The Delectable Connecticut Shoreline

As I write this, Hurricane Irene is hauling ass up the East Coast, ready to pummel the Northeast with wind and water. Depending on whose opinion you value, it’s either going to be a really big rainstorm, or absolute Armageddon. So here’s hoping this post is not an “In Memoriam” to the shoreline eateries and attractions I so love.

Anyway. After experiencing White Gate’s amazing farm dinner Thursday night, we made a weekend out of it, staying in Groton and visiting some of Connecticut’s most beautiful seaside towns. We stopped at five farm wineries, ate meals by the water and enjoyed the sun – a surprising bonus, given the original rainy weekend forecast.

Here’s a sampling of the weekend’s good eats:

Watch Hill oysters at Dog Watch Cafe in Stonington. So nice, we ate them twice - Rob ordered a second dozen after we finished the first plate.

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August 26th, 2011 | | 4 Comments »

Happy Hour: Vito’s By The Water, Windsor

Before heading to last night’s Britney Spears show at Hartford’s XL Center (read an entertaining review by my friend Eric Danton here) we fueled up at Vito’s By The Water, taking advantage of the half-price eats at their excellent happy hour.

And in tribute to the former Mouseketeer (or perhaps her pink-wigged opener, Nicki Minaj) I ordered the girliest martini on the planet. Rather, I asked the bartender to make me something with the bar’s massive selection of flavored Pinnacle vodka, and he delivered me the pictured Cotton Candy Cosmo. And it. was. tasty.

I am fully aware of the juxtaposition between my last post and this one, just so you know. Also, my next drink was a beer. (City Steam’s Naughty Nurse.)

Besides my sorority-friendly cocktail, I was even more excited for the Tuesday raw-bar deal: half-price oysters and clams between the hours of 5 and 7 p.m. That means we got this plate of big, briny Blue Points for not quite $13. (And a couple of cherrystones for good measure.)

I also ordered a small eggplant pizza, which rang up at a whopping $5.

I don’t hit happy hour enough, but when I do, I take full advantage. Other must-try happy hour deals are at Max Restaurant Group’s Connecticut locations, where you can find $1 oysters and clams; $2 burgers and $5 small plates with a minimum $5 beverage purchase. It’s one of the advantages of living in the Nutmeg State, since our friends over the border are restricted by Massachusetts’ ban on all things happy.

August 10th, 2011 | | No Comments »

Southern Maine: Bite By Bite

It would take me less time to describe what I didn’t eat in Maine during my five-day vacation. (One word: Vegetables.) Here’s a photo roundup of our trip’s most delectable moments. And some scenery for good measure.

Lobster roll at Billy's Chowder House, Wells

Lobster x 2 roll, Black Sushi House, Ogunquit

Lobster roll at Jackie's Too, Perkins Cove, Ogunquit

Tournedo al porcini pizza (shaved steak, truffle oil, porcini mushrooms) at Caffe Prego, Ogunquit

Burger on sourdough with avocado-tomatillo salsa at MC Perkins Cove, Ogunquit

Tuna carpaccio with avocado tempura at MC Perkins Cove

Twin lobster special at Cape Neddick Lobster Pound

Fries at Duckfat, Portland (literally fried in duckfat and served with incredible truffle ketchup)

"BGT" panini at Duckfat (bacon, goat cheese, tomato)

"Baker's Dozen" oysters at J's Oyster Bar, Portland

Manhattan with house-infused vanilla bourbon at Fore Street, Portland

Hanger steak with braised oxtail at Fore Street

Whole roasted black sea bass with tarragon pan sauce at Fore Street

Rob's birthday dessert at Fore Street: dark chocolate torte with bourbon-molasses ice cream

An appropriate Maine-style birthday cake: whoopie pie!

And now for the actual scenery:

The view from Marginal Way

Ogunquit Beach on a 90-degree day

Rob waiting for his lobster roll at Jackie's Too

You don't get much nicer lunch views (Perkins Cove)

Leeanne and Rob, Footbridge Beach, sunset

July 21st, 2011 | | 5 Comments »

How To Successfully Cover Awesome Food Events

I covered my first food and wine festival in January 2010, as an independent blogger for this very carb-friendly site. And since I’ve been writing for A La Carte, I’ve had the opportunity to cover several more. It’s the most fun work ever, but it’s still work.

In short, these events are heaven for epicures, but often overwhelming for working foodies. Basically, you’re trying to capture the essence of the festival while still enjoying the delicious bites and sips tempting you from every table.

But over the past two years, I’ve figured out some helpful tricks of the trade, and decided to put together a “how-to” checklist. It’s mostly for my own future reference, but if you’re a blogger with your first event media pass, this might help you, too.

Recap from Wednesday’s Taste of the Nation New Haven
Awesome photos by Nick Caito

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June 10th, 2011 | | 2 Comments »

Banana Bread…Beer?

Meet one of my new favorite brews: Wells Banana Bread Beer.

I picked it up at Johnny Mac’s in Springfield, near the Fresh Acres market, on Memorial Day weekend. We’d been there the previous Saturday and I’d spotted it displayed by the register (so I guess it wasn’t a true impulse purchase.) It came in a four-pack, so I figured it wouldn’t be the end of the world if I didn’t like the beer.

Wrong. It’s a wonder we didn’t kill all four bottles in a half-hour.

Here’s how the brewmasters describe it: “…Made with our own natural mineral water and fair trade bananas. Tempting banoffee aromas and flavours are balanced by the silky richness of a masterful malt blend and the peppery spice of the freshest, ripest hops.”

Here’s how I describe it: It smells like fresh-baked goodness in a glass. The beer itself is lighter than expected, not nearly as heavy as the porter or stout I imagined. The banana flavor is beautifully subtle; by no means overwhelming or artificial-tasting. If you loathe banana, though, it’s still there. If you’re on the fence about it, I’d still give it a try.

We found 12-ounce bottles in a four-pack at Johnny’s, and individual 25-ounce bottles at Table & Vine. I imagine you can find it at most stores with solid craft-beer selections. If not, ask for it. It’s a real treat.

And don’t cry for my beloved Thomas Hooker Watermelon Ale. He’s getting plenty of summertime attention.

June 7th, 2011 | | 3 Comments »
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