Swanton Street Diner, Winchester

 I found a wonderful restaurant!  If you're looking for delicious food at reasonable prices with great service, Swanton Street Diner is the place.  It's like a diner with folksy people and a simple setting, but the food includes diner staples and several much more upscale choices.  It is open 7 days a week for breakfast, lunch and dinner.  

How did I end up in Winchester?  
The Boston Hidden Restaurants guy frothed about this place.  I know it seems like a far and distant land for most of you, but it's not that far from Cambridge/Somerville/Arlington.  It only takes me 20 minutes from my house.  There's free parking on the street or in a lot behind it.  

Service
The waitresses will remember you.  They offer advice if you ask.  They keep the water glass filled.  They come back often to see how everything is.  This is real service.   If you get Maureen, tell her I sent you!  

Their menu is not online yet (I'm working on it!) so N. posted it on his web site.  Be amazed at the wide range of choices and the prices.    
http://tinyurl.com/SwantonStreetDiner-Menu

N. and I have tried the following dishes:

( Read more... )

So the next time you're looking for a good meal and a little drive, motor along the Mystic Valley Parkway, enjoy the view of the lakes and then continue into Winchester!  

Three State Saturday - MA, NH and ME - Oh, My!

 The weather was perfect on Saturday - completely clear, crisp sunshine, 70's, breezy... the kind of weather I can not waste!  I talked N. into going to MAINE!  

I did a couple of hours of searching online for the perfect restaurant.  Nothing jumped out until I hit upon a place in Ogunquit, so that was my target - shore drive, beach walk, nice dinner and not too far from home. 

We started out about noon and headed up Rte. 1 to Rte. 95 and then cut across to Rte 1A and Salisbury Beach.  It's an incredible stretch of beautiful beach as far as the eye can see!  The boardwalk is rather sad, but there were a few places open and we spent about 20 minutes poking around then headed on north.

We cruised up the coast into NH - Hampton Beach, Rye... It is so glorious to roll right along the shore with rocky beaches, huge homes and wacky arcades sprinkled here and there.  

We took a side trip on Rte 1 B over to Wentworth by the Sea on New Castle Island.  It was a grand old 1890's style hotel that fell into neglect and disrepair for a long while, but has been rescued and turned into an elegant resort and marina!  YAY!  I strolled along the marina in the late afternoon sunshine, marveling at the new homes along the cliff and all the amazing yachts and sailboats moored there.  MONEY!  The hotel is a sparkling white gem against the blue autumn sky.

We crossed the big bridge at Portsmouth and headed on up Rte 1 to Maine, past all the outlet malls in Kittery and took Rte 1A through the Yorks on the Shore Road.  We made it to Perkins Cove in Ogunquit right at 5 pm and handed our car over to the free valet parking attendant at Barnacle Billy's etc restaurant.  It's a lovely multi-level modern place right on the edge of the cove.  We sat out on the patio watching the setting sun, next to an elegant garden.  

We had an amazing meal - clam chowder, scallops wrapped in bacon with maple syrup, warm sourdough rolls, then the grilled swordfish for N. and the LOBSTER saute for me.  The waitress was chatty and attentive.  

We strolled down around Perkins Cove - an amazing assortment of restaurants and shops along the ocean with a cute footbridge over to the other side.  Some of the shops were still open so I looked at wacky t-shirts and hats, then ogled the lovely jewelry and art. 

We drove slowly through downtown Ogunquit which was hopping and filled with slow traffic.  I was glad for a chance to see the place.  I definitely want to go back.  I need to study where to stay and eat.  Any suggestions?  

We missed the turn toward I-95 and ended up about 5 miles north in Wells before I finally stopped at a gas station and got N. to ask for directions.  We found our way easily after that and were home in less than 90 minutes!  

What an amazing day!  

Here are few photos
https://picasaweb.google.com/114850095146823474041/OgunquitDay2011?authkey=Gv1sRgCInZ5pDM8Y6p7QE