I was on my way somewhere and then there's a blur

[sovay]

I am hoping the evening will improve when I meet rushthatspeaks for The Bigamist (1953) at the Brattle Theatre, but I've had something of a rocky day so far; then I got home and spatch read me the news that 192-year-old Faneuil Hall landmark Durgin-Park is being shuttered by its corporate masters with barely a week's notice. The FilmStruck deal, restaurant-style. He has some choice (and all-caps) words on Twitter. I am just remembering that the first time I ever ate at Durgin-Park, I found a tiny slipper shell in my oyster stew. I still have it. I bet the rich taste really good with a side of baked beans.

[edit] The Bigamist was great. I am so behind on writing about movies. I wish Ida Lupino had directed a lot more.

Comments

[julian]

I've only ever eaten there once, and it was All Butter All The Time, but it's part of Boston, and of Massachusetts, and I heard that on the radio and had to pull over briefly.

Freakin' 192 years, what the hell, people?

[sovay]

Freakin' 192 years, what the hell, people?

Right! What would it have hurt to help it be 193?

[julian]

The thing of it is, is that yes, Random Shiny Seaport District Restaurant #1 is, indeed, currently profitable. It won't be forever.

Durgin-Park would get you steady amount of money for years, because it is both a Bostonite thing and a tourist thing.

It's the steady draft horse vs the racing thoroughbred, or... metaphors like that.

Grar.

[sovay]

Random Shiny Seaport District Restaurant #1 is, indeed, currently profitable. It won't be forever.

It'll be underwater.

Durgin-Park would get you steady amount of money for years, because it is both a Bostonite thing and a tourist thing.

I agree with you. It's a long-term sure bet. If it's gone almost two hundred years, it's not going to roll over and die unless someone kills it. It's stupid.

Grar.

Amen.

[moon_custafer]

Yeah. I’d say they were betting on the hare rather than the tortoise, except that would only affect themselves. Instead they’re calling the race and retiring the tortoise halfway through the event, thus ensuring the tortoise will never have a chance to prove itself.

[gwynnega]

I'm sorry. I hope the Lupino movie helps.

[sovay]

I'm sorry. I hope the Lupino movie helps.

It did! I want a box set of Lupino more than ever and I really need like a week just to write about film.

[umadoshi]

192-year-old Faneuil Hall landmark Durgin-Park is being shuttered by its corporate masters with barely a week's notice.

That is BRUTAL. :(

[sovay]

That is BRUTAL.

spatch and I plan to visit one last time this week and tip the waitstaff, who did not ask for this, like mofos.

[selkie]

EAT MY SHARE. Also eat any venture capitalists you see, as mentioned above. RAWR.
(I will not make you eat Indian pudding if you don't care for it the way I do, but certainly oyster stew.)

[sovay]

(I will not make you eat Indian pudding if you don't care for it the way I do, but certainly oyster stew.)

(I love Indian pudding. I make it myself in the autumn and winter months. And theirs is an especially fine example, damn it.)

[thisbluespirit]

Oh, no, that's just rubbish. :-/

I am glad the film was good, though!

[sovay]

Oh, no, that's just rubbish.

It really is, and the more I think or heart about it, the more rubbish it gets!

I am glad the film was good, though!

Thank you! I think I just really like Ida Lupino. I think she's just really good.

[lauradi7dw]

On the NECN report, the Quincy Market landlord people were very clear that is isn't because the lease is up. I guess they are trying to avoid association with the backlash.

It makes me think of anoth change in the area that people lament, the Old Corner Bookstore being a Chipotle now. At least the old building has been preserved, still on the Freedom Trail.

[sovay]

On the NECN report, the Quincy Market landlord people were very clear that is isn't because the lease is up. I guess they are trying to avoid association with the backlash.

I believe them: the CEO has blamed the closing on the minimum wage increase.

[lokifan]

I bet the rich taste really good with a side of baked beans.

Or as a topping for jacket potatoes.

[sovay]

Or as a topping for jacket potatoes.

Good call.

[teenybuffalo]

I wouldn't have associations of my own with Durgin-Park except that you both took me there after the whale watch. That day is a very happy memory for me. I had the Vegetarian Bale of Hay, which consisted of five different sides, and the Indian pudding -- this winter I'll have to make the pudding myself, I guess, in their memory. This is rotten news.

Did you at least get to eat there one more time?

[sovay]

Did you at least get to eat there one more time?

We're going to try to make it on Thursday. Apparently they are being mobbed by people who feel as we do, which I am glad to see and wish it made a difference.