Final TT NE Rally details--updated 8/21/12

[spiritdream]

NE TrikeTalk.com/TOI Rally:
August 24 (Friday night) - August 26 (Sunday), 2012

Host Motel:
Super 8 Motel
358 Main St
Sturbridge, MA 01566,
Ph 508-347-9000


Friday, August 24, 2012
Checkin at motel, socialize, rest, etc.
Dinner 7pm at Uno's Restaurant, 100 Charlton Rd, Sturbridge, 508-347-6420

Saturday, August 25, 2012
8am - Group ride to Newport, RI
6:30ish - Dinner at Teresa's Restaurant, Rt 32, Ware, 413-967-7601 (Road Dog will confirm the time)

Sunday, August 26, 2012
Checkouts and sad goodbyes



BREAKFAST SUNDAY MORNING - The motel has the free continental breakfast, but for those who want a more "substantial" meal, I plan to go out Sunday morning, 9ish. I have two places in mind - which one depends on how many care to join me. Talk to you this weekend!

 

[leo3wheel]

Not sure about the Publick House...

Restaurants in Sturbridge, MA on Yahoo! Local

"The service was the worst we have ever had. Two of the four dishes came out cold with soggy fries. We asked for water 4 different times to finally get some 45 minutes later. Tab was over $100 and there where no apologies. We will never go to this place again and I recommend never going yourself as well."

 

[spiritdream]

Leo, I didn't have a problem when I went, but that was a few years ago. How recent was that review?

 

[leo3wheel]

Athens Pizza does not sound good...

Athens Pizza in Brimfield | Athens Pizza (413) 245-9437 & 26 Sturbridge Rd, Brimfield, MA 01010 | <Food & Dining/Restaurants/All Restaurants> - Yahoo! US Local&

Review:

"I have NEVER met a more RUDE restaurant owner in my life! I ordered the lasagna & the meat didn't taste right. I'm certain that it was spoiled b/c the last time I tasted meat like that I got food poisoning. I had my 2 friends taste & they concurred, it didn't taste right. I quietly went to the corner of the register to let the owner know & he screamed at me like I was insulting his heritage. I tried to calm him. He took the plate away & offered no other food choice or refund. I went back to my friends table & my other friend had mentioned her shaved steak sandwich had a ton of fat in it & she refused to eat it but was too scared to say something so she too starved. I went up to the counter politely to ask what my options were & he started yelling again that there's nothing wrong with his food.

I told him the sauce/pasta were fine but maybe had a bad batch of meat.

I realized there was no way he'd reconcile or offer other options so I told him I wanted my money back.

He tossed in on the counter & I left. I will never go to that so called restaurant again. More like a little dive/hole in the wall w/ poor AC, terrible food & BAD customer svc. from an owner who cares about his ego more than his reputation or client satisfaction! NEVER AGAIN"

 

[John Luciano]

Been to the Publik house a few times. Was a few years ago I admit. Never had a bad meal. It is pricy. I vote the Italian place only because I do not want to be limited to a few choices. Honey can't eat all foods. Also we have people spending good money to come the great distance and I don't want them burdened with a huge expense for a meal. Also I vote breakfast at the Publik house, the breakfast is Ausum, it is close by.

 

[leo3wheel]

Leo, I didn't have a problem when I went, but that was a few years ago. How recent was that review?

Review was posted 7/25/12.

Publick House in Sturbridge | Publick House (508) 347-7323 & 277 Main St, Sturbridge, MA 01566 | <Business to Business/Conventions & Trade Shows/Convention Centers> - Yahoo! US Local

 

[leo3wheel]

Been to the Publik house a few times. Was a few years ago I admit. Never had a bad meal. It is pricy. I vote the Italian place only because I do not want to be limited to a few choices. Honey can't eat all foods. Also we have people spending good money to come the great distance and I don't want them burdened with a huge expense for a meal. Also I vote breakfast at the Publik house, the breakfast is Ausum, it is close by.

It's a shame that our number is going to keep us away from some fine restaurants.

 

[John Luciano]

Wow 2 out of 2' where we going to eat? Can't be too far away. I am not familiar with the area. Got to be someplace in the area.
What about TJ Obrians

 

[leo3wheel]

There are a number of four and five star restaurants on this review page that are closeby. Can we fit into any of them?

Restaurants - Yahoo! Local Search Results

 

[John Luciano]

This is gona kill Sturbridge meeting place. Next year we can make sure we have a place to eat. Saw a few in he area. Cheri said most are booked.

 

[ROAD DOG]

We went to the public a few times, THE LAST FEW IT SUCKED , Nathans pizza is just like the review says . May be we can get into FRANCESCO's Thats only a mile down the road from ATHENS Or we could go back to THERESA'S Were we went last year they have a big room down stairs, leave for dinner at 5:00 instead of 6:00 it will still be light out by the time were done eating THERESAS is about 15 miles away fron sturbridge, If that sounds good I could call saturday & see if we can get in ?

 

[Rosy]

Sent an e-mail to Admiral T.J. O'Brien's and asked them if they could take 18-25 people on Saturday night the 24th. I'll let you know what they say. Stay tuned!
Any reviews on the place.

This why it is so important to "scout" an areaa head of time when we make future plans for the next TTNE Rally.

Regards,

Rosy
From NH

 

[Jonesy]

Pizza by the pool is fine by me, after riding all day I;m one for relaxing no Pulick House for sure, thats upper crust type of place. O'briens would do, even if we need to sit in small groups. Going somewhere else next year would work better for us as a group.

Up to this point everything has been by the seat of the pants lets keep with it and finsh it out that way.

 

[Jonesy]

Heres a place that'll fit our needs, Cracker Barrel. Theres one within 5 miles or so. They take bus loads so seating should work, asst. menu so everyone should find something to eat.

 

[Bikerbozo]

My wife would love Cracker Barrel. I notice there is an Uno pizza pub near the Applebees. What about that for a dinner? They may have room.

 

[John Luciano]

Wow! If I knew what I know now we could have had it my home town of Torrington. We have 6 places that could take 50 or even more, and I know a few of the owners personally, we have 2 chain motels and 2 hotels . We are miles closer to more than 1/2 the people attending,and as close to a few more. Great roads, close to NY and Mass. Almost as close to Mystic a little farther away from New Port. There is even an amusement park 30 miles away.

 

[Jonesy]

Now that is the kind of town to meet up in, when you first suggested a meetup I didn't mind that area cause I've been thur it quite a few times over the years and saw it as a good starting point. Used to go to the poconos in Pa. byway of Torrington, Danbury on to 84. Didn't like 84 into Hartford, still don't. Last couple years travel byway of 44 into NY. Ever been to Hyde Park, NY. real nice riding area, was there again couple weeks ago on way back from Buffalo, NY. even asked about having a group stay where we did. In Rhinebeck, NY. they have a state fair thing on the same weekend we have ours every year..

Been to a ## of events at the fair grounds there before, its how we started going there. Now if we want to get away for the weekend, thats one of the places we go. OCC choppers is a short ride down the road.

Sturbridge is a kind of place you go once.

 

[John Luciano]

Something to think about for next year . I can think of , like I said 7 places that have a room that can hold 50 people.
Pizza Palace
Bachi's
Boggies
P'Sams
Back Stage
Rainbow
Venetian
We even have a Beni Hana style restaurant that would be fun
They cook on a grill in front of you with tricks etc. Fuji Resturant
There is a 99
And an Applebee's
This thread is getting out of hand now. SORRY

 

[spiritdream]

As I mentioned, the problem with finding a place that can accomodate all of us is not that there aren't enough places, it's just that most are either booked months ahead, or their "group" seatings are on second levels.

I mentioned Publick House & Athens because those were the only two I was able to get firm answers from. I will be checking a couple of other places today (& tomorrow if necessary). I'll keep everyone updated through this thread.

The planning for next year will be done (and booked!) far in advance so we will be better prepared. Most places will not book more than a year in advance (other than for a wedding-type function), so we won't be able to present "hard" answers next week as I'd hoped.

However, I have taken vacation the week after Labor Day, and will be visiting the hotels & restaurants in the area to try to get at least those two details locked in - once done, the planning committee will make the final decisions on our host hotel and "group" dinner(s). We'll then be submitting that info to the Trike Talk administration, who in turn will help us better promote our gathering, along the lines of the Eureka Springs rally.

 

[leo3wheel]

Cracker Barrel would be fine with us. Best to call ahead.

 

[ROAD DOG]

Called TERESAS in Ware they said no problem with 25 - 30 people around 5:00 saturday , just got to let them by sunday ? its about 15 miles down rt 20 to rt 32 thats were we ate last year. GREAT Italian Food $10 - $20. a meal

 

[ROAD DOG]

JONESY what route are you taking to Newport ?? THANKS

 

[John Luciano]

That was a nice place..plenty of parking. Check with Cheri. She is doing some calling today also ... Weather permitting 15 miles is a nice ride back.

 

[spiritdream]

Here's what I have....

Friday -

1 - T.J. O'Brien's can give us the banquet room, a buffet meal, and we'd have the room from 6:30 to 11ish. It's a 25 meal minimum, and I have to pay them by Tuesday. Right now, I have a count of 28 people - assuming Deacon Don and his wife don't make it (safe bet right now), we still have enough. Meal is $16.00, tax included - Garden Salad, Potato Salad w/fresh dill, steamed vegetable medley, rice pilaf, baked penne and meatsauce, and baked herbed chicken. I will be honest here - I personally would not book it for a formal banquiet - it's "worn" and smelled musty, although they promised to air it out first (hasn't been used in a few weeks, and the humidity here has done a number, they said). But for a place to have something to eat, in private, close to the hotel, it could be okay.

2 - Uno's doesn't have a private room, but they do have a large area big enough, and they will push the tables together to accomodate us, as long as we let them know a couple of days ahead. We can also order from the menu.

Saturday -

1 - Francesco's Restaurant - About 7 or 8 miles from the motel on Rt 20. They don't have a private "room", but they have large areas with plenty of seating. The menu looks good, with everything from pizzas & grinders, to full meals. They have pasta (obviously), chicken, veal, fish, and NY sirloin strip (the only beef on the menu). Prices were $18 and below, with one "House Special" being $25. Plenty of parking, all one level.

2 - Teresa's Restaurant - I thought this place was great, too.

 

[leo3wheel]

Friday

1 - T. J. O'Brien's - Musty smell is not too cool.

2 - Uno's - Italian in a large space sounds good.

Saturday

1 - Francesco's - Large area with options different from Uno's sounds good.

2 - Teresa's - Could be persuaded.

Leo

 

[John Luciano]

I will not make it for dinner on Fri , can't leave town til after 6;00 on Fri. I can meet you at what ever place you pick. Should pull in about 8:30 ish. What happened to Deacon Don? I even had the shirt guy re set the shirt machine for his shirts.

 

[OlBandit]

Don't matter to us, we will just follow along, lol

 

[spiritdream]

I will not make it for dinner on Fri , can't leave town til after 6;00 on Fri. I can meet you at what ever place you pick. Should pull in about 8:30 ish. What happened to Deacon Don? I even had the shirt guy re set the shirt machine for his shirts.

John, answered your PM. Sorry, but I misunderstood Don and thought he was letting you know too - I will be paying for his shirts, and forwarding to him. His daughter in law is set to be induced if she doesn't deliver by Friday, so he'll probably be in PA for the weekend.

 

[Bikerbozo]

Any of those places is fine with me and the missus, as long as they get A/C on to air "musty" out.
I plan on catching noon ferry from LI and will probably leave Bridgeport around 1:15pm on Fri. Probably 1 hr to Hartford. I will have my CB on. What is a good channel to stay on should I actually run into your big group from Danbury people?

 

[John Luciano]

I normally use 22 in a group and 19 if I travel alone. 5 is a common motorcycle Chanel ? Let us know what everyone wants to use and I will monitor it too.
No matter where we eat we will have a good time.