They're easy to make.  Hot water, a shot of Jameson's, and lemon."   Nancy adds a nice touch to the drink by studding the lemon slices with whole dried cloves. After sampling a mug or two of these, you might feel fortified enough to face February.