3 Quarters Today

My Life, my photography, my passions

Food

Day 232/365: Dining on Block Island

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What trip to anywhere would be complete without of photo tour of the local cuisine. Dining on Block Island is a foodie delight.  If you’re wondering what to eat on Block Island you won’t starve that’s for sure. There are Block Island restaurants which range from five star restaurants to beach side concessions. My philosophy when I travel is “When in Rome, do as the Romans.” So I try to eat specialties of the area and local food. In New England, and on Block Island that means fish, clams, lobsters rolls, and later home made ice cream.

The Lobster roll from the Rebecca’s On The Beach was a pleasant surprise. Normally beach concession stands serve the traditional hot dogs, hamburgers and the like. didn’t know what to expect, but this cold mixed lobster salad (think tuna salad with lobster instead) really hit the spot.  The next day we visited the main beach and I had a grilled tuna steak sandwich. Can’t get that in Nebraska.

Lobster Roll
Lobster Roll from the beach concession

One of the delights of the day was breakfast, which is included at your stay at the Narragansett Inn. Many places list a breakfast buffet but it’s short of the gourmet and heavy on the carbs (bagels and the like), not here. Fresh pancakes, or french toast, and the absolute best scrambled eggs I’ve ever had. Sorry Mom. I’m also a sucker for grinder salt and whole peppercorns, look, look, it’s standard on the table! I’m in heaven.

Block Island, Rhode Island – Ferry Ride Vintage Sign (12×18 Art Print Wall Decor, Wall Decor Poster)Block Island Long Sleeve Dark T-Shirt, perfect for cool nights on the beach

My friend I traveled with is gluten intolerant and even she could find gluten free options and alternatives at many of the restaurants.

Breakfast at the Narragansett Inn
Breakfast at the Narragansett Inn

Dinner at the Narragansett Inn was wonderful. I stayed true to my theme of regional food and ordered the Pistachio Crusted Cod. Would have never thought of using pistachios on fish, but paired with the tomato/mango salsa it was a blend of flavors and textures which worked very well together.

Bar Harbor Clam Chowder, New England, 15 Ounce (Pack of 6)Pure New England Bog Cranberry HoneyDowneast Lobster Rolls

Dining on Block Island with Pistacio Crusted Cod
Pistachio Crusted Cod

Authentic clam chowder from MacPhails in the Old Harbor was an item to check off the list and the rainy overcast Monday made it a perfect choice.

New England Clam Chowder
New England Clam Chowder

I’m one of those people who love calamari, even the little ones with eight legs that remind me of the little sea creature they are. In my opinion it’s a reminder that my sea food didn’t come out of a box chopped up and in “cookie cutter” sizes. These beauties were found at Payne’s Dock restaurant within “stumbling” distance of the Narragansett Inn. That is if you need to stumble back after a few margaritas.

Flavormate X3 (New England Fish and Seafood Seasoning)Downeast Lobster RollsBar Harbor Red Clam Sauce, 10.5 Ounce (Pack of 6)

Fried Calamari, yum, yum!
Fried Calamari, yum, yum!

Hope I made you hungry, I know I’m hungry again and want to go back.  I also enjoyed clam fritters for lunch, tuna steak sandwich at the beach, and shrimp salads. Overall I think my culinary menu of regional foods was well rounded.

So my question to you is, do you like to be adventurous when you travel and eat local foods? If you have visited Block Island where is your favorite place to eat?

 

Day 222/365: Ding, Ding, Ding, It’s the Ice Cream Truck

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Summer and the Ice Cream Truck, Perfect Match
Summer and the Ice Cream Truck, Perfect Match

Ding, Ding, Ding, yup I hear it. In the distance some where is an ice cream truck. Doesn’t matter that I spent twelve hours in 100F garage cataloging the left over contents of my Mom’s house. I can find the energy to run to the road for the ice cream truck. I do believe it’s the fastest I moved that whole week.

Thanks Steve by the way for supper and treating us for ice cream. I was so excited that I forgot to grab my wallet.

Instant Childhood with Orange Creamsicles
Instant Childhood with Orange Creamsicles

One last photo, (Can I really call this a 365 project anymore, or a photo of the day? Don’t think so) Orange Cream Popsicle are my favorite, what is yours?

Day 219/365: Clam Pizza

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Clam Pizza
Clam Pizza

Yes, you heard right clam pizza. I decided that during my trip to Connecticut I was going to eat as much regional food as possible and expand my palate. I love clams, and I love pizza, so why not.

A creamy Alfredo sauce was used instead of tomato and bacon topped off the cheese. It was very good. So when in Connecticut, don’t just try the clam chowder, but try the clam pizza.

When In Connecticut, eat clam pizza
When In Connecticut, eat clam pizza

Day 218/365: Grinders vs. Subs

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American Slang Dialects

I have lived in three distinct areas of the United States, Connecticut, Oklahoma and Nebraska. Each region has a regional dialect and slang for various words. We all know of the nationwide debate between pop, soda, and Coke but there are many other traditions.

I grew up eating “grinders”, pictured above from People’s Choice in East Hartford, but in the Midwest these are called “Submarine” sandwiches, or Subs. The latest made popular by Subway restaurants. In other areas of the country hoagie is the preferred name for a toasted sandwich on a bun.

What’s in a name anyways, what is the history and origin? Garzelli’s restaurant has a theory.

New England "Grinder"
New England “Grinder”

The biggest difference I see is the amount of meat. In Connecticut, the meat comes first and foremost and it’s piled high. At Subway you would never see this much meat.

The definition is as follows:

“A long French or Italian-style bread loaf, filled with meats and cheeses, topped with an assortment of lettuce, peppers, pickles – whatever – with a vinaigrette dressing or mayo.”

American Slang, sub vs. grinder
Turkey Sandwiches are nothing to sneeze at either.

So what do you call it: Grinder, Sub, Hoagie, Poor Boy, Hero? Or maybe something entirely different.

The Slangman Guide to Street Speak 1: The Complete Course in American Slang & IdiomsBuy At AmazonAmerican Slang Dictionary and ThesaurusBuy At AmazonLet’s Talk Turkey: The Stories Behind America’s Favorite ExpressionsBuy At AmazonDirty Sign Language: Everyday Slang fromBuy At Amazon

Differences in the American Language

A State-by-State Guide to the Most Hilarious (and Annoying) Slang Across the U.S.

Actually, it’s only 49 funny sayings, from where I sit. Probably from where you sit as well. Let me start by saying that I am from Texas, and the rest of y’all talk funny. Now don’t get riled up — we all sound funny to outsiders. I’m going to ask the …

10 American Slang Terms and Phrases That Confuse Brits

Like any other language, American has its idioms. Some are very similar to British English, and it’s not difficult for Brits to figure them out. “Peaks and valleys,” for example, is obviously the American version of “peaks and troughs.” However, there …

International students reflect on American slang

As unfamiliar as American slang may be, international students have found many ways in which to draw parallels between the slang used in the U.S. and that used within their home countries. Freshman Vlad Papancea, who is from the Covasna region of …

Are You a John Q. Public or a Joe Blow?

A dictionary of American slang bears witness to an explosion of Joe-inspired characters in the mid-20th century: Joe Average, Joe Beige, Joe Lunch Bucket, Joe Sad, Joe Schmoe, Joe Six Pack, Joe Yale, Joe Zilch. (Joe Cool, from the same era, is no …