Happy St. Patrick's Day, Hopkinton. Strangely enough - or not - the best corned beef in MetroWest is at Zaftig's Jewish Deli which recently opened a second location at Natick's Christmas Tree Mall (Sherwood Plaza) to join its longtime restaurant on Brookline's Harvard Street. In 1997, Zaftig's filled the empty space in  Coolidge Corner's stomachs after the 1971 closing, about a block away, of Jack and Marion's. (One reason customers said Jack and Marion's had panache: Some dishes on its gigantic menu carried a star with the note,  "A good profit item for Jack & Marion's. Please order.")Now …

Hopkinton residents, don't be scared when you walk inot Moe's SouthWest Grill on Rte. 9 in Natick. The staff does that to everybody. (I won't spoil the surprise. It's a little bit of fun on a humdrum day.) Moe's is one of the new cafeteria style restuarnts where you order buritos, salads, tacos or whatever's your pleasure and the counter people make it right in front of you, so you can say what you want on your Billy Ballou and how much. Billy Ballou is - and I may be wrong here - an obscure catch-phrase from Seinfeld where Lloyd Bridges (Jeff's dad) played Izzy Mandlebaum, an 80-year-old …

Never been to Boston's Fire + Ice? Time to go. Hop on 495, straight east on the Mass. Pike to the Prudential exit (inside the tunnel), follow the signs for Dartmouth Street, go straight ahead on Stuart Street, left at third set of lights, stop, you're there. 205 Berkeley St., Boston, MA 02116 617-482-FIRE (3473). Why go? Everybody in your family will love Fire + Ice. Diners personally pick the exact ingredients they want to eat.  Spoon or tong meat, fish, vegetables and pretty much anything you can think of onto a plate, bring those ingredients to a team of chefs at a huge grill in the center…

When was the last time you went to Hopkinton's favorite Italian restaurant? If you've never been to Carbone's 280 Cedar St., Hopkinton, now's the time. The prices are excellent, the selection is great, it's a warm, inviting dining room with lots of booths. The service couldn't be better. Try the seafood chowder with an antipasto, fried clams or a steak.  Or how about a veal cutlet sandwich with fries? There are dozens of weeknight specials for $9.95. Carbone's signature dish is whatever you're having.  It's all delicious. "I suppose veal parmigian," the hostess said recently. The restaurant …

Sometimes the best way to unwind after a long, stressful week is to enjoy a leisurely weekend morning at brunch. At Gourmet Decisions Cafe & Grill in Natick, brunch is about taking the time for dishes more indulgent than your usual bowl of Special K. Casually sip a cup of the full-bodied house coffee while devouring the Tuscan toast (French toast stuffed with sautéed apples, mascarpone cheese, cinnamon and spice), or perhaps try one of their many omelets. The café is open from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. Whether you are an early riser or don’t believe the morning starts till …

Wishing to wine and dine that special someone for Valentine's Day? On Sunday night, Truffles Grille & Wine Bar at 198 East Main St. in Milford will have a special Valentine's Day dinner and show with Mike Dutra as Ol' Blue Eyes. For $75 per person, a reception starts at 5 with complimentary hors d’oeuvres and a glass of prosecco. Dinner and the show start at 6. For reservations, call 508-482-1700. Click here for the Sinatra-show menu.  Truffles combines upscale atmosphere with urban bistro feel. The restaurant's wine selection has received Wine Spectator's Award of Excellence for six …

Marathon is a restaurant that falls into the low-price category of upscale dining (dinner entrees range from $14 - $26). This is an excellent place to celebrate special occasions, such as Valentine's Day, without walking away with a bill reaching several hundred dollars for two people. From baked haddock topped with herb crumbs and comfort food such as chicken pot pie, the menu provides something for everyone. And don’t forget to check out the decadent desserts, like the peanut butter pie. Marathon also offers mouth-watering choices at lunch. Check out their "7 for $7" lunch deal where seven …