Pai Men Miyake



Pai Men Miyake in Portland, Maine, is one of the best ramen/yakitori shops I've been in.



The yakitori was great. My favorite was the beef tongue above, but the hen of the woods mushrooms (at bottom) was enchanting.



But what amazed me was the pork buns, which featured pork belly, a spicy pepper relish, and gochujang mayo. Soooo good that I would say that they were as good (Amy says better) than Momofuku's pork buns. And everyone knows what a fan I am of those.



And the ramen soup (below) was amazing, as well. If you are in Portland, this is the place to go. Right across from the Longfellow statue.

The Flying Chicken


Stopped for lunch at The Flying Chicken in Troy, New York, last week. The fried chicken was quite tasty, and the macaroni and cheese was simply fantastic - one of the best I've had that I haven't made myself.


Amy liked the fried dill pickles, although I wasn't such a big fan. She also had biscuits and gravy, also delicious. Overall an excellent lunch stop. They probably get a lot of crazy business when Rennsalear is in session, but during the summer it was very casual.


Davidson Brothers Brewery


Had dinner at the Davidson Brothers Brewery in Glens Falls, New York, recently.


I was quite taken with the fried green beans and chipotle dipping sauce.


And the peanut butter pie was also delicious.


How was the beer? Also good. In fact, we drank it too fast and forgot to take photos of it! I especially enjoyed their porter. Not enough porter is made. I have loved it ever since trying Yuengling porter back in the day. Make more porter. That is my request.

The Hyde Collection


Stopped in Glens Falls, New York at the Hyde Collection to see the Georgia O'keefe exhibit. Great house with nice works, and a fine little space to have temporary exhibits. The Florence Griswold Museum just got its space for these sorts of exhibits, and I think the Hillstead Museum in Farmington should go in the same direction.

Institute for American Indian Studies

 
Stopped by the Institute for American Indian Studies in Washington, CT the other day. Once it was a center of research, though these days it is more focused on education.

 

The museum is great - not as big or impressive as the one at Mashantucket Pequot, of course, but a great stop on the western Connecticut tourist trail


I found a lot of interesting information that I'll use while teaching Connecticut history this fall at UB.


But as I say in the Insiders' Guide, you should visit when they have an event, like a dance or a workshop. That is when the IAIS really shines. Maybe I'll see you there!
 

Alexander Calder Sculpture, Roxbury, Connecticut


Driving through Roxbury the other day...and by the side of the road at the local library is an imitation Calder sculpture. Except it isn't an imitation. Calder's studio was in Roxbury and this is the real deal. Just another of the wonderful surprises you'll come across here in our state.

Roxbury is/was the home of various other celebrities, writers, and artists. But I won't rat all of them out just yet.

Pizza on the Grill


Pizza on the grill is my new thing. It is surprisingly easy, with only a flip of the dough and then application of sauce and cheese after half the time has elapsed. It seems to work better with a thicker crust pizza, though, and less so with a New Haven style thin crust. Alas!

The Station Agent


The Station Agent starring Peter Dinklage is one of my wife's favorite films, and so after a little bit of research I found where the most important locations from the movie were. We took a little day trip to New Jersey and I surprised her.


The train station in which Finn lives is just off Route 23 in Newfoundland, on Green Pond Road, where it crosses the railroad tracks. A really nice couple is restoring and renting it out. Help them out if you can!


The other two locations are in Rockaway. If you continue south on Green Pond Road (Route 513) you will reach Rockaway in about 10 miles. You'll cross under Route 80 (this is exit 37), and then go straight on Halsey Avenue where 513 splits to the right. This will take you right up to the beautiful spot above, where Joe and Finn watch for trains to pass, along Jackson Avenue by the river.


The Mill Lane Tavern, their watering hole, is right around the corner at 8 Mill Lane. Continue west on Jackson Avenue (Right), and then left on Main Street. Cross the train tracks and take a quick left onto Mill Lane (you'll see the tavern right there.)

I hope you enjoy it as much as my wife did!

Fette Sau


 
While in Brooklyn, I stood in line for two hours to eat the fantastic barbecue of Fette Sau.

 



 
The sausage was good, the brisket was amazing, and the pork cheek was fantastic.


Also tried their duck, which was very good, though I still think the one my wife and I make is better.


 
Would I spend two hours again? I don't think so. There are other barbecue/smokehouse places in Connecticut that are nearly as good, and with certain items are just as good. I mean, Uncle Willie's comes to mind immediately. Maybe the brisket at Fette Sau was better, but the ribs at Willie's are unearthly, and I don't have to wait two hours. So, I'm glad I went, but let me tell you New Yorkers, you don't know what you are missing as far as barbecue. And I'm very sure there are better ones around the United States, but Fette Sau's location in the center of the universe (according to some) gives it an advantage that put it higher on the list than it should be.

Williamsburg, Brooklyn


Had a great time hanging out in Williamsburg the other day. Especially the oysters and Chablis and visiting the local biergarten.


 
We enjoyed the hipsters, especially since I had just read Joe Mande's  Look at that F@#$$% Hipster.

 
I thought that the mannequin with the horse head was a particularly nice touch.


Takashi

 

 
Roger, Subhash, and I got reservations for Takashi in Manhattan, which I had seen on the Anthony Bourdain show, and was very excited to try out.


I'm not usually a fan of sea urchin eggs, but in this case they were delicious!


Beef tartare with quail egg...


This was obscene...foie gras stuffed kobe burger drowned in bubbling hot chocolate sauce.
 

Steamed beef shank buns...



Cow's testicles in escargot sauce (garlic butter and pesto).

Squid ink rice and miso-marinated sweetbreads on a magnolia leaf, with spicy yuzu aioli.

Bone marrow and crawfish dumplings...


Pieces of beef heart that we grilled ourselves and dipped in delightful sauces.


Freshly made sausage - kobe beef inside an intestine, grilled in front of us.


Achilles tendon...


The most vanilla ice cream I've ever had. Keep up the great work, Takashi.