What happened to Jumpin' Juice and Java?

Any Leominsterites know? Went by Monday and a sign said it was closed as of then. Another local casualty. They were only open six months. Boo and I used to like to go there for their good drinks (and free Wi-Fi).

What a great trip

M and I hit the Berkshires hard this weekend, specifically Pittsfield, where we rented a cabin here and communed with nature (well, as much as I would allow -- I don't do tent camping). We drove all up and down Berkshire County, checking out towns along the way we might like to live in.

We hit Lenox, Stockbridge, Lee, Great Barrington, Egremont and then one of my favorite Berkshire towns, Mount Washington. There is a magical place there straddling the New York Line called Bass Bish Falls. I don't know if I've mentioned this before, but a dear friend of mine died way too young of cancer 10 years ago. Her family scattered her ashes by the falls, so every time we are in that area, we make a pilgrimage. Rest in peace, Katie.

We took Route 2 home, hoping to stop at a restaurant we've enjoyed called The Smokin' Hippo in Erving. It was closed and for sale. I found this article about its closure. I was and am sad about it. I hate when good places close down.

But overall, it was a great trip. Lots of good food, fun and time to bond. We also left Boo with his grandparents, who got some quality time with him. So it was a win-win all around.

Here are some of the restaurants we visited:

• Koi in Great Barrington(one of our favorite Chinese restaurants in the state)
• House of India, Pittsfield
• Michael's of Williamstown
• SoCo Creamery

Down to one

M and I really love to eat out, and we have our favorite haunts. One of these favorites is Rovezzi's, located in Worcester and Sturbridge (formerly in Rutland, too). And trust me, if a couple of Italians raised on our grandmas' food like it, it's good.

Well, tonight was the last night for the Worcester Rovezzi's. Citing the bad economy, chef Chris said in the Telegram that the Worcester location on Grove Street had been losing money for the past 10 months, and it was time to close. Since we adore their food and Sturbridge is a hike, we left the Boo with his nonna and had a sumptuous meal. We went all out -- apps, dinner and chocolate cake for dessert. The staff was professional, and the food was as good as ever. Arrividerci to a great place to eat.

Oh, the popovers

I heard today that the Cocke n' Kettle restaurant in Uxbridge is the latest casualty of the recession. (M and I call it the Rooster n' Kettle, because we are eternally third graders and saying cock makes us laugh like Beavis and Butt-Head.) For my out-of-state and out-of-area readers, the CNK was this old-time New England restaurant in an authentic restored colonial, complete with fireplaces and wide pine beam floors, where they served these amazing popovers and fritters and had early bird specials. M and I would often take a Sunday drive down to Uxbridge and indulge in a several-course meal for one low price. No more. Let's all have a moment of silence for free food that fills you up before the main course comes.

Good weekend. Keeping it on the down low. Peace out.

My hot Italian date

With my hot Italian husband, eating at a hot Italian restaurant, was, well, hot. And really fun. For the first time since the Boo was born, we got dressed up, got a babysitter and went out to celebrate how good life has been to us lately. I actually put on makeup, and if you know me IRL, you know I never wear it. Of course, we talked about Boo through the whole dinner. But it was amazing. And romantic. If you're local and looking for a special night out, I would highly recommend it -- great food, service, atmosphere and quite reasonable for the quality of food.

Next getting-back-to-normal things to do: A facial and eyebrow wax. Holy God, I look like Brooke Shields. I could also use a haircut and highlights, but one thing at a time.

Uno means No. 1

So last night, we decided we didn't feel like cooking, so we went over to Pizzeria Uno in the Twin City Mall.

Now, M is extremely fussy about his pizza; it has to be made with whole-milk mozzarella and NO OTHER CHEESES. (You know that unnatural orange glow Greek pizza has? Take it from a nice Italian girl: That's cheddar, friends and neighbors.) Anyway, he wasn't sure he wanted to go there, but I talked him into it to try something different. Besides, they have quite a menu. So we sojourned over there.

Let me tell you: Their pizza is as good as I remember it. I got the Shroom pizza, which is made with garlic, mozzarella and Romano, spinach and button mushrooms. Yummers. M, after deciding before the waitress came that he wanted fish and chips, did a last-minute detour into the pizza menu and got a sausage and mushroom pizza. He was digging on it. I have leftovers for lunch today, and so does he. And they had quite a menu besides pizza. I would recommend it.

Top 5 restaurants I want to try

Anyone have any experience with these?

• Gibbet Hill Farm in Groton
• Block 5 Bistro in Worcester
• Wholly Cannoli in Worcester (they serve food, right?)
• Big Bully's in Beverly
• The Castle in Leicester

Redddd Robin...yum

M and I had to head down to Millbury to do some errands yesterday, so we decided to have lunch at the Red Robin down there. We'd heard about their burgers and of course, the unlimited fries, and we wanted to check it out.

It's a fun place, very much like a TGI Friday's or an Applebees, with crap all over the walls and TVs playing everywhere. The service was excellent. I don't eat red meat, so I went with a chicken burger, which was very good and absolutely huge. M said his burger was among the top ones he'd eaten. Overall, it was a fun time. I'd recommend it.

Dine out, stay slim

This article had some good tips and philosophies about watching your weight while eating out. M and I always share food (well, unless he orders a member of the Holy Trinity of the foods I don't eat: red meat, pork and shellfish), so it makes a lot of sense.

And speaking of eating out, we headed out to our favorite local we-don't-feel-like-cooking-so-let's-go-out place last night. It sucked out loud. My quiche was watery, M's French fries were barely cooked and the service was slow. I told M: Never again. Too bad, because it sure was convenient to our house. And cheap.