IWantFood's Profile
Fairway opening in Douglaston
I find Fairway in Douglaston to be uneven. Certain prices are not out of line; others are very high. They have some good chip prices. Fresh fish is hit-or-miss. It either looks great or like it should be thrown away. I've bought fresh ricotta cheese there that spoiled in two days, which was more than a week before the expiration date. The quality of produce leaves a great deal to be desired. The bakery and prepared foods are nothing special. The fresh-baked baguette was gummy. Aisles are poorly organized and make for a stressful shopping experience. There is also limited shelf room, so they carry fewer choices in many cases than a more traditional market. I will say that I have always found them to have stock of dairy products, such as yogurt, even when they are on sale, which is more than I can say for Stop & Shop, and the employees are very nice and helpful.
maple creamy
Maple soft serve ice cream isn't really difficult to find in Maine. I just sat out in the fog and ate a cone of it two nights ago. Many ice cream shops, as well as some farmers who vend at farmers' markets, sell it. If you mean something else by "maple creamy", such as maple syrup poured over vanilla soft serve, that may be more specifically regional.
Roadtrip up East Coast
Since you will be driving north, here are some suggestions from south to north:
Pie: Pie In the Sky, York/Cape Neddick, ME, on Route 1
Donuts: Congdon's on Route 1 in Wells, ME
Lobster rolls/clam chowder: Cape Pier Chowder House, Kennebunkport/Cape Porpoise, ME
Assuming you'll be on I-95/Maine Turnpike, you can get off at the York exit and drive Route 1 through to Kennebunkport, where you can get back on the T'pike.
Cannelle Patisserie in Queens
I don't suppose Cannelle or any other bakery in NYC sells kouign amman. I've yet to find it. If anyone knows of a place that makes it......
A few questions for Portland / Scarborough
Never saw Vince. Every time I've been, there have only been women working there. They're polite enough, but when I inquired about sampling before buying, they looked at me as if I had six heads.
A few questions for Portland / Scarborough
The Cheese Iron is a pretty store. Unfortunately, we've been underwhelmed each visit, and on one occasion were sold spoiled cheese (at $10/pound). The selection of cheeses isn't spectacular; any large, decent supermarket (such as Whole Foods) can rival and surpass it, at lesser prices. Last time we were there, a class trip was touring the place. Lots of bored-looking tweens/teens following the person acting as the guide. We were disappointed overall.
For coffee, try Coffee By Design in Portland. You can check their Web site (www.coffeebydesign.com) and call ahead to order and they will roast your selection for you, or you can just go and buy what they have or are roasting on site They have a few coffee bars. Their micro roastery is on Washington Ave in Portland and has a coffee bar.
Mid-March trip to Maine...
I think you're saying you want to select your own lobster from the tank. Most of those places will be closed in March. You can still find good lobster, etc., at The Barn in York (formerly called The Lobster Barn) on Route 1, Mike's Clam Shack in Wells, also on Rte. 1, and Warren's Lobster House in Kittery. Coupons for Warren's are on their Web site.
Maine's Best Doughnuts
Between Boston and Portland: try Cookie Jar Bakery in Cape Elizabeth. Great doughnuts. Have tried them all and they're all good.
Heavy Lunch - Route 1 Southern Maine
You could try Mike's Clam Shack on Route 1 in Wells.
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Mike's Clam Shack
RR 1, Wells, ME 04090
Where can I get a Reese's Pieces sundae in Brooklyn?
They sell them in supermarket freezers in ready-made cups. I know it's not the same....
Tried making Junket. Didn't work. Why?
I suppose I should buy a candy thermometer, then, so I know when it hits 100 degrees. What happens if it goes 110? Does that prevent it from setting, as well, or is that only an issue when it's too cool to dissolve?
Tried making Junket. Didn't work. Why?
I've never made Junket but decided to try it after seeing it in a movie. I followed the directions using whole milk but it did not set. Does anyone know why this might be? I have another box. What should I do next time to insure it sets and I don't have the throw the whole thing out again?
Thanks
Fisherman's Catch in Wells?
I found the lobster roll at Fisherman's Catch to be a bit fishy. The fried clams, haddock, shrimp, scallops were fine quality--and the serving size was enormous--but they lacked taste. I prefer Bob's in Kittery for fried seafood.
lunch in Kennebunkport
I can say the same about what you suggested, majik. And I never found the ones I suggested to be so. And in tourist season, every restaurant becomes "touristy".
Best restaurant for Lobster dinner-Oqunquit/ Kennebunkport vicinity
You could try Lucas on 9 in Cape Porpoise or Arundel Wharf in Kennebunkport. Both have varied menus and are informal, but don't have picnic tables. Arundel Wharf is on the water.
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Arundel Wharf Restaurant
43 Ocean Ave, Kennebunkport, ME 04046
Eggplant on George Forman grill?
I need some advice:
Bough some eggplant today. Usually, I cut it into half-inch thick rounds, coat lightly with some olive oil, and either bake or cook in a frying pan with a little extra olive oil. Well, it's rather hot to fry or use the oven, so I was thinking of cooking it on a George Forman grill. Has anyone done that? Will it cook through, or will it cook unevenly? Suggestions?
Beyond lobster -- what else is good?
Sea Dog makes a Wild Blueberry Wheat Ale. It actually tastes like what it is. Worth a try. You should be able to find it in grocery stores.
lunch in Kennebunkport
I don't care for the lobster roll at Allison's, either. Rather fishy and not even supermarket-quality.
Roasted beets question
Thanks, everyone. The beets came out great. Very tasty. Will definitely make them again. Mostly ate the skin. It wasn't tough at all and tasted fine. I was concerned it might be poisonous or indigestible, but since other people posted that they eat it, it must be okay.
Roasted beets question
Thanks for the quick reply, monavano.
Oven is at 400. The timer just rang for 20 minutes, total, and some are done and some are still too firm. So, I put the hard ones back for 8 minutes. I used evoo, salt and pepper, even though, oddly, the recipe didn't call for any seasoning--just oil. I will remember to wrap in foil for the future.
Is the skin edible, BTW?
lunch in Kennebunkport
Here are three: Arundel Wharf, Cape Pier Chowder House, Lucas on 9.
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Arundel Wharf Restaurant
43 Ocean Ave, Kennebunkport, ME 04046
Lobster rolls -- hot with butter, or cold with mayo?
Red's usually closes around Columbus Day or shortly thereafter.
Roasted beets question
I'm following a recipe for roasted beets, which I've never made before, and there's something I don't understand. It says to leave the skin on when roasting. Well, then what? Does one eat the skin when the beets are done, or do the beets need to be peeled?
Also, the recipe says to roast for 10-20 minutes, at which time the beets should be easily pierced by a fork. It's now more than 20 minutes, and the beets are still very hard. Does that sound right?
Thanks
Driving from NYC to Kennebunkport, ME in May
And you're not going to tell us where you ate?
planning a drive up the coast of Maine
Pie In the Sky bakery in Cape Neddick has great blueberry pie.
Driving from NYC to Kennebunkport, ME in May
I would go to Mabel's on Ocean Ave. in Kennebunkport. Love the clam chowder; the mussels (either marinara or with garlic and butter) are the best, most tender, and meatiest in the area, IMO; delicious broiled sole; Duke and Duchess also yummy. You can see the menu on their Web site. If you're interested in dessert, the peanut butter ice cream pie is different and good, but very rich. Make sure you love peanut butter. They open for dinner at 5 PM. Go early to get a table.
