2 Great Meals - Cremeland, Manch. NH & Pho88, Lowell

[lexpatti]

On the run yesterday, no time to cook and had two great meals. Cremeland in Manchester, NH on Valley St. has excellent fried seafood. Nice light batter that doesn't overwelm the taste. Had the seafood platter with clams (with belly), haddock, shrimp and scallops. Then as we headed south after a long day, still no time to cook we popped in off Rt. 3 at Drum Hill in Lowell at Pho 88 for excellent take out. We got a house or special pad thai (with everything in it), goi quon garden rolls with shrimp and a great tofu and vegi curry dish and rice. Great way to end a long day. Hadn't been back here for awhile since we sold a business in this neighborhood (used to eat here once a week). They are expanding into the business next door, business must be good. We really like it.

I still llike the sauce for the garden rolls at Southeast Asian in Lowell better, it's a sweet fish sauce rather then in most (like Pho 88) which is the heavy peanut sauce. Just my personal preference.

[dafood]

I just love Cremeland -- perfect for a day like today! It's such a great place to sit outside. The old-school music through the speakers just makes it even better. I'm a huge fan of the fried chicken sandwich. It's always a huge piece of chicken -- way bigger than the bun. And the crinkly fries are always cooked perfectly. And then to top it off with ice cream? Wonderful!

[skips1land]

Yeah, the food is great, and the ice cream that they make is the best. I really wish they had a website though. Who doesn't have a website in this day and age?! I want to find out when they're open for the season, hours, menu, and whatever else.

[lexpatti]

www.cremeland.com

[whs]

thanks lexpatti--btw, I think the pho at Golden Bowl is better than Pho 88. Thoughts?

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Golden Bowl
124 Queen City Ave, Manchester, NH 03103

[lexpatti]

we were disappointed in Golden Bowl last time we were there - fishy smell to my goi coin rolls (I' know I'm chopping the spelling) :-)

I don't usually order the pho, I love the bun (vermicelli noodles) and I do like that better at pho 88.

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Golden Bowl
124 Queen City Ave, Manchester, NH 03103

[whs]

Creamland has great ice cream too. It's fun to hang out at a picnic table next to the parking lot on a warm summer evening chowing down on a black raspberry cone.

[lexpatti]

a meal in itself :-), I usually don't have room for dessert but they have some really creative flavors too. Been painting our business this week, weeeee hours (so grabing good grub is helpful) - It's just too bad nothing good is open at 1am when we need a second wind.

[whs]

The Puritan Back Room is open til midnight but Manchester is definitely not a 24 hour city.

[lexpatti]

How is the food there? One of our employees just gave us a gift cert. but never been - good to know, we still have a good two or three nights left on the painting.

[whs]

Good lamb skewers, steaks, chicken pot pie, spinach pie, ice cream. It's hugely popular, the bar is great and the waitresses are friendly and efficient. Entrees come with a greek salad that is tasty. It's owned by the Pappas family, and is a Manchester institution--you see everybody from the mayor to the latest presidential wannabe.

[lexpatti]

It was packed the night we tried to go, ended up at Fratello's because they told us Sunday's were really crazy lately and with the St. Patty's parade we may not get out in time for a Palace Theatre Show - didn't want to take any chances. Have to get back - thanks for the recommendation. Is this the same as Pappas Pizza on N. Elm St., same family?

[nobadfood]

I think you refer to Pappy's Pizza on N. Elm. It's not the same family, and I wouldn't risk my life dining there. As for Fratello's....YUCK. Just mounds of worn out combinations without much taste, but if you favor quantity for quality, knock yourself out.

[lexpatti]

Oh my goodness, we had a fabulous breakfast at Pappy's Pizza recently, no joke - great waitress too. I haven't had anything else but others have said great burgers. I certainly wouldn't put Fratello's on any of my top lists but for the price we had a great meal, I'm an escargo fan and got a very nice fix.

[gryphonskeeper]

I hate that place! They are always very crowded and the food is VERY hit or miss. Most of the time it is either very over/undercooked and the wait staff is so busy it takes forever just to get a drink. Last time I went with my mom, was the LAST time we will go, it took 2 hours just to be seated and served! My mom who has narcolepsy actually fell asleep at the table because she waited so long for a drink to take her medication.

[whs]

Yikes! It's good for what it is, which is glorified Greek diner food. But I've never had terrible service--it's always hectic but the waitresses get the job done.

[nobadfood]

RE The Puritan Back Room . . . I don't know where to start. Better to go to Applebees, TGIF, or one of any number of chain restaurants. PRB is so pedestrian, it is trampled. The only reason to go there is to stand in line at the ice cream window. The flavors are varied and they actually make a respectable hot fudge sundae.

[nobadfood]

Cremeland is one of those seasonal dives. It excels in grease and the ice cream is so-so. But, like everything else, just depends on what you like.