Tuesday, March 25, 2014

AN EVENING WITH FRANK SINATRA AND DEAN MARTIN

Last week my daughter and I went to dine at my favorite Boston restaurant, Euno's Ristorante, in the North End. Aside from the food being superb, the entire team of people working at this ristorante make the experience 1000% more enjoyable. They all go beyond the call of duty to make your dining experience - perfect.

The atmosphere is elegant rustic Italian.  Upon entering and passing through the heavy cranberry colored velvet drapery are; perhaps, ten tables on this floor.  My favorite is a table in the front window. I enjoy looking into the vast openness of the restaurant with the view of the kitchen in the rear.  The brick walls are an added touch typical in the North End area.  Downstairs is just as quaint and cozy as the first floor.  Its brick walls are adorned with racks full of wines, scotches and other assortments of 'tastes' satisfying the variety of clientele.

Lobster Ravioli and Josef

Since my first visit I have become friendly with the Manager of the restaurant, Josef.  We share a common interest. He is Moroccan and I love Morocco.  We speak in depth of politics, life, family and the difference with the cultures; including food.  I even made them cornes des gazelles, a Moroccan cookie.  Quite impressive I might add.  

Last Wednesday's dinner was beyond enjoyable.  Upon arriving to the restaurant, our 'window' table was prepared with a choice bottle of wine sitting on the table top. Couldn't have been more ideal after a long day.  Or, could it!  My assistant arrived shortly thereafter to join my daughter and I for dinner.  Shortly after, Josef, took the 4th seat at the table for drinks and conversation.  

By the end of the evening, there were six at the table enjoying the food, drink and conversation.  The drinks were being brought over as our glasses emptied. Wine, Vodka, Limoncello, Muscato to name a few. The above picture on the left is their staple martini. It is an iced wine vodka martini that divinely tastes like a  grape popsicle. Highly recommended.

In the far opposite corner was another group of six enjoying their late night food and drink.  However, this group, it appeared, resembled the likes of Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin.  The entourage were cautiously watching standing slightly afar. It was a scene from the movie, "Goodfellas."  Even a rendition of, 'Happy Birthday," was sung in Italian lead loudly by the 'man in the green sweater,' to a visiting chef from Italy. 


Euno's Ristorante
119 Salem Street
North End
Boston, MA

Buon Appetito!!


Saturday, March 22, 2014

TRI-FISH SPECIAL

En route from Boston to RI for the weekend I decided upon a last minute late night dinner/drink fest and headed to the Greenwich Bay Oyster Bar on Main Street in East Greenwich.  Probably the best decision of the day/week.

Calling ahead of time while on the drive, I spoke with lovely Shauna, who was kind enough to ensure that I would either have a table or bar seats upon my arrival following my drive in from Boston.  Albeit, reservations are not taken, but at the same time, they were busy and yet, she prepared a table for us. From that point on, I knew the kindness would extend throughout the dining experience.  I couldn't wait to arrive. I opted for dining at the bar; my personal preference. Not to mention, a few friends met me there for cocktails. My first drink was a Raspberry Mojito; an evening drink special listed on the board.
Shauna on the far Left; Andrew the Owner/Chef on the far right with the most respectful and nicest servers in the center.

The scale of the restaurant is small in size with ten or so tables and a beautiful bar complimenting the atmosphere.  Decorations are simple; yet, enough not to distract from the overall warmth and coziness allowing it's customers to enjoy themselves and the food/drink.


Tri-Fish Special
Typically, when ordering, I can never decide between two items on the menu including my first visit at this restaurant.  However, last night was an exception.  After hearing the specials from Christina, without a second thought, nor looking at the menu, I chose the Tri-fish special.  It was amazing.   Salmon, Pan seared Tuna, Swordfish and Prawns over a bed of creamy [not heavy] mushroom risotto.  The fish were cooked to perfection.  The meshing of the flavors melted in my mouth. None of which were overdone, whatsoever. Of course, this followed the 6 raw oysters - Blue Point and Quonset.  Yummy.   

Upon glancing around the room, I noticed other delectable dishes on other tables. From pasta dishes with clams and shrimp, scallop pizza and paella. Everyone had smiles and looked to be thoroughly enjoying their respective meals.

John
On a side note, with March Madness in full swing, we all watched the painful ending of the PC vs NC game on TV mounted above the bar.  Many tears were shed at the end quickly washed away with more alcoholic beverages... At least, for me. 

Next time I will request the corner table in the front window. The restaurant is located at 250 Main Street, East Greenwich, RI.  Enjoy. 


Sunday, March 9, 2014

HERE'S A SHOUT OUT

What began as a problematic day turned positive with a simple 35 second visit to Verizon.  

Background:

Just out of surgery with Kidney Stone blasting, I came home to find a nuisance of a person pulling up to my door within two [2] minutes of my arriving home.  For three [3] days while in the hospital I told him I would contact him over the weekend and would pay him to work on my house. Albeit, he was doing a small repair job, but I needed to, A. Get home from the Boston based hospital; and, B. Have a clear head to function and speak to him. He hounded me for the entire time I was in the hospital and, en plus, once I was released and recuperating for two nights at my mother's house.  Low and behold, there he was, as if he were stalking me, at my house within minutes of my arrival.  

Of course, he padded the hours.  We discussed the discrepancies.  At the end of the drama, I wrote a check for $240 more than what he deserved and/or worked. However, I wanted him out of my house and life.  The $240 was payment to keep him away forever.  My new m.o. as the lesson told in the film, "The Bronks Tale."

Next, I had an argument with my daughter.  Yes, again, the spendthrift.  She thinks my bank account is comparable to that of Bill Gates'. NOT!!!

Somewhere between the 15 minute drive from my mother's house to my house in the neighboring town, my phone wouldn't turn on.  I tried 6 different apple chargers.  They all couldn't be broken!!!!  WTH!  

The anesthesia or the pills [one of six different ones] was making me nauseated and dizzy.  My mobility was limited.  More angst.

And, lastly, getting back to my daughter issue, my friend, who came over to say hello and see how I was getting along, defended my daughter's spendthrift mannerisms immediately following my saying to not, whatsoever, defend or comment on the situation, at all.  I was livid.  Within 18 seconds [a new record] my friend defended my daughter.  WTH.  I tossed him out.  C'ya!  He didn't leave.

In any event, I was determined to get my phone repaired.  After several failed attempts to contact Verizon by phone I headed to the local store just a few miles down the road.  My friend drove since I was not functioning 100%.  I walked into the store.  Thankfully, it was empty with the exception of the two poor employees who had no idea what was about to ensue.  

One was stationed at the front desk and the second in the rear.  I walked to the poor guy at the front desk and simply said, "I am in a very bad mood. Just got out of the hospital, had a fight with my daughter over money, and now my phone is dead.  If you can fix it I will give you a big hug.  And, oh, I am sorry that my bad mood is projecting towards you.  I apologize, it is not you, at all.  Just please fix it."  

15 seconds later the phone was turned on.  He turned to me with a big grin on his face and says, "This happens all the time.  I see it once per day."  He proceeded to tell me what happened and how to fix the next time.  Elementary.  

The guy in the back chimed, "Don't forget to give him a hug."  I sure did!  A big bear hug, at that.  After which, I departed with a big smile on my face.  The rest of the day didn't matter.

Thank you, Verizon.