Old Mill at Ashton

We had a chance to go out to the Old Mill at Ashton with some friends.  I have been here before a while back.  The place is an old mill in Aston Station just west of the city that has been transformed into a micro brew pub.  The style inside is of a very European country-side style pub, and comes along with plenty of soccer(football) decor.  There was a small patio outback as well as a decent amount of seating within the main area.  We ordered some of the beers, while the boss and our friend ordered a cute flight that came in a mini-truck.  I thought this was a very nice touch!

For food specials, they had a cajun fish and chips which three of us ordered and there was the classic bangers and mash.  The food was very tasty.  The fish was very nicely battered with the cajun spice noticeable but not overpowering.  The bangers and mash was flavourful and was what you would expect for an english pub.

The beers were also brewed quite well.  I have been on a stout binge and was very satisfied with what they served as their stout.  The service was friendly, helpful, and with a smile.  If you are in the mood for some classic pub fare and good micro brew, I would very much recommend checking this place out.  We hope to be back soon!


Review (out of 5):
Food: * * * 1/2
Value: * * * 1/2
Atmosphere: * * * 1/2
Service: * * * *
Price: $7 - $20
Website: http://ashtonbrewpub.ca/

Sail Loft - Boston

Being in Boston, we had to try and get in some seafood.  We talked to the front desk to get more information on where to eat and he recommended a place down by the harbour called the Sail Loft.  Our only requirement was that it had to have some excellent chowder.

We cabbed it down to the harbour since we were hungry and when we got there, the place was packed tighter than a can of sardines.  (I'll try and keep the fish metaphors down, but I couldn't resist).  We were told that it get a table, it would be about 30 mins.  We put our names down as we already made it this far, and before long, we were told we could take a table near the front door.  The place was hopping, and small, so the volume of people talking and the music in the background was VERY loud.  After we got seated with out menu's, we ended up waiting 10 mins without any service.  We decided to flag someone down who told us that she was not our server, but she would find us ours.  After another 10 mins, one of the tables further away from the door and closer to where there seemed to have staff opened up, so we moved over there and we finally got some service.

We all ordered the chowder.  There were two sizes, mug and regular.  I was hungry so I went for the regular.  Do note that apparently the regular size is VERY BIG.  It can almost be a meal in itself.  I do have to say, that chowder was one of the better chowders I have every had.  It was rich and creamy, lots of ingredients, and best of all, lots of clams!  I was stuffed after just the chowder.  Too bad I also ordered fish and chips, the boss had the fish sandwich.  The fish sandwich was actually quite good.  The fish was battered well, the tartar sauce was tangy and everything held together well.  The fries on the other hand were a little on the soggy side.  Not very appetizing.  For my fish and chips, when it arrived, it looked great!  Even if I was full, it looked tasty.  When I took my first bite, there was a healthy portion of fish.  What was weird was with that perfect looking batter and great fish, there was not any flavour to be had.  NONE!  I could barley taste the fish.  The meal became an expensive tartar transportation vehicle.  My fries were also soggy but luckily, it did not matter, as I was full.  Also by this time, the place got busier so the bar decided to pump up the music louder.  My ears were ringing by the end of it.

The restaurant was decorated like an old wooden fishing ship, long and narrow, making it difficult to walk by to get to the small cramped washrooms.

The chowder was awesome, but between the horrible service, the mediocre food and the club pumping music and noise, we just will not be back.

Review (out of 5):
Food: * *
Value: * * 1/2
Atmosphere: *
Service: *
Price: $5 - $30
Website: Sail Loft Google Page

Beer Works - Boston

Waiting for our tour of Fenway Park, we saw and notices a big sign at one of the places just outside our gate that had the word "Beer".  On a hot sunny day, that caught our attention, so we went over to check it out.  Sure enough, it was a craft brewery local to Massachusetts.

When we went in, our server was very knowledgeable and friendly.  We told him we were on a timeline, and he had no issues to make sure we were going to make our tour in time.  He also knew his beers on tap.  We each explained to him what beers we liked, and ask advice on what beers would be unique to this location.  They had on tap a couple different fruit beers.  There was two blueberry beers, which is apparently the beer they are most known for.  One of those blueberry beers was the original one they made, back by special request.(I can see why, this one was the better of the two)  There was also a watermelon beer that came with a big wedge of watermelon.  This was also a very light and excellent for a hot summer beer.  There was also a good selection of reds, browns, stouts, and pilsners.  All of the beers were excellent in flavour and each had its own identity and balance of flavours.

We did not have time to eat any meals, but we did get some quick munchies of pretzel balls, spicy peanuts, and potato sticks (Home made hickory sticks).  It was a good addition in having something salty with the beer.  The menu itself looked good if we had more time, with lots of selection of your typical pub fare.

The restaurant itself was open and spacious.  There was plenty of TVs with baseball on (it was next to Fenway), and had a "steel mill"/industrial vibe to it.  In the entry way were the big vats of beer they were brewing. 

The prices were a little high.  But that was expected due to the location by the stadium.  If we get a chance to be back in that area, I expect to be back to sample more beers and the menu!

Review (out of 5):

Food: N/A
Value: * * * 1/2
Atmosphere: * * * *
Service: * * * *
Price (dinner): $7 - $20
Website: http://www.beerworks.net/

Maria's Pastry Shop - Boston

One of the things that was told to me when I visit Boston, was to get a cannoli.  There are a few very old and very established Italian bakeries that remain in downtown Boston, still offering an authentic cannoli along with other Italian baking.  Maria's was one of those places that we decided to stop in.  They had regular and chocolate dipped, and we tried the base ricotta version and the more Americanized version with mascarpone.

The cannoli pastry was very flaky and fresh, while the insides were smooth, creamy but not too rich.  You can tell that the techniques are being passed down through the generations here.

The shop is a tiny little place, and it serves many other Italian desserts, along with gelatos.  The staff is very friendly and welcoming.  If you get a chance to drop in here, do so, it is worth the visit!

Review (out of 5):

Food: * * * *
Value: * * * *
Service: * * * *
Price: $5 - $20
Website: http://mariaspastry.com/