Wednesday, October 09, 2024
SEVERAL UNO PIZZERIA AND GRILLE RESTAURANTS CLOSE
This Uno in Bellingham, MA is still open. |
If you haven't been to Uno Pizzeria and Grille in awhile, now would be a great time to give them your business. The local chain best known for its Chicago-style deep dish pizza has closed a bunch of locations - places that were open for decades. Their Wrentham location that's in Wrentham Village is now closed. Their Framingham location also shuttered recently. Restaurants in Leominster, Millbury and Westborough locations also shut down this year, along with one in Smithfield, Rhode Island. Only 7 locations remain in Massachusetts according to their website.
It's sad to see what's happening to this longtime local chain. Inflation continues to wage war on the restaurant industry, along with skyrocketing leases and post-Covid recovery. People just can't afford to go out as much as they used to.
Thursday, September 19, 2024
DILL PICKLE PIZZA AND APPLE CIDER DEL'S LEMONADE: THE FOOD OF THE BIG E 2024
Strawberry lemonade donut from Fluffy's. A tasty confection with a splash of lemonade that can be injected into the donut. It's good, but the $10 price tag was way too much. |
It wouldn't be the start of fall without Shipyard's Pumpkinhead beer. A number of vendors are selling this, the finest of all pumpkin beers. Make sure to get it with a cinnamon rim. |
Dill Pickle Pizza from Angela's Pizza. Really good. They are also serving slices of Mexican street corn pizza. |
Apple Cider Del's. The classic Del's lemon lemonade will always be my favorite, but I LOVED their frozen twist on apple cider. |
Saturday, September 07, 2024
WHETSTONE STATION IN BRATTLEBORO, VT HAS CLOSED
The bar at the now closed Whetstone Station |
One of the many delicious Whetstone beers |
Raise a glass for Whetstone Station. Eat Up New England is sad to report that the restaurant and brewery in Brattleboro, Vermont has closed its doors for good. It was known for its beer and tasty comfort food. The cozy Vermont vibe couldn't be beat, with a fireplace that burned in the winter months and its location right on the water. North Chair Brewing took over the Whetstone Brewery over the winter and plans to can favorites from the Whetstone Brewery and release beer under its own label, according to to the Brattleboro reformer.
There is some good news here. A new restaurant will be opening at the former Whetstone location. Rail & River Tavern will open in its place. It will offer high-quality American food and will be the home of the second location of Vermont Beer Makers.
Tuesday, August 27, 2024
ON THE ROAD: MIA'S ITALIAN KITCHEN
Eggplant fries |
Mia's Italian Kitchen in Alexandria, VA |
I am just back from a wonderful trip to Washington, D.C. and the surrounding area. Talk about an amazing city for food!
My first stop was just outside of D.C. at Mia's Italian Kitchen in Alexandria, Virginia. This Italian restaurant offers all of the Italian favorites from arancini to lasagna bolognese. Appetizers include a giant meatball, meatball eggrolls and cacio e pepe arancini. We loved the eggplant fries and there was plenty for our party of four. The menu is filled with many brick oven pizzas, salads and pastas to choose from and the portions are hearty. I loved their chicken parmigiana, which comes with a side of rigatoni pomodoro. On weekends, Mia's offers a bottomless brunch where diners can enjoy as many items as like for $32 (as of this writing).
If you're looking for fantastic Italian food in the Alexandria area, Mia's Italian Kitchen is the place to go!
Friday, August 09, 2024
ICE CREAM FLOATS FROM "FLOAT" ARE THE PERFECT TREAT ON A HOT SUMMER DAY
Float food truck |
Orange creamsicle float |
It's been on of the hottest summers in a long time in New England. If you can't take the heat like me, stop by the Float food truck. I recently tried it out for the first time at the Out To Lunch festival in Worcester. Their orange creamsicle ice cream float was so refreshing and delicious. They also make root beer floats and even an iced coffee float. There are also sorbet mocktails or go for just a scoop of ice cream. You can find Float at festivals in the Worcester area. Check out their website (www.floatft.com) and Instagram (@floatfoodtruck) for where they will be each week.
Thursday, July 11, 2024
BUSTER IS BACK IN WORCESTER!
Buster is back! |
A summertime tradition is back in the city of Worcester. Each July, The Sole Proprietor puts this massive crab on top of the restaurant. It almost looks like Halloween has come early, but this is Buster the crab and each year he ushers in his own special crab menu. The Buster menu includes apps like crab rangoon and oven toasted crab cakes. Buster's entrees include king crab ravioli, crab stuffed haddock and king crab legs. Enjoy Buster and his specials though the end of July.
Saturday, June 22, 2024
GEORGE'S CONEY ISLAND: A WORCESTER TRADITION
George's Coney Island: Serving Worcester For More Than A Century |
Two dogs all the way |
Mac & cheese |
Friday, June 21, 2024
ORALE MEXICAN BRINGS FLAVOR TO HOPKINTON
Orale Mexican in Hopkinton, MA |
The dining room and bar |
Musical Bingo! |
Chorizo tacos |
Monday, May 27, 2024
KICKING OFF SUMMER AT THE BLOUNT CLAM SHACK FOOD TRUCK
Blount Clam Shack Food Truck |
Clam Cakes and New England Clam Chowder |
Memorial Day weekend marks the unofficial start of the summer. There's no better way to welcome the season than with some fresh seafood. Blount Clam Shack has a restaurant and market in Warren, Rhode Island. They also operate a food truck that shows up at events during the summer. Eat Up New England was excited to find the truck at the Memorial Day parade in Blackstone, Massachusetts. My kids and I enjoyed their clam cakes and New England clam chowder. There's also a lobster roll, grilled shrimp, fish and chips and some lobster nachos, which look amazing.
The food truck is set to stop at Wright's Dairy Farm many times this summer, along with many other places. Check out their website to see where you can find it.
Sunday, April 21, 2024
THE DONUT STAND CAFE OPENS IN HOPKINTON, MA
The Donut Stand in Hopkinton, MA. |
Check out the chocolate! |
Thursday, February 08, 2024
IT'S ZEPPOLE TIME!
Zeppole from Modern Pastry |
Thursday, January 18, 2024
A TASTE OF SUMMER IN THE WINTER AT STOMPING GROUNDS GRILLE ON THE CAPE
Lobster roll with fries and coleslaw |
A summery cocktail. |
Stomping Grounds Grille in Buzzards Bay |
The cozy dining room. |
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
Open-faced roast turkey dinner |
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.