Marguerite's Restaurant

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.

Kane's Doughnut House

120 Lincoln Ave.

Saugus, MA 01906

( 781) 233-8499

Who spends an hour and 15 minutes in a hot car driving 62.15 miles for a donut? New England Bites - that's who! After busting out the new Tom Tom GPS system that my parents got me for graduation, Mom and I poured our melted bodies into my steamy ride and headed for Kane's Doughnut House in Saugus, MA. Are we insane? Maybe, but after reading so many wonderful things on the Internet about how good the donuts were, Mom and I were feeling jealous. With the Tom Tom right on target, we pulled up next to the building which had an old-fashioned neon sign that might have made Homer Simpson say, "Mmm ... donut." Peeling ourselves off the car seats, we headed into Kane's at just around 3 p.m.


Once inside we were automatically facing the large bakery counter. The rest of the small eatery was made into a diner which consisted of a large counter area and a few scattered tables and chairs. Hanging above me was a row of Kane's t-shirts, and on the back wall behind the counter was a donut clock with the Kane's logo for sale. So cute! I was trying to take it all in while Mom was pushing her way through the small crowd so that she could place her order with the friendly staff. She ordered a box of mixed donuts, a Bismark, and one of their famous coffee rolls. The total came to $20.19 which is a lot for pastry, but with the wonderful Internet reviews still fresh in our minds, we were certain that the money spent, and the drive, would be justified.



When we took the boxes back to my car, I took photos of the donuts in case the long ride home took its toll on their appearance. Before driving away for good, Mom and I ate the Bismark because a) it was made with real cream and would not have made it home, b) it came highly recommended, and c) we couldn't wait to try it. Once we took a bite - WOW! What a delicious pastry! Both Mom and I thought that we'd never find a real cream donut that rivaled Butler's in Westport. Who knew it was in Saugus the whole time? The Bismark is a long, flaky donut with a stripe of jam (we think blackberry) inside, covered with real whipped cream, topped with a dollop of jam, and sprinkled with powered sugar. Surprisingly, it is not overly sweet. It was cool, creamy, and delicious. You could actually serve one of these for a dessert. They're that good.


When we got home around 6 p.m., we still had more errands to run. Not wanting to leave the box of donuts and the coffee roll alone with my hungry father and sister, I grabbed a few ice mats, threw them into a cooler bag and placed the boxes inside. When we finally arrived home at 11 p.m. (yes, we had the donuts in the car for almost eight hours), Mom and I were nervous to see what shape our donuts were in. They were PERFECT. No bumps, bruises, melted icing, broken pieces, or lost filling. Kane's Doughnuts definitely traveled well ... but how did they taste? Dad was the first to try one of the donuts and he loved it. I was the second. I chose a chocolate glazed one from the box and took a bite - fantastic! It was so chocolaty and moist, not to mention humongous. It was almost like two Krispy Kreme donuts got together and formed a giant, tastier version. Mom had the honey glazed crueler which she found to be delicious. It was huge, had a slight crisp to the outside, and was very soft and cakey inside. She loved both the texture and the taste. Other donuts in the box included a coconut with raspberry filling, a powdered sugar blueberry filled, an old-fashioned, a cinnamon, a jelly, a powdered jelly, a chocolate frosted with sprinkles, and a few others. Not included were the vanilla cream and the lemon filled which we had read so much about. Oh well, maybe next time.


Now let me explain this coffee roll - the Big Foot of all coffee rolls. It is about the size of a personal pan pizza, and a mystery as to how Kane's gets it to stay so soft. It has just the right combination of cinnamon, cake, and icing. You can easily cut it up and feed about six people. Notice how tiny Mom's hand looks near the roll. Rumor has it that some men can eat a single one all on their own while washing it down with their morning coffee. Well, we may be pigs, but I don't think any of us could eat that by ourselves. I personally would be in a coma afterwards and would have to take a day off from work. However, the taste of the coffee roll was out of this world. We all cut a piece for ourselves and enjoyed the soft roll and its tasty icing.


The World Wide Web may be filled with pervs, identity thieves, and x-rated sites, but without the Internet, Mom and I would never have known about the deliciousness that is Kane's Doughnut House. Sure, we'd probably be about 100 lbs. thinner, but then what would we blog about? Exercise? Yeah, right! Mom hasn't bent down in six years! Kane's Doughnuts may just be the best donuts that we've ever had, and they were definitely worth the drive and the price. These huge donuts are a must have for any New England bakery connoisseur, and we know you will not be disappointed.

Kane's Doughnut House is open from 3:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. Monday through Friday, 3:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, and 3:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Sunday.

Gray's Ice Cream

16 East Road

Tiverton, RI 02878

(401) 624-4500
www.graysicecream.com

Anyone that reads this Web site knows how much my mother enjoys coffee ice cream. She could probably eat it every day of the week, so it was quite a surprise to me when she told me one day that she would like to try a cup of ginger ice cream from Gray's in Tiverton. Yes - ginger. Are you shocked? Ever since I had a cone of it a few years back, I've been telling Mom to try it - and today she was finally ready. We pulled into the Gray's parking lot at just around 6 p.m.

You can't get near Gray's in the summer. Everyone and their mother come from miles around just to get a taste of this delicious homemade ice cream. Set in a picturesque part of Tiverton (Tiverton Four Corners), the Gray's stand is built into a store which sells various food items. Mom and I have never been inside, but we're assuming that their freezers are filled with ice cream in pints, quarts, and half gallons. The ice cream stand is fairly large, but they don't open all of the ordering windows. Perhaps it controls the crowds better to have them wait in two lines versus three or four. On the side of the store is a fenced in grassy area which several cows call home. Mom and I are still wondering what ever happened to the llamas they used to keep there. Perhaps they were getting too pushy with patrons. You know how llamas can be.

When I got to the window, I found myself waiting behind two people that were visiting from Pennsylvania. Apparently they heard how good Gray's ice cream is and just had to see for themselves. Once it was my turn, I ordered a small cup of ginger for Mom ($3.25) and a small homemade waffle cone of frozen pudding for myself ($4 = 3.25 + .75 for waffle cone). The total came to $7.25. Now, I don't know if it's just me, but I've always found the service at Gray's to be very slow. I'm not sure if it is because there is always a ton of people there, or because the ice cream treats and frappes take long to make, or because the ice cream is just difficult to scoop. However, on this day, I was pleased because I didn't have to wait very long for my desserts. I walked them back to the car so that Mom and I could dig in.

Mom was very pleased with her ginger ice cream. She was delightfully surprised to find that disbursed throughout the creamy ginger ice cream were little crystallized ginger pieces. They added a slight crunch to the creamy texture and an intense burst of ginger flavor. It was really delicious, and she was glad that she ventured away from her coffee for one day.

Popular in New England, my frozen pudding was fantastic. It was heavily flavored with rum and chock full of candied fruits like raisins, cherries, and pineapples. Having this ice cream in the homemade waffle cone only enhanced the flavor. I even let Mom try a piece of the cone, and we both agreed that it tasted like a warm sugar cookie. It was out of this world.

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The ice cream here is hard (no soft serve) and is award-winning. Flavors include black raspberry, blueberry, butter krunch, butter pecan, butterscotch, cherry vanilla, chocolate, chocolate chip, chocolate walnut, coconut, coffee, coffee chip, cookie dough, eggnog (seasonal), grape nut, lemon, maple walnut, mint chocolate chip, mocha chip, orange pineapple, Oreo, peach, peanut butter, peppermint, pistachio, pumpkin (seasonal), rum raisin, strawberry, strawberry cheesecake, and vanilla. Sherbet flavors include lemon, orange, raspberry, and watermelon. Voted Rhode Island's best ice cream from 1990-2002, Gray's has won awards for the best coffee ice cream and best cabinet (an ice cream milkshake). The prices are as follows:

Random funny story: While sitting in the car eating ice cream, Mom and I spotted a little kid walking with her parents toward the ordering window. We both saw it at the same time - her low-hanging diaper. This diaper wasn't just low, it looked full. It looked like she should have been changed hours, maybe even days, ago. Not the kind of thing you want to see when you're getting ice cream. The poor thing was walking as if it weighed about four pounds. Anyway, Mom and I were giggling to ourselves about it when we heard the guy in the next car losing it. I rolled down my window just in time to hear, "It looks like she has 12 pounds of @&!% back there!" I immediately started laughing because the guy was acting like this loaded diaper was personally offending him. He saw me laughing and he and his wife kind of looked over. I said, "Laughing at the diaper?" He replied, "OH MY GOD!" The wife was more sympathetic. I heard her say, "Awww, poor thing." He, on the other hand, was acting like the little kid just walked over and @&!% on his car. It was hysterical.

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After eating our treats and laughing at someone else's expense, Mom and I headed off into the sunset to do some shopping. We love Gray's, and it has definitely established itself as one of the best - if not the best - places for homemade ice cream. It is a must visit for any New Englander, or anyone passing through. You will not be disappointed.

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Gray's Ice Cream is open from 6:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and 6:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Sunday.

Wright's Dairy Farm and Bakery

200 Woonsocket Hill Road

North Smithfield, RI 02896

(401) 767-3014

www.wrightsdairyfarm.com

If there is one thing my mother loves, it's a good bakery. With all the sensational sights and smells to take in, she pretty much just stands in the center of a store and starts spinning as if she were Mary Tyler Moore throwing her hat up into the air with glee. Yes, she gets that excited. This excitement was taken to a whole new level when my aunt suggested that we pay a visit to Wright's Dairy Farm and Bakery, which is about 13 minutes down the road from Wright's Farm Restaurant. She raved about their fantastic pastries, so of course, this was something that Mom and I couldn't miss - but we missed it. Twice. It turns out that the tiny arrow pointing down toward the farm at the corner of Route 102 and Woonsocket Hill Road didn't catch our eyes. Perhaps we were overwhelmed with thoughts of pastry or stuffed from all the chicken we just ate. Nonetheless, we eventually spotted the arrow and drove down the winding street to the farm at around 5:30 p.m.

This farm was exactly what all farms should look like. There were large dairy cows roaming the fields, bales of hay stacked up in one of the barns, a milking station, various storage sheds, farm equipment, and oh, did I mention the huge gourmet bakery? We drove past a sea of large boxes with tiny calves inside (perhaps for protection from the larger cows) and into the bakery parking lot. The lot wasn't too big, but was practically full. People love this place! When we stepped inside through the sliding doors, Mom's jaw dropped. I thought she was going to spin, but she just stood there in awe of all the mouth-watering delights that were scattered throughout the beautiful country store. Right away we spotted a shelf with Wright's Dairy Farm T-shirts. I should have gotten one!

We didn't know where to look first, so we slowly made our way through the well-stocked shelves filled with cakes, cookies, pies, breakfast goodies, and other treats. Individual cream pastries include the small cream puffs, chocolate and strawberry boats (large and small), peaks, apple crisp, raspberry bismarks, comets, and assorted cake squares. Individual custard pastries include large and small éclairs, maple and vanilla napoleons, trifles, and zeppoles (seasonal). Other refrigerated goodies include rum teacake, cannollis, and apple dumplings (seasonal). Some of the many flavors of pie include chocolate, coconut, banana, apple cream, apple, pumpkin (10" only - seasonal), key lime pie (9" only), custard (10" only), and pecan pie (10" only - seasonal). There are also fruit square, cookies (such as chocolate chip, hermits, oatmeal raisin, peanut butter chip, Russian tea cookies, butter/shortbread, M&M, macaroons, Florentine, vanilla bisquits, pin wheels, and sugar), bars (brownies, M&M brownie, Mounds, radio, magic, and pecan diamonds), and their many varieties of cakes, such as strawberry shortcake, black forest, cow, three-layer, checkerboard, fresh fruit tiara (seasonal), killer (8”), cheesecake (10” plain or fruit), carrot, zuppa (8”), and tiramisu (8”). Other baked goods include muffins and scones, flaky pastries, bow ties, rogarts, angel wings (cinnamon discs), bear claws, eccles cakes (pretzels), almond crescents (pie pockets), baklava/choco-almond treasures, sugar-free pie pockets, sweet rolls and buns, danish, meltaways, pecan rolls, coffee rolls, and hot cross buns (seasonal). Everything was reasonably priced, fresh, and looked out of this world.

We also noticed the large refrigerated case at the end of the store. Wright's really prides themselves on their fresh milk products. According to their Web site, the milk never leaves the store and comes straight from their cows to our tables in less than 48 hours. Milk products include skim, 2%, whole, chocolate, and coffee milks. They also have mini milk containers for the kids. Wright's also carries both light and heavy cream, and egg nog (available only in November and December). Although Mom and I weren't interested in buying milk at that time, we were both dying to know how it tasted. Later on, we had a fan of ours tell us that all their milks, no matter what percent it is, have the flavor of whole. Sounds good, but we were more interested in the refrigerated pastry case. After taking a number (just like at the deli), a young worker asked us if we were ready to choose something. I had narrowed my choices down to two things. One looked like a key lime tart, and the other looked like a smaller key lime tart. Since one was large and green and the other small and white, yet they were both topped with limes, I asked the girl behind the counter to describe them. She told me that the white tart was called a key west, and had a more tart flavor than the key lime. Since it looked delicious - and easy to hold in the car - I decided to get one of those. Not wanting to be left out, Mom got one as well. The worker placed the tarts in a small box, printed out a receipt, taped it to the top of the box, and sent us on our way.

After Mom and I had narrowed down our other choices, it was time to head over to the register. Mom was quite excited because not only was she able to get a treat to eat right away, she got some breakfast goodies and buns to have the next day. We were greeted by a young cashier, who rang and bagged our order. The total came to:

Meltaways - $4.20

Chocolate Chip Scones - 3.60

Dozen snowflake rolls - 2

2x tarts (@ 1.99 each) - 3.98

Hermits - 4.28

TOTAL = $18.06

Before we left the bakery, Mom spotted some spoons in a jar by the register. We had both wondered how we were going to eat the tarts in the car, but thankfully Wright's provides both spoons and straws for your eating and drinking pleasure.

When we got to the car, we took the two tarts out of the box and grabbed the spoons. We rolled down the window, hoping to smell some fresh country air, but all we could smell was cow manure. Rolling the windows back up, we dug into our cool, fresh key wests. The key west lived up to its name. It was a bit more tart than the key lime, but absolutely delicious. The real cream that was on top really helped cut the tartness so there was a nice blend of flavors with every bite. The crust was flaky, the filling cool and creamy, and it was really a delight to eat.

Our other purchases included chocolate chip scones (which had a sweet icing and were filled with chocolate chips), a dozen rolls (the same fantastic rolls that are served at Wright's Farm Restaurant), meltaways (covered in cinnamon, syrup, and nuts - yummy), and a bag of hermits (which were deliciously spiced and available to order on their Web site):

Of course, Mom saw about 100 other things she wanted to buy, but I had to stop her. After all, how many baked goods can one family have? Wait ... maybe I shouldn't ask that question. Before leaving the farm, which has been servicing the Rhode Island community for over 100 years, we decided to take another spin around the parking lot to get a better look at the cows. A personal shout out goes to cow number 80, who posed for a picture for me!! Make sure you check out our slide show to see him, or her, in all his bovine glory.

Both Mom and I adore quaint little out-of-the-way places like Wright's Dairy Farm and Bakery. It is the perfect place to visit on a beautiful spring afternoon, and there's nothing better than freshly made pastries from a picturesque New England farm - no matter what season it is.

Wright's Dairy Farm and Bakery is open from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday.

Newport Jai Alai's Grand Grille

Inside Newport Grand

150 Admiral Kalbfus Road

Newport, RI 02840

(401) 849-5000

www.newportgrand.com

OFFICIAL COPY OF THE MENU

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Mom and I figured that plenty of time had past since our notorious visit to the Newport Grand Grille on July 7 (see review below). Since we were feeling lucky and wanted to play the slots, we figured that today would be a perfect day to see how improved the service had become after all the hoopla that went down last year after our dining experience. We arrived at Newport Grand at around 3:30 p.m., but stopped off to play some games first. Luckily for me, the $20 I lost almost immediately came right back to me within minutes. Not wanting to lose it again, Mom and I took off and headed for the dining room at around 3:45-4 p.m.

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SIDE NOTE: A lot has changed at Newport Grand. It seems that all the machines have gone up in both price and lines. For example, I love playing this Red, White, and Blue Firecracker slot. The game used to have five lines at five cents. Now there are nine lines at ten cents. I guess with all the economic drama we're all facing, the casino was forced to up the prices.

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When we arrived at the dining room entrance, we were greeted by a very polite hostess who we had never seen before. She showed us to - believe it or not - the very table that we complained about the last time. Not wanting to make a scene, or cause anyone to remember who we were and promptly spit in our food - we shut our mouths and sat there, staring at our menus. Boy, talk about a price jump! Everything seemed to go up between $2-5. Maybe the casino isn't doing so well? I hope not. We really like it here. Soon after we decided what we wanted, a waitress named Kelsie came over to take our order. Mom chose her favorite - the fish and chips ($14.95), while I chose the Reuben with fries ($10.25). We also ordered two Diet Pepsis. Usually when we visit the Grand Grille, the food takes a while to come out. Mom and I don't mind because we know that all the food here is prepared fresh, so it's worth the wait. This time, however, the food was delivered quickly. My guess is that it really doesn't take that long to fry a piece of fish and slap a sandwich together. Kelsie brought over the two dishes, and warned us about the hot plates. Both meals looked amazing.

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With the steam floating away from the plate, Mom was in heaven (she just loves a hot dish). The fish was a nice large piece - not only long, but thick. Even despite its thickness, it was perfectly done, and couldn't have been better. The batter was light and crisp, not at all greasy, and the fish fell apart with flaky tenderness. The Grand Grille really has one of the best fish and chip platters around in Mom's opinion. Her fries were crisp, light, and not greasy. She said the whole meal was delicious. Mom loves this dish so much that even though it went up in price, she would get it again.

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My Reuben was fabulous. I think I scarfed it down in a matter of minutes. The corned beef was like buttah. It literally melted in my mouth and had no icky pull to it (God, I hate that). I was a bit nervous seeing all the sandwich meat stacked up in the bread like that, and I was very thankful that it was prepared so well. The Thousand Island dressing and sauerkraut were very tangy, and the Swiss cheese wasn't too gloppy. The only minor thing was that the rye bread got a little soggy, but I doubt there is a way to stop that from happening since the dressing and sauerkraut get soaked into the sandwich. My fries were amazing, although they really did give me a lot (I couldn't finish them). I would definitely recommend this sandwich to any Reuben fan. It was amazing.

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Kelsie had come over during our meal to ask how everything was, and we had nothing but good things to say. When we were finished, she cleared away our plates and brought the bill:

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2 sodas - $4.50

Fish and chips - 14.95

Reuben - 10.25

Subtotal - $29.70

State tax - 2.08

*FBT - .30

TOTAL = $32.08

*I assume this means food and beverage tax.

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We left $38.50 on the table for Kelsie which included a 20% tip. She really provided excellent service, and we really did notice an improvement with the other servers/hostesses. Before leaving, I filled out the comment card that asked how our experience was. We signed it "New England Bites," so we hope that the people at Grand Grille know that we've been back, and definitely enjoyed our visit. We can't wait to return again, especially now that we know that the customers are being treated well, and the food is still fabulous ... even though the prices went up.

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PS - Just as Mom and I were down all the money we had decided to spend (a.k.a., lose at the slots), we won it all back!! It was definitely our lucky day.
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The July 7th showdown:

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***SECOND UPDATE*** -- I received a personalized e-mail from the Food and Beverage Manager, Joe Caruso, regarding the poor service that went down on July 7. He left me his phone number which I promptly called on the afternoon of July 12. He told me that he was actually in a meeting about the service situation, and that he would call me back ASAP. I was surprised to hear that they were actually discussing me, and was anxiously anticipating his return phone call. When Mr. Caruso called back, he thanked me for my great article, my honesty, and also apologized for the service. He said that there were many changes being made regarding service, and he's sure that everyone is now on the same page regarding customer satisfaction. He seemed very confident that the situation had been addressed, and I completely believed him. He told me of his background in customer service and assured me that what took place on July 7 would not happen again. He then offered us a meal on the house, which was very surprising. I have no doubt in my mind that everyone at the Grand Grille is on the right track and is going to put the customer first from now on. I can't wait to go back!

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***UPDATE***-- I sent the review below to the only E-mail address I could find for Newport Grand (info@newportgrand.com). Here is the response I received:

Laura,

Thank you.
Our Food and Beverage Manager will look into your experience with us.
If you like this the food…..we have Daily Dining Deals in July.
Go to our website and click on http://www.newportgrand.com/dining.html
We look forward to having you back again soon for great food and improved service.

Newport Grand Slots

*sigh* -- Oh well. So much for an apology.

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Today is July 7, 2007. In other words, 7-7-07 - the luckiest day in existence. Couples are getting married, people are buying lottery tickets and today, like many others, Mom and I decided to try our luck at the slot machines inside Newport Grand. After all, we had to win something, right? It was a lucky day! Plus, we would be dining at the Grand Grille, one of our favorite restaurants of all time. What could go wrong?

We hit the casino around 4 p.m. and noticed a lot of cars in the parking lot. Saturdays are usually a busy casino day anyway, but today was special, and I was sure that there were some people in there for the same reasons that we were - the lucky day. We decided to pick up a Newport Grand Rewards card first, since we had not yet applied for one. The woman behind the desk was extraordinarily helpful and wished us good luck for the day. Mom and I then headed straight for a quick bite at the Grand Grille.

When we first got there, the middle section of tables and the bar section was quite filled. There was an older couple waiting to be seated in front of us, and a few single diners standing behind. Quite a while went by before the hostess, a petite older woman with glasses, got around to seating the first two patrons. She sat them at a table which was in the center of the room, right next to a coat rack and behind the wait staff station. This table seems to put diners on display since it's right in the middle of all the "action," and I could clearly understand why the two diners, after being seated, moved over to an empty booth. If looks could kill, the hostess, and the glasses-wearing brunette that was to be their waitress, would have annihilated those two because they shot them both a death glare that was probably seen by just about everyone in the place. Mom and I were still stuck standing behind the "Please wait to be seated" sign while the hostess ran around with a handful of menus, and the would-be waitress stood by the bar socializing and washing several water glasses. Finally the hostess came around to us and dragged us to the same center table that the previous guests had rejected. I, in my most polite tone of voice, said, "Could we not sit here, please?" She ripped the menus off the table, huffed and puffed with disgust, and plopped the menus down on a table against the back wall. I was a bit taken back by how rude she was, but I still felt badly for making her walk a whole five extra feet, so I said, "I'm sorry." I even said, "Thanks," when our menus were slapped down on our new table. Hey, it's not our fault. We just didn't want to be sitting in the middle of the room like two pink elephants. Plus, there were other people waiting behind us. Surely one of them would want the table.

Lo and behold, the next patron (when he was finally seated) occupied the table. Mom and I were now sitting and were still remarking on how long it was taking for the people waiting to actually get seated. A gentleman in a yellow shirt who looked like a manager took our drink order. He was quite polite, but he obviously looked he was just serving us to help out the flustered wait staff. Mom and I both ordered Diet Pepsi and proceeded to look over the menu. It was at this point that we overheard the waitress from the section with the infamous table exclaim things like, "What is wrong with people?! This always happens! My lunch is sitting back there. I don't get it!" I look up and see that the waitress had just been talking with the hostess, who was staring directly at us. Mom and I were obviously the subject of that conversation due to our requested table-swapping, but we should have never been subjected to actually hearing it first hand. What about the other customers? Were they discussing them as well? Well, as we found out throughout our lunch, they were. Little snide comments here and there, lots of dramatic sighs and pauses, stomping by with empty plates, slamming doors and things around, fake happiness when bringing the bill in hopes of a tip, etc., was all being done by this one waitress (the hostess seemed to disappear in the hustle and bustle of the restaurant). This waitress was even complaining to her boss, which seemed to be the guy in the yellow shirt. I don't know if he is just numb to her negativity, but he didn't say a word. He just stood frozen in silence as she aired her grievances about not getting to take a break. Even all the other waitresses were staring at her in awe because she was acting like such a drama queen. Waitressing obviously isn't for her, and I think it's time that she find a new profession because unfortunately, this is not the first time that we've seen this girl act like an overtired child before.

Because we've been here so many times, and because we were ordering items from the menu that we've already tried, I wasn't even going to do an official review of The Grand Grille today (hence no photos). However, due to the rotten attitudes of some of its staff members, I decided to make an exception. When we were finally ready to place an order, a blonde waitress was summoned to our table by the guy in the yellow shirt. She seemed to be very rushed, but was still quite pleasant. Mom ordered the Fish and Chips Platter ($11.95) and I ordered the Willow Tree Chicken Salad Sandwich on Rye with Brew City Fries ($7.50). She took away our menus and Mom and I quietly sipped our Pepsis while listening to the pleasant sound of the nearby slot machines.

The food at the Grand Grille is outstanding. Although we usually end up waiting a bit for our meals to arrive, this is quickly overlooked when we bite into our meals and taste how fresh everything is. We've had several scrumptious entrees and appetizers here, but our favorites are definitely the Nachos Grande ($8.95) and the New England Clam Cakes ($6.50). We've also had one of their speciality margaritas which was cool and tasty. The waitresses are usually polite, but they do seem a bit frustrated. Perhaps there aren't enough of them to handle all the customers, but honestly, when we've eaten here, the place has never been that busy. I don't know how some of these girls would hold up if they worked for a busy chain restaurant like Ninety Nine or TGI Friday's.

Our food arrived, but it was brought to our table by Mr. Yellow Shirt. Everything was delicious, as we had hoped and expected. My chicken salad was cool and fresh, the bread was soft, and the veggies were crisp. Mom's fish was hot, white, and lightly breaded. It was quite a large piece of fish, and the fries that came with both platters were tasty and plentiful. The blonde waitress who took our order returned to ask how everything was. We were extremely pleased with the actual meal, so our mood was quickly changing from annoyed to satisfied. Although Mr. Yellow Shirt cleared away our dinnerware, Blondie reappeared with the bill ($25.11). I believe her real name was "Nicole," and that is (hopefully) who are 20% tip went to (although I was a bit confused on this because we were actually served by two pleasant people). We didn't want to take our frustration with other members of staff out on poor Nicole. After all, she had to deal with these people on a regular basis. Thank God we were only here for lunch. As we left, we noticed "Negative Nelly" walking around the restaurant with her purse, still complaining to the other servers. GET OVER IT ALREADY!!! What was this girl's problem?

The Grand Grille will remain in our Excellent category because of the quality of food, the ambiance (dark, quiet, cozy), the interior (tin ceilings, candlelit tables, dark green decor), the cleanliness, and the proximity to some of our favorite games (Hoot Loot, Wheel of Fortune, Star-Spangled Firecrackers). However, these waitresses need to drop the attitude. Customers should never overhear them discussing other patrons, and their so-called "lousy" job. Waitress jobs are a dime a dozen; I'm sure they can easily be replaced.

PS -- We didn't win on the slots. So much for a lucky day!

Country Inn Restaurant

382 Market St.

Route 136

Warren, RI 02885

(401) 245-8318

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Although Mom and I are probably two of the youngest people that visit the Country Inn Restaurant in Warren, RI, we are crazy about it. After a failed attempt at having lunch at Swansea's Venus De Milo (who knew they opened at 5 p.m.), we decided to stop by our old haunt just knowing that we would be in for a delicious, home-cooked meal. Even though my last visit wasn't so special (I choked on a fish bone), I couldn't wait to try my hand, and throat, at another piece of scrod. We pulled into the large parking lot at just around 3:45 p.m.

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After walking up the stairs (there is also a large ramp) and through the small waiting area complete with country decor and large benches, we met up with the hostess who quickly showed us into the first room on the right hand side. It was fairly dark in there, but it made everything more cozy. When we first went in, there was only one other couple seated. Mom and I knew that we had come at a good time, because this restaurant tends to fill up quickly between 4-5 p.m. The hostess handed us two laminated paper menus which included a typed list of Saturday specials. Mom and I were soon joined by our waitress, who we could smell before we actually saw her. No, not in a B.O. kind of way, but she seemed to be lathered in perfume. A little much for people who are going to be dining, in my opinion. Perhaps overkill was her thing because her makeup seemed to be lathered on as well. As superficial as this sounds, it was a little distracting. She did not introduce herself, but was very polite and quickly took our drink order while leaving a bread basket at our table. Mom and I both ordered Diet Cokes, which quickly arrived in real glasses. Since I already knew what I was getting, but Mom was still deciding, she asked the waitress for another minute so that she could narrow down her choices. When the waitress returned, both Mom and I were ready to order. I chose the baked stuffed scrod ($12.75). Since it came with potato and vegetable, I chose the fried cauliflower and fries. Mom ordered the fried boneless chicken ($9.50). For her potato and vegetable, she chose butternut squash and mashed potatoes. Both meals came with soup or salad, so I chose white New England Clam Chowder (I was surprised to hear that red was offered - the impostor) while Mom chose chicken soup. The waitress quickly returned with both soups. They were very good.

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Dining at the Country Inn is like stepping back in time decor-wise. Perhaps that is one of the reasons why it draws an older crowd, but I know the other reason - older people know where to get a good meal. In our particular dining room was a large cast iron stove, a plethora of country decorations (roosters, horseshoes, pictures, old guns, etc.), and beautiful floral curtains that covered the windows facing Route 136. The printed rug and the large wooden rafters made the room feel very inn-like, while the old-fashioned wooden tables were topped only with mauve place mats to ensure cleanliness. Small lamps were situated around the room while vases with faux flowers sat on every table. Also on every table was a small list of specialty coffees and desserts, all which were deliciously described. Mom likes this particular dining room because she said that it is less frantic than the other ones. Apparently people like to dine at the bar or near the large fireplace that is in the neighboring room, but nevertheless, she was right about the frenzy. The other dining room, separated by glass doors, was getting rather crowded by the minute. Although the Country Inn is a classy place (with the waitstaff in black and white uniforms, etc.), the weird music playing in the background seemed to be very out of place (European techno).

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At Country Inn, they specialize in comfort food. Appetizers and salads include the antipasto ($7.50), clams casino ($6.95), peel and eat shrimp (1/2 lb. - $8.95; 1 lb. - $14.95), stuffed mushrooms ($6.95), and the sirloin steak Caesar salad ($12.95). Sandwich specials include the New York sirloin steak ($8.95), lobster salad roll ($15.25), and grilled chicken ($6.95). They also offer Country Inn Clubs such as the hamburger ($6.95), steak ($9.25), and the tuna ($6.95), all served with fries or cole slaw. Italian sandwiches include the veal ($7.25), sausage ($5.25), and eggplant ($4.75). Country Inn is all about meat, and they certainly offer a lot of it. Seafood fantasies include broiled by scallops (market price), baked stuffed shrimp (3 pc. - $14.95; 4 pc. - $16.95), baked scrod ($11.50), and clam zuppa ($11.95). Deep fried seafood is also available such as the fish and chips ($9.95), fried oysters ($14.25), and fried seafood platter (market price), which includes fish, clams, baked stuffed shrimp, fried shrimp, fried bay scallops, smelts, and a stuffed quahog. Now, when you're ordering your meat, there is a diagram to follow on the menu. It goes from extra rare, which is described as having a "purple, cold center" (*gag*), to well, which is "gray center." Still sounds gross, but I'll take gray over purple. Meats include veal parmigiana ($13.95), veal piccata ($14.75), chicken Francaise ($12.25), chicken Marsala ($13.95), broiled pork chops ($14.75), Filet Mignon ($21.95), and the Steak a la Mama ($19.50). You can also order pasta, American favorites such as Yankee pot roast ($9.75), and Italian delights such as meatballs, peppers, and fries ($8.95). They also have a list of side dishes, desserts, and extras.

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Although the restaurant was starting to get busy, Mom and I had not be left waiting for very long. Both meals arrived steaming hot and looking great. One of the great things about Country Inn is that the food always arrives steaming hot - an A+ in Mom's book. She has such a high tolerance for hot food, and hates when food is served luke warm. At first, Mom thought the waitress had made a mistake. Her chicken looked like several pieces of fried fish, as in fish and chips. However, it was chicken - fantastic chicken (served with a side of cranberry sauce). All the pieces were very moist, perfectly done, and coated with a very light, crisp batter. Mom thought they were absolutely delicious. Her meal was served with a mound of homemade mashed potatoes (which she couldn't finish) and a separate dish of butternut squash, which was sweet and tasty. The whole meal was a delight. Mom couldn't get off that chicken!

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I DIDN'T CHOKE! All fish bones stayed out of my throat this time around. My fish was superb - white and flaky with a buttery crumb topping. I squirted some lemon over the top for an extra kick. The stuffing used was a mixture of what looked like a seafood casserole and actual stuffing mix. Fabulous! It was very tasty, and I ate every bit of what was served in that little metal dish. Unfortunately that meant that I had to leave a lot of fries, which were great, and fried cauliflower behind. I enjoyed the fried cauliflower, but I think frying a vegetable kind of takes away the purpose of having a vegetable with your meal. With the fries, I think it was a bit much (my own fault for picking the two together).

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When our waitress saw that we had finished, she came back over to our table. Mom and I contemplated taking home our leftover sides, but we were in for a day of shopping, and didn't think that fried cauliflower and butternut squash would hold up very well in the back of a Kia. Believe it or not, the waitress made us feel very uncomfortable about leaving behind food. She asked us why we were not taking it with us, and we told her about the shopping - not that we had to. I hate having to explain myself to people. I understand that it is part of her job to ask if we want to take our leftovers home, but when we say no, just live with it! Believe me, I am not a food waster. Perhaps I wouldn't be so "curvy" if I left some food behind, but don't make me feel guilty about leaving behind fries. As she lingered and slowly asked us if we wanted dessert, Mom and I shocked her by saying yes. Since we had left behind our sides, she probably thought that we were all done. Hah! Not when grapenut custard pudding ($2.95) and spumoni with melba sauce ($3.50) is on the menu! We ordered one of each, and the waitress hesitantly brought them out. When she saw that I was low on soda, she offered to bring me out another. She actually seemed disgusted when I asked for water instead. Boy, we were really annoying this woman. Either way, our desserts were yummy. For $2.95, Mom received a very generous portion of grapenut pudding. It came in a fluted goblet and was topped with whipped cream. Grapenut pudding is kind of a New England classic. A lot of people outside New England have never even heard of it, but they are missing a fantastic treat. It's a cold, creamy textured pudding (although sometimes served warm) and it has softened Grape Nut cereal swirled throughout. It's absolutely delicious. Whenever Mom sees is, she often orders it. My spumoni was very good and was also topped with a dollop whipped cream. I love the weird combo of the pistachio, chocolate, and strawberry ice cream. It was cold and creamy - just what I needed after my hot meal.

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When we were done, our waitress reappeared to clear our plates away and deliver the bill. The total came to:

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Soda (2 @ $1.95) - 3.90

Stuffed scrod - 12.75

Fried chicken - 9.50

Spumoni - 3.50

Grapenut pudding - 2.95

Subtotal - $32.60

Tax - 2.28

Town tax - .33

TOTAL = $35.21

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We were able to find out the waitress's name (it was on the bill), but decided to keep that anonymous for this post. Even though she was an oddball, she was just doing her job. I left $42 on the table for our waitress, including 20% tip. Before we left, Mom and I decided to use the restroom. I spotted a basket of take-out menus on the way and quickly grabbed one. The restroom was pretty much clean, but a little disheveled. This happens often here, and we don't know why because the rest of the restaurant is usually spotless. Either way, we left there satisfied and looking forward to going back. Even with the nosey waitress, Country Inn still remains one of our favorite places to dine.

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Country Inn Restaurant is open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Wednesday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, and 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Sunday.

Crossroads Restaurant

133 Market St.

Warren, RI 02885

(401) 245-9305

www.crossroadsrestaurantri.com

After a busy day of Christmas shopping on Wednesday, Mom and Dad decided to go to Crossroads for dinner. Crossroads is one of my family's favorite places to eat, and everyone that we've recommended this restaurant to has immediately fallen in love with it. Since Dad had ordered something that Mom knew I would have loved, we decided to visit Crossroads today for lunch at around 3:15 p.m. Mom definitely didn't mind visiting this gem twice in one week.







When we pulled into the parking lot, we spotted a few cars. Both Mom and I were glad that it didn't seem too busy, as this restaurant tends to fill up very quickly. They even have an extra parking lot across the street for the overflow of cars that usually happens on weekends. Once inside, we were greeted by my mother's favorite sign which reads "please seat yourself." She loves when restaurants allow you to choose where you want to eat your meal. Since Crossroads has three different rooms, we decided to sit in my mother's favorite of the three - what she likes to call the "Florida" room. Actually, we usually reference the TV show Golden Girls when sitting in this room. It resembles their back patio, or what they called the "lanai." As we walked into the room, we were followed by a hostess in a black uniform. She placed two plastic-covered menus on the table and told us that our waitress would be right over. I asked her if Crossroads offered a takeout menu (as I like to take them home to relay the meals and prices to our fans), but she said that they did not. However, she did say that their full menu is available for takeout - everything except the soup (as they don't have the containers for it).


While looking over the menu, which had a list of luncheon specials inside, we were greeted by our waitress. Her name was Becky T., and she quickly took our drink order. Both Mom and I ordered two Diet Pepsis (which came with lemons), and they arrived in real glasses. We needed another minute to decide what we wanted, so Becky retreated to the kitchen while Mom and I slowly made our choice. There are so many options at Crossroads, but I knew what I was there for - the spicy baked haddock. This is the meal that my mother had told me about. When my father had ordered it, she said that it looked amazing. I couldn't wait to see, and taste, it for myself. When Mom and I had finally made our decision, Becky came back to the table to take our order. Mom ordered the fish and chips ($13.95). Her dish came with soup or salad, and she chose a salad with French. I ordered the spicy baked haddock ($14.95), which came with a potato, pasta, or vegetable option. I chose fries, and I also got to choose a soup or a salad. When I asked what the soup options were, I was very surprised - and pleased - to hear that they offered French onion. This is almost never offered as one of the complimentary soups. I decided to go with the onion soup, and Becky graciously took our menus away. She even brought me a spoon so that I could retrieve a lemon seed that had slid into my soda. What a gal!


Open since 1977, Crossroads is a beautiful restaurant. The first room you hit when you walk in is their bar area. It is a beautiful wooden bar which also has a few tables behind a small partition so that patrons can dine while they drink. Mom and I call this the "trendy" room, as it resembles a night club hot spot. The second room is the "Florida" room. My entire family always sits in this room, and it's fantastic. There are faux plants everywhere, and a huge faux tree display covered with lights on one of the back walls. With only wooden tables and chairs, this room seems to cater to a family and an older crowd. There are bright floral tablecloths, beautiful skylights framed by light wood, and large sliding windows that face the street and the foliage outside. The white painted brick really keeps this room bright, while the various pictures, posters, and Christmas decorations give this room an friendly appearance. Christmas music played in the background while Mom was falling in love with one of the holiday decorations - a lighted stack of Christmas gifts. It really was cute, and I thought she was going to try and walk off with it! With our chosen table being directly under the large, lighted trees, we were able to see into the third room. Mom likes to call this the "pub," partly because it resembles an Irish pub. This room is usually reserved for parties, and today was no different. There was a velvet rope blocking anyone from entering, and I often saw waitresses darting in and out of there with handfuls of dinnerware.







Becky reappeared with my soup and Mom's salad. My onion soup was baked and topped with a thick layer of cheese. It was very hot, and extremely tasty. I have had the onion soup here once before and found it to be delicious. I was definitely not let down this time around. Mom's salad was very good. She said the veggies were fresh and crunchy, and the cup of French dressing was very tangy and refreshing. Also with our soup and salad, Becky brought over two Italian rolls, which were crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside. They were so good.


You can spend quite a while trying to decide what to order at Crossroads, but there is virtually nothing about this restaurant on the Internet. Because of this, I've decided to list as much of the menu as I can. All food is fresh and prepared to order, which is a welcome change from some of the chain restaurants that simply just heat up a waiting dish of food. Appetizers include little necks ($8.95), buffalo chicken tenders ($8.95), crunchy chicken tenders ($8.95), Southwest egg rolls ($8.95), mushroom caps ($7.95), potato skins stuffed ($8.50), Maryland crab cakes ($9.95), fried calamari with hot pepper rings ($8.50), fried calamari in garlic and oil ($8.95), onion rings (small - $3.95; large - $4.95), grilled cheese sticks ($7.95), buffalo chicken wings ($7.95), Southern fried wings ($7.95), Pub fries (small - $1.95; large $2.95; with cheese - add $1.50), and a stuffed quahog ($3.95). Salads include a variety of Caesar salads with grilled chicken ($10.95), sirloin steak ($12.95), or grilled shrimp ($12.95). Julienne salads ($10.95) are created by choosing any combination of three meats and cheeses, including turkey, ham, roast beef, and Swiss, American, and Munster cheeses. Buffalo chicken salad with crumbled blue cheese is $11.95, while the spinach salads range from $4.95-12.95. Garden salads range from $2.95-10.95, depending on size and added meats and cheeses. If you’re looking for something light, all regular and specialty sandwiches are served with your choice of pub fries, potato salad, or cole slaw. Sandwiches include the Crossroad burger ($8.95), fresh grilled chicken breast (plain or Cajun - $8.95), Pub clubs ($8.95), chicken parmigiana, meatball sandwich parmigiana ($8.95), grilled chicken croissant ($9.95), Delmonico steak deluxe ($10.95), surf and turf sandwich ($13.95), which includes half lobster salad and half Delmonico steak with two toppings, New York style Reuben or Rachel ($8.95), tuna melt ($8.95), hot turkey melt ($9.95), veal parmigiana ($10.95), chicken salad ($8.95), tuna salad ($8.50), lobster salad ($15.95), vegetarian burger ($8.95), and a vegetarian pocket ($8.95). For something with a little more substance, all entrees include your choice of fresh garden salad or cup of homemade soup, and a choice of potato, pasta, rice pilaf, or house vegetable with hot baked rolls and butter. Chicken dishes include a Caesar Salad topped with fresh grilled chicken breast ($10.95), chicken Marsala ($13.95), chicken parmigiana ($13.95), chicken Manhattan ($14.95), chicken and broccoli saute ($14.95), and chicken picatta ($14.95). Seafood and pasta dishes include linguine with red clam sauce ($11.95), linguine with white clam sauce ($11.95), baked haddock ($13.95), little necks zuppa ($14.95), little necks Sicilian ($15.95), fried clams (market price), baked or fried sea scallops ($17.95), fresh fried oysters ($15.95), fried clams & scallops (market price), scallops in a white wine sauce over linguine ($17.95), fresh grilled salmon ($16.95), fresh grilled swordfish in lemon and butter or Cajun (market price), and four shrimp scampi ($16.95). Meat dishes include the Yankee pot roast ($13.95), meatloaf ($12.95), baby back ribs (1/2 rack - $13.95; full rack - $17.95), 12 oz. prime sirloin steak ($14.95), prime sirloin steak a la Mama ($15.95), Filet Mignon (market price), and the surf and turf combo which includes a prime sirloin steak served with your choice of two stuffed jumbo shrimp ($16.95), fried scallops ($17.95), fried clams (market price), fried haddock ($15.95), and fried oysters ($15.95). Luncheon specials are served until 5 p.m., and there is a list of specials inside every menu. Choices for the price of $8.95 include the open face turkey and steak sandwiches. Choices for the price of $9.95 include chicken parmigiana, meatballs and ziti, and homemade meatloaf. These meals come with your choice of New England quahog chowder, soup of the day, or fresh garden salad. Choices for the price of $10.95 include chicken Manhattan, steak a la Mama, scallops, chicken Marsala, and Yankee pot roast. These meals are served with a garden salad, and hot baked rolls with butter. Also for $10.95, you can choose to get a cup of New England quahog chowder, French onion soup, or the soup of the day with a luncheon side of fish and chips, fried oysters, clams, scallops, or prime sirloin steak. All luncheon sides are served with Pub fries. For the best of both worlds, you can order a soup and half sandwich. Sandwich choices include the solid white tuna or chunk white chicken salad ($8.50), Reuben or Rachel ($8.95), steak ($8.95), and 100% Lobster salad ($10.95). All sandwiches are served with pub friends. There is also a large selection of wine, beer, and non-alcoholic beverages.

It didn't take long for our food to arrive. Becky brought over the two meals, and everything looked and smelled amazing. She offered to bring us ketchup and vinegar for our fries, and I accepted the offer. She returned briefly to give us the condiments, and then left us to dig into our entrees. Both Mom's fish and the chips were terrific. The fries were obviously hand cut, and were of the steak fry variety. They were very potatoey and delicious. The fish itself was a large piece of snow white haddock and it was fried just right. It had a light, thin crust on it that was crispy and not at all greasy. It was the lunch portion of fish, and thank God she got that size because it was really big enough. She enjoyed it very much. It was a great dish.





My spicy baked haddock was everything that Mom described, plus more. Topped with a layer of peppers, onions, and chourico, the haddock never lost its flavor. If anything, the peppers, onions, and chourico only enhanced the taste of the delicious fish, and the haddock never got squashed under the weight of everything else. The chourico was very meaty, and the vegetables were very fresh. The sauce that everything was baked in was very spicy, but not overwhelming. The only thing that was overwhelming was the heat, as it was served in a metal serving dish. This, however, is not a bad thing. Like Mom, I can't stand when food is not served hot. Even my fries were delicious. The thick steak fries were hearty and tasty.





Both Mom and I ate every bit of our meals, and only a few fries were left behind on our plates. Becky came over to see if we wanted coffee or dessert, but we declined. She had also come over during our meal to see how everything was. Becky cleared away our plates and brought the bill:

2 Diet Pepsi - $5

*Fish & chips - 10.95

Spicy haddock - 14.95

Subtotal - $30.90

Tax - 2.50

TOTAL = $33.40

*This is the price for the lunch portion.

We left $40 on the table for Becky, including 20% tip for her excellent service. Although we did not use the restroom on this visit, Mom has on previous occasions, and she found it to be very clean and nicely decorated.


Feeling very warm and satisfied, Mom and I walked back to the car and vowed to return to Crossroads as soon as we can. With Christmas almost here, a gift certificate to Crossroads would be a great gift for just about anyone. I bought one for my parents a few years ago, and they raved about their meals for days. Crossroads is definitely staying put on our "excellent" list.


Crossroads is closed on Monday, but open from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Sunday. Lunch is served daily until 5 p.m.

Gennaro's Eatery

12 Blanchard Road

Quincy, MA 02169

(617) 773-1500
www.gennaroseatery.com

My mother is a woman in love - and oddly not with my father. She has fallen for Gerry, the owner of our favorite Italian restaurant - Gennaro's Eatery. Although perhaps it has something to do with Gerry's cooking abilities rather than his good looks, Mom always gets starry-eyed when we visit.

Although some think we're crazy to drive from Fall River to Quincy just to have Italian food, I say once you've had a meal at Gennaro's, the phrase "Olive Garden has the best Italian food" should never be uttered. At first we were a little concerned that the restaurant was going to be packed. Due to its popularity and size of the dining room, this place fills up quickly. However, as we pulled into the small parking lot, it seemed that the craziness had not yet begun. I was even able to score a parking space! With only 14 spots (including handicapped) available, it must be nuts trying to find a place on a busy evening. The Gods must have been smiling down on us.

Upon entering the restaurant at around 4:30 p.m., we noticed that something had changed. It seems that Gennaro's had been renovated, and the changes were beautiful. We stopped at the front desk where we were greeted by a friendly hostess. She informed us that she would have to check to see if there was a table available, and she quickly disappeared into the dining room. Then, we heard it. A jovial voice coming from behind a row of lemon cakes featured in the dessert window. It was Gerry. My mother was all aglow. Standing at the take-out window, he had spotted us waiting for a table and began to exchange pleasantries with my mother about desserts. Since Mom was distracted by the fabulous Gerry, it was up to me to bid him farewell as the hostess returned to lead us to our table. We were seated at a back table near a window, which was coincidentally the first table we had ever dined at. I was hoping that this meal was going to be just as good as the first.

The interior of Gennaro's is quite beautiful. With a mixture of both tables and booths, the restaurant is able to accommodate every patron quite comfortably, despite only seating 70 people. The warm green and beige colors compliment the burnt orange fabrics and curtains, while the low lights and chandeliered booths bring a cozy feeling to this delightful family style restaurant. An added touch are the framed photos throughout the dining area and the Italian music playing in the background, while the shaded windows give customers an optional view of busy Blanchard Road. As always, I tried to take a picture of the interior. However, I had a hard time doing so because of the crowd, so I've included both my attempt and a picture from the Gennaro's Web site, which is fantastic. The site really gives an in depth look at everything Gennaro's has to offer, including the menu!

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picture I took

picture from the Web site

After looking quickly at the plastic-covered menus the hostess had left us with, we were greeted by our waitress. Her name was Erica, and she - along with the other staff members - were dressed in black uniforms. I really think this brings an air of class to restaurants. She was very polite and handed us a handwritten list of specials, although it was a bit on the illegible side. For our drink order, Mom chose a Coke while I ordered a Diet Coke. While Erica went to get our drinks, I spotted what would soon be my meal on the list of specials - the toasted pumpkin ravioli with sage cream sauce ($12.99). This sounded so delicious that I folded my menu and put it to the side, because I was done looking. Mom was still mulling over what to get since Italian food is her absolute favorite. When Erica returned with our beverage-filled glasses (mine was topped with a lemon), she also brought a basket of fresh bread with butter, and asked us if we were ready to order. I stuck with my toasted raviolis, while Mom ordered the manicotti with meatballs ($9.99). Erica took away the menus while Mom and I started buttering our bread. It was so hot and delicious that we each had a second piece right away.

There is plenty to choose from at Gennaro's. On previous visits, Mom has ordered the chicken parmigiana with penne ($11.99) and she said it was the best she's ever had. I've ordered both the Florentina pizza ($9.99) and the pesto ravioli, which I unfortunately noticed had been taken off the menu. Both meals were absolutely fantastic. The appetizers range from a $4.99 loaf of garlic bread to a $6.99 shrimp scampi. Also on the menu is a large list of soups ($3.79-7.99), salads ($3.99-7.99), Italian subs that are prepared on sub rolls and served with chips ($5.99-7.99), calzones ($7.99-12.99), and pizzas, including traditional brick oven and speciality topped ($6.99-12.99). Lunch is served from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., and both the lunch and dinner prices are listed on the menu. Aside from the many pasta, chicken, seafood, veal, and pork specialties available, there are several traditional house specials. With dishes like the lobster and pumpkin raviolis ($11.99), baked ziti ($11.99), potato gnocchi ($11.99), fettuccine Alfredo ($10.99), linguine in clam sauce ($10.99), and rigatoni rustica ala vodka ($11.99), it is no wonder why these meals have become a favorite with customers. Gennaro's has a large dessert menu, and all the desserts are made on the premises using Gerry's authentic recipes. Although Mom and I have only been able to make room for dessert on one occasion, we were sure that we made the right choice. We ordered the tiramisu ($4.29) and it was the absolute best version we have ever tasted. It was moist, fresh, and topped with real whipped cream. Other desserts include ricotta cheese filled cannolis ($2.49), carrot cake ($4.29), chocolate layer cake ($4.49), and Italian style rum cake ($4.49). Daily specials are also available. Gennaro's also has a kids' menu, and list of side orders that you can order in or take home, such as two meatballs or two sausage ($2.79), chicken parmigiana ($6.99), or some of their homemade marinara sauce (pint $2.99; quart $5.49). Gennaro's also serves alcohol, and has a large list of both beer and wine. Make sure to ask your server about the recommended wines with certain meals.

When our food arrived, it was delivered by a man who seemed to have a heavy Italian accent. He was very polite and placed each steaming platter down in front of both Mom and myself. Mom's manicotti was accompanied by what looked like two baseballs. She had never seen meatballs that big before, and she was very pleased to see that they were well done. At first she was afraid that, because of their size, they would be a bit mushy inside. To her enjoyment, they were both tasty and deliciously spiced. The tomato sauce was more sweet than tangy, and the three manicotti were filled with a creamy ricotta cheese blend.

To my surprise, my dish actually came with chicken. This may have been mentioned on the list of specials, but I hadn't noticed it. The four pieces of white meat chicken were topped with the same sage cream sauce that the raviolis were in. The chicken was extremely moist and tender, and the raviolis were to die for. The pumpkin filling was spiced with nutmeg and cinnamon, and the breading was delicate and flavorful. I have had pumpkin ravioli in other restaurants before, but never toasted. It was definitely a fantastic dish, but a bit on the heavy side. I wasn't able to finish one of the raviolis and some chicken pieces, and believe me, I was kicking myself for it. I didn't want to leave any of this dish behind. It quickly became one of my favorites.

When Erica had come over to our table to ask how our meals were, we gave her one of those mouths-filled-with-food kind of responses. While we were stuffing our faces, we noticed that the couple at the next table was not only taking home their leftovers and ordering dessert, but they were ordering extra servings of sausages and meatballs. When their waitress brought over a large piece of carrot cake, the gentleman exclaimed, "This is the best presentation of a carrot cake I've ever seen. This guy really knows how to do it." They continued to ooh and ahh over the dessert until all that was left was the empty plate. You could tell that these people were definite hardcore fans of Gennaro's.

Erica must have noticed that Mom and I had stopped moving because we were so full, so she returned to our table to clear away our plates. After turning down her offer for dessert and coffee, she left us with the bill:

Ravioli - $12.99

Manicotti - 9.99

Coke - 1.99

Diet Coke - 1.99

Subtotal - $26.96

Tax - 1.35

TOTAL = $28.31

We left $34 on the table for Erica, including 20% tip. She was an great waitress. After climbing through the crowd that had gathered near the dining room and the take-out window, Mom and I decided to use the restroom. Since there was only one unit, we had to take turns. While I was waiting for Mom, I decided to track down a new take-out menu because Gennaro's had not only changed the interior, but also updated some of the items. Mom spent her time waiting for me by watching Gerry serve customers. The restroom was adorably decorated, clean, and organized.

Although Mom didn't get a chance to say goodbye to Gerry, we left Gennaro's with full bellies and big smiles. The crowd was definitely starting to thicken, and we were glad to be getting out of there at around 5:30 p.m. - before the dinner rush. Gennaro's Eatery remains our favorite Italian restaurant because of its beautiful dining room, fantastic food, low prices, and friendly atmosphere. It is the perfect place to bring a date, stop by with friends, or get together for a family event because Gennaro's also specializes in catering. Neither Mom nor I have ever had a bad thing to say about this place - and I doubt we ever will ... especially while Gerry is there.

Gennaro's Eatery is open from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Monday, and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Tuesday through Saturday. Sundays are available for the pickup of pre-ordered catering and private parties only. All major credit cards are accepted.