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Bagel Blahs

2 Apr

In these last few hours before Passover begins, I just wanted to recall the good old days when I loved Finagle a Bagel. I used to go to the Chestnut Hill location most every Saturday for lunch, and I’d usually get the same thing: a smoked turkey sandwich on an egg bagel. And before I let my recollections run wild, I’ll just say I remember it being a usually pleasant and not too expensive experience. When it was announced that Finagle was opening a location in Coolidge Corner, I was pretty excited. After all, when your only other bagel option (on a Saturday, at least) is Bruegger’s, a Finagle store is like manna from heaven.

But what a waste this store has been. When I stopped in yesterday, I was reminded of why I’ve largely stayed away from the store since its opening a couple years ago. For one thing, it’s too small, by half. That’s the biggest complaint I have. Whether you sit down to eat or you’re simply on line to order, if there’s a crowd, you can’t help but feel cramped. Also, the service is slow. All I had was a bagel with cream cheese. Took about 10 minutes to get that after I ordered. I suppose I can’t complain about the cream cheese slapped on the bagel, but other times I’ve been to Finagle the sandwich making was shoddy (something I’ve complained about before). And finally, a bagel with cream cheese, a medium soda, and a cookie cost me about $6.50. I don’t want to quibble about something like price, but when did such a minor meal become so expensive (relatively speaking, of course)? Used to be you could get a bagel sandwich with turkey or something similarly substantial and a soda for that amount. And it came with chips or a “seasonal accompaniment” like cantaloupe for free. I mean, at Bruegger’s, I get a bagel with cream cheese, a soda and a muffin or something (no comments about my poor eating habits, please), and it only costs about $5.50. A turkey sandwich at Finagle now costs close to $6 on its own, and that’s without the accompaniment. Of course, the price thing is not specific to the Coolidge Corner location, but it’s one more reason why I have begun to really dislike Finagle. How times have changed. Ah well. At least the bagels themselves are still good.

What I Did For Love

14 Feb

As is well-documented on this site, my theory on Valentine’s Day — especially if you’re like me and don’t have anyone to spend the day with — is to be good to yourself and spend the day doing things you love. So despite the storm (which sounds worse as it hits the skylights in my office than it actually is outside), I made the hike over to Sam Lagrassa’s for lunch today. And damn if it wasn’t worth it. As always, my roast beef was freshly sliced and warm, the Italian roll was doughy and good, and the mayonnaise, lettuce, and cucumber provided the perfect accompaniments. Suffice it to say, it was yet another excellent sandwich from Sam’s. And thanks to one of my coworkers, who ordered holiday cupcakes for the office, I also had a tasty dessert.

So, storm be damned, I am in love — with myself. I hope you all have Valentines who go that extra mile to make you happy today too.

Martin’s Miscellany

25 Oct

It’s Wednesday — hump day — and I don’t have enough for a long posting, so here are three shorter items all in one …

Bundle up … Today is my least favorite day of the year. It’s the first really cold day, when all of a sudden my fall jacket isn’t warm enough and I should have put on more of a coat (and maybe also used a scarf). Still, I’m stubborn (if you couldn’t tell from previous postings) and I refuse to wear a coat until November. So I’ll tough it out for another week.

Bring on the bride … It’s nice to go to the dentist and have your hygienist tell you “Your teeth are always uneventful.” Shows that even though I may not floss every day, I generally do take good care of my teeth. Now, if only I could do something about the tartar build-up … But anyway, so now I’ve been to the dentist. I’ve gotten my hair(s) cut. I have new glasses. I have a new tuxedo shirt. My tux has been cleaned and pressed. My shoes have been shined. I’ve found my cufflinks. I’ve (mostly) written my speech. You know what this all means: I think I’m ready for Mitzi’s wedding this weekend.

If it ain’t broke … Cosi has added to its menu and now offers pizza and melts in addition to the basic sandwiches and salads. I tried the cheese pizza today and I have to say: eh. (Yeah, it hasn’t been a good week for trying new lunch things.) Sure, the dough was awesome (and even better than usual since it was toasted and crustier), but the sauce was chunky with tomatoes. And more importantly, there was too much of the sauce and not enough cheese. I say there was nothing wrong with the menu before, so Cosi should stick to what it already did well.

Don’t Believe the Hype

23 Oct

I was told Friday night that enough is enough and I simply had to try Chacarero. So JPP and I went today. Eh. I wasn’t blown away (and neither was JPP). Sure, it’s likely because I got my sandwich (the large original steak/chicken combo) without the muenster cheese, tomatoes, and avocado spread (just the meat, string beans, and salt/pepper) — and I was told the sandwiches there were so good that I could do that and would still enjoy it — but if I’m looking for a good, overpriced sandwich, I’ll stick with Sam LaGrassa’s.

Not that the experience wasn’t good for a laugh. For starters, it’s like going to the Soup Nazi. The place operates with a strict procedure: you wait in one line to order and pay, then you go across to the other side until they’re ready to make your sandwich, then you wait in double lines and specify what you want or don’t want. And forget it if you don’t follow the instructions. And also, be prepared if you want your sandwich specially prepared, like I did. After I told the woman I didn’t want the tomatoes and the cheese and the avocados, I got such a look from her. I felt like a pariah.

So anyway, that’s my verdict: Chacarero doesn’t live up to the hype. You can’t always trust a long line. I take my lunch pretty seriously, and I don’t think I’ll be running back there anytime soon. (And if you think that’s bad, JPP only ate half and threw out the rest.)

Now I’ve Seen Everything

13 Oct

Randomly bumped into Joe and Marie as I was walking home tonight, so we grabbed dinner at the Coolidge Corner Clubhouse and then, of course, got some dessert at J.P. Licks next door.

J.P. Licks had changed some flavors since the last time I was there, and now they have some new ones, including Chocolate Macademia, Butter Brittle, and Manischewitz Wine Sorbet.

So our eyes …. wait, what was that? Did I say Manischewitz Wine Sorbet? Yes, I did.

Needless to say, we had no interest in that. Continue reading →

Good Eats

12 Sep

I know I’ve already posted two things today, but I just had to rave about my lunch.

Went with JPP to a new place (for me, anyway) called Sam LaGrassa’s, where JPP said I would have the best sandwich ever.

Boy, was he ever right.

I had a basic roast beef sammidge, with mayo and lettuce, and damn was this good. Continue reading →

Pondering the Pita

30 Aug

Here at Martin’s Musings, I only like to ponder the really important issues of the day. Here’s a quick question that’s on my mind at this present time: When and why did pita bread become the standard bread to hand out with food at take-out places? At most places, no matter what you order, you get pita with your meal. For example, today I got a chicken parmigiana “dinner” (i.e.: it included pasta) from Taste of the Town, and instead of, say, Italian bread, I got pita. When I used to go to the Kingston Deli, they would give you pita. And various other take-out places give it to you as well. I can understand it if you’re getting a kebob or salad or something you might make into a sandwich. But where is the logical connection between chicken parm and pita? I just don’t get it.

What’s on My Mind

9 Aug

A few quick questions and observations … Continue reading →

Kingston Deli: R.I.P.

21 Jul

As you may have noticed (if you didn’t already know), I can be a man of routine. After all, during the winter I observe Argyle Wednesdays and Tie Thursdays. I also tend to frequent the same places for lunch each week, including Viga on Thursdays, because I love their Blanco pizza, and Kupel’s on Sunday.

Today I learned that one of my other favorite places for lunch, the Kingston Deli, was closing. And not just soon, but today. What a loss this is for me.

Everyone needs a Kingston Deli in their work neighborhood. It’s one of those family-run, greasy spoon-type take-out places, that serves a steady and reliable selection of homestyle cooking, with great “dinner” plates. Before my company moved offices in December, I had the A Street Deli, which served the same type of food, only you always seemed to walk out smelling like you’d been there. Kingston Deli didn’t have that same kind of charm — actually, it had almost no charm at all — but I always enjoyed going in once or twice a week for the steak tips or chicken kabobs, always with rice and salad (see, even in a greasy spoon it’s possible to eat healthily).

So of course, when I stopped in for lunch today and saw the sign, I knew I had to stay and have a final meal. But sadly, they were all out of steak and chicken. I know it’s always questionable trying something new on a restaurant’s last day, but desperate times … So against my better judgement, I decided to go with the Salisbury Steak (with rice and salad, of course). Happily, I can tell you it was not bad. I mean, it was good enough to leave my feelings about Kingston Deli positive, but not so good that I’d want to have it again anytime soon.

In September, the Kingston Deli family will be opening a new location on Arch Street. Until then, the current home of the Kingston Deli will be dark and empty. I’ll have to settle for more lunches at Quizno’s or Viga, or I’ll have to go to Cosi more often. Not such a bad fate, but I’ll miss my regular Kingston Deli lunches.

Kingston Deli is dead. Long live the Kingston Deli.

I Scream

17 Jul

Ladies and gentlepeople … allow me to apologize. I know you expect me to be up on all the important stuff and to pass along information that will help you live your lives better (he said, with all due sarcasm — as if you couldn’t tell). Well, I’ve let you down. So allow me to correct that mistake right here.

Sunday was National Ice Cream Day. Apparently, this holiday — and it is a holiday, as far as I’m concerned — always falls on the third Sunday in July. (Who knew? Not me.) Given the fact that it’s so unbearably hot here in Boston and elsewhere around the country, I suspect no one really needed an excuse to eat ice cream. Still, I feel bad about not posting something about this exciting holiday sooner.

SO, I am happy to announce that the entire month of July is National Ice Cream Month, according to the International Dairy Foods Association and the International Ice Cream Association. And, believe it or not, for this we also have Ronald Reagan to thank. (Seriously.) Should you care to celebrate by doing some reading about the history of ice cream, simply click here.

And there you have it. Now go out and grab yourself a cone or something. If you’re in the Boston area, head on out to Belmont for some Rancatore’s (I recommend the Hydrox or, if they have it, Cocoa Joel). If not, Edy’s will more than suffice (I love their Light Mint Chocolate Chip). Either way, stay cool … and enjoy.

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