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.

Yetter's Diner - Lunch

Tuscany Salad $8.95 ($10.95 with chicken Breast)
This is a wonderful salad with a variety of greens (similar to the spring mix bag in the grocery store.) It also has sliced tomatoes, fresh mozzarella cheese, sliced large portabello and roasted red peppers. The salad is served in a large bowl, laid out nicely for a nice presentation. A special dressing is served on the side. There is plenty to eat with the cheese, so you may not want the chicken breast (opt for the balsamic marinated chicken breast if you want it.) This is a wonderful meal on a hot day.

Hampton Diner - Lunch

Greek Salad - $7.95 Whenever I go anywhere and order a Greek Salad, I always ask for the small, which is cheaper and is generally almost the same size as the large. The Greek salad at the Hampton Diner is my favorite around here. It contains, iceberg lettuce, peppers, onions, tomatoes, anchovies, black olives (with pits), feta cheese, and stuffed graped leaves. The thing I really like about their Greek salad is that they create it in a bowl, break up (not dice) the feta cheese and toss it in the bowl before plating it. This partially emulsifies the cheese with the dressing - not like most places that make a salad, dice some feta cheese and then sprinkle the dressing over the whole thing. At the Hampton Diner the anchovies and grape leaves are added at the end. One other thing that I like.... the stuffed grape leaves are much lighter (or less dense) than others I have eaten around here. I don't know if they make their own, but they are good. - NOTE: I have not added much to this blog lately because I am trying to lose weight and it is difficult to be careful when eating out.

Riviero Maya - Dinner

Mixote $13.95 I asked the waiter for something with a strong flavor and he gave me the Mixote (steamed pork in a tomato sauce.) It was very tasty and was served with rice and beans and some mixed vegetables. Unfortunately the mixed vegetables were ICE cold, like they were taken straight from the refrigerator and laid on the plate. The waiter never came back to see how the food was until it was time to ask for dessert. He apologized and I expressed my displeasure again asking him to please tell the cook. He apologized again but did not offer anything. It was not until I was leaving that I saw he did not charge me for my cocktail. They have finished decorating the place and it is charming. New carved chairs from Mexico (which I found uncomfortable) the the decorative painting was complete. They menu has been simplified from last time. Riviero Maya is in what used to be Mama Roni's on 206 North of Branchville. It has a parking lot. I have been told by friends that they have been there and it was VERY crowded. Hopefully my next visit will be more pleasant.

Paraiso Restaurant - dinner

Chivo (Goat) $8.99? (I am guessing about the price since it was not on the dinner menu.) You can order your meal three ways (ala carte, or with rice, beans & salad, or with fries and yellow or green plantains. The goat (with many bones) was stewed in a tomato sauce. I ordered a coffee and also flan for dessert. The Paraiso Restaurant offers Dominican/Caribbean food from 7am until 10pm (or 11pm on weekends.) Yes, interesting enough, they also offer Dominican breakfast. Delivery is available for orders over $10.00. It is located in what used to be a pizza place in a strip mall on Spring Street, just down from the movie theatre and across from Rite Aide. The is a small but adequate parking lot in the back. Currently there is a small dining room with a buffet (for lunch.) They are working on finishing a larger dining room. Make sure you try this place to expand your food horizons and support locally owned businesses.

Chatterbox - Dinner

Chatterburger ($6.99) A nice sized burger (not frozen pattie) on a roll with lettuce, tomato and onion. It comes with one side of various things such as fries, coleslaw, applesauce etc. The burger was cooked as I asked - rare (I was surprised they did it.) It was moist which probably means greasy. I also ordered onion rings which were made of sliced onions... but they were overly greasy. I drank iced tea. For dessert I ordered a hot fudge sundae which was prepared perfectly. There service was TERRIBLE. Between each step of the process there was a long wait and the place was far from crowded. Other tables were being waited on much better than mine so I left significantly less than 20% which is something I rarely do. The entrance to the dinning room is confusing with a rope making two aisles. It is not clear which aisle to enter - I think you are supposed to go left because the register is on the right. It should be better marked. The atmosphere is of the 50's drive-in. There is plenty of parking. It is located north of Newton at the intersection of 206/15/ and 265.

Hampton Diner - Dinner

Chicken Pot Pie (10.95)
This is served in a large soup bowl with a circular piece of puff pastry laid on top (not baked on as usually presented.) The chicken stew underneath is full of potatoes, a few other vegetables and large pieces of chicken. For this price, along with the pot pie, comes soup, salad and a choice of several deserts. The Hampton Diner is trying to make itself more than a diner. It has a large parking lot and is located just north of Newton on Rte 206.