Tag Archive for New England

Spring for a Classic New England Clambake!

March 27, 2013 / / Comments Off

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As New Englanders, we’re big on clambakes. Steamed clams and mussels with hot drawn butter. Fresh lobsters. Sweet corn on the cob. We could go on. If you’re looking to experience a traditional clambake (consisting of seafood cooked on a beach using seaweed and hot stones), hotels like the Chatham Bars Inn in Cape Cod offer events throughout the summer.

And if you can’t make it to an on-beach bake, many seafood restaurants make entertaining easy by bringing the bounty of the ocean to you! (Of course, you’ll have to sacrifice the seaweed and stones.) Below are a few supplies that will class up any at-home clambake.

Photos courtesy of Zappos, Orange and Pear, Magnificent Milestones, Williams-Sonoma, Etsy and West Elm

{Clockwise from top left}

Whale Flip Flops (Vineyard Vines, $39.50)

Sea Life Dinner Plates (Thomas Paul, $44)

Sofia Mini Champagne Cans (Francis Ford Coppola Winery, $5/can)

Enamel Crab Cracker (Williams-Sonoma, $17.90)

100-Piece Crab Confetti Package (Etsy, $2.25)

Tassled Picnic Blanket (West Elm, $49)

Category: Great Outdoors, Wine & Dine / Tags: , , , , , , , ,

Our Favorite Seaside Towns

March 15, 2013 / / Comments Off

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Camden, Maine, has everything you want in a coastal village. Scenic views from Mt. Battie, a quaint and bustling downtown featuring unique shops, outstanding local seafood, and welcoming Inns and B&Bs like the Camden Maine Stay Inn.

But while Maine may have a lock on charming seaside escapes, it’s hardly the only place travelers can go to get a little oceanside R&R. Here are a few of our favorite coastal getaways:

Clockwise from top left: Carmel shopping, Motif #1 in Rockport, aerial view of Friday Harbor, sunset over Sanibel Island. Photos courtesy of carmelcalifornia.com, Shutterstock, and visitsanjuans.com.

Friday Harbor, Washington – It’s not uncommon to spot an orca or two on your way to Friday Harbor, located in the San Juan Islands between Washington and British Columbia. The town is tranquil, friendly, and a little bit rugged, and features a vibrant arts scene and, of course, plenty of coffee shops.

Rockport, Massachusetts – A walk down Rockport’s famed Bearskin Neck is a must-do. Lined by shops, galleries, and lobster pounds, visitors are rewarded with a memorable view of the Atlantic at the Neck’s end. Don’t miss Motif #1, a famous red structure decorated with buoys, which is said to be the most photographed building in the world.

Sanibel, Florida – This is not Walt Disney’s Sunshine State. Much of Sanibel is set aside as a nature preserve, and its beaches are famous for the pristine and prized seashells that regularly wash up. Oh, and don’t miss the fabulous sunsets over the Gulf of Mexico.

Carmel, CA – Mix a little bit of posh and a whole lot of California you get Carmel, a fog-bound hamlet just south of Monterey. The shopping and dining on Ocean Ave is outstanding, and the long sandy beach is perfect for a stroll. Architecture fans will enjoy spotting Carmel’s unique and often quirky homes near the sea.

Category: Around Town / Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Our Favorite Pizza Cookbooks!

February 12, 2013 / / Comments Off

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Here in New England we’re blessed with a fantastic chain of pizza restaurants called Flatbread Company. Guests at the Eastern Slope Inn in North Conway can enjoy Flatbread’s rustic wood-fired creations throughout their visit–the restaurant is attached to the hotel. But what if you want the taste of authentic wood-fired pizza at home? You know, with that perfectly charred crust, bubbling cheese, and soul-warming smoky flavor?

(Well, you could build a wood oven in your backyard–no, really, you could!)

PIZZA

A Flatbread Company pie, photo courtesy of foodspotting.com

For starters, you’re going to want a good cookbook. Your home oven can’t achieve that wood-fired flavor and appearance, but with the right recipe you can easily crank out crispy handmade pies that will wow your friends and acquaintances.

Flour Water Salt Yeast, by Ken Forkish. If you can stop drooling over the photography, this book offers detailed and creative takes on both pizza dough and bread.

My Pizza: The Easy No-Knead Way to Make Spectacular Pizza at Home, by Jim Lahey. The pioneer of no-knead bread brings you no-knead pizza dough. The book offers simple and fantastic recipes for both pizza and accompaniments like soups and salads.

The Mozza Cookbook, by Nancy Silverton. In addition to a great dough recipe, this book includes recipes for authentic sauce, information on cheeses and toppings, and recipes for antipasti and mains.

Category: Novel Ideas, Wine & Dine / Tags: , , , , , , , , ,

Autumn Apps for Leaf Peepers

October 24, 2012 / / Comments Off

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Here in Boston, it’s hard not to get excited when fall rolls around. Especially when the leaves in the Common become vibrant punches of orange, yellow and red. (We’re guilty of going out of our way to step on the especially crunchy ones.)

While writing about the stylish Back Bay Hotel in Boston we got to thinking: What if there was a way to hunt down the best fall foliage in New England? Good news: There is. Below we’ve rounded up 3 of our new favorite (and free!) autumn apps. Let the leaf jumping begin!

Bay Bay Hotel Boston Fall Travel Apps

Photo courtesy of Boston Discovery Guide

Leaf Peepr: With its color-coded maps (green, turning, moderate, peak, fading and gone), this app lets users check out how leaves look in different regions—perfect for planning mini road trips (or full-blown leaf-peeping vacations, for that matter!).

Alltrails: Hikers rejoice! This app finds nearby hiking and running trails (whether you’re enjoying a girl’s weekend in NYC or a home-cooked meal with the family in midcoast Maine) and lets users upload and browse photos of routes so you can scout out the area’s most colorful foliage.

Leafsnap: We’re the first to admit our fascination with foliage doesn’t always extend too far past the pretty colors. But serious leaf aficionados will love this app, which uses visual recognition to identify the Northeastern tree you’re peeping by taking a photo of one of its leaves.

Category: Gizmos & Gadgets, In Season / Tags: , , , , , , , , ,

Dining in Kennebunkport: More than Just Lobstah

October 11, 2012 / / Comments Off

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(White Barn Inn Dining room, photo courtesy of the White Barn Inn)

Photo courtesy of the White Barn Inn

We love Maine. Love, love, love. There’s a lot that makes Maine special—moose, dramatic coastline vistas, L.L. Bean—but the state is perhaps most famous for lobster. From traditional steamed lobster to lobster rolls, people flock to the state for a taste of this snappy little crustacean.

But Maine cuisine is about more than just lobster. The Inn at English Meadows puts guests in the heart of Kennebunkport, home to several enticing restaurants (not to mention the Bush family compound). Here are three fine dining establishments we think are worth trying on your visit.

White Barn Inn – One of the most celebrated restaurants in New England, this restaurant, situated in two meticulously restored barns, is a splurge to remember. The prix-fixe menu changes with the seasons, but is full of clever preparations and New England flavor.

Old Vines Wine Bar and Tapas – Old Vines brings a hint of Spain to Maine. Small plates like Broiled Maine Shrimp and Chorizo are accompanied by an extensive wine list.

On the Marsh – Set in an historic home with views of the adjacent tidal marsh, On the Marsh is a romantic destination with an exquisite menu that changes regularly.

Category: Wine & Dine / Tags: , , , , , , , ,
 
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