Comments

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  Janice Brown September 15, 2010 at 9:14pm

  On a recent mini-vacation to the Berkshires, we dined at two noteworthy places.
  
  At Mezze Bistro + Bar in Williamstown, we had one of the best meals we've had in a long time. The farm-to-table concept is imaginatively and flawlessly executed here. I had a perfectly cooked pan-roasted halibut in a light provencale-type sauce, with a roasted beet appetizer. My husband had the pork loin, which was plump and flavorful; and the Mighty Food Farm egg appetizer, a playful twist on a soft-boiled/hard-boiled egg. We shared a cheese plate for dessert. Everything was exquisite. Short but great wine list, with unusual selections. I had a Sauvignon Blanc from the Loire Valley, which was wonderfully crisp; the waiter recommended an ale for my husband that was perfect. Terrific, unobtrusive service by well-trained waiters: a "you-guys"-free zone. The latest menu, updated for Fall, looks great.
  
  We also enjoyed Gramercy Bistro in North Adams. Wonderfully hand-crafted and engagingly presented food is made from locally sourced ingredients. I had the best sweetbreads of my life - light and heavenly, with a green salad topped with local chevre and a delicate vinaigrette. My husband had a perfect filet served with a potato puree and green beans - simple but wonderful. He pronounced the chicken liver mousse app the best he had eaten anywhere in the world, including France - transcendent. There's a short but thoughtfully assembled wine list with reasonably priced wines by the glass, including a Celestin Blondeau sauvignon blanc (France) that was just terrific. Service was pleasant but a bit uneven.

  

  Museum-Hopping in the Berkshires

  Arts, Culture, Nature and Culinary Excellence Abound in North Adams, Massachusetts I am a great fan of mini-vacations: two or three days ...
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  Janice Brown September 15, 2010 at 9:00pm

  We closed out the summer with wine flights at Lago Restaurant in Meredith, New Hampshire. Lago serves Tuscan fare in a relaxing, casual setting overlooking Meredith Bay. It's part of the Common Man family of restaurants, which generally provide comfort food and good wine at reasonable prices in casual, friendly settings.

  

  Review: Wine Flights at Lago Restaurant, Meredith, New Hampshire

  Nice Wine Pairings and Great Evening; Slightly Rocky Service Last year, we closed out August by participating in a wine tasting at our fav...
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  Darryl Musick September 12, 2010 at 6:52pm

  The Cocktail Hour returns today on The World on Wheels (see why we were on hiatus here). It's and end-of-summer barbecue: http://tinyurl.com/2fpbhc
  

  

  The World on Wheels

  An ongoing adventure of travel and living while using a wheelchair. Tim has been disabled from birth. Darryl is his father and caregiver who travel…
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  JoNell Modys August 28, 2010 at 2:51pm

  I love Corkscrew all year round, watching the changes is fascinating. Yes, conditions are more pleasant in the winter, though and the migratory species are in residence.
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  Sally Hammond August 28, 2010 at 9:26am

  Our website is designed just for this purpose - to help people find locally grown and produced food around Australia. See www.australianregionalfoodguide.com.au
  There's something about eating food that is in season and has been grown nearby - often organically – and that has not been carted for hundreds of kilometres.
  Check it out!
  Cheers,
  Sally

  

  IIS7
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  Jose R. Garrigo August 28, 2010 at 2:23am

  Jose, yes, it's primordial but so tasting and lean that you don't feel heavy after a dinner, especially if you have it with a nice bottle or Ribera del Duero wine. But have it in Castilla (Burgos, Valladolid, Toro, Peñafiel, Aranda de Duero, etc.). I really like the idea of a Tripatinos visit to Corkscrew Swamp and then tasting the pasta with seaWATER (not sea salt) in Naples. Why don't you organize a group of Tripatinos. Darryl, I love tripe, a much maligned course iin our country. Almost impossible to get a good tripe course here. In some old-fashioned Spanish restaurants here they sometimes have Callos or Pata y Panza the closest you can get to tripe.
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  José Balido August 28, 2010 at 12:30am

  How primordial, Jose: lamb, fire, olive oil, sea salt. I must try it next time we're in Spain. As for tripe, Darryl, not too sure about that, but I guess I should never say never!
  
  And as for Corkscrew Swamp, maybe we should get a group of South Florida Tripatinos out there in January and stop at SeaSalt for lunch!
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  Jose R. Garrigo August 28, 2010 at 12:18am

  Jose (the other Jose) Corkscrew Swamp is owned and managed by the Audubon Society of Florida. It's great to spend a day there but do it in January when the mosquitoes are not biting and the birds are aplenty. Check with them before you go. They also show an interesting movie and a fine book and gift store.
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  Darryl Musick August 28, 2010 at 12:18am

  Those are the best experiences. My in-laws have made me a lover of Mexican food. I remember the first time I had tripas as I watched my brother-in-law's wife's dad uncurl the intestines on the grill. "You don't really want me to eat that, do you?" My wife persisted and now I'm hooked. Pretty much the same thing the first time I ever went to a crawfish boil.
  Moral? Never be afraid to try new things.
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  Jose R. Garrigo August 28, 2010 at 12:14am

  Hey guys, sea salt is commonly used un Spain and every time we go there we bring 2-3 bags (one kilo each) of Sal de Mar Gruesa.. Fairly inexpensive there. Not only the flavors it imparts but even the crunchiness melting in the mouth is delicious. Try it on a salad of greens with olive oil. But... sea water... that's something I have to try. Intriguing! By the way, the famous "corderito lechal" (baby, milk-fed lamb) they serve in Castilla is cooked in the fire oven with only sea salt, olive oil and water. No other condiments.