Oh, here's a good one called "Life Changing Beef Stew" from a blog that I came across randomly. It is by far the best main dish IP recipe I have come across in 2+ years.

https://pinchofyum.com/instant-pot-be...

Extremely easy and the possibilities for variation are endless. I love not having to brown the beef first. The key is that it won't be like a traditional beef stew. Due to the cooking time the veggies get kind of mushy/saucy. But because there is not much liquid it is more like a braised beef ragu, so it's great over something like wide egg noodles or mashed potatoes. I use wine and any kind of tomatoes I have in a can as a sub for the tomato juice. And for the reduction part, I just pop it in the oven in the SS insert while the starch cooks. My picky eaters literally mop up every last bite. Just make sure you use chuck for the beef.

My husband was in this exact situation. At first he just relied on medication, without dietary changes. It kept having to be increased. Finally, he decided to scale back on carbs, and he has lost almost 60 pounds and his t2 symptoms in less than a year. He loves to eat, and dines out frequently. He simply ate more meat and veggies and cut back on starches and sweets. I actually think he ate more than before. He was not even all that strict about it. For example, if we went out for Chinese he would just have a little rice, and ate more of the meat/veggie stuff. He still has burgers all the time. He will just be good for the next few meals afterwards. We have steak, ribs, pork, sausages, roast chicken etc all the time. Lots of veggies. No need for any special cookbooks or anything. Try this for a few months. Good luck.

I can't answer to this book, as I don't have it.

The rice stuff can get tricky. For example I am just barely getting there with jambalaya type recipes. The lesson learned is that you need to use way less liquid than is typically called for, in traditional cook books Add in any type of tomato or pepper sauce type ingredients last, after, the Like on top of) the water/broth ingredients.

But none of the attempts has been a total fail. I just cooked it a little longer and let it sit. And for hungry kids it worked out.

It's not you. It's that the BSCB's in most supermarkets these days are just GINORMOUS. And super thick. Forget about the common recipe step to "pound them to a half inch thickness". The easiest solution is to cut them in half through the middle, lengthwise to effectively make two "cutlets". They cook way faster, and even if you overcook them a bit they don't get "spongy" in the middle. This is especially great for grilling or pan searing, but works well with any method I can think of. Hope this helps.

I'm hoping to revive this great thread.

Hey Brook, have you had a chance to investigate any more places?

I am still at least 1.5 years from even actually physically looking myself. Probably somewhere in the SE, Southern VA and points south. For me, proximity to the shore is not all that big a deal. And I'm more modest with my foodie requirements. A decent grocery store and wine/beverage vendor, and a few decent local casual restaurants and I'm good.

I hope your plans are going well.

My like for Turner's is that they didn't change a beautiful, beloved historic local gem of a building. And they offer simple day boat fresh seafood, and things like burgers and steaks prepared in the tradition of this area.

But, being interrupted, and on a re-read of what I started it's more than that.

It's still the Lyceum. It's a kind of throwback to the 70's and 80's dining scene around here, that was based on earlier models. It was a perfect date destination. Classy, but not too formal. Such places are treasures!

If you walk in and head to the right (The bar and dining room area) you will be in a great atmosphere. The food is maybe not adventurous. But it is well prepared in a classy yet informal location. It's better than the food at the EYC.

Now that we are all off on our tangents, I just realized that I forgot a good one.

Sugar Cane in Peabody Square.

It's a hybrid, American Chinese/Vietnamese There is both a full cocktail bar area, and dining room and takeout area. But I gravitate there for the Vietnamese, which is extremely tasty and maybe even better than Soall. I don't think they have Ban Mi though. But great vermicelli bowl.

Sugar Cane is not high end fancy city dining, but it's very nice for casual Asian/American that you can count on for when you want that vermicelli bowl with a full bar. High quality food, owned and operated by very nice people who are always on site. Nicely decorated. Very clean. Good bartenders.

I'll second Turner's in Salem!

It is relatively new there. For years it was a restaurant called The Lyceum (which is the name of the historic building it is in). I'm so glad that the new owners have not changed the atmosphere, which I can only describe as classy but not too fancy. When you sit at that bar, you know you are really in New England. (I mean this in a GOOD way!) The seafood is fairly straightforward and super fresh. My husband thinks their burgers are outstanding. If you make a reservation for a table, make sure you ask for the bar side. (Just not the little table near the small exit door on a cold night. Too drafty.)

Welcome to the area. It's not a culinary mecca, but it has its gems. There are a bunch of us here who are happy to try to answer any questions you have!

There is a newish place in Swampscott called Nguyen's that you might want to check out. Nice location, right on the water. Vietnamese cuisine with a sushi bar.

I went a couple of months ago for a quick early sushi dinner and I thought it was good. They seem to have their own version of Banh Mi, but I haven't tried it.

And Soall is good too. Both are surprisingly close, if you figure out the back streets. Except for the Halloween madness, when the Salem traffic makes everything crazy.

Very limited options around here for Vietnamese.

FWIW, there is an excellent Thai place in Marblehead, called Thai Market. Not much atmosphere but the food is incredible.

Hope you guys have a great time!

I felt like I was being a wet blanket for even mentioning things like stairs and parking. It needed to be said.

Trust me, if your 80+ Dad has an issue with this, he is probably stressed out about it too. Taking him to a very nice place where he will not feel daunted by distance and stairs and crowds will be a huge relief to him. He will love any such dining experience, and the time spent with you, way more than some new chef's interpretation of hake.

Best to you both!

I had thought about mentioning this too, but it just seemed to be too far off the parameters.

The food is great. And the service is generally very good.

But there is no parking lot and no valet parking. This could be a problem for anyone who is elderly or has mobility issues. I have MS. I can only go here early on a quiet night on the off season, with a reservation when I know there will be no wait. And I'm fairly ambulatory. Also, I have been here with my MIL (in her 80's) and she just wasn't crazy about it, and felt this was no special dinner. It's a destination foodie experience, but it falls short on the other requirements.

If I were the original poster on this thread, I would be in a quandary here as well. There just are not many places around here that fit the criteria that you are imagining for your Dad. I would go with one of the excellent safe-ish selections. Absolutely call ahead and make sure they know it's a big deal. Go early, so you have plenty of time.

Then just step back and enjoy. 80 is a major celebration. It's so nice that you are doing your best to get this just right. Leave it to the folks at whatever place you pick to make this a great night for your special dinner. He will be blown away by your thoughtfulness. Very classy!

I've lived in Marblehead for most of my life, and love eating out. This is a toughie! This is a very casual area.

Pellana in Peabody is very great for a special occasion. (The location and exterior are deceiving, but I warned you!) Honestly, once you get inside it's very nice and the closest I can come up with to what you are describing. I've been to a few special event dinners here and they were great. This might be your best bet. It's as good as any high end steak house place as I've been to in any city.

I've heard great things about Firenze in Salem, but I haven't tried it yet myself. It's small.

Hoping I am just blanking out and forgetting something obvious. Ask away if you want to pick my brain on anything local!

Good luck! This is a very nice thing you are doing.

Great post! Fellow Boston area resident (North Shore) here. I know last winter was an outlier, but it was massively stressful for folks with disabilities.

I was able to manage by way of cutting back on my driving. Amazing how many places are now promoting their delivery services. This helped.

But it was awful. I was stranded too. It was very stressful. Wicked stressful.

We probably will not get a winter like that this year. But I am eying recipe ideas with this in mind. The freezer thing. Ugh!

Maybe I will come around to it!

Thanks for your post! I am in good company!

I commented earlier. But happy to chime in again.

I came of age in the "wonder years" of the 60's, 70's and 80's. And shockingly, I'm still alive! And healthy!

Look, there is nothing better than fresh vegetables. Dad got me hooked on organic gardening when I was young. (North of Boston, at the coast). It would be great to be in a position to have this as an option.

But he also made me a fan of using these as a great breakfast option. When your annual family vacation is in Baxter Park in Maine, which is a cold, remote, wilderness with no utilities; every meal tastes great.

Needless to say, I had an amazing childhood. And those canned potatoes helped!

I still keep a few cans on hand for making these hash browns my for kids and their friends in a pinch. Seasoned salt and bacon fat or butter. Drain and give them as much drying time as you have.

It is not health food by any measure. But they love it!