"If it isn't fresh, it isn't Legal." ~ Legal Seafoods

Legal Seafoods on Route 9 in Framingham, MA has been chosen for Lala's Birthday celebration this year. When making reservations, Legal's were quite accommodating regarding food allergy issues. It was not a problem to bring some of our own food or cake. We were seated promptly although unfortunately at a table right next to the kitchen. A high traffic, noisy area at a table with flip-up extentions on the ends that at least on one side didn't flip all the way up. Our server, Chad, delivered the specials speech well and took our orders without overly pushing appetizers or extras. Three of the nine at the table were under ten years of age. Trays of raw oysters were not likely to be on the bill.

About 40 minutes after ordering, the entrees were delivered. Not bad considering the full house on this holiday weekend evening.

Here is what the New England Fried Clams look like served with/on French Fries with Cole Slaw, tartar sauce and a tiny little lemon wedge. More lemon would be good, but seriously, this is too much food. It just isn't healthy to eat this much fried food.

As to the clams...native New Englanders hold a special place in their palate memory for seaside fried clams. Legal Seafoods clams were "petite" whole bellied clams, so they aren't really whole-bellied in texture or flavor. For those who prefer whole bellied clams they do not replicate the salt-air battered whole- bellied clams found on the coast in a roadside clam shack , but for the tourists used to frozen strip clams, they provide a mild introduction to the wonderful world of fried clams. Not much clam flavor, but credit the guys on the line in the Legal kitchen, the clams were fried to a perfect golden brown and crispy.

Boston Baked Scrod with French Fries and Snap Peas.

After we made the mistake of ordering before telling out server about our food allergy issues, our server, Chad, demonstrated an understanding of the issues only found with servers with personal experience with food allergies, or who have been at least fairly well trained to recognize the issues associated with patrons with food allergies or sensitivities. Chad, without delay, informed us that the rice pilaf, ordered with the scrod, contained egg, and offered substitutions such as the snap peas which were very good.

A serving of the children's lobster doesn't require a bib; brilliant. Served with orange wedges is different. Maybe good, but the diner had no comment on the oranges. The root beer was a hit. Also popular were the crayons and the kids menus.

The cake: Legal Seafoods could not have been more accomodating. The servers all sang and Chad made sure that, despite the fan, Lala got to blow out the candles on her 80th birthday cake.
Happy Birthday Lala!

While Legal Seafoods made the effort to make happy customers, the bakery at Sudbury Farms in Needham was something of a GIANT FAIL

At the Bakery:

Customer: I would like an 8 inch cake decorated with a US flag for a birthday celebration on the 6th of July.

Sudbury Farms: (communication issue-no English) no can do.

Customer: Manager please.

Sudbury Farms Manager: We have leftover 7" 4th of July cakes with flags. Fresh 8"cakes can have flowers, no flags.

Let me see if I have this right: This is a bakery that can provide for a request for a flag on a cake with an old 7" cake, but not an 8" cake. After repeatedly asking the non-English speaking "bakery worker" the manager confirmed! " We cannot make a flag on the 8" cake."

So the old cake, they knew how to make a flag...the fresh cake...not so much.

Kyle loved his brownie. Chad remembered to offer the brownie to kids. He forgot the food allergy issues. Informing the server doesn't mean the server is responsible for your kids' safety. The best intentioned server can make mistakes, particularly during a busy service. You and ultimately the person with food allergies have to be aware of everything on the plate.

Blueberry Pie. What, in July, is better than Blueberry Pie?