New York - NYC - Ample Hills Creamery

I read about Ample Hills in almost every article about great ice cream in NYC but it was in the Bronx and I have never been to the Bronx. We never cover everything we want to see and do in Manhattan so the Bronx and the Ample Hills Creamery was unvisited and untried. Until our last trip to NYC. We went to the Chelsea Market for lunch and after, as is my habit, I looked on the iPhone Maps for “ice cream nearby” and Ample Hills was one block away. No New Yorker late for a subway ever covered a block quicker. They had opened here recently and I was delighted. The ice cream more than lived up to the promise. In fact, this is now included in my “Top Five” in the country as I mentioned a few posts ago under the Island Creamery. It is a small space attached to a bar with only a couple of tables and a separate entrance dedicated to the ice cream. They get extra stars because you can get two flavors in ANY size cone or cup, big plus, they bake and make all their add-ins in house (plus plus) and they developed special flavors for Disney’s Mickey’s 90 Birthday. You can get them in the store or at the recently opened kiosk at Disney’s Boardwalk. Finally a reason to go to Disney that I like! Cindy and I had four flavors in two small cones including an oatmeal, butterscotch, chocolate and a speciality flavor a root beer, that is available only in this store (actually each of their now 12 shops have one unique flavor). Seriously great ice cream.

Whew. I really need to get to the Boardwalk- if I skip the ticket to Disney that translates into 20 cones.

https://www.amplehills.com

New York - NYC - Chelsea Market (4 photos)

Wow, did we have a good time here (along with several hundred of our new friends -packed place). There were lots of choices about where and what to eat and we settled on two, the primary one was Miznon featuring Mediterranean street food. I am still not sure what CJH had but it had its origin in Cauliflower and was served on a pita. Whatever it was she thought it was fabulous. We shared a “bag of green beans” weird as it sounds they were excellent and messy. I had a Japanese inspired taco from a shop a few doors away. Fine choice. Lots of fun, noise, color , people, languages, unique foods and choices, sounds a lot like New York City.

The Cauliflower Pita and Bag of Green Beans

Interesting!

My taco emerged from back in there somewhere.

South Carolina - Columbia - Grill Marks

Downtown in Columbia is a stretch of road about a mile long leading up a slight hill from the river that used to be warehouses, factories and railroads, now it is upscale hotels, restaurants and bars. We were here on a Saturday night, early, but I think USC was not yet back from Christmas break because it was not too busy. Still lots of people around. We walked up and back looking at the options and other shops along the way. It was a nice evening, especially as it was January. We finally chose Grill Marks. It features burgers, milk shakes and a large bar. It was busy with two large parties going on but we squeezed in. The hamburger was outstanding made with several different cuts of meat; extremely good, nice brioche bun, lots of good toppings and very fairly priced. CJH had three sliders and a salad. Hers included one with pimento cheese and one with jalapeños. Again really well prepared. I caved and opted for a regular milkshake after the burger arrived as I was enticed by all the fancy ones being delivered right past me. Worth every calorie. I did not try the “adult” ones with various alcohols but they were quite fancy. So, great spot and they have one in Greenville, SC, too. Try it for a burger that is a ten!

http://www.grillmarks.com

North Carolina - Durham - Guglhupf

I have zero idea how this might be pronounced but since we were in Durham last time I thought I would post my only other Durham restaurant. Guglhupf is a German, surprise I know, bakery and cafe. It has an eclectic menu but pretty good, the bakery is next door and is outstanding. They have lots of outside seating and an upstairs balcony area so it handles the bigger crowds pretty well but ordering is right inside the door so that was not thought through too carefully. Good place for lunch any day and a great place to pick up a loaf of “not your normal choice” bread or rolls or pastry for a real treat. https://guglhupf.com

North Carolina - Durham - Bull City Burger & Brewery

My friend is trying to find the best hot dogs so when we set a meeting in Durham I suggested Bull City. These hot dogs are made to their specs, the buns are baked in house AND they made the pickles, the sauerkraut, the mustard - I don’t know what you get on yours but that is my standard order! Anyway they were super. And so big you needed a knife and fork. recommended. http://www.bullcityburgerandbrewery.com

The RIGHT way to dress a hot dog

Certainly NOT the RIGHT way.

Virginia - Chincoteague - Island Creamery (2 photos)

This is nearly as good an ice cream as you can get anywhere. When you consider value it may be the best place in US. You get great flavors, generous scoops and extra smooth ice cream. Waffle cones are well made and priced well too. The Marsh Mud is the most intense chocolate ice cream I have ever eaten. The butterscotch is excellent as is the coffee. The Bourbon Caramel Crunch is amazing, mint is minty, well you get the idea. You order a regular cone and they give you a cup to set it in as it overflows the confines of the cone. Love the Island Creamery. There is also a soft serve a few doors away, Mr Whippy, that is quite good for a soft experience. We are nostalgic for this one because we took our grandson for his first ice cream here. Both are good but Island Creamery is more than a cone above the rest. And by the rest I mean anywhere. It is easily in the top five ice cream cones ever (Jeni’s, Ample Hills, Cows and MDI) and consistently good. https://www.islandcreamery.net

Is there a better sign anywhere, Coffee, Ice Cream and WIFI, I would be 500 lbs if it were down the street.

New York - NYC - Max Brenner Chocolate (two photos)

I am not sure this is a good as I think it is, but I love it. A bit expensive (it is NYC) but unique. Superior hot chocolate (Mexican is my favorite) and a full menu with chocolate surprises. CJH and I split an order of chocolate chip pancakes and eggs. Fun brunch. And really very good. This restaurant is just off Union Square on Broadway. http://maxbrenner.com/chocolate-dessert-bar/

Chocolate pouring and caramel too.

Pennsylvania - Lancaster County - Shady Maple (3 photos)

There are occasions when your own rules are ignored. I break all of mine at Shady Maple. First, i don’t really like buffets, except…, I don’t often want a lot of food, except…, I try and eat carefully, except…., I never have two desserts, except…, and more. If I go to Shady Maple in eastern Lancaster County I show no restraint. The place is enormous - just the food line is over 100 feet long, plus several drink stands and four grills that cook various things to order. Cindy and I ate our “Thanksgiving” dinner here a day early (we were driving home on Thanksgiving) and it did include turkey (and for CJH - mashed potatoes and cranberry fluff). I had, ahem, salad, broiled cod, buttered whole potatoes (2x), brown butter noodles (3x) fried chicken, the aforementioned turkey, sauerkraut and pork (3x) green beans, garlic bread, grilled pork chop, pickles, ham and a small piece of grilled beef. By then three (or four) desserts seems reasonable and a root beer, a chocolate milk and three cups of coffee rather stingy. What sets this place apart is that the food is generally very good to excellent (I have had a couple of exceptions) and the price is more than fair. We paid a senior rate for lunch - did I mention it was lunch and the menu was more limited - of under $14.00 that includes tax and tip. We veer toward this place if our route is close, say 50 miles and worth it every time. Welcome to the largest buffet in the US. https://www.shady-maple.com

Plate number two

From dessert to infinity and beyond.

Maine - Bar Harbor - West Street Cafe

Once again as I delve into older places a dearth of photos. However, that is not much of an excuse for this one as we were there this fall. I just forgot. Dolt. (I even have a worse photo coming up soon.) The West Street Cafe is a must eat for a trip to Acadia NP. The tag line on the web site is GOOD FOOD - GOOD PRICES - FRIENDLY SERVICE - RELAXED ATMOSPHERE and surprisingly it is true. The fried haddock platter is wonderful and a good value. Lots of fish. The clam chowder came in first in our rigorous testing AKA, Tom Light’s Rating and the blueberry pie is one of the best. Cindy has tried several different dishes and has liked them all, I stick to the haddock. I took this quick iPhone shot to show our family how they raised the roof to create more space - plus it is really nice. The remodel did not change the menu, thankfully. Add West Street Cafe to your dinning list if you are in Bar Harbor and plan on a wait even in the expanded restaurant. Visit their “gallery” for nice photos at: http://weststreetcafe.com

Massachusetts - Boston - Ristorante Fiore

We have eaten three times over the years at three different Italian restaurants in Boston’s North End and they have all been really good. Fiore is a new level of good. I had a Tagliolini al Pomodoro that was brilliant, Cindy chose an out-of-the ordinary Spinacci that had baby spinach, beets, smoked pancetta, white balsamic vinegar, extra virgin olive oil, goat cheese - and she ate some of my pasta. We did not eat dessert here, not that we were exhibiting some newly discovered restraint but we had picked out a place up the street for that course! On the expensive side for a meal but not in the context of Boston fine dinning. Great service as well super nice setting and extensive everything else lists. http://www.ristorantefiore.com

Maine - Bar Harbor - MDI Ice Cream

Sometimes you have to eat healthy for dinner so I recommend dairy! MDI is one of my absolute favorite ice cream shops - in the top three easily. It is right on the village green in Bar Harbor and this year they doubled in size. It is a super creamy, very flavorful ice cream with many unique offerings or at least more choices that the ordinary ones found in most shops. It seems expensive but it is a small batch premium product - the sweet spot (pun alert) is the double cone that allows you to try two flavors and you want to try two flavors! Waffle cones are a reasonable fifty cents. My hands down choice is the Buttermint, but I like a lot of the flavors. There is a second location down the street a bit where the make the ice cream but they are not open the hours nor is it quite as convenient. There are three other shops a short, very short, walk from MDI but after often trying another choice, MDI always wins. Four visits this year in a week is sadly not enough. I did just learn they have a fourth shop in Washington DC near where we started a church in Columbia Heights. I just realized that church needs a visit very soon. https://www.mdiic.com

Sorry for the poor photo, too excited to actually compose a photo.

New York - Hyde Park - The Tavern @ CIA (3 photos)

The Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park is worth a trip just to see but even better to eat in one of the restaurants. We have been to two of them and chose a different one for our third visit, the Tavern @ American Bounty Restaurant. It is a lighter fare place in the tradition of American Bounty and open at hours that fit our stop. It was, as has been every meal here, excellent. This place focuses on American food from the Hudson Valley. It is somewhat casual but still very nice, superior service and fine food. CJH had housemate buttermilk ricotta on wheat toast garnished with plum and I delicious fish tacos with dill onions and seasoned fries. Plus they bring you popcorn while you wait. Yay.

https://www.ciarestaurantgroup.com/new-york-restaurants/

New York - Skaneateles - Elderberry Pond

First, it is pronounced Skinny Atlas. I know, how? But it is. Second, Elderberry Pond is about three miles into the country and more than worth the trip. What a wonderful meal. Super, actually, in a beautiful place. The restaurant is on a farm, Elderberry Pond Farm, and many of the foods served are grown here. Like the potatoes we had, some of the greens, herbs, vegetables and, I believe, some of the meats are raised here. Not ours as we both had seafood. This was a splurge meal, we had three on our trip and each one was really fun and delicious. The building is elegant country with nice views and pleasant atmosphere. We had an apple cider that was pressed on site from apples grown on the farm. Writing this I am unsure why we did not share a dessert but we passed. Likely a big mistake. One of the special memory meals we will remember for a long time. They also have a small store but it was not open when we were there. http://www.elderberrypond.com

My halibut infused with lemon

Cindy a risotto with shrimp

Massachusetts - Hingham - Stars (2 photos)

Reason number 1136 to go to church: recommendations from local folks about where to eat. After service I asked three men standing together where to get breakfast and they answered with one voice, Stars. So we went. 30 minutes to get a table. We waited. It is a small building across from the waterside park and harbor in Hingham Center. Once seated we ordered cinnamon french toast, with a side of bacon, eggs, sausage and coffee, of course. Also CJH ordered a muffin and yogurt with fruit - maybe to offset the french toast? Anyway the very best french toast I ever ate was shared with Cindy, along with some eggs and bacon. What an amazing place. Breakfast is a Star for sure. Another person told us all the meals were good at Stars. We were not able to test that theory but if we are back here, well it is breakfast for me again. Stars on Hingham Harbor is the full name but just ask anyone for the best breakfast in town, they will send you here. StarsHingham.com

There are no photos with out cars, if you came at 3Am likely someone is sitting here to be first in line.

Maryland - Frederick - Baltimore Coffee and Tea

Highly recommend this spot in Frederick. We had excellent coffee with free refills, high speed internet and very good sandwiches for lunch. And we were able to get almost four hours of work done. Spacious, clean, airy, and easy parking even if you are pulling a trailer. https://www.baltcoffee.com

Tennessee - Leipers Fork - Country Boy

I don't think I could have taken a poorer photograph. Well, that may not be true but it would have taken some work. And you would not have seen this if the food was not so good and the atmosphere so cool. You absolutely will not know who may be enjoying breakfast (or other meals but I have only been here twice for breakfast) musicians, producers, farmers, writers all haunt this place. Great food, good coffee, and often live music. The tiny town has some excellent art galleries and you will share trying to find parking with tractors and sports cars and everything in between, Fun place - and sorry for the quick iPhoto I only took to recall the name. Poor planning. 

North Carolina - Kinston - Chef and the Farmer

Among very special memorable meals the CIA, Commanders Palace, Burning Tree and Angus Barn are joined by Chef and the Farmer where we were able to enjoy a superb meal with great friends. CJH and I have watched many of the C/F shows on PBS over the last three years but we pale as fans compared to our long time friend who went with us to dinner. She had a ball. Actually we all did. She brought her cookbook that Vivian Howard wrote and several of the staff on duty that evening signed her book. Nice touch. We arrived for our reservation and were seated promptly. The menu was sufficient and unique but not one of those with 10 pages to navigate but we still took a long time with our orders. The staff person taking care of our table was knowledgeable and answered lots of questions. We had three small plates, two salads and three large plates. One of the small plates was flash fried collards, lightly salted. Really good. But the fried green tomatoes - amazing. We all loved those, a lot. We had three different main meals: two of us choose Amber Jack a deep sea fish, bone in pork chop that was huge and a vegetarian risotto style dish with grains, almonds, parsley and while it sounds so-so it was quite delicious. Dessert was a dish of fresh strawberry ice cream and a deconstructed so'more. The Chef and the Farmer is simply a treat from beginning to end. Kinston, NC is not where you would first travel for inventive dinning but you should.

 http://www.vivianhoward.com/chef-the-farmer/

The pork chop

Fried Green Tomato - now I am hungry again

North Carolina - Raleigh - Sassool

I did not even know I liked Mediterranean food until I ate here. Sassool has become one of my favorites and is so close to home that we can stop often. They offer inside seating and take home - I would guess more than half of the folks I see are taking dinner home. The menu is varied and among my favorites are the autumn root salad, tabouli, spicy hummus, green beans and several of the main dishes, like a chicken an rice dish. The kabobs are excellent. CJH loves the Vegetarian Lasagna. Every dish is good, the service is quick and friendly and, the big deal for me is just out of the brick fired oven, pitas. Amazing pitas. Somehow the number that arrive at home is not equal to those I left Sassool with! Go look at the site here, http://www.sassool.com, then call and let us know when to meet you there!

iPhone photo

North Carolina - Julian - Homeland Creamery

Homeland Creamery is always high on any list of ice cream places in NC. We had it one time in Old Salem but never had been to the farm, until last week. It is not too far south of Burlington in a crossroads community called, Julian. The creamery is not showy nor is the area geared to tourists and lots of traffic, both making this a nicer stop. There were some things for kids to do and places under a grove of  trees to sit at tables but why you come here is for fresh ice cream, period. CJH had a wonderful cone of peach that she loved. Mine was a So'more and a bit too full of add-ins for my taste but it was an excellent cone. I tasted the lemon ice cream and, well, must go back!  Check out their site here: http://www.homelandcreamery.com

Nevada - Las Vegas - Peppermill

So, the first time I was in LV my hotel was a block away. I thought I would go for breakfast -not my normal experience! The place was hopping, a woman in a slinky dress offered to get me a cocktail - it was 7:30 in the morning, another came bye to see if I wanted a photo taken and the food, amazing. I want back two more times in three days at different times and the same experience. Always fun to do something completely different and a bonus when the food is better than you ever expected. CJH and I were able to go three years later and the same reality. Maybe this is the norm here but I found it quite fascinating. And great food 24 hours a day.