Just when you thought the dining scene in Lowell was getting noticed, a tiny bistro in Haverhill eclipses the Mill City. Keon's 105 was name restaurant of the year by the Retailers Association of Massachusetts on Wed. Haverwho? I've eaten at this intimate spot once before and loved it. But the food scene in Haverhill is gaining on us.
"It has a nice setting in a rehabbed downtown," said Jon Hurst, president of RAM. Sound familiar?
Ok Jon, but is this neighborhood joint the best place to drop fork in the Merrimack Valley? Last year Spice, a restaurant in an old brick building in Pittsfield nabbed the prestigious award. Hmpf? I went to Pittsfield recently and longed for Lowell. It's pretty dead. We can do better than this.Let's get Lowell on the map. I'm tired of blogging in a town that has never been recognized for food excellence. Of course you can't win, if you don't nominate. So in July I urge all foodies w/in shouting distance to go to retailersma.org and vote for your favorite LA restaurant. What would it be? Meanwhile Im making a reservation at Keon's tonight. Everybody loves a winner.
Haverhill eats Lowell's lunch
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Keon's does deserve it, but next year I'd like to see the Blue Taleh take the cake.
They could haver the best Christmas Goose in the whole G.D.world, I'm not taking my wife and kids into that Hell-hole Haverhill!!! I'll stick with Cobblestones, Village Smokehouse, Viet Thai, and Ricardo's thank you very much!
Things from Haverhill:
Rob Zombie
Archie Comics
Etsogo
How bad can it really be?
The sad thing Peter is that most of the rest of the area has the same opinion of Lowell, which is why our places come and go all the time. Not enough people ignore all the talk about Lowell being a gang and crime haven.
You should give Haverhill a try. It's come a long way in the last decade.
Me thinks dear readers could use a class on the use of irony.
This may be slightly off-topic, but I wanted to throw it out there!
I spent a few minutes yesterday walking through downtown Nashua and left feeling rather sad. Main street is becoming a ghost town. At least 5 stores that seemed to be flourishing a month ago and shuttered or will be soon. Are we bracing for the same fate in DTL? To make this food related, let me add that none of the eating establishments seem to be closing, although many have cut back their hours.
My #1 vote would be for Cobblestone's of course. I still think they are awesome, despite all the smack talk on this blog. 2nd place, Southeast Asian, 3rd place Pho88, 4th place Ricardo's.
As for Blue Taleh, the food was good, the drinks were great, but the service was super slow. I think I tried to signal my waitress for 35 minutes until I finally went up to the bar and asked for my check. Not sure what was going on that night since it was pretty dead.
Have to agree with Ruby on the service at Blue Taleh. The BF and I love the food and atmosphere there, but everytime we go no matter how busy or slow it is, the service is always lacking. (That includes bar tenders and waitstaff alike). I can say that the owner is ALWAYS there and never hesitates to buss a table, refill water, what have you.
Ruby and Jackie - that is really strange. We've been to Blue Taleh many, many times, and have never had slow or bad service.
In fact I think we'd vote for it for best restaurant.
Like everyone else I have had problems at BT with the service....s l o w. But I love the food. So I have to ask myself "is it worth it?" Does anyone else just stare at the menu and not know what to order? Happens to me every time I'm there.
Food service is decent. Food is awesome. Drinks take forever to come.
I've experienced, and I've had others tell me, that food often comes to the table before the drinks. I was hoping these were early kinks that could be worked out. Then I assumed it was the bartender who was more interested in telling you his life story than quenching your thirst. He's been gone for a while though, and the drink issues remain.
I still go though. Food is good enough to bring me back, plus I care more about getting a good meal than showy service.