The Irish Restaurant/pub To Go To In Massachusetts

[moonsagotunes]

I was going to add this into the thread I had going about my foot bass, which will be stationed two-hours-away from the upcoming concertina workshops (this weekend!) out in Amherst Massachusetts. (I'm not planning to go, this time.)

 

But, it's probably more sensible to make it a new post.

 

Anyway, of course you don't want to drive two hours east from Amherst to eat dinner, and there are plenty of great places out that way. But, make note of this place:

 

Old Timer Restaurant

 

On Sundays, especially, there's music and a buffet.

 

This place isn't open way into the wee hours, and it's a family-oriented place. I haven't actually been in the bar, which looks pretty nice, but we just do the dining room (since my husband and I don't drink alcohol).

 

My husband likes the corned beef cabbage so we go for that, which is NOT the Sunday dish... but we went once on Sunday for the brunch and there was an Irish band with an accordion player and so on. I LOVE to hear Jim McNally sing, too!

 

So, then drive another hour east and you'll find yourself in Boston... if that's the plan!

[Mark Evans]

I was going to add this into the thread I had going about my foot bass, which will be stationed two-hours-away from the But, make note of this place:

 

Old Timer Restaurant

 

On Sundays, especially, there's music and a buffet.

 

This place isn't open way into the wee hours, and it's a family-oriented place. I haven't actually been in the bar, which looks pretty nice, but we just do the dining room (since my husband and I don't drink alcohol).

 

Yes, in Clinton. Some of us lads from Stones played the bar for an Anniversary party. The regular band that the singing chef has is call Jug-a-Punch and our box player Eammon plays in it. I'm told the chef is a real character.

 

Interesting note on the bar: above said bar there is a shelf with hats going back to the 1920's. They belong to patrons whose families upon their demise gave them to the bar. Happy-go-lucky crowd who knock em' back fast and furious and seemed to enjoy the music. One of those really old places that the cigarette smoke and spilt beer have taken over as the overall aroma. Only once in a while does the smell of some mighty fine food come wafting in from the dinning room. The place has history.

 

Good pick Wendy!

Edited April 12, 2008 by Mark Evans

[moonsagotunes]

I was going to add this into the thread I had going about my foot bass, which will be stationed two-hours-away from the But, make note of this place:

 

Old Timer Restaurant

 

On Sundays, especially, there's music and a buffet.

 

This place isn't open way into the wee hours, and it's a family-oriented place. I haven't actually been in the bar, which looks pretty nice, but we just do the dining room (since my husband and I don't drink alcohol).

 

Yes, in Clinton. Some of us lads from Stones played the bar for an Anniversary party. The regular band that the singing chef has is call Jug-a-Punch and our box player Eammon plays in it. I'm told the chef is a real character.

 

Interesting note on the bar: above said bar there is a shelf with hats going back to the 1920's. They belong to patrons whose families upon their demise gave them to the bar. Happy-go-lucky crowd who knock em' back fast and furious and seemed to enjoy the music. One of those really old places that the cigarette smoke and spilt beer have taken over as the overall aroma. Only once in a while does the smell of some mighty fine food come wafting in from the dinning room. The place has history.

 

Good pick Wendy!

 

Huh! Maybe it was Jug-O-Punch I remember hearing on a Sunday, I'm not sure. There was an accordion player. I sang along with everyone, in-between my bites of food!

 

My (late) uncle used to cook* there at the restaurant. And yes, Jim McNally is a real character! A very warm-hearted guy, and one who always says 'hi' and gets you in a cheerful mood.

 

Especially when my uncle was alive, we held a few family birthday gatherings there. The atmosphere is really nice.

 

Tom and I will probably be there more and more, as time goes on. The food is good. I don't like to cook meat very often, so that's where my husband can get a good steak or some corned beef or whatever. So, that puts us there mainly on a Thursday (corned beef).

 

I don't know if I'd ever play my concertina there for any reason... not really seeking that (I still play too messy!), though it's a thought that, maybe, in so many years, there'd be at least an occasion or two to join in with someone for a few songs some evening.

 

What's great for us is that it's so close to home -- probably only 3 miles from us, if that!

EDIT added: Okay, I just checked it... it's only 1.5 miles from us, actually!

*And, another edit added: My uncle did meat-carving there, and though he was in fact a great cook and did some catering and various stuff at times, I'm not totally sure that he did much actual cooking at this restaurant. Just to clarify!

Edited April 25, 2008 by bellowbelle