Tuesday, October 02, 2012

I'm Outta Here (But First, Here's A Place You Could Go, While I'm Gone, To Drown Your Sorrows Concerning Me Not Being Around)




MY WIFE and I begin our annual fall vacation this Thursday. It will actually begin this Wednesday evening when I leave work at 5 o’clock and go for a massage. Under the fingers of a trained professional I will shed the previous twelve months of accumulated stress (not that there’s that much of it to shed, since I’m basically a lazy sot who does the maximum to minimize any stress in life, but I love a good massage and anything I can do to rationalize getting one is fair game.)

You may be asking what this has to do with you. That all depends upon how much you love me. If you can’t live without me, you’re screwed. I’ll be away from this space for about two weeks. If you can take me or leave me, it doesn’t affect you at all, really, so just go about your business as you usually do and don’t let it bother you that your admission to not loving me has just taken a buzzsaw to my heart and I will now go through my vacation with severe depression.

Anyway, we decided to get an early start on our good times by visiting one of our favorite places for Sunday breakfast. We went to Donohue’s, a great pub in our home city, Watertown.

(An odd tidbit: The actual incorporated name of our locality is “The City Known As The Town Of Watertown”. I’ve always gotten a kick out of that.)

It was as it usually is, which is to say delicious, a bargain, and served in a welcoming atmosphere by friendly people. While eating, we were visited by the proprietor, J. D. Donohue, a very personable guy. MY WIFE and I had a nice conversation with him concerning his business, in particular an issue he’s currently involved in about his outdoor patio. It’s been shut (at least for the time being) due to some political wrangling. I’m not privy to all of the details, nor the personalities involved, but it seems a shame. It’s a lovely space, appears not to be something that would in any way affect local residents adversely (there is only one house anywhere near the joint, and the patio has been open for quite a while without any apparent complaint), and is an obvious asset to the business. I hope the issue is resolved and J.D. gets to open his patio again.

In any case, I enjoyed my meal so much, I thought I’d republish a previous piece I wrote concerning Donohue’s. If you’re a local, or anywhere near to being one, and you’ve never been to the place, maybe this will convince you to visit. I hope so. While you’re there, ask for J. D., tell him I sent you, and he probably won’t kick you out.

Here’s what I wrote previously.





There is one saving grace when softball is rained out on a Sunday morning. That is going to Donohue's for breakfast. I'll explain.

MY WIFE is a wonderful woman.

(Duh. If she hadn't been one, I certainly wouldn't have married her.)

Anyway, when she sees my pitiful puss moping around the house on a Sunday morning because it's raining out and I can't play ball, she always suggests that we go to Donohue's for breakfast. That helps immensely. The one thing I like almost as much as playing ball is eating.

Donohue's is in Watertown on Bigelow Avenue, just a short drive (or decent walk) from our home. Aside from it being a great place to forget about the disappointment of being rained out, it's my go-to place for sporting events on TV channels we don't receive in our house. For instance, when game seven of the Bruins - Lightning series was on Versus (which we don't get) MY WIFE and I went to Donohue's, had a swell dinner of turkey tips and sides (enough for four meals, actually, as we both took home enough to have another feed), then watched an exciting game on a big screen TV in the midst of an involved and friendly crowd. Doesn't get much better than that, unless you have some good drinks with it and we did. I'll also go there to watch Boston College football one or two Saturdays during their season and maybe enjoy the occasional Celtics game (when we don't have tickets and I feel like being amidst the buzz of other fans.)

The food is top-notch for a bar, there are huge TVs everywhere, the selection of beer is wide and satisfying, and the prices are extremely reasonable.




The owner is actually an Irishman, too (or, at least, an American of Irish descent.) This isn't some damn Fitzi McLeprechaun's chain joint, about as Irish as matzoh and chitlins. This is the real thing - a neighborhood pub, serving good food and drink at decent prices, a fun place to be. J. D. Donohue is the proprietor and a nice guy, friendly, and likely to chat you up at your table. He stopped by yesterday and we discussed his addition of Goose Island to the tap (a craft beer I 'discovered' on our vacation in Chicago, and which I was quite surprised to find in a Watertown pub. Seems J. D. has some pull, so he was able to get it into his place some months before it was to become widely available in the Northeast.)

The best bargain among many, and why this place is almost enough to make me glad when it rains, is the Full Irish Breakfast, served Saturday and Sunday. You get two sausages, a huge slab of Irish bacon, mounds of home fried potatoes, magnificent toasted Irish soda bread, both white pudding and black pudding, beans, fried tomatoes, and 2 eggs prepared any way you wish. The price is an extremely reasonable $11.99. Believe me, I can put some food away, but I couldn't finish the Full Irish yesterday. I came close, but the plate is so loaded...

(You know, this has to have some of you thinking that I was paid off to write this. Heck, it would make me think that if I was reading it somewhere else. Nope. Just felt like writing it up because it's a great place and it was just what I needed yesterday morning. In the spirit of full disclosure, though, J. D. did once treat us to a breakfast after reading a similar review on this blog a couple of years back. I don't, however, have expectations concerning another comp in the future. Just thought I'd make that clear.)

The most amazing thing about this breakfast is that you can walk in and grab a seat on Sunday morning with absolutely no wait whatsoever. It always boggles my mind to see the empty tables in Donohue's on a Sunday morning. Just up the street, there are scads of hipsters waiting to get into a couple of other places that I don't consider near as much of a bargain as Donohue's. Nothing against the other diners and whatnot. I've eaten at those places, too, and not a thing wrong with them. None of them, however, has as tasty an option as the Full Irish, and you don't have to stand in line 20 minutes in the rain before getting your hot and satisfying breakfast. I don't get it. Donohue's is just down the street. Why wait when you don't have to do so?

If you, too, find yourself rained out some Sunday morning in the Boston area, come on over to Watertown and get a Full Irish at Donohue's. Chances are you might see me and MY WIFE. As a matter of fact, chances are better that you'll see us than that we'll see you. Allow me to explain.

We had finished our breakfasts and MY WIFE wished to go to the ladies. She asked me to watch her pocketbook (which she does even if there's no one else within a mile of it, but that's OK. I often ask her to carry stuff in it, so it's only fair I watch it when she's away.) She got up and headed for the restroom. Except she headed straight for the mens room, not the ladies.

I said, "WIFE!"

(No, not really. I used her actual name. If I had said, "WIFE!", I probably would have gotten her attention more easily, though.)

She didn't hear me. I said it more loudly.

"WIFE!"

She was oblivious, and walked right into the mens room.

I started to get up to go get her, but J. D. was standing already so he said he'd do so. Just as he reached the door, MY WIFE came out with a sheepish look and a fair amount of blushing.

(Luckily, there had been no one else in there. Had it been a Friday night, with the joint hopping...)

I said, "What did you think when you got in there? 'Huh! When did they put those in here?'"

J. D. and the waitresses laughed, and MY WIFE blushed some more before going into the correct room for what she needed to do.

So, as I say, you might see us (or hear us) before we see or hear you. Well, at least before MY WIFE hears or sees you. Then again, you can never be sure just exactly where she might see you, so be prepared.

***************************************************************************



And that’s it for now. I’ll be back somewhere around the middle of the month. Until then, feel free to send me any spare cash and I’ll have a drink to your health.

Soon, with more better stuff.

34 comments:

Michelle H. said...

Enjoy yourself while on vacation, and take a lot of photos!

Craig said...

What Skip said. . .

You know, genealogy buff that I (sometimes) am, I know that several of my ancestors passed thru Watertown, once upon a time (mainly 3+ centuries ago, but, hey. . .) Anyway, when I finally make it out your way, I'll hope for a visit to Donohue's (and, you know, who knows what Jen might do if she has to use the bathroom while we're there. . .)

I will miss you terribly, Sully. Especially now that my Tigers are safely in the playoffs. I'm waiting to see if Miggy actually wins the Triple Crown before I post about it, but you can be sure that I'm (relievedly) excited about it. . .

Buck said...

The food is top-notch for a bar, there are huge TVs everywhere, the selection of beer is wide and satisfying, and the prices are extremely reasonable.

Ah... the joys of city living and this is one of the biggest things I miss. That, and good restaurants... and Donohue's sounds super.

Enjoy yer vacation. You'll be missed.

Anonymous said...

Have a great vacation. By the time you're back, I'll be gone on mine. As for Sunday breakfast at Donohue's - sounds lovely, but it might be just a bit too much of a drive. I'd have to leave Montreal in the middle of the night. No breakfast is that good.

Jackie said...

Hoping that beginning Wednesday evening at 5 P.M. you enjoy your weeks of vacation with your WIFE. Have a lovely time!
You will be missed....

Daryl said...

oh i love my massages so i hope you get a good strong deep tissue workout .. i always feel like content limp spaghetti after a massage .. sigh ... i will miss you .. i wish you and Your Wife were coming to NYC ...

The Broad said...

I had no idea there was anywhere in America that served black pudding! Donahue's sounds the perfect place for Sunday breakfast and I wish I didn't have to travel 3,000 miles to be able to go there!

Best wishes for a fabulous vacation -- we'll miss you though I'm sure it means you'll be back with 'more better stuff'.

Jenn Flynn-Shon said...

Have a great vacation! Looking forward to reading all about it when you get back.

Karen said...

Enjoy!

stephen Hayes said...

Have a great vacation and regale us with stories when you return.

Kerry said...

The City Known as the Town of Watertown??? Ha! Somebody needs an editor...no wait, it's much more charming like this.

Autumn is a great time for a trip; have fun!

A Woman Of No Importance said...

Sully, you charmer, you! Enjoy your vacation, and I hope the Wife gets one over on you, for this anecdote ;) Lots of love, both, Fhina x

lime said...

have a great vacation and keep YOUR WIFE out of mens' rooms. hehehe. if you ever get down our way i can take you to a local place for a full irish breakfast. it's got a very nifty interior and i hear the breakfast is quite yummy (i prefer fish and chips or guinness stew)

rhea said...

Have a blast! I have to try Donohue's. Never been.

Jimmy said...

Enjoy your little get away, it is always nice to do this once in a while, I wired the money to you so be sure to check the mailbox and have a drink on me, I hope cash was OK to send Ha Ha

Lora said...

Have a fun vacation!

messymimi said...

Bon Voyage! And yes, i will miss you, but i promise to do what i can to live through it until you get back.

Maybe by then it will be almost time for Thanksgiving Comes First?

Ami said...

'The actual incorporated name of our locality is “The City Known As The Town Of Watertown”."

Heehee, is that like the Department of Redundancy Department?

Have a wonderful vacation. :)

Sueann said...

Ha! Ha! Ha! I have done the same thing...at a Duncan's donuts of all places!!
Have a wonderful massage and a great vacation.
Hugs
SueAnn

Joan said...

Lucky you, a massage!
Have a wonderful relaxing vacation.

Anonymous said...

Enjoy your vacation!! I'll miss you and count on a complete report when you get back!

Senja Berita said...

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really very nice your post

Shiva rei said...

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Ulan News said...

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Hilary said...

I'm taking my own blog break at a good time then. I won't need to worry about catching up on your always-entertaining posts.. for a while, anyway.

Have a great holiday. I'm sure you and YOUR WIFE will have a blast.. you always do. :)

3GKnight said...

Have fun on the vacation!

Rebecca said...

Enjoy your vacation....you and your WIFE deserve it!

And, I "think" if my memory serves me correct - I was an extra for a low budget movie that was filmed in Donahues. I could be wrong but it sure struck me familiar!

Angela Christensen said...

I don't remember this one, and I'd have remembered: you know how I love food and I can't imagine ANYWHERE short of Watertown, which is about a million miles between where you and YOUR WIFE and me and My Dear Old Person live, where I could get a FULL IRISH, with which my brain and gut are now completely obsessed. Thanks a LOT, Suldog. ;) Enoy your vacation!!

Jeni said...

Hope you and "Wife" have a really great vacation and you come back all refreshed and full of more fun stories about places you've seen, people you've met and phenomenon you experienced. I will miss you but will wait as patiently as is possible for a nervous nellie that I can be at times while waiting for things!

Austin Wedding Photography said...

I believe in you my friend and your suggestion of this place seems so nice. I hope I can visit it soon.

i beati said...

Enjoy there is something so special about looking forward to a grand thing-- I am finally out of the hospital worse fro wear prayers please..sandy

Kaz said...

Suldog, while you were out, CNBC wanted you to know that you're losing the war: http://www.cnbc.com/id/49379369 ( "Despite the Scorn, Consumers Embrace ‘Christmas Creep’" ).

Jackie said...

Checking in to let you know that you are missed, and hoping that you and your WIFE are having a lovely time. Sending smiles and good wishes to you, my friend....
Hugs,
Jackie

Suldog said...

Kaz - While I've not entirely given up, I've decided to scale back. I had my op-ed published in the Herald last year, and I think that was about as far as I'm willing to run with it. Somebody else can take over my ulcers this year :-)