Thursday, May 26, 2022

DINING WITH A VIEW AT THE MARINA IN BRATTLEBORO, VT

Thursday, May 26, 2022
Marina mac n Cheese

Enjoy indoor and waterfront dining

The Marina 
Brattleboro, VT 

It's the perfect time of year to eat outside. The Marina in Brattleboro, Vermont is the perfect place to do just that. Open year round, they do have an indoor dining area, but with the summer approaching, pull up a seat outside and enjoy the water with a view of the mountains. My family and I recently enjoyed lunch al fresco. It was fun seeing people on the water as we ate.

I enjoyed one of their "dockside favorites," their Marina Mac n Cheese. The pasta is baked and topped with crispy panko bread crumbs and the salad is topped with fresh peppers and tomatoes. Other favorites include fried mahi tacos, grilled flat iron steak, fish n chips and grilled salmon. There are also a hand full of burgers to choose from, along with salads. Apps include shrimp skewers, lobster bisque, steamed mussels, clam chowder and nachos. There are lots of Vermont beers on tap including one of my favorites, Von Trap Beer. Cheesecake and a Tollhouse cookie sundae are some of the sweet treats The Marina offers.

The Marina is open for lunch and diner. As of this writing, they are requiring proof of Covid vaccination.

Friday, May 20, 2022

ICE CREAM SHORTAGE JUST IN TIME FOR THE SUMMER

Friday, May 20, 2022

 

There was plenty of cookie dough!

Out of some flavors

Murphy’s is always busy with lines of customers ordering ice cream. 
Add ice cream to the list of what’s in short supply. Richardson’s Ice Cream was forced to stop production because they were having trouble getting enough sugar. This is trickling down to a bunch of ice cream shops in New England including Murphy’s in Ashland, Massachusetts. Eat Up New England spotted a sign up today noting that they were out of some flavors because of the Richardson’s issue. Fortunately, the ice cream maker says they now have enough sugar and are resuming production, so this this hopefully this ice cream shortage will soon be solved. 

Thursday, May 19, 2022

GOAT-ADE AND PULLED PORK MAC & CHEESE AT THE HOME OF THE YARD GOATS

Thursday, May 19, 2022

 

Pulled pork mac & cheese

A taste of summer!
It's back to the ballpark for Eat Up New England. I was recently able to enjoy a game at Dunkin Donuts Park, aka the home of the Yard Goats, for the first time in four years! The food is always a highlight at the park in Hartford, Connecticut. I LOVED their Goat-Ade Shandy. Cool and refreshing. The perfect beer for a hot summer day.  It's made by Connecticut's Thomas Hooker Brewing Company. I also stopped by Bear's Smokehouse for the first time.This BBQ joint has a few locations around Connecticut besides DDP. My toddler and I really enjoyed their pulled pork mac & cheese.

Friday, May 13, 2022

IT'S A PIZZA. IT'S A CUPCAKE. IT'S A PIZZA CUPCAKE!

Friday, May 13, 2022
Pepperoni Pizza Cupcakes

$9.99 for a box of 6.
The Pizza Cupcake is bringing pizza to snackers in a whole new way, in the form of a cupcake! On the outside, there’s a flaky and buttery crust. On the inside, gooey cheese and delicious sauce. It’s no wonder the creators of The Pizza Cupcake made a deal with Lori Greiner on Shark Tank. They are now available in select stores including Stew Leonard’s, which is where I found them in Connecticut. Choose from pepperoni and margherita. 

Friday, April 29, 2022

GORDON RAMSAY BURGER IS COMING TO BOSTON

Friday, April 29, 2022

 

Hell's Kitchen Burger
Celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay is expanding his food empire in Boston, preparing to open a second restaurant in the city. Gordon Ramsay Burger will open in Boston later this year. It will feature the chef's butter-basted burgers, fries, and hand-spun milkshakes. Of course, there will be a Hell's Kitchen Burger with mozzarella cheese, jalepenos, roasted tomatoes and avocado.

The 4,000-square foot restaurant will be in the new Canopy by Hilton hotel which is near Faneuil Hall and the financial District. The Hell's Kitchen host opened Ramsay's Kitchen in the mandarin Oriental earlier this year. It features his signature Beef Wellington, along with twists on local favorites.

Wednesday, April 06, 2022

INSIDE THE NEW DAVE’S HOT CHICKEN IN MASSACHUSETTS

Wednesday, April 06, 2022
 
Daves #2 and Dave's #1

Dave's #2

Order your chicken deliciousness here.

The dining room
The only location in New England!


Dave’s Hot Chicken
Newton, MA

Something HOT is coming to Massachusetts. Dave’s Hot Chicken that is. The restaurant is opening its first location in Newton this Friday. Eat Up New England attended a special friends and family event today ahead of the opening. 

Dave’s Hot Chicken specializes in chicken, so their menu is limited.  Sliders. Tenders. Fries. Cheese fries. Kale slaw. Mac and cheese. Milkshakes. The end. 

There are three combos to choose from. Dave’s #1: two tenders and fries. Dave’s #2: two sliders and fries. Dave’s #3: one tender, one slider and fries. These meals are enough for two, so if you don’t want as much, you can order a la carte. Get one slider and say some mac and cheese or get one tender and some kale slaw. The #2 was highly recommended so I ordered the two sliders. Extra cheese. Extra pickles. All of their chicken is drizzled in their highly addictive Dave’s sauce. What. A. Meal. 

NOW, if you’re not a fan of spicy food, Dave’s has you covered. Choose your heat for your chicken ranging from No Spice to Reaper. I went right down the middle and enjoyed my chicken with mild sauce. 

Dave’s Hot Chicken started in California and has branched out all over the country. How lucky are we that their first New England location is in Massachusetts?!


Monday, April 04, 2022

CHEESY GOODNESS AT THE CHEESY STREET GRILL

Monday, April 04, 2022
Grills and tasty toppings are ready to go!

Inside of the Boston Sports Institute

The Big Melt
Cheesy Street Grill
Multiple locations in Massachusetts and New Hampshire

The Cheesy Street Grill is the home of elevated grilled cheeses and other cheesy delights. I recently checked out their location in Wellesley, which is a little off the beaten path. It's nestled inside of the Boston Sports institute in Wellesley, Massachusetts and is the perfect spot to grab a quick bite after practice.

You'd be a cheesehead if you didn't try their grilled cheese. Customers can choose from a bunch or toppings like caramelized onions, roasted red peppers, guac, mushrooms, bacon and more. There are also a bunch of their own grilled concoctions. I really enjoyed The Big Melt that's stuffed with ground beef, cheddar cheese, pickles and thousand island dressing. There's also the Get Shorty with beef short ribs and chipotle mac & cheese OR go for the Taco Grilled Cheese with ground beef, sour cream, lettuce, guac, cheddar and jalapeños. How about the Cheddar & The Sea? That's their version of a tuna melt. Or, The Great Hambino, which is made of ham, Swiss cheese and caramelized onions. Is your mouth watering yet?

The Cheesy Street Grill also whips up mac & cheese bowls. Customize them with the same toppings that they use in their grilled cheeses. There are salads for those looking for a healthy alternative. A Caesar, fruit & nut and chipotle chicken salad are all on the menu. And, don't forget the tots! Get 'em plain or loaded with cheese and bacon.

Wednesday, March 30, 2022

BOTTOMS UP AT THE ROCK BOTTOM

Wednesday, March 30, 2022

Chicken carbonara

Check out their bar!

Rock Bottom is just steps away from the Bock Wang Theatre.

Rock Boston Restaurant & Brewery
Boston, MA
No one saw it coming, but last Saturday families flooded the Rock Bottom Restaurant & Brewery on Stuart Street. We were all in the city for the Cocomelon show at the Boch Center.  After the show ended, it was a mad rush for food. The unsuspecting staff at Rock Bottom did a great job seating all of the parents and kids.

All of the moms and dads, including me, got ordered a beer. I enjoyed a Guinness. Rock Bottom offers many local beers, along with boozy milkshakes, cocktails, margaritas, mules and wine.

For lunch, I LOVED their chicken carbonara. The linguini is covered in a garlic-parmesan cream and is topped with a sunny-side up egg. Other entrees include fish and chips, Cajun fish tacos, grilled salmon and steak & fries. There are several burgers on their menu, along with a fried chicken sandwich, and a Philly cheesesteak. Rock Bottom also serves up a bunch of salads, bowls and flatbreads. For dessert, their beer donut holes covered in caramel sound amazing.

Monday, March 21, 2022

PERFECT PIZZA AT NEWINGTON PIZZA

Monday, March 21, 2022

 

Check out that pie from Newington Pizza!

NEWINGTON PIZZA
Newington, CT

Newington Pizza is one of my favorite small, local pizza shops. It's been in business FOREVER and the pizza has been served the same forever. If it ain't broke, don't fix it. 

All of their pies are topped with a generous amount of cheese. And check out the cut! Instead of triangles, Newington Pizza cuts their pies into squares, and believe me, the center slices without the crust are delicious. I've been ordering their hamburger and mushroom pizzas since I was a teenager and am happy to say I still enjoy them today.

Newington Pizza also serves hot and cold subs, calzones, sandwiches salads, a bunch of apps and pastas. There is a small dining room, but most of their business is takeout. 

Thursday, March 17, 2022

HAPPY ST. PATRICK’S DAY!

Thursday, March 17, 2022

​Irish pizza

It’s St. Patrick’s Day, which means the green beer is flowing and Irish-inspired foods are flying out of the kitchen at restaurants everywhere. I stopped by Stone’s Public House in Ashland, MA today for some tasty takeout. I loved this Irish pizza with potatoes, bacon, cheese and scallions. It was nice to see the restaurant filed with customers are two years of pandemic restrictions. Let’s hope the worst of it is over. Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

Sunday, March 13, 2022

SUPPORT UKRAINE WITH PUTIN PUNCH

Sunday, March 13, 2022

 

Putin Punch at the Stew Leonard's in Newington, CT

The fruit punch is made by Avery's Soda
Many of us are left feeling helpless in the wake of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. There are many ways to help, including buying some Putin Punch. Avery's Soda of New Britain, Connecticut is bottling the soda with a portion of proceeds going to support the Ukranian Red Cross Society. It's available at Stew Leonard's in Newington and at their headquarters in New Britain. The label features Putin getting punched in the face with a yellow and blue boxing glove, which are the colors of the Ukranian flag. The bottle caps are also yellow and blue. Putin Punch has already raised thousands of dollars for the relief effort.

Thursday, March 10, 2022

SAMPLING SOME OF NEWTON'S BEST RESTAURANTS

Thursday, March 10, 2022


Lemon chicken from Fiorella's

Blueberry muffin from Country Desserts

Caffe Nero across from Star Market


It's been about five years since I lived in Newton and I have missed so many of its restaurants. My wife and I recently spent some time in the city and reconnected with some of the places we have always loved.

The first stop was our favorite place, Fiorella's Cucina. I enjoyed my favorite dish, the lemon chicken. It's penne with chicken, kalamata olives and artichokes. We also went back to Paddy's Public House where I LOVED their chicken pot pie with a pint of beer. The pot pie is served in a bread bowl, which I devoured.

For breakfast, we stopped by Country Desserts for some of their delicious muffins. Their cupcakes are also amazing. We also checked out some new local chains like Caffe Nero and Clover Food Lab, which had opened since we moved away.

It was wonderful to see our favorite local spots still thriving all of these years later and after two brutal years of the pandemic. Check them out the next time you're in Newton. You can also read more about Fiorella's, Paddy's Public House and Country Desserts here on Eat Up New England. 

Sunday, February 20, 2022

AMAZING AIR AND FANTASTIC COMFORT FOOD AT THE 100TH ANNUAL HARRIS HILL SKI JUMP

Sunday, February 20, 2022
Racelette cheese plate

Melting the raclette cheese

Pulled pork sandwich from Gouger's BBQ

Penguin Porter beer from Whetstone Station

A ski jumper wows the crowd.
Olympic ski jumpers from around the world made the trek to Brattleboro, Vermont this weekend for the 100th annual Harris Hill Ski Jump. On Saturday, the snow was falling furiously, which only heightened the extreme experience. The event was so much fun. To see these ski jumpers, some just teenagers, go for the glory high up in the air was inspiring and unforgettable. Some were Olympians. Others were aspiring Olympians. All of them were world-class athletes. 

There was plenty of delicious food to warm us all up. Whetstone Station was one of the events sponsors. They were there with a bunch of their beers on tap and serving them in special Harris Hill Sky Jump 100th anniversary souvenir cups. I enjoyed a Penguin Porter. Walking up and down the hill all day is enough to make anyone hungry. So, many of spend the day grazing at the many food tents. I enjoyed a pulled pork sandwich from Brattleboro's Grouger BBQ. A heaping portion of the heavenly meat was served on a bulkie roll and topped off with cole slaw. The most unique eat of the day was a racelette cheese plate. The Vermont-made cheese is fried using special machines and the ooey gooey cheese is poured over potatoes and bread and served with pickles. It' a Swiss dish and as a cheese lover, I am so glad I tried it!

Monday, February 14, 2022

FOOD TRUCKS: THE CHUBBY CHICKPEA

Monday, February 14, 2022


The Chubby Chickpea food truck

Falafel pita
I always love it when food trucks roll up to Weston Nurseries in Hopkinton, Massachusetts. This weekend, the Chubby Chickpea pulled up. They specialize in Middle Eastern food. I really enjoyed their falafel pita. It's full of flavor and the perfect size for lunch. Their rotating menu also includes shawarma, chicken schnitzel and fried eggplant. Make a lunch plate with a garden salad, rice or chickpea salad as a side.


Follow The Chubby Chickpea on social media to see where their trucks will be each day.

Monday, January 24, 2022

MARYLOU'S COFFEE NOW AVAILABLE AT GROCERY STORES

Monday, January 24, 2022


Marylou's at Sudbury Farms in Needham, MA
Marylou's coffee is now available at some local grocery stores. Bags of their coffee and boxes of their K-Cups have been spotted at Sudbury Farms, Roche Bros. and Market Basket. Some of their most popular flavors like Mocha Mint, Milky Wey, and Banana Nut Bread are available. This is great news for people like me who don't have a Marylou's nearby. 

Friday, December 31, 2021

IT'S NEW YEAR'S EVE. TIME FOR CHINESE!

Friday, December 31, 2021


Mandarin Cuisine
It's New Year's Eve, a time when so many of us rush to our favorite Chinese restaurant to order a load of yummy take out. This year, I'm enjoying some chicken fingers and crab rangoon from Mandarin Cuisine in Needham, Massachusetts. I ordered early and was glad I did. Waits can be HOURS on NYE. There were lots of people there already and a sea of large, white take out bags, but I got in and out quickly.

Enjoy your New Year's Eve food wherever you get it. Eat Up New England wishes you a happy and healthy 2022.

Wednesday, December 08, 2021

YOU'RE A TASTY ONE, MR. GRINCH!

Wednesday, December 08, 2021


J.P Licks' Christmas Specials

The Grinch's Candy Cane Ice Cream Sundae

J.P. Lick's is offering some tempting ice cream sundae specials for the Christmas season. Choose from The Grinch's Candy Cane Ice Cream Sundae or Santa's Candy Cane Ice Cream Sundae. I went naughty and enjoyed a small Grinch sundae. They come in medium and large, too! I loved the minty ice cream, chocolate chips and candy cane.

J.P. Lick's is offering a several holiday-themed ice creams. New this year, "A Christmas Story: The Musical Oh Fudge!" ice cream, which is chocolate with pieces of fudge. There's also "Gingersnap Molasses" and "Candy Cane."

THE FRIENDLY TOAST IS COMING TO LEGACY PLACE

Wednesday, December 08, 2021


The Friendly Toast is opening a couple of new locations in Massachusetts. I spotted this announcement as I was shopping in Legacy Place in Dedham. No word on when it will open. The Friendly Toast is also opening a new spot in The Shops at Chestnut Hill where Besito used to be. The Friendly Toast is known for serving brunch and boozy drinks all day long.

Tuesday, December 07, 2021

ENJOY THE KING OF CLUBS LOBSTER SANDWICH AT THE BRASS COMPASS

Tuesday, December 07, 2021

The King of Clubs

Delicious clam chowder

The Brass Compass Cafe
The Brass Compass Cafe
Rockland, Maine

Maine is known for its fresh lobster. One of the finest lobster sandwiches in all of Maine can be found at The Brass Compass Cafe in Rockland.

The King of Clubs is so good that it was declared the winner on Throwdown with Bobby Flay.  You'll need your appetite for this one. This thick, double decker sandwich is packed with fresh lobster meat, lettuce, tomato and crispy bacon. It is so amazingly good. Somehow, I still had room to enjoy a cup of their clam chowder with this monster of a sandwich.

The Brass Compass is open for breakfast and lunch. There's a lot to choose from for both meals. For breakfast, there are a number of omelets, benedicts and specials like The Zoe, which is a grilled biscuit topped with haddock cakes, poached eggs and hollandaise. They also serve the ever-so delicious biscuits with sausage gravy. For lunch, there are a bunch of seafood platter and rolls, along with many specialty salads like the surf & turf Caesar and a salmon Caesar. They also serve burgers, quesadillas and wraps.

The Brass Compass is located in downtown Rockland where are plenty of shops to check out. They also have outdoor dining during the warmer months.

Sunday, November 07, 2021

PERFECT PANINIS AT HOT TABLE

Sunday, November 07, 2021

Cranberry turkey club

Hot Table
Framingham, MA

Hot Table specializes in amazingly delicious paninis filled with whatever you'd like! This small local chain recently opened its latest location in Shoppers World in Framingham and I am so glad I stopped by.

The bread for the paninis is made fresh in house. Choose from small, medium or large. I LOVED their large cranberry turkey club. This limited time special is stuffed with turkey, crumbled bacon, lettuce, American cheese and a tasty cranberry mayo. It's the best panini I've ever eaten! 

There are so many other panini options on their menu like a chicken pesto, chicken parm, spicy bbq pork and Italian cold cut. There are a ton of sandwich stuffers and fillers to make whatever kind of panini you can dream up. Hot Table also offers a few salads on their menu, along with some soups. Fountain drinks round out the meal. I enjoyed their cranberry lemonade.

Hot Table has a hand full of other locations in Massachusetts including in Marlboro and Worcester, along with a few in Connecticut. Hot Table also has an app where guests earn points for free food.
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