Boston Area Travel Ideas and Hub Happenings

Good morning from New England! Today, we'll focus on happenings in the Boston area. Let's start off the day by mentioning Coffee Sensations inside Lord's Department Store in Medfield, Mass. Coffee Sensations is actually an authentic, old fashioned luncheonette that brings back memories of the lunch counter at Woolworth's Department store. They serve lunch and dinner and know how to make great shakes, burgers, pancakes and other comfort foods. They also serve delicious homemade ice cream from the Black Cow in Millis, Mass. My favorite dish is the chopped chicken panini that features moist chicken, hots and the right touch of mayonnaise.  Lord's is in a bit of a time capsule, too, reminding us of the old neighborhood general stores that we grew up with -- no surprise, given Lord's is well over 60 years old!... Over in neighboring Walpole, Mass., The Walpole Farmers Market is still open through the end of October on the Walpole Town Common (Wednesdays, 2:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.) I'm very impressed by this Farmers Market -- the mix of vendors is terrific and the setting is pure New England. The town common is beautiful with its open space surrounded by mom and pop shops, restaurants, churches and historic buildings and homes... And over in Westwood, Mass., here is some news out of the "boo-hoo" department: Bubbling Brook ice cream stand will be closing for the season on Sunday, Sept. 11, according to its Facebook Fan Page. Seems like they just reopened for the season -- shows how fast the summer has gone by. Make sure to get to this classic ice cream stand before the ice cream season ends here... Read with interest in the Boston Globe that the former Andros Diner on Trapelo Rd. in Belmont, Mass., might reopen as a new restaurant. Its current owner reportedly has some parties interested in bringing back a restaurant to this location. It broke my heart when Andros Diner closed last winter. For a few decades, I thought they had some of the best Greek-American food in the Boston area -- always loved the baked lamb and homemade Greek salad dressing. Too bad financial difficulties forced Andros to close, but looking forward to the possibility of a new restaurant spot here...Good news for Villa Mexico restaurant fans: the restaurant will remain open in its present location at 296 Cambridge St., in Boston, until December of this year, according to its ConstantContact newsletter page... The Paul Revere House reports on its Twitter page that the annual Paul Revere House September Lecture Series will feature Rick Detwiller talking tonight (Sept. 7) about Boston's Georgian landscape at the Old South Meeting House. The lecture begins at 6:30 p.m... Read in the Quincy Patriot Ledger that Dave & Buster’s will be coming to Braintree (in the former Circuit City building just off Route 95 near the South Shore Plaza). Good news for those that had to trek to the Dave and Buster's in Providence, R.I., to enjoy this chain food and entertainment complex that features lots of video games to go along with a large bar and dining area.... Congratulations to Mr. Bartley's Burger Cottage at Harvard Square in Cambridge for making USA Today's "10 great places to sink your teeth into a burger" article.  There are many great burger places in the Boston area, but Mr. Bartley's has withstood the test of time, always turning out some fantastic burgers. Haven't been in a while, but the article has inspired a return visit!...  That's about all for now, we'll see you soon with more information from around New England!

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The Grand Opening of Dick and Jane's General Store, Walpole, Mass., Feb. 2, 6-9 p.m.

Here is a follow-up on recent posts about Dick and Jane's General Store in Walpole, Mass. -- tonight is the official Grand Opening, hosted by the Walpole Chamber of Commerce:

If you are a fan of old-fashioned, locally-owned stores, we encourage you to attend the official grand opening of Dick and Jane's General Store, tonight, Feb. 2, 2010, at 944 Main St. in Walpole, Mass. The event is hosted by the Walpole Chamber of Commerce and runs from 6-9 p.m.

Dick and Jane's General Store is a truly wonderful shop with a variety of delicious homemade fudge, retro candies, coffee and tea, bagels, muffins, gelato, and educational toys and games. They have a gigantic M&M machine where customers can dispense common and specialty M&Ms, right next to the barrels of penny candy. Dick and Jane's also offers limited seating to enjoy the yummy candy, food and drinks!

Three wide-screen televisions reside in separate sections of the store and feature shows from the Food Network, episodes from Seinfeld and classic old-time television shows. Wifi is available, also, thus adding a touch of 21st century pizzazz within the nostalgic atmosphere. The owners are very pleasant, display clear pride of ownership, and have already become very active with the community. To us, Dick and Jane's is a fantastic addition to downtown Walpole!

Editor's Note: For the official announcement and to let the Chamber know if you will be attending, please visit the Walpole Chamber of Commerce Facebook Fan Page. You can click here for a general article on Dick and Jane's.

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Delicious Dives: Tee T's Restaurant and Lounge in Walpole, MA

Article and photo by Eric H.

Everyone is an expert on life at Tee T's restaurant and lounge in Walpole, MA. Customers and staff talk about the economy, politics, social issues (mostly women), sports, and the direction of their hometown, sometimes with more clarity and sincerity than your local radio talk show host. It's a place where one can talk about the good old days of playing sports at Walpole High School while wearing your now tight-fitting varsity or junior varsity sports jacket.

The conversation flows as well as the beer. The news on the television further elicits strong comments about our society where some Tee T's customers pointedly talk back at the television. Tee T's is indeed Moe's Tavern (from the Simpson's) come to life. And without the music ever playing, you can hear "Glory Days" by Bruce Springsteen blaring in your head as the unofficial soundtrack for Tee T's.

On one visit, three older men talked about their health woes, one, unfortunately, having recent bypass surgery. They talked about trying to become healthier, and then proceeded to order burgers, fries and beer. What's more, it always seems like there are as many people smoking outside the restaurant as those inside eating and drinking.

Tee T's ambiance is low on the HGTV decor chain with one long, narrow worn-out bar and one long, narrow worn-out dining room separated by a long, narrow, worn-out thin wall, Tee T's will certainly never be mistaken for your trendy, upscale dining spot with an attitude. Oh, you do get some attitude here, but it's mainly in the form of a gruff but sincere "What would you like, honey?"

It's nice when real people serve real food -- like oversized meatloaf dinners, prime rib, chicken sandwiches with mounds of cheese, burgers, perfectly done french fries, and, somehow, a very good iceberg salad. Of course, beer is a signature item at Tee T's. You won't find anyone drinking Romanee Conti Red Burgundy here.

I usually dine at Tee T's when my car is being fixed (so, lately, I've been going to Tee T's more often). The result is always good, as I leave with a satisfying all-American meal and a taste of Walpole in its true "townie" form.

Tee T's
943 Main St
Walpole, MA 02081
(508) 668-9855

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The Pleasant Pocket of Small Towns in Norfolk County, MA

Article and photo by Eric H.

As the Boston, MA, suburbs move toward a more overcrowded, unfriendly, keeping-up-with-the-Joneses mentality, there is a pocket of towns southwest of Boston that remain generally more laid-back, quaint and friendly.

The towns of Walpole, Norfolk, Millis, Medfield, Medway, Wrentham and Franklin comprise a series of close-knit Norfolk County communities that include pretty village greens, meandering country roads leading from the town centers, road side farm stands, loads of community events, scenic ponds and lakes, and real estate prices generally lower than some other areas around Boston. The crime rates in Norfolk County are low and the schools are amongst the best in the United States, according to Forbes Magazine.

It's especially nice to go out to breakfast or to the local supermarket, and meet people you know. After a few years of being involved in these communities, it's rare to go out and not see a familiar face.

In the western suburbs where I used to live, the feeling has become less friendly, more narcissistic and overcrowded, in my opinion. This is a general observation, not an indictment on the great people that live in the western suburbs. It just seems a bit less close-knit than in some of the towns where I resided.

Norfolk County has a perfect location, within commuting distance to Providence, RI< and Boston, MA. One of its towns, Foxborough, is becoming a destination with Patriot Place at Gillette Stadium (home of the New England Patriots). Patriot Place is an already spectacular outdoor shopping and entertainment complex with several restaurants, a movie theater and the amazing Bass Pro Shops. Tonight, The Cafe 31 Baskin Robbins celebrates its grand opening by sampling Baskin-Robbins treats with 20 percent of the proceeds from Thursday night through Saturday to be donated between Foxborough High School and Sharon High School.

Although the development of Patriot Place has resulted in Route 1 Foxborough becoming a busy major New England attraction, Norfolk County remains generally quaint, full of historic preservation and with a nice mix of pleasant suburbia and rural lands. It's really a great place to consider moving to -- these small towns will quickly welcome you to the neighborhood and where the townsfolk encourage newcomers to get involved with their beloved communities.

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