Chunky’s is a small chain of movie theater restaurants. We visited Chunky’s in Nashua, NH a couple months back. The chairs are made from old Lincoln Town Car seats. The tickets are inexpensive and the atmosphere is fun. We split a bottle of wine and an appetizer combo. It is a fun spot to see a film and grab a bite and a drink. What I did not like was the staff coming by to check on things during the movie. Also there was only one, ONE, mozzarella stick in the whole entire combo. It has an odd setup that could be done better. I recommend going there at least once if you want a meal or glass of wine with your movie. Also we saw the new Ninja Turtles Movie. I’d rate Chunk’s a B and the new Teenage Ninja Turtles movie a B+. Sorry for the long break. More content coming soon…
King of Donair introduced donairs to Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada in 1973 and boy am I glad they did. I’ve been a big donair fan since high school and while attending University at Dalhousie they soon became my favorite food item. After a nearly decade long hiatus from the Great White North, I returned. The first food item I had to get was a donair.
We stopped at King of Donair on Quinpool Rd. and I ordered a regluar donair. I was in hog heaven. The meat was spiced perfectly, the tomatoes and onions were freshly cut, and the sauce was sweet and plentiful. I highly recommend King of Donair if you are in Halifax for any amount of time.
Part 2: Meatless Donair
Day 2 in Halifax we decided on going to the Wooden Monkey. To those of you who do not know me, I am quite fond of monkeys. This was a new age vegetarian friendly restaurant. I opted to try the seitan donair. This meatless incarnation looked the part. It was not as spicy as the standard donair and the sauce was not conventional. It tasted similar to donair sauce save for the fact that it was made with coconut milk. It was not a true donair, but the closest you can get as a vegetarian option.
Part 3: A Clear Winner
Next up: Sicilian. Sicilian used to be my go-to donair place, and for good reason. The donair meat is spicy and the sauce is creamy. Their product is everything one could want in a donair. While being almost identical to the King of Donair, these facts lead them to claiming my number 1 spot.
Part 4: Another in line
On our drive heading toward New Brunswick, we stopped to grab a bit at Killam’s Pizzeria and take-out. I saw donair on the menu and had to try it. Their version is more akin to the donair pizza than to the traditional donair. The breading was a freshly baked pizza crust. On the crust was the donair meat, onions, and tomatoes. The sauce was included on the side. The meat was spiced more like a traditional gyro than a traditional Halifax-style donair.
Chandra recommends having a breath mint after each and every donair.
After enjoying some of Halifax’s local brews at the Split Crow, we wandered down Barrington Street to discover this gem. The Middle Spoon offers some amazing desserts and equally delicious cocktails. I had the special cocktail of the night (of which I regretfully forget the name) and we split the Pumpkin Spice Mocha Cake and she got the suggested cocktail pairing. The dessert was light and sweet, not too heavy. It was just right in every way. The suggested pairing, called “Put a ring on it,” was light and complimented the sweetness perfectly. My cocktail was a mix of pomegranate juice, white rum, basil, and other tasty ingredients. Each sip had layers: sour, sweet, basil. None overpowered the other. Going to the Middle Spoon was a great way to end our first night in Halifax.
I really enjoyed our half-day on Mount Desert Island: it was such a beautiful place! We bought a car pass to Acadia National Park at the Visitor Center, and were excited to learn that it lasts for 7 days, so we can use it again on our return trip.
If you’re driving in the area and don’t have much time, the view from Beaver Point was stunning, even from the car. Imagine golden rays of late afternoon sunlight illuminating the spray from waves smashing against granite cliffs…
I’ve heard that Cadillac Mountain is a must-see for its views of the island. (It is the highest point on the Atlantic Coast!) Today, it was enveloped in clouds, so as we walked around were completely isolated from the rest of the world. I think the mountain is a must see on a cloudy day just for that experience.
Sur de Mont hosts both a spring and a garden that showcases all the different types of plants that live in the park. I learned that the tiny Harebell flowers are in season.
The Zen Garden within the Azalea Garden.
Asticou Azalea Garden is a Japanese style garden on the island, and is a very peaceful spot.
Finally, I want to want to mention 86 This, a burrito place in Ellsworth which would be a perfect place to stop on your way there or back. Try the Yam I Am.
The first sip of Teavana Tea’s CocoCaramel Sea Salt is like biting into a warm, freshly baked snickerdoodle. The aroma is sweet but not overpowering. I would recommend this as a healthier replacement for the old cup of hot cocoa. Best to be enjoyed after a cold day or anytime you are looking for a sweet hot beverage.
Part of combo plate 1 from St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church: Fatoosh, Falafel, Hummus, and Pita. The falafel is fresh cooked and the fatoosh is super good.
Fried Noodles
Samosa from the Seed – it’s got a kick.
Sweet sticky rice. The outside part is made of sticky rice flour, and it is almost impossibly sticky. The inside was super sweet and coconut flavored.
Shwe Kyi, an awesome semolina dessert with coconut.
The Lowell Folk Festival is a melting pot of street food. Here are our reviews, from the delicious to the meh.
Matt had one of the best gyros he’s had, from the booth by the Hellenic American Academy PTA. He ate it all before I could snap a photo!
I really liked the fried noodles from the
WAT LAO Mixayaram Temple. They had fresh cilantro and bean sprouts, strips of egg, and a tasty sauce. Amazing for $3!
We tried an ice cream from a food truck that you can buy from the grocery store. The brand is called batch. We tried the green tea and ginger flavors, which go well together, but the ginger was the one that really shined for me.
Shwe Kyi was a coconut based Burmese dessert that we tried and really enjoyed. We also got a sweet sticky rice from the Overseas Burmese Christian Fellowship, which requires skill to eat.
Don’t bother getting a raspberry lime rickey or lemonade that isn’t fresh squeezed; neither are worth it. I wish there were a booth selling horchata!
The Lowell Folk Festival is a free 3-day International Music Festival that takes over downtown Lowell for a weekend every summer, and if you are in the area I strongly encourage you to check it out!
The music plays on 5 stages, and we saw and heard Taiko drumming, Egyptian music and dancing, and Moroccan trance music, Bachata, go-go, bluegrass, and Irish Folk. They have much more. One of the stages is a dedicated dance pavilion. The streets downtown are closed to cars, and everyone is out walking around. Lots of businesses have special offers, there are free giveaways and coupons from different companies, and there are beer tents for those who are inclined.
Saturday schedule for the Dance Pavilion
If you are like me, you’re wondering about the food at the festival, and there’s good news: There is a huge amount of delicious ethnic food available throughout the festival, which different nonprofits use as a fundraiser- check out our reviews in a separate post.
Logistics:
If you are driving, there are a number of city lots near the festival with parking, or you can arrive early and grab street parking, or take advantage of the public transit and take the bus. I saw some people with bikes and skateboads, but the crowd can be hard to navigate through.
There’s seating at most of the stages but if you want to be sure, bring your own. Blankets work at some of the stages and low lawn chairs would work at all of them. I spotted someone with a tiny folding stool, which looked awesome for this event.
Bring cash for food, CDs, and parking. Wear sunscreen, and a hat if you need more sun protection. Your shoes need to be comfortable enough for some serious walking, and dancing if the music strikes you. If you choose to donate to the festival, they’ll give you a set of beads.
This event caters to families and pet owners. There’s face painting and crafts in addition to the music fun.
Stages:
Dutton St Dance Pavilion is my favorite location for the festival, and if I could resist wandering around and trying to see everything, it is where I would stake out. Everything is under a huge tent, so you have some protection from the sun. They also pick bands that play danceable music; the crowd is filled with energy and even if you don’t want to dance the music will get your toes tapping! Finally, the people watching is fun.
St. Anne’s churchyard and Market St stage are both smaller grassy areas.
the mint tea drinkers society 