Monday, September 30, 2013

FALL FLAVORS ON DISPLAY AT STEW LEONARD'S

Monday, September 30, 2013
Tired of the same old supermarkets? You'll have to take a trip to Newington, Connecticut to experience Stew Leonard's. This one-of-a-kind grocery store is known for its elaborate food displays, animated characters (singing chickens and bananas) and open-air service airs where you can watch workers make some of your food! The fall is one of my favorite times to visit Stew's. Right now, they have everything you need for decorating. There are pumpkins of all sizes. Huge goards. Kale and mums. They even have a hay bale maze this year! Inside, they're are making their delicious cider donuts and donut holes. You can watch as they're made! I also enjoy their caramel apple iced coffee this time of the year.

www.stewleonards.com

Tuesday, September 24, 2013

HOMEMADE DONUTS AT FROSTY'S IN MAINE

Tuesday, September 24, 2013
Chocolate glazed donut and twist
There's nothing like an old-fashioned donut shop. With three locations in Maine, Frosty's Donuts specializes in hand cut donuts just like you and grandma used to get on Sunday morning. I recently visited their newest location in Freeport, Maine and was delighted by all of their options. They are selling several fall flavors right now including pumpkin spice, apple crisp and an autumn sprinkled donut. They also have many glazed varieties, including chocolate, vanilla and maple glazed donuts. Other donuts include coconut, butter crunch, Boston creme, blueberry and jelly. They also have a toppings bar where you can put whatever you want on your donut. (Great for the kids!) There are also several varieties of hot and iced coffees, along with other drinks to wash your donut down. Frosty's opens at 6 o'clock every morning and closes when they sell out, usually at some point in the late afternoon.
  CONTACT
www.frostysdonuts.com
Locations: Brunswick, Freeport and South Portland, Maine 

Wednesday, September 18, 2013

IT'S NATIONAL CHEESEBURGER DAY! WHERE TO GET A FREE CHEESEBURGER

Wednesday, September 18, 2013
It's National Cheeseburger Day! So, now we have the perfect excuse to forget about calorie counting and go cheesy. Many of the chains are handing out free or discounted cheeseburgers. In Massachusetts, stop by any of King's three locations for a FREE cheeseburger from noon to 10 pm. Order the Ucheeseburger and mention National Cheeseburger Day at any UBurger location in Massachusetts for $1 off. In Boston, stop by The Tap, order a Sam Adams for $5 and you'll get a free cheeseburger. Ruby Tuesday's is also celebrating by giving away 100,000 FREE cheeseburgers. You have to get a coupon thru Facebook or Twitter.
King's free cheeseburger promotion

Friday, September 13, 2013

GOO GOO CLUSTERS

Friday, September 13, 2013
One of the best parts of traveling is discovering local treats like Goo Goo Clusters. If you ever go to Nashville, you'll see Goo Goo Clusters everywhere and for good reason. These tasty treats are a Nashville tradition made in the music city. The original dates back to 1912 and is made with milk chocolate, peanuts, caramel and marshmallow nougat. There are two other varieties: peanut butter and supreme, which is made with pecans instead of peanuts. They are soooo good! If you aren't going to make it to Nashville, you can order 3, 12 and 72-packs online.

CONTACT
www.googoo.com
@GooGooClusters

DELICIOUS DISH: LOBSTER ROLL AT THE LOBSTER POT

Friday, September 13, 2013
Sure, it's September, but we're all still hanging on to summer. This week, I headed down to The Lobster Pot in Wareham, MA to get one last taste of summer. I went for their lobster roll. As you can see, it's packed with fresh from the ocean lobster meat. There's so much of it, you have to eat it with a fork. It's no wonder that it's been voted one of the best lobster rolls in New England. I paired up my roll with some of their crispy French fries. It was the perfect way to say "see you next year" to summer.

Tuesday, September 03, 2013

FINE MEXICAN WITH A VIEW AT TEMAZCAL ON BOSTON'S WATERFRONT

Tuesday, September 03, 2013
Chorizo & Mac
Margarita
Carnitas tacos
Shredded beef tacos
Guacamole de la Mizteca
If you're looking for a tasty twist on Mexican, then Temazcal in Boston's bustling Seaport District is the place to go.

One of the many things I love about Temazcal is that their menu is presented on iPads. They have pictures of all of their dishes so you know exactly what you're ordering. Genius. Temazcal has a full bar and can mix just about any drink under the sun. Go for one, two or heck, even, three of their margaritas. They're big, full of flavor and pack a punch.

 Chips come with every meal, but check out the "guacamole de la mizteca" for dipping. It's their homemade guac with tomatoes and onions. Nachos, lobster ceviche and roasted eggplant are among the many delicious starters on their menu. One dish you must try is their chorizo mac & cheese. At only $5, this cheesy, creamy side dish is packed with sausage and perfect for sharing. Other sides include quinoa, fried plantains and chipotle fries.

 Entrees at Temazcal include several tacos, fajitas and salads. The tacos are a mouth-watering treat and just two of them is enough to fill you up. I loved the shredded beef tacos with avocado, radishes and shredded cabbage. Their menu is packed with vegetarian options including grilled vegetable tacos and a farmer's market quesadilla.

If you go this fall, be sure to grab a seat outside for a stunning view of the water and some cool ocean breezes.

CONTACT:
250 Northern Avenue
Boston MA 02210
Telephone: 617 439-3502
@temazcalcantina

Friday, August 30, 2013

THE FROST BAR OPENS IN BOSTON

Friday, August 30, 2013
It's billing itself as "Boston's Coolest Experience." After a flurry of media coverage, Faneuil Hall's Frost Bar is now open for business. From the bar to the seats - yes, even the glasses you drink from - are made of ice at the Frost Bar. The temperature is kept at 21 degrees to make sure nothing melts. They offer a number of signature drinks, all of which will run you $11 a pop. Non-alcoholic drinks go for $6 each. Admission is an eye-popping $18.99 per person and you only get to stay for 45 minutes because of the chill factor. Caps and gloves are provided with the price of admission. This seems like something great for tourists and a nice way to cool off in the hot summer days, but I wonder how business will be in the dead of winter, when it's colder outside than it is inside.

www.frosticebar.com

Thursday, August 29, 2013

SIZZIN SUMMER SPOTS: THE MOORING IN NEWPORT, R.I.

Thursday, August 29, 2013
It's summer's last hurrah. Labor Day weekend is here, but before it's time for pumpkin-flavored everything, there's still time to soak in some last-minute summer. The Mooring Seafood Kitchen & Bar in Newport, Rhode Island is the perfect place for a fine meal this Labor Day weekend. Sure, you can eat inside, but if you can, get a table outside. You'll sit right by the water and be able to watch the boats comes and go.

The Mooring offers many wines, beers and cocktails. They have a Guinness float with Guinness Irish Stout and vanilla ice cream. Grab a drink, then order an app. I loved their light and refreshing watermelon salad. It's perfect for those warm summer nights. They'll split it on two plates for you if you're sharing. Another popular app is their "bag of doughnuts," their lobster, crab and shrimp fritters. 

Seafood dinner options are all fresh from the sea. They have traditional New England favorites like Atlantic salmon and Maine Lobster. I went for one of their sandwiches, the lobster croissant. It was jam packed with fresh, chilled lobster meat and served with a side of fries. Excellent. If you're not in the mood for seafood, The Mooring has many dishes for land lovers including pork tenderloin, ricotta gnocchi and chicken. They also have many gluten free and vegetarian options of the menu. Desserts include New York cheesecake with a raspberry sauces, carrot cake creme brulee and banana cake. 

www.mooringrestaurant.com
@mooringri

Sunday, August 18, 2013

MIKE'S PASTRY: A NORTH END FAVORITE

Sunday, August 18, 2013
No trip to the North End is complete without a little dessert. I always stop at Mike's Pastry for a cannoli or two. They come in a bunch of different flavors, but my go to is the chocolate chip. Their cheesecakes and champagne cookies are also delicious desserts.

Saturday, August 17, 2013

GALLERIA UMBERTO: A GEM OF THE NORTH END

Saturday, August 17, 2013
Don't let the long line intimidate you. The line at Galleria Umberto in Boston's North End is long because the food is to die for. Galleria Umberto sticks to a few Italian favorites and does them well. They cook their pizza sicilian style by the sheet. It goes fast, but workers are always quick to bring out the next sheet of pie. The pizza is light, with a crispy crist. Just like mama used to make. And you can't beat the price. One slice will only set you back $1.65. The arancini is also a must. The softball-sized balls of rice and cheese are stuffed a mix of meat and peas. One arancini will fill you up at lunch. Galleria Umberto also offers several calzones including spinach & cheese and ham & ricotta and spinach, cheese and sausage. A can of soda is only $1.30 and a cup of wine will only run you $2.25. Galleria Umberto is Italian food done right. A true gem of Boston's historic North End.
Arancini

Thursday, August 15, 2013

UNIQUE FOOD COMBOS ARE ON THE MENU AT THE CORNER CAFE IN NEWPORT, RI

Thursday, August 15, 2013
Newport, Rhode Island has so much to offer. The mansions. The breath-taking ocean views. The food. Newport offers up all kinds of diverse food options and one place that really brings all kinds of foods together in a beautiful way is The Corner Cafe.  

 The Corner Cafe boasts a huge breakfast menu. From several breakfast burritos and omelets to scramblers, pancakes and French toast, the breakfast options have really put The Corner Cafe on the map with locals and tourists alike. 

 I had the pleasure of discovering this restaurant for lunch. I started with a cup of rich, seafood chowder. I ordered the Cape Codder quesadilla for lunch. It was stuffed full of turkey, bacon, avocado, gorgonzola, provolone cheese and whole cranberries. It's served with salsa, sour cream and ranch sauce. This was one of the most delicious and unique meals I've had in a long time. Highly recommended! If I don't go for the Cape Codder again the next time, I may try the bacon cheeseburger burrito with ground beef, bacon, cheddar cheese, lettuce, onion and ranch dressing. Also on the menu, a bunch of melts, salads and vegetarian options. The Corner Cafe  also serves several unique pizzas. Among them: the lighthouse pizza with clams, scallops, shrimp and pesto and the blueberry thrill with ham, caramelized onions blueberries, Swiss and smoked goada. What a restaurant!
 
The Cape Codder quesadilla
Seafood Chowder
www.cornercafenewport.com
110 Broadway
Newport, RI 02840
401-846-0606

Wednesday, August 14, 2013

DELICIOUS DISH: TIRAMISU AT STREGA WATERFRONT IN BOSTON

Wednesday, August 14, 2013
Tiramisu has never been my thing, but now it is thanks to this delicious dish. This perfect dessert is one of several traditional Italian favorites on the menu at Strega on the waterfront in Boston. Served nice and cold, it's dusted off with a generous amount of cocoa powder. It's light, airy and melts in your mouth. Pair the tiramisu up with Strega's espresso martini and you'll be in dessert heaven.

www.stregawaterfront.com

Monday, August 12, 2013

CUPCAKE CHARLIE'S IN NEWPORT, RI

Monday, August 12, 2013
The next time you're checking out all of the shops in Newport, Rhode Island, stop into Cupcake Charlie's for a sweet treat.  Choose from more than a dozen flavors each day including orange dreamsicle, carrot cake and Oreo delight. Their chocolate mint madness cupcake is one of my favorites. If you have a real sweet tooth, Charlie's also sells shots of their frosting. You don't have to travel all the way to Newport for one of these cupcakes. Cupcake Charlie's is expanding with its newest location in at Legacy Place in Foxboro, MA.

Friday, August 09, 2013

SIZZLIN SUMMER SPOTS: THE DEL'S TRUCK

Friday, August 09, 2013
If you've ever been to the beach in Rhode Island, chances are you can spot the white and green Del's truck from a mile away. It wouldn't be summer in New England without their frozen lemonade.This Del's Soft Frozen Lemonade truck is always parked at Easton's Beach in Newport. I can never pass it up after a stroll along the Cliff Walk on a hot summer day.

Saturday, August 03, 2013

JERRY REMY'S IN FALL RIVER, MA

Saturday, August 03, 2013
Everyone knows about the Jerry Remy's near Fenway Park. The Red Sox announcer also has locations at the Seaport in Boston and Logan Airport . But, there's also a Jerry Remy's outside of the city, in Fall River.

The large, open dining room has plenty of seating. You can also grab a seat at the bar for an up close view of their "screen monsters," their 17-foot and 14-foot video walls. They are very impressive. This really is THE PLACE to catch a game. You won't miss a moment because there are monitors in the bathrooms. There's even one in the bathroom mirror!
  
Jerry Remy's offers a wide variety of beers, wines and cocktails. Right now, they have a special summer section on their menu with summer salads including a grilled peach salad and summer berries. Apps include cheese fries, bacon cheddar cheese fries and nachos. The menu includes typical bar fare like burgers and wraps. There are also some local dishes you'll only find at the Fall River location like the "Fa Reev Burger," chourico with carmelized onion and American cheese. Other unique entries on their menu include a turducken burger and maple glazed fried chicken breast served with a watermelon salad. There are also several vegetarian and gluten free options on the menu.

For dinner, I can recommend the "Original RemDawg" a half-pound hot dog topped with chili, cheese and onions. This time, I went for one of their pasta entrees, the bolognese, orecchietti pasta with meat sauce. The pasta was cooked al dente with a nice, hearty portion of meat sauce.
The "Screen Monsters"

CONTACT
www.jerryremys.com/fallriver/
@RemysFallRiver 
1082 Davol St  Fall River, MA 02720
(774) 365-6905

TASTY TIPS
- This place can get busy on the weekends. Allow some time for seating and for the food to arrive.
- Sit outside if you can. There are TV screens to watch the game and there's a nice view of the water.
- Thursday night is karaoke night. 

Wednesday, July 31, 2013

IT'S PEAK BLUEBERRY TIME AT ROSE'S BERRY FARM IN GLASTONBURY, CT

Wednesday, July 31, 2013
There's nothing like getting out in the hot summer sun to pick your own blueberries. Rose's Berry Farm in South Glastonbury, Connecticut is the perfect place to do it. They have acres and acres of blueberry and raspberry bushes with fruit that's ripe for picking. This place is so big that you have to hop a ride on a truck out to the field. Then, it's time for picking! They give everyone a huge bucket, which holds several pounds of blueberries. You'll be assigned a couple of bushes and you can pick as much as you want. I've been going to Rose's Berry Farm for years and I can tell you that this year's crop is by far the best blueberry crop yet. If you've never picked blueberries, give it a try. You'll find they taste way better than any blueberries that have been sitting at your local supermarket.

 Visit Rose's Berry Farm each season for different crops to pick. In the fall, pick your own apples and pumpkins. When Christmas comes around, cut your own Christmas tree. Rose's is also known for its Breakfast-With-A-View. Every Sunday from June through October, you can eat outside on their patio which has a beautiful view of their lake and property. Choose from Belgian waffles, pancakes or French Toast - all of it topped off whatever fruit is in season.

www.rosesberryfarm.com
@RosesBerryFarm 
295 Matson Hill Rd.
South Glastonbury, CT 06073 

Saturday, July 27, 2013

TASTE OF HARTFORD AT THE FIRST & LAST TAVERN

Saturday, July 27, 2013
It's Taste of Hartford 2013 aka Hartford's Restaurant week. More than 30 restaurants are taking part, most of them offering three course meals for $20.13.

 I had the pleasure of going to one of my favorite restaurants for Taste of Hartford, The First & Last Tavern. From pizzas to traditional pasta dishes, this Italian spot does everything right. 

Course one: salad or soup. I had to go for their salad. It's not the usual boring garden salad. This one comes with chickpeas, olives, onions and don't forget to look for the salami and cheese under the lettuce.

Course two: the entree with chicken picatta, oven roasted scrod, summertime primavera or eggplant rollatini. I went for the scrod, a nice buttery portion served with potatoes and spinach with garlic.

 Course three: dessert. You can choose from gelato, cannoli or New York cheesecake. I can never pass up cheesecake and LOVED the huge slice they presented me with. It was rich and creamy with just enough strawberries and whipped cream. Be sure to try the cheesecake!

You still have another week to run to the First & Last Tavern for these three-course specials. The Taste of Hartford runs through August 4.

ANOTHER PRET A MANGER COMING TO BOSTON'S BACK BAY

Saturday, July 27, 2013
The London-based sandwich chain, Pret A Manger, continues to expand in Boston. A third location will be opening soon. This one is next door to the Back Bay Social Club in the Back Bay. Pret is known for its on-the-go fresh salads, sandwiches and wraps.

Tuesday, July 23, 2013

HANDCRAFTED BEERS ON TAP AT THE PORTSMOUTH BREWERY

Tuesday, July 23, 2013
Fried fish sandwich
Bluebeery beer
Beer lovers, do I have a spot for you. The Portsmouth Brewery is one of the most popular restaurants in Portsmouth, New Hampshire because of its selection of handcrafted beers, delicious bar food and fun atmosphere.

The restaurant's sister company is Smuttynose Brewing Company, so you can always find their beers on tap along with many other local favorites. The beer selection changes daily, so check out their chalkboards (and website) to see the beers they're offering. I'm a fan of flavored beers and enjoyed their bluebeery blend. 

Have a seat at The Portsmouth Brewery's bar or dining room for lunch or dinner seven days a week. Apps include nachos, chicken tenders, a flatbread of the day, soups and salads. Their chili topped with cheddar cheese is delicious. For entrees, order one of their burgers or sandwiches - including the flaky, fresh from the sea fried fish sandwich or go exotic with their southwest chorizo burger. Check out their daily specials like veggie gumbo, steak & lobster, duck and shepard's pie.

The Portsmouth Brewery is vegetarian and vegan friendly with several unique meat-free options on their menu. They have grilled vegan sausage, a falafel platter and a tempeh reuben on their everyday menu.

After dinner, check out their gift shop, where you can buy beer, shirts, shot glasses, hats and more.

56 Market Street • Portsmouth NH 03801
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