Phantom Gourmet: Steaming Tender In Palmer

PALMER - All aboard! Get ready to "chew, chew, chew," your way to a delicious meal. Situated inside a train station that dates back to 1884, Steaming Tender in Palmer is the place to be whether you're a train enthusiast or you're just on a fast track for some delicious eats.

Owner Robin Lamonthe has created a space that's part restaurant, part transportation museum, and all fun - whether you're taking in the trains, enjoying a ride on the antique stage coach, or just feasting on some fantastic fare.

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"When I opened the restaurant I wanted it to be more than just a food establishment," she said. "You have to have the right sounds. You have to have the right smells. You have to have something that is more than a dining experience.

"We're wedged in between two tracks. So the trains are going by, you have the old 1884 train station, and you just feel like you are placed in another era."

When you actually reach the doors of the restaurant, it can be a bit overwhelming, according to Manager, Lisa Hamill.

"It's very unique. It's almost like a living history museum. From the brickwork, the floors, the vaulted ceilings, there's archways all over the place," she described. "It's not something that you're going to get anywhere else."

In train-speak, the Tender is the car attached to a steam locomotive. At the Steaming Tender restaurant, there's nothing more steaming or tender than the classic New England Turkey Dinner.

"It's very classic roasted turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, and then of course some cranberry sauce. It's just one plate that satisfies all of your needs," Lisa said.

If your needs include pasta, cheese and lobster, look no further than the Lobster Mac.

"It's big chunks of lobster meat in there. It gets some fresh broccoli, and then it's topped with some seasoned bread crumbs," Lisa described. "It goes under the broiler to give it that crispy, homey, macaroni-and-cheese-like-your-mom-used-to-make."

If you want all of the great taste of lobster without the carbs, get it on a salad.

"Our lobster salad is a huge portion. Claw and knuckle lobster meat, and we mix that with some mayonnaise, celery, and a little bit of tarragon," Lisa listed. "That goes on top of a fresh house salad, which is a mix of lettuces, tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, and then croutons, which we also bake off here in house."

Other seafood dishes include Fried Oysters served in the shell; an overloaded Cioppino that could feed the whole boat; and mussels served in a bright Limoncello sauce that you can also find over fresh haddock.

"We've taken something from the bar and incorporated a wonderful sauce that's great for the winter and the summer. It's filling and it's also light at the same time. It's a good balance for all seasons," explained Robin.

Sandwiches at Steaming Tender are always on track, with everything from a half pound burger piled high with Swiss cheese and sautéed peppers, onions, and mushrooms; to a Grilled Cheese stuffed with barbecue smoked pork that's slow-cooked for 18 hours. Nothing will get your engine going quite like the Grilled Reuben.

"We slow cook the corned beef here in-house," Lisa said. "Our thick-cut rye comes in to us unsliced, so we're able to hand-cut it to the thickness that we want, and then they do top it with sauerkraut, Thousand Island, Swiss cheese. And when you put it down in front of somebody they say, 'Oh my god, can I have a takeout container?' because this is such a giant sandwich."

If you do have room for dessert, order the Whiskey Bread Pudding, a dessert that has diners speechless. For a twist on a fair favorite, try the Strawberry Shortline, a dessert that takes fried dough and tops it with all the goodness of strawberry shortcake.

"It's a good way to end a meal, and it's also a great share. We serve it like a pie. We have this big plate with the fried dough. People see it, they're like, 'Oh my goodness.' We already assume it's going to be a share, because it's big, and it's just a great way to end a family meal," Robin said.

Whether you're passionate about dining cars or just great dining, with a dedicated owner like this, you know you're on the right track at Steaming Tender.

"I love food. I love architecture. I love history," Robin listed. "I like putting together a themed concept. I have a train station, so it's all about the rail. I just get such satisfaction coming up with a new menu item, maybe from an old dining car, or getting a new artifact to show off, because people appreciate it. People notice."

You can find Steaming Tender at 28 Depot Street in Palmer, and online at steamingtender.com.

Watch Phantom Gourmet on Saturdays and Sundays at 10:30 and 11 a.m. on myTV38.