Sunday, December 10, 2023
STEP INSIDE THE 24-FOOT-TALL REAL GINGERBREAD HOUSE AT MOHEGAN SUN
Step inside this real gingerbread house! |
The fireplace with edible stockings. |
Frosting-covered Christmas stockings. |
The leg lamp from A Christmas Story is lit up inside. |
The Christmas decorations at Mohegan Sun are breath-taking year after year. One of my favorite traditions is their life-sized gingerbread house made with real gingerbread and icing. It is put together by Mohegan Sun's bakers each year and never disappoints. The 2023 gingerbread house stands 24 feet tall. Guests can walk inside where there's a gingerbread fireplace with stockings decorated with a menorah and the Heat Miser and Snow Miser. The legendary leg lamp from A Christmas Story is also on display as part of a cozy scene featuring a Christmas tree and rocking chair. The gingerbread house is so much fun for kids and adults alike, so be sure to check it out this holiday season.
Tuesday, December 05, 2023
FANTASTIC FOOD AND LONG LINES AT WEIHNACHTSMARKT 2023
Lots of beer and long lines. |
Pulled pork over potatoes |
Weihnachtsmarkt aka the annual German Christmas festival was held in Walpole, Massachusetts last Saturday, and the secret is out about this event. Mobbed doesn't even begin to describe it. We had to park far away and walk to get there. When we arrived, people were packed together in lines to get the food. There was plenty of beer, pierogis, toasted nuts bratwurst and liege waffles, but getting any of it proved challenging. My two little girls and I waited in line for about 45 minutes to get pierogis and the people in front of us bought the last of them. Sold out. Not cool. Fortunately, we had a friend in line who was able to get us some amazing pulled pork over potatoes. There were also plenty of vendors, along with Santa for pictures. We also got to meet Krampus, which was a highlight. Weihnachtsmarkt had its fun moments, but the epic lines made this event a no-go in the future unless changes are made to adapt to the crowds.
Thursday, November 30, 2023
MOUTH-WATERING SLICES AT SAKIS PIZZA IN PROVIDENCE
Grab a slice or two |
Sakis Pizza in Providence |
Meat lovers and chicken, broccoli & bacon slices |
Sakis Pizza
Friday, November 17, 2023
THANKSGIVING ON A HOT DOG
Thanksgiving Dog at Snappy Dogs |
Saturday, October 07, 2023
TASTY TACOS AND BOWLS FROM THE BRAISED FOOD TRUCK
Braised Food Truck |
Mexican Street Corn Salad |
Taco Bowl with Beef Barbacoa |
It's fall festival season. Wojcik's Farm in Blackstone, Massachusetts is a fantastic place to get your autumn on. There are hay rides, a corn maze, fresh donuts, apples, pumpkins and every weekend there are food trucks like Braised. This food truck specializes in "low and slow" cuisine like beef barbacoa, chicken and pork. Enjoy it in one of their bowls or try their tacos. The taco bowls are really tasty and fresh. Each one is filled with lettuce, rice, cheese, tortilla chips, black beans and house crema. Vegetarian and gluten free options are also available.
Sunday, October 01, 2023
EATING OUR WAY THROUGH THE BIG E 2023
Thanksgiving sandwich from The Pilgrim in the Massachusetts building. This was amazing, as was their maple and bacon mac & cheese. |
The legendary Big E cream puff. I look forward to it all year! |
NH Kettle Corn from the New Hampshire building |
Fried veggies, Mushrooms, onions, squash, broccoli, pickles with a side of ranch dressing |
The Big is always the place to be in early fall. The rain kept a lot of people away last weekend, but that was not the case this weekend. A near-record 176,498 people were there yesterday. My family was as well, and I had never seen it so packed. I think we'll stick to weekdays from now on because the lines were long. Still, we enjoyed so many of our favorites like their cream puff and some Del's Lemonade. The flavored milkshakes (vanilla, chocolate and strawberry) from the 4-H Milk Booth are always an economical treat at just $2 a cup. We really liked the food from The Pilgram of Agawam in the Massachusetts. You just can't top a Thanksgiving sandwich with fresh turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce, and gravy.
Thursday, September 07, 2023
COLD BEER AND TASTY COMFORT FOOD ON TAP AT SEA DOG BREWING COMPANY
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Open-faced roast turkey dinner |
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Sea Dog Brewing, North Conway, NH |
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
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A tray full of delicious arancini. |
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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
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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 to spend more time with their family. Lines for lunch have been out the door over the past week. I've heard they have run out of bread, and even some 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!
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
Place your order at Sesuit Harbor Cafe |
Lobster Caesar Salad |
What a view! |
Dine outside by the water. |
Thursday, June 15, 2023
SIZZLIN SUMMER SPOTS: CRESCENT RIDGE DAIRY BAR
A small cookie dough with sprinkles. |
The ice cream is worth the wait. |
Friday, May 05, 2023
HAPPY CINCO DE MAYO!
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
Lasagna wrap |
Papa Joe's Wrap Shack |
Thursday, April 06, 2023
FAMILY FUN AT UNO!
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
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
Beef barbacoa tacos |
Truffle fries |
Lots of live plants create a cozy indoor vibe. |
Framingham, MA
thebuckleykitchen.com
The Buckley Kitchen and Bar also offers Sunday brunch.
Saturday, March 04, 2023
FANTASTIC SUNDAY BRUNCH AT THE ZOO! GALLIFORD'S IN MENDON
Galliford's Restaurant at Southwick's Zoo |
The dessert station |
My lunch plate |
My breakfast plate |
Sunday, January 29, 2023
GENEROUS PORTIONS OF COMFORT FOOD AT LUCKY DOG TAVERN IN NORTH SMITHFIELD, RI
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 |