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."

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.

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.)

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.