Mildred's Chowder House in Hyannis Served the Best Clam Chowder on Cape Cod

When the Mildred's Chowder House building in Hyannis, Mass., was demolished several years ago, I thought "Who were the chowder heads that did that?"

No offense, but people loved Mildred's Chowder House so much that, for many, it became a big part of a Cape Cod vacation or day trip. Think about that. With all the great beaches, amazing waterfront resorts and Cape Cod summer homes to enjoy,  many visitors had Mildred's Chowder House at the forefront of their minds.  The power of a good, old-fashioned New England clam chowder can never be underestimated, I suppose.

Nothing could take away my joy in regards to going to Mildred's Chowder House. One morning, I couldn't keep any food down, but convinced my folks that I would be OK for lunch at Mildred's.   I was good to my word about lunch, although the same couldn't be said about the end of the day when eating dinner at the Neptune Room at the Hyannis Airport. Another time, I spotted this bully with a trapezoid-looking head from my hometown of Arlington at Mildred's and I didn't let his nasty presence bother me one bit. Of course, no one wanted to drive around that dreaded, traffic-crazy  Route 28 rotary at Mildred's, but my dad always navigated that concrete jungle well ending with a perfect turn into the Mildred's parking lot. There were the naysayers that told us that Mildred's wasn't the same as it used to be. I bet they said that even before Mildred's started its business!

The last couple of years of Mildred's in business excluded -- when the quality actually did go downhill -- this landmark Cape Cod restaurant not only was beloved by customers but the staff working there, too.  Everyone seemed to work hard and in a pleasant manner, whether it be the long-time older waitresses or the younger generation working their way through college.

The main dining room has a light and breezy feel, kind of like Cape Cod itself. The seafood dinners were well beyond average, but it was the chowder that excelled. I think it would be safe to say that the majority of approximately 900 customers served each night during the peak season ordered Mildred's New England clam chowder. That clam chowder was the cream of the crop -- no pun, intended, given its heavy cream base.  I have read a few times that JFK liked Mildred's clam chowder quite a bit!

"The Home of Cape Cod Clam Chowder" is no longer with us, having closed some time in the 1980s. Sure, other Cape Cod restaurants make chowder as good, if not better than Mildred's, but that's not the point.  Sometimes, the greatness of a restaurant can only be fully measured by the feeling you get while eating there.  It wasn't just about the food at Mildred's, but instead it coming down to the overall experience.  Mildred's, in its heyday, delivered restaurant joy each and every time in an assuming, friendly way that came across almost like an oversized unpretentious diner. The memories remain strongly, to this very day.

Howard Johnson's in Concord MA was the Best Boston Area HoJo!

The Massachusetts Turnpike Howard Johnson's restaurants were sub-par, Wellington Circle location too congested with traffic and the Lexington one on Route 128 an accident waiting to happen with the poorly constructed entrance. Most other HoJos in the Boston area were just okay. Howard Johnson's restaurants in other states -- especially the ones in Lake Placid and Old Forge, N.Y. -- often seemed superior to the local versions with their nice designs and truer hometown feel.

The Howard Johnson's in Concord, however, stood out from the others in the Boston area. Aside from the place where I often ate boysenberry jam until it came out of my ears, this HoJo consistently turned out good meals and service and featured dining areas that seemed more clean and pleasant-looking than the other Howard Johnson's restaurants experienced in the Boston area.  Plus, it was in a nice part of the state with Walden Pond nearby and all those great Concord historical attractions.

Today, that Howard's Johnson's is a Papa Razzi restaurant -- certainly not a bad thing, but we sure do miss the HoJo there!

Which Howard Johnson's restaurant in the Boston area did you like best? What did you think of the Concord HoJo?

Dini's Sea Grill in Boston: A Great Old School Seafood Restaurant

If you loved no frills Boston seafood restaurants, few were better than Dini's Sea Grill on Tremont St. So many state politicians ate there that their offices must have been empty at lunch time -- although that wasn't always the case. The Boston Globe once reported that former Massachusetts governor Edward King once "had $1,200 worth of lobster and crabmeat salad sandwiches delivered from Dini's to his office." (reference: https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-8187359.html).

Dini's not only had a memorable, non-generic short and snappy name, but a real reputation for serving well above average seafood without a need to rip off the public with phony, inflated prices. Yes, Dini's might have only gotten one star from the Mobil Travel Guide, but the locals knew better. After all, so many of us Bostonians knew, and still know our seafood.

Opening in 1926 and closing in 1990, Dini's built a strong reputation on serving excellent schrod and variations of lobster dishes like Lobster Newburg. Although it didn't come from the sea, Dini's tartar sauce (yes, the rare tartar fish species...) always seemed to received high accolades. A lot of really old people seemed to love Dini's. Maybe they wouldn't look so old now, though. If Dini's were around today, I'd be going there all the time. It's really hard to find a straightforward fish restaurant nowadays, eh?

Match cover credit: https://www.digitalcommonwealth.org/search/commonwealth:9593v614w

Pillar House in Newton: a Pillar of Great Dining Memories

Somebody could write a book about the Pillar House in Newton, Mass., but I'll just give you the Cliff Notes version here.

I think many Route 128 commuters wondered, "How the heck could this historic, grand restaurant be virtually within a stone's throw of one of the busiest highways in Massachusetts?"

Here was this large Greek Revival home coexisting with area hotels, high tech and industrial buildings and people driving bored and miserable, wondering if cell phones would ever come along to take them away from their own thoughts and imagination.

Thank goodness, this gracious 1828 home gave commuters something special to look at unless you also counted the "Charlies Angels" billboards. Better yet, this wasn't just another stately Newton home but also a darn good restaurant. Opening in 1952 and sadly closing in 2001, what happened in between at the Pillar House was remarkable.

Sure, we can start with the Pillar House's incredible prime rib dinner and relaxed but elegant old school dining rooms, but this landmark restaurant also pioneered some landmark decisions. Owner Thomas Larson -- who took over from his father George running the Pillar House until 1964 -- made the brave and unorthodox decision to close the restaurant on weekends in 1973. He respected his employees' lives outside of work, and thought giving them this time off would allow for a happy, top-notch staff. From what I saw, he made the right call -- the staff was superb. The naysayers thought he was nuts, but what did they know. They were naysayers!

Then in 1973, Larson made another bold decision to make the Pillar House the first 100 percent smoke-free restaurant in Massachusetts.  Sure, they lost some customers but in retrospect, the smoke-free decision served as a precursor of what was to come regarding restaurants in our state.

As if that wasn't enough, Larson went against all trends once again by banning cell phone use in all dining rooms in 1999. Good for him -- this helped foster customers with better manners, the way it used to be.

The Pillar House had a tremendous run until 2001, and then several years later was reassembled and restored to become part of a private residence in Lincoln, Mass.

They really don't make restaurants like the Pillar House anymore. So many traditional high end restaurants have gone that way. In a sleek, often pretentious world of dining where trends and contrived ambiance have too often taken over authenticity and a slower pace, I plan to hold onto the memories of places like the Pillar House as long as possible. I know many of you feel that way, too.

Fontaine's in West Roxbury and the Neon Waving Chicken Sign

I don't know what I liked better, the family-style chicken dishes at Fontaine's in West Roxbury or the neon waving chicken on the sign out front.

If it came down to one or the other, I'd probably go with the sign. Fontaine's certainly served up some excellent chicken, but how many restaurants had that kind of sign?  Every time I drove by that crazy-looking chicken, it brought a smile. I might have driven that way a few more times than necessary just to see that sign.

Again, nothing against the restaurant inside -- what a happy place with all those long-time, old school Boston waitresses taking care of customers in a retro carpeted dining room like they were family. It's just that I really liked that chicken sign!

What a shame Fontaine's closed down after more than 50 years in business and just as sad that the spastic waving chicken no longer graces our drives down Route 1 towards Boston. I cry "fowl" that they went out of business!

Commodore Restaurant Memories in Beverly MA

The Commodore in Beverly, Mass., seemed like a restaurant that would stay open forever.  Legendary Boston Red Sox broadcaster Ken Coleman had those great ads for the restaurant during Red Sox games in the 1960s and 70s. The Northeast Mobil Travel Guide -- a generic guide that seemed to give great restaurants one star -- opened its heart and gave The Commodore three stars every year. The restaurant has this great wishing well with a water wheel near the entrance. Oh, yes -- almost forgot -- they got the steak, chicken and seafood thing down to perfection each and every time. Although I went to the Commodore mostly as a kid, that cozy Captain's Lounge sure looked cool, too! It would have been so amazing to have a glass of Zarex there!

The spacious dining room -- shaped like a boat but looking nothing like one -- accommodated everyone comfortably and the waitstaff brought this old school vibe with their old-fashioned outfits and collective conversational style. They served lobster, prime rib and other tried-and-true classics as if you were family.

Don't quote me on this, but I think the Commodore closed in the late 1990s. What replaced it? Surprise, surprise, surprise -- a shopping plaza. You can find those anywhere, but The Commodore -- well, that was one of a kind. Sorry that this nautical-theme restaurant sunk into Old School Boston restaurant oblivion.

Who remembers The Commodore and what are your memories of the North Shore restaurant?

Dignitary Sighting at the Osaka Japanese Restaurant in Cambridge, Mass.

Many years ago, my dad took a lunch break with some teacher friends at Osaka Japanese restaurant on Concord Ave. in Cambridge, and came back home with a story that he could virtually call his own.

Just as about he was about to be seated, a man that looked like an older version of Dennis the Menace's father almost ran right into him. It wasn't Dennis the Menace's father, however (fictional character!). It was Henry Kissinger, our 56th United States of America Secretary of State!  He joined my dad and friends for lunch and they shared some delightful, intellectually based conversations.

In my young mind, I was very happy for my dad that he met such an esteemed, accomplished figure, but was also jealous that I wasn't there. At seven years-old, I had learned to memorize every president's name and could recite them, in order, backward and forward. I wanted to show off to Mr. Kissinger this knowledge.  I also wanted to meet a celebrity like him. Heck, my only celebrity interactions, at that point, were with Boston Red Sox relief pitcher Lee Stange and comedian Soupy Sales!

As I matured and started to appreciate Japanese food, I recognized Osaka as a wonderful little Japanese restaurant that prided itself on chef-inspired cuisine, friendly and humble service and a living room-like atmosphere -- too bad it's not around anymore.  It was a bit of a hidden restaurant, so I found it quite interesting that Dr. Kissinger found this place!

Do you have any memories of celebrity/dignitary sightings back in the day? If so please feel free to comment below!

Elsie's Sandwich Shop, Cambridge, Mass.

Our readers greatly miss Elsie's Sandwich Shops that were once located in Cambridge and Falmouth on Cape Cod.

Steve wrote, "The best deli sandwiches around ... I liked them better than Jack and Marion's. Especially "the Fresser's delight."

Evan from London, England, sent us a message stating, "that landmark that marked the beginning of any vacation on the Cape for decades. I still remind my family of how much I miss those turkey sandwiches with the thinnest slices of turkey I have seen anywhere. Melted in your mouth-no chewing required."

Stuart wrote us a while back saying, "Can you add Elsie's in Harvard Square to your list?  I was just back for my 35th Harvard reunion and everyone is still talking about it!"

Stuart, sorry we are a little late with this but we'd be more than honored to mention Elsie's!

Elsie's was simply one of the best sandwich shops ever in this region. I don't know much about the Falmouth location, but can tell you a little about the Cambridge spot by saying this was the place to meet whether you were a student, professor, townie or out-of-towner.  Elsie's trumped other local sandwich shops and certainly offered a superior alternative to college dining hall food. Plus, it was open late at night!

I remember the roast beef sandwiches tasting so much better than any other places -- including those famous places on the North Shore -- and no competitor could match the delicious turkey club. The Fresser's Delight that Steve mentioned consisted of turkey, roast beef, and corned beef on three slices of sissel bread. Elsie's also served a juicy, oversized burger that would give any of those trendy burger chain a good run for the money Yum!

The Cambridge location closed in 1995, staying in business for about 30 years. We miss you, Elsie's!

Joan and Ed's Deli, Natick, Mass.

Joan and Ed's Deli in Natick, Mass., always satisfied.

Pretty much everyone loved Joan and Ed's except for a few malcontents including the proverbial whiners complaining about Boston having no delis comparable to New York City,

First located at Shopper's World in Framingham and then at the Sherwood Plaza in Natick, Joan and Ed's represented everything good about dining out: large portions of food, reasonable prices, an upbeat atmosphere, and long-time staff -- including Joan and Ed-- that took every effort to get to know their customers. Joan and Ed's made a fine pastrami sandwich, awesome chicken soup and matzoh ball soups, potato pancakes that would make grandma proud, and desserts out of huge display cases that were not only delicious but huge. I will always remember the Devil Dog cake!

Joan and Ed's also served as a general restaurant, offering excellent chicken, steak and seafood dishes.

Remember the pony-tailed man working the front counter?  He always seemed slightly gruff and intimidating, but ultimately was a very nice person that has a place in our unofficial customer service hall of fame. The guy never made a mistake.

Joan and Ed's sadly closed in 2010. The location is now occupied by Zaftig's Deli, another fine deli that has a great local reputation. I would still take Joan and Ed's, though. In its 33 years, Joan and Ed's hit a home run with virtually everything they did -- what a great run! We miss it very much, though.

Remember Rick's Cafe, Newton, Mass.,Located in a Former Church?

Does anyone remember Rick's Cafe, a Newton, Mass., restaurant that was located in a former church?

Owned by Weylu's -- the huge Chinese restaurant in Saugus, Mass., that is also no longer with us -- Rick's Cafe featured, as expected, a most unusual atmosphere, with dining rooms located on several floors of this tall church. Dimly-lit and quiet, the atmosphere worked as a cozy destination but also somewhat unsettling as many felt a church should not change into a commercial endeavor.

Rick's Cafe gained a lot of attention when open in, as best I remember, the early 1980s, but do a Google search today and nothing comes up. The steak, chicken and seafood offerings were done better at other local restaurants, and the church setting novelty wore off quickly.  Plus the large size of the restaurant demanded crowds to stay financially viable.. As a result, Rick's Cafe was not in it for the long run but, nevertheless, remains a fascinating piece of Boston area restaurant history.

King's Grant Restaurant, Danvers, Mass.: Sunday Morning Brunch, Tudor Dynasty Decor

The King's Grant restaurant at the King's Grant Inn in Danvers, Mass., reigned as one of the best Sunday morning brunch spots in the Boston area.  Not your cookie cutter, sterile function hall destination, the King's Grant restaurant featured a modified 14th Century Tudor Dynasty design. Made sense to me, with the restaurant being located right off the eternally outdated Route 128.

The King's Grant restaurant seemed wonderfully cartoonish with waiters and waitresses with thick Boston accents dressing up in psuedo 14th century apparel over two levels of carpeted dining rooms, and, in the later years, hiring actors and actresses to perform medieval songs and magic tricks for your dining pleasure and entertainment.

The bottom line is that for most of its years in operation, the King's Grant restaurant hired some darn good chefs to create some wonderful breakfast and lunch items. I do wonder, though, if bacon and eggs were a breakfast staple of the 14th century?

The former King's Grant site now houses a biotech company. Alas, much sorrow has been often on the North Shore of Massachusetts since this dining monarchy left, but yet it is well for a man to know both the dining bliss of the past and the high tech of the future. Sorry, thought I'd try out my 14th century dialect there.

Remembering The Sizzleboard in Boston and the Mean Hippie Waitress

I remember the scene so well at the Sizzleboard in Boston's Kenmore Square. In awe of the selection of sandwiches, we couldn't make up our minds on what to eat.  That brief delay prompted this hippie waitress to yell at us for not moving the line. So much for the summer of love, man!

To her credit, she did apologize and I guess I should have, too, after walking around with one of the worst wiffles ( a buzz cut) in American history. That haircut made Johnny Unitas look like John Stamos.

Looking back at the Sizzleboard now that the emotional scar of a verbal lashing has left 45-plus years later, this was actually an excellent fast food stop -- especially for a ravenous appetite like mine that wanted to eat something before ordering more food at a Fenway Park Boston Red Sox game. The Sizzleboard really knew how to turn out a generously serving in the form of a sandwich without a hint of corporate fast food blandness.

The Sizzleboard definitely had some sizzle, including that waitress that sizzled after our indecisive moment!

Kemps Hamburger Stand in Burlington, Mass.

Before fast food and trendy burger chains took control, places like Kemps in Burlington, Mass., reigned supreme in pleasing those with a love for that all-American favorite, the hamburger.

This colorful, brightly lit 1950s-style hamburger stand brought in crowds that loved the idea of dining on a tasty burger along with fries and a shake for under $1. Located on Route 3A right by the former IGA supermarket that eventually became the former Building 19 discount store, Kemps looked like something out of a Happy Days episode.

While Burlington has just about every store and restaurant one would ever need today, I miss the innocence and simplicity of businesses like Kemps.  Nothing fancy, no gourmet tendencies, but just a place that everyone seemed to enjoy before so many online reviewers spoiled our fun by becoming  critical, cynical and condescending.

Kemps would probably not do well on Yelp today, but who cares? We never asked for much then, and were just grateful for an inexpensive night out amongst good people. Even a six-year-old could see that, like me, in the 1960s!

Does anyone remember Kemps?

Remembering Shakey's Pizza in Nashua, N.H.

With its corporate chain restaurant status, Shakey's Pizza Parlor, on the Daniel Webster Highway, in Nashua, N.H., might not have been your classic New England dining spot, but it sure was classic in the sense of fond local dining childhood memories.

The dark, cavernous room with a player piano and Laurel and Hardy movies playing made the hand-tossed fresh pizza even that much better. Add some full-bodied root beer and Shakey's became one of our our favortite "cheap eats" places within radar of our Arlington, Mass., home. Going to Shakey's usually occurred after a day of beach fun at Silver Lake State Park in nearby Hollis, N.H.

Shakey's is long gone, a victim of Pheasant Lane Mall area development. I often wonder if Shakey's would have the same favorable effect on us today. The answer is probably "yes," as you can never go wrong with good pizza, a rollicking player piano and Laurel and Hardy getting into mishap after mishap!

For more on Shakey's and other New England restaurants that are no longer with us, we encourage you to read our "Great memories of New England restaurants that are no longer with us" article.

Green Ridge Turkey Farm Remembrances

Ahhhh, the Green Ridge Turkey Farm. Just the mention of this restaurant brings up memories of... hmmmm...wait a minute... let's see... TURKEY!

 Located on the overly commercial Daniel Webster Highway in Nashua, N.H., dining at the Green Ridge Turkey Farm was like celebrating Thanksgiving every day with its succulent roast turkey, homemade stuffing and gravy, mashed potatoes and some guy dressed up in a John Alden outfit looking for Plymouth Rock. Just kidding on the last one.

I remember seeing from a distance that giant turkey perched on top of the restaurant sign out front, and that is when my mouth would usually start to water in anticipation of the turkey dinner, as well as a slice of homemade blueberry pie. The Green Ridge also made a terrific salad with homemade dressing. I also remember the elderly waitresses were so sweet and took the time to socialize with the families dining there. While the turkey at the Green Ridge was tremendous, I think the pleasant nature of the waitresses is what made us like the Green Ridge so much. It was almost like going to a close relative's house. The atmosphere was quite agreeable, too, with a large, carpeted dining room and historic section of the restaurant known as the Manor House.

 I shed more than a few tears when the Green Ridge Turkey Farm went out of business in the mid-90s. Seeing that building razed for a Barnes and Noble took away a New England restaurant icon, and one we happened to love. With its origins dating back to 1931, the Green Ridge Turkey farm surely was one of the region's great dining traditions.

Lannos in Watertown, Mass., for Old School Italian Cuisine

A few questions have come up in regards to what makes me qualified to write this blog, Old School Boston. I can answer that sufficiently by saying that yesterday I drove five miles with the left blinker on.

Now that you have my credentials, let's move onto the next Old School Boston article!

Anyone remember Lannos in Watertown, Mass.? I think they were an old school restaurant the very day they opened with enough parm dishes and carpeting to write the textbook on classic Italian-American restaurants. I can't say for sure, but Lannos felt like a family-owned and operated restaurant as you would see the same faces (all friendly) year after year. Lannos was great for affordable lunches and dinners, as well as being able to aptly accommodate functions. It was a pretty large downtown restaurant with, as I recall, a downstairs, too.

I believe Lannos closed in the mid-90s. If I am wrong, someone please correct me. I'm doing this all on memory.

Traditional Italian-American restaurants are definitely on the wane in the Boston area, as there is more of a demand for the higher end, more authentic Italian restaurants. That is fine with me, but sometimes you just need a slab of parm, an unpretentious atmosphere, and a vociferous staff and clientele that keeps the dining experience from being like that of eating in a library.

If you have any fond memories of Lannos, we'd love to hear them!

Remembering the Chicken Coop in Rhode Island

Nancy takes us to Rhode Island for a restaurant memory from quite a long time ago...

There used to be a wonderful southern fried chicken restaurant (back in the 1950s/1960s) named the Chicken Coop ---- it was located near the junction of Cranston Street/Westminster Street in Providence. Now there is a high school (Central High) where the restaurant used to be.... not even KFC could have matched them for the taste/quality.

Editor's reply: Thanks so much, Nancy, for this piece of Rhode Island nostalgia! Readers, send us your favorite Boston, New England restaurant memories and we'll consider it for publication

The Stockpot, The Tasty and Other Boston, Cambridge Restaurant Memories

We just received some great old-time Boston and Cambridge restaurant memories from a reader named Peter...

Harvard Square, Cambridge:  The Blue Grotto  -- It was a downstairs, cozy, mediocre Italian and pizza place, very cozy on a winter night.  Nothing remarkable, just good times for a 7th grader going a little upscale.

Harvard Square, on the corner (I think it's a nice Chinese place now)  La Crepe -- Decent savory and sweet crepes.

And also in Harvard Square, The Tasty! Four or five stools in a tiny little place with these heart-of-gold crusty diner men serving griddled burgers and decent fries in an only-back-then-setting.  I still miss that one, and would have loved to take my kids there.

Near Harvard Square:  Chi Chi's  -- A national Tex Mex chain that for a couple years in the late 70s was ridiculously popular.  My first chimichanga.  We'd wait for an hour plus, and for that not great food!  But back then, not a lot of fun Mex places like that.

Of that ilk, the Friday's on Newbury in Back Bay.  No good reason for it to be as popular as it was, but, boy, was it hot in the early 80s.

On Mass Ave in Cambridge, near the Three Aces Pizza,  The Mustard Cup, which was sort of a diner, coffee shop type place.  I remember maybe the best french fries of my childhood, served in a paper cup.

In the Galleria in Harvard Square, bottom floor, The Stock Pot served soup, salad and fresh baked bread.  Nothing special, but my Ma used to love not cooking Sunday supper in order to go to the Stock Pot.

On Mass. Ave. or near Central Square ... The Athenian Taverna.  Similar to the Acropolis with a slightly less showy interior.  Perhaps the Greek family restaurant concept still thrives, but I really miss that type of place out here in California.

And last one for now, on Mt Auburn near Watertown, by the Star Market, I want to say "Quality Donuts", or something like that...a spacious s-curve counter and stools to sit on for the donut crowd back when independent donut shops still thrived.

Editor's reply: Thanks, Peter, great list! We remember many of these places quite well, and wish they had never left us. Well, most of them.

Failed Boston/New England Restaurant Expansions

I remember some very famous New England restaurants expanding, only to find their new businesses not very appetizing to everyone.

The former, famous Green Ridge Turkey Farm on the Daniel Webster in Nashua, N.H., opened up the Green Ridge Steak House right next to its landmark restaurant. It didn't last long at all. Let's just call it a "misteak," or a real turkey of an idea. The now closed but legendary Hilltop Steak House in Saugus, Mass., started up a Hilltop Steak House also on the Daniel Webster Highway. While it lasted a while, it never quite caught on and clearly lacked the magic of its flagship location. I think they needed more plastic cows out front. The now-closed Wursthaus in Cambridge, Mass., was once one of the most beloved restaurants in Harvard Square -- a German-American restaurant with a cozy, one-of-a-kind atmosphere perfect for conversation and excellent food and drink. The Wursthaus owner decided to try a location in the Cape Cod Mall in Hyannis, Mass. It goes without saying the Hyannis Wursthaus didn't quite have the Harvard Square location spirit! It just didn't seem the same buying a Johnny Miller golf shirt at Sears and then going into the Wursthaus to talk about what Cape Cod beach to visit on that day.

Can you think of any Boston/New England restaurants that expanded with less than desirable results?

Thinking Back to The Falstaff Room at the Sheraton Boston

The most prominent feature of the Falstaff Room in the Sheraton Boston that I recall was that everything was red, including my dad's face once we received the bill. We were eating peanut butter sandwiches for the next week!  But I'll always remember that red decor -- sort like like the Piccadilly Pub with a bow tie.

More expensive than the restaurants we were used to dining at, The Falstaff Room indeed exuded sort of a semi upscale feel. The waiters were all dressed up and, incredibly, so many of them looked like John Oates from the group Hall and Oates (you know, the little guy with the mustache), as I recall.

It was nice dressing up on that Sunday morning, heading into Boston from suburbia, and feeling special. I don't remember anything about the food, thus revealing that a restaurant's atmosphere can sometimes trump anything off the menu. I remember, too, that the Prudential Building was the coolest place on earth with all that great outdoor landscaping and a whopping 30 stores.

We never went back to the Falstaff Room, but that one-time experience was memorable. That's why I'm writing about it 40 years later! That dark shopping arcade looks puny compared to today's "Shops at Prudential Center" (must be upscale, it has a preposition in its name!) with 75 or so stores and a really classy look.

Anyway, how nice it was being introduced to a fancy restaurant in the "Hub of the Universe"-- and listening to Casey Kasem's "American Top 40 on the way in -- and discovering that the Sheraton also had Kon Tiki Ports, one of the best Polynesian restaurants around! We'll write more about the Kon Tiki in a future article!