seefood's Profile
What to avoid in Rockport/Gloucester Area?
Sometime during your week there, you really should drive over to Ipswich and hit the Clambox. It is true that sometimes you have to wait a while, but sometimes not. It's worth it. I've eaten fried clams all up and down the New England coast, and these are the best.
While you're in the area, a nice side trip is to drive out to the Crane Estate. Stop at nearby Russell Orchards, and maybe hit Crane Beach. This would make a worthwhile and fun day trip from Rockport.
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Russell Orchards
143 Argilla Rd, Ipswich, MA 01938
clambox
Ipswich, Ipswich, MA
What are some Don't Miss Restaurants in and around Vicksburg, MS and Jackson MS
Sadly, Schimmel's closed its doors, apparently for good, a couple months ago.
I don't think any poster has yet mentioned Walnut Hills in Vicksburg. It's a fun place. Old-timey Southern cooking. It's one of those round-table restaurants that are, as far as I know, unique to Mississippi. You sit at a big round table with a big round lazy susan on it. They put platters and bowls of food on the lazy susan and you spin it and take what you want. Then you spin it again and take more. And again and again, until you wish you had stopped a couple spins ago, but you stagger out smiling and happy. (They also have blue plate specials if you're not in the mood to gorge yourself.)
In Jackson, and in season, you can get crawfish at the Crawdad Hole on Lakeland Drive just east of I-55. It's like going to a crawfish boil, sort of--very rustic, just the basics, picnic tables outdoors (although under cover, partly). It might be too late in the year now, though.
Hickory Pit on Old Canton Road, also just east of I-55, has excellent pulled pork BBQ.
Aladdin Mediterranean on Lakeland in Fondren is terrific for Middle Eastern food. It's BYOB, but there is a liquor store next door that will give you a discount if you're eating at Aladdin. (In Mississippi, liquor stores sell wine and spirits; if you want beer you must go to a grocery store or a gas station.)
Speaking of beer, the only craft brewer in the state (as far as I know), Lazy Magnolia, puts out wonderful beers, including Southern Pecan Brown Ale and a tasty stout. Many Jackson restos have them on tap.
Roosters in Fondren has pretty good burgers. You can get a really good burger at a place that I bet has never been mentioned on Chowhound before. It's called Sillers Cafe. It's downtown in the Sillers building on High Street, across the street from the Capitol (the new Capitol, that is) and just east of the Supreme Court building. It's run by the state and caters to state employees, but anyone can go. A hamburger is $3.25. It is made from scratch, by hand, by a guy who really knows how to cook a burger. The atmosphere is very sterile and institutional, though, so if you go, it'll be just for the burgers. (They also have a hot food line with Southern-style food like fried chicken and collard greens, etc., and a salad bar.)
Nick's is very good, as is Walker's, both already mentioned above. Ditto Hal & Mal's, a Jackson institution, although its appeal is as much the atmosphere, the vibe, and the music as the food. The tamales are good but nothing extraordinary. They do vary, depending on who is cooking and, I suspect, on how much fun they had the night before.
I do enjoy the Mayflower and the Elite.
For a more genteel experience, the Fairview Inn in Belhaven has a nice restaurant called Sophia's. Lunch there is not overly expensive, and it's good. The place is worth a visit, and you can stay there overnight too. Nice owners.
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Hickory Pit
1491 Canton Mart Rd Ste Frnt, Jackson, MS 39211
Schimmel's
2615 N State St, Jackson, MS 39216
Aladdin Mediterranean
730 Lakeland Dr, Jackson, MS 39216
Hal & Mal's Restaurant
200 Commerce St, Jackson, MS 39201
Blackburn Tavern gone?
My wife and I were in Gloucester on Sunday evening and happened upon this place, now indeed open and known as Elliot's at the Blackburn. We had an hour to kill and had been walking around town, getting rather cold. The place looked inviting.
Entering, we were greeted by a friendly hostess and the smell of a wood fire in the fireplace. The decor was very nice; all pubby and comfortable yet somewhat refined.
We sat at the bar and got a couple drinks. My martini was well made. The bartender was efficient enough, but a bit awkward.
After a while, though, we became aware of a running feud between the bartender and the hostess. She came to pick up a couple drinks to take to a table, and as she approached them she said, loudly enough for us and the bartender to hear, "What?!"-- in a way that implied "this joker screwed up yet another simple order!"
The bartender came over and tense, sarcastic words were exchanged. It went on like this. At one point the bartender disappeared for some time--my guess is to have a smoke--and while he was out the hostess went behind the bar to get drinks for customers. (The place was far from busy on this Sunday night.) When dude comes back he walks in and says, "WHAT are you DOING?!!" They argue some more, and he says "I'm clockin' out." He leaves again but pretty soon is back.
This poisonous atmosphere was a real buzzkill. We paid and left. It could have been a nice experience. Where were the owners, or at least a manager? Someone needs to train the staff better, and maybe referee. Put these two birds on different shifts. Sheesh.
Captain Pizza & Roast Beef, Swampscott
Just got a coupon for a discount at Captain Pizza & Roast Beef in Swampscott. Anyone been there?
Fantasy Island in Salem--opinions?
Just got a coupon for a discount at Fantasy Island in Salem. A search of this board yielded one opinion--that a lot of people like it but actually it is mediocre. Which is believable--I drive past it often and it looks sketchy. Still, we have the coupon . . . . What do you think?
Thanks.
Inexpensive tetsubin (cast iron) teapot--worth it?
I have a smallish (16 oz.) tetsubin (Japanese cast-iron teapot) that is just wonderful, and I'd like to have a larger on too. In looking around the internet I noticed that Amazon.com has some relatively inexpensive ones made by a company called Old Dutch. A 38-ouncer is about $40. Anyone have any experience with these? Or any tips on a good place to buy a tetsubin?
Thanks.
Friday night in the North End
One Saturday evening (a cold one at that) the line outside Giacomo's was so long that the people at the end of the line were going to have to wait until the people at the head of the queue got seated, ate, and left before they got their turns. I don't think that is unusual.
New Orleans, LA. to Norwell, MA.....
Since you're on the South Shore, you'll be able to get to Cape Cod fairly easily, especially this time of year. Check out the Sandwich area--it's just across the Sagamore Bridge. The Bee-Hive Tavern is fun--kind of old-school New England, not cutting-edge cuisine, but worth a visit. While you're in Sandwich, stop in the Brown Jug and browse the wonderful selection of interesting food.
You should also consider taking a drive up the North Shore. That is the "Clam Belt," and while not all the clam shacks are open in January (call ahead), some are. I think Woodman's is. (Unfortunately, the best of the lot, the Clam Box in Ipswich, is closed for the season.) The North Shore has lots of towns that are worth a day trip. In addition to Rockport, Newburyport, Gloucester, Essex, and Cape Ann in general, I'd include Marblehead. I enjoy the Barnacle for simple seafood and a great view of Marblehead Harbor.
While I agree that rouxmaker has written a very good, thoughtful set of recommendations, I would have to disagree about Faneuil Hall and Legal Seafood. Especially Legal. It's just not very good anymore. I'd suggest you spend that time, and money, pursuing some of the other options outlined on this board.
My own private North End -- a report
My one visit to Pomodoro was perhaps my worst restaurant experience ever, certainly one of the "bottom" two or three. I posted about it here: http://www.chowhound.com/topics/336400
My one visit to Artu, though, was fun. The food was good. Had a nice pasta dish with rapini and fresh basil, and the sausages on the antipasto were wonderful.
Got any recommendations for the Sandwich, MA area?
We're heading to Sandwich for a few days and wonder if you have any particular favorites thereabouts. I've read Mark Bittman's recent article on Cape Cod as well as a few posts on this board and the NE one, but I wonder whether anyone has recent, personal experience that they would share. Along with recs, we would welcome warnings about places to avoid. TIA!
(Interestingly, I have discovered that searching on Chowhound for "Sandwich"--meaning the town--is difficult in that the results are mostly about sandwich the food.)
Cider doughnuts?
We bought donuts from Cider Hill Farm at the farmers market in Marblehead Saturday, and they were quite good.
Cider doughnuts?
I had the same experience at Brooksby Farm--dry-as-dust donuts. The apples we picked weren't first-rate, either. A pity, cuz it's such a cool place, this farm preserved in the midst of all the development near the mall. Still, we had a fun visit.
Website Where You Input Ingredients to Get Recipe
boltnut55: You already have "Italian dressing" on hand. It's just oil and vinegar, although invariably seasoned with herbs or whatnot. If you have some dried basil, oregano, and/or thyme in the pantry then you don't need to go buy bottled dressing (which is never going to be as good as your homemade olive-oil-and-balsamic-vinegar verison. The commercial dressings use cheap oils and usually have additives).
Personally, I think one of the pleasures of cooking is trying original ideas. Why not just take the plunge and play with your food?
Great pasta recipe . . . from Cooking Light, no less
Like others on this board, I have gone back and forth on whether the recipes in Cooking Light are worthwhile. Recently, though, I came across one that is truly outstanding. It's from the September issue. It's a really good take on the pasta-with-lemon-and-white-beans theme. I modified it a bit, as I usually do with CL recipes--I didn't use "cooking spray," I used more olive oil and a bit more arugula, and I used oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes.
This stuff is really tasty. And once you get the arugula and basil cleaned, it is so easy.
http://find.myrecipes.com/recipes/recipefinder.dyn?action=displayRecipe&recipe_id=1654695
Upper/Mid-Cape Dining Suggestions
Maybe you'll find this helpful.
http://travel.nytimes.com/2007/08/12/travel/12Choice.html?adxnnl=1&adxnnlx=1190335313-6/CvieRlSN09d92EVUZyIA
It's a Mark Bittman article from last month about several restaurants on Cape Cod. I can't vouch for any of them, personally. In fact, I found your post by searching for Cape Cod restaurant recs, since I'm going to be spending a few days there soon myself. We live on the Boston's North Shore, and so are not very familiar with all that "the other cape" (and I do highly recommend a visit to Cape Ann sometime) has to offer. We were down there in June, though, and had a wonderful time. We had some good food, although I don't think we found the best--we were there for a wedding and others chose our meals, mostly.
BTW, if you're into biking or rollerblading, Cape Cod has many miles of paved rails-to-trails paths.
Pistachio Muffin???
The Muffin Shop in Marblehead makes pistachio muffins. Apparently they are good; I've not had one, but my cousin had one when she was here in June and she asked that we bring some when last we visited.
Chicken Pesto Pizza??
Please forgive me for being blunt, but chicken does not belong on a pizza.
Pesto, okay, although that is a bit of a stretch for pizza traditionalists. But it is so tasty. Plus, pesto is mostly basil, cheese, garlic, and olive oil, all time-honored pizza ingredients.
I am an adventurous eater and a cook who is always experimenting. But when it comes to pizza, well, there are certain conventions that make sense. There are reasons why thin disks of dough briefly baked in blazing heat marry so well with a few basic toppings, but not, I'm sorry, with chicken.
Good article on clamshacks in NY Times 8/29/07
Good point, Bostonbob3. So--dear moderator, please don't move this. If you read the article you'll see that it is almost entirely about Boston-area clamshacks.
Good article on clamshacks in NY Times 8/29/07
Includes a rave review of the Clam Box in Ipswich.
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/08/29/dining/29clam.html?ex=1189051200&en=e0f8a978f95ec1bd&ei=5070
Do they make good chinese takeout around Brookline?
I wouldn't go to Chef Chang's. You'll be disappointed; it's mediocre.
Can we talk about Durgin Park?
> ". . . but that seems like saying it's the most amazing Thomas Kinkade painting ever."
That's funny!
Shall I dare bring a toddler?
We ate at Durgin-Park last Sunday with our one-year-old. No problem vis-a-vis the kiddo; the staff treated us great and smiled and goofed around with our daughter a bit.
The problem was that the food was nothing to write home about. Not bad, but not anything special. We didn't spring for the massive, $40 prime rib or for the Indian Pudding (we had to leave to catch the ferry), so maybe those house specialities are better. But our meals were just so-so.
The Purple Onion in Newburyport
Been there? How is it? (In searching this board I've found only one reference to it, which is a little surprising. And zero posts on the New England board.)
Have you been to the floating restaurant in Salem Harbor?
The reviews I've seen (one on this board and several on other websites) have been mixed--mostly thumbs down on the food, but generally people seem to regard it as a fun, or at least interesting, experience nonetheless. Have you been there? How was it? And how do you get there (if you don't have a boat)?
Clam Box vs Farnums vs??
I went to Farnham's in May and was disappointed. I posted about it here: http://www.chowhound.com/topics/403584 (about halfway down that page). The Clambox is much better, in my experience. So are several other clamshacks and restaurants in the area.
JT Farnham: Dissapointed This Time
My recent experience at Farnhams was disappointing too. It was sad because I love the clam shack ambience of places like that. When we arrived and looked around at the salt marsh out back and smelled the air we were jazzed about the meal we thought we were about to have. But it was not to be.
I posted about it here: http://www.chowhound.com/topics/403584
Pomodoro - No. End
This sounds mean, but if that place has gone under, I'll take some small measure of pleasure in it. Justice . . .
http://www.chowhound.com/topics/336400
clamshacks??
I can imagine that. I didn't grow up here, but my daughter is doing so. We took her to Salem Willows once last summer when she was only a few months old, too young to begin to sample the local grub. But I am sure that years from now she will have similar fond memories.
clamshacks??
So maybe the problem was that I tried a chop suey sandwich while stone cold sober in the afternoon?
And certainly the extra seasoning would have helped.
clamshacks??
Went to Farnham’s for clams yesterday. Disappointing. I am sad to have to report that, because I’d read many good comments about it on this board and I arrived all ready to like it. Getting out of the car, seeing the great view of the salt marsh out back and the restaurant’s classic clam shack appearance, I was all set for a great clam-eating experience.
Unfortunately, the clams were okay but not better than just okay, and the onion rings and fries were not good—they seem to be the pre-battered, frozen kind that come off a Sysco truck, or rather one of Sysco’s lower-quality competitors. (When I was in the restaurant biz I was happy to serve Sysco’s premium-quality fries. They were quite good.)
Here are all (I think) the other places where I’ve eaten fried clams on the North Shore:
The Clam Box, Ipswich: the best, clearly. Really really good. Nice light, golden, crispy coating on the sweetest clams.
Woodman’s, Essex: I know that it gets a bad rap on Chowhound, but—and this is based on my one visit—I don’t agree, at least insofar as clams are concerned. Yes, the place is big and touristy, with its kitschy souvenir shop, and it is perhaps overpriced (though clams are pricey most places). But I liked the clams I got there. They were sweet, tender, fried right, tasty.
Captain Carlo’s, Gloucester: Very good clams. Not a clam shack, but a decent seafood restaurant with a fun deck overlooking the working harbor.
The Barnacle, Marblehead: Another place that gets mixed reviews on this board, but my experiences there (which number around half a dozen) have all been good. I tend to get fried seafood, usually clams, which is pretty much my favorite food these days. And the clams there are good. Not as good as the Clam Box, but much better than Farnham’s.
The Landing, Marblehead: The main problem with the Landing is that it is inconsistent. When it is good, it is pretty darn good. But I’ve had some off meals there, which can be pretty darn bad. I’ve had clams there four times; three of those meals were good and one was a disappointment. Leaving that fourth experience out of the equation, I’d rate their clams just a notch below those of the Barnacle and Captain Carlo’s, considerably below the Clam Box, obviously, and considerably better than Farnham’s. Lately at the Landing I've been getting the fried fish sandwich, which is excellent.
Red Rock, Swampscott: I know, I know—inconsistent, overpriced, staff has an attitude—I’ve read all these criticisms on this forum. But my experiences there have been good. The last time I was there, which was the day after the last nor’easter, when we went to have lunch and watch the waves crash onto the street in front of the restaurant, the staff couldn’t have been friendlier. And the food, including the clams, was just fine. I’ve had clams there twice and enjoyed them both times. Actually, thrice—once we got them at the outside window and ate at the picnic tables, which was fun.
Flynnie’s at the Beach, Marblehead (at Devereux Beach): I include this because, well, I had clams there once. I won’t again, though; Flynnie’s at the Beach is history. Starting this year the seasonal restaurant will be operated by the owners of Red Rock Bistro, so perhaps it will be better. Flynnie’s clams were not so good. Small, greasy, limp, not very tasty.
Salem Willows: not good clams. (And what is the deal with the chop suey sandwiches, by the way? Those are bizarre. Bland and kinda gross.)
Topsfield Fair: In my effort to include all the places I’ve eaten clams around here, I include the time I got some from a vendor at the Topsfield Fair. Big mistake. Worst clams ever. Inedible.
