humin's Profile
oldish roadtrip blog on chowhound.com
I think a couple years ago, about the time the web site was redesigned the first time. There was a blog on here, the jest of it was to document a chowhound road trip. Don't remember the author. Any tips if that blog is still available?
Portsmouth, NH Oct 27-30 Thurs-Sun
My suggestions -
My wife and I rarely sit a table, our preference is to eat at the bar.
Farm to Table/fusion: Black Trumpet http://www.blacktrumpetbistro.com/
Seafood:
We've eaten here many times, so from personal experience I'd suggest Jumpin Jay's http://www.jumpinjays.com/
I have yet to eat here, but it's getting rave reviews from people on this board. Surf. http://www.surfseafood.com/portsmouth.html
Not sure how to categorize this one other than excellent - Anneke Jans in Kittery, ME (just over the river, can't walk there but a very short drive). http://www.annekejans.net/
A very Portsmouth dining experience is Mombo. It's in a post and beam constructed home in Strawberry Bank. They have a large bar, where a section of the bar allows patrons to watch the kitchen, even interact with the cooking staff. You can have a few cocktails and watch what's coming out of the kitchen before making your meal selection. http://www.momborestaurant.com/
In my opinion, there are no Italian restaurants in Portsmouth that are worthy of a recommendation. When I want Italian I go to Ron Jillians in Hampton. Very casual, basic/American classic Italian. Their gravy is exceptional. It's kind of a towny place, almost always packed. Ron Jillians is NOT fine dining, it's good food (lots of it) at a reasonable price.
This is the kind of place that you might see on Diners, Drive-ins and Dives.
Casual / lunch recommendations:.
Flatbread Pizza on Congress Street (about 3 doors down from Jumpin Jays). All organic. Flatbreads originally started in NH and is now growing across New England and even a store in Hawaii (me thinks tax write-off for the owner). Get the house salad with goat cheese, best bleeping dinner salad in Portsmouth. Pizza is great too, atmosphere is......noisy. We always sit at the bar here. http://www.flatbreadcompany.com/
River House, on Bow Street, near Surf and Black Trumpet. This is primarily a soup place. Good lunch,full bar, fantastic view of the waterfront. http://www.riverhouse53bow.com/
Freshest seafood of any restaurant period. Sea side shack atmosphere (in the bar), best seafood chowder I've ever had in a restaurant. Extremely casual - paper plates, baked dishes come out in a foil pan....but worth trying for the chowder if nothing else - Petey's Summertime Seafood on Rt1A, Rye Beach. Seafood chowder, not the clam chowder.
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Anneke Jans
60 Wallingford Sq., Kittery, ME 03904
Petey's Summertime Seafood
1323 Ocean Blvd, Rye, NH 03870
Ron Jillian's
822 Lafayette Rd Ste 4, Hampton, NH 03842
Visiting Portsmouth, NH
You missed the point and you call yourself foodsmith?
I'm not advocating JJ, where did you get that?
My point is that JJ and Petey's are completely different seafood restaurants. It's unfair to both to suggest one is better than the other.
I too prefer Petey's, but I would qualify a statement like skip JJ's and go to Petey's. If I was expecting the type of dining experience one gets at JJ or Brazo or Green Monkey or any of restaurants of that ilk in Portsmouth I would be wholly disappointed by the paper plates, plastic cups and that tin foil pan that your precious haddock was served in.
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Green Monkey
86 Pleasant St, Portsmouth, NH 03801
October Road Trip - Need suggestions!!
OK - that helps.
Chowder:
My personal favorite restaurant chowder is the seafood chowder at Petey's Summertime Seafood on Rt1a, on the beach in Rye, NH. Sit at the bar, the bartenders name is Todd, he's a hoot. Rye is just south of Portsmouth, NH.
Another good chowder is at the Maine Diner in Wells. It's on Rt1 @ the Kennebunk end of Wells. Again seafood chowder.
In Boston, the chowder at Union Oyster House would be my suggestion. Union Oyster is one of the oldest restaurants in the country. It also happens to be in the heart of colonial Boston. The buildings in the immediate area date back to before the revolutionary war. Most of the buildings have plaques etc...discussing their history. Just across the Greenway from this area is Boston's north end. This is were Paul Reveres house is & the Old North Church (check out freedomtrail.org) it's also the Italian section of Boston. I LOVE the restaurants in this area. There are two seafood restaurants of note - Neptune Oyster and the Daily Catch. Neptune would have a good chowder, but I'd have a dinner there. Daily Catch is this tiny little place that serves your meal in pan it was cooked in. There are many many great restaurants in this small area, you almost can't go wrong. The length of the line waiting to get in is usually a good indication about the food. I'd just suggest that Modern Pastry is the place for a cannoli.
Legal Seafood is a local chain that I do not recommend, but they do serve a good clam chowder with these warm crusty dinner rolls.
If you go to Newport, for your splurge I'd recommend the White Horse Tavern. Oldest continually operated tavern in the US. http://whitehorsetavern.us/
Other foods to try.
Lobster Roll. Good one is at the Clam Shack on the bridge in Kennebunkport or Allison's in Kennebunkport. But these are sold seemingly everywhere. A good one should be served on a toasted roll with little to no filler (lettuce or mayo).
Ice Cream. New Englanders eat more ice cream per capita than any other part of the country. Late October will limit what Mom and Pop ice cream stands are still open. My favorite is Lago's Lone Oak on Rt1 in Rye, NH.
Full bellied fried clams. The best are on Cape Ann in Massachusetts. Specifically at the Clam Box or Woodmans or Farnhams or Essex Seafood.
Read eating the coast of New England @ http://www.hollyeats.com/
Have fun!
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Petey's Summertime Seafood
1323 Ocean Blvd, Rye, NH 03870
Maine Diner
2265 Post Rd, Wells, ME 04090
Clam Shack
2 Western Ave, Kennebunk, ME 04043
Best restaurant for Lobster dinner-Oqunquit/ Kennebunkport vicinity
Speaking for myself (and extended family), I never get a steamed lobster at a restaurant. Lobster is something we eat at home. I'll eat dishes that contain lobster in a restaurant, but doing the whole picking and cracking thing - no. So, I'm sort of at a loss for suggestions?
I assume you've been to Barnacle Billy's in Ogunquit? http://www.barnbilly.com/
Behind UNE between Biddeford and Biddeford Pool on Hill's Beach is a nice spot called Buffleheads. http://buffleheadsrestaurant.com/
If you venture towards Kittery - Roberts Maine Grill http://www.robertsmainegrill.com/
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Barnacle Billy's
50 70 Perkins Cove Rd, Ogunquit, ME
Roberts Maine Grill
326 US Route 1, Kittery, ME 03904
October Road Trip - Need suggestions!!
Early October, as in leaf peeping?
Shopping? As in going to outlets?
Historical sites?
Depending on what your interested in you will get different answers.
Generally speaking leaf peeping peaks around mid-October. For foliage you would be best served going inland towards NH, VT, western MA and western CT.
If you want to see historical sites Boston is where you want to go. Which is the opposite direction for leaf peeping.
A place you may not have considered is Newport, RI? Beautiful seaport that is where the Vanderbilt's "summered", they built some very impressive cottages you can tour.
October is high season in Salem, MA. Witch trials and all that haloweeny stuff.
Of course the Red Sox will be in the playoffs.
In Maine the place for shopping is Freeport, about 30-45 minute drive north of Portland. The most famous retailer being LL Bean. Kittery is the other shopping destination in Maine.
Need further guidance to get much more specific. Just be aware that fall is peak season in New England. If you have any specific lodging in mind I'd be making a reservation.
Portsmouth for lunch
They did I got an email from the general mgr thanking me for pointing that out. Alas, no freebies :(
Portsmouth for lunch
The River House - http://www.riverhouse53bow.com/ great soup/salad, full bar, great view.
The Oar House - http://portsmouthoarhouse.com/index.cfm nice water front deck, full bar.
The Portsmouth Brewery - http://www.portsmouthbrewery.com/ (they have better than you would expect food, but no view)
Ri Ra - http://www.rira.com/rira/portsmouth.html, it's a chain, but the facility is very cool (old bank converted very loosely into a restaurant. The bar was brought over from Ireland. Food is good. No view. Full bar, including a proper pint of Guinness.
I couldn't find an address on the District www, how are we supposed to try it we don't know how to find it? Sent email to the webmaster.
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Portsmouth Brewery
56 Market St, Portsmouth, NH 03801
The Oar House
55 Ceres St., Portsmouth, NH 03801
Looking for Bar Harbor, Portland and Ogunquitt ME Suggestions
The best restaurant in Maine is Arrows in Ogunquit. This time of year the produce is sourced from their own gardens right behind the restaurant or from other local farmers. Arrows really is worth the visit - it's 5 star rated and pretty expensive.
In Portland - Street and Company uses locally sourced ingredients.
in Portsmouth, NH - Black Trumpet Bistro.
Of course lobster is locally sourced, which will be easy to find.
Enjoy your holiday.
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Black Trumpet Bistro
29 Ceres Street, Portsmouth, NH 03801
Where can I get wild Maine blueberries in seacoast New Hampshire or York county ME?
The best place to get wild blueberries is in Alton Bay, NH. It's a place called Taylor Brown. When your driving up Rt 11 from Rochester, on your left you will see a mountain with cell tower(s) on the top. That entire hilltop is wild blueberries. The owner of said hill top is Taylor Brown blueberries. Using google maps find Prospect Mt. Road. Taylor Brown is on the dirt road section of Prospect Mt. Road. The blueberries are wild NH blueberries, they clean them and put them up in 10lb boxes. 10Lb box sells for $36 (or very close to that). I'm not sure if they have fresh blueberries yet, but the frozen ones are available. You can get blueberries there all year round. The owner is a true NH classic, worth going there just to meet her.
There are blueberry farms on Rt33 heading towards Exeter, but I don't think any of those have the low bush wild berries that Taylor Brown has. You could try going to Barkers Farm on Rt33 in Stratham, it's a little wood shack on the east side of the road just before the Stratham traffic circle. Barkers is always at the Saturday AM farmers market in Portsmouth.
If you wanted to pick real wild Maine blueberries get yourself a blueberry rake and go to the blueberry plains in west Kennebunk, Maine. Go west on Cat Mousam (a.k.a. Rt99) toward Sanford, about 2 miles after you cross I95 the trees disappear and there is very large open area covered in low bush blueberry plants. With a blueberry rake you can accumulate 5 Lbs of berries in a 15-30 minutes. Then it takes about 2-3 hours to clean out all the flotsam, which is why I go to Taylor Brown:)
That hardware store on Market Street in Portsmouth used to sell blueberry rakes. You won't find them at an all things made in China store (Walmart, Home Depot).
Alternative -go to Geno's Chowder in Portsmouth and buy a blueberry pie.
Visiting Portsmouth, NH
Petey's and Jumpin Jay's are in two completely different leagues. If you want fried seafood or over priced steamed lobster in a beach side shack - go to Petey's. If you want finer quality dining with a more inspired menu then go Jumpin Jay's - assuming you want seafood cause that is all they have a Jumpin Jay's. It's not fair to compare the two.
For ice cream, the two places I like best are Lago's Lone Oak on Rt1 in Rye and Browns out by the Nubble in York Maine. Lago's makes all their own ice cream, unlike say the Beach Plum which sells Richardson's Ice Cream made in Massachusetts.
Another place for dessert is Geno's Chowder and Sandwich shop down by Strawberry Banke. Geno's sells the best slice of blueberry pie your likely to find anywhere. The ambiance doesn't suck either. http://www.genoschowder.com/ IMHO - Petey's makes a better chowder than Geno's and their lobster roll is nothing special, but the pie is really really good.
Visiting Portsmouth, NH
The only thing I get at Bob's is Lillian's fried clams. Clam strips, yuck?!?
Better than Bob's is Petey's Summertime Seafood on the beach in Rye. Their fried stuff is as good as Bob's - but they make the best seafood chowder of any restaurant I've ever been to (my opinion). You can get cocktails at Petey's too. Sit at the bar, the bartenders name is Todd, he's a hoot.
Again my opinion, but the best breakfast is at the Big Bean in Newmarket.
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Petey's Summertime Seafood
1323 Ocean Blvd, Rye, NH 03870
Cape Cod or Maine?
In the medical community they refer to that 10 mile outer limit as the tooth line. It only extends as far down east as Brunswick though.
Special occassion restaurant in Victoria?
Going back to the scene of the crime as it were - my wife and I honeymooned in Victoria in 1986. Going back for our 25th anniversary this year.
What restaurant would the locals recommend for a once in a lifetime occasion?
"Beach Pizza" . . . Tripoli & Christy's . . . please explain
I prefer Sal's when I'm at Hampton Beach, their pizza is round.
I think the hype has to do with having the munchies.
Any recs along the Dover, Somersworth, Rochester, Farmington, NH corridor?
If your willing to go to Newmarket - "Big Bean" is a fantastic spot for breakfast/brunch. One of the best breakfast places I've found in NH.
Also in Newmarket is Rocky's Famous Burgers. Excellent hand made burgers.
Both restaurants are extremely small.
visiting son in college in burlington
The main restaurant/shopping area in downtown Burlington is called Church Street. There are numerous restaurants along Church St. to pick from. Most things of interest are within walking distance of Church St.
My recommendation is Leunig's Bistro.
http://www.leunigsbistro.com/
Lawrence Chicken "Que" sandwich
I'm looking to find out if there are any places in the Lawrence, MA area that still make/sell a chicken "que" sandwich. The chicken is not bbq in the tradition sense, it's boiled, shreaded and served on a hamburger roll.
Looking for some great cannoli
Tough to top Modern, but Tripoli Bakery next to Markey's near Seabrook beach makes an ok cannoli. Tripoli is based out of Lawrence. http://www.tripolibakery.com/menu.htm
Portsmouth NH
I agree regarding MoJo's BBQ.
I prefer The Gaslight for pizza over Flatbread.
Popovers is good for lunch, but not dinner.
Haven't been there yet, but Ri Ra Irish Pub (just opened) is packing them in.
I was never a huge fan of the Portsmouth Brewery, but I went in last year to try the Kate the Great and was very impressed with the food. I think their food has gotten significantly better.
My favorite for dinner is Jumpin Jay's Fish Cafe, we just sit at the bar. The mussels appetizer is enough for dinner.
On a nice day, you can't beat the places on the water. Your going for ambiance here primarily. The Blue Claw, Rusty Hammer, Pocos (food is blah, but with enough margaritas - you won't notice).
Not in Portsmouth, but Petey's Summertime Seafood on the beach in Rye makes an excellent fish chowder.
Portsmouth New Hampshire
Fat Bellies is across Market St from the Gas Light. It's been there about 2 years if I remember correctly. I've never been in there myself.
For future reference, the Portsmouth Brewery or Gas Light (basement for pizza, you go in a "wooden" side door, then down the stairs) would be good choices for lunch. Historically I haven't been a fan of the brewery, but I gave it another shot 6-9 months ago and the food has improved dramatically. I'd also recommend any of the places suggested by Maibu.
There is a new Irish Tavern called Ri Ra that is supposed to open before St. Patricks day - http://www.seacoastonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20081108/NEWS/811080321 Waiting to see what that place will be like.
There are also "chain" restaurants if you head over towards Newington. Get off at exit 7 and head west instead of east towards downtown.
Maine recs, please
Reds won't be open yet. Not sure when they open, but unlikely to be much before Memorial Day.
The deal on the Red's lobster roll is that they put lobster meat in a "toasted" hot dog bun. Nothing else, no mayo, no celery - nothing but lobster and roll. If you want butter or mayo, it comes on the side for you apply as much or little as you desire. Most other lobster rolls are lobster salad (lobster meat + mayo + celery + lettuce) on a hot dog or other type of roll.
People like Reds because you get a lot of lobster without the filler. They are expensive, but as lobster rolls go they are worth it. Sure you can get a lobster roll at other places, but they are almost always lobster salad on a bun.
You can EASILY duplicate the Reds lobster roll at home.
Would I drive all the way to Wiscasset to get one, no. If I was driving through Wiscasset and there was a line with more than 5 people deep would I stop, no.
Just so you know - in Maine they more or less roll up the sidewalks between Labor Day and Memorial Day. Not many of the road side stands will be open. I'm pretty sure Bob's Clam hut in Kittery is open, but I would get fried clams there, not a lobster roll.
Check out www.hollyeats.com - eating the coast of New England.
In Portland the area to check out is the Old Port (waterfront area).
Opinions on over the range microwaves
My current GE over the range microwave went to oven heaven recently, after 10 years of duty. In the market for a replacement and was wondering if folks had opinions about the options.
I don't want to spend big $ on a fancy name for something that will mostly be used to reheat left overs, melt butter, heat syrup for waffles etc...
I don't have any special venting, if I got a convection/micro combo unit (Sharp makes one), would I need a special vent? I reckon if it could do duty as a small convection oven we would use it more.
Any strong opinions on the various models on the market?
Our main oven is a gas convection from Dacor. It's just not smart to heat up that big thing for something small/quick.
Best Maine spot for food/touring?
I'd suggest investigating a beach house rental in York (long sands beach) Ogunquit, Wells, Kennebunkport, Wells, Goose Rocks(technically part of Kennebunkport) , Biddeford Pool, and as a last resort - Old Orchard Beach. Traffic in and around Ogunquit is an issue in the summer. There is only one way in/out and the whole state of CT seems to be on that road (Rt 1). Just take that little issue into consideration.
The better formal dining places will be in Portland, Kennebunkport, Ogunquit and also Portsmouth, NH (actually closer to Ogunquit than Portland).
The little hole in the wall places for fried clams etc.. can be found anywhere.
Must try places - imho are - Flo's Hot Dogs (Cape Neddick - between York and Ogunquit), Reds Eats (Wiscasset), Browns Ice Cream (next to the nubble light in York), Bob's clam shack (Kittery), Seafood shack (don't know it's real name - in the center village in Kennebunkport.
For lobster - buy them live, bring them back to your beach place and cook them yourself. All rentals will be equipped with the necessary cookware to do this. Get all your stuff - lobbers, wine, salad, etc.. do it yourself, take lots of pictures. One of my favorite family pictures is of my now 18 year old, when she was ~1 - staring at the lobster we put on her highchair tray - with that "what the f... is that look"
I'm a local:)
If it was me - I'd rent a beach place in Biddeford Pool. The beach is great, and it's ideal if you want a place that isn't a tourist trap. You will have to go other places for restaurants. It's close to Kennebunkport and Portland.
Best food all over New England?
I'll second this recommendation. Try the seafood chowder, blueberry pie. It's very much a diner, you can wear that t-shirt here.
Best food all over New England?
Jewell of India in Biddeford, ME has been better than Shalimar for awhile. Although I recently heard that Shalimar has improved of late.
Harrisonburg, VA chow?
Ended up being in Harrisonburg only 1 night. My travel companion isn't into BBQ, so that was not an option. We ended up at Callies Brew Pub. The food was ok, nothing special pub food. The beer was good, I had the Belgiun wheat - very tasty. Callies was recommended by someone at our hotel. I did see Jess's, and I plan to try that next time back, again my 18 yo traveling companion wasn't to keen on Jess's - based on appearances.
Also went to Klein's - I went for the basic vanilla in a cup, it's probably the best "soft serve" I've ever had. I'd like to try it in a sundae w/fresh fruit topping next time. Kleins is fat kid approved:) I'd be a regular if I lived there. Granted Kleins is an entirely different type of product, but the ice cream in New England is a superior treat, in my humble opinion. If you get to New England, try any of the mom/pop local ice cream stands that are open in the summer. Example - http://lagos-lone-oak.com/, http://www.kimballfarm.com/
My daughter is now enrolled at JMU, so I suspect I'll be back there frequently.
Harrisonburg, VA chow?
I'm going to be in Harrisonburg, VA for a couple of nights this week. Never been to the area before, any recommendations for good chow?
TIA
Best ice cream in Maine
You missed Browns Old Fashion Ice Cream in York - near the Nubble Light.
Authentic Mexican food Southern NH
I'm from Colorado, I feel your pain brother.
Cafe Azteca in Lawrence, MA is pretty good. Don't know if I'd go so far as to call it killer, but it's about the best I've found.
