Friday, August 29, 2008
Taste of Newton
Once again, "The Taste of Newton" is arriving on the scene - Monday September 8 from 7-10 p.m. Everyone who has a ticket gets to sample dishes from a number of local restaurants. Tickets can be purchased ahead of time for $50.00 by phoning (973) 300-0433 or (973) 940-32172. There are a limited number of tickets but it they are available, the will be $60.00 at the door. See you there!
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
County Seat - Lunch
Pulled Pork Sandwich ($7.99)
The sandwich was served on a multi-grain roll which was not heavy at all. The pulled pork was toped with a coleslaw. You had a choice of a salad or french fries. I chose salad. Once again, as last time, it was a great salad with a mix of lettuce, dressed nicely with a balsamic vinaigrette. This was a tasty lunch at a decent price. The County Seat is just north of Newton on 206, at Clinton St, across from the Exxon station. Parking is diagonally across 206 in a dirt lot.
The sandwich was served on a multi-grain roll which was not heavy at all. The pulled pork was toped with a coleslaw. You had a choice of a salad or french fries. I chose salad. Once again, as last time, it was a great salad with a mix of lettuce, dressed nicely with a balsamic vinaigrette. This was a tasty lunch at a decent price. The County Seat is just north of Newton on 206, at Clinton St, across from the Exxon station. Parking is diagonally across 206 in a dirt lot.
Monday, August 25, 2008
Hampton Diner - Dinner
Fire Roasted Salmon (14.95 or 15.95 - not sure) on Atkins Menu
This dish is spice covered salmon on a LARGE bed of roasted fresh vegetables. There is a substantial amount of fish and an incredible pile of vegetables... I had to take home some vegetables. This is a tasty dish. The fish and vegetables were cooked just right. The Hampton Diner is just north of Newton on 206 and has a large parking lot. It is a pleasant place to eat and the service is fine.
This dish is spice covered salmon on a LARGE bed of roasted fresh vegetables. There is a substantial amount of fish and an incredible pile of vegetables... I had to take home some vegetables. This is a tasty dish. The fish and vegetables were cooked just right. The Hampton Diner is just north of Newton on 206 and has a large parking lot. It is a pleasant place to eat and the service is fine.
Friday, August 22, 2008
Narin Thai - Dinner
Hot Pepper (Pad Krapao) with chicken $11.00
Once again I had a delightful dinner at this Thai restaurant on the square in Newton. It is nice having a different cuisine available in the area... we all should support it. Since the prices are so good, there is no problem getting a soup or appetizer. I chose "Golden Triangle" ($5.00) which is fried bean curd served with a spicy tamarind peanut sauce. The triangles were crispy on the outside and soft on the inside (kind of like scrambled egg.) I told the waiter that I like hot things... yet the sauce, although tasty, was far from spicy. I barely could notice any spice heat. The hot pepper with chicken was a delightful mix of vegetables and diced chicken with a flavorful sauce. There was a nice hint of licorice in dish which may indicate that one of the vegetables was fennel. I liked it. The atmosphere is wonderful in this small restaurant. The staff is informed and pleasant. The menu fully explains all the dishes so you don't have to figure out what an unfamiliar name is. This is my third time here and my only complaint is that, even when asked for, the food is not spicy hot. I had heard that Thai food was "blow your head off hot." It definitely is not here. There is no parking lot for the restaurant, but at dinner time, there is plenty of parking around the square, up 206 or on Spring St. They say on the menu "call ahead for curbside pickup."
Once again I had a delightful dinner at this Thai restaurant on the square in Newton. It is nice having a different cuisine available in the area... we all should support it. Since the prices are so good, there is no problem getting a soup or appetizer. I chose "Golden Triangle" ($5.00) which is fried bean curd served with a spicy tamarind peanut sauce. The triangles were crispy on the outside and soft on the inside (kind of like scrambled egg.) I told the waiter that I like hot things... yet the sauce, although tasty, was far from spicy. I barely could notice any spice heat. The hot pepper with chicken was a delightful mix of vegetables and diced chicken with a flavorful sauce. There was a nice hint of licorice in dish which may indicate that one of the vegetables was fennel. I liked it. The atmosphere is wonderful in this small restaurant. The staff is informed and pleasant. The menu fully explains all the dishes so you don't have to figure out what an unfamiliar name is. This is my third time here and my only complaint is that, even when asked for, the food is not spicy hot. I had heard that Thai food was "blow your head off hot." It definitely is not here. There is no parking lot for the restaurant, but at dinner time, there is plenty of parking around the square, up 206 or on Spring St. They say on the menu "call ahead for curbside pickup."
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
County Seat - Dinner
Adobe Chicken ($13.99) - special, not on regular menu
I started with a tri-color salad ($4.99) which was the best salad I have had in a long time... mixed greens with some bitter ones like watercress. It was lightly dressed with a house balsamic vinegar dressing. My chicken was served with a Mexican type rice, average guacamole on a bed a shredded lettuce. The chicken breast was spicy, yet flavorful (not just hot.) It was covered with a wonderful creamy corn salsa and the whole thing was topped off with freshly fried noodles (which I could have done without.) I splurged and had the warm bread pudding for dessert which was delightfully rich, served with a small scoop of vanilla ice cream. I drank iced tea with my dinner (which was refilled at no cost) and a cup of coffee with dessert. For all of that, it cost me $30.47. Hooray for the new owners of the County Seat who have taken a dark bar which sold some pretty good food, to a bright (new big window added) quality restaurant with a bar (half the size of the old one.) This is a great choice in Newton for a nice restaurant at a reasonable price. Since I always like a salad with my meal, I would have liked to see a small salad included with dinner.
The County Seat is just down the hill from the Newton square, north on 206 (across from the Exxon station.) They have their own parking lot but it is across 206 (which has always bothered me) but it is not hard to cross with the extra lane in the middle at that point. You now enter the restaurant from the 206 side (not down the alley.) Watch out, there are two doors in the front, take the right one.. the one on the left leads upstairs. Try the NEW County Seat out. You will be pleased.
I started with a tri-color salad ($4.99) which was the best salad I have had in a long time... mixed greens with some bitter ones like watercress. It was lightly dressed with a house balsamic vinegar dressing. My chicken was served with a Mexican type rice, average guacamole on a bed a shredded lettuce. The chicken breast was spicy, yet flavorful (not just hot.) It was covered with a wonderful creamy corn salsa and the whole thing was topped off with freshly fried noodles (which I could have done without.) I splurged and had the warm bread pudding for dessert which was delightfully rich, served with a small scoop of vanilla ice cream. I drank iced tea with my dinner (which was refilled at no cost) and a cup of coffee with dessert. For all of that, it cost me $30.47. Hooray for the new owners of the County Seat who have taken a dark bar which sold some pretty good food, to a bright (new big window added) quality restaurant with a bar (half the size of the old one.) This is a great choice in Newton for a nice restaurant at a reasonable price. Since I always like a salad with my meal, I would have liked to see a small salad included with dinner.
The County Seat is just down the hill from the Newton square, north on 206 (across from the Exxon station.) They have their own parking lot but it is across 206 (which has always bothered me) but it is not hard to cross with the extra lane in the middle at that point. You now enter the restaurant from the 206 side (not down the alley.) Watch out, there are two doors in the front, take the right one.. the one on the left leads upstairs. Try the NEW County Seat out. You will be pleased.
Friday, August 8, 2008
El Mejicano Restaurant - Lunch
Enchiladas Mole Poblano - $12.95
Since it was a glorious day, we chose to sit out on the deck under colorful umbrellas. I noticed that they have outdoor heaters for the deck (when needed.) For our appetizer we ordered the fresh guacamole which was wonderfully rich and chuncky. I would have preferred it a little spicier with some jalapeno. The one order of guacamole was so rich that it was plenty for the four people at our table. My enchiladas mole poblano had a wonderfully flavorful mole sauce. I could taste the chocolate and cinnamon. It was a very rich sauce and I think I would have been better over whole pieces of chicken rather than on enchiladas. When the meal was over, I was stuffed with two rich dishes. For those of you who are interested, El Mejicano does not presently have a liquor license but they said they will be getting one . The do have a "bar" and will provide mixers. I have been here twice now and the service is a tad slow (not overly so) , but the food is great. The restaurant is at the corner of Routes 23 and 517 in Franklin (about 14 miles from Newton.)
Since it was a glorious day, we chose to sit out on the deck under colorful umbrellas. I noticed that they have outdoor heaters for the deck (when needed.) For our appetizer we ordered the fresh guacamole which was wonderfully rich and chuncky. I would have preferred it a little spicier with some jalapeno. The one order of guacamole was so rich that it was plenty for the four people at our table. My enchiladas mole poblano had a wonderfully flavorful mole sauce. I could taste the chocolate and cinnamon. It was a very rich sauce and I think I would have been better over whole pieces of chicken rather than on enchiladas. When the meal was over, I was stuffed with two rich dishes. For those of you who are interested, El Mejicano does not presently have a liquor license but they said they will be getting one . The do have a "bar" and will provide mixers. I have been here twice now and the service is a tad slow (not overly so) , but the food is great. The restaurant is at the corner of Routes 23 and 517 in Franklin (about 14 miles from Newton.)
Friday, August 1, 2008
El Mejicano Restaurant - Lunch
Enchiladas Suizas #12 - $8.25
Before the meal, we were presented with taco chips and salsa. Before I go much further, I should explain that I am not very familiar with "authentic Mexican food" so these comments are my opinions not based on comparing the food to traditional Mexican food. My two Enchilados were served in a nice presentation of rice, beans, and shredded iceberg lettuce. The refried beans (with melted cheese) were smoother and more soupier than I have in other places. I wanted to try to green sauce (Suizas) on the enchiladas. The sauce was wonderful with a flavorful vinegary bite to it. The shredded chicken inside was hand shredded with large chunks. I can tell it was home shredded because there was a small bone in mine. When we were finished were presented, at no charge, with a desert (probably something special for new customers) of a deep fried banana in a flour tortilla, covered with syrup and a scoop of strawberry ice cream and whipped cream on the top. The restaurant is pleasant, well-lit, and colorful with adequate parking. Outside there is a large deck with umbrellas if you want to eat outside. The place is on the corner of 23 and 517 (about a 30 drive from Newton) - just take Newton-Sparta Road all the way to 23 in Franklin. The parking lot entrance is actually on Munsonhurst Road, once block in from 23 on 517. If this place were closer, I would go there frequently...I enjoyed it the most of our now three Mexican restaurants. Be sure to try it. Dinner prices are a little more with the most expensive item being $23.95.
Before the meal, we were presented with taco chips and salsa. Before I go much further, I should explain that I am not very familiar with "authentic Mexican food" so these comments are my opinions not based on comparing the food to traditional Mexican food. My two Enchilados were served in a nice presentation of rice, beans, and shredded iceberg lettuce. The refried beans (with melted cheese) were smoother and more soupier than I have in other places. I wanted to try to green sauce (Suizas) on the enchiladas. The sauce was wonderful with a flavorful vinegary bite to it. The shredded chicken inside was hand shredded with large chunks. I can tell it was home shredded because there was a small bone in mine. When we were finished were presented, at no charge, with a desert (probably something special for new customers) of a deep fried banana in a flour tortilla, covered with syrup and a scoop of strawberry ice cream and whipped cream on the top. The restaurant is pleasant, well-lit, and colorful with adequate parking. Outside there is a large deck with umbrellas if you want to eat outside. The place is on the corner of 23 and 517 (about a 30 drive from Newton) - just take Newton-Sparta Road all the way to 23 in Franklin. The parking lot entrance is actually on Munsonhurst Road, once block in from 23 on 517. If this place were closer, I would go there frequently...I enjoyed it the most of our now three Mexican restaurants. Be sure to try it. Dinner prices are a little more with the most expensive item being $23.95.
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