Thursday, February 08, 2024

IT'S ZEPPOLE TIME!

Thursday, February 08, 2024


Zeppole from Modern Pastry
It's the time of year for zeppole! These Italian sweet treats pop up at bakeries in the winter to celebrate St. Joseph's Day, which is on March 19. I found these pastries at the legendary Modern Pastry in Boston's North End. There are filled with sweet ricotta and each has a cherry or two inside. Zeppole are just so good. They are also a reminder that spring is just around the corner.

Thursday, January 18, 2024

A TASTE OF SUMMER IN THE WINTER AT STOMPING GROUNDS GRILLE ON THE CAPE

Thursday, January 18, 2024


Lobster roll with fries and coleslaw

A summery cocktail.

Stomping Grounds Grille in Buzzards Bay

The cozy dining room.

Stomping Grounds Grille
Buzzards Bay

It's been freezing cold. We've had some snow. Sometimes, you just have to get away from old man winter to get taste of the summer. That's just what I did when I took a day trip to the Cape. I collected some shells at Scusset Beach and got in some steps by the Sagamore Bridge. Then, it was time for lunch.

So many restaurants are closed for the season this time of the year, but I was able to enjoy a bite at Stomping Grounds Grille in Buzzards Bay. I was delighted to see a lobster roll on the menu, so I enjoyed one along with one of their summery cocktails. Their lunch menu offers light fare such as salads, which they will top with lobster, cajun shrimp, chicken salad and more. Other sandwiches include a curry chicken salad wrap, pulled pork and reuben. 

Hearty Cape Cod classics fill their dinner menu. Choose from scallop and bacon casserole, lemon caper cod, Buzzards Bay casserole and a maritime mediterranean stew, among other meals. Stomping Grounds also offers plenty of bottles and cans of beer, including local favorites like Cape Cod Beer. There are also a number of cocktails. All of them are named after songs, which goes along with the musical theme of the restaurant.

Sunday, December 10, 2023

STEP INSIDE THE 24-FOOT-TALL REAL GINGERBREAD HOUSE AT MOHEGAN SUN

Sunday, December 10, 2023

 

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

Tuesday, December 05, 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

Thursday, November 30, 2023

Grab a slice or two

Sakis Pizza in Providence

Meat lovers and chicken, broccoli & bacon slices

Sakis Pizza
Providence, RI

How The Grinch Stole Christmas: The Musical is back at PPAC this Christmas and it's a must-see for children and adults. After enjoying the Dr. Seuss Christmas classic, I wanted a quick bite and found some AMAZING pizza slices at Sakis Pizza across the street. Sakis offers a variety of mouth-watering slices for hungry customers to choose from. I loved their meat lovers and chicken, broccoli & bacon slices. Choose your slice and they will warm it up for you. They are generous with the cheese and the toppings. Sakis customers can also enjoy full pizzas, along with salads, burgers, calzones, pasta and wraps.

Friday, November 17, 2023

THANKSGIVING ON A HOT DOG

Friday, November 17, 2023

Thanksgiving Dog at Snappy Dogs
It only comes but once a year. Today, Snappy Dogs in Hopkinton, Massachusetts served their famous Thanksgiving dogs. As you can see, they pile on the turkey, stuffing, cranberries, and gravy on top of a hot dog. It's just so tasty. They also bake mini pies to top off the meal. I'm so happy that I was able to take part on this holiday tradition. Happy Thanksgiving to you all!

Saturday, October 07, 2023

TASTY TACOS AND BOWLS FROM THE BRAISED FOOD TRUCK

Saturday, October 07, 2023

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

Sunday, October 01, 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

Thursday, September 07, 2023
Open-faced roast turkey dinner

Sea Dog Brewing, North Conway, NH
 

North Conway, NH

Sea Dog Blue Paw

A cold beer is just what is needed after a hot summer day at Story Land with the family. So, we were happy to find a Sea Dog Brewing Company in North Conway, New Hampshire. Sea Dog was founded in Camden, Maine in 1993 and has expanded to a number of locations in New England and Florida. 

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

Wednesday, August 30, 2023

 

A tray full of delicious arancini.

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

Friday, July 28, 2023

 

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!

Monday, July 24, 2023

 

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

Friday, June 30, 2023

 

Place your order at Sesuit Harbor Cafe

Lobster Caesar Salad

What a view!

Dine outside by the water.

Sesuit Harbor Cafe 
Dennis, MA 

Summer is officially here, and that means it's time for sun and seafood. Customers can enjoy both at Sesuit Harbor Cafe in Dennis. This little seafood shack is right on the water and the view is spectacular. Breathe in the salty air, watch seagulls fly by and boats on the water as you eat.

The seafood at Sesuit Harbor Cafe is top notch. I loved their Caesar salad with lobster, which comes with plenty of fresh and meaty lobster. Their menu is filled with seafood favorites like whole belly clams, fish and chips and a fisherman's platter. Get fancy with entrees like boiled lobster, baked stuffed scrod, marinated swordfish tips and seared salmon. Don't forget the fries and onion rings. A Cape Cod meal wouldn't be complete without New England Clam Chowder, which they have, along with lobster bisque. 

There are also some options for vegetarians like the Joe-B, which is tomato and mozzarella on a grilled bun with a side of balsamic. Kids options include chicken fingers, hot dogs and grilled cheese.

The Sesuit Harbor Cafe is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, but is CASH only.

Thursday, June 15, 2023

SIZZLIN SUMMER SPOTS: CRESCENT RIDGE DAIRY BAR

Thursday, June 15, 2023

A small cookie dough with sprinkles.

The ice cream is worth the wait.

Crescent Ridge Dairy Bar
Sharon, MA

Summer is finally here and that means it's time for ice cream. There are countless amazing ice cream shops around New England and Crescent Ridge Dairy Bar in Sharon is a favorite.

Crescent Ridge is known for their gigantic portions. A small is MASSIVE. Their website has pictures of all of their flavors, along with some of the products they sale. There are ice cream cakes, ice cream cupcakes and ice cream sandwiches. Crescent Ridge also sells milk and other drinks like lemonade, which can be delivered to your home.

Crescent Ridge is a busy place in the summer, so prepare for a wait especially on weekends. Customers can kill some time by checking out their pasture of cows and goats.

Friday, May 05, 2023

HAPPY CINCO DE MAYO!

Friday, May 05, 2023
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

Sunday, April 23, 2023

 

Lasagna wrap

Papa Joe's Wrap Shack 

PAPA JOE'S WRAP SHACK
Bristol, RI

If you're looking for a quick and tasty spot to grab lunch while enjoying the waterfront community of Bristol, Rhode Island than look no further than Papa Joe's Wrap Shack. Their menu features all kinds of hearty, unique wraps.

There are hot wraps like The Bristolian with fried calamari, hot pepper rings, mozzarella, mixed greens and garlic mayo. There's an Asian-inspired Kung Pao Chicken wrap and the Harley Quinn with shaved steak, peppers, rice and more. The Wrap Shack offers a bunch of cold wraps like Chicken Caesar, The Garden of Eden made with a veggie burger and the Pearzola with grilled pears. I tried their Lasagna grilled wrap which is stuffed with pasta, meatballs, Pomodoro sauce and mozzarella. It was very good and filling.

The Wrap Shack also serves pizza. Make your own, or try one of their specialty pizzas. They even have a lasagna pizza, along with a shrimp-topped pie called The Scampi.

There is also a kids menu with a Fluffinator wrap, a mac & cheese wrap and a chicken fingers wrap.

The Wrap Shack has been in business since 2002 and is open for lunch and dinner Wednesday through Sunday.

Thursday, April 06, 2023

FAMILY FUN AT UNO!

Thursday, April 06, 2023

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

Tuesday, March 14, 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

Sunday, March 12, 2023

 

Beef barbacoa tacos

Truffle fries
Lots of live plants create a cozy indoor vibe.

THE BUCKLEY KITCHEN & BAR
Framingham, MA
thebuckleykitchen.com

A new apartment complex called The Buckley went up in Framingham in the middle of the pandemic. Lucky for everyone who lives there, there's also The Buckley Kitchen & Bar, which is the sister restaurant to Mazi in Ashland. This cozy American bar offers modern takes on American classics, with a splash of Greek inspiration.

There is something for whatever you're in the mood for on the menu. Go for one of their pastas like the swordfish piccata with spaghetti or the classic chicken and Broccoli alfredo. There are also a number of flatbreads including a truffled mushroom and the gyro which is topped with rotisserie pork and tzatziki sauce. Sandwiches include a chicken bacon ranch on Texas toast and a hot & sweet chicken sandwich on Texas Toast.  

We started or meal with their truffled fries, which were fantastic. There were plenty for our group of six to share. They also have nachos, BBQ meatballs, fried pickle spears, quesadillas and sticky wings. Their bar also has beer from nearby Jack's Abby on tap, along with cocktails and wine. For dinner, I enjoyed one of their "favorites," the beef barbacoa tacos, with tender and flavorful meat topped with guac and tomato. There are also vegan tacos, salads and a veggie bowl, along with a children's menu.

The Buckley Kitchen and Bar also offers Sunday brunch. 

Saturday, March 04, 2023

FANTASTIC SUNDAY BRUNCH AT THE ZOO! GALLIFORD'S IN MENDON

Saturday, March 04, 2023

 

Galliford's Restaurant at Southwick's Zoo

The dessert station

My lunch plate

My breakfast plate

Galliford's Restaurant & Tavern
Mendon, MA

There's nothing finer than a hearty Sunday brunch, but would you think you'd find one of the best around at a ZOO? Southwick's Zoo in Mendon, Massachusetts is home to Galliford's Restaurant & Tavern. They are open for lunch and dinner most days, but on Sundays, Galliford's puts together a brunch buffet that could compete with any Sunday brunch in Boston.

Their Sunday Brunch With Style features an array of mouth-watering foods on an all-you-can-eat buffet. Breakfast dishes include crème brulee French toast, eggs benedict, scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, bagels, pastries, fruit salad and much more. The warm sticky buns with frosting are a MUST to try, along with their waffle station that's complete with berry compote and homemade whipped cream. Drinks like coffee, milk and juices are included, with an upcharge for alcoholic beverages like a Bloody Mary or mimosas.

Save room for their lunch buffet options. When we visited there was cod, beans, a couple of salads, and manicotti. If you possibly have room left after all of that, there's a table full of desserts. There were a couple types of cheesecakes, cupcakes, a smores pudding, tarts and cookies. It was the perfect way to end a delicious sweet and savory meal.

Be sure to make a reservation because the Sunday brunch is quite popular. Also, if you sit in the back of the restaurant, you can watch some of the zoo's animals in their habitats as you dine.