One of the worst fires in Massachusetts history nearly destroyed the former Engine 5 fire station in 1973. While the building was spared, nearly 20 city blocks in Chelsea were destroyed. Years later, the building was converted into a bank, and since 2016 it’s been the home of Chelsea Station, a restaurant and bar offering New American cuisine as well as craft cocktails and beer.

Large windows are now located where the doors to the fire station once were, and the restaurant has incorporated ladders into its decor. Now, the focus here is on the food. If you go for brunch, you should expect offerings that are more lunch-like and savory, including lamb poutine, sriracha honey wings and burgers, with the exception of the Graham Cracker French Toast. Yelpers praise The Best Breakfast Sandwich Ever, which consists of a sausage patty, herbed eggs, fried green tomato, cheddar and chipotle aioli on an English muffin. And if you’ve never had a flight of bloody Marys or mimosas, you can get one during brunch at Chelsea Station.

Some Italian restaurants channel the atmosphere of a big family meal at home, while others emphasize Italy’s tradition of elegant fine dining. Regulars at the newly-opened La Cucina Italian Eatery say that this Somerville restaurant balances itself right between these two alternatives, offering diners a casual, friendly atmosphere and a menu full of elevated Italian dishes. 

When you arrive, you’ll want to start your meal with a couple of snacks for the table (try the roasted marinated olives and the crispy golden polenta fries, for example). Popular main dishes include the house-made gnocchi with winter mushrooms, black truffles, and parmigiano cream sauce, as well as meat-focused dishes like veal scallopini with prosciutto, Fontina Val d’Aosta cheese, and marsala sauce on top. Whatever you choose, be sure that you leave room for dessert, as this place has quickly developed a reputation for its sweet treats. Go for a slice of traditional tiramisu — and add a scoop of gelato if you really want to treat yourself.

Down Under Yoga is Boston’s premier yoga studio, offering three levels of instruction and many styles of yoga classes. Enjoy everything from gentle, meditative yoga classes like Relax & Renew to powerful, physically demanding styles, including Heated Flow and Ashtanga. The Iyengar Level 1 class is perfect for beginners and features basic standing, seated, twisted, back bending, and beginner inverted poses — all at a modest pace with instruction on how to use the props as needed. Down Under also hosts a variety of workshops and events, such as Breaking New Ground with Your Back Bends and Better at Balancing. 

Located in Cambridge, the space is pristine with a wellness center and free lockers as well as hardwood floors and calming décor. Take advantage of their New Student Special, which includes 30 days of unlimited yoga for $30. For parking, look for metered street parking on Massachusetts Avenue and free two hour parking on nearby Elm Street.