New England Bites

Ma's Donuts & More

2008-08-25T23:45:00.017-05:00

78 W Main Road

Middletown, RI 02842

(401) 841-5750

After receiving some unhappy e-mail regarding our old review of Ma's Donuts in Middletown, RI, Mom and I promised our fans that we would give this bakery another shot. Since we were in the area, Mom thought that it would be a perfect time to go through the drive-thru and get a half dozen Ma's donuts. I pulled into the drive-thru at just around 6:30 p.m.

Since Ma's Donuts is open for 24 hours, it seems to be a big hit with the Newport Grand Casino set (since it is right down the street). I knew a few girls from my old job that always made a point to stop by Ma's after a long night of gambling. With our first review, we basically said that Ma's had "uninspired" donuts. They were good, but nothing special. This caused quite a stir with a few fans who actually go out of their way to pick up a box of these doughy delights. Since we wanted to be fair, Mom and I decided that on this visit we will order six assorted donuts. We let Ma's choose the donuts because a) we were going through the drive-thru, and b) we would never discriminate against a particular donut. We love them all!

When I arrived at the drive-thru window, I was immediately greeted over the loud speaker. The gentleman asked me what I would like, so I said, "A half dozen assorted donuts, please." He muttered something that we thought was "drive up," so I headed toward the window. When I got there, the gentleman asked me what kind of donut I wanted. I told him that I wanted six assorted. He said, "What?" I said, "Assorted." He just stared blankly, so I said, "You know ... mixed?" I even made this mixing sign with my hands which probably looked more like I was kneading dough rather than explaining what assorted meant. Then, he asked me how many I wanted. I said, "Six." OH MY GOD! Pay attention! I don't want to be discriminative, but why do stores and restaurants always put the person who knows the least amount of English either manning the phone or serving customers? I mean has no one ever come through and asked for an assorted box? Thank God we didn't order coffees or we would have been there all night. Once the gentleman and I were on the same page, he handed me my box of donuts and quoted me $4.99. Mom and I headed home with our donuts in a pretty Ma's box.

After dinner, we brought out the donuts so that her and I - and Dad - could all have one. When I opened the box, I was a bit disappointed to see that the donuts had rolled around inside of the box they were placed in. One of the donuts was frosted, and most of the frosting had rubbed off. Perhaps there isn't a need to have boxes that only hold six donuts. We shrugged it off as Mom and I were the first to dig in. She chose the chocolate cream-filled donut while I picked the blueberry cake. Mom's donut, although packed with chocolate cream, was a little on the dry side and not very flavorful. She felt that the filling actually tasted better than the donut. Mom has had this type of donut before from other places - including Dunkin' Donuts - and she said that it was much better at the other establishments. Dad's jelly donut was packed with so much filling that it was starting to split on the side. My blueberry donut was good, but I can find the same thing at Dunkin' Donuts, only theirs taste a little better. When I came home from work the next day, Mom told me that if I wanted to have another donut, I'd better act fast because they were already drying out. The remaining donuts we ate were good, but again, nothing special.

Although we didn't go inside of Ma's Donuts, we saw the interior through the large glass windows. The walls were a deep rose color and there were several seats that you can choose from. There were also a few chairs set up outside for people who wanted to enjoy the fresh air. What I didn't know is that the inside of Ma's (not just the drive-thru) also stays open for 24 hours. I had to call and verify this as most drive-thru places close down their eat-in section after hours. On the menu, Ma's offers your normal breakfast/bakery type items such as donuts, breakfast sandwiches, cookies, muffins, and assorted pastries. They also have malasadas, which is fried dough for you non-Portuguese fans. Ma's also has a long list of drinks like coffee, iced coffee, cocoa, smoothies, and fat-free fruities, which I'm assuming is a fruit drink. Lunch is also offered here with sandwiches such as chourico and peppers, roast beef, ham and cheese, and turkey. The prices are average for this type of restaurant, and Ma's offers several combo specials that may be a little easier on the wallet.

There is one thing that Mom and I always notice about Ma's Donuts - it always looks closed. The parking lot is usually empty, and it always looks pretty dark inside. I don't want to say that Ma's has a dated look, but there is something about the exterior of this restaurant that would lead me to assume that it was dingy inside. However, it's obvious that Ma's has a loyal fan base which is what has kept them thriving as a business.

We wanted to like Ma's Donuts. We really did! However, we have to stick with our original decision. These donuts are uninspired, and it's a shame because out-of-the-way places like Ma's usually has fantastically unique donuts. Perhaps they'll improve over time, but it's sad when a large chain like Dunkin' can serve up a better tasting donut.

Ma's Donuts & More is open daily for all 24 hours.

Mid Week Grocery Spree - Lees Market

2008-08-25T12:30:00.017-05:00

Lees Market is fantastic, and that's why Mom and I enjoy shopping there when we're in Westport, MA. Not only is Lees stocked with normal grocery store staples, but it carries all local produce, meats, grains, and specialty items. There is a sushi bar, a beautiful deli filled with ready-made lunches, and a large liquor section. Plus, the store is always spotless. Who wouldn't want to shop here?

On this visit, Mom and I took our time going up and down the aisles. We'd already done our weekly shopping, but we were on the prowl for some hard-to-find items. For example, Mom read on the Internet that San Marzano tomatoes supposedly made the best spaghetti sauce. After an unsuccessful search for them at Stop & Shop, we finally found the tomatoes at Lees ($2.59). We also found two soups by Nile that I've been dying to try - split pea and sweet corn chowder ($1.49 each). Also in our shopping cart was a bottle of Trader Vic gold rum ($12.99) that we purchased to mix with the mudslide and piña colada mixers that we bought at the Christmas Tree Shop a while back.

Since we love buying local goods, Mom and I picked up a product that we had been dying to try. It is called Mad Hectic Oatmeal, and it costs $7.95 a bag. Yes, it is insanely expensive. Made in South Dartmouth, MA, this product is organic, made with flax seed meal and tree nuts, and contains 14 grams of protein per serving (six servings per bag). Mom grabbed the almond pecan flavor and threw it our Lees canvas bag ($.95). We also spotted an adorable pouch of Gray's Pancake and Waffle Mix ($4.99) from Gray's Mill in Adamsville, RI/Westport, MA. Printed on the back of the pouch are the mixing instructions for both pancakes and waffles, and the mix itself is stone ground right at the mill. This was expensive also, but we realize that we would never be able to purchase items like this on a weekly basis. The oatmeal and pancake mix are definitely once-in-a-while treats.

After spending $32.50, we came home and laid out all of our items. We couldn't wait to dig into that oatmeal, so Mom made some for breakfast the next morning. It was really tasty and had a natural sweetness without any added sugar. Mom and I will definitely be heading back to Lees to try more of their fabulous local items. You'll spend a few more dollars if you buy the specialty foods, but the overall quality that you'll find at Lees is worth the cash.

Uncle Ed's Front Porch Ice Cream

2008-08-24T20:00:00.020-05:00

116 Winthrop St.

Rehoboth, MA 02769

(508) 252-4100

Date visited: 8/23/08

Anyone who has taken a drive through this area will tell you that we New Englanders love our ice cream. Whether you're traveling down a main street or cruising through a heavily wooded area, you're never more than 20 miles from an ice cream stand. Some of these places are only open during the summer months. However, there are a few that stay open year round for those freaks (like us) who enjoy eating ice cream in frigid weather. Uncle Ed's Front Porch is one of those places. After reading rave reviews about Ed's delicious homemade ice cream on the Internet, we decided to take a ride to Rehoboth to check it out. We pulled into the parking area at 5 p.m.

The first thing Mom and I noticed was how cute the place was. It didn't even look like a stand; it looked more like someone's home. Although the parking lot and building are small, there are a few picnic tables located on the side of the building so that customers can enjoy their treats outside. Stepping up into the ice cream parlor, Mom and I figured out how Uncle Ed's Front Porch got its name. One complete side of the dining area was set up to look exactly like someone's porch with two round tables on each side. The walls were covered in vinyl siding, and there was even a door and "porch" lights. All this was set behind a trellis with a lace curtain running across the top. On the other side of the room - set against a pretty red and white striped wall - were two large picnic tables covered in gingham tablecloths. The interior was immaculate and we both thought that the design was absolutely adorable.

When we got to the counter, we were greeted by a friendly woman who informed us that "he" (perhaps she meant Uncle Ed) had just made a fresh batch of their gingersnap molasses ice cream. Neither Mom nor I had ever heard of that flavor before, so after a few minutes of deciding, Mom chose to try a small cup of it ($3). I needed a minute to narrow down my choices before going with a small cup of peanut butter fantasy ($3), which the woman behind the counter said was delicious. Our total came to:

1 small cup gingersnap molasses - $3

1 small cup peanut butter fantasy - 3

TOTAL = $6

We took our cups outside and decided to eat in the car. Mom's gingersnap molasses ice cream was very unique. She said that she'd never tasted anything like it before. It was deliciously smooth and creamy, except for the crumbled pieces of gingersnaps set inside the deep molasses base. It was so different and delicious that she would definitely recommend it and can't wait to have it again. My peanut butter fantasy was surprisingly creamy as well. The ice cream was peanut butter flavored and had a fudge swirl with several broken up pieces of peanut butter cups mixed in. It was full of flavor and not overly sweet. I really enjoyed it.

(L) peanut butter fantasy; (R) gingersnap molasses

When I got home and uploaded the photo I had taken of the menu, I was a bit disappointed that it wasn't that legible. Uncle Ed's Front Porch has some really unique flavors including frozen pudding, Baileys Irish Cream, Grapenut, ginger, cashew caramel turtle, cookie dough, Oreo, blue dino, Almond Joy, cotton candy, mocha mud pie, cherry chip, pistachio, maple walnut, and the requisite vanilla, chocolate, coffee, and strawberry. The prices are pretty good, ranging from a $3 small cup or cone to a $7.95 quart of ice cream. Uncle Ed's also offers several different types of sundaes and drinks with plenty of add-ons to make each treat as unique as you like. Mom had read somewhere online that the owner even takes suggestions for ice cream flavors, and if you're lucky, he will make a batch of your crazy concoction.

Because of the great service, adorable building, and fantastic ice cream, Mom and I were ready to give Uncle Ed's a score of excellent (a.k.a., five hearts). Instead, we decided to give it a score of very good (four hearts) because we've only been once. I'm pretty positive that Mom and I will be heading back in the very near future, and we're dying to try several more delicious flavors. Uncle Ed's Front Porch just may have become our new favorite.

Uncle Ed's Front Porch is open daily from 1-9:30 p.m. year round.

Bite of the Week - Endangered Species Dark Chocolate Bar

2008-08-24T12:00:00.001-05:00

Mom and I like a good routine. However, on Saturday evening, we decided to throw caution to the wind and go to a Stop & Shop Supermarket out of town. I know what you're thinking - those broads like to live on the edge. We drove all the way to the Dartmouth store because of their large section of natural food items. Since we were in the mood for some healthier snacks, Mom and I perused the aisles until something caught my eye - animal faces on large bars of chocolate. Now I've seen these before, but I don't remember ever trying one. However, with 10 percent of the net profits being used to help save endangered animals, how could I resist? I grabbed a bar with a tiger face on it ($2.50) - which happened to be dark chocolate with espresso beans - and put it in our shopping cart.

THE VERDICT: Sweet! Actually, considering that the cocoa content is 70 percent, I'm surprised that the chocolate wasn't bitter. Made with shade-grown coffee and chocolate, the minced espresso beans added a nice taste and crunchy texture to each piece. Inside the wrapper, there was a little blurb about the tiger and how there are several species of the animal already extinct. How sad! Also inside the wrapper was a $.25 cent off coupon for another bar. I really enjoyed this candy and would like to try the other flavors, and I'm very glad to know that - by eating chocolate - I did my part to protect the animals.

Great Feast of the Holy Ghost of New England

2008-08-21T19:00:00.003-05:00

Fall River loves a good Portuguese feast, so we at New England Bites have decided to feature our favorite one - the Great Feast of the Holy Ghost of New England. Phew, that's a lot to say.

Perhaps this feast is our number one because we can see it from our window, or maybe it's because over 300,000 visitors come from all over New England, Canada, and Portugal, just to hang out in Kennedy Park for four days. Here is a quick itinerary of this weekend's FEASTivities:

Thursday, August 21: From 7-10:45 p.m. "Youth night" features performances by local entertainers. Last year we got to hear a drunk Portuguese guy sing Runaway by Bon Jovi. Let's hope he's back this year!

Friday, August 22: 6-11 p.m. The bishop of Portugal will be giving out food to the needy and two marching bands will be performing. There will also be folk singing, which sounds interesting.

Saturday, August 23: 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Governor Deval Patrick and the president of the Azores will sign a protocol between the state of Massachusetts and the regional government of the Azores at the Gates of the City. There will also be a parade, and at the conclusion of the parade, sweet bread and milk will be distributed. Again, there will be more "folklore and follies," along with more concerts and festivities. My favorite part of the evening will be the auction, where a fast-talking Portuguese guy tries to unload cases of chourico and sweet bread.

Sunday, August 24: 12-10 p.m. The big day! After the Mass at St. Anne's Church, there is a three-hour procession that goes from South Main Street to Bradford Avenue, ending up right at Kennedy Park. We usually watch from our window. It's fun to see the people swaying slowly from side to side, but Mom always feels bad for the women who are wearing heels. Their feet look like muffin tops crammed into tight shoes. It looks so painful! After the procession, there is another auction, more concerts, and the closing ceremonies.

A lot of people say, "Wow, you guys are so lucky to live near the number one Portuguese feast in New England." Are we? Here are some little known facts about life across from the Feast.

Waking up at 2 a.m. because the street sweepers are cleaning up the nightly messes left behind by happy Feast goers.
Having to get a parking permit to park on your own street (actually, we're really thankful for this one).
LOUD music. It's not just, "I believe I can hear that marching band playing S.O.S. by ABBA." It's more like, "I was going to go to bed early, but I can't because they're playing S.O.S. by ABBA."
Buses from Canada arriving early in the morning and waking you up - on Friday and Saturday.
Not being able to move your car on Sunday because of the three-hour procession - and having to hear every song played by the marching band directly under your window.
The smell of fried foods when you're trying to diet.
Unusual animal poop found in the park. We think they still bring in donkeys and buffalo.
The glow of the Pepsi machines shining through my window at night.
The overwhelming stench of the public toilets on a hot August day.
The die-hard celebrators that visit the club on the corner and come out singing and yelling at 2 a.m.

I will say that living across from the Feast has given us many memories - some good and some bad - but we do enjoy eating those delicious homemade malasadas once a year. Enjoy the slideshow!

Laura and Diane Monteiro

Papa John's

2008-08-18T19:00:00.017-05:00

www.papajohns.com

Mom and I have been talking about ordering pizza from Papa John's for a few days now. The reason? We're not that crazy about it. Now I know that sounds strange, but both Mom and I like to give everything a fair shot, even if we've been let down in the past. Since we'd never officially reviewed Papa John's, we decided to be brave and order a couple of pies for dinner. She called the Broadway location at 5:35 p.m. and spoke with a very friendly, knowledgeable man. By 6 p.m., the pizzas had arrived.

Mom had ordered a large white ricotta cheese pizza ($14.99), and something called a Meatza pizza ($14.99), which was topped with bacon, sausage, ham, and pepperoni. Since Papa John's always runs the half price special (buy one, get one half off), her total came to:

Subtotal - $24.37

Delivery charge - 1.89

Sales tax - 1.22

TOTAL = $25.59

Now, since the subtotal comes to more than one and a half pizzas, I figured out that they must have charged us for the garlic dipping sauce ($.59) and banana peppers ($1.50) that they stuck inside each pizza box. Thanks, but we didn't ask for these and shouldn't have to pay for them. After Dad gave the delivery guy $27 in cash, he brought the pies inside. When we opened the boxes, we thought that both pizzas looked and smelled delicious. With paper plates in hand, we all sat down to dinner.

We tried the white ricotta pizza first, which had a blend of four cheeses and a ricotta cheese sauce. After trying it, we all came to the same conclusion - it was blah. For having so many different kinds of cheese, we expected it to have more flavor. We've had multi-cheese topped pizzas before and they were usually quite tasty. The pizza didn't taste bad, it just didn't taste as good as we'd hoped.

The Meatza pie had a lot of flavor due to the four toppings, but the sauce was a little overwhelming. It was as tangy as we remembered from the first time, which is why we didn't care for Papa John's originally. Mom found the pizza to be a little on the greasy side, but that's to be expected when it includes four extremely fatty meats. The Meatza was tastier than the white, but had a bitter aftertaste because of the sauce.

On the whole, we feel that the crust of the Papa John's pies are quite doughy. In fact, the dough makes it almost impossible to eat more than two slices - even though we tried. It is strange how Mom, Dad, and I all came to the same conclusion when we all have very different palettes. Both Mom and I agreed that Papa John's offers some pretty good deals, but you have to make sure to read the fine print. For example, they have a new promotion where you can buy one large pizza and get the second free. However, it is for pickup customers only. Also, there are some coupons circulating with great deals, but they are for a limited time (sometimes only 30 days). There is a fantastic deal that is going on through the rest of the summer called the 4-4-4 Super Value Deal. You can order three 10" one-topping pizzas; three medium subs; or one 10" one-topping pizza, cheese sticks, and garlic Parmesan bread sticks all for $4.44 each.

Papa John's isn't a sit down pizza place. The chain is along the same line as Domino's - strictly delivery and carryout. They offer several types of pizzas ($12.99-17.99) including chicken Alfredo, garden veggie, BBQ chicken, rustic Italian, Smokehouse bacon, spicy meatball, and many others. They also have a wheat crust option for those who are trying to stay away from carbs. Papa John's offers sandwiches staring at $4.99 such as meatball, chicken Parmesan, veggie, Italian, and chourico and peppers (local only). Appetizers include wings and chicken strips ($6.49), cheese sticks ($5.99), bread sticks ($5.49), and a few dessert choices.

Although we didn't hate our dinner, I think we're done with our taste test of Papa John's. We've had their pizza about four times now, and each time we keep hoping that it will be better. Mom and I definitely feel that Papa Gino's is the best delivery pizza chain in the area, with Domino's coming in second. Unfortunately, that leaves Papa John's pulling up the rear. If it weren't for the doughy crust and tart sauce, we may have felt differently. However, I think the Papa John's recipe is here to stay, and that is probably why this will be our last time ordering this pizza.

This particular Papa John's restaurant is located at 167 Broadway in Fall River. For more information, call (508) 674-5500 or visit the Web site at www.papajohns.com.

Bite of the Week - The Skinny Cow Low Fat Ice Cream Sandwich

2008-08-17T15:30:00.001-05:00

It's no secret that Mom and I have been trying to cut down on junk food. Now that my sister - the junk food queen - is moving into her first apartment, we're trying to rid the house of any kind of crap food that she enjoyed eating. After all, if it's in the house, there is a chance that our willpower will vanish and we'll end up sitting there with a can of Coke and a Lunchable - and who wants that? Last night, Mom spotted The Skinny Cow ice cream treats (complete with a skinny cow on the label) in the freezer section of the market. Since it is supposedly "better" for you than other frozen novelties, we decided to purchase a box of chocolate peanut butter ice cream sandwiches ($3.99). This afternoon, we each tried one.

THE VERDICT: It actually tasted like real ice cream! In other words, it was a lot better than we thought. Even my sister really enjoyed it - and she hates anything with the word "low fat" on the label. With only 150 calories and 97% fat free (or three Weight Watcher points), each sandwich was thick, creamy, and flavorful. Mom and I have been disappointed in the past when we've tried "diet" ice creams, but this was definitely something that we would get again. We look forward to trying other Skinny Cow products. Although they are a bit expensive, I think these treats are a good choice for ice cream addicts (like us) who want to have something a little healthier.

Almeida's Vegetable Patch

2008-08-16T23:30:00.010-05:00

110 G.A.R. Highway

Route 6

Swansea, MA 02777

(508) 676-6333

Mom hates fruits and vegetables, but she loves to buy them. She also loves farms, which is why we've been shopping on and off at Almeida's Vegetable Patch for a few years now. Located across the street from the Venus de Milo restaurant, Almeida's not only sells their own crops, but lots of other goods from various local area farms. Since Saturday is our weekly shopping day, we decided to stop in and check out what Almeida's had to offer. We pulled into the always-busy parking area at just about 3:30 p.m.

Frenzied is a word that I use when I describe Almeida's. Although it is a beautiful farm with an adorable little shop, the people that are buying the food are usually a) overcome by all the fresh produce, b) in a hurry to get home and eat the stuff, or c) think they're the only ones in the store and think nothing of walking right in front of you to pick out a basket of strawberries. Knowing this, Mom and I always go in and stick to walking the length of the back wall before attempting to browse at the center displays.

For your convenience, Almeida's has small hand baskets to carry as well as plastic bags to put the food in. They also sell their own reusable tote bags with the Almeida's logo. Considering that Almeida's serves a large volume of customers, Mom and I are always surprised at how neat and clean everything is, especially near the corn area. To control the mess, a gentleman is usually seen removing all the outer leaves off of the corn before putting them in bags of six or 12. The homegrown butter and sugar corn is very sweet and tasty, and so much larger and fresher than the corn sold at the supermarket. Almeida's has a wonderful selection of other vegetables and fruits such as tomatoes (which are huge), cherry tomatoes, large cucumbers (and the pickling variety), zucchini and summer squash, cabbage, lettuce, onions, potatoes, carrots, fresh and bagged radishes, scallions, all sorts of colored peppers, pea pods, green beans, peaches, plums, strawberries, several varieties of apples, oranges, melons, pears, red and green grapes, blueberries, bananas, and whole watermelons that can be cut to whatever size you want right there on the spot. Almeida's also has a bin of slightly bruised fruit at a reduced price, jars of local honey, and many fresh flowers including large sunflowers. The place is decorated with pictures of farm equipment, the Almeida family, and the many generations of farm activity that has taken place on the premises. In the fall, there is a large pumpkin and haystack display along with beautiful fall decorations and seasonal vegetables.

The prices at Almeida's vary, with some things costing more at the supermarket and some costing less. For example, the corn is more expensive here than at Stop & Shop, but is of a much higher quality. On today's visit, Mom grabbed a cucumber ($.69), bananas (two pounds for $1), three plums ($1.79 a pound), and a head of lettuce ($1.39). At the checkout counter, the clerk weighed the bananas and plums. Our total came to:

Produce (bananas) - $1.46

Produce (lettuce) - 1.39

Produce (cucumber) - .69

Produce (plums) - 1.29

TOTAL = $4.83

Mom thinks that at the supermarket, she would have paid more because the bananas are more expensive there than at Almeida's. After packing our fruits and vegetables into one of our many cooler bags, we happily drove away knowing that we did a very good thing by supporting our local farms. For us, it is always win/win because we know that the produce purchased is of the highest quality. We will definitely be visiting Almeida's Vegetable Patch right up until they shut down for the season. I wish that Mom would actually eat the fruits and veggies that she gets here, but she's happy just buying them for us - and I'm definitely not complaining about that.

Almeida's Vegetable Patch is open daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. within the appropriate seasonal period.

Liberal Club

2008-08-16T23:00:00.029-05:00

20 Star St.

Fall River, MA 02724

(508) 679-2460

Mom and I usually go out of town for lunch, forgetting that our own hometown has quite a list of restaurants that we have yet to review. With the addition of Fall River Eats, a new food blog that features the city's best dining establishments, Mom and I felt that we needed to step up our game. She started thinking of places that had been recommended to her by family members. One name that she came up with was the Liberal Club, a large banquet hall/bar/restaurant that supposedly has great Portuguese food. I had been there once before, but since it was quite a long time ago and somewhat of a blur, we decided that this would be a perfect opportunity for us to do an official review of the place. Located in the center of a residential area, the restaurant is hard to find if you do not know the city. Luckily for us, I knew just where it was and we pulled into the large parking area at just around 2:15 p.m.

front of the building

dining room entrance

Since there is no entrance to the dining room at the front of the brick building, you have to park at the far left side - almost behind the restaurant - where you will see an arrow pointing toward the correct door. Once inside the small lobby, which had a list of specials hanging in the waiting area, we walked down the ramp and into the dining room. Paying attention to the "please wait to be seated" sign, we patiently waited until a friendly waitress - who we later learned was named Kris - came over and showed us to a table/banquette. She placed two plastic-covered menus in front of us and gave us a few minutes to look them over. Since there were so many things on the menu, I had trouble deciding what to get. When Kris returned, I had to ask her for a few more minutes so that I could make up my mind. Both Mom and I wanted to get a Portuguese dish, so when Kris returned, I chose the cacoula sandwich with red pepper ($6.95), and Mom chose the chourico and chip dinner ($7.95). Mom suggested that - if they offered it - I try a small cup of their kale soup. Luckily for me, they did ($2.95). After Kris retreated back to the kitchen, an older woman appeared and asked us what we would like to drink. We ordered two Diet Cokes, which were brought to us in cans along with two plastic cups of ice. We were asked to pay for the drinks right away ($2.50 for the two), which is something that I remembered from my previous visit. After I paid the woman and she went off to another table, I asked Mom if I should have tipped her. Neither of us knew! Oops. We need to brush up on our tipping etiquette.

Both Mom and I were very impressed with the size of the menu at the Liberal Club. Mom was expecting a bar menu with a couple of options, but this was a fully operating restaurant complete with everything from appetizers to desserts. Appetizer choices include boneless buffalo wings and mozzarella sticks; soups ($2.95-4.95) include New England and Manhattan clam chowders, seafood bisque, and baked French onion; and salads include Caesar, garden, and chicken Caesar. There was also a long list of specials and a list of various chicken, steak, and seafood dishes like the Bourbon steak tips, baked scrod, scrod casino, fish and chips, fried sole, and a fried clam plate. Other choices include the cacoula plate, chourico meat plate, shrimp Mozambique, chicken parmigiana, and spaghetti with marinara sauce. The prices were about average for a nice restaurant, although the seafood dishes ran a bit high (the clam plate was $20.95). This is probably because the market value of seafood is very high right now. However, where indicated, some dinners come with soup or salad, your choice of potato and vegetable, and rolls. You do get a lot for your money.

Although we've never been in any of the fancy banquet rooms or the bar of the Liberal Club, Mom was quite pleased with the attractiveness of the dining room. In her mind, she was picturing a little dive with a couple of dinky looking tables. This was actually quite the opposite. The beige dining room was decorated with several local photos and Red Sox memorabilia. Portuguese music played in the background while diners relaxed in very large, wooden booths. From afar, it almost looked like an area filled with cubicles. There were no table cloths, but there were place mats featuring local businesses on each table. Everything was very neat and clean, and the waitresses all seemed very attentive and friendly. I had a hard time getting a clear picture because of the overwhelming booths, but I was surprised at how many people could actually be seated comfortably in the small space.

In a matter of seconds, my cup of kale soup arrived along with four fresh Portuguese rolls and butter in a basket. Not only were the rolls outstanding, but the kale soup was extremely tasty. It was served very hot and was filled with fresh kale, kidney beans, potatoes, roast meat, and chourico. I kept dunking my roll into the soup to ensure that I soaked up every drop. So what if I looked like a pig? I was enjoying myself. Mom also couldn't get enough of the rolls, which most likely come from one of the many Portuguese bakeries in the area.

Boy, the service here is fast. I hadn't even finished my soup when I spotted Kris walking over with our plates of food. Both dishes looked and smelled amazing. She asked us if we would like a bottle of ketchup for our fries, and I said yes (Mom doesn't do ketchup). It seemed like there was about a pound of cubed chourico sitting on top of an equal amount of crispy fries on Mom's plate. She was very surprised and impressed by the portion size, especially since it was only $7.95. The dish was accompanied by some sliced banana peppers, which she quickly handed over to me since she's not a fan. Once she tasted the dish, she found that the chourico was lean, nicely spiced, and very well done. She even enjoyed the fries, which were served very hot - just like she likes them. There was so much food on the plate that Mom ended up taking half of it home to Dad, who thoroughly enjoyed it as well.

Portuguese cacoula (spelled several different ways) is nothing more than marinated, shredded pork. Stuffed into a large torpedo roll, my sandwich was fabulous. I threw Mom's banana peppers into my sub along with the large red pepper that was already laying across the top. The pork was tender, deliciously spiced, and surprisingly not messy to eat. There was so much meat that I thought the bread would eventually get soaked and I'd be wearing half of it. This never happened. Everything stayed together and, with the peppers, had a very spicy, terrific taste. The handful of fries that came with it was also very good and for $6.95, this large sandwich was definitely a steal.

After I swiped some cubes of tasty chourico off of Mom's plate, Kris returned to the table to clear away the dishes and pack up the rest of Mom's dinner. She offered us coffee or dessert, but we were too full to accept. Kris then brought the bill, which came to:

Chourico and chip dinner - $7.95

Cacoula sandwich - 6.95

Kale soup - 2.95

Subtotal - $17.85

Tax - .89

*TOTAL = $18.74

*Remember, we already paid for our drinks.

We left $22.50 on the table for Kris, which included a 20% tip. Before leaving, Mom decided to check out the ladies' room, which was located right next to the dining room entrance. She said that the single unit was simple, but immaculate.

As we carried Mom's Styrofoam back to the car, we laughed at the fact that it had taken us years to visit a restaurant that the rest of the city is very familiar with. I'm almost positive that every Portuguese family in Fall River has had at least one wedding or birthday party in the banquet rooms, and it's no surprise because the food is outstanding. Mom has been full of great ideas lately, and I'm really glad that she suggested the Liberal Club. Her expectations were exceeded, and we will definitely be coming back again.

The Liberal Club is open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday, and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday through Sunday. The restaurant is closed on Sunday and Monday.

Bite of the Week - Nabisco Newtons Fruit Crisps

2008-08-10T21:00:00.009-05:00

Mom and I love trying new things, so when we were at Wal*Mart this Saturday and spotted the new Newtons Fruit Crisps, we just had to buy them. At first we didn't know what they were all about. Was it like a Fig Newton? Was it crispy? Did it taste like crap? After finally deciding that this would be our Bite of the Week, we grabbed a package out of the box and tried it for ourselves.

THE VERDICT: Fruitastic! We purchased the apple cinnamon flavor, and were both happy with the delicious apple filling that was inside each crisp (there were two in the package). Each crispy wafer was lightly dusted with sugar and cinnamon, and together both crisps were only 100 calories. These fruit crisps are definitely something that I look forward to having on my break at work, or as a snack when I'm looking for something low-cal and tasty. Mom said that it had a very light, clean flavor, and was glad that they are quite nutritious. We look forward to trying to the other flavor that we saw - mixed berry. It's not a cracker; it's not a cookie; but whatever it is, I'm sure you'll enjoy this fruity snack. We did.

Bugaboo Creek Steak House

2008-08-10T19:00:00.032-05:00

www.bugaboocreek.com

Date visited: August 2, 2008

Because I became violently ill on our last visit to the Bugaboo Creek in Seekonk, MA, Mom and I had decided that maybe this steak house wasn't for us. We avoided it like the plague, and even gave it the finger a few times when we drove by. When I say that I got sick, I mean sick. So sick that I wrote a complaint letter to the corporate office. Their idea of compensation? A $50 gift card so that I could return and possibly have the same thing happen twice. Not wanting to let the card go to waste, I invited two friends who I wasn't that crazy about and let them pig out while I stuck with something simple. Luckily, nothing happened to me. Since all this happened many years ago, and I was in an adventurous mood, Mom and I decided to visit this Bugaboo location again. With a steady rain pouring down on us, I dropped Mom off at the front door and pulled into a parking spot at just about 3:10 p.m.

The parking lot wasn't full, but when we got inside, we were told by the hostess that we would have to wait for a table. Wait? Anyone who knows me knows that I hate waiting to be seated. That's why Mom and I never go out to dinner during peak hours. "What are we waiting for," I said out loud, trying to get the attention of the hostess. "There's no one in here." Mom and I reluctantly took our seats on the beautiful wooden benches in Bugaboo's waiting area. We noticed that there were several people leaving, but no one had come over to bring us to a table yet. "What is going on," I said impatiently. Finally, a waitress came over and asked us if we would like a booth or a table. When Mom said table, the waitress said that she would clean one off for us, and that our wait would only be a few minutes longer. C'MON!!!!!!! Move it, already! After waiting for what seemed like forever (it was probably only 10 minutes), Mom and I were finally shown to a table - and guess what - there was NO ONE there. There were literally only a handful of people sitting in the booths and tables in the main dining area. Seeing the lack of customers only made me more mad because it seemed that we had been stuck waiting for absolutely nothing.

After we were seated and left with two colorful, plastic menus, we were greeted by John, our waiter. After rattling off the new lobster specials, he asked us what we would like to drink. We told him two Diet Pepsis. They quickly arrived in two glass mugs, but the soda was extremely watered down. Mom's cola was almost clear, and we both commented on how Bugaboo may be cutting costs. John also brought us a loaf of wheat bread with a cup of butter on a wooden cutting board. We cut into it right away, and it was very warm and tasty. We asked John for a few minutes because we were undecided as to what were going to get. When we finally narrowed it down, John returned to take our order. Mom chose the patty melt minus the grilled onions ($8.79), and I chose - at the last minute - the tilapia tacos ($7.99). After John retreated to the kitchen, I checked the time. Mom and I were on our way to see Journey to the Center of the Earth - in 3D! It started at 4:30 p.m., and since we had been left waiting earlier (for no reason), we were now playing beat the clock.

I believe John may have overheard me say, "We only have an hour," because it was soon after that he came over to our table, apologized for the wait, and told us that they were very short-staffed. Apparently Bugaboo had been very slow the past few Saturdays, so the waitstaff had been shortened. Unfortunately, business had picked up today and the team was trying to keep everything under control. I was just really hoping that this little mess wouldn't cause us to miss our movie. Mom and I decided to take our minds off the clock and take a look around at Bugaboo's adorable interior.

Bugaboo Creek is made up to look like a lodge. There is a large stone fireplace, beautiful wooden rafters, red and white checkered table cloths, stuffed animal heads on the walls, sleds, hunting equipment, jugs, fish, old photos, and various other outdoor-inspired decorations. I even commented on how I'd like to wear the snow shoes on the wall because they look like giant flip flops (my favorite). The main attraction for the kids is that some of the animal heads and fish move and flap. Unfortunately, nothing was moving or flapping today because we overheard a waitress tell another family - with two young children - that the animals had been electrocuted during the recent storm. Good thing they were already dead! Hope the kids weren't traumatized.

Bugaboo Creek really offers a lot of different things, but it is billed as a steak house. With several premium, USDA grain-fed Midwestern beef options such as the prime rib, Fireside sirloin skillet tips, lodge filet, Timber Creek t-bone steak, Bourbon flat iron steak, Portabella bleu cheese filet, black magic steak, Charlie Morgan ribeye, and the 12 oz. Mountain Man strip, meat lovers will be in heaven here. Also on the menu are smoked baby back ribs, home style BBQ meatloaf, grilled pork chops, burgers, chicken and fish dishes, soups, salads, and a long list of appetizers, specialty drinks and desserts. For those with gluten-restrictions, Bugaboo offers a menu just for you. The prices here are pretty average for a chain restaurant, and the portions are quite large. They even offer several kids' meals, all which come with an ice cream treat for dessert. I'm jealous! The only problem we have with the food is that Bugaboo seems to par-boil the chicken before they grill it, making it very soft and limp. Doesn't sound too appetizing, does it? Also, it's a toss up as to what I got sick on the last time - the smashed potato cake appetizer, or the chicken cubano sandwich. I saw neither on the menu this time around.

Before long, our food had arrived. Both dishes looked very tasty. Mom's patty melt - which was topped with Swiss cheese and horseradish sauce - was cooked medium well, which is exactly what she asked for. Accompanied by some fries, Mom said that the patty was tasty, the buttered panini bread was not greasy, and the Swiss was not overwhelming. Surprisingly, she found the horseradish sauce - which she was a bit nervous about - to be quite tangy and delicious. Mom also enjoyed the side of fries, which she said were hot and good.

My tilapia tacos were a last minute decision which I did not regret. Served on flatbread with a large wooden skewer through the three of them, the Cajun-roasted tilapia was very tasty. Each taco was stuffed with a mixture of shredded cabbage and cilantro ranch dressing, to which I added the accompanying tomato salsa. The flavors came together very well, giving the taco a fresh, clean taste. Also on the plate was a serving of fried onion strings and wild rice medley. Since I'm not a fan of rice, I only had a couple of forkfuls. It was good, but really not my thing. I did find the onion strings to be a little on the greasy side, but this is normal with this type of fried food.

At almost 4:15 p.m., Mom and I decided that we needed to get our check and go. John returned to clear away our empty plates and bring the check. The total came to:

Tilapia tacos - 7.99

Patty melt - 8.79

Subtotal - $16.78

Tax - .84

TOTAL = $17.62

Notice anything? John left off our sodas. I don't know if this was a mistake, or if this was something he did because he knew that we had been left waiting, but either way, I didn't have time to correct the error (sorry, John). We had a movie to catch! I left $21 on the table for John which included a 20% tip. Before leaving, Mom and I paid a quick visit to the ladies' room, which was most improved from our last visit. It was neat and clean, versus the gas station outhouse that we were subjected to the last time (which I also discussed in my now infamous letter).

Thankfully, Mom and I made it to the theater just in time to pick up our 3D glasses and watch the movie - which was a lot of fun. After the movie, we were talking about our meal at Bugaboo, and about our previous visits. We agreed that today's meal was good, but that - in general - Bugaboo could do a lot better. The service is not always that great, and sometimes the food isn't very inspired. We've bumped it up from two hearts to three only because a) I didn't become ill, and b) the food was tasty. However, we do feel that this adorable chain hasn't really lived up to its full potential.

The Bugaboo Creek Steak House in Seekonk is located at 1125 Fall River Avenue. For more information, visit their Web site or call (508) 336-2200.

Bite of the (Mid) Week - Stop & Shop Strawberry Rhubarb Pie Half

2008-08-07T22:00:00.001-05:00

Who leaves the house at almost 10 p.m. at night to go to the supermarket and get a pie half? New England Bites - that's who! Bored at home this evening, I was looking for something to peak my interest. Since trying new foods always works, and I was craving something sweet, I decided to steal some money off of Mom and try something I'd never had before - strawberry rhubarb pie. Luckily for me, Stop & Shop usually keeps this particular pie half in stock at all times. It must be popular. Also, if it tasted like crap in a crust, I would have only purchased half a pie, so there wouldn't be too much to get rid of. So, with smeared eyeliner and a ratty ponytail, I trudged out to Stop & Shop to get me some pie. I blended quite well with the nighttime shoppers, and was pleased when I noticed that there were plenty of pie halves available ($2.99 each). When I returned home, Mom - not wanting to stray from her diet (a.k.a., she doesn't like strawberries or rhubarb) - declined when I offered her a piece. I cut the pie half in two and offered the other slice to Dad, who was in bed and just about to go to sleep. Apparently in this house, being under the covers with your eyes half shut does not exclude you from participating in Bite of the Week.

THE VERDICT: Delicious! I found it to be sweet because of the strawberries, but Dad - complete with sleep crusties in his eyes - found it to be tart because of the rhubarb. He's eaten raw rhubarb before and said that it was very bitter and overpowering - so much so that he had to stick it in sugar before eating! Although I found the filling a bit on the liquidy side, it was probably because it was made with fresh fruit and not a jelly/jam spread (thank God). I was very pleased with my impromptu choice, and so was Dad. Now that Dad has finally gone to sleep, I can cross eating strawberry rhubarb pie off of my "1000 Things to Do Before I Die" list. Only 999 more things to go!

Bite of the Week - Chobani Vanilla Greek Yogurt

2008-08-03T13:00:00.004-05:00

Since we've been featuring some pretty nasty junk food lately, New England Bites has decided to feature a food that has been making headlines - and is actually good for you! Greek yogurt, which has been around for centuries, is suddenly all the rage because of its active cultures (including probiotics), abundance of healthy protein (36%), and lack of fat and synthetic hormones. After trying two popular brands called Fage and Siggi's (which is actually an Icelandic brand with similar components), Mom and I felt that we now knew what we were looking for in a Greek yogurt. We wanted something that was cool, creamy, and that had a lot of flavor. Mom spotted Chobani at Stop & Shop a few weeks ago ($1.25 on sale) and decided to try one. Since she enjoyed the taste, she suggested that I get one this week and let the world know how it tasted.

THE VERDICT: Pretty good, although Mom liked Fage better. Although she loved the mouth feel of Chobani, which had a very similar whipped cream consistency to Fage, she said that the bitterness of the yogurt tang was a little off putting. However, she feels that it would make a great smoothie if you mixed the yogurt with some fruit and skim milk. Although I agreed with Mom, and am looking forward to trying the other flavors (blueberry and strawberry), I found it to be a bit drying. The back of my tongue felt like sandpaper, but that was nothing compared to the ER visit I almost had after eating Siggi's. I thought my mouth would never salivate again. It was horrid! I don't know why this type of yogurt dries out my mouth, but it does. Would I get it again? Yes, but I'll definitely make sure to have a glass of water standing nearby.

Thanks, John! xo

Somerset Creamery

2008-07-30T22:00:00.001-05:00

1931 G.A.R. Highway

Route 6

Somerset, MA 02726

(508) 672-5510

1268 North Falmouth Highway

Route 28A

Cataumet, MA 02534

(508) 563-3430

www.somersetcreamery.com

If you live in Fall River, Somerset, or the surrounding area, chances are you've been visiting Somerset Creamery since you were a child. With their many flavors of fresh ice cream made the old fashioned way since 1937, anybody who's anybody gets their cones at this Somerset institution. Mom and I often drive by on weekends - or any other summer day for that matter - and the place is always packed. Mom compared it to a 1950's car hop because of all the socializing and eating that goes on in the parking lot. We had only visited Somerset Creamery one time and found the ice cream to be a bit overpriced. Since that was many years ago (pre-New England Bites), we decided to give this place another shot. Mom kept dropping hints about how Somerset Creamery packs pints of their fresh ice cream, so naturally, I had to stop by and check it out. I pulled into the parking lot at around 5:20 p.m.

Since I had just gotten out of work, I figured that now was a good time to visit because many local residents are too busy eating dinner to think about dessert. I was right. The parking lot only had a few cars when I pulled in, which gave me plenty of opportunity to take pictures without being seen by everyone. When I stepped inside, I noticed two things: the overwhelming smell of the freshly baked waffle cones, and how clean everything was. You cannot eat inside Somerset Creamery because there are no tables, which is probably why the customers usually hang out in the parking lot. There is, however, a rope to keep the line of hungry people at bay while the scoopers make the ice cream treats. Luckily, when I entered, there was no one in line. I walked right up to the counter and ordered two pints - black raspberry for me, and frozen pudding for Mom. The total came to:

2 pints @ $4.45 each

Tax - .45

TOTAL = $9.35

I paid in cash, which is the only acceptable form of payment at Somerset Creamery. As I waited for the young girl to finish scooping my pints, I took some pictures of the inside.

Along with their large list of flavors, there are a bunch of little hanging signs that showcase each of their specialities. Everything seemed to be under $7 (with the exception of a quart of ice cream - $7.15), and each novelty seemed more delicious than the next. Of course they offer the typical sundaes, cones, banana splits, and milkshakes, but they also have the black cow, root beer floats, and Creamsicle frappes. Ice cream flavors include banana, black raspberry, blueberry pie, butter crunch, butter pecan, cherry chocolate chunk, chocolate, chocolate chip, chocolate chip cookie dough, chocolate coconut, chocolate mint, chocolate walnut, coconut, coconut Almond Joy, coffee, coffee chip, coffee Oreo, cranberry bog, French vanilla, frozen pudding, fudge ripple, ginger, Grape Nut, maple walnut, mint chip, mocha almond, mocha peanut butter, orange pineapple, Oreo, pistachio, rum raisin, strawberry, vanilla. They also offer sugar free coffee and maple walnut ice cream; orange, raspberry, and watermelon sherbet; and black raspberry chip, chocolate almond, coffee Heath, strawberry cheesecake, and cranberry frozen yogurt (although cranberry is only available at the Cape Cod store).

Speaking of the black raspberry chip yogurt, a co-worker of mine had complained to me that she did not get enough chips in her yogurt, while her husband ordered the pistachio ice cream which had plenty of nuts mixed in. "What's up with that," she asked me. I told her that I would have to check it out for myself, but when I got to Somerset Creamery, I found myself overwhelmed by all the ice cream flavors and shouted "black raspberry" without remembering to order the yogurt with chips. Oh well, maybe next time.

Once the girl had finished packing my ice cream, she put a sheet of wax paper over each pint before putting the covers on. Then she marked each cover with the correct flavor, put them in a brown bag, and sent me on my way. I was glad that she took the time to make sure that I was not handed a sloppy pint because I've had this happen at a few ice cream shops. God knows I hate ice cream on my hand (see: Sea Swirl). I drove the pints home in our handy freezer bag complete with ice sheets. When I got home, I put them in the freezer for an after dinner treat while Mom and I watched Project Runway later in the evening.

(L) frozen pudding; (R) black raspberry

At 9 p.m., just as Project Runway began, Mom headed for the freezer. Before we devoured our pints, we made sure to take a spoonful of each other's flavor so that we could have a taste. I thought Mom's frozen pudding was delicious, and so did she! She said that the ice cream was better than that last time we had it, but to be fair, we had our ice cream in sundaes and the flavor was kind of lost in all of the toppings. However, she found this pint to have a deep buttery rum flavor with just enough pieces of candied fruit. She said that it was very tasty, and she can't wait to try another one of Somerset Creamery's flavors.

My black raspberry pint was fantastic. The flavor was not tart, but creamy and had a strong raspberry taste. I also did not remember the taste of Somerset Creamery's ice cream being this delicious, and I was pleasantly surprised and excited to try more.

Now that we're back on track with the rest of Southeastern Massachusetts, Mom and I will definitely be making many more stops to Somerset Creamery. The taste of the ice cream is fantastic, the price is average, and who knows who you are going to run into there? It could very well be New England Bites.

Somerset Creamery is open from 12-10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, and 12-10:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. They also have a second location in Cataumet, MA, which is on scenic Cape Cod.

Marguerite's Restaurant

2008-07-30T19:00:00.018-05:00

778 Main Road

Westport, MA 02790

(508) 636-3040

www.margueritesrestaurant.com

Date visited: 7/26/08

Mom and I were completely undecided about where we wanted to have lunch. When this happens, we usually grab "the list." "The list" is made up of reader requests, places we've been but haven't reviewed, and interesting restaurants that Mom found on the Internet. After some discussion about what kind of food we wanted, and after a failed attempt at visiting another Westport restaurant, we decided to revisit a place that we enjoyed tremendously - Marguerite's. Located in the Village Commons Plaza (down the road from the popular Lees Market), we pulled into the parking area at 4:30 p.m.

Mom and I were a little concerned that we wouldn't be able to get a table here, as there were only 12 of them the last time we visited. However, once we walked through the door, a waitress told us that we could pick any table we wanted - and there were at least four available. Mom wanted to sit near the window, but I wanted to sit at a table that would allow me to get a good picture of the adorable dining area. Looking back, this was a mistake. The table we ended up choosing was directly under the chalkboard, which had the list of daily specials. So much for being discreet. I figured that I would be able to work around it, but it was going to be hard to dodge the roaming eyes of hungry customers trying to decide what to order - and looking right above our heads. An older waitress came over and handed Mom and I two plastic-covered menus and two lists of the specials that were listed on the chalkboard. There were two specials that had been crossed out, so we assumed that they were no longer available. The waitress also took our drink order - two Diet Cokes - which quickly arrived in tall, thin glasses.

Marguerite's doesn't have a large menu because their focus is on the quality of each dish offered. Appetizers include stuffed quahogs with linguica stuffing ($4.59), steamed mussels ($6.49), fried calamari ($6.49), New England clam chowder ($2.59-3.59), lobster bisque ($3.29-4.29), French onion soup ($3.99), and something called Billi Bi, which are shucked mussels in an herb cream broth ($3.59). You can also order a Caesar salad ($4.59) with your choice of grilled shrimp ($12.99) or grilled chicken ($7.99). With none of the regular menu entrees reaching the $16 mark, options include the seafood Provencale ($15.59), broiled scallops ($15.99), chicken Marsala ($11.99), liver and onions ($8.49), fish and chips ($10.79), baked stuffed chicken breast ($10.99), fried scallops ($15.99), chicken Parmesan ($11.99), and the steak of the day ($13.99). All entrees are served with your choice of starch and fresh vegetable. If you're looking for something more on the sandwich side, check out the chicken Monterey ($7.99), tuna melt ($7.99), Reuben ($7.99), hot pastrami ($7.99), vegetarian garden burger ($6.99), grilled chicken ($7.99), traditional club ($7.99), and specialty burger ($7.99) with your choice of toppings. If you have children in your party, Marguerite's offers a hamburger ($3.59), cheeseburger ($3.79), hot dog ($2.29), and a grilled cheese sandwich ($2.29). Daily specials can be viewed on their Web site, and an extensive wine list is available for those looking for a more adult beverage. Also, we applaud the fact that Marguerite's uses fresh, local ingredients, and changes their specials seasonally.

Once we had finally narrowed down our choices, a young waitress appeared to take our order. Mom chose the all meat chicken pie ($7.99) off of the menu, but unfortunately it was not available. She settled on another choice - the broiled scrod ($11.99). I went with the baked stuffed sole with seafood stuffing ($12.99). For her starch and vegetable, Mom chose fries and cole slaw. Since I know that Mom doesn't eat cole slaw, I knew to choose something different so that I could get two veggies out of the deal. What a pig! I chose fries and marinated cucumbers, which I was really excited to try. Although we don't often get an appetizer, the Maryland crab cakes with remoulade sauce ($7.99) caught our eye and we both felt the overwhelming need to try them. Once the waitress had finished taking our order, she walked away from the table giving me plenty of room to take a picture of the interior ... or so I thought.

This is all I got:

Yep. It was just too damn crowded for me to get a clear shot, and I didn't want to be the pink elephant in the room standing there pointing a camera in people's direction while they were stuffing their faces. I tried my best to do the "I'm not taking a picture, I'm just holding my camera over my shoulder" routine, but each photo came out worse than the next. Plus, because we were seated under the chalkboard, we were the main attraction. Oh well, I'll try and describe it to the best of my abilities. As I mentioned before, there are only 12 tables available (no booths). There is also a counter area with about six stools. This makes for a very cozy environment, but it can get a little cramped, especially with the large amount of uniformed waitstaff wandering between tables. I will say this - the waitstaff was very attentive. I could barely get a shot of the food without one of them peering over to see if I needed anything. The decor is a nice mix of both country and modern design. The hanging silver lights over the counter area have spoons attached, making them almost look like a crazy art project. Very cute. I also liked the old fashioned fruit plaques and hanging foliage. What we did not notice about Marguerite's is that there is an outside eating area. Mom and I only spotted this little section on our way out. We were so mad! This would have been the perfect day to have a meal outdoors. With only about four or five tables, it was a beautifully decorated space. Oh well ... maybe next time. Although we did not use the ladies' room on this visit, Mom had in the past and said that it was very tiny, cute, and clean.

We hadn't been waiting long before our crab cakes arrived. Both Mom and I were pleased and surprised to see three cakes on our plate, as most restaurants only serve two. We each took a cake for ourselves and tasted it. It had a slighty crisp outside, and a softer texture inside. It also held its shape and was not mushy. Chock full of minced vegetables (we spotted some red pepper) and crab, the taste of the crab cakes was unbelievable. They were full of flavor and very hearty. The remoulade sauce (I tried it, Mom didn't) was tangy and complimented the crab meat well. I was a bit concerned when I first cut into the cake and noticed the veggies (Mom hates them), but I was very glad to see that she was enjoying the appetizer tremendously. She said they were the best crab cakes that she's ever had, and I have to agree with her. Hey, if this is the only way I can get Mom to eat her veggies, then bring on the crab cakes! We cut the third cake in half, just to be fair, but we really think that someone could make a meal out of this delicious appetizer.

After the young waitress had cleared away our appetizer plates, she brought out the entrees and warned us that both casserole dishes were extremely hot. She was right! Since Mom has a higher tolerance for hot dishes, she dug in first. The piece of scrod she had was a good size, and she said it was cooked perfectly. The fish was tender, flaky, and translucent white. It had a buttery crumb topping and came resting in a tasty lemon dill butter sauce. Mom thought it was absolutely delicious. She also enjoyed her fries, but - just like I predicted - she handed her cole slaw over to me.

My baked stuffed sole was fantastic. There were two filets in my casserole dish, each stuffed with a mixture of various seafood. The taste was so phenomenal that - according to Mom - I was enjoying it a little too much. All she could hear from her side of the table was me subconsciously saying, "Mmmmmmmmmm." I could not believe it! Apparently I "mmm-ed" through the whole meal! I really must have been enjoying myself. It really was one of the best stuffed soles I've ever had. I also found my fries to be very tasty and thoroughly enjoyed the taste of Mom's cole slaw and my marinated cucumbers. They were marinated in some sort of rosemary vinegar, and each piece really held the flavor. Everything was outstanding.

As if we weren't stuffed enough, I heard Mom mention (a few times) the words "grapenut custard." I told her that I was a little full, but she pulled the old "well I won't get one if you're not getting one" deal. Mothers! When the waitress returned to our table to take away our dishes, Mom asked her what desserts were being offered. I don't remember everything, but I do remember tapioca pudding and chocolate seduction cake. When she mentioned the grapenut custard, both Mom and I said that we would take a piece. I saw the waitress go over to the counter and pull out a refrigerated tray. Inside the tray was a giant square of custard. She cut two very large pieces, placed them on trendy plates, and covered them with whipped cream and cinnamon. When they arrived at our table, both Mom and I agreed that the next time we order this, we should just split one. It was huge ... and fantastic. Grapenut custard is a New England favorite, and it has quickly become a New England Bites favorite as well.

As we lay at the table in the midst of a food overdose, the waitress returned to take away our plates and bring the bill. The total came to:

1 crab cake - $7.99

2 IBC root beer - 3.58

1 broiled scrod - 11.99

1 baked stuffed sole - 12.99

2 grapenut custard - 9.18

Subtotal - $45.73

Food tax - 2.29

Beer and wine tax - 0

TOTAL = $48.02

We left $58 for the waitress, which included a 20% tip. This was quite an expensive meal for Mom and I! However, we never really do the whole appetizer-to-dessert kind of thing, so it was nice to get a taste of each of the courses that Marguerite's offers. As we left the restaurant, Mom and I remembered the last time that we had visited Marguerite's. The entrance/exit area is very narrow, and on our last visit, someone had parked an elderly woman in a wheelchair in the center of the entrance way to wait in line for a table. No one could get in or out! People had to smother this poor handicapped woman with their stomachs in order to get by. It was annoying, but hysterical.

Marguerite's isn't your typical restaurant. It tends to attract an older crowd, but that's just fine with us. We know that wherever you see a group of "Golden Girls" having a nosh, you're going to get good food (they're picky), big portions (they like leftovers), and low prices (they're frugal). The food is some of the best around, we love the fact that the chef seems to be putting a new spin on traditional favorites. Marguerite's Restaurant is definitely one of Southern New England's hidden treasures. Just don't sit under the chalkboard.

Marguerite's Restaurant is open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, and 7 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. Breakfast is served until 11 a.m.

Watching Food - The Next Food Network Star, Finale

2008-07-27T23:00:00.001-05:00

CONGRATULATIONS AARON!

Boy, were we confused! Mom and I thought that America was going to vote for The Next Food Network Star. WRONG! The finale was actually tonight, and Aaron McCargo, Jr., was crowned the winner. His new show, Big Daddy's House, will be shown on Sundays at 1:30 p.m.

Mom and I enjoyed each of the contestants' promos. Each person brought humor, personality, and talent to their show, even though Mom said that Lisa reminded her of The Mary Tyler Moore Show's Sue Ann Nivens, a.k.a. "The Happy Homemaker." We both liked Adam's idea for the home viewers to get in on the action by submitting their recipes via the Internet. We thought that Adam's performance tonight was his best yet, and the chicken he made looked delicious. Finally, we both enjoyed Aaron's show. He was funny, bright, and really looked like he was having a good time. The audience was laughing, the steak looked beautiful, and even his fellow contestants really seemed to enjoy watching him. We're very glad he won, but we can't believe that his new show will be on in a week. Congrats!

Bite of the Week - Oscar Mayer Lunchables

2008-07-27T12:00:00.010-05:00

Oscar Mayer Lunchables are aimed toward children, but I don't think that these meals-to-go are a healthy choice for them. According to this article on Wikipedia, it seems that the main company - Kraft - has come under fire for making these meals extremely unhealthy. Loaded with fat, sugar, and sodium, it seems that more and more parents are taking the easy way out and putting these ticking time bombs in their children's lunchboxes. Why do we buy them, you ask? For the fans!!

THE VERDICT: A little gross, although I've been known to eat one when there is nothing else is in the house. Lunchables usually contain a meat, a cheese, crackers, and a dessert. Bigger Lunchables include a drink and maybe even a second dessert. The Lunchable that we usually buy is the "Turkey & American Cracker Stackers" - my sister's favorite. Although she enjoys them, I find the meat extremely salty and chewy, and the entire meal never leaves me wanting more. It just reminds me that I shouldn't really be eating these. This particular Lunchable has 380 calories. It also has 40% saturated fat, 36% sodium, and 18 grams of sugar. However, it does have 22% protein (an "excellent amount" according to the box), but is it really worth it with all the artificial ingredients? My advice - make your kid a peanut butter sandwich on wheat with a side of grapes and leave the Lunchables to the lazy adults ... and my sister.

Thanks John ... I think.