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.

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. 

Eggplant fries

Chicken parm and ziti

Mia's Italian Kitchen in Alexandria, VA

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!

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.

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.

Blount Clam Shack Food Truck

Clam Cakes and New England Clam Chowder

www.blountretail.com

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.

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.