Tyngsboro

[fatcatbrew]

I will be travelling to the Tyngsboro, Mass area in a few weeks and am looking for dining suggestions. Any ideas for higher-end dining?

Edited August 7, 2005 by fatcatbrew (log)

[dans]

Right in Tyngsboro is the Stonehedge Inn. They have the best restaurant in the area. I would recommend it oiver any place else around. Check out the web site at: Stonehedge Inn. I recommend it over a lot of places in Boston proper. I can't say enough good things about it.

In some of the surrounding towns good restaurants are:

Nashua, NH: Michael Timothy's and Surf. Both are very good and run by the same chef (Michael Buckley). He is often seen walking across the street to check out the other restaurant. Michael Timothy's

In Westford MA is Agresti's which we haven't been to in a while. Good food small wine list. It is in a small strip mall. Another place is called Bamboo. It is a decent chinese/sushi restaurant.

A little further out is Dalya's in Bedford MA. In concord MA is Aigo Bistro. You should think about cathing this place before it closes. Rumor has it the chef is moving on in a few weeks.

What to stay away from. In Lowell MA - almost everything. Espacially La Boniche. Ther place is mediocre at best.

If you have any specific questions, I'd be more than willing to help out. I live in the next town over and have been to most places around here.

Dan

[WHS]

I second Stonehedge Inn--its restaurant Silks has one of the most extensive wine lists in the area. Nashua is 10 minutes away--other good choices there are You You Bistro at Exit 6 off the Everett Tpke for Asian fusion cuisine, and Fody's on Railroad Square downtown--contemporary American.

[fatcatbrew]

Thank you so much! I will definately be going to Silks at The Stonehedge Inn.

Has anyone stayed at The Stonehedge Inn. I am contemplating staying there as well.

Also is the You You Bistro high end dining or casual?

[dans]

Has anyone stayed at The Stonehedge Inn.  I am contemplating staying there as well.

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I've stayed there several times. I didn't always live in the next town, so we've stayed there on some special occasions (anniversary, wedding night, etc). It is a very comfortable inn. They have rooms with gas fireplaces and a couple with screened porches.

They also have a spa with a pool. I can recommend the massage there.

Dan

[WHS]

You You Bistro is what you might call "high-end casual". It's in a strip mall, decor is contemporary, menu incorporates Korean, Thai, Japanese and French (sounds confused, but they pull it off). For a fine dining experience though, definitely try the Stonehedge. If you're in the area on a Sunday, Michael Timothy does a fabulous jazz brunch for $20.

[fischwlu]

This was very helpful for me as well, because my husband and I were trying to think of places to go around Chelmsford other then Bainbridges. We are definitely going to check out Michael Timothy's! Thank you!

[fatcatbrew]

You all have been very helpful - Thank you. I will be staying at Stonehedge Inn and dining at Silks on at least one evening. I hope to try those other restaurant recommendations as well.

What would you recommend in the area to do during the day (unfortunately I can't spa all day long..... )

[WHS]

You all have been very helpful - Thank you.  I will be staying at Stonehedge Inn and dining at Silks on at least one evening.  I hope to try those other restaurant recommendations as well.

What would you recommend in the area to do during the day (unfortunately I can't spa all day long..... )

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The concierge should be able to suggest some enjoyable things but...Nashua is primarily notable for its tax-free shopping and there's a huge mall just across the border. Don't know if this is your cup of tea, but Lowell was once a mighty mill town, and the old factory complex downtown has been restored as a historic area. If you'd like to drive through some pretty towns, take 113 west through Dunstable then down to Groton. You could take 119 west and then come up through New Ipswich NH. There's a beautiful old mansion called Barrett House owned by Historic New England that has a spectacular terraced allee of maples in back. If you take 31 north from New Ipswich, it will land you on Rte 101, and east back toward Nashua. Lots of farm stands along the way--blueberries galore now!

[dans]

What would you recommend in the area to do during the day

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That is a little more difficult. What are your interests? Are you a shopper? Do you like museums?

There are a few national parks in the area. Again in Concord (Aigo Bistro territory) you have a lot of revolutionary war stuff as well as some historical authors (Walden, Alcott). Lowell (as mentioned by someone else) was a center for textiles and has a museum, etc.

In Harvard there is the Fruitlands museum. I've never been so I can't describe it.

Further out, but still not in Boston proper are: DeCordova Museum in Waltham (I think), Musem of our National Heritage (this has changed names, but I can't remember wha tthe new name is) in Lexington.

Of course Boston offers a lot of excitement. Lopts of museums, history and tours One thing I always recommend it he Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum (actually quite close to the Musem of Fine Arts). Sin ceBoston is less than an hour away (an accessible by train in many towns between Tyngsboro and Boston) you should consider it.

If shoppin gis your thing. There is a Mall in Nashua as well as a main street that is full of shops. If you go to downtown Nashua, there are some small boutiques that might be of interest. In Manchester, NH there is (was?) an LLBean outlet. There is one on Nashua too, but I've alwys been dissapointed in it. Concord MA (Aigo Bistro) can be interesting, but the shops aren't open for tourist hours - most are onl;y open 9 to 5 Monday to Saturday.

In the fall you can alwys just drive and look at the foliage. Depending on the time of year, ther may be some church fairs or similar things.

I'm sorry to drone on. If you have specific interests let me know and I could suggest omething. I haven't even scratched the surface - culture, concerts, etc.

Dan

[fatcatbrew]

That is a little more difficult. What are your interests? Are you a shopper? Do you like museums?

I can do outlet shopping or mall shopping any time - don't need to do it on vacation. However, I like to browse small boutiques that have unique merchandise. My husband and I enjoy hiking, mansion tours, horseback riding, wineries, scenic drives, - We'll be going in to Boston on another trip - Thanks for all your suggestions.

[dans]

Update

We went to Agresti's the other night and I can no longer recommend it. I had a ceasar salad that was swimming in dressing that was way too lemony and the croutons were stale. My wife had the bruschetta that I'll bet was prepared ahead of time since it was soggy though and through it also had too much balsamic. To top it off it looked like a pile of leftovers from the prep for another dish.

The entres were not much better. The flat iron steak was served with a pepper and onion mixture that was rank. The bolognese was overloaded with thyme to the point it was "minty".

Stay away from this place.

Dan

[fatcatbrew]

The Stonehedge Inn for dining was quite good. They have quite an impressive wine list. We requested a tour of the wine cave but they were unable to accommodate us. Why, I have no idea as the place was practically empty and we were staying there a few days....

I would recommend dining here, but not the overnight accommodations. The rooms are old and in need of some serious tlc. However, old and dated I can handle.... What I had trouble with is the uncleanliness of the rooms. Even the spa could use a little help in that department.

Another nice dining experience was Michael Timothy's in Nashua. Wonderful martinis - fun and innovative menu - friendly service staff.

Thanks for all the recommendations.

[WHS]

The Stonehedge Inn for dining was quite good.    They have quite an impressive wine list.  We requested a tour of the wine cave but they were unable to accommodate us.  Why, I have no idea as the place was practically empty and we were staying there a few days.... 

I would  recommend dining here, but not the overnight accommodations.    The rooms are old and in need of some serious tlc.    However, old and dated I can handle.... What I had trouble with is the uncleanliness of the rooms.  Even the spa could use a little help in that department.

Another nice dining experience was Michael Timothy's in Nashua.  Wonderful martinis - fun and innovative menu - friendly service staff.

Thanks for all the recommendations.

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Too bad about Stonehedge. And I hope you let them know. I'm glad you liked Michael Timothy's. Michael is opening a steakhouse in Merrimack NH soon, so the next time you're in the area, you'll have more dining options!