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Finneran: The Bucket List

Friday, September 30, 2016

 

This week’s opening of the National Museum of African-American History and Culture in Washington D.C. adds a must-see to my bucket list. I suspect that there is a lot to see and a lot to learn, likely two full days of very intense and searing history. I consider it a “course requirement” for all Americans as we grope our way toward that highly elusive post-racial society.

My wife accuses me of getting “lost” in a museum, moving ever so slowly and reading every word of every exhibit. Thus the need for a few days rather than a few hours. But aren’t museums designed as an immersion, an opportunity to see, to listen, to reflect upon, and to learn? There are certain things I don’t want to speed-read.

For me a visit to the new museum would tie in to a late-in-life regret---a wish that I had taken a few basic courses in African American history when I was in college. Back then finance degree requirements focused heavily on business courses, leaving little room for a wish list of other offerings. No excuses however. It remains a regret. 

There are of course many lighter items on that bucket list. Consider:

  • A rafting trip through the Grand Canyon. I’d love to do it with the grandchildren but the age spread is tough. That which is routine for an eight, nine, or ten year old is far beyond a three year old’s capacity. The canyon walls are stunning, the river itself is legend, and the night sky is akin to divine revelation. Even if I can’t take all of them I want some of them to have the experience at an early age. I’m thinking 2017 will be the year.................
  • So too a river cruise in Europe. Next fall perhaps.........Paris and the Seine? The Rhone? The Rhine? The Danube? So much to see, so little time...................A cruise of the Scandinavian fjords holds equal appeal. Norway, Sweden, and the Baltic Sea, ending perhaps in St. Petersburg. This is the stuff of daydreams and fantasy.
  • A service academy football game. West Point on the Hudson River holds great appeal. This is most likely a “guys’ trip”, the guys being my grandsons, lovers of football and any adventures with Papa. I see an Army v. Air Force game on the schedule and I think that game is a twofer, service academy vs. service academy with flyovers, parachute landings, close order drill, and marching bands along with some pretty good football.
  • The long shot on this list is a solo performance---climbing Mount Kilimanjaro. It’s a solo trip because my wife Donna thinks I’m insane. She wants no part of it other than to make sure that my life insurance is paid up. I’m told that this is a very strenuous six or seven day hike with each day becoming increasingly difficult, approaching exhaustion. With two artificial hips and Boston Marathon worn-thin knees it might be beyond me. Thus the long shot.
  • Of course while I’m there I’d want to experience a safari, trying to see the “big five”---lion, leopard, elephant, rhino, and Cape buffalo. In addition a few African sunrises and sunsets, preferably with wine at day’s end, would be something special.
  • A leisurely cross-country trip with Donna in a big comfortable van with no particular timetable or agenda......perhaps Cooperstown and Niagara Falls, Mackinac Island in Michigan, a few days in Chicago, up to the Badlands and Big Sky country, over the mountains to the Washington, Oregon, and California coasts, camping in National Parks as often as possible. The return trip home has to hit Death Valley, Sedona, Taos, Austin, Memphis, and Nashville. Charleston too.

It’s a big country with lots of history to explore and lots of locals to meet. Local fare and local folks. The real America, not sitcom America. It’s time to start the journey.

Tom Finneran is the former Speaker of the Massachusetts House of Representatives, served as the head the Massachusetts Biotechnology Council, and was a longstanding radio voice in Boston radio.

 

Related Slideshow: 25 Things in Worcester You Have to Eat Before You Die

Prev Next

Frozen Yogurt

Where: WooBerry

Address: 141 Highland Street

WooBerry is locally owned and is the home to 19 delicious flavors of frozen yogurt. This place is the epitome of everything that is right in this world - delicious and low in calories.

WooBerry is one of the few actual places on this list where you can't go wrong with anything you get. Don't forget about the literally millions of toppings to choose from (not literally).

Prev Next

Ravioli Roma Burger

Where: Brew City

Address: 104 Shrewsbury Street

One of many Shrewsbury Street restuarants on this list, Brew City is known for its great burgers. In our opinion, there's none better than the Ravioli Roma.

The Raviola Roma is a black angus burger with a giant five-cheese filled fried ravioli topped with marinara sauce and provolone cheese. 

In a nutshell, it's a lot of great cheese.

Photo Credit: Thao L. - Yelp

Prev Next

Roast Beef Sandwich

Where: New England Roast Beef

Address: 33 Park Avenue, Worcester 

The best roast beef sandwich in Worcester is, of course, found at New England Roast Beef (It should be though, right?).

The "Super Beef" comes loaded with roast beef and on an onion roll. 

The beer battered fries and onion rings are nice addition to the sandwich. 

Prev Next

Fried Pickles

Where: Smokestack Urban BBQ

Address: 139 Green Street

When Smokestack opened up, the fried pickles were like an exotic fruit in this city. And let's be honest, that really hasn't changed.

If you think of fried pickles, you think think of Smokestack. And we always think of fried pickles. 

Salty and delicious with a special sauce (We tried to make our own at home, it wasn't the same), fried pickles are an absolute must. 

Prev Next

Chinese Food

Where: Dragon Dynasty

Address: 104 Highland Street

Like WooBerry (also on Highland Street, weird) we suggest everything on the Dragon Dynasty menu.

Unless you're allergic to something on the menu, you can't go wrong.

Recommendations: Szechuan Chicken, and Kung Pao Shrimp.

Do your family a favor, pick-up some Chinese food at Dragon Dynasty tonight and let's go crazy and grab some Fro-Yo down the street at WooBerry.

GoLocalWorcester = Your Saturday Night solved.

Image: Amber S. - Yelp

Prev Next

Donuts

Where: Boston Donuts

Address: 338 Park Avenue

If this were a list of the 25 best things to drink in Worcester before you die, Boston Donuts coffee would be at the top of the list. 

But we're talking donuts here. With 40 flavors of donuts made fresh daily, Boston Donuts is above and beyond the best place to get your donut fix in the Woo.

Recommendations: Jelly Sticks, Reese's

Prev Next

Lobster

Where: The Sole Proprieter

Address: 118 Highland Street

Nothing like following up donuts with some fresh lobster. But that's what we're doing.

The freshest seafood in arguably the best restuarant in the city, the Sole's lobster is the best lobster you can find in Worcester County. Maybe even in the whole state of Massachusetts.

Splurge for the New England Lobster Bake. You can't go wrong.

Prev Next

Cannoli

Where: Wholly Cannoli

Address: 490 Grafton Street 

Sticking lobster in between two desserts is crazy.

A cannoli from Wholly Cannoli = the event of the year...for your mouth. 

With 44 cannoli flavors, how can you go wrong?

Prev Next

Meatball Sandwich

Where: Vincent's

Address: 49 Suffolk Street

Vincent's Meatball Sandwich is the stuff of legend. It's just about the only thing Vincent's serves, but when you try one, you won't want anything else.

There's no website, but here are the hours in case you have a hankering.

Monday-Saturday 11:30 a.m.- 2 a.m., Sunday 1:00 p.m. - 2 a.m.

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Italian Sandwich

Where: Regatta Deli

Address: 28 Lake Avenue

This sandwich is absolutely loaded with meat on delicous Italian bread.

It's enormous and it's only $5.00. 

Genoa Salami, Imported Ham, Provolone Cheese, lettuce, tomato, onion and Regatta's dressing on their famous half loaf Italian bread.

A member of GoLocal's 10 Things You Must Do in Worcester Before You Die, we wrote, "A Worcester classic. If you plan on catching the Regatta Races this summer on Lake Quinsigamond, plan on working up an appetite. Lucky for you, right across the street is the Regatta Deli where they serve their famous Regatta Italian grinders."

Prev Next

Sushi

Where: Baba Sushi

Address: 309 Park Ave, Worcester

The highly acclaimed Baba Restaurant & Sushi Bar has been winning awards for over seven years.

And rightfully so. 

Ask anyone in Worcester where you can find the best sushi, and again and again, the answer is always "Baba."

If great Sushi isn’t enough to bring you in for a taste, perhaps you’ll be interested in the weekly Sushi making classes Baba offers every Sunday.

Prev Next

Meatballs

Where: Parkway Diner

Address: 148 Shrewsbury Street

Parkway's meatballs are what make their sandwiches and entrees perfect. They're homemade and it has been the same recipe for many years now.

The best part? You can get a meatball sandwich for breakfast if you want. Or a meatball omelette.

Prev Next

Cupcakes

Where: Sweet Restaurant & Bar

Address: 72 Shrewsbury Street

It's everyone's (our) dream come true - a bar filled with cupcakes and desserts. 

Everything at Sweet is made from scratch, including it's famous award-winning cupcakes. 

Indulge yourself - it is well worth the trip.

Prev Next

Nachos

WhereThe Banner

Address: 112 Green Street

There isn't a bigger serving of nachos in the whole city. The Banner calls these nachos "a mountain" topped with cheese, jalapenos, olives and onions. And they aren't kidding.

Prev Next

Pizza

Where: The Wonder Bar

Address: 121 Shrewsbury Street

One of GoLocalWorcester's 15 to Watch in 2015, the Wonder Bar re-opened this summer under new ownership and successfully fulfilled the promise that they would keep the same pizza recipe.

The Prizio family now runs the 85-year-old Worcester staple and continue to serve the best pizza in a city filled with great pizza.

Prev Next

Hot Dogs

Where: Coney Island

Address: 158 Southbridge Street, Worcester

One of the most obvious selections for this list, there's no better way truly experience Worcester than to have your hot dogs smothered in yellow mustard, chili sauce and chopped onions.

Prev Next

New York Sirloin

Where: 111 Chop House

Address: 111 Shrewsbury Street

The 111's famouse Prime New York sirloin is comes in 8 oz, 14 oz and 20 oz (that's the big boy).

You won't find a better piece of meat in the city. Like the Sole (same owners) with seafood, the Chop House rivals any steak house in the state. 

Image: Kevin S. - Yelp

Prev Next

Egg Rolls

Where: Ho Toy Luau Restaurant

Address: 401 Park Avenue

This place may not look like an exceptional restuarant from the outside because it's a throwback to a better time (probably the 1970s).

They have the single greatest egg roll in the entire city.

As one of our writers put it, "It's unique. It's golden crusted. It's delicious."

Prev Next

The Ivory Tusk

Where: Flying Rhino

Address: 278 Shrewsbury Street

Served on toasted Italian bread, the Ivory Tusk is Flying Rhino's most famous sandwich. It's chicken cheese steak loaded with caramelized onions and American cheese.

Be ready to bring an appetite because the Tusk is filling...in a good way.

Prev Next

Guacamole

Where: Mezcal Cantina

Address: 30 Major Taylor Blvd

Mezcal's fresh guac is made to order and this stuff could put on a fake mustache and pose as a full meal. We recommend getting the flight - three different styles of guac with endless chips.

  • HOUSE avocado, onion, tomato, lime, cilantro, jalapeño 
  • CRUNCHY toasted pepitas, smoked almonds, diced jicama, fried corn nuts 
  • MEDITERRANEAN sun-dried tomato, kalamata olive, feta, fresh herb, garlic olive oil 
  • THAI ROOSTER dried pineapple, toasted coconut, black beans, fiery Sriracha sauce 
  • TROPICAL papaya, mango, roasted cashews 
  • BREAKFAST BURNER bacon, hard cooked egg, bleu cheese, red hot sauce 
  • BUFFALO CHICKEN grilled chicken, hot sauce, blue cheese, celery and carrot
Prev Next

Tacos

Where: Sol of Mexico

Address: 538 Pleasant Street 

Worcester Fire Fighter John Tangney calls this place "The best kept secret in Worcester."

Great, now everyone knows about it.

Sol of Mexico may seem small on the outside, but once you get in you'll be thoroughly impressed by its extensive menu of authentic Mexican cuisine. It includes many chicken, seafood, beef and veggie plates with all the trimmings and all the styles one should expect. Also try their special Mexican Hot Chocolate and Churros special during the winter months as well as fruit smoothies.

Prev Next

Spinach Artichoke Dip

Where: Funky Murphy's 

Address: 305 Shrewsbury Street

There's plenty of great spinach and artichoke dips in this city (see: The Boynton), but Funky's does something that very few places do - warm pita bread chips.

The dip is fresh and homemade and we are guaranteeing you will like it (not responsible if you don't).

Prev Next

Lobster Corn Chowder

Where: Bushel N Peck

Address643 Chandler Street 

The fall is coming, and that means the cool weather, too. However, you can still warm up and enjoy some lobster in the coming months. 

"Our original recipe Lobster Corn Chowder has won the competition for best chowder in Blackstone Valley two years running. We serve it at all three of our locations every Friday."- Michael Ashley, Chef/Manager

Prev Next

Ice Cream

Where: Gibby's Dairy Farm

Address: 50 Sunderland Road

There's no better place in Central Massachusetts to get your ice cream fix than Gibby's in Worcester.

With more than 60 flavors of ice cream, you can't go wrong.

Indulge in several more scoops of the areas best ice cream before summer comes to a close.

Image: Thao L./Yelp

Prev Next

French Onion Soup

Where: O'Connor's Restaurant 

Address: 1160 West Boylston Street

There's plenty to like at O'Connor's and we could've easily put Potato Pizza on this list. However, O'Connor's does something better than everyone else - French Onion Soup.

Much like with the Lobster chowder above, O'Connor's French Onion soup will be a sure-fire hit this fall. 

And it's loaded with cheese on top. Which, of course, we love.

 
 

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