Loving Lattitudes

Lattitude in West Springfield, MA is terrific!  Known for their tasty roasted Brussels sprouts, they are much more than that!

They have a fun, trendy atmosphere and a menu with interesting combinations using fresh ingredients.  The chef's selections are always a hit.  I loved their short ribs.

They also have a great wine list and a new function room! 

Olivia's Restaurant, Wilbraham, MA

 Sadly, Olivia's is now closed!

Olivia's is located on Boston Road across from the post office. They have good food at excellent prices, and I think the place is a hidden treasure. While chain restaurants up the street with far-inferior food have a waiting list, we were able to walk in the door at Olivias.

The wait staff and management is friendly, welcoming and attentive. They make most of their own pasta and if you have never had fresh pasta, it is a real treat! The last night we dined we had the pasta and homemade meatballs and the lasagna. Entrees come with warm bread, hot soup and salad. The soup was a chicken noodle that was wonderful. (Again...fresh pasta!) Salads were OK...you could tell they had been pre-prepped for the reach-in and it was a little wilted. The homemade red sauce on our entrees was rich and dark. Meatballs were tasty and the lasagna was covered in gooey mozzarella. Our ticket for both meals plus two beers came to under $30!

On the downside, the decor needs a little attention. The wall fountain at the entrance has a broken panel, paint needs some refreshing in areas where it has chipped on the corners and when you enter the restaurant, you are hit with a bleachy smell. I had a newcomer with me and those three things didn't create a good first impression...especially for a great little dining spot.

Website:http://www.oliviasrestaurantonline.com

Has it been 5 years already?

I'm back again and ready to blog!  Look for reviews coming soon!

Fusion Cafe, East Longmeadow

Overrated, overdone, over with.

Small plates you'd swear the staff never tasted before putting on the menu. My items were oily, overcooked and the bar staff was too busy socializing to notice my displeasure.

If you like tapas, which I do, drive two hours and go to Dali in Somerville.

Fusion's success points out that the people of Hampden County are so starved for decent restaurants, that they will flock to anything that isn't a Chili's or an Outback in search of something to wake up their pallets.

The owner's definition of "fusion" seems to be "we make a lot of unrelated stuff and shove it all one menu."

Avoid!

Fusion Cafe
53 N Main St
East Longmeadow, MA 01028
(413) 525-0993

Spoleto, East Longmeadow

After many disappointing meals at the Northampton Spoleto, I swore I would never return. The killer was paying $10 for three scallops--not even jumbo scallops--as an appetizer. They served alongside another app, a bowl of undercooked mussels which were unopened. Oh, and I was seated at a table where the floor at my feet was littered with Cheerios left behind by the previous party. Maybe the infant had heard about the food?

Cut to East Longmeadow: My parents were in town--and treating--and big-city caliber fare is hard to find in the East Forest Park area, so I decided to give the two-month old Spoleto a try. It was a weeknight, it was close to home. What the hey.

Well, I have to say, it was a very pleasant surprise! Everyone had wonderful meals! And my folks are pretty darn picky. The bread was hot and chewy. Our side salads were just the right size with crisp veggies and the perfect amount of dressing. The waiter efficient, knowledgeable, and patient. My mom, who loves a good salad, was thrilled with the Traditional Chop Chop because of its size and freshness.

Dad and I both got the seared scallops over striped lobster ravioli in a caramelized fennel cream sauce. Unlike the sad little Northampton appetizer that made me swear that location off, these were big, meaty scallops. There was a pleasing variety of flavors in the dish, and just the right amount of sauce and garnish. It was so rich and filling we were ready to wrap after two scallops and two raviolis, leaving a nice treat for lunch the next day. Prices were pretty average for a mid-upscale place and definitely worth it for the quality.

We also shared a desert and coffee. Best part: The waiter came over and said he was brewing a fresh pot. I always love when someone does that instead of giving you the sludge that has been sitting on the coffee machine since the prep cooks came in at noon. How many times have you had a waiter run by you trying not to make eye contact because there was no coffee made when they took your order and then they have to wait for it to brew.

You know, I hope this place lasts over here in East Longmeadow. We need a good quality place that isn't your typical red sauce and chicken-parm joint. I really think I will be back!

Spoleto East Longmeadow

84 Center Street

East Longmeadow, MA

413-525-0055

Touch of Garlic, Springfield, MA

I've been driving by this place located up the road from The X in Springfield for years. I've watched the stores surrounding the restaurant change from quaint antique shoppes to stores selling sports cards and medical supplies. Always wondering, "Is it any good?"

My sister came to town last month and we decided to give it a try, and to our surprise, it was GREAT! Traditional italian favorites, interesting specials, and great service. The place has a mom & pop feel; not slick or trendy. You get the feeling that real people have put their heart and soul into this restaurant.

My husband claims that his steak dinner was the best beef he has had since he took a trip to Ohio on business twenty years ago. I had the swordfish special which was thick, fresh and meaty. If you're into portions, my sister can tell you how she got three meals out of her chicken parmesan which was covered in a thick, tasty homemade tomato sauce. We also split their Karamisu tiramisu, which was rich and creamy. Best of all, everything was reasonably priced.

We also learned that the place is open for lunch. Can't wait to try it again! It has now passed Villa Napolitana in East Longmeadow as our favorite area Italian eatery.

Thanks, Touch of Garlic, for being a bright spot in Forest Park!

A Touch of Garlic
427 White St.
Springfield, MA 01108
(413) 739-0236

Ya, I'm back...Let the reviews begin...

Greetings!

I took a short haitus after starting this little blog, but now I'm ready to begin! Starting tomorrow, I will be posting my unsolicited opinions about restaurants I have tried. Mostly in New England, some in other locals.

Enjoy!

Chris

Sonoma, Springfield, MA

So, after all of the hype, I finally tried Sonoma. I'm only reviewing the bar dining experience.

Sonoma is located on Main Street at the edge of downtown and the south end of Springfield.

I stopped in on a friday at around 5:3o. The place was pretty much empty. Surprising for what is heralded to be THE best restaurant in the city.

Which leads me to a topic for another day: Why is there a two-hour wait at 5:00 at restaurants in NoHo while the crickets have full run of places in Hampden County?

The host was at the door, ready to help. At the bar, I joined a couple of locals and a couple of out-of-towners who had been shepherded to Sonoma by the staff at one of the downtown hotels. The bartender, very friendly and helpful. The locals actually shared the TV clicker with me and told me to watch what I wanted. (A rare sight!) Point to the staff for turning on the closed captioning on the TV! (I'm always amazed at how many places let their bar TVs run silent without captions. What is the point?)

The space has a wide ceiling, modern decor, but for a new place, it already looked a little tired. Maybe it is the choice of materials? The bar was clean; the granite counter tops, spotless as were the bar stools and floor. Wooden Asian-inspired placemats were also clean and in good condition.

Sonoma

1123 Main Street

Springfield, Massachusetts

413-737-9463

Welcome to Ya, I ate there!

Hi there!

So this is my blog. For years I've been eating at restaurants around New England and quietly critiquing them. Sad to say, many of the ones I check out fall far below my standards.

Why am I qualified to share my opinion you ask?

1. I hold a BS in Hospitality Management from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst Isenberg School of Management.

2. I worked in the restaurant business for nearly 15 years as a manager and server.

3. I eat out regularly and now carry the additional pounds to prove it.

4. I no longer work in the restaurant business or have friends in the business so I am uniquely qualified to provide you with a totally unbiased opinion. Also, I don't get paid for my opinion, so there is no monetary incentive for what I choose to say or not say.

So Enjoy! I hope to pop in at least once a week with a review of some of the places around the Valley I have frequented.

See you after dinner!

Chris