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Life with Chicken and Broccoli

Tag: travel

  • Review: The Jersey Shore – Diamond Beach, NJ (Part 2: Restaurants & Eats)

    Review: The Jersey Shore – Diamond Beach, NJ (Part 2: Restaurants & Eats)

    A make-or-break vacation can all come down to just one thing: the food. Unfortunately, the restaurants we went to were all just fine—mediocre, sufficient, or blah. I had to work hard to remember what I ate and where, since the experience faded quickly from my mind after each meal.

    To be fair, there were some nice features, locations, or standout points, but we always have to return to the food. I was excited to get into some amazing seafood, especially considering how close we were to the ocean.

    Everywhere you look, you see fishing boats, but I honestly don’t know if they’re catching anything or just permanently docked to set the aesthetic. Maybe this is just Jersey fishing. It’s not the same as getting your seafood from the best spots. Maybe “buying local” just means buying from a coastline that’s been beat up and picked over.

    Here are the spots we hit and my quick takes:

    The Lobster House
    One of the well-known hot spots for regular vacationers with homes in the area. I had shrimp scampi over rice. The shrimp were good, but there was nothing memorable about the yellow rice it came with.

    They did have good bread served with butter, and I managed to swap out the salad for a baked potato. I doctored it up with the same drawn brown butter, and that turned into a table-wide butter fest. Everyone started adding it to their food, and it made everything better.

    They don’t put prices on the online menu, which is a faux pas for me. And portion size for what you pay was poor. We did enjoy the crew-style uniforms the servers were wearing.

    Verdict: 6.5/10
    Butter is better.

    Ugly Mug, Cape May
    One of the many classic Irish pub-style joints along the Cape May restaurant and shopping district walking path. Location is the key here—it’s one of the first spots you come across, which is the main reason we stopped in.

    Food and service were fine. I had the Bavarian pretzel and grilled cheese with tomato and bacon. Everything came out chilled, mostly because they keep massive fans running, which is great for staying cool but terrible for keeping food warm.

    I was really craving that grilled cheese, but it came out cold and missing the tomato. Big miss.

    Verdict: 5/10

    Duffinetti’s Restaurant & Lounge
    This was the most interesting and fun dinner spot. The main draw? Lounge singers.

    Edy, the male singer, was my favorite. He had a Ray Romano type of delivery with dry humor and wit. My son and his friend got pulled into the show for a patriotic rendition of “God Bless the USA” by Lee Greenwood, waving flags on stage. Gina, who only performs occasionally since she’s a full-time hairdresser, also held her own.

    I was excited to give seafood one last try and ordered the broiled seafood platter. Huge disappointment. Quantity, quality, and presentation were sparse, undercooked, and sad.

    Luckily, my family came to the rescue and offered bites of their meals, which looked way better and had way more food.

    Verdict: 6/10
    Higher score for the lounge singers.

    The Crab House, 2 Mile Landing
    This place was hopping. The first night we tried, it was way too busy to even bother, so we came back on Thursday. There are technically two restaurants—Two Mile and The Crab House—but only The Crab House was open.

    The big draw is the location. Tons of nooks and crannies throughout the restaurant and even a docked boat you can eat on while watching the sunset.
    I enjoyed watching the operation run like a well-oiled machine. Servers, runners, and bussers moving in harmony to serve a big, hungry crowd.

    After a week of seafood, I opted for a veggie burger. It was very good and homemade, but came with a gluten-free bun that was just miserable—falling apart and full of resentment. I should’ve asked for a regular bun.

    Verdict: 7/10

    Every night on the island, we found ourselves at an ice cream parlor. The restaurants all offered desserts, but since they were all pretty fair, we didn’t feel the need to extend our time or risk a mediocre dessert.

    It just felt right—the ocean breeze, warm summer air—you’re supposed to be eating some kind of frozen milk with sugar and candied treats.

    We hit up several different locations including Duffer’s Restaurant and Homemade Ice Cream Parlor, Harbor Life Golf and Ice Cream, and Kohr Brothers Frozen Custard.

    The winner for me was the simple, easygoing Harbor Life Golf. Ice cream is just a side hustle for this thriving mini golf spot, right on the left as you arrive in the Diamond Beach area. But the quality of the ice cream, fair pricing, and short wait times made it the best choice.

    Enjoying our last cone on Thursday night at Harbor Life, I tried to soak in everything around me. The warm summer night. The salty dew of ocean air. I looked around at my family, each of us doing our own thing but fully together.

    This four-night vacation didn’t blow us away with five-star dining or bucket-list experiences, but it gave us something better: our time together.

    I’m so thankful for it and even more thankful for the people I got to share it with.

  • Review: The Jersey Shore – Diamond Beach, NJ (Part 1: Hotel & Vibe)

    Review: The Jersey Shore – Diamond Beach, NJ (Part 1: Hotel & Vibe)

    What can be said about the Jersey Shore? For better or worse, my impression was shaped early on by a little MTV show called Jersey Shore. I thought it was a carnival side-show hookup spot for young Italians trying to catch every survivable STD before summer ended.

    My first trip down didn’t really change that view. I had to come back a few times to get my mind right. We went to Wildwood Crest—Exit 0—the very end of the Garden State Parkway, the end of the line. We stayed in the Diamond Beach area, a tiny sliver of shoreline just before Cape May.

    After going over the iconic E-ZPass bridge, then an inlet stretch or two, you make your way into a different mindset. It’s the kind of place where the road is policed by the Jersey Gods who nobody dares defy. The speed limit is 25, and everyone drives 25 or less. I spent a week there and only saw one police SUV. What kind of law-abiding madness is this? I felt like the Outlaw Josey Wales doing 30, just waiting for the Wildwood PD to swarm in.

    Driving 24 mph, we arrived at Icona Diamond Beach, a boutique hotel that had once been problematic during my first visit. They’ve since transformed it into something completely new. The core of what it was is still there, but this lipstick made the pig completely lovable and livable for our 5-day excursion.

    The rooms, I believe, are all suites. Ours was nicely appointed, though the bedroom area was tight. My wife and I had to do the boardwalk shuffle to get past each other, and sharing one bathroom with four people gets tricky as the kids grow. Thankfully, our daughter stayed with her Mima and Aunt, which helped.

    Still, the tight quarters sparked some memories—back to earlier trips when the kids were little and the space didn’t feel quite so cramped. That wave of nostalgia hit hard. How quickly it all moves. How every age holds something magnificent. I tried to store it all away on that mental shelf where the best moments live, while quietly dreading how much slips away with time.

    The hallway was a long run down the length of the hotel, and the pattern made me feel like I was at the Overlook Hotel in The Shining. There are historical photos lining the hallway, and I was looking for a party with Jack Nicholson at the beach with that wild Joker smile.

    The hotel employs young people from all over the world, it seems. The staff feels more like they would on a Caribbean island than in New Jersey.

    After breakfast, we’d make a quick visit back to the room to get ready for the day. The walk to the beach is great. It’s a fair distance from the hotel to umbrella city. Once you get to the end of the composite deck walkway that runs adjacent to the beach bar, I flip my flops into the air and plant my feet in the hot, warm sand. It seems like they brush it out each night, creating a fluffy step for me each day.

    I enjoy the little walk and feel the hot sun on my face, causing me to squint like Clint Eastwood staring down an adversary in any Wild West exploit.

    The staff helps you set up any number of chairs, lounges, umbrellas, and towels you need for the day. I’m always a fan of the efficiency in getting this done, complete with their cordless power drill to dig out a place for the umbrellas each day.

    Then we set up our chairs and sit. We sit and enjoy the all-excellence that is going to the beach. The warm air, constantly stirring and flowing over your body. The sounds of summer—fun, seagulls, kids, cocktails, mocktails and waves crashing forever. The shells and sand being turned into fine elegance, millennium after millennium, as the circular waves crash down and out.

    It’s always so amazing how quickly time can move and how tired you can get doing nothing all day. It doesn’t feel the same as sitting at home and watching shows that leave you deflated. A day at the beach leaves you feeling invigorated, closer to God, and with a sense of accomplishment. I don’t know what was accomplished, but I felt like I had put in a day of work.

    Vacation work.

    Sitting around with my family and two stowaways that joined us on our trip, I felt renewed under the energy of the plasmatic sun. Taking time to enjoy this flow of time, surrounded by the people that I love. Thinking of the people that I’ve lost and inviting them to join us.

    I didn’t expect to fall for the Jersey Shore, but somewhere between the wind, the waves, and watching my family lounge in the sun, it got me. It’s funny how doing nothing can leave you feeling so full. We didn’t conquer anything. We didn’t need to. We just showed up, stuck our toes in the sand, stayed present and let the days take us.

    Final Verdict:  8.15/10  (Aruba Light)

  • Phase 3: The Never-Ending Summer of Baseball

    Phase 3: The Never-Ending Summer of Baseball

    We’re now entering Phase 3 of our young teenage son’s baseball career. The never-ending rhythm of summer tournament play. Long weekends, hotel rooms, musty cleats that stink up the car, dugout dust, and emotional highs and lows packed into 72 hours.

    The truth is, we haven’t been all that competitive in our past two tournaments. We’ve run out of steam, lost our foam, just didn’t have enough Rizz to carry us through the lean moments. But this weekend, something shifted.

    This tournament, War at the Shore, held near the tribal lands of Mohegan Sun and Mystic, CT, felt different from the start. We opened with a strong Friday night showing, and our team rolled through with three wins before falling short in Sunday’s matchup, a rematch with our toughest opponent.

    It was a winnable game. We battled back from a 5-0 deficit, but baseball, as always, has its element of luck. A few balls dropped into the Bermuda Triangle, just out of reach beyond the infield or along the foul lines. Add in some costly errors, and we lost our edge, both in pacing and psychology.

    Still, we made it back. And though the ride home felt especially long, there was something satisfying in the silence and the over-analysis of what-ifs. Every small moment matters in baseball. And somehow, every moment mattered this weekend.

    What really stayed with me wasn’t just the score or the stats. It was the time spent with my family. It felt like we were gone for a week, not just a weekend. Watching your child play is like being pulled into a Broadway show. You lose yourself in the performance and production. Every play, every at-bat takes something out of you. The butterflies, the anxious pangs in your gut, the quiet hopes;  it’s all part of it.

    I sat slightly away from the crowd on a grassy knoll on this warm summer day, a little removed but with the best view. It gave me perspective, a moment to breathe it all in. The game below, the sky above. The majesty of it all. These are the days that move fast and live forever.

    Every kid contributed this weekend. They showed up, brought their energy, and let their favorite juiced bats bring out the best in them. They thought they could, and so they did.

    There’s a synergy now. A chosen family dynamic forming between the boys. The time spent together on and off the field. I love watching them come together, the way they cheer for one another. The way they shout to their teammate who made an error, telling him to shake it off and get the next one. No blame, just TLC for one another. We’ve played on many teams, but this is a special group of young men.

    Then there’s the parental chaos. Multiple hotels, packing and repacking supplies, forgetting essentials, trying to make a reservation for 30 people to eat together, then figuring out how to split the bill. Ending the night with fireside table chats in the bagel buffet lounge. We become friends, make it work, and enjoy our time together.

    These joyful, chaotic weekends are forging memories that will carry them through the long walk of life. Because we’re not meant to just try. Life isn’t something we have to do, it’s something we get to do. We’re meant to reach. And the bigger the challenge, the greater the memory, whether or not we come out on top.

    And maybe that’s what makes it all so special. The dirt on their cleats. The voices in the dugout. The pain of a loss, the joy of a win, and everything in between. Chasing childhood greatness with your friends, giving it everything you’ve got, leaving it all out there.

    That’s the part they’ll remember.
    That’s the part that lasts.

  • Restaurant Review: The Shed – Mohegan Sun Casino, CT

    Restaurant Review: The Shed – Mohegan Sun Casino, CT

    My favorite spot in the Mohegan Sun Casino was already closed by 7 PM on Friday. I won’t say the name of it, but it might very well be my next review. We were hungry from competing and coming off a strong win in our first round of baseball tournament play. Our usual baseball trio had grown by two more kids and their parents, so we were on the hunt for an agreeable spot that could satisfy everyone.

    We initially eyed Bobby’s Burger Palace, but I didn’t want a cheeseburger. I’m always, normally, and usually the difficult one, and instead of debating it or denying it, I’ll accept my moniker. I like what I like, and I am what I am.

    After scanning a few menus around the casino, we landed on The Shed. The selection, variety, and pricing all looked solid. Apparently, I had been asked to eat there before and declined for some reason, but I must not have read the menu or maybe the place just got better. It also could have been the name, which doesn’t give you anything. My parents had a shed, and I never had a desire to eat anything in there with the lawn mower or chlorine tablets for the pool.

    This time, there were several dishes I was genuinely interested in trying, and I figured if it was good, it’d earn a return visit. We arrived around 8:30 with a group of seven, and the place was nearly empty. Tony Hinchcliffe was performing at the casino that night. I’m a big fan, and judging by the ghost town vibe, his show had pulled in most of the foot traffic. The restaurant closes at 10 PM, so we were hoping they’d have a table available for us on no notice. Sure enough, they had a perfect table for eight already set up in the back.

    The atmosphere was fun and casual, with large open spaces and a laid-back surfboard-meets-upscale-diner aesthetic. They serve an all-day brunch menu, which automatically earns points. Our table had a great view of two oversized, hand-drawn cow paintings that looked like kids sketched them on leftover placemats with crayons, which was oddly charming. Comfy-looking booths lined the walls in the bar area with those high casino ceilings that lull you into a dreamy state.

    There were about four or five dishes I seriously considered, but I ended up with the Veggie Protein Bowl. It came loaded with brown rice, garbanzo beans, red cabbage, spinach, sweet potato, mushrooms, sunflower seeds, pickled veggies, and avocado. I added a veggie patty too, which I confirmed is made fresh in-house. I could’ve gone with the Shed Bowl, but the pickled veggies pulled me in.

    The Veggie Protein Bowl was a real winner. Plentiful portions, great balance, and all the ingredients worked well together. The rice was hot and delicious, offering a perfect contrast to the cold, crunchy toppings. The veggie patty stood out. It tasted fresh, had a nice char on the edge, and added some much-needed bite. There was a lot of synergy between the savory and sweet flavors, and the textures and temperatures balanced beautifully. The pickled veggies made it a superior bowl with a clean vinegar taste that cleansed my palate between bites.

    My wife ordered the Reuben, which I sampled as a good husband, and it was another standout. My son’s Steakhouse Burger was also excellent with a pungent kick of blue cheese and crispy onions that complemented the perfectly cooked burger.

    Our waitress handled our group like a pro and somehow managed to match up all the kids and parents with the right orders.

    We’ll definitely be back to enjoy this hidden gem. We were already stepping away before the waitress could offer us dessert, but there’s a Ben & Jerry’s and a Krispy Kreme doughnut shop nearby, so we knew we wouldn’t be wanting. The kids were in a rush to get to the casino’s arcade, and we were hoping to get some time on the floor and, hopefully, not lose too much money. The Shed absolutely earned a spot in our rotation. Hopefully the word gets around so the restaurant thrives, but not so much that we can’t still grab a table.

    Final Verdict: 8.25/10

  • Restaurant Review: Down the Hatch – Brookfield, CT

    Restaurant Review: Down the Hatch – Brookfield, CT

    On a beautiful sunny day when the breeze is gentle, continuous, and blissfully free of humidity, where can you go to enjoy it all? I’ve never been one for regrets, but I’m slightly disappointed I only discovered Down the Hatch later in life. At least I found it. What an amazing little spot to have tucked away in the heart of northern Fairfield County.

    I’ve been several times over the years, and this place is always about the location. It’s beautifully nestled on a hill overlooking scenic Candlewood Lake. There is only the outside here, not unlike in Ghostbusters when there is only Zuul. Zuul, you big nut.

    You wouldn’t want to sit inside even if you could. And if you had to, you probably wouldn’t want to be at this restaurant on that day.

    You walk down the handicap-accessible ramp to the first level of the restaurant and bar. You always get a good mix of people, though I do prefer coming earlier now to avoid some of the rougher types who seem disappointed with life after several Budweisers and are actively looking for someone who doesn’t agree with them or someone with whom they can have a misunderstanding. My misunderstanding days are long gone. I’m just happy to enjoy any nice day by the water.

    We came in with our core three — daughter Judy was at work — and were meeting my brother-in-law with his kids. They’re young and playful, so we were looking for a spot that still gave us a view without being too close to anyone else’s table. We were seated on the lowest level, and that was perfect. There really isn’t a bad view, though I didn’t want to be up top, stuck behind a few tables that might block the breeze or obstruct the view of the lake.

    The whole point of this place is the outside, and I was just so happy to be sitting outdoors. Any summer day in Connecticut when the sun is shining and the humidity is low is a big win.

    Our summer table for six was shaded under an alcoholic beverage sponsor tent overlooking the lake. The waitstaff are all young, home from college or whatever it is kids are doing now. I honestly have no idea. But they’re friendly and happy, and that’s what matters. Our waitress was a kind redhead and had a bit of Southern sensibility, though I don’t know if it was earned down South or acquired from watching too many shows set there. There’s this big amalgamation of phrases now like “I got you” and “y’all” all mashed together.

    The food is what you’d expect and good enough for what it is. I got the mahi-mahi in a wrap instead of a sandwich, along with a small crock of coleslaw. It was vinegar-based and delicious. I only wish the portion had been a bit bigger, but I suppose not everyone is a cabbage fiend like me. I also took a bite of my wife’s lobster roll, and that was very good, with large chunks of tail and claw in a buttery roll.

    It was really great that my brother-in-law came with my niece and nephew. It’s always good to see them. As close as we all are, life pushes you in different directions, and you have to push back to make time. The kids are extremely cute, fun, playful, and smart. I just enjoy taking a minute in their world, watching them do their thing. It reminds me of my own kids and how quickly they grow up.

    As I sat outside in the sun, I was hit by a deep wave of calm. The kids wandered toward the fence to look out over the water and watch the ducks go about their day. I’ve been lucky lately, but more than that, I’ve been grateful. Grateful for these kinds of days, and really, for any day to be alive. For hope and for my family.

    It’s easy to forget how miraculous the ordinary is. The weight of gravity holding us here. The sun warming the tops of exposed skin until it becomes just uncomfortable enough. A thin layer of sweat rising. The gentle whisper of wind across the skin. The smell of fried French fries drifting by. Ducks gliding silently without concern.

    There is beauty in all of it. In simply being here. You just have to want to see it.

    Final Verdict with view multiplier: 7.5/10

  • America’s Oldest Park, Lake Compounce

    America’s Oldest Park, Lake Compounce

    My son and I had talked about doing an amusement park trip, and we ended up choosing Lake Compounce. It’s just the right distance from our house and the right size for a 13-year-old boy who outgrew Quassy Amusement Park some time ago.

    Honestly, I was hesitant to go. Maybe I’m getting old. I just didn’t feel like going on any rides and getting mangled up. We checked the weather on Sunday, and it looked good for Monday. We went back and forth. I told him he should go to the pool with his friend and I’d just go to work. But he has his Flea Market madness way of negotiating and re-negotiating a price or getting what he wants.

    I got up and went outside to have my coffee, grounding my feet in the grass and enjoying the quiet morning scene. The calm before the storm is something I love. It gives me a chance to reconnect with what’s important. As I slowly sipped my brew, I thought about his age and how many more times he might even ask me to do something like this with him. In just three more years he’ll be driving, like his sister, who was going to spend the day at the pool with friends. There are no guarantees and no tomorrows. That’s all a false hope and a mismanagement of human perception.

    After the spark of affirmation, I speedily finished my cup and went inside to tell him. He knew I had been on the fence, so when I told him, he wasn’t sure if I was serious. Once he realized I was, he came out of his room to confirm, and I was so happy to see he was still that excited.

    We had about an hour to get our stuff together. We wanted to be on the road by 10 a.m. so we could arrive by 11 a.m. for the park opening. We got ready quickly, and it’s always easier for the guys to get out the door. Driving up I-84, another trip, another adventure. Suddenly the dreaded red line of traffic appeared on our GPS after Exit 13. I thought we’d only hit some traffic in Waterbury. After an 11-minute delay due to completely unnecessary roadwork that never seems to get worked on, we made it through and arrived at 11:05.

    For some reason, our GPS never brings us to the main entrance. We always have to ignore its instructions or we’ll end up at the employee gate. We finally got in line to enter the parking lot. I had already purchased our tickets and parking pass, but none of the signs indicated where pre-paid guests should go until the last second, when we were stuck in the wrong lane. We got passed by a guy who cut across two lanes of traffic to jump ahead. What made this creature even worse was that his initial payment failed, and he had to get out his debit card and punch in a code.

    Finally, after the traffic and the line-cutters, we parked in section C2 on this warm summer morning. We quickly walked the half-mile tunnel path and made our way to the entrance of Lake Compounce. We were excited and deliberated how busy it would be. It turned out to be busier than expected, but most of the crowd seemed to be heading for the water park which made sense.

    For $34.99 each, plus $25 for parking, we got a full day at both the regular amusement park and the water park, all for under $100.

    We rented a large locker to hold our towels and other water park necessities. We took a right and started our Father and Son field trip with the park’s bigger rides.

    We began with the Wildcat, their mid-level wooden roller coaster. We had done this one before and remembered getting a little banged up. But this time, sitting in the middle of the train, or maybe thanks to a newer cart, we had a smoother and fun start to the day. The kids behind us were screaming so loudly it felt like they were on a completely different ride.

    Then it was on to Down Time, the drop tower, which quickly confirmed whether our stomachs were ready for the day. As we shot up and dropped down, we had a beautiful view of the park and surrounding hills. The other two big coasters, Phobia and Zoomerang, were exciting. Unfortunately for me, not knowing the turns and fighting the momentum left my aging body taking some hard hits to my equilibrium. I rallied though, and we took a break to make a solid purchase: the all-day plastic drink cup for $17.99, which let us refill with Pepsi products and water all day. On this 90-degree day, it was worth every penny.

    My favorite ride of the day was Thunder N’ Lightning, a giant swing that makes you feel like a kid getting pushed high into the sky. My son loved it all. One of his favorites was the Ghost Hunt, a haunted house ride with light guns where you compete for the highest score. The first time we did it, I didn’t pay attention to the target colors and got destroyed. But this time, I was ready to go after the purple targets. Room after room, I thought I was winning. I was, for a while. But in the last room, he pulled away and beat me by 30,000 points. Even after a second attempt, I was soundly beaten. He was thrilled to be the camp champ.

    A special shout-out to Boulder Dash, which is the most thrilling wooden coaster I can remember ever being on. It’s an old wooden coaster and appears weathered and worn as you view it from the wooden deck before getting on, even though it was built in 2000. The ride is extremely thrilling in its own right, but the creaks and shakes of the wooden structure definitely add levels to the ride. We both, young and old, came off this ride shook with a nice dull headache for our trouble.

    We walked the park looking for something decent to eat. After a full loop, we ended up back at Wildcat Grill for a double cheeseburger. The food was fine. It would be nice to throw in a few healthy options, but based on this slice of Americana we traversed today, I’m sure it doesn’t make any fiscal sense.

    After confirming he was all set with the amusement park side, we made our way over to the water park, which was definitely busier, especially as the temperature climbed. We lathered up with sunscreen and hit my all-time favorite, the Lazy River. I have to say, the Lazy River here is well managed. They have staff controlling the flow of guests, helping people on, and enforcing the one-lap rule. They even built a tube ride in the middle that drops you into another section of the river. Since I consider myself somewhat of a connoisseur, I have imagined similar when designing my own one day.

    The river was calm, and we floated along, deciding not to wait for the inner-tube ride. I told my son to pretend we didn’t know what was going on and try to sneak past the attendants. A young staff member eventually told us to get off, but when he saw how long the line was, he said, “The line looks big, so just keep going.” A win. We continued our second lap like the big-time rule breakers we were.

    We spent some time in the United Nations wave pool, where everyone got along gently rolling in the chlorine blue waves. My son hit a few more water rides while I found a lounge chair and waited as he went to a less crowded section to try all three variations of the body slide tubes.

    Finally, with our fill of fun, we made our way out of the park. It was another amazing day because I got to spend it with my son. I’m grateful for this time, especially now, during what feels like an ever-shrinking window to do things like this together.

    One day, he’ll be grown and off chasing his own life, and these chances will be fewer and farther between. I hope he carries these memories with him. I hope he smiles when he thinks back on days like this. And maybe one day, he’ll be the one sipping coffee in the morning, deciding whether to take his own kid to the park.

    If he does, I hope he goes.

  • Restaurant Review: Lucia Ristorante – New Milford, CT

    Restaurant Review: Lucia Ristorante – New Milford, CT

    It was a beautiful Friday night on the green in New Milford as we made our way to Lucia Ristorante, located on historic Bank Street. The street feels like a scene out of 1950s America, with old-school theaters, storefront businesses, and residential apartments above.

    We were heading out to celebrate our friend’s birthday with our wildly successful, humorous, glorious, good-looking couples group. The group used to be bigger but has now been suitably curated to magnificence by removing some malignancies that once threatened the whole.

    Having grown a bit burnt out on our own town’s dining scene, we were looking for a nice spot that still respected the golden radius of restaurants, which must stay within 30 minutes of home.

    Lucia’s is an Italian restaurant which, according to its own website, describes itself as a gem of a place where head chef Antonio can please any member of your family. After my second visit, I don’t dispute the first claim. And as long as the second refers strictly to food, I can get behind that too.

    The restaurant layout spans two levels, and I prefer the second. Fortunately, both times we’ve visited, we were seated upstairs. I think it’s due to our group size, which has been on the larger side. The upstairs dining area is nicer than the downstairs, and both levels include a bar.

    Our first interaction was with the Water Person, who asked if tap water was acceptable. This always feels like a Grey Poupon moment to me. It’s the phrasing, like are you trash who wants tap water, or someone worthy of bottled or sparkling water sourced from an Italian cave where an old woman has been washing family linens for 100 generations. We got the tap water. Sorry, Momma Leonie.

    The menu has several items that interest me, and they always offer some excellent specials as well.

    When we sit down, our group tends to split between the gentlemen and the ladies. The boys usually talk about professions and sports, or, in this case, one of us meeting the world-renowned Tom Brady with pictures to prove it. The ladies dive into the gossip, the juicy bits, skin color palettes, and what the kids have been up to.

    Bread service was solid. A nice fluffy dinner roll was served with cold, not spreadable butter, olive oil, and a small dish of pecorino cheese. My favorite touch was the homemade giardiniera, pickled vegetables that tasted great on the bread.

    For appetizers, I ordered the Calamari Lucia, which came sautéed with beans, arugula, and cherry peppers in a white tomato broth. We also had a special, prosciutto-wrapped something. I can’t fully recall, writing this a few days later, but there were some vegetables involved. The calamari, which was the star, was a little chewy but very tasty. The prosciutto-wrapped mystery bites were also good, though neither dish was a showstopper.

    For my entrée, I was torn between the black spaghetti and the seafood paella. I went with the black spaghetti and felt confident either choice would have made me happy. The squid ink pasta came with Gulf shrimp, sea scallops, mushrooms, cherry tomatoes, and arugula in a cream sauce. The dish was excellent. The pasta was perfectly cooked and well seasoned. The cream sauce was delicious and not too heavy. The seafood was the star and was tender and perfectly cooked.

    Our waitress did a commendable job. Everything that came out looked excellent and would be worth trying on a return visit.

    Even though the entrées were generous portions, we still made room for dessert. My wife had already informed the table that Lucia’s has excellent desserts, including several multi-layer cakes. She picked the pistachio layer cake, which we’ve had before and knew was good, and paired it with coffee. I went with a decaf cappuccino.

    At some point, the owner dimmed the lights. In hindsight, this may have been a gentle warning that they were closing soon. We interpreted it as ambiance, setting the mood, which, as my friend astutely predicted, I would absolutely include in this blog post.

    We happily continued our conversations as time drifted by. Eventually, we gathered our things and made our way outside, still laughing into the night.

    The air was warm, the stars were out, and the streets of Bank Street felt like a movie set with a 1950s green Ford truck parked outside. There is something timeless about a summer night spent with people who know you, make you laugh, and genuinely enjoy your company. Nights like these remind me that good food is just the backdrop. The real magic is the connection, being together.

    Friendship, laughter, stories passed back and forth like bread at the table. It was all there. We stood outside for a while, not wanting to break the spell, just grateful for the kind of evening that lingers long after the last plate is cleared.

    Final Verdict: 8.75/10

  • Restaurant Review: Leo’s – Southbury, CT

    Restaurant Review: Leo’s – Southbury, CT

    Rolling up to Leo’s in Southbury, CT, at 10:30 for that late breakfast love. From Main Street, the location is tucked away, requiring a turn onto Poverty Road. On this beautiful Thursday morning, there were already diners enjoying meals on the front patio.

    After turning into the complex and navigating around the building, it’s clear the space was converted from some type of office into a restaurant. The first thing that caught my attention was the front flight of steps, which probably keeps some of the Heritage Village crowd away.

    Inside, the restaurant is quaint, though the motif is a bit unclear, perhaps a beefed-up diner vibe in an office setting, featuring high ceilings, neon lights, faux wood beams, and an assortment of knickknacks and bric-a-brac. The main dining area has tables in the center surrounded by booths. My friend, who arrived earlier, chose a table with half booth seating and half chairs in the bar area, which was empty except for us.

    Previewing the menu beforehand, several items caught my eye, particularly the entire section dedicated to “Leo’s Famous Breakfast Specials.” Next time, I plan to try “Eight is Enough,” aptly named as it features eight ingredients served with their signature bocca bread and a fresh fruit mini tower. This visit, I opted for Leo’s Special Omelet, which included sautéed onions, mozzarella cheese, bacon, home fries, and rye toast. I also added my usual side of coleslaw and a decaf coffee.

    The servers were nice enough, nothing particularly memorable but also nothing to complain about.

    The food arrived quickly and was plentiful. The hot sauce of choice at Leo’s is Frank’s. Overall, the meal was very good, with the omelet stealing the show, nicely prepared with a generous portion of bacon. Personally, I would have preferred the onions to be more sautéed, but it was still tasty. The home fries and rye toast were good, though nothing standout.

    My coleslaw was initially forgotten by both the server and myself until I noticed the missing texture and crunch. When it arrived, it came in a small plastic cup; a slightly larger bowl would have been preferable. However, it was tasty, well seasoned, and slightly on the wetter side. The value and quantity of the food was also a notch above.

    By 11:30, the early bird lunch crowd was beginning to make its way in. I was abruptly knocked forward as a walker with wheels hit my chair, indicating it was time to leave. There was actually a line of people waiting on the stairs as we left. We enjoyed our brief visit to Leo’s and will definitely be back to try some of those other specials.

    Final Verdict: 7/10