Thursday, June 25, 2020
DINING AL FRESCO AT BOURBON'S
Thursday, June 25, 2020
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| Bourbon's new outdoor dining area. |
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| Purple Haze |
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| Nachos piled high! |
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| Rangoons |
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| Crispy Brussels |
Bourbon's Kitchen & Cocktails
Framingham, Massachusetts
www.bourbonsframingham.com
Bourbon's Kitchen & Cocktails is back at it, serving dinner indoors (limited seating) and outdoors at their dining area. The outdoor spot is wonderful especially on a warm summer night. It's lined with small palm trees and all of the tables are spaced out for social distancing. Like all restaurants, Bourbon's has made a few changed because of the coronavirus. The menu can be found using a QR code. Paying is also done by cell phone. There is also a $1 charge person customer so they can keep things running during the pandemic.
There are a bunch of refreshing summer drinks on their menu right now including mixed berry or grapefruit rose sangria. I enjoyed one of their many beers on tap: a Purple Haze, a raspberry blend from the Abita Brewing Company in Louisiana.
Our family shared a bunch of their amazing appetizers. We loved their tower of nachos with street corn and pepper jack cheese. Everyone seemed to be ordering their crispy brussels. The sprouts are stirred up with truffle aioli and parmesan. Amazing. We also loved their rangoons with onions and cream cheese inside. ALL of these apps are vegetarian, but Bourbon's has plenty of plates for carnivores like their steak tacos, meatballs and candied bacon.
Thursday, June 11, 2020
OUTDOOR DINING IS BACK!
Thursday, June 11, 2020
After only takeout and delivery service for four months because of the coronavirus, things are finally starting to get back to normal at restaurants across New England. This week, outdoor dining at restaurants was given the green light in phase two of the reopening in Massachusetts. This is great news for places like Murphy's in Ashland, which had its picnic tables roped off for a month. Other restaurants like TJ's in Ashland are adapting to the times, setting up tables with umbrellas outdoors. Outdoor dining is being allowed in all New England states now. Just be sure to call ahead because the tables fill up fast. Al fresco is the way it will be for now, but what perfect timing, just in time for the summer.
Saturday, April 25, 2020
TAKE-OUT: START LINE BREWING
Saturday, April 25, 2020
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| Start Line's fish and chips |
Hopkinton, Massachusetts
www.startlinebrewing.com
Start Line Brewing is known for its beer, but they are also putting themselves on the map for their food. During the pandemic, they are open for carry out and have some delicious foods to choose from.
Comfort food is king here, so start off with one of their apps like BBQ nachos, Brewhouse Poutine, onion rings or herb parmesan fries. For dinner, there are many sandwiches like a vegetarian-friendly spicy black bean burger. Carnivores may want to try their BBQ puled port sandwich, chicken sandwich or flank steak sandwich. They are also offering a lobster roll and fish & chips. (Check out that portion and those fries! It was so good!) Start Line's menu also includes a few salads like a grilled southwest Caesar salad and a cobb salad. There's also mac & cheese and lobster mac & cheese. Eat Up New England recommends their carrot cake for dessert
Start Line is still brewing, so customers can also pick up beer. Check out their website for beers available and their hours.
TAKE-OUT: AN ITALIAN FEAST FROM ARTURO'S RISTORANTE
Saturday, April 25, 2020
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| Arturo's is offering curbside pickup for dinner. |
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| Pappardelle bolognese |
Westborough, MA
www.arturosristorante.com
We are all so lucky that restaurants are still offering take-out and deliveries at this time. There's never been a better time to show your support for your favorite local spots.
We enjoyed a huge Italian dinner from Arturo's this week. Every meal comes with a little bread. Their menu includes favorites like eggplant rollatini, penne chicken and broccoli, shrimp scampi, piccata and linguine and meatballs. There are a bunch of pizzas to choose from or make your own. I loved their large portion of pappardelle bolognese. There was enough for two meals. For dessert, my wife and I split the mouth-watering limoncello mascarpone cake.
Right now, Arturo's is also offering family style to-go dinner, designed to feed a family of four. Choose from chicken parm, penne chicken & broccollli or penne with meatballs. They all come with a salad. Check out their website for more information.
Wednesday, March 18, 2020
CELEBRATING ST. PATRICK'S DAY TAKE-OUT STYLE
Wednesday, March 18, 2020
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| Irish Pizza from Stone's Public House |
Fortunately, many restaurants are still offering delivery and take-out. Eat Up New England ordered a delicious Irish pizza from our local Irish place, Stone's Public House.
Daniel Mulhall, Ireland's Ambassador to the USA, said he's telling everyone that St. Patrick's Day 2021 will be the biggest celebration ever. Let's hope he's right.
THE CORONAVIRUS FORCES RESTAURANTS TO MAKE CHANGES
Wednesday, March 18, 2020
The cornavirus is forcing all of us to make changes, changes that could last for months. Restaurants across New England and the country are being impacted. In Massachusetts, it's take-out or delivery only. Major chains like Starbucks, Dunkin Donuts and Chick-Fil-A have closed their dining rooms since large groups of people have been banned. Other restaurants are closing until this scare is over with. Not Your Average Joe's has closed all of its locations.
All of our inboxes are being flooded with emails from restaurants who desperately need our business. Many of them are offering deals. UNO's is open for takeout and is giving customers one free pizza if they buy one. Many restaurants like The First & Last Tavern in Hartford, Connecticut are offering free delivery.
If you can and are comfortable with it, give your local restaurants some take-out or delivery business during these tough times.
All of our inboxes are being flooded with emails from restaurants who desperately need our business. Many of them are offering deals. UNO's is open for takeout and is giving customers one free pizza if they buy one. Many restaurants like The First & Last Tavern in Hartford, Connecticut are offering free delivery.
If you can and are comfortable with it, give your local restaurants some take-out or delivery business during these tough times.
Saturday, February 29, 2020
TRILLIUM BREWING COMPANY
Saturday, February 29, 2020
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| Trillium's large selection of draft beer. |
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| Raspberry Chocolate Gateau |
Canton, MA
www.trilliumbrewing.com
Trillium is the place to go for some fantastic local beer. Their brewing company in Canton includes a brewery, taproom and a large patio where crowds of beer lovers and their four-legged friends can enjoy a pint or two year round.
I am a big fan of flavored beers, so I was excited to discover that Trillium brews a bunch of them. I really enjoyed their Raspberry Chocolate Gateau. Other flavors include Peanut Butter PM Dawn. a Coconut Truffle stout and Peach Super Soak. There are also hoppy beers like Olmsted and Pipsqueak Penguin. All of the beers rotate. There's a list of beers currently on tap on their home page. Trillium also offers some snacks, and on weekends, they often bring in a food truck.
Tuesday, February 04, 2020
BEACH PIZZA IN SALISBURY: A TASTE OF SUMMER IN THE WINTER
Tuesday, February 04, 2020
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| Beach pizza |
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| Hot out of the oven! |
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| Cristy's has been serving slices for generations. |
Salisbury, Massachusetts
For generations, pizza lovers have been treating themselves to slices of "beach pizza" at Cristy's on Broadway in Salisbury. This pizza shop, and its competition, Tripoli's, are steps from the beach. Cristy's only sells pizza, while Tripoli's also makes cannoli's from scratch. The locals all have a favorite shop and swear that one pizza is better than the other. I enjoy them both.
Beach pizza is baked by the sheet and sliced into squares. It comes out of the oven piping hot, which is good for melting a slice of provolone cheese on top. The sauce on beach pizza is also satisfyingly sweet. After decades, it's still very inexpensive, with two slices for a little less than $5.
Cristy's and Tripoli's are open year round, which means customers can get slices in the dead of winter just like I did yesterday.
Saturday, January 18, 2020
SAY "HOLA" TO A FANTASTIC MEXICAN MEAL AT HOLA
Saturday, January 18, 2020
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| Chips and a selection of four salsas, along with a red sangia. |
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| Chori pollo |
Southborough, MA
www.visithola.com
Treat yourself to some fine Mexican food at Hola Restaurante & Tequila Bar in Southborough, Massachusetts. This cozy spot is always jumping at night and is the perfect spot for a date or a fun family dinner.
Every meal starts with their chips and four salsas. They are happy to keep the chips and salsas coming if you want more. Start your meal of with guacamole that's made from scratch right in front of you, or go for one of their other apps like the queso fundido. Hola has a large full bar packed with local beer, wine and tequila. I really enjoyed their red sangria, which is pretty large compared to what other restaurants serve.
For dinner, there are tacos, burritos (they are known for their HUGE burritos), salads, enchiladas and plenty of house specialties. Their enchiladas suizas are very good - five chicken-filled enchiladas topped with a creamy sauce and queso fresco. I can't recommend their Chori Pollo enough. It's a large piece of marinated chicken, topped with chorizo, pineapple and chihuahua cheese. This mouthwatering meal also includes rice and beans and three tortillas to make tacos with. It's also gluten free.
Hola also offers a lunch menu where every meal is $9.99. They also have a nice kids menu with small versions of staples like quesadillas along with a choice of three appetizers and a drink.
Saturday, November 30, 2019
SAY CHEESE!
Saturday, November 30, 2019
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| "The Wedge" |
www.saycheeseft.com
After spending the morning Black Friday shopping, I was delighted to find the Say Cheese! grilled cheese truck at Weston Nurseries in Hopkinton, Massachusetts. The family-owned food truck is based out of Worcester. It can often be found at the Tree House brewery in Charlton. But this Christmas season, it's making a couple of stops in Hopkinton.
I LOVED their grilled cheese called "The Wedge." It's stuffed with bacon, tomato, cheddar and bleu cheese crumbles. They also have a sandwich called "Pickleback," which is filled with pickles, cheddar and bacon. If you're not into one of their specialties, Say Cheese! will make you your own custom grilled cheese. Choose your cheese and fillings. This time of the year they are also selling hot cocoa along with their cold sodas.
Check out their website to see where Say Cheese! is stopping today.
Wednesday, November 27, 2019
BRAVING THE THANKSGIVING CROWD AT OUTPOST FARM
Wednesday, November 27, 2019
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| Customers lining up for turkey, pies, stuffing and more. |
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| The mild weather made the line much more bearable. |
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| Finally inside! |
Holliston, Massachusetts
Outpostfarmma.com
Outpost Farm specializes in turkey, stuffing and pies all year long. So, one the day before Thanksgiving it's not surprise that this place is packed. Police were hired to direct traffic. Cars were parked all along the street. The line stretched outside, but moved quickly. We got inside in about 35 minutes.
Outpost was ready with stacks of fresh-baked pies, tubs of stuffing, gravy, squash and potatoes. They also had some pre-made Thanksgiving sandwiches. I grabbed one with turkey, stuffing and cranberry sauce. They make these year round, too. I also LOVE their turkey pies, which are filled with either white or dark meat and gravy. I'll pair one of those pies with their stuffing and have hearty meals that will last for days.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Monday, November 25, 2019
STEW LEONARD'S IS READY FOR THANKSGIVING
Monday, November 25, 2019
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| Turkey, anyone? |
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| Tons of apps and side dishes |
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| Avocado the turkey |
The shelves of Stew Leonard's in Newington, Connecticut are packed with everything for a Thanksgiving feast. Whole roaming the isles, I could not believe all of the turkeys they have! It's really a sight to see. The grocery store also has so many pre-made Thanksgiving sides like Idaho mashed potatoes, stuffing, roasted vegetables and sweet potato mouse. One of my favorite Thanksgiving traditions at Stew's is the turkey they pardon. This year's bird is named Avocado. Catch him roaming around and pecking at his seed at the front of the store. After Thanksgiving, Avocado will go on to live a long life at a farm sanctuary in upstate Connecticut.
Tuesday, November 19, 2019
MIKE'S PASTRY BRINGS THE NORTH END TO SOMERVILLE
Tuesday, November 19, 2019
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| Cannolis, pies, cakes - they have it all. |
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| Italian cookies of all shapes and sizes! |
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| Mike's Pastry in Somerville |
SUNDAY BRUNCH AT EARLS
Tuesday, November 19, 2019
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| Breakfast Burger |
Saturday, November 09, 2019
MCDONALD'S BRINGS BACK CLASSIC HAPPY MEAL TOYS
Saturday, November 09, 2019
Thursday, November 07, 2019
MERRY COFFEE! DID YOU GET YOUR FREE REUSABLE STARBUCKS HOLIDAY CUP?
Thursday, November 07, 2019
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| Free reusable holiday cup |
Thursday, October 31, 2019
HALLOWEEN TO THE EXTREME AT ROCCO'S DOUGHNUT COMPANY
Thursday, October 31, 2019
Saturday, September 28, 2019
THE BIG E 2019
Saturday, September 28, 2019
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| Poutine |
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| Lobster roll from the Maine State House. |
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| Cold cider from the Vermont State House. |
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| Baked potato with all of the fixins from the Connecticut State House. |
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| The Big E's Legendary Cream Puff! |
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| Chocolate-covered bacon from the Rhode Island State House |
Saturday, September 07, 2019
DONUTS AFTER DARK AT BACK DOOR DONUTS IN MARTHA'S VINEYARD
Saturday, September 07, 2019
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| People lining up for Donuts After Dark. |
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| There are many options to choose from! |
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| The crew making those warm, delicious donuts. |
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| A warm chocolate-frosted donut. |
Oak Bluffs, Martha's Vineyard
www.backdoordonuts.com
Once the sun starts to go down, hungry customers start to line up at Back Door Donuts on Martha's Vineyard. Sure, their bakery is open all day, but at night they serve hot, fresh out of the oven donuts at their back door. It is truly a one-of-a-kind food experience.
There is a large selection of donuts including the more exotic flavors like the maple bacon donut. I really enjoy their warm chocolate frosted donut. I only wish I got more than one! Their double chocolate donut is also fantastic. Back Door Donuts also offers fried dough, apple fritters and cinnamon rolls.
Back Door Donuts is open every night from 7pm to 1am. Don't be afraid of the line. It moves fast. Plus, you're on the Vineyard. Enjoy that cool ocean breeze!
Saturday, August 31, 2019
NYC'S ARTICHOKE BASILLE'S PIZZA COMES TO CONNECTICUT
Saturday, August 31, 2019
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| Artichoke: their signature slice |
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| Artichoke's is known for their big slices. |
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| Newington, CT location |
Newington, CT
www.artichokepizza.com
Artichoke Basille's pizza has been earning rave reviews and drawing huge crowds since it first opened in New York City's East Village in 2008. They are known for their delicious large slices of pizza. Artichoke's has opened its first location in New England, in Newington, Connecticut and they will soon expand to Hartford.
Their cozy Newington restaurant has just enough room for a bar and a few high top tables. The pizzas are sprawled out in front of their ovens.There are many slices to choose from like their signature artichoke slice with artichokes, spinach and cream sauce. Their meatball slice is really good and is topped with a generous portion of meat. They also make a Staten Island slice with meatballs, ricotta and onions. Artichoke's also offers crab, magherita, pepperoni and Sicilian slices.
Artichoke's slices are so good. Let's hope they continue to expand across New England!
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