6th Annual Yankee Homecoming Wine Tasting

The  6th Annual Yankee Homecoming Wine Tasting is this Saturday, May 22nd from 6:00pm-9:00pm. If you enjoy watching the Fireworks, please come out and support this year’s Wine Tasting. All of the proceeds go to the Newburyport Fireworks!  This year’s Live Auction will include a 6 day / 6 night South Africa Photo Safari for Two at the Zulu Nyala Game Reserve! Delicious Cheeses and Hors d’Oeurves from Local Chefs and Beer provided by Ipswich Ale and Mercury Brewing Company.

You can purchase tickets at Leary’s or online at www.yankeehomecoming.com

White Hen Pantry and Annarosa’s bakery: Relocation Plans

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So I have some good news and some bad news….

 So the good news, for all you White Hen Pantry fans who were sad to see the Pond Street location close and if you’re  been wondering, “Where can I get that delicious, White Hen roast beef sandwich now without travelling to Storey Ave?” Well you’re in luck…It’s not gone!

 It’s just moving to the Newburyport Tannery and opening a deli! Yay sandwiches!

But here’s the bad news, it’s taking over the Annarosa’s Bakery spot on the corner of Mill Building 1. Annarosa’s Bakery is moving to Elm Street in Salisbury. Great for Salisbury but really too bad for Newburyport. Annarosa’s is the best and I will definitely still be a loyal customer, where ever it is!

Tennis + Trail Walk + Oysters + Wine = Fantastic North Shore Day!

So yesterday one of my best friends and I decided to dust off our tennis rackets and head down to Cashman Park  for an afternoon game. Feeling in the mood for a little more exercise, we embarked on a walk down the new Clipper City Rail Trail which is about a mile long from the Merrimac River  to the Newburyport Train Station.

After our outside adventure we had worked up an appetite, so I headed to David’s Fish Market for some AMAZING oysters and a WONDERFUL  piece of salmon. My friend headed to Leary’s for a couple bottles of white.

Needless to say, it was a fantastic day!

Earth Day: No Impact Man screening in Newburyport

Tomorrow night the Newburyport Public Library will hosting an event and screening of the documentary No Impact Man from 6:30pm to 8:30pm. In November 2006, Author Colin Beavan, in research for his next book, began the No Impact Project.  A newly self-proclaimed environmentalist who could no longer avoid pointing the finger at himself, Colin left behind his liberal complacency and vowed to make as little environmental impact as possible for one year.  No more automated transportation, no more electricity, no more non-local food, no more material consumption…no problem.  That is, until his espresso-guzzling, retail-worshipping wife, Michelle, and their two year-old daughter are dragged into the fray. I followed his blog for the whole year of this experiment and have been eagerly awaiting seeing this film.

Several Newburyport residents who participated in the first No Impact Experiment, a one week carbon cleanse, in October 2009 will be on hand to talk about their experience and share how you too can try the experiment. See you there!

Outdoor Adventures: Maudslay State Park

Everyone who knows me very well, knows that I spend anywhere from 1 to 4 times a week hiking and running Maudslay State Park. This place is full of history  and offers river views, wooded sanctuaries, peaceful bridges, waterfalls, picnic areas and it’s also a little haunted (if you believe in that sort of thing).

The park covers 450 acres of the right bank of the Merrimack River and is perfect for an outdoor afternoon. The park was formerly the country estate of  Frederick Strong Moseley. Originally named Maudesleigh, it was designed  in 1906.   At its peak, about 40 staff serviced the estate’s three greenhouses, fruit trees, winter plant house, and exquisite gardens.

The 72-room main house  was demolished in 1955 and a second large house was built in 1939 for Helen Moseley, Frederick’s younger daughter but supposedly she burnt it to the ground in 1978. The foundation still exists and is said to haunt the mansion’s foundation in the evenings.  Today only few of some 30 structures remain including a pet cemetary, the “Gates of Hell”,  and one of the first in-ground swimming pools in the US.

This place has SO much to offer. Make sure you check it out soon and read people’s “ghost” stories about the park.

Engage Your Core Pilates: Or how I found my 6 pack

This March I decided it was due time that I get back the body I had in my early 20’s, so with that being said I jumped at the chance to start Pilates three days a week. Now in my third week of training at Engage Your Core I can see the forming of my old friend SIX PACK. Engage Your Core is located in Mill Building 4 at the Tannery Marketplace in Newburyport and they are the premiere provider of Pilates fitness training on the Massachusetts North Shore.  They focus on the classical Pilates methods and tenets created by Joseph Pilates, and boy does it WORK! The instructors Lisa and Lindsay are AMAZING and I have never worked so hard.  Watch out beach, I’m coming!  I hope to see you there!

Modern Millie – Welcome to the neighborhood cute vintage clothes

Modern Millie opened three weeks ago and believe you me every  women in the North Shore should be excited. This is their second  location, the first in Salem, MA, and these women know GOOD  STYLE. Prices are very reasonable, every item is truly one of a kind and  you’re doing the planet some good in purchasing something pre-loved.

Modern Millie is my new JAM and I will surely be there all the  time, since their inventory changes daily.

CHECK IT OUT HERE

Michael’s Harborside vs Striper’s – Neither – They both need HELP!

So yesterday I decided to ring in the 60+ degree weather with lunch at Striper’s Grill in Salisbury, followed by a long walk in Maudslay State Park (which I will be writing about soon) and then beers and snacks at Michael’s Harborside.

I would now like to say that both Striper’s and Michael’s food and service has taken a huge turn for the worst. They better get their acts together before the summer and FAST!

Michael’s Harborside

Boy did who ever take over F this place up. Michael’s was the spot for some greasy, clam shack-style yummy seafood but someone decided to change the concept. In the words of some famous person, “If it ain’t broke don’t try to fix it”. The menu now TRIES to be more upscale but the food is not.  I don’t mind spending money on good food but when I spend money on bad food, that’s when I get mad. My suggestion is to dust off that menu from the mid-90’s and reinstate that before May and the tourists arrive.

Striper’s Grill

The service at Striper’s was awkward and slow. Top that with a mediocre, somewhat dirty salad bar and a so-so menu (definitely made with frozen ingredients) and we have a recipe for disappointment. Striper’s COULD be a great spot for lunch and dinner. They have a great space to work with right on the water. There is no need to serve FROZEN fish when your 10 yards from the mouth of the river. If they could get in some fresh ingredients and snap the wait staff into shape, I could see this spot becoming very successful!

These dueling riverside restaurants had better do some spring cleaning because I despise writing negative blog posts and both of these spots could be amazing!

Bars in Downtown Newburyport

So I grew up here, went to Newburyport High School and then like most of my classmates left for college. This past summer after living in Boston for ten years, I decided to move back. Now I must say that I am very spoiled having lived in a fairly happening city  and the thoughts of returning to my hometown and finding some sort of “cool” nightlife seemed a little daunting… but I was delightfully wrong.

So here’s my list of Newburyport bars and my thoughts on each:

Michael’s Harborside

Michael’s used to have a pretty hot (for the suburbs) dance party… but due to a bunch of fights and noise complaints, it no longer plays music and closes at like 11pm… It’s also full of townies drinking Bud (not that there is anything wrong with townies or Budweiser just not my scene)

On the plus side in the summer it’s great for a good, old New England lobstah roll and in the fall once all the tourist leave you can watch some great sunsets.

The Thirsty Whale (aka The Whale or The Thirsty Male)

Want a wicked strong, cheap drink with a side of riff-raff? Yes Please! Welcome to the Whale.  Great for people watching, late night drinks, or  a Sunday Funday adventure. They serve food although I have never tried it, however I did see a wonderful Valentines Day special  last week that was 3 courses for two for $29.95 (can you hear my sarcasm?)

The Grog

Hello 40+ and cover bands!  The Grog is an institution. Everyone knows about it. Everybody goes to it. You say your from Newburyport and people say “Oh, I’ve been to this bar up there…ummmm…. the Grog” It is what it is. Strong drinks (trend in Newburyport much like our dear North Shore friend Marblehead), decent food (I had some great oysters there with an emo kid last year), and a cheap cover for shows (like five bucks). The bartenders downstairs sometimes can’t handle the volume so bring your patience. Oh and after 10 pm NO SHOTS, so ask for them on the rocks or neat. Cheers!

Agave Mexican Bistro

Let me first say that I LOVE AGAVE! It’s good for a chill night with two or three people.

Pros: Awesome Mexican Food. Great Tequilla List. Fun Margaritas. Cons: Closes at like 10pm. Small bar. Pricey.

The Rockfish (AKA State Street)

I’m neutral on the Rockfish. I don’t love it. I don’t hate it.  The downstairs bar is ok. The upstairs bar is cute and intimate for a date or some girl gossip times. They have live music usually acoustic upstairs on the weekends. It’s worth an addition to your Friday or Saturday night rotation.

The Black Cow

Right on the harbor? Of course.

Pretentious? Maybe.

Delicious Bar Snacks? Yes.

Great beer and wine list? Yes in deed!

Good for a causal date, dinner with the rents, or a stop on your afternoon summer pub crawl.

The Port Tavern(AKA The Tavern)

The Tavern is my spot. I feel like I’m Norm from Cheers minus everyone saying my name every time I walk in.  So on second thought I guess it’s a little odd that I feel like Norm but just go with it. The Tavern is GREAT! Free wi-fi, a kick-a$$ Reuben, and a good Guinness. Not to mention they have great acoustic music on the weekends.

The Park Lunch

The Park Lunch never disappoints for a cheap beer and a great club sandwich…but as far as happening night spot… not so much…oh plus it’s only for the staff of Newburyport High School

Ten Center Street

Oh….Ten Center…you are pretty…very pretty.  This is a great place to sit alone at the bar and get some work done. I have a thing for working in bars. Not only do they have a great menu and drink list, they also have free wi-fi. Downstairs is rustic with exposed beams and upstairs is more modern with a nice old-school fireplace and skylights. As a side note, they do a wonderful Sunday Brunch especially in the summer when you can sit on the patio and enjoy some delicious peeled, spicy shrimp.

And finally… the Neptunes (AKA The Neps)

Now as an exclusive members-only bar, I have had the honor of entering a handful of times. $1 drinks, smoking allowed, and Newburyport’s finest…. Find yourself a member today.