Category: great dining

Metro7 Diner

Best Breakfast at Metro7 Diner – Diner Recommendation

The Metro7 Diner in Latham, NY is the diner you’ve dreamed of. I am always looking for a diner recommendation, so here is one for you. A great diner is the perfect place to eat when on a road trip. I had the best breakfast at Metro7 Diner in Latham, NY and I had to share. We spent a weekend in Latham, NY for a lacrosse tournament and discovered this breakfast gem. After a little research we finally decided to try the Metro7 Diner and it did not disappoint. From the moment we drove into the parking lot I was thinking I made the right choice. The meat smoker in the parking lot was a very good sign.

The bright red and classic look of the building just screams great diner. But the pastry display at the counter clinches it. Metro7 Diner is clean, warm and friendly. My daughter had a lot of lacrosse to play that day so we were looking for big breakfasts and that is what we got. The coffee was great, the food was amazing and the portions were huge. Surprisingly, with everything so expensive these days, the cost was reasonable.

My daughter got the Original Buttermilk Chocolate Chip Pancakes with strawberries and whipped cream with a side of bacon. The portion was huge and she said “They’re the best pancakes I’ve ever had!”

My husband got a tomato and cheese omelet with rye toast and a side of fruit. Everything was wonderful. I am a huge Eggs Benedict fan and decided to try the California Benedict. The California Benedict is two perfectly is poached eggs, turkey sausage and avocado on top of an English muffin, covered in Hollandaise Sauce. The California Benedict is my new favorite.

You can tell that the Metro7 Diner is a family restaurant. The employees are friendly and have an easy camaraderie that screams family. Our waitress was Rhianna and she was fantastic. She chatted with everyone, and made sure everyone had what they needed and that your coffee was always full. What more could you want?

My only regret..that I didn’t get one of the chocolate chip muffins for later. I would give Metro7 Diner as a diner recommendation any day of the week. Make sure to check it out if you are ever near Latham, NY.

If you would like to see some of my other recommendations, check out the Restaurant Review section of my blog Sunday Chefs. Happy Dining!

Everyone needs a great Pasta Bolognese Recipe in the arsenal and this is the one! It's easy and the whole family will love it.

Bolognese Sauce Recipe – A Great Sunday Dinner

This Bolognese Sauce Recipe is perfect for Sunday dinner. Everyone needs a great Bolognese Recipe in their rotation and this one cannot be beat. I was craving a great Sunday Dinner, so I called my brother-in-law Ron for this recipe and he graciously shared it. It was actually my late father’s recipe, which I did not know. It does not get any better than that. I love nothing more than to make the recipes of the people I love. Food is love and memories and this checked all those boxes. My dad was a great cook and so is my brother-in-law, so this was a great Sunday Dinner.

When I started this recipe today, I could not find ground pork anywhere in the stores. I decided to use pork chops because I knew I could cook it low and slow to the point where the pork chops would shred. Great idea! This will be my new go-to method.

As you can see by my switching out the ground pork for pork chops, Bolognese Sauce is a very adaptable recipe. We leave out the carrots, because we have food allergies and use gluten free pasta for those of us who are gluten free. My new favorite gluten free pasta is Rummo. It is hard to find in stores, but worth it if you can find it. Red wine or white wine is fine. I prefer the red wine, but I have used the white and it was still fabulous.

I have started this recipe in a pot and transferred to a crock pot to finish cooking, but I am a big fan of the dutch oven cooking all day in the oven. Both ways are fabulous and all depend on how much time you have. Check out my other pages here on my Recipes page of my blog Sunday Chefs.

Sundays are for sauce and a great Bolognese Sauce cannot be beat.

-Lisa Leahy

Lisa Leahy

Bolognese Sauce – A Great Sunday Dinner

Sundays are for Sauce and a great Bolognese Sauce cannot be beat.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 20 minutes
Servings: 6
Course: dinner, lunch
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients Method

Ingredients
  

  • 1/4 cup Olive Oil
  • 1 lb. Meat (version of pork and beef) I use 1/2 80/20 Ground Beef and 1/2 lb. of ground pork or pork chops.
  • 4 Garlic Cloves Minced
  • 1 small Onion Chopped
  • 1 Carrot (Optional) – diced We leave this out as we have food allergies and it is still wonderful.
  • 1 Tbsp. Dried Basil or 1/4 cup fresh basil, lightly packed.
  • 1 Tbsp. Dried Oregano
  • 2 tsp. Red Pepper Flakes
  • 1/4 tsp. Ground Nutmeg
  • 1 small can Tomato Paste
  • 1 1/4 cup Red or White Wine I prefer the red wine but have used the white and it is very good with version also.
  • 1 28 oz. can San Marzano tomatoes or Ground Peeled Tomatoes I prefer San Marzano but I use whatever I have on hand.
  • 1/2 cup Heavy Cream
  • 1 lb. Pasta I prefer substantial pasta like Pappardelle or Rigatoni.
  • 1/2 cup Freshly Grated Parmesan

Method
 

  1. Heat 2 Tablespoons of olive oil in a large heavy skillet or pot (I prefer my Dutch Oven for this) over medium – high heat.
  2. If using pork chops brown them and put them aside. Add the ground beef (and ground pork if that is your version). Cook until the meat is no longer pink (about 6 minutes), breaking it up as you go.
  3. I prefer to drain some of the fat off if there is a lot.
  4. Stir in the onion and sauté for a few minutes until soft and then add the garlic, oregano, red pepper flakes, and the dried basil if that is what you are using.
  5. Add the tomato paste and stir until well combined. Add the wine and cook for a few minutes more.
  6. Add the large can of tomatoes, about 1/2 tbsp. of salt and a tsp. of black pepper.
  7. If I am using pork chops instead of ground pork, this is where I would add them back in. Cutting them into smaller pieces before I do.
  8. If using the all-ground meat version, I would bring to a boil and then lower the temperature, and simmer for ten minutes.
  9. If using the version with the pork chops, I would bring to a boil and then lower to a simmer. This version I cook for a long time, a few hours until the pork breaks down and is easily shredded. It takes a long time but is worth it.
  10. Meanwhile, bring a large pot of water to a boil and cook pasta according to directions.
  11. While the pasta cooks, add the cream, nutmeg, remaining wine and simmer for another 8-10 minutes.
  12. For a nice presentation, combine sauce with pasta and parmesan cheese and toss well in a large serving bowl. Add some parsley or fresh basil for a pretty presentation.

Restaurant Recommendation – The Hershey Pantry, Hershey PA

Looking for a great breakfast place in Hershey, PA? If so, then The Hershey Pantry is a must see. I enjoy giving restaurant recommendations when I just loved the place. Located at 901 East Chocolate Avenue in Hershey, Pa, it was really easy to find and parking was not a problem despite it being crowded. This is an easy restaurant recommendation. It was the best breakfast I have had in a long time.

After two days of lacrosse at the Summer Genesis Tournament 2024 and wanting some more adventure, we were headed off to Hershey Park for the day and wanted a good cup of coffee and a great breakfast. I am a huge fan of breakfast places and I am very picky about my breakfasts. The concierge at the Courtyard by Marriott Hershey was a great resource and the restaurant recommendation she offered was just down the road. We were a bit intimidated by the crowd but put our name in anyway. But they were very efficient and got us seated quickly. The restaurant is adorable. We sat in the front and it was very eclectic with that old time diner feel but prettier. The back porch looked beautiful with lots of plants and pretty tables, I will sit out there next time. Very nice vibe.

The menu had everything. My first impression, it seemed a bit expensive, but for the amount of food you get it was cheap in the long run. The coffee was everything I needed it to be and the cute mugs were large so you didn’t have to keep asking for refills. It was my kind of place. My husband and daughter ordered the breakfast sampler. The version they ordered included scrambled eggs, hash browns, bacon and pancakes and it was about $15.00. The picture to the right is my daughters order! The pancakes alone would have been hard to finish, they were huge. My husband got blueberry pancakes and daughter got chocolate chip pancakes. I don’t tend to be a pancake person, but these were amazing. May I note here… the bacon was cooked perfectly. I always judge a breakfast place by that. Daughter went out of her way to say the scrambled eggs were amazing.

The menu included an entire section just for Eggs Benedict, there were five different versions. I got the traditional eggs benedict with hashbrowns. They were fantastic. I couldn’t finish the plate, but most likely because I kept sneaking pancakes from my daughter. I noticed the chicken and waffles looked amazing, as well as the cinnamon roll. The omelets and the biscuits and gravy caught my eye also. I noticed other patrons were ordering a cinnamon roll for the table, which was a clever idea.

The Hershey Pantry is located at 801 E. CHOCOLATE AVENUE, HERSHEY, PA 17033 just outside of Chocolate Town USA. If you would like to see some of my other recommendations, check out the Restaurant Review section of my blog Sunday Chefs. Happy Dining!

Lynwood Café – Bar Pizza Restaurant Review

Lynwood Café in Randolph, Ma is arguably THE best bar pizza in New England. Bar Pizza is a thing in here and everyone has their favorites. Lynwood Café is a small, neighborhood pizzeria that I began attending as a toddler with my parents and I now bring my grown children. There is a key to longevity with Lynwood Café and it is consistency, they know what works and they stick with it.

Lynwood Café opened in 1949 as a neighborhood bar and once they decided to start making bar pizza, they never looked back. When you walk in, you are walking back in time. The old time charm of the place with its old phone booth, which now houses an ATM (they are CASH ONLY, so this is quite useful) and the shuffleboard game that every child remembers forever.

Love Fades, Pizza is Forever

-unknown

We do not live local anymore, but recently we were in the area and went for the first time in about ten years and we were not disappointed. The warm and friendly atmosphere and the fantastic pizza is just to die for. My lifetime favorite has always been the pepperoni and green pepper, but the hamburg, which I would never order anywhere else is amazing too. My late father was a big fan of the Linguica pizza, which I have never seen in any other pizza place. I have always wanted to try the Boston Baked Bean but I haven’t taken the leap yet.

One tip: skip the bottled beer. I am not usually a draft beer person, but the draft beer at Lynwood Café is the coldest beer I have ever had and it always has been. Another tip: the draft beer comes in little glasses, so order two. Beer and pizza have never been so good.

When I met my husband I told him I was taking him to have the best pizza in Massachusetts and he thought I was crazy. We joke that after he had it was when he decided I was the one he wanted to marry.

REMEMBER: CASH ONLY!

I would highly recommend checking out Lynwood Café if you ever have the chance. If you want to see more restaurant reviews, check out my blog Sunday Chefs.

The Barnacle Restaurant, Marblehead Ma.

Looking for a quintessential New England seafood restaurant? Looking for a great restaurant in Marblehead, Ma? If so, The Barnacle Restaurant is just what you are looking for. I have been going to The Barnacle for too many years than I care to admit and it never disappoints. Located in old town Marblehead, Ma., overlooking Marblehead Harbor with stunning views of The Marblehead light and the beautiful Fort Sewall Park with all its amazing history.

The Barnacle is nothing fancy and it is close quarters but don’t let that scare you away. The drinks are cold and the food is fresh and fabulous. The deck has wonderful views on a beautiful day but sitting inside on a rainy, windy day watching the waves might almost be better.

Everyone in my family has their favorites. I can never decide between the fish and chips or the crab cakes. Hubby and daughter love the fried shrimp and the fisherman’s platter. But all of us love the chowder and shrimp cocktail! So lets just say we order it all and share.

I would usually say this is a summer destination, but The Barnacle is fantastic all year round, no matter the weather. And after you have filled your stomach to excess, go for a walk around old town and check out the sights.

To me, food is as much about the moment, the occasion, the location and the company as it is about the taste.

Heston Blumenthal

The Barnacle Restaurant is located at 141 Front Street in Marblehead, MA and is open 7 days a week. Next time you are in the area be sure to check it out. For more like this, check out my Restaurant Reviews page on my blog Sunday Chefs.

Rintintin – Eclectic dining in New York’s Nolita neighborhood.

Looking for a great restaurant in New York? Maybe some eclectic dining in New York’s Nolita neighborhood? Rintintin located at 14 Spring Street in the Nolita section of New York City is an adorable little eclectic spot that will not disappoint. A short walk from Sara D. Roosevelt Park and the Elizabeth Street Garden. They are open every day for Lunch, Brunch, Dinner, Late Night and Drinks.

Every meal should be a small celebration

-Fannie Farmer

Our family is so happy that our oldest has moved to New York and is living her best life. We are thoroughly enjoying learning our way around and finding lots of little exciting dining spots to explore. This one day, we spent a long day walking and exploring on a beautiful Saturday in New York City. We were looking for a place to sit, rest and have some drinks, my daughter mentioned that Rintintin was a place she always wanted to try. But as a poor New York twenty something she never did. But with mom and dad there it was perfect timing. Safe to say, she was thrilled when we very quickly agreed.

We were lucky that it was beautiful out and a table was just opening on their pretty little outdoor dining area. I have to say, I love all the outdoor dining leftover from COVID. I hope that restaurants keep it up.

We ordered a hummus platter that came with veggies, warm pitta bread, olives, pickles and three kinds of hummus. We also tried the fig crostini. Warm bread with goat cheese and fresh figs all drizzled with honey was truly to die for. I have dreams about it. Even the fresh basket of hand cut french fries was amazing. We just got appetizers, but next time we will be doing the brunch as the the customers at the next table said that it was fantastic.

I hope you go out and try Rintintin in Nolita the next time you are in the area. I love nothing more than sharing great restaurants and recipes on my blog Sunday Chefs. I will be returning to Rintintin again.

Summery Chicken Pasta Salad with Red Grapes

This Summery Chicken Pasta Salad with Grapes is the perfect dish for cookouts, hot summer nights, easy lunches or any day you want something quick and wonderful

This Summery Chicken Pasta Salad with Grapes is the perfect dish for cookouts, hot summer nights, easy lunches or any day you want something quick and wonderful

What I love about this recipe is it is so easy and very different from your usual pasta salad. It is very lemony so the red grapes are needed to balance it out. There is nothing better on a hot summer night then this. It is so cool and satisfying. This summery pasta salad is the perfect one dish meal for any occasion. A pasta salad this easy is something you need in the rotation. Get a rotisserie chicken, break it apart, add it to your favorite pasta with chopped spinach and chopped grapes along with the wonderful dressing in the recipe below and you are good to go. A warm summer night just calls for this cool and satisfying Summery Chicken Pasta Salad with Grapes/

My good friend Pam has always made this summery pasta salad and I finally convinced her to share the recipe with me. So she will get full credit for her culinary prowess.

Check out my other products here on the RECIPES page of my blog Sunday Chefs.

Summertime is always the best of what might be

Charles Bowden

Summery Chicken Pasta Salad with Red Grapes

Print Recipe
Course: dinner, Salad
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 12 oz box Pasta Bowties or Rotini work well
  • 3 cups Cooked Chicken Breast rotisserie chicken works great here
  • 3 cups red grapes sliced in half
  • 3 cups Baby Spinach coarsely chopped
  • Zest of 2 lemons
  • 1/2 cup Fresh lemon juice
  • 1/2 cup Olive oil
  • 1/2 cup Red wine vinegar
  • 1.5 tsp garlic powder
  • 1.5 tsp onion powder
  • 1 tbsp honey
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Method
 

  1. Cook the pasta as directed and rinse under cool water.
  2. When the pasta is cooled, add the chicken, grapes, and chopped spinach
  3. For the dressing. Mix lemon juice, zest, olive oil, red wine vinegar and spices.
  4. Mix the dressing well. Add to the dry ingredients and mix well.
  5. Refrigerate for about a half hour and enjoy.

Notes

Great for a hot, summer evening!
Allergy Friendly: Contains gluten but can be made with gluten free pasta.
 

Nom Wah Tea Parlor – Great dining in New York City’s Chinatown

The Chinatown section of New York City is a densely populated neighborhood packed with authentic Chinese and Southeast Asian dining experiences. Not sure you would have a bad experience anywhere that you go, but I am so glad Nom Wah Tea Parlor was recommended to us. We never would have found it otherwise and it was the find of a lifetime.

Life itself cannot give you joy, unless you really will it. Life just gives you time and space … it’s up to you to fill it.

Chinese Proverb

Nom Wah Tea Parlor, opened in 1920 and is the oldest continuously operating Chinese restaurant in New York City. They are located at 13 Doyers Street on an adorable little side street. You almost want to call it an alley but it is prettier than that with all the beautiful lanterns hanging overhead.

Nom Wah Tea Parlor has other locations: Nom Wah Nolita is fast-casual restaurant in the the Nolita neighborhood (North of Little Italy), Nom Wah at the Market Line and Nom Wah Philadelphia which is a more modern version of the original in appearance but the food is the same quality that you expect

I have never tried Dim Sum before but it was on my bucket list and oldest daughter did not disappoint by bring us here. She knew Nom Wah Tea Parlor was the place to go and that I would love it. She made sure that we made time to go there on our most recent trip to New York City. We had beautiful weather so we walked from the lower east side and it was very enjoyable. Lots to see!

They open at 11 am and we got there a little before. There was a short line already waiting for them to open. I believe there is usually a line so be prepared for that. But it moves quickly and is so worth it. This is not a fancy restaurant, they have been open and operating since 1920 and the line is out the door so you know it is going to be great. This is not a tourist trap and you can tell immediately. Nom Wah Tea Parlor is very reasonably priced. We had five people and it was only about $100 before tip. For New York City that is a steal. But please note and prepare:

THEY ARE CASH ONLY!

My daughter and her boyfriend were given the task of ordering because they were more familiar than us and I am glad we left it to them. Some of the items we ordered I never would have tried and I would have missed out. We just said “surprise us.

The final decision was: House special roast pork buns, Chicken soup dumplings, Turnip cake with XO sauce, Pan fried noodles in superior soy sauce, pan fried pork dumplings, Chinese greens in oyster sauce (It was bok choy) and hot tea (not sure which one we got, I believe it was Oolong).

First off the Chinese greens in oyster sauce.. this was so good. I could have eaten just this and been happy. I never would have ordered it in a million years. How did I go my whole life not knowing about this? I need to figure out how to make it at home. In addition, the turnip cake with XO sauce is another item I knew nothing about and I will be getting that again. It was all so amazing and I just learned you can order some of their food and have it shipped nationwide at Good Belly. I will be trying that out also. They have gluten-free dumplings available for delivery!

I always appreciate restaurants that are allergy friendly and I like to support them on the restaurant review section of my blog, so check them out here at Sunday Chefs.