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.

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.

Darling's Restaurant & Lounge

940 Fall River Avenue

Seekonk, MA 02771

(508) 336-9222

Every once in a while, Mom comes up with a fantastic idea, and today's idea was simply delicious. Unable to decide on a place to have lunch, Mom suggested that we finally visit Darling's Restaurant & Lounge, which is connected to the Ramada Inn in Seekonk. I figured since it has been open since 1929, and since Mom has been driving by it since she was a child, we might as well give it a shot. I pulled into the parking lot at just about 4:30 p.m.

After making our way through the very icy parking lot, we went inside. Right away I felt as if I were stepping back in time, but in a good way. A friendly hostess greeted us and took us to a booth in the large dining area. She left us with two plastic-covered menus and told us that our waitress would be right over. Already on the table was a wine list and a dessert menu. Mom and I were the only two in the dining room, and that was fine with us. It gave us a chance to read the menu and check out the interior without any interruptions. It wasn't very long before a waitress dressed in a black and white uniform appeared. Her name was Natalie, and she was to be our server. She poured two glasses of ice water for us (which had a bit of a metallic taste to it), and then proceeded to take our drink order. We chose two Diet Cokes, and Natalie quickly retrieved the two beverages, which arrived in real glasses. Because Mom and I were still undecided, we asked for another minute to look over the menu. There were so many things to choose from, along with a list of daily specials that sounded amazing. Finally, we had made a decision. Natalie came back to the table and took our order. Mom chose the broiled scrod ($13.99). Her meal came with a potato and vegetable option, and Mom chose a baked potato and broccoli au gratin. I chose one of the Saturday daily specials - the baked stuffed fillet of sole ($16.99). Also with a potato and vegetable option, I chose the fries and spinach. Both of our meals came with soup or salad. Mom chose the minestrone soup, while I chose the salad with creamy Italian dressing. Natalie took the menus away and left Mom and I to further check out the dining room.

Darling's has a very homey feel to it. This is the kind of place that you could bring a date, your mother, or have a get-together in one of their function rooms (which seat groups of 10 to 300). Made up of both booths and tables, the seating here is very spacious, so you don't feel like you're on top of the other patrons. The main element in the room is wood. From the pictures on the walls, to the tables and door frames, everything is surrounded by dark wood, which gives dining here a cozy feel. The walls are decorated with various knickknacks, pictures, and local artwork, and the tables are set with mauve paper place mats and cranberry cloth napkins (no tablecloths). The staff had decorated the dining area for the holidays, and with a large Christmas tree in the corner of the room and Christmas music playing in the background, we really felt like we were having dinner in someone's country home. Hanging lights were situated above each booth, and the floral wallpaper added a very decorative touch. While we were waiting for our food to arrive, I asked the hostess if Darling's had a takeout menu available. They did, and she handed me two copies.

Before we knew it, our soup and salad had arrived. Mom's minestrone soup was thick with vegetables, had a very tasty broth, and was served nice and hot. She said that it was very tasty. My salad was filled with fresh greens, and accompanied by a small cup of creamy Italian dressing. The dressing was cool and refreshing, and one of the best parts of the salad was the croutons. They were outstanding!

Aside from serving lunch and dinner, Darling's serves breakfast. I spotted a takeout breakfast menu, but I wasn't able to get my hands on it. I can only imagine what fantastic treats you would be starting your day with at Darling's. For the regular menu, you can really get just about anything. Their appetizer list (a.k.a., "humble beginnings") consists of fresh fried calamari ($7.99), clams casino ($7.99), and Darling cheesy chips ($4.29), which are cheesy chips blanketed with cheddar cheese sauce and bacon bits served with your choice of sour cream or salsa. For soups, Darling's has the soup of the day ($2.39-3.29), baked onion soup ($4.29), and the New England quahog chowder ($3.59-4.29). This chowder is made from founder Eileen Darling's original recipe. Salads include the Caesar ($4.99; with chicken - $8.49; with shrimp - $12.49), Julienne ($8.29), and the Dianne ($7.99), which includes tender morsels of marinated chicken breast tossed with garden fresh lettuce, crisp noodles, toasted almonds, and Darling's own Dianne dressing. Meat entrees include the broiled fillet mignon (8 oz. - $19.99; 6 oz. - $17.99), the Yankee pot roast ($10.49), the veal cutlet ($13.49), and the sweet and spicy marinated tips ($13.99), which is eight ounces of tender tips marinated in Darling's own special recipe. Seafood specialities include scallops (fried bay or baked sea - $14.99), shrimp scampi ($15.49), and the lobster saute (market price). Also available are combination plates such as the barbecued chicken and ribs ($16.99), the Fisherman's Wharf ($19.99), and the surf and turf ($18.99-19.99), which includes a six ounce choice fork tender fillet mignon broiled and paired with two jumbo stuffed shrimp or baked scallops. All dinner entrees come with your choice of pasta or potato and vegetable. For a lighter meal, customers can choose something from the Darling's sandwich board. All sandwiches are available on white, wheat, marble, bulkie roll, or in a wrap, with your choice or onion rings, fries, or cole slaw. Sandwiches include the Reuben ($7.99), BLT ($4.29), grilled cheese ($2.99), French dip ($7.49), and the lobster roll (market price). You can also choose to build your own 8 oz. burger with an array of toppings including tomato, cheese, and sauteed onions. Daily specials include baked meatloaf on Monday ($8.99), shepherd's pie on Tuesday ($8.99), fish and chips on Wednesday ($9.99), braised short ribs on Thursday ($11.99), roast prime rib on Friday ($16.99-18.99), franks and baked beans on Saturday ($7.99), and a roast turkey dinner on Sunday ($11.99). For each day, there are several specials available.

Both Mom and I were delighted when we spotted Natalie carrying a large tray with what looked like our dishes upon it. She placed the tray down on a nearby table and came over to hand us our food. Everything looked amazing. Natalie asked if there was anything else she could get for us, but we declined. Mom found her broiled scrod to be perfect. It was tender, white, and flaky with a buttery crumb crust on top. She said that it was so good, she wished there was more of it. Her baked potato was done perfectly, and was accompanied by a few butter pats and a cup of sour cream. The inside of the potato was soft, hot, and just the way a baked potato should be. Since Mom is not a fan of broccoli au gratin, and she later revealed that she had ordered it because she knew that I liked broccoli, she pushed that dish over to my end of the table. Mom really enjoyed her dish, and she said that the whole meal was just fantastic.

My baked stuffed sole was topped with a Newburg sauce and filled with seafood stuffing. For $16.99, I would have liked a little more fish and a little less fries, but the taste of the fish was out of this world. It was one of the best baked soles I've ever had. The fish was tender, the stuffing was hearty, and the sauce was extremely flavorful. My spinach was very good - a little on the watery side - and Mom's broccoli au gratin had a nice flavor. My fries were also very good, but had a slight hint of a fishy taste. Perhaps they were cooked with someone's fried seafood dish. All in all, I think it was a great meal, and I would suggest this dish to any seafood lover.

After our delicious seafood meals, we found ourselves thinking about something that we had seen on the dessert menu - Darling's homemade Grape Nut custard, a New England favorite. Normally we don't bother with dessert, but neither of us had ever had Grape Nut custard before, and we figured that since we had a great entree, Darling's was sure to make a great dessert. Natalie came by to clear away our plates. She asked us if we would like dessert, and Mom placed the order for the two custards ($2.99 each). They quickly arrived topped with a dollop of whipped cream. Mom and I thought the taste was amazing. It was warm, but the custard was cool and refreshing. The softened Grape Nut cereal gave it a sweet and nutty flavor, but the sweetness was not overwhelming. We both had no problem finishing our cups of this delicious New England treat, and we kicked ourselves for not having tried it before.

Stuffed, we were ready for the bill. Natalie returned to clear away our empty dessert cups and leave us with the check. The bill came to:

2 Diet Cokes - $3.90

1 Broiled scrod - 13.99

1 Baked sole - 16.99

2 Grape Nut pudding - 5.98

Food total - $36.96

N/A Beverage - 3.90

Tax - 2.04

TOTAL = $42.90

We left $51 on the table for Natalie, including 20% tip for her excellent service. As we headed toward the entrance, we were wished well by both the hostess, and what seemed to be the owner of the restaurant. Before heading out, Mom and I decided to visit the restroom, which was located in an odd place between the hotel and the restaurant. The bathroom had a very old fashioned style, but it was very clean and organized. Outside of the bathroom in a small lobby area was some old fashioned Christmas decorations, a stamp machine, a payphone, and some local maps for the traveling customers.

I have no idea why it took my mother over 50 years and myself almost 30 years to visit Darling's Restaurant. Perhaps deep down we knew that once we made the initial visit, we'd instantly become hooked. Now that we've finally been, we can't wait to go back.

Darling's Restaurant & Lounge is open daily (sans Christmas) from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.

LePage's Seafood & Grille

439 Martine St.

Route 6

Fall River, MA 02723

(508) 677-2180

After winning a $10 gift certificate from The Keri Rodrigues Show, a WSAR favorite, Mom and I decided to visit LePage's Seafood & Grille. Located on the shore of Watuppa Pond near the old railroad tracks, we were very hesitant to get out of the car on this freezing day. However, we were hungry. Fighting against the icy cold wind, Mom and I rushed inside the dining room entrance at around 1:30 p.m.

side parking lot

main entrance

There weren't many cars in their large side parking lot, so we figured that we wouldn't have any trouble finding a table. We quickly spotted a sign that read "please seat yourself." Mom loves when restaurants let the customers choose who they want to sit next to. We picked a table in the back so that I could get a full view of the restaurant. A hostess spotted us walking in and came over with two plastic covered menus and a list of the daily specials. She mentioned that when customers get to seat themselves, they almost always choose to sit in the back. She walked away and Mom and I started checking out the menus. I have been to LePage's twice before, and Mom has been here a few times with Dad. Each time we've visited, the food was very good. Although Mom had to send a hamburger back on one visit because it wasn't cooked to her liking, the rest of that meal was perfect. That's why I was surprised to learn that my friend Gregg is not a fan of this restaurant. I think he said that he only visited once, but perhaps it was on an off night. I've always had a good time here.

Looking up from my menu, I spotted a young man walking over to me. He was not in a uniform, and I was a bit confused as to who he was. It turned out to be our waiter. He quickly took our drink order - two Diet Cokes - while Mom and I decided what we wanted. Almost exactly at the same time, we spotted something on the dinner specials' menu that we both wanted to try - the pumpkin manicotti ($8.99). Topped with a sherry sauce, the pumpkin and ricotta filling sounded delicious, and we couldn't wait to have it. I know what you're thinking - why didn't they order seafood? Well, we've had seafood here before and it has always been good, so why not try some of their other dishes? I actually had every intention of ordering my favorite dish - the Portuguese scrod. However, the manicotti changed my mind. I was hoping that I was making a good choice.

The waiter came back with our drinks (in plastic glasses), and was now ready to take our order. He politely asked us if we would like more lighting, since we were in the back of the restaurant. We said no, and began to rattle off our lunch wishes. We both ordered the pumpkin manicotti, and the waiter asked if we had tried the dish before. We said no, and he mentioned that he wanted to know how it tasted. We told him that we'd let him know. We also ordered our favorite appetizer - the clam cakes. We ordered six ($3.99), and were excited to be having them because they are some of the best clam cakes we've ever had. He took the menus and walked away, and I began taking notes on the beautiful decor at LePage's.

Being a seafood restaurant, LePage's has a lovely nautical theme. With navy blue walls, white ceiling fans, and a huge picture window overlooking Watuppa Pond, you really do feel like your on board a ship. There are no booths here, just tables and chairs covered with blue and white nautical table cloths with a glass top. Atop each table is a small oil lamp, a pleather-bound wine list, and a list of new Starbucks enhanced liquors that Mom had been drooling over. There is an alcove with seating and a yellow colored wall on one side of the restaurant. Each window is dressed with a navy blue and white striped awning and gleaming white shutters, and around the restaurant are large paintings of various ships and sea creatures. There is a patio at the back of the restaurant where patrons can dine on warmer days, and a bar area on the other side of the building with televisions and booths for people who want a little something with their beer. A jazz fusion kind of music played in the background, and the staff had trimmed the restaurant with several Christmas decorations.

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Everything I've ever had here has been delicious. I apologize for the lack of prices, but the take-out menu did not list them. Appetizers range from $3-15 and include favorites like fried clams, oysters, smelts, and calamari, buffalo wings, onion rings, pan sauteed lobster cakes, New England clam chowder, and littlenecks steamed in garlic and oil. Salads include the Caesar, and you can add grilled tuna steak, chicken breast, colossal shrimp, or scallops. Lobster, crab, and tuna dominate the sandwich list, along with others like the chourcio, fish, and 8 oz. black Angus pub burger. All sandwiches are served with your choice of fries or potato salad. Pasta dishes include the salmon penne, which is grilled salmon over penne pasta with asparagus, black olives, sun dried tomatoes, and Gorgonzola cheese in a white wine beurre blanc. Also listed is the littlenecks over pasta, shrimp Mozambique (a Fall River favorite), and the chicken Mozambique over penne. The "landlubber" favorites include the marinated tenderloin tips, surf and turf, and the Captain's cut prime rib dinner (32 oz.). You can also order the Mate's cut (16 oz.). Finally, the main attraction at LePage's is the seafood. With everything from a plate of fried clam strips to the bouillabaisse and baked stuffed shrimp, any seafood lover will have trouble narrowing down their choices. The baked stuffed medley is filled with lobster, sole, shrimp, scallops, white wine, butter, and cracker crumbs, while the blackened Yellowfin tuna is finished with avocado butter and a roasted red pepper jam. My favorite - the Portuguese scrod - is baked in a blend of olive oil, sweet and hot red peppers, tomatoes, onions, and spice. It is served in a silver tray so that it stays very hot, and it absolutely delicious. Dad, on previous visits, has enjoyed the fried seafood platter - a mix of fish, clams, scallops, and shrimp. All the fried seafood dinners are served with fries and cole slaw, and early bird specials are available, along with a 10 percent senior citizens discount on Monday and Tuesday. Owners Carol and Eric LePage give a small biography of the restaurant on the take-out menu, along with a map and directions to the restaurant. LePage's also does catering, and function rooms are available, along with gift certificates that will come in handy over the holiday season. They also accept reservations. After being in business for 19 years, the LePages know what customers want - affordable prices and delicious food. I think that they have certainly got it right.

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Before we knew it, our clams cakes had arrived. The waiter commented on how good they looked, and he was right. I've never seen a clam cake look more perfect. The waiter asked if we wanted malt vinegar, and I said yes. When he brought back the bottle, Mom and I dug into the clam cakes. We both thought that they were fantastic. They were light, fluffy, and not at all greasy. It was exactly how clam cakes should be cooked - perfectly. They contained several meaty clams which gave them a delicious taste, and there was even an extra cake added to our original six. This appetizer couldn't have been better.

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The waiter reappeared to ask us how the clam cakes were, and we raved about them. After taking away the plate, I noticed that another table was being given a basket of bread. We've always had bread when we've visited LePage's, and I was surprised that we hadn't yet been given a basket. Before my jealousy over the other people's bread took its toll, our food arrived. Both platters looked and smelled amazing, and Mom put an end to my bread envy and asked the waiter if we could have some rolls. He quickly brought over two small Portuguese rolls with butter. Now the dining could begin!

When we first bit into the manicottis, we both said the same thing - "I can't taste the pumpkin." Mom said that the filling tasted more like a stuffing, and thought the main body was the ricotta cheese, which held everything together. She said that it tasted like it was flavored with some pumpkin, and definitely red pepper and onion. It made for a tasty filling, but the pumpkin taste did not predominate. Surprisingly, they seemed to have baked the manicotti until it was crisp. That's different from the usual soft manicotti, but it gave the dish a nice little crunch and didn't distract from the taste. The sauce was delicious. It was a sherry cream sauce and Mom had never had anything like it before. It complimented the manicotti, and as a matter of fact, Mom would say that it kind of dominated the dish. The sherry was the most distinct flavor you could pick out, even more than the vegetables. I felt the same way. I definitely didn't taste the ricotta, but the filling had the ricotta consistency. At times, all I could taste were the veggies and sherry, but that is not a bad thing because it was very good.

Mom's plate

my plate

Both Mom and I were very pleased that we tried this new dish. The waiter appeared during the meal to ask how everything was, and we told him that it was very good. After we had finished, he reappeared to clear away our plates and bring the check. It was at this time that I went to use the ladies' room, which was beautifully decorated to match a painting on the wall which featured a row of Cosmopolitans. This single unit was very clean and organized. When I returned, I saw the bill:

2 Diet Cokes - $4

6 clam cakes - 3.99

Pumpkin manicotti - 8.99

Pumpkin manicotti - 8.99

Subtotal - $25.97

Tax - 1.30

TOTAL = $27.27

Adding in the 20% tip before we used our coupon, we left $33 on the table ($10 of it being the certificate). Now it was Mom's turn to use the restroom. While she did I sat in the lobby and grabbed one of their take-home menus. I was tempted to take one of their real menus because it listed the prices, but I controlled myself. I also noticed that they carry a lot of local magazines and newspapers, and there is also a specials' board that lists some of the day's meals.

We left the restaurant feeling happy and full, only to get outside and freeze up again in the icy wind. Thankfully our tummies were still warm and satisfied from the delicious meal we had at LePage's. This is definitely a Fall River gem, and we look forward to going back - with or without a gift certificate!

LePage's Seafood & Grille is open from 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, and from 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. During the winter season, please call to verify these times.

Old Grist Mill Tavern

390 Fall River Ave.

Seekonk, MA 02771

(508) 336-8460

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Taking another one of our readers requests, this one from John, Liz, and Aunt Judy, Mom and I decided to hit up the Old Grist Mill Tavern in Seekonk, MA. Mom has been to the Grist Mill for several parties, but I had only been to the restaurant one time, and that was on a date! Although the dude turned out to be a dud, I remembered the food being very good, so I was excited to return. We pulled into the parking lot at about 2:30 p.m.

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There weren't many cars in the parking lot, so when Mom and I crossed the small bridge that led to the front door of the restaurant, there were several ducks that were very excited to see us. Maybe too excited. Perhaps they were looking for handouts, but a quick glance across the Grist Mill Pond turned into Mom and I almost running for our lives from a pushy duck that had followed us onto the bridge. Some of the birds had even climbed up onto the ice and started following us! After our narrow escape, we headed inside and were greeted by a friendly hostess. She seated us in a little area across from the bar (near the door) that housed a few tables, a long banquette, and even a few armchairs that took the place of regular chairs. It was quite cozy. The hostess left us with two paper menus that listed the lunch options. From the outside sign, we saw that lunch was served until 3 p.m. She filled the two glasses on our table with ice water and left us to browse the menu. It wasn't a very large list, but that is typical during restaurant lunch hours. The selections (and specials) sounded really good.
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A few minutes went by before we were greeted by a man in a black and white uniform who was to be our waiter. His name was Ray, and he was also the bartender. He took our drink order - two Diet Cokes - and promptly returned with our drinks (with lemons) in glasses. Ray asked us if we were ready to order, and we were. Mom chose the chicken club ($7.25) and asked for it without tomato. I chose the French onion soup with half sandwich ($8.75), and for my sandwich I chose a Reuben. After a failed attempt at having a Reuben at another restaurant, I was ready to try again. Ray took our menus away while Mom and I looked out the window and watched the ducks float around the icy water. A few minutes later, Ray brought over two rolls in a basket with a cup of butter. They had crispy outsides with soft middles, and were very good.
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I really think this restaurant is beautiful. It is very much a tavern with its dark woods, low lights, and old fashioned decor and furniture. Having decorated for the holidays, the Grist Mill staff had set up a Christmas tree over by the stairs leading to the dining room. Also, each window was decorated with strands of lighted garland and a few Santa statues were spotted throughout the bar area. The bar was beautiful. Topped with a large sign and surrounded by high, wooden bar stools, it seemed the perfect getaway from the noisy outside world. There is even a large skylight right in between the bar and the main entrance. Although we didn't get to see the dining area today, it is a sunken room that is broken up into several sections. There is a large salad bar, a place where brunch is served, the regular dining room, and a few areas for parties. Each table, although there is no table cloth, is set with plates, water glasses, cloth napkins, and pleather-bound wine and dessert menus. The view here is lovely. From the many windows, you can see the bridge, waterfall, water wheel, and the pond.

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I'm sure there are many more options on their dinner menu, but for a lunch menu, the Grist Mill offers some interesting choices. Appetizers include lobster stuffed mushroom caps ($7.95), which are topped with Swiss cheese, crab cakes ($9.95), containing lump crabmeat with sauteed onions, peppers and celery, jumbo shrimp cocktail ($8.95), loaded potato skins ($5.95), calamari (8.95), clams casino ($8.95), buffalo wings or tenders ($6.95), and grilled littlenecks ($7.95). Soups include the baked onion soup ($3.95), soup of the day (cup $2.95 - bowl $3.75), and clam chowder (cup $3.50 - bowl $4.50). Salads include favorites like the grilled chicken Caesar salad ($7.95), steak Caesar salad ($9.95), lobster salad ($16.95), grilled salmon salad ($11.95), chef salad $(8.95), and the Tavern Salad ($8.95), which has mesculin greens tossed in a raspberry vinaigrette with dried cranberries, roasted walnuts, and blue cheese. You can add grilled, marinated chicken for and extra $2. The luncheon platters include the vegetable of the day and your choice of baked potato, sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes, seasoned fries, or rice pilaf. Choices include the baked scrod platter ($9.95), roast pork platter ($8.95), top sirloin steak ($10.95), Filet Mignon ($15.95), lobster roll ($13.95), roast turkey platter, the Grist Mill meat loaf platter with mushroom gravy, chicken teriyaki, and chicken pot pie. Sandwiches and burgers include the Reuben ($6.95), prime rib ($9.95), Monte Cristo, Fat Boy, and chicken. All sandwiches are served with seasoned fries, and you can add the Fresh Works! salad bar for an additional $2.95. You can also choose to get a 1/2 sandwich with a cup, or bowl, of soup (soup of the day - $7.25; bowl of onion soup - $8.75; you can also choose chowder). If you're looking for something meaty, you can order the Grist Mill burger ($5.95). Topped with lettuce, tomatoes, and onions, you can also add cheese, bacon, and mushrooms. Club sandwiches include the chicken, lobster ($12.95), and tuna. All clubs are made with lettuce, tomatoes, bacon, and mayonnaise and served on toasted bread served with seasoned fries. Add the Fresh Works! salad bar for $2.95. Speaking of the salad bar, the Fresh Works! bar alone is $7.95. You can also add a cup of chowder for $8.95, or a bowl of onion soup. Seafood and pasta choices include the stuffed shrimp ($12.95), sea scallops ($12.95), grilled salmon fillet ($12.95), grilled swordfish steak, fettuccine with scallops and shrimp, and fish and chips. All seafood luncheon entrees include your choice of baked potato, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, seasoned fries, rice pilaf, or fresh vegetables. You may add an additional side for $1.50.

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A buffet-style brunch is served from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sundays, and if you request it with your party reservations, the brunch can be included. Choices include favorites like scrambled eggs, breakfast meats, salmon, and baked goods.

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Our food did not take long to arrive, and when Ray brought the plates over, everything looked delicious. Mom's chicken club was terrific. She asked them to hold the tomato, and lo and behold, they remembered. The sandwich came on wheat (she had a choice of breads), and was a nice combination of grilled chicken, crispy lettuce, apple smoked bacon, and a little mayonnaise. The club was cut into neat wedges and held together with plastic toothpicks. It was as attractive as it was tasty. A nice amount of hot fries accompanied the sandwich, and they were very good. Also on Mom's plate was a pickle spear, which I stole since Mom hates them. Mom said she enjoyed her lunch and she would definitely order it again.

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I apologize that the picture of my meal is so fuzzy. Either the soup was so hot that the steam was fogging up my camera, or I was in such a rush to start eating that I pulled the camera away before the picture had actually been snapped. My French onion soup was served in a crock and was covered with cheese and parsley. After I broke through the cheese, I found that the soup was extremely tasty and chock full of onions. Taking a break from my hot soup, I decided to try my sandwich. Delicious! If this is what a Reuben tastes like, I'm sorry I didn't have the other half. The corned beef was extremely lean (thank God), the bread was toasted, the sauerkraut was fresh, and the dressing was tangy. Although I've had a turkey Reuben before, this was my first time with the corned beef, and I was not let down. This was definitely something that I would get again.

Although we contemplated dessert, Mom and I declined and decided to just wait for the check. Ray saw that we were done and came over to ask how everything was. He had also done this during our meal. We told him that everything was wonderful, and he promptly brought the check. The bill came to:

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Diet Coke - $3.90 (2 @ 1.95)

Chicken club - 7.25

1/2 sandwich and onion - 8.75

Subtotal - $19.90

Tax - 1

TOTAL = $20.90

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We left $25 on the table for Ray, which included a 20% tip. We did not use the restroom on this occasion, but I did grab one of the peppermints from a large bowl that we spotted near the coat check on our way out.
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Although we had a good lunch, I feel that we really didn't get the full experience of what the Old Grist Mill has to offer. I am looking forward to having dinner here, and judging from the terrific lunch Mom and I had, I'm sure it will be fantastic. My aunt Judy has all her parties here, and she often visits with her sister and friend to the Sunday brunch. Perhaps we'll have to tag along!

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The Old Grist Mill is open from 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m., Monday through Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Sunday.

Chardonnay's

Chardonnay's

393 Taunton Ave.

Seekonk, MA 02771

(508) 336-0967

www.chardonnays.cc

On this terribly rainy day, Mom and I set out to do two things - see the Ben Affleck directed movie Gone Baby Gone, and have dinner at the Old Grist Mill Tavern. We did neither. At the last minute, Mom decided that she wanted to go shopping at the Ann & Hope Curtain & Bath outlet in Seekonk, MA. It was then that I decided where our dinner stop should be - the highly recommended (by my lovely aunt Judy and new friend Liz) Chardonnay's Restaurant, which was about two minutes up the road from the outlet.



I'm thankful that the above picture even came out clear because it was raining so hard when we walked in at 4:10 p.m. We parked in front of the restaurant, but parking is available in the back. When we walked in, we were greeted by a young man who asked us if we were going to have dinner. We said yes, and he led us to a table to the far left of the restaurant, almost completely behind two large brick poles. I chose the seat facing the bar so that I could take a photo of the interior. The young host left us with two large, plastic menus and told us that our waitress would be joini