pintchow

Heinz Baked Beans doused with Worcestershire sauce, supplemented by Lingam's sweet chilli sauce..add a poached egg, if really hungry...also a couple of super crunchy Rick's Picks Wasabeans (pickled beans in wasabi). Otherwise a good mature English cheddar, shredded with Branston pickle. For something sweet, Manuka honey on toast. (no butter required, thank you). Am I getting too carried away?

Welcome to eGullet Bunny Man. Great first post. You stated quite well what I tried to say some time back - only better. ← Yes, I would agree with you both. Love beets, especially when roasted with balsamic vinegar and served with goat cheese. Sushi is also a thing of beauty. Offal, intestines, YUM especially when deep fried and served in congee, garnished with well-scented cilantro! I have to think very hard about what I wouldn't eat, even if life depended on it... I guess I would eat just about anything. Those huge wriggly glistening palm grubs may be a bit problematic on first look, but I hear, it develops a 'nice crust with a soft interior', once roasted over a fire. ..ooh and maybe pickled herring. Had that at a Dutch wedding, and it had this slimy chewy over-accentuated, in your face flavor, that I remember to this day. And really, I would almost eat anything and try and try again. If you want to torture me, make me eat Dutch pickled herring!

Hmmmm...me, too. I'm not a big muffin person, but the coffee at DTUT (2nd between 84th and 85th) is pretty good. Their baked goods are iffy, though. Across the street (same block) is Andre's Cafe...they make a great cup of coffee, and their pastries are excellent, too, especially the croissants. You can get both coffee and croissant to go. Two Little Red Hens (2nd between 85th and 86th) makes a decent coffee, and their scones and muffins are very good. There's always Eli's, too - 80th and Third. Good coffee, great baked goods (muffins, coffee cake, donuts, cakes, cookies, pies, bread). Similarly, E.A.T., at 80th and Madison, is also an Eli Zabar place (the original Eli Zabar place, actually - Zabar's is owned by his family, but E.A.T. is the first shop he opened on his own) and has the same baked goods and coffee. If you have time to sit down, one of the best breakfasts on the UES is at Cafe Sabarsky, at 86th and 5th. ← Thanks, all good to know. I have tried Eli's, but will take it upon myself to do some homework on the other places. Can't pass up the opportunity to sample a good croissant.

Congrats on the refreshing new show, Chris. I recall seeing you on Feasting on Asphalt with Alton B. Was that when you were 'discovered' or had that happened already? I love the way you describe the food you're eating on the show. It makes the audience become part of your wonderful experience. Good luck with the rest of the show/s.

What are free-range pancakes? I went to The Vinegar Factory for breakfast on Sunday with my cousin and a friend...spinach and mushroom omelet, bread basket, and COFFEE... ← Indeed, this is one meal that I don't make myself. Having moved from the West coast and left my beloved Peets Coffee and their lowfat banana bran muffin behind, I am still on the prowl in Manhattan for the perfect brew and muffin. I find Caffe Bacio the closest to the mark, and btw, I refuse to walk into a Starbucks. any suggestions? I hope this is not digressing too much from the topic at hand. ← Where in Manhattan do you live? ← UES.

What are free-range pancakes? I went to The Vinegar Factory for breakfast on Sunday with my cousin and a friend...spinach and mushroom omelet, bread basket, and COFFEE... ← Indeed, this is one meal that I don't make myself. Having moved from the West coast and left my beloved Peets Coffee and their lowfat banana bran muffin behind, I am still on the prowl in Manhattan for the perfect brew and muffin. I find Caffe Bacio the closest to the mark, and btw, I refuse to walk into a Starbucks. any suggestions? I hope this is not digressing too much from the topic at hand.

A topic close to my heart. I start with low-sodium chicken stock, throw a couple of dried scallops or shrimp, shallots, and let it simmer for 30mins. A healthy pinch of dried salted black beans, or a teaspoon of chilli garlic black bean sauce for kick. I chuck most of the noodles in lieu of more 'extras', like whatever veggies in season - carrots for colour, broccoli, snow peas, Chinese broccoli (kailan), daikon, Napa cabbage..anything goes. For protein, tofu, shrimp or fish cakes. Or I keep salmon trims and throw that in (waste not, want not!). I julienne or cut in chunks, depending on my moods. Yes, an egg works well at the end..doesn't it? Oh, and add slivers of ginger, a dab of sesame seed oil, and cilantro to finish. It sounds a lot, but in 10mins flat (if you're not doing the deluxe version using dried scallops..) I have a veerrry filling, but healthy concoction. In fact, I just had a version with soup made from miso paste. Oh, and serve with sweet chilli sauce on the side. Bon Appetite, fellow slurpers!

Hi guys, Just back from my vacation in Maine, thanks for the travel and food tips. Thought I'll give my two cents worth of the eats sampled. Travel facts: I flew to Portland and then hired a car, up to Bar Harbor. It started off relatively well at the Lobster Shack at Two Lights, south of Portland, where I savored a oh-so-sweet lobster and nicely crisp fries, though not to have fresh lemon available is sacrilege. (lemon pouches, what!). Anyway, albeit much-hyped, I had to try Red's at Wiscasset for myself. Yes, it's confirmed. A lobster roll (though bulging with lobster meat) is not worth the $14 and nearly 1hr wait, especially in the sweltering heat. I would, however, recommend Mache Bistro on Cottage St in Bar Harbor. If you're sick of seafood, and longing for Californian/Mediterranean style cuisine, this is the place. I had pickled cucumbers in a beet reduction with a nice fresh local goat's cheese, as a refreshing appetiser (very suitable in the humid conditions). Then followed with pan-fried duck (crisp skin), roasted mash and al dente string beans. I wasn't so sure about the peach reduction though. Oh, and please be sure to walk off dinner by heading towards the harbor. Whilst taking in the sea air and the environs, stop by Ben and Bill's for Oreo Mint ice-cream. Other unmemorable meals came and went..... ..then came Cafe This Way, just off the beaten path on Main St (we're still in Bar Harbor, if you're losing track...). Just catch sight of the wonderful pies on display as you enter, and you know you're in for a good night. Imaginative menu indeed, with prawns/scallops & seaweed salad, spring rolls with crab/lobster in orange/ginger dressing etc...start with a 'trio of melon' and lime cocktail as you decide what to order. Can someone let me know what the pies are like? I had to pass..the brunch there looks very attractive too. ..signed off with another lobster/clam dinner at Young's in East Belfast, and some decent fried clams at Jake's Seafood in Wells. The views at Young's, perched on the water, overlooking the bay, really helps lunch go down...also neat that you actually order your lobster from the actual lobster pound..I thought I had missed the order counter, until I found it hidden beneath the tanks! Go late in the middle of the week to have the place to yourself.. .oh..and I climbed and biked Acadia in between eating bouts! A wonderful trip albeit too short. All your recommendations on this site certainly helped make my vacation worthwhile. I hope I have helped someone with theirs! Before I sign off, please be sure to stay at Hearthside Inn in Bar Harbor where you can exchange travel/food tips at the breakfast table..the breakfasts and cakes are just delicious. The place is really well-cared for and the owners are just darling. Bon Vacances! Where to next...any suggestions? Chow for now.

I swear by Maldon sea salt, for its crisp clean flavor. I don't use a lot of salt but when I do, a touch of the pure crystals does wonders. Not to be wasted in pasta water though. About $5 for a box. I also have the Hawaiian pink salt, best as a colorful prop in the kitchen, not much flavor. Kosher salt, I use as all-purpose..to wash the fishiness from seafood (yes, sad that I live in SF and cannot find super fresh fish),... and add sweetness to pineapple (yes, also sad that I can manage to find sour pineapples). I have the 'Salt' book..interesting...but I'd rather read one of Nigella's (Lawson) books for entertainment..she has such wit..I digress... Anyway, happy salting. Is anyone going to branch out to talk about soy sauce?

Thanks, Rlibkind, for the superb info. Planes, trains or automobiles...on the account of the enthusiastic food travelogue on this post, I think I'll just have to go and experience it myself...a couple of those lobster rolls already have my name on it (hold that mayo, I like mine neat). Let's see if my pics will match up with the sumptuous ones here!

Hi, Can anyone suggest how I can get from Boston->Portland,MA->Bar Harbor->(Arcadia National Park) in a week, and a suitable/memorable gastronomic trail? ..without the use of a car?