September 21, 2012 -- My body has been taking a beating from baseball, TRX training, and my routine running schedule, so a massage was in order. Since I'm working away from home during the week and that my regular masseuse doesn't book appointments on weekends, I needed to find someone in the Andover area. I searched Yelp and found favorable reviews for Andover Massage Therapy. I went to their website and used their appointment schedule to easily choose a masseuse and book an appointment. The technical aspect of the visit had worked flawlessly. Now, on to the actual massage.
My massage therapist, Adrienne Gill, was very professional, a gifted masseuse, and above all showed a genuine concern for my overall well-being. The hour massage was fantastic! She was able to massage away my stored up lactic acid and I left feeling rejuvenated. The massage studio is in downtown Andover and is exactly what you would expect when looking for a massage. The price was equivalent to the service provided and in the range of other massages that I had received in the past at other studios. When I need another rub down, I'll definitely go back and see Adrienne at Andover Massage Therapy. And if you're in the area, be sure to check them out as well, it'll be well worth the visit!
Showing posts with label Andover. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Andover. Show all posts
Friday, September 21, 2012
Thursday, September 6, 2012
Fitness: Merrimack Valley YMCA, Andover, MA
September 6, 2012 -- Well, I bit the bullet, signed up for TRX Training at the Merrimack Valley YMCA, and attended my first group class yesterday. Let me tell you, I'm sore today! The TRX class is a 40-minute session where you use suspended cables and your own body weight to do multiple exercises. The workout is a cross between weight training, cardio, and yoga. There's plenty of movement to get a good sweat going, exercises to hit your larger muscle groups, and plenty of core training to tighten your abs. I'm a bit clumsy when trying to adjust the straps to my handles, as well as to hook them over my heels and ankles, but the reward is worth it! I'm sure after a few more sessions I'll get the hang of the straps and be able to zip through the workouts more smoothly.
I did have to pay extra to take these classes. I spent $120 for the Fall session on top of my monthly membership fee. Also, since I'm a visiting member, I had to pay the community price, which is a bit more than for a local member. All in all, its been a great experience. I can feel the fat melting off of me now! Hope to see you there for the next session!
I did have to pay extra to take these classes. I spent $120 for the Fall session on top of my monthly membership fee. Also, since I'm a visiting member, I had to pay the community price, which is a bit more than for a local member. All in all, its been a great experience. I can feel the fat melting off of me now! Hope to see you there for the next session!
Food: The Chateau, Andover, MA
September 6, 2012 -- Papa Jim has found a restaurant suitable to his liking! Mr. Jim is very particular in his food intake, so trying to get him to the perfect place has been a little of a challenge. The Chateau Italian Restaurant is now Jim's #1 food spot! I have to admit, I like their food and menu myself. I've had everything from steamers and stuffies, to New England clam chowder and minestrone soup. Yesterday I had shrimp cocktail followed by Tuscany Styled Grilled Shrimp with grilled vegetables over rice -- fantastic! However, I really like their Lobster, Shrimp, & Scallop Diavalo -- I've had this dish more than once!
Papa Jim has only had fried scallops and hamburgers, but he swears by them! If Papa Jim says it's good, then you know it's good! If you're around Andover, or anywhere in Massachusetts for that matter, give The Chateau Italian Restaurant a try. You'll be glad you came!
Papa Jim has only had fried scallops and hamburgers, but he swears by them! If Papa Jim says it's good, then you know it's good! If you're around Andover, or anywhere in Massachusetts for that matter, give The Chateau Italian Restaurant a try. You'll be glad you came!
Thursday, August 30, 2012
Food: On the Bone, Wyndham Hotel, Andover, MA
August 30, 2012 -- On the recommendation of AP (remember him from San Diego? He's terrorizing Andover too!), he said that I needed to try On the Bone at the Wyndham Hotel. With anticipation of yet another stellar meal, a coworker of mine, let's call him Papa Jim, and I visited the restaurant a couple of weeks ago. Well, let's just say I didn't share AP's enthusiasm.
First off, I can say that we didn't have very long to wait for a table. Now I know Tuesday night isn't a big dinner night, but me and Papa Jim arrived around 7:00 PM and there was NO ONE in the restaurant! Needless to say, we were seated immediately. After sitting and ordering our drinks, we both turned our attention to the menu. The prices are ridiculous and this is coming from someone whose company is paying for meals! We both had to calculate how much we could spend (and our per diem is generous) before ordering.
Being known for its steaks (it's not called On the Bone for nothing!), I figured a good steak was in order. I ended up getting a NY Strip steak for $29 and Papa Jim ordered a scallops dish. The waitress first brought us our salads, which were probably the best part of the meal. The salads for cripe's sake! The bread that was brought to our table was hard and not to my liking. Finally, the main entrees arrived.
My steak was fine, but it had too much fat and grizzle for a $29 piece of meat. It was OK, but for the price and reputation I expected spectacular. Nope. The vegetables were fine but the baked potato was hard and not fluffy. Again, this might sound knit picky, but when you spend over $45 for a meal, it better be good. I was very disappointed. Even Papa Jim's meal was below average and overpriced.
AP, I know you liked the place, but I can't justify the cost. Too expensive, even for per diem. Maybe that's why there was no one in the place. I'm all for giving second chances to places, but the only reason why I would give On the Bone another chance is because someone else is paying for it. Sorry.
First off, I can say that we didn't have very long to wait for a table. Now I know Tuesday night isn't a big dinner night, but me and Papa Jim arrived around 7:00 PM and there was NO ONE in the restaurant! Needless to say, we were seated immediately. After sitting and ordering our drinks, we both turned our attention to the menu. The prices are ridiculous and this is coming from someone whose company is paying for meals! We both had to calculate how much we could spend (and our per diem is generous) before ordering.
Being known for its steaks (it's not called On the Bone for nothing!), I figured a good steak was in order. I ended up getting a NY Strip steak for $29 and Papa Jim ordered a scallops dish. The waitress first brought us our salads, which were probably the best part of the meal. The salads for cripe's sake! The bread that was brought to our table was hard and not to my liking. Finally, the main entrees arrived.
My steak was fine, but it had too much fat and grizzle for a $29 piece of meat. It was OK, but for the price and reputation I expected spectacular. Nope. The vegetables were fine but the baked potato was hard and not fluffy. Again, this might sound knit picky, but when you spend over $45 for a meal, it better be good. I was very disappointed. Even Papa Jim's meal was below average and overpriced.
AP, I know you liked the place, but I can't justify the cost. Too expensive, even for per diem. Maybe that's why there was no one in the place. I'm all for giving second chances to places, but the only reason why I would give On the Bone another chance is because someone else is paying for it. Sorry.
Food: Sushi Restaurants, Andover, MA
August 30, 2012 -- If you had read any of my San Diego posts, you know that I love sushi. With that in mind, I set out to find sushi restaurants that can compete with their West Coast brothers. Not an easy task to live up to, since sushi arrived and thrived on the other coast before coming here.
My first sushi bar I visited was Mootone Fine Japanese Cuisine. I went with two co-workers, Donna and Sue, and we had a great time. I still believe that sushi places in La Jolla and San Diego were better, but I did like the California rolls and rainbow rolls, as well the Beef Negima. Not bad, but still below SD.
The next week I visited Kyoto Japanese Restaurant. This place had sushi and traditional Japanese and Chinese food. It also had a hibachi area if you wanted to partake in that arena. My coworker enjoyed the beef teriyaki and I had my traditional rainbow rolls. I liked this place better than Mootone, just because of their wider menu. Still nothing compared to La Jolla!
The last place I've tried is Thyme Japanese Cuisine and I really like this place! From what I gather it's a new place in town with a sushi bar, restaurant, and hibachi. The sushi is fantastic, the atmosphere nice, and the wait staff very attentive. Plus, it's just around the corner from the Merrimack Valley YMCA, so I can easily get there after my workouts. And, don't let this get around, it rivals my West Coast sushi joints!
Be sure to check out these places if you're in the Andover area and are looking for good sushi. Enjoy!
My first sushi bar I visited was Mootone Fine Japanese Cuisine. I went with two co-workers, Donna and Sue, and we had a great time. I still believe that sushi places in La Jolla and San Diego were better, but I did like the California rolls and rainbow rolls, as well the Beef Negima. Not bad, but still below SD.
The next week I visited Kyoto Japanese Restaurant. This place had sushi and traditional Japanese and Chinese food. It also had a hibachi area if you wanted to partake in that arena. My coworker enjoyed the beef teriyaki and I had my traditional rainbow rolls. I liked this place better than Mootone, just because of their wider menu. Still nothing compared to La Jolla!
The last place I've tried is Thyme Japanese Cuisine and I really like this place! From what I gather it's a new place in town with a sushi bar, restaurant, and hibachi. The sushi is fantastic, the atmosphere nice, and the wait staff very attentive. Plus, it's just around the corner from the Merrimack Valley YMCA, so I can easily get there after my workouts. And, don't let this get around, it rivals my West Coast sushi joints!
Be sure to check out these places if you're in the Andover area and are looking for good sushi. Enjoy!
Wednesday, August 22, 2012
Fitness: Merrimack Valley YMCA, Andover/North Andover, MA
August 22, 2012 -- Being on travel again, I knew I needed to find myself another new fitness regiment. That said, I looked about the Andover area for a YMCA and was pleased to find the Merrimack Valley YMCA of Andover/North Andover. I have utilized their reciprocal program with my home YMCA of Newport County, RI, and all has worked well. Now, I will admit that I will always feel that the Newport County YMCA is the nicest Y I've been to, but I'll agree that I'm biased. So, if I rate that Y and A and use that as my benchmark, then the Merrimack Valley YMCA of Andover/North Andover is a solid B. In comparison, I'd rate the La Jolla YMCA an A-, so this place is pretty good.
There's plenty of fitness machines, a free weight room, group exercise classes, spinning, yoga, pool, basketball court, decent locker room, and a lot less elderly people than in La Jolla! My only gripes are that their equipment is a bit dated and could definitely use an overhaul, and that there are no running routes that can come close to Newport, RI. However, I'll be starting a new TRX Training routine when their next session begins on 9/4. Next week they're making upgrades to the facilities, so maybe their rating will go up to a B+!
All in all, I'm very satisfied with the place, it's a short drive from work and my hotel, and I get my much-needed workout every day. Couldn't be happier!
There's plenty of fitness machines, a free weight room, group exercise classes, spinning, yoga, pool, basketball court, decent locker room, and a lot less elderly people than in La Jolla! My only gripes are that their equipment is a bit dated and could definitely use an overhaul, and that there are no running routes that can come close to Newport, RI. However, I'll be starting a new TRX Training routine when their next session begins on 9/4. Next week they're making upgrades to the facilities, so maybe their rating will go up to a B+!
All in all, I'm very satisfied with the place, it's a short drive from work and my hotel, and I get my much-needed workout every day. Couldn't be happier!
Lodging: Marriott Hotels, Andover, MA
August 22, 2012 -- Well I've been working up in the Andover area for the better have of five weeks and I'm starting to know my way around. The first thing I needed to do was to find a place to stay and being a Marriott Rewards member I looked for the right Marriott hotel. The first week I stayed was the Courtyard Marriott in Andover, MA. Not a bad place, but a little out of the way of everything. Knowing that, I looked for something a little better for my subsequent weeks.
Not too far from where I'd be working is the Residence Inn in Tewksbury, MA. This place is far better! The rooms have a kitchen, living area, two flat screen HD TVs, and bedroom with a king size bed that's separated from the rest of the living quarters by sliding doors. And if you know me, you know that I get acquainted with the right people. Victoria Ashworth, Marriott's Director of Sales, was kind enough to book me for the next eight work weeks, in the same room! It's like my home away from home! If you need to go on travel or if you're looking for a place to stay north of Boston, give this place a try.
Not too far from where I'd be working is the Residence Inn in Tewksbury, MA. This place is far better! The rooms have a kitchen, living area, two flat screen HD TVs, and bedroom with a king size bed that's separated from the rest of the living quarters by sliding doors. And if you know me, you know that I get acquainted with the right people. Victoria Ashworth, Marriott's Director of Sales, was kind enough to book me for the next eight work weeks, in the same room! It's like my home away from home! If you need to go on travel or if you're looking for a place to stay north of Boston, give this place a try.
Friday, August 17, 2012
NEWS: Reports from Andover, MA
August 17, 2012 -- With my blogs about San Diego finally behind me, I can now start blogging about my latest work assignment area, Andover, MA. Over the next couple of months I'll be writing about places I've seen and visited in hopes of helping those out that might be heading to this area for work or pleasure. Check in from time to time, I'm sure I'll have plenty to say!
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