It was a classic spring morning a few weekends ago in Boston. Sun shining, birds chirping, yet still a chill in the air that requires a jacket.

The day started with a much-anticipated breakfast at Contessa, an Instagram-worthy rooftop with full-length glass windows overlooking Boston Public Garden. While our meals were to die for, the views were just as spectacular.

We each started with a latte, an iced vanilla for me and a simple hot for the others. The menu was quaint yet curated perfectly to execute a wide array of flavors.

Ordered family-style, we decided to share our entrées to taste a little bit of everything.

On the bottom is avocado bruschetta on a crispy crostini and garnished with almonds and basil. This really brought out freshness and is ranked No. 1 on my list. Above that is the Carbonara Scramble, cheesy scrambled eggs mixed with pancetta, pecorino and black pepper. What a great way to spruce up a simple dish! To the right is the Panettone French Toast. As described on the menu, this is “the classic that Milan never had.” A crunchy exterior with a gooey, soft center, it was worth every bite.

After brunch, we spent the rest of the morning window-shopping and admiring the beauty and charm of the city. Of course, we stopped in “must-visit” places like Mike’s Pastry for cannoli and Bell in Hand Tavern for a quick pint.

Later, in the afternoon, after recharging at lovely Liberty Hotel, we made our way out to the coast to enjoy some refreshments while watching the sunset over the shore. One of my dad’s favorite breweries, Tree House Brewery, has a beachfront location about an hour’s drive from Boston in Sandwich, Massachusetts. We grabbed a table by the window and enjoyed an afternoon full of brews, games and the yummiest hot honey pizza pie.

It was the perfect way to wind down after a busy day. My Apple Watch counted more than 20K steps!

— Emily Gladu, events & operations coordinator