The Federal (Again)

Here is another review that sat in "draft" format for almost a year!  The Federal's menu changes seasonally, but the bucket of balls and the zucchini matchsticks always seem to make the cut. 
 
CHICKPEAS: 5

We went to the Federal on a recent Friday night for a more casual dinner then our last visit.  We sat in the bar area where there was a a guitarist playing covers of Dave Matthews and the like.    The bar area is cozy with dark wood paneling.  There center of the room has a number of small high top tables and low tables border the wall.

To start, we got a "bucket of balls."  The Federal's risotto balls are to die for.  I could eat them as my entire meal, but I restrain myself.   We also got a second appetizer that we had never had before: zucchini matchsticks.  The zucchini was sliced into very thin short slices and then cooked with almond slivers, olive oil and some spices.  It was served covered with pecorino cheese.  Even though it was my idea to order it, I was a little skeptical once it came out.  It turned out to be really delicious.  The zucchini was cooked to perfection.  I wouldn't call it crispy as the menu describes it, but it definitely holds its own and maintains a firm texture.  The almonds definitely add a crunch and the cheese, while delicious, also serves to maintain the temperature of the dish.  We will certainly be ordering this again.

Zucchini Matchsticks

If you remember our last visit, I was in love with the gorgonzola pop over and wanted to order it again.  To my delight, I found it on the menu by itself (well mostly).  Listed under handhelds is the prociutto di parma stuffed "pop-over."  I quickly settled on my decision.  Unfortunately, I think my first encounter with the gorgonzola pop-over was a fluke.  This second order was overflowing with gorgonzala, whereas my first attempt was slightly flavored like gorgonzola.  If you enjoy gorgonzola, you will enjoy this.  I am still on the fence about gorgonzola, and really only enjoy it in small quantities.  Once I removed the bulk of the gorgonzola, this was still a really delicious meal.  

"Pop-over"

My fiance got a burger with fries.  The bun appeared to be homemade and everything on his plate tasted delicious just as it was!

Fries and the extras that came with the burger

Burger

We have already been back to The Federal at least once since and it is probably time to go again!

The Thai Place (Twice)

It's been a while... Back at it.  Here is a review from April 2011. 
 
CHICKPEAS: 5

On a whim, I purchased a groupon for The Thai Place in South Hadley.  I studied abroad in Thailand and now love eating Thai food.  We went a few weeks ago on a Friday night and then embarassingly again less than 48 hours later for lunch on Sunday.  It was that good!  The meals tasted very authentic, the atmosphere was very casual and the staff was proficient.  Aside from english speaking servers, some authenticity was missing with the place settings.  In Thailand, meals are served with a fork and spoon.  We were given a fork and knife.

When we arrived on Friday night, we were seated right away on a high top table in the bar area.  The tables in this section are divided by dark hanging curtains.  The rest of the restaurant is filled with booths.    The menu had many of the Thai classics I have come to enjoy and the prices were very reasonable.  Most entrees were $9 to $15.  Lunch portions were around $7.

I ordered cashew chicken with a side of brown rice.  The chicken was very moist and full of flavor and the vegetables were very fresh.  My Fiance ordered sweet and sour chicken and pork fried rice.  The sweet and sour chicken was also delicious, and he felt that the fried rice was the best he has ever had. We took leftovers of everything home and had them the next day for lunch.

We couldn't stay away for long.  When my friend came down to visit on Sunday, we took her there for lunch.  We ordered the appetizer sampler to start.  I can't name everything (aside from the obvious satay), but everything I tasted was good.

Appetizer Sampler

I was tempted to order the cashew chicken again.  I was thinking that it was so great, I would be a fool not to order it again.  I was still wavering when the waitress came to take our orders, but I resisted temptation and branched out.  I ordered the pad see ew (wide noodles in a dark sauce) and was again impressed with the flavor and freshness of the vegetables.

Pad See Ew

My friend ordered the basil chicken with a side of wide noodles.

Basil Chicken with Rice Noodles

My fiance ordered pineapple shrimp fried rice.  Again, really great, high quality fried rice.

Pineapple Fired Rice

We took leftovers home again and I had them for dinner the following night.  Yes, you read that correctly.  I ate food from The Thai Place four days in a row.  I wish it could have been five!  We will be back again...