Sunday, April 29, 2018

INSIDE OF THE BRAND NEW WEGMANS IN NATICK, MASSACHUSETTS

JOE Sunday, April 29, 2018
The new Wegmans at the Natick Mall is finally open.
This location has its own Mexican restaurant called Blue Dalia.
An impressive cheese section where there are plenty of samples to enjoy.
Fresh veggies on the second floor
Live lobsters and some creatively packaged vodka on the second floor.
The massive new Wegmans at the Natick Mall finally opened today. Eat Up New England stopped by this afternoon and there was plenty of parking in the parking garage. The store was packed with first-time shoppers, which is to be expected on opening day. 

This mega grocery store features two huge floors. Upstairs, there is a bakery, fruits/veggies section, prepared meals, hot/cold buffets, a large cheese section, seafood, and a restaurant called The Burger Bar. Downstairs, customers will find frozen & refrigerated foods, dairy, cereals and a large wine, beer and liquor section. 

The soon-to-open Blue Dalia restaurant is also on the first floor. Roberto Santibanez will serve as the Mexican restaurant's culinary director. He is the chef and owner of Fonda's third locations in New York City. Blue Dalia opens on May 4th. , ,

Saturday, April 28, 2018

EAT UP ON THE ROAD: POUTINE IN CANADA

JOE Saturday, April 28, 2018
BBP poutine from Mache in Montreal
Italian poutine from Dunns Famous in Montreal
Chicken poutine from stHubert
Eat Up New England is just back from a relaxing and food-filled trip to Quebec, Canada. Trying kinds of poutine at different restaurants was one of the many highlights. Poutine originates from Quebec and is made of fries, cheese curds and brown gravy. But, as you'll see there are many tasty variations in Canada.

 The first place I enjoyed this dish was Mache in Montreal. This small restaurant was recommended to us because it's a place where the locals eat. They have several poutine dishes on their menu, but I settled for one that they call BBP where the fries are covered in ground beef, bacon, cheese curds, peas and house gravy. This dish was so large that I couldn't finish it!

 The next poutine I enjoyed was at a place called Dunns Famous in Montreal. They are known for their smoked meats. I loved their "Poutine Italienne," which substitutes the traditional gravy with their homemade meat sauce. Amazingly good and filling.

 I also LOVED a chicken poutine at the chicken restaurant chain StHubert. This dish was made of breaded chicken chunks drizzled with BBQ sauce, plenty of cheese curds and gravy at the bottom of the dish.  ,

Tuesday, April 10, 2018

FREE CONE DAY 2018

JOE Tuesday, April 10, 2018
Free Cone Day
It's that magical day that ice cream lovers look forward to every spring. It's Free Cone Day at Ben & Jerry's. Every April, the Vermont-based ice cream maker says thank you to all of its customers at all of its stores by giving them free ice cream cones or cups. I enjoyed their cookie dough today at their store in Natick, Massachusetts. I arrived just before the line started stretched around the corner. Going back for seconds or thirds is actually encouraged by Ben & Jerry's as long as you don't mind waiting in line again. ,

Sunday, April 08, 2018

LARGE, FLAVORFUL MEALS AND A BIG BUDDHA AT SAMBA STEAK & SUSHI

JOE Sunday, April 08, 2018
Samba specializes in Japanese and South American fusion.
One of Samba's hibachi plates.
A koi pond surrounds their massive statue of Buddha.
Samba Steak & Sushi
Framingham, Massachusetts
sambaframingham.com

Cultures come together at Samba, where Japanese and South American flavors are influenced by each other. This restaurant is huge. There's a large hibachi section where chefs cook for small and large groups alike. Their gigantic Buddha statue watches over diners here. There's also a bustling bar and a more intimate dining area.

We started out with vegetarian spring rolls, which were delicious. There are countless apps like vegetable tempura, chicken tempura, edamame, and buffalo tuna rangoon. Sushi fans will love Samba. Order it a la carte or as part of a meal. They even have a Party Boat for 4 with 57 pieces of Sushi for $99. Special entrees include their Mango Filet Mignon with fresh mango, Seafood Jambalaya and Miso Chilean Sea Bass. Samba also offers several salads, rice & noodle dishes and clay pot curry.

 I was thrilled to find out that customers can order from the hibachi menu even if they're not sitting in that section. I enjoyed a heaping plate of salmon with vegetable rice, fresh vegetables, shrimp and salad. The flavors, the portion, everything about this meal was so satisfying. ,
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