hollerhither's Profile
Russ & Daughters - Disappointment
I sit on those benches to eat their bagel & lox too, the only option as I don't live in the city anymore. I like sitting in front of American Apparel stuffing my face, frankly. But I've never been to R&D past about 10:30am, so I can't vouch for what happens in the afternoons.
Venus Restaurant in Easthampton, MA
Excellent! Thanks for the feedback. Am looking forward to getting there, with the premium pricing, it will probably have to be a special night out for me, too.
New Rivers - Providence
?! What about my post wasn't "giving someone a break?" All I said was that I was last there before the renovations, so I can't speak to a more recent experience. I've done nothing but praise this restaurant multiple times on these boards over the years.
"Geez" yourself.
New Rivers - Providence
I had (another) great meal there in April, but that was before the renovations.
Northampton MA
Never went to that diner because I heard it was awful. Miss Flo's in Florence is a decent diner experience, and Look Restaurant a bit farther west on Rte 9 has a great breakfast.
Best Artisan Producers Western Mass
Going to the farmer's markets and the co-ops (Green Fields Market in Greenfield, River Valley Market in Northampton) may be your best bet to become familiar with the options. Also, Valley Green Feast delivers some great, locally-produced stuff: http://www.valleygreenfeast.com/Welcome.html
Good Seafood Restaurant in Central CT
I've been to the West Springfield location, for lunch, it was probably 2 years ago though, wasn't too excited about it, unfortunately. Didn't see anything there re fresh fish. I may give the S. Windsor location a try, though, when I'm down that way.
Seafood Restaurants in Western MA / Pioneer Valley?
Been outta town -- but hopefully next week! What will you do next, fellas, after I go and declare it to be (of course per your recommendation) fabulous? :)
What happened to Lenox?
Bewley, there is, for whatever reason, a vocal student contingent from the west coast that posts about Northampton and Amherst. I've noticed (in some cases) that perspectives can vary based on how vested someone is in remaining in the community.
I really can't speak for Lenox but perhaps it's similar to Northampton, in that rising rents (due to tourism/students) pushed a lot of the smaller chef-run spots to surrounding towns, while attracting more of the business/restauranteur types who hire on chefs to work their concepts.
And "good pizza," wow, I bet you would get opinions far and wide on that one...New Haven-style, brick oven, thick crust thin crust whole-wheat crust heavy cheese no cheese fresh tomatoes chunky sauce smooth sauce extra sauce gourmet toppings no toppings...! Not at ALL controversial. :)
North Adams Chow?
Bummer that Cafe Latino *will* be closing. Love the fish tacos and the guac. Also if there's a show I would recommend a reservation if you can get one -- we tried to walk in last summer at the Son Volt show and were DENIED.
Puppymomma, enjoy Aimee Mann, I thought about going to that show. :)
Aerogarden reviews?
I now have yard space to work with so I won't be using the Aerogarden year-round, but I will start it back up again in the winter for herbs.
Seafood Restaurants in Western MA / Pioneer Valley?
Has anyone been to the seafood place in Hatfield? They keep advertising on the radio but for the life of me I can't remember their name (Fish Tail?). Also, heard on the radio that Eastside Grill is doing "Cape Cod seafood" on Fri/Sat/Sun until Labor Day. I don't much care for Eastside but the whole belly clam mention did perk me up a bit.
North of Hartford, South of Springfield?
Great, thanks for the tip!
We ate at J. Quincy's in Springfield the other night, my friend agreed to drive up...it wasn't bad, and we were able to stay and chat for more than 2 hours, but it was a little inconsistent. My entree (lamb chops) wasn't as warm as it should have been, and the polenta looked like it had been applied with an ice cream scoop, but her pork tenderloin was excellent.
The CT spots recommended here will be next on the list to try.
Overview of Springfield / Holyoke / Lower Pioneer Valley
I haven't had it in a while since I moved northward, but: organic ingredients, excellent crust, and they use herbs liberally in the dough. It's not always red sauce, sometimes it approaches more of a foccacia-type construction (with the toppings, not the crust), if I remember correctly. If you grab one, feel free to update/contradict me...!
Venus Restaurant in Easthampton, MA
Please report back -- I am very curious. Hoping it's a bit of a return to the "old" Apollo menu, it's the same chef, right?
Overview of Springfield / Holyoke / Lower Pioneer Valley
Yeah, Joe's, Paradiso, and Luna each have something different to offer and I enjoyed them all compared to the other spots in Northampton. Paradiso has the most diverse toppings menu and, as a bonus, some good strong sangria. Joe's is old-school, has a great neighborhood vibe. I have a soft spot for Luna, thin crusts/fresh mozz, because they delivered and their pies were closest to Grimaldi's in Brooklyn, which I kind of miss (but not the lines/tourists).
Bread Euphoria in Williamsburg has takeout pizzas on the weekends that are also something a little different from the norm.
BTW in Greenfield I've become attached to Roberto's, which has good crusts and a slightly spicy, hearty tomato sauce. But now that you mention it I am very curious about Regina's.
Dim Sum in Western Mass?
;) Soon!! Almost went last week but got discouraged by the downpour.
Dim Sum in Western Mass?
I haven't been there in a while, but Great Wall in Florence serves dim sum on the weekends (also try the "special" menu).
Overview of Springfield / Holyoke / Lower Pioneer Valley
Still hoping for this week!
Overview of Springfield / Holyoke / Lower Pioneer Valley
I have to completely disagree on the Hazard Grille as anything for a CH-er to seek out. I've given it several tries, because the location was convenient. It is nothing special -- although at least it's an independent restaurant in a town full of chains.
Overview of Springfield / Holyoke / Lower Pioneer Valley
Next week, I'll go next week! :D
FRIED CLAM STRIPS, TRIP FROM NYC TO BOSTON?
The Chowder Pot is awful, and a search of the board would pretty much back that up. Calling it a Red Lobster is a kindness...particularly when there is so much better seafood around.
Need some "different" recs for a foodie weekend
Just chiming in as a New Englander formerly of NYC, I agree NY has special non-red sauce Italian that's not as available up here (particularly outside of Boston)...based on some recs from this board I just had a great meal at Convivio that I definitely wouldn't be able to duplicate in Boston, and I'm sure Babbo and others along those lines are similarly excellent standouts.
FRIED CLAM STRIPS, TRIP FROM NYC TO BOSTON?
Yeah, as a Lenny & Joe's supporter I can also highly recommend Kelly's if you don't want to detour. Plus you can get a roast beef sandwich for the road!
NYC visit -- Italian quandry?
Yep, I understand that, but I doubt many places bother to decant less expensive wines -- or don't offer lower-priced wines that require decanting to open up a bit. Regardless, it was a nice touch.
Green Emporium, Colrain -- we will NOT return!
Oh, dear. Sounds like they may be in over their heads (or there was some unforesseen kitchen disaster that was then mishandled by front of house). It's too bad as that area really needs a good, reliable restaurant. I'm assuming the wine you are mentioning is by the glass, anything better by the bottle? I wouldn't personally have a huge issue with BBC because one could do way worse than that.
Maybe someone else in the area can go and let us know if what you experienced was a fluke or the norm. I will get out there if I can, but as I still haven't made it up to Gill Tavern...I have some ground to cover.
NYC visit -- Italian quandry?
PS, just for the record, Blue Smoke was mediocre at best...aside from the beer list and maybe the sausage. The meat on its own was pretty flavorless, and the fried egg salad was nothing special, kinda rubbery. Very disappointing for a place that's received so much hype.
NYC visit -- Italian quandry?
Hi everyone, just wanted to mention that we had a *fantastic* experience at Convivio (and I reserve that word only for truly exceptional dining). We ordered the prix fixe, I had the quail skewer, the small gnocchi with crabmeat and sea urchin reduction, the lamb chops, and, due to a happy accident by the kitchen, got to try both the sorbet AND the gelati for dessert. All were excellent, I believe the gnocchi and the quail were the standouts but that might be because I was getting pretty stuffed by the time the perfectly-cooked lamb chops arrived. I particularly enjoyed the attention paid to providing a variety of textures within the dishes -- a little crunch of breadcrumbs on the gnocchi, the frisee with the quail skewer, a few white beans on the bed of greens for the herb-encrusted lamb chops, etc.
As less-moneyed out-of-towners who were a little concerned we wouldn't fit in, I am happy to report that the staff couldn't have been more welcoming. Spot on, unpretentious service. The sommelier gave us a great option for a red, AND decanted it despite it being on the less expensive side. Thanks very much for the recs and feedback -- I'd happily talk this place up to anyone.
Countertop material: granite vs. solid surface (corian) vs. engineered stone (silestone)
Thanks for the additional info -- that is an important distinction you're making and I bet it will be useful to others searching the thread.
