Chowzmeister's Profile
Red Rose Cafe, Weymouth -- barbecue?
I guess this place has changed - when I stopped in a year ago it looked more like an old school Irish Pub. Here's their website: http://www.redrose-cafe.com. They have 3 positive reviews on Yelp.
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Irish Pub
51 Billings Rd, Quincy, MA 02171
What happened to Papa B's in Dorcester?
I read here in January that Poppa B's moved to a smaller takeout location in Codman Square. Here is an article that explains: http://www.boston.com/lifestyle/food/dishing/2009/09/poppa_bs_moving.html
Looking for Peruvian cookies
Here's another distributor in NJ who might be able to help you: http://www.perufoodimport.com/products.htm . They don't show the product you're looking for, but might be able to help.
Looking for Peruvian cookies
Up until 2008 I worked for a food manufacturer from Chile, Carozzi, who also had a plant in Peru. They make a variety of cookies, but not the one you mentioned. Since I was in the business, I have a few suggestions. One would be to visit the Summer Fancy Food Show, June 27-29, 2010, Javits Center, New York City. I'm pretty sure they have an international section with a section for companies from Peru - if the company isn't there, someone in that area might be able to help you.Two - here is the company website, perhaps you can write them an e-mail asking if they have any distribution in the US: http://www.gn.com.pe/galletasperu.html . Finally, I remember visiting several grocery stores in Northern NJ that had large Peruvian sections, one was in Elizabeth I believe.
Hard rolls
I love Cassone hard rolls and Italian bread (I grew up in Westchester county). However, from my days working in a deli that used Cassone hard rolls, they are very perishable (the real hard rolls, not the ones in the plastic bags) and don't last into the next day unless you freeze them. Delis get them delivered fresh every day. Maybe it's time for a road trip!
http://www.jjcassone.com/index.html
Status of Banjos in Cambridge and Weymouth?
Just got an e-mail from Thrillist that Banjos is opening on Monday (Feb 1, I assume).
http://www.thrillist.com/boston/banjos
Nostalgic Candy Shops?
Here's info about a place in Walpole:
Article and photo by Eric H., VisitingNewEngland.com
Dick and Jane’s General Store, at 944 Main St., in Walpole, Mass., recently took over the old PrintWorks building, and transformed it into a handsome, old-fashioned shop with homemade fudge, retro candies, coffee, bagels, muffins rolls, gelato, educational toys and games.
http://visitingnewengland.com/blog/2010/01/08/dick-and-janes-general-store-walpole-mass/
January 2010 Openings and Closings
some more about Six Burner:
http://boston.grubstreet.com/2010/01/what_to_eat_at_six_burner_now.html
Website: http://www.sixburnerboston.com/
Superbowl Viewing -- Metro West
O’Connell’s Pub, 700 Worcester Rd (Rt 9), Framingham
Need some Advice in Franklin Mass.
Amazing in today's economy that any restaurant can get away for long with this type of customer service, and stay in business. I'm guessing that they were busy the night you went if parking was an issue, and sounds like they were undermanned, and maybe didn't have their "A" team working that night. I know things can spiral out of control in the restaurant business when you are undermanned. That's no excuse, but perhaps an explanation. Still, the worst part of the story was the arrogance of the manager and owner. I read some of the posts from 2 years ago and they allude to the hassle and inappropriateness of the valet parking, and some of the same nonsense you experienced. I can only assume that restaurant management and most of their customers do not read Chowhound or Yelp, because if they did parking would not have been a problem for you!
Nostalgic Candy Shops?
Never noticed that on either of my visits. The stuff we bought was all fresh, unlike when I've bought it elsewhere. Just goes to prove as with restaurant reviews that anyone can get a negative impression on a given visit. I guess when you're dealing with nostalgic candy, there can be more of tendency to be old, especially when dealing with rare and hard to find stuff. I bought Lemonheads and chocolate covered "coffee beans" and they were very fresh. I should know fresh - I worked for a major candy manufacturer a while back.
Nostalgic Candy Shops?
I second Yummies. Not that far. If they don't have it, no one does. An amazing place.
January 2010 Openings and Closings
Website is up (kind of): http://www.kama-lounge.com/
Mad River Tavern changing?
Thanks Marc, that explains it. I guess the website and Facebook are a little out of sync.
Mad River Tavern changing?
I happened to come across Mad River Tavern's website (saw a Wachusett Pint Night scheduled there for 1/19). The website stated it is soon to be Murphy's Riverside. Quote: "This is a new type of restaurant for the North Shore with, Great Food, Great Staff, and a multi-media experience like no other.. So take a break from ordinary and take a dive into extraordinary! We'll see you soon!"
Anyone know anything more?
Winter 2009-2010 Openings and Closings
What about at the end of the night after scooping a lot of ice cream from nearly empty containers, your arm would be covered in a melange of melted ice cream - we called it Friendly-itis.
I think the problems that Friendly's had back then had to do a lot with where they were located. They seemed to have a formula that didn't translate well to more affluent areas. As a trainee, when I worked in middle class neighborhoods, service was better and employees worked harder and customers were more understanding - it worked. In the affluent areas employees didn't need the job, customers were more demanding, and service suffered. Although independents we discuss on Chowhound wrestle with the same issues, they at least can adjust their menu prices and wage scales to compensate. Friendly's tried to do that, but didn't go far enough.
Winter 2009-2010 Openings and Closings
I don't know any more than you do, but from what I see online it looks like the Rockwell Restaurant Group is a company that designs restaurants not run them.
NYE Mexican?
I've heard good things about José's in Cambridge (131 Sherman St): http://www.josesmex.com. I checked the website, and according to Open Table they are taking reservations for New Year's Eve. I would call first of course. The owner, Carlos, and his family are from Mexico.
Abolutely Fabulous Melrose
I agree Karl. The Facebook page is good - in this case it conveys some info about the place and gave me some interest to stop in. However, without seeing the menu and knowing a little more about the place, I wouldn't go out of my way to visit. Word of mouth is nice, but it's hard to be successful these days without more that that.
Abolutely Fabulous Melrose
I don't get why a new restaurant of this sort would not have a website either. Like Karl, most of us won't make a special stop just to "check out" a restaurant's menu, but a quick visit online is way easier. Get the word out!
Winter 2009-2010 Openings and Closings
As of today, they look very close to opening - see picture.
Forest Cafe to close
Drove by today and saw a big dumpster in front of the Forest Cafe. Usually when that happens on the heels of a closing it means someone else is moving in. Did they officially close? If so does anyone know what's going on here?
movie theater with dinner
The Strand in Clinton is a very friendly place - an old fashioned movie theatre experience with a twist (you can eat meals in your seats). During December they are running some holiday classic movies at 4pm. They have a menu with burgers, sandwiches, pizza, soda, beer, and wine. Pretty cool! Here's their website: http://www.strandtheatre.com/ .
Winter 2009-2010 Openings and Closings
Plymouth isn't listed on their website any more. They did just open a new location in Dartmouth a few months ago. Maybe they planned on closing here.
Winter 2009-2010 Openings and Closings
CookieLee - maybe it's many, I don't know. I go to a couple of locations one is always good, the other spotty. SeaSide Tomato - No, it was back in the NYC suburbs. Back then the service was really iffy in that area, but I heard it used to be pretty good in Massachusetts at the time. I trained in a New Rochelle,NY location where the customers were so demanding, that they made service awful. They acted like they were at the Waldorf. Thankfully, my restaurant was a little further from NYC.
Winter 2009-2010 Openings and Closings
You are so right! As a former Friendly manager (28 years ago), I can attest to the frequently s-l-o-w service one may receive at some Friendly's. The food for what it is, is great. I still go, just not when I'm in a hurry! Friendly's aren't supposed to be that way, but unfortunately too many are, and have built that reputation.
New restaurant coming into 51 Main space, Maynard, MA
They are a small chain of 6 restaurants - check out their website: http://www.thehalfwaycafe.com
Well-run pub restaurants. Should be a nice addition to downtown Maynard.
Winter 2009-2010 Openings and Closings
No relation at all. I thought the same thing and asked at 21 Nickels. Nickels Grille has nothing to do with them.
Fall 2009 Openings and Closings
This may explain what's been going on with El Pelon. As noted by hotoynoodle, owner has been having trouble relocating. With the news that Fenway Restaurant Row may be rebuilt, that may change things:
http://bostonhospitalityindustry.blogspot.com/2009/11/fenway-restaurant-row-owners-agree-to.html
