Leslie Parsons

I usually kick off Sunday mornings in Back Bay with a best-in-class workout at my Prudential gym with my favorite trainer, Kadidjha. This is followed up with a stroll down Boylston Street to Bistro du Midi, our family’s favorite restaurant, for brunch with my daughter and son-in-law. Surrounded by neighborhood friends, we catch up over the best French omelet in Boston. Sometimes I indulge in their Salmon Benedict, which features smoked grapefruit tea-cured salmon topped with lemon-chive hollandaise. Afterwards, we walk to Boston Common and power walk up Beacon Hill and back down to Newbury Street, where the shops are opening for the day.

My favorite Back Bay places to explore are the Massachusetts Historical Society and American Ancestors, where you can find out about your family history, are both closed on Sundays, so I start my Newbury Street Sunday stroll with a visit to Ralph Lauren. I sip complimentary champagne by the fireplace (they have two!) and browse their latest collection. Then I head next door to Contessa to catch up with friends for coffee with an unmatched view of the Public Gardens. On special occasions, we meet friends for a mother-daughter Sunday afternoon tea at the Boston Public Library, a special treat planned in advance but completely worth the wait!

After tea, we explore Newbury Street’s unique collection of art galleries and boutiques, which are ever-changing and never disappointing. I like to visit SITKA, where the paintings have so much gorgeous color. They really lift my spirit!

The best way to wrap up such a lovely day is with an early evening walk through Copley Square and a visit to L.A. Burdick’s. While I’m relaxing with a cup of their single-source extra dark hot chocolate and nibbling on their freshly baked, warm chocolate chip cookie, I reflect with gratitude on what a very special place this is that I call my home.

Leslie grew up on the North Shore. After a career in International Health in the Middle East and raising her family in the Atlanta area, she and family returned to her Boston roots. Leslie is a clinical consultant for Harvard Pilgrim HealthCare, and her passion is living in the Back Bay while exploring her family’s deep roots in the settling of precolonial Massachusetts.