There
were 8 Romeos present including: Jack Tweedie, Joe Pignatiello, Ed
DeSchuytner, Jim Terlizzi, Joe Lapiana, Mark Ryan, Paul Girard and
Steve Winter. You can see some photos at the Picassa web site
.............
We
all arrived around noon. Some took public transportation and others
came by car. Ed and Paul parked in a local garage. Joe P. came with
Steve and used the valet parking at the restaurant. The others took
the commuter train to North Station.
I
met Joe L. In Wilmington on the commuter train from Lowell to North
Station. With senior discount (half price), it cost me only $3.35 one
way from Wilmington to North Station. One of the great perks for
being a senior citizen.
Joe
and I arrived at North Station about 11 AM and then walked over to
the North End down Hanover Street to Battery Wharf. It was a little
hike but a beautiful sunny day for a stroll along the city streets.
There were a lot of visitors along Hanover Street taking in all the
historic sites. Along the way we stopped to look at St. Steven Church
and St. Leonard's. We passed the Paul Revere Statue at the beginning
of the Freedom Trail that led up to the Old North Church and looked
at some vendors selling paintings and prints.
We
passed the fire station on Hanover St. where there was a robbery a
few nights back. We talked to a fireman on duty and he showed us the
rubber boot that was stolen and later recovered. It had been filled
with money being collected for the Muscular Dystrophy Association.
We
then arrived at the Aragosta Bistro on Battery Wharf just before
noon. It is located in the Fairmont Hotel on the waterfront. From the
wharf you could see Boston Harbor, the Coast Guard Station and the
local boat and ferry traffic.
Although the menu had a limited selection and a bit pricey, most ordered the chef's special Exhale Spa Fish which was a broiled haddock on a bed of vegetables - ($19). The others ordered the Aragosta Insulata (marinated clams, mussels, shrimp, calamari on a bed of lettuce) - ($24) and Grilled Chicken Panini - ($16). Price is not a problem when Retired Old Rich Men Eat Out (ROR-MEO)s.
I was a surprise to see Jack who had not been able to make the lunches for a few weeks. Jack has been busy with part-time work and traveling to his home down the Cape. Jack mentioned getting an annual physical exam and a shingles short. We all affirmed that we also have had the inoculation against shingles and commented how painful the affliction was.
Joe
P. Said he was going on a trip to the Azores for 10 days and was
looking forward to it. He also said that there are a lot of
inexpensive trips including airfare and hotel being offered by AAA
that we all should look into.
Paul
then mentioned to Steve that he was looking much healthier today.
Steve mentioned that it was all due to a good s.....x life (Ha Ha).
Jim
then said he attended a sox baseball game recently and hoped that the
Sox would be in the play-offs. (They are today.) He also recently saw
a few new movies at the theater and on DVD that he recommended,
(RUSH) was one.
Ed
then said that his son recently bought a condo on Beacon Hill. While
looking, he was surprised at the condo prices on the waterfront. Ed
said that a condo just above the Aragosta overlooking the water goes
for 4 million. I guess I will have to call my friend Warren Buffet
for some pocket change.
We
then talked about where to have lunch next month. Jim will send you
an email. Afterwards, we all said so-long till we meet again and went
off in different directions.
On
the way back Joe L. And I stopped into Mike's Pastry to get some
cakes to bring home.
We
then arrived at North Station to catch the 3:10 train traveling back
toward Lowell.
The
train arrived in Wilmington at about 3:40 and I decided to walk home.
On a cool day the 3 mile walk to my home is not a bad hike. After 2
miles my baseball cap was wet with sweat. I guess I will have to
consult my personal trainer (Arnold -The Terminator) to get back in
shape.
Comments and suggestions always welcome.... markryan82@comcast.net
