T.Clark's Profile
Massachusetts seasonal restaurant question - Brant Rock, Marshfield
I think the new Haddad's will be a great addition to the strip. The views from the upper decks, looking out over the marsh toward Green Harbor, will be great. Perhaps it’s behemoth looking now but once the windows are in and the siding goes up it will appear smaller. IMO it doesn't look out of place. They have a great business now and with added function space they should remain viable year round. And, as you said, the small cottages are now full of young year round family's, just their type of clientele.
Brant Rock may be "a little seaside section” but if you look at the big picture Marshfield has 20,000 residents. Most of which are not local lobsterman or fixed income seniors but younger families, commuters, and a good helping of rather well heeled people (Marshfield Hills?) with a town wide avg. income of over $100K. Duxbury, which has almost no restaurants, is within a few miles as well as parts of Pembroke, Norwell, Kingston and Scituate all of which have residents that are still willing to “take a ride” to restaurants due to a lack of quantity.
The Venus II has been family owned for years so they probably have no mortgage and just the overhead of their fairly recent build out. A great example of good value family dining that fills a void in Marshfield (soon their will be a Cask ‘n Flaggon too). There really are not that many places in MarshVegas to take families. They do a nice job of promoting sports watching in the winter months and they have an active night scene believe it or not.
Arthur & Pat's, which is run by the brother and sister team of Dee and Artie, took over from their parent's many years ago and I'm guessing they also have no mortgage. They own the adjacent building with apartment rentals above and an ice cream shop at street level. This probably affords them the luxury of closing up shop in the winter and allows them to hang out in FLA. I'm a fan of A&P's and if you got to know Dee you would see that it's a bit of an act, which I've come to enjoy. BYOB BTW.
The Bailey is a newcomer. The owner bought the Lobster Tail at bankruptcy so he got a great deal. He put up lots of his own money for a tough renovation, doing much of work himself. The Irish entertainment and booze is certainly a draw and it attracts the older crowd as opposed to Venus II or Haddad's usual summertime night crowd. Probably the most likely to fold
The Fairview has a sweet lease they signed after fire destroyed the building in '98. Hotel rooms are part of the property, which probably helps the overall summertime numbers giving them a cushion into the slow winter. They do seem fairly busy year round. I don't care for the food but it's plentiful at reasonable prices. Lobstermen don't pay $12 for drinks, but a Bud Light at $3.25 and a Chardonnay at $5.50 is doable.
The Hop is of course the answer to A&P's $14 omelet. At $7-$8 it's decent. They certainly will benefit from the fact that it's often hard to get in A&P's so overflow will retreat one block. Also, those that don't like Dee may cheer on this alternative.
Mama Mia's also bought a defunct restaurant (The Garlic) and did a complete renovation. Opening only weeks ago we will see how they survive. My understanding is, as with The Bailey, it was a steal-of-a-deal. They actually moved from rt.139 over to Green Harbor (not Brant Rock) so they have some built in customer base. They also have 6 other locations and they are the only Italian restaurant in the area so I can see them doing well enough.
The Ocean Deck (also Green Harbor) survives off the Marina, but barely. Plagued with flooding, bad food, concept turnover it never seems to get any traction. They've got a view though so any place with a view is getting some summer business. They are seasonal and highly subsidized by the Marina owner.
I think the bottom line is Marshfield is a rather large and growing town on the South Shore whose demographic is much different than it was 20 years ago. If I look at each restaurant on it's own I can find reasons why they can stay open. Is it getting saturated in Brant Rock? Maybe, but only time will tell if there are or are not enough year round-ers to support the number of choices
Getting so bored -- new ideas welcome
It is not against Boston Fire code to install solid fuel appliances like a wood burning oven. However it is ridiculously expensive to vent/fire suppress this type of equipment especially in a multi-floor location. To retrofit an older building is almost impossible. I'm sure that Picco, being in a new(er) building, made it easier to pull off. I'd love to see more solid fuel used like wood and charcoal, I like the taste it adds. I really don't get the faux use of these types of ovens (Trade, Scampo) because in reality it adds no flavor and a much more efficient method could be used to cook the food. It's for show I guess. Similar to the fake fireplace my grandma had, powered by a 100 watt bulb.
Best Pizza on Cape Cod?
This place will be worth watching.
http://m.facebook.com/pages/PIzza-Barbone/113387988701780?id=113387988701780&_rdr#!/profile.php?id=113387988701780&v=feed&__user=1541812905
Has anyone tried Otto Pizza yet (Harvard Sq)?
Should be similar to their second location in Portland Just south from the original on Congress. I like it better than the original, it has a very fun vibe.
Source for unenhanced chicken
Just saw Bell & Evans at Perry's Market in Plymouth the other day. $6.29 per lb. for boneless breasts. Nothing fancy about Perry's but I like their butcher shop and honest old time customer service. A little closer to Halifax than The Pinehills.
Jockey Box rental for wedding in Ogunquit
Cornelius (Corney) Kegs are really only used by home brewers nowadays. There are only a few different sankeys (device used to attach taps to kegs) used in today's kegs. American, European, German and English/Irish . And most imports are standardizing to the American sankey, thanks to in-bev. Most large stores should have a rental.
Getting so bored -- new ideas welcome
I saw it in your Stuff Review, it's why I tried it out. Didn't really care for much there (except gas-fired flat breads). Some colleagues find it convienient so I've mingled a few times since my dinner but I don't order food.
Getting so bored -- new ideas welcome
I think it should be pointed out that Trade does not use wood in their gas pizza oven. Nitpicking I know, but an important distinction for some food geeks (like me).
Best Affordable Place To Get A Wedding Cake?
Not a fan of Konditor myself. Cakes look nice but the ones I've tried have been unremarkable. Konditor seems to be the South Shore standard for celebration cakes(I've tasted at least a dozen since the mid-eighties) and almost everytime it's a white cake, white frosting, raspberry jam, *unripe* chocolate dipped strawberries, large flakes of white chocolate looking stuff mounded on top. I say white chocolate looking because I'm not sure if it's really white chocolate, and a white pastillage placard. I would opt for a less perfect looking cake that tasted good.
Plymouth - in search of dinner
Yes, other than the view, Isaac’s is truly wretched.
East Bay is fine. I don't find the quality stacks up to the pricing but it's pretty popular with the locals and tourists alike giving it a lively feel. In the summer months the outdoor patio and bar is open and it's nice to sit outside during off hours for a faux-Caribbean vibe with cocktail in hand at either the bar or on the Adirondack studded lawn…but during the dinner rush or when there’s a function in the tent it's a total zoo. The menu hits all the right spots from steaks to seafood, so it does serve as a crowd pleaser. The food however is not very polished and I always feel like I'm eating at a Legal's Seafood meets Joe's bar and Grill. Nothing wrong with those places but East Bay is a bit corporate with little creativity and so-so food.
Across from East Bay is the Blue Eyed Crab a very casual, good value restaurant. Seafood centric menu but there are always non-seafood options. Their food seems to have some inspiration, nothing fancy but good flavors (often Caribbean or Latin). The tiny little bar is a hidden gem that secretly serves the best cocktails in town. They have a nice patio that will open in the spring giving the tiny, often difficult to get into restaurant double the seating and a raw bar.
Behind Blue Eyed Crab is another sardine can spot named Patrizia's Italy Trattoria (huh?) In all honesty I'm not a fan. It's cramped and we have just not hit it off with Patrizia or the Restaurant. She certainly has her fans so you may want to check it out as an option. Sitting at the small bar early may be a good way to try it.
Heading back toward the waterfront for casual fried New England fare you have a few choices like Cabby shack, The Lobster Hut, Woods Seafood and a tiny little spot called Plymouth Bay Café. I prefer the last two.
At the other end of the waterfront, beyond the Mayflower, is Brewer’s Marina. They have a two level restaurant called Union Fish. Upstairs is the slightly upscale Bistro. Nice views of the marina, Plymouth Beach and the bay. It’s a good spot for a casual cocktail, wine or beer as long as you keep it simple. The two times I ate there the food was just meh. Downstairs is the more casual deck. Again this is a nice spot for marina watching, a drink and maybe some bar food.
The slew of restaurants on Court/Main is not good. T-Bones for BBQ ? Maybe in a pinch. I think their demographic is the 25 year old bar crowd at night. The same goes for Main St. Sports Bar and Sam Diego’s. Sabor was good a while back but new chef new menu just doesn’t hit it like before. Roo-Bar has changed hands in the last year and not a place I’d feel comfortable recommending. There is a new place, New World Tavern (mid main street) that has 38 beers taps of some great micro’s and another 100 bottles but the food is well….improvable.
On the outskirts of Plymouth is Rye Tavern located on the Pine Hill’s property. The same group that owns Union Fish owns the restaurant. This is an up-scale place located in a small-renovated house down some very long dark dirt roads in the middle of the woods. Possibly a bit daunting to find for anyone but a local. The food is good but the place is very loud (think tiny house with 40 people) and for me it feels like a trek to get out there.
Sushi Joy is passable for a sushi fix. Decent hand rolls and Bento Boxes for a strip mall suburban sushi place.
I think the place you want to look into is actually one town away. Solstice in Kingston is hands down the best restaurant in the area. I think it fits all the criteria you are asking for. Prices are similar to East Bay but the food seems more important here than the view. I find Solstice great for business dinners, date night, or special occasions. They have a nice bar that I eat at often, a great wine list, and the food has always been very good. Solstice also has a private room that I’ve attended small business dinners in and they did a really nice job.
Hearth Wood Fired Bread
Older. In the first year it was quite dark and very very crusty. I liked that style. Just shy of burnt. Very "Tartine" like if you have the book. And yes Eddie, I believe that the blonde version is a result of their upping production. I have to say that the "sourness" has crept up also, kind of a raw yeasty sourness if that makes sense. This maybe a result of quicker fermentation, altho I'm not a baker so that's just a guess. Like I've said I really like their bread so my critique is nitpicking. BTW, the very nice woman you spoke to no longer works there........ sigh.
Hearth Wood Fired Bread
I'd say the color has been lighter for 6 months now. Still great bread, but it used to be a lot darker/crusty(er). I bought this loaf this morning (as you pointed out there is a deep slash on the left of this loaf).
Hearth Wood Fired Bread
The oven at Hearth is indirectly fired by wood, the chamber is below the deck. The oven was designed by an M.I.T. trained engineer, it is not a prefab. It has a huge (huge!) deck surface and the dome is very low for that size oven. It's a great oven, and true the Hearth is not going for some kind of wood flavor, it's about the artisanship of using that type of oven. I spoke with the owner, Peter, a few weeks back and he intimated to me that he may be buying a deck oven and proofer to make different breads that he can't make in the wood fired oven (baguettes, rolls?). He originally said he just wanted to make one great loaf but I think the reality is that he has to offer some variety.
I have been buying their bread from almost day one. I do think their bread has changed a little as the volume has shot up. He uses all natural leavening with no temperature controlled proofing so as the weather changes I think the challenges increase and the bread does differ from day to day. I still really like his original country loaf but I have experienced occasional "off" days.
ISO Thanksgiving To Go?
Wet brining is so 2000 and late. Salt your turkey's folks (AKA dry brine). As a former wet brine guy, after two years of just salting, I'm a total convert. Google it.
Sabor - Worth the Groupon?
I respectfully disagree. Plymouth has been equally discussed on both boards (which is not much) and, geographically speaking, falls somewhere in between the two boards.
I'm sure someone will disagree but Sabor is not high on my Plymouth list. You could do worse for sure, maybe the discount makes up for their weaknesses. I occasionally hear a good word about them, but they had a major kitchen/waitstaff defection after a brief opening of a second now defunct location, and it appears they have not recovered from that loss of talent. I have not been back myself in over 2 years and the local buzz is nonexistent.
On a side note I personally believe that Groupon now signals a restaurants demise.
Coppa
Realizing this post is a little dated....
Earth? Really? I've heard nothing that would suggest Earth is Ken's new baby, let alone that it's doing well. I've questioned his association with this yuppie campground (my demographic maybe?) from the beginning. Having not been yet (although I'm in that general hood once a mouth) what can you tell about the food there that would make me want to try it?
South Shore Updates?
I wrote about Oro a year and a half ago http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/704583 and it's still in my top 5 South Shore rotation. I avoid any restaurant near any waterfront in the summer but I'm sure we will be going there soon. Very small place, bar is way too small, it can be loud (lively?) but the food is very good and sometimes great.
How do you freeze your stock?
FWIW.....'demi-glace' is French for half-glaze, not half ice.
Al Dente, Santarpio's or Regina???????????
OP likes Regina almost as much as Grimaldi's. I'd say that's a compliment. They are both very good chain pizzerias.
Al Dente, Santarpio's or Regina???????????
There is no shortage of pizza myths, and water may be the biggest. Grimaldi's does not ship water to any of their 37+ locations, they alter the local tap water to make it closer to that of Brooklyn water. Great marketing, but there is little evidence that this is in fact true.
From their website: "It has been said that the secret to true New York-style pizza is the water. Grimaldi’s believes that too, going to great lengths to keep the integrity of the water used in the Brooklyn pizzeria by hiring a chemist to analyze and recreate the mineral content and exact composition of the water to ensure the dough tastes the same"
It appears you like chain pizzerias best so I'm happy that you found Regina to your liking.
Plymouth - Last Minute Birthday Dinner
I believe you're refering to Mama Carmella's in Kingston. At the risk of being labeled a bitter food snob (see Alden Park above) I will dip a toe in the water again and dismiss Carmella's outright as chow worthy. Maybe 10 years ago but not anymore. As far as entertainment goes I believe Keno and trivia nights are all they currently offer. The last time I was dragged there I was served green pork, not in a Mexican way either.
Plymouth - Last Minute Birthday Dinner
Alden Park at Colony Place? I respectfully disagree. Pseudo American bistro fare where the menu reads great but the food is mediocre at best. Situated in a lifestyle mall with the atmosphere of a J.Jill. Formerly Croma, they changed little except to add blue neon lights and a DJ with two turn tables and a microphone on Fri and Sat nights. You can find better within a few miles and your car won't get dinged up by stray shopping carts. Besides, this rec would not have been appropriate for the OP's needs. I think their prices are pretty steep for the quality (gassed tuna...blech).
Plymouth - Last Minute Birthday Dinner
Hate this recommendation but she probably wants to go to Issac's. Not good at all, but she'll know half the customers. Second choice would be Ernie's, same deal but more Italian choices and similarly cheap.
it Recommendations
I was just discussing Regina Pizzeria (correct name) with my pizza aficionado friends and we agree Regina is just like the best pies we've eaten in Rome......except for the crust, the wood burning oven part, the San Marzano tomatoes, the cheese and quality extra virgin oil or the fact that it's the flagship of a 20+ store chain. Other than that yeah Regina is great pizza, for Boston that is.
Two nights in Plymouth--where to eat?
You no longer have to wonder about Fopiano's, they closed the doors for good last week.
Two nights in Plymouth--where to eat?
I can't recommend Foppiano's as anything "Chow" worthy. Not bad, but not really that good either. I find the food very garlicky and not a fan of the atmosphere. But it's cheap and may work for you proximity wise. Cape traffic will be thinning out by 7-8 so I would still try Solstice, it is a little bit of a schlep from WHB but still worth it in my book. Patrizia's in Plymouth proper has it's followers but It's not my bag. Rye tavern would be a short trip for you, it used to be Martha's (in pinehills), again some people like it a lot, I found it to be just o.k.. Blue eyed crab is decent for short money and maybe try Sandy's Snack Bar at Plymouth beach as an alternative to the Lobster Hut. There is another terrible Italian restaurant at exit 5 called Il Maestro. Sorry I'm not helping much.
Dinner before Temptations show in Cohasset: Tosca or Saporito's?
I agree on the Square Cafe rec. All too often Tosca gets thrown out there and I truly believe it's because of their PR hype. Always in the "best of" articles but I think their fans are living in the past. Add Alma Nove to the list of overly-hyped restaurants that are all show, and no go.
I'm sure you meant Bia Bistro as a good place that is very close and after a recent dinner there I would agree on it being a fine choice.
-----
Bia Bistro
35 S Main St, Cohasset, MA 02025
Butcher in Plymouth area
While I'm not sure about all your specifics, notably "Prime" or the tortellini request I can make a few general recommendations.
The Market in Pine Hills carries a pretty good variety of meats and it's in S. Plymouth, but it's pricey. I'd compare it to a mini Whole Foods.
The other two butchers I'd recommend are both in N. Plymouth and a block away from each other. Both are a bit more old school butcher shops than The Market. The first choice would be Piantedosi's Butcher Shop. I've seen Prime there and they make their own sausage. The old man butcher can be a little grumpy at times but he is a good butcher. The other butcher I would recommend is at Perry's Market. Perry's is a bit unconventional to look at because at first appearance you may think it's a liquor/convenience store but the butcher is out back. There are things I prefer to buy at Piantedosi's like steaks or pork chops, but I like Perry's square burgers and home-made sausage better. Hope that helps.
http://www.piantedosibutchershop.com/
http://perrys-market-plymouth.com/
http://themarketpinehills.com/
