I had the strong desire last week to pack my bags and have dinner with my grandmother, so I did just that and flew across the country for about 48 hours, thanks to the ease of flying with Virgin America.

When you travel across the country, there are certain things that you have to do:

1. Choose a slightly tacky, loud, and nostalgic restaurant to eat a meal in with the friends: Border Cafe in Harvard Square, check. It's not as fun if you aren't getting sloshed on margaritas and contemplating the possibility of stealing the massive sea salt shakers, but it'll do. I had the chili.

2. Have a fantastic cup of hot chocolate at Burdick's on Brattle street. Demi dark chocolate, much more and you may be overdoing it. Stick in a pumpkin macaron while you are it for added pleasure. Admire the chocolate shop that is decorated as a winter wonderland to escape the cold. (Also, take requisite pictures of your friends looking off into the distance with some concern. 

I'm regretting not getting a couple of tasty chocolate mice to return with me.

3. Eat a slice of pizza after wandering around for some time in Boston traffic at the Upper Crust. Cheap, thin crust, tasty and delicious. While you are at it, eat two massive slices... (Not pictured, slice of the day which was mushrooms, peppers, and sausage, yum!)

They also have very pretty flowers on their tables: 

4. OK, maybe one more hot chocolate at Burdicks....

To be continued....