Jorel "Father of Superman" F.'s Profile

I love Green businesses, and these guys belong to the slow food movement. They are the only market in town selling 100% grass-fed beef. They make their own bacon, which is free of all chemicals. All their meat is super great quality! They have local fruits and veggies from small farms. They have local chocolate, pickles and mozzarella. They walk their talk. They have truly friendly and nice, knowledgeable staff. And on top of all that, great prepared foods. I love the meatballs, chicken salad, broccoli rabe or kale, cabbage rolls, and the stuffed peppers!

Some stuff is pricey, but the price reflects quality; for example, the truffle oil is infused with real truffles, as opposed to just having extract added, and of course, their actually free-range chickens (so good tasting you can't go wrong when you cook them!!). But other stuff is super affordable, such as their homemade sausage and pre-made sandwiches.

Oh and one more thing... you can order all sorts of meat from them. Just ask. If you are someone who likes to cook, you can order animal parts for stock, sausage casings, special cuts of beef, pork, lamb, etc. , and really, just ask them. You may not get it right away, but they are willing to work with anyone on what they are looking for.

City Farm Greenhouse and Nursery

This is my favorite garden center in the UNIVERSE. There is so much love I have for this place. I can't believe I am lucky enough to have found it. No place compares. Love Love Love Love.

It's owned by an extended Italian family. Giuseppe, the main guy, is my hero. He's fucking cool, nice, smart, funny and full of life. Plus, everyone else is very nice, esp. the granddaughter, she thinks I'm funny. Which is good, because I am.

But you may be thinking, what makes this place so great, other than Giuseppe? Well, simply stated, it's the best garden center in Boston. They have all the basic plants at a great price. This is important because I say... screw those fancy tomatoes, where you'll be lucky to get a few fruits. And screw those exotic perennials, the ones the yuppies just "have to have it". I want a classic European garden, with flowers, herbs, food planted amongst pretty bushes and trees. I don't need over-priced pizzazz. City Farm is real gardener's garden center.

Oh and I haven't even told you the best part yet. My lord, it's my sanctuary, their greenhouse. You've never seen anything like it, or smelled anything like it. I swear it's not only good for your lungs, but being in it is like environmental therapy. I joke with them all the time, saying they should rent it out to a massage therapist to work in. It's so beautiful, and everything is so alive. There are plants that are 20-30 years old that will blow your mind. There are bonsai's and water features. There are baby plants, and flowering plants, and clover and ferns growing all over the ground. I just bask in the wonder and joy of their greenhouse.

Everytime I go there, I get a little happier, more relaxed and okay with life.

I have yet to take advantage of their florist service. I actually like to go to Cobwebs, the antique store that sells flowers, which is located on Centre St. in JP. I go there every time I'm invited to a b-day or wedding and need a gift!