Thursday, March 22, 2018
CLASSIC ITALIAN DISHES AT ERICA'S
Thursday, March 22, 2018
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| Meat Lasagna |
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| Erica's is open for dinner only. |
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| Baked Goat Cheese |
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| Every meal begins with this delicious bread. |
Ashland, Massachusetts
www.ericasristorante.com
Don't drive too fast or you'll miss it! Erica's Ristorante is nestled in on Front Street in Ashland, Massachusetts. Open for dinner only, many locals enjoy grabbing a seat at the bar for a drink or two. Eat Up New England ventured into their dining room for a tasty Italian meal.
Erica's offers small plates and appetizers to start. The baked goat cheese was a star. The cheese was bubbling hot and is perfectly complimented with the tomato and basil it's topped with. Other apps include (vegetarian) arancini, pappardelle with veal meatballs and steamed mussels.
For dinner, I ordered a large portion of meat lasagna. Lots of ricotta. Lots of meat. Just like lasagna should be. There are so many pasta dishes on their menu - from orecchiette with sausage to butternut squash ravioli. There are also 14 inch pizzas, sandwiches and dinner salads. There is a fabulous-looking tiramisu for dessert, but I had no room left after that lasagna.
Saturday, March 10, 2018
BRUNCH WITH A FREE BLOODY MARY OR MIMOSA AT THE LOCAL
Saturday, March 10, 2018
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| Chicken and waffles with sausage gravy |
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| All brunch main courses come with a Bloody Mary or Mimosa |
Wayland, Massachusetts
www.liveeatlocal.com
I've always been a fan of The Local's West Newton, Massachusetts location for dinner. They have a hip, nighttime vibe with delicious flatbreads, burgers, salads and mac & cheese dishes. Today, I was excited to try their Wayland restaurant for brunch.
All of their main courses cost $16 and come with a complimentary mimosa or Bloody Mary. I loved their refreshing Bloody Mary, which had just enough spice. Choose from their Brunch Burger, avocado toast, pancakes, smoked salmon lox, classic eggs benny, short rib skillet hash OR be like Eat Up New England and indulge in their fried chicken & waffle. The boneless chicken and waffle is topped with a SAUSAGE GRAVY, making this one filling and fantastic meal. The gravy is sooo good.
There are also smaller portions like a cheese omelet, pancakes, scrambled eggs and a Belgian waffle. They come with apple slices or fried potatoes BUT do NOT come with the free alcoholic beverage.
Brunch is served at all of The Local's locations on Saturdays and Sundays.
Thursday, March 01, 2018
A VENTI-SIZED SURPRISE AT STARBUCKS
Thursday, March 01, 2018
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| My free iced latte thanks to a stranger with a warm heart. |
The barista said, "Your coffee is free today. A nice lady paid for everyone's breakfast." She quickly flashed a Starbucks gift card, implying the woman placed a large amount of money on the card. I was stunned. So was everyone else.
With politics and gun control dividing everyone, how nice that an anonymous stranger tried to bring everyone together, if only for a moment, with a random act of kindness.
Tuesday, February 13, 2018
PULLED PORK MAC & CHEESE AND FOOD THAT WILL FILL YOU UP AT 110 GRILL
Tuesday, February 13, 2018
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| Pulled Pork Mac & Cheese |
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| 110 Tater Tot Poutine (with the gravy on the side) |
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| Apple Cider Sangria |
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| 110 Grill in Wayland, Mass. |
Locations across Massachusetts
www.110grill.com
110 Grill is not one of those restaurants that has been around forever. Its first location is opened in Chelmsford, Massachusetts in 2015. Since then, they have been quickly expanding. With its spacious dining rooms and outdoor seating, 110 Grill is the perfect place to spread out with the family. Its large bars, high tables and large drink selection are welcoming to the after work crowd.
Comfort food is king at 110 Grill. Just look at their appetizers. There are BBQ chicken nachos, crispy fried pickle chips, tater tot poutine. For dinner, there are salads, steaks, sandwiches, burgers and flatbreads. Chef specialties include shrimp & clam linguini, Cuban swordfish, sesame ginger chicken and chicken caprese parm. I overindulged in the ever-so-outrageous pulled pork mac & cheese. Dig for the cavatappi pasta under a pile of crispy onion rings and BBQ pulled pork. They should hand out medals for people who can finish this behemoth.
110 Grill is quickly expanding across Massachusetts and New Hampshire. In Massachusetts, locations are planned for Worcester, Wrentham, Woburn, Maynard in 2018. They will open in Manchester and West Lebanon, New Hampshire this year. 110 Grill is also opening a location in Albany, New York this year.
Tuesday, January 30, 2018
BEAT THE WINTER BLUES AT THE WAYLAND WINTER FARMER'S MARKET
Tuesday, January 30, 2018
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| Bagels from Bagel Alley |
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| Cannolis filled right in front of you! |
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| Seafood chowder - enjoy some there or bring a bag home. |
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| A large crowd on the first Winter Farmers' Market of the season. |
The Farmers' Market is a wonderful way to sample many tasty local flavors. There are wines, fruits, vegetables, bagels, popovers, even a nacho grilled cheese sandwich. I enjoyed some seafood chowder for lunch, along with some perogies. For dessert, I chowed down on a cannoli, which was filled right in front of me and dipped in chocolate chips.
The Winter Farmers' Market is going on through March 10, 2018 every Saturday from 10 a.m.- 2 p.m. Follow "Wayland Winter Farmer's Market" on Facebook to see photos from each week's event and for a look at the vendors who will be there.
Sunday, January 28, 2018
SUNDAY BRUNCH AT BULFINCHS IN SUDBURY, MA
Sunday, January 28, 2018
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| Everyone gets a plate of pastries to kick of Sunday brunch. |
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| Farmer's Omelet |
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| Huevos Rancheros |
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| Bullfinchs serves brunch on Sundays only and dinner nightly. |
Sudbury, Massachusetts
www.bullfinchs.com
Sunday brunch at Bulfinchs in Sudbury, Massachusetts is like dining in the the city, without the long ride and the meaty check. Throw in their LIVE jazz band and you have the recipe for the perfect Sunday morning.
Brunch at Bullfinchs begins with a complimentary plate of pastries. There are scones, a muffin, coffee cake and a croissant. It's served with just enough butter and strawberry jam. For a moment, it felt like we were in France! Enjoy a cocktail, coffee or some juice as you want for the main course.
There are many filling favorites for brunch, meals like sausage & potato waffles, smoked salmon & bagel and a belgian waffle. I enjoyed their "Farmer's Omelet," with cheddar, mushrooms, ham, tomatoes and onions. The cheese was oozing out of the side, just the way I like it. If you're in the mode for lunch, try their mussels, pecan chicken, salads (apple, Caesar or beet) or pizza.
Brunch is served every Sunday from 9:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. It gets busy, so Eat Up New England recommends reservations.
Tuesday, January 16, 2018
BOOZY MILKSHAKES & BIG BURGERS AT BRGR BAR
Tuesday, January 16, 2018
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| "The BRGR" |
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| Thin Mint Adult Milkshake |
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| BRGR Bar in Portsmouth, NH |
Portsmouth, New Hampshire
www.brgr-bar.com
The BRGR Bar in Portsmouth, New Hampshire specializes in burgers that are so BIG, you may need to cut them in half with a knife. This is a family restaurant, but it also has a full bar that makes many adult milkshakes. I loved the thin mint milkshake with brownie bits, rum and peppermint schnapps. Other boozy milkshakes include an apple pie ala mode, "The Oreo Lift" and special Christmas milkshakes around the holidays.
Knowing that the burgers are huge, we skipped on the appetizers like buffalo brussel sprouts and mac, cheese fritters and poutine. I ordered "The BRGR," TWO patties with American cheese, crispy bacon, lettuce, tomato, onion and a special sauce. Fantastic! It came with a pile of fries, which you can substitute out for a salad or tater tots. Also on their menu, a burger called "The Mac Daddy," which is topped with mac & cheese. Or try one of their tuna, turkey or duck burgers. Vegetarians have not been forgotten about. There's a "Just Beet It" burger and an "Earth Burger" made of quinoa.
The BRGR Bar has another location in Portland, Maine with another restaurant opening soon in Manchester, New Hampshire.
Sunday, January 07, 2018
THE J&M DINER IS BACK OPEN AND BETTER THAN EVER
Sunday, January 07, 2018
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| Welcome to the new J&M Diner! |
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| Pull up a chair at their coffee bar. |
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| Wicked Monte Cristo |
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| Massive pancakes |
Framingham, Massachusetts
jmdiner.com
The J&M Diner in Framingham, Massachusetts has been a favorite since it opened in 1998. Last March, the family-owned breakfast spot suffered a major setback when it burned down. Its sign was about all that was left. Now, it hangs proudly in their new location on Worcester Road.
The new J&M Diner's menu has all of the hearty breakfast favorites that regulars have come to love over the years. There are massive pancakes. One is enough, unless you just ran a marathon. Top them with fruit, whipped cream or chocolate. They also serve several specialty omelets and egg dishes. I enjoyed their Wicked Monte Cristo this morning. This monster is packed with turkey and ham in between cinnamon and sugar French toast.
The service couldn't be any better at the J&M Diner. A word of warning, wait time on the weekends can be over an hour, but the food is well worth it. J&M Diner is open everyday from 6am-2pm, except on Christmas.
Tuesday, January 02, 2018
RINGING IN THE NEW YEAR AT ASSEMBLY SQUARE
Tuesday, January 02, 2018
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| Steak frites, fries and mushrooms at Earls |
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| Key lime pie at Southern Kin Kitchen |
Sunday, December 31, 2017
EAT UP NEW ENGLAND'S FAVORITE DISHES OF 2017
Sunday, December 31, 2017
Before the ball drops on 2017, let's take a look back at some of Eat Up New England's favorite dishes of the year. Enjoy the look back and have a safe and happy new year.
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| Hot lobster roll - Dead Eye Dick's - Block Island, RI |
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| Taco Mac - Mr. Mac's in Portsmouth, NH |
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| Fried fluffernutter - Biltmore Bar & Grille in Newton, MA |
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| Baked ziti with meatballs - Panza, The North End, Boston |
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| Pumpkin pancakes platter - Flapjacks in Lincoln, NH |
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| Julia Child's shortbread with raspberry jam - Gaslight in Boston |
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| Local sausage flatbread - North Country General in Jamaica, VT |
Wednesday, December 20, 2017
CLASSIC ITALIAN AT PANZA IN THE NORTH END
Wednesday, December 20, 2017
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| Baked ziti |
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| Classic Italian food at Panza |
Boston
www.panzarestaurant.com
There's nothing like the North End at Christmas. Every restaurant is decorated. There are huge wreaths with big bows. Holiday pastries on display. Panza fits right in with its large snowflakes hanging in the windows and Christmas music playing in the dining room. It offers the perfect atmosphere to enjoy the season and enjoy a classic Italian meal.
Panza is cozy, just like other restaurants in the North End. Daily specials are handwritten on a mirror. The menu is full of Italian favorites and every meal begins with Italian bread with olive oil. Appetizers include calamari, bruschetta and grilled Italian greens. Entrees include hearty staples like chicken or veal picatta, eggplant, chicken or veal parm, braised beef short ribs and seafood risotto.
Pastas include linguine carbonara, spinach & ricotta ravioli, lobster ravioli and linguine with clams. I ordered the baked ziti. This was a HUGE plate of pasta with two incredibly flavorful meatballs. Those meatballs were the star of the show. I had enough for lunch the next day and the leftovers were just as good as fresh.
Monday, December 11, 2017
CHEF MARIO BATALI ACCUSED OF SEXUAL MISCONDUCT
Monday, December 11, 2017
Celebrity Chef Mario Batali is being accused of sexual misconduct by four women over the course of two decades. He is off of "The Chew" while he's being investigated. Batali is also giving up daily oversight of his restaurant empire, which includes Eataly and Babbo in Boston.
Three of the alleged victims worked for Batali. Among the things he's accused of: groping the chest of one woman and grabbing one from behind and holding her tightly against his body.
Batali released a statement saying in part, "I take full responsibility and am deeply sorry for any pain, humiliation or discomfort I have caused to my peers, employees, customers, friends and family."
Three of the alleged victims worked for Batali. Among the things he's accused of: groping the chest of one woman and grabbing one from behind and holding her tightly against his body.
Batali released a statement saying in part, "I take full responsibility and am deeply sorry for any pain, humiliation or discomfort I have caused to my peers, employees, customers, friends and family."
Monday, December 04, 2017
CHRISTMAS IN A CUP AT EINSTEIN BROS. BAGELS
Monday, December 04, 2017
www.einsteinbros.com
If you're looking for a taste of Christmas in a cup, then check out the Cinnamon Winter Blend at Einstein Brothers Bagels. This hot brew is made with cinnamon, vanilla and nutmeg. Plus, all cups are bottomless, so drink up! They also have a snickerdoodle bagel, cinnamon caramel latte and a tasty Croque Melvyn for the holidays.
Einstein Bros. has several locations in Massachusetts and Connecticut, along with a shop in Concord, New Hampshire.
Saturday, November 25, 2017
INSIDE OF THE NEW WHOLE FOODS IN SUDBURY
Saturday, November 25, 2017
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| Whole Foods is the first to open in a new development in Sudbury, Massachusetts. |
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| Check out the cheese section, where there is plenty of sampling. |
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| Local pretzels for sale with a side of mustard. |
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| There are many self-self stations like this one. |
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| There's even a Clover restaurant inside of this Whole Foods, along with a Pressed juice spot. |
Friday, November 24, 2017
THANKSGIVING ON A PIZZA
Friday, November 24, 2017
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| Thanksgiving Dinner Pizza |
Friday, November 17, 2017
BEAR-SIZED BREAKFASTS AT FLAPJACK'S PANCAKE HOUSE IN LINCOLN, NEW HAMPSHIRE
Friday, November 17, 2017
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| Pumpkin pancakes |
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| The line on the weekend is worth the wait! |
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| Flapjack's sells these coffee mugs along with other Flapjack's merchandise. |
Lincoln, New Hampshire
www.flapjacks.biz
Don't let the line outside of Flapjack's discourage you. A hearty New England breakfast at this Lincoln, New Hampshire breakfast spot is worth the wait. My party of four waited for about a half hour on a Sunday in October. Not too bad. Once we were inside, we settled in at their little bar. Yes, they serve alcoholic breakfast drinks like mimosas, but I enjoyed a hot mug of coffee.
Flapjack's takes pride in their pancakes. There are many flavors to choose from like blueberry, chocolate chip and Reese's peanut butter cup. I was excited to try their seasonal pumpkin flapjacks topped with maple butter. AMAZING! They were part of my breakfast platter which came with eggs, bacon, sausage and some fantastic home fries. What a meal!
The menu also consists of breakfast staples like three-egg omelets, eggs benedict and French toast. Go wild with their buffalo chicken omelet or their bacon cheeseburger omelet. Flapjack's is also known for its clam chowder, which customers can take home.
Flapjack's is a wonderful family spot. Kids will love the train that circles its way around the restaurant, along with the fish pond outside. They are open for breakfast, Wednesday-Sunday.
Monday, November 13, 2017
THERE'S SOMETHING SPECIAL IN THE WATER AT BROOKYLN WATER BAGELS
Monday, November 13, 2017
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| Coffee ice cubes |
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| Onion bagel with hash browns |
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| Watch the bagel-making process. |
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| The Framingham location is Brooklyn Water Bagels only shop in New England. |
www.brooklynwaterbagel.com
There's something in the water in Brooklyn that makes their bagels taste so good, according to Brookyn Water Bagels. The small chain says the water is so key to making their bagels, that it filters the tap water at all of its locations and adds unique elements only found in Brooklyn water. All of their bagels are boiled in that Brooklyn water and baked fresh at all of their shops.
Brooklyn Water Bagels' only New England location is in Framingham, Massachusetts. Customers can watch how bagels are made before ordering. There are many types of bagels to choose from, including multi-colored bagels for the kids. I enjoyed their onion bagel with cream cheese. The coffee was an extra-special treat. All of their iced coffees, known as Cubstas, come with coffee ice cubes. It's a pretty tasty way to set themselves apart from all of the other bagel places. A few of their coffees are named after Larry King. He's a shareholder in the company and owns half of its Beverly Hills franchise.
Breakfast sandwiches are served all day. For lunch, try one of Brooklyn Water Bagels deli classics served on a bagel. Choose from favorites like a tuna melt, hot ham & swiss, roast beef and hot corned beef.
Saturday, November 04, 2017
DELICIOUS DISH: SHORT RIB BOLOGNESE
Saturday, November 04, 2017
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| Short Rib Bolognese |
Bourbon's Kitchen & Cocktails
Framingham, MA
www.bourbonsframingham.com
The temperature is dropping and it's getting dark earlier. We all need some comfort this time of the year. Soothe your soul with the short rib bolognese on the menu right now at Bourbon's Kitchen & Cocktails in Framingham, Massachusetts. This hearty dish is made with generous portions of tender gnocchi and short ribs. It's topped with a thick, satisfying layer of cheese before it's baked. I paired the bolognese with a can of Citizen Cider from Vermont. It is the definition of PERFECT comfort food.
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