Boston Spirits Haunt Local Dining Spots

Five men from the Killeen Gang are the first spirits identified in a new investigation into Boston's haunted dining scene. The number appeared as the strongest initial signal during a tour led by psychic medium Tiffany Rice on a sunny Thursday. The tour aimed to determine whether the city's historic buildings retain the presence of their former occupants.

Rice, who recently finished a tour in Las Vegas, began her search at Fox & the Knife in South Boston. The restaurant occupies a space that once served as Triple O's, a gathering place for mob boss James Whitey Bulger. Before that era, the location was the Transit Cafe, owned by Donald Killeen. Rice identified the five men as Killeen, his brothers Kenny and Eddie, and associates Billy O'Sullivan and Jack Curran.

Rice described intense energy from the restaurant's lower level, noting a sense of brutality. She reported contact with a large male spirit with an accent who held a bat and expressed no remorse for past events. Chef-owner Karen Akunowicz allowed the pair into the closed dining room to conduct the reading.

The group moved to the Liberty hotel in the North End, which was formerly the Charles Street Jail. Rice sensed that prisoners were not treated properly and that unsanitary conditions were common. She also reported a history of smuggling and mental distress among the inmates. In the 1970s, a lawsuit claimed the jail conditions constituted cruel and unusual punishment.

Rice connected with the spirit of James Michael Curley, a former mayor who was incarcerated at the facility twice. Curley described himself as a leader who helped the city's residents. He advised current leaders to focus on community building for everyone, rather than specific groups. This aligns with his historical reputation as the Mayor of the Poor, who spent heavily on public works.

Next, the pair visited the Omni Parker House restaurant. Rice felt a strong presence belonging to John F. Kennedy, who is said to have proposed to Jacqueline Kennedy in that dining room. The spirit expressed ownership of the space and frequently mentioned his wife. Rice identified his preferred dish as chicken and gravy, a home-style meal. A menu from that era lists roast stuffed native spring chicken with giblet gravy for 2.25 dollars.

In the North End, the group visited Stanza dei Sigari, a cigar bar in a building dating to 1896. The structure was previously a home for unwanted children. Staff member Kelsey MacKinnon reported that employees have experienced objects moving and voices in their ears. She showed a customer photo depicting a shadowy figure in Victorian dress standing in the background.

The tour concluded at Hecate, a subterranean bar in Back Bay named for the Greek goddess of the underworld. Rice contacted a female spirit who acted as a de facto staff member. The ghost offered opinions on lighting and garnish preferences, favoring old olives over new sake-marinated lychees. Rice also heard from spirits connected to staff members, including a grandmother who passed away last year and a diabetic enjoying sweet treats.

Rice ended the day at a downtown Dunkin' store. A spirit manager complained about recent recipe changes, specifically noting that the frosting was different. Rice stated that Boston has 1,000 percent more spirits than other locations due to its age and intensity. She added that the spirits remain present regardless of changes to the decor.

Rice will appear at the Alamo Drafthouse in Boston on December 13. More information is available at tiffanyrice.com. The food critic for this tour, Devra First, can be reached at devra.first@globe.com.