Getting old sucks!
Your bones hurt, your skin slides and hair grows in strange places.

BUT!!! it is all not that bad.

Some stores and restaurants love us old people.

Take Dunkin Donuts. Since I turned 55, I get a 10% discount. I was pissed when my medium” hot” cream no sugar coffee went to $1.99 at my local Dunkin Donuts. The window person ( old people are too sore or tired to walk in, actually most just drive through the window) gave me my receipt and my penny back. What do I do??? I am a notorious big tipper. Do I dig for some change, or embarrass myself and say no ” keep the change”?
Instead, I proudly say ” senior citizen” discount please. I get the 10 % off 39 cents, and the window person gets a nice tip. A “win-win” for everyone.

Here are some other discounts for seniors. ENJOY, and do not be embarrassed to be old. They want your business, that is why they do it.

Since many senior discounts are not advertised to the public, our advice to men and women over 50 is to ALWAYS ask a sales associate if that store provides a senior discount.

Restaurants
Applebee’s: 15% off with Golden Apple Card (60+)
Arby’s: 10% off (55+)
Ben & Jerry’s: 10% off (60+)
Bennigan’s: discount varies by location
Bob’s Big Boy: discount varies by location (60+)
Boston Market: 10% off (65+)
Burger King: 10% off (60+)
Captain D’s: discount varies on location (62+)
Chick-Fil-A: 10% off or free small drink or coffee (55+)
Chili’s: 10% off (55+)
CiCi’s Pizza: 10% off (60+)
Culver’s: 10% off (60+)
Denny’s: 10% off, 20% off for AARP members (55+)
Dunkin’ Donuts: 10% off or free coffee (55+) this will save some $ Free
Einstein’s Bagels: 10% off baker’s dozen of bagels (60+)
Fuddrucker’s: 10% off any senior platter (55+)
Gatti’s Pizza: 10% off (60+)
Golden Corral: 10% off (60+)
Hardee’s: $0.33 beverages everyday (65+)
IHOP: 10% off (55+)
Jack in the Box: up to 20% off (55+)
KFC: free small drink with any meal (55+)
Krispy Kreme: 10% off (50+)
Long John Silver’s: various discounts at participating locations (55+)
McDonald’s: discounts on coffee everyday (55+) yep
Mrs. Fields: 10% off at participating locations (60+)
Shoney’s: 10% off
Sonic: 10% off or free beverage (60+)
Steak‘n Shake: 10% off every Monday & Tuesday (50+)
Subway: 10% off (60+)
Sweet Tomatoes 10% off (62+)
Taco Bell: 5% off; free beverages for seniors (65+)
TCBY: 10% off (55+)
Tea Room Cafe: 10% off (50+)
Village Inn: 10% off (60+)
Waffle House: 10% off every Monday (60+)
Wendy’s: 10% off (55+)
White Castle: 10% off (62+)

Retail and Apparel
Banana Republic: 10% off (50+)
Bealls: 20% off first Tuesday of each month (50+)
Belk’s: 15% off first Tuesday of every month (55+)
Big Lots: 10% off
Bon-Ton Department Stores: 15% off on senior discount days (55+)
C.J. Banks: 10% off every Wednesday (60+)
Clarks: 10% off (62+)
Dress Barn: 10% off (55+)
Goodwill: 10% off one day a week (date varies by location)
Hallmark: 10% off one day a week (date varies by location)
Kmart: 20% off (50+)
Kohl’s: 15% off (60+)
Modell’s Sporting Goods: 10% off
Rite Aid: 10% off on Tuesdays & 10% off prescriptions
Ross Stores: 10% off every Tuesday (55+)
The Salvation Army Thrift Stores: up to 50% off (55+)
Stein Mart: 20% off red dot/clearance items first Monday of every month (55+)

Grocery
Albertson’s: 10% off first Wednesday of each month (55+)
American Discount Stores: 10% off every Monday (50+)
Compare Foods Supermarket: 10% off every Wednesday (60+)
DeCicco Family Markets: 5% off every Wednesday (60+)
Food Lion: 6% off every Monday (60+)
Fry’s Supermarket: free Fry’s VIP Club Membership & 10% off every Monday (55+)
Great Valu Food Store: 5% off every Tuesday (60+)
Gristedes Supermarket: 10% off every Tuesday (60+)
Harris-Teeter: 5% off every Tuesday (60+)
Hy-Vee: 5% off one day a week (date varies by location)
Kroger: 10% off (date varies by location)
Morton Williams Supermarket: 5% off every Tuesday (60+)
The Plant Shed: 10% off every Tuesday (50+)
Publix: 5% off every Wednesday (55+)
Rogers Marketplace: 5% off every Thursday (60+)
Uncle Guiseppe’s Marketplace: 5% off (62+)

Travel
Alaska Airlines: 10% off (65+)
Alamo: up to 25% off for AARP members
American Airlines: various discounts for 65 and up (call before booking for discount)
Amtrak: 15% off (62+)
Avis: up to 25% off for AARP members
Best Western: 10% off (55+)
Budget Rental Cars: 10% off; up to 20% off for AARP members (50+)
Cambria Suites: 20%-30% off (60+)
Clarion: 20%-30% off (60+)
Comfort Inn: 20%-30% off (60+)
Comfort Suites: 20%-30% off (60+)
Continental Airlines: no initiation fee for Continental Presidents Club & special fares for select destinations
Dollar Rent-A-Car: 10% off (50+)
Econo Lodge: 20%-30% off (60+)
Enterprise Rent-A-Car: 5% off for AARP members
Greyhound: 5% off (62+)
Hampton Inns & Suites: 10% off when booked 72 hours in advance
Hertz: up to 25% off for AARP members yep
Holiday Inn: 10%-30% off depending on location (62+)
Hyatt Hotels: 25%-50% off (62+)
InterContinental Hotels Group: various discounts at all hotels (65+)
Mainstay Suites: 10% off with Mature Traveler’s Discount (50+); 20%-30% off (60+)
Marriott Hotels: 15% off (62+) I use this often
Motel 6: 10% off (60+)
Myrtle Beach Resort: 10% off (55+)
National Rent-A-Car: up to 30% off for AARP members
Quality Inn: 20%-30% off (60+)
Rodeway Inn: 20%-30% off (60+)
Sleep Inn: 20%-30% off (60+)
Southwest Airlines: various discounts for ages 65 and up (call before booking for discount)
Trailways Transportation System: various discounts for ages 50 and up
United Airlines: various discounts for ages 65 and up (call before booking for discount)
U.S. Airways: various discounts for ages 65 and up (call before booking for discount)

Activities & Entertainment
AMC Theaters: up to 30% off (55+)
Bally Total Fitness: up to $100 off memberships (62+)
Busch Gardens Tampa: $3 off one-day tickets (50+)
Carmike Cinemas: 35% off (65+)
Cinemark/Century Theaters: up to 35% off
U.S. National Parks: $10 lifetime pass; 50% off additional services including camping (62+)
Regal Cinemas: 30% off
Ripley’s Believe it or Not: @ off one-day ticket (55+)
SeaWorld Orlando: $3 off one-day tickets (50+)

Cell Phone Discounts
AT&T: Special Senior Nation 200 Plan $29.99/month (65+)
Jitterbug: $10/month cell phone service (50+)
Verizon Wireless: Verizon Nationwide 65 Plus Plan $29.99/month (65+)

*Check out our Secret Cell Phone Discounts to view all cell phone discounts available to you!

Miscellaneous
Great Clips: $3 off haircuts (60+) yep
Super Cuts: $2 off haircuts (60+)

Brant Rock Hop

277 Ocean Street ( next to the Venus)

Marshfield, Ma

781-536-8483

There is a new breakfast place in Marshfield in the Brant rock Section. The HOP is the vision of Drosopoulos Family.

I was there when the doors opened for business, and you would have thought they have been open for a year. Great service, unbelievable 50′s decor,  Very Clean and above all one of the Best breakfast’s that I have had in years.

This place is going to be a smash hit!!

They have an old jukebox that plays the oldies with some old retro tables and chairs. I thought I was back in the 50′s again at Grandma’s.

They are open for breakfast and lunch right now. I was always a fan of Arthur & Pat’s, but this place blows them away.

Good luck to the new owners. They have done their homework, and they look like they have the customer in mind first. The food is fabulous.

For the “BEST” breakfast on the south shore, go to the new  Brant Rock Hop in Marshfiled.

Tell them Monty sent you. I cannot wait to try their lunches.

Monty

Patrizia’s
170 Water Street
Plymouth, Ma 02360
508-747-0015

I was having dinner at the Village Landing the other night and my friend Steve kept raving about a restaurant around the corner.
I asked him to do a guest review. When you are passionate about something, the world should know. I warned him though that when Monty rates a restaurant high, sometimes you cannot get in the door for awhile.

Here is What Steve has to say:

As a resident of Plymouth for over 14 years now I have seen many restaurants come and go. A new and rising star looks to be staying for a while. The restaurant is called Patrizia’s Trattoria and it is located in Village Landing near the Radisson Hotel. Maybe you have guessed at this point that this is an Italian restaurant. But don’t be fooled you will not find any chicken parmigiana (sorry Mom) or spaghetti and meatballs, both of which I love. Their food is “truly Italian”. My in-laws have been to Italy numerous times and this is their new favorite Italian restaurant on the south shore. The restaurant is very small and quaint but does have a large outside seating area with a canopy. And if you are thinking of sitting at the bar and enjoying your meal get there early. There are only 6 or 7 seats.

I am huge fan of veal (sorry mom, not sure why I am saying that here. I just feel like I should apologize for enjoying veal). One of my favorites is their veal wallets, which are medallions of veal with prosciutto and mozzarella in a white wine sauce. The veal just melts in your mouth. But there is a certain sadness to eating this dish. Because every bite you chew you realize you are one bite closer to an empty plate. My wife tries to stay on the healthy side and will usually favor their swordfish.

All of their dishes are very well presented and are robust with flavor. The prices are not cheap, but you will thoroughly enjoy your meal. Make sure you put Patrizia’s on your list of new places to try. Don’t forget to call first for a reservation because there is not much room to stand around.

Steve

Side note. Steve is over 250 pounds and has a constant food stain on the front of his shirt, so you and I know, that this dude knows his food.
I have actually scene him drool on a menu.

Dina’s Pizza

930 Hingham Street

Rockland, Ma

Tel # 781-871-1100

M-S  11AM- 10Pm

INTERNET PASTA SPECIAL-  Any TWO(2) pasta dinners with a liter of soda

$14.99 ( savings up to $7.00)

you could seriously feed a family of five with this order. choose from lasagna,chicken broccoli and ziti, chicken Parmesan or any other homemade pasta meal.

offer good till 10/31/2011

Take it from me, this is the BEST sub and pizza shop on the South Shore. Believe me when I tell you I have been to them all. I have, but I always go back to Dina’s ( formally Yianni’s )

As a matter of fact I go there 4 times a week.

The food is delicious and homemade. The place is clean and the service is fast.

The family that runs this place is as nice as they come. They have daily specials, as well as the usual pizzas and subs.

Attention to detail and quality service is the hallmark at Dina’s.

If you are not happy, tell them they will make you another. The portions are huge. You will never leave there hungry. I promise!!!

I use two rules to know if a place is really good. One, do they have regulars, and two, are there a lot of fat guys in the place. And besides me, there are plenty.

Give it a try.

• Eat in
• Take out
• delivery

Mention MONTY and get  2 Large Cheese Pizza’s and a 2 Liter soda for $18.99 + tax of course.

Monty Rating

***** 5/5  Stars

ask for "mom"

MONTY!!! Are you really taking my picture?

Last night was my third visit to Bridgeman’s in Hull. The first two times were  Ok I guess. Nothing to rave about or to blog about. Overpriced food overlooking the municipal parking lot at Nantasket beach.

But last night was enough to make me offer an opinion on this restaurant and service overall.

We walked into a sparsely populated restaurant. Two people at the bar and two tables full with one couple at each table. We were dining with 4 people. They sat us at the window, but right beside the service door to the kitchen. If you leaned back a smidge, you would have got whacked in the back.

The owner/ manager, and a plethera of waitstaff streamed in and out of the kitchen. I would say that maybe someone passed us 15-20 times without eye contact.

No One, and I mean no one said a thing. they never asked us if we wanted a drink. We were offered a menu when we were seated along with a basket of bread ( no butter) That is where the service stopped. I desperately wanted a drink. No one helped us. They seemed to be concerned with a party they were having upstairs.

The staff and owner kept shuttling back and forth, while we all sat and waited. we said 5 minutes more and we are out of here. then another five minutes. then we said last chance and we gave them 5 more minutes. Finally we got up and walked out without notice. That was even more annoying. So we walked back in and said, ” just to let you know, we are walking out, because, you failed miserbly to wait on us”.

With a shrug of apathy, the waitress said sorry, we are busy. including our party, there were 10 people in the restauant and bar. BUSY??  They just completely embarrased themselves.

If you are looking for service, do not go here.

We went down the street to Dinaro’s and had a great meal and service at half the price….

Monty

I was in Scottsdale and asked the bartender at the Hyatt where I can get a burger. I had a hankering for a big juicy burger.

He sends us down the street to ZIPPS. Home of the Zipps Burger.

Perfect! a specialist in just what I want. The place is full and we have to wait. a good sign.

We get seated in a booth too small for our party, but it is a seat.

We order. We start with Buffalo wings. “Mild medium or hot” she says. We say how hot is hot. she says “burning hot”. so we opt for the medium.

They were not even close to being hot. not only that, they were the smallest wings i ever saw, and were barely done.

Ok I then get the Black and Bleu burger. advertised as a double stack of meat with cajun spices, crumbled blue cheese and blue cheese dressing $7.95. I asked for medium rare ( juicy right!) Wrong

The burger was not only cold, but burnt. They were two wafer thin burnt burgers that McDonald’s would not serve. The dressing sucked too.
I tried the onion rings and the fries. you cant screw that up. THEY DID. They were ice cold and flimsy.

I pushed the plate away after one bite of each.

The waitress comes bouncing over and says “how is it?”
Shame on her she asked. So I let her have it with all guns a blazing. I said it sucked. The burger was burnt and flavorless. The fries and onion rings were flat and cold. How could she feed that garbage to a fat hungry guy?

DO NOT GO TO ZIPPS>>>>>>

8 North St
Hingham, MA 02043-2211
(781) 749-2444

Enter at your own risk. I ate there on 10/3/2009. I heard about it, but had never been there. It was terrible and not only for me but everyone of the 12 diners with me.

Liberty Grille Hingham Ma

The sign says “Food Hospitality and drink”

So let’s start There.

Food

The food ranged from poor to fair at best. I had the chicken supreme special with mashed potato and peas. I hate peas, and there was no substitution. There was 2 pieces of wilted lettuce and a slice of tomato on the side that was a ittle weird. The mashed was as thick and sticky as the paste you used in second grade. It is hard to screw up deep fried chicken, and a simple sauce. It was just very ordinary.

The rest of the party had surf and turf, chicken parm, chicken scampi, and pizza. Everybody was disappointed. The apps were Ok,  but the buffalo wings were so hot as to be unedible by the person who ordered them. No choice on the heat.

Let’s talk about the Pizza. That is what the place is supposed to be known for. I slid the special aside and tried mrs Monty Minutes sausage pizza and it was awful. tasteless and like cardboard. Elio’s is better.

I told someone this morning that I went there and they said WHY? The food is like frozen boxed food from Stop & Shop. They said that you get better food on an airline. Where were they before I went there?

HOSPITALITY

This is another matter. The waitress was mean, onry and downright rude at times. The place was just about empty at about 7:30 on a saturday night ( I am not shocked) and she even put her finger up twice and SHUSHED my friend Jackie. She was lucky she included the tip on the bill.

DRINKS

We walked in and went to the bar to wait for our party who had to park so far away, that they should have had a shuttle bus for them. We wanted drinks but HMMM no bartender. after 10 minutes of head scratching, a guy just finishing his meal at a bar stool said “do you want a drink”? We said DER!! and he says” I am the bartender, I was just eating”  We were then given drinks.

NO comment on drinks from the table, as cruella de ville our waitress was not going to get them too quickly.

OVERALL

Just a bad experience. Dine there at your own risk.

They ought to blow the place up and build waterfront condo’s

Find it!! I dare you. I double dare you.

The only way I found it was I got lost looking for an address in Eastie.

As I was turning around in the parking lot, I said hmm lunch time, let’s give it a try.
Glad I did

This place is in a weird little brick building on the outskirts of the marina in east Boston. I would not have even known it was a restaurant except for a few diners in the outdoor seating.

I had the hotdog and the chicken something or other, they were both in toasted hot dog rolls.  I think they were called Scuppahs.      Excellent.

The server took your name and delivered it to my seat or bench. After i ate it, the nice woman came over and said, How was it Monty ( the name I gave her)

It was all kind of old school.

The place was really nice, quaint and above all, it was good.

I did not have breakfast there, but I guess the specialty is the “baked eggs” and the French toast with fruit on it and drizzeled with syrup.

Give it a try if you can find it.

Monty

*** 1/2 Monty stars

I had lunch here today. I used to love to go here when I worked a little closer. I loved the tuna on the salad. They had the best bread anywhere. The fresh baked pizza dough was folded in half, and always served warm. so much better than the usual pita crap you get at the other spuckie places

What else I liked was the blaring loud Italian Gangster music. it came from the speakers behind the trellace of plastic leaves. It was so loud, you could hardly hear yourself think. But the food was good.

HOWEVER, the last few times I was there, they must have changed owners.The cute girl and her husband ( or brother? not sure what the deal was there) are no longer there. They now have rude inconsiderate foreigners who cannot speak english and do not know what customer service is.

What a shame.

Here is how my last experience went down. I ordered my favorite tuna on a bed of salad ( the tuna has the onion and celery mixed in ( that is key) with the white tuna. I also had a water and got an extra salad dressing. One is never enough.

The bill comes and it is $10.02. I give the cashier a $20. she counts out a five, 4 one’s and start to count out 98 cents.
Are you shitting me? how about giving me a $10 ( sawbuck) and calling it a day. I say whoa! wait, I will go to the car and get the two cents, which I procede to do.

Now I am pissed. The screwed me on the cost of a salad. charged me an extra buck for the kens 2 oz package of desssing, and they cannot comp me a lousy 2 cents? Assholes!!

What the hell is 2 cents? you cannot even get penny candy for 2 cents. Nobody wants to hear your 2 cents worth of anything. People throw their pennies away. If you were vacuminng your car, you would suck them up before you would pick up 2 cents.

Stay away from this place. The food sucks, The Weymouth store sucks, and they rip you off. Where have the old owners gone? I hope the place goes out of business.

Monty
1/2 * out of 5

I give it 1/2 because they still give you the bread.

(617) 268-5748

A guest review from Charle’s Cantwell Dumbaugh:

This diner is located at the corner of A street and Broadway in South Boston.
You can park in the lot across the street next to Amrein’s MUL’S  is a block away from my office, and I have been going there once or twice a month for about 20 years.
First, the place is clean.
Lots of tile and windows., plenty of light.
The waitresses are attractive and are dressed in black.
That solves a lot of problems.

There are 5 stools at the counter and a combination of tables and booths in the rest of the place.
My favorite is the Eggs Benedict.
Two poached eggs on english muffins with a slice of ham and plenty of sauce.
The potatoes are cut in 3/4 inch chunks and not greasy.
They fill your coffee cup before you order,and keep it full.
It gets pretty busy prior to 8AM and Sat AM there is a big  line.
I am giving it an A.

Joe’s Coffee Shop

348 Whiting Street ( at the corner of rte 123)

Hanover, Ma 02339

781-871-7181

If you are in the Hanover area, do not miss Joe’s Coffee shop.

This place is a throw back. The clientele is a mix of locals and the occasional soccer mom from this chic suburban town with the three car garages and houses that look like small banks.

In the morning, the cars are lined up for a quick cup of coffee and or a giant breakfast. This breakfast is not to be missed. It is HUGE, and cooked fresh by the owner “BOB”.  There is no Joe, but if you dare, ask bob about the name, or better yet call him Joe, and watch out for a flying spatula ( only kidding)

The pancakes are as big as a pizza, and the home fries are seared on a 500 degree griddle soaked in butter and smothered in onions if you choose. It is sooo good!!

I could go on and on about the food, but the best part is just bellying up to the counter and talking to Bob about hunting, food and local politics.

They also serve lunch and they offer a catering service. Call them for your next barbecue or lobster and seafood fest.

I have been going here for over 20 years and I have never been disappointed.

as far as breakfast goes, it gets 5 monty stars, and lunch is a solid 3 1/2. Those numbers do not come easy from ” the Monty Minute”

My breakfast with the small homefries

A guest reataurant review

by EW Franklin Ma

Harbourside Café

Sea Pines Resort

Harbour Town

Hilton Head, SC

For the past three years I have taken a vacation week in Hilton Head, SC with my family at one of the rental homes inside the Sea Pines Resort. All in all, it’s a wonderful spot for couples, families, golfers, beachgoers, etc…

A highly anticipated activity for the week is to have a lunch or two at the Harbourside Café. This is an outside bar/restaurant that is very casual but has the perfect combination of shade/sun and an incredible view of the famous Harbour Town Marina.

The menu is simple and has something for everyone in the group. The drinks are great, and like most places in the South I can have a sweet tea. Trust me – it’s worth the calories.

I can still remember my first lunch here three years ago like it was yesterday. I ordered the Fried Fish Sandwich and was treated to the perfect combination of just caught fried grouper, a delicious bun, some incredible banana peppers, a light tartar sauce, lettuce, tomato, and surrounded by a moat of fries. Anyone who has heard me talk about Hilton Head has heard me talk about this sandwich. It was that good.

This brings me to my most recent visit last week. To my horror, the menu was noticeably different from past trips. My instinct told me this would be a problem but I hoped that it had the potential to improve upon past visits. Deep down I knew this would be asking a lot.

Yes, you read correctly. My perfect sandwich is now called the Fried Grouper “Finger” Sandwich. I knew I was in for disappointment, but I had no idea how big it would be.

Somehow, the creative culinary geniuses in their quest to increase profits decided to take the appetizer and simply throw it on a bun with some veggies and side packets of tartar sauce. Not good. They should have called it the Fried Grouper “Middle Finger” sandwich

Well, needless to say this is not a sandwich. I proceeded to discard the bun and go at it as it was intended on the appetizer list, but the disappointment was too great. Thankfully other members of our group loved the café and you simply can’t argue with the surroundings.

While this stop went from a 10 to a 7 on my rating scale, I still encourage you to visit this stop if you ever find yourself in Harbour Town. Just get a hot dog, a sweet tea, and watch the day go by in one of the most beautiful spots on the east coast – and don’t forget to leave some scraps for the birds!

comment from Monty ” they screwed the poor guy. The man flew his whole family to Hilton Head for two things. He was hoping to have a little hotel sex with the wife, and to get one of those succulent fish sandwiches that he craved so much. He got fooled, deceived and disappointed. I feel his pain. I hate it when you love something and not only do you crave it, but you cannot stop talking about it. Then you bring friends and they look at you like you are nuts.Because it is different than what you remembered.

I sure hope the Hotel sex was good, or this dude had one bad vacation. ( I also heard he did not break 80 at Harbour Town )

The current menu:

Here is was some others have said:

If you like to have your 2 year olds picked on and laughed at then this is the place for you. The NASTY fat bald loser of a “musician” that was playing music the night we went thought it was funny to pick on a 2 year old girl and make her move her chair because it was to close too his tip jar. This place is a blast and great fun, so much that kept me up all night thinking about how mean someone was to my child. Yeah! … great family atmosphere….. try shelter cove or the salty dog cafe… at least they never made my kids cry. If they were negative stars that is what this place deserves

can only address breakfast after church, ,, if the bayside location weren’t right in front, it’d be 2 stars, ,, svce’s ok & food quality’s the same, ,, decent, but not worth a 20 …‎

Monty

Easter’s Country Kitchen

1385 Washington St, Weymouth, MA
Tel: (781) 337-4123

In my never ending search for the perfect diners, drive-in’s and dives, I stumbled on Easters in Weymouth on the Hingham line. I mean on the line. I think one corner is in Hingham and the door is in Weymouth.

I did not exactly stumble in, I am a Weymouth guy. I have been here before. Never too late for a review.

Easters serves Breakfast and lunch. The real reason to go is for breakfast. The menu contains all the staples and the food is good and the portions large. Some restaurants forget what makes for a successful restaurant. They skimp on the potions and add parsley and twisted fruit to charge more. A sure recipe to keep me away. That goes big in Hingham for all the snobs, but not for me.

“Did you hear about the guy from Hingham? He was so conceited, he went to a bar and picked up himself”

back to the review; I had lunch at Easters today. I had sat at the bar. Always first choice. I went with two associates. I had the onion soup and the Knockwurst deluxe. First of all I asked for the corn Chowder off the menu, and was told by Christine that they have not had that in six months. The onion soup was good. It might have been better if the swiss cheese had been  a little more melted.

Did you ever order something that sounded great, but was just OK, and everything that came out looked better, and the stuff that your friends got looked awesome. That was the case here. One small knockwurst on a flat

Christine

hamburger bun with a piece of bacon and a piece of cheese. It was tasty alright. but I felt a little ripped off. I got chips ( you know the small bag with seven chips in it)  and my buddies got these heaping sandwiches with fries falling off the plates. They looked good and from what they said, They were delicious.

Any body can get something that falls a little short of expectations. But do not let my tiny knockwurst keep you from Easter’s. It is top notch and worth a trip. Ask for Christine. She is the really cute girl at the counter.

3 1/2 Monty stars out of a 5

Previte’s

1350 Washington Street

Weymouth, Ma 02189

781-331-6364

Prevites was always a favorite stop of mine when I went to Quincy. They have THE BEST MEAT around.

Their chicken is to die for. I know, how can you get excited about chicken? but for some reason it is better and moister  than anything you can get at a market. I asked them why and they said that they buy only select grade “A” chicken.

It doesn’t stop there, the meats are cut fresh and the butchers are professional and very helpful. These guy’s are a riot. They have fun with you and always leave you laughing. They are more than an act. They know their meat!!!

Peter & Paul ( That is a ribeye not mary. They are not a 60's band )

You need to buy the two pound bone in rib eye’s. Grab some of their ribeye seasoning, and do a little rub. Then sear each side, and set it aside on the top rack of the grill or in the oven. This will be the best thing you ever ate.

make Previte’s your one stop for tailgates, cookouts, and cooking on the back of your boat.

Mention ” The Monty Minute” when you talk to the butcher. They will stand on their head for you.

Oh ya! come hungry and stay for lunch or dinner. The eat in food is awesome. Huge hot dishes, fresh cold cuts, huge subs and even salads. Grab your food and drink and head out to the lobby for lunch at the cafe.

If you are still hungry and I promise you cannot be, walk next door to Fratelli’s bakery for a cannoli or a pastry.

I almost forgot, the new Fish section is as fresh as their meats. Unless you stood at the boat docks, you cannot get any fresher fish.

Take my word for it. Buy your canned goods at Stop & Shop and get your meats and fish at Previte’s

I could go on and on, but try it out for yourself.

Monty

Open Mon-Fri 11:30- 3:00 for lunch , 5-9 for dinner

 Saturdays for dinner only at 5:00 pm and Sundays at 4:00 

Reservations recommended fpr parties of 6 or more.

Venezia
20 Ericsson Street
Boston, MA 02122
Reservations (617) 436-3120

bseekins.venezia@verizon.net

My last visit 2/21/2009

I always heard that this was a pretty good place. Myself and 5 others decided to give it a shot.

Pros: They took a reservation, the table was ready, ample parking with valet, Great views of Boston over the water, The waitress ( jamie) was terrific

Cons: The food was very ordinary, bordering on lousy. No one was happy. The clams casino were so bad people were spitting it in their napkin.

My opinion is that the restaurant is difficult to find and to get to, but once you are there, the view is worth it. If you are looking for big portions, and a place for a big party, this might be your place.

If you are looking for good food and value, Avoid the Venezia.

We were given the specials, a prime rib,and the other a haddock dish. They both sounded good and two people got them. Neither was too impressed. What bothered us, is that when the bill came, the specials were way too expensive compared to the rest of the menu. The haddock was $42 and the Prime rib wa $38. Both were a bad value and the price was a big surprise.

The bill for 6 was $375.00 with tip ( the waitress also hand wrote in a 18% suggested tip. I thought this showed poorly. I never tip less than 20% for even average service). Too much for what we received. The steak was big and impressive looking, but the quality was poor. Chewy and tasteless. The spuds were starchy and the mushroom gravy had a strange unappetizing color.

Monty's meal

Overall I give this place 2 1/2  Monty stars out of 5

Too many good places to go to choose the Venezia. I might go back on the boat sometime in the summer. That might be the only appeal to me to revisit this restaurant.

Monty

PS  The urinals were gross. It was black on the bottom and there was a lungy on the top. eeeww!!! Ick!!!

Proof of what I say!

Trattoria San Pietro

376 Washington St

Norwell,Ma

781-659-2009

I go to this restaurant about 4 times a year. Not because I do not like it, but because, how much can one person eat. Also Greg in the Epicurean club does not like it.

Well that is his opinion not mine. He is a picky bastard and doesn’t like too many places. So take my advice not his.

My first impression:

funny location, set back from the road with limited parking in front. bucolic and sophisticated.

Clientele:

Norwell crowd, 40′s and 50′s crowd good place to take a date, or have a special event for a small crowd. 

Bar: 

Crowded with couples, first stop before something that is going down later.

Food:

Great quality, average portions, nice presentation.

The menu is diverse, but I hate menus that are in Italian. excuse me, but we are in america, and chicken is called chicken not POLLO. It is cute, but it confuses me.

My last visit, I had the grey goose and Cranberry, followed up by an appetizer of two meatballs. Sounds weird, but they are to die for. soft, tasty and delisciocious ( thats italian I think). I then had the stuffed Pollo. Again delicious. I had to take much of it home, because the meatballs filled me up. They wheeled the dessert out, and I said no twice, before I got the ricotta pie. Again very good. They said it was from the North End.

Mrs Monty has this to say:

“The pumpkin ravioli was heaven on a plate. All the wonderful flavors melted in my mouth. I always offer samples of my dinner to everyone seated, but I was not sharing these delectable morsels . I was soooo disappointed when the end came and the plate was finished. No leftovers. ugghh! These ravioli’s deserve 5 stars. I would leave the big guy in a Monty minute for whoever made these. I cannot wait to go back. Greg is whacked if he does not like this place.”

Service:

Excellent. They always have a young staff that are well mannered and charming. That is sort of different than most places that have the older woman and the Brazilians waiting on you. It adds to the charm. John and his brother were our servers and the management and their parents should be proud of these two guys. they were very good.

I know I only eat here 4 times a year, but it is well worth it. I wish I could get here more often. Try it, you will like it.

Monty

Mia Regazza

268 Washington Street

Abington, Ma

781-871-5800

It seems to be a hit or miss lately for me at new restaurants.

Mia Regazza is a big hit.

If first impressions mean anything, I would have been wrong. I met my usual dining friends there last week. I knew this place as the old Carmens. A Mexican restaurant that had its run ( it gave me the runs ) and it decided to close. They made the right choice when they sold to the couple that bought the place.

Mrs Monty and I were the first to arrive. The place was jammed. the bar that seats maybe 12 was jammed. I maneuvered around to 3 different places till I was able to get my captain and diet coke. I said no lime, and I got it without the lime. amazing. I said ” I am going to like this place”.

We shuffled around till the malingerers finally left the table for eight. By the way, if you come early , leave early. You screw up the timing and cost the waitress money. if you are going to hang late, get a late reservation.

We were finally seated. So far the restaurant is not impressing me. Just another place packed on a weekend night.

Then we met Kristen the waitress. She was a  brilliant server. right on everything and funny. She really made you feel at home. The food was ordered and it was a variety from lobster to lasagna. I had the sausage soup and the veal chop. Both were extraordinary. The best was yet to come. NO not the desert, but the bill. We drank plenty and went from soup to nuts. The bill was very reasonable. Match that with stellar service and excellent food and you have a winner with Mia Regazza.

Check it out and you will like it. I guarantee.

Monty

I cannot believe I waited a whole year to share my thoughts on the “CG”.

I eat every where and”  I love steakhouses”,

they are my favorite.

My favorite: bar none, is The Capital Grille.

In Boston, this was one of the first high end Steakhouses. Many have tried to follow and failed. If you have read my recent reviews of The Palms and Flemming’s, you will know that I can be a tough judge.

I had a chance to Eat at the capital, twice this week. last Saturday night in Boston, on Newbury Street and on New years eve in Providence. Both were excellent. The food consistant and GREAT, and the service terrific.

I have eaten at maybe 8 of the restaurants around the country, but Boston is my favorite. I used to work a couple of doors down. The rich wood makes it feel like a steak house. the tables are a little close, and you can hear the people next to you and you get a back rub sometimes when people walk by, but that might be the only slight downside. many might consider that part of the eclectic charm of it all.

What made me write, was my New Years visit to the Grille in providence. We had a 8:45 reservation. It was bitter cold out and we ducked in early to have some drinks and wait. We asked if it was possible to get seated early and we were accomodated. That was very nice. We sat at a booth and my friend who is ultra picky, asked for a change of seating. We were switched to the wine room without hesitation or an issue. again a nice surprise.

Kyle Mitchell

It was our luck too, because we got an extremely nice waiter in Kyle Mitchell. he was charming, smart and seemed to have all the time in the world for us and made the experience great.

The pregame bread was as usual terrific. I  like the matzo with some butter and that raisin bread is to die for.

I stayed away from the seafood tower, but try it you will like it.

I had the onion soup and the 20 ounce bone in sirlion.

To steal a line from Campbell soup it was HMMMM HMMM Good.  I was instructed by Kyle that if I got the medium rare that it would come with a warm RED center. That is exactly the way it arrived. I surveyed the wifes delmonico that was medium and

My actual soup

thought I liked that look even better. Kyle took it back with a smile and returned shortly with it just the way I wanted it. the manager also dropped by to see if I was happy.

Happy, I was ecstatic. A great soup, a big steak and a “Stoli Doli” who wouldn’t be happy.

Providence Capital Grille and the whole chain get the first ever Monty Minute ***** FIVE STAR RATING

Kudos to the “CG” and I hope to see you there.

Monty

860 W Central St

Franklin, MA 02038
(508) 520-2770
Get directions

www.incontrorestaurant.com

I had lunch here the other day with Amy, Paul and my Buddy Chris Russo from Medway.

Boy was I impressed.  We drove from Medway. I had no idea where we were going, but I wiped my brow as we passed the”99″ and took a left into the parking lot of an old mill building. It looked neat and clean and kinda cool. I was already liking the place.

We went in out of the rain and were met by a hostess who quickly seated us in a lavish booth with plenty of room. Our waiter Chris soon came over and made us comfortable and not rushed. after a drink order and a rundown of the specials we were good to go.

I started with the sausage soup. OMG  It was fabulous. The only thing better than the soup was the soup spoon. It had the right tilt and the right weight. it was different, and perfect.

I went with the bacon cheese burger with the parmesan fries. The burger was done perfect. But I was not crazy about the fries. But dont go by me, i hear that they are a specialty and everyone loves them. I say ” why screw with a frie”? Fries are Gods gift to the fat guy.

Amy ordered the Grilled Tuna salad. Not for me, but chicks are obliged to order salad when dining out for lunch. ( a weird gene thing I guess). The salad came out and it was a piece of art. presented nicely on a rectangular plate with a drizzle of sauce. Ample portion for anybody, and too much for the thin Ms “O”.

Overall, this is a must for anybody in the area. I am looking forward to the one hour drive next time to get there and try something new.

Check out their website. They have party and function facilities and a billiard area, that I missed.

Worth the trip!!!

4.65 out of 5 Monty stars

I Love Steak Houses. Some are better than others, but I am hard pressed to find one I do not like. When you pay top dollar for good service and a good piece of beef, it better be good and should be good.Well I found a steak house that just sucks!!!!!!!The Palm restaurant in Boston is just awful.  I had the opportunity to go there the other day with 5 people for a late lunch. We had a nice table and a nice waiter ( Aaron ) but that was the end of  it.The food was just plain hideous and atrocious. We had calamari, tomato and mozzarella, scallops and bacon for starters. The calamari was over cooked and the scallops and bacon went another step and came out BURNT. Hard to screw up tomato and cheese but that was no great shakes either.The entrees and sides came next. I had the steak Au puave with the half and half it was supposed to be half onion rings and half cottage fries it actually was half potato chips and half burnt  onion breaded shit. have you ever got those onions in a can?  They would be more desirable than the crap they put on the plate.The steak was over done. The sauce was terrible, and the fries stunk. Nothing good came out of that meal. I was not alone. ALL the others at the table were equally disappointed. It was presented badly and tasted worse. some were under done and some were just BURNT…..The waiter came and plopped this huge tray of grossly over-sized slices of cake on the table. None of it looked appetizing. We all passed, paid the exorbitant bill and unanimously stated that none of us would ever go back.I had heard bad things about the Palm before, but chose to make my own judgement. Do Not make the same mistake, Do Not Go There.Overpriced, crappy food. ( that is being as kind as I can be) I had dinner at Flemmings the same night. it was great. Also try Capital grill and Abe and Louie’s. All consistently excellent.