Thursday, July 30, 2015

Romeo Lunch 7-29-15

The Romeo Gang met for lunch on Wednesday,  July 29 at the Aragosta Bar and Bistro in Boston at 12 noon.  The Aragosta Bar and Bistro is located at 3 Battery Wharf in the North End next to the Battery Wharf Hotel.  Go to www.aragostabistro.com for more information.

You can see photos at the Picasa Link below …….

Six Romeos attended including  Steve Winter, Joe Pignatiello, Ed DeSchuytner, Jim Terlizzi, Joe Lapiana and Mark Ryan.  Some came by train and others by car. Joe P. and Steve parked at a spot near the restaurant. Ed parked in a garage. Jim took the Blue Line to Aquarium Station.  Joe L. and Mark took the commuter train from Lowell. 

The Commuter Train trip is half price with senior citizens rates only $7 round trip from Wilmington to North Station. Go online for train schedule at  http://MBTA.COM   and buy tickets and get the apps.  Parking at MBTA stations is still $4.00 per day.  Still Cash at some lots and pay by phone at others.   Get the APP and register to pay by phone. Paybyphone.com

I recently found out from a neighbour that there is cheap parking at a garage near the North End. The garage is called Parcel 7 and you can park there for less than $3.00 for under 3 hours.  You can read the reviews on YELP at the link below  ……

Parcel 7 Parking Garage
136 Blackstone St
Downtown
Boston, MA 02109
(617) 973-6954
http://www.yelp.com/biz/parcel-7-parking-garage-boston

Jim said that he has taken the Ferry Boat from Salem to Boston with his wife and then walked along the shore using the Harbour Walk. Nice views of the boats and harbour activity.

On the train trip to North Station I saw the Duck Boats driving into the channel near the Museum of Science.  Later I saw them from the restaurant.  One in particular looked like a yellow school bus driving across the water.

It was a hot day with the heat index over 100. Joe L. and I arrived at 11:30AM and waited in the restaurant lobby with AC. The others soon arrived and we decided to sit outside on the deck next to the water. At least it was in the shade.

The waitress took orders for drinks and appetizer and bread with dipping oil. The drinks included margaritas, mohito and beers.  We then ordered from the lunch menu Lobster Rolls, Kobe Beef Burgers and Salmon. 

The conversation moved around the table from sports, to weather, to headline news.  Jim talked about the recent Red Sox trade of outfielder Shane Victorino to the Los Angeles Angels in exchange for infielder Josh Rutledge.

I talked about my garden and catching some gophers in my garden traps and electric fence. Last night I caught a racoon.  I let most critters go but transport the gophers several miles away since they are eating my vegetables and flowers.  Ed said that he caught a fox when living in Chelsea as a boy that had killed several of his prize racing pigeons.

Jim then told us about his trip to Iceland. He flew in and then took a guided bus trip around the island, 1000 miles.  He then told us a story about how Iceland became dominated by the Lutherans.

Steve then told us about his river boat trip from Budapest to Amsterdam. We should write a travel book.

Ed then said that he was watching Chronicle on TV and saw the new weather lady Bri Eggars from channel  7 cooking in her new kitchen, in her apartment in the North End. The kitchen looked familiar and it turns out to be the same one his son recently moved out from.

We then talked about where to go next month and decide on Revere Beach restaurant with an outside deck.  The date is August 19th and Jim will send emails.

After lunch we all said our good byes and went our separate ways.  On the way back Joe L. and I stopped at a bakery on Hanover St.  It’s called Bricco Panetteria. The bakery is down a long alley off Hanover St. and in the basement. It also has a hotel and resturante.  http://www.bricco.com/   Hotel rates in Boston are not cheap.  Off season at Bricco Suites the rooms are $200-$300 per night.  Compare this to the Battery Wharf Hotel rates $400-$600 per night.  We both bought a loaf of bread to have with dinner at home.

We passed St Leonard Church and Peace Garden and the grotto with Paul Revere Statue. Joe L. reminded me that Joe Loducca’s uncle was one of the sculptors that made the bronze statues seen in the North End.

Along the sidewalks men were getting booths ready for the next feast day parade Saint Agrappina.  Joe L. then told me he was sad to hear that the St. Joseph’s Society changed the date of the St. Joseph’s Feast day from July to October.

We walked out of Hanover St. on to the Rose Kennedy Greenway. There was a sitting area under sun umbrellas and kids playing in a splash pool.  Refreshing on a hot day.  Across the street was the new Boston Public Market which opened today.  It’s an indoor space open all year selling fresh produce.

We then walked to North Station and made it there for the 3:10 PM train home.

 

 

 

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