Surprise yourself, you need to end up at somewhere you would never to normally like a South American restaurant and Pittsfield Bakery. When one travels or Gallivants about, as we Roaming Gallivants do, the important thing is have new experiences that one cannot have at one’s usual haunts. I can certainly understand finding comfort in a daily ritual with the well-worn garments of our daily existences, but once even fried eggs and hash browns were something you’d never tried before. Do you remember whether you loved or weren’t really sure? The point is, all of our go-to daily habits were once something we had never tried. Where would you be if you had never tried anything; still suckling at mother’s milk I’ll wager?
M8B must be obeyed!
Enter the Magic Eight Ball. This little baby will be your vehicle to enjoying new things Roaming Gallivants style. You MUST obey the M8B. If you ask it a question you must abide by its decision. I recommend all travelers purchase one of these little gems.
When presented with the choice between a charming gourmet lunch-spot or a scary dingy dive diner, take a chance and ask the M8B. All though all of your instincts are telling you, “This must be cat meat!” you must obey the will of M8B and you will be rewarded. Certainly, we know you love a good burger and fries, but maybe you also love Cochinitas or Tripe soup too and just don’t know it yet. The M8B has led me to bad places and to good places. It is important to remember that no experience is a wasted experience. Everything we do builds our memories and personality. While we surely love to brag about, “The best calamari we ever had in Italy!” We also love to remember the worst of the worst with just as much relish,”Dude, remember that time we were in that dive in Mexico City and you found that dog-tag in your taco!”
Today we went for breakfast to an amazing little place called Richmond Bakery in Pittsfield. Part South American diner and part bakery, this gem is one of the most authentic and delicious breakfast places in Massachusetts. The restaurant looks like it was once a 40’s style diner complete with formica countertops and chrome swivel stools fixed to the floor. The owners are the sweetest people who make all their dishes with loving care. Everything is made to order and from scratch. I recommend going on Saturdays to get the South American style Tamales wrapped in banana leaves. Ask for some of the special super hot Guatemalan style Cortido with habaneros. Today we had Tacos Cochinatas, fried green tomatoes, pork tacos, and pupusas. If I hadn’t randomly picked this wonderful place that fateful spring day back in, whenever that was, I wouldn’t have known what a great restaurant Pittsfield has in Richmond Bakery. Take a chance and come out a winner. These guys can be found here.
Ok, confession time. I was once in Indonesia with my son. We were in a restaurant in small dusty village on the silent side of a remote hidden island, up in the hills where only the locals go. We ordered the “Special” after much encouragement form the proprietor.
“This our very best dish. You like. Very good,” he said smiling and nodding vigorously.
Meat in curry sauce with rice and a beer. When the food arrived my meat was in two pieces. As I ate I thought, hmmm, this is gamey. They must feed their chickens a special diet. That’s what makes it so special. My son held up a whole thigh and said, “dad, what is this???”.
Upon closer inspection, I noticed the angle of the hip was inconsistent with the usual 45 degree angle of a chicken thigh. Also, there were no “goose bumps” on the skin and the muscle was too bulky for a rabbit. I’ve had rabbit. I know the taste and texture. It was then that my son said “meow”.
This was the answer to a question I had while visiting. How do they deal with controlling the stray cat population?
We discussed it and decided that we would call this a new experience and never mention it again. Needless to say, what was done was done, and we finished out meal.