Pastaland

Some time ago, one of the readers of this blog commented that I should try a place called Pastaland in Leominster. I really should have taken her advice sooner! Pastaland’s tiny storefront in a nondescript strip mall at 557 Lancaster Street (route 117) hides a first-rate operation run by a husband and wife team.

The couple makes fresh pasta from scratch and sells it directly to a steady stream of customers. The linguini I purchased over the weekend had literally just been cut, and the owner had to clean fresh homemade sauce from his hands before coming to help me with my order. The store is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 am to 6 pm, as the owners realize that many people prefer to purchase and cook their pasta on the same day to ensure optimal freshness. Pastaland also sells homemade sauce, meatballs, raviolis (I can’t wait to try the spinach!), and lasagna. The entire kitchen is visible from the counter, and it was fascinating to see the array of old-fashioned machines in use.

I’m thrilled to have discovered a source of outstanding, fresh, homemade pasta so close to home (and without the parking hassles of the North End). Prices are incredibly reasonable – for less than the cost of a single entrée at a low-end restaurant, Pastaland offers enough food to feed a family. So I’m hereby starting a new weekly tradition at my house: a stop at Pastaland to pick up ingredients for dinner. Many thanks to reader GTK for the recommendation!

Sulin Orchard

It doesn’t get much better than autumn in north central Massachusetts. Tourists flock out this way by the thousands (I can attest to this firsthand, as I had the pleasure of their company driving home from my job in Boston on Friday evening!), but we’re the lucky ones who get to live out here to truly appreciate every colorful moment. I spent today driving around with the top down, enjoying the foliage, and taking advantage of some of the local offerings that people living elsewhere can only buy from inauthentic, often pretentious markets at inflated prices.

I’ve written about some of my favorite spots in the past, such as Crystal Brook Farm, Wachusett Brewery, and Rota Springs Ice Cream, while others, such as Marshall Farm, are so much a part of my routine that I realize a post is long overdue, but today I had the pleasure of visiting Sulin Orchard (located at 885 Fisher Road in Fitchburg) for the first time. I learned of this orchard from a recent article in the Fitchburg Pride, and I won’t rehash here the history that was so well covered in the article. It was impossible to resist visiting a place that has been under the ownership of the same family for 100 years – that’s an impressive accomplishment for any business, but farms and orchards have been under particular pressure in recent years to sell off property for a quick and easy profit, and those owners who resist are certainly to be commended…and supported!

The orchard’s owner was hard at work when we arrived, but he quickly came over to supply us with a bag for pick-your-own apples. The orchard was a peaceful spot filled with well-tended trees bursting with bright red apples; there was even a picnic table nestled among the trees for those who wanted to linger. My husband and I realized that because Sulin Orchard is not located on a hillside like so many other orchards, all of the apples are exposed to a significant amount of sun, causing them to ripen quite nicely. In addition to apples, we stocked up on homegrown butternut squash and pumpkins as well as honey produced from onsite beehives.

My favorite discovery, however, was the Sulin Orchard Cookbook. I don’t know about your family, but special recipes in my family tend to be rather closely guarded, and we certainly don’t have enough to fill a 160-page book. Yet the Sulins have chosen to share an incredible selection of their family recipes that make the most of apples and honey as ingredients. I definitely don’t consider cooking to be one of my hobbies, but I just curled up with this cookbook and flipped through every page from front to back. I have no idea how to prioritize which recipes to try first, but some of the top contenders include fried apple rings, fruit and spinach salad, squash and apple soup, apple stuffed acorn squash, apple meringue, caramel apple nut pie, miniature apple turnovers, Dutch apple pancakes, applesauce brownies, apple hermits, any of several apple breads and muffins, maple pecan pie, honey spice balls, and the strawberry chocolate tart. I may just have to open to a page at random and go with that.

I’m off to the kitchen – I hope everyone is enjoying the season!

Local Landscaping and Gardening Centers

Yup, I’ll admit it, I’ve been quite the blog slacker. I spent a good chunk of May in Tahiti and Australia, and it’s taken me some time to snap out of vacation mode. Fortunately, summer’s here at last, so at least I can relax in my hammock and pretend that the sound of the babbling brook in my backyard is actually that of waves lapping the shore of a motu off the coast of Moorea…

Along with summer come landscaping projects, which I’ve really come to enjoy. It helps that I have some very knowledgeable neighbors who are always willing to share tips! This is the start of my fourth summer in Fitchburg, and I’ve found some favorite local businesses over the years that have been a great source of supplies and advice for outdoor projects. I thought I’d mention a few here:

Romano’s Greenhouse – This is my first choice for hanging baskets (some of which I replant in ground pots), as they have lots of choices that combine multiple complementary plants. They also have a good variety of annuals, perennials, and vegetables. But one of the real highlights of a trip to Romano’s is the incredibly helpful, knowledgeable staff.

Cauley’s Garden Center – Located at 645 South Street, right across the street from Romano’s, Cauley’s has a particularly nice selection of annuals, along with rose bushes and some landscaping shrubs (they also have great Christmas trees in the winter). One of these days, my husband and I are planning to order one of their custom-built sheds as well, once he gets over the idea that we should build one ourselves.

Powell Stone & Gravel – If you need a dump truck full of anything (stones, topsoil, etc.), Powell’s the place for you. They also feature supplies for building walls, walkways, and patios. The one problem is that every time we order from them, it makes me think of dozens of other projects we should consider taking on too!

Fitchburg Agway – I don’t know that I’ve ever encountered friendlier staff anywhere. They’re always available to offer anything from advice to help loading your car. We also discovered that they have great rates on mulch, and they delivered it VERY quickly after our order was placed. I’d recommend signing up for their email list – I’ve found out about some amazing weekend sales that way (and was able stock up on things such as rhododendrons, hydrangeas, and holly bushes as a result).

Lakeview Nurseries – I could spend hours here, browsing the endless rows of annuals and perennials, and I’ve found their plants to be exceptionally healthy and robust. In addition, they have an amazing selection of shrubs and trees. This is a place that takes customer service very seriously; they hire a police officer to ensure a smooth traffic flow in and out of the lot, while staff members circle the nursery proactively asking customers if they can assist in any way.

Central Mass Garden Center (621 Chase Road, Lunenburg) – I find it hard to believe that this massive nursery doesn’t have a website, but I’m afraid I didn’t have any luck quickly trying to locate one. This center carries quite an array of annuals, perennials, shrubs, and trees. I find them particularly useful for locating harder-to-find plants (but they could probably use to invest in more staff during busy times).

Grand Rental Station – The local branch of this chain is located on route 2A shortly after crossing into Lunenburg from Fitchburg. I’m astounded by the random landscaping items you can rent here. I’m normally not a fan of chains, but I haven’t found an independent alternative, and the service at this store is very friendly and personal. Whenever my husband starts insisting he needs some specialized tool that I know he’ll only use once, I now know to look into renting as an alternative. Fortunately, this means my already crowded garage doesn’t include items such as a stump grinder!

I’m sure I’ve left something out, but I’ll stop here. I’d love to hear others’ suggestions of landscaping/gardening centers worth checking out!

Holiday Shopping

This weekend, businesses in several north central Massachusetts towns are partnering to host Christmas in the Country, an event designed to highlight what a number of local stores have to offer. Participating local craft and farm shops will be open from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on December 1st and 2nd to welcome those who are seeking a unique holiday shopping experience. It sounds like a great excuse for a scenic drive around the area! Anyone who visits all of the shops involved will be entered to win one of several prizes. Two of the thirteen participating businesses, Country Mischief and Hartman’s Herb Farm, will also be offering lunch. I put together a map of all the businesses involved for those who are interested – perhaps I’ll see some of you out there this weekend!

Kalimba Grille

Jim Tully clearly isn’t a quitter. After unreasonable corporate policies forced him to close his Quiznos franchise at 89 Whalon Street in Fitchburg, he opened his own independent restaurant at the site. The result, Kalimba Grille, is a testament to what perseverance and a willingness to learn from experience can accomplish.

The food at Kalimba Grille is truly outstanding. The restaurant’s slogan is “the best burger in town,” but my husband and friends tell me that the Kalimba burgers are actually some of the best they’ve had anywhere, ever. I’m not a red meat eater myself, but apparently the secret lies in the all natural beef from Wolfe’s Neck Farm used to make the burgers. “The Kalimba,” consisting of two eight-ounce burgers, bacon, cheddar, lettuce, tomato, onion, and Kalimba sauce is highly recommended, and there are lots of other creative burger options too, like the garlic bacon burger and the Tuscan burger.

Fortunately, there are many other non-burger items to choose from as well. They’ve got an array of appetizers such as mozzarella sticks, boneless buffalo wings, onion rings, and jalepeno poppers – thanks to the sampler platter they offer, I’ve been able to try them all! My favorite choices at Kalimba though are the salads. The greens are actually green and fresh (something that’s sadly unusual at restaurants these days), and the grilled chicken breast that tops several of the salads has a wonderful smoky grilled flavor. Kalimba also features some great ice cream, perfect in the form of a frappe with your meal or in a warm brownie sundae for dessert.

Not only is the food at Kalimba excellent, but the service is prompt and professional. I’ve been consistently impressed by the staff’s friendliness. Kalimba also has a BYO policy, a large screen TV, and new booths (to replace some of the not-so-comfortable stools that Quiznos featured), making it a great spot to relax over a meal. I’m grateful that the owner decided to give Fitchburg another chance for his new business, and I hope everyone out there will go check it out for themselves!

Café Destaré

Café Destaré is an outstanding, long overdue addition to the city of Fitchburg’s bar/café scene. Located on Main Street, the café offers a multitude of martini and coffee selections along with desserts from the North End and some “light fare” menu items. The interior décor highlights the beautiful architecture shared by so many of our downtown buildings, with high tin ceilings, brick walls, and expansive spaces. The layout is very well done, with a bar area to the right when entering, a cozy collection of couches to the left, and an array of comfortable lounge chairs and tables in front of a performance area and wooden dance floor straight ahead.

I had eagerly awaited the opening of Café Destaré for some time, but I must admit, the place far exceeded my expectations. It’s quite refreshing to settle into such an upscale bar in the heart of Fitchburg. The extensive martini menu tempts you to come back and try everything (I would highly recommend the Caramel Mochatini), while the coffee selections immediately conjured up fond memories of countless hours spent at Caffé Dolce as a college student in Worcester. (For those not familiar with Caffé Dolce, it’s at 154 Shrewsbury Street and is a must try!)

I’ve been pleased to see that on the nights I’ve visited Café Destaré, it’s been quite busy. On weekends, if you arrive before around 10:00 p.m., the crowd consists primarily of young professionals and a few older patrons. After that, more college students join the crowd, often dressed for a nice night out and serving as a wonderful reminder of how lucky we are to have Fitchburg State in our city, and it becomes a bit harder to find a seat. The café also seems to draw a decent crowd on weekday evenings – it’s a great spot to unwind with friends after a long day at work. Servers are friendly and attentive, and free entertainment is offered throughout the week.

Café Destaré is definitely a place that I will be returning to time and time again. And the best part is, at the end of the night, I’m only a few miles from home instead of being out in Worcester or Boston as I’ve historically been if I wanted a great coffee drink or a night at the bar!

Cornerstone's Restaurant

Nothing beats outdoor dining in the summer. I make it a habit to eat every breakfast, lunch, and dinner possible on my deck at home, and I’m always looking for new restaurants that offer the same option. I therefore decided that Cornerstone’s Restaurant in Leominster would be the place to start on my quest to visit all of the members of the newly formed Independent Restaurant Collaborative (earlier post here) that I’ve not already tried.

My husband and I arrived at Cornerstone’s around 7:00 on a Saturday night. There wasn’t a cloud in the sky, and the temperature was in the mid-70s – perfect conditions for dining outdoors. So we were completely shocked to find ourselves all alone on the deck! Throughout the evening, a few patrons from the bar wandered out to enjoy the fresh air, but we essentially had the place to ourselves.

Thanks to a mid-afternoon barbeque we’d attended at a friend’s place, we unfortunately weren’t hungry enough to try a full meal. But the chicken quesadilla appetizer that we shared was wonderful. As is evident by glancing at Cornerstone’s menu, there are a wide variety of appetizers from which to choose. Our server initially seemed to forget that she had a table out on the deck, but she subsequently provided excellent service. The highlight of the visit for me, however, was the discovery that Cornerstone’s features Blue Moon on draught. What could be better than sipping a fresh glass of Blue Moon, munching on appetizers, and enjoying a summer evening outside? I’ll definitely be back.

Bangkok Hill

I owe a huge thanks to the readers of this blog who resoundingly recommended Bangkok Hill. I at last overcame my nostalgic sorrow at the thought of dining at the former site of Gloria’s (prior post here) and discovered that Bangkok Hill is a wonderful addition to our area dining options.

I was joined by my husband and a friend for our Saturday night dinner at Bangkok Hill (located in Lunenburg on route 2A, just over the Fitchburg border). It was relatively busy, but we had to wait only about ten minutes for a table. As those of you familiar with the former Gloria’s know, the interior of the building is quite small – it’s definitely not the place for a private dining experience. However, the food is fabulous! I had the Massaman curry with tofu, which was perfectly prepared. The most striking characteristic was the freshness of the vegetables. They were extremely flavorful and cooked to that “just right” point where there’s still a bit of snap as you bite into them. The tofu in the dish, an option that many restaurants throw on the menu as an afterthought, was lightly marinated and remarkably delicious. My companions had similarly glowing reviews of their dinners.

We capped off the evening with the fried ice cream, which I should note involved a dough-like coating rather than the coconut or cornflake style coatings to which I am accustomed. I think next time I’ll go with ginger ice cream instead. I also plan to ensure that my next visit occurs when I’m a lot more hungry, as there were many tempting appetizer options!

One thing to keep in mind if you’re visiting Bangkok Hill for the first time is that the spice levels indicated on the menu seemed to be rather non-specific. The entrée that I chose was designated as mildly spicy, but Massaman curry is actually very mild, and I definitely wouldn’t describe my meal as spicy. Red curry, which is typically a much spicier curry, was marked with the same mildly spicy designation as the Massaman. So I wouldn’t put TOO much faith in the spice ratings on the menu (although no one at my table tried one of the few three-star items, they might truly mean it with those!).

Rota Spring Ice Cream

I definitely do my part to keep New England at the top of the list when it comes to statistics on per capita annual ice cream consumption. I particularly appreciate places that offer homemade ice cream, and it's an added bonus if there are cows on-site. So I was completely shocked that I had never heard of Rota Spring Ice Cream (located at 117 Chace Hill Road in Sterling) until I stumbled upon it en route to check out a place in Clinton I saw advertised in Fitchburg Pride. (As a side note, a visit to Gallery at 56 is a great opportunity to see a gorgeous renovated mill space.)

Rota Spring is located down a winding country road in a setting that hearkens back to a simpler, more authentically New England life. The owner makes all of the ice cream using milk from his own herd of cows. There are many outstanding flavors to choose from, including lowfat, sherbert, and frozen yogurt options. The ice cream is truly the richest, creamiest ice cream I've ever tasted. Picnic tables overlook a picturesque farm, complete with rolling green fields, a stream, pond, and stone walls. A calf and some playful goats were even on display to keep children entertained.

Before moving to Fitchburg, I lived near a fabulous ice cream stand called Uhlman's. The cow fields surrounding Uhlman's gave way to a massive subdivision, and they began trucking in their ice cream, but I kept returning because I hadn't found anything better. But now I can save myself the trip! Rota Spring offers up perfect ice cream in a great setting...here's hoping for a long summer so I can make the most of this wonderful new discovery!

Independent Restaurant Collaborative

Today's Telegram & Gazette features an article outlining a newly-formed collaborative among independent restaurants in the area to jointly market some of the non-chain dining options available in our region. What a great idea! I was particularly struck by the statistic that these restaurants donate approximately $250,000 to local causes, which I'd imagine is a lot more than places like Appleby's do for our area...

The article cites the following as members of the group:

In Fitchburg - Slattery’s

In Leominster - The Border Grille & Bar, Cristina’s Restaurant, The Cornerstone Restaurant, Gondola Restaurant (located at 428 Lancaster Street), and The Monument Grill (my prior review can be found here)

In Lunenburg - Sean Patrick’s Family Restaurant and The Bootlegger Restaurant

In Westminster - Old Mill Restaurant (my prior review can be found here), Joseph’s Bistro (located at 97 Main Street), and Wachusett Village Inn/Wachusett Mountain

In Gardner - Carmela’s Restaurant and Southside Grille & Margarita Factory

In Ashburnham - The Victorian House Restaurant

In Princeton - Sonoma Restaurant

I've had the pleasure of trying quite a few of these places and have returned for many enjoyable meals. The Border Grille & Bar, for example, is the restaurant my husband has deemed as his choice for "if you could eat at only one place for the rest of your life, where would it be?" Yet I'm struck by the number I've NOT yet tried! Unfortunately, my budget isn't such that I can race out and try a new one every night, but I definitely intend to gradually work my way through the list and will report back here. Anyone out there have any recommendations for where I might want to start?

Carol's Dairy Bar

Good news – Carol’s is open for the season, both the food and the ice cream components! I thought I saw the lights on over the weekend but was definitely surprised when I called tonight (Tuesday, it’s about 32 degrees outside) and discovered they were open until 9:00. Needless to say, I had no trouble figuring out what to do for dinner. For those of you not familiar with Carol’s Dairy Bar, it’s located at 310 Summer Street in Fitchburg (at the intersection of Summer Street and John Fitch Highway). They offer soft and hard serve ice cream with lots of sundae, frappe, and “blizzard”-style options. My favorite is a sundae they make with hot fudge, peanut butter sauce, and the most amazing crumbled peanut butter cup chunks, though a simple dipped cone is great as well.

I happen to come from a family where it was perfectly acceptable to have a giant ice cream sundae for dinner, but for those who feel that ice cream’s intended only for dessert, Carol’s also has a full menu of traditional fried foods, hot dogs, hamburgers, etc.. Personally though, I feel that the best frialator treat at Carol’s is the fried dough…why wait until the autumn fairs come around?

Because it’s early in the season, I’d suggest calling to confirm hours before heading out specifically to go to Carol’s. The number is 978-342-9675. What a great way to celebrate the official start of spring!

Dutch Kitchen Bake Shop

It takes quite a few visits to the Dutch Kitchen Bake Shop at 12 John Fitch Highway in Fitchburg to be able to claim that you’ve sampled even a fraction of the bakery’s offerings. This place has an amazing array of pastries, cookies, cakes, and breads from which to choose. The bakery is known for its signature Dutch vanilla cream frosting – a great way to sample it is to try one of the cupcakes. Be aware though that the delicious cake is topped with an inch-thick layer of rich, sweet, buttery frosting that will fill you up far more quickly than expected based on appearance alone! Some other outstanding offerings include specialty cheesecakes (try the Oreo), cream puffs, a wide variety of cannoli, and an entire display case filled with different types of cookies. Prices are very good; for example, you can purchase a full-sized lemon meringue pie for only $7.

In addition to the bakery, Dutch Kitchen Bake Shop features a small deli, with sandwiches, soups, and salads served at lunchtime. Catering platters can also be ordered. Deli meats and cheeses are available to take home, as are items such as potato salad. We picked up some tortellini salad today, which is a great accompaniment for a barbeque. The shop provides tables, making it a nice place to relax with a cup of coffee and a pastry. The phone number is (978) 345-1393, and hours (which for some reason aren’t posted anywhere) are 7:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 7:00 a.m. through 4:00 p.m. on Sundays. Enjoy!

The Old Mill Restaurant

Continuing on the prior topic of breakfast venues, my favorite local Sunday brunch spot is The 1761 Old Mill Restaurant in Westminster. The buffet spread includes a variety of outstanding breakfast foods in addition to carving stations, other entree items, and a tempting array of desserts. The cost even includes a champagne toast! While the food quality and variety at The Old Mill is fabulous, the true highlight of this restaurant is the quaint atmosphere. Brunch is offered in a cozy, window-lined room overlooking a small pond. Reservations aren't required (or necessary, at least the mornings I’ve been there), but consider making one anyone to request a window seat - the staff cannot guarantee seating requests but will do their best to accommodate. The grounds are gorgeous, as are the many character-filled dining rooms. Special events are frequently held at the restaurant, with the classic setting serving as the perfect backdrop for photographs. The Old Mill also has much to offer in the way of lunch and dinner dining, and the Cracker Barrel Lounge area is a charming spot to relax with a drink.

Family Cafe

Breakfast is by far my favorite meal, be it an elaborate brunch or a relaxing feast of diner-style comfort food. For the latter, nothing beats the Family Café on Water Street/Route 12 in Fitchburg. It has always amazed me how so many places can churn out soggy pancakes and home fries, flavorless omelettes, and dry bacon - I’ve come to realize that although breakfast may seem like a simple enough meal to prepare, places like the Family Café that actually do it right are tough to find. Everything is cooked perfectly, and there’s quite an array of menu items to choose from (note that the restaurant’s website doesn’t even seem to include mention of some offerings, such as delicious homemade muffins). Prices are unbelievably inexpensive, particularly given the generous portion sizes. The staff is incredibly friendly and will have you feeling at home in no time. And of course, they ensure that your coffee cup is never empty! The decor is comparable to what you’d expect for a casual diner, but it’s very clean and conveys a sense of pride for the hard-working owners, staff, and customers who keep the restaurant going. I’ve never had a chance to try lunch or dinner there, but I can wholeheartedly recommend breakfast at the Family Café!

Devens Grill

I have been thrilled with my experiences at Devens Grill and look forward to many return visits. In addition to a pleasant indoor dining room and bar, an outdoor seating area is available. There are few things more relaxing than sitting out on the patio with a drink and some pub-style food... (Please, if anyone out there knows of any other good choices for outdoor dining in the Fitchburg area, let me know!) When it’s too cold to sit outdoors munching on things like nachos and mozzarella sticks, my favorite entree is the smoked mozzarella and basil ravioli, which has a fabulous smoky flavor. My husband is a fan of the filet mignon. Salads are fresh, and the french onion soup is done perfectly. There seems to be a decent wine list, although I have not yet studied it in any great detail. Service on all of our visits has been friendly and attentive. On the occasions that I’ve been there, there’s never been a wait for a table - I don’t think that word has gotten out yet about this place! (One side note: the restaurant's website doesn't seem to load correctly in Firefox, but it does work in IE.)

Filho's Cucina

I plan to continue posting more local restaurant reviews, with coverage of a few places that are within about a 20- to 30-minute drive of Fitchburg. After all, it’s always nice to have some options for take-out on the commute home!

One of my favorite stops is Filho’s Cucina in Groton. There is some seating at this restaurant, but it's generally very busy, making take-out the best bet if your time is limited. The menu is extensive and includes soups, salads, panini, pasta, and other entrees - all are made with amazingly fresh ingredients. Honestly, I can’t stress enough how fresh the meals taste. The food has a wonderful aroma, and there are numerous vegetarian options available. Pricing is very reasonable, with the most expensive dishes on the regular menu being only $13 (specials are sometimes slightly more). The quality and portion sizes far exceed that of more traditional dine-in-only Italian restaurants. The staff gladly works with special requests; for example, consider adding grilled chicken to the Penne con Spinaci for a fabulous meal. If you choose to eat in, there’s a BYO policy, with many patrons opting to select a wine from an adjacent liquor store. The restaurant’s website includes a full menu, and I’m willing to bet that it’s not possible to resist a visit after scanning the menu - you won’t be disappointed!

Oak Ridge Farm Stand

Those of you who live in the area may already be familiar with Harper’s Farm, which sells fresh vegetables and other items at their farm stand on Route 117 and also at various temporary locations in the region during their peak season. They have an extensive variety of outstanding produce as well as items such as flowers, pumpkins, and other seasonal items. In the midst of the recent spinach scare, Harper's was the ONLY place I was able to find spinach (and trust me, I searched far and wide). In addition to great quality and variety, the prices are unbeatable. It never ceases to amaze me when, for example, I walk out with several large tomatoes and a big bundle of fresh basil for only $1.75.

Needless to say, I was happy to learn that Oak Ridge Farm Stand, operated by the Harper family, is now open on Route 70 in North Lancaster (not far from the Toyota dealership). I stopped in for the first time this weekend and was incredibly impressed - they had so much more to offer than the delicious fresh vegetables that were the original purpose of my visit! Oak Ridge is actually more of a small grocery store than a farm stand. The focus is on locally-made products such as homemade soaps, fresh eggs, salsas, and pasta sauces. The vast majority of the store’s offerings are direct from Harper’s farms and orchards, including high quality hormone-free beef. The highlight of the visit for me, however, was learning that Oak Ridge also includes a deli and bakery. I resisted temptation and therefore have yet to try any of the variety of pies and cheesecakes, but I can attest firsthand that the old-fashioned homemade cinnamon sugar donuts were amazing! A loaf of tomato bread was also fabulous, as was a jar of homemade dill pickles. I’m eager to return to try some of the lunch-time meal offerings, such as chicken potpie, homemade soups, and fresh sandwiches. At my next visit, I’ll also be picking up some unique items, including high-end peanut butters made with ingredients like dark chocolate, white chocolate, banana, and raspberry. And I can’t wait until they open the dairy bar component of the business this spring!

Oak Ridge Farm Stand is currently open from 6:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. on weekdays and from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on weekends. Their number is (978) 537-4777. You can learn more about the business in two articles available here and here (though I’m not certain for how much longer they’ll remain available online).

Tory's Subs & Burritos

Anyone who watches Phantom Gourmet has probably seen the frequently-repeated episode in which the Landos brothers’ sub restaurants are lauded as a “Hidden Jewel.” Unfortunately, while the show focuses on Carl and Eric’s shops in Waltham and Acton, it fails to draw attention to the fact that we’ve got Tory’s shop right in Leominster! Tory’s Subs & Burritos serves truly wonderful food. The portion sizes are famously huge, and the quality is unmatched as well. I’m not a red meat eater, but many of my friends (and the Phantom Gourmet) have indicated that the cheesesteak sandwiches are among the best they’ve ever tried. Personally, my favorite item is the Mediterranean quesadilla, which combines grilled chicken, feta, spinach, tomato, and melted Monterey Jack and cheddar cheese (although I try not to get that every time since other menu items are also fabulous). My husband swears by the Tory’s Special, which is a cheesesteak sub with sausage, green peppers, mushrooms, and onions. Be forewarned that when you go to Tory’s for the first time, you’ll be overwhelmed by the array of mouth-watering options and will inevitably have a difficult time choosing just one. Your best bet is to plan on take-out, as the tiny store has only a few counter seats available. Hmmm, I think I just figured out what I’ll be having for dinner tonight!

Crystal Brook Farm

Over the weekend, I headed to Crystal Brook Farm (no website, but their address is 192 Tuttle Road, Sterling) for an “open house” event. This place makes the most unbelievable goat cheese, and it was great to meet the owner and get a tour of the facilities. The most astounding thing I learned is that the entire business is run solely by the owners, Ann and Eric Starbard, with some help from only a couple of employees! The goat herd now includes about 70 animals encompassing three different breeds of goats. The milking season is just wrapping up now, with all of the goats presumed pregnant (by the single male in the herd, talk about a major responsibility!) and expected to deliver in February. We met the herd and were particularly impressed with how affectionate the animals were.

From late February through December, each goat is milked twice per day. Until very recently, that process was done entirely manually! The farm now features a milking machine that pipes the milk in for pasteurization, but from that point forward, the cheese is made by hand. In addition to taking care of the goats, maintaining the farm, and making homemade cheese, the owners also attend nine farmers’ markets every week throughout the summer. I was actually fortunate enough to stumble upon a kiosk set up by Ann Starbard at the Garlic and Arts Festival this summer (see earlier post). After sampling some of the farm’s cheese, I was thrilled to discover that they’re located very close to home!

In addition to nine mouth-watering varieties of goat cheese logs (including garlic, chive, dill, and a sweeter cranberry variation that makes a perfect bagel topping), Crystal Brook Farm makes two different “party spreads” that I would highly recommend. All items are available at various farmers’ markets throughout the state and also year-round at the farm itself in a small self-service shop. We’re so lucky to live close enough to stop in any time of day and pick up whatever we’re in the mood for. And it’s amazing that the cheese we picked up was literally only two days old - it doesn’t get much fresher than that! The on-site shop also sells other handmade products, such as goat milk soap, herbal tea, and knit items. A variety of free recipe cards are available as well for those looking to cook up something creative using goat cheese. I grabbed a recipe this weekend for a goat cheese and hazelnut pesto pasta dish that I can’t wait to try.

If you live in the area or are simply planning to come out here for a visit, I would definitely suggest that you stop by Crystal Brook Farm. Not only are the cheeses truly wonderful, but it’s great to know that the business is run by hard-working individuals who are incredibly passionate about what they do and who are eager to share their enthusiasm with others!

For the Dog Lovers Out There...

Happy holidays everyone! I apologize for not posting here for a bit, as I was out of the country for Thanksgiving. Time to pack up the flip-flops for awhile now! It’s good to be home though - one of the best parts about my return was going to pick up my yellow lab, Pax. We boarded him at the Worcester Animal Rescue League, which has recently added a separate kennel wing that offers incredibly reasonable boarding rates. And the staff at WARL are outstanding! I’ve had nothing but great experiences with them since I first adopted a cat there in 2000.

Another really wonderful option for boarding that’s closer to home is Manilow’s Doggie Daycare in Leominster. (We’ve boarded Pax there before but had already booked WARL for our recent trip.) Doggie Daycare is run by a fabulous woman named Barbara who is clearly a true animal lover. Boarding is a relatively new offering through the center, but we’ve actually been eagerly taking advantage of daycare services for some time now as a special treat for Pax...and for us! Anyone out there with a lab or other similarly energetic dog can appreciate what I mean. They’re a lot of fun, but sometimes it’s nice to have them come home and just fall asleep! There’s no minimum number of visits, so it doesn’t have to be a costly investment.

I had heard about doggie daycare centers over the years, but I guess I always associated them with larger cities. Finding Manilow’s only a few miles away was a nice surprise! The facility is located just off routes 2 and 190 (near Target), making for simple drop-off and pick-up on my commute. The building includes a large indoor space for inclement weather days, a training room, a room filled with crates for napping, and an extensive array of outdoor fenced-in areas. Barbara takes the time to get to know each dog personally, even keeping files detailing each dog’s friends and enemies to ensure optimal playgroup arrangements. Manilow’s also offers some other great services, including bathing and nail clipping as well as a variety of training classes. I’m very grateful that Barbara chose to open her center in our area!