Long story short: I was compiling a list of contenders, and wanted to see where the days took us. The trip was kind of FUBAR, and therefore didn't get to do much of anything. Not just snacks was forgettable in a cool way. Red Fez decidedly cool, although glacially slow service times. I like your funky little city a lot--felt right at home. I would like to salute the passion on this board. RISD museum one of the best I have been to--not a lot of pretension there and a very cool expo on engravings--how they are done, how they evolved--not a lot of bettys and poindexters, either--of course, it was snowing. Cheers to all of you and Happy New Year. I'll look forward to a deeper understanding of the city the next time I am sprung from my cage. Awesome haircut and good laughs from Kerri at the Marriott spa.

Here is the list I have compiled for the trip:

Atwells: Piaxtla, Lili Marlene's, Roma, Bob & Timmy's, Angelo's
Hope: Not Just Snacks, Rasoi, Aspara,
Thayer: Byblos, Nice Slice, Via Via
Elsewhere: Spike's, Red Fez, Chilango's, La Arepa, Sandwich Hut, Mike's Kitchen, Luxe Burger, Rick's Roadhouse

http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/447046

Thank you for setting me on to some good clues!

JaneRI,

Cranston seemed to come up a number of times in posts...

I will be in Providence with my wife and child for 36 hours. I am a professional chef with a background in fine dining--but I am really a beer drinking kitchen monkey at heart. I want to know what you would be willing to get up off of your couch, with a screaming hangover, in the snow, to go eat. I have quit jobs because I am tired of serving beautiful people-- do not send me trendy, so-so (i.e., polenta fries), culinarily arrogant suggestions please (and no 'we had a great tortilla soup when we went 3 years ago...'). From what I have read, it sounds as though one foray to cranston might be justified--and the crazy farm place that serves 2000 might be worth a WTF moment.

But here it is: when you are blue, and famished, and you don't care how hard it is to get--what MUST you have to eat in that area?

I thank you for being unreconstructed gluttons and sharing.

Still great fun at Joe's and the quality is consistent.

Hey Bewley,

I am all too aware of the price of maple syrup as I serve it at my own restaurant. Putting anything else out is a denial of heritage in this part of the country. I would say that the Golden Egg was worthwhile, however.

I want to thank those from the area who shared their collective wisdom. We had a great time, though only 36 hours, snout to tail.

Petey's in Rye: More or less what we wanted in a beachside/local place. We had smelts, lobster and calamari. Good service and atmosphere, prices reasonable. Food about what you would expect, basic and good. Calamari just okay.

Steve's Diner in Exeter: Pancakes, waffles, hash and eggs. Pancakes and waffles only so, so. Good hash and breads. Is anyone else put off by ordering juice and having them bring a can or bottle? Good stop if you happen to be close by, but I wouldn't make another trip out of my way. We also tried Greek Sausage, name escapes me. heavily flavored with orange peel and clove--very interesting but not appropriate at breakfast. Good service.

Cap'n Simeon's out on 103 Kittery/York: The definition of the old school dockside dining room that you went to with the whole family. We lucked into 2 chicken lobsters at $20 and had an enjoyable evening with a little crabcake thrown in for good measure. Particularly welcome respite after waiting in the wind for the lighting of the Nubble out at Cape Neddick.

Celebrity Sandwich in Portsmouth(not a Chow recommendation but happened upon it): Schticky place that has 72 sandwiches with Stars' names attached willy-nilly. Ingredients were standard, the place looks poorly improvised, and the owner, oddly tan, kept directing and counter-manding his counter help. Did I catch it on a bad day?

Golden Egg on 1A at 1B on the way to New Castle: excellent if pricey breakfast. I had a derivation of benedict with asparagus and corned beef, with a side of baked beans. First rate but I found it offensive that at the price($ 34 for two adults and a child), they charge( in New England!) for true maple syrup.

Thanks again

This is one thing that they don't know how to make.

Popovers at Jordan Pond.

Yes, caughtstars has it right. I love these guys but they should stay away from making crepes!

I have to second for Johnny Salami's. I am opening a breakfast/lunch place myself elsewhere and this place has fed me twice in the last week. The bread comes from the Bronx. I had a muffeletta(killer) and yesterday had a roast pork and sauteed onion on a long roll with provolone and horseradish mayo which was everything it should have been. It has a very blue collar vibe, which is as it should be, and the prices are right on. For all of you kvetching about no good sandwiches in the area, I suspect you might want to try this place.

Who has the best ice cream on the island?

Epic space and atmosphere; 42 Street Oyster Bar.

Bagaduce, I second for road food.

Nobody, man or beast, seemed to be interested in the soup place either. Too bad...

Fame,
It is hard to compare. Everything at Local is a la carte, many of the other examples you give supply you with trimmings, fries, even a pickle heaven forbid! Thus my original objection...
ps: enjoyed your 'read' of Valley/Noho and the pluck to defend yourself.

I cannot agree that Local Burger is cheap!

I agree that the original post is spot on and got trolled for not playing nicely enough. This site exists for its informative value to others. There is a major problem in Noho related to outrageous rents and an unfortunate tendency to support shopworn and cynical food. Some of this can be blamed on tourism, but the last analysis of spending in food establishments done by the city shows that only 15% of sales are from people outside of the immediate city of Northampton. That says to me that we are supporting some of these zombies. Why?

I must interject that Zen is the worst and most bizarre aberration I have come across in this area. Truly.

We went last weekend and had great chowder, great fries. good food. It also feels local which most of the in-town places seemed to be running away from being.

We got out to the beach last weekend. We had been looking forward to going to Abbott's Lobster but it is not open until this weekend. We had two terrific experiences at the Sea Swirl. Delicious fries and great fried clams. Here is the kicker-- the fried scallops are amazing, better and more interesting than the clams. Fish sandwich is exactly as you'd want it. In the evening we went to the Seahorse, behind the marina in Noank and had clear chowder which was a revelation. This was a good honest meal, no chichi bull, for a reasonable price. The crowd was a good mixture of loafer wearing Poindexters and Regular Joe's, which, in my experience, is usually a good sign.

Esselon does a nice job.
People's Pint

Splitting hairs? Okay...If we want to talk about reality(language that seems a bit overblown for talking about burger prices) then our meals averaged out to over $11 per person, keeping in mind that one of these was a hot dog. This is certainly not the cheapest price in town. You have to buy the burger, and the fries, and the drink...It is too much money. Especially if we keep in mind the suggestive/deceptive implication that their name means you are getting locally raised food. I think people will catch on.

Nice cheap shot: My disinclination to pay $10/person for traditional burger, side and drink doesn't equate with me expecting to pay $3. It was a meal for 2 adults and a child. It was particularly irksome given that they upsold us on everything. Don't lay the blame on me.

We ate there yesterday. Two burgers, one dog, fries, rings, drinks =$33. Sloppy stuff, long wait, soggy fries that tasted of very tired oil. You have got to be kidding me. $33 dollars for a burger...

Thank you Wired. I am indeed after information about supply stores, markets, charcuterie, etc. Anything food that is exceptional.

Hello,
I will be in Rome for the weekend. My wife is otherwise occupied and I am going to be free to roam; given 2 full days of doing whatever I please, what would you do? We'll then have 2 days of hardcore sightseeing, etc. I have been reading your posts with interest. Thanks for taking the time.

James