“Dining Playbook with Billy and Jenny,” features two of America’s favorite pastimes: food and sports. Emmy Award-winning Billy Costa and Jenny Johnson will be cooking with your favorite athletes and showcasing the places to go before, during and after the game.
FIVE FOR FIVE
Each week a professional athlete shares his or her five favorite restaurants. This week features Lowell local, former professional boxer Micky Ward.
WARD’S FIVE FOR FIVE
1.) Four Sisters Owl Diner, a cozy diner in an original Worcester diner car, is Micky Ward’s go-to for anything breakfast. From the egg-whites to the ham, and sometimes the pie, it’s all good at Owl Diner.
Four Sisters Owl Diner 244 Appleton St, Lowell MA (978) 453-8321 http://www.owldiner.com
2.) Grazie is found at the beautifully maintained public Four Oaks Country Club. The centerpiece of the restaurant is their wood fire grill, perfect for their Neapolitan pizza options.
Grazie 1 Clubhouse Lane, Dracut MA (978) 455-0054 http://www.fouroakscountryclub.com/restaurant
3.) Strega, the flagship of Nick Varano, this restaurant is beloved by Boston athletes across the sports spectrum, so it’s no wonder that Micky Ward heads there when he’s in Boston.
Strega 379 Hanover St, Boston MA (617) 523-8481 http://www.stregaristorante.com
4.) Santoro’s is a no-frills sandwich & pizza shop that a no-frills guy like Micky Ward loves in his hometown of Lowell. Reasonably priced and delicious, check them out next time you’re in town!
Santoro’s 194 Gorham St, Lowell MA (978) 452-8186
5.) Santarpio’s
Santarpio’s 111 Chelsea St, Boston MA (617) 567-9871 http://www.santarpiospizza.com
Social Restaurant in the Crowne Plaza
Billy chats with Sheila Hayden, general manager of the newly –and beautifully renovated Crowne Plaza in Newton. The hotel has gone through a full renovation with fantastic amenities in a great location! In addition to the beautiful hotel, they also offer a fantastic restaurant that can accommodate any occasion.
*Social – Crowne Plaza Newton 320 Washington St, Newton MA (617) 969-3010 http://www.cpboston-newton.com
BEFORE DURING AND AFTER THE GAME
BEFORE: Salvatore’s in the booming Seaport is a great spot to hit before the game. Only two miles from the Garden, Salvatore’s offers excellent Italian. We suggest the bruschetta pizza and the pork chop Milanese!
*Salvatore’s 225 Northern Ave, Boston MA (617) 737-5454 http://www.salvatoresrestaurants.com
DURING: Tavern in the Square has a number of locations all around Boston, and it’s a good thing – they serve excellent food and are the perfect place to watch the game. We suggest the meatball sliders and the beer can chicken.
*Tavern in the Square 1815 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge MA (617) 354-7766 http://www.taverninthesquare.com
AFTER: Raso’s Bar & Grille in Medford has you covered for after the game. You’re definitely going to want to try the mussels and the Back Bay ribs. Their full bar will keep you satisfied – and try the Cucumber Lime Fizz, a delightful light cocktail.
*Raso’s Bar & Grille 209 Mystic Ave, Medford MA (781) 396-2001 http://www.rasosgrille.com
SPECIAL GUEST: DOUG FLUTIE
Billy and Jenny catch up with the one and only Doug Flutie in Foxboro at Patriot Place as he throws a gala for the Doug Flute Jr. Foundation. Billy and Doug chat about Dougie Jr., living in Florida, NFL rule changes, and much more – and Jenny covers food with the former NFL quarterback and BC legend!
*Doug Flutie Jr. Foundation For more information about the foundation visit http://www.flutiefoundation.com
