Thursday, September 07, 2023

COLD BEER AND TASTY COMFORT FOOD ON TAP AT SEA DOG BREWING COMPANY

Thursday, September 07, 2023
Open-faced roast turkey dinner

Sea Dog Brewing, North Conway, NH
 

North Conway, NH

Sea Dog Blue Paw

A cold beer is just what is needed after a hot summer day at Story Land with the family. So, we were happy to find a Sea Dog Brewing Company in North Conway, New Hampshire. Sea Dog was founded in Camden, Maine in 1993 and has expanded to a number of locations in New England and Florida. 

All of their beers are on tap. I have always been a fan of their blueberry beer, Sea Dog Blue Paw, so I was quick to put in my order. It has a strong blueberry flavor. Apps include bang bang shrimp, brewhaus pretzel, fried pickles and hummus and country olives. There are also a number of soups including clam chowder and lobster bisque. I wanted something to fill me up after a busy day at Story Land, so I ordered their open-faced roast turkey dinner. It's made up of turkey, stuffing, gravy and cranberry sauce. Very good. Other entrees include Cajun chicken pasta, steak tip poutine, a number of burgers, sandwiches and salads, along with lobster. There's also a kids menu with plenty of traditional options for the little ones.

Sea Dog offers a ton of merch for sale including stickers, beer glasses and clothing. They also have a Mug Club where locals have their own beer mug at the bar, along with a bunch of other perks.

Wednesday, August 30, 2023

SUMMER WINDS DOWN WITH THE ST. ANTHONY'S FEAST IN THE NORTH END

Wednesday, August 30, 2023

 

A tray full of delicious arancini.

Chocolate chip cannoli

It wouldn't be the end of summer without the annual St. Anthony's Feast in Boston's North End. The Feast is a celebration of all things Italian, and includes games for kids, parades, masses and so much delicious food. We went on Saturday night and it was packed. The crowd and the heat didn't stop me from enjoying some of my favorites like meat-filled arancini and a chocolate chip cannoli. What a way to end August! Summer may be winding down, but fall festival season is coming and I can't wait for the granddaddy of them all, The Big E!

Friday, July 28, 2023

MIGHTY SUBS CALLS IT A DAY

Friday, July 28, 2023

 

Mighty Subs closes after 33 years.

After 33 years, the popular Mighty Subs is closing. This little sub shop and its owners Artie and Karen Wright are beloved in Needham, Massachusetts. They are known for their gigantic sandwiches, so much so that their slogan is, "Our Small is Their Large." The owners are stepping away so spend more time with their family. Lines for lunch have been out the door over the past week. I've heard they have ran out of bread, and even all of their meats because they have been so slammed. Best wishes to the owners in their well-deserved retirement!

Monday, July 24, 2023

THE PIZZA HUT BUFFET IS ALIVE AND WELL!

Monday, July 24, 2023

 

Hot bar with pizza, pasta and bread sticks

The cold salad bar

Pizza Hut in Rochester, NH

In the 90's, I remember going to our local Pizza Hut for their buffet at lunch. There was a hot bar and a cold salad bar and it was all you can eat for around $4.99. Probably less. I thought the Pizza Hut buffet was long gone, until we made a stop in Rochester, New Hampshire. There it was. A big banner that read, "Buffet is Back." We had to try it out, and let me tell you, it felt like 1994 all over again.

There was the hot bar with pizza slices with a variety of toppings, baked ziti, those famous cheese bread sticks and cinnamon sticks. The cold salad bar was full of veggies like broccoli, cucumbers, cauliflower, along with slices ham, cheese and far too many salad dressings to choose from. All you can eat for $9.99. It's still a great deal. Our kids enjoyed it and so did mom and dad. A taste of unexpected nostalgia just off of the highway in New Hampshire.

Friday, June 30, 2023

CAPE COD SEAFOOD WITH A VIEW AT SESUIT HARBOR CAFE

Friday, June 30, 2023

 

Place your order at Sesuit Harbor Cafe

Lobster Caesar Salad

What a view!

Dine outside by the water.

Sesuit Harbor Cafe 
Dennis, MA 

Summer is officially here, and that means it's time for sun and seafood. Customers can enjoy both at Sesuit Harbor Cafe in Dennis. This little seafood shack is right on the water and the view is spectacular. Breathe in the salty air, watch seagulls fly by and boats on the water as you eat.

The seafood at Sesuit Harbor Cafe is top notch. I loved their Caesar salad with lobster, which comes with plenty of fresh and meaty lobster. Their menu is filled with seafood favorites like whole belly clams, fish and chips and a fisherman's platter. Get fancy with entrees like boiled lobster, baked stuffed scrod, marinated swordfish tips and seared salmon. Don't forget the fries and onion rings. A Cape Cod meal wouldn't be complete without New England Clam Chowder, which they have, along with lobster bisque. 

There are also some options for vegetarians like the Joe-B, which is tomato and mozzarella on a grilled bun with a side of balsamic. Kids options include chicken fingers, hot dogs and grilled cheese.

The Sesuit Harbor Cafe is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, but is CASH only.

Thursday, June 15, 2023

SIZZLIN SUMMER SPOTS: CRESCENT RIDGE DAIRY BAR

Thursday, June 15, 2023

A small cookie dough with sprinkles.

The ice cream is worth the wait.

Crescent Ridge Dairy Bar
Sharon, MA

Summer is finally here and that means it's time for ice cream. There are countless amazing ice cream shops around New England and Crescent Ridge Dairy Bar in Sharon is a favorite.

Crescent Ridge is known for their gigantic portions. A small is MASSIVE. Their website has pictures of all of their flavors, along with some of the products they sale. There are ice cream cakes, ice cream cupcakes and ice cream sandwiches. Crescent Ridge also sells milk and other drinks like lemonade, which can be delivered to your home.

Crescent Ridge is a busy place in the summer, so prepare for a wait especially on weekends. Customers can kill some time by checking out their pasture of cows and goats.

Friday, May 05, 2023

HAPPY CINCO DE MAYO!

Friday, May 05, 2023
Chicken fajitas at Mexico City

Happy Cinco de Mayo 2023! Mexican restaurants all over New England are celebrating today with food and drink specials along with plenty of free swag. My family enjoyed an early celebration at Mexico City in Ashland, Massachusetts the other night. We shared some delicious chicken fajitas. Support your local restaurants for Cinco de Mayo and enjoy the weekend! 

Sunday, April 23, 2023

UNIQUE WRAPS AT PAPA JOE'S WRAP SHACK IN BRISTOL, RI

Sunday, April 23, 2023

 

Lasagna wrap

Papa Joe's Wrap Shack 

PAPA JOE'S WRAP SHACK
Bristol, RI

If you're looking for a quick and tasty spot to grab lunch while enjoying the waterfront community of Bristol, Rhode Island than look no further than Papa Joe's Wrap Shack. Their menu features all kinds of hearty, unique wraps.

There are hot wraps like The Bristolian with fried calamari, hot pepper rings, mozzarella, mixed greens and garlic mayo. There's an Asian-inspired Kung Pao Chicken wrap and the Harley Quinn with shaved steak, peppers, rice and more. The Wrap Shack offers a bunch of cold wraps like Chicken Caesar, The Garden of Eden made with a veggie burger and the Pearzola with grilled pears. I tried their Lasagna grilled wrap which is stuffed with pasta, meatballs, Pomodoro sauce and mozzarella. It was very good and filling.

The Wrap Shack also serves pizza. Make your own, or try one of their specialty pizzas. They even have a lasagna pizza, along with a shrimp-topped pie called The Scampi.

There is also a kids menu with a Fluffinator wrap, a mac & cheese wrap and a chicken fingers wrap.

The Wrap Shack has been in business since 2002 and is open for lunch and dinner Wednesday through Sunday.

Thursday, April 06, 2023

FAMILY FUN AT UNO!

Thursday, April 06, 2023

UNO's famous deep dish pizza.

The Easter Bunny is ready for his close-up.

A big shoutout to UNO for its family fun nights. Every Tuesday, kids eat free, but every now and then on a Tuesday, UNO hosts fun nights, usually around the holidays. This week, their location in Bellingham, Massachusetts put on an Easter egg decorating party. Children got to draw on wooden Easter eggs and took pictures with the above Easter Bunny. At Christmas, Santa was there along with cookie decorating. Last Mother's Day, we decorated a flower pot for mom. Eat Up New England LOVES these events that bring families together, not to mention it's a chance to enjoy one of their delicious deep dish pizzas!

Tuesday, March 14, 2023

TASTE OF METROWEST 2023

Tuesday, March 14, 2023

 

Rigatoni Bolognese and Mai Tais from Burtons.

Beef grilled cheese and slaw from Framingham State.

Food lovers started off the week right at the 10th annual Taste of MetroWest in Framingham, Massachusetts last night. The event features tastings and drink samples from some of the restaurants in the MetroWest area. Attendees vote on their favorite dishes. My favorite food and drink of the night came from Burtons Grill, which served rigatoni bolognese and mai tais! The chefs from Framingham State also served up a tasty course of braised beef paninis with a slaw salad, while Nan's Market offered some delicious chicken sliders, which also won best entrée.

Sunday, March 12, 2023

TASTY TACOS AND AMERICAN CLASSICS AT THE BUCKLEY KITCHEN & BAR IN FRAMINGHAM

Sunday, March 12, 2023

 

Beef barbacoa tacos

Truffle fries
Lots of live plants create a cozy indoor vibe.

THE BUCKLEY KITCHEN & BAR
Framingham, MA
thebuckleykitchen.com

A new apartment complex called The Buckley went up in Framingham in the middle of the pandemic. Lucky for everyone who lives there, there's also The Buckley Kitchen & Bar, which is the sister restaurant to Mazi in Ashland. This cozy American bar offers modern takes on American classics, with a splash of Greek inspiration.

There is something for whatever you're in the mood for on the menu. Go for one of their pastas like the swordfish piccata with spaghetti or the classic chicken and Broccoli alfredo. There are also a number of flatbreads including a truffled mushroom and the gyro which is topped with rotisserie pork and tzatziki sauce. Sandwiches include a chicken bacon ranch on Texas toast and a hot & sweet chicken sandwich on Texas Toast.  

We started or meal with their truffled fries, which were fantastic. There were plenty for our group of six to share. They also have nachos, BBQ meatballs, fried pickle spears, quesadillas and sticky wings. Their bar also has beer from nearby Jack's Abby on tap, along with cocktails and wine. For dinner, I enjoyed one of their "favorites," the beef barbacoa tacos, with tender and flavorful meat topped with guac and tomato. There are also vegan tacos, salads and a veggie bowl, along with a children's menu.

The Buckley Kitchen and Bar also offers Sunday brunch. 

Saturday, March 04, 2023

FANTASTIC SUNDAY BRUNCH AT THE ZOO! GALLIFORD'S IN MENDON

Saturday, March 04, 2023

 

Galliford's Restaurant at Southwick's Zoo

The dessert station

My lunch plate

My breakfast plate

Galliford's Restaurant & Tavern
Mendon, MA

There's nothing finer than a hearty Sunday brunch, but would you think you'd find one of the best around at a ZOO? Southwick's Zoo in Mendon, Massachusetts is home to Galliford's Restaurant & Tavern. They are open for lunch and dinner most days, but on Sunday, Galliford's puts together a brunch buffet that could compete with any Sunday brunch in Boston.

Their Sunday Brunch With Style features an array of mouth-watering foods on an all-you-can-eat buffet. Breakfast dishes include crème brulee French toast, eggs benedict, scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, bagels, pastries, fruit salad and much more. The warm sticky buns with frosting are a MUST to try, along with their waffle station that's complete with berry compote and homemade whipped cream. Drinks like coffee, milk and juices are included, with an upcharge for alcoholic beverages like a Bloody Mary or mimosas.

Save room for their lunch buffet options. When we visited there was cod, beans, a couple of salads, and manicotti. If you possibly have room left after all of that, there's a table full of desserts. There were a couple types of cheesecakes, cupcakes, a smores pudding, tarts and cookies. It was the perfect way to end a delicious sweet and savory meal.

Be sure to make a reservation because the Sunday brunch is quite popular. Also, if you sit in the back of the restaurant, you can watch some of the zoo's animals in their habitats as you dine.

Sunday, January 29, 2023

GENEROUS PORTIONS OF COMFORT FOOD AT LUCKY DOG TAVERN IN NORTH SMITHFIELD, RI

Sunday, January 29, 2023
Lucky Dog Tavern in North Smithfield, RI

A sample of beer.

Eggplant parmigiana

Beef short rib & cheddar grilled cheese

Chocolate lava cake with vanilla ice cream

Lucky Dog Tavern
North Smithfield, RI
 
It's always a good sign to arrive at a restaurant you've never tried before and get a rave review from a long-time customer. As we were waiting for our table, one of Lucky Dog Tavern's loyal customers had just eaten and told us that it's one of her favorite spots and all of the food is fantastic. She was right.
 
Lucky Dog Tavern is nestled on the bottom floor of a two-story home in North Smithfield. It is small, but the food is mighty good. My wife and I enjoyed the perfect meal from start to finish. Our waitress, Raelynn, was as good as it gets. She was highly knowledgeable of everything on the menu, went out of her way to check in on us and make recommendations. When I wasn't sure which beer I wanted to try, she brought over a sample. 

The menu is full of comfort food favorites including apps like stuffed mushrooms, Tavern poutine, lobster poutine and calamari. Warm up with some French onion soup or lobster bisque.
 
Entrees include flappers aka wings, quesadillas, burgers, pastas, sandwiches, chicken, veal,  and seafood dishes. Lucky Dog also serves up steak tips, a sirloin strip and plenty of hearty daily specials. I ordered one of their gourmet grilled cheeses, the beef short rib and cheddar grilled cheese, which was fantastic. My wife enjoyed the large plate of eggplant parm, and there was plenty to bring home. 
 
Since the meal was so good, we had to order dessert. We loved the molten chocolate lava cake, which comes with a generous scoop of vanilla ice cream. You would never know it's gluten free. There's also a house-made bread pudding for dessert that looks amazing.
 
Lucky Dog Tavern is one of the best restaurants I've been to in a long time, but make a reservation because it gets busy especially on weekends.

Friday, January 20, 2023

BUBBLE TEA: YUCK OR YUM?

Friday, January 20, 2023

 

ViVi Bubble Tea
A brand-new bubble tea shop has opened up in Faneuil Hall in Boston. ViVi Bubble Tea specializes in Taiwanese bubble tea. There are a few other locations in Massachusetts, but it originated in New York City.

So what is bubble tea? It is made of tea most often with chewy tapioca balls. This is why people either love or hate bubble tea. Many people at work said they do not like the texture, saying they don't want to chew their coffee. But I quite enjoy those tapioca balls along with the refreshing flavor of the cold and milky tea.

Vivi offers a bunch of bubble tea flavors like honey dew, Japanese matcha, black tea and even tiramisu. There are also a bunch of varieties like milk teas, floats and lattes. ViVI also serves food like popcorn chicken, curly fries, soup noodles and rice bowls. 

Tuesday, December 13, 2022

A COZY CHRISTMASTIME VISIT TO THE BRICK ALLEY PUB & RESTAURANT IN NEWPORT, RHODE ISLAND

Tuesday, December 13, 2022

 

The halls are decked at the Brick Alley Pub.

Check out their salad bar!

Clam chowder

Fish and chips

The Brick Alley Pub & Restaurant
Newport, RI

It's always a good time to visit Newport, RI, but it's extra special at Christmas time. The shops are all decorated, there are Christmas trees everywhere and the restaurants are buzzing. 

The Brick Alley Pub & Restaurant on busy Thames Street has been a favorite for locals and visitors for 40 years. Their menu is packed full of comfort foods and seafood favorites. I enjoyed their fish and chips with a cup of clam chowder. The Rhode Island-style breading on the fish is fantastic and really brings out the taste of the fish. Other seafood dishes include classic baked scallops, lemony scallops piccata and baked stuffed shrimp.

There are a number of apps to kick off your meal like calamari, ahi tuna sliders and spinach and artichoke dip. There are also a bunch of "Famous Nacho Platters" to choose from like their cheese nachos, chicken nachos and Texas Chili Nacho Platter. Entrees include several salads, steaks, burgers, and pub style pizzas. The Italian in me would love to try one of their pastas one of these days. There's lobster mac & cheese, chicken piccata, chicken parm, spice buffalo pasta and more.

One thing I really enjoy about the Brick Alley Pub is their fresh salad bar. You don't see salad bars that much anymore, especially in the wake of Covid, so it's wonderful that they have one. Fill up a plate and grab a soup along with your entree or as a meal in itself. 

Brick Alley Pub has a full bar with plenty of beer on tap, along with an extensive wine list. There are margaritas, sangrias, a bunch of house specialty drinks and even frozen and warm libations. They say their warm Irish Coffee is the best and sounds like it would be a tasty sip on a chilly winter day.

Brick Alley Pub and Restaurant has it all. A variety of fantastic food and drinks, along with that salad bar. The service is also excellent. Our server forgot to include cheese on my wife's veggie burger, so when she ordered a hot cocoa, it was on the house! 

Wednesday, December 07, 2022

TOUGH TIMES FOR BERTUCCI'S

Wednesday, December 07, 2022

Newington, CT location that is now closed.

Bertucci's has filed for bankruptcy and is closing a number of restaurants. The Italian chain sites Covid-19 and inflation for declining sales and an increase in expenses. In Massachusetts, restaurants in North Attleboro, Beverly, Brockton, Canton and Marlborough have closed. In New Hampshire, Bertucci's in Manchester and Salem were closed. Only the Nashua location remains in New Hampshire. 20 Bertucci's in Massachusetts will remain open, along with 11 others on the East Coast. Bertucci's also filed for bankruptcy in 2018. The restaurant got its start in Somerville in 1981. 

Update: Sadly, the first location I ever went to decades ago has closed. Their spot in Newington, Connecticut.


Thursday, November 17, 2022

IT'S RED CUP DAY AT STARBUCKS

Thursday, November 17, 2022

 

2022 Starbucks Red Cup
It's my favorite day of the year at Starbucks! Today is their 25th annual Red Cup Day. Customers get a free reusable red cup to celebrate the holidays.

Saturday, October 29, 2022

THANKS FOR THE MEMORIES, ROSE'S BERRY FARM

Saturday, October 29, 2022

 

There was no better breakfast than their blueberry pancakes with homemade whipped cream.

Sunday morning memories.

The truck that drove people up to pick blueberries.

Breakfast With A View
It's hard to say goodbye to one of your favorite places. Rose's Berry Farm was a beloved pick-your-own berry farm in South Glastonbury, Connecticut. For years, my grandmother and I visited in the summer to pick blueberries. Rose's was also known for their Breakfast With A View on Sunday mornings. People would line up for their pancakes topped with blueberries and whipped cream. This was one of the most delicious breakfasts in all of New England, and on top of that, customers ate while enjoying a beautiful view of their sprawling farm. 

Rose's served their last Breakfast With a View last Sunday. On Monday, they gave away a pile of their remaining pumpkins and squash away to the community. Owner Sandi Rose is retiring and going to enjoy life in North Carolina.  She says the Town of Glastonbury and private buyers will allow the farm's legacy to continue.They will announce the next chapter for the farm in 2023.

I'd like to thank Rose's for the years of precious memories made with my family and my grandmother. Grandma passed just shy of her 92nd birthday last year, but I will always cherish the times we braved the hot summer sun to pick blueberries at Rose's Berry Farm.

MCDONALD'S PUMPKIN PAILS ARE BACK!

Saturday, October 29, 2022


“McBoo”
If you are an 80's or 90's kid, chances are that you remember McDonald’s Boo Buckets at Halloween. This year, they are back! There’s the ghost aka McBoo, the pumpkin aka McPunk’n and the witch aka McGoblin. This time around, they come with stickers! Get your taste of nostalgia through Halloween. 

Tuesday, October 18, 2022

FALL FLAVORS AND WARM CIDER DONUTS AT HANSON'S FARM

Tuesday, October 18, 2022
One of Hanson's perfect cider donuts.

Making the donuts fresh.

Hanson's Farm in Framingham
 
Hanson's Farm
Framingham, MA

It's that magical time of year where the leaves are changing, the temperature is dropping, and pumpkins are on just about every doorstep. Fall is here along with all of the comforting flavors that come with it. There are so many farm stands to enjoy in New England, and they are the perfect places to discover fall favorites. Hanson's Farm in Framingham, Massachusetts is one such special place. 
 
It's peak pumpkin season at Hanson's. Customers can pick their own pumpkins in their field or grab one in their store. Hanson's Farm started making their own cider donuts in 2020, and they are a MUST try. If you visit on the weekend in the fall, you can see them being made fresh. We bought a half-dozen and they were still warm in the bag, which made them even more delicious. These are some of the best cider donuts I've ever eaten. Still hungry? Check out their school bus ice cream truck with a number of flavors including pumpkin. When we were there on the weekend, they were also selling baked potatoes and BBQ pork sandwiches.
 
Hanson's is open from May to December. In the summer, the grow and sell their own produce like tomatoes, corn, zucchini and peppers. In November, they take orders for Thanksgiving pies and at Christmas, there are trees, wreaths, and more.