Autumn in the North Cemetery.

Sixty miles west of Boston, Massachusetts there is the small New England town of Sturbridge. Located at the junction of I-90 (The Mass Pike), and I-84 it has become known as the "Crossroads of New England". The town was first settled over 300 years ago, and like other small New England towns it has grown just enough over the years to be in a difficult place today. How do we embrace the future without forgetting how we got to our present? How do we attract the right kind of growth, and maintain who we are? And, what about our culture out here in Central Massachusetts?



These pages will cause one to think about how to protect what we have, our future direction, and how to move on in the very best way.


Those thoughts, and other ramblings, will hopefully inspire more thought, conversation, action, and occasionally a smile...

...seems to be working so far

Tuesday, June 15, 2010

Now, This Is More Like It

I don't want to become the food and restaurant critic for the Sturbridge area, but sometimes one has an experience well worth sharing.  Mary and I had one of those experiences last evening here in town.

To celebrate our anniversary we like to go out to eat locally.  Last evening we went to the Cedar Street Restaurant on Cedar Street.  We have dined there before, and have always enjoyed the food, the atmosphere, the price,  and the wait staff.  You can't ask for more that that.

Last night was no different.

We arrived at 6:00, and were greeted by our server, who just happened to be at the door.  He was polite, informative, patient, and prompt.  All great traits.  He recommended an appetizer that was amazing.  It was a spring roll wrapped in prosciutto.  Mary told me that she was using taste buds she had not used in a long time.

We both ordered the NY Sirloin Strip, and they were cooked perfectly to order.  With each course, our wait person asked if we wanted cracked pepper, and accommodated us immediately.  I know, a small thing, but shows that the small details are not being overlooked.

We ate, talked, and relaxed with a glass of wine.  The atmosphere lent it self to our relaxing and enjoyment of the evening.

The cost for the meal, wine, and appetizer was around $88.00.  For the high quality of the meal, the preparation, presentation, and all that went with it, it was well worth it.

I strongly recommend the Cedar Street Restaurant.

Now, as I said, I am not a critic, nor do I want to be, but I do like to share.  And, if I am going to offer kudos to the Cedar Street Restaurant, I am also going to offer some advice as well.

The inside of the restaurant is immaculate, and very well designed, but one cannot ignore the outside of the restaurant.  The brush  around the parking lot in the rear of the building needs to be cut back, the exterior lighting on the poles rimming the parking lot needs repair since several of the poles have been hit by cars, and their glass shades have been broken.  The concrete walkway leading to the restaurant needs  a good power washing, and the railing along that walkway is in in need of repair.  The table set up outside on the patio also need to have umbrellas with them.

You see, no matter how good the food, the reputation, or how nice the interior of a place is, it is the exterior that draws the eye first.  Those first glances can often set the foundation for an opinion that may affect the overall experience.  These are all simple, and inexpensive fixes, but will be worth a great deal in adding to the positive word of mouth about the business.

If you have not tried the Cedar Street Restaurant,   try them out, and let me know how your visit went.

I doubt you will be disappointed.

★★★★☆


View Cedar Street Restaurant in a larger map


6 comments:

  1. Rule 101:
    Never ever recommend restaurants to strangers.
    Your taste more than likely sucks.

    ReplyDelete
  2. You hear that critics of the world? Stop giving recommendations out!!! They're all strangers out there, and it's against Rule 101!!

    Been to Cedar Street Restaurant many, many times. Great place. Would recommend it even to a stranger.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Guess I need to post under Brian F now...

    How about doing the new one at 420 Main?

    Rule 102 - order different dishes so you can share and try different things.

    Brian F

    ReplyDelete
  4. Live from the LakeWednesday, June 16, 2010

    Brian F., I think he did. Could be wrong.

    http://www.sturbridgecommon.com/2010/03/its-all-about-preparation-and.html

    ReplyDelete
  5. Maybe I need glasses...

    "We both ordered the NY Sirloin Strip, and they were cooked perfectly to order. "

    or do I?

    Brian F

    ReplyDelete
  6. Brian F, The NY sirloin was from this weeks article about the Cedar Street Restaurant , the other one was about another restaurant last winter where the food was not prepared right. I think it was about the 420 si9nce it was written about a new place the week it opened.

    ReplyDelete



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