New England Meet & Eat - Dec 8th

This Saturday we are meeting at Marty's Donuts in Ipswich at 10am.

The only definite agenda item is the Clam Box, who close for the season the 9th, and is a spot many local RFers have not yet tried! (I'm leading a charge to remedy that!)

Below, for informational purposes, are links to other RF reviewed spots. Many are within 15-20 minutes of Ipswich. Suggestions are welcome.

If you plan to join us, feel free to show up... it would be great if you could also post on this thread that you plan to come.

Here goes:
1. Marty's Donuts
http://www.roadfood.com/Reviews/Overview.aspx?RefID=248

2. Clam Box
http://www.roadfood.com/Reviews/Overview.aspx?RefID=453

And the further potential choices:
Agawam Diner is near the Clam Box but on Rt 1:
http://www.roadfood.com/Reviews/Overview.aspx?RefID=10

Village Restaurant, Essex: [seems a Stern favorite]
http://www.wedigclams.com/
link to their portion of article by Sterns for epicurious, here:
http://www.wedigclams.com/news.htm
[oops, forgot RF link!]
http://www.roadfood.com/Reviews/Overview.aspx?RefID=245

Essex Seafood:
http://www.roadfood.com/Reviews/Overview.aspx?RefID=252
and http://www.essexseafood.com/

Hamilton, where Lleechef used to cook:
The Black Cow
http://www.blackcowrestaurants.com/ [open 11:30am to 11pm]

Wenham Tea House (afternoon tea??)
http://www.roadfood.com/Reviews/Overview.aspx?RefID=293

Beverly (on the way up, or back, to 128),
Nick's Roast Beef (fyi there are more than one + name corrected)
http://www.roadfood.com/Reviews/Overview.aspx?RefID=291

Newburyport (review by Bruce & Sue), Thirsty Whale:
http://www.roadfood.com/Reviews/Overview.aspx?RefID=3815

A little further, Gloucester:
http://www.roadfood.com/Reviews/Overview.aspx?RefID=255
and Rockport:
http://www.roadfood.com/Reviews/Overview.aspx?RefID=295


We are purposely leaving OUT Woodmans of Essex due to the fact it has been visited by most of us already... but if someone wants to check it out:
http://www.roadfood.com/Reviews/Overview.aspx?RefID=408

SEE YOU SATURDAY!
[edited to add link to RF review of Village...]

cecif-
If I didn't already have plans to go elsewhere this weekend, I would have found a way to join all of you for this trip.

I thought the pastries at Caffe Sicilia were terrific and the candy at Turtle Alley was really good, too.

http://www.roadfood.com/Reviews/Writeup.aspx?ReviewID=551&RefID=551

I hope you all have a great time!

Cecif,

You know I will be there!

Not sure how many places I can hit- I've never been to Woodmen's, but since we'll be going to the clambox- going to Woodmen's would be redundant.

I've never been to any of the North Shore Roast Beef places, but at the same time, a return to the Thirsty Whale in Newburyport would be in order too so I can show all of you how great that place is.
Guess we can play it by ear (or stomach)

Bummer! My Wife's got company coming Saturday night and I'm committed to cooking.

Ashphalt,
We're meeting in the morning you know... so you can do a short one? Just donuts?? Donuts & lunch?? (I don't know where you live so not sure how much to push yer buttons...).


BB, I've been telling you to join us for a while! No excuses... But seriously hope you make it next time. Or we'll cross paths elsewhere, perhaps. And thanks for adding Turtle Alley, don't know why I missed it (never been there either).

WJ, I must admit I had to do an errand in Beverly tonite, right down the street from Nick's. I had never been and I will post pics on my trip report. Delicious roast beef... could be a stop on the way home for you?! FWIW I recommend driving to Ipswich via 95 to 128 to Rt 1A (then stay when it merges with 133 in Ipswich). Very scenic and no slower than any other route.

Ceci, Amy & I have been to the Clam Box many times, plus Woodman's, Clam Box, and Nick's were stops on the 2006 RF North Shore Roadtrip with the Sterns -- which we attended, WJ (?), and others who may be planning to join us this weekend. We've been to many places in Gloucester, and those RF spots could easily make a separate tour. And we can always include Woodman's, too -- that's fine with us, because it is a great place. This is strictly FYI, as we are sooo looking forward to Saturday!

So I vote if we add to Marty's & Clam Box that we add the Village (I've never been and the Sterns sure seem to think it's great)...

That said, I am not averse to having a full meal at the Clam Box but adding stops at fried clam places where we all share an order, for taste testing purposes. In my case I can't even eat one full order of fried clams (even small) since fried food fills me up wicked fast... though I love eating it! I am happy to adjust in any way that suits the group!

Sure wish I could join you guys!!Have fun and cant wait for the report...

Reading the place names and roads fills my memory file with images from 40 years ago...those college years that have faded a lot. I look forward to reading your reports. I am sorry that McIntyres is no more...but the Agawam, Clam Box, Woodmans and other North Shore eateries bring back a lot of good memories.

Hey Al, you were the Salem State guy, right?? I think about that every time I drive past.

I've never been (or seen) the Agawam, so am curious...

This thread makes me wish I still lived in Massachusetts!
One of several things I miss about living in N.E.,,,, the food and the scenic beauty!

quote:

Originally posted by cecif

So I vote if we add to Marty's & Clam Box that we add the Village (I've never been and the Sterns sure seem to think it's great)...

That said, I am not averse to having a full meal at the Clam Box but adding stops at fried clam places where we all share an order, for taste testing purposes. In my case I can't even eat one full order of fried clams (even small) since fried food fills me up wicked fast... though I love eating it! I am happy to adjust in any way that suits the group!

Ceci, I totally assumed that we'd be sharing, too -- because there's no way we can eat them from multiple places all by ourselves. If I'm going to "fill up" at all, I'd rather do it at the Village (and I'm got my tastebuds set on Indian pudding!). And if that relegates Marty's Donuts to a "for the drive home" position, then so be it!

Yeah, Salem State College Class of '68. I visited the campus one time in the mid-90's but thats the only time I have been back there.

The Agawam Diner is in Rowley and is a legend in that area. We lived in georgetown while I went to school in Salem. The HoJo's were out on I-95 about half-way between the Mass 97 and the Mass 133 interchanges. Thats the old I-95, before they ripped out the service areas when the new road was built....in the 70's I think.

Denise and I will be at Marty's at 10 AM. We are looking forward to meeting all of you.

Walt

I am very much looking forward to everyone's report on how the day went. I know lots of good food was eaten!

quote:

Originally posted by buffetbuster

I am very much looking forward to everyone's report on how the day went. I know lots of good food was eaten!

I'm working on that right now!

quote:

Originally posted by buffetbuster

I am very much looking forward to everyone's report on how the day went. I know lots of good food was eaten!

I'll say this: I couldn't eat any dinner!

Looking forward to WJ's report & pics... I had a terrific time. Roadfood people are great people!

[WJ's report now posted here: http://www.roadfood.com/Forums/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=23834]

Denise and I had a wonderful time. I never had whole belly clams before. I have always liked the strips. Meeting Ceci, Dale, Amy and Chris was a wonderful experience.

By the way "eat" your hearts out, Denise, Tibault, Julliet and I went to Nick's and all of ate roast beef sandwiches.

Regards,

Walt

After eating 'Whole-Belly Clams' a few times all Clam Strips seem to taste like Rubber Bands to me!!