After receiving some unhappy e-mail regarding our old review of Ma's Donuts in Middletown, RI, Mom and I promised our fans that we would give this bakery another shot. Since we were in the area, Mom thought that it would be a perfect time to go through the drive-thru and get a half dozen Ma's donuts. I pulled into the drive-thru at just around 6:30 p.m.
Since Ma's Donuts is open for 24 hours, it seems to be a big hit with the Newport Grand Casino set (since it is right down the street). I knew a few girls from my old job that always made a point to stop by Ma's after a long night of gambling. With our first review, we basically said that Ma's had "uninspired" donuts. They were good, but nothing special. This caused quite a stir with a few fans who actually go out of their way to pick up a box of these doughy delights. Since we wanted to be fair, Mom and I decided that on this visit we will order six assorted donuts. We let Ma's choose the donuts because a) we were going through the drive-thru, and b) we would never discriminate against a particular donut. We love them all!
When I arrived at the drive-thru window, I was immediately greeted over the loud speaker. The gentleman asked me what I would like, so I said, "A half dozen assorted donuts, please." He muttered something that we thought was "drive up," so I headed toward the window. When I got there, the gentleman asked me what kind of donut I wanted. I told him that I wanted six assorted. He said, "What?" I said, "Assorted." He just stared blankly, so I said, "You know ... mixed?" I even made this mixing sign with my hands which probably looked more like I was kneading dough rather than explaining what assorted meant. Then, he asked me how many I wanted. I said, "Six." OH MY GOD! Pay attention! I don't want to be discriminative, but why do stores and restaurants always put the person who knows the least amount of English either manning the phone or serving customers? I mean has no one ever come through and asked for an assorted box? Thank God we didn't order coffees or we would have been there all night. Once the gentleman and I were on the same page, he handed me my box of donuts and quoted me $4.99. Mom and I headed home with our donuts in a pretty Ma's box.
After dinner, we brought out the donuts so that her and I - and Dad - could all have one. When I opened the box, I was a bit disappointed to see that the donuts had rolled around inside of the box they were placed in. One of the donuts was frosted, and most of the frosting had rubbed off. Perhaps there isn't a need to have boxes that only hold six donuts. We shrugged it off as Mom and I were the first to dig in. She chose the chocolate cream-filled donut while I picked the blueberry cake. Mom's donut, although packed with chocolate cream, was a little on the dry side and not very flavorful. She felt that the filling actually tasted better than the donut. Mom has had this type of donut before from other places - including Dunkin' Donuts - and she said that it was much better at the other establishments. Dad's jelly donut was packed with so much filling that it was starting to split on the side. My blueberry donut was good, but I can find the same thing at Dunkin' Donuts, only theirs taste a little better. When I came home from work the next day, Mom told me that if I wanted to have another donut, I'd better act fast because they were already drying out. The remaining donuts we ate were good, but again, nothing special.
Although we didn't go inside of Ma's Donuts, we saw the interior through the large glass windows. The walls were a deep rose color and there were several seats that you can choose from. There were also a few chairs set up outside for people who wanted to enjoy the fresh air. What I didn't know is that the inside of Ma's (not just the drive-thru) also stays open for 24 hours. I had to call and verify this as most drive-thru places close down their eat-in section after hours. On the menu, Ma's offers your normal breakfast/bakery type items such as donuts, breakfast sandwiches, cookies, muffins, and assorted pastries. They also have malasadas, which is fried dough for you non-Portuguese fans. Ma's also has a long list of drinks like coffee, iced coffee, cocoa, smoothies, and fat-free fruities, which I'm assuming is a fruit drink. Lunch is also offered here with sandwiches such as chourico and peppers, roast beef, ham and cheese, and turkey. The prices are average for this type of restaurant, and Ma's offers several combo specials that may be a little easier on the wallet.
There is one thing that Mom and I always notice about Ma's Donuts - it always looks closed. The parking lot is usually empty, and it always looks pretty dark inside. I don't want to say that Ma's has a dated look, but there is something about the exterior of this restaurant that would lead me to assume that it was dingy inside. However, it's obvious that Ma's has a loyal fan base which is what has kept them thriving as a business.
We wanted to like Ma's Donuts. We really did! However, we have to stick with our original decision. These donuts are uninspired, and it's a shame because out-of-the-way places like Ma's usually has fantastically unique donuts. Perhaps they'll improve over time, but it's sad when a large chain like Dunkin' can serve up a better tasting donut.
Ma's Donuts & More is open daily for all 24 hours.
Monday, August 25, 2008
Ma's Donuts & More
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Evelyn's Nanaquaket Drive-In
www.evelynsdrivein.com
We stopped going to Evelyn's after a mosquito bit and nearly killed my sister by giving her spinal meningitis. Since that incident was over 20 years, and that mosquito has been dead for quite some time, Mom and I decided that it was safe to go back near the water and have a seafood lunch under Evelyn's large wooden pavilion. We pulled into the parking lot at just around 1 p.m.
Having taken a personal day away from the office, I was really excited to be having seafood versus the peanut butter sandwich that I would have probably eaten had I been at work. Not wanting to dine in, Mom and I opted to order at the front window. There was a lot to choose from, so we needed a minute to figure out what we were getting. Finally, after asking the cashier to show me the size difference between a cup and a bowl of chowder, I stepped up to the counter to place my order. Since the fish and chips were at market value, the price would remain a mystery until it came time to pay. Mom chose the fish and chips, while I chose a cup of clam chowder and a half dozen clam cakes to share with Mom. We also ordered two Diet Pepsis which were handed to me in bottle form. With tax, the bill came to:
Saturday, May 24, 2008
Gray's Ice Cream
www.graysicecream.com
Monday, May 12, 2008
The Daily Scoop
I was stuck at home today, playing hooky from work because of a migraine. As the migraine started to ease off, I went on the Internet and started browsing through our list of restaurants. I came across The Daily Scoop, and remembered the e-mails that were passed back and forth between the owner and I after our initial review. She was shocked that we weren't that crazy about the taste, and invited us to try the ice cream at one of their two Rhode Island locations versus getting a pint out of a freezer at a store. Since ice cream always makes a migraine feel better (tee hee), I jumped in the car and headed for Barrington. Before I left the house, Mom suggested that we sample a pint of the exact flavors we had purchased in back February - coffee and banana peanut butter cup. I agreed. I pulled into the parking lot (located behind the ice cream shop) at just about 1 p.m.
The first thing I was worried about was the parking. There are NO street spots in front of The Daily Scoop, so already they were earning points because of their large back lot. I spotted an entrance on their deck (facing the back parking lot), but I wasn't sure if that was the proper entry way. I soon spotted a ramp leading up to a second door, so I entered that way. I found myself at the bottom of a few wooden stairs, leading up to a very large ice cream counter. There was one cashier/ice cream scooper behind the counter that greeted me immediately. I was a bit concerned that they wouldn't be able to pack the pints fresh as I hadn't spotted the pint containers yet, but the young girl informed me that she could pack a pint of any flavor I wanted. I chose the coffee and the banana peanut butter cup (which is labeled peanut butter banana) and watched as she stuffed the ice cream into each pint container very quickly and neatly.
The interior is quite adorable. Right as I walked through the door I was hit in the face with what smelled like the aroma of homemade waffle cones. They have a large freezer featuring tubs of their homemade ice creams, benches to sit on inside and out, and they even feature Del's Frozen Lemonade - a Rhode Island favorite. Everything was extremely neat and clean, and the bright colors reminded me of summer.
The cashier rang me up and asked if I wanted the pints in a bag. I said yes, and my total came to $9 ($4.50 a pint - a little more than the specialty pints at the supermarket). After paying, the cashier wished me well and I proceeded to exit through the front door to get some pictures of the adorable main entrance.
When I got the pints home (which had been labeled), I automatically headed for the silverware drawer so Mom and I could dig in. When we opened the pints, they were a little soft from the 30 minute ride back to Fall River. This was fine with us because softer ice cream always has more of a taste than ice cream that is frozen solid. Mom dug in right away, but I was busy scraping the remnants off of the inside cover. The first thing I noticed was the extreme banana taste. This wasn't banana flavoring - it was actual banana. Mom was amazed at how different her coffee ice cream tasted from the first time she had it. This time the coffee tasted deep and rich, and the entire pint was full of coffee flavor. The texture was smooth, creamy, and didn't taste like it had been in a freezer for months. My banana ice cream was also smooth and creamy, and the peanut butter cups were minced so that you a) didn't choke on them, and b) could taste the peanut butter inside of the chocolate. It was so tasty and different. What a vast improvement from our last review!
(L) banana peanut butter cup; (R) coffee
A word to the wise - if you want to have delicious ice cream, please try The Daily Scoop. However, if you buy this ice cream in a freezer and for some reason it's not that great, put your spoon down and head for the shop. You will not be disappointed.
*************
Date: 2/11/08
Like any normal day, Mom and I were craving a pint of ice cream. Not just any ice cream - homemade, local ice cream. Mom had read about this place in Westport that makes ice cream from scratch, and sells it at Lee's Market in Westport, MA (796 Main Road). Lo and behold, we were at the Target in Dartmouth - the neighboring town. Naturally, going to Lee's had to be our next step.
When we arrived at Lee's, Mom and I headed straight for the freezer section. We spotted a lot of different homemade ice creams, but none were from Westport. Disappointed, neither of us wanted to walk away empty-handed. Mom noticed a stack of purple and white striped pints of this ice cream from a place called The Daily Scoop. Made locally in Barrington and Bristol, RI, the flavorful choices surprised both Mom and me. At $3.99 per pint, we spotted flavors like lemon custard, banana chip, black raspberry chip, kahlua fudge brownie, vanilla, pumpkin, butter pecan, coconut almond chip, and peppermint stick. I spotted something called banana peanut butter cup, which mixes two of my favorite things. I quickly grabbed that one from the freezer. My mother chose - are you sitting down?? - coffee. Yep - her favorite flavor, and the kind she always gets. She said that by eating the coffee pint from The Daily Scoop, she would be able to judge it against brands like Haagen Dazs and Ben & Jerry's. *sigh* We made our way to the register, and Mom shelled out $7.98 for the two pints. The cashier loaded them into a paper Lee's bag, and we headed back to my car. I figured that we would probably eat them when we watched American Gladiators at 8 p.m.
At around 7:30 p.m., I couldn't take it anymore. I was dying to see what the ice cream tasted like. I told Mom that I was excited to try it, and - guess what - so was she! Big surprise. I grabbed the pints from the freezer, handed Mom her flavor, and dug into mine. Now I should mention that, at the Lee's register, we both noticed that the pints felt a little light. We were hoping that this ice cream was not the airy, churned kind that you often see at the supermarket. We really don't care for those. However, after a bit of research, we found that The Daily Scoop pint and the Haagen pint weigh exactly the same. Go figure.
I kept waiting for Mom to be bowled over by the taste of her coffee ice cream, but it never really happened. She thought the ice cream had only a slight coffee taste versus the bold taste that you find with Ben & Jerry's or Haagen Dazs. She felt that a homemade ice cream should be very dense and creamy. However, this one was very light and airy with more of a texture bordering on ice milk rather than a premium ice cream. In all, she was a little disappointed with the flavor and the mouthfeel.
Doesn't the flavor "banana peanut butter cup" sound exciting? Well, it wasn't. Like Mom, I thought that the flavor wasn't totally there. Even the real Reese's Peanut Butter Cups seemed to get lost in the bland banana ice cream. It almost tasted like ice cream that had a bit of freezer burn, or the scoop of a supermarket brand that was nearing the end of its half gallon. It just tasted different. Mom checked the label and we found that both ice creams were made with nonfat milk, but we didn't want to blame the milk in case all pints are made with this same type. All in all, we were both fairly disappointed with our pints. Don't get me wrong, we ate every bit of it, but we weren't as happy as we are after eating other brands.
Before doing this review, I checked out The Daily Scoop's Web site. It is very cute. Aside from the flavors we saw in the freezer at Lee's, there are many other choices such as apple pie, chocolate almond fudge, carrot cake, cookie dough, coffee and mint Oreo, rum raisin, and wild Maine blueberry - just to name a few. There is also frozen yogurt, smoothies, ice cream cakes, low carb ice cream, sorbet, and something called "Wow Cow," which is an all natural soft-serve frozen dessert developed in Southern California that boasts all of the following characteristics:
• 100% fat free
• 100% cholesterol free
• 100% Kosher
• Very low lactose (no milk or milk solids)
• Only nine calories per ounce
• No artificial sweeteners (naturally fruit fructose sweetened)
• Ultra creamy consistency
There are also special coupons available for printing, as well as a list of supermarkets that carry The Daily Scoop pints in their freezer sections. In the history area of the Web page, I learned that owners Bob and Deb Saunders actually met and fell in love over their personal obsession with ice cream. My question to Deb is ... does Bob have a brother?
It must be very hard to make ice cream from scratch, and we certainly admire the initiative they have to create all of these interesting flavors. I can't say that we'll never eat another pint from The Daily Scoop, but we definitely want to visit their locations instead. Perhaps the ice creams will taste a bit more fresh and delicious.
The Daily Scoop in Barrington is open every day from 12-9 p.m. The Bristol location is open from 12-9 p.m. Monday through Thursday and Sunday, and 12-10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.
Saturday, April 19, 2008
Flo's Clam Shack
Middletown, RI 02842
Portsmouth, RI 02871
(401) 847-8141
We arrived at Flo’s at just around 3:30 p.m. As usual, there were no parking spots in the gravel lot that surrounds the building, so I made my own. There was a small crowd gathered around the main window, so Mom and I quickly stood in the ordering line to – what else – place our order. Mom had already decided on what she wanted – an order of fish and chips with some clam cakes. I was also going to have some clam cakes (we were going to order a half dozen) and, believe it or not, a burger. Flo’s has always made a great burger. When it was finally our turn to place an order, the cashier at the window informed us that they did not have any fish available. No fish at a seafood restaurant? Uh oh. I panicked and turned to Mom, who instead ordered a burger and changed our half dozen clam cakes to one dozen. We also ordered two cans of diet root beer. The female cashier handed me a white rock with a number painted on it, and also gave me the two cans of soda. The rock is how Flo’s keeps track of your order. They hand you a rock, you wait in line until your rock's number is called, and then return said rock. Our number was 56, and our total was $13.99. Mom and I slowly backed away from the ordering window (there were all kinds of people crowding in on us), grabbed some straws, napkins, and some vinegar for me, and took a seat at one of the outdoor picnic tables at the side of the building. I later moved my car so that I could be parked in an actual parking spot, not like the fake one I created out of pure laziness.
While sitting and waiting for our food, we talked about how Flo’s has never changed. Even when my parents used to visit Flo’s before my sister and I existed, this cozy wooden shack has pretty much stayed the same. There is a giant white buoy by the main window that all kids love to sit on, lots of ropes and nautical knickknacks decorating the building, and a side lot filled with blue picnic benches where diners can sit and take in all of the fresh ocean air. Be careful, though. If you look up, you’ll often see a gang of seagulls hovering over you. I wouldn’t suggest feeding them as the other patrons eating would probably frown upon a bird turd ending up in their clam chowder. However, if there are leftovers, there is a small beach right across the street where people often let the birdies have a nosh. There is even a sign letting customers know that Flo's is closed during hurricanes. Good to know!
It felt like a lot of time had gone by since we placed our order. I told Mom that our food should be ready “any minute,” and that I would wait over by the pickup window. Meanwhile, the cashier kept calling two numbers over and over – two and 90. After about 10 minutes, number two mysteriously appeared, but 90 still had not. The cashier continued to call number 90 again and again. By this time, I had been standing in line for 15-20 minutes, not including the time I was waiting on the bench with Mom. A 90-year-old man that I think was hitting on me kept asking me if he was number 90, but he was number 17. The man to the left of me who was wearing a green shirt was not number 90, and neither was anyone else. I started to panic. Was I number 90? I looked at my rock again and saw the number 56. Phew. I was not imagining things. About another 10 minutes went by before I noticed that everyone that I had been waiting with was long gone, and there was a new batch of customers standing around the windows. I finally walked over to the pickup window and asked the cashier if there was anything wrong with the order for number 56. She took my rock, flipped it over, and said, “Um … this is number 90. I’ve been calling this number for a while.” I said, “Um … no. This is number 56.” Apparently, the number was in fact 90. Let me show you:
I’m sure you could see how my mother and I were mistaken. Apparently the barely-there line at the bottom was put there to prevent morons (oops) from thinking that it was the number 06, but to us, it looked like 56. Maybe if they hadn’t painted the number with hot pink nail polish we would have been able to read it a better. Nevertheless, I took the food from the cashier, felt the bags to see if the food was still hot, and took my seat with Mom. When I did, Mom was frenzied because she didn’t know what was taking me so long. What I didn’t know was that she had gotten up off the bench a few times to see if I was still in line, or if I had taken off. Where was I going to go? I was hungry! Jokingly, she said, “You weren’t number 90, were you?” Since we were seated right next to the guy with the green shirt who I was talking to about how number 90 better get their act together and get their food, I told Mom what happened in a low voice. She was shocked. She said, “But it was number 56!” I had to explain about how we had apparently been holding the rock upside down the entire time. “Ohhhhhhhh,” said Mom. “I guess so.” She then told me that a man had come up to her because she had been sitting alone for a while to ask her if she was number 90. Little did she know, she was!
I feel a little rotten that I wasn't able to get a full price list, however, Flo's is very inexpensive. For only $13.99, Mom and I had two sodas, two burgers, and a dozen clam cakes. That's a lot of food, and not a lot of cash. With all the drama going on with my rock number, I tried to get a picture of the menu, but it didn't come out clear. The bright side is that you don't really need a menu at Flo's. If you want seafood, they have it. That's the bottom line. I tried asking for a take-out menu, but they don't exist. Here is what I was able to find out: chowder combo ($4.95), and I believe this consists of a bowl of chowder and a handful of clam cakes; clam cakes ($2.95 for 1/2 doz., $4.95 for doz.); stuffed quahog ($2); fish and chips ($6.95); fish only ($4.95); lobster roll ($10.75); fish sandwich ($4.25); plain or creamy chowda (and yes, they spell it like that - $2.95/$3.95); fried clams (starting at $11+); clam strips (starting at $7+); and other stuff like scallops, onion rings, chicken fingers, fried calamari, and any other kind of fried seafood you can think of.
Finally, after what seemed like hours, we were finally able to dig into our food. Both burgers were juicy and delicious. I’m not sure what kind of meat Flo’s uses, but I’ve never found a chewy piece of fat nor an uncooked section. Neither has Mom. Our bag of clam cakes were still steaming hot (I’m surprised) with a crispy coating and soft interior. There weren’t too many clams in the cakes, but this is fine with me because I enjoy the clam taste, and not necessarily the clam feel. Mom feels the same way. We ate in seconds because we were so famished and annoyed. When we had finished, there were still about four clam cakes left in the bag. Mom and I got in the car and parked on the other side of the street so Mom could chuck the clam cakes out the window for the birds. After we realized that the cakes wouldn’t get very far, Mom got out of the car and hurled the food onto the beach. Seagulls were flying in every direction. I even spotted one flying off with an entire clam cake in its beak! I hope he, or she, enjoyed it as much as we did.
Flo’s Clam Shack on Island Park has been famous for clams since 1936 and is a staple, especially around this area. It’s often the first outdoor restaurant that Southern New Englanders visit when spring starts, and just before Flo's closes for the year, those same people visit for a last hurrah before the fall weather rolls in. Although illegible rocks could pose a problem, it has been run this way for years and I wouldn’t change a thing. Just make sure you aren’t holding your rock upside down.
Flo’s Clam Shack in Portsmouth is open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday through Sunday. Flo’s also has an indoor restaurant on Wave Avenue in Middletown, RI.
Saturday, April 12, 2008
Wright's Dairy Farm and Bakery
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.
Wright's Farm Restaurant
www.wrightsfarm.com
Saturday, April 5, 2008
Newport Jai Alai's Grand Grille
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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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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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!
Saturday, March 29, 2008
Aquidneck Restaurant & Pizzeria
www.aqpizza.com
The old Aquidneck Pizza had a variety of booths lining three sides of the dining area. Although the vinyl on some of the booths was starting to tear, the seats were quite cushy and comfortable. There was also quite a few tables in the center of the room that were accompanied by old-fashioned chairs. There was a rug, a tiny television which sat on top of a cooler, and a lack of interior lighting which, in my opinion, made it very cozy. The new Aquidneck Pizza is quite different, and although it's not the old dive I fell in love with, it is very pretty inside. The walls are painted a bright red, while the floor is blanketed with a heavy stone tile. The pale wooden booths are very comfy, the tables are accompanied by black chairs, and the white mini blinds - which were open today - allowed the sun to pour in and customers to look out onto one of the busiest areas in Newport/Middletown. Although the variety of dead plants on the windowsill was quite disturbing, the skinny hanging lights above each booth were quite attractive. Music played softly in the background, lighted beer signs hung in some of the windows, and a large flat-screen TV hung above the trendy, black bar area. A shelf that held a variety of gourmet chips sat in the corner next to a large set of stairs which leads to the upper level, which I've never seen. From what I've noticed when I've driven by at night, I'm guessing the upstairs is used for parties. We even overheard Megan telling another customer about a Confirmation party scheduled upstairs the very next day.
Megan brought over our fries first, accompanied by a bottle of ketchup. The fries here have always been crispy and delicious, and although Mom was able to shove a few in her mouth, they were just too hot for me. I had to cool them down with some ketchup, but they were excellent. Apparently, the fries were so hot that I chugged down my Diet Coke. Megan noticed this, grabbed my glass, and gave me a free refill.
While we were still drooling over the yummy fries, our pizza arrived. Mom's half was topped with extra cheese, and she told me that although she hadn't had Aquidneck Pizza in a long time, the taste of the pizza reminded her of why she enjoyed coming here. She had forgotten how good the pizza was, and this one was no different. Although the pizza seemed smaller than it used to, fortunately the taste hasn't changed. The crust is very light with a nice, crispy edge with almost a pastry-like texture. It is delicious. The sauce is very fresh, more sweet than bitter, and you can tell the chef uses real cheese instead of the fake stuff (i.e., Domino's). The pizza always arrives piping hot, which is a plus for both myself and Mom. My side was covered with Greek toppings - feta cheese, onions, and spinach. The greens were extremely fresh, the feta was tangy, and I've always said that Aquidneck's Greek pizza was one of - if not the best - Greek pizzas I have ever tasted. Now that we've reacquainted ourselves with Aquidneck Pizza, we cannot wait to go back.
You can get pretty much anything you want at Aquidneck Pizza. With a Greek influence, everything we've ever had here has been excellent. Appetizers include buffalo chicken wings ($6.99), potato skins w/various toppings ($6.99), and calamari ($6.99) served with hot peppers and marinara sauce. Soups and salads include the soup of the day (cup - $2.49; bowl - $3.99), chili with mozzarella (cup - $2.99; bowl - $4.49), antipasto ($7.99), and Greek salad ($7.99). You can top any salad with grilled chicken breast or homemade tuna salad for an additional $2. All sandwiches come with lettuce, tomatoes, and your choice of cheese. They are served on your choice of a roll or wrap. Varieties include the Italian ($6.49-7.49), tuna ($5.99-6.99), pastrami ($5.99-6.99), sausage Parmesan ($5.99-6.99), and a gyro on pita bread ($6.99). Burgers include the hamburger ($5.49), mushroom burger with cheese ($6.99), and the Aquidneck Burger ($7.99), which comes topped with bacon, onions, cheese, and BBQ sauce. Club sandwiches include the turkey ($7.99), cheeseburger ($8.49), and BLT ($6.49). If you're looking for something a little heartier, you can order a plate of pasta. All pasta is served with garlic bread and a tossed salad. Choices include the pasta with garlic and oil ($6.99), shrimp scampi ($12.99), lasagna ($10.99), ravioli (cheese or meat - $9.99), and stuffed shells ($9.99). There is also a list of Aquidneck specialities like the baked stuffed eggplant ($11.99) and the teriyaki sirloin ($15.99). Aquidneck also has a list of desserts, and a long list of their speciality pizzas such as the veggie ($10.49-14.99), Hawaiian ($8.49-11.99), the "no cheese please" ($9.49-13.49), and the chicken Florentine ($9.49-13.49). The great thing about Aquidneck is that they also serve breakfast! You can get anything from eggs ($3.29-7.99) and omelets ($5.99-7.29) to breakfast sandwiches ($2.99-4.99) and pancakes ($4.99-5.99).
With some fries and a slice of cheese and Greek pizza still left on the tray, Mom and I decided to take it home with us. Megan kindly placed the extra food in Styrofoam containers and brought over the check. The bill came to:
Large 1/2 and 1/2 - $13.48
Fries - 2.99
2 regular Diet Cokes - 3
Subtotal - $19.47
Tax - 1.56
TOTAL = $21.03
I left $25 on the table for Megan, which included a 20% tip. She was a great waitress. Before we left, Mom and I decided to check out the restroom to see how different it was. This was one change that we both LOVED. This bathroom was out of this world! It had the same black slate color scheme as the bar and the floor, automatic hand blowers, and a button that a handicapped person could use to open the door. What a state-of-the-art facility! It was so large and roomy; I didn't want to leave! Mom felt the same way, but before she went in I warned her to be careful which door she chose. The wooden "M" and the "W" on the wooden doors were a little difficult to see.
With our extra pizza slices and fries in hand, Mom and I headed back to my car. Although the look of the place may be different, the taste of the food brings us back to the Aquidneck Pizza we first fell in love with. I've since gotten rid of the friend who turned me onto this place, but I could never see myself breaking up with this pizza. It's too fantastic.
Aquidneck Restaurant & Pizzeria is open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, and 7 a.m. to 3 a.m. Friday and Saturday.
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RANDOM HISTORY LESSON: In my new favorite book, Weird New England by Joseph A. Citro, there was a page devoted to an ancient structure that stands in Truro Park, Newport, RI. After coming from Aquidneck Pizza, which is in the neighboring town, we decided to drive by and take a closer look at this mysterious landmark. The book describes it as a "maybe" windmill, a.k.a., no one has any idea as to what it really is. Apparently it was standing when the pilgrims first arrived, and even appears on a map of Rhode Island dated 1630. What do you think it is? Mom and I think it could have been an ancient watchtower. Cool, huh?
Monday, March 17, 2008
Newport Creamery
I always feel at home inside Newport Creamery. No matter which location you visit (either the two in Massachusetts or the 11 in Rhode Island), all of them look pretty much the same. Obviously, this happens with chain restaurants, but there's something cozy about this place. Perhaps it is the beige booths, tables, and dividers (there are are only booths and a counter at the Fall River location), or the striped wallpaper and colorful paper place mats with pictures of delicious food on them. Whatever it may be, I like Newport Creamery a lot better than I like Friendly's. Friendly's, to me, is always frantic, while Newport Creamery seems to attract a calmer crowd. There are hanging lights above each booth, and large windows all around the restaurant which are shaded by Venetian blinds when the sun's rays get a little overwhelming. Located next to the open kitchen are two coolers - one for ice cream cakes, and the other for tubs of Newport Creamery ice cream that are for sale. This area is also where you can walk in and order something to go, and on summer days, the outside window is open for ice cream and other cool treats.
Newport Creamery has it all. From breakfast to dessert, you can pretty much get anything your heart desires here, and the service is usually very good. Both Mom and I really enjoy their breakfasts, but we usually get a late start during the day and are too late to order it. We really wish the breakfast menu could be served past noon. What we really adore are the hash browns. Mom says that they resemble a little square fry more than the fried potatoes that people are used to - so delicious. Mom calls them "puffs of delight," and that's exactly what they are! I really enjoy their omelets and stuffed French toast. For people who are coming in for lunch or dinner, the options are almost endless. Starters include items like the Newport French fries ($2.59), popcorn chicken basket ($5.99), cheese quesadilla ($6.19), and buffalo chicken tenders ($6.99). You can also order soup, including Newport's famous clam chowder (cup - $2.69; bowl - $3.69; bread boule - $4.69). Sandwiches include the Newport clubs ($7.19) featuring the Big Beef cheeseburger, tuna salad, chicken salad, ham and turkey, deli sandwiches ($6.49), and Mega Melts ($7.19), which features ham and cheese, tuna and cheddar, or turkey and Swiss served with tomato on grilled New York deli rye. All sandwiches are served with your choice of fries, seasoned fries, potato salad, cole slaw, broccoli, vegetable medley, or mashed potatoes with gravy. Salads include the Executive Chef's salad ($6.89), the sesame pineapple chicken salad ($7.19), and the salad and half chicken quesadilla ($6.09). Newport Creamery has a va