I had lunch today, for the second time in 7 days, at Stella's on Middle Street.
I'd forgotten how good their breakfasts are and the lunch offerings ... well, I had breakfast food both times so I'll stick to that.
Friday: Lemon-ricotta pancakes .... mmmmm .... perfecto. I usually don't order pancakes from a restaurant because I like them thin and light and they're usually thick and heavy. Not these ones; they were just the way I like them.
Today I had "Breakfast Around The World:" This sampler includes 2 eggs, half of a Belgian waffle, a small pile of French toast, a link of Italian sausage, a wee bit of Irish corned-beef hash, homefries, a toasted English muffin, and a glass of American Florida orange juice...$8.50
It was served on one of those platters people use to serve a turkey on Thanksgiving (I swear, it was huge!).
I couldn't fit in one piece of French toast and most of the homefries (not being a fan), but I have to say the waffle was light and airy, the eggs were fresh, the corned beef hash was crisped to perfection and even the French toast I could only eat half of was way above average.
If you haven't been there - go there! It's on Middle Street - and it's a way cool space, too.
Showing posts with label Restaurants. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Restaurants. Show all posts
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Saturday, April 18, 2009
Taffy's
We (Current editor Barbara Taormina and I) stopped by Taffy's today, on our way to the (disappointing) flower market at Bartlet Mall.
Jimmy said he probably won't be open until early May since he's still trying to undo all the fancy-schmancy interior modifications that were done by the previous lessee.
At least he found a way to spray paint that obnoxious brown faux tin ceiling, which made the place seem like a cave. And he has painted the walls a nice shade of yellow.
It's lookin' good! I can't wait to try it out.
Jimmy said he probably won't be open until early May since he's still trying to undo all the fancy-schmancy interior modifications that were done by the previous lessee.
At least he found a way to spray paint that obnoxious brown faux tin ceiling, which made the place seem like a cave. And he has painted the walls a nice shade of yellow.
It's lookin' good! I can't wait to try it out.
Oregano beefing up ... oh my
OK, they are having problems at the paper posting things to the website, so I'll just summarize the story on the liquor licenses.
The City Council on Monday approved outside seating for Oregano, that pizzeria/Italian restaurant on Pleasant St. (which coincidentally also has a new executive chef so the food should be better although it won't come faster because there's only one 6-burner stove in the minuscule kitchen).
But councillors did not know that the Licensing Commission on April 1 had approved Oregano to serve alcohol at that outside seating.
In fact, Greg Earls stood up after the vote and said that there would be no alcohol served at the tables.
Surprise!
Well, since I had just written the story about Oregano - and had owner Claude Elias tell me that, pending approval from the fire chief and the state liquor commission, they would be serving alcohol at the outside tables - this kind of put me on alert.
So on Tuesday I called both Earls and Katie Ives, neither of whom had a clue that this approval had taken place.
I ran into Ives earlier today, as she was walking up Inn St. The tables have been put out - and she also was a little put out.
I'm all for helping local businesses increase the customer base and I really don't see a huge problem with serving alcohol at those table, but honestly? This really disturbs me.
The council needs the full story before they approve what appear to be routine things.
At this time I'm not going to claim this is a Karp/Lagasse-related incident because the commission also approved the same type of license to the River Merrimack Bar & Grill(e), which of course is in The Tannery.
I'm sure they'll sort it all out (not really) but in the meantime, give Oregano another try for food. This new chef guy used to work with Todd English at Olive's in Charlestown and also used to cook at my favorite North End eatery, Pomodoro ... best chicken carbonara ever ...
The City Council on Monday approved outside seating for Oregano, that pizzeria/Italian restaurant on Pleasant St. (which coincidentally also has a new executive chef so the food should be better although it won't come faster because there's only one 6-burner stove in the minuscule kitchen).
But councillors did not know that the Licensing Commission on April 1 had approved Oregano to serve alcohol at that outside seating.
In fact, Greg Earls stood up after the vote and said that there would be no alcohol served at the tables.
Surprise!
Well, since I had just written the story about Oregano - and had owner Claude Elias tell me that, pending approval from the fire chief and the state liquor commission, they would be serving alcohol at the outside tables - this kind of put me on alert.
So on Tuesday I called both Earls and Katie Ives, neither of whom had a clue that this approval had taken place.
I ran into Ives earlier today, as she was walking up Inn St. The tables have been put out - and she also was a little put out.
I'm all for helping local businesses increase the customer base and I really don't see a huge problem with serving alcohol at those table, but honestly? This really disturbs me.
The council needs the full story before they approve what appear to be routine things.
At this time I'm not going to claim this is a Karp/Lagasse-related incident because the commission also approved the same type of license to the River Merrimack Bar & Grill(e), which of course is in The Tannery.
I'm sure they'll sort it all out (not really) but in the meantime, give Oregano another try for food. This new chef guy used to work with Todd English at Olive's in Charlestown and also used to cook at my favorite North End eatery, Pomodoro ... best chicken carbonara ever ...
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Tacos and obliviousness (is that a word?)
Does everyone know about this $2 taco thing at Agave on Monday nights?
I only found out about it from, I think, former City Councillor Gary Roberts, who told me last fall that the council heads over there after their meetings.
I witnessed this phenomenon last night as I and a bunch of them wandered down Pleasant St. and stopped to admire the A-frame signs. I kid you - we were making sure none of them had current permit stickers.
Why were we doing this? The answer is a secret.
So back to tacos. I really like Agave, although it's a bit pricey. People try to steer me towards that other Mexican place in Salisbury, but I'm not a fan. I think it's called La Chaquita. (I only drive by it, you know, five or six times a month - why would I remember what it's called?)
Speaking of being oblivious and structures on Rte. 1, I used to look at this old broken down house when stopped at the light at .... errrrr ... the last light before you cross over into Seabrook.
The other day I noticed that it's not only gone, but there's no trace of its having ever been there. Which leads me to believe it must have been gone for some time since the scrub covers the whole area.
*Sigh*
I only found out about it from, I think, former City Councillor Gary Roberts, who told me last fall that the council heads over there after their meetings.
I witnessed this phenomenon last night as I and a bunch of them wandered down Pleasant St. and stopped to admire the A-frame signs. I kid you - we were making sure none of them had current permit stickers.
Why were we doing this? The answer is a secret.
So back to tacos. I really like Agave, although it's a bit pricey. People try to steer me towards that other Mexican place in Salisbury, but I'm not a fan. I think it's called La Chaquita. (I only drive by it, you know, five or six times a month - why would I remember what it's called?)
Speaking of being oblivious and structures on Rte. 1, I used to look at this old broken down house when stopped at the light at .... errrrr ... the last light before you cross over into Seabrook.
The other day I noticed that it's not only gone, but there's no trace of its having ever been there. Which leads me to believe it must have been gone for some time since the scrub covers the whole area.
*Sigh*
Monday, August 18, 2008
What's the deal with all the pizza, anyway?
I can't help but notice a singular lack of creative thinking going into new businesses downtown.
Two pizza places ... a flower shop going in across from a flower shop. At this rate, the old Newburyport Lighting space will become a laundromat.
While I think people will (and do) travel to Newburyport to dine at Oregano, who's going to come here for the Upper Crust? Well, there doesn't seem to be one north of Salem (and still in MA), so maybe if you build it, they will come.
But why not something new and different, like a barbeque place (I long for a place like Redbones), or Ethiopian (I miss the place we used to go to in Boston's south end). How about a Greek restaurant? Opa!
We now need another Irish place, and one that serves (Irish) breakfast on weekends, thankyouverymuch.
But I think the space is too small to fit these suggestions. Upper Crust seems to like small spaces. Mixed bag of reviews on line. Bags of flour that rats were into?
Two pizza places ... a flower shop going in across from a flower shop. At this rate, the old Newburyport Lighting space will become a laundromat.
While I think people will (and do) travel to Newburyport to dine at Oregano, who's going to come here for the Upper Crust? Well, there doesn't seem to be one north of Salem (and still in MA), so maybe if you build it, they will come.
But why not something new and different, like a barbeque place (I long for a place like Redbones), or Ethiopian (I miss the place we used to go to in Boston's south end). How about a Greek restaurant? Opa!
We now need another Irish place, and one that serves (Irish) breakfast on weekends, thankyouverymuch.
But I think the space is too small to fit these suggestions. Upper Crust seems to like small spaces. Mixed bag of reviews on line. Bags of flour that rats were into?
Saturday, August 9, 2008
Ch-ch-changes
They were and still are an exclusive group of White wealthy new-age ex-hippies and expatriated suburbanites with no taste, culture or respect for Ann Arbor's urban history.
So, in part, does a woman from Ann Arbor called Jobee, (sort of) summarize the 'gentrification' of that college town (where I went to school).
I got onto this from Flint Expatriates, the latest post on which is about (the former) Drake's Sandwich Shop in Ann Arbor.
Drake's was this little hole-in-the-wall place that served ... well, pretty much the same fare a Licorice & Sloe here, only it was cheaper, and they also sold candy. It had these wooden booths, with (unpadded) benches, which if I'm remembering correctly at the time I went to school in Ann Arbor, were painted puke green.
I did not have the same experience at Drake's as did Jobee - if Iggy Pop was in there while I was, I had no clue who Iggy Pop was at the time. He would not have stood out.
We were merely college kids meeting between classes to grab a sandwich or a pecan roll and/or a pot of tea.
I hope Gordon Young will forgive me for pillaging from his blog when I re-post this quote, from Michigan Today (a publication of the University of Michigan):
Alums who graduated before the early '90s will remember pecan rolls and sandwiches at Drake's, the legendary sandwich shop that faced the Diag. Drake's closed in 1993. Other eating institutions, such as the Pretzel Bell, are also gone. In their place, a number of chain restaurants have moved in, but so have food joints that cater to today's palates: sushi bars, falafel stands, and organic pizza.
The Diag is a green area in which sidewalks spin out diagonally from a central spot in front of the Graduate Library. Most of the classroom buildings faced the Diag, in my time there. North Campus was just getting off the ground when I left.
And does not all this sound oh so familiar? Legendary places that you'd think would be preserved, replaced by organic pizza places and such ... not that there is anything wrong with eating organic. I try to do it as much as possible myself.
I once puked up my guts at the curb outside the Pretzel Bell (wow, used "puke" twice in this post) ... but hey, I see the Blind Pig is still there! yay
Did I ever mention how, when I was a kid, there were these mansions of auto pioneers and others in Flint, and how when I was in my 20s, they tore them down to make a freeway (or expressway, as we called them there) so they could move the auto bodies from Fisher Body to Buick more easily?
Zip, zip. That Buick plant is gone, gone like the wind. That link is to yet another post on a blog, about Flint in general, and the state of affairs all over the place in particular.
Don't think the two places (here and there) have nothing to do with one another. Hitching your wagon to just one star never works.
So, in part, does a woman from Ann Arbor called Jobee, (sort of) summarize the 'gentrification' of that college town (where I went to school).
I got onto this from Flint Expatriates, the latest post on which is about (the former) Drake's Sandwich Shop in Ann Arbor.
Drake's was this little hole-in-the-wall place that served ... well, pretty much the same fare a Licorice & Sloe here, only it was cheaper, and they also sold candy. It had these wooden booths, with (unpadded) benches, which if I'm remembering correctly at the time I went to school in Ann Arbor, were painted puke green.
I did not have the same experience at Drake's as did Jobee - if Iggy Pop was in there while I was, I had no clue who Iggy Pop was at the time. He would not have stood out.
We were merely college kids meeting between classes to grab a sandwich or a pecan roll and/or a pot of tea.
I hope Gordon Young will forgive me for pillaging from his blog when I re-post this quote, from Michigan Today (a publication of the University of Michigan):
Alums who graduated before the early '90s will remember pecan rolls and sandwiches at Drake's, the legendary sandwich shop that faced the Diag. Drake's closed in 1993. Other eating institutions, such as the Pretzel Bell, are also gone. In their place, a number of chain restaurants have moved in, but so have food joints that cater to today's palates: sushi bars, falafel stands, and organic pizza.
The Diag is a green area in which sidewalks spin out diagonally from a central spot in front of the Graduate Library. Most of the classroom buildings faced the Diag, in my time there. North Campus was just getting off the ground when I left.
And does not all this sound oh so familiar? Legendary places that you'd think would be preserved, replaced by organic pizza places and such ... not that there is anything wrong with eating organic. I try to do it as much as possible myself.
I once puked up my guts at the curb outside the Pretzel Bell (wow, used "puke" twice in this post) ... but hey, I see the Blind Pig is still there! yay
Did I ever mention how, when I was a kid, there were these mansions of auto pioneers and others in Flint, and how when I was in my 20s, they tore them down to make a freeway (or expressway, as we called them there) so they could move the auto bodies from Fisher Body to Buick more easily?
Zip, zip. That Buick plant is gone, gone like the wind. That link is to yet another post on a blog, about Flint in general, and the state of affairs all over the place in particular.
Don't think the two places (here and there) have nothing to do with one another. Hitching your wagon to just one star never works.
Thursday, August 7, 2008
Trattoria Al Forno
As I mentioned, Triple-D and I went to Haverhill to take advantage of Restaurant Week at this place in Haverhill.
Aside from the incessant bickering and swearing, it was really good.
You get 3 courses for $33.08. For starters, we got Scallops con Salse di Arancia and Portobella Al Forno.
The description of the scallops said pan seared, so I was a little surprised when they arrived with some kind of breading on them. Not being a fan of scallops so much, I found this appetizer to be just "okay." The orange butter sauce was good, though.
The portobella, however, was absolutely heavenly. Chargrilled and topped with prosciutto, spinach, romano cheese and bread crumbs, baked and drizzled with balsamic glaze ... I could have happily eaten a few more and called it dinner.
For main course, I chose the Vitello Saltimboca and D had another veal dish that wasn't actually on the Restaurant Week menu, Vitello Francaise. We were going to get a pizza, since that's what the place is kind of known for, but ... we didn't.
My veal was pan seared and topped with prosciutto, spinach and provolone cheese and finished with a sage wine butter sauce. I really like both veal and prosciutto, but I found the latter too salty for my taste when eaten in the same mouthful with the meat. The veal was very tender and tasty, so I ate them separately and was a happy camper.
D loved her dish and raved about it; she also really liked this elaborate martini with, I think, Kahlua and Grey Goose.
There was a couple sitting down from us at the bar, and the woman said she and her husband always ordered 3 appetizers and that was it. They had ordered the scallops and the portobella and a wedge pancetta, which was a piece of art (a huge wedge of lettuce covered with crumbled bleu cheese, carmelized pecans, red grapes, and, I presume pancetta).
Anyway, as I said, aside from the arguing, it was really good.
We continued to argue, all the way back to Newburyport ... !
Aside from the incessant bickering and swearing, it was really good.
You get 3 courses for $33.08. For starters, we got Scallops con Salse di Arancia and Portobella Al Forno.
The description of the scallops said pan seared, so I was a little surprised when they arrived with some kind of breading on them. Not being a fan of scallops so much, I found this appetizer to be just "okay." The orange butter sauce was good, though.
The portobella, however, was absolutely heavenly. Chargrilled and topped with prosciutto, spinach, romano cheese and bread crumbs, baked and drizzled with balsamic glaze ... I could have happily eaten a few more and called it dinner.
For main course, I chose the Vitello Saltimboca and D had another veal dish that wasn't actually on the Restaurant Week menu, Vitello Francaise. We were going to get a pizza, since that's what the place is kind of known for, but ... we didn't.
My veal was pan seared and topped with prosciutto, spinach and provolone cheese and finished with a sage wine butter sauce. I really like both veal and prosciutto, but I found the latter too salty for my taste when eaten in the same mouthful with the meat. The veal was very tender and tasty, so I ate them separately and was a happy camper.
D loved her dish and raved about it; she also really liked this elaborate martini with, I think, Kahlua and Grey Goose.
There was a couple sitting down from us at the bar, and the woman said she and her husband always ordered 3 appetizers and that was it. They had ordered the scallops and the portobella and a wedge pancetta, which was a piece of art (a huge wedge of lettuce covered with crumbled bleu cheese, carmelized pecans, red grapes, and, I presume pancetta).
Anyway, as I said, aside from the arguing, it was really good.
We continued to argue, all the way back to Newburyport ... !
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
Restaurant Week nearing end
Don't forget Restaurant Week - it's over Aug. 9. Tomorrow, Triple-D and I (she cleverly tricked me into inviting her by asking if she could go) are going for dinnies to this Trattoria al Forno in Haverhill.
It's the place with the brick oven, but trust me, I won't be ordering pizza.
It's the place with the brick oven, but trust me, I won't be ordering pizza.
Comments continue to spark the imagination
So I'm reading this story in the Daily News about 5 people being arrested for drunk and disorderly during the last weekend of Yankee Homecoming, and, as usual, the comments are the most interesting part of the whole experience.
Being relatively new here, I did not know that Michael's Harborside has this reputation as the dining place for the unruly. They did all that remodeling to spiff up the place, canceled 'Reggae Sundays' (huh?), and it's still a trouble spot? Wow
Maybe they should ban saggy pants ... no, wait, that's another place.
It seems to me - well, I don't know anymore what it seems to me. I'm trying to get work out in the world, so my fingers are sealed.
You all feel free to carry on, though ...
Being relatively new here, I did not know that Michael's Harborside has this reputation as the dining place for the unruly. They did all that remodeling to spiff up the place, canceled 'Reggae Sundays' (huh?), and it's still a trouble spot? Wow
Maybe they should ban saggy pants ... no, wait, that's another place.
It seems to me - well, I don't know anymore what it seems to me. I'm trying to get work out in the world, so my fingers are sealed.
You all feel free to carry on, though ...
Monday, August 4, 2008
Bob Lobster in a groove
I was naughty and went to Bob Lobster for fish & chips yesterday.
The last 2 times I've been in there, there have been literally hoards of people there. That's good!
My only complaint is, you seem to get less fish in the fish & chips these days. I used to get 2 meals out of one order a year ago.
That, I hear, is how restaurants are dealing with the economic crunch - not by raising prices drastically, but by reducing portions.
That being said, it's still damn tasty fish & chips. And why should I expect to get 2 meals anyway?
The last 2 times I've been in there, there have been literally hoards of people there. That's good!
My only complaint is, you seem to get less fish in the fish & chips these days. I used to get 2 meals out of one order a year ago.
That, I hear, is how restaurants are dealing with the economic crunch - not by raising prices drastically, but by reducing portions.
That being said, it's still damn tasty fish & chips. And why should I expect to get 2 meals anyway?
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Mad Martha's
My sister and I went to Mad Martha's for lunch today.
I love Mad Martha's. Try it out, if you get the chance. My sister particularly enjoyed her mango chutney chicken salad wrap (she let me take a bite, and it was yummy - five stars).
We were both so hungry that we ordered crab cakes (***) and homemade corned beef hash (*****) for starters, she got the sandwich and I got my usual Salmon Getaway (2 poached eggs, smoked salmon and horseradish sauce on a Portuguese muffin-type bread).
Then we wanted dessert, and although they don't technically offer dessert, Brad (the owner and cook) came up with some vanilla ice cream with banana and strawberry slices and chocolate sauce for us.
How's that for service?
I love Mad Martha's. Try it out, if you get the chance. My sister particularly enjoyed her mango chutney chicken salad wrap (she let me take a bite, and it was yummy - five stars).
We were both so hungry that we ordered crab cakes (***) and homemade corned beef hash (*****) for starters, she got the sandwich and I got my usual Salmon Getaway (2 poached eggs, smoked salmon and horseradish sauce on a Portuguese muffin-type bread).
Then we wanted dessert, and although they don't technically offer dessert, Brad (the owner and cook) came up with some vanilla ice cream with banana and strawberry slices and chocolate sauce for us.
How's that for service?
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Speaking of restaurants
A fellow writer on SeaCoast Scene (which reminds me, I have to file my story) called me the other day seeking information about a place to eat in Newburyport. She was calling on behalf of a friend.
The first place that leaped to my mind was - Starboard Galley! I don't think I've ever posted specifically about Starboard Galley, but I think I have said that, bang for your buck, I think it's one of the best places in the city (along with Mr. India).
The food, in my experience, is consistently good. I recommended it to Triple-D, who said she thought it was a place for old people to eat. She liked it! She really liked it! Not for a date, but ... nah, I'm trying to be nicer.
Anyway, Virginia just called me and said her friend and her husband enjoyed their meal, and the location (they wanted somewhere near the river). I was happy.
If anyone has not tried Jumpin' Jay's in Portsmouth, that's also very good (although much pricier). It's a seafood joint.
The first place that leaped to my mind was - Starboard Galley! I don't think I've ever posted specifically about Starboard Galley, but I think I have said that, bang for your buck, I think it's one of the best places in the city (along with Mr. India).
The food, in my experience, is consistently good. I recommended it to Triple-D, who said she thought it was a place for old people to eat. She liked it! She really liked it! Not for a date, but ... nah, I'm trying to be nicer.
Anyway, Virginia just called me and said her friend and her husband enjoyed their meal, and the location (they wanted somewhere near the river). I was happy.
If anyone has not tried Jumpin' Jay's in Portsmouth, that's also very good (although much pricier). It's a seafood joint.
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Greater Merrimack Valley Restaurant Week
I just returned from the Mission Oak Grill, where they were kicking off the Greater Merrimack Valley Restaurant Week (which is actually 2 weeks, so go figure).
Said Week(s) starts July 27 and ends Aug. 8 (note Saturday dinner is not included).
So, during Restaurant Week(s), you get 3-course (prix fixe menu) lunch for $20.08 pp and/or dinner for $33.08 (note that lunch is not served at all the places; see below). Don't know what the $.08 is all about (I did ask).
13 restaurants, including Mission Oak and The Grog and 2 in Haverhill:
Bistro 45
45 Wingate St.
978-469-9700
Trattoria al Forno (real brick oven; burns wood)
83-87 Washington St.
978-374-8200
I talked quite extensively with reps from both these places (sound good), and Billy Costa told everyone he really liked the pepper app that the Bistro had (see photo). There I go, name dropping again ...
Full list of participants:
Athenian Corner (Lowell) - D - 978.458.7052
Andover Inn (Andover) - L&D - 978.475.5903
Bistro 45 (Haverhill) - D - 978.469.9700
Cassis Bistro Francais (Andover) - D - 978.474.8788
Concord’s Colonial Inn (Concord) - L&D - 978.369.2373
Dalya’s (Bedford) - L&D - 781.275.0700
The Grog (Newburyport) - L&D - 978.465-8008
L’Andana Grill (Burlington) - L&D - 781.270.0100 (same people that own Teatro, Mistral, Mooo and Sorellino in Boston)
Max Stein’s (Lexington) - D - 781.402.0033
Mission Oak Grill (Newburyport) - D - 978.463.9009
Parker House Grill (Dracut) - D - 978.654.4285
Summer Winter (Burlington) - L&D - 781.221.6643
Trattoria al Forno (Haverhill) - D - 978.374.8200
You have to call for reservations to get the Restaurant Week prices! Menus and details available at http://www.merrimackvalleyrestaurantweek.com/.
A-frame permits denied
I've been so much frittering away my time potentially exploding people's heads that I haven't been paying attention to the local news - sub shop renovations (Tom Salemi is on that) and A-frame signs.
Not to mention Yankee Homecoming, which Tom is also all over. I'm with Dick M. - I didn't even realize that it starts on Friday! And the annual Kitchen Tour is on Saturday (one of the featured kitchens is in the renovated Wheelwright House, and I know you're curious ...).
Well, the A-frame sign debacle, it seems, has been sort of resolved, to the (perhaps) detriment of businesses not on the main streets of our city.
The city is going to enforce the current ordinance, which is (as written in the Daily News): signs must be adjacent to the building, no farther than 4 feet from the front door and require a $50 permit from City Hall.
Enforcing the current regulation is always a good thing, and I commend the License & Permit Committee for recognizing that.
Does the city need to come up with a solution to the alleged problem of businesses and advertising? A publication I write for offered at least one of the businesses with an A-frame sign more than 4 ft. away from the front door the chance to buy an ad for a couple hundred bucks and was told "no thanks."
Advertising is a recognized form of ... well, advertising. As much as I hate to say it, some of those places in town where I love to eat also think advertising has no place in their budget. Even to the point of not having a website, as Ari Herzog pointed out back in Feb.
As I've said before, I don't have a problem with the A-frame signs. But if they're not legal, them's the facts.
If your business can't survive without one (and I'm not entirely sure that's what Bil Silliker of Licorice & Sloe said or meant), then consider taking out an ad in one of the many (free) publications that are out there, which tourists pick up to find out where to go.
Or, you know, do something that gets you in the paper (in a positive way, that is).
Not to mention Yankee Homecoming, which Tom is also all over. I'm with Dick M. - I didn't even realize that it starts on Friday! And the annual Kitchen Tour is on Saturday (one of the featured kitchens is in the renovated Wheelwright House, and I know you're curious ...).
Well, the A-frame sign debacle, it seems, has been sort of resolved, to the (perhaps) detriment of businesses not on the main streets of our city.
The city is going to enforce the current ordinance, which is (as written in the Daily News): signs must be adjacent to the building, no farther than 4 feet from the front door and require a $50 permit from City Hall.
Enforcing the current regulation is always a good thing, and I commend the License & Permit Committee for recognizing that.
Does the city need to come up with a solution to the alleged problem of businesses and advertising? A publication I write for offered at least one of the businesses with an A-frame sign more than 4 ft. away from the front door the chance to buy an ad for a couple hundred bucks and was told "no thanks."
Advertising is a recognized form of ... well, advertising. As much as I hate to say it, some of those places in town where I love to eat also think advertising has no place in their budget. Even to the point of not having a website, as Ari Herzog pointed out back in Feb.
As I've said before, I don't have a problem with the A-frame signs. But if they're not legal, them's the facts.
If your business can't survive without one (and I'm not entirely sure that's what Bil Silliker of Licorice & Sloe said or meant), then consider taking out an ad in one of the many (free) publications that are out there, which tourists pick up to find out where to go.
Or, you know, do something that gets you in the paper (in a positive way, that is).
Friday, July 18, 2008
I try Oregano (at last)
I had two different but related experiences today.
First, I went to Oregano for lunch (more about that later). Then I went to get gas in the Jetta.
My newest gas station of choice (although it was always in the top 3) is Kelley's on High St. (next to The Natural Grocer). They give you a lower price if you pay with cash.
So I went in knowing I only had about $15 in cash and thinking they maybe had a $20 minimum to get the good price. The kid who was pumping the gas confirmed the minimum.
"How much do you have?" he asked.
"Fifteen."
"Ah, I'll give it to you."
"That's why I come here!" I said to him as he collected my $15. The young guys who work there are really good at checking things, topping off fluids, etc. One of them got down on the ground the last time I was there, to check if I had 4WD (he said the Trek model with 4WD was a hot commodity right now).
Anyway, before that I was at Oregano. When I walked in, at a little after 1, the place was fairly full. I had a hard time getting through to the hostess that I was waiting on another person, who I was supposed to meet outside, but I was just checking inside because it was so hot.
One very minor blip.
So I was seated, and at the next table was a man eating some kind of pasta .... oh, hell, long story short, the service is still lacking.
By the time my lunch companion got there, I was so hungry that I over-ordered. I ordered a Middle Eastern appetizer, the Tripoli Dip ($9). Did not care for it.
The three dips had olive oil on them in the style of making a crater in your mashed potatoes and filling it with gravy. The pita bread was like store-bought (but that's what I get for ordering off topic).
The reviewer for the Globe had talked about the Louisiana pizza, which sounded similar to a BBQ chicken pizza I had at Villaggio in The Tannery. I enjoyed Villaggio's so much, I wanted to check it out.
Hmmmm ... it's hard to say what my opinion would have been had I not had the one at Villaggio first. They both had barbeque sauce, an "exotic" cheese, carmelized onions and chunks of chicken.
Subtly-flavored goat cheese vs. smoked Gouda; heavy barbeque sauce vs. (again) a lighter sauce - I could barely see the carmelized onions on the Oregano pizza, never mind tasting them. All I tasted was BBQ sauce and the strong cheese; the Villaggio pizza was a light blend of flavors and I could taste everything (keep in mind that I smoke).
Plus, the one at Villaggio also had red onions and mozzarella cheese. Not sure if the Oregano pie had mozzarella.
I liked the crust, though, on both.
Both of us had a person pizza ($10 for his mushroom pie, $11 for the Louisiana0, although my companion was charged $1.25 extra for asking for red sauce over white sauce on his, I had the appetizer, an iced tea, and a beer afterwards. The total bill was a little over $39.
Now my first point. I tasted the ice tea, and I thought it tasted funny. I drink a lot of iced tea in the summer. My companion said it looked more like Coke (cola) than iced tea, and I thought maybe there was some residue of Coke in it. I asked the waitress if she was sure it was all iced tea because it tasted funny, and she assured me it was.
No offer of "let me get you another one." I still drank it down, but it was weird iced tea. And I thought the room was way too noisy; I could barely hear what my companion was saying without dipping my chest into my sauce-covered plate. Conversation, music ... it was all a little too much.
Once it started clearing out, I was able to hear him.
Overall, I might go there again to try out a pasta dish, but basically I was underwhelmed.
First, I went to Oregano for lunch (more about that later). Then I went to get gas in the Jetta.
My newest gas station of choice (although it was always in the top 3) is Kelley's on High St. (next to The Natural Grocer). They give you a lower price if you pay with cash.
So I went in knowing I only had about $15 in cash and thinking they maybe had a $20 minimum to get the good price. The kid who was pumping the gas confirmed the minimum.
"How much do you have?" he asked.
"Fifteen."
"Ah, I'll give it to you."
"That's why I come here!" I said to him as he collected my $15. The young guys who work there are really good at checking things, topping off fluids, etc. One of them got down on the ground the last time I was there, to check if I had 4WD (he said the Trek model with 4WD was a hot commodity right now).
Anyway, before that I was at Oregano. When I walked in, at a little after 1, the place was fairly full. I had a hard time getting through to the hostess that I was waiting on another person, who I was supposed to meet outside, but I was just checking inside because it was so hot.
One very minor blip.
So I was seated, and at the next table was a man eating some kind of pasta .... oh, hell, long story short, the service is still lacking.
By the time my lunch companion got there, I was so hungry that I over-ordered. I ordered a Middle Eastern appetizer, the Tripoli Dip ($9). Did not care for it.
The three dips had olive oil on them in the style of making a crater in your mashed potatoes and filling it with gravy. The pita bread was like store-bought (but that's what I get for ordering off topic).
The reviewer for the Globe had talked about the Louisiana pizza, which sounded similar to a BBQ chicken pizza I had at Villaggio in The Tannery. I enjoyed Villaggio's so much, I wanted to check it out.
Hmmmm ... it's hard to say what my opinion would have been had I not had the one at Villaggio first. They both had barbeque sauce, an "exotic" cheese, carmelized onions and chunks of chicken.
Subtly-flavored goat cheese vs. smoked Gouda; heavy barbeque sauce vs. (again) a lighter sauce - I could barely see the carmelized onions on the Oregano pizza, never mind tasting them. All I tasted was BBQ sauce and the strong cheese; the Villaggio pizza was a light blend of flavors and I could taste everything (keep in mind that I smoke).
Plus, the one at Villaggio also had red onions and mozzarella cheese. Not sure if the Oregano pie had mozzarella.
I liked the crust, though, on both.
Both of us had a person pizza ($10 for his mushroom pie, $11 for the Louisiana0, although my companion was charged $1.25 extra for asking for red sauce over white sauce on his, I had the appetizer, an iced tea, and a beer afterwards. The total bill was a little over $39.
Now my first point. I tasted the ice tea, and I thought it tasted funny. I drink a lot of iced tea in the summer. My companion said it looked more like Coke (cola) than iced tea, and I thought maybe there was some residue of Coke in it. I asked the waitress if she was sure it was all iced tea because it tasted funny, and she assured me it was.
No offer of "let me get you another one." I still drank it down, but it was weird iced tea. And I thought the room was way too noisy; I could barely hear what my companion was saying without dipping my chest into my sauce-covered plate. Conversation, music ... it was all a little too much.
Once it started clearing out, I was able to hear him.
Overall, I might go there again to try out a pasta dish, but basically I was underwhelmed.
Sunday, July 13, 2008
Oregano gets a nod in the Globe
That's Oregano, the now nearly-new restaurant in town, not the herb.
Read it here. The reviewer raves about the pizza. One of them, the "Louisiana" sounds suspiciously similar to the one that I wrote about, that I had at Villaggio (in The Tannery). Don't know if it's coincidence (don't believe in it) or what, but I'm glad the Globe reviewer's companions liked the mix of flavors as much as did I (even if the slice I had was from a different place).
It would seem that the servers are still a mite lacking in experience, but made us smile because they were so enthusiastic about what they were about to serve. Indeed, the reviewer cites the as a plus because of the enthusiasm.
Good humor, or the appearance thereof, nearly always trumps everything else, don't you think? In most situations, anyway.
Still, as I think Dick M. noted in a previous comment, it's hard to lure experienced servers away from where they are, and these people will learn.
I'm trying to lure my sister and brother-in-law up here today, to check it out. My sister is the one who told me about the review ... you can kayak up here, Victor ...
Read it here. The reviewer raves about the pizza. One of them, the "Louisiana" sounds suspiciously similar to the one that I wrote about, that I had at Villaggio (in The Tannery). Don't know if it's coincidence (don't believe in it) or what, but I'm glad the Globe reviewer's companions liked the mix of flavors as much as did I (even if the slice I had was from a different place).
It would seem that the servers are still a mite lacking in experience, but made us smile because they were so enthusiastic about what they were about to serve. Indeed, the reviewer cites the as a plus because of the enthusiasm.
Good humor, or the appearance thereof, nearly always trumps everything else, don't you think? In most situations, anyway.
Still, as I think Dick M. noted in a previous comment, it's hard to lure experienced servers away from where they are, and these people will learn.
I'm trying to lure my sister and brother-in-law up here today, to check it out. My sister is the one who told me about the review ... you can kayak up here, Victor ...
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
Out and about and around town
Well, I've been out and about in the heat. That means I'm suffering, kids.
Anyway ... I was in contact with people and a couple of them made comments about posts on the old blog here.
One, a woman I will not identify said that she thought it was courageous of the Current to print a story about Jim Roy's new paper because "it is news, after all." Good point; it is indeed news. Not sure how much good business it is, but it is news.
Two, Greg Earls, who I have to identify because he was clarifying his vote last week of "present" on putting the debt exclusion on the November ballot. He explained that it was because he thought since it was 10:30 at night, no one from the public got to put their 2 cents in before the Council took a vote.
And also, if I recall correctly from the actual meeting, he had said the issue was overshadowed by the Cushing Park vote and he was not entirely comfortable voting for or against the ballot question under those circumstances.
Went to Mr. India for lunch; their lunch buffet is excellent, by the way.
Oh, yeah, and Brian Derrivan asked me if I own stock in Andre Dubus. Heeeee's a funny guy. (He wasn't at Mr. India, he was at City Hall. Not that he doesn't have the right to be in Mr. India, if he wants.)
Anyway ... I was in contact with people and a couple of them made comments about posts on the old blog here.
One, a woman I will not identify said that she thought it was courageous of the Current to print a story about Jim Roy's new paper because "it is news, after all." Good point; it is indeed news. Not sure how much good business it is, but it is news.
Two, Greg Earls, who I have to identify because he was clarifying his vote last week of "present" on putting the debt exclusion on the November ballot. He explained that it was because he thought since it was 10:30 at night, no one from the public got to put their 2 cents in before the Council took a vote.
And also, if I recall correctly from the actual meeting, he had said the issue was overshadowed by the Cushing Park vote and he was not entirely comfortable voting for or against the ballot question under those circumstances.
Went to Mr. India for lunch; their lunch buffet is excellent, by the way.
Oh, yeah, and Brian Derrivan asked me if I own stock in Andre Dubus. Heeeee's a funny guy. (He wasn't at Mr. India, he was at City Hall. Not that he doesn't have the right to be in Mr. India, if he wants.)
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
Taste of Newburyport
As I just noted to Ben (responding to his comment on my last post), I just got back from being downtown for about 3 hours.
Aside from it being about 10 degrees warmer there than it is out here on the island, it was chock-a-block full of tourist types. How do I know they were tourist types, you ask?
Well, they were making full stops in the middle of sidewalks, looking confused, had cameras slung around their necks and were consulting those street maps the Chamber puts all over town.
One thing they were not doing was shopping, it seems. We went into shop after shop (distributing copies of Applaud magazine) and all of them were virtually, if not totally, empty of customers.
Many of them, though, were eating - at Not Your Average Joe's (you know how I feel about THAT PLACE) and a few in Fowle's. Caffe di Sienna and the Purple Onion also had a few people lurking about. I didn't go into Agave, so can't comment on what was going on in there ... Gram's Ice Cream was hopping, though.
Have you ever had one of their chocolate & banana frappes (called something with the word "monkey" in it)? Haven't had one in a while, but I remember how tasty they are. If not for the line, I would surely have picked one up and made myself sick on it.
The Tannery was virtually deserted - but I did have a nice slice of pizza from Villaggio. Not being a pizza fanatic, I appreciate the unusual pie, in this case a BBQ chicken, goat cheese (or was it feta?) and caramelized onion pizza.
It was yummy! Although it sounds like a bizarre combo, the mix of tastes was pleasing to my palate (the owner, Michelle, came up with the combo).
So now I'm back home, with a refreshing breeze blowing through the cottage and my iced latte by my side. I decided to skip for once the 2 cinnamon buns from Nutcracker ...
Aside from it being about 10 degrees warmer there than it is out here on the island, it was chock-a-block full of tourist types. How do I know they were tourist types, you ask?
Well, they were making full stops in the middle of sidewalks, looking confused, had cameras slung around their necks and were consulting those street maps the Chamber puts all over town.
One thing they were not doing was shopping, it seems. We went into shop after shop (distributing copies of Applaud magazine) and all of them were virtually, if not totally, empty of customers.
Many of them, though, were eating - at Not Your Average Joe's (you know how I feel about THAT PLACE) and a few in Fowle's. Caffe di Sienna and the Purple Onion also had a few people lurking about. I didn't go into Agave, so can't comment on what was going on in there ... Gram's Ice Cream was hopping, though.
Have you ever had one of their chocolate & banana frappes (called something with the word "monkey" in it)? Haven't had one in a while, but I remember how tasty they are. If not for the line, I would surely have picked one up and made myself sick on it.
The Tannery was virtually deserted - but I did have a nice slice of pizza from Villaggio. Not being a pizza fanatic, I appreciate the unusual pie, in this case a BBQ chicken, goat cheese (or was it feta?) and caramelized onion pizza.
It was yummy! Although it sounds like a bizarre combo, the mix of tastes was pleasing to my palate (the owner, Michelle, came up with the combo).
So now I'm back home, with a refreshing breeze blowing through the cottage and my iced latte by my side. I decided to skip for once the 2 cinnamon buns from Nutcracker ...
Monday, June 30, 2008
I want one of these here
In Japan, the newest trend in cafes is to have men servers grovelling to women ... at least according to this report on CNN.com.
The twist is that they have to be good-looking Western men. Wow, these guys are on their knees, saying, "Yes, my Princess!" and other groovy stuff to the female customers. The women even get tiaras to wear.
Apparently Japanese men are not into being servers. Booo, Japanese men!
I have to say, I find that men servers are nicer to women than female servers, and vice versa. I'm sure this nugget is something that is a well-known phenomenon.
There is this one bartender at 10 Center Street who is really cute and really nice and friendly. Did not catch his name, but he will go far in life.
The twist is that they have to be good-looking Western men. Wow, these guys are on their knees, saying, "Yes, my Princess!" and other groovy stuff to the female customers. The women even get tiaras to wear.
Apparently Japanese men are not into being servers. Booo, Japanese men!
I have to say, I find that men servers are nicer to women than female servers, and vice versa. I'm sure this nugget is something that is a well-known phenomenon.
There is this one bartender at 10 Center Street who is really cute and really nice and friendly. Did not catch his name, but he will go far in life.
Saturday, June 28, 2008
Business is good - or will be - ah, who knows?
This is what I'm on about - this story, here, in the Daily News.
It seems to be pretty upbeat, but let's face it - the majority of people Katie Curley talked to lease from Newburyport Development. You're not allowed to say anything negative about business if you lease from ND.
At Soak, on the corner of State and Middle Streets, assistant manager Alexa Yagel said the bath accessory shop has had a good amount of business so far this season, but they're waiting for July and Yankee Homecoming for things to peak.
"It's not as busy as this time last year, but it will pick up soon," Yagel said.
At Lively Kids clothing store next door (me: owned by same people as own Soak, by the way), an employee said they have been having the same amount of business as this time last year, while Valerie's Gallery across the street said their business has been better.
Actually - Valerie's Gallery just recently moved, but I'm not sure she moved between ND-owned properties or moved out of a ND-owned property to one not owned by ND.
Lively Kids this time last year was located on Inn Street. So does the fact that they are having the same amount of business as this time last year mean things are just as bad/good on the main street as on the side street? And what about Lively Teens, or whatever it was called, that apparently went under earlier this year?
While larger local restaurants seem to be doing well, such as the newly opened Oregano Pizzaria, Bottega Toscano's owner Matt Breeden said the price of food is hurting him.
"It costs me more to buy food, etc.," Breeden said. "It's been a slow start."
The tables inside the small Italian restaurant were mostly empty at lunchtime yesterday afternoon.
I don't get this at all - is Oregano that much larger than Bottega Toscano's? Is it fair to compare the business at these two places without pointing out that the arrival of one has probably hurt the other?
This seems to be a 'puff' piece more than an actual report of anything!
It seems to be pretty upbeat, but let's face it - the majority of people Katie Curley talked to lease from Newburyport Development. You're not allowed to say anything negative about business if you lease from ND.
At Soak, on the corner of State and Middle Streets, assistant manager Alexa Yagel said the bath accessory shop has had a good amount of business so far this season, but they're waiting for July and Yankee Homecoming for things to peak.
"It's not as busy as this time last year, but it will pick up soon," Yagel said.
At Lively Kids clothing store next door (me: owned by same people as own Soak, by the way), an employee said they have been having the same amount of business as this time last year, while Valerie's Gallery across the street said their business has been better.
Actually - Valerie's Gallery just recently moved, but I'm not sure she moved between ND-owned properties or moved out of a ND-owned property to one not owned by ND.
Lively Kids this time last year was located on Inn Street. So does the fact that they are having the same amount of business as this time last year mean things are just as bad/good on the main street as on the side street? And what about Lively Teens, or whatever it was called, that apparently went under earlier this year?
While larger local restaurants seem to be doing well, such as the newly opened Oregano Pizzaria, Bottega Toscano's owner Matt Breeden said the price of food is hurting him.
"It costs me more to buy food, etc.," Breeden said. "It's been a slow start."
The tables inside the small Italian restaurant were mostly empty at lunchtime yesterday afternoon.
I don't get this at all - is Oregano that much larger than Bottega Toscano's? Is it fair to compare the business at these two places without pointing out that the arrival of one has probably hurt the other?
This seems to be a 'puff' piece more than an actual report of anything!
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