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NEWS&VIEWS by Jacqueline Bennett

Posts from the “Food” Category

Destination: Return to Sadler’s Ordinary for Seafood & Ham

Posted on March 28, 2016

          Article & Photos by Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb.com   With the exception of one luncheon last November, a turkey dinner that was excellent, most of my visits to Sadler’s Ordinary in Marlborough, Connecticut have involved French Toast, Eggs and Bacon or Sausage from their Sunday Brunch menu, once again excellent. Yesterday’s reservation, however, was a combination celebration of my birthday and Easter dinner.   First came a bread basket with Sadler’s fresh and delicious, homemade raisin bread (loaves are available to take home from their bakery counter). Baked Scallops was my entree choice. Served with almond slices speckled white rice, butternut squash, green beans and a lemon wedge, the succulent scallops topped with parmesan cracker crumbs were simply divine. Everyone…

Categories: Food, Holiday dishes, NEWS, Quaint New England Restaurants

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Barry’s Ex Is In Texas, That’s Why “PitCrew BBQ” Is In Hebron, Connecticut

Posted on March 22, 2016

        Article & Photos By Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb.com   Barry Bricarell’s ex-wife is in Texas, that’s why “PitCrew BBQ” is in Hebron, Connecticut.   Isn’t there a George Strait song like that?   “Yes,” replied Bricarell with a grin, and mischievous twinkle in his eye during an interview March 20 at his roadside “REAL ‘Texas’ BBQ” cart on 1 Main Street.   For the past three years or so, Bricarell’s “pit” has become a familiar sight and popular stop in the rear parking lot of the Congregational Church, where he rented the space along Route 85 near a major intersection.   “We always stayed busy,” he said.   As it turns out, after Sunday, the only way to enjoy his tasty…

Categories: BBQ Pit Crew Needed, Cooking, Food, NEWS, Texas BBQ

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New Interior for Rein’s Deli & Traditional St. Paddy’s Day Fare

Posted on March 17, 2016

                                Write-Up & Photos by Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb.com   Rein’s in Vernon, Connecticut is a good choice any time and on St. Patrick’s Day it is always fun. The owners transform this New York Style Deli into “Ryan’s” this one day each year serving a traditional corned beef & cabbage dinner with a large potato, carrots and a free piece of pistachio cake for dessert. Waitstaff dons all manner of St. Paddy’s Day gear from “Irish Girl” t-shirts to huge, flashing green light dangle earrings. In keeping with the upbeat spirit of the holiday, St. Paddy’s Day smiles are typically plentiful here just like the Guinness Draught.   It was…

Categories: Favorite Restaurants, Food, NEWS, pistachio cake, St. Paddy's Day Fare

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National “New England” Clam Chowder Day – Celebrate ‘Yankee Doodle in a Kettle’

Posted on February 24, 2016

  Article & Photos By Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb.com   “It is as American as the Stars & Stripes, as patriotic as the national anthem, It is ‘Yankee Doodle in a kettle’.” Joseph C. Lincoln   I am a New England girl. When the air turns cold, the days grow shorter and leaves become hues of golden/russet then fall to the ground leaving soon-to-be snow covered branches bare, my thoughts go to the crackling of a fireplace, wool sweaters – and a glorious cup of New England Clam Chowder to warm me. On breezy, spring afternoons when shoreline restaurants begin their seasonal opening rituals, and on a summer’s day at the beach when the ocean air flows in with the tide, I look forward to…

Categories: Food, New England Classics, NEWS, Shoreline Restaurants

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Enjoy “Remy’s Grinders” Again

Posted on January 27, 2016

  Write-Up & Photos by Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb.com The New England Patriots may be out of contention but Super Bowl Sunday continues as a great American tradition, with this year marking the 50th anniversary for the annual football showdown.  In Windham, Connecticut & beyond, “Remy’s Grinders” remain another great tradition. As many will attest – simply the best!                                   For the eleventh year, “Remy’s Grinders”, which gained fame being made at the old downtown “dugout” store, are being sold to benefit a good cause – to help “Bigg Play” kids with traveling expenses to play baseball abroad. (Read the original newsandviewsjb story “Lengendary ‘Remy’s Grinders’ Reappear on Super…

Categories: American Way of Life, Best Ever Salami Grinders, Food, Great American Traditions, NEWS, NFL, Simply the Best, Super Bowl Sunday Traditions, The Elks Lodge

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Destination: Widow Bingham’s Tavern at Red Lion Inn Stockbridge, MA

Posted on December 11, 2015

Article & Photos by Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb.com   Across the threshold from the elegant dining room in Stockbridge, Massachusetts’ Red Lion Inn and above a rathskeller bar there, is the casual, rustic Widow Bingham’s Tavern. Though the main dining room is lovely, there is something most appealing about the ole’ Americana atmosphere of the tavern.     Red checkered tablecloths coordinate with dark, wooden chairs. Historic memorabilia pattern the walls. Overhead lamps create dim lighting accented by a stained glass window decor, “wood planked” floors and a busy bar. Holiday decorations on this visit added to the enjoyable experience. The tavern is small so if it is preferred, reservations are a good idea.     With an emphasis on traditional New England fare, the…

Categories: 2015 Opentable Diner's Choice Winner, Food, Historic New England Taverns, New England Inns, NEWS, Restaurants, Traditional New England Fare

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Destination: Not Your Grandfather’s McDonald’s, McCafe in Vernon, CT

Posted on November 16, 2015

  Write-Up & Photos by Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb.com     McDonald’s golden arches have been part of the American landscape since the 1950s. Over the years the appearance of the fast food hamburger chain’s restaurants has been modified to reflect modern trends. Most recently the popularity of coffee houses which continues to sweep the nation has given rise to McCafes and their cozier dining atmospheres.   One of the most welcoming of these McCafe incarnations can be found on Talcottville Road in Vernon, Connecticut – this Vernon franchise is not your grandfather’s McDonald’s. Accented by a centrally located, two-sided electric-style fireplace, it has been transformed into a go-to spot. Though McCafe refers to the offering of traditional hot coffee along with flavored ice coffees,…

Categories: All Day Breakfasts, Food, NEWS

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Mom’s Recipe Box: Nandini’s Caramel Bread Pudding

Posted on November 13, 2015

                                                                                                  Nandini’s Caramel Bread Pudding   When I came across this recipe I knew I wanted to include it in my Mom’s Recipe Box Series. I found it on a wonderful blog called Goan Imports written by Nandini.   Bread pudding was one of my mother’s favorite desserts. I believe her mother – my grandmother Delia – made it when – my mother Cecelia – was growing up. Perhaps Mom made bread pudding for my older brothers…

Categories: Desserts, Food, Holiday dishes, New England menu traditions, NEWS, Pudding

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Destination: Joe Pizza in Lovely Simsbury, Connecticut

Posted on October 29, 2015

Write-Up & Photos by Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb.com     “Joe Pizza” is situated on the corner of Hopmeadow and Wilcox streets in the center historic district of lovely Simsbury, Connecticut. Why “Joe Pizza” and not Joe’s Pizza is a mystery, but what’s certain is that this restaurant’s slogan fits perfectly –   “Mmm.. Joe Pizza“.   Their boast of New Haven style pizza – better known as apizza – is backed by brick oven baking, slightly charred thin crust and sweet/savory tomato sauce topped with “Mootz” (mozzarella cheese). It is described on their menu as “characterized by a crust similar to rustic peasant bread in texture, cooked to darker color allowing the topping to blend together … different ingredients caramelize bringing out their natural sweet…

Categories: Apizza, Connecticut restaurants, Food, New Haven Style Pizza, NEWS, October is National Pizza Month

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Lobster “Tale” from a Country Girl for National Lobster Day 2015

Posted on September 26, 2015

By: Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb.com September 25 was National Lobster Day. If ever there were a sea creature turned menu item worthy of having its own day – it is the delectably tasty lobster!   On this day of lobster celebration I have a lobster “tale” to share. Back in the day when University of Connecticut football played Yale, the Ivy League heavyweight always had the game scheduled at the Yale Bowl in New Haven which is about an hour and a half drive from UConn’s main campus in rural Storrs. Every September a group of us made the annual pilgrimage down to “the Bowl” to support the Huskies then capped the return ride off with a stop at Valle’s Steak House on Brainard Road…

Categories: Embarrassing Moments, Food, Lobster Tales, National Lobster Day 2015, NEWS, Popular New England food, Restaurant Delicacies, Seafood

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