Monday, December 31, 2012

Portland, Maine - Foodie Town part 2

  
    Gilbert's Chowder House
    As part of our lobster journey, we had to try a lobster roll in Portland. We stumbled upon Gilbert's
    Chowder House in a snow storm. When we walked in, there were a few locals enjoying their
    leisurely lunch. We shared a cup clam chowder, fried clam strips, a lobster roll and a side of
    french fries. Everything was decent, but lobster roll was delicious. Perfectly buttered roll, huge
    lumps of sweet lobster meat with just a hint of seasoning.


    Chelf/owner Masa Miyaki
    Amuse Bouche – Quail Eggs
    First Course – Mackerel Sashimi
    First Course – Uni (Sea Urchin)
 
    Second Course – More sashimi
    Third Course – Sea Snail
    Fourth Course – Octopus in tomato sauce with broccoli rabe and beets
    Fifth Course – Swordfish Toro with grilled vegetables
    Sixth Course – Duck and Filet Mignon with butternut squash puree
    Seventh Course – Trio of Toro
    Dessert – Persimmon spiced cake

    Miyaki
    We had an excellent dining experience at Miyaki. We had 7-course Omakase and we were in for a
     treat. They served 3 cold and 4 warm courses. Everything was very fresh and well prepared. We
     devoured everything that were on our plates. I knew everything would taste good, but most
     surprising dish was the Mackerel Sashimi. I thought it would be fishy, but to my surprise, it was
     delicious and not fishy or briny at all. 7-course Omakase (dessert not included) is definitely worth
     it. We would probably return to this place when we're in Portland next time.

Thursday, December 27, 2012

Portland, Maine - Foodie Town part 1

    Standard Baking Co
    A delicious spot for a good cup of coffee and mouth watering pastries. We wanted to try
    everything, but settled with Pain Au Chocolate, Ham and Cheese Croissant, a bag of Ginger Spice
    Cookies and two hot cups of coffee. It was a perfect way to start a cold morning in Old Port, 
    Portland.


    The Lobster journey begins at Street & Co.
    Exterior of Street & Co.
   Rustic interior with open kitchen
    Butternut Squash Soup
    Roasted Endive, fennel salad with grapefruit and gorgonzola cheese
    The highlight of the night - Lobster Diavolo for two
    The aftermath

    Street & Co
    Our lobster journey began at Street & Co., one of Fore Street's sister restaurant in Old Port,
    Portland. We started with Butternut Squash soup (with toasted hazelnut) and Roasted Endive and
    Fennel salad. We ordered Lobster Diavolo as our main dish. This came with 1.5lb lobster and other
    seafood on top of linguini with spicy sauce. The quality of seafood was amazing and the overall
    taste of the dish was superb, but it wasn't spicy at all. I normally love spicy food, but everything
    else on this dish was so good that I didn't really care for the non-spicy side of it. Definitely a great
    way to start our lobster journey in Portland!

Sunday, December 23, 2012

Antigua and Barbuda




    The Nest Beach
    The Ffryes Beach
    The Devil's Bridge
    Beautiful Barbuda

    We decided to take a week long trip to Antigua and Barbuda to celebrate our anniversary
    this year. Out of the very few Caribbean Islands that we visited, I think Antigua and
    Barbuda is our favorite so far. There are 365 beaches around the island, one per each
    day, as they say. We rented a car and drove around the island going to as many beaches
    as we can. Antigua and Barbua felt more local then other Caribbean islands that we
    visited. Only one Burger King and one movie theater on the whole island. People were
    incredibly nice, food was delicious, the weather was perfect and the beaches were
    beautiful. Definitely a place to revisit soon.