Everyone’s a critic — and everyone has different tastes. That’s what makes our annual Favorite Places to Eat issue something we both look forward to and dread. Some of us want a healthy dinner on the run. Some of us are fast-food junkies. Others want to splurge and be leisurely over cognac and coffee. Some want to bring our children along; others want a quiet table for two. Some of us want more bang for our buck, while some of us don’t mind paying more if we believe the food and the service are worth it.

Lucky for us, MotherTown offers all that and more. There truly is, as you’ll see in our first section, something for everyone.

After spending the last several weeks e-mailing, bickering and, of course, eating out, we are chock-full of choices. You’ll see both familiar names and new restaurants — there are many great places to dine, but these are the ones to which we return again and again … often ordering the same thing.
We hope you’ll enjoy browsing this issue and maybe find a new place to try for both a quick bite to eat and an elegant dinner.  

Something for everyone
With a good mix of cuisine, these restaurants are all-around favorites. There’s a wide variety of price ranges and atmospheres and if you’re looking for high-quality food that will fit any taste or budget, you can’t go wrong with one of these choices.
 
The Bistro at the Chocksett Inn
Price: $$$$
59 Laurelwood Road
Sterling
Phone: 978-422-3355
www.chocksettinn.com/bistro.htm

Sterling’s Chocksett Inn is the site of classy weddings and other large get-togethers, but it also features a wonderful restaurant — The Bistro.
The Bistro has a limited number of tables so reservations are a good idea. White cloth-covered and candle-lit tables greet diners here — you know you’re in a place with class.

The Bistro has an eclectic menu. Entrees include pan-seared sole, Long Island duck, mahi mahi and shrimp risotto. A variety of salads, which are not included in the entrees, are also available.

A basket of two types of exquisite homemade focaccia — a caramelized onion and a basil-crusted — are great starts to a great meal.
Not only is the food excellent at The Bistro, the service is as well. The wait staff treat each table like you’re the only one being served.

During the summer months, The Bistro is open Mondays through Fridays, from 5 to 9 p.m. and on Saturdays when there is not a wedding. In the wedding off season, The Bistro is open each Saturday. Reservations are suggested.

The Old Mill
Price: $$$
69 State Road E (Just off Route 2)
Westminster
Phone: 978-874-5941
www.1761oldmill.com

The Old Mill’s draw continues to be location, location, location. We can’t think of another restaurant where, in nice weather, we hope there’s a wait so we can sit outside. Ducks, geese, swans and other water foul are aplenty. Two small covered bridges lead you from the parking to the restaurant. Between the benches along the water and the gift shop downstairs you’ll find plenty to occupy you until your table is ready.

The original workers of this old mill probably never imagined their workplace would one day be one of the most scenic places to dine. The Old Mill offers a varied menu and great food, but the biggest draw may be the weekend breakfast buffet. The $17.99 per adult all you can eat buffet is one of the largest we’ve ever seen. And the Old Mill’s famous fritters are to die for.

Although the Old Mill is spectacular any time of year, it’s a must visit in the fall when foliage is at its peak.

The Old Timer
Price: $
155 Church St.
Clinton
978-365-5980
www.oldtimerrestaurant.com

It’s Irish, it’s a pub, it’s got charm. What more could you ask for? Affordable and friendly, The Old Timer, owned by the McNally family for three generations, offers a good mix of Irish and American dishes. Patriarch Jim McNally serenades his customers during the Sunday and Wednesday roast beef buffet, and there’s a corned beef and cabbage special every Thursday.

The pub, located off the front of the restaurant is always a good place to find great conversation and to watch a ballgame. On Tuesday nights, come with a group of friends for “Tuesday Night Trivia” and see how your useless knowledge can win you fame, fortune, and maybe an Old Timer’s Gift Certificate.

The Old Timer is a long-time favorite for Clintonians. With its Irish ambiance, you’ll definitely want to book ahead on St. Patty’s Day.

J’s Restaurant at Nashoba Valley Winery
Price: $$$$
100 Wattaquadoc Hill Road
Bolton
Phone: 978-779-9816
www.nashobawinery.com/J.html

A lovely restaurant nestled in the middle of an orchard, J’s Restaurant at Nashoba Valley Winery is one of those “occasion places” — best reserved for an intimate dinner for two or with close friends.

J’s is located in a renovated old farmhouse with wide planked floors and walls. The Nashoba Valley orchard surrounds the restaurant and during the warm months the breeze is scented with fruit.

J’s impeccable menu changes with the season and everything is paired with a Nashoba Valley wine. Although some connoisseurs may wrinkle their noses at the idea of a fruit wine, the blueberry merlots and others are outstanding. Guests may dine in a number of rooms or out on the patio in the warmer weather.

J’s French-inspired cuisine and ingenious uses of the wines produced at the winery is perhaps the best reason to try an evening meal here. The staff are extremely pleasant as well.

J’s is open for lunch and dinner Wednesdays through Saturdays and for brunch on Sundays. Reservations are required can be made on line. A deposit may be required for larger groups.

O’Connor’s Restaurant & Bar
Price: $$
1160 West Boylston St.
Worcester
Phone:  508-853-0789
www.oconnorsrestaurant.com

Brendan and Claire O’Connor’s place has been setting the standard for great service, atmosphere and find food for years. The menus always has some great surprises, as well as new cuisine and traditional Irish fare — and the seafood is out of this world. We love the sweet potatoes fries and the butternut bisque, and they have an Irish version of nachos which uses waffle fries in lieu of corn chips. Expect to wait on weekends, but the friendly bar’s huge offerings of stouts, beers and ales will help the time pass quickly.

Once you try O’Connor’s, you’re sure to become a loyal customer.

The Flying Rhino
Price: $$$$
278 Shrewsbury St.
Worcester
Phone: 508-757-1450
Web site: www.flyingrhinocafe.com

High-class dining without the high-class cost. That’s the best way to sum up the Flying Rhino on Shrewsbury Street in Worcester.

The Flying Rhino offers up some of the most creative dishes around and all are sure to tantalize the taste buds. Diners can choose between either a “Bite” order or a “Double bite” order for the appetizers. The Tequila Shrimp make you think there is a fiesta in your mouth and everyone is invited. There is also calamari, lobster and scallop cakes, portabella strudel and asparagus in ambush. All are reasonably priced.

There are also a number of soups to choose from and diners can choose to personalize their salads with either chicken, portabella mushroom, steak tips, andouille sausage, sashimi tuna or Cajun shrimp.

Entrees include the Rainforest Ravioli (our personal favorite) Chilean Sea Bass, Prime Rib, Filet Au Poivre, Chicken Souvlaki or Penne a la Vodka ranging in price from $10.95 to $21.95.

The desserts are always a treat and service is always mindful, attentive and helpful. The Flying Rhino offers a great meal and a great night out.

Clark’s Restaurant and Café
Price: $
310 High St.
Clinton
Phone: 978-365-7772

Clark’s is located next to the Clinton post office and offers both daily and weekly specials, a full salad menu and homemade chili perfectly seasoned. The lunches and dinners are simple and tasty, but we love Clark’s for its breakfast, both the price and the quality. For less than $15, you and your companion can get a home fries, toast and coffee and a custom-made omelet, and there’s no end to the combination of veggies and breakfast meats you can stuff inside. It’s perfect for those who rise with the sun; it’s open at 6 a.m. Monday through Saturday and 7 a.m. on Sunday. Go early to avoid a long wait.

Chloe’s
Price: $$$
23 Main Street
Hudson
Phone: 978-568-1500
www.chloebistro.com

Chloe’s is like having one of Boston’s finest restaurants in the suburbs. The décor is country French, charming and comfortable. The seasonal menu is planned around local produce which is incredibly fresh and flavorful. There aren’t a lot of heavy sauces and everything is prepared to perfection and beautifully presented. The portions are reasonable – it’s more than a mouthful, but not so voluminous that you’d take home a month’s worth of leftovers. Chloe’s also has a piano bar and live jazz, wine tastings and other events. 

Michael’s Bridge Diner
Price: $$
56 Main St.
Lancaster
Phone: 978-368-0630

Michael’s Bridge Diner has turned into the little restaurant that could. After a devastating fire in June 2006, owner Michael Gleason rebuilt across the street, on the site of his former flower stand, and reopened within four months. The new place is bigger and brighter but has all the same great food. The line for breakfast on weekend mornings is out the door. The Bridge also serves lunch, with an extensive menu of homemade soups, and will soon be serving dinner and drinks, with town of Lancaster’s only liquor license. The flower stand is still at the back of the parking lot. The only thing they didn’t bring with them was the bear.

Mangia, it’s Italian
If a trip to Boston’s North End is a bit out of your way for dinner, fear not. You needn’t drive far to find good Italian food in MotherTown land. From simple to elegant and from affordable to pricey, it’s all here — and it’s all good. Although there’s a wide range of tastes, settings and prices, we don’t think you can go wrong at any of these.

Monty’s Garden
Price: $$
35 Central St.
Leominster
Phone: 978-537-6302

Monty’s has that feeling of an old family-owned Italian restaurant that’s been around for decades — primarily, because it’s just that. Monty’s offers a simple menu with a wide range of prices. Staff here are very friendly and the food is delicious. If you just want a plate of pasta or their filling polenta, that and a drink will get you out the door for under $10. Delve into one of their more elaborate dishes and dinner for two will put you in the $25 to $30.

The staff are very friendly and personable. Even when dining alone, the staff are likely to treat you like you’re a party of 12 ready to fork over a big fat tip.
We may find other places that catch our fancy from time to time, but we always end up back at Monty’s. It’s been a MotherTown favorite for years. Check it out soon — the owners tell us the building is for sale and once it’s sold, they are unsure if they will reopen at another location.

Arturo’s
Price: $$$$
54 East Main St.
Westborough
Phone: 508-366-1881
www.arturoristorante.com

Arturo’s remains one of our favorite spots for Italian cuisine. The artsy, relaxing atmosphere is accentuated by Arturo’s open kitchen and wood-fired over, which yields some of the best focaccia breads and pizzas we’ve ever tasted.
Not only is the food delicious, it’s pretty. You may not want to destroy your plate, but the food is so worth it. With a variety of choices including salads, risottos, scampi, marcella, parmigianas and, of course, the Manzo di Filidelphia pizza (beef tenderloin, roasted peppers, caramelized onions and mozzarella), there is something on the menu for every taste.

Arturo’s fills up fast, so on weekends and holidays, be sure to call ahead for a reservation. It’s worth the trip.

Il Camino
Price: $$
555 Central St. (Route 12)
Leominster
Phone: 978-537-5083

The Il Camino restaurant offers a friendly, welcoming environment and casual dining amidst pleasant Mediterranean ambiance. The service is prompt, and you will want it to be, as the anticipation of what will be laid before you is strong.
A popular menu option is the selection of Exclusive Dinners which come with everything you could imagine. For around $25, you can take an entire tour of Italy, which includes a main dish of chicken, veal, shrimp, lobster, scallops, lamb, pork, or sirloin (cooked in a variety of different ways), salad, soup, pasta, a vegetable, bread, dessert, and coffee or tea. This option is delightful for the indecisive eater, and the food is delicious.

The menu offers a variety of other dishes, including homemade pasta, chicken, fish, beef, pork, or lamb, and the portions are fairly large. There are also children’s dishes available. Beware, however: the restaurant does not accept credit cards. You don’t always have to go home for hearty home-cooking — it’s available right through the doors of the Il Camino.

Il Forno
Price: $$
27 Airport Road
Fitchburg
Phone: 978-345-2511

Il Forno has long been a favorite of MotherTown staff, and it seems to be a favorite of everyone we meet. Il Forno now has locations in Westborough, Gardner and Acton.
Il Forno has excellent wait staff, fresh antipastos, an always surprising combination of foods and, best of all, Il Forno’s famous garlic bread. And you’ll always bring home leftovers.

The menu is quite varied, from brick oven pizza to calamari to chicken francese, and the best thing about the place is its always surprising specials list. The number of combinations of food offered will astound you. Il Forno’s is constantly one of the best Italian dinning experiences in the area with pricing that is quite modest for what you’re getting. Bring your own alcoholic beverage; the restaurant will provide the glasses.

They have food there, too?
These may not be the first places that come to mind when it’s time to grab a bite to eat, but MotherTown hosts a few little gems here and there that you don’t want to pass up.

The Strand
Price: $$
58 High St.
Clinton
Phone: 978-365-5800
www.strandtheatre.com

This classic movie theater in Clinton’s downtown has strategically placed tables between theater seats to allow patrons a place to rest their food. Burgers, sandwiches, pizza and a full beer and wine license give the moviegoer plenty of dinner-sized options to munch away during your film. Oh, that’s right, they have popcorn too.

The Strand only has one screen, but if it’s a movie you want to see, ditch the megaplexes. You’ll be glad you did. Admission is $5, the chairs are comfy and the food is reasonably priced. Dinner and a movie for one can easily cost under $20.
The Strand is one of our favorite outings for dinner and a movie. This place has charm.

If you’re fortunate enough to live within walking distance of this theater, a stroll to The Strand on a summer evening is great fun.

Nancy’s Air Field Café
Price: $$
302 Boxborough Road
Stow
Phone: 978-897-3934
www.nancysairfieldcafe.com

Dining on soup and sandwiches while watching planes take off — now that’s a unique dining experience. Tucked away at the small Minute Man Air Field in Stow, Nancy’s has homemade flavor, some unique sandwich options and best of all — atrium seating in good view of the airfield’s runway. For breakfast or a weekend lunch, Nancy’s is a nice casual stop.

Get out your map if you’re not familiar with the back roads of Stow. This one truly is tucked away, and a great find. Call-ahead seating is available and the menu changes often.

Great Brook Farms
Price: $
256 Main St., Route 117
Bolton
978-779-6680
www.greatbrookfarms.com

Need a hoe? Some potted herbs? Mulch? Breakfast and lunch? Come on down to Great Brook Farms. The restaurant is inside the gift shop, but when it’s warm, there are tables outside as well. They have a variety of homemade soups and sandwiches on your choice of bread or wraps. One can order grilled veggies or foccicia bread or a turkey wrap. They’re also open for breakfast on weekends in the summer. Try an omelet with your choice of fillings. Great Brook Farm is very casual —  you go up to the counter to place your order and they call you when it’s ready. And as an added treat, there’s live acoustic music from 3 to 5 p.m. on Saturdays. .

Chinese, if you please
There are plenty of options in the MotherTown area if you’re looking for Chinese — either takeout or dine in. We’re pretty picky and have narrowed the list down to a few of our favorites. In our opinion, you can’t go wrong here.

Cheoy Lee’s II
Price: $$
684 Main St.
West Boylston
Phone: 508-829-6331

Located by the Wachusett Reservoir, Cheoy Lee’s is classy dinning with good food and a fresh buffet. We especially like Cheoy Lee’s for the combination platters. A wide array of options gives you more than you can eat for a bargain price. When choosing from the combination plate menu, dinner for two will cost you less than $20. Delve into the buffet, and you’ll likely swear off eating for the next month.

Chopsticks
Price: $$
1 Commercial Road
Leominster
Phone: 978-534-0020

In the last two decades, Chopsticks Restaurant has changed Worcester County’s perception of Asian food. First in its Webster Square Worcester location and later in Leominster, Chopsticks has served up tasty and freshly prepared Chinese-style dishes, including such wonderful offerings as Shanghai noodles, ants climb the tree, shrimp with pea pods, Cantonese-style lobster and moo shi beef or chicken. Of course, that’s also why there were waiting lines. Now, Chopsticks also serves sushi and has an expanded sushi bar. Yes, sushi right in the heart of Leominster.

Though the food is consistently fresh and tasty, the service exemplary and the dining room fastidiously clean, Chopsticks is not elegant dining. Which is a good thing. There are booths and regular tables and just as often as not, there are families with small children and people in T-shirts and jeans sitting at them. Anyone can go to Chopsticks and have a good time and a good meal. As is popular at most Chinese restaurants, there is an all-you-can-eat buffet — which usually draws its own portion- and wallet-conscious crowd. But even when ordering the buffet, there is always plenty to take home. Chopsticks always has been and still remains one of the finest and fun Chinese restaurants in our area.

Sterling Deli & Chinese Takeout
Price: $
Sterling Deli And Chinese Takeout
50 Leominster Rd
Sterling
Phone: 978-422-0421

Don’t let the name fool you – this is a hidden gem for Chinese food. Fresh, fast and excellent quality. It’s takeout only, and you won’t notice any large signage out front until you get to the door. It looks just like any deli/convenience store. But it’s not, and it’s worth the search.

Jade II
Price: $
40 Mechanic St.
Leominster
Phone: 978-534-8317

There’s flavorful fresh food, but the best part about this little Chinese takeout — you can see them make it. The Jade II has an open kitchen and it’s easy to see the staff at this place is hip on cleanliness and fresh-tasting food. Like most Chinese places in the area, there’s a large menu and prices are typical for Chinese takeout.

South of the border
It’s said that real Mexican food exists only in Mexico, but in our opinion, these places are the best Mexican-American substitute you’ll find this far north.

Sierra’s
Price: $$$
470 North Road (Route 117)
Sudbury
Phone: 978-443-0820
www.sierrasmexicanrestaurant.com

Sierra’s is located in the middle of nowhere, on Route 117 in Sudbury with nothing around but older, tasteful homes. The menu has Mexican favorites and also lighter creations. Diners are greeted with a bowl of warm tortilla chips and homemade salsa and each dish is prepared to order. The staff is friendly and has no trouble tweaking your order so it’s to your liking. Menu choices include chicken mole pablano, a tequila-lime sauté and an array of tacos, fajitas and burritos. It’s crowded on weekends but there’s a full bar in which to wait and Sierra’s has an extensive margarita menu.

Acapulcos
Price: $$$
694 Boston Post Road (Route 20)
Sudbury
Phone: 978-443-3970
www.acapulcos.net

Acapulcos is a chain but this restaurant in Sudbury is the original. If you can’t make up your mind, opt for the Make Your Own Combo where you can add the filling and mixture of your choosing. Acapulcos offers vegetarian choices and also sandwiches and a build your own burger option, in case you’re the only one who doesn’t care for the food south of the border. The portions are large, served on warm, colorful plates and everything is fresh and cooked with just the right amount of spice. And it’s the only place we’ve found an enchilada del mar.

Acapulcos’ other locations are in Amesbury, Beverly, Framingham, Enfield, Conn., Franklin, Milford, Newton, Norwood, Quincy, Stratford, Conn. and Weymouth. We’ve eaten in Sudbury and Framingham and never been disappointed. Go early on the weekends.

Daniela’s Tacorito
Price: $$
208 Main St. (Route 27)
Acton
Phone: 978-266-2777

“Good stuff, pretty cheap,” one of our colleagues said, so we were off to Daniela’s. He was right and we are compelled to add it as our third Mexican choice. Located in a strip mall which includes a hardware store and a Dunkin’ Donuts, Daniela’s is a tiny store front with a handful of tables. The food’s fresh and the menu includes the usual tacos, nachos, enchiladas and fajitas, as well as combination plates. There’s also a vegetarian and salad section. Go early on the weekends as it gets busy, but if there’s a wait, check out the margaritas in the adjourning bar.