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Post by Mfitz804 on Sept 8, 2020 13:27:55 GMT -5
Still supporting the local guys by eating out on the weekend. Still takeout for the most part, but we've been getting out there to eat at places that are set up for outdoor dining.
One such place is a local pizza joint that my daughter and I went to. I knew one of the three owners, who sold his interest in January. I happened to have a gift card for the place (a gift from a neighbor that I did legal work for), so when we needed somewhere close to home to go, we decided to go there.
Now, I had been holding the gift card for almost a years because, well, honestly the food was not great. Sometimes it was borderline bad, other times you lucked out and it was "fine". The guy that I know was the head chef at the place, and I avoided telling him what I thought at all costs. I have eaten HIS cooking before, and its good. But I suspect he was not doing the actual cooking.
In any event, with a new owner in his place, we decided to go and use up the balance of the gift card. To our surprise, the food was excellent. Quite possibly the best fettuccini alfredo that I have had, and I have had it in much more upscale type places.
I guess the lesson learned was, either my friend didn't have his eye on the ball, or they hired someone who really knows what they are doing in the kitchen. It was a place that we'd essentially ruled out but/for finishing out the gift card, but now, we will definitely be back.
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Post by FlyonNylon on Sept 8, 2020 13:50:22 GMT -5
We had beers at a great patio overlooking the downtown riverpark last weekend but it’s still a bit too hot to formally dine outdoors down here.
We ate at a sushi restaurant friday and then saturday saw one of my wife’s favorite local bands play at a local mexican place, both times seated inside though.
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Post by Taildragger on Sept 8, 2020 14:12:38 GMT -5
We haven't eaten out since this whole mess started. I worked bussing dishes and waiting tables when I was a teenager-early 20s. Saw too many inexcusable practices (sanitation-wise) going on the restaurant kitchens: those memories make it hard for me to have faith is kitchen staff during the best of time, let alone under current conditions.
I feel for restaurant owners and their employees, but probably won't start eating out again til this all winds down. Til then, wondering what might or might not be going out out of sight would pretty much spoil the experience for me anyhow.
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twangmeister
Wholenote
Posts: 349
Formerly Known As: Twangmeister
Age: 72 and fading fast.....
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Post by twangmeister on Sept 8, 2020 14:20:06 GMT -5
Had our first outdoor eating experience of the year at a Cafe Uno in Worcester MA a week and a half ago. Was pleasant except for the wait staff screwing up--no tableware, no condiments.
And all the cars with loud exhausts revving their engines. Of course 40+ years ago when I passed through Worcester I was one of the drivers with an "arrest me exaust.
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Post by Mfitz804 on Sept 8, 2020 15:17:46 GMT -5
Had our first outdoor eating experience of the year at a Cafe Uno in Worcester MA a week and a half ago. Was pleasant except for the wait staff screwing up--no tableware, no condiments. And all the cars with loud exhausts revving their engines. Of course 40+ years ago when I passed through Worcester I was one of the drivers with an "arrest me exaust. We've been picking our spots based on who has the most "off the street" dining space. One of our favorite local Italian places only has a small amount of tables right next to a main road and across the street from a bus stop, so they are take-out only for us. The better places, we have found, are places that have a portion of their parking lot roped off. One of our other favorite places has (had) an outdoor bar and bocce courts in the rear, and while maintaining social distance between tables, they can actually fit double the amount of tables outside than they can fit inside. Maybe that's the wrong thing to do, I don't know since they do have the space for it and they do have months to make up for. |
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Post by rok-a-bill-e on Sept 8, 2020 16:28:25 GMT -5
It is a rare day, weather wise, that I wish to dine outdoors. Usually too hot or too cold or too windy. And, some place still allow smoking outside and that kills it for me, too.
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Post by jhawkr on Sept 8, 2020 16:35:25 GMT -5
Restaurants are largely open here indoor and outdoor and have been for some time. I go to a little cafe close by for Saturday breakfast with a small group of friends. Food is good, prices reasonable and owner and staff friendly.
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Post by jazzguy on Sept 8, 2020 16:40:01 GMT -5
When I moved into my house 30 yrs ago we got a quick pizza at the local joint and it might have been the worst I've ever had. I kept avoiding that place but after 6 months decided to give it another try. It was fantastic and became my go to spot for the next 25 yrs until the owner retired. The new owner immediately jacked up the prices and waved the toppings over the pie instead of putting them on. I went back a second time, no difference, so they're officially out.
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Post by rok-a-bill-e on Sept 8, 2020 17:22:05 GMT -5
^^ Personnel is everything in restaurants. Most any recipe is good if using fresh ingredients and prepared with care. That seems to be quite beyond some employees, and even some entrepreneurs.
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Post by rickyguitar on Sept 8, 2020 17:30:02 GMT -5
We have not gone out to eat thru this whole deal. Take out a few times tho. If we want to eat outside, Well we eat on the deck.
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Post by Ragtop on Sept 8, 2020 18:46:03 GMT -5
Mfitz, if you had put "Fettuccine" in your thread title instead of the 4th paragraph, I would have clicked on it immediately! I love that stuff; good fettuccine might be #1 on my list of favs.
Mrs. R's is outstanding. I shouldn't eat it, but I do. Seconds and thirds, usually.
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Post by Mfitz804 on Sept 8, 2020 21:14:39 GMT -5
Mfitz, if you had put "Fettuccine" in your thread title instead of the 4th paragraph, I would have clicked on it immediately! I love that stuff; good fettuccine might be #1 on my list of favs. Mrs. R's is outstanding. I shouldn't eat it, but I do. Seconds and thirds, usually. Oversight on my part, obviously. It’s not my go-to by any means, but I do enjoy it. Having it that time definitely has me wanting to eat more of it, I would guess we’ll do that again soon. |
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Post by K4 on Sept 9, 2020 1:23:07 GMT -5
I don't like eating outside, wind, fly's ect.
Our mask order allows eating in restaurants, just have to wear a mask to and from your table. Condiments, yes have to ask for salt, pepper, ketchup, hot sauce... and most times come in the paper or plastic packets.
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