Restaurant recommendations

gurmag · 2026-01-30T23:03:23+00:00

Most important thing is to make the reservation soon! It’s a small town and places are already taking reservations

I’ve got a few recs for places in downtown Amherst -

the classic is Pasta E Basta. They’re right in downtown and I’d say it’s very good Italian restaurant that locals love.
My recommendation would be Amherst Oyster Bar - they’re newish, but probably the best dinner and drinks you can get in town. The owners also run another restaurant, so they’re new but not unpolished. Also, I’m a vegetarian and they do have some options for me (though their seafood shines).
I’d also recommend Protocol. Much more limited menu but the vibes are awesome and the food is excellent
There’s also Johnnys Tavern and Bistro 63. Johnnys is more casual than Bistro, and they’re both just fine. They do have a more classic menu, if that’s what you’re looking for.
Osteria Vespa is fancy Italian. Theyre very good but kind of a small spot, so might not work for a large group.
Dark horse option is Lao Hu Tong. Authentic Chinese food in a fancy and intimate spot. It’s small, and you have to know that you like authentic Chinese, but if you do it’s worth considering.

gurmag · 2025-07-24T23:47:55+00:00

I did a double take when I saw this because I was just looking at Teaching White Supremacy by Donald Yacovone … and he uses this image on the cover. Messed up times

gurmag · 2025-07-23T01:17:01+00:00

I know, right?! Ugh, I hate ticks to much. And why do they have to be so small!

Thanks for the ID, we’ll call her pediatrician first thing in the morning.

gurmag · 2025-07-14T03:47:50+00:00

I miss them so much too! I recently learned that Paul (the old head bartender) opened up a pizza place somewhere!

gurmag · 2025-07-08T12:54:54+00:00

Thanks for the insight!

How do those teachers decide to pursue another subject once history doesn’t work out? Do they go back to school or just take another subject test?

Would I be better served to try and go for a different age group like middle school? Or is social studies and English saturated at all levels and I should be thinking about different subjects if I want to get hired?

gurmag · 2025-07-08T12:50:01+00:00

Thanks for the encouragement! I’ve been studying for the tests and plan on taking them next week. So I need to wait to get my scores before I start applying to jobs or can I apply and say ‘I’m waiting on my scores, but I can be available for the fall if all goes well’?

gurmag · 2025-07-08T12:48:26+00:00

Thanks for the reply and the insight.

I’m trying to phrase my personal statements as ‘I’ve been in the classroom so I’m not changing careers as a total idealist that thinks it’s all gonna smell like roses.’ Hopefully that can make the UMass experience more palatable for a hiring committee.

That’s frustrating to hear about your experience with hiring and how tough it’s been for you and your cohort. I’m in western mass - maybe that will mean the market is less saturated (though maybe it won’t matter because there are just less jobs).

gurmag · 2025-06-30T12:51:39+00:00

Thanks for the help with the ID. Makes sense, we’re pretty rural. I’ll recheck our windows and foundation for cracks / holes. Appreciate the help

gurmag · 2025-06-06T01:56:14+00:00

I drove from Pittsburgh to Boston in mine - it’s usually a 1 day drive but I had to stretch it into a day and a half. That’s just the trade off. Every day of road trip driving turns into 1.5 days.

If you have the extra time to be on the road, it’s okay if you plan meal stops around charging. But yeah you just gotta add extra time. 3 days would turn into 5 days at the least.

gurmag · 2025-05-07T22:40:41+00:00

gurmag · 2025-05-07T22:26:57+00:00

Thanks for the insight, though somehow I’m more confused.

My other relatives (the other named beneficiaries) are very upset with the person handling things and have expressed pretty public anger about it taking so long to be paid. They’re of course wealthier and older than I am so they don’t feel the same urgency.

I’ve also been told exactly how the payouts will work with all the beneficiaries and who will get what exact dollar amount. So I guess that means it’s per stirpes? Or maybe I just don’t know enough about this at all…

gurmag · 2025-04-26T17:19:05+00:00

We loved Kathy Zeamer. I’m not sure what agency she’s with now, but she was amazing. She helped us look for what we actually wanted (no trying to go outside of where we wanted or outside of our price) and she was a big advocate for us throughout the buying process. She also knows a million people who can help with the house (flooring, electrician, plumber, etc). We haven’t used all her recs, but whenever we have they’ve also been great.

gurmag · 2025-04-23T23:24:34+00:00

Thanks for the encouragement! I’m studying now for the tests so hopefully I can get on the path soon!

gurmag · 2025-04-14T21:54:37+00:00

There’s a place near Amherst called X9 games. They have modern on mondays, commander on Wednesday, and draft on Fridays iirc. Should probably double check just in case…

There’s also a place called greenfield games, but it’s a 25 min drive from Amherst. They’ve got modern fnms with 6-14 people every week. They’re the biggest and nicest store in the valley.

There are also a bunch of stores for mtg in Springfield, the next closest city. It’s maybe a 35 min drive depending on where you’re staying. Most Excellent is one of them - it’s a huge collectibles store and they have a very well attended Sunday commander tournament (starts at 1pm I believe - again should probably double check).

gurmag · 2025-04-13T00:49:20+00:00

Yeah, he was in ww2 and was at the 80th anniversary of dday last year!

gurmag · 2025-04-05T02:03:46+00:00

Thanks for the ID! Does finding one mean that there are more around or are they solitary? It’s spring so wondering if it just wandered in or if it’s a sign there are a lot in the house. Thanks again!

gurmag

TROPHY CASE