By Naveen Anwer and Briyah Paley
South of Boston an old Victorian style multi-ethnic neighborhood located between Roxbury and Brookline offers its residents and visitors an array of attractions from art galleries, bookstores, dining and picturesque parks and ponds. Jamaica Plain, or otherwise known as J.P. by the locals, occupies a comfortable and lively community where anyone can enjoy a night out at the Irish pubs and restaurants or relax by the Jamaica Pond and Arnold Arboretum. The landscape known as the Arnold Arboretum is only two blocks away from the Forest Hills Station T stop. This hilly public park is run by Harvard University’s horticultural research and educational institution. The Arboretum is busy with families and visitors relaxing, and escaping everyday stress by exploring the park. To the right of the Arboretum lies Jamaica Pond. The Pond is ideal for unwinding, feeding the ducks, walking and jogging by the water or catching a free concert. A boathouse on the pond offers rentals by the hour and even private sailing lessons from May until November. “Boating is definitely the thing to do around here,” said Mona Tadayyon, a sophomore communications major. JP Licks, only a block away from the pond, is a favorite sweet tooth fix among Northeastern students. It was started by Vince Petryk, a man from Pennsylvania who wanted some good ice cream. There are now locations throughout the Boston area, including one on nearby Newbury Street. It’s $2.45 for a scoop, but some say it’s well worth it. “I like all the different flavor choices. They have a lot more yogurt to choose from,” said Sue Kaye, a senior marketing major. At the Centre Street flagship store, neighborhood crowds come for the muffin tops, coffee and croissants. It’s the only location to open at 6 a.m. and close at 11 p.m. and where all of the ice cream is manufactured. They have seasonal flavors like carrot cake in the fall and cucumber in the summer. JP Licks also has liquor flavored ice creams like Kahlua and rum raisin, and you don’t even need an ID. When it comes to eating in Jamaica Plain, Centre Street is the place to be. Students have many choices there for quality dining because of the impressive variety or cuisine types ranging from barbeque, Seafood, Mexican, Italian, Irish, Indian, Thai, Cuban and Middle Eastern. The Midway Cafe at 3496 Washington St. is a place where people come to dance, listen to live music, watch sports and hear about upcoming events. Bella Luna, on 403- 405 Centre St. is a creative and different dining experience from most pizza joints. Alongside the welcoming decor and original art work hanging on the wall, you can have almost any topping imaginable on your pizza from chicken, mushrooms, garlic to goat cheese and soy cheese. “This is my third time here, I tell everyone about this place,” said Grace Daher, a sophomore at Emerson College. On 3484 Washington St., Doyle’s, one of Boston’s oldest bars, is usually bustling with friends enjoying the atmosphere ofthis almost century-old bar and restaurant. The menu contains traditional food such as burgers, pizza, french fries, fried chicken, chowders and soups. Of course J.P. is known for more than just food. They also have a clothing store where locals and non-locals alike get their threads. Pluto, at 630 Centre Street, is a store with just about everything. They sell unique T-shirts and other clothing, gifts, cards, candles and more. “It’s a grown-up Urban Outfitters,” said Ken Tilton, one of the store’s owners. This Saturday is their 10th anniversary “yard sale” from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. There will be a variety of inexpensive merchandise set up in front of the store. “This is going to be a big one,” Tilton said. Candles are $2 and selected clothing will be $10. The renewal of the neighborhood in the last few years has been great for the store. “We’ve lived here a long time and we knew [J.P.] needed a cool store,” Tilton said. “The locals have been great. We see people once a week.” A designer named D. Flax makes tees for the store emblazoned with “Jamaica Plains.” Tilton and his partners also opened Zon’s, an American Bistro, at 2 Perkins St. a year and a half ago. If students are looking for an escape from campus life Jamaica Plain is only a T ride away.
