The Bitchelin Guide

The advent of semi-prepared food offered in grocery stores has become pervasive to almost all level of store.  We think it might have started in the fifties with rotisserie chicken.  The housewife could pick up a large piece of the main meal that was consistent every time.  Greatly reducing preparation and creating more leisure time.  Unfortunately, housewives of the fifties realized leisure time was overrated and ended up experimenting with mood altering chemicals prescribed by doctors fretting over uncontrolled anxiety.   That's neither here nor there, unless you're a housewife that longs for the old days strung out benzodiazepine and not caring about the state of the world for long stretches.   The advent of semi-prepared food in the modern area seems to be the deli section in any grocery store.  The corner deli has slowly evaporated from the American small town and has moved over to the grocery stor...

There is nothing better than having a bar or pub nearby.  The English seem to have piloted this urban planning and then refined it over the centuries. American cities, often crippled with periods of enforced sobriety and bullying zoning laws, saw the loss of the neighborhood bar in suburbia.   Luckily, our town has three or four places that can stand in for that role although they aren't in our neighborhood per se.  Our downtown historical district is a mere five minutes away.  Tucked in the old town between two high rent restaurants sits the "Brown".  The Brown Lantern fancies itself a sports bar with the accoutrements of a bar from the thirties.  The subway tile and the use of kitsch mirrors is kept to a minimum. The fare is American Pub.  Although this is common to the places we frequent, we fall for the ones that make an effort to switch gears and take the road less traveled. For instance, the habanero chicken sandwich is consistent, time...

In rural environments there can be wonderful gems and when you come upon them you immediately know you have found potential.  That is Potential with a capital P.  The current trend for pubs to create an environment that encourages patrons to stay longer by having games available was evident during our drive around the facility. Unfortunately, the weather and timing were not conducive to cornhole or horseshoes.  The staff were friendly and engaging.  The waitress had a high-ranking level in the Joie de vivre category.  She was knowledgeable and had good sales technique.  Great timing when visiting the table.   The food turned out to be an undiscovered gem.  Although it was contemporary pub fare, it was excellent.  Variations on standard themes, but the quality was all fresh and very flavorful.  A note was the that the dipping sauces were homemade.  The horseradish ranch was extremely good.   The beer selection was...