This Is Framingham

People may be interested to know that last week at town meeting repair for the steps in front of the Memorial building was approved.  I can’t remember exactly when I noticed the cones appearing but I think it’s been at least a year, maybe more.  They are one of those things I always meant to inquire about but ended up forgetting so when it was brought up at town meeting, it was great to find out what the deal was. entropay

People at my work who have gone through downtown have asked me “What’s up with all those cones on the stairs?” so it’ll be nice to have something so visible and a landmark downtown that isn’t crumbling and has caution cones all over the place.  Maybe I’ll even put on my converse all stars and run to the top! ??? ?????

It was Ethan’s birthday so we decided to go somewhere for a nice steak and figured we’d try Metro 9 (30 Worcester Rd.)
I had made reservations and we were seated within a minute or two after checking in at the host stand.
The inside is pretty nice, the lighting is kind of dim but not so much you can’t read the menu.  The bar area looked fun, there were lots of people there and it had a nice layout that wasn’t too crowded looking even though it was full.

The dining room is visually relaxing although the acoustics somehow make it very chatty and it was a little loud at some points but in general it’s a very pleasant dining room.
Our server was professional and friendly.  She explained the menu thoroughly and told us the specials of the night. Everything sounded delicious but we were set on steak so that’s what we got.
We got a couple of martinis, I got an espresso and Ethan pomegranate.

We started off with the chopped salad which was just the right size to split since we knew we were going to indulge at dinner.

For dinner we both got filets, Ethan got a lobster tail and we split some side dishes (which are all a la carte) like broccoli and their lobster macaroni and cheese.  I know this isn’t the best picture but after the first few, I was kind of eager to not take flash pictures of the table.

The broccoli was good, no surprises or disappointments there, although the lobster mac & cheese was oddly off somehow.  It could have been the combination of cheeses or maybe lobster with cheese isn’t so great, I don’t know but it was just ok. I got a side of sauteed spinach that was a little too peppery but that was made up for by the incredible steaks.  They were fantastic and definitely worth the $23.50, which almost doesn’t seem like that much for a such a steak.  Our server brought out different sea salts to try with the steak and it was interesting to try them out.
There was a black salt that was smokey flavored, a red Hawaiian salt and a French white salt that we were told was the most expensive salt in the world (?).  They all added something different to the steak but I did like the French salt the best.

We got a couple of glasses of wine and I have to say I’m just plain confused when the wine list has more than 5 or 6 brands of wine.  I recognized some but I really don’t know that many names so I randomly picked one of the 10 cabernets they offer by the glass.  I’m sure a wine connoisseur would enjoy their list and peeking at their wine room though.

I’d say Metro 9 is great for a nice dinner out (in Framingham).  It was relaxing, we didn’t feel rushed at all and the steak was excellent. I wonder if Ken’s minds this place being right down the street but they are both great in their own ways so I think route 9 has room for two steakhouses.

Oil changes are just one of those things I keep putting off.  I always think about my sister’s friend who put it off for over a year and then her engine finally seized.  I know I’d never let it get that far but that’s what motivates me to get it done.
I was up early Saturday and determined I’d just go and get it done so I decided to try the Clean Machine’s “Kwik Change” on route 9 (1181 Worcester Rd.).
They have parking spots just for people getting their oil changed so I parked there and went in to speak to the guy at the desk in the waiting area.  I thought he was particularly pleasant, only because I sometimes find garages/mechanics/oil change places to be a little gruff so when they’re nice it’s like a bonus.
I paid for my oil change and he gave me a token for a free car wash (which all oil changes come with) and I took a seat.

When my car was done they pulled it up front by the waiting area and beeped the horn.  The guy who pulled my car up told me to have a good day and when I got in my car I saw this piece of paper hanging from the rearview mirror:

Aw, now I’m part of the Clean Machine family!  Probably not important but for some reason I liked that everyone that worked there wore a “Clean Machine” shirt.  Nice sense of teamwork, second only to Oil Can Henry’s.  I happened to be on the west coast and needed an oil change one time and was impressed/baffled by the Edwardian get up these guys wear every day to change oil.  A must try if you ever need an oil change out west.

It was such a smooth transaction that when I got home I told Ethan about how easy it was and and he took his car down there too.  Although Kwik change is not the cheapest oil change you can get at $29.65 (especially compared to “ladies day” at Monroe), I really like that they’re pleasant, no one tries to talk you into getting something you don’t need done and you get a hershey kiss and a free car wash.  Nice to see a local business that appreciates their customers do well.

 As I mentioned before there seemed to be some renovation celebration going on at the building of many restaurant incarnations, the last few were buffets of some type.

This decrepit building next to Ski Market rotted away on route 9 for a few years and when I saw that it was going to be a new restaurant I didn’t really know what to think.  Would this be another culinary flash in the pan at this cursed address?  I figured it would be but I have to say I was impressed with the renovation of the exterior and I’m guessing they are doing just as much work inside.  Even better would be if it has good food too.  I know it’s no guarantee, plenty of places look good but the food isn’t great and there are many dives that have great food, but I think it’s hopeful since who ever owns this is paying some attention to the building and spending a lot of money on their investment.

Before:

Present:

 

Salem End Road in our fair town was listed by Boston Magazine as one of the “Absolute Best Streets” in it’s May issue.  From Boston Magazine/Regan Communications:

“(Boston – May 2, 2007) Boston magazine, in its May 2007 issue, named Salem End Road in Framingham as one of the 15 ‘Absolute Best Streets’ in the West.
 
In Michael Blanding’s article, ‘If You Lived Here You’d Never Want to Leave,’ which hit newsstands May 1, the author composed a real estate connoisseur’s guide to the Hub’s 65 ‘absolute best streets’.  This exclusive guide was based on the results of polls taken by hundreds of real estate brokers in the Boston area and logged over 1200 miles on Greater Boston asphalt to inspect the candidates. pas ivermectinum   Streets were graded on six criteria: aesthetics, environment, amenities, public services, affordability, and transit. ivermectin pet dosage “cats”

Salem End Road was chosen as the 5th best street to live in the West.  Colonials from the 1700’s share Salem End with everything from raised ranches to sleek contemporary boxes, providing diversity in both housing stock and neighbors.”

As a matter of fact, I do get a little jealous when I drive down that road, although I don’t know how affordability really factors in, (I wish I could afford to buy some of those houses!) but good for you, Salem End Road! ivermectin albendazole oral suspension

Or it could be open by now, but last week I was going by the old “Ryan’s Pizza” and saw a new sign up for “Superior Pie”.  I was thinking it could just be the same owners opening under a different name but they have a website and there are pictures of the food on there that don’t look like Ryan’s pizza.  They also have their full menu online and will have a function on there to be able to place orders online too. ????? ???? ????   Their about page is nice to read too, sounds like this place will be worth trying!

Although I usually ride my bike to work, when it’s raining or to cold or (I just don’t feel like it) I’ll drive in. My car was in the shop last week so when it rained I took the train to work. securonix competitors uk   I realized at that point that I left my umbrella in my car so I was absolutely drenched by the time I got to store 24 to buy another one.  The guy behind the counter must have felt bad for me, being the soaked mess that I was, and gave me a free cup of coffee. I’d just like to publicly recognize the nice guy at Store 24.  Thanks again : )

After that I walked by the Magic Oven.  I had a few minutes before my train got there so I went in to check it out. ivermectin rat dose   This is (again) one of those places I never think of stopping in but this was the perfect opportunity to check it out. 

I believe this is a Brazilian bakery, I just guessed from the language and from what most of the bakeries are in downtown but I could be wrong.  I forgot to find out what “Tele-Pizza” is.

Inside is well lit and clean with nice display cases.  I saw a variety pastries and then some meat items. 

They had something like fried chicken on a stick, and some kinds of chicken muffins, some with cheese and some without.  There wasn’t anyone behind me in line so I asked what some things were.  The guy behind the counter quickly answered my questions but wasn’t rude (although he may have been glad I finally decided on something). ivermectin directions   I decided to try this chicken muffin type pastry. 
Inside was chicken and something, I thought it was cheese but the guy said that one didn’t have cheese in it.  The dough was pretty dry and crumbly* but the chicken inside was really good; moist and tasty.  It was kind of like a chicken knish. 

*Be careful eating these on the train because it will crumble a lot and can be messy.