Trail Mix

What: Pretzel M&M's
Where: Shop & Shop
How much: $.99

(readers, cue Eminem - My Name Is) (clicking on link should open YouTube in a new browser tab so you can hear my selected audio track playing, but you will have to click back on this tab to return)  ((musical selection suggestion by K))

Another in the line of M&M options.

So my moral compass, gambling adviser and consiglieri, Edzo was in celebration mode back a bit as was his "family" (and I say "family" in a manner that would not indicate any activities that involve a conspiracy or illegal activities).  Many of the crew were present and representin'.

YM found these and know that they would be right up Edzo's alley.

Big thumbs up from Cesius (who also gave big ups to the coconut version previously reviewed here that were also offered up for Edzo's consideration), Ocho, YM, Taters, Red Bullmoose, Sunshine, Tyre, Ravine Man and HockeyCru.  That one bag went a long way.

Bakin' took a pass but liked the coconut.

Colors were the rainbow of typical M&M colors.

Price was right.

Texture was exactly what you would expect.  Taste did have a bit of salty contrast to the sweetness of the chocolate.  Just like Trail Mix without the distracting raisins and nuts.

Pretzel nuggets dipped in chocolate and covered in a candy shell.  What is not to love?

Too bad they are not available in bigger bags.

I'd give it 5.5B/6.

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Falafel Feud-Natick MA

What: Large Falafel Sandwich

Where: Victor's Falafel Wraps

223 Worcester Street (Route 9)

Natick  MA 01760

How much: $5.99

 

(readers, cue Human League - The Lebanon)  (clicking on link should open YouTube in a new browser tab so you can hear my selected audio track playing, but you will have to click back on this tab to return)
 

This days travels took me to Natick MA/Route 9 - the mighty commercial Mecca west of Boston.  YM knows my falafel fetish.  She was driving by a couple weeks earlier and the "falafel" sign jumped right out at her.  The clerk said that he have been open for seven months.

The falafel sandwich was freshly made by a man who I can only assume to be Victor.  There was fresh chopped romaine lettuce.  The tomatoes were diced and not too generous, but ripe.  The pickled somethings were good.  The pita was fresh and large, but then again, I did pay for a large and not a small which was a smaller sized pita, not a large pita cut in half.  The falafel was superball sized with the consistency of a matzo ball (soft and breadcrumb-like) and not generous in quantity.  I was asked if I wanted hot sauce, which I opted for and was more hot than spicy, but still very good.  Overall sandwich length was large, but may be an optical illusion as the ends were not wrapped over to seal anything in.  The sandwich was on the thin size increasing the bread to contents ratio (or should I just say skimpy). Yes, there was tahini drip out of the bottom.  Fair value for the money.

The place was very clean. Service was slow, even just making two falafel sandwiches.  This guy was VERY focused on prep.

A customer came in the door just after I did.  He ordered a small falafel sandwich right after I did.  The clerk made both sandwiches at the same time.  After laying out the pitas and lathering on the tahini on each, he put down onions in addition to the romaine.  The customer was reviewing the menu and looked up at that point and saw that there was onions and apologized that he forgot to ask for no onions,  The clerk started berating him for not asking earlier and beat the point to death.  It was almost as if he did not want to take them off.  The customer offered that he worked in an office and that he did not want bad breath.  After much heavy sighing and one more admonishment to tell him next time before he made the falafel. During different points in this "discussion", both "victor" and the customer caught my eye and gave me that "Can you believe this guy?" eyeball roll.

Website address from the menu does not work.  The place is supposed to be open until 10PM Monday through Saturday.

I'd give it 3B/6. 

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Beer Bar Burger Brawl-Lovell ME

What: Stone Double Dry Hopped IPA, Ruger Burger, Boston Creme Pie

Where: Ebenezer's Pub

44 Allen Rd
Lovell, ME 04051

How Much: $30.00 with tip

(readers, cue The Shamen - Ebenezer Goode) (clicking on link should open YouTube in a new browser tab so you can hear my selected audio track playing, but you will have to click back on this tab to return)

This day's travels took me to Lovell ME (just east of Conway NH).  I had been there before and it was great.  I had to go back to see if it was as great as I remember.  It was.

Sorry about the photo quality.  I was trying to be a bit unobtrusive.

Beer menu is superb, especially if your taste runs to Belgians. My IPA obsession was not disappointed by the few, but outstanding IPA options.  The beer menu changes very frequntlys, so don't count on what you see above, but something will be there for you (except the guys who visited while I was there and asked for a blueberry beer).  They do have some watery domestics.

They had just started summer hours.  I has made the mistake earlier this year in not checking hours first and pulled in mid-week and they were not open full time yet.

There are a couple of picnic tables outside with service as well as an enclosed porch with tables and a propane heater.  I ate at the bar gazing longingly at their huge bottle selection.

Service has friendly, knowlegable and attentive.  Thanks Hannah!

Stone Double Dry Hopped IPA was everything you'd expect from an great IPA.  Sorry, taste buds have been off line for a bit that last few weeks, so no OCD taste description.  I had Rogue Dead guy last visit and it did not disappoint.

The Ruger burger (Angus Sirloin, Cheddar Cheese, with mushrooms and onions sauteed in Worcestershire  Sauce and butter) was served with best Frites I've had in New England.  Burger has medium and with provlone as requested.  Pickle was half sour and perfect. Tomato was thick and juicy and tasty considering time of year.  Romaine lettuce was crisp and fresh.  The bread was a homemade bulkie type that absorbed up all the juicy goodness without immediately falling apart.

Desert was a Boston Creme Pie that was yellow cake with a great creme filling and the entire works was dipped in chocolate and served with homemade whipped creme.

If you are in the North Conway area, it is most definitely worth the 20 minute drive to Lovell ME to eat or drink here. 

6 B/6-PERFECTION!

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Do not miss Ebenezer's.  It is a destination unto itself.

Dogfish Head Squall I.P.A.

(readers, cue Rev. Horton Heat - Beer) (clicking on link should open YouTube in a new browser tab so you can hear my selected audio track playing, but you will have to click back on this tab to return)

I picked this up out in Chatham MA based on the fact that I love Dogfish Head products.

Taste: Great. On par with very hoppy beers that I love including Dogfish Head 90 Minute IPA.

Packaging: Great.  Black and white label with a sailing vessel (I'm sure the update from Fez with correct terminology will come).

Bottle volume can be a bit much to commit to on a casual night, but in that case just go to a regular 12 oz. bottle of  Dogfish Head 90 Minute I.P.A. as this is an unfiltered, 100% bottle-conditioned version of same.

See title link for more info.

Price:  $10.99 for 750ml. Just like a bottle of fine wine, only better.

  5.5B/6

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It seemed a bit less hoppy than the Red Racer I.P.A. but was great.  the big bottle was finished in one sitting.  It was bit too hoppy for Surge and SurGGGe who hosted dinner, poker and trash talk for the evening.

Keepin' it Real

SurGGGe turned me onto this.

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No wonder why the kids love rap so much these days.