Review – Page 2 – alan j quinn

July 22, 2012July 23, 2012

Zaftigs

Saturday night out we ended up in Zaftigs in Natick, not Brookline. The food is just as good in my opinion, but I’m sure someone with a more kosher palette would notice a difference. I ate here before and it was just as good this time around.

I wanted to snap a shot of my meal before I started eating, but forgot as it looked so good and I was starving. Go here for more information on what they offer. I had the Lupo which is brisket, on potato pancakes with beef gravy. It was a real Irish/Jewish meal! Jess had corned beef on rye and here’s a shot of one 1/2.

Another classic is Dr. Brown’s black cherry.

Stop by when you’re in the area, you will enjoy it.

July 15, 2012July 15, 2012

Ice Age – Continental Drift

They did it again and this one is just as good as all the rest. If you have kids go. If you don’t have kids go!

Jess and JMan waiting for the main event.

GMan and me.

The rest of the crew.

June 29, 2012June 29, 2012

Lazy Mary’s – Ayer MA

For those of you who live in the area go check out Lazy Mary’s in Ayer MA. It opened a few months ago and according to the owner business is good. Go here for more info.

The pizza is good and the pastries are better. The down side is the AC is not working so it’s really hot. There short on tables, but I expect that more sales are pick up, take out or delivery. They do however have a few tables outside so that’s where we sat. You kinda fell like your sitting in the parking lot, but it was a beautiful evening for outdoor eating.

Jess and JMan

Look mommy…it’s an airplane up in the sky.

I guess I should have taken a few shots of the pizza, but we were starving! The bottom line is go.

June 24, 2012June 24, 2012

Snow white and the Huntsman

We had a baby sitter yesterday so Jess and I decided to go sit in a big dark room full of strangers (and no kids) to see Snow White and the Huntsman. This is a great movie and plays more into the original book than the modern kids fairy tail.

Lots of action, drama, suspense and the obligatory love twist. CGI and other computer tricks are used throughout and the end result is a movie that will keep you engaged from start to finish.

Bottom line is go. Click here for more info.

June 14, 2012June 14, 2012

Max Brenner

Dinner out on the town. We meet up with Jess’s mom in Boston for dinner. Max Brenner was our destination. Apparently chocolate is the theme.

I felt the need to try a chocolate stout! It was just like Guinness with a very faint chocolate after taste. Not bad, but not worth $10! However, I drank it none the less.

JMan sampling the stout!

GMan sampling a more appropriate kids drink.

LM and me.

Yum.

Good food, great desert and good company.

May 20, 2012May 20, 2012

Greasy spoon Old Forge style

After our hike around Paddlefest GMan wanted to stop at Keys Pancake House. We spotted it on the way into town the night before. Mind you in the parking lot he said the he did not want pancakes! I reckoned they had a fun menu so we ventured in.

Image of free post card.

It was a wait to be seated place so it was lookin up so far. We were seated and almost immediately a waitress appeared and said “two coffees?”. Mind you I look old enough for a cup of joe but clearly the GMan is a little young. I know we are way west on rt90 but coffee for a nine year old is not on my books. Perhaps they start younger round here I thought and promptly ordered two waters. After the delightfully bad cup I had early I figured I’d last until SB’s on rt90 for a fit.

The other key pointer to our current location was everyone was in Harley Davison garb but the parking lot was full of oversized domestic pick-ups. Also when I ordered a broccoli and cheese omelet there was no mention of what cheese or no question of choice! Perhaps it will be a cow by-product, time will till.

Twenty minutes or so later our food appeared and I’m happy to say it not only looked good, but tasted good also. BTW I believe it was cheddar cheese, but can’t be certain!

Shots from the parking lot.

April 26, 2012April 26, 2012

My Sketch app

Found this cool app called My Sketch. Here’s a shot of the GMan and me.

GMan in his kayak

April 2, 2012April 2, 2012

Real Racing 2

Just down loaded Real Racing 2 yesterday. So far I’m impressed. It’s a step up from the old one and it seems that everything has improved. Go here for more info

March 24, 2012May 26, 2014

Smugglers Notch wrap-up

Overall it was good. I was hoping for more snow, but I’m sure everyone else was also.

Condo:

The condo was fine and suited our needs. The only suggestions I can make are swapping out the very loud bathroom fan and making it possible to leave via the back slider by having a lock on it. I didn’t mind walking around the building, but the ability to leave and lock thru the back would be nice. It was unclear where to put out the trash. Did I miss a sign? Also, the self closer on the door is way to active! My son could hardly open the door and I was very wary of it accidentally hitting one of us while coming or going.

Fun Zone:

The Fun Zone needs more activities for ages 8 to teens. Perhaps a few video games and the music is way too loud. Typically we were there in the afternoon but on out last day we got in later and it was so loud I had to turn off my hearing aids!

Pool:

Overall the pool area was very clean and the life guards were very attentive. The only things I would like to see is a towels service and find another solution to the revolving door. I understand the need, but it looks very dirty as the aluminum is oxidized and it’s a little off putting. Also, trying to enter with a bag is hard as the revolving door is small. Perhaps a simply vestibule type set up would work better.

Restaurants:

We hit most and the prices seem a little high. I know that eating at any mountain is more expensive but this is a resort and we are paying to stay. $25 for a meat ball sub, small garden salad, two sodas and two chips is a little much for lunch. Overall the food was okay but seemed high in price.

Other:

My son attended one of the kids programs (movie, pizza, dancing). We missed the photo, which I’m okay with and my son did want to stay for the dancing. Then I saw the $39 charge! Seemed really high for pizza and a movie.

Now the good stuff!

The boarding lessons were great. Bryce is a wonderful instructor and I would go back in the morning and take more lessons with him.

All staff members that we interacted with seemed very polite and helpful.

The overall resort (what we saw and used) was clear and in good repair, but some was a little dated. Given the time of year the roads were rough but in good shape.

Will I go back….yes. Will I check out other possibilities….yes. We are tired, from all the boarding, but happy.

March 22, 2012March 22, 2012

The perfect gloves – Update

So I put my Hestra gloves through the ringer this week with all this wet New England snow. I have to say I’m not that impressed. I used the leather balm that came with the gloves and it didn’t seem to work at all. Since its so hot I’m only using the outers and water is soaking in. Granted condition are bad at best but I was hoping for better results.

My guess is you need to apply balm every evening or go ride powder! We’re visiting the Burton R+D facility tomorrow afternoon and if I see anything that peaks my interest in Gore Tex the Hestra’s may end up on e-bay.