Eat Spaghetti and Meatballs - Live Forever
With Jae's Restaurant leaving its perch above the Curran Highway, that just about does it for decent Chinese food up here. Don't keep telling me about Chopsticks, either. Every time we go there, we're reminded of how absolutely miserable the service is. They've never gotten our order right the first time; there's been one or more of the proprietor's family's screaming kids running around, and we have to ask like four times for mustard. Mustard! Jeez. You can't get the mustard right, you might as well sell out and become a Taco Bell.
So now that there's going to be one less place to eat in town, that should make you think about alternate ways of putting food on your family (Thank you, Mr. President) for a good price and for a good cause.
Enter the North Adams Rotary Club (nice web site, huh? that's me. give me a call if you want a site done for cheap) and their Spaghetti Supper. I think I've plugged this before when it was supposed to be in October, but since we've moved it to this coming Thursday, you still have a chance to help out our club's truly good work right here in the city. And get meatballs in the process.
You can also get strawberry pie. Longtime residents and other fans of Lawrence Welk may remember DiLego's Diner by the post office. Apparently their pie recipe is right up there with Class A narcotics in terms of addictive potential, and we only make it once a year. So there's probably reason enough to come by St. Anthony's (NOT the American Legion!) on Thursday, early. Like 4:00pm. Or, you can call Paul DiLego at 884-4017 to reserve a pie. They're $12 for a whole pie. And I won't complain if you write it off as a charitable donation. Of course, I'm not the IRS, but they have such a reputation for being so nice. How can you go wrong?
And if you look ono page A6 of today's Transcript, there's a great picture of some cute chick who really kneads the dough. Reason enough to hit the pasta fest.
And since our fall foliage Burgervaganza was rained on the way it was, this is our big chance to raise funds for the Christmas Party we throw for some of the kids in town that wouldn't normally get one. It's for the kids! You don't hate kids, do you?
Notice how this is an easier sell than the telemarketing firm trying to push cop tickets and keep 75% of the take...and a much better deal than a fake Jimmy Buffet concert. See you there, then? Swell!
posted by Ross @ 1:48 PM
25 comments
25 Comments:
Chee's Chinese in Adams (I know, full 6 minutes further down the road) may be the best Chinese I've ever had, not just in the Berkshires.
And Chee's delivers---it's my wife's favorite for basic Chinese---I never thought "Chinese" for Jae's------we went quite a few times- but haven't in a good year or two--- not to diminish the quality of Jae's food----Asian/Korean rather than Chinese---but certainly more up scale than Chees----well I think it's too bad that he's moving the restaurant to Billsville---but that obviously was a business decision---I wish him luck with this change of venue
---he's heavily invested in both Jae's and what is soon to be the former Le Jardin---even Terrell Owens had a change of venue---didn;t work out that well---- that's why I wish Jae good luck---as for Spag and meatballs-- have you tried Red Sauce??? quite good- reasonable prices- and for me--- it's less than a half a mile away--- I can understand Jae's desire to shore up The Billsville business---and I think it will work---I think a lot of Billsville folks patronized his Curran Highway restaurant ---just as they are other North Adams restaurants-----I love it when I walk into a local restaurant and find people from the Village Perfect----used to be I'd wa;lk into a Williamstown restaurant-----and get the hairy eyeball as to how the hell did you get through Immigration and Customs-------Ross? next time you drive through Adams- stop at Chee's and pick up a take out menu---we like it--- chbpod
I don't think the energy has dried up--- Jae's was doing very well as I understand it-- but the restaurant business is a very volatile one-- In Wilmington NC where one of my sons lives-- when we visited a few years ago we went to two restaurant- very good and packed with patrons-- following year-- one was closed completely and the other had changed hands and was re-opened with an entirely different cuisine--- and Wilmington is definately a tourist destination--- great historic distrcit and a waterfrony along the Cape Fear River----buses of blue haired laidies coming in every day for the shops and restaurants---I don;t think the energy is gone---frankly I think the variety and quality of restaurants we have in NA is now superior to Billsville---but Jae has been certainly a successful businessman-- and this was ourely a business decision----I certainly can;t second guess him---I question whether he'll make the Curran Highway spot as simply a spa and massage center---I don;t know what the market is----personally I think we should have a Hooters in the "Parkade"- formerly K-Mart Plaza-- soon to be named something else----forget Appleby's-----I am concerned that the city's tax program for Jae's-- hinged on job creation-----and now how many jobs will be taken to Williamstown??? and how many fewer will there be in North Adams???---chbpod
well Grasshopper - you may well be right on the TIF---but of course the assumption is-- that given the TIF-- you don't cut and run after the TIF expires --who knows how many will be employed at an expanded Spa and Massage parlor--and Inn-- maybe even more-- but that info has not been forthcoming-- chbpod
CB: The thing with Chee's is that Tara's very sensitive to MSG. While Chee's says, like a lot of places, that they CAN cook without it, that means most of their appetizers and soups and pre-packaged stuff is loaded with it. So no Chee's for us until they explicitly state "No MSG".
We both do enjoy Red Sauce, though. And we're pleased to report that EGL last night plated up some really nice meals and is a very welcome addition to the scene.
CT: Will be good to see you at the supper tomorrow. Still appreciate that you were one of the few folks to buy a burger at the Fall Foliage parade.
Today we rolled and cooked the meatballs--about 1300 of them--and the pies were filled with fruit. Tomorrow we have to make the spaghetti sauce, make the whipped cream and finish the pies, and get set to boil up the pasta.
Keep in mind that these are totally 100% homemade pies, meatballs, and sauce. Nothing frozen, bottled, or pre-made about any of it. Any high school sports team or local pol can dump a few bags of Costco frozen meatballs into 2-gallon jars of sauce, and that's fine for a fundraiser. But we are going the extra mile to make sure the food's not only just good food for a fundraiser, but good food no matter how you slice it.
The restaurant business is very whimsical. Twenty years ago it was cavernous 250 seat dining rooms and banquet business. Ten years ago it was salad bars and all you can eat shrimp. Now the trend is for small eclectic 20 - 30 seat places that sell basically the same food but with a fancy names - beefalo from a little old lady who only rode it on Sundays and feeds it beer the rest of week. Scallops from a certain quadrangle of the ocean. 7 different varieties of oysters. All great sounding stuff, but they all buy from Sysco or whatever they are called now. I would wager a month's pay that the average patron couldn't even tell the difference between dry and wet packed scallops (their still working on the whole Sea vs Bay thing having just mastered belly vs strip clams) once they have been cooked - Olive Oil, Virgin Oil Olive, and Extra Virgin Olive Oil - sure add an extra $2 to the plate cost. Remeber the good old days when you could get fresh Cat Fish for under $2/lb, now people are paying $7 or more for farm raised. At one point I was heavily involved in menu creation, and the BS that went round and round about the menu descriptions was comical.
One of the few exceptions to the above, for me anyway, is Sushi and Sashimi. There is definitely a quality difference - Thai Garden for that.
All this brings me to my point that NA is saturated with restaurants at the moment and hasn't really hits it's epicurean idendity yet. The tide is changing, but Jacks is still probably the first place most NA'ers will mention when asked where the best is. Gramercy Bistro has probably been the most consistent and delicious, without being too contentious, that I have been to.
My final point - the Mayor should have seen the writting on the wall when Jae bought Le Jardin, and he (the Mayor) wanted to put another restaurant out by the old movie theater? Jae may have the golden touch in Boston, but he is/was 1 for 3 here in the Berkshires. Let him go, by the time you negotiate all the lights in NA and wrangle with the one way traffic on Curran Highway, you can be to Le Jardin and back. Besides there is still the traffic lights at Union and Eagle that the city needs to wrap it's head around - how to turn a solid green light into a green arrow - perplexing indeed.
Snoop--well said, sir. As a North Shore native, I'm appalled that anyplace in Massachusetts would have the Clam Ignorance which you truly preach. And the lack of decent chowder here is a travesty of a mockery of a sham.
Here's hoping that EGL fills another need in town, which is a decent late-night sit down dinner. Once the movie theatre opens, and the 7:45 show lets out around 10:00, where could you take your date for a decent feed downtown that isn't House O'Pizza or the meat-market mediocrity of the Freight Yard Pub?
Hey food snobbo- "Meat market mediocrity" of the Freightyard Pub------there are a lot of people who like the Freightyard Pub---it is what it is---it's a PUB---now if Grammercy or 55 Milan or Gideons want to stay open after 10-- given the cinema?? good for them---as far as EGL is concerned- haven't been there yet-- but I don't think it's "fine dining"- but you--typical of the new comers--have a I'M NEW I'M IMPORTANT CATER TO ME attitude- one of the values of having the cinema in the John Barrett III Palace Complex-- is that it should attract college students downtown-- for a movie and some eats--- I use the term "eats" purposely as that is what they would want--- Jack's might even stay open--all within walking distance- including the Pizza places---as for Chee's-- MSG allergy is a nasty one--good call--
as for Chowda??? my wife-- then girl friend when she came here was astounded that one couldn;t get a bowl of red chowder-- which she was very used to --and preferred-- coming from Rhode Island (RI also has a pure broth chowder)--So taste plays a heck of a role-and habit I guess too- in what you want to digest--- but there is no excuse in the continual running down of this City by the newbies who think us yokels should kiss your royal arse because you are missionaries on a mission from Gawd---sent here to save us---chbpod
Everybody keeps talking about attracting the college student. I think this is a huge mistake. They just don't have the buying power that is needed to support more than one or two businesses and the loyality flows like PBR on $1 draft night.
Brick Oven used to be the place, then Alteres, then Beacon Street, then the Pitcher's Mound/Teo's, State Street T, then Key West, then FYP. And what are they buying? A pitcher of beer and maybe some nacho's? Ask Councilor Bloom where the money is. When he first opened he was a sandwich shop that sold booze, in less than a year he was a bar with pool table that sold nachos (chips with liquid cheese). Pitchers Mound fooled the liquor license board with the old "we will be a family restaurant" to get their license. That lasted about 6 months and then they were tossing the drunks out like paratroopers on D-Day.
POD, the newcomer lable doesn't stick with me as I have been here longer than you and I still appreciate a nice place to eat. I also frequent Jacks and love it as well - it has its place. I think Ross' point is, and I'm guessing, but some people whether new to town or not, would like a place where they can grab more than pizza or nacho after a movie. Gringo's had a long run on this but eventually fell pray to the profit of booze.
Any business that is going to stay open needs to do more than trade dollars - $50 in help and utilities to sell $50 of nachos. There are several ways to do this, most choose the booze sales as stated. But a place can also try to upsell appetizers, wine by the glass, and desserts - items where they can hide some profits.
Not that this has anything to do with the thread but, if I were still in the business I would be looking to open a kids dance area. Sell them 3 cents worth of juice or soda for $2, $5 to get in the door to listen to young local bands who just want a place to play and don't really care about get paid big dollars. They would be a more captive crowd than the college because this would be the only game in town for them.
Yeah- yeah da snoop-- you're dreaming of the days of 18 year olds having drinking privileges==probsbly the college students under 21 will stoke up on pop corn and soda at the cinema- instead of Main Street---but let's give it a try----you are one of the most negative people on any of these blogs----do you have an ulcer??? do you live in North Adams-- you seem to hate it so much---do you have a life???? pathetic-- chbpod
Thanks, CJT. And thanks to Mayor Barrett, and Senator-elect Downing, and all the wonderful citizens of North Adams who turned up tonight to help out the Rotary fund up for the holiday season. I will, of course, keep you all informed of what we're doing.
And, chbpod: um....let me just say that I have never disrespected anybody in the Northern Berkshires by virtue of their social, cultural, or geographic background; or by any other criteria but for the way they treat me and my family.
That "yokel" chip you carry on your shoulder is probably pretty heavy, and somewhat unnecessary. When someone suggests how something can be improved, why does it make a difference if they've been here for 10 months, 10 years, or 10 generations?
Well Ross- as the distinguished Professor Harold Hill and his co=horts said-- "you gotta know the territory"----and as Dirty Harry said--" A man's gotta know his limitations"---think about it-- chbpod
of course Fred Flintstone said- "Yabba Dabba Doo" and Elmer said "You wascal wabbit" ===but there is a difference---betwen 10 months and 10 years-- especially if in the 10 months you have been in a 10 month old clique---let us not forget who was here first---not that "first" means anything or forms some entitlement---but there are citizens whose blood- sweat tears and toil are in this community---and Johnny-come -lately- does not have that investment---and you don't get by --by saying I am here because this is a great place to be and there are growing opportunites-- and then tear the place down----you don;t like a restaurant-- mediocre- Freightyard Pub---mediocre to whom??? snot nose Dartmouth grad from the North Shore???? go home feel comfortable in the womb of Marblehead--- say isn;t that your nickname?????? tout any restaurant you want -- build them up-- but don;t PUT DOWN restaurants that are popular to the yokels---just because you are so superior and know such much better----and have so much better taste---yeah Jack's
is national shrine--but there are plenty of venues- that appeal to a lot of different pallates in this town- and there is no call for you to tear one down---for shame-- alien--- chbpod
"you are one of the most negative people on any of these blogs" It bothers you POD because I've been here longer AND I'm more negative than you! Actually there wasn't any negativity in my posts. I made some suggestions on what I thought would help the city. Take your own advise, if you don't like what is said then leave, don't read, don't contribute. Talk about negative, you're against any idea that comes from or would benefit anyone who doesn't remember where Zayres, Giant, and the Adams Supermarket were. Anyone who never actually saw a movie at the Mohawk or bought their clothes at the Roberts Company.
Ross,
Sorry I wasn't at the Rotary supper. Sounds like you had a good crowd and a great dinner. I am here in Boston, putting to bed some 2006 issues both committee and district bills and loose ends that die at the end of the year if we don't get them done. Yes, I am still here Friday morning.
One other comment, Snoop, on the sushi....if you cook that stuff, it takes just like fish!
Hope to see people at the concert tonight at MCLA.
Ah, but Mr. Bosley if you don't - it tastes like Heaven!
Not a prob, Dan. I'd say being 150 miles away actually doing work is a legit excuse.
Now, if you're REALLY feeling like you want to make it up to us, we would be honored if you'd join us as our guest at one of our regular Tuesday lunches. No obligation. No salesman will call.
But wait--there's more! Act now and you'll get a FREE LUNCH at Breda's! And a ROTARY CLUB NOTEPAD and LIGHT-UP KEYCHAIN! Retail value, 3,000 millidollars!
OK, I'm done now....thanks again to everyone who came and everyone who wishes us well.
Professor Harold Hill and his co=horts said-- "you gotta know the territory"---
Hill never said that. The other salemen did.
Hill took it as a challenge and was ultimately very successful.
This Music Man song reminds me of certain folks around these blogs....
Pick a little, talk a little, pick a little, talk a little
Cheep cheep cheep, talk a lot, pick a little more
Greg-- so I omitted a comma or was it a semi-colon----or maybe I should have been more direct-- in that the other hustlers on the train said-- as the last one does- BUT YOU GOTTA KNOW THE TERRITORY sorry if I confused you---- I know that musical very well ---Lida Rose- I'm home again Rose...........How can there be any sin in sincere? and any good in good byye? get it and good byw to you chbpod
I just hope to God no one claims librarians who teach piano are their speciality.
As far as food, I wouldn't mind seeing something late-night. Neither Jawa Girl nor I are particuarly party types, but every now and then you want something not pizza, McDonald's or Dunkin' Donuts at 1am. This is probably a holdover from my gigging days, when I knew the location of every 24-hour joint on I-64 and I-75. Gig ends at 1am, pack up, get out of the tux and into street clothes, and meet at the Waffle House on the Interstate at 2.
I have no problem with FYP; we usually adjourn to there following community band rehearsals (Tuesday, 6:30pm, if you've ever played an instrument come join us - we need trombones, clarinets, flutes, and percussionists, but will take any wind or brass instrument) and the food is consistent. (Some servers are very good, but at least one is mediocre at best.) EGL has potential, but I'm not sold on a $9.00 burger with just some cole slaw yet. I like Bill, and the food is good, but his statement "if you can afford Jack's, you can afford here" is somewhat misleading - Jawa Girl and I can both easily eat (and eat well) at Jack's for the price of one burger at EGL.
The Moonlight over in Williamstown could also fill that late-night niche, IF they decided to stay open later. Ditto with the Blue Benn in Bennington.
I don't need haute cuisine at 1am, and I think most people are the same way. Just give me comfort food with a decent helping of grease, the way food is supposed to be at 1am.
WF
(who conducted The Music Man in college. I hope and I pray for a Hester to win just one more A...)
As I said I haven't been to EGL yet but I just checked out their menu on line---pretty limited--- I guess for Ross it means -just what is a sit down dinner-----I guess you're sitting down---the only thing that might even come close to interesting me would be the penne bolognese---of course my wife make the best bolognese I have even had-- BUT in fairness to her she often has it when we go out--- in St. Maarten last May--- she had bolognese 4 times from this litttle tratoria around the corner from where we stayed (Ravioli-Lasagna-penne and spaghetti_ then at a bit more upscale Itailian place she also had bolognese-- and once again at the premier Italian restuarant on the island-----bolognese is OK at red sauce---but for my palatte not great--- don;t like the carrots being sliced---when you have a carrot it detracts from the overall dis---my wife does carrot shavings- which blend in and add flavor but are not distinguishable in and of themselves----EGL has a very limited menu for pub food-- which it essentially is----FYP??? meat mediicity????? well I suppose- I never have steak there but I am sure that there are those that do----again for my taste- good mild buffalo wings and chili---my wife likes the fajitas and we both LOVE the fish and chips-----they advertise as "best in the Berkshires" could well be I have no idea- but to us the best in North Adams------actually trying to get into Gramercy for tonight--haven;t been for a while---but they always were very good-- also like 55 Milan------haven't actually gone there for a while but have done take out several times----as for Gideons?? tried it once after they opened but we liked it much better as Dora's----and finally da snoop---- since I have no idea who you are - I had no idea that you have been here longer than I have-----and I remember those places-- even Florini's Italian Gardens-----my point is that all of the "Ruddinistas" and their allies- compadres----most of whom come from a much more sophisticated background and geographical venue than most of the local yokels----seem to be trying to make the city into their image and fail to understand that they are not the only game in town---when one of them suggests that the City NOT take over the Ice Skating Rink--- and instead use the money to SUBSIDIZE rent for artists so that they can afford to live here--- that makes my blood boil----chbpod
POD surely you remember the Texan? I think they used to open for the day at 1am. Spent many a late night/early morning meal in there.
I think a successful late night place that will service the movie and art's crowd will a little atmosphere than the FYP, EGL type menu at reasonable price and room to sit and chat with either coffee, wine, mixed drink, or soft drink.
da snoop? The Texan?? Been there done that. Wasn't there a bar on Ashland St. called Vet's??? maybe owned by a guy named Roger Sala--wasn't he state rep before Frank Matrango??--that's 1967 or 68 I think---anyway had a great meal at Gramercy last night--my wife had the pumpkin ginger soup--the paella and creme brulee for desert--I had the ahi tuna- was looking forward to the osso buco (listed on their on-line menu) but onthe in house menu they had lamb shank (only change from the on-line) but they were out of lamb and substituted pork shank-- it was excellent and I also had the creme brulee----didn't recognize anyone in the place and it was packed---cars out front at NY and CT license plates----finally in the room that used to be angelinas (now the main entrance room) ran into cjtrem and his wife----but other than that- all aliens---meal was superb---chbpod
Had the tuna eh? I hope you had it nice and rare - just seared on the outside. Almost as good as Sushi (Mr. Bosley) but what a fantastic combinations of tastes. I usually have this at some point in the meal.
Kingfisher Restuarant in Faneuil Hall is another great place for some excellent seared tuna.
RARE- is the only way to eat Tuna----never been to -what is it?? Kingfish Hall at Quincy Market---my fav in the area is the Marshall House-- about half way between the Union Oyster House and the Purple Shamrock--- excellent mussles---and my fav- appetizer-- their 4-3-2-1----- 4 cherrystones-- 3 oysters- 2 jumbo shrimp and i lobster claw--they have a great NE clam chowda too-----haven;t been to that area in maybe three years---when we go we do Backbay---The Lenox---short walk to Newbury St. galleries---probably this Jan for the MMA convention---but I was impressed at the number of aliens at Gramercy last night---chbpod
Post a Comment
<< Home