Nestled right on the water in Boston's Seaport District is Legal Sea Foods' flagship restaurant, Legal Harborside. At 20,000 square feet with three floors, this place is seafood central. No matter which floor you dine on, you'll enjoy an amazing view of the ocean. The first floor has an oyster bar, fish market and a front row seat to the kitchen. There's also a waterfall that flows into a fish pond! The second floor is spacious for celebrations or private parties. The third floor is a sushi lover's dream complete with a retractable roof. It's a great place to sip on some cocktails and eat up some small plates in the summer.

There's a full bar stocked with beers and wines and there's a long list of specialty drinks available. There are so many apps to choose from, including raw oysters and clams, soups and salads. We shared some grilled pita and three spreads. It was a tasty way to kick off our meal and just enough for our party of four. For lunch, I ordered the fedelini and shrimp - a generous portion of shrimp and pasta mixed with garlic and lemon and topped off with cheese. It was so good that I've been craving it since. Legal Harborside offers many desserts including eggnog cheesecake, bon bons and Boston cream pie. Hopefully, I'll be able to save room for the cheesecake next time!

Legal Harborside and Legal Sea Foods restaurants are taking part in restaurant week. Menus vary based on location. Legal Sea Foods restaurant week menu

Fedelini & Shrimp

"Plates to Share"

Massachusetts , Seafood

Experience fondue at its finest at The Melting Pot. These restaurants are always a unique and fun experience, but throw in a 3-course menu for $20.13 during restaurant week and you've got yourself a can't miss meal deal.

The first course is salad. You can pick between four different salads. I enjoyed the house, a cool delight with shredded cheddar cheese that's topped off this sweet & sour dressing. You can choose between vegetables, chicken and shrimp & steak for your main course. It was shrimp & steak for me, please. You cook it all right in the simmering fondue pot on your table. They also pair up your food with a variety of delicious dipping sauces.

The third and final course: dessert. You choose one of several chocolate fondues. We enjoyed the chocolate peanut butter. The dessert tray (see below) was packed full of sugary sweets. There were strawberries, bananas, marshmallows, red velvet cake and a slice of cheesecake. You dip it all in your chocolate fondue and it doesn't get much better than this.

The Melting Pot in Framingham, MA

Winter Restaurant Week 2013 menu

You cook your food right at your table.

Dessert time

Fondue , Massachusetts , National Chains , Restaurant Week

Flannel shirts and customized backpacks usually come to mind when you think of L.L. Bean, but did you know the famous Maine clothing company also sells their own brews of coffee? You can buy their Foggy Morning Coffee at any of their stores in New England. Their coffees are roasted just for them in Portland, Maine. Different flavors are available in different seasons. I love their pumpkin spice and blueberry blends. I bought these two flavors last fall, so I'd call ahead to see if they have any blends winter/spring blends available right now.

Coffee , Maine

The hype. The buzz. The waiting. All of it came to an end today in Chestnut Hill. It was time to try the Shake Shack for the first time.

Yesterday, Twitter blew up with food lovers talking about the grand opening of Massachusetts' first and only Shake Shack. I knew it would be a mob scene, so I waited very patiently for today. I got there just after one o'clock and joined the line was outside of the building.

It took about 25 minutes to get inside. From there... the tough task of deciding what to eat.

The Shake Shack dining room

You get an up close and personal look at the kitchen as you place your order.

It took about 10 minutes to get my food once I ordered.

I got a vanilla shake. Really good!

Their fries are to die for. Might as well go all out and get cheese on top.

I got the SmokeShack burger. It comes with bacon, cheese, cherry pepper and ShackSauce.

The Shake Shack certainly lived up to all of the hype. Just the perfect combination of food from start to finish. Every single French fry was golden brown and crisp. The burger was an explosion of tasty flavors. I'm looking forward to trying out many of the other items on their menu including the black & white shake, frozen custard, their hot dogs and beer. Shake Shack, welcome to Massachusetts!


Burgers , Fast Food , Massachusetts , Milkshakes , New Restaurant Alert

It's going to take some time, but the new restaurants and shops at Chestnut Hill Square should be up and running sometime this year. I took these pictures today. As you can see, there's a lot of work to be done. A Wegman's grocery store will be built here. Brio Tuscan Grille is also on its way. I've been to their location in Connecticut many times. Think big glasses of wine, pasta dishes, salads and a dessert tray that's brought by every table at the end of your meal. More on Brio soon. Keep checking Eat Up New England for the latest on this exciting development.

It just wouldn't be a holiday without Munson's Chocolates. The Connecticut candy shop has been crafting delicious chocolates since 1946. If you've never been, now is the perfect time to go. They have tons of Easter candy for sale, including chocolate bunnies of all sizes. I love the vanilla carrots they have this time of the year. The chocolate-covered Oreos they have for all of the holidays are also a favorite.

Munson's has several locations across Connecticut including at Foxwoods, Westfarms Mall, Newington and Mystic Village. If you can't make it to Connecticut in time for Easter, you can always visit their Website: www.munsonschocolates.com.


Candy , Connecticut , Holidays

Heady Topper is the buzz of beer nuts across New England and beyond. It's brewed proudly at The Alchemist Cannery in Waterbury, Vermont. At first, the American Double IPA was available only at their brewery, but now it's served up at restaurants and for sale at markets all over the green mountain state.

A visit to The Alchemist Cannery is well worth the trip. You can get an up close and personal look at where Heady Topper is brewed, sample the beer and stock up. If you're a casual beer drinker, try Heady Topper, but proceed with caution. It's great stuff, but strong stuff! 

Update: The Cannery CLOSED to the public on November 15, 2013!! Check out
www.alchemistbeer.com for more on where you can find Heady Topper.

Beer , Brewery , Vermont

A green bagel for breakfast and some green beer for lunch. We tried Terry O'Reilly's in Newton Centre for the first time today. I was psyched to get some green beer. Blue Moon to be exact. I also enjoyed their Guinness Beef Stew that was available on their special St. Patrick's Day menu. Cheers and happy St. Patrick's Day!
Bars , Holidays , Massachusetts

Sure, it looks freaky, but green bagels are a tradition on St. Patrick's Day. For nearly 20 years, Bruegger's Bagels has been dying their plain bagels green for the holiday. As you can see, I got mine there this morning! Rosenfeld's Bagels in Newton Centre is also baking up green bagels this weekend.
Bagels , Holidays , Massachusetts

The wait is almost over. Restaurant week in Boston starts this Sunday, March 17 and goes thru March 22. Of course, it's really two weeks with a second week of deals from March 24-29. There are many restaurants taking part in restaurant week outside of Boston, including restaurants in Andover, Arlington, Bedford, Belmont, Brookline, Burlington, Cambridge, Concord, Dedham, Foxboro, Framingham, Lincoln, Medfield, Melrose, Milton, Newton, Rockport, Somerville and Waltham.

Prices:
3 Course Dinner for $38.13
3 Course Lunch for $20.13
2 Course Lunch for $15.13

For a complete list of restaurants participating and menu's, visit Restaurant Week Boston's official page. I can recommend Asana, Da Vinci, Del Frisco's, Eastern Standard and Gaslight in the city. You really can't go wrong no matter where you go. These are all fine restaurants. I'm looking forward to taking full advantage of restaurant week. Of course, I'll be reporting back with pictures! I hope you all enjoy what the next two weeks of delicious dining have to offer. Restaurant Week

FuGaKyu. It sounds like an expression that would get you sent to the principal's office. FuGaKyu isn't a foul saying. Its Brookline, Massachusetts location is the largest Japanese restaurant in New England. Located on Coolidge Corner, this restaurant really is a sight to take in. When you walk in, you'll notice bamboo walls and a koi pond full of fish next to some stone benches. Pretty cool. There are two floors. On the first, a bar, sushi bar and intimate dining behind closed doors.

The menu is huge. There are special cocktails, wines, beers and sake. FuGaKyu specializes in sushi and can whip up just about any kind imaginable. They also have noodles and combo plates. I enjoyed a pile of chicken and veggies with rice. They gave me so much, that I took half of it home.

If you're not a huge fan of Japanese food, there are salads and soups. There are also plenty of vegetarian options, including several types of vegetable tempura. We had the broccoli tempura (see pic blow) which was excellent.

FuGaKyu is taking part in restaurant week. Check out their restaurant week menu: www.fugakyu.net/news.html

TIPS:
* Easily accessible by the T. Just get off at the Coolidge Corner stop.
* If you're driving prepare for lots of red lights on the way in. There is plenty of parking in the area, but be prepared to fill a meter until 8 p.m.
* Warm towels are given to you before the meal to clean your hands.
* Learn how to use chopsticks. I didn't see any forks and knives here, but you could probably ask for some.
Japanese , Massachusetts

The Harlem Shake may be ruling NYC right now, but the Shake Shack has been a hot spot in the Big Apple for more than a decade. I'm psyched that the restaurant will be opening its first New England location next week! On Wednesday, March 20, the Shake Shack will open for business in Chestnut Hill at a new development called The Street. Can't wait. I was drooling as I looked at their menu online. It's simple. They seem to do what works. There are a few burgers, crinkle fries, hot dogs and frozen custards to choose from. They even have beer & wine and special treats for dogs. I'll be one of the first in line and will report back. Until then, tease your taste buds with a look at their Website: www.shakeshack.com. Burgers , Fast Food , Massachusetts , New Restaurant Alert

Whoever came up with the term, "eat like a king," probably ate at Del Frisco's. This amazing steakhouse is located in only a few big cities across the United States and we're lucky to have one in Boston. You can find it in the trendy and ever-growing Seaport District.

If you like wine, then this is the place for you. They have the largest wine menu I've ever seen. There's also a full bar where I ordered the delicious drink you see pictured above. It's called the VIP and is made with vodka-infused pineapple. The VIP is their signature drink and I'd highly recommend trying it.

There are a variety off apps on the menu. We had the cheesesteak eggrolls, which are to die for.  Order these! For the main event, there are several steaks to choose from. I tried the prime strip. Now, I'm not a steak person. At all. The last time I had a steak was probably when my mother cooked it more than a decade ago when I was in high school. I figured, if I was going to have a steak, this was the place to do it. Absolutely amazing. Cooked and seasoned perfectly. If you don't like steak, they have several entree salads and a few fish options.

Side dishes are a la carte. We tried the lobster mac & cheese and the king crab gnocchi. Both incredible. We had no room for dessert, but the cheesecake and lemon cake looked tempting.

Website: delfriscos.com

TIPS:
* Amazing views of the ocean. Go for lunch or early dinner sometime.
* This ain't McDonald's. Steaks average more than $40. Go here for an amazing treat and bring your wallet. It's worth it.



Boston , Massachusetts , Steakhouses

In the town of Brattleboro, Vermont, you'll find all sorts of quaint shops. It's quintessential New England. Once you've worked up an appetite from shopping, save room for craft beer and comfort food at its best at the new Whetstone Station Restaurant & Brewery.

You don't get more Vermont than this place. Whetstone is right on the waterfront with beautiful outdoor views no matter where you sit. There's also a roaring fireplace in the middle of the restaurant, which is perfect during the chilly winter months.

The food at Whetstone just couldn't be any better. I had a grilled cheese & bacon with fries for lunch. This was no ordinary grilled cheese. It was stuffed full of bacon, Vermont cheddar cheese and cream cheese. Cream cheese! So good. Somehow, I still had room for dessert, so I ordered the "46 Carat," that delicious slice of carrot cake with cream cheese frosting pictured below.
 
There's something for everyone on their menu. Hearty burgers, mac & cheese, scallops, salmon and plenty of vegetarian options. They also serve up a cheddar ale soup with Vermont Grafton cheddar cheese and Switchback Ale, which I'm dying to try next time.

Ahh, ale. That brings us to their drink menu. There are cocktails and wine, but it's their beer that's putting Whetstone Station on the map. They offer an extensive menu of local craft beers. From Narragansett to their exclusive Whetstone Cider Works, there are a variety of craft beers on tap and in bottles. They even have several types of gluten free beers. This spring, Whetstone is promising something extra special. They are launching their own in house nano-brewery.

If you're ever anywhere new Brattleboro, Vermont, do yourself a favor and stop in for lunch or dinner at Whetstone Station. It's an Eat Up New England Favorite and will be one of your favorites, too! Beer , Brewery , Closings , Comfort Food , Eat Up NE Favorite , Vermont

Every summer, the New England Country Music Festival brings a mega crowd of country music fans to Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Massachusetts. It's one of the most talked about events of the year, so it's no surprise that Patriot Place is working to keep the spirit of Countryfest alive all year long. That's where Toby Keith's I Love This Bar & Grille comes in.

This small national chain is a monster - designed to accommodate large crowds after Patriots games and events at Gillette. The centerpiece is a ginormous bar in the shape of a guitar. This place specializes in quick bar food to go along with the massive amounts of beer they serve up. So, if you're looking for a delicious meal you'll never forget here... think again. Although, the waitresses wearing daisy dukes and tank tops should have tipped you off to that. This place is a party zone and caters to that kind of crowd. It's a good place to wind down after a long day of work, especially since they serve up beers in mason jars.

Toby Keith's has your typical bar food: chicken wings, "Freedom Fries" aka French fries, nachos and potato skins. There are some unique items on the menu that are worth a try. I enjoy the crispy fried mac & cheese wedges. There's also fried bologna served on grilled garlic toast for a main course or you could try the deep fried Twinkies for dessert.

UPDATE: Toby Keith's CLOSED in January 2019.



Bars , Gone But Not Forgotten , Massachusetts , National Chains

Waltham is known as the Watch City, but it's also known for its delicious sandwiches made fresh at Domenics. Their sandwiches are first rate - stuffed full of fresh ingredients and made on their famous ciabatini bread. (Pictured below on their Italian sandwich). If you're not in the mood for a sandwich, they also serve up salads, pasta, pizza and mouth-watering arancini rice balls. Domenics is also known for its frittata di pasta, a delicious pasta pie held together by eggs and a variety of cheeses. Save room for dessert! Domenics has canollis and if you go around St. Joseph's Day, they offer traditional Italian zeppole.
Italian , Massachusetts , Sandwich Shops

UPDATE: Goodies by the Sea has CLOSED.

During these chilly winter months, there isn't much open in Newport, Rhode Island, so I was happy to stumble upon Goodies By The Sea this week. As you can see by the picture below, there are bags and bags of sweets from floor to ceiling. Huge selection! I picked up some sour blue gummy soda bottles and gummy frogs. Goodies By The Sea also has a huge case of chocolates and just about every flavor of Jelly Belly jelly beans. Besides candy, they also have a wide selection of games and bobbleheads, which always make for good gifts.


Candy , Gone But Not Forgotten , Rhode Island