Great Memories of New England Restaurants That Are No Longer With Us
Part 1 Read New
England Restaurant memories, Part 2 here
Chef Wilhelm's Hofbrahaus was a German restaurant located in Ogunquit,
ME. We ate there a few times in the 1970s. It was always great eating
German food in a coastal town when everyone else was eating lobster and
chowder.
by Eric Hurwitz. Updated 12/19/16.
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While peers of mine in the 1970s were mourning the deaths of
rock icons Jim Morrison, Janis Joplin and Jimi Hendrix, I focused my
respects on the passing of restaurants like Angelo's in Arlington, MA,
and Jack and Marions deli in Brookline, MA. A great pizza and corn beef
sandwich rang more true than an amplified guitar riff, I thought.
Restaurants leave us all the time. You thought that special place would
last forever because no one would ever close a place so near and dear
to your heart. Then you see that "For Sale" sign one day and your
childhood temporarily goes right down the drain. You think, "How could
they close this place when I liked it so much? Why didn't they contact
me first before closing?"
You get cynical. A new restaurant opens and you promise not to get too
attached because of past heartbreaks. Then, you break down and fall for
a new place. Then, one day, they close and it's time to search for a
new love.
The key is to enjoy restaurants when they're around and not get too
down when they close. Restaurants like Angelo's and Jack and Marion's
struck such a strong emotional chord to this writer because of joyful
family experiences and the excitment of trying food that we had never
eaten before (or old favorites that were done especially well). Perhaps
if Angelo's and Jack and Marion's were around today, they would just be
"another restaurant," but back then they were worshiped.
The following is a list of New England restaurants, gone but not
forgotten in many of our native New England hearts and minds:
Fontaine's, West Roxbury, MA
Fontaine's was one of the only dining spots where I was perfectly
content to stay outside the restaurant. Nothing against the very
good, family-style chicken dishes inside, but the main attraction was
the exterior neon, waving chicken sign. For more than 50 years, this
kitschy, nostalgic sign with the animated, spastic chicken brought
happiness to passing drivers. Maybe since so many people today are
driving and talking on their cell phones, looking at themselves in the
mirror, or just trying to fit into the Boston lifestyle by driving
recklessly and feeling self-entitled, perhaps the happy neon waving
chicken sign became sad and lonely. It seemed pretty lonely
inside, too, inside Fontaine's the last few years, as the quality
slipped and families chose fast-food chicken places that reflected
their always-on-the-go lifestyles. Fontaine's makes some of us long,
however, for the innocent age coupled with a more relaxed, leisurely
dining pace tailor-made for families that ate together and loved neon
waving chicken signs.
Dave Wong's China Sails, Chestnut
Hill, MA, and various eastern
Massachusetts locations A great advertising campaign goes a long
way. China Sail's advertised on television and radio frequently, to the
point where it eventually became a household name. While the food was
good, it wasn't better than many other places struggling to stay in
business. China Sails usually seemed to attract a senior set convinced
that the agreeable, mouthwatering advertisements were true. China Sails
also attracted, it always seemed, inexplicably, very attractive women
paired with goofy looking, socially inept men. Dave Wong seemed like a
really nice guy, and that is probably why -- along with the familiar
Chinese comfort dishes -- so many people went to China Sails. It was a
true dining legend for many, many years.
Chef Wilhelm's Hofbrahaus, Ogunquit, ME
Opening a German restaurant in a coastal town known for its seaside
lobster dinners seemed a bit odd, but for those preferring wiener
schnitzel to lobster, Chef Wilhelm's made a ton of sense. Outside, the
big barrel with the smiling German man and woman wooden cutouts
standing on top (they looked more Dutch than German) was a classic
memory. Inside, Chef Wilhelm's looked more like a steak house chain
with its red tablecloths, cheesy wagon wheel chandelier and drab drop
ceiling.
Finnerty's Country Squire, Cochituate,
MA Finnerty's Country Squire recently closed, leaving behind
wonderful dining memories of a large, traditional New England
restaurant that pleased many for generations. Finnerty's was the type
of place where one could feel good to dress in their Sunday best for a
family meal or larger function and never walk away disappointed at the
straightforward chicken, steak and seafood selections. Now that
Finnerty's is closed, it brings up the retrospective question, "Why
didn't we go there more?" The food was consistently solid, management
ran a tight ship, and the slightly out-of-date country decor, too-long
hallway, the spacious dining rooms, wall-to-wall carpeting and relaxed
New England country feel brought one back to simpler times. The current
"business closed" sign in front of the door reads like an indication of
"It's a Wonderful Life," where cold Pottersville has taken over
charming Bailey Falls. Although we didn't dine there much, Finnerty's
will always have a place in our hearts as an integral part of New
England dining. We hope that if a restaurant takes over, it will be in
the tradition of Finnerty's and not some overpriced, self-conscious
gourmet restaurant. Not that there's anything wrong with that, but
old-time tradition seems to slipping away from the New England dining
scene, and that's sad.
The Old Oaken Bucket, Westford, MA
The Old Oaken Bucket is a prime example of how a cool name and
atmosphere can make one overlook the offerings of dried out meat and
surly service. During a childhood stage where we aimed to be rural
hicks despite living in urban Arlington, Mass. (perhaps by watching too
much Andy Griffith, Green Acres and Gomer Pyle) , the Old Oaken Bucket
delivered the goods in its rural Westford location in a frayed,
rough-around-the-edges dining room that seemed on the verge of needing
a huge facelift (the rundown feel, however, had a great charm). All was
forgiven, however, as we could picture Gomer Pyle eating some home
cooked food here (this quickly-passing rural stage perhaps reflected
the lack of girls we met during this time). One day, many years later,
after telling a friend about the Old Oaken Bucket , we enthusiastically
drove out there and, sadly, found it closed. Many years later, however,
the Old Oaken Bucket reopened and was, to our surprise, of much better
quality, thanks to building upgrades and an innovative chef who
implemented a nice combination of down-home, and upscale flourishes to
meats that weren't dried out. The "new" Old Oaken Bucket didn't last
more than a few years, however, as The 99, a very good local chain,
bought them out. The good and bad versions of the Old Oaken Bucket will
always remain with us, however, especially the bad version.
Longhorn Barbecue, North Woodstock, NH
Childhood favored the Longhorn Barbecue over touring the stunning,
beautiful nearby Mt. Washington and viewing some of the most
spectacular scenery in New England, courtesy of White Mountain National
Forest. The barbecue chicken and blueberry pie were amazing and the
knotty pine, cowboy-like atmosphere was the closest we ever came to
experiencing the "west," since we never went beyond Rochester, N.Y. The
elongated gift shop was great, too, with cowboy belts, that had the
novel distinction of having the beads fall off once out in the parking
lot. The Longhorn faded one day at sundown as the barbecue chicken was
drier than Pat Paulsen, they were all out of blueberry pie, and a
waitress had her head down on a dining room table crying. Suddenly, the
spectacular New Hampshire scenery seemed like a pretty good option. The
Longhorn has resurfaced, however, as a good breakfast place, according
to some sources who favor breakfast over the spectacular New Hampshire
scenery.
Angelo's, Arlington, MA With
dim lighting and a circular dining room that appealingly ended up where
you started, Angelo's made the cheesiest, chewiest, tastiest pizzas and
Italian-American food that was on par with the best Italian Boston
North End restaurants. The staff, which seemed to work there 24
straight hours, seven days a week, was always pleasant by striking up
conversation, remembering names of customers and always saying
"Thank-you." This is quite a contrast to modern day Arlington, where
the pace is much faster and thoughtfulness sometimes takes a back seat
to adults who love their toys -- SUVs, cell phones and laptops.
Angelo's, on the other hand, seemed well integrated into the
thoughtfulness of earlier-day Arlington, the classic local business
that emphsized "local" while bringing a viable business to hungry
Arlingtonians on a low budget and a big appetite.
Jack and Marion's, Brookline, MA
Why a household name-caliber restaurant closed, we'll never know, but
Jack and Marion's served as the local leader of what some say was New
York City quality deli food, with service and urban panache to match.
While some other delis had surly service and didn't always give it
their best effort, Jack and Marion's seemed like a model of
hard-working consistency -- even to a then eight-year-old like me. One
could fill up on great soups, a main meal and huge dessert in a
bustling atmosphere. Jack and Marion's proved that running a restaurant
as efficiently as a machine didn't mean dining in a charmless, sterile
environment; it just meant you could enjoy the great food and be taken
care of in a really nice, pleasant dining room with deli aromas that
seemed to extend a mile to our parking space in urban Brookline.
Bishop's, Lawrence, MA During
its heyday, Bishop's served the best Middle Eastern food and french
fries in New England. That's right, Middle Eastern food and french
fries. The lamb kabobs, hummus, babba ganoush, stuffed grape leaves
and, yes, perfectly cooked, shoestring french fries had no rival. The
atmosphere was memorable too, with, as someone described, a dining room
that resembled an aircraft carrier. Bishop's always had amazing
service, with many "career" waiters -- the professionalism showed. We
never thought Bishop's would close, but it did, and we had to find
another restaurant to call a tradition for a revered annual family
birthday celebration.
Gianelli's, Burlington, MA
Easily a place where Richie Cunningham from Happy Days could have been
spotted, the family-owned, family-oriented Gianelli's offered homemade
Italian food in a remarkably informal, unaffected setting on a part of
Route 3A in Burlington that mall shoppers probably never knew existed.
Gianelli's didn't win any prizes for being pretentious and stuffy,
which accounts for why they were in business for generations. The fact
Gianelli's closed took away a part of many people happy childhood
memories, as well as some adults who loved this timeless restaurant
where food, family and service mattered most.
Green Ridge Turkey Farm, Nashua, NH
We never found the Green Ridge nor the Turkey Farm on the incredibly
congested Daniel Webster Highway, but the Green Ridge Turkey Farm
always delivered the freshest turkey along with all the requisite sides
-- stuffing, gravy, mashed potatoes and cranberry sauce. The quality
slipped in the early 1990s and suddenly the charming old house-like
structure morphed into a Barnes and Noble. We like to read books and
Barnes and Noble satisfies that craving very much, but at that location
we wish that great turkey could have remained forever.
Willow Pond Kitchen, Concord, MA
Somehow, a redneck bar with stuffed moose on the wall and catfish and
frog legs on the menu seemed out of place in Concord, one of the most
affluent towns in Massachusetts. The cow stench across the street
always had an endearing quality, sometimes serving as the warmest
greeting at this dining spot. Short on manners and low on prices, the
Willow Pond Kitchen wasn't all that great -- especially the turgid
pizza -- but it was a place to return because it was so different from
the rest of the vanilla restaurant pack. Admittedly, they had great
lobster deals and an endless supply of oysters. When I heard about the
Willow Pond closing, I had to go back one more time. I left
disappointed in the food and the impending closure. Sometimes, we like
things that aren't that great; Willow Pond Kitchen expertly tapped into
this pathetic human condition.
Nick's Beef and Beer House, Cambridge,
MA The double cheeseburger plate for under 2.95, cheap beer,
wisecracking waitresses and that unforgettable phony fireplace with the
multi-colored logs pleased everyone from Harvard students to
construction workers. No one ever admitted to truly liking Nick's Beef
and Beer House, but that was disproved by the endless crowds eating
foods bad for the cardiovascular system in this dark, cavernous eatery.
Why Nick's had to go, we'll never know. It was like taking away from a
baby his favorite toy.
Shakey's Pizza, Nashua, NH
Hmmm, let's open up a restaurant that plays Laurel and Hardy movies,
has a player piano and serves great pizza and root beer-- and nothing
else worthwhile. Oh, and let's call this place Shakey's! This brilliant
and visionary marketing strategy pleased parents and kids, alike.
Shakey's is long gone, which is a tragedy. The combination of going to
beautiful Silver Lake State Park in nearby Hollis and then having a
grand time at Shakey's is the stuff that created great childhood
memories.
The Wursthaus, Cambridge, MA
The great thing about the Wursthaus was that everyone could wear a
plaid jacket, horn-rimmed glasses, smoke a pipe and not get beat up.
This long-time Harvard Square hangout proved popular with
professors,students and phony intellectuals, as well as high school
graduates who wanted to feel smart while drinking beer. The Wursthaus
featured an enormous variety of beer and OK German food in a rather
charming upstairs dining room. Here was a restaurant with personality,
personalities and a presence that makes you wonder why so many
restaurants in the once unique Harvard Square had to go generic.
Red Coach Grill, Hyannis, MA
This place was like Howard Johnson's with some fancy rugs and more
comfortable seats. Come to think of it, Howard Johnson's did own the
Red Coach Grill, which operated in many New England locations and
inexplicably, a place somewhere north of Lake George, N.Y. Our only Red
Coach Grill experience was at the Hyannis rotary. As kids, we were
somewhat nervous about going in the restaurant -- what if one of those
crazy drivers missed the rotary and drove right into the restaurant?
The steaks were OK, the chicken a bit dry and most of peas and mashed
potatoes we didn't like ended up stuck under the table. On top of that,
the Red Coach Grill didn't have Howard Johnson's 28 ice cream flavors.
We'll always remember, however, those great black booths and the cool
red rugs, although that didn't do one thing for our hunger.
Chadwick's, Waltham, MA
Chadwick's was a wildly popular ice cream parlor that also served
pretty good sandwiches. Chadwick's most memorable moments occurred on
customers' birthdays when ear-splitting drums and singing shook the
small dining room, and most likely, the entire Metrowest Boston region.
A perennial kid's favorite, Chadwick's left a lot of great memories
including some of the biggest sundaes encountered in the Western world
and fun, fun, fun anytime during business hours.
The Acropolis, Cambridge, MA
The repetitive playing of "Never on Sunday" on eight-track tape, that
really nice, stoic bald Greek host with the twinkle in his eye, and
some fabulous baked lamb with too-good-to-be true rice pilaf were just
a few highlights that made the Acropolis a beloved Cambridge dining
establishment. The Acropolis staff always made the diner feel at home
at this small, dark, informal place that catered to families, Harvard
University professors, romantic couples and poor college students
(usually the romantic couples). That incredible Greek lamb -- so tender
and abundant -- has never been duplicated, to our knowledge, even at
some great local Greek restaurants. We'll never know why the Acropolis
closed (actually we're journalists and could find out, but we won't
because it feels better to not know and eternally be depressed and
outraged about its unexpected closing).
Yoken's, Portsmouth, NH I was
so excited I could barely contain myself. We were headed to Yoken's, a
legendary Portsmouth, N.H., seafood restaurant famous for everything
fried under the sun, a gift shop with nothing good, and the huge,
amazing smiling whale sign.
It had been nearly 30 years since my last visit. Now, I could pass on
my Yoken's-fueled childhood joy to our children. Instantly bringing
back memories, I could see the esteemed Yoken's sign ahead. Eagerly
awaiting the return of something so dear to my heart, we signaled left,
drove into the parking lot, and found that Yoken's was gone. It was
just a parking lot and a sign with the huge, amazing smiling whale. I
was crushed. It was sort of like Homer Simpson driving his car into
beyond-rural Spittle County, and seeing several appetizing billboard
ads for Flaming Pete's barbecue restaurant -- only to heartbreakingly
find out when arriving at the newly-beloved destination that Flaming
Pete's had burned to the ground.
Nate's Deli, Arlington, MA I
always loved Nate's Deli because every luncheon meat they served seemed
to taste better than its competitors. Nate's also offered larger
potions of deli meats than others. It was also a five minute's walk
from home, located in what is now Camera's Inc. The atmosphere: a
plain-looking, pure, classic small town community storefront with a
staff that was most welcoming and prided itself on getting to know the
customer. But what I liked most about Nate's was that the owner
reminded me a lot of Inspector Fenwick from the Dudley Do-Right cartoon
series.
Readers
reminisce:
From Richard F.
As a college student in the 'sixties I spent several great summers
working at a boys' camp on Lake Winnepesaukee, which thrives to this
day. While the camp dining room has improved radically in recent
years, in the sixties the camp food was, well, camp food, and my
colleagues and I used to count the days until we could get to Wolfeboro
to do some laundry and eat at Bailey's. On a sabbatical trip
detour I visited Bailey's on the last day of their season in 1999,
never imagining they might close one day, and they graciously let me
take a menu. What a wonderful place, what lovely folks and really
good food, and what what happy memories.
From Gary N.:
What a great article about restaurants we miss, sure brought back some
memories and stirred up some more…..
Red Coach Grille…never went to the Hyannis branch but the ones in
Framingham, and the original in Wayland were “big night out” for my
parents, as well as an occasional Sunday dinner where a Filet Mignon
was a big deal. Framingham had a nice view of the water.
Other special meals in Framingham were at Armand’s Beacon Terrace and
The Maridor, the latter being more for atmosphere than food, Spanish in
design (along with the 60’s design Fonda del Corro Motor Inn adjacent),
but all I remember was American food; the place looked more like you’d
dream of in Las Vegas or Hollywood…sort of a “Rat Pack” hangout.
Framingham’s most romantic spot might have been La Rotisserie
Normandie, at the Framingham Motor Inn, where you could get flaming
food!
Bishops, Lawrence, MA…agree it was a destination spot but I think those
great shoestring fries is what made the Lebanese food memorable, but
for me the El Morocco, Worcester, MA was hands-down the best for Middle
Eastern food. From when it actually was an after-hours hang-out
for the “Rat Pack” crowd – it was fun looking at the celebrity photos
in all the nooks and crannies of the old Worcester triple-decker where
you dined in the first floor or basement in crowded booths or long
tables where there was always a party going on; to the “Bishop’s like”
palace the Aboody family built across the street where once the sun
went down, the twinkling lights of the city below, and the tinkling of
the piano keys in the dining room let you imagine you were in some
rooftop NY night club. Filled with couples, extended families,
and crowds being served by tuxedoed wait staff , the El had the best
Baba Ganoush, lemon-mint dressed salads, shish kabob, and my favorite –
a variety platter of! (This was) the tastiest Lebanese food (and I
compared Bishop’s, the old Red Fez in Boston’s South End, Lander’s in
Lebanon, NH, but nobody could match the El!), ending with the best rice
pudding anywhere…oh, how I miss the El!
And speaking of Worcester, another city landmark was Putnam and
Thurston’s. Started in the late 1800’s, Put’s for years was
Worcester’s version of Locke-Ober. When downtown was the region’s
shopping hub, on Saturdays or on the nights the stores were open, it
was a treat to go to Put’s which had two dining rooms, more casual on
the left, an old time restaurant/coffee shop with counter and booth
service and a menu with changing daily specials. You couldn’t go
wrong, however when my Mom felt flush, she could be persuaded at the
entrance to go right to the main dining room where Worcester’s power
brokers, elite ladies, couples out on the town were welcomed by an
older hostess who my mother got a kick out of how she gave big bear
hugs to the old men who enjoyed traditional food with a few exotic
twists like Lobster Newburgh or Beef Stroganoff served on silver and
white tablecloths, all surrounded by masculine dark paneling.
Once downtown deteriorated, so went Put’s.
Loved Jack and Marian’s...also missed deli food while in college in
Boston at Ken’s at Copley and Deli Haus in Kenmore Sq. And
speaking of Brookline, a favorite was the Hungarian restaurant Chardas,
great food and much less expensive than the wonderful Café Budapest
under the Copley Sq. Hotel.
Eastern European cuisine reminds me of the wonderful meals at the much
missed Hofbrauhaus in Ogunquit when the extended family arrived in York
Beach for summer vacations, for a few years Chef Wilhelm also operated
a wonderful French restaurant high atop Isreal’s Head and the Marginal
Way called Chateaubriand….first time I had sweetbreads! Other
York/Ogunquit by-gone favorites….Spiller’s on Short Sands (for before
beach breakfast, or family priced seafood dishes for lunch or supper –
they closed early), Poor Richard’s (located in a number of spots in
Ogunquit), and old resort style table d’hote breakfasts at York Beach’s
Ocean House. Lastly, for a few seasons actress Julia Meade
operated The Fan Club in the pagoda style former Dan Sing Fan tea room
overlooking Perkins Cove; her venue was Broadway comes to the Ogunquit
Playhouse with the sparkling lights illuminating the white washed walls
making a lovely summer setting, particularly for pre-matinee lunches
that featured ite!
ms like Quiche Me Kate and items originating at NYC’s ‘21’ (i.e. ‘21’
Burger).
Other memorable vacation spots included Hickory Stick Farm near
Laconia, NH for the best roast duck we had ever eaten; Woodbine Cottage
near Lake Sunapee, where I overheard a woman at the next table state
that the food here was better than the Ritz (I only made it to the
Café, never to the upstairs dining room of the Boston landmark) – it
was good, especially the homemade tomato soup with a dollop of sour
cream (why do I remember that?); the German food at North Conway’s
Hoffmann House, later at the same location Scotch cuisine (if there is
such a thing, other than the unusual oat cakes) at the Scottish Lion;
and “gourmet” food at The Springs in New Ashford or Le Jardin in
Williamstown in the Berkshires.
China Sails reminded me of the days that Chinese restaurants were few
and far between, as a youngster, we travelled about 20 miles for Egg
Foo Young, and Shrimp with Lobster Sauce (was many years before we
learned Lobster Sauce was actually pork!) at Wellesley’s Chin’s Village
on the Natick line.
I did not know of Hartwell Farm until after the fire, but for country
fare we headed further west to Phillipston’s Fox Run, a drafty old barn
with stalls and an inside well, down a long country road, and up a hill
with a view of Monadnock. The atmosphere was more memorable than
the food, though. Another destination spot, famed for its Roast
Beef with popovers was the Black Lantern on the road to Keene, NH.
My folks had a number of banquets and we had some Sunday dinners at
Alphonse’s in Maynard, but I fondly remember meals at La Petite
Auberge. Only around the corner from the Powder Mill, this cozy,
romantic, recreated French auberge quickly transcended you to the
French countryside. And the table d’hote meals, including a
wonderful hors d’oeuvres tray with every meal, classics like Coq au Vin
and Boeuf Bourguignon with those fried mashed potato dumplings (yum!),
often served by the owner/chef’s wife, who would light the waxy wine
bottle candles, made you forget you were in some eastern Mass. mill
town.
Ah, the good old days before Olive Garden, Ruby Tuesday’s, Cheesecake
Factory, and PF Changs took over the restaurant world!!!
Regards,
Gary N.
From Steve:
Chadwick's Ice Cream Parlor (and fine foods) was located in Lexington,
not Waltham as you list it (it was near the Waltham line; a Bright
Horizons is now on that site). I worked at Chadwicks from '78 to '82,
off and on, flipping burgers and carrying bellybuster sundays on the
stretcher to the unwitting customer. And though they were after my
time, Amy Poehler and Rachel Dratch (of Saturday Night Live and more)
worked there as well.
Addendum to missing restaurants from Harvard Square: Cardells,
the Zum Zum, and the Underdog (best hot dogs in Boston, 1974 or so).
Steve
From Bruce B.:
Hello,
I was just reading your list of restaurants that are no longer in
business. (By Eric H. ) Sadly, I remember many on that list, and
some others.( I liked the Wursthaus in Cambridge. A good knockwurst
platter, and a good beer was all I asked. ) At my age now, I have
grown to accept the fact that time passes andthings do indeed change.
Still, it "stings" just a little, when I find that these places are no
longer with us. On my list:
Ritcey's Seafood Kitchen, Waltham MA
In business for a long, long time, Ritcey's was the place to go for
seafood, and home made french fries that I believe were the best on the
planet. It was so popular, that on Friday's during the traditional
"Supper Time", they suspended dining room service for about two hours,
to give full attention to their take out service. If there was/is any
restaurant that does broiled haddock any better, I'd like to know about
it. I was taken there as a youngster back in the 60's, and had my last
meal there about five years ago. It closed about three
years ago, and some sort of yuppie italian place stands on the property
now.
Tasty Tower Pizza, Dennisport MA
This pizza place was the place to go during my late teen summers. After
days spent water skiing, "cruisin" and just helling around with
like-minded teenaged male friends, those pizzas hit the spot. It was
located at the intersection of Shad Hole Rd. and Lower County Rd. It
boasted huge garage doors, that they would open during the summer
months. It was almost like eating outside, and lots of people, mostly
young, would come and go. The interior tables were seriously
heavy duty picnic table, arranged in a haphazard fashion. They
sold one size of pizza only. Good times. I'm told the
Tasty Tower in neighboring Yarmouth is still there, but under different
ownership now.
Pizza Pad / Kenmore Deli, Kenmore
Square, Boston, MA As a college student in Kenmore Square in the
mid-70's, I spent a lot of time (and cash!) at the Kenmore Deli. Good,
basic food, and portions designed with young males in mind. I probably
did more studying there than anyplace else.
Frankenstein's, Boston MA This
was an unusual beer joint. The gimmick was that they served huge,
gourmet hot dogs, had reasonable beer selections, and,,, the
showed feature movies! Nothing first run mind you, but plenty of
science fiction stuff, and movies for the artsy-craftsy crowd. Oh yea,
the beer was
inexpensive. Definitely designed for the college crowd, of which boston
has plenty. I think only a few folks, say, those of us 45 years of age
and up, will remember Frankenstein's. Not sure when it closed or why. I
could not believe it was due to a lack of
business.
The Italian Moose, Lincoln, NH
It was located right in Lincoln, near the end of the Kancamagus
Highway. This restaurant had delicious food. The sauces were quite
thick and zesty, and the pasta was definitely homemade. The garlic
bread was some of the best I've had anywhere. The building itself was
like someone's
house. The dining room was small, and decorated with
little cartoonish mooses everywhere, sort of like Bullwinkle. A huge
stuffed Moose was suspended over the small bar. It seemed
popular, with a line for a table on summer evenings. Most of the
clientele consisted of families on vacation.
Not sure when it closed, or why. I just recall taking a ride up there
in the mid 80's, and it was just gone. Alas. No one seemed to know
anything.
Bruce B.
Bailey's Ice Cream, Boston and
Cambridge, Mass.
Schrafft's Tea Room, Boston, MA
With fond memories of my Boston University days in the late 1960s, I
recall Bailey's Ice Cream Parlor where peppermint ice cream was served
in old-fashioned silver dishes, set on silver plates, dripping with hot
fudge that spilled over plenteously onto the silver plates. While there
was a Bailey's in Harvard Square, my favorite was the Bailey's located
on the street that led down from the Park Street Station to the now
defunct Jordan Marsh and Filene's Department Stores. Those were the
good old days. Innocent and sweet yet not forgotten.
In those days, I worked as a dining room waiter at one Boston's few
remaining Schrafft's Tea Room Restaurants. There was one on Boylston
Street and one on Milk Street. I worked at the Schrafft's in the
Prudential Center on the Huntington Avenue Side of the old Pru Center.
I was back there last Christmas time. It's a different world.
Albert H. Black, New Haven, Conn.
Original Cafe, Cambridge, MA
Cronin's, Cambridge, MA
F&T Diner, Cambridge, MA
I miss "The Original Cafe," Main Street, Cambridge...it was a
comfortable place near MIT where one could get a decent meal and a beer
on a student's budget.
And then there was "Cronin's" near Harvard Square. Great student
hang-out with old comfortable booths with initials carved into them by
Harvard and MIT students.
Most of all, how about "The F&T Diner" in Kendall Square? A great
shame that it is gone. The old historic diner car was attached to a
deli-style restaurant of the same name, so you could have your choice
if the limited seating was all taken in the diner. Many
world-class mathematical equations were solved by MIT professors and
students in the booths of the F&T!
C. Hanson
Alphonse's Powder Mill Restaurant,
Maynard, MA
Alphonse's Powder Mill Restaurant in Maynard Mass., was in operation by
the Alphonse family from 1965-1985. It was the place for dining and
dancing during the 60's and 70's and the place for many weddings.
Digital Equipment Co., one of the first computer pioneers based in
Maynard, put the town on the map before being bought out by Compac .
Before the powder mill was Uncle Pete's Twin Tree's. The location is
now the Maynard Elk's club.
R. Alphonse
Editor's note on Alphonse's Powder
Mill: Mr. Alphonse:
Thank-you for your great message. A lot of us do indeed miss Alphonse's
Powder Mill. I have fond memories of Alphonse's. Growing up in
Arlington, our parents took us to a lot of restaurants. Alphonse's
Powder Mill stood out for its
great restaurant name, a neat split-level look with big windows,
wonderful food and attention to detail. It looked like a restaurant,
operated like a restaurant, smelled like a restaurant and
had something on the menu for everyone. Pride of ownership was
apparent. How
many independently-owned
restaurant today meet all that criteria? To me,
not too many. I'm glad the Elk's have a nice building -- they are a
great organization
-- but, selfishly, I wish Alphonse's could have lasted forever. Thanks
for the great memories in a great town.
E.H., VisitingNewEngland.com
(Back to top of page)
Bailey's, Wolfeboro, NH One
must recall Bailey's in Wolfeboro, N.H. They served 29 fresh flavors of
hand cranked ice cream and frappes. They had the original pine paneled
restaurant off of 109 in Wolfeboro, and an old converted
Boston&Maine railroad depot on Wolfeboro Bay, Lake Winnipesaukee.
Their lobster rolls gave you a pound of lobster for $6.99, and the
cheeseburgers were 1/2 pound of choice sirloin for $2.99. They started
in June of 1936 and closed in June of 2004. All the waitresses were
from the finest Colleges, Dartmouth, Brown, Smith, Wellsley, Radcliffe,
and TCU, Texas Christian University as well as others, and they looked
like models out of a LL Bean catalog, tan, tall and lovely. The views
of the lake were million dollar views, which is what a 2 bedroom
cottage on that lake costs today. One the greatest New England
treasures of all time vanishes into eternity.
Anonymous
Joe D.'s, Burlington and Woburn, MA
We miss a little pizza shop that was located in Burlington, Mass.
It was called Joe Ds Pizza....this restauranat had the best italian
pizza in the area, along with great breakfast and dinners. Its
specialty was a great pepper steak sub and also had great clam chowder.
This restaurant was first located in Woburn, Mass., and relocated to
Burlington in 1977.
Patrick D.
The White Turkey Inn, New York City
The White Turkey Inn was a wonderful New England restaurant in the
heart of New York City that I still remember from my boyhood days in
the late 1940's and early 1950's. It was my first experience with
an assortment of relishes and a dollop of cottage cheese, and
interesting breads and rolls, instead of the usual white bread and
butter fare most restuarants offered as starters when you first sat
down. I remember there being an impeccably clean atmosphere, and
excellent service, with what I now know to be an unimaginative menu but
which, at the time, felt as though I was dining among kings. Was
it the restuarant itself, or a nostalgic longing for youth, that brings
a smile to my face when I recall my family's visits to this restaurant,
which I believe was part of a chain, that I thought would be there
forever.
Thank you for providing the opportunity to reminisce,
Robert Shorin
The Hartwell Barn, Concord, MA
Say there, you MUST include a historic restaurant, which, tragically
burned to the ground in 1968 on route 2A, between Lexington and
Concord....built in the 1600s, Hartwell Farm. Here was a
restaurant, where one could walk into the kitchen, and purchase massive
pecan rolls to take home. Service was friendly and prompt.
The atmosphere was magnificient; the menu extensive; the view from the
very large main dining room looked toward the east over acres of
field. The attached barn had its own intimate, rustic
atmosphere. Hartwell Farm was a gem!!!
Richard E.
Korb's Bakery, somewhere in Rhode
Island Hello, I miss Korbs Bakery, in Rhode Island! I would love
their old recipes. I can still taste the Russian Tea cakes, giant
chocolate chip cookies, cream puffs, and the bread!!! Unbelievable
bread!!
Nancy M.
Other New England restaurants that
have closed that you might remember
(no descriptions):
Hilltop Steak House, Saugus MA
Christo's, Brockton, MA
Benjamin's, Taunton, MA
Ma Glockner's, Bellingham, MA
The Kernwood, Lynnfield, MA
Bob the Chef's, Boston, MA
The Falstaff Room, Boston, MA (Sheraton Copley)
Jimmy's on the Mall, Burlington Mall, Burlington, MA
Billerica Seafood, Pinehurst, Billerica, MA.
Victoria Station, Burlington, MA
Ararat House of Bar-B-Que, Watertown, MA
Arsenal Diner, Watertown, MA
Lanno's, Watertown, MA
Hotel Edison, Lynn, MA
Kon Tiki Ports, Boston, MA
Bailey's (ice cream), Belmont and Boston, MA
Bamboo Hut, Arlington and Belmont, MA
Aku Aku, Cambridge, MA
Porterhouse Cafe, Cambridge, MA
Pewter Pot, various Massachusetts locations
J.B.'s Steak House, Newton, MA
Mel and Murray's Deli, Liberty Tree Mall, Danvers, MA
Joyce Chen, Cambridge, MA
Sun Luck, Burlington, MA
Pacific Hut, Burlington, MA
DePasquale's, Medford, MA
Giovanni's, Framingham, MA
Capucino's, Brookline and Newton, MA
The Yodler, Stowe, VT
The 88, Nashua, NH
The Rib Room (Hotel Sonesta), Cambridge, MA
The Averof, Cambridge, MA
Igo's, Cambridge and Waltham, MA
Neptune Room (Hyannis, MA, Airport)
The Sizzleboard, Boston, MA (Hippie college waitress yelled at my folks
for being indecisive)
The Hot Shoppe (Burlington Mall), Burlington, MA (cafeteria-style food
not quite as good as the school lunches)
York's Steak House, Burlington, Mall, Burlington, MA
Royal Hawaiian, Burlington, MA (where ex-JV hockey players from
Billerica got in fights, it always seemed)
Buzzy's Roast Beef, Boston, MA
Mills Falls Restaurant, Newton, MA
Tony's, Chesnut Hill, MA
Harold's Deli, Chestnut Hill Mall, Chestnut Hill, MA
Matt Garrett's, Sudbury, MA
The Chuck Wagon, Walpole, MA
Do you have a restaurant that you miss very much? If so, let us know,
at Visiting New England.com.
Read New
England Restaurant memories, Part 2 here Or, go to the Old
School Boston blog for more back in the day memories.
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