Best breakfast sandwiches in Northeastern NJ (Bergen County area)

Thanks for the Quaker Creek Store and Bagel Cafe tips! Both are definitely close enough to check out.

freshfigs in New Jersey

Best breakfast sandwiches in Northeastern NJ (Bergen County area)

Sounds pretty good. As a bonus, Westwood has a very nice downtown area, which is not a must for me, but nice nonetheless.

freshfigs in New Jersey

Best breakfast sandwiches in Northeastern NJ (Bergen County area)

Thanks again for the tips.

Speaking of Fairway, I wonder if they make breakfast sandwiches? Maybe Whole Foods Market in Paramus, Edgewater, or Ridgewood?

freshfigs in New Jersey

Best breakfast sandwiches in Northeastern NJ (Bergen County area)

Yeah, I realize that Taylor ham/egg/cheese on a roll is something that is going to be relatively similar at most places, but it can't hurt to get more suggestions. After all, a slight upgrade in ingredients and more attention to detail when preparing the sandwich could yield better results. Also, a better, higher quality roll can by itself make a huge difference in sandwiches, all other things being equal.

Thanks for the Colonial Diner suggestion - I do know the place, but haven't been there in a while.

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Colonial Diner
27 Orient Way, Lyndhurst, NJ 07071

freshfigs in New Jersey

Best breakfast sandwiches in Northeastern NJ (Bergen County area)

Is there anywhere in Northeastern NJ that serves a standout breakfast sandwich? I'm mainly looking for spots in the Bergen County area, but am willing to drive out of my way if the place is really noteworthy.

I'm open to anything from the classic Taylor ham/egg/cheese or bacon/egg/cheese on a roll to something a little bit more upscale/gourmet/market-driven. Also, any type of bread or roll is fine (kaiser rolls, bagels, brioche, Portuguese rolls, focaccia, plain old white bread, etc).

I'm mainly looking for American-style sandwiches, but would also love to hear about good ethnic variations (Portuguese? Brazilian? Italian? Chilean?) in the area.

I don't really care whether the place itself is nice or even has waiter service - I'd just be getting the sandwich to go - but if it is in fact a nice sit-down restaurant or cafe, please mention this fact.

BTW, I realize that every diner in the state serves Taylor ham or bacon with egg and cheese on a roll, but I would still like to hear your recommendations if there's a diner or luncheonette that makes a truly special version of this sandwich.

freshfigs in New Jersey

Looking for casual restaurant with hearty fare (under $30 pp)

Forgot about Frankie's 17 Clinton, that's a good suggestion.

Yeah I try to avoid Schiller's on weekends like the plague.

freshfigs in Manhattan

Looking for casual restaurant with hearty fare (under $30 pp)

Unfortunately I won't be able to make that time. Thanks for the recommendation, though.

freshfigs in Manhattan

Looking for casual restaurant with hearty fare (under $30 pp)

BTW, has anyone here been to Edi & the Wolf (Austrian cuisine) on Avenue C in the East Village? The place has only been open two weeks, but it has gotten great reviews so far. Also, it's related to Seasonal Restaurant in Midtown, which is generally very well-regarded.

Edi & the Wolf seems like it might meet my criteria, so I'd like to hear from anyone who's been there.

Thanks again for everyone's contributions thus far.

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Edi & the Wolf
102 Avenue C, New York, NY 10009

freshfigs in Manhattan

Looking for casual restaurant with hearty fare (under $30 pp)

Cafe Katja is a nice suggestion, thanks.

freshfigs in Manhattan

Looking for casual restaurant with hearty fare (under $30 pp)

Appreciate the tips, thanks.

freshfigs in Manhattan

Looking for casual restaurant with hearty fare (under $30 pp)

I like Jimmy's beer more than their food, but that's just me. I appreciate the tip, though!

freshfigs in Manhattan

Looking for casual restaurant with hearty fare (under $30 pp)

I appreciate everyone's input so far. Just to clarify, I am definitely not interested in any chain or theme restaurants even if the food is better than expected.

What I'm searching for is a local neighborhood eatery, preferably with a little bit of character. I am definitely not a "quantity over quality" type of guy, yet at the same time I don't want to go to a place with miniscule portions, either.

The absolute top priority for me is to find standout dining options at a moderate price point ($30-$35 or less per person including tax and tip). There are tons of casual mom-and-pop eateries of varying quality all over the city, but I'm hoping that you guys can clue me in to the places that are truly head-and-shoulders above the rest (foodwise) rather than "good but not great".

Thanks again.

freshfigs in Manhattan

Looking for casual restaurant with hearty fare (under $30 pp)

For the sake of reference, one place which caught my eye is Vinegar Hill House in Brooklyn - but we don't want to travel to Brooklyn on this particular occasion, otherwise I'd probably check it out.

Other places I thought of but decided against are Blue Ribbon Bakery (kind of expensive and loud), Morandi (vibe is ok, but I don't really love their food), Tartine (used to love this place, but now I think the food is so-so), and Piccolo Angolo (pretty good food, but such a hassle; also, it's kind of at the upper limit of my price range).

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Piccolo Angolo
621 Hudson St, New York, NY 10014

Morandi
211 Waverly Pl, New York, NY 10014

Blue Ribbon Bakery
33 Bedford St, New York, NY 10014

Tartine
253 W 11th St, New York, NY 10014

freshfigs in Manhattan

Looking for casual restaurant with hearty fare (under $30 pp)

Looking for a casual restaurant (bistro, brasserie, trattoria) in Manhattan - preferably below 14th Street, but anything below 96th St is fine - with great food and no more than $30-$35 per person including tax and tip.

I'd prefer an American or European eatery (French, Italian, whatever), and am ok with either traditional comfort food or nouveau/creative preparations. The important thing is that the food is hearty and served in reasonable portions for a grown man. Not concerned about the beer/wine list; just want a place that has terrific food quality at a moderate price point.

Because I'll be dining with an old friend whom I haven't seen in a while, I want to avoid any loud, trendy, or scenester restaurants. The place doesn't have to be super quiet or anything, but it shouldn't resemble a frathouse or Sex & the City casting call, either. Doesn't have to be romantic, but would prefer a place with a little bit of character (divey with character is ok; divey like a check cashing store is not).

The dinner isn't until next week, so I have time to make a decision (and a reservation, if necessary). Thanks in advance.

freshfigs in Manhattan

Best Blueberry Pie I've had in 35 years!

Agree with both of you re: Holly Hobby/Hobby Holly (not sure which was correct - not that it matters). Really messed up to screw with us like that.

freshfigs in Northern New England

Consolidated list of best local eats in Maine (lobster, lobster rolls, clams, pies, ice cream)

Sounds great. I don't have too many Downeast eating recommendations so this will come in handy next time I'm up that way.

Did you have steamed lobster and steamed clams at Quoddy Bay Lobster Pound? If so, how were they? Or did you just have the lobster roll and haddock sandwiches?

Just to verify, is this the place you're referring to?

http://www.maine.gov/dep/ftp/bep/CLNG%20Direct%20Testimony/SPB-NN/Griffin,%20Sara/Griffin,%20Sara.pdf
http://www.yelp.com/biz/quoddy-bay-lobster-eastport

Quoddy Bay Lobster Pound
7 Sea Street
Eastport, Maine 04631
(207) 853-6640

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Lobster Pound
569 White Mountain Hwy, Milton, NH 03851

freshfigs in Northern New England

Best Blueberry Pie I've had in 35 years!

Great, thanks so much! I really appreciate the info.

BTW, legitimate, diamond-in-the-rough tips like this are especially welcome after we were all apparently hoodwinked by maxcaffein two years ago - remember how (s)he'd led us to believe that there was a hard-to-find new bakery called "Hobby Holly Bakery" in Bar Harbor that supposedly made amazing blueberry pies? Yet when you (and perhaps others) investigated, it was nowhere to be found?

http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/533425

Oh well, I guess (s)he had a good laugh at our expense - maxcaffein's only chowhound posts are contained in that thread. I do appreciate your effort two years ago in trying to verify its existence and again this year in bringing Dot's Bakery to our attention.

One final question:
If the blueberry pies at Dot's Bakery would rate 10 out of 10 on a scale of 1 to 10, how would Perkins' Pies (the Pie Lady in Bar Harbor) rank in comparison? 8 out of 10, perhaps?

freshfigs in Northern New England

Best Blueberry Pie I've had in 35 years!

BTW, you don't happen to have a specific street address or phone number for Perkins' Pies in Bar Harbor, do you?

freshfigs in Northern New England

Best Blueberry Pie I've had in 35 years!

Sounds amazing - wish I knew about this place during my most recent trip to the area (I live out of state).

I tried searching for more about Dot's Bakery but only found one other google hit for this business (a brief mention in a recent local newspaper article). Unfortunately, I was unable to find a telephone number or hours of operation for Dot's (including which months they're closed, if any).

Sinned61, do you happen to have this info, by any chance? Thanks.

freshfigs in Northern New England

Consolidated list of best local eats in Maine (lobster, lobster rolls, clams, pies, ice cream)

Good point about the proper nomenclature for the clams, will make a note for future reference.

freshfigs in Northern New England

Consolidated list of best local eats in Maine (lobster, lobster rolls, clams, pies, ice cream)

You're right, I really don't have too many ice cream listings. Which is exactly why I'm hoping for plenty of more recommendations from you guys.

As stated in my first post, this is meant to be a collaborative thread in which everyone keeps adding their top picks or OTOH dismissing popular, frequently recommended spots that they feel are overrated. My list of eateries was never meant to be comprehensive in any way, shape, or form.

Thanks for the tip about Brown's Ice Cream in York.

freshfigs in Northern New England

Consolidated list of best local eats in Maine (lobster, lobster rolls, clams, pies, ice cream)

One of the great things about CH and other food forums is also one of the most frustrating: namely, there's so much information out there that it can be overwhelming trying to sort out the useful recommendations from the bad ones. For every gem of a tip, there are seemingly five others that scream "BEST LOBSTER EVER!!!", only to leave me disappointed when I actually try these spots.

I recently came back from another trip to Maine, and as usual I scoured these boards for eating tips up and down the coast. While many of the threads proved to be quite helpful, it occurred to me that there really isn't a single thread that contains a consolidated list of the best local eats along the coast.

So I've decided to create a thread for this express purpose. Instead of merely listing my favorite restaurants, I've created a category for each specific food that non-Mainers like myself typically seek out when visiting the state, followed by my favorite spots.

I'm asking all of the Maine experts to please add to this list for everyone's future reference. Don't be shy about disagreeing with my picks wherever necessary, but do make sure to include the names and locations of the eateries you feel do a better job of preparing that particular dish. Please keep in mind that I'm looking for the best/elite places for each category - special places that are standouts even in Maine - rather than merely "good for the area" or "better than back home".

Below my list of faves, I've included the names of eateries which I've never visited, but are intriguing based on internet chatter. I'd love to hear from the Maine experts who've been to these spots so that I can confirm that they're worth a visit or OTOH scratch them off my list. I've also included a few spots that (to me) were disappointing, overrated, or simply "not elite" so that you have an idea which places I'm comparing my top picks against. Please keep in mind that some of these disappointing places would be good-to-great outside of the state, but by Maine standards fell short of expectations for various reasons.

Note: For the purposes of this thread, I want to limit the discussion to *local, traditional coastal Maine food and desserts only*. Please save any upscale/gourmet/ethnic/fusion restaurants for a different discussion unless they offer a superlative version of one of the foods listed below.

Also, any business establishment serving food for dine-in or take-out can be listed. This includes Bed & Breakfast inns as well as private homes which sell pies, oysters, or other food items.

Please mention town names and street addresses whenever possible.

STEAMED LOBSTER
Top picks: Waterman's Beach Lobster in South Thomaston and Miller's Lobster Pound in Spruce Head are by far the two best I've ever been to. The lobster at these places is always super fresh, juicy, tender, and flavorful. I can't imagine better, but I'd still love to hear your thoughts about potentially better lobster elsewhere.
Intriguing spots: Muscongus Bay Lobster Company (Round Pond); Round Pond Fisherman's Co-Op (Round Pond); Pemaquid Fisherman's Co-Op (Pemaquid); Broad Cover Marine Services (Medomak); South Bristol Fisherman's Co-Op (South Bristol); New Harbor Co-Op (New Harbor); Allen's Seafood (Harpswell); Holbrook's Lobster Wharf (Harpswell); Trenton Bridge Lobster Pound (Trenton); Cod End (Tenants Harbor); Morse Lobster at Estes Lobster House (Harpswell); Ruth & Wimpy's (Hancock - supposedly has an outdoor lobster pit); Dallas' Lobstah Take Out (Gouldsboro - supposedly has outdoor lobster pit); numerous others I can't think of right now.
Not elite/disappointing/overrated: Young's Lobster Pound in Belfast (I think the lobster is actually boiled, but either way I was surprised that the lobster was not as tender, juicy, or flavorful as Waterman's/Miller's); The Lobster Shack in Cape Elizabeth (I actually thought this was really good the first time I visited Maine, but later I discovered how much better Waterman's/Miller's are); Nunan's Lobster Hut in Kennebunkport (same reasons as Lobster Shack; it's actually not bad at all, but there's so much better up the coast).

STEAMED CLAMS
Top picks: Once again, Waterman's and Miller's, for the same reasons as above.
Not elite/disappointing/overrated: Young's in Belfast. I've been there twice now, and both times the steamers were small, shriveled, overly salty, or overly sandy. To say they were disappointing is a massive understatement.

LOBSTER ROLLS (please specify type of roll: split-top, side-split, or round)
Red's Eats in Wiscasset (split-top) is still my gold standard, although I'd love to hear recs from those who feel there's better out there. The quality of the lobster is good, the quantity is insane (1 lb. of lobster meat), and they use a toasted/buttered split top roll, just as I prefer. Miller's in Spruce Head also does a very nice lobster roll - possibly tied with Red's for #1 (better flavor but less quantity). The lobster meat was fresher/more flavorful than at Red's, and was piled into a toasted/buttered split top roll. With a little more meat, it would be the undisputed #1 in my book.
Waterman's in South Thomaston has a tasty lobster roll, but I'd like it much more if it were on a split-top rather than round roll.
Intriguing spots: Harraseeket Lunch (South Freeport - overrated?); Allen's Seafood (Harpswell); Holbrook's Lobster Wharf (Harpswell); Dolphin Marina & Restaurant (South Harpswell); Cod End (Tenants Harbor); Bagaduce Lunch (Brooksville); Cape Porpoise Lobster Co. (Cape Porpoise); Crossroads Motel & Restaurant (Pembroke); Ruth & Wimpy's (Hancock).
Not elite/disappointing/overrated: The Clam Shack in Kennebunk (would be great outside of Maine, but not really elite by Maine standards); Lobster Shack in Cape Elizabeth (ditto); Five Islands Lobster Co. in Georgetown (ditto - everyone says it's amazing, so maybe it was an off-day?); Camden Deli in Camden (really awful; maybe it was a bad day? Anyway, I don't understand the hype).

CRAB ROLLS
Top picks: Red's Eats in Wiscasset.
Based on their lobster roll, I'd assume the crab roll at Miller's in Spruce Head is good, but haven't tried it. Waterman's in S. Thomaston uses a round roll, which is not my preference, but the crab meat itself was tasty.
Intriguing spots: Jordan's Snack Bar (Ellsworth); Moody's Seafood (Harpswell, with a truck on Saturdays in a parking lot in Brunswick); Allen's Seafood (Harpswell); Holbrook's Lobster Wharf (Harpswell); Miller's Lobster Pound (Spruce Head).
Not elite/disappointing/overrated: The Clam Shack in Kennebunk (would be great outside of Maine, but not really elite by Maine standards); Lobster Shack in Cape Elizabeth (ditto); Five Islands Lobster Co. in Georgetown (ditto); Camden Deli in Camden (blah).

FRIED FULL-BELLY CLAMS
Top picks: Five Islands Lobster Co. in Georgetown is probably my top pick because all fried items (incl. onion rings and so forth) are hand-breaded to order and come with homemade sauces. Not 100% sure, but I believe I had fried full-bellies at Red's Eats in Wiscasset and enjoyed them very much.
Intriguing spots: Bagaduce Lunch (Brooksville); Jordan's Snack Bar (Ellsworth); Just Barb's (Stockton Springs); Crossroads Motel & Restaurant (Pembroke); The Sea Basket (Wiscasset); Harraseeket Lunch (South Freeport).
Not elite/disappointing/overrated: Gilbert's Chowder House (Portland) was flat-out awful for chowder and fried seafood. A complete waste of time and money; I could do far better in Boston or Rhode Island. Never again. Helen's Restaurant in Ellsworth and Machias was disappointing for fried foods in general.

FRIED FISH SANDWICH OR FISH & CHIPS (HADDOCK UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED)
Top picks: Red's Eats in Wiscasset has a terrific fried haddock sandwich on a sesame seeded round roll; I'd assume the regular haddock fish-and-chips is just as good. Five Islands in Georgetown also has good haddock fish and chips.
Intriguing spots: Bet's Fish Fry (Boothbay); Bagaduce Lunch (Brooksville); Jordan's Snack Bar (Ellsworth); Cod End (Tenants Harbor); Just Barb's (Stockton Springs - supposed to have great all-you-can-eat fried Alaskan whitefish).
Not elite/disappointing/overrated: Helen's in Ellsworth/Machias (pretty much all of their fried seafood was mediocre); Gilbert's Chowder House (Portland; see above).

FRIED SCALLOPS
Top picks: ???
Intriguing spots: Bagaduce Lunch (Brooksville); Jordan's Snack Bar (Ellsworth).
Not elite/disappointing/overrated: Five Islands Lobster Co. in Georgetown. This is the only fried dish that I thought was merely ok at this place. Not awful, but disappointing compared with their fried clams, haddock, and onion rings.

CLAM CHOWDER
Top picks: Five Islands Lobster Co. in Georgetown is still the best I've had - good flavor, not too thick, and the inclusion of corn kernels is a nice touch.
Intriguing spots: I've heard great things about the chowder at Damariscotta River Grill in Damariscotta.
Not elite/disappointing/overrated: Gilbert's Chowder House (Portland; see above); Young's Lobster Pound in Belfast (very mediocre and seriously overpriced).

HADDOCK CHOWDER
Top picks: Dolphin Marina and Restaurant in South Harpswell had the best haddock chowder I've ever had. Five Islands Lobster Co. in Georgetown had a pretty solid version as well, but it paled in comparison with Dolphin.
Intriguing spots: Just Barb's (Stockton Springs).

SCALLOP STEW
Top picks: ???
The only place I've tried this was at Helen's in Ellsworth and Machias, and I thought it was solid. Not sure if I can list it as a top pick, though, and I definitely wasn't crazy about the rest of their food menu.

LOBSTER STEW/BISQUE
Top picks: Dolphin Marina and Restaurant in South Harpswell. Not as good as the haddock chowder, but still very satisfying.
Intriguing spots: The Sea Basket (Wiscasset).

STEAMED MUSSELS
Top picks: Dolphin Marina and Restaurant in South Harpswell had "rope grown mussels", which were fresh and tasty.
Also had mussels at Miller's Lobster Pound in Spruce Head, which were fine but not really spectacular. Maybe an off-day, given how great the rest of their food is?

RAW OYSTERS
Top picks: Glidden Point Oyster Sea Farm is a small mom-and-pop operation that sells fresh, delicious oysters out of the garage of a private home in Edgecomb. Make sure to bring a shucker and glove. Note: this is not a restaurant; oysters are only sold for take-out and are meant to be shucked by the customer at home. There are also at least three restaurants on Main Street in Damariscotta that I know of for fresh Pemaquid oysters from the Damariscotta River: Schooner Landing, King Eider's Pub, and Damariscotta River Grill.

BLUEBERRY PIE (please specify if wild Maine blueberries are used, and if blueberries are cooked or fresh)
Top picks: ???
I don't think I can list Helen's in Ellsworth/Machias among the top picks, but I will say that I like their fresh wild blueberry one-crust pie, which has a single bottom crust topped with fresh, uncooked wild blueberries and a huge layer of cream. I didn't like their traditional double crusted pie as much, though.
Also, Waterman's in South Thomaston has a simple but very solid blueberry pie. I don't think I can put it in the "elite" status, but it was definitely tasty. I also had the version at Bartley's Dockside in Kennebunkport a long time ago. I remember liking it a lot, but not sure if I'd feel the same way today since it was one of the first Maine blueberry pies I'd sampled.
Intriguing spots: Dot's Bakery (Round Pond); Cottage Street Bakery (Bar Harbor); Pie Lady (Rt. 3, Bar Harbor).
Note: Priscilla's Pies in Bucksport, which operated out of a private residence on Route 1, is no longer in business since Priscilla passed away last winter. Too bad, because she made a very solid blueberry pie, even if she used a generic store-bought pre-rolled crust rather than a homemade one.
Intriguing spots: Pie in the Sky Bakery (Cape Neddick).

OTHER FRUIT PIES (please specify type of fruit filling, and whether cooked or fresh)
Top picks: Ebb Tide in Boothbay Harbor for peach shortcake. Helen's in Ellsworth/Machias has a good one-crust fresh strawberry pie during strawberry season, but I'm not as crazy about their double crusted strawberry pie.
Waterman's in South Thomaston has simple but solid strawberry and rhubarb pies - not necessarily elite, but quite good.
Intriguing spots: Bagaduce Lunch (Brooksville - strawberry/rhubarb pie); Tall Barney's (Jonesport); Ruth & Wimpy's Kitchen (Hancock).
Not elite/disappointing/overrated: Moody's Diner in Waldoboro. The pies were large but the taste was really nothing special (tried the four-berry pie) A major disappointment to say the least. Maybe an off-day? Dysart's in Hermon/Bangor had perfectly fine pies, but I thought they didn't really live up to the considerable hype. Nothing wrong with them, though.

TRADITIONAL ICE CREAM (not gelato/sorbets)
Top picks: Soft serve strawberry ice cream at Red's Dairy Freeze in South Portland (only available during late June/early July strawberry season). Very highly recommended. Note that the place was severely damaged by a fire earlier this year; hopefully they'll be able to reopen by June 2011, in time for strawberry season. Round Top in Damariscotta is also good; I really like their wild blueberry ice cream (August blueberry season only). And I remember liking Brown's Ice Cream in York, but it's been a while since I've had it so I'm not sure whether it belongs in the elite category, esp. considering how many highly regarded ice cream stands are located in the state.
Intriguing spots: Dorman's Dairy Dream (Thomaston); Shain's of Maine (Sanford) is supposed to have excellent strawberry ice cream.

MILKSHAKES
Top picks: Red's Dairy Freeze in South Portland has a great seasonal strawberry milkshake (only available during late June/early July strawberry season) which uses their soft serve strawberry ice cream (also seasonal).

PANCAKES
Top picks: ???
Intriguing spots: The Bluebird Ranch (Machias).
Not elite/disappointing/overrated: Boynton-McKay in Camden. Surprising, because I liked almost everything else on their menu, especially the baked goods. But the pancakes were neither crispy nor fluffy enough; not awful, but definitely not memorable either. An average dish at an otherwise excellent spot.

FRENCH TOAST
Top picks: Boynton-McKay in Camden.
Intriguing spots: The Bluebird Ranch (Machias).

TRADITIONAL BREAKFAST (please specify best dishes when possible)
Top picks: Boynton-McKay (skillets, donuts, scones, blueberry muffins).
Intriguing spots: Home Kitchen Cafe (Rockland).
Not elite/disappointing/overrated: The Brass Compass (Rockland) had large portions of above average food, but it really wasn't a standout eatery. Thomaston Cafe was also fine, but not as good as the hype. Dysart's Truck Stop & Restaurant (Hermont/Bangor) had large portions of perfectly decent breakfast food, but it's definitely overrated. It's fine if you're in the area (esp. late at night), but definitely not worth a special trip. Dunstan School Restaurant (Scarborough) is a place I haven't actually visited, but I've been hearing of late that it's overrated, so I'd like to hear from people who've eaten there.

CORNED BEEF HASH
Top picks: Just Barb's in Stockton Springs.
Intriging spots: Home Kitchen Cafe (Rockland).

BED & BREAKFAST INNS (*rate the food only*, not the ambience, charm, decor, views, or friendliness of the owners)
Top picks: ???
Intriguing spots: Kilby House (Eastport); LimeRock Inn (Rockland); Berry Manor Inn (Rockland); Whitehall Inn (Camden; restaurant attached to inn is called "Vincent's"); Hartstone Inn (Camden); Penobscot Bay Inn (Belfast).

DONUTS
Top picks: Boynton-McKay in Camden.
Intriguing spots: Tony's (Portland); Congdon's (Wells; I've seen reports that it might be going downhill, though); Frosty's (Brunswick); Willow Bake Shop (Rockport); The Frog and Turtle (Westbrook); Chase Farm (Friday morning Damariscotta Farmer's Market).

WHOOPIE PIE
Top picks: ???
Intriguing spots: Harraseeket Lunch (South Freeport).

MICROBREWERIES
Top picks: ???

MISCELLANEOUS DISHES
Top picks: Jordan Pond House on Mount Desert Island (popovers).
Intriguing spots: Damariscotta River Grill in Damariscotta (bread pudding and apple cider); The Friar's Bake House in Bangor (run by monks and supposed to have great strawberry shortcake in season); Just Barb's in Stockton Springs (strawberry shortcake).

Region of coast with highest concentration of good-to-great eats: Mid-Coast (especially for lobster and steamed clams)
Region with most disappointments: Southern coast
Region with least amount of chatter on chowhound: Downeast Maine (need way more recs)

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Dolphin Marina and Restaurant
515 Basin Point Rd, Harpswell, ME 04079

Harraseeket Lunch
36 Main St South, Freeport, ME

Five Islands Lobster Co.
1447 Five Islands Rd, Georgetown, ME 04548

Gilbert's Chowder House
92 Commercial St, Portland, ME 04101

The Frog and Turtle
3 Bridge Street, Westbrook, ME 04092

Ebb Tide Restaurant
43 Commercial St, Boothbay Harbor, ME 04538

Dunstan School Restaurants
591 US Route 1, Scarborough, ME 04074

Jordan's Snack Bar
Hancock Rd, Ellsworth, ME 04605

Red's Dairy Freeze
167 Cottage Rd, South Portland, ME 04106

Red's Eats
Main, Wiscasset, ME 04578

Moody's Diner
RR 1, Waldoboro, ME 04572

Sea Basket
RR 1, Wiscasset, ME 04578

Clam Shack
2 Western Ave, Kennebunk, ME 04043

Main Street Cafe
888 Main St, Westbrook, ME 04092

Nunan's Lobster Hut
Mills Rd, Kennebunkport, ME 04046

Trenton Bridge Lobster Pound
1237 Bar Harbor Rd, Trenton, ME 04605

Camden Deli
37 Main St, Camden, ME 04843

Brass Compass Cafe
305 Main St, Rockland, ME 04841

Just Barb's
24 Main St, Stockton Springs, ME 04981

Cape Porpoise Lobster Co
184 Beachwood Ave, Kennebunkport, ME 04046

Penobscot Bay Inn & Restaurant
Northport Ave, Belfast, ME 04915

Shain's
Ice Cream Wells Rd, Sanford, ME 04073

Tall Barney's Restaurant
Main, Jonesport, ME 04649

Schooner Landing
Main, Damariscotta, ME 04543

Hartstone Inn
41 Elm St, Camden, ME 04843

Whitehall Inn
52 High St, Camden, ME 04843

Muscongus Bay Lobster
28 Landing Rd, Round Pond, ME 04564

Ruth & Wimpys Restaurant
792 US Hwy 1, Hancock, ME 04640

Bartley's Dockside
Rt 9 4 Western Avenue, Kennebunkport, ME 04043

Home Kitchen Cafe
650 Main St, Rockland, ME 04841

Lobster Shack
225 Two Lights Rd, Cape Elizabeth, ME 04107

freshfigs in Northern New England

Best Spanish or Portuguese-style garlic shrimp in Newark area?

BTW, I've heard good things about Katekero in Newark and Valencia in Elizabeth (both Portuguese). Can anyone verify these recommendations and whether their garlic shrimp is top-notch?

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Katekero Cafe & Restaurant
77 Jefferson St, Newark, NJ 07105

freshfigs in New Jersey

Best Spanish or Portuguese-style garlic shrimp in Newark area?

I know garlic shrimp is offered at numerous Portuguese and Spanish restaurants in Newark's Ironbound neighborhood and elsewhere, but I was wondering which places offer the best version of this dish in the Newark area (Newark-Kearny-Harrison-Belleville).

I have been to the Iberian restaurants of the Newark area many times in the past but I honestly can't recall which places, if any, prepare a really superior version of this dish. I mean, garlic shrimp is pretty ubiquitous, but does anyone have a really standout version?

I'm asking because a friend has requested to meet for lunch or dinner in the Newark area this weekend and specifically wants to have this dish.

Thanks in advance.

freshfigs in New Jersey

Best food at Bed & Breakfast inns along Maine coast

Thanks for the recommendations - I'll look into both of the places you mentioned.

BTW, I've heard mixed reviews of Penobscot Bay Inn's food, but only for the dinner menu. I'm assuming that their breakfasts are much more consistently good-to-very good (that's the only meal I'd be eating there if I were to book one of their rooms)?

freshfigs in Northern New England

Best food at Bed & Breakfast inns along Maine coast

Looking for a good B&B (bed & breakfast) inn along the Maine coast that serves a really traditional, hearty, outstanding breakfast. My target area is the Mid-Maine coast (Rockland/Camden/Belfast), but anywhere from Brunswick up to the Down East region would be fine.

I've heard great things about the Wealthy Poor House in Belfast, but unfortunately they're all booked up during the weekend I'll be in the area. Anything similar to that?

I'd also be interested in hearing about non-B&B standalone restaurants in Mid-Maine that serve really great breakfasts - places that are worth going out of one's way.

Thanks in advance.

freshfigs in Northern New England

Wild blueberry availability outside of Downeast Maine?

Too bad about the wild blueberries being done for the season. I won't be in the area until next weekend, and probably won't travel north of the Bucksport - Ellsworth - Hancock area, so I'm guessing that I'm going to miss the wild berries entirely even though I'll be near the border of Downeast Maine.

Do you think blackberries will still be in season along that part of the coast next weekend, though?

freshfigs in Northern New England

Wild blueberry availability outside of Downeast Maine?

Thanks to everyone for the insight.

My trip to Maine is two weeks away, so based on what you're saying, it looks pretty likely that I'll miss the wild berries, which is really too bad.

If so, are there any good markets in the Mid-Maine area - anywhere from Rockland/Camden through Belfast, Bucksport, Ellsworth, or even on one of the islands such as Mt. Desert Island - that will offer wild berries that were picked at the end of the season and then refrigerated/frozen for sale past the end of the season? Or will the only blueberries available in markets and restaurants be the larger, more commercial farmed berries?

freshfigs in Northern New England

Wild blueberry availability outside of Downeast Maine?

Thanks for the info.

Will wild blueberries be in season in Central Maine through the end of the month? Or does the peak season end earlier than in Downeast Maine?

Is there any difference in flavor/quality between the wild blueberries from Mid-Maine vs. Downeast Maine?

Sorry if these are really obvious questions - I really appreciate your insight.

freshfigs in Northern New England