The Romeo Gang met for lunch on Wednesday, May 27 at the Azorean Restaurant in Gloucester at 12 noon. The Azorean is located at 133 Washington Street and is on the left side by the Gloucester T station. There is parking at the restaurant. Go to www.azoreanrestaurant.com for more information.
I arrived early so I drove along the shore road and observed all the sites. You could see several historic statues like the Gloucester Fisherman, restaurants, and parks. The waves were breaking on shore and boats dotted around in the harbor. At St. Peter's Club, members sat outside talking about the good old days. See photos at my Picassa web site….. https://picasaweb.google.com/108806068200291783388/RomeoLunch52715?authuser=0&feat=directlink
The restaurant opened at 11:45 AM and
we all sat inside at a corner table. The waitress brought bread and dipping oil
and menus. She then took drink orders which included, beers, coke, martinis and
margaritas. We then ordered an appetizer which was the chef’s mix of calamari
and shrimp. The waitress then took our
entrée orders which included seafood
casserole, Azorean steak tips, and Sao Miguel Grilled Octopus. Joe P. said he
visited the Azores off Portugal a few years ago and stayed at the island of Sao
Miguel. The drinks, appetizers and meal
came quickly and were delicious.
Six Romeos attended - Joe Pignatiello,
Joe Lapiana, Ed Deshuytner, Paul Girard, Jim Terlizzi, and Mark Ryan. We all
talked about trips, sports, weather and local news. Joe L. took a Mediterranean Cruise on
Norwegian Lines with about 4000 passengers and 2000 crew on board a big ship.
The cruise started in Barcelona and made a few stops to Rome and back. Joe said
there was an ice bar on board with everything made of ice (furniture to drink
glasses). They offered a $145 massage which he declined. He posted a picture on
Facebook of him at a Barcelona beach with bare bottom bikini babes in the
background. (Hey… that rhymes BBBBBB). The meals on board were great with
floor shows every night and famous Impersonators. In Italy he walked to old
feudal village town on a hillside. The high walking bridge up a mountain was
heart pounding. I said I heard a program
on NPR radio about a man living to 114 from Sicilian mountain village. His
secret to longevity was a bean diet. We all laughed.
Joe P. also took a Viking River cruise along the Seine River which traveled from Paris to Normandy. At Normandy they got a tour from an unexpected guide who really knew the sites at Normandy. After, Joe offered the man a tip but he refused. He turned out to be a grave digger at the park who knew all the interesting facts. Joe said the beach head at Normandy was very steep and probably the reason so many soldiers were killed durng the invasion there. Joe said he loved Paris and wants to live there with all the beautiful attractions. He said he even met two of his aunts there. “HeeHee”
Jim talked about a TV program called “ Arrested Development” with Larry David who wrote the Seinfeld show. I said there is a new show on Crackle (an internet free movie site) with Seinfeld called “Comedians in Cars having Coffee”. Seinfeld meets a new guest comedian and drives around in a vintage car (MG, BMW, Corvette., etc.) having general conversation but funny. The episode I saw was with Jimmy Fallon. They stop at a diner and have coffee and pancakes. On the way back Jerry says he bought a boat and wants to show Jimmy. Very funny and crazy everyday stuff.
Ed and Joe L. talked about Rose Kennedy Greenway. Parking in Boston common garage not too bad if no special events are scheduled. Joe said the floating art on the Greenway was a must see.
Joe P. also took a Viking River cruise along the Seine River which traveled from Paris to Normandy. At Normandy they got a tour from an unexpected guide who really knew the sites at Normandy. After, Joe offered the man a tip but he refused. He turned out to be a grave digger at the park who knew all the interesting facts. Joe said the beach head at Normandy was very steep and probably the reason so many soldiers were killed durng the invasion there. Joe said he loved Paris and wants to live there with all the beautiful attractions. He said he even met two of his aunts there. “HeeHee”
Jim talked about a TV program called “ Arrested Development” with Larry David who wrote the Seinfeld show. I said there is a new show on Crackle (an internet free movie site) with Seinfeld called “Comedians in Cars having Coffee”. Seinfeld meets a new guest comedian and drives around in a vintage car (MG, BMW, Corvette., etc.) having general conversation but funny. The episode I saw was with Jimmy Fallon. They stop at a diner and have coffee and pancakes. On the way back Jerry says he bought a boat and wants to show Jimmy. Very funny and crazy everyday stuff.
Ed and Joe L. talked about Rose Kennedy Greenway. Parking in Boston common garage not too bad if no special events are scheduled. Joe said the floating art on the Greenway was a must see.
I talked with Paul about my boat and showed pictures. I had to fiberglass a rotten Transom, fix nav lights and install new bilge pump. But it’s all a learning experience.
Joe L. recently bought a selfie stick
for his iPhone camera which he used on his trip. It allows you to hold the
camera a few feet away from yourself so you can be in the photo too. He was still taking photos with the stick at
the lunch and having fun.
Jim T. then told us that Mike Zapantis’
son died recently from a drug overdose. We were all sad to hear. I said that taking drugs is a disease. Once
you start there is no stopping. My son
died several years ago also from an over dose at the age of 33. He even went to
rehab several times and then fell into it again.
The next lunch will be at Jules Restaurant in Methuen. Jim will send an email.
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
I looked up some history on Google
about Gloucester that you all might be interested in ……. Just click below.
Paul told me that he likes watching the
TV show “Wicked Tuna” on the National Geographic Channel. It is filmed in
Gloucester and depicts men on fishing boats trying to catch the biggest tuna
for a $10,000 prize.
Wicked Tuna
http://channel.nationalgeographic.com/wicked-tuna/
A large influx of Italian and Portuguese immigrants started the fishing fleets in Gloucester and have an annual blessing of the fleet at the Feast of St. Peter.
http://channel.nationalgeographic.com/wicked-tuna/
A large influx of Italian and Portuguese immigrants started the fishing fleets in Gloucester and have an annual blessing of the fleet at the Feast of St. Peter.
The movie “The Perfect Storm” was about
a fishing boat out of Gloucester.
Perfect Storm
http://m.imdb.com/title/tt0177971/reviews?ref_=m_tt_urv#showAll
http://m.imdb.com/title/tt0177971/reviews?ref_=m_tt_urv#showAll
Gloucester
http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gloucester,_Massachusetts
http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gloucester,_Massachusetts
