Jordan Rich Show 2003 Restaurant List

Hello, fellow diners and WBZ listeners. What lies before you is a varied listing of eating establishments, from breakfast nooks to fancy "destination" restaurants. It's all here, from salads and onion rings to lobster, Indian pudding, pizza, steak and vegetarian delights. Half the fun of a list like this is seeking out new and enticing places. Have fun and remember: the treadmill beckons!

Al of Dorchester suggested Real Tacos for delicious Mexican food on Dorchester Ave. He also recommends Grumpy Whites in Quincy for quick eats.

Dennis called in to rave about the East Bay Grill in Plymouth for one very special reason---their special chicken livers dish.

Looking for a great deli? Take Paul's suggestion and try Lendy's Deli in Saugus in the TJ Maxx shopping plaza. He also mentioned Breads and Bits of Ireland in Melrose and a nice family restaurant in Methuen called Jackson's.

Rich from Saugus loves pizza and told us that Peter's Pizza in Hamilton's Plaza, Saugus does it right!

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Speaking of pizza, there's Leone's in Somerville, a suggestion from Mike in Everett. He also loves The Midwest Grille in Inman Square, Cambridge for Brazilian style fare.

Alice of Melrose took us international with word of Sultan's Kitchen on Broad Street in Boston. There you'll find tempting Turkish delights.

One of our outstanding TV 4 engineers raves about Il Forno in Gardner for outstanding Italian food. Dave also told us that they have other locations in that area.

Producer Jamie suggests the New Bridge Café in Chelsea for tremendous steak tips and a heaping antipasto salad.

A nice surprise is Romano's Macaroni Grill in Burlington near the mall. There's also a location in Haverhill. Steve says it's a classy, comfortable setting with terrific home-cooked Italian food. And, you'll love the very reasonably priced menu.

Speaking of Italian food, there's a legendary restaurant in East Boston that everyone should try. Peter of Winthrop raved about Santarpio's and you will too.

My friend Lorraine in Maryland mentioned a restaurant called Helmand which features fare from Afghanistan. There is also one here in Boston. The restaurant is actually owned by the family of the current president of Afghanistan, Harmid Karzai. Lamb, yogurt and other Middle Eastern delicacies are featured.

Head north to Nashua, N.H. where Alan raves about the Lilac Blossom Restaurants .

Ed in Randolph frequents a wonderful chain called The Piccadilly Pub . There are locations all over now and his favorite dish there is the chicken and broccoli Alfred.

Denise of Brookline suggests The Craigie Street Bistro in Cambridge for a relaxed, laid back meal elegantly prepared. You should also try Lucy's on Harvard Street in Brookline. And for delightful Ethiopian food, try Fasika on the Brookline-Boston line.

It's back to East Boston where Frank recommends Jeveli's in Day Square. Check out the President's Room. Incidentally, Clinton dined there in the mid 90's.

Annette loves a restaurant called Sky in Norwood serving a well rounded menu of American delights. There's also a Sky in Metro West. For Thai food, she recommends Siam Lotus on Route 1 in Norwood.

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Jackie is always searching for the perfect lobster roll and has several suggestions for you:

Finn's in Salem, Alison's in Kennebunkport, Maine and My Place by the Sea in Rockport.

In the Merrimac Valley, my friend Pete loves The Cedar Crest in Lawrence and Val's Original Restaurant in North Andover.

If you thought Bickford's only did pancakes, think again! Sheldon of Somerville loves the lobster eggs benedict there. He comes from the west coast and reminds us garlic lovers that the best restaurant on the planet (where breath mints are optional) is The Stinking Rose in San Francisco and Los Angeles. Believe it or not they serve garlic ice cream!

My pal John of Plymouth travels a lot and loves The Cove in Boca Raton, The Danford Inn in Port Jefferson, Long Island and a new spot in Plymouth called the Cabby Shack , a great spot for families with its Key West motif.

You'll want to try The Golden Abacus in Norwood, according to Paul of Brockton. Fresh and delicious, it's an oriental restaurant with an American flare. He also loves the Irish pub Owen O'Leary's in Brockton and Natick and Christo's in Brockton, famous for their Greek salads.

If you're hunting for the best fish chowder, look no further than The Causeway in Gloucester. Robert says it's a meal in itself, chunky, hot and delicious.

Scott loves the Brazilian American Grille in Hyannis. Steak, chicken, veggies and more served on skewers, hot and delicious.

Also on the South Shore, Nick recommends The Abington Ale House on route 18 in Abington for massive portions and a varied menu. Get creative Mexican dishes served to perfection at El Serape at Weymouth landing.

Andrea loves a good sandwich at Panera Bread . There are now several locations in the Boston area and their salads are terrific as well. For fine Italian dining, she says head to Café Bella in Randolph just off route 139.

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TJ told us about Fresh Ketch on Bearskin Neck in Rockport for freshly grilled seafood.

And for a breakfast you'll love, enjoy Pat's Diner on Route 1 in Seabrook, N.H.

Scott works downtown and reminds us that Ciao Bella on Newbury Street, a celebrity favorite, is still one of the best around. He also loves the bellies at The Clam Box in Wollaston.

Lisa says for a great Irish breakfast try McKenna's on Savin Hill Ave. in Dorchester. She also loves The Lobster Hut and The All American Diner , both in Plymouth.

For vegetarian diners, David suggests Café Eliat in Brookline. Sherry in Cambridge sometimes travels to Chinatown in Boston to Buddha's Delight where the menu is also all vegetarian and quite tasty.

Ben's choices are Badda Bing's 50's Café on route 109 in Millis and the tasty Italian menu at La Storia on Route 138 in the Milton area.

For a great view of the harbor and more, visit The Inn at Bay Point in Quincy. Arlene loves the turkey dinner with all of the fixings there.

Tom in Weymouth advises a trip to Carmella's on route 3A in Kingston for terrific chicken Marsala and Dently's Gardens in South Weymouth for great pizza.

Jim pointed out that Hungry Herbs on route 60, just outside of Medford Square is most famous for their turkey and steak tip sandwiches in dozens of varieties.

Mark is the owner of a fishing boat and knows a thing or two about seafood. He loves The Mad Fish Grille and The Rudder , both in Gloucester.

Kevin checked in from Malden with a rave about The Big A Sub

Shop on Highland Ave. in Malden, famous for their chicken parm and eggplant subs.

Back to great deli, Ellen raved about Michael's Deli at Coolidge Corner in Brookline.

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There are dozens of great spots in the North End of Boston. One little restaurant worth trying, according to Scott, is Piccolo Nido near the Paul Revere House. Try the sole piccata special.

If you're a salad lover like Sal in Swampscott, here are some great suggestions:

Try Prescione's Kitchen in Malden for the chicken Caesar salad and Companion's in Broadway in Revere for the "City Dump Salad."

Sally in Andover loves The Mint Café in Norwood for Thai food, especially the crispy duck. And try The Mill Wharf in Scituate Harbor for their lobster stew. For the world's best onion rings, she recommends The Lobster Claw in North Reading and Lobsta Land in Gloucester.

Bob, the unofficial mayor of Quincy, sailed his boat up north and had a great meal at The Boston Harbor Yacht Club in Marblehead.

Finally, here are the two most unique restaurant experiences called into the show. The first is from Inez in Taunton. It's The Silver Platter at the Bristol Plymouth Vocational School in Taunton. Students learn the culinary arts and serve terrific meals. You must call ahead. There are two sittings daily during the school year. John in Portsmouth also brought up The Log Bridge Inn , a full service sit down restaurant run by culinary students at the North Shore Regional Vocational Tech School in Middleton. They are open during the school year, but be sure to call ahead for times and reservations.

So there you have it. Another year and another fabulous list. I would add my favorites including Legal Seafood, Maggiano's on Columbus Ave. in Boston, Durgin Park at Faneuil Hall, P.F. Chang's in Park Square, The Top of the Hub at the Prudential Center, Marche Movenpick at the Pru Center, McCormick & Schmick's Seafood , The Aegean Restaurant in Framingham and Giacamo' s in the North End. Believe me there are many more, but time and an expanding waste line will not permit us to go further!

Eat with joy and stay healthy and happy..

WBZ

Please note - some of the restaurant names might be incomplete or misspelled. I do my best with a notepad, pen and tired ears in the middle of the night.
Thanks for understanding.

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