I think I visited Bertucci’s for the first time back in 1983. I was still in school and living in a sublet that Summer and the Davis Square outpost was a regular haunt, given its delicious brick oven pizza and basement bocce courts. After college, my tastes turned more towards finer cuisine, but I always found myself returning to Bertucci’s. Something about the pizza and the simplicity of the other dishes made it easy and gratifying. There was a welcoming, homey feel and a genuine, authenticity to the food that reminded me of home.

Fast forward 30+ years and I am still a regular at Bertucci’s, more so now because of the welcoming family atmosphere and convenience of their many locations. One might initially think that Bertucci’s is just another Olive Garden – family-friendly Italian food without soul or passion – non-distinctive and guaranteed not to offend. Well, you would be wrong.

A recent evening spent with the Chef Rosario Del Nero, Vice President of Culinary – Executive Chef at Bertucci’s was both eye-opening, as well as a validation that Bertucci’s truly has soul and passion when it comes to Italian food.

The evening began several weeks before, when Ryan, the Manager at the Attleboro Bertucci’s told us that the customer feedback forms that we diligently enter after each meal are read by all the management in the company, including Chef Rosario. Ryan indicated that if we wanted to see some of our old favorites brought back, then we should tag Chef Rosario in our comments and let him know about our nostalgic hunger pangs.

Well, my better half did exactly that, explaining our long-time support of Bertucci’s and our desire to see our favorite pasta dish, Rigatoni ala Bertucci, brought back to the fold. Lo and behold, Chef Rosario responded and invited us to be his guest at a nearby Bertucci’s to prepare the dish with our support. So, we set a date and eagerly waited for the evening to arrive.

And the visit was magical. Not only did we get to have an evening with an incredibly passionate and genuine Renaissance man, but the welcoming support of the staff at the Attleboro Bertucci’s had us feeling like we had just stopped by our Nonna’s for a quick bite.

For those who don’t realize it, the food at Bertucci’s is entirely homemade. Nothing is pre-prepared, so the food is as fresh as possible every day. We were welcomed with a mouth-watering assortment of antipasti, as well as a dish of homemade meatballs in marinara sauce. The meatballs are a returning signature to the menu and represent a key element of Chef Rosario’s approach to food – freshness, authenticity and passion. And they did not disappoint – moist and flavorful with just the right blend of spice, prepared by Suzette, an Area Director who oversees as many as seven restaurants. That is true passion.

As we noshed, Chef Rosario shared a bit of his history and that of Bertucci’s. Chef’s anecdotes about his home town in Lombardy and the remarkable Bitto Storico cheese produced there were captivating. We learned that Bitto Storico is a cow and goat milk cheese produced in the Valtellina valley of Lombardy by means of traditional methods promoted by Slow Food. The cheese is only produced in Summer, when the cows and goats can free-range in the high alpine meadows. The resulting cheese, according to Chef Rosario is one of the most amazing cheeses of Italy, having the ability to age for more than 25 years. You know what I am going to look for the next time I visit Wasik’s in Wellesley!

After our antipasti, Chef Rosario donned his white apron to prepare the dish that brought us together in the first place – Rigatoni ala Bertucci. The dish was on the menu back in the 1990’s, but was ultimately removed, largely due to the risks in making the signature Vodka Cream Sauce. It had been one of our favorites and for good reason – it is truly amazing – simple, fresh with a perfect balance of ingredients. And, no, I am not going to divulge the recipe, as simple as it is… you can visit the Attleboro Bertucci’s and see if Ryan, Hillary and crew will duplicate it for you…

We shared more stories over dessert and before we knew it, the evening was at an end. We made many new friends and feel an even deeper connection to Bertucci’s. While Bertucci’s is obviously a profit-making business, it is also a set of restaurants whose purpose is to promote the wonderful importance of Italian food and the warmth and vibrancy of Italian culture. Chef Rosario is the embodiment of this and through his example, ensures that every visit to Bertucci’s is amazing.

To top it off, our son even got to make his own meatball pizza, his favorite, courtesy of the same Area Manager who made the meatballs earlier in the day.

Our thanks to Chef Rosario and all the staff at the Attleboro Bertucci’s for making our visit truly memorable.

Buon Apetito!

Finally got in to try a brand new (as of July 5th) Wrentham restaurant – Connie’s Rustic Kitchen and Tavern. Overall, for a brand-new place, we were pleased with what we found.

The accommodations are definitely Tavern-like. A bit worn around the edges, but overall comfortable and homey. It was quiet on the evening that we dined, but I can imagine, it must get fairly energetic with a crowd.

Our server was very sincere and eager to please, albeit a bit young and inexperienced. I am chocking this up to the newness of the restaurant. Our waitress was incredibly accommodating, but needed to check almost all our questions with either the bar, or the kitchen before answering.

Next, the bar. As someone who dives deep on cocktails and wine, I can be overly critical of bar service. I always have a few test drinks that I use to gauge service. In this case, a Negroni was not possible because of a lack of key ingredients – Campari. I was a trifle dismayed that the barkeep failed to recognize the cocktail by name, but he seemed like a nice enough guy that had he the ingredients, he could have rolled a decent cocktail. The wine list is short and simple, with very modest pricing.

Visiting the link above, brings you to a Facebook page that has some mouth-watering pictures, which are what drew us in. The menu offers gastro-pub cuisine with specials that aim for a notch above. We tried a variety of items – base menu and specials to get a sense of the quality, etc.

Appetizers were divided. The Fried Calamari was very nice, with a light batter that was not oily and a good quantity of rings and tentacles.

The special Caprese Salad was a disappointment. The tomatoes were under ripe and lacked taste and the mozzarella was rubbery, also without much taste. The drizzle of balsamic was tasty but could not make up for the blandness of the other ingredients. To me, a special should be exactly that – special and probably based on the availability of exceptional ingredients. In this case, the ingredients were lacking.

Entrees were again divided. The Chicken Involtini was very nice with a seductive wine sauce and a mouth-watering stuffing. The Chicken and Broccoli over pasta was disappointing and bland. The chicken was flavorful, but the sauce was thin and way too garlicky. A little more creaminess and a little less garlic would dramatically improve the dish.

Only one dessert is offered and it changes weekly. At our visit a huge, homemade ice cream sandwich was on offer. Visually stunning and very tasty. While we were told that the cookies were chocolate chip, we all agreed that the taste suggested the presence of oatmeal… confirmation with the kitchen came back as chocolate chip…

As previously noted, overall, we were pleased and given the newness, need to return to make further inroads. Everything appears promising and despite some missteps during our visit, nothing was so egregious to dissuade us from returning. We love local, so we will be tugging hard for Connie’s to succeed!

For a brief period of time, I called Middleboro, MA home… It was between Jr. High and College. During this time, I found a dentist and an eye doctor, both of which I maintain to this day. Having regular appointments brings me back to Middleboro a few times a year and you guessed it, the visits are usually timed around breakfast. Shocking, I know.

On one such visit, I stopped into a relatively new place (to me, at least), called Nellie Rose (https://www.facebook.com/nellieroserestaurant2/). Located in the space formerly known as the Flatiron Café, the restaurant has ample space for entertaining. On these quick hits, I always opt for counter service, when available. Turns out that the original, sister location is in Whitman, in case that location is more convenient.

When I’m in a new restaurant for breakfast, there are certain go-to test items that I almost always try to order. Coffee, obviously can be a deal breaker. Toast is a good measure of quality, as are any other baked goods that the restaurant claims to make on premise. Corned-beef hash is a critical yardstick, especially if the joint claims to make theirs from scratch. You get the idea…

Well, I’m happy to report that Nellie Rose passed on all accounts! First off, the coffee was great – full-bodied and flavorful without being over-roasted or bitter. A nice added touch – the server placed a small plate with four small pieces of various muffins beside the coffee. Apparently, Nellie Rose make their own muffins and they give each customer a little taste, almost an amuse bouche of muffins… They were great and had I been in a muffin mood, I would have ordered one to go. I ordered the Nellie Rose Favorite – basically two eggs, home fries, hash (homemade) and toast. What more could I ask for? Nothing, really. The hash was clearly homemade and hit the spot – rich and flavorful without being greasy. Home fries were good – crisp and moist. Toast was spot on – they offer raisin bread, which I love and which they lightly buttered. By the way, raisin toast is the perfect accompaniment to corned-beef hash… must be an Irish-thing.

Overall, not a single complaint.

Service was excellent. Attentive, friendly and fast.

I enjoyed Nellie Rose so much, I’m actually looking for an excuse to go back before my next appointment…

I used to head into Belmont religiously to have my older cars serviced. As my cars became newer models, and after we left Somerville, it became less convenient to make the trek. I still head back, at least twice a year, though, to have the tires changed (summer -> winter and back again) and when I do, I make my pilgrimage back to Aram’s Café (https://www.google.com/webhp?sourceid=chrome-instant&rlz=1C1CHZL_enUS687US687&ion=1&espv=2&ie=UTF-8#q=aram’s+cafe+Belmont)…

It’s no secret. If you have been reading my blog then you know my feelings about breakfast (and many other things, as well). So, an opportunity to savor authentic home-cooked, ethnically-oriented breakfast food will not be missed.

Aram’s is exactly that opportunity. I usually visit early… like, “I’m the second guy in the door early…” Never crowded at that time, but I imagine it could get quite busy. The space is small – a counter that seats about ten and another four four-person booths – that’s it. Cooking is done right before your eyes, with only a few prep activities taking place in a back-kitchen area. Family run – I’ve only met the patriarch himself – a sixty-eight-year-old first generation Armenian who reminds me of my late father. You know, older, distinguished, a little out of shape, but in the day, you can tell he was ripped. Engaging and opinionated – don’t ask a question if you don’t want to get a lecture… and don’t be surprised if you don’t agree… thing is, Aram really doesn’t care whether you agree… For me, I love the guy… but I’m a bit of a grumpy old fart myself.

The food is great. All home-cooked, all fresh. I always get one of the Armenian omelets – either tomato and soujouk (sausage) or the tomato and basterma (pastrami). Both are wonderful, with exotic flavors that don’t overpower. Served with home fries and toast, they make a filling breakfast that easily carries me through the day. I’ve also had the eggs benedict and can say that Aram makes a mean Hollandaise sauce.

Prices are right, especially for what you get, inclusive of the conversation.

On my last visit, Aram offered that he is thinking of retiring in a few years, turning the daily operation over to his kids… visiting when he wants to help out now and then… I said that sounds like a good plan. We looked at each other and laughed… we both knew that would never happen…

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. A nutritious and delicious breakfast is the key to happiness. This is probably why I love diners so much… There is nothing like the stick-to-your-ribs cuisine found in the American diner. I mean nothing. Some diners are traditional, Worcester Dining Car types, others are mere holes in the wall. Then there are the more visible, retro-styled establishments reminiscent of the 1950’s car hops. Some are just café store fronts. Regardless of the form, you can usually count on great food, served fast and at a great price.

The Looking Glass Café (https://www.facebook.com/TheLookingGlassCafe/) is one of those store-front type diners located in the heart of Wrentham Center.

The décor is clean and simple with counter service, two booths and another five or six tables. Not a lot of space, but enough.

The food is standard diner fare, with breakfast served from until closing and lunch from around noon to closing, which is 3:00 pm daily.

My favorites are the Taste of Ireland and the Looking Glass Eggs Benedict – both are served with homemade corned beef hash. In the case of the Taste of Ireland, you enjoy two eggs any style, two slices of raisin toast, home fries and the previously mentioned hash. With the Benedict, substitute Canadian bacon for hash and you’re rolling. The Hollandaise is silky and creamy and home fries are extra.

Breakfast specials are always a treat, like their Chili and Cheese Omelet!

There are a host of other goodies and the lunch specials are always a treat.

Weekends can get busy, but the efficient wait staff keep things moving so wait times are always reasonable.

So, if you find yourself on Route 1A in Wrentham Center, make sure you stop in at the Looking Glass Café…

If I had never been told by a friend about the Oregon Club (http://theoregonclub.com/Home_Page.html), I might never have had the pleasure of dining there.

Nestled on a country road in Ashland, the Oregon Club is a quaint destination that should not be overlooked. According to their website:

The Oregon Club was born as “The Briasco Inn” in 1922, founded by Giuseppe Briasco. At first glance, the Briasco Inn was a popular local rooming house that served just spaghetti and steaks to the neighborhood, but the Inn also functioned as a speakeasy. When prohibition ended in 1933, the Briascos renamed their restaurant The Oregon Club and made it members-only to continue offering their guests the privacy they enjoyed. Giuseppe turned over the business to his son John and wife Rena in the 50’s.  Word continued to spread about the odd little farmhouse with such great food, and eventually the once private club was opened to the public.  John and Rena retired in 1994 and handed over their much-loved restaurant to a new generation. Chef Chris Scanlon and Judy MacLeod, owners of the Oregon Club since 2009, met at the Oregon Club many years ago.  Both were enamored by the history and the potential in this funky little spot. When the opportunity came to take over, they jumped at the chance and have not looked back since.

We have visited twice now and each visit has been spectacular. Paying homage to the Club’s speakeasy past, we of course started with a brace of classic cocktails, each well-prepared.

The Negroni was perfectly balanced and refreshing, as was the Martini.

The appetizer list is plentiful, but we stuck with a pair of Caesar Salads. Both were crisp and fresh with a tangy dressing and for those who like “hairy fish,” the anchovies were plentiful.

Because the restaurant is known for steaks, we stuck with the special – Grilled Marinated Flank Steak, served with mashed potatoes and sautéed green beans, and the 12-oz. New York Sirloin. The steaks were cooked perfectly to order and were tender and flavorful. On prior visits, we did have the Oregon “Club Steak,” which is an 8-oz. sirloin, smothered with wonderful sherry-caramelized onions. We can also vouch for the Pan-seared Duck Breast when it is available, as well as the Mushroom Pasta, which is Campanelle pasta tossed with wild mushrooms, crispy pancetta, Cippolini onion and sun-dried tomatoes all finished with white wine, olive oil, herbs and Romano cheese.

Desserts are all house made and are excellent – we had the Mousse and the Crème Brûlée, as well as a nice snifter of Eau de Vie, in this case, Grappa.

In fairness to some of the other restaurants I have reviewed, I need to take the Oregon Club to task for their wine list… The list is brief, but does contain some very nice selections that are both appropriate for the cuisine and reasonably priced. As I have noted in the past, I am a stickler for accuracy on a wine list, especially for a modest list that is managed as an insert on a clipboard-style drinks list. For starters, not all the wines are up-to-date. Case in point, we ordered a favorite, the 2012 Domaine du Vieux Lazaret which we had on a prior visit and was still listed. The server brought a CDP, but it was the 2014 Domaine de Châteaumar. When I asked why the change, the server appeared confused, until I showed that what was listed was in fact not what was brought. A return to the kitchen with questions, elicited the answer – the listed wine is no longer available, the one brought to table is the CDP on offer. We were told we could taste it and if we found it unsatisfactory we could return it, no charge. We plowed forward and the wine was fine. While this episode did not diminish our enjoyment and all worked out in the end, I do raise it as an issue given my focus on beverage service and especially given that the list is easily managed.

Table service was excellent. Our server was cheerful, helpful, professional and attentive. She was a joy and took very good care of us. Overall, our experiences have been exceptional and we give the Oregon Club our highest recommendation!

No, I have not supplanted my wine & spirits focus for food… But I thought it would be a nice diversion for my local readers to find a few restaurant reviews amongst the wine and cocktails… When we first arrived in Wrentham we tried this breakfast joint. It was called something different then (17 years ago) and frankly, it wasn’t very good. Recently, we were in the area and decidedly hungry so we figured we would give the rebooted version another try. The Breakfast Nook https://www.facebook.com/The-Breakfast-Nook-108131589229062/ turned out to be quite good.

I was pleasantly surprised to find SOS on the menu, either over toast or biscuits, so I had to try it. The creamed chip beef was excellent, not too salty and with just the correct amount of spiciness. I should have opted for the toast, as the biscuits were a little too moist and were more like dough sinkers. Overall, I was quite happy. Because the picture of the SOS on the menu looked skimpy, I also asked for a pair of fried eggs and home fries – both excellent, but both unnecessary.

The French Toast was good, although they would have benefited from more vanilla in the batter and little more cinnamon on the side. The Maple-cured Sausage was excellent with a deep, rich flavor.

Coffee, like cocktails, becomes a benchmark upon which I measure “diners” and The Breakfast Nook coffee was superb. Rich, full-flavored with nutty hints and no bitterness.

Although off the beaten path for us, we will be making return visits when my hankering for SOS arises, which is probably going to be too often, in spite of my need to curb my waistline!

We recently had the pleasure of visiting Hemenway’s in Providence RI, a place billed as “a Providence Seafood Classic.” It was a Saturday evening and the place was hopping. The space is an open design with a very high ceiling. Thus, the noise level is extreme, to the point that trying to hear our server explain the specials was nearly impossible. While the noise was a bit of a detraction, it did not diminish our overall enjoyment of the venue.

We started with a brace of cocktails… Given the look of the bar, our hopes were high. Therefore, we went the classic route – Negroni, Sidecar and Moscow Mule. The Negroni was well-made, although Carpano Antico was not available. The Sidecar was also well-made, including the proper sugar-rimmed coupe. Balance-wise, I prefer Sidecars a little heavier on the Triple Sec. This one was a trifle bitter. The Moscow Mule was, in a word, just wrong. The cocktail was fine but the signature copper mug was missing. Was it a total deal-breaker? No, but if you are going to serve one of the most identifiable cocktails of the last century, please have the proper “glassware.”

We went with a few of the classic starters. Bacon & Scallion Wrapped Scallops with a soy-ginger dipping sauce were very good. I prefer the bacon a bit less crispy, and the scallions seemed to be AWOL, but the soy-ginger dipping sauce was a nice touch. Crab & Lobster Cakes with roasted chili & citrus aioli, and a fresh herb & radish salad were moist, plump and flavorful. The Caesar Salad with focaccia croutons, and Grana Padano cheese was classic, fresh and enticing.

For a seafood restaurant, only one of us had a seafood main course. The balance were steaks and they were superb. The 8 Oz. Angus Filet Mignon accompanied by yukon mashed potatoes, grilled asparagus, and a red-wine demi glaze was tender and juicy, cooked to a perfect medium. The 12 Oz. Certified Angus New York Strip accompanied by parmesan-truffle steak fries, sautéed spinach, and a sauce bordelaise was exceptional, again cooked to a perfect “Pittsburgh style.” All of the sides were tasty, as were the sauces. The seafood main course was a Chilled Seafood Medley Salad consisting of shrimp, crab, lobster, Jeffery’s greens, feta cheese, shaved red onion, toasted pistachios, orange supreme, and drizzled with a preserved lemon vinaigrette. The Medley had quite possibly the largest jumbo shrimp I had ever seen and was stuffed with oodles of the other listed ingredients. It is clear why Hemenway’s earned their moniker as “Providence Seafood Classic.”

We finished with some artistic sweets. Warm Toffee Cake with a pear and cranberry compote, cinnamon raisin ice cream, oat crisp, and a warm toffee sauce, was delicious and so appropriate given the freezing temperatures outside. The Bourbon Pecan Tart with whipped vanilla sauce, candied pecans, and chocolate whiskey ice cream was also yummy and appropriately comforting.

We also enjoyed a nice bottle of 2015 Château Montmirail Cotes du Rhone which was reasonably priced and paired wonderfully with the steak. My one complaint – accuracy in the wine list… For starters, the wine was listed as a Vacqueyras… Not a big deal, but CDR is not Vacqueyras, despite being adjacent to one another. Also, the listed vintage was 2013, not 2015… again, not a big deal, but I think the 2013 would have been drinking better than the 2015… Completely understand that restaurants can only serve what is available…

Overall, Hemenway’s was a great evening out. The things that mattered most – food and service were impeccable. Ambiance was lacking and beverage service was on par, but not quite perfect. Value-wise, while the meal was not inexpensive, it was certainly worth the price. We’ll be back, probably on a week night to see if that reduces the noise and makes the space a little more intimate.

After reading a lot about Baldies Craft Pizzeria in Lakeville, MA (http://www.baldiescraftpizzeria.com/), we decided to take a trip… It’s about 35 minutes south of us on  Route 495 in my old stompin’ grounds… And it is never too far to travel for the promise of great food!

Arrived at 6:30 pm on a Thursday… crowded… we called ahead and even though they only accept reservations for parties of eight or more, they took our name, so the wait was manageable – 15 minutes, tops.

Overall, first impression… clean, open, inviting but not overly cozy… exactly what I expected for a pizzeria. Less noisy, given the crowd, which was a pleasant surprise.

Our waitress was friendly and engaging, and she took great care of us. One complaint – she was very slow… In fairness, not sure if it was her, the crowd or the kitchen. Or possibly a combination. In any event, I did think that two hours for a straightforward dinner for three was a bit much, but again, it could have been a combination of factors.

Ordered cocktails… Negroni and a Margarita. Nixed the Negroni – no Campari… actually, the bar staff never heard of the drink… A bit of a concern, especially given the fact that the Negroni is no longer an obscure cocktail… Margarita was fine. No salt on the rim, but the cocktail was well-balanced.

Ordered wine… 2014 Capostrano Montepulciano – excellent and at about twice retail, the price was very reasonable. Perfect with the cuisine.

The food, which was ostensibly the reason for the visit… generally very good to excellent.

The Burrata was exceptional, rich and complex.

The Calamari was okay – breading was a bit heavy and there were no tentacles and the rings were extremely small. Main dishes were all very tasty.

The Pappardelle Carbonara was incredibly creamy without being overly eggy.

The Steak Tips were cooked to order, which included NOT having the Chimichurri Sauce on the tips by request. Mistake. The marinade is a sweet, smoky marinade, which needs the acid of the Chimichurri to balance the dish. Do not forgo the sauce.

The Pilgrim pizza was very good, but a bit unbalanced… Ricotta with Mascarpone, caramelized onions and a drizzle of cranberry aioli. Everything was great, except the aioli was a bit too sweet, which, when combined with the sweetness of the onions and Mascarpone, unbalanced an otherwise great pie. Perfectly thin crust, by the way.

We finished with a few desserts, which ranged from excellent to mediocre. The Apple Cobbler with vanilla ice cream was terrific. Served warm, the abundance of fruit without much pastry was a welcomed finish to a filling meal. The Chocolate Lava Cake was mediocre at best. The cake itself, which was supposed to be molten, was served warm but it was bone dry and over-cooked. We did try to order the Pistachio Gelato but they were out.

So, overall, we found Baldies Pizzeria to be very good. The interesting specials (Duck Breast, Seared Scallops), which drew us here, seem to be a weekend feature, so we may brave the crowds and try a Friday/Saturday evening. Judging by the quality of the main dishes, the specials promise to be terrific.

Value-wise, we felt it was okay. All-in, including tip, the bill was $152. For three that averages a bit more than $50 per person. Adding in the drive, the brief wait and the slowness of the service and the value decreases. You can get away more cheaply and we left with three doggy bags, so there is another meal from the trip.

Bon Apetito!