Friday, September 20, 2013

Romeo Lunch 9-18-13

The Romeo Gang met for lunch on Wednesday, September 18, at the Aragosta Bar and Bistro in the North End of Boston at 12 noon. Aragosta is located at 3 Battery Wharf along the waterfront. Go to www.aragostabistro.com for more information and directions.

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




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