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...

The Federal

CHICKPEAS: 5

Last weekend, we went to my favorite restaurant in the Springfield area: The Federal.  The Federal has a very creative menu, along with some traditional favorites for picky eaters or comfort food cravings, a nice seating arrangement and wonderful staff.

We arrived right on time for our 5:30pm reservation on what is apparently called Mistress Day, the day before Valentine's Day.  We pulled up front to complimentary valet parking and walked in to the hostess desk where our coats were checked.  We were seated in the room on the right, once you enter the restaurant.  A small, quaint room, with a non-working-but-still-mood-enhancing fireplace and 5 small tables.  Part of the beauty of The Federal is the way the seating is broken into a few small dining rooms.  Each room gives off a cozy vibe and because of this, the noise level stays down.

We ordered cocktails and a bucket of risotto balls to start.  Our cocktails arrived and we were treated to a plate of some extra risotto balls compliments of The Federal.  This has happened both times I have been to The Federal and it is very nice touch.  Our larger full serving of risotto balls followed.  The risotto balls are breaded and fried, making them slightly crispy on the outside and warm and gooey on the inside.  A nice combination of textures.  I regret that we did not get a picture of these!

After our appetizers, our salads were served.  I ordered the caesar salad with dressing on the side.  I was forewarned, although I also read it on the menu, that the caesar salad comes with a fried egg on top.

Caesar Salad

My Fiance got the chopped salad that came with a unique presentation.

Chopped Salad

Right about here I accidentally spilled my drink.  I swear I was only about a third of the way into it and it was all due to the condensation on my glass.  Regardless of the how or why, or waitress responded right away and helped us clean of the table.  She was really nice about it and joked with us while doing so, really putting us at ease.

I was hesitating between two options for dinner: homemade risotto gnocchi with an XLG veal meatball, or the braised short ribs with mashed potatoes, mushroom salad and a gorgonzola cheese popover.  She suggested the short ribs and while I still have not had the gnocchi, the short ribs were amazing.  The short ribs fell apart easily, the mashed potatoes were creamy, the mushroom salad was interesting (in a good way) and the pop over was my absolute favorite part of our meal.  As I devoured it, I was trying to figure out ways that I could order it again, maybe as a side, or an appetizer or substitute it out for other side dishes, maybe even instead of dessert.  The short ribs were good enough to order again, but the pop over was wonderful enough that I don't think I can go back to the Federal without having it every time.

Braised Short Ribs

My Fiance ordered two half servings of pasta: truffled mac and cheese with short ribs, and chicken bolognese.  I tried a bit of both and they were quite good.  He says the truffled mac and cheese was his favorite, but I had a hard time picking between the two.

Truffled Mac and Cheese with Short Ribs

Chicken Bolognese

For dessert, we ordered white chocolate banana cream pie that came with chocolate gelato.  The banana cream pie was slightly charred on the top, warming the bananas in the process.  The gelato was perfect for dark chocolate fans, bittersweet and smooth.  An excellent end to a wonderful meal.

Banana Cream Pie with Chocolate Gelato

Overall, The Federal is a must for any special occasion (or even just because!)


(1) Risotto Balls
(2) Salads
(1) beer
(1) cocktail
(1) bottle of wine
(1) Short ribs
(2) 1/2 servings of pasta
(1) Dessert
Total = $160

Day Trip: Biltmore Bar and Grille, Newton, Massachusetts

CHICKPEAS: 5

Last weekend, we took a trip to Boston to see the Pops!  We stayed over night and had breakfast the next morning with friends.  As Newton residents, they knew just where to bring us: The Biltmore Bar and Grille. The menu was creative, the restaurant was eclectically decorated with a collection of old signs and the company was excellent.  All in all, it was one of the best breakfasts I have had in quite a while!

To begin, they brought us breakfast bread.  It was warm and delicious, so much so that we ate it all before we had a chance to take a picture.  This also happened with the order of sticky buns we got to start.

I ordered the S.S.B.L.T.  (smoked salmon, bacon, lettuce and tomato with an egg) which came with a side of sweet potato home fries.  It was the best breakfast sandwich I have ever had.

SSBLT

My Fiance decided on Huevos Tacos (sot corn tortillas stuffed with sauteed onions, peppers, chorizo, colby cheese and eggs on the sunny side, with pork shoulder hash).  Guacamole with breakfast! ... Why didn't I think of that?

Huevos Tacos

My friend ordered French Toast Crunch (thick sliced cinnamon swirl bobka, coated with captain crunch and corn flakes, vanilla frosting and warm apple butter syrup).  I had a bite and had momentary regrets about my selection (even though my sandwich was awesome!).  Oh, and that is ball of butter, not ice cream (I asked). 

French Toast Crunch

Our other friend got a daily special.  I can't remember what it was exactly, other than we fondly referred to it as the meat plate.  He cleaned his plate with no trouble.  

Meat Plate

Our four entrees, sticky buns, two juices, and one coffee came to around $60.  A bit more expensive than our usual breakfast haunts, but well worth it!

Red Rose Pizzeria: A Lesson in Overeating

CHICKPEAS: 5

A week or so ago, we went to Red Rose Pizzeria in Springfield for dinner.  While the purpose was to get dinner on a Friday night, we ended up over indulging and departed with enough leftovers for about 5 more meals.  I am surprised they didn't need to roll us out the door!

Red Rose Pizzeria - The exterior

My Fiance had gotten take out from there before, but neither of us had eaten in.  The hostess is straight ahead when you walk in, the main dining room to the right, and a bar to the left.  There were at least 20 people waiting for tables when we arrived.  This is both a good sign and a bad sign.  It is good because it means the food is worth waiting for, but obviously bad because you have to wait!  Luckily, the bar area is quite large, so there was plenty of space for those waiting to spread out.  I wish I had timed our wait in minutes, but all I can offer is that it was long enough for us to get drinks at the bar, and to consume about half of them.

The Bar

Now, here comes the part over indulging....

Red wine

Bread (free) and Salad for two or more (after we had each eaten some)

Chicken Parm Sub

Margherita Pizza with Ricotta

We were seated at a four top (thankfully! I am not sure where all of our plates would have gone otherwise) and had a very nice waitress.  We realized that we were over ordering, but who doesn't like leftover pizza.  We figured we would have enough to eat for breakfast the next morning.  That was wrong.  Very wrong.

Leftover Pizza

We each had pizza for at least three other meals and a late night snack.  We additionally brought home half of the sub.

On our way out I noticed that you could see them making the pizza dough!  I snapped a picture through the glass and the hostess then invited me into the kitchen and took my picture with the cooks!

Pizza Dough!

Overall, the pizza was great!  There is a reason why Red Rose Pizzeria is the Number 1 restaurant in Springfield, MA on Urban Spoon.  The pizza was not cut into the traditional triangle slices (see picture above), which made them easier to eat by hand.  The salad was HUGE and came dressed, so if you are picky, you might want to specify that you would like it on the side.   It would be easy for at least 6 people to share the salad if not more.

The Round-up:
1/2 carafe of wine
Salad for 2+
16" Pizza
Chicken Parm Sub
Total = ~$60.00

The Lesson: Next time we will get the salad for two or more, and a small pizza!