Bite of the Week - Betty Crocker Warm Delights

Mom and I are avid fans of the Dollar Tree stores - where everything's a dollar. Yes, everything, so please don't ask the cashiers how much that bag of marshmallows is ... or that container of shower caps ... or that box of assorted push pins. Everything. Is. A. Dollar. Moving on ...

Since we shop at the Swansea store every Saturday night, we've become accustomed to the food items they carry. Well on yesterday's visit, to our surprise, we spotted a display of Betty Crocker Warm Delights. It was from their new "Morning" line, and the featured item was a blueberry vanilla chip muffin two pack. Sounds delicious, and for only a dollar, Mom and I felt that we couldn't go wrong. Or could we?

Mom decided to let me try and make them since I am an aspiring chef. Well, not really. I just aspire to not make things that look and taste like crap. The first step to making these do-it-yourself muffins is to:

1) Empty muffin mix into bowl, and stir in one tablespoon AND one teaspoon of water carefully until well mixed.

2) Squeeze blueberry pouch 10 times (to mix it within its bag) and cut off corner of pouch at "cut" line. Then squeeze four to six lines of blueberry over batter.

3) Microwave uncovered on high for 25 seconds or until most of the surface looks dry. If necessary, microwave 10 seconds longer (and yes, I had to leave it in longer).

After letting the muffins stand for two minutes (I did each one individually, but you can do them together at 45 seconds), Mom and I tried them. At only 140 calories per bowl, this breakfast-on-the-go would be perfect to take to work with a piece of fruit for a nice, filling meal. Although neither of us tasted the vanilla chip, the overwhelming blueberry flavor was very tasty. The muffin was thin, but came out very soft and moist. Mom and I will definitely be looking for other flavors the next time we hit up the Dollar Tree.

Cyd's Creative Kitchen

2331 Acushnet Ave.

New Bedford, MA 02745

(508) 998-6212

CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE FULL MENU

Today is Mom's birthday, and after a morning filled with gift opening and cake discussions, we decided to dust off our $10 coupon that we won from MenuJoy.com and hit up Cyd's Creative Kitchen - a place that we had visited once before and really enjoyed. We pulled into the parking area - which covers front, back, and side parking - at around 11:30 a.m.


I had forgotten how cute Cyd's was, and apparently so did Mom because we both squealed at the cozy decor once we stepped inside. Since we could seat ourselves, Mom chose a table that allowed me ample picture-taking room. We were soon joined by our waitress, who was named Sonya (I believe that is how she spelled it). She brought over two large menus and took our drink order. Mom went with a hot coffee ($1.29) while I chose an iced ($2.29). Apparently it costs a whole extra dollar just for ice. Why is that? It's not just Cyd's - every restaurant does that. Mom said that it is because you get more with an iced coffee, and I guess she is right. Anyhoo, Sonya poured Mom's cup right away and quickly retrieved my very large, plastic glass filled with iced coffee. Since we had already checked out the menu on the Internet, Mom and I were pretty much ready to order as soon as the drinks arrived. Mom chose a cheese omelet ($4.29) with a side of bacon ($2.29) and a homemade cheese roll instead of toast ($1.09). Mom had been yapping about never having tried a cheese roll before, so she figured that - since it was her birthday, and all - she would finally splurge and order one. Not wanting to be left out - of course - I also substituted my toast for a cheese roll ($1.09) and ordered a spinach and feta omelet with home fries ($6.49). Sonya took away our menus and left Mom and I to talk more about that upcoming birthday cake and the pleasant decor at Cyd's.


Cyd's is basically your neighborhood diner, only with a more homey feel. With a mixture of both tables, booths, and a counter for individual diners, Cyd's can seat quite a lot of hungry customers. Nautical decorations hung on the walls, and several whiteboards scattered throughout the dining room informed people of the latest specials. A shelf filled with Girl Scout Cookies sat next to the register, and plenty of morning light spilled into the room through the large glass windows. I apologize in advance for the blurry pictures. The attentive waitstaff was scattered throughout the restaurant at all times, making sneaky picture taking a little difficult.

Our food arrived in a flash, and everything looked and smelled fantastic. Although I didn't get the waitstaff to sing Happy Birthday to Mom because I didn't want to be killed, this breakfast was a great way to start her day. Mom said that her cheese omelet had a perfect amount of filling, was a good size, and tasted very fresh. Her side of bacon was cooked perfectly and was deliciously meaty and crisp. The added surprise was the cheese roll. She was definitely not let down with her choice to finally try one. With a sweetness almost reminiscent of a Portuguese sweet bun, Mom felt that this was a wonderful change from having a plain piece of toast or an English muffin. The sweetness of the bun mixed well with the savory cheese, which filled the bottom half of the toasted soft roll. She would definitely order this again.


I also had a great time eating my breakfast. Although I did feel that my omelet could have had a bit more spinach and feta, there was a taste of the two in every bite. My home fries had a lovely potato taste, while my cheese bun was deliciously buttered and sweet. What a great way to kick off Mom's birthday!


When we finished, both Mom and I were absolutely stuffed. That cheese roll was very filling. Sonya came back to clear away our plates and bring the bill. The total came to:

1 coffee - $1.29

1 iced coffee - 2.29

1 cheese omelet - 4.29

1 cheese roll - 1.09

1 bacon (4 slices) - 2.29

1 spinach and feta omelet - 6.49

1 cheese roll - 1.09

Subtotal - $18.83

Tax - .94

TOTAL = $19.77

Although we had a $10 coupon, we still made sure to add in Sonya's tip before we subtracted the discount. She was great, and shouldn't have to be cheated out of a tip just because we had a coupon. Too many people do that to waitresses! We left $24 on the table (well ... $14 and the coupon) and before leaving I decided to use the restroom, which was very clean and neat.

According to the menu (see above link), Cyd's is open on Friday nights. If they do dinners they way they do breakfasts, then I think that Mom and I should go back as soon as possible. If we had half ratings (we currently only use 1-5), we would have scored this a 3.5. However, because of the deliciousness that is Cyd's, New England Bites is now rethinking our whole grading system! Both Mom and I really enjoyed our breakfast, and I am glad to say that she had a great birthday. Cyd's is definitely a place that we will return to - with or without coupons.

Cyd's Creative Kitchen is open from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Saturday for breakfast and lunch, 4-8 p.m. on Friday night, and 6 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Sunday for breakfast.

Marzilli's Bakery

944 Bedford St.

Fall River, MA 02723

(508) 675-5551

www.marzillisbakery.com

CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE FULL MENU

If you live in Fall River, you've most likely picked your team. If you're like my family, you've picked Marzilli's Bakery as your number one homemade sandwich shop. If you're like the others (i.e., the enemies), you've picked Marcucci's Bakery - located just a few blocks up the street. I don't know what started this sandwich feud, but we Fall Riverites are very dedicated to our particular favorite. If you are a fan of the opposing bakery, whichever it may be, be prepared to back up your argument. You may want to get yourself a defense attorney - it's that intense. It's almost like the Jennifer Aniston vs. Angelina Jolie thing, only delicious. Since we hadn't had these sandwiches in way too long, we decided to get some for dinner. I called in the order for myself and my parents and picked up the sandwiches at around 4:30 p.m.

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Shockingly, I was able to get a parking space on Bedford Street. This never happens. I usually end up parking on Wall Street, which sounds very exclusive but is just your average crowded side street. When I stepped inside, I went right over and stood in the "telephone orders" line. Marzilli's is kind enough to label each area so that people aren't waiting in the wrong line. Still, some people don't read the signs and end up standing in front of you trying to order their sandwiches. I was waited on right away by a friendly girl who took my name and grabbed my foil-wrapped sandwiches off of the shelf. She put them in a bag with a new menu and cashed me out. My total came to:

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(Dad) 1 Large Ham & Cheese - $8.60

(Mom) 1 Medium Ham & Cheese - 4.30

(Laura) 1 Medium Italian w/Sweet Peppers - 4

TOTAL = $17.75

Marzilli's is a clean, organized sandwich shop with a few scattered tables, some stools under the window, a beverage cooler, a chip rack, and an under-counter candy display. That's about it. All of the sandwiches are made to order and are created right before your eyes. You can get them any way you want, the service is always fast, and the prices are amazing. Marzilli's is definitely the place you want to visit if you have a large family to feed on a small budget. Why give a big name chain your business when you get can a much better sandwich for a lot less money?

When I arrived home with the sandwiches, I unwrapped them all in order to take pictures before we tore them apart like wild animals. As I mentioned before, these sandwiches are huge. Just look at the size of the large!! This sandwich is well over a foot long and is chock full of fresh meats and cheeses. The medium sandwich is equal to a woman's size 8.5 shoe (and yes, that is my sneaker) and is also stuffed with deliciousness. There is even that yummy meat overhang on each side, which we've always fed to whatever pet had been begging for it. Although the size and stuffing is tops, the real star here is the bread. The bread is always made fresh and is amazingly tasty. It never gets soggy and even keeps its softness if you've placed the sandwich in your refrigerator. It is by far the best bread that you could ever make a grinder with.

Awww yeah! The large is so ... large.

Unwrapped.

My sneaker near the medium sandwich.

Needless to say, we loved everything. When my sister and I were young, my father sometimes came home with two large Italian subs on Saturday afternoons - one for himself, and the other to split between me and Mal. It got to be such a treat that whenever he came home, Mallory and I would listen to see if we could hear the paper bag crinkling as he walked in the door. My family has been eating these sandwiches for years, and there is no reason why we will ever stop. Team Marzilli's is definitely alive and well at our house.

Although there is nothing wrong with favoring Marcucci's, I always wonder if those people have even tried Marzilli's before. I don't understand how anyone can prefer another, but to each his own. I enjoy this friendly feud that my fellow city residents have, and as long as these two bakeries are up and running, I'm sure that there will be many more discussions about which side we prefer. I just pray that if you do pick a side amongst a large crowd, you choose the majority favorite. If not, good luck defending that sandwich.

Marzilli's Bakery is open from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday.

Bite of the Week - Girl Scout Cookies

Anyone who has ever worked outside of their home has probably been approached by a desperate co-worker asking them to buy Girl Scout cookies from their child. Unfortunately for me, as I get older and my co-workers' children get older, these Girl Scouts are hard to find. Luckily this year, a friend of a co-worker had sent out an e-mail asking people if they knew anyone who wanted to buy any cookies. To make a long story short, we did, and we ordered a box of each ($4 a box). Yes, that means that we spent $32 on cookies, but it all goes to help the Girl Scouts, right? Even though I've been laid off from my job the last two times I've ordered Girl Scout cookies, I won't hold it against them. I'll just chock it up to an odd coincidence.

THE VERDICT: Delicious! Although they seem to be screwing us over with smaller boxes and stagnant prices, they're still a once-a-year treat that we all enjoy. Out of the eight different flavors (Thin Mints, Lemonades, Thanks A Lot, Peanut Butter Sandwich, Peanut Butter Patties, Daisy Go Rounds, Caramel deLites, and Shortbread), everyone has their own personal favorite. Mom and I are big fans of the Peanut Butter Patties, while Dad seems to love them all equally. All of the cookies are always fresh and beautifully packaged. My family just adores Girl Scout cookies and we hope that next year we can find someone who has a child in this program so that we can take advantage of this delicious product.

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SPOILER ALERT: They aren't really made by Girl Scouts, those scam artists.

Iggy's Doughboys & Chowder House

889 Oakland Beach Ave.

Warwick, RI 02889

(401) 737-9459

1157 Point Judith Road

Narragansett, RI 02882

(401) 783-5608

www.iggysdoughboys.com

CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE FULL MENU

Have you ever wondered what a clam shack looks like in the winter? Well, if you visit Iggy's Doughboys & Chowder House in Warwick, RI, you'll see that it is anything but washed up. On a spur of the moment decision, Mom and I decided to take a drive to Oakland Beach for some delicious fried seafood and soft, sugary doughboys. We pulled into the gravely parking lot at around 4 p.m.

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This was the first time that Mom and I had been to Iggy's when we weren't surrounded by pushy beachgoers. Since it is February, the outside ordering window was closed and the parking lot actually had several available spaces. Located right on the water, I believe that Iggy's was once the site of a large amusement park. In the summer, the sand is crawling with bikini babes and shirtless greaseballs catching some rays. Today, however, only the seagulls remained as they tried their best to get anything they could out of the nearby garbage cans.



We stopped for a minute to check out the outside menu, made our decision, and then quickly went inside to find a table and get warm. While Mom had a seat, I stood at the counter behind a few folks who were waiting to place their orders. In front of me was a pretentious couple who actually asked one of the girls behind the counter if there was a more "upscale" seafood restaurant nearby. How rude! The girl gave them a few suggestions, and the couple reluctantly ordered a cup of chowder and bag of clam cakes anyway - despite Iggy's being a just clam shack. The snotty girl probably thought that this was going to be her Valentine's Day dinner, and she was not happy about it. To top off their misery, an old woman on the side of them reminded the pair that they should have cut a coupon out of the Yellow Pages so that they could get a discount on their meal. Hysterical! That couple probably never heard the word "coupon" in their lives. Get over yourselves.

When all the tomfoolery at the counter had subsided, it was my turn to order. I ordered a plain fish sandwich for Mom and a fish sandwich with the works (lettuce, tomato, and tartar sauce) for me ($6.95 each). I also ordered a pint of fried clam strips ($7.95), two bottles of cream soda ($1.50 each), and a half dozen doughboys ($3.75). My total came to:

2 Fish sandwiches - $13.90

2 Cream sodas - 3

1 Clam strip - 7.95

1 1/2 doughboys - 3.75

Food total - $25.60

Beverage total - 3

Tax total - 2.29

TOTAL = $30.89

The cashier handed me a receipt with a number on it, and told me that she would call my number when my order was ready. I joined Mom at a small table that she had chosen at the corner of the dining room. This was the first time that Mom and I had eaten inside of Iggy's. We usually just stuff our faces in the car with the windows down so that we can smell the ocean air. At first, I had a weird feeling that the place was going to be a pig sty. I was very wrong. All of the tables and booths were neat and clean, the condiment section was organized, and there was no sign of trash left behind anywhere. The staff was courteous and was very patient with some of the confused older customers. On the counter there were two large display cases featuring Iggy's merchandise. I'm still kicking myself for not buying that ornament of a smiling doughboy. Perhaps someone could send it to me as a post-Valentine's Day gift. It was adorable.


Speaking of Valentine's Day, the miserable couple who seemed to be disgusted with the place had just received their order. They both looked terrified of their chowder and clam cakes, and instead of having a seat in the cozy dining room, opted to go back out into the cold with their "ordinary" meal. Get a life. That girl probably cried all the way home.


The staff at Iggy's was really cranking out the orders, and we hadn't been waiting long before I heard someone call our number. They set up the food on the tray in such a perfect way that I told Mom not to touch anything before I had taken a picture. We kept the hot doughboys in the bag so that they wouldn't cool off while we were eating our sandwiches and clam strips. Both sandwiches were huge - way bigger than we imagined they'd be. Sitting on a fresh torpedo roll, each piece of fish was cooked perfectly and was flaky and white inside the crispy fried shell. Mom said that it was one of the bigger fish sandwiches that she had seen. I agreed, because most restaurants give you a tiny fillet surrounded by a larger hamburger bun. Not at Iggy's. There is definitely a great fish-to-bread ratio. Mine was loaded with fresh vegetables and creamy tartar sauce and was absolutely delicious. Both of our sandwiches were one of the best we'd ever had.


The fried clam strips were also amazing. Each strip was very clean with a nice crispy outside and a melt-in-your-mouth inside. There was hardly any chewing. They were served nice and hot and were not at all greasy. Mom said that she thinks that Iggy's has one of the best deals around for fried clam strips. Where else can you get a pint - or over a pint - for only $7.95 ... in the winter? It really was a great deal all around, both in taste and in price.

Even the sodas were awesome. Although they have regular fountain soda, they also carry bottled sodas from the Yacht Club Bottling Company in Centerdale, RI. Delicious.


Although we were stuffed, we just had to have one doughboy each before leaving the restaurant. The doughboys are an American version of the Portuguese malasadas. It is basically a fried donut with no hole and is covered with granulated sugar (usually while still warm). Iggy's version are smaller than their Portuguese cousins (kind of like a square donut), and were warm, soft, and very tasty. Again, the price is very reasonable, and it would be easy for anyone to put away a few of these with a morning cup of coffee. They even heated up well when Dad finished them off when we arrived home. He thought they were delicious.

Before leaving, Mom and I decided to check out the restroom. Like the dining room, everything was clean and organized. When we got outside, it was almost like we were in the movie The Birds. We were literally surrounded by hungry seagulls just dying to know what was in the bag of doughboys that we were carrying. One even made an attempt to approach us! I pushed Mom aside and told her to "get in the car." It was all very dramatic.

the back area

New England is all about clam shacks, but unfortunately most of them are closed during the winter months. Iggy's obviously knows what the people want, and what we want is a fried seafood meal on a cold winter day. How could you go wrong with that?


Iggy's Doughboys & Chowder House in Warwick is open year round. The winter hours are from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, and 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday. The summer hours are from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, and 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Iggy's Doughboys & Chowder House in Narragansett is only open seasonally.

New Boston Bakery

279 New Boston Road

Fall River, MA 02720

(508) 672-0207

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New Boston Bakery has been on our minds lately. Their name has been popping up on the search feature of our Sitemeter and in The Herald News. Also, due to my unemployment status, all I've wanted to do lately is drown my sorrows in a box of sugary baked goods. Last week, I visited New Boston Bakery with every attempt to do a review. However, the place was packed, all of the pastries were gone (I showed up late on a Friday - bad move), and I had no way of getting a clear photo of anything. Today, I decided to spend a little of my unemployment check and take another shot at New Boston Bakery. I stepped inside at just before 2 p.m.

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Let me just say this - New Boston Bakery is always busy. I have never been inside at a time when there weren't any customers both sitting at the tables and waiting in line. Today, however, there were only a few people inside and I was lucky enough to get a clear picture of one of the bakery display counters. Getting ready for the upcoming holiday, the staff had decorated the dining area with Valentine's Day decorations, and a lot of the pastries were topped with pretty pink frosting. I love when stores and restaurants get in the spirit!

When I first got to the counter, I just stared at everything. I literally had no idea what I wanted. Well, I do know what I wanted - everything. A friendly woman approached me and asked me what I would like. I told her that I would get back to her in a few minutes. I was in baked good heaven! There were cookies, brownies, blondies, eclairs, cakes, squares, pinwheels, breads, bars, tarts, turnovers, and a whole section of real cream pastries. The prices ranged from less than a dollar to a little over $2 for each pastry - a little pricey, but well worth it for what you get. When I finally narrowed down what I wanted, the woman came back. I chose two chocolate dipped macaroons, two chocolate tunnels, a cream cheese brownie, a chocolate raspberry bar, a chocolate and pink butter cookie, a real cream apple turnover, and dessert with a name that escapes me. It was a large dollop of real cream surrounded by two soft chocolate chip cookies. My total came to $10.60.

Once I got home, Mom was waiting for me quite impatiently. She had been drooling for pastries just as much as I was. When I showed her everything I'd purchased, she was very pleased. She probably would have been pleased with anything, as everything that we'd ever gotten from New Boston Bakery has been outstanding.

The pastries in the box.

Like we envisioned, everything was perfect. All of the pastries - and all of the food items, for that matter - are made from scratch. Nothing was covered in that disgustingly sweet frosting that ruins so many cakes nowadays (i.e., Stop & Shop bakery). Nothing had an overwhelming chocolate coating that was so thick that you couldn't taste what was inside (i.e., Cold Stone Creamery). The pastry was buttery, soft, fresh, and absolutely delicious.

Aside from pastries, New Boston Bakery also serves sandwiches, breakfast foods, salads, wraps, soups, and paninis. They also have a delivery service (who knew?) for local residents between the hours of 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. I used to order lunch here when I worked in the city a while back, and the food was always a big hit with everyone in the office. The prices are more expensive than what you would pay at a drive-thru, but the quality of ingredients and taste of the food is 100% better than anything you'd find at one of those places. Prices range from approximately $2.95 for a cup of soup to $7.95 for a gourmet salad. New Boston Bakery also does breakfast and lunch "platters to go."

It's funny that Mom and I are always searching for outstanding bakeries in New England, forgetting that one of the best is right in our own back yard. Established in 1992 and located in a historic building, this bakery is one of Fall River's hot spots. I've seen a few local celebrities standing in line with "regular Joes" waiting for their coffee and breakfast pastry. This bakery appeals to everyone! My aunt even had a party catered by New Boston Bakery, and Mom told me that everything was fresh and tasty. We can't wait to go back.

New Boston Bakery is open from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Bite of the Week - Weight Watchers Giant Latte Bar

My mother loves all things coffee. From frozen coffee drinks to coffee ice cream, she's downright obsessed. So naturally when we spotted the new Weight Watchers Giant Latte Bars at Stop & Shop a few weeks ago (on sale for $3.99), we just had to buy them. Although we're not following the Weight Watchers diet plan, it is nice to know that if we were, we would only be using one point for this yummy treat.

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THE VERDICT: COLD! I know what you're thinking: "Of course, you idiot. It's an ice cream bar." Seriously, because it is not coated in anything, when you take a bite of it, you get straight ice cream in between your teeth. After the initial shock, you are able to taste the strong coffee flavor in this delicious bar. It is creamy, flavorful, and a great way to have something sweet and not mess up your diet. Also, this bar is much larger (hence the "giant" nickname) than most of the ice cream bars you find in the supermarket - always a plus in our book.

The Bayside Restaurant

1253 Horseneck Road

Westport, MA 02790

(508) 636-5882

www.thewestportbayside.com

"The best dinky little restaurant in the Commonwealth for over 30 years."



That is how The Bayside Restaurant - one of the most popular restaurants in Westport - describes itself on their sea-themed Web page. Typical of New England Bites, we had driven by this restaurant on several trips to the Horseneck Beach area and always wanted to stop in. However, the massive summertime crowds had completely overtaken the restaurant and Mom and I - being hungry and impatient - did not want to wait for a table. We decided to wait until the off-season so that we could a) actually get into the place, and b) see if the food is any good. We pulled into the clamshell-filled parking area at just after 4 p.m.



Before stepping into the restaurant, we crossed the large deck area which turns into an outdoor dining room overlooking the Massachusetts Audubon's Allen's Pond Sanctuary. Mom - who adores eating outside - talked on and on about how she wanted to sit out there and have a meal someday. When we went inside, we were greeted by a friendly waitress - who we later learned was named Robin - who told us that we could sit anywhere we'd like. Not wanting to miss out on a prime window seat, Mom bolted to the end of the restaurant and chose an adorable table with a great view of the ocean. I guess that was her way of eating outside without actually having to sit outside.

The lovely view from our table.

Robin left us with two aqua-colored menus and took our drink order. Mom asked for two Diet Cokes or Pepsis, but when Robin returned she'd brought over two bottles of Empire Diet Cola - which is bottled in nearby Bristol, RI - along with two plastic glasses filled with ice. Although the soda had a bit of a Dr. Pepper-like bite to it, it soon grew on both Mom and myself. By the end of the meal we had both commented on how different it was and how much we liked it. When Mom and I were ready to place our order, Robin returned to the table. Mom chose the famous fish and chips ($12.99), while I chose the cod fish cakes ($11.99). Both dishes came with a side of cole slaw and tartar sauce, and I also chose fries to go with my cod fish cakes. A few minutes after we ordered, Robin brought over a lovely bread basket with two pieces of fresh corn bread, four slices of what seemed like Italian bread, and several pats of butter. Everything was delicious.




Both Mom and I absolutely fell in love with the decor. From the beechwood furniture to the real daffodils placed on each table, Bayside just screamed summertime. Strings of white lights hung on the windows and pictures of mermaids and fish were scattered throughout the dining room. There was a large chalkboard on the wall that featured their daily specials, and a good mixture of both tables and booths. Before you enter the restaurant, there is a small area with books for sale and a pinboard covered with local business cards and advertisements.



The Bayside Restaurant is also the first certified green restaurant in Massachusetts! They use only the freshest locally-grown fruits and vegetables and organic dairy products while staying away from all preservatives, additives, and enhancers. Some of the menu items include native littlenecks, salmon-asparagus wraps, quahog chowder, lobster rolls, vegetarian quesadillas, New Bedford scallops, beefalo burgers, eggplant fries, Maine fried clams, a fisherman's platter, and several different homemade desserts. All prices are about average for the area. Bayside also has a full liquor license which features drinks from the Westport Rivers Vineyard and Winery. I also spotted a sign for something called the $9 before 7. I believe you can select certain featured dishes before 7 p.m. and receive a bottle of wine for $9, but I'm not sure exactly how it works. However, the table next to us was taking advantage of this and said that it is the best deal in town.



Our meals came out of the kitchen fairly quickly. Both plates looked delicious and arrived piping hot - always a plus in our book. Mom's plate had a healthy portion of flaky, white cod with a crispy crust that was cooked to perfection. It came atop a mound of hand-cut fries which had a great homemade potato taste. Mom loved this dish and would love to have it again ... soon.



My cod fish cakes were delicious. Both cakes were crispy on the outside, yet soft and tasty on the inside. The light cod flavor went well with the fresh vegetables that had been added to the cake mixture. I, like Mom, loved the fries, as well as both dishes of cole slaw (Mom never eats hers). Even the cool tartar sauce was good, and I was thankful to have it as my cod fish cakes were extraordinarily hot. I really enjoyed this meal.



After we finished our meal, Mom and I started thinking about dessert. We had heard that Bayside made all of their desserts from scratch, so when we spotted a whiteboard advertising a few tasty choices, we just had to order some. I chose the lemon meringue pie ($3.95), while Mom chose the chocolate sweet bread pudding ($4.95). Both large desserts arrived quickly, and each one was absolutely fantastic. Mom's chocolate sweet bread pudding was served warm and covered in a hot fudge sauce, whipped cream, and loaded with nuts, while my lemon meringue pie was cool, creamy, and had a great tangy taste.

Robin returned to our table to clear the dishes and bring the bill. The total came to:

2 Empire sodas - $3

1 Fish & chips - 12.99

1 Cod fish cakes - 11.99

1 Lemon meringue pie - 3.95

1 Chocolate sweet bread pudding - 4.95

Subtotal - $36.88

Tax - 1.84

TOTAL = $38.70

We left $46 on the table for Robin, which included a 20% tip. She was an excellent waitress. Before leaving the restaurant, both Mom and I had a chance to check out the ladies' room. Like the dining room, it was very cute and clean - but boy was it small! Perhaps we shouldn't have had that dessert after all.

Now that we can finally cross The Bayside Restaurant off of our "to visit" list, both Mom and I can honestly say that the food is well worth waiting for in those long summertime lines. Besides, we have to come back so that Mom can eat on the deck surrounded by the cool ocean breeze.

The Bayside Restaurant is open seven days a week in the summer, and five during the rest of the year. For more information, visit their Web site at www.thewestportbayside.com.

Bite of the Week - Quaker True Delights

New England Bites loves to try new things, so when Mom found a coupon for Quaker's new True Delights granola bars (regular price $3+), we just had to buy a box. The toasted coconut banana macadamia nut flavor caught our eye, so we tossed it into our grocery cart and headed for the register. I often bring granola bars to work with me while Mom snacks on them at home, so we were looking forward to having a bar that featured three of our favorite flavors.

THE VERDICT: Delish! It was a bit chewy because of the enormous amount of oats, and it had a very strong banana flavor which seemed to override any hint of macadamia nut and coconut. The bar had a light glaze on top that didn't make it overly sweet. All in all, the Quaker True Delights bar had a different flavor from other granola bars, which seem to all taste the same after eating them for so many years. We look forward to trying some of the other flavors.