Lilibet's Profile
North End this weekend....
Heading into to NE this weekend for a wine tasting with a mixed group of people. It's been a long time since we've been to that part of town.
Would like to have dinner out afterwards (and to sober up!).. can someone please make some suggestions to help?
Nothing too trendy or $$$, just plain good food... One person doesn't eat seafood, others have varied tastes.
Thanks in advance...!
P-Town bound... Jimmy's Hideaway and Terra Luna....
Any reviews on Jimmy's? Is Terra Luna still open? I know that they close for the season but don't know when. Don't want set my hopes too high,
Also, have heard that the Red Inn is very good... unlike what I experienced there ( I won't even mention how long ago!).
Other suggestions? We haven't been down in couple of years, and know venues change with every season.
Headed to Tucson...from Massachusetts, Help!
Joan and Bazel.
Thank you for the reviews. I'll post when we get back with our own, and also thank you for the tips for a late afternoon tipple.
Headed to Tucson...from Massachusetts, Help!
Thanks to everyone... we're so looking forward to the warmth, sun. and playing some golf.
Arizona is such a beautiful place!
Winter here this year was the worst ever in my memory, starting with a 5 day power failure/ice-storm/no heat event at the beginning of Dec.
We still haven't recovered mentally, AZ should help in that department.
Headed to Tucson...from Massachusetts, Help!
We're flying out to Tucson area, and are in need of a short list of good/decent places to eat. We enjoy sitting and having drinks/apps in the late afternoon in lieu of lunch. Have been told that the Hotel Congress is a neat place for that.
We're not big into Mexican food. Of course, what you get around here in NE isn't even close to authentic, so I have nothing to base my opinion of it on! Willing to try but need some advice about where to find it and what to order. Spicy food isn't a problem.
Husband loves microbrews and both of us enjoy good tequila.
Also any food info in Bisbee and the Tombstone area would be much appreciated.
Thanks in advance.....
Thumbs up for Joshua's, Wells, Maine.
After sitting at Billy's Chowder House over a couple drinks, we decided on Joshua's for our anniversary dinner. We'd actually called from the house the day before and got an playback message saying that they were closed for their autumn time off but would be reopeing on the 14th. Whew. Swung by and went in to inquire... only to be told that there were only two times left for a reservation! One at 5 ( way too early ) and the other at 8:30 ( getting too late ). We chose the latter.. hmm, pretty well booked up for being only open one day.
Joshua's is located in an early garrison colonial. It was built by a Samuel Curtis in the late 1700s, but this old lady isn't your Nana's Wayside Inn. They have kept the ambiance of chair rails, fireplaces (not working), King's pine floorboards, etc. It also had a very contemporary feel; interesting track lighting on the ceilings, bamboo shades, red is a predominant color. The decor has definite Asian overtones and it works well with the old. Am into historic preservation and the work they had done in the house was very impressive.
On to the food and service: We had a late lunch, so we chose an appetizer of crabcakes. Wow, were they ever good! They were brought out on 2 plates (thoughtful). Small rounds with what tasted like a pumpernickle crust and a side of lemon dill aioli.
I decided on the pork tenderloin for dinner, which was tender and moist. It was prepared with a barbeque sauce and had some heat to it. It was served with plum reduction chutney, a nice paring, it offset the spicy sauce. The other dinner was a Statler style chicken breast stuffed with with proscuitto, provolone, basil and lemon zest. The skin on the outside was cooked to prefection, nice and crispy. Each dinner came with buttery mashed potatoes and a fall medley of brocolli, cauliflower, carrots and brussle sprouts. They were done just right, still bright green but not raw.
We washed it all down with a bottle of Willamette Valley Cristom Pinot Noir. We had no room for dessert unfortunately. I did overhear that there was a pear sorbet on the list. It had been made with the pears grown by the owner's Dad. He and his wife are the couple that meet and greet diners. It is their son, Joshua (and the restaurant's nakesake) who is the head chef.
Our server was pleasant and knowlegeable. She knew her stuff and had no issues or problems answering our questions about wine choices or food.
Joshua's was very pleasant experience and wasn't over the top expensive.
We'll be going back the next time we're up in the area.
A week in Provincetown Mass. around Thanksgiving
Ross's can be loud. Sorry about the bad experiences there, that's so unfortunate. We've had good and not so good meals there.
Fanizzi's is one of our favorite's, it has always been a constant of good fresh food, beautiful views, and friendly, but not in-your-face service.
Many people diss Napi's, but we like it, especially in the off-season. Been going there for over 25 years and haven't had any big issues with the place.
Agree, The Mews upstairs, not down for apps and a martini... Pingle shakes a mean one!
Lower Maine, Anniversary Dinner this weekend.....?
Thanks to everyone for their opinions and posts... now it's up to us to make a decision.
Totally forgot about Blue Sky, thank you for the reminder.
I'll let you know where we go and post the results. A good thing for this time of year with many places closed up for the season. Less to choose from but most likely better, less harried service and more thoughtful preparation of food.
There's something to be said for getting married in November instead of June!
Lower Maine, Anniversary Dinner this weekend.....?
We're headed up to one of our old haunts this coming weekend, the York area of Maine. We're staying in the harbor area for a change, and would like your take on several places. It's an anniversary weekend (# 23!) for us and we'd like to try a new place for dinner Saturday evening.
Here is a short list: Joshua's in Wells, on Route 1, the latest rendition of the Cape Neddick Inn, and Annika Jans in Kittery. We've been to MC Perkins Cove, but the last time it was a disaster. We'd try it again giving them the benefit of the doubt, maybe for a lunch but not dinner.
We want to stay away from the more over-the-top type of places like the White Barn Inn and Arrows. Me being recently laid off hurts.. ouch! BTW, husband isn't a seafood eater even though coming from a long line of Yankees. He will eat crab cakes and conch fritters..those two only.
My cross to carry!
It's been a while since I've posted...nice new look to the site!
North Attleboro, Attleboro area?
Yes, Wetherlaine's is a fun place We end up there 90% of the time when visiting in the Attleboro area. We always order their onion rings, which are addictive. Wait staff is friendly and accomodating. A no fail place!
Tom's Tavern is similar joint over in Wrentham. Good place for kids and adults. VERY casual, serving pub food. It must rock during a Pat's game.....
http://www.tomstavern.com/
Newburyport this weekend.
I am SO jealous!!
Our brakes went on 495 on our way up to NBPT Saturday (TG we had only gotten as far as Littleton).... called AAA, had to flatbed the car and drive back to the mechanic, get other car, etc. We did head up but it was so late.. and no room at the inn. Plum Island was too busy, Grog was crazy, Black Cow lunacy, the whole downtown area was awash with people. Ended up at Joe's, sniff :-( not what I wanted at all. The food was okay, if you could get past all the screaming kids and strollers.
Only seeing good friends (& several martini's later) saved the day.
Newburyport this weekend.
Joppa has sandwiches... I never realized that fact. I always stop there to get my olive oil bottle refilled....., (that didn't sound good did it?) and visit the shops. Dead Bird is my favorite.
Mega thanks. I'll throw several of those suggestions out tomorrow. It will be interesting to see where we end up. Seeing wonderful friends and being near the ocean is a treat enough for me!
Newburyport this weekend.
Alas! No lunches at the P.I.G - what a bummer. We're headed up to NBPT this weekend to visit with friends. Am tired of 10 Center and the how now Black Cow. How is the Grog these days?? Haven't been there in a few years. it's always packed when we've walked by. We've been to Aquatini and Agave... ho hum food (but the drinks are good!)
Any other place in the general area that's interesting?
Great farmstand corn on 2A in Lincoln (Gove Farm)
This place wouldn't be associated with the Gove Farm I know on Mechanic Street, (parallel to Route 2) in Leominster??
They have wonderful corn.... and sell what they pick for the day... if you get there beyond 4 o'clock, you're out of luck!
Irish bars
Harp - I second your sympatico appreciation of the Inn. It has morphed several times over the years (oh dear, plenty of those) I've been going there since Kappy Fournier opened it. Almost 30 now? It's last incarnation is the best yet. Their Irish breakfast is probably my favorite, by the fireplace on a cold, snowy day. The staff there was extra kind to us when they overheard we had just planned a funeral. I'll never forget how well we were treated.
Not MetroWest... but will mention it again. The Old Timer's in Clinton is a safe haven. The food? Well, we all know no one goes there to eat. But the bar.... a time capsule indeed. Luckily they are in good standing with a local parish priest who makes yearly trips to the old sod. He is deligent in his purchasing of Paddy's which is carefully hidden, and brought out if you're nice from underneath the bar.
Boston's ultimate lime rickey?
EIW - Thanks for the Central Mass location, hard to find a rickey these days! The lunch counter at the Liggett's Drugstore in downtown Framingham used to make terrifc ones (with a ham and pickle sandwich!).
Nice to now they are still to be had in this day and age.
Peach Picking
The food at J's at the Winery is very good. Everytime we've been there, everything they serve is fresh and bright. It's also a pleasant setting; the dining room is situated in an old farm house with views of the orchards. Right now they are offering a chilled Peach Soup at lunch and dinner. I also just read that they grow six different varieties of peaches. I'd say it'd be a place to think about visiting.
Harp, good to see you back on the CH board. I have so missed reading your posts. You always have such an erudite way of expressing yourself!
Need some Advice in Franklin Mass.
Incontro isn't any place we'd go back too... we had a similar experience. Food was okay (what's up with all the white beans? they were served with everything), service was pretty bad and the noise level was over the top. Never got a second drink or a wine list. I had to get up and hunt down another waiter who wasn't very accommodating.
If given the choice, I'd much rather go to Tom's Tavern.
P-town Reviews/What else???
I forgot to mention Enzo.. we have been there for dinner. It is a fun place and the food was very good. The dining room is decorated in an funky, off-beat way and the staff was pleasant. The prices were reasonable, much lower than other places in P-Town.
Sorry that you had a bad experience at Napi's. We always go in the off season, avoiding the peak periods. I don't know, maybe that has something to do with us not being disappointed.
Pingle, the bartender at the Mews makes one of the best vodka martini's I've ever had. We drink there and then toddle off to our next destination. Maybe next time we'll stick around and have dinner too.
P-town Reviews/What else???
Don't forget to try Napi's... it's an older P-Town restaurant with a long track record. Many people like it, some diss it.... we've never had a bad meal there in over 20+ years. Check out Napi's fabulous art collection while you are there.
Fanizzi's in the East End is a gem. Where else can you get terrific food, service and a view of the bay? They even have a parking lot! Ross's Grill is another to try (only beer and wine, no martini's).
Front Street on Commercial is another one to try too.. it's downstairs and gets overlooked sometimes.
Am curious about the Red Inn, haven't been there in years. I have hear that it has morphed into a much better, contemporary restaurant. Any recent reviews?
Regional specialties?
Lime-Rickies or Raspberry-Lime-Rickies... I grew up in Middlesex country. All the local drugstores that had lunch counters served them (with a ham&pickle sandwich!)
Good place for LARGE party in Worcester area?
Read something about in the Worcester T&G.... restaurant closed, but still doing catering?
New place in downtown Ayer, MA?
Thanks so much for directions and the link to their menu... it looks very good. I love rice flour - am excited about trying their scallion pancakes. Too bad other places don't use it.
We'll be sure to bring a bottle with us too.
Again, thank you!
New place in downtown Ayer, MA?
Randy -
I can't seem to picture where Woo Jung is... is it closer to the Lunenburg side of Ayer?
Sounds very good - we are so tired of Chinese and Thai and are ready to try something different. Have also heard about a new Korean place in Northborough (on 20 near the Cutoff), but haven't had a chance to check that out either.
One more question: is the place in Ayer BYOB?
Thanks in advance!
Elvis' Hot Dog Palace - Lunenburg, MA
Yes'm It's Essem.. I remember that tag line! Don't know if they still make them though...
Kayem Food, Inc. is a New England company still operating out their plant in Chelsea, MA since 1909.. from their website:
"Today, Kayem operates plants with cutting edge technology and stringent USDA & ISO 9000 quality standards but they still retain their "Old World" philosophy and vision. Almost a century later, Kayem is still owned by the same family, still employing many other families for multi-generations, still in its hometown of Chelsea and still manufacturing & delivering freshly made convenient, wholesome and delicious foods to its very valued customers. Some things are too good to change."
All of Murph's all beef dogs are Kosher... and he has two kinds of Kayem's Old Time franks, skinless and the ones with casings. Casings are better because they snap when you bite into them!
Elvis' Hot Dog Palace - Lunenburg, MA
Hmm. Elivis' sounds very interesting..we'll have to try it when up in the area. We're always on the hunt for a good dog.
Have you stopped by Murph's Hot Dog truck on Rt. 117 in Lancaster? His dogs are good, fresh, both Kayem's and all beef ones. Plus you get a ton of Blarney from Murph when waiting. It makes the prep time worth the waiting!
Best Burger in Worcester?
EIW -
Thanks so much for the correct location. so it's a little further down route 12. We know the location. Now, if they'd just take over the Barber's Crossing in Sterling we'd be all set!
Noreaster - thanks to you too. So, WW's has a common owner; we have always wondered about the one in York. Would have stopped but it was closed (for the season?). The "concept of doing one thing and doing it well", just like Flo's! Good burgers and dogs in the same area - heaven!
