The Weekly New England Travel and Vacation Gazette

Fresh Pond Seafood of Arlington Mass., Prioritizes Accurate Seafood Labeling

2011-11-04T08:53:00.000-07:00

Editor's note: this is the second in a series of articles, at The Weekly New England Travel and Vacation Gazette, focusing on Massachusetts seafood restaurants and sellers that say that they are committed to accurate labeling of their seafood. Seafood mislabeling has been a hot topic in the news lately as the Boston Globe recently wrote about many seafood restaurants and markets in the area not labeling their seafood correctly).

I recently had a chance to talk with Marty Hagerty, owner of Fresh Pond Seafood in Arlington, Mass., about the recent seafood mislabeling controversy, covered by the Boston Globe. He emphasized that they would never mislabel any of their seafood: "I can tell what I'm buying."

Those words have a lot of weight, given Fresh Pond Seafood in Cambridge gained a household name reputation in the area. Marty's father opened that store about 35 years ago until its closure in 2006. Marty, 48, and in the seafood business for more than 25 years, recently opened his new location -- a fish market that also has four booths for dining in -- at 75 Summer St. in Arlington.

Hagerty expressed disappointment in other seafood restaurants and markets involved in mislabeling their seafood. He cites Nantucket scallops as an example of a seafood that can be mislabeled or "cheapened."

"We sell Nantucket Bay scallops at certain times of the year -- very expensive -- but some, I'm sure, mix in cheap scallops and try to pass it off as Nantucket scallops," said Hagerty. "I think (in general) many of these people that got caught mislabeling knew what they were selling. Just my opinion."

Hagerty's main sea scallops supply comes from George's Bank in Boston -- very different than the "processed" or "wet" scallops that are quite commonplace.

"Basically, with processed scallops you throw 500 pounds of scallops into a vat with chemicals and they blow up, looking very pretty," said Hagerty. "When you cook them, though, they shrink! We use the 'dry' scallops from George's Bank that have no chemicals added."

Other properly labeled seafood sold at Fresh Pond Seafood include: shrimp, lobster meat, halibut, salmon, flounder, scrod, haddock, Bluefish, catfish, sea bass, snapper, Mahi Mahi, steamers, mussels, little necks, cherrystones, oysters, tuna, grey sole, swordfish, soft shell crabs, Maine crabmeat, crab cakes, trout, stuffed clams and shad roe.

Hagerty doesn't mind Fresh Pond Seafood being inspected, as he clearly takes pride in selling his seafood as labeled.

"I welcome any inspections," said Hegarty. "I know what I'm buying. I've been going to the pier since I was 17!"

Editor's note, part II: restaurants and fish markets in the Boston area, please write us about your business that doesn't mislabel seafood! We will consider calling you back for an interview. Thanks!

Two South of Boston Seafood Restaurants That Avoid Seafood Mislabeling

2011-11-03T07:09:00.000-07:00

Woods Seafood, Plymouth, Mass. (photo by Eric)

A Boston Globe series entitled "Fishy Business" recently revealed alleged seafood mislabeling amongst many fish restaurants and sellers in the area. A Globe crew collected 134 seafood samples and sent them to a lab in Canada, which found 48 per cent of the seafood mislabeled. For a quick "101," I recommend you check out a Boston Globe video here on seafood mislabeling, which explains the "who, what, when, where, why and how" of this troubling news. You can also find links to related articles on this page.

After reading about this reported seafood fraud, I thought it would be a good idea to contact local seafood restaurants and markets in hopes of finding some businesses not involved with seafood mislabeling. I think locating these type of establishments is important, as I know people that have read the articles are now suspicious of all local seafood restaurants and markets. Can't blame them -- how does one know who is on the up, and others that either knowingly or inadvertently mislabel their seafood?

I checked in with two of my favorite locally-owned and operated seafood places, Pier 18 Seafood and Grille in East Bridgewater, Mass., and Woods Seafood in Plymouth, Mass. For full disclosure, I have no affiliation, including vested interest, in either of these two seafood spots. I think the key takeaway with both of these restaurants is that they have the confidence to say that they welcome testing.

Peter Soroka, owner of Pier 18, took an immediate stand-up position and said, "We weren't tested (by the Globe), but welcome any testing. We don't have that issue (with seafood mislabeling). We're very honest and deal with reputable fish dealers. We don't lead people wrong."

Saroka cites the fish in a fish and chips meal as a classic example of taking a short cut, with many restaurants using cheaper pollock instead of haddock or cod -- something Pier 18 will never do.

"They (other businesses) get away with it, it's much cheaper,"said Saroka. "We don't do that here."

Jay Kimball, who bought Woods Seafood at Plymouth Harbor 23 years ago, prides his restaurant on being reputable. The presence of a public fish market on the premises authenticates the restaurant seafood, says Kimball.

"If you came in off the street and saw on the menu our swordfish, scallops, bluefish, or salmon and asked staff where it came from, they could point to our fish market where you can see everything clearly labeled. We're transparent in everything we do."

A virtual walking encyclopedia of his inventory and where it comes from, Kimball prides himself of knowing his New England seafood suppliers, as well as those from outside the area. As examples, his scallops come from New Bedford, farmed raised salmon from Canada, wild sockeye salmon from Alaska, crab meat from Maine, and swordfish from the outer banks of Nova Scotia and Maine.

Kimball said he wasn't contacted by the Globe, but would always welcome any kind of official testing. Regarding his business, Kimball says that Woods Seafood receives routine inspections from the local Board of Health and the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

That's it for now! Please check back in often as I will be writing more in the next month or two about Boston area seafood restaurants and markets that say that they don't have an issue with seafood fraud -- and welcome any testing.

Editor's note: restaurants and fish markets in the Boston area, please write us about your business that doesn't mislabel seafood! We will consider calling you back for an interview. Thanks!

The Meat House in Walpole, Mass., to Add Sit-Down Dining Area

2011-10-22T03:43:00.000-07:00

The Meat House, a national butcher shop chain specializing in meats and gourmet grocery items, will bring a sit-down dining area to its Walpole, Mass., location in the next few weeks.

I spoke last night with Jeff, the general manager at the Walpole Meat House, who told me that the dining area will feature chairs and tables, a couch, wide screen televisions and free WiFi. Customers will be able to order from the deli sandwich menu at the counter. Additionally, an extensive salad bar will also be part of the new cafe. A partition will separate the cafe from the butcher shop, thus helping create more ambiance and definition to this elongated storefront.

The Meat House is a local success story, opening its first store in Portsmouth, N.H., in 2003 and eventually expanding to 30 stores in nine states (and with more on the way). The Walpole Meat House is located at 655 Main St., and is open daily 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tel. (508) 668-2250.

Brookfield Orchards in North Brookfield, Mass., is More Than an Apple Picking Orchard

2011-10-15T04:52:00.000-07:00

Brookfield Orchards, North Brookfield, Mass. (photo by Eric)

Apple picking season is over at Brookfield Orchards in North Brookfield, Mass., but you can still "pick your own" fun activity at this fourth generation Central Massachusetts family-run business.

A great variety of apples is still available in the main indoor store. We bought a peck for $10 last week, and they are all gone -- the taste of the Cortland, Macs and Red Delicious we bought were absolutely fresh with that "just picked" taste! You can "mix and match" apples from the bins.

The snack area offers one of the most amazing apple dumplings, with the option to add some deliciously dense and creamy vanilla ice cream as well as Vermont-like cheddar cheese. Do not fret about adding the cheese to the dumpling, it is a surprisingly good combination.

Apple dumpling (photo by Eric)

What makes Brookfield Orchards a "must visit" destination beyond apple picking season, however, is the country store. One would not expect a country store that goes beyond an afterthought or "window dressing" an at apple picking destination, but Brookfield Orchards offers an authentic country store. We love browsing the antiques, collectibles, crafts, toys, books, cheeses, cider, maple syrups, jams, honey, etc. The country store starts out looking like a big garage and then turns into a quaint, charming, moderately-sized shop.

Finally, the fresh air and views of the apple orchards and rolling hills make Brookfield Orchards a visual delight. It's a scene that makes people linger, not wanting to leave this peaceful, idyllic paradise. So, yes, there is life beyond apple picking at an apple orchard in the New England fall!

Brookfield Orchards
12 Lincoln Rd.
North Brookfield MA
Tel. 508- 867-6858

American Planning Association Chooses College Hill in Providence, R.I., in its "America's Best Neighborhoods"

2011-10-05T07:49:00.000-07:00

A pleasing scene at Prospect Terrace Park, College Hill,
Providence, R.I. (photo by Eric)

Congratulations to the College Hill neighborhood of Providence, R.I., for making USA Today's "America's Best Neighborhoods", as designated by the American Planning Association (APA).

The APA chose "10 neighborhoods, streets and public spaces" in our nation that met its high standards of community excellence criteria, and they clearly thought very highly of College Hill. In the article, you'll see marvelous photos of historic Angell and Benefit Sts.

No argument here on College Hill receiving this accolade! To me, College Hill resonates as the jewel of Providence -- an already great city, overall. The brownstone architectural elegance, stately Colonial and Victorian homes, beautiful Prospect Terrace Park, the presence of Ivy League Brown University, as well as the Rhode Island School of Design, make for a fabulous neighborhood. And what a fantastic place to stroll to a village-like area of shops and restaurants along Thayer Street, North and South Main Streets, Waterman and Angell Streets. In a way, you don't even feel like you're in the city; rather, it's like a bustling small college town.

Although I could think of several other neighborhoods in New England that are every bit as nice as College Hill, the American Planning Association made a nice choice here!

A "Nacho" Above the Rest at the Ninety Nine Restaurant in Billerica, Mass.

2011-10-05T03:49:00.000-07:00

The Ninety Nine Restaurants chain set a Guinness Book of World Records achievement for building the world's largest nachos with a weight of 3,999 lbs. (notice the "99" in the total weight?) at its Billerica, Mass., restaurant. What a great idea to kick off Boys and Girls Club Fundraising month by raising $2,000 with this event.

The Boston Channel reports that four teams of five people created the larger than life nachos plate with 1,105 lbs. of nachos, 825 lbs. of Monterey jack and cheddar cheeses (melted using oversized torch guns!), 439 lbs. of cheese sauce, 451 lbs. of salsa, 459 lbs. of chili, 199 lbs. of jalapeño peppers, 90 lbs. of diced red onion, 421 lbs. of sour cream, and 8 lbs. of chopped cilantro.

Holy molecular gastronomy! Kudos to the Ninety Nine Restaurants Executive Chef George Tagareli and staff for creating this plate that benefits the Boys and Girls Club in their fundraising efforts.

Idyllic Grafton, Vt., Rebounding Nicely from Hurricane Irene Floods

2011-10-04T07:33:00.000-07:00

Grafton, Vt., is perhaps the most idyllic Vermont community, in my mind. There's so little here, but, ultimately, this community has everything you could ever want as a Vermont traveler looking for a true getaway -- a classic old inn (the Grafton Inn), a few shops to enjoy (including the phenomenal Grafton Village Cheese), a covered bridge, tree-lined streets to stroll and beautiful southern Vermont mountain views. Unlike some of the fabricated, superficial Vermont towns (you know, restored to look more like an outdoor museum than a real town), Grafton is the real deal. It was so sad for us to hear how the community was greatly damaged by a flood, due to August's Hurricane Irene. Most of the downtown district escaped harm, as the outskirts received the brunt of the violent storm's damaging effects. However, Grafton has made a rapid recovery -- fantastic news for the residents as well as travelers looking for that fall foliage magic in the area. Amazing the community has rebounded so quickly, given the stories we were hearing not too long along from the local and national news.

I recently received an email from Julia Lyon, of People Making Good (a PR firm out of Burlington, Vt.) describing Grafton's comeback:

After experiencing devastating flooding resulting from hurricane Irene, Grafton Village Cheese and the town of Grafton, VT have recovered at an astonishing speed and are in the midst of a spectacular fall foliage season. Grafton Village Cheese has been the maker of world-class artisanal cheddar for over a century, and the creamery is proud to be back to hand-making their traditional cheddars as well as aging their new varieties in the cheese cave.

And here is some additional info Julia sent us on Grafton Village Cheese:

With plenty of time until Vermont’s foliage season begins, Grafton Village Cheese of Grafton, VT has fully recovered from the flooding caused by Hurricane Irene that recently affected the area. The cheese creamery and village of Grafton were able to pull together quickly to rectify any and all damages. Grafton Village Cheese’s retail stores in Brattleboro and Grafton are both open for business. The scheduled milk deliveries are now back in place allowing for both locations to be handmaking cheese, including usage of the cave aging facility at the Grafton location.

The main points of access, Route 35, Route 30 and Route 121 in and out of Grafton, VT are open.

This is just great, great news! We hope you can check out Grafton, Vt. It's a true New England gem of a community, and we're so happy to hear that our New England neighbors up there are doing so much better!

Coastal New England during the Fall Season

2011-09-26T06:37:00.000-07:00

Nubble Lighthouse in the early evening -- amazing! (photo by Eric)

Don't forget about coastal New England during the fall season!

We tend to think of the mountains in New England as the place to take in the fall colors of New England. It's true that you'll get a higher concentration of fall foliage in these regions. We find, however, that visiting places like southern Maine during the fall makes for just as fun of a time. The summer crowds lessen greatly and many of the shops and restaurants are still open for the season. If you're lucky, you'll catch a fall harvest event, thus adding to the overall grand feeling of being by the coast.

Virtually empty Short Sands Beach (photo by Eric)

We love York Beach, Maine, during the fall. On a good weather day, it's nice walking Short Sands Beach or Long Sands Beach and virtually having the beach to yourself. Or sitting on the rocky coast and gazing at Nubble Lighthouse -- one of America's most photographed lighthouses. We've also seen some decent fall foliage in this area, but that's not the real star of the show. Rather, it's just enjoying the coast in some good weather -- and before the harsh winter begins. In a way, it's like holding onto the last legs of summer, and that's always a good thing when in New England!

Compare hotel prices in York, Maine

50 Fun Travel Ideas for the New England Fall Foliage Season

2011-09-22T09:05:00.000-07:00

Chocorua Lake. Photo credit:
Lawrence Carbonaro

Here are 50 New England fall foliage season destinations, attractions, restaurants and hotels for your trip planning purposes. Please feel free to add your favorite fall travel things to do in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont! Together, we can build an incredible list!

1. Pick apples at Belkin Lookout Farm, Natick, Mass:http://visitingnewengland.com/applepicking.html

2. Take a scenic New England fall foliage driving route:http://visitingnewengland.com/fall-foliage-questions.html

3. Discover some of New England's best fall foliage in Maine:http://visitingnewengland.com/maine-fall-foliage.html

4. Enjoy apple picking, apple dumplings with vanilla ice cream and a general store at Brookfield Orchards in North Brookfield, Mass.:http://visitingnewengland.com/brookfield-orchards-apples.html

5. Visit the Shaker Hill Fall Apple Festival, Sept. 24-25 in Alfred, Maine:http://visitingnewengland.com/blog-cheap-travel/?p=1554

6. Take a walk around Walden Pond in Concord, Mass.:http://visitingnewengland.com/blog-cheap-travel/?p=1204

7. Get a taste of true apple cider at Cold Hollow Cider Mill in Waterbury, Vt.:http://visitingnewengland.com/blog-cheap-travel/?p=598

8. Take in the million dollar views at low-cost Pack Monadnock Summit, Peterborough, N.H.: http://visitingnewengland.com/blog-cheap-travel/?p=174

9. See an amazing pumpkin Patch at Adams Farm in Cumberland, R.I.:http://newenglandtravelnews.blogspot.com/2010/10/pumpkins-saturate-rhode-island-farm.html

10. Ride the Conway Scenic Railway in Conway, N.H., for great views of the New England fall foliage season:http://newenglandtravelnews.blogspot.com/2010/10/conway-scenic-railway-offers-colorful.html

11. View some of the best New England fall foliage at the famous Kancamagus Scenic Byway in the White Mountains of New Hampshire:http://newenglandtravelnews.blogspot.com/2010/10/fall-foliage-leaf-peeping-at-kancamagus.html

12. Visit the Vermont Country Store in Weston, Vt., to experience an authentic New England country store in a beautiful town:http://newenglandtravelnews.blogspot.com/2009/10/scenic-vermont-fall-foliage-drive-and.html

13. Hike Mt. Sugarloaf in South Deerfield, Mass., for some splendid fall foliage views: http://newenglandtravelnews.blogspot.com/2009/10/mt-sugarloaf-in-south-deerfield-mass.html

14. Enjoy a peaceful day in Wrentham, Mass., northern Rhode Island, and the northeast Connecticut area:http://newenglandtravelnews.blogspot.com/2009/10/picturesque-rhode-island-fall-foliage.html

15. Dine at the scenic 1761 Old Mill in Westminster, Mass., for some excellent New England fare:http://newenglandtravelnews.blogspot.com/2009/10/scenic-fall-dining-at-1761-old-mill.html

16. Stay at the Stoweflake inn in beautiful Stowe, Vt.:http://www.visitingnewengland.com/hotelinfo/136140.html

17. Find a hidden gem of a walk at the Walpole Town Forest in Walpole, Mass.:http://newenglandtravelnews.blogspot.com/2009/10/another-hidden-fall-foliage-travel-gem.html

18. Enjoy the sweeping views of the Mt. Washington Valley at the Mountain View Grand Resort in Whitefield, N.H.:http://www.visitingnewengland.com/hotelinfo/93025.html

19. Discover Vermont for its rural beauty:http://newenglandtravelnews.blogspot.com/2009/09/vermont-fall-travel-ideas.html

20. Take a scenic motorcycle fall foliage ride in Central Massachusetts and Northeast Connecticut:http://newenglandtravelnews.blogspot.com/2009/09/scenic-motorcycle-fall-foliage-ride-in.html

21. Visit Pleasant View Orchards, a classic roadside farm stand in Smithfield, R.I.: http://newenglandtravelnews.blogspot.com/2009/09/classic-new-england-roadside-farm-stand.html

22. Stay at the Bethel Inn, a charming resort in inland Bethel, Maine (the foliage is great here!) that has been serving the vacationing public since 1913:http://www.visitingnewengland.com/hotelinfo/122358.html

23. Pick some apples at the Big Apple farm in Wrentham, Mass. This is an old-fashioned working American farm in business since 1950 and a rural community travel attraction on over 200 serene acres:http://newenglandtravelnews.blogspot.com/2008/10/old-fashioned-fall-fun-at-big-apple.html

24. Take in classic fall travel attractions at Franconia Notch in the White Mountains of New Hampshire:http://newenglandtravelnews.blogspot.com/2008/10/return-to-franconia-state-park-in-new.html

25. Splurge on luxurious lodging at the Wheatleigh in Lenox (the Berkshire Mountains): http://www.visitingnewengland.com/hotelinfo/24124.html

26. Navigate a tricky corn patch at Jane and Paul's Farm in Norfolk, Mass.:http://newenglandtravelnews.blogspot.com/2008/10/corny-new-england-travel-destination.html

27. Take the Road Less Taken in the New England Autumn:http://newenglandtravelnews.blogspot.com/2008/09/taking-road-less-taken-in-new-england.html

28. Enjoy Stowe, Vt., on a budget with these affordable travel attractions: http://visitingnewengland.com/blog-cheap-travel/?p=1619

29. Get in the fall spirit at Parker's Maple Barn in Mason, N.H.:http://newenglandtravelnews.blogspot.com/2008/09/getting-into-fall-spirit-at-parkers.html

30. New England towns perfect for staying overnight or for an extended time during the New England fall foliage season:http://www.visitingnewengland.com/fall-foliage-lodging.html

31. Stroll through Walpole N.H., a quintessential New England town:http://www.visitingnewengland.com/scenesofnewengland97.html

32. Have fun at The Big E New England States Fair:http://www.visitingnewengland.com/eastern-states-exposition-fair.html

33. Dine by fireside at the historic Salem Cross Inn in West Brookfield, Mass.:http://www.visitingnewengland.com/salemcrossinn.html

34. Hike through some beautiful forest at Hale Reservation in Westwood, Mass.: http://visitingnewengland.com/blog-photo-tour/2010/09/22/hale-reservation-westwood-mass/

35. Gaze at the innate beauty of Echo Lake in Franconia Notch, N.H.:http://visitingnewengland.com/blog-photo-tour/2010/09/17/echo-lake-at-foot-of-cannon-mountain-franconia-notch-new-hampshire/

36. Be amazed at the variety of pumpkins available at the Epiphany Church of Walpole Fall Fair in Walpole, Mass.: http://visitingnewengland.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/P1080540.jpg

37. Stay at the Mountain Top Inn and Resort in Chittenden, Vt., with its breathtaking views:http://www.visitingnewengland.com/hotelinfo/120584.html

38. Enjoy a fall family vacation at the Red Jacket Mountain View and Indoor Water Park in North Conway, N.H. (in the White Mountains):http://www.visitingnewengland.com/hotelinfo/132021.html

39. Dine at the historic, casual Vanilla Bean Cafe in Pomfret, Conn., one of New England most beautiful small towns:http://newenglandtravelnews.blogspot.com/2008/09/vanilla-bean-is-good-for-heart.html

40. Stay at the 4-star Inns at the Equinox in charming Manchester, Vt., at the base of Mount Equinox.

41. Visit Brown and Hopkins Country Store in Chepachet, R.I., one of the oldest continuously operating country stores in the United States:http://www.visitingnewengland.com/scenesofnewengland72.html

42. Dine and lodge at the historic Concord's Colonial Inn in Concord, Mass.:http://www.visitingnewengland.com/scenesofnewengland84.html

43. Eat at one of the great New England diners -- the Miss Lyndonville Diner -- in Lyndonville, Vt.:http://newenglandtravelnews.blogspot.com/2008/10/beloved-miss-lyndonville-diner.html. Located in the Northeast Kingdom you're also sure to find some spectacular foliage in this region during the peak season!

44. Visit Jackson, N.H., a truly picturesque, idyllic New England town:http://www.visitingnewengland.com/jackson-New-Hampshire.html

45. Stay a while at picture perfect Chocorua Lake in Tamworth, N.H.:http://www.visitingnewengland.com/Chocorua-Lake-NH.html

46. Enjoy a family resort vacation at Woodward's in Lincoln, N.H., near many White Mountains attractions:http://www.visitingnewengland.com/hotelinfo/126181.html

48. Stroll the Currier and Ives-like downtown in Keene, N.H.:http://www.visitingnewengland.com/scenesofnewengland98.html

49. Stop by Phantom Farms in Cumberland, R.I., for some apple picking, fall harvest events, apple cider, and a visit to the yummy bake shop:http://www.visitingnewengland.com/roadside-farm-stand-ri-apples.html

50. Stay at the Lodge of Moosehead Lake in Greenville, Maine, located in a setting of unspoiled natural beauty:http://www.visitingnewengland.com/hotelinfo/93783.html

Five New England Restaurants Perfect for the Fall Season

2011-09-09T09:02:00.000-07:00

1761 Old Mill restaurant, Westminster, Mass.

Perhaps it's a mix of location, dining atmosphere and foods compatible with autumn, but I have found the following restaurants as ideal destinations during the fall season:

Salem Cross Inn West Brookfield, Mass. -- The historic home, roaring fireplace, post and beam design, rolling green fields outside and some delicious Yankee fare make the Salem Cross Inn an ideal fall dining spot, situated in the beautiful New England town of West Brookfield. Love the maple jack chicken sauteed with Applewood bacon scallions and sundried tomatoes. The chicken is then topped with Monterey jack cheese and a dijon mustard sauce. Yum!

The 1761 Old Mill, Westminster, Mass. -- This former saw mill features a waterfall, covered bridge, duck pond, long outdoor front porch and on the inside, a roaring fireplace (do I detect a pattern here?) and charming post and beam dining rooms. The steak, seafood and chicken dishes are quite good, although not up to par with the Salem Cross Inn. The best bet is the extensive Sunday morning brunch that includes some delicious popovers and some very nicely done chicken and seafood items. There's also a really good country store on the lower level!

Vanilla Bean Cafe, Pomfret, Conn. This restored 1740s farmhouse is so cozy! Owners Barry & Brian Jessurun run this restaurant with pride and joy -- the farthest thing from just another generic big box restaurant. The comfort food breakfast, lunch and dinner items are amongst the best we've ever experienced. All this, plus folk entertainment at night! The atmosphere is just right -- informal, pleasant and with rural and modern charm combined. The location is fantastic, too, right in the heart of Pomfret, a quintessential small New England town. My favorite dish is the smoked mozzarella and basil ravioli with a cream sauce, asparagus, and roasted red peppers. If I had to take an out of town guest to a local restaurant, the Vanilla Bean Cafe would be it!

Parker's Maple Barn, Mason, N.H. Rustic and located in a remote area, this busy country restaurant serves huge breakfasts, very tasty lunches and a lot of items made with maple syrup. I love the maple ribs. maple frappe and fresh roast turkey dinner here. On the premises, there's also a gift shop. The area countryside with deep forest, lakes and ponds is a amazingly scenic destination during the fall foliage season.

Clay Hill Farm, Cape Neddick, Maine This special "date night" caliber restaurant is not located near the ocean, but rather in some beautiful countryside. Located in a rambling, restored and refined farmhouse, Clay Hill Farm offers modern cuisine without the stuffiness that sometimes mars upscale restaurants. They source many of their food locally, and you can taste it in the greens and other vegetables. Clay Hill Farm also offers some very pleasant piano entertainment at night. I've had lobster bisque, roasted half duckling (with merlot blueberry sauce) and grilled salmon that makes me wish this restaurant was located closer to our Boston area home. We'd be there as often as our budget allows!

Walking Along Plymouth Harbor in Plymouth, Mass.

2011-09-08T08:30:00.000-07:00

Plymouth Harbor in Plymouth, Mass., is a pleasant destination for a day time or evening stroll (provided it's not raining cats and dogs like today). After a nice seafood dinner at one of the waterfront restaurants like Woods Seafood or the Lobster Hut, the unmistakable coastal New England feel in the air makes for a relaxing yet refreshing time. Along the way, you'll see the Mayflower II (a replica of the ship that brought the Pilgrims to America), Plymouth Rock and several spots to eat some ice cream (we like Peaceful Meadows the most), or buy a souvenir (John Alden Gift Shop is very neat!). Some boat companies offer cruises as well as fishing and whale watching tour opportunities. There are even a few hotels along the way like the Bradford Inn and Suites that provide waterfront views Although Plymouth is very famous as a vacation destination, I feel that Plymouth Harbor tends to fly under the radar as a top notch coastal spots in New England. Enjoy this special place, while the weather is relatively good!

Article and photo of Plymouth Harbor by Eric

Boston Area Travel Ideas and Hub Happenings

2011-09-07T07:00:00.000-07:00

Good morning from New England! Today, we'll focus on happenings in the Boston area. Let's start off the day by mentioning Coffee Sensations inside Lord's Department Store in Medfield, Mass. Coffee Sensations is actually an authentic, old fashioned luncheonette that brings back memories of the lunch counter at Woolworth's Department store. They serve lunch and dinner and know how to make great shakes, burgers, pancakes and other comfort foods. They also serve delicious homemade ice cream from the Black Cow in Millis, Mass. My favorite dish is the chopped chicken panini that features moist chicken, hots and the right touch of mayonnaise. Lord's is in a bit of a time capsule, too, reminding us of the old neighborhood general stores that we grew up with -- no surprise, given Lord's is well over 60 years old!... Over in neighboring Walpole, Mass., The Walpole Farmers Market is still open through the end of October on the Walpole Town Common (Wednesdays, 2:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.) I'm very impressed by this Farmers Market -- the mix of vendors is terrific and the setting is pure New England. The town common is beautiful with its open space surrounded by mom and pop shops, restaurants, churches and historic buildings and homes... And over in Westwood, Mass., here is some news out of the "boo-hoo" department: Bubbling Brook ice cream stand will be closing for the season on Sunday, Sept. 11, according to its Facebook Fan Page. Seems like they just reopened for the season -- shows how fast the summer has gone by. Make sure to get to this classic ice cream stand before the ice cream season ends here... Read with interest in the Boston Globe that the former Andros Diner on Trapelo Rd. in Belmont, Mass., might reopen as a new restaurant. Its current owner reportedly has some parties interested in bringing back a restaurant to this location. It broke my heart when Andros Diner closed last winter. For a few decades, I thought they had some of the best Greek-American food in the Boston area -- always loved the baked lamb and homemade Greek salad dressing. Too bad financial difficulties forced Andros to close, but looking forward to the possibility of a new restaurant spot here...Good news for Villa Mexico restaurant fans: the restaurant will remain open in its present location at 296 Cambridge St., in Boston, until December of this year, according to its ConstantContact newsletter page... The Paul Revere House reports on its Twitter page that the annual Paul Revere House September Lecture Series will feature Rick Detwiller talking tonight (Sept. 7) about Boston's Georgian landscape at the Old South Meeting House. The lecture begins at 6:30 p.m... Read in the Quincy Patriot Ledger that Dave & Buster’s will be coming to Braintree (in the former Circuit City building just off Route 95 near the South Shore Plaza). Good news for those that had to trek to the Dave and Buster's in Providence, R.I., to enjoy this chain food and entertainment complex that features lots of video games to go along with a large bar and dining area.... Congratulations to Mr. Bartley's Burger Cottage at Harvard Square in Cambridge for making USA Today's "10 great places to sink your teeth into a burger" article. There are many great burger places in the Boston area, but Mr. Bartley's has withstood the test of time, always turning out some fantastic burgers. Haven't been in a while, but the article has inspired a return visit!... That's about all for now, we'll see you soon with more information from around New England!

Traveling New England, Here and There...

2011-09-06T06:28:00.000-07:00

New England Travel Thoughts
It's a rainy day here in the Northeast, a good day for travelers to visit some of Boston's best museums like the Museum of Science, New England Aquarium and Museum of Fine Arts Boston... Congratulations to Bondir restaurant in Cambridge, Mass., chosen by Bon Appetit Magazine's in its "The Best New Restaurants in America in 2011" (September 2011 edition). Bondir bills itself as a restaurant serving "Sustainable Modern American Cuisine."... Today, we give shout outs to Attleboro, Mass., for its great community and patriotic spirit; Narragansett, R.I., for its wonderful ocean beaches; Old Lyme, Conn., for a remarkable sense of preservation; Dover, N.H., for bringing its downtown back to life in a big way; Woodstock, Vt., for its postcard picture perfect look; and South Berwick, Maine, for just being itself, a sleepy, friendly little town... It's amazing how Davis Square in Somerville, Mass., has gone from a rather nondescript neighborhood to an eclectic, interesting area loaded with restaurants and locally-owned stores. In a certain regard, it's now more interesting than Harvard Square in Cambridge. The centerpiece is, still, of course, the old-school Somerville Theater with some great movies playing at low prices...If I had to choose five Boston area towns to live for families, they would be Cohasset, Wakefield, Walpole, Franklin and Ipswich. All of those towns have a friendly close-knit, small town feel, very good to excellent schools, real downtowns, and plenty of activities going on for all ages. Ipswich and Cohasset have the advantage of being located by the ocean. And it's amazing that Cohasset, for all its wealth, has much less of a snob factor than other towns of its class... Best small city/town downtown district for college kids? I'd have to say Burlington, Vt., with its colorful, four-block downtown pedestrian shopping area, walking and bike paths, myriad restaurants and shops and boat rides along Lake Champlain...Looks like there are still some very good "Best Value Red Sox Tickets prices for upcoming games against the Toronto Blue Jays and Baltimore Orioles. The Sept. 19 game against the Orioles has tickets starting at $15, through Ace Tickets!... Some close friends tell us that the indoor "wave pool" at the Cape Codder Resort and Spa in Hyannis, Mass., is a lot of fun, adds to a great family hotel destination... I really like Everything But Anchovies restaurant in Hanover, N.H. (5 Allen St.), A wide menu selection (including pizza), salad bar, and good prices not only make it a favorite amongst Dartmouth College students, but anyone else with a hearty appetite and thrifty spending habits. They actually do serve anchovies here on the pizzas... When the fall foliage season arrives, one place I'd highly recommend walking is Walden Pond on Route 126 in Concord, Mass. The hike around the pond is about 45 minutes and, more or less, level. The foliage colors are typically outstanding and the scenery so pleasing around the pond...Boston Bruins Tickets are now available. Here's hoping to a season as successful as last!...We stayed at the Henniker Motel in Henniker, N.H. a few weeks ago, and have to say that we were pleasantly surprised. We had a nice, clean room with cable television and views of the surrounding hills and open land. We also enjoyed the indoor pool. Additionally, they have a cozy gathering room with fireplace and television. The staff was very nice to us, too. The Henniker Motel is probably made more for the winter, as it is located at the base of Pat's Peak Ski area, but this summer visit was sure nice. By the way, Henniker is becoming one of our favorite New England towns as we find the downtown old fashioned and pleasant -- really quintessential New England. It's walkable, has a few nice restaurants and shops, an independently owned pharmacy and general store, nice views of the Contoocook River, and New England College with its attractive campus. We'll be back and look forward to another stay at the Henniker Motel!...Bishop's Orchards in Guilford, Conn., reports on Twitter that its apple picking season has begun with Gala and McIntosh available... That's about all for now, check in again soon for more New England travel thoughts!

New England Travel Thoughts

2011-09-05T06:02:00.000-07:00

I can hardly wait until The Big E New England States Fair, running Sept. 16-Oct. 2 at the Eastern States Exposition Grounds in West Springfield, Mass. Love the midway, animal exhibitions, parades, musical entertainment and comfort food vendors... Was driving up Route 495 in Hopkinton, Mass., the other day and already saw some leaves changing color. Scary thought, as it seemed like Memorial Day Weekend was just a few weeks ago. I'm looking forward to the peak colors, though, later this month and in October (depending on location in New England)...To answer the age old argument -- which is better for pizza in Boston, Santarpio's or Pizzeria Regina? The answer is "yes!"... Coastal Newburyport, Mass., has a near perfect downtown. The choice of stores, restaurants, the water views, brick sidewalks, historic old buildings and homes make for an ideal, walkable central district... Come to think of it, though, coastal Portsmouth, N.H., is just as nice and a great way to spend some time visiting New England. Portsmouth has a boatload of cultural activities going on near or at the waterfront and Market Square locations, as well as offering lots of locally-owned shops and restaurants. The harbor here is really beautiful... If I had to choose a Massachusetts town that maintains a quintessential classic New England small town feeling, it would be West Brookfield. The town common is amazing, the surrounding old "front porch" homes so beautiful and the people quite friendly. For a meal, go to the historic Salem Cross Inn on Route 9, just outside the downtown, for tasty New England fare as well as some very nice local ambiance... If you like lodging with waterfront views without the hefty price tag, I would recommend the Katahdin Inn in York Beach, Maine (Ocean Ave. Ext., at Short Sands Beach). I don't know how owners Bob and Rae do it, but the prices are half of what some other similar lodging establishments charge for just being on the water... I think many New England towns have become either generic-looking or overgrown, but Hanover, N.H., remains just as nice as ever. Fantastic, little downtown and with Dartmouth College to add a lot of tree-lined campus appeal... I could watch the Mystic Drawbridge in downtown Mystic, Conn., go up and down all day, only to be interrupted, of course, by some delicious homemade ice cream at Mystic Drawbridge Ice Cream. I always get the lemon chocolate kiss... Speaking of ice cream, the landmark Kimball Farm in Westford, Mass. , is as good as ever. Had a delicious ginger snap molasses ice cream the other night and was it ever good! The place has expanded over the years with two fantastic mini golf courses, an animal area, batting cages, bumper boats, an "outdoor seafood shack and grill," country store and arcade games. It's all so fun and not tacky at all -- everything seems to fit in nicely to make for a great morning or afternoon itinerary... One of the highlights of the summer was dining on lobster and lobster rolls at around $10.00 a dish a Markey's Lobster Pool in Seabrook, N.H. (Route 286, just off Route 1A). How they keep the prices down, I don't know but I'd certainly recommend going there is you love lobster and low prices. Of course, the market value changes the prices, but we've always found the dining bill to be quite low. The outdoor waterfront dining is a real plus, too... I love the Cold Hollow Cider Mill in Waterbury, Vt. (3600 Waterbury-Stowe Rd.). Cold Hollow makes apple cider the old-fashioned way with a rack and cloth press built in the 1920s. The taste is amazing! Cold Hollow is not just a cider place, however. They have a bakery (including delicious homemade donuts), Green Mountain Coffee, Vermont-made wines and a toy store. This always makes a pleasant fall foliage season destination... The Raven's Nest in Walpole, Mass. (998 Main St.), is what I'd call a "major league" restaurant. Mark and Maura McCauliffe have gone through painstaking efforts to make the Raven's Nest look like an Irish pub (Mark is from Ireland). The bricks on one dining room wall were even hand-painted one-by-one! It's a ultra cozy place with fabulous contemporary cuisine and upscale pub fare, lots of draft beer selections, open air windows, an outdoor patio, seven plasma televisions to watch the game, and a nice fireplace for the winter. My favorite dishes: the baked mac and cheese, Shepherd's Pie, fillet of salmon with a soy ginger glaze, and the pesto chicken sandwich. Everything about The Raven's Nest just looks and feels right. Love this place; every hometown should have a downtown restaurant like this... All country stores that I have been to in Vermont are worth a trip, but my favorite is still the Vermont Country Store in Weston, Vt. (right in the heart of the quaint downtown). The place is huge and full of everything you could ever want in a country store. They haven't gone "Hollywood" either, keeping the authentic feel well intact... We started this post with a mention about a local fair, and we'll end it that way, too: the Topsfield Fair will be held this year from Sept. 30 to Oct. 10 at the Topsfield Fairgrounds in Topsfield, Mass. Not as large as The Big E, it's still worth a trip. The Topfield Fair is the oldest agricultural fair in the United States has a wonderful mix of agricultural exhibits and presentations, a good midway area, and entertainment (Phil Vassar, Sean Kingston and Ayla Brown are a few of the scheduled performers this year)... That's about if for now. Come back soon as we'll post some more New England travel thoughts not too far down the road!

Five New England Ice Cream Spots Receives Honors from FOOD AND WINE

2011-06-04T05:30:00.000-07:00

Crescent Ridge Dairy, Sharon, Mass. (photo by Eric H.)

We were delighted to read that five New England ice cream shops and stands made FOOD AND WINE'S "Best Ice Cream Spots in the U.S." They are: Christina's in Cambridge, Mass., Mt. Desert Ice Cream in Bar Harbor, Maine, Four Seas in Centerville, Mass. (Cape Cod), Crescent Ridge Dairy in Sharon, Mass. and Anabelle's in Portsmouth, N.H.

Congratulations on this "cool" honor. We personally love Four Seas with its lemon crisp and cantaloupe ice creams (yes, the latter tastes really good)!

It's a nice time of the year for ice cream and we recommend you checking out these places, if in that specific area.

The American Soldier Burger at Toby Keith's I Love This Bar and Grill, Foxboro, Mass.

2011-05-26T06:27:00.002-07:00

"American Soldier Burger" (photo by Eric H.)

In recognition of National Hamburger Month, we salute the "American Soldier Burger" recently consumed by this author at Toby Keith's I Love This Bar and Grill at Patriot Place in Foxboro, Mass. (adjacent to Gillette Stadium, home of the New England Patriots).

I Love This Bar and Grill really has a winner of a burger here -- perfectly seasoned and grilled with a heaping of American cheese complemented by tomato, lettuce, some mighty tasty red onions as well as fries and pickle on the side. A little American flag is stuck through the burger.

Scott, a terrific waiter at this Foxboro location, told us that the "American Soldier Burger" is served free of charge to any military personnel with a valid, active U.S. military ID. Toby Keith, a well-known country singer, is a true patriot participating in USO trips to entertain troops in the Middle East, and we applaud him for offering our brave men and women Soldiers the free burger.

Bar at I Love This Bar and Grill (photo by Eric)

Opened just last week, I Love This Bar and Grill is a sight to behold -- 20,000 square feet of dining space, a bar and entertainment space, a red, white and blue guitar shaped bar that spans more than 85 ft. of ceiling, many HDTV monitors for viewing sporting events, live country and rock music at night, and country music memorabilia and collectibles lining the wall. The bar also has a mechanical bull, nicknamed Bullet (not quite ready, will be operating soon). In addition to burgers, the southern-styled specialties include fried bologna and pulled pork sandwiches, whiskey bottle New York steak, and deep fried Twinkies. Beer is served in mason jars!

Named after Keith's 2003 hit single, "I Love This Bar," this mini restaurant chain currently operates five other restaurants across the country, with four more on the way.

Toby Keith’s Foxboro I Love This Bar & Grill is located at 275 Patriot Place (near the Renaissance Hotel & Spa at Patriot Place, and directly across from Old Navy). The telephone number is (508) 543-8629.

Favorite Lobster Rolls in New England

2011-05-06T06:42:00.000-07:00

Lobster rolls are part of the New England dining fabric, especially in the good old summertime. We've tasted some pretty good lobster rolls through the years, but these five come to mind when thinking of the best in New England -- based on taste and quantity:

Markey's Lobster Pool, Seabrook, N.H.

Kelly's Roast Beef, Revere Beach, Mass.

Maine Diner, Wells, Maine

George's of Galilee, Narragansett R.I.

Howard's Drive-in, West Brookfield, Mass.

We also recently ran a poll on our New England Vacations Facebook Fan Page, asking which New England restaurant makes the best lobster roll. To date, the Town Docks in Meredith, N.H., leads the pack, followed by Bob's Clam Hut in Kittery, Maine, Knapp's Landing in Stratford, Conn., the aforementioned Maine Diner and Abbott's Lobster in the Rough in Noank, Conn. Other mentions: The Raw Bar in Mashpee, Mass., Petey's Summertime Seafood in Rye Beach, N.H., the Harbourside Lobstermania in East Greenwich, R.I., Robert's Maine Grill in Kittery, Maine, and Brown's in Seabrook, N.H.

How about you, what restaurant do you feel makes the best lobster roll in New England? Please feel free to comment in this post!

Enjoying a New England Spring Day at Long Sands Beach, York Beach, Maine

2011-05-03T03:47:00.000-07:00

Long Sands Beach, York Beach, Maine (photo by Eric)

This familiar phrase our parents told us virtually every day when growing up turned out to possess great wisdom: "Go outside and play, and get some fresh air!"

Getting out to play and breathe in fresh air at Long Sands Beach in York Beach, Maine, last weekend, was a true revelation. After a harsh cold winter that encouraged hibernation -- and the perpetual four seasons of Boston area nightmare traffic and the astounding variety of driver discourtesies -- visiting Long Sands Beach was like being in another world. We pretty much had the beach to ourselves (it's packed in the summer) and the gentle spring breeze alternating with a slight Maine chill in the air provided a really pleasant feeling. With Nubble Lighthouse in the distance and two miles of empty beach for us to explore, we stayed for as along as we could -- and then stalled to head back to the Boston area. It was like coming in late for a play date. Except this time, there was no being sent to bed early or not being allowed to watch that episode of Gilligan's Island when they almost got off the island. We just made a commitment to schedule another play date at Long Sands Beach with a deliberate mission to break yet another self-imposed curfew.

Can't get enough of this place. Long Sands Beach, to us, is the ultimate New England place to go outside, play and get some fresh air!

Where To Live In Connecticut That Has A Small Town Feel?

2011-04-26T07:52:00.000-07:00

Noank, Conn.

Editor's note: We recently received an email from one of our readers looking to possibly move to Connecticut. Here is her inquiry, followed by our response...

Hi, my name is Courtney and I found your website completely truthful and helpful. I talked to my cousin who lives in the northern part of the east coast and she described exactly what you did! I am currently in Orange County, California, and don't like the "ingenuinity" (we're assuming the word is"disingenuous") and mindset of the people. I have found that Connecticut is a place with great weather and has a lot if cities with a small town feel. I was wondering if there was any way that you could help me specify my search in CT? I would like a city with a small town feel where your neighbors are sweet, but it still has a high quality of life. Essex and Stonington caught my eye, but I've never been so I can't say! Thank you for your time.

Thank-you for your inquiry. We do write straight-from-the-heart here and glad you appreciate that!

My response here will be no exception as we will mention a few Connecticut towns that move us the most and that make us feel great because of their small town feel and friendliness. Granted, we don't live in the towns that are about to be mentioned, but these are the places we would consider if moving to the "Constitution State."

I'm not sure about a city in Connecticut that has a small town feel. West Hartford might be the closest to that description, with its developed downtown but pleasant downtown and tree-lined streets with beautiful homes. It's pretty expensive there, but if you can afford it West Hartford might be worth a look. I noticed that you mentioned Stonington Borough and Essex, so maybe you meant "towns?" If so, I can tell you about small, friendly Connecticut towns with attractive neighborhoods and/or a strong community feel In order, they would be Guilford, Mystic, the Noank section of Groton, Pomfret and with a few reservations, Putnam.

Guilford has one of the prettiest town commons in New England. It is really the centerpiece of the downtown -- large and shaded with benches to take in a quintessential New England way of life. Cute little shops, cafes and restaurants surround the "village green." The friendliness of the town, however, has been most pleasing about our visits to Guilford. People walked by and say "hello" to you on the streets. We once struck up great conversation with one of the locals at a "hometown" type restaurant. The local said that he loved Guilford and felt safe enough there to never lock his home or car doors. I still have trouble with that concept no matter where you live, but we got the message loud and clear that Guilford is a safe town. Although situated on the coast, Guilford, to us, feels more like an inland town -- perhaps because the downtown is away from the water. Still, you have the best of both worlds -- inland and coastal New England beauty. You're not isolated from everything, either, as Branford -- a bigger, quite impressive town with good historical preservation -- is right next door. New Haven, a mid-sized city, and home to Yale University, is about minutes away. You're also about 15 minutes to Hammonasset Beach, one of Connecticut's best public ocean beaches.

Mystic, Conn.

Mystic, located on the southeastern Connecticut coast is best known as a tourist town. The summers get busy with its myriad travel attractions like Mystic Seaport (a "living history museum consisting of a village, ships and 17 acres of exhibits depicting coastal life in New England in the 19th century), the Mystic Aquarium, Old Mistick Village shops, and a vibrant downtown. That thriving downtown makes it all worthwhile, in our opinion, for someone wanting to move to Mystic. You have shops and restaurants of all kind without losing that small town feel. There's a beautiful developed riverwalk, downtown, too, and a nice networks of sidewalks to stroll -- many with water views. If you love seafood, you'll never find a shortage in downtown Mystic. Some restaurants like S and P Oyster Company have outdoor waterfront seating in the summer. We personally love the independent book and toy stores, the famous Mystic Pizza that is not the tourist trap you would think it is, Mystic Drawbridge Ice Cream for some wonderful homemade ice cream, and the huge Mystic Drawbridge. The 21 ft. long bridge has a counter weight of 230 tons each and moveable span length of 85 ft.!

Find a home near the downtown, and you'd have access to, really, one of the nicest small town downtown districts in New England. You're also less than a half-hour from myriad public beaches in the Westerly, R.I. area. This area certainly affords a wonderful quality of life for those that like a thriving small downtown by the sea. It's very friendly, too!

So, no matter how busy Mystic gets in the summer, there's a feeling of peacefulness in the air. But if it gets to be too much in the thick of the tourist season, we love to drive five minutes down the road to Noank. Part of the town of Groton, Noank seems like the little village that time forgot. Tree-lined side streets meet beautiful coastline for a truly scenic, idyllic setting. There's a little grocery store and country store, a bakery, big old homes overlooking the sea, and the famous seasonal Abbott's Lobster in the Rough restaurant with the most delicious lobster (overlooking the water, too). Last time we were in Noank, we struck up a nice conversation with an older lady walking her dog. Although Noank is a "money" town, she had no pretenses about her and her love of the village was overflowing with enthusiasm. We got that feeling, overall, in Noank. It's a nice escape, but yet so close to Mystic and Groton's central district. This would be a nice place to call home for anyone looking for a quiet setting.

Putnam, Conn.

Pomfret, with its big town common and rural ways, is beautifully situated around the rolling hills of northeastern Connecticut -- otherwise known as the "Quiet Corner." The feeling of the town is simply great. The Vanilla Bean Cafe, in a restored 1800s farmhouse, is a community gathering place, of sorts, serving made--from scratch breakfast, lunch and dinner items. They also feature some great entertainment, including local folk singers. Route 169 is one of the most scenic byways in New England and the old farmhouses, classic white churches, big open skies and fresh air are quite rejuvenating. Nearby are more quintessential New England town likr Woodstock and Brooklyn. Neighboring Putnam is known as the "antiques capital of New England," with more than 50,000 square feet of antiques. While some areas of Putnam are rundown, the downtown district is impressive with the antique stores, restaurants and, truthfully, one of the friendliest vibes we've experienced in New England. No pretensions here, it's sort of like an industrial village version of Mayberry RFD. Some people might scratch their heads and ask why I would would pick Putnam when there are so many perceived prettier towns in Connecticut. I just believe that you can't judge a book by its cover and I would choose to pick a place where I feel a connection. I have that feeling in Putnam, more so than the more hyped, polished and gentrified towns that some travel guides feature.

While Putnam serves as the commercial center of the "Quiet Corner," it's certainly not a big town. Worcester, Mass., the second biggest city in New England, is about 40 minutes away, and features a growing restaurant and cultural scene, 13 colleges and universities, and an overall authentic city feel. Worcester gets knocked around as not the greatest place, but I personally think it has more going for it than most other mid-sized New England cities. In a way, Worcester is more a series of neighborhood and you'll find unique character in each section. It's pretty fascinating and you'll find some real hidden gem restaurants in each neighborhood.

You had also mentioned Essex and Stonington (Borough). They are great-looking areas with classic New England presences. Both are certainly worth a look, but they don't move us the same way the aforementioned towns do -- that is, in terms, of if we were to ever consider a move. This is certainly not to deinigrate Essex and Stonington Borough; they could certainly be idyllic for someone else. Again, we just go with our hearts when visiting a town and ask ourselves: is it an interesting town with friendliness, community spirit, visual appeal, and a good vibe? I know that Essex and Stonington Borough pass with flying colors on each of the criteria, but on a personal level, Guilford, Mystic, Noank and Putnam (with some few caveats) draw me with their true New England spirit.

Courtney, you had also mentioned that you heard that the Connecticut weather is great. With all due respect, I guess that all depends on who you talk with. Like all New England states, the winters can be rough (but certainly not like New Hampshire or Vermont), so that is something to keep in mind. We're also not sure of your budget, but all of the towns we suggested are relatively affordable by Connecticut standards (it's generally an expensive state with high taxes when compared to the rest of the country). Putnam is probably the most affordable of the towns with Pomfret, Mystic and Guilford having a high concentration of high-priced homes with a few that are more affordable.

Additionally, there are some areas in New England where it might take some time to build relationships. But if you choose the right community -- and once people accept you -- you'll have friends for life. Although we are native New Englanders, we chose a good town where strong relationships didn't happen right away. But because it's a good town (translated, good folks live here!), the relationships eventually grew in a truly meaningful way.

Hope this helps, Courtney. If you have any follow-up questions, please write us back and we'll offer some more suggestions. Readers of this blog, please feel free to comment with your own suggestions on what Connecticut communities that you think Courtney might want to research. Thanks!

Eric from VisitingNewEngland.com

Underrated Downtown Districts in the Boston Suburbs

2011-04-25T10:48:00.000-07:00

Articles and photos by Eric H.

There's an interesting discussion forum going on right now at City -Data.com entitled, "What is the prettiest suburban downtown in Greater Boston?" Participants have been offering some great comments, mostly focusing on obvious choices like Concord, Hingham, Newburyport, Marblehead, Salem and Rockport. Each and every one of these communities deserves to be mentioned for their great downtown districts.

Although the question begs for specificity (how do you define a pretty downtown?), the detailed, thoughtful feedback amongst participants was enough to make up for the perhaps overly general inquiry.

I regard a pretty downtown as having a pleasing-to-the-eyes town common, a well-defined business district, big old homes, churches with tall white steeples and historic municipal buildings. What really makes a downtown pretty, however, is seeing it be utilized with events and community gatherings -- this showcases the vibrancy of a community. The combination of all these things create a classic New England look.

I would like to add several south-of-Boston downtown districts that might not be obvious choices, but that are able to exhibit the aforementioned criteria that make up a pretty downtown. I'll let the pictures do the talking from this point on in regards to these underrated downtown districts in the Boston suburbs (and slightly beyond):

Bridgewater, Mass.

Wrentham, Mass.

Taunton, Mass.

Dedham, Mass.

Fairhaven, Mass.

Walpole, Mass.

North Attleboro, Mass.

Norwood, Mass.

Wetherell's Lawn and Garden Comes to Norton, Mass.

2011-04-14T07:29:00.000-07:00

This just in to our news room, just the type of story we like about hard-working New Englanders starting a local business...

Brothers Bill McKinley and Dan Lenoci will be opening Wetherell's Lawn and Garden Fri., April 17, at their 4,000 sq. ft. facility, 27 South Worcester Rd. in Norton, Mass.

Wetherell's features an enormous inventory of everything related and lawn and garden needs -- and beyond. This includes lawn and landscaping care items and professional grade machines, and the little things that make a big difference in the outdoor world -- bug spray, shovels, rakes, fertilizer, grass seed, etc. Pet owners can also rejoice as Bill and Dan will also be selling dog, cat, rabbit and bird food.

What gives Wetherell's a real "wow" factor is that Bill and Dan will also offer highly-regarded Vermont Castings and Napolean wood stoves, as well as fireplace inserts.

Bill and Dan are lifelong residents of the south of Boston area. Bill owned for many years McKinley's Auto Body in Abington, Mass., while Dan has extensive experience in the landscaping business. They are both excited about opening this new business venture in an area that needs this type of service.

"There's a real need for this type of (lawn and garden) business around here," said Bill. "We hear that all the time."

Wetherell's is named after the landowner, Hank Wetherell, a beloved local figure who served as Norton's fire chief for 40 years (1930-1970) and lived to be 100-years-old (he died on Oct. 20, 2006).

Wetherell's Lawn and Garden will be open seven days a week from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.. The telephone number is (508) 455-0042

Finding Wetherell's:

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Peaceful Meadows, Whitman, Mass., Leading in New England Ice Cream Poll

2011-04-13T07:38:00.000-07:00

Peaceful Meadows, Whitman, Mass. (photo by Eric)

Peaceful Meadows ice cream stand in Whitman, Mass., leads our VisitingNewEngland.com New England Vacations Facebook Fan Page Ice Cream Poll with around 17 percent of the total vote.

Coming in second is Kimball Farm in Westford, Mass., with about 14 percent of the vote. Rounding out the top 10 are Dairy Chief (now located in the CV Variety Store) in Dartmouth, Mass., Crescent Ridge Dairy in Sharon, Mass., Dairy Queen in Abington and Middleboro, Mass., Browns Old-Fashioned Ice Cream in York Beach, Maine, Richardson's in Middleton, Mass., Kimball Farm in Jaffrey, N.H., Bubbling Brook in Westwood, Mass., and Kimball Farm in Carlisle, Mass.

Others mentions include Kellerhaus, Weirs Beach, N.H., Howard's Drive-in, West Brookfield, Mass., Skinner's Sugar House in East Bridgewater, Mass., The Common Man Town Docks in Meredith, N.H., Gray's in Tiverton, R.I., Bedford Farms, Bedford, Mass., Erickson's, Maynard, Mass., Memories, Kingston, N.H., The Big Dipper, Prospect, Conn., and Emack and Bolio's, Orleans, Mass.

Additional mentions include Four Seas, Centerville, Mass., The Whole Scoop, Hanson, Mass., Heidi's Hollow Farm, Hanson, Mass., Uhlman's, Westborough, Mass., Beaks Ice Cream, Milton, N.H., Farfar's, Duxbury, Mass., Park St. Ice Cream, Natick, Mass., Whistlestop, Monument Beach, Mass., Hayward's Ice Cream Stand, Milford, N.H., Arnie's Place, Concord, N.H., Puritan Backroom, Manchester, N.H., Rich's Ice Cream, Oxford, Conn., J. Foster's, Simsbury, Conn., Mystic Drawbridge, Mystic, Conn., and White's in Ipswich, Mass.

We received mention of ice cream places with no town or city identified. If we did not know the mentioned ice cream stand or store without town or city name, it wasn't included on this list. Interestingly, we also received a vote for Carvel in Carteret, N.J. Now there's a classic New England city!

Thanks to all that voted. We recognize how much you enjoy eating ice cream! We'll keep you updated on additional votes coming in. If you'd like to vote, visit our Facebook Fan Page and scroll down to the April 7 "Ice Cream" post.

Dedham, Mass., in Contention for All-American City Awards

2011-04-13T07:01:00.000-07:00

Downtown Dedham, Mass. (photo by Eric)

Nice to hear that the National Civic League has chosen Dedham, Mass., as a finalist for the All-America City Awards.

The only community in New England to make the finals, Dedham is the only community in New England to make the finals. This mid-sized town, southwest of Boston, is one of 26 communities nationwide competing for the honors.

We're not surprised about Dedham ending up in the finals. Ask anyone in these neck of the woods about community spirit and participation in Dedham and you'll get glowing reports. People really seem to care about their town -- you can see it in everything from the residential and commercial landscaping to community involvement. Additionally, not too many towns we know can maintain and improve an impressive traditional downtown while forging into the 21st century with a state-of-the-art open air shopping complex like Legacy Place. Downtown, you'll find the Dedham Community Theater, Blue Bunny Books, the independent HR Wardle Pharmacy, several restaurants, some fabulous historic municipal buildings and a beautiful town common. The Dedham Square Improvements Project should make things even better, most notably creating better crosswalks and overall pedestrian safety. Legacy Place has many familiar stores and restaurants like L.L. Bean, Whole Foods Market. and P.F. Chang's. Without doubt, Dedham is a business-friendly town!

The National Civic League All-America City Awards uses the following criteria in its mission: "...each community must demonstrate innovation, inclusiveness, civic engagement, and cross sector collaboration by describing successful efforts to address pressing local challenges."

This year’s event will be held June 15-17 in Kansas City, Miss., where 10 winners will be announced. Good luck to Dedham in the finals!

What Is Your Favorite New England Ice Cream Stand Or Shop?

2011-04-08T05:59:00.000-07:00

Ice Cream Machine, Cumberland, R.I. (photo by Eric)

We have a fun mini-poll going on right now, asking for your favorite New England ice cream stand or shop. You can access the poll by scrolling down three posts (at this writing) on our VisitingNewEngland.com New England Vacations Facebook Fan Page. If you don't see an ice cream stand that you'd vote for, please feel free to write in your choice. Please make sure to list the ice cream stand or shop's location, too, as we've received a few ice cream places without geographical mention.

So far, Kimball Farm in Westford Mass., is leading the pack, with Peaceful Meadows in Whitman, Mass., coming on strong! We've also received votes on ice cream destinations that tend to fly under the "ice cream radar." That's great to see as we're big fans on "hidden gems."

We'll post the final results next week of which ice cream stands wins the mini-poll.

Portsmouth, N.H., Wins Our Facebook Fan Page Mini-Poll As Best Small City In New England

2011-04-05T07:50:00.000-07:00

Downtown Portsmouth, N.H. (photo by Eric)

New England has so many wonderful small cities, so we thought it would be a fun idea to poll our Facebook Fan followers on their favorite communities.

Portsmouth, N.H., won with 24 percent of the vote, followed by Burlington, Vt. (about 19 percent), Newport, R.I. (about 12 percent), and a tie between Portland, Maine and Northampton, Mass. (both at approximately 8 percent). Other cities that finished strong were Salem, Mass., Keene, N.H., and Montpelier, Vt. Some fans voted for communities that are technically towns -- Provincetown, Mass., York, Maine, and Bethlehem, N.H., to name a few.

For those not familiar with Portsmouth, this is a wonderful, little coastal town with a population of a little more than 20,000 people. The feeling is small-town, but the number of downtown restaurants, diverse array of locally-owned shops and cultural attractions give Portsmouth an urban feel. It's a perfect place for strolling, especially the quaint, brick-tinged Market Square business district (and charming side streets), Prescott Park with its waterfront views, and Strawberry Banke -- an early settlement that features restored historic Colonial, Georgian and Federal homes.

For more on Portsmouth, we recommend reading our "Portsmouth, NH, Offers True New England Coastal Charm" article at VisitingNewEngland.com. Log onto our Facebook VisitingNewEngland.com - New England Vacations Fan Page to become a follower of all things New England!