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EL MARIACHI
620 Washington St. (Rt. 138)
South Easton, MA
508-230-5900
Restaurant Review by Mark Snyder
It's just what we needed---an excellent Mexican restaurant in Metro South. El Mariachi opened recently and already has lines waiting to eat there. The hard-working staff is well informed on menu items, and the food is generous, while the prices are reasonable. That's a good combination.
Try not to fill up on the nachos and salsa, provided when you are seated. They are highly addicting and loaded with calories and saturated fat. Save the calories for the main dishes! We loved the Mixed Combo Fajitas for two. This combination of steak, chicken, bell peppers, and onions is served with warm tortillas, sour cream, guacamole, rice and charro beans. Noticably absent was salsa, which is really needed when making this delightful little wraps. ($26.50 for two)
Another great choice is , a top sirloin steak, flame broiled and smothered with sauteed onions, green peppers, mushrooms, tomatoes, and garlic shrimp. Served with rice and beans. ($16.50).
Pork Carnitas is another interesting dish, with slow cooked pork with fresh garlic. Topped with red onion rings and served with rice, beans, guacamole, and a dish of mild red sauce. ($12.75).
El Mariachi also features Quesadillas, Combo Dinners, and much more. Appetizers include the Fiesta Sampler, with nachos, mini quesadillas, mini flautas, and buffalo wings ($10.25). We enjoyed the Nachos Idaho, crisp baked potato skins, filled with cheese and your choice of ground beef, shredded beef, or shredded chicken.($7.75)
It seems from speaking to other diners, and our own experience, that whatever you order should be delicious and reasonable. Feel free to enjoy a Margarita or Mexican Beer to enjoy the total Mexican experience!
(***Very Good)
The Daniel Webster Inn
149 Main St.
Sandwich, MA
508-888-3622
Restaurant Review by Mark Snyder
We were seated adjacent to a magnificent courtyard, featuring beautiful Christmas lights and a wonderful gazebo. The atmosphere is upscale, but warm and comfortable just the same. The historic Daniel Webster Inn caters to demanding people from around the globe, who want to partake in the luxury of the health spa, the refined elegance of their rooms, or simply to get a meal that you won't forget for a long time.
We started with braised short rib potstickers, a Caribbean-style dish, featuring fresh fruit salsa and savory planters semi-glace. The Crab Nori Roll featured Risotto, a large amount of scrumptious crabmeat, and fresh vegetables rolled in Nori and deep fried. It is served with an avocado remoulade. But, a more pedestrian item really ran away with our taste buds at appetizer time. The Shrimp Cocktail was the best my wife and I have ever tasted. Colossal-sized chilled Gulf Shrimp, served with a tangy horseradish cocktail sauce, it was just amazing. We took our time, each getting two shrimp, and enjoyed them thoroughly. They were fresh, cooked perfectly and served with a wonderful sauce. A can't miss appetizer choice!
My wife ordered her dinner off the menu. I went with a dinner special. Pam got Grilled Australian Lam loin, rubbed with Moroccan spices, and served with goat cheese and mustard fondue, minted almond couscous, and rutabaga fries. I ordered the Asian short ribs, served with Hoison sauce. Both dishes passed the taste test, but my wife's simply mouth-watering lamb had her taking time to enjoy each bite.
Daniel Webster Inn offers fine dining for reasonable prices in a cozy historic and homey atmosphere. We give it FOUR STARS for gourmet greatness!
The Belfry Inne & Bistro
4-8 Jarves St.
Sandwich, MA
1-508-888-8550
Restaurant Review by Mark Snyder
Nestled on a quaint street in the village-like downtown area of Sandwich on Cape Cod, is the upscale, classy and thoroughly scrumptious Belfry Inne. This splendid bed and breakfast is coupled with a gloriously classic restaurant, which serves premium quality foods at a premium price. If you're looking for a special occasion place--birthday, anniversary or other event--you can't miss with this wonderful place.
We started off our meals with Thai peanut-dusted shrimp, with Thai basil noodle salad, toasted peanut oil, and sweet coconut peanut sauce ($12). The jumbo shrimp were amazing, and the noodles-with the sweetness of the accompanying coconut-flavored mix--were an excellent ancillary taste. We also got the black sesame-seared sea scallops, with red curry coconut sauce, pineapple raisin relish and Thai basil ($12). The huge scallops were cooked perfectly (a must for that particular seafood to stand up) and the sesame flavor was simply amazing. The accompanying bread--served hot and with flavored butter--was also delicious, but my wife and I were trying to save calories for the good stuff. For the main course, we chose Atlantic halibut steak with black olive crust, virgin olive oil whipped potato puree ($30). This fish was to die for--and I don't normally like fish! The black olive crust (even if you don't like black olives) was NOT overpowering, but provided the necessary flavor to enhance the perfect halibut steak. This was also served with zucchini tomato stew with fresh herbs. We also ordered the yellow fin tuna tataki with crisp vegetable lo mein noodles, spicy red pepper coconut sauce with sesame glaze ($29). The tuna was ordered medium well, and arrived as raw as sushi. Evidently, this is how this item is served everywhere. My wife enjoyed it, I stuck to the halibut. We ended a delightful evening with dessert, ordering two pedestrian items. We'd recommend walking down the street to an ice cream shop at there corner of Jarves and Rt. 6a to complete the meal. But, if you're looking for a wonderful, classy dinner--served by professionals who know their food--then it's worth the trip to Belfry Inn. And, if you're thinking of staying on Cape Cod, why not stay at the Belfry, featuring three gloriously-restored buildings in historic Sandwich Village. Featuring handsome furnishing, classic architecture and wonderful amenities, you can't go wrong at Belfry Inne and Bistro.
Rating: *** ( 3 out of 4 stars) VERY GOOD
Mahachai Restaurant
622 Washington St.
Canton, MA
781-821-6986
Restaurant Review by Mark Snyder
Mahachai is a small, comfortable Thai restaurant located in
Canton Center. This storefront serves delicious food, with excellent
service from start to finish.
Excellent appetizers include the Chicken Satay, with fresh white
meat chicken, served with steaming hot peanut sauce, and a delicious
Thai cucumber salad on the side. The requisite carrot cut like
a flower accompanies the dish. Shrimp bags (steamed or fried),
and Steamed Mussels (one of my favorites) are excellent choices.
For those with trouble making up their minds, try the Mahachai
Combination, featuring Thai Spring Rolls, Chicken Satay, Shumai
, Dumplings, Shrimp Blanket, Tofu Triangle, and Vegetable Tempora.
For entrees, we tried the mildly-spicy Grilled Chili Salmon
and Crispy Spicy Chicken (also rather mild.) Both were absolutely
delicious, and their hotness was cooled down more than sufficiently
when mixed with the fabulous Pad Thai (a Thai favorite, consisting
of stir-fried noodles, shrimp, chicken, bean sprouts, ground
peanuts, scallions and eggs.)
Thumbs up for a pleasant dining experience. Complete dinners
start at $8.50. Can't beat that!
Mezza
Luna
253 Main Street
Buzzards Bay
Cape Cod, MA 02532
Review by Mark Snyder
What an incredible find! Located only two minutes from the Bourne
Bridge, at the rotary that joins Rt 6, this Italian restaurant
shines from the moment you enter the establishment. You'll be
pleased to hear the gentle sounds of Sinatra, Martin and other
Italian singers serenating you. Emilio John (you can call him
"E.J") Cubellis II is the third generation owner of
a wonderful throwback to the easy dining of the 1950's, featuring
great service, old country charm, great food, and pride.
Still utilizing sauces, breads and recipes from family matriach
Nona Speranza's 1937 kitchen, you'll find impeccable hospitality
to go along with the fine foods.
Best Bets: Fish Chowder, Pork Chops, Rack of Lamb, Chicken Parmesan,
Rack of Lamb, Linguini Medley (featuring scallops, shrimp and
mussels), and Veal Marsala.
There's a full children's menu (4.95-6.95). Entrees run from
$11.95-$17.95. Mezza Luna features the Hickory Room Lounge and
North End Style Outdoor Cafe (in summer).
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED by PMPnetwork.com
Attention
B.J.'s Wholesale Members:
Did you know that B.J.'s could be jeopardizing your family's
health for a few pennies? They had previously sold my favorite
jerky product, Snackmasters, for $5.99 for a large bag. This
product is low in fat, high in protein and contains no cancer-causing
nitrates. In fact, my kids would have some before their athletic
events. Now, they've switched to another brand drenching in
nitrates. Same price per bag, but with a lower wholesale cost.
Now, I don't work for Snackmasters, or have any connection to
them, but it seems wrong to me when a company "sells out",
and could help get its customers sick! B.J.'s is a local company,
headquartered in Natick. That's why i belong there, instead
of at national behemoth Costco. Call B.J's to register your
outrage (1-508-651-6651) , or talk to your local store manager!
Bring back a HEALTHY snack choice for our KIDS!
MARK SNYDER
PMPnetwork.com
Restaurant
Review
Bankok Garden
559 Washington St. Rt. 138
Stoughton, MA 02072
781-297-7702
Khanciatt "Ped" Kornyu has opened up a very impressive
new addition to the South Shore ethnic dining offerings. He
has completed remodeled the former Mandarin House, and is offering
some of the finest Thai cuisine I've ever eaten.
He brings back memories of the old "Thai Taste", which
thrived in Stoughton until its owner took ill. This restaurant,
beautifully decorated and painted in light bright colors, has
excellent service from beautiful young waitresses from Thailand.
The food is simply to die for. From the generic, but delicious
Pad Thai to the well-known Beef Satay, you will find all your
favorites here. But, you'll also find some amazingly-creative
dishes as well.
For appetizers, try the Saigon Dices (tenderloin beef with Vietnamese
pepper lime sauce), Pheasant Wings (stuffed with shrimp, chicken
and vegetables in a hot sauce), hot beef kabobs (a real find
on the skewer with vegetables and hot sauce), hot and sour shrimp
soup, and steamed dumplings filled with onions, chicken and
scallions with soy ginger sauce.
Plar Goong is a delicious spicy salad, featuring grilled shrimps
in chili paste. It's a nice bridge to the entrees. We'd recommend
Beef Panang (thinly sliced tenderloin in spice Thai Panang Curry),
Seafood Madness (a spicy dish featuring shrimp, scallop, squid,
and fish in a hot chili sauce, served on steamed clams), Beef
Macadamia (tender beef stir fried with Macadamia Nuts, mushrooms
and scallions).
The menu features dozens of entree choices, with seafood, salads,
Curry offerings, and 14 Bankok Garden specialties. If you like
Thai food, you will love Bankok Garden!
Rated *** Three Stars (Very Good)
PHAT BOYS FULL FLAVORED
FOOD AND SPIRITS
657 Washington St. Rt. 138
Stoughton, MA 02072
781-341-5200
Co-Owners Fred Rash and Scott Hartford set out to open up a
suburban restaurant with all the fresh recipes, delectable tastes,
and excellent service found in restaurants in downtown Boston.
Phatt Boys
brings their quality, fresh foods and imaginative tastes to
the South Shore. Phatt Boys ribs and steak tips leave an indelibable
taste in your mouth--one you want frequently repeated! The prices
are
reasonable, servings big enough for a Phatt taste, and the service
good. Phatt Boys has discovered the skinny for great eating!
For Appetizers, try the coconut crusted shrimp, firecracker
shrimp, jerky
boy hot wings, Gorgonzola Beer bread, or the Phatt Ass Sampler
(with the wings, chili queso, and brick house onion rings).
For Entrees, PMPNetwork.com highly recommends Lobster and
Asparagus Ravioli, The Blackened Swordfish, The Sweet Rack of
slow-cooked, hand rubbed ribs,and the Texas peppered Steak Tips.
You can't go wrong with anything on the menu.
PMPNetwork.com Rating: 3.75 out of four stars.
Crazy
Craig's Candy and Ice Cream
Cobbs Corner,
Canton, MA
781-821-5484
Crazy
Craig's must be crazy to have his place as sloppy as we found
it on a
Saturday night in February. The assortment of ice creams looked
appealing,
so we opted for a sugar free-fat free vanilla with some mix-ins.
The mix ins
that BOTH of us got were paper. Yep, both of us chewed, swallowed
and spit
up some kind of paper mixed in with the ice cream. Yuck! The
lady behind
the counter said it was "only paper" and she'd gladly
give us another ice
cream for free. We declined.
The
place was a virtual mess. Everything all over the place, the
garbage can
was actually overflowing all over the floor. She said she couldn't
empty it,
because "Craig has to. It's far too dangerous out back".
I always thought
the Sharon/Canton border was pretty safe. Maybe I'm wrong.
Lots
of overpriced gifts are also available here. Oh, and something
else
that's "crazy"- -they have children's birthday parties
here. Nice idea.
Candy and ice cream. But one problem: there's no bathrooms!
So your kids,
and their pals, need to trot across the parking lot to McDonald's
to relieve
themselves.
Rating:
1
Best Bet: Wrapped candy
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Blanchard's
Tavern
Route 28
98 North Main Street
Avon, MA 02322
( 508 ) 587-2884
Review
by Mark Snyder
I'm
almost hesitant to write about this jewel nestled on the Randolph-Avon
line. An authentic tavern of 1780 (built in 1748), it is the
only operating
tavern of the Colonial period north of Williamsburg, VA, devoted
to drinks,
snacks and entertainment of 1780.
This
delightful chunk of history is comfortable, friendly, and a
lot of fun.
The night we visited talented tenor troubadour Larry Carlson
was entertaining
with songs of the sea, bawdy ballads, and a great voice. This
Carver
resident, and history professor at Thayer Academy, was delightfully
entertaining with his renditions of songs over 220 years old.
Blanchard's
Tavern is run by the Blanchard Nonprofit Trust and is ALL
volunteers. From the bartender, who serves English, Irish and
American
Beers, hard and mulled cider, mead, colonial wines, General
Washington
coffee, and Colonial tea; to the friendly helpers who offer
food like pork
and beef pies, Brunswick Stew, Vermont Bread with Harvarti Cheese,
and
Syllabub, Blanchard's Tavern is a place you will want to return
to again and
again!
Like
Cheers in the late 1900s, it's a place everybody knows your
name. We
met some of the most interesting, warm and friendly people in
just a couple
of hours at Blanchard's, and look forward to going back.
Blanchard's
offers different entertainment and specials on Saturday nights
starting at 8 p.m. For information on specific offerings, call
508-588-1620,
or visit their website at www.blanchardstavern.com.
The
facility is available on a limited basis for rental. But beware:
a ghost
(possibly a Revolutionary soldier) named "David" lives
in the house. From
the days of locals ducking Indians, to the Underground Railroad,
the secret
passageways and the quaint elegance of days gone by still reside
at
Blanchard's Tavern!
Rating:
5 (highest)
Best Bets: Try it!
R
Place at the Berkeley
312 Washington St.
Wellesley Hills, MA
781-237-4560
Review
by Mark Snyder
Let
me confess off the bat- -I enjoy eating in a place where you
get a good amount of quality food for a reasonable price. R
Place is not that kind of place. The food here goes from excellent
to mediocre. The prices from expensive to very expensive.
Located in a basement, it has a dark but romantic feel to it.
My wife and I chose to celebrate our anniversary here. We skipped
the menu of appetizers, which included Smoked Salmon & Spring
Rolls ($10.50), Crab Cakes ($11.00) and Grilled Asparagas ($9.75).
I chose to go with a half order of the "R" Classic Pad Thai
($9.00) as a main course. The tempura shrimp on top (3) were
fine. The pad Thai itself was inedible and was returned.
My wife thoroughly enjoyed the Cajun Ancho Chili Rubbed grilled
Mahi Mahi. It was served with grilled asparagus. The poppy seed
plum glaze added some flavor to the fish. It is also served
with bourbon sweet potatoes. The portion was tiny, and the price
not ($22). Overall, the Thiel family has a very nice place.
But my meal was horrid. My wife was pleased with hers. I left
hungry and stopped to eat on the way home. Best Bets: Apple
Smoked Duck Leg with grilled Duck Breast ($20), Australian Beef
Tenderloin ($28), Mustard & Herb-crusted Lamb ($25) Rating:
2
211 Lincoln St.
Hingham, MA 02043
781-749-9829
Review
by Mark Snyder
I'm almost afraid to tell you how perfect the meal was at Abbadessa's,
for fear it will be too crowded next time we go! The restaurant,
located in a strip plaza on Rt. 3a in Hingham, relaxes you the
moment you enter. After being seated by a smiling hostess, we
were greeted by a very pleasant waitress, who brought us drinks
and a basket of delicious bread and breadsticks. We sat adjacent
to the bar, and it was cozy.
There is NO SMOKING anywhere in the restaurant. It was a unique
experience to be by the bar, but still in non-smoking! My wife
ordered the chicken cacciatore, chicken scaloppine sauteed with
freshly chopped peppers, onions and mushrooms. It was finished
in a delightful marinara sauce. She got a side dish of brocolli
(no, of course I didn't touch THAT). She said it was crisp and
fresh.
My veal parmigiana was the best I've had in quite a while! The
tender, thinly-sliced veal was pounded, breaded and served crispy-
-just the way I like it. Again, that wonderful marinara sauce
topped it off, with fresh mozzarella cheese. The menu features
many wonderful choices, from mouth-watering pizzas, to delicious
chowders, salads, veal, chicken and seafood dishes.
But it's not just about the food. There was a jazz band playing
relaxing music. The atmosphere is homey and comfortable. The
staff- -from waitress to busboy to bartender-- are friendly
and diligent. Abbadessa's offers specials on Mondays through
Thursday nights, with wine and dinner for $10.95 Mondays, topping
is free on every pizza. We give this restaurant high grades
for fresh food, comfort, music and friendly staff. A great place
to stop on the way to Nantasket Beach!
DICK'S
LAST RESORT
55 Huntington Ave.
Prudential Center Boston
Review by Mark Snyder
Want to find a place where you can leave all your troubles at
the door? A place where the waitresses treat you with the respect
you deserve? (NONE). Where the food greatly exceeds expectations?
Where the entertainment is sometimes entertaining? Check out
Dick's Last Resort in the Prudential Center. And pick up a T-shirt
while you're there. They have the best selection of DICK t-shirts
I've ever seen. And the food,,,,,
We ate at the Sunday brunch (adults $15.99, Children
(under 12) $5.99). There were made-to-order omelets that were
out of this world. Delicious carved roast beef and ham, with
flavorful accompanying sauces. Lots of my favorite heart-cloggers
like bacon and sausages. Wonderful fresh Belgian waffles and
an excellent assortment of toppings. There was fried chicken
and mashed potatoes; biscuits and gravy; poached salmon fillet,
tons of salads (my wife loved them all) and soft drinks of your
choice.
I tried to save room for dessert and was glad
I did. Homemade chocolate chip cookies, a coffee cake, assorted
fresh fruit, miniature pastries and more filled my plate to
the brim. All were outstanding.
It was billed as a "Gospel Brunch", but the band
only did three tunes. The lead singer, a Diva, wasn't pleased
with the speaker system and spent her entire set complaining
that she couldn't hear anything. Her, and her husband, sounded
great when they actually sang. But that was a rare treat. The
music was the only thing that did not come in abundance at our
brunch!
Dick's Last Resort is a must-see if in Boston.
Check out the shops at the Pru, and shop til you drop. The,
go for some great food (try the ribs and chicken at night) and
a beer (a giant mug) and kick back and relax. Watch out for
waitress Lynn. She's got spunk. I'll be back- -next time with
a group of roudy friends.
THE
TEA GARDEN
324 North
Main St.
Randolph, MA 02368
781-961-9494
REVIEW by MARK SNYDER
It seems we always in a rush. We dash to work, go to school,
take the kids everywhere, and rarely have chance for a moment's
peace and quiet. The lovely Roxanne Fernandes wants to change
all that. With her small storefront in the Sudbury Farms Plaza
on Rt. 28 in Randolph, she offers a refuge for the weary. As
soon as you get in the front door, you can try a free sample
of the Herbal Tea of the Day. Does something ail you? Tell Roxanne
and she'll find the tea that will bost your mood, and your immune
system. As a novice tea person, whose only experience was drinking
it when I mom forced me, I had a lot to learn. By the time I
left, I had the tools of the trade (a tea infuser, only $2.95)
and an ounce of Rooibos Oasis, a tea with a ton of Vitamin C
and Oxidants. The Tea Garden offers tea gift baskets, a wide
assortment of mugs, teapots, infusers, books, candles and angels.
It's a relaxing spot that will allow you to breathe deeply and
appreciate life, just a bit. Highly Recommended!
RASOI
855
Worcester Rd.
(Rt. 9) Framingham
508-872-8413
review by Mark Snyder
We were in the mood for ethnic food and decided on Indian Cuisine.
The only question was where to eat it. We'd found Jaipur Cafe
in Norwood and loved it, but going to the same place gets monotonous.
I've always liked India Quality Restaurant in Kenmore Square
in Boston, but wasn't in a "downtown" mood. So we headed out
to the unknown on Rt. 9 in Framingham. Rasoi is is a strip plaza
known as Trolley Square. Not far from our favorite supermarket,
Trader Joes. What a discovery!!! The Tandoor clay oven was the
home of our meal that night. Chicken Tandoori (spring chicken
marinated in yogurt and spices for 24 hours). It is a healthy
was to eat and a delicious one! We also enjoyed Kalmi Kabab
(center cut cubes of boneless pork in a marinated fresh giner,
garlic, yogurt and spices). A mouth-watering delight! The Babi
Tikka is to die for! Lean and tender cubes of boneless lamb
are marinated in a special blend of home ground spices and then
grilled on a skewer in the Tandoor oven. Unreal!! A great idea
is the mixed grill. You'll get a sampling of the afore-mentioned
chicken and Kalmi plus a serving of Tandoori Prawns - - shrimp
marinated in a lightly spiced sauce! Don't miss the great selection
of Naan (bread). (Our favorite is the Paneer Naan (stuffed with
cheese) and the Keema Naan (stuffed with spicy ground lamb).
Rating: 4
stars (perfection)
Best bets: Tandoori Mixed Grill,
Babi Tikka, Tandoori Seafood Masala, Tandoori Prawns, Keema
Naan
TOAST
OF THE TOWN
Sudbury Farms Plaza Randolph, MA
Review by MARK SNYDER
Being in a breakfast mood, I decided to go to a place where
I'd never eaten before. This took me to a place with a clever
name, Toast of the Town on Route 28 in Randolph. Unfortunately,
the name was the best thing about it. Conscious of my health,
I ordered an egg white omelet. But conscious of my taste buds,
I ordered it with swiss cheese and bacon. Also ordered was a
side of WELL DONE home fries, English Muffin and coffee. The
coffee came first. The mug had a leak on the bottom, and spilled
everywhere. I transferred it to another mug at the table and
took my first sip. Horrid. Sour. Yuck. I left my coffee. The
omelet arrived. No bacon. Just cheese. I tasted it and left
the entire omelet, one bite missing. The potatoes were raw.
The English muffin was the best part of the meal and I gobbled
it up. The waitress, despite seeing my contempt at the food,
never appeared until it was "check" time. I left my plate full,
paid my bill ($7 with tip) and left. I felt good about one thing-
- I can warn my readers to avoid the place. Rating: 1 Best
Item: The free newspaper to read
at the counter
DELICIOUS
& HEALTHY
Review
by MARK SNYDER
The Entertainment Minute
PMPNetwork.com & WMJX 106.7 FM
Chinatown
- 103 Sharon St. Stoughton, MA
Are you looking for something new to eat? How about something
that tastes delicious and is good for you, too? Don't think
it's possible? The key is the steaming of food in the new Dim
Sum menu at Chinatown in Stoughton.
I
faced this new kind of food with a little trepidation. It is,
after all, different to look at. It has a different consistency
than the usual fried foods. But after the first taste, I was
hooked!
Most
people are familiar with Peking Ravioli, the dumplings available
at most Chinese restaurants. Served with a ginger sauce, the
dumplings are always a light appetizer. Dim Sum food is similar,
but different.
Imagine
the same light food, with a plethora of different tastes exploding
in your mouth? That is what Dim Sum is all about. Served from
11:30-3 pm every day, it is like happy hour for your taste buds.
My
favorite was the steam shrimp dumpling. Shrimp and bamboo shoots,
inside a thin dough, steamed to perfection.
Another
item which was so different, it stands out, was the steam roast
pork bun, and the similar steam chicken bun. Stuffed with either
roast pork or ground chicken , the buns are actually a dough
material, steamed to perfection. The taste is totally unique.
And addicting!
Whether
you try the steam chicken dumpling, the steam spareribs, steam
vegetable dumpling, or steam chicken bun, you can't go wrong!
But DO NOT go to Chinatown without trying the steam chicken
sticky rice! This combination of pork, chicken, sausage and
mushroom, served with a delicious smoky rice, is just incredible!
I can't recommend it enough.
Save
room to try the Mango pudding- -a perfect ending to a Dim Sum
treat! Dim Sum literally means "to point to the heart's
desire" in Cantonese. To this reviewer, it points more
to the stomach's desire!
Dim
Sum at Chinatown is served from 11:30-3 pm seven days a week.
It is located at 103 Sharon Street, at Cobbs Corner in Stoughton
49
Monk St.
49
Monk Street in
Stoughton
781-344-4949
With heavy cigarette smoke in the air of this bar-pool hall,
it's not exactly a great place for sit down family meals. But
takeout is another story! This place offers some of the tastiest
wings around. In tons of flavors. A Jumbo order of 25 wings
is only $14.50. A Fantasy Order (48 ounces) of Boneless wings
is only $22.95. And the flavors...choose from Buffalo in three
levels of hot (we prefer "just plain hot" over the hot-as-hell
"thermonuclear" and the wimpy "mild hot"). Other flavors include
Homemade BBQ, Honey BBQ, Teriyaki, Honey Mustard Dip, Honey
Mustard Glaze, Roman (garlic and parm), and Big Joe's Southern
Fried. They are ALL outstanding. Standouts also include the
fries ($2.50) and the beer battered onion rings ($3.50). Burgers
to go (10 oz) are also great. Made by hand with fresh chuck.
Ribs are also a good pick. A full 14 piece rack is $16.95. Salads
and sandwiches are also available. This is a great place for
a party! Let them be your caterer (of sorts) Best bets: Boneless
Buffalo wings, Roman wings and Teryaki wings.
Rating: 3 stars
Avon
Towne House
81
Memorial Drive Rt. 28 Avon
508-588-9955
We used to go to this place for their great lobster specials.
They have always had specials on "twins", years ago from $8.95.
The last time we were here, about three years ago, it was $14.95.
The place looks the same. Musty, smoky and very plain. But ownership
has changed. It's now owned by Peter Lee and features American
and Chinese food. We ordered a steak (medium) ($15.95)and got
piece of fatty, tasteless shoe leather. I ordered the twin lobsters
($18.95) and got underweight lobsters (est. 3/4 pounds each
or less). Tastless. Overcooked. With stale bread. This place
rated at 4 in our last review. REVISED RATING:
1 Best Bets: Stay
home
Salsa's
opens in South Boston
If you enjoy Mexican Food, do I have good news for you. About
18 months ago, a small (40 seats or so) Mexican Grill called
Salsa's opened in South Boston. The bistro, located at 118 Dorchester
Street, offers hands down some of the best Mexican food we've
ever had. Starting with Salsa & Chips, it will warm you
up on a cold winter night. Owner Dave Littlefield ("The
Sausage Guy") has plans to bottle that salsa and sell it.
It would be an immediate hit. Loaded with freshly cut vegetables,
hot enough to wake your senses, and solid enough not to be runny,
it is an instant hit.
Chef
Maria Cadillo (a native Mexicano) has the touch. My favorite
of the evening was the Pollo eu Almendras. This dish, featuring
marinated grilled chicken breast served with authentic salad
and rice, is topped by a scrumptious almond salsa that is simply
amazing. Tasting a bit like Thai satay flavor, this dish stands
out.
We
tried a number of dishes and enjoyed them all. Not a bad one
in the bunch.
Best
Bets: Pollo eu Almendras, Chile eu Nogada (stuffed peppers),
Pescado ala Veracruz (marinated & grilled fish), Mexican
Carnitas ( marinated pork tips in orange and Chipotle sauce),
Mahi Mahi Soup, Tex Mex Tortilla Salad.Grade-A
(Owner
David Littlefield, a Curry College grad, is an amazing story
in himself. He owns Three Clover Pizza (401 West Broadway in
Southie), and is the well-known Sausage Guy at Fenway Park.
His calendar, and promotions with WBCN-FM are well known. Here's
a link to HIS website. Check it out. Welcome to www.sausageguy.com!
WIN
GIFT CERTIFICATES TO SALSA'S
Click
on CONTEST page
TENNESSEE'S
REAL BBQ
(Framingham-Braintree-Peabody)
As
listeners of our show know, we had found the ultimate barbecue
pit in Norwood, called Beantowne Barbecue. When that closed
down (due to circumstances that had nothing to do with the food)
we were quite saddened.
After
all, places like Creative Chicken (Stoughton) that put sauce
on chicken and then grill it, can never replicate the taste
of REAL barbecued chicken. Neither can supermarkets, with their
whole barbecued chickens.
So
My wife & I were pleasantly pleased when we discovered Tennessee's
Real BBQ in Braintree. In a very relaxed atmosphere, they serve
REAL barbecue CHEAP! Luckily, there are three so that readers
of this website who live in Massachusetts will find one near
you! The food is IMMENSE! Delicious. Fresh. Bursting with flavor.
The best barbecue we've had in a long while~! A can't miss!
Best
Bets: Caribbean Chicken (a variation on the jerk recipe- -with
kick!), Pulled Pork (best we've ever had), Baby Back Ribs (delightfully
rubbed with just the right spices, and cooked to perfection).
Even the side dishes stand out- -the collared greens, the smashed
potatoes, the dirty rice and the corn on the cob (actually grilled
in its stalk).Grade:
A
Inn
On The Green
Rt. 14 in East Bridgewater
On
the border of Whitman, is one of the best restaurants we've
seen. Inn On The Green, adjacent to the Ridder Country
Club, has it all. The enchanting view of the golf course, lit
up beautifully at night with a little brook and lovely plantings,
sets off a wonderful restaurant experience. The appetizers were
a bit on the weak side. Clams Casino was pedestrian, at best,
featuring the usual cherrystones, chopped and baked with seasoned
garlic butter, bread crumbs, and the perfunctory piece of bacon.
The buffalo chicken tenderloins were devoid of spice, but cooked
nicely and served uniquely on a bed of rice. Nice touch.
Entrees
varied. The Sauteed jumbo shrimp (house special) was excellent.
Four large shrimp, delicately battered, were served in
a garlic, lemon and sherry marinade, over linguini. A
wonderful culinary delight.
The
baked scallops, served with seafood stuffing, were cooked
perfectly and featured sweet scallops. It got a high rating.
The swordfish, served as a half steak with cajun spices,
was also a hit. The seafood dante was the only dish to
get thumbs down. A bland mix of shrimp, scallops, and
lobster, sauteed with mushrooms in a white wine sauce,
it was the worst choice by far.
The
presentation of foods is also rather bland. Service was
not the best--in fact, my water glass remained empty for
over an hour. Desserts were so-so. Tarimusu was servicable.
Mudpie was good. Coffee was excellent.
The atmosphere, the low prices (highest entree was only
$11.95), and the large portions, will assure this place
continued success.
Grade: B
Best Bets: House
Special Jumbo Shrimp, Braided Sole and Salmon Seafood
Medley.
THE
GRILL
- 453 Centre St. Brockton, MA.
What
a find! Some of the most meaty, juicy and delicious ribs
we ever had. Buffalo wings that were spicy and teasing
of the palate. Stunning authentic middle eastern foods,
from hummous to baked kibbie to shish kebab. The rice
was the most inspired we've had since Beantown Bar-B-Q.
Homemade soups and salads, a clean atmosphere, and friendly
wait staff give this place the highest grade.Grade:
A / Best
Bets: Hummous, The Grill
Combo, Full Rack of Ribs, MidEast Combo
Pizza
Hut on Rt. 27, Stoughton/Brockton (by Mark Snyder)-
Don't
be fooled by the $4.99 all-you-can-eat lunch buffet. On
the day I visited this establishment, the all you can
eat buffet consisted mostly of air. When I arrived at
11:30 am, there were no cheese or cinnamon breadsticks.
When I left, at 12:55 pm, they finally were put in the
bins. There were no pizzas of ANY KIND from 12:15-12:35.
People were waiting, many very impatiently, for a slice
of anything. A harried waitress pleaded with the manager
to get some pizzas out. He told her to go about her work,
and proceeded to berate her for caring. When the manager
finally emerged, 20 minutes later with pizzas, he sported
some mushroom/veggie mix, and a pineapple pizza. Folks
stood around until pepperoni, sausage and cheese arrived.
The salad disappeared completely at 12:30. When I left
at 12:55, it was still empty. The pasta, some kind of
shells and cheese, was empty starting at 12:25. It was
not filled when I left. My drink of Diet Pepsi, for which
I was charged $1.49, consisted of 90% ice, with three
ounces of soda. When that was gone, I went thirsty. No
waitresses every arrived at my table. I had to bring my
glass up and ask for more drink.
This
place had better get its act together. The only good news---empty
plates at buffets ARE less calories.
Grade:
F
Best
dishes: The empty dish
Attention
Coffee Lovers: What
an idea--instant LIQUID coffee, with a great taste. The
Ryan family has packaged concentrated coffee in handy
bottles. In french roast, decaf french, mocha java and
vanilla nut, and at about 30 cents a cup, this stuff is
great! My wife, a coffee nut, gave it best grades! To
order, click
here! A bargain and GREAT Coffee!!!!
Apropos
(In the Sheraton Boston Hotel): If
you're looking for fine dining in Boston, without having to
mortgage the house, let me tell you about Apropos in the newly-remodeled
Sheraton Boston Hotel. This fine restaurant is designed with
something for everyone. Apropos Executive Chef Gregg Fontecchio
is trying to please all the different clients the restaurant
attracts--from hotel customers, to convention people; from
families coming from Logan to businessmen in from Kuwait.
The Sheraton Boston does more convention catering than any
hotel in New England, according to Executive Banquet Chef
Bradley Jones, who told us the difficulties of "balancing"
the menu.
Apropos
really concentrates on what Jones describes as "New England
Cuisine", heavy in seafood and not extremely spicy. We
tried the roasted sea bass with lemon, accompanied by crisp
fingerling potatoes and red pepper olive relish. The bass
was perfectly cooked, moist and tasty. The relish was a perfect
dipping sauce, and stood well even on its own.
We had a heavy cholesterol dose
with our appetiser, the pan seared foie gras with morel essences
and glazed granny smith apples. The organ meat was seared
perfectly, tender to the taste, and oozing with delicious
juices. The sweet apple concoction was the perfect accompaniment,
tasty and healthy, too.
Summer greens even appealed
to this vegetable-hater when they arrived with lamb loin,
that was out of this world. The lamb, injected with avocado,
was served alongside summer greens and vine ripened tomatoes.
My dining partner enjoyed the veggies: I got all the lamb.
My dining partner gobbled up
the assorted legumes, petit peas and mint served alongside
the free range chicken breast. I enjoyed the breast, although
it could have been done just a hair less.
For dessert, we tried the warm
bread pudding, with scattered berries and cinnamon cream.
A stunning way to end the evening.
The service at Apropos was impeccable.
Mohammed, our server, was attentive and kept our water glasses
filled (my way of measuring service). He was knowledgable
about the food he served, and that is really a plus.
The restaurant is sprawling
in design, with lots of mirrors and comfortable seating .
Nearby there is a nice piano bar, with limited menu, and upstairs
a new cigar bar. The Sheraton Boston has just undergone a
73 million dollar re-design and is worth checking out. Apropos
is a wonderful addition to Boston's finest restaurants.
Best
Bets: Jonah crabcakes ($11.95),
apropos angus burger ($8.50), Golden Clams with Black Pepper
Linguini ($18), Seafood Cioppino ($23.00) Grade:
A-
Chinatown
(Brockton, Stoughton)--There's
no place like Chinatown. The Wong family has the right formula.
Start with the freshest ingredients, cook with Canola oil,
let everyone watch you cook in an open kitchen, and you've
got the formula for success. True Chinese affectionados
avoid the cheap buffets and head straight for Chinatown.
Best
Bets: The luncheon and dinner specials (served all
day), the Crispy Shrimp, The Pork in Black Bean Sauce, the
Boneless Ribs, and Peking Duck. Also, if you can afford
it--try the Ginger and Scallion Lobster. Unreal!
Grade:
LYNWOOD
CAFE
(Randolph)--The most consistent
pizza around, and still around $5. Ask for your pizza with
"burned edges". They put a little extra sauce on
the edge and sizzle it. Only drawback here is the long wait
for tables and the heavy smoke. Take out is your best choice!
Best
bets: Any
pizza and cold draft beers Grade:
Dining In (B) , To GO (A)
JAIPUR
CAFE
(Norwood)--The area's only Indian
restaurant really shines. From the incredible selection of
ethnic breads, to the Tandoori chicken and veggies, this place
is really wonderful. Try an Indian beer and get the real
feel for the Far East. Best
Bets: Tandoori
Chicken, Jaipur Wings
Grade:
A
Siam
Lotus
(Norwood)-There are a number
of Thai restaurants opening in the area, from Brockton to
Quincy. The best, so far, is this place. From the view that
overlooks the Norwood Country Club golf course, to the food
that has enough spice to wake up your senses, this place has
it all! Best
Bets: Chicken Satay, Pad Thai.
Grade:
A
El
Serape
(Weymouth)-This is authentic
Mexican food! Not the American stuff. From the siestas to
the decor, to the roving Mexican musical players, this place
oozes Tijuana. The chips and salsa are among the best we've
had --and they're free - unlimited-- with every meal.
Best
Bet:
pork adobe (VERY Spicy the way I like it)
Grade:
A
Blackthorne
Tavern-(Easton)-This
is one of the area's best kept secrets! Great entertainment
(folks like Cheryl Wheeler, Tom Rush, John Gorka and Lori
McKenna play here) every night of the week. Thursday through
Saturday nite Blues, folk and light rock take turns. Monday
nights include poetry readings. Sunday afternoon brunches
from 11-2 have wonderful music and food. Plus, tons of imported
beer, ale and cider.
Best bets: Mixed
Grille, Boneless Buffalo Wings, Trilogy of Seafood and Drunk
& Dirty Tips Grade:
A
Spoleto
(Easton)--The south shore has a shortage of good Italian
restaurants, but this jewel is hidden in a strip mall on Rt.
138. Wonderful food from appetizers through dessert!
Best
Bets: Steamed Mussels (appetizer),
Fra
Diablo Red Pie (spicy pizza), Meat Lasagna (with veal, beef
and sausage). Grade:
A
Lobster
Hut (Brockton)-
-Some folks think this is a chain, but it's not. For seafood
at it's best, Lobster Hut delivers (and cheap!). Best
Bets: Mini Meal specials start
at only $4.50! Seniors love it here. Try the lobster tail
& shrimp for $10.95. Or the ALL MEAT lobster roll for
$6.75. Even hot dogs and hamburgers for the kids.
Grade:
A-
If
you'd like to submit a food review of your favorite spot,
please email it to PMPCO
@ aol.com. It's subject to editing--but you may see
it on our site!!!
The
PMP Network
is sponsored by CHINATOWN
of Stoughton and Brockton. They have great food which is
cooked in low fat Canola Oil. They use NO MSG. Dinner Specials
served all day. Tell them that MARK SNYDER sent you.
