Friday, March 30, 2018

REIN'S DELI: A TASTE OF NYC IN CT

Ham & cheese sandwich
Vegetable chili
Pickles start off every meal!
Rein's has been in business since 1972.
Rein's Deli
Vernon, CT
www.reinsdeli.com

You don't have to drive all the way to New York City to find the perfect deli. Just head to Vernon, Connecticut for a meal at Rein's Deli.

This restaurant is massive. If you go for breakfast or lunch on the weekend, don't get turned off by the line. It goes fast and there's plenty of room for everyone. Once you sit down, it's time to conquer Rein's menu. There are hundreds and hundreds of dishes. For breakfast there are omelets, egg sandwiches, French toast on challah bread, pancakes, bagels, cheese blintzes, sour cream coffee cake. You want it? Rein's has it.

For lunch, Rein's has so many soups that they publish a soup schedule on their website! Rein's makes ever sandwich under the sun from peanut butter & jelly to their famous pastrami sandwich. I ordered their fantastic ham & cheese sandwich. The ham and cheese were piled high and the bread was perfectly soft. Rein's also has a huge dessert menu with lemon meringue pie, cheesecake, apple pie and a warm noodle pudding made with egg noodles, sour cream, cottage cheese and raisins.

Rein's Deli's open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. On Fridays and Saturdays, they don't close until midnight. They have a full bakery and deli, along with a refrigerated section allowing customers to take home their flavorful foods. ,

Thursday, March 22, 2018

CLASSIC ITALIAN DISHES AT ERICA'S

Meat Lasagna
Erica's is open for dinner only.
Baked Goat Cheese
Every meal begins with this delicious bread.
Erica's
Ashland, Massachusetts
www.ericasristorante.com

Don't drive too fast or you'll miss it! Erica's Ristorante is nestled in on Front Street in Ashland, Massachusetts. Open for dinner only, many locals enjoy grabbing a seat at the bar for a drink or two. Eat Up New England ventured into their dining room for a tasty Italian meal.  

Erica's offers small plates and appetizers to start. The baked goat cheese was a star. The cheese was bubbling hot and is perfectly complimented with the tomato and basil it's topped with. Other apps include (vegetarian) arancini, pappardelle with veal meatballs and steamed mussels.

For dinner, I ordered a large portion of meat lasagna. Lots of ricotta. Lots of meat. Just like lasagna should be. There are so many pasta dishes on their menu - from orecchiette with sausage to butternut squash ravioli. There are also 14 inch pizzas, sandwiches and dinner salads. There is a fabulous-looking tiramisu for dessert, but I had no room left after that lasagna. ,

Saturday, March 10, 2018

BRUNCH WITH A FREE BLOODY MARY OR MIMOSA AT THE LOCAL

Chicken and waffles with sausage gravy
All brunch main courses come with a Bloody Mary or Mimosa
The Local
Wayland, Massachusetts
www.liveeatlocal.com

I've always been a fan of The Local's West Newton, Massachusetts location for dinner. They have a hip, nighttime vibe with delicious flatbreads, burgers, salads and mac & cheese dishes. Today, I was excited to try their Wayland restaurant for brunch.

All of their main courses cost $16 and come with a complimentary mimosa or Bloody Mary. I loved their refreshing Bloody Mary, which had just enough spice. Choose from their Brunch Burger, avocado toast, pancakes, smoked salmon lox, classic eggs benny, short rib skillet hash OR be like Eat Up New England and indulge in their fried chicken & waffle. The boneless chicken and waffle is topped with a SAUSAGE GRAVY, making this one filling and fantastic meal. The gravy is sooo good.

There are also smaller portions like a cheese omelet, pancakes, scrambled eggs and a Belgian waffle. They come with apple slices or fried potatoes BUT do NOT come with the free alcoholic beverage.

Brunch is served at all of The Local's locations on Saturdays and Sundays.  , , ,

Thursday, March 01, 2018

A VENTI-SIZED SURPRISE AT STARBUCKS

My free iced latte thanks to a stranger with a warm heart.
Last Saturday, I stopped by the Starbucks in Newington, Connecticut for my morning coffee. I stood in line as usual. I placed my order for a grande iced vanilla latte as usual. But then, something unusual happened.

The barista said, "Your coffee is free today. A nice lady paid for everyone's breakfast." She quickly flashed a Starbucks gift card, implying the woman placed a large amount of money on the card. I was stunned. So was everyone else.

With politics and gun control dividing everyone, how nice that an anonymous stranger tried to bring everyone together, if only for a moment, with a random act of kindness. , ,