Food, drink, and weekend fun in Boston

The famous polls are notoriously fickle, and for many students, it will take more than a U.S. News and World Report endorsement to prove that Yale is truly number one. After all, those folks have been known to err in the past--at one point ranking Yale behind, yes, behind Harvard. But hey, even the so-called "experts" make mistakes. No one (with the exception of some 5,315 Yalies) is perfect.

And what's in a poll, anyway? Formulas and math and mumbo-jumbo--the square root of annual tuition multiplied by the ratio of students to professors divided by the average SAT score. This weekend--The Game--is our chance to challenge those intangibles and 1998's pathetic three-way tie. Since Princeton doesn't matter, Yale-Harvard football weekend seems as good a tiebreaker as any. Yes, the vast majority of us never reach the playing field; we have to leave the dirty work to the big boys in blue and white. But never fear, we smaller, less significant Yalies do have a purpose: to turn in an impressive performance off the field. As we descend upon Cantab territory, we must make our mark, cheering the loudest and partying the hardest.

For those die-hards heading to Harvard on Fri., Nov. 20, the fun begins right away. For a taste of the Cambridge bar scene, join the Class of '99 Pub Crawl. It kicks off at the Crimson Sports Grille, a favorite Harvard hangout (but don't let that dissuade you). The trail will then lead to four of the area's most popular spots. Officially, the night ends at the Bowe and Arrow, where good Will Hunting spent afternoons drinking beers and, well, just looking good. Official closing time is 2:00 a.m. Unofficially? Well, that much is up to you.

Don't forget though, there is some incentive to crawl into bed and get some rest: Saturday morning tailgates. Those seeking serious inebriation are in luck; there will be plenty of organizations willing to help you out with the task at hand. Head to the Business School parking lot (over the bridge behind the stadium) for a huge tailgate sponsored by the '90-'98 Alumni. Keep your eyes peeled: there are sure to be at least 12 residential college flags flying, not to mention many other familiar faces offering beers and burgers and all that good stuff. If all else fails, there's always the YUDH tailgate, but if I were you, I would take full advantage of this weekend's opportunity for any alternative. Of course, try to be a loyal fan and actually watch some (and I use that term loosely) of The Game.

Should you stick around for the rest of the weekend, there is plenty to do. Depending on how much you've thrown back in the past few days, you might want to insert a power nap here. Or you may want to check out the shopping. Don't fret if you haven't any Bostonian friends, it's easy to get around on your own. If you're lacking a set of wheels and you don't want to brave the subway, Harvard Square is an easy walk from the Stadium and offers shopping, plenty of eateries, and coffee shops. But if you have the means or the guts, give Boston a try.

At the top of the list is Fanueil Hall Marketplace, otherwise known as Quincy Market. As far as food goes, you name it, they have it. Browse in the shops, hit one of the bars at either end of the marketplace, or take in a laugh at the Comedy Connection. If boredom strikes, walk across the highway (but please look both ways first, they don't call them Massholes for nothing) to the North End, famed for its Italian ambiance. If you like good Italian food, moderately priced, check out La Familia Giorgio on Salem Street. Although Boston is better known for its "tea party" than its coffee, there are some great cafes in the area. Mike's on Hanover Street is a favorite spot.

If it's not too cold and you're in the mood for a brisk walk, you can head to the harbor area or to Government Center from either Quincy Market or the North End. Downtown Crossing, home of the famous original Filene's Basement and other stores, is a minor hike via Washington Street or a short subway ride. The same goes for Boston Common, via Tremont Street. For shop-a-holics, Newbury Street, with its trendy shops and eateries is a must. To skip the long walk through the Common, hop the Red Line and get off at Arlington.

If you need an intellectual jumpstart for that hangover, the Museum of Fine Arts is a good place to try. Or jump the Green Line to Science Park--the Museum of Science's Omni Theater with its huge 3-D screen is well worth the $5-10 charge. If, on the other hand, you feel like avoiding all things intellectual, Landsdowne Street offers a serious nightlife scene. Avalon, Axis, and Mama Kin--owned in part by the members of Aerosmith--are three of Boston's best clubs. Cover charge will run about $8 per person, but it's worth it if you feel like putting your dancing shoes to good use. One thing to keep in mind: the subway shuts down earlier than most clubs, so keep cabfare on hand.

Whatever choices you make will be fun, especially if it's your first time visiting. Getting lost, though, is always a possibility. If it happens, don't panic. I promise that Bostonians don't deserve the bad reputation (second only to New Yorkers) for unfriendliness. If by chance you do encounter someone rude, it'll probably just be some bitter Harvard student, mom, dad, fan, professor or employee brooding over the weekend's inevitable loss.

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