This Is Framingham

Last night Ethan and I went to check out the newly opened Limey’s Pub.  I’ve been looking forward to this place opening because it’s in walking distance of my house and it’s something new and different for downtown. 
Inside they’ve done a great job with remodeling.  It’s not the dark (although kind of dim) shady atmosphere that Sampan was and it had a laid back and yes, “pubby” feel to it.

We started off with a couple pints of Guiness

and then Ethan got the shepherd’s pie and I got the fish and chips:

 The pie was really good.  A traditional mixture of beef and lamb with vegetables, mashed potatoes and cheese.

and the fish was perfectly light and flakey:

The fries were really great too.  The service was friendly and attentive, as you’d expect it to be during their first week open but I think it is just the kind of place that will always make you feel welcome and treat their customers well.
I’m so glad this was a good experience with good food because as we know, downtown needs some good places to go to. I really wish them well.
No website yet and if you google them, there’s not a lot of information like a phone number or anything but I’m guessing it’s because they’re just so new, but they’re at 101 Concord Street (where Sampan’s used to be). 

It’s been a while since posting, I’ve just been so busy doing non-blogging stuff and getting the kids ready for school, it’s just been crazy.  Okay, I don’t have any kids but for some reason posting has not made it on the list of things to do but maybe things will simmer down in the fall.
Also, this post is Natick related but still, it’s so gosh-darn close to the Framingham line and pretty exciting news I thought I’d post about it. A very nice reader sent me a note about Zaftigs Deliof Brookline opening another place in the former Joan & Ed’s spot in Sherwood plaza.
It is mentioned at the bottom of the Board of Selectmen article here: http://www.metrowestdailynews.com/top_stories/x2001473683/Natick-may-have-3M-left-from-2010-budget
I’m so excited, this place is great and I’m glad they thought of expanding to the metrowest area!

The former D’Angelos, and more recently Casa Brazil looks like it will be a new Brazilian steak house called Barreto’s.
I can’t say that I’m all that excited because we already have plenty of the same thing- Brazilian steak places but maybe this one will be different somehow.

Yesterday was the grand opening of Crown Fried Chicken at 40 Concord St. Ethan and I stopped in tonight to get some take-out and see what it was like.  Inside they have plenty of seating and a buffet that seemed to be half-set up but what I did see what pretty much just different kind of rice.
Everything offered on the menu is posted above the order counter.  They have everything from fried chicken, to burgers, to buffalo wings and fried seafood.

We got a 5 piece combo with fries. 

I’m not a fried chicken connoisseur of any kind but I thought it was okay, crispy on the outside and moist and juicy on the inside.  The fries were just okay.  Ethan thought the chicken was wasn’t that great.  He said he’s had worse but probably wouldn’t go back here.  I feel like if you like fried chicken it’s worth checking out.  I’d be interested to hear what anyone thinks who has a little more expertise.

I know there were a few of you wondering what happened with the sudden closing of the KFC on 135 downtown.  I still don’t know anything about it, but you might be happy to know it looks like there is a new fried chicken place opening up downtown called Crown Fried Chicken.  With the Chicken Bone, Wings Over Framingham and this place, now we’ll have three chicken specialty restaurants downtown!

My friend and I went to Aoi (at 1060 Worcester Rd.) last night.  I haven’t been here since it was Wasabi but  I think it’s been Aoi for at least a year or maybe two now.
We started off with a tempura appetizer which was sampling of perfectly cooked vegetables and shrimp covered in a light and crispy batter served with a soy based dipping sauce.

We decided to split a sushi dinner that came with miso soup and salad.  The sushi assortment was pretty good too.  The maki roll that was included was some sort of spicy-mayo roll, we think it was scallop but it could have been white tuna with cucumber.

The service was good and this inside is cozy (my pictures of the interior came out blurry).  We really liked the tempura and thought the sushi was decent but wasn’t quite the best we’ve had.  Still I’d probably go back sometime and try some of the other dishes.  Here’s their site for more info: http://www.aoisushi.com

I was walking by Sampan the other morning and saw it’s for sale. I wasn’t sure if they’re closed and for sale or still open and for sale. Out of curiosity I called tonight to see if anyone answered and they did, so I guess they’re open while looking for a buyer.
I can’t say I’ll miss it since I only went there once but it’s been there for a long time so it’ll be weird to not see it there.
Also, I saw that Astro’s pizza has closed after just opening last September.