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Category: 3 Cars (Page 5 of 6)

Not on the current menu, yam fritters in a pool of maple syrup were a highlight of past meals at the Dorset.

The Dorset Inn, Dorset VT

January 22, 2015 / / 0 Comments

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What are you looking for from your visit to Vermont? A beautiful, small, old town? Dorset was founded in 1761; today it’s postcard-ready. A cozy old inn? The Dorset Inn first opened in 1796. Good New England food? The current menu at the restaurant in The Dorset Inn features chicken pot pie, turkey croquettes, locally smoked meats and cheeses from local farms, and cheesecake made by nuns a few miles to the east of Dorset. You can enjoy all this beside a roaring fire in an 18th-century dining room.
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Flat Iron Steak Frites: the eight-ounce steak is napped with Sauce Bordelaise. Bearnaise and Beurre Maître d’Hôtel are also options. The fries are hand-cut. Flat iron steaks are very beefy, but can sometimes be a little chewier than premium cuts. If tenderness is a priority you'd be better off with another steak.

Brasserie L’Oustau de Provence, Manchester Center VT

January 20, 2015 / / 0 Comments

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We’re impressed: Brasserie L’Oustau de Provence does reasonably capture much of the French brasserie experience. The bright, country-French Provencal-styled restaurant hits most of the old French country classics; this is not the spot for cutting edge cuisine. That’s not what a brasserie is about. Continue reading

Butternut Applepecan Hotcakes were a special one morning. The batter includes butternut squash, and between the cakes are apples and maple mascarpone creme. They are crowned with toasted pecans and drizzled with apple cider syrup.

m. henry, Chicago IL

January 18, 2015 / / 0 Comments

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There’s no shortage of great breakfast spots in Chicago, many of which can be found all over the net. Let us add one of our favorites to the mix, Andersonville’s m. henry. Their motto is “chow for now,” which apparently refers to a modern food sensibility that focuses on locally sourced and organic provisions and healthy eating. But, clearly, taste comes first here because the breakfasts we’ve tried have been sensational. Continue reading

The quarter cake sampler contains Chocolate, Kahlua, Raspberry Ripple, and Deluxe (already attacked by an eager eater). Our favorites: Chocolate and Kahlua.

New Skete Nuns, Cambridge NY

January 17, 2015 / / 0 Comments

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Alright, let us get all the lame puns out of our system before we begin: we are devout fans of the heavenly cheesecake from New Skete; it’s divine. You’ll find nun better. Eating a slice is a religious experience. Our cheesecake prayers have been answered. (Deep breath.) Had enough? So have we. Continue reading

O'Steen's is well-known in St. Augustine for fried shrimp.

O’Steen’s Restaurant, St. Augustine FL

January 16, 2015 / / 1 Comment

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The northeast coast of Florida is one of the country’s great shrimping regions, and it’s said to be the birthplace of the commercial shrimping industry. The specific variety of shrimp pulled from the sea varies with the time of year, and we won’t pretend to understand all the differences between them. What we found during a March trip through the region were shrimp that were uniformly soft and dry, with fugitive flavor. Not among our favorites, though they are much loved by others. The best we found were served at O’Steen’s in St. Augustine. Continue reading

Sue's condiments of choice: brown mustard and relish. Note the beautifully blackened, bursting exterior of the pup.

Ted’s Hot Dogs, Tempe AZ

January 12, 2015 / / 0 Comments

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Ted’s Hot Dogs is a regional mini-chain with locations in the Buffalo, NY suburbs of Amherst, Cheektowaga, Lancaster, Lockport, North Tonawanda, Orchard Park, Tonawanda, Williamsville, and Tempe. Wait a minute, Tempe? As in Arizona? Why is one, and only one, branch of Ted’s in Tempe? Well, oddly enough, this Tempe location is the one with the most direct ties to founder Theodore Spiro Liaros. Ted’s son Spiro (who passed away in 2013), was the president of Ted’s Hot Dogs, and opened this Ted’s when he moved to Arizona. Continue reading

The Grove's chicken fried steak is seen here topped with country gravy. Hatch green chile sauce and Monterey Jack is also an option; it would no longer be chicken fried steak, in our opinion, but it sounds very good! The real mashed potatoes on the side are excellent.

Shady Grove, Austin TX

January 9, 2015 / / 0 Comments

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Of the string of casual and kitschy restaurants that line Barton Springs Road, we recommend Shady Grove, a supremely laid-back Austin institution. You dine outside, on a patio under the shade of a grove of pecan trees, and maybe listen to some live music or catch an old flick (there’s inside dining too, but that would seem to defeat most of the point of The Grove). Continue reading

A pair of Tony's dogs with the works, which means mustard, Texas sauce, and onions. The soul-satisfying combination is known as a Texas Hot Weiner.

Tony’s Newburgh Lunch, Newburgh NY

January 6, 2015 / / 0 Comments

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Newburgh is a small city, population 29,000, on the western bank of the Hudson River, almost an hour-and-a-half north of New York City. It’s also one of the most violent, gang-infested cities in the country. But don’t let that stop you from paying a breakfast or lunch visit to Tony’s Newburgh Lunch. It’s just a short hop off the New York State Thruway, and this short shopping stretch along Broadway is not threatening in the least. Tony’s is an ideal way station for travelers headed north. Continue reading

The sandwich is unwieldy. The delicate fillets are fresh.

New Sandusky Fish Company, Sandusky OH

January 3, 2015 / / 0 Comments

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If you find yourself near the southern shores of Lakes Erie or Michigan, in the states of Ohio or Indiana, look for a place that serves up the local lake perch. It’s not hard to find in these parts, but try to find a spot that uses fresh, not frozen, fish. One of our favorites is the New Sandusky Fish Company in Ohio. Continue reading

Everything on the plate is good, but the fried pork chop is terrific. We ordered a la carte, but our waitress thoughtfully assembled it all into combo orders to keep the price down.

M & M Soul Food Cafe, Las Vegas NV

December 20, 2014 / / 0 Comments

When it comes to food for the visitor, Las Vegas is a funny place. All the attention goes to the casinos, for three things: the upscale restaurants run by nationally known chefs, the buffets, and the old-time bargains like 99-cent shrimp cocktails. People forget that Las Vegas is a big city and, like all big cities, there are plenty of superb places to eat around town. We guarantee that the 2 million folks living in the metropolitan area don’t limit their dining to The Strip. You just have to know where to go. Continue reading

The carp is slit before frying, and the result is a crunchy piece of fried fish. You'll have to pay attention while you eat, though. The fried potato discs are particularly good, too.

Joe Tess Place, Omaha NE

December 18, 2014 / / 0 Comments

Joe Tess sells carp. Not for stocking the pond in your Japanese garden, but for eating. Most Americans do not consider carp much of an eating fish (although it does find its way into gefilte fish), but here in Nebraska and the surrounding states, it’s an inexpensive treat. Especially when someone else does the cleaning and cooking. Continue reading

People around here drive great distances to enjoy Willow Creek's mustard-sauced ribs. For good reason, too.

Willow Creek Cafe & Saloon, Willow Creek MT

December 17, 2014 / / 0 Comments

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The Bozeman, Montana airport not only serves the college town of Bozeman, but is also a popular point of arrival for those planning a trip to Yellowstone. Bozeman is additionally, as far as we can tell, the only destination in Montana to which east coast residents can get a non-stop flight. Whatever the reason you find yourself at Bozeman Yellowstone International, we recommend the following course of action upon arrival: drive about 30 miles west (practically next door in Montana terms) to the tiny town of Willow Creek and dine in a 1910 saloon. Continue reading

The ribs at Gates are among the smokier specimens you'll find in Kansas City.

Gates Bar-B-Q, Kansas City MO

December 16, 2014 / / 1 Comment

REVIEW

As soon as you walk in you are hit with a greeting of “Hi, may I help you?” Of course, if you’re new here then at least a quick scan of the overhead menu will be necessary. So step aside and listen to the regulars place their orders: it’s like another language. Folks here are very specific about how they want their meats cut, their meals prepared. Slice this cut of beef in such-and-such a manner from that side, extra meat on a roll. None of these options appear on the menu, mind you; they are simply the requests of experienced barbecue eaters who know what they like. Newcomers can get flustered and overwhelmed. Continue reading

Freshly made whipped cream and sweetened berries on a homemade biscuit

Eagles Nest, Brewer ME

December 8, 2014 / / 0 Comments

REVIEW

We’ve traveled in Maine many times, but rarely have we ventured more than a few miles from the awe-inspiring coast. A visit to the Bangor State Fair brought us further inland in Maine than we’ve ever been, and lucky we were, as our search for dinner in the area turned up a gem in the nearby town of Brewer. Located on the banks of the Penobscot River, well out of town down Route 9, the Eagles Nest serves Maine down-home cooking to a mostly local crowd. Continue reading

Sticky post
We noticed a few places in Indy that serve stew. John's is one of the oldest.

John’s Famous Stew, Indianapolis IN

November 26, 2014 / / 0 Comments

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A little-discussed feature of Indy cuisine is the frequency with which stew is encountered on local menus. This homely dish is found in taverns and sandwich shops often enough for one to assume the local folks have a particular fondness for the stuff. One great place to sample it is at John’s Famous Stew, in the working-class section of Indy west of the river. Continue reading

New River sells tart-sized key lime pies, like this one, as well as full-sized pies. You'll find none better.

Bob Roth’s New River Groves, Davie FL

November 24, 2014 / / 0 Comments

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If you haven’t spent much time in non-Disney Florida since the 1960s, you wouldn’t recognize it. Old, kitschy Florida has almost completely disappeared. Even now, the last vestiges are rapidly being replaced by the brand new. It’s no longer the state of glass bottom boats, the Weeki Wachee mermaids, and Jackie Gleason (although, except for Jackie Gleason, those still exist, if barely). For a sense of what’s been happening, see John Sayles’ film Sunshine State. Continue reading

"The Donut" is a meal in itself! They take one of their giant plain donuts, split and grill it, then top it off with whipped cream and local maple syrup.

4 Aces Diner, West Lebanon NH

November 19, 2014 / / 2 Comments

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The 4 Aces is an original Worcester Lunch Car, #837 to be precise, but you won’t really know that until you step inside, because the red clapboard house built over and around the lunch car almost completely obscures it. Once inside, you’ll be comforted by the classic sight of a 1950s diner, with original tile floor, if such sights comfort you, as they do us. You can step beyond the confines of the original diner to other dining rooms but why would you ever want to do that? Continue reading

Note the large chunks of beef in this hash.

Bijou Cafe, Portland OR

November 10, 2014 / / 0 Comments

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They say that breakfast is the most important meal of the day, and we suspect “they” are from Portland. Portland is a breakfast hound’s paradise, filled with restaurants that open in the early AM, and close after lunch. One of our favorites is a high-energy, stylish but casual place called the Bijou Cafe. Continue reading

Pancakes at Rochester Cafe are superb. Here we have a short stack topped with fresh sliced strawberries, bananas, and walnuts - no goop! Real maple on the side, of course.

Rochester Cafe, Rochester VT

November 7, 2014 / / 0 Comments

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Let’s deal with first things first. As soon as you are seated comfortably in the Rochester Cafe, whether you’re there for breakfast or lunch, ask for a slice of Vermont Maple Cream Pie. And ask them to bring it right away. The graham-crusted smooth cream flavored with local syrup (and, yes, extract, but added with a light hand) comes topped with whipped cream and a sprinkle of maple sugar. It’s fantastic! Share with your tablemates, if you must. You won’t regret this one bit of self-indulgence. Continue reading

Apple Hills grows apples, of course, and you can get your pancakes filled with them if you like, but they also grow blueberries. During blueberry season, a 75 cent surcharge will get your cakes chock-full of luscious, ripe berries.

Apple Dumpling Cafe, West Chenango, NY

November 6, 2014 / / 0 Comments

REVIEW

Give us good pancakes made with farm fresh berries, and a bottle of locally produced maple syrup, and we will spend the rest of our day with smiles on our faces. And that’s just what happens to us at the Apple Dumpling Cafe inside the farm market at the Apple Hills farm. Continue reading

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