newsandviewsjb

NEWS&VIEWS by Jacqueline Bennett

Posts from the “Restaurants” Category

New England Patriots Cheerleaders Visit Express Service Friendly’s ~ Manchester CT

Posted on June 19, 2018

  Article & Photos by Jacqueline Bennett   New England Patriots cheerleaders and team mascot Pat Patriot were on hand Monday, June 18, to welcome customers to the newly converted Express Service Friendly’s on 240 Buckland Street in Manchester, Connecticut.   “It’s going well, ” noted store manager, Hector.   For those of us who grew up with wholesome Friendly’s ice cream and sandwich shops throughout New England, where we went to enjoy burger melts on grilled bread, crispy French Fries and a Fribble –  meeting up with classmates there on Friday nights, standing in line with family for a booth, or counter seats, where waiters and waitresses then took our orders – is a part of our cultural history. Remember waiters clad in sharply…

Categories: Friendly's Shop Changes to Express Service, NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS CHEERLEADERS, NEWS, Restaurants

Tagged: , , , , , ,

Destination: Sofia’s Italian Restaurant in East Windsor, Connecticut

Posted on October 25, 2017

Article & Photos by Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb.com   Sofia’s Restaurant in East Windsor, Connecticut had been a place I went fairly often 5-10 years past. For no special reason that changed. A few weeks ago, by invitation I returned. Set on a hilltop intersection, Sofia’s remains popular.         The exterior had been under renovation the last time I was here and is now complete. The interior has also undergone change. Three side-by-side dining sections have booths and tables, however the middle section now includes a bar located at the rear of the space. Lighting in this section seems dimmer which I prefer. Large screen televisions have been added to give a sports bar feel, and on this day they were tuned…

Categories: Food, NEWS, Restaurants

Tagged: , ,

Destination: “Ninety 99 Nine” Restaurants in Westerly, R.I. – Etc.

Posted on March 29, 2017

Write-up and Photos By Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb.com    Among the “Ninety 99 Nine Restaurants” where I have eaten my favorite is in Westerly, Rhode Island. What makes this one so special? Location, location, location.   Immediately across the road from the highway connector that enables beachgoers to bypass downtown Westerly and head directly to Misquamicut State Beach and the Westerly Beaches, the restaurant has easy access off Airport Road. It is about three miles from the shoreline, which off-season is barely a ten minute drive but much longer during the summer when traffic is backed-up.   Best described as a “pub chain serving American fare”, regardless of their location the “99 Restaurants” where I’ve been have similar layouts – two sides for dining, a bar,…

Categories: Casual Dining, Food, NEWS, Restaurants

Tagged: , , ,

Destination: Hometown Kitchen at the Plaza in Somers, Connecticut

Posted on October 20, 2016

Write-Up & Photos by Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb.com   Hometown Kitchen is aptly named. Tucked inside Southfield Corners Plaza in Somers, Connecticut it is the kind of restaurant best known to locals. In fact, I first ate here a number of years ago when it was called Kathy’s Playhouse because it was a favorite stop for one of my brothers, F.W. and his wife, who were both teachers in a nearby town.       What brings me back is the scrumptious pumpkin bread which I was told by a waitress is still homemade by her sister, the former owner. Moist, flavorful and so popular it is sold by the loaves, it is as tasty as the pumpkin bread that used to be served at…

Categories: Food, NEWS, Off the Beaten Path, Restaurants

Tagged: , , , ,

Chris Baker “92” Day Declared by Windsor, CT Mayor at Bart’s Beanery, “It’s Swaggy Day”!

Posted on July 9, 2016

  Article & Photos by Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb.com   “It’s Swaggy Day,” a smiling Chris Baker- nickname “Swaggy”- told the crowd gathered at Bart’s Beanery in Windsor, Connecticut Friday evening, July 8.   Baker, a defensive lineman for the NFL Washington Redskins – number 92 – had just been presented with a proclamation by Windsor Mayor Donald Trinks declaring today, July 9, 2016, Chris Baker “92” Day.   The honor recognizes not only Baker’s play but his “generosity and dedication” to enhance the lives of local youth and empower them to reach their potential.   “Chris is of modest upbringing and he never forgot his roots with his literacy and charitable foundation. Chris represents the true character of Windsor High School – he is…

Categories: Classic American Hotdog Stands, Connecticut's First Town, Food, Literacy Efforts, Magic Grill, New England Classics, Positive NFL Role Models, Restaurants, Role models, True Love

Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , ,

Breakfast Week & the “Most Memorable of Breakfasts”

Posted on January 28, 2016

  By Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb.com   Breakfast out is a favorite treat that feels like being on vacation. When I learned yesterday of annual Breakfast Week slated for January 24-30, 2016 by the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board, to highlight the importance of “the most important meal of the day”, my plan was to write a straightforward report on the event.   My thoughts though kept drifting back to the most memorable of breakfasts experienced on the most memorable of trips from Connecticut up to Boston, Massachusetts to a Red Sox game. So the report instead became an anecdote. I hope you get a laugh from it – we have gotten many.   This Boston trip was meant to be special for my mother,…

Categories: Boston MA, Breakfast Out, Expect the Unexpected, Restaurants

Tagged: , , , ,

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

Tagged: , , , , ,

Destination: Lenny & Joe’s Fish Tale – Madison, Connecticut

Posted on July 9, 2015

Write-Up & Photos by Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb.com   Anyone expecting to wait to be seated then served at a table at Lenny & Joe’s Fish Tale in Madison, Connecticut will be surprised. Unlike the Lenny & Joe’s a few miles away in Westbrook where that is the set-up, Lenny & Joe’s in Madison is an order at the counter, self pick-up, condiment corner restaurant. Customers can then seek out their own booths. What is the same however, is good food at reasonable prices.           With Hammonasset Beach State Park located in Madison barely five minutes up Boston Post Road, this more casual restaurant style is perfect for beach-goers or campers who want to stop in for a no-fuss bite to…

Categories: Food, New England Seaside Restaurants, NEWS, Restaurants

Tagged: , , ,

Destination: Sea View Snack Bar – Mystic, Connecticut

Posted on June 25, 2015

Write-Up & Photos by Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb.com    It is always a pleasure to discover a new and enjoyable eating spot. I have added the Sea View Snack Bar in Mystic, Connecticut to my list of go-to roadside clam shacks, after giving it a try a couple of weekends ago.     This is a place I have passed many summers en route to downtown Mystic or the Mystic Seaport Museum, and I took note of the fact that the parking lot was always full. Now I understand why.   Food quality is of course the best reason to patronize a restaurant. However, ambiance comes in as a close second. The Sea View Snack Bar offers both when casual is desired. The restaurant has…

Categories: Food, New England Clam Shacks, NEWS, Restaurants, Roadside Clam Shacks

Tagged: , , ,

Beautiful Weather Accompanies “Taste of Mystic” 2015

Posted on June 15, 2015

Write-Up & Photos by Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb.com   Beautiful weather accompanied the 2015 Taste of Mystic in Mystic Connecticut which ran June 12, 13 & 14. Crowds that turned out for the event had a chance to sample menu items from about 30 area restaurants. Seafood was a popular choice such as clams shucked on the spot when customers made their purchases at the “HARBOUR HOUSE at the INN AT MYSTIC”, as well as, Lobster Mac prepared by the “Portuguese Fisherman”. Soup lovers were drawn to offerings of Lobster Bisque and New England – of course – Clam Chowder.   The Taste of Mystic was set up in a parking lot outside the Olde Mistick Village shops with a large tent of picnic tables…

Categories: Food, New England, New England Seaside Restaurants, NEWS, Restaurants, Seafood, Tourism

Tagged: , , , , ,