Wednesday, February 27, 2013

PORKEY GOES HAWAIIAN: THE BEST WRAP YOU'LL EVER TASTE!

JOE Wednesday, February 27, 2013
 
Box Lunch is a small chain of  restaurants on Cape Cod that specializes in unique wraps. It's also the home to the best wrap I've ever tasted. It's called Porkey Goes Hawaiian. It's a savory mix of three melted cheeses, ham, tomatoes, mayo and a special sauce all warmed up. I usually get it with a cup of Cape Cod clam chowder. Try this sandwich the next time you vacation on Cape Cod!

www.boxlunch.com , , ,

ARCH STREET TAVERN IN HARTFORD, CT

JOE Wednesday, February 27, 2013
If you're ever in downtown Hartford, CT, check out the Arch Street Tavern. Located across from the Connecticut Convention Center, the place is always packed for lunch and for good reason: good food at a good price. Drink up at their bar or sit at one of the many tables in their open dining room.

Arch Street Tavern offers traditional comfort food and more than 20 beers on tap to wash it all down with. I've tried the mac & cheese with bacon and the salmon Caesar salad (pictured below). Both dishes were tasty and filling. I also saved room for some cheesecake. No fruit on top, but it didn't really need it. Plenty of whipped cream on the side.

Website: www.archstreettavern.com



,

Tuesday, February 26, 2013

CAPRIOTTI'S SANDWICH SHOP ARRIVES IN MASSACHUSETTS

JOE Tuesday, February 26, 2013
If you're looking for a tasty sandwich on the go, then try Capriotti's Sandwich Shop. I first heard about Capriotti's on an episode of Unwrapped on the Food Network (see below) and was psyched to find out the chain was coming to Massachusetts. It's located at Patriot Place in Foxboro right across from Toby Keith's I Love This Bar & Grill. Capriotti's was founded in Delaware in 1976 and now has shops all over. Their signature sandwich is called The Bobbie. It's made with turkey, homemade stuffing, cranberry sauce and mayo. You can get it cold or heated up. I tried it and it's delicious! Sandwiches come in three sizes that run large. I ordered a medium Bobbie, which is the size of a large anywhere else. Capriotti's offers a wide variety of other sandwiches and salads and has many options for vegetarians. Be sure to check it out the next time you go to a Patriots game.

Website: capriottis.com



, ,

Sunday, February 24, 2013

DELICIOUS DISH: LASAGNA PIZZA

JOE Sunday, February 24, 2013
Plain cheese pizza has always been a bore for me. I've gotta have toppings on my pizza. The more unique, the better - and that's why this slice of pizza reigns supreme. You're looking at the lasagna pizza from Via Via Pizza in Newport, Rhode Island. Each generous thin crust slice is covered in mozzarella cheese with generous dollops of ricotta cheese and meat. The end result is an incredible flavor combination that hooks me in to Via Via each time I'm in Newport.

 
Website: www.viavianewport.com
, ,

Saturday, February 23, 2013

RAINFOREST CAFE IN CT CLOSES

JOE Saturday, February 23, 2013
Sad news if you enjoy dining around tropical fish and large, animated elephants. The Rainforest Cafe in Westfarms Mall in Farmington, Connecticut has closed its doors. The Hartford Courant reports it abruptly shut down, surprising customers and employees alike. Company officials decided to close at the end of the restaurant's lease. The only other Rainforest Cafe in New England is located in the Burlington Mall in Massachusetts. , ,

Sunday, February 17, 2013

DELICIOUS DISH: YARDHOUSE CHICKEN NACHOS

JOE Sunday, February 17, 2013
The Yardhouse is one of my favorite national chains and their chicken nachos are a big reason why I keep going back. Unlike typical nachos, these bad boys don't have any salsa and they really don't need it. They are slathered with cheddar cheese, chicken, spicy pinto beans, cheddar, jack, red and green sauce, tomato, cilantro and onions. They also come with plenty of guac and sour cream for dipping. At about $12 a plate, you really can't go wrong, especially if you pair the chicken nachos up with one of the more than 100 beers the Yardhouse has on draft.
In Massachusetts, you can visit the Yardhouse at Legacy Place in Dedham, along with their newer location near Fenway Park. Another Yardhouse is set to open this summer in Lynnfield. , ,

Saturday, February 16, 2013

GRAB A BAGEL AT ROSENFELD'S

JOE Saturday, February 16, 2013
Big, crispy bagels with a hearty portion of cream cheese. It's a tasty breakfast that can be found at Rosenfeld Bagel Co. in Newton Centre in Newton, Massachusetts. This place is a legend in Newton and for good reason. They make their own bagels right in the shop and they come in a bunch of tasty flavors. There are plain, onion, everything, salt, egg and even chocolate bagels. Top off your bagel with a variety of cream cheeses. Rosenfeld is also known for its delicious challah, which I never seem to leave without buying. Open since 1972, Rosenfeld Bagels is a favorite in Newton and with the critics. It's won the Improper Bostonian's Best of Boston Award for bagels. Be sure to check out the Rosenfeld Bagel Company, but don't stop by early in the week. They are CLOSED on Mondays and Tuesdays.

, ,

Friday, February 15, 2013

SOWA'S FOOD TRUCKS: SUMMER 2013

JOE Friday, February 15, 2013
Okay. It's time for all of this snow to melt so the SoWa Open Market can begin. Every summer on Sundays,  the market brings the regions best food, artists, galleries and vendors together on Harrison Avenue. Mark your calendars for May 5th -  that's when the market will open this year. But until then, check out all of the amazing food trucks set to appear this summer:

Area Four Food Truck
Away Cafe
Baja Taco Company
Benny's Crepe Cafe
Big Moe's M & M Ribs
Biryani Park
Bon Me
Boston Italian Ice
Boston Shuckin Truck
Boston Super Dog
Boston's Baddest Burger
Clover Fast Food
Del's Lemonade
Frozen Hoagies
Fugu Truck
Go Fish
LOBSTA LOVE
Mei Mei Street Kitchen
Momogoose
Mother Juice
Culinary Cruisers
Paris Creperie
Roxy's Grilled Cheese
South End Chef
Swirled - Gourmet Soft Serve Truck
Taco Party
Tenoch Mexican
The Bacon Truck
The Chicken and Rice Guys
The Chubby Chickpea
The Coffee Trike
The Cookie Monstah
The Dining Car
The Froyo Truck
The Taco Truck Boston
The Whoo(pie) Wagon
Trolley Dogs
VESTA Moblie Wood-Fired Pizza

I snagged this list from SoWa's Facebook page, so be sure to give them a LIKE and check out their official website www.sowaopenmarket.com/ for more on the market. , ,

Wednesday, February 13, 2013

RI FLOWER SHOW TO FEATURE FOOD & WINE FEST

JOE Wednesday, February 13, 2013
The Rhode Island Spring Flower & Garden show is always a lot of fun, but this year, there's an added bonus for us food lovers. The event will feature a food & wine festival! 100 wines from across the globe will be featured and there will be plenty of sampling. There will also be award-winning chefs on hand cooking up some of their favorite dishes. While the flower show is open to all ages, you must be 21 to enter the food & wine festival. Tickets are $19, but if you have AAA, you'll save $2. The RI Flower Show is next week at the RI Convention Center, February 21-24. You can buy tickets now or at the door. If been many times. The pics from below are from the 2011 show.





,

THE BEST POPCORN YOU'LL EVER TASTE

JOE Wednesday, February 13, 2013
While I'm blogging about Chicago, let me point out an AMAZING place to get popcorn that's based out of Chicago. Garrett's Popcorn is legendary in the Windy City for good reason. It melts in your mouth. I tried Garrett's for the first time last winter and have ordered it twice online since. My favorite: the CheeseCorn (pictured left). You can't put it down once you've started snacking on it. There are several other flavors including Buttery and CaramelCrisp, but I'll probably never try them since I'm already addicted to the CheeseCorn. You can order a decorative tin of their popcorn online. It comes in several sizes from one gallon to 6.5 gallons. It's a great treat to help you get through these cold winter months.
Website: www.garrettpopcorn.com
  

,

Tuesday, February 12, 2013

HOW ABOUT A HEART-SHAPED PIZZA THIS VALENTINE'S DAY?

JOE Tuesday, February 12, 2013

If you're lucky enough to be in Chicago this Valentine's Day, you've got to try this heart-shaped pizza at Giordano's. Giordano's is known for their stuffed pizza in the windy city. It's incredible. They are serving up this special pie through Valentine's Day. You can get one shipped to you but act fast, you must order by tonight to get it in time for V-Day. , , ,

Monday, February 11, 2013

THE SHAMROCK SHAKE IS HERE!

JOE Monday, February 11, 2013
It's that time of the year. The legendary Shamrock Shake is back at McDonald's. It's worth breaking your diet.


And while you're at it, why not grab a Filet O Fish?

, ,

Sunday, February 10, 2013

(Closed) WHAT SNOW? WASTE AWAY TO MARGARITAVILLE IN CT

JOE Sunday, February 10, 2013
UPDATE: The Mohegan Sun location has closed.

You're probably laying down after spending hours shoveling out from the blizzard of 2013. So, why not escape to somewhere tropical? You can find Jimmy Buffet's Margaritaville restaurants at vacation spots all over the country. There is one in New England, at Mohegan Sun in Connecticut. So, take a look at these pics, close your eyes and try to picture yourself wasting away in Margaritaville.



, ,

Thursday, February 07, 2013

GET READY FOR A BLIZZARD!

JOE Thursday, February 07, 2013
Get ready, New England. A Blizzard is on the way.

Wednesday, February 06, 2013

CRUMBS BAKE SHOP OPENS IN NATICK

JOE Wednesday, February 06, 2013
Here it is. The Crumbs Bake Shop inside of the Natick Mall. They have cupcakes in three different sizes, depending on how much you're counting calories. It's located on the second floor, right about the water fountain. And, yes, it turns out they do have the Ba Ba Booey!





,

(Closed) CRUMBS BAKE SHOP IN BOSTON

JOE Wednesday, February 06, 2013
UPDATE: All New England Crumbs locations have closed. 

If you've ever listened to the Howard Stern show, then you already know about Crumbs Bake Shop in New York City (and now in Massachusetts)! They are famous for their sinfully sweet cupcakes that come in a range of unique flavors. Get a chocolate or vanilla cupcake somewhere else. When you're at crumbs, go all out. Try the Apple Cobbler or the Grasshopper or the White Hot Chocolate.

Longtime Howard Stern producer Gary Dell'Abate is huge fan of Crumbs and is always talking about it on Stern's Sirius/XM show. So much so, that in NYC, you can get a cupcake called the Ba Ba Booey (Gary's nickname). I've had it twice and as I'm writing this, I wish I was eating one right now. The Ba Ba Booey is a chocolate cupcake filled with cream cheese. It has two kinds of frosty - chocolate cream cheese and peanut butter cream cheese. The frosting is topped off with mini peanut butter chips. Amazing.

If you're craving one and live close to Boston, you're in luck. Crumbs has opened up several shops in and around the city. There are now Crumbs Bake Shops in the Prudential Center and the Natick and Burlington Malls. Crumbs will also be opening up at South Shore Plaza.

Website: www.crumbs.com , ,

Monday, February 04, 2013

BEST SUPER BOWL AD: THE CLYDESDALES

JOE Monday, February 04, 2013
If you didn't get a little choked up watching the Budweiser Clydesdales spot during last night's Super Bowl, than you, my friend, simply have no soul. This is advertising and creativity at its very best.


By the way, you can see the Clydesdales for yourself right here in New England. There's an Anheuser-Busch factory in Merrimack, New Hampshire. It really is a great day trip. You'll know you're close when you start to smell the hops in the air! Once inside, you can take a tour of the factor, buy some beer and merch and yes, you can get get up close and personal with the Clydesdales.


,

Sunday, February 03, 2013

SATISFY YOUR CRAVING FOR CANDY AT YUMMIES

JOE Sunday, February 03, 2013


Candy piled high from the floor to the ceiling. It may sound like a dream you had as a child, but this is sweet reality at Yummies in Kittery, Maine. Walking in to Yummies for the first time can be overwhelming. You really don't know where to look first. There are bags and bags of everything from Pez to chocolate-covered pretzels. Yummies also prides itself on carrying a huge selection of hard-to-find delectables. You know, the candy you ate as a kid. We're talking everything from Sky Bars to Teaberry Gum. There are also seasonal favorites. Right now, you can feast your eyes on sweets for your Valentine and piles of Peeps. It's really worth the trip to drive to Yummies to see the store for yourself, but if you don't have the time to drive to Kittery, you can order whatever you'd like from Yummies.com. Just don't tell your dentist.




,

Saturday, February 02, 2013

IT'S COMING....BOSTON RESTAURANT WEEK!

JOE Saturday, February 02, 2013
Winter in New England can be boring. Depressing. Damn cold. But fear not, Restaurant Week in Boston is on its way! Restaurant Week really goes on for two weeks from March 17-22 & 24-29, 2013. It's a great way to sample some of the best dining in and around Boston at a discounted price.

Website: www.restaurantweekboston.com , ,

Friday, February 01, 2013

GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN: THE WENDY'S SUPERBAR

JOE Friday, February 01, 2013
Ahhh, The Wendy's SuperBar. You'll only remember this one if you're of a certain age. The SuperBar had a taco bar and who could forget the lukewarm spaghetti and sauce! It was a shrine to gluttony, that sadly, no longer exists. Must have been to expensive and pain for workers. It does live on in this YouTube clip. Enjoy!
, ,
Subscribe to: Posts ( Atom )