Postcard From (Not) France: C'est La Vie

As I mentioned a couple weeks ago, there was the possibility that I may move to France. That's not gonna happen. So, like my literary soul mate Marianne Dashwood, I decided to deal with this heartbreak by gorging on France over the next few days just to show them/him/her/it/whatever that I deserve better, dammit!

I began by paying a visit to my favorite Parisian-style cafe: Le Petite France in West Hartford, CT. They have the best buttery, flakey croissants, chewy, airy baguettes, and eye-popping macaroons. The French-born owners have done a great job of bringing a little bit of Gallic flavor to the see-and-be-seen vibe of West Hartford Center.


During this visit I decided to try some of their savory filled croissants: Spinach & Cheese (pictured above) and Swiss. As you can see, there was plenty of filling to enjoy and though I may not have met any tortured artistes or ex-pats channeling Hemingway while there, I ended up taking a baguette home with me, which is probably better company anyway.

Postcard From Maine: Makin' Whoopie (Pies)

Isn't this the greatest picture you've ever seen???

In addition to the previously mentioned lobster rolls and ice cream, the great state of Maine is also known for their whoopie pies. It's not quite a cake, not quite a cookie, but man....they're good. My Aunt Maura, who headed north over twenty years ago and never looked back, told me that Chipman's in Windham, ME sold the best whoopie pies in the area made by the Bread and More Bakery out of McFalls, ME . Luckily, it also happened to be on the way back to CT, so naturally I stopped and picked one up.

My aunt also happens to be a great baker specializing in 'whoopie pies and cheesecakes', as she put it. I've yet to make a whoopie pie myself, but word on the internet is they're poised to become the next "It" dessert and will finally put cupcakes in their place. This makes sense though because whoopie pies are, in essence, a cupcake sandwich; and we all know how I feel about those....

Whoopie pies are also a fun cupcake alternative with just as much versitility. Red Velvet, Pumpkin, Peanut Butter, and Blueberry-Lemon are just a few of the twists my aunt has made. Here's a recipe for red velvet ones courtesy of Better Homes & Gardens, since that's the kind I would make if I had some free time right now. Instead, I'm too busy writing on this BLOG for YOU.

Postcard From Maine: Ice Cream Edition

One of the edible things I love about Maine is the plethora of in-state ice cream companies: Gifford's, Beal's, Shaine's--it's like no one gives a hoot about two old hippies from Vermont. Frozen custard is also a big deal here. Every other ice cream place seems to serve it. What makes frozen custard well, custard is a bit of egg added into the mixture. It's definitely not for everyone, as it has a distinct flavor and texture. I had some chocolate custard while driving back from the outlets in Freeport. I want to say it was gummy, which is a horrible word to use for something I actually enjoyed, but it definitely has a different consistency than hard ice cream or soft-serve. Taffy-esque? Eh. You get what I mean.

Anyways, in Portland, we indulged in a cherry flip hot fudge sundae from Beal's. The line was out the door even at 9:30, which is always a good sign. Beal's makes super-premium ice cream in all kinds of fun flavors (mmm grapenut). I also liked how they offer a "nut mixture" with their sundaes, not just boring old walnuts.


Then, while in Naples we had Shaine's of Maine. My brother's name is Shane which, when combined with a trip for ice cream, usually results in a bout of this. I had Maine Tracks, which is essentially giant crushed up peanut butter cups surrounded by some ice cream. Even the lady who scooped my cup was amazed: "There's a peanut butter cup in every scoop! It's incredible!" Now, when someone (especially a no-nonsense Mainer) refers to ice cream as incredible, you know you're in for something good. Shaine's of Maine does not disappoint, but cowboys named Shane--well, that's for another post.

Postcard from Maine: The Lobstah Roll Edition

Yeah, yeah, I haven't posted in a while. I was on vacation in Vacationland, also known as Maine, our most Northern state. (I think). Anyways, while I was there I partook in the many time-honored traditional Sullivan family vacation activities: I went to Freeport, home of L.L. Bean, visited Naples to play some pinball, tried desperately to find a Starbucks within 35 minutes of camp, and, of course, I ate a bunch of lobster rolls. You, dear reader, can now benefit from the knowledge and calories I have so selflessly acquired. Behold: The Three Best Lobster Rolls Ever (or, just the three best I had during this trip)...

The Lobster Shack at Two Lights Cape Elizabeth, ME.
Pros: Multi-year winner of "Best Lobster Roll in Portland",
fabulous view of ocean without the added cost.
Cons: Bit of a remote location, lack of indoor seating makes it
primarily a fair weather option.
Freedom Cafe & Public House, Naples, ME.
Pros: Generous portion of lobster and tasty spice combination,
buttery grilled roll, indoor and outdoor seating with nice view of Sebago Lake.
Cons: That piece of lettuce. Bleh.

Dry Dock Restaurant & Bar, Portland, ME
Pros: Nice atmosphere, indoor and porch seating,
good portion for the $$
Cons: Only offers cold lobster roll with lemon...

Now, this list is by no means exhaustive--money for lobster rolls doesn't grow on trees--but, if I had to pick a standout, I'd go with The Lobster Shack. The food is top-notch and you really can't beat the view....

Brazilian Cheese Balls

Today was the last day of my summer ESL class and, like the good teacher I am, we had a party. My Brazilian student brought in pao de queijo, or cheese balls, from a bakery in Allston. They. Were. Amazing--light, puffy, buttery, cheesy deliciousness.

"Yeah, the people at the bakery said the foreigners love these," she explained.

Yes, we Americans do love cheesy everything.

Apparently there is a mix sold that's supposed to be pretty good, but I found this recipe online that has step-by-step instructions. With pictures!

Postcard From A Dude

The following is an unsolicited message sent to me by an older gentleman friend (who asked to remain anonymous) during a business trip in California, making it kinda like a postcard! Granted, it's a bit of a stretch and doesn't really have anything to do with food or outings but it's my blog and I can post about whatever the hell I want. You'll read it (hopefully) and you'll like it, dammit! Anyways, he has listened to me whine about dudes a lot this summer and I thought this was rather insightful, if a bit crude. I also think he deserves props for putting together such a missive while accidentally combining alcohol and sleep medicine. Let this be a lesson, kids: If you drink in an airport bar before a flight, your shit will end up on the internet:

Subject: Boys, Girls. Men, Women.

It's all biology, Sully. You like him because he can provide for your babies. He likes your tits and nice ass because they can make and nourish said babies. Failure to realize your (and his) biological imperative will result in insanity. This is the truth. Try to nail someone down before 30. Settle a little bit (but not too much). Force him to commit. Then make a baby. Quick. Do not suffer fools. Ditch 'em. You're top shelf, Sully. Find each other and it'll be awesome. Please trust me. I've seen both sides of the equation and the spinster/bachelor side is a complete fuckology.

I guess I can take comfort in the knowledge that the next time a guy rejects me biology will drive him crazy. muh-ha-ha-ha. Ok, back to foodstuffs!

An Old Man Bar For The Old Man In You

One time I was out with a friend who suggested we head to the Fowler House for drinks. "Is it an old man bar?" I asked. Naturally, my friend was a bit puzzled and required a more detailed explanation. "You know, a place with leather seats and dark lighting? Like the library of some country manor?" He pondered this for a moment before answering that yes, he knew what I meant and no, the Fowler House was not that kind of old man bar. Fortunately, last night I checked out the Russell House Tavern in Cambridge and am happy to report that it met my old man bar standards, and then some. It opened a few months ago and is usually pretty packed, but this was the first time I had visited. In addition to two levels of dark lighting, lots of leather, and brass, they have an excellent cocktail menu. Normally I tend to keep things simple when it comes to alcohol, but the Jacobin Club caught my eye. It was a mix of St. Germain, Chartreuse, grapefruit juice, and Agnostura. Not too sweet, but not too bitter. My friend got the St. Germain cocktail, which was also excellent. Apparently I love Elderflower. All in all, I'd say it's a fine place to take a lady, an old man, or a mix of both. What?

Food Porn #3

Chocolate Beignets with Creme Anglais (and Tartlette au Chocolate in the background) from Gaslight in Boston's South End.

Ted's Knows How To Steam A Good Ham(burger...with cheese)

I apologize. Normally my Simpsons references aren't that lame but, well, it's cold and I'm hungry and there are wolves after me.

Sorry. I know, I am awful. Maybe that's why I sit alone in a dark room writing about food all day....

Wait. What was this post supposed to be about? Ah. Right. Ted's in Meriden. Ok! So! Connecticut is sort of unofficially known as the burger capital of America or something. There's Lenny's Lunch in New Haven, which claims to have invented the hamburger sandwich. Then, there's my personal favorite, Shady Glen in Manchester which does the whole crispy cheeseburger thing. There's also Harry's in Colchester, Plan B, Max Burger, and The Counter, plus a bunch more. If I've left something out please mention it in the comments.

Now, onto Ted's...Their claim to fame is the whole steamed burger deal. Granted, this isn't the most scientific explanation, but basically the ground beef is smooshed into a metal tin and then steam cooked. Hunks of cheddar cheese get the same treatment, creating a burger that is incredibly juicy with cheese that is super gooey. I sat at the counter and can definitely vouch for the freshness of the meat. No freezer beef here! Ted's also serves home fries with their burgers instead of french fries, which is an interesting twist.
Behold: The Steamer in action

Overall, it was definitely super juicy, but not the most flavorful burger I've ever had. O'Rourke's in Middletown also makes steamed cheeseburgers that I think are tastier. But, Ted's has an ace up it's sleeve: They have a "grilled cheese" on the menu, which is just a double order of steamed cheese on a bun. When I first saw that, I thought it sounded a bit, well, excessive and gross. But, now I can't stop thinking about it. Touche Ted's, touche. Cheese about to be steamed...

Why I Hate Anthropologie...

Well, it's more like a love/hate relationship. For as many dresses or aprons or impossibly cute cardigans that cause me to lose my breath, the price tags make my heart skip a beat--and not in the good "Oh, Alcide's shirtless again" kind of way. More in the "Who the fuck pays $168 for a cotton dress?" way. And yes, yes, I know the quality is better than something I'd buy at Target. But, man. Love hurts.

I can still remember the first time I looked through the catalog, back when I was young and naive. A guy I was seeing at the time actually brought Anthropologie to my attention by pointing out the most amazing, whimsical Edwardian-style coat. "This is just the kind of thing you would wear," he said, or something to that effect. (Hey, this was like six years ago.) My eyes widened with delight. I had never seen such a coat outside of a Masterpiece Theater miniseries. Then, I saw the price. It was three digits long. But, just like in West Side Story when Tony sees Maria for the first time, everything got all misty and it was too late. Rationality had left my mind. I was smitten.

Over the years the store and I flirted back and forth, though it was always me who took things to heart. They'd send me a catalog, so I'd peruse their website, always led on with visions of impossibly twee frocks, delicate, lacy blouses, and furniture that resembled finds from the best estate sale ever. Once in a while I'd visit the sale section in the NYC location and rummage through the racks with a dozen other girls, searching for that illusive blouse marked down to half-price. Of course, even at half-price we're still talking $60.

But, like most love stories, the things I once loved about Anthropologie were the very things I came to hate: The whole faux vintage/flea market/heirloom-schtick. As someone who regularly wears dresses without irony (yes, that's a thing), has long collected teacups, and had a grandmother who was the best quilter EVER I feel like they've tried to market uniqueness to the point where said things begin to lose their value--and I don't mean monetarily. It is meant to evoke a lifestyle that comes with a pre-fab meaning--even as they describe their mix of products as eclectic.

I can still remember having a friend over and her taking notice of the handmade quilt on my bed and asking if it was from there. Now, granted, I know not everyone has quilts their grandma made, but still--when you're pricing such things at $200, it's not as if this is fashion for everyone to begin with. I guess I hate Anthropologie for the same reason that old punks and original Nirvana fans hate Urban Outfitters for making flannel and chucks trendy. (It's also probably no coincidence that both these stores are owned by the same company) They take the things that groups of people find meaningful and make them meaningless through mass production--not to mention with some unbelievable mark-ups.

But, much like how you occasionally drunk-text that hot guy you went on one bad date with last year, I can't completely let go of Anthropologie. Despite everything, they still make clothes I like, even if I can only afford to shop the sale section once or twice a year. I'm not exactly sure how to reconcile this. Perhaps there isn't a way. We all have to "sell out" to a certain extent when we participate in anything that is popular. I guess the most important thing is to just do/buy/wear what you love because you love it. As I once said to my friend Kimmy:"I was wearing dresses over jeans before it was trendy, and I'll still be wearing them when it isn't."

Spanish Dessert Showdown: Pain y Chocolate vs Churros

As I mentioned last week, I had a lovely dinner with friends last Sunday at Barcelona in West Hartford. It's become one of my favorite hang outs when I visit home, and not just because a friend of mine works there. The tapas are delicious and the decor is hip and sleek. But, this post isn't about their ham-wrapped figs (delicious!) or those eye-catching light-fixtures that hang in the dining room (so chic!). This is a post about two very important things: chocolate and dough. First up we have churros, which are basically Spanish doughnuts coated in sugar. The fun part comes when you dip the churros in melted chocolate. Normally, the churros come with a cute little cup of chocolate, not the bowl you see pictured. I asked for extra, because I'm gross. (Now, I really should have asked what kind of chocolate they use but I forgot and now my friend is in Vegas and won't respond to my annoying text messages.) Despite my liberal use of said chocolate, there was still quite a bit left after we finished the churros. Enter: Pain y Chocolate. My friend offered to bring over some bread for us to use with the rest of the chocolate, which sounded perfectly acceptable. However, this wasn't simply table bread. First, the chef toasted the bread, then drizzled it with olive oil, and finished it off with a sprinkling of sea salt. It was delicious: Sweet and salty, crunchy and buttery. But what I love most is how easy it is to make. I'd never try to make churros at home; the whole deep-frying process turns me off. But, anyone can toast some bread and dunk it in a bowl of chocolate. Ugh. I love how the simplest things are usually the most delicious.

Pain y Chocolate enters the ring after we devoured the Churros

I Think A Change Would Do Me Good

I don't want to give away too many details right now, especially since it isn't 100% certain just yet, but I may be moving to France in September. Now, I'll admit, one of the first thoughts that came to mind was "Think of all the blog posts I could do!" but besides that, I feel like I need a change and this could be the answer. I earned my Masters back in June and after planning most of my academic career around that objective, I've been feeling restless as well as aimless. As much as I love Boston, things haven't worked out quite the way I have anticipated. Moving to France could really shake things up for me and bring a new focus to my life. And, if it doesn't work out, well then, I'll just come back. C'est la vie.

Summertime Tomato and Cucumber Salad

When it's this hot outside, I don't even want to look at the stove, much less use it. So I whipped up this tomato and cucumber salad yesterday with some heirlooms I picked up at the farmer's market. I don't know what the heck they did to the yellow tomatoes, but my God they were outstanding. As I mentioned before, I tend to eyeball ingredients a lot when I'm cooking and flavor to taste so this isn't an exact recipe.

1 lb heirloom tomatoes chopped
1 cucumber peeled and sliced
1 shallot thinly sliced
2-3 tbsp EVOO
1-2 tbsp white wine vinegar
S & P to taste

Basically, you mix everything together in a bowl then let it marinate for an hour or so. You can serve it with some hearty bread to soak up the juices. Freshly chopped parsley would also be a nice addition.

In Which I Post About Something Besides Food...

Because I do actually have other interests, you know. This past Sunday I indulged in two of them: clothes shopping and pretending I still live in England. Allow me to explain...

Since it was reasonably nice weather a friend and I decided to do something outside. I suggested a visit to the Wadsworth Mansion in Middletown, Ct. It's known mainly as a place to have pricey weddings, but the parklands that surround the mansion are open to the public and really quite lovely. Apparently there will be an open air market on August 22nd--around the time I'm supposed to go home next--perhaps I'll visit. Now, I'll cop to possibly imagining this place as a potential venue for my imaginary wedding. (Hey, I figure it's as close to Pemberley as I'm ever gonna get) But after seeing the place in person, I'll admit I wasn't exactly blown away. Then again, I'm kind of a snob about these things. Moving on...

On the way to the mansion we drove by an antique shop called Never Say Goodbye that was set up inside a house. There was a pretty cool 50s ballgown blowing in the wind outside, so naturally I made my friend pull a U-turn. Though I may have been let down by the mansion, this place more than made up for it. Every room was transformed into a collectors dream and, quite frankly, I can't do the place justice. You'll just have to visit. The owner was incredibly nice and full of information and, best of all, more than willing to bargain. My friend got this amazing Miller High Life light up clock from the 60s for $25 and I got an adorable pair of pale blue vintage gloves for $8.

 Here's a shot of the kitchen...

A small sampling from the toy room...

And hats! So many! None fit me though :(

But, that's ok because then I went and got this one from Target.

Taste of Hartford 2010

I said goodbye to the fair city of Hartford today by stopping off for dinner at Mayor Mike's. (Full disclosure: I am friends with co-owner Dave Peters. But still, if it wasn't good I wouldn't eat there.) Anyways, the bi-annual Taste of Hartford is running until August 8th and is quite popular. Over two dozen restaurants are featuring special three-course gourmet dinners at only $20.10. Sadly, it is one of the few times that many Hartford-area residents actually venture downtown, which is a shame. A friend of mine from Boston met me at Agave Grill last winter for dinner and commented: "Hartford's nice! I thought it'd be a lot crappier." Perhaps that should be the new motto: Come to Hartford! It's not as bad as you think!

For dinner I had a beet and goat cheese summer salad to start, followed by pan-sauteed Tilapia with sundried tomato and pesto aioli and finished off the meal with a delicious slice of coconut cake. Mayor Mike's also has a new Happy Hour menu featuring lots of miniature versions of your favorite bar foods such as pulled pork and cheddar sliders and mini hot dogs. So cute! So cheap! Now you really have no excuse to spend your Wednesday night at Ruby Tuesdays. I'm looking at you, Newington.

Geoff's Kitchen Sink Orzo Salad

I attended the Sullivan/O'Connell family reunion this weekend in Massachusetts. It was great to see everyone, especially since much of my dad's family is spread out across the country. There was plenty to eat of course, but I thought I'd share the recipe for orzo salad that my dad concocted since it was a big hit. He has a well-deserved reputation for being a great cook and baker. Growing up, this was a double-edged sword. For as many memories I have of sneaking into the kitchen and stealing spoonfuls of custard for his famous fruit tarts, I was forced to eat more incarnations of grilled salmon than I'd care to mention. But, now I'm an adult and I can eat whatever I want. This orzo salad can be adapted to pretty much whatever you have on hand or want to throw in. Hence the name. What I love about this is the mix of different textures and flavors. My dad says that sometimes he adds feta to "Greek it up a bit." I'd also give an endorsement to some freshly chopped basil. It can be served warm or cold, making it perfect for summertime. Neither of us is big on exact recipes. Just eyeball it and taste as you go along.

Geoff's Kitchen Sink Orzo Salad
1 box orzo pasta
toasted pistachios
chopped steamed carrots
garlic sauteed baby spinach
chopped yellow bell pepper
sauteed onion
sundried tomatoes
black olives
EVOO

Prepare orzo as instructed. Then add additional ingredients and toss together. Season with salt and pepper as desired.

Weekend Update

This was quite a busy weekend and I have lots of things to share over the next few days. There was the delicious orzo salad my dad made for my family reunion, the trip to a Connecticut cheeseburger institution, an afternoon country outing, and a Sunday evening dinner with friends. Stay tuned!