When I lived in New York, I thought New York pizza was unmatchable. Then I moved to Connecticut full time (I had spent summers here as a child) and discovered a whole new world of pizzas.

Connecticut pizza comes in a few varieties. There are the coal-fired brick oven pies of New Haven with their crisp crusts and charred spots that add a whole new dimension. There are the ultra-thin crusts, similar to New York pizza but often less greasy. And there are the Greek-style pies with their doughy crusts that are so unlike the others that they need their own category.

Last year, while on a business trip in Seattle, one of the other folks on the trip mentioned a pizza place in Connecticut that they were familiar with and something about it being the best in Connecticut.

I had to correct her.

Pizza in Connecticut is somewhat of a phenomenon. There are so many great pizza places, and everyone has a favorite — but it’s more than that. It’s like taking sides in a never ending pizza battle. And it’s not just us Connecticut people noticing these great pizza joints — many are nationally ranked as the top pizza places in the country.

Pepe’s Original Tomato Pie

The biggest players are the New Haven pizza places. Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana (affectionately known as Pepe’s) and Sally’s Apizza are the most talked about, most known and most debated (as to which is best, of course). Both serve coal-fired brick oven pizzas and were started by relatives. There’s also Modern Apizza, which has its own devoted following as well.

At Pepe’s, the thin crust comes out crisp with little black bits of char. Their signature white clam pizza is loaded with fresh clams, olive oil, garlic, oregano and grated cheese — a perfect pie for eating so near the Connecticut shoreline. But most often, my family orders the Original Tomato Pie, which comes with sauce and grated parmesan. You can also order it with mozzarella. Their pepperoni pizza, something I am generally not fond of, is worth trying. It’s kind of amazing.

I haven’t tried Sally’s or Modern, but they are on my list of must-tries this summer.

One of my favorite pies comes from outside New Haven. Carminuccio’s is a pizza place located in Newtown, Connecticut. Their pizza has an ultra-thin crust that holds their signature sweet-savory sauce and just enough mozzarella to coat without overdoing it. My favorite pie there is the clams casino pie, which has clams, bacon, onions and more. It’s a must-order whenever my friends and I go.

Still, there are other pies that I keep hearing out like the hot oil pie at Colony Grill in Stamford, which was named one of the 8 Best Pizzas in Connecticut by Slice. It’s topped with a chile pepper infused hot oil that’s supposed to be amazing. Roseland Apizza in Derby, Connecticut also made that list with their famously rich tomato sauce.

As for the Greek-style pizza, Newtown Pizza Palace is a favorite. Famous Pizza in Bethel, Connecticut makes a great Greek-style pie too. Both feature addictive marinara sauces and a good layer of mozzarella cheese. But be warned, the Greek style can be a little oily.

I’m undoubtedly missing some fabulous pizza places here in Connecticut. Do you have a favorite? What is it?

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When my husband and I heard that a macaroni and cheese place was opening nearby, we were psyched. Macaroni and cheese — the good homemade kind — is something we can all agree on and the idea of a place that does many varieties was totally alluring. Of course, it took months before we got to go there. When it finally opened this summer, we were so there.

MacDaddy’s in Monroe, Connecticut, is a smaller eatery set in an L-shaped strip mall. From the outside, you see the sign and the darkened windows. Yes, the windows have a dark coating to them. I don’t know why … maybe because some of the dishes are practically addictive?

Anyway, onto the macaroni.

The first time we went, we collectively tried the Mac U.S.A. (traditional mac and cheese with cheddar sauce), the Mac Doggy (with American and cheddar cheeses and sliced hot dogs) and the Mac French Onion (Gruyere cheese, caramelized onions and applewood bacon), which is pictured. Everything was served in cast iron skillets, which are sizzling hot when they arrive with an orange handle cover. (They have since started bringing separate cool dishes for kids — which is a great move. Those skillets were dangerous for the little ones.)

The kids enjoyed their Mac U.S.A.s, but more so when I salted their dishes. The sauce is okay, but nothing to phone home about. The addition of a little ground mustard and a little more salt would go a long way. My Mac French Onion also needed a little more salt. Shawn was happy with his — but thought that the salty dogs probably helped. Overall, it was okay — and okay enough that I was willing to give it a second shot.

On our second visit, Paige and I were flying solo. She went for the Mac Daddy, which she loves (it’s the hot dogs … she’s on a huge hot dog kick for some reason). I had the Mac Monsieur, which has Black Forest ham and smoked gouda in it. If I had doubts about MacDaddy before, they were completely erased with my first bite of Mac Monsieur. It was rich, creamy and perfectly seasoned … and the flavor — I couldn’t stop eating it. We also took a Mac size Mac Pulled Pork home for Shawn, and I tried that (reheated) later. Another amazing dish — It’s pulled pork, barbecue and blue cheese in the macaroni and cheese. Did I mention amazing?

The macaroni and cheeses come in three sizes: Snack (small), Mac (medium) and MacDaddy (large). Honestly, the Snack size is more than big enough for the average adult. I actually wish they had a smaller size for kids … mine can only eat about half of the Snack size.

MacDaddy’s can be pricey, particularly if you order anything larger than the Snack size which runs between $5-$13. Jump to the Mac size, and the prices are between $9-$25. And the MacDaddy size? Well, we won’t even go there because that size is whole-paycheck priced.

We’ll definitely be back to MacDaddy’s … their out-of-the-ordinary dishes are great, and the management has made some great improvements since opening — including providing dishes for kids so that they don’t have to eat out of the hot cast iron.  It’s not an every day place (my waist would scream if I ate mac and cheese daily) but it’s a great occasional place that the whole family appreciates.

MacDaddy’s Macaroni and Cheese Bar
650 Main Street
Monroe, CT 06468
203-880-5400

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But here in Connecticut, we have a special version of lobster rolls — hot lobster rolls. Sweet chunks of lobster is warmed, tossed with melted butter and stuffed into a toasted New England hot dog bun. And it’s amazing.

Last week, Shawn, the kids and I headed to Mystic for the day and our first stop was Costello’s Clam Shack. Of course, I ordered a Connecticut-style lobster roll.

The hot lobster roll at Costello’s is a little different though. Instead of the hot dog bun, it’s served on a toasted hamburger bun and piled so high that I worried that I wouldn’t be able to eat it. Fortunately, I managed.

The roll was very buttery, and when I pushed down on the roll the lobster smoothed into a patty-ish shape that was way more mouth-friendly. It was sweet and fresh, like just cracked lobster. And the lobster was plentiful, which is important. It came with coleslaw, pickles and a bag of chips.

Though it’s not your typical Connecticut-style lobster roll, the big chunks of lobster and buttery bun were really great — and totally hit the spot. I would definitely have it again (and again and again).

Shawn had the Fish and Chips, which is battered cod served with Costello’s super crispy fries and coleslaw. He liked the fish a lot. And the fries? Wow. They are really good.

The kids decided against fish, instead going for a hamburger and a grilled chicken sandwich. Both were fine, but really if you go to a place like Costello’s, you should stick to the specialty.

We ate on the second story balcony, which overlooks the harbor in Noank. It was a beautiful view.

Overall, I liked Costello’s. Shawn and I both enjoyed our meals. And the kids seemed to as well. But the prices are on the high end for a clam shack. Also, there isn’t a kids’ menu, so you have to order off the adult menu for little ones. It’s not a problem, but cost-wise it adds more to what you spend. Just something to think about …

Costello’s Clam Shack
145 Pearl Street
Noank, CT

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I am a total sucker for roadside food joints. Particularly ones that have stood the test of time with a loyal following and a reliable menu. The Lake Zoar Drive-In definitely does this. I stopped recently with the kids to see if their burgers were as good as I remember.

This roadside burger place has been there for decades, although they changed hands (and names, I believe) in 1993. But one thing that hasn’t change is their burgers, which are something remarkable – tender, juicy patties on this amazing roll. I ate their as a child with my grandmother, as a teenager with my cousins and parents and now as an adult with my kids.

Situated on Route 34 near the Stevenson Dam, the Lake Zoar Drive-In is a burger shack with a slim counter for eating or waiting inside and a few picnic tables outside. On our recent trip, we ate inside because it was convenient. Next time I would definitely choose outdoors (or to-go) though. The counter top is fine, but it’s just more comfortable elsewhere.

I had the Weekly Burger, which is topped with gorgonzola cheese, bacon, onion and tomato. It totally exceeded my expectations – juicy with just the right amount of toppings on it. Meanwhile Paige had a cheeseburger and Will a hamburger, and judging by the way they scarfed them down, I think they enjoyed them too.

The waffle fries were crispy and flavorful. We were able to comfortably split a regular order between the three of us, though I think a large would generally be better.

My one complaint about The Lake Zoar Drive-In is their menu, which is extensive to the point of confusing and posted on the windows that separate the food prep area from the waiting area. I’m not sure they are really in any sort of order either. But that wouldn’t stop me from returning. I’ll definitely be back.

Want to read more about the food at Lake Zoar Drive-In? Check out reviews at CT Bites and Roadfood.

Lake Zoar Drive-In
14 Roosevelt Dr. (Route 34)
Stevenson, CT

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When Cate and I went to Seattle last month, we were lucky to enjoy a lot of really amazing food. Seattle is a total food town, and one that prides itself on its attention to local, sustainable ingredients. How could you not love it?

On our first night there, we arrived late and hungry. Though we’d hoped to try a nearby restaurant, we found that the only thing open was Lola in the lobby of our hotel, Hotel Andra.

Fortunately, just because it was our only choice doesn’t mean it should ever be considered a last resort in Seattle. Lola, one of Tom Douglas’ restaurants, serves up breakfast, brunch, lunch and dinner with Greek flare. Situated in the lobby of Hotel Andra, it’s walking distance to Pike Place Market and other memorable parts of Seattle.

We started off with Cauliflower Anchovy Spread, which comes with Lola’s Freshly Grilled Pita Bread. The dish was flawless – so good that I could barely stop myself from licking the bowl (don’t worry, I didn’t!). The Cauliflower Anchovy Spread was a creamy, slightly sweet, slightly salty spread. Mouthwatering. In fact, in my notes from the experience I summed it up in just two words: Freakin’ awesome — and it’s so true. The pita bread was the best I have ever had – soft, light and with flavor – nothing like the hard, thin, edible spoon pita bread that you often find.

We also ordered two kebabs. The Halloumi Cheese, Kalamata Fig and Fig Balsamic Kebab introduced the both of us to the joyful bliss that is halloumi cheese. Wow. Who knew it was that good? The cheese is a firm one like those mozzarella blocks in the dairy section of the grocery store. Since it has a high melting point, it’s ideal for grilling and other heated dishes. The best part? When you eat it on this kebob, it’s a salty, silky bite that was a great contrast to the sweet fig balsamic. Now the figs … they were alright. I am not a fan of fig seeds, and they seemed to stand out in this dish. Still, as a whole, it was still a really good kebab.

Our second kebab was the Portabella, Oyster Mushrooms and Sage Kebab. It was a good, solid dish, though not a wow. I would certainly order it again, because the meaty mushrooms had a nice flavor. Overall? It ranked a firm OK.

Our dinner was so good that when we found ourselves hungry on Tuesday during our marathon lets-see-Seattle quest, we ended up eating at Lola again. Going once, when it’s the only thing open, is one thing. But going back to the same restaurant again when everything is open really says something. It was that memorably good.

For lunch, we split the Garlic Falafel Gyro with Minted Cucumber Tzatziki and a Greek Salad. The falafel was crumbly and flavored with garlic and spices. Amazing, though unlike other falafel I have had. Now, the tzatziki wasn’t my favorite though, with a tart flavor that didn’t strike my fancy. I imagine others might enjoy it though. However, the greek salad was perfectly dressed and really delicious.

And finally, we had the Made to Order Doughnuts with Seasonal Jam and Vanilla Mascarpone. When I saw our server shake these babies up in a paper bag, I remembered an episode of The Best Thing I Ever Ate where Giada DeLaurentiis raved about these doughnuts. And you know what? They were every bit as delicious as she said they would be. A soft interior with a crusty, sweet exterior. The mascarpone was such a pleasant, sweet creamy topping while the rhubarb jam that was in season then was a beautiful, tart companion. If you go there, you have to order these.

The service at Lola was impeccable. We ate at the bar both times, and both bartenders were attentive and really accommodating. In fact, when we said we were splitting the gyro at lunch, the bartender had our food brought on two plates to make it easy for us. And no matter what questions we had (and we had many), they were happy to answer. In fact, that Cauliflower Anchovy Spread? We have the recipe. (Of course, it would make like a gallon of it … so we have to work on the proportions before sharing it.)

If you are in Seattle, I can’t say enough good things about Lola. Just go. It was an amazing experience both times we visited the restaurant, and I would return in a heartbeat.

LOLA
2000 4th Avenue
Seattle, WA 98121
(206) 441-1430

Disclosure: I wasn't asked to write about this restaurant and in both cases, Cate and I paid our own way. Tom Douglas has no idea who I am. This is just my opinion after buying two meals at Lola.

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When Paige and Shawn headed out tonight for our school’s annual Father-Daughter Dance, I quickly packed Will into the car to head out for our own special dinner. It’s rare that my boy and I get one-on-one time like that, and I wanted to do something memorable with him.

Honestly, I wasn’t really sure where we were headed. I had lots of ideas – one of the Japanese places in town? A fabulous bistro on the other side of town? The really good hot dog spot? They are all good options and totally worthy, but I wanted to head to somewhere else. Before I knew it, I was turning onto the highway and heading west.

I wanted to take Will somewhere nicer than he’s been before. Shawn and I have been slowly exposing the kids to eating out at different restaurants. It’s not fair to them not to. After all, if you don’t expose them to eating out in different situations, how will they ever learn to behave respectfully in any situation? So tonight was about dipping our pinky toes into the idea of nicer restaurants.

We ended up in Danbury, Connecticut, at Ichiro Hibachi and Sushi Bar. I’ve wanted to try the place for a long time, but never had the opportunity before tonight.

From the outside, Ichiro is nothing to look at. Located inside a former diner, it still has the same retro diner-style stone exterior and row of fans on the roof. In fact, beyond the sign, not much has changed outside. But when you step inside, you instantly forget what it looked like out there. It’s clean, serene and modern inside. And you have a choice of two rooms for eating: the hibachi room and the sushi room.

We ate in the sushi room since we both are big sushi fans. Will had a kids Chicken Teriyaki Bento Box (yay for a children’s menu that had real food on it!) that came with miso soup, edamame, salad and more. Though he wasn’t a big fan of the miso (he did eat some, but it wasn’t his favorite), he really loved the edamame, chicken and rice. He ate way more than I expected (as in there was no chicken or edamame left … and very little rice). As for me, I had the Sushi Deluxe platter, and I shared a little of the sushi with Will. It was delicious. The fish was fresh and tender. The pieces were perfectly sized to be eaten in one bite. And the presentation was beautiful (clearly, I should have taken photos).

What I loved about the place was that they welcome kids. It’s nicer than the diner or the family restaurant we often go to (cloth napkins!), but yet they still make an effort to welcome the children with cute pinwheels for the straws on kids cups, a kids menu of real food and fast service. They were attentive too.

On the downside, it’s pricey (though not outrageously so for a sushi place), so it can’t be a regular thing. But as a special dinner now and again? It was perfect.

Will was near perfect during our dinner. We had a nice conversation about the restaurant, chopsticks and eating out, and he thoroughly enjoyed his meal. He was quiet, thoughtful and ate as cleanly as he could. I was proud.

As someone who falls firmly into the camp of believing that kids do belong in any restaurant as long as they are behaved, it’s important to me to give Will these experiences. If Shawn and I don’t teach our kids how to eat and behave in a quiet restaurant, how will they ever learn? If we don’t expose them to all kinds of environments, who will? It’s our job as parents to give them life experiences, and teach them how to navigate them. And someday soon, I hope we can eat in a truly fancy restaurant where ties are required. We’re getting there.

Part of eating in restaurants is being a good patron – whether you are 5 or 65. And for children, that requires a little bit of exposure and a lot of parental guidance. Parents have to teach their kids to behave in restaurants. If a child is throwing a tantrum or banging their spoon over and over again on a table? Do something about it. Don’t just let it happen just because they’re “kids.” A little bit of manners, patience and decorum goes a long way.

What do you think of kids eating out?

The post Ichiro Hibachi and Sushi Bar in Danbury, Connecticut (And Why Kids Should Eat Out) appeared first on Sarah's Cucina Bella.

When I arrived in New York last Sunday, after checking into the hotel, my first stop was meeting a good friend for lunch. We’ve been friends since college, when we were two skinny, food-loving girls. Of course, something delicious was in order.

Hallo Berlin Express

We headed to Hallo Berlin Express, a small German fast food joint on 9th Avenue, and feasted on wursts (German sausages).

Now, I am a total sucker for German food since it was a family favorite growing up. But, since I know what good German food tastes like, I am really super picky about it. That’s why we actually don’t eat a lot of German food at home — I don’t have a great source for wursts around here. The supermarket brands? They aren’t even in the same ballpark.

I really enjoyed my lunch at Hallo Berlin Express. The bratwurst and knockwurst were just as I expected them to be — snappy and tender, with just the right flavors. The sauerkraut was good, as was the red cabbage.

The real surprise was the mustard. Although I despise mustard, I forgot to ask the server to hold the mustard on my plate. Naturally, I was nervous to eat anything in the general vicinity of the mustard. But it didn’t bother me. Heck, it actually was kind of tasty. Of course, being a mustard-hater, I can’t attest to its authenticity or tastiness to someone who actually likes mustard.

Overall the experience was a good one: tasty food and swift service. It wasn’t the best German food that I’ve ever had, but it was pretty good. I really liked the wursts, and the platter I ordered was really filling. Hallo Berlin Express is perfect for when you want that German fix in a pinch.

Kyotofu NYC

After lunch, we were stuffed but decided to drop by Kyotofu NYC for take-out dessert for later. Also on 9th Avenue, this Japanese dessert bar offers a range of food and dessert. Their Chocolate Souffle Cupcakes were voted best New York cupcake in New York Magazine, something I wished I’d known before ordering.

We ended up getting Blueberry Yuzu Cupcakes and Chocolate Chunk Hazelnut Kinako Cookies to go, and I ended up eating mine the next day.

The cupcake was unlike any other I’ve had. It didn’t have frosting or icing of any sort, and was decidedly more muffin-like than cupcake-like. The yuzu flavor, which is supposed to be somewhat citrus-y, wasn’t pronounced (or noticeable), but the blueberries were big, sweet and plentiful. All that said, this Blueberry Yuzu Cupcake was moist, airy and delicious. I would definitely consider ordering it again — but knowing that it’s more like a breakfast-appropriate muffin than anything else.

Now, the cookie. Oh, the cookie. That was a surprise. I adore chocolate chunk cookies, and this one from Kyotofu NYC easily was one of the best I have ever had. It was filled with big chunks of smooth chocolate and hazelnuts! I’ve been fondly remembering it ever since.

I’d love to try Kyotofu’s brunch sometimes, which sounds delicious. They are also open for lunch and dinner.

Have you eaten anywhere delicious lately?

The post NYC Eats: Hallo Berlin Express and Kyotofu NYC appeared first on Sarah's Cucina Bella.

Photo by Virtual Frolic

Traveling is among my chief passions. New places, new experiences, new memories … it all comes with a good trip. This past weekend, my kids, husband and I headed to Cape Cod for a fabulous weekend of eating, enjoying and attending a close friend’s wedding. And yes, it was a good trip.

Of course, we’ve been to the Cape before (many times for me), but this time was different. The weekend was all about seeing a dear, dear friend wed a wonderful, loving man. The ceremony was beautiful — the kind that leaves you with tears glistening in your eyes. But the moment from the wedding that will be with me forever is when the vows were done and they were officially married. The look of pure joy, pure happiness, on my friend’s face was breathtaking.

I told him to think of something funny ...

She just loves the beach.

The sky was amazing.

Other than the wedding, we had a pretty laid-back, unplanned trip. The agenda was loose. The plans formed as we went and we changed directions in a heartbeat. Relaxing …

We visited Nauset Beach, a lovely public beach in Orleans. The surf was wild that day, with tall, crashing waves hit hard with strong winds, sending a cloud of spray back as the waves rushed forward. It was mesmerizing. As for the kids, they laughed and giggled while they ran (and fell!) in the sand.

Of course, the long drive? Not so relaxing … The long weekend started with the kids and I dashing from school pick up to the train station to pick up a friend to the Cape. Unfortunately, by the time we made the more than four-hour drive northeast, the seafood restaurant we planned to eat at had closed for the evening. We ended up eating at Papa Gino’s on what seemed like the best veggie pizza and grinder ever. Honestly, we can’t say if it was hunger or truly good food influencing our opinions … Whatever it was, it was just right for the end of that day.

Where else did we dine?

Eating on the Cape: 2010

• Cooke’s Seafood, Orleans – After not making it to Cooke’s on our first evening, we decided to grab an early lunch there the next day. I loved that it was within walking distance to our hotel, and we took full advantage of that, walking over there. This time, I had Fried Clams, as did my friend — something we were unable to try last time. They were good — flavorful breading on tender, perfect clams — but they could have benefited from a bit more salt. Still, I would definitely eat them again. The kids had Fish and Chips, which seemed to be a little bit lightly battered. The color of the breading was also on the yellow side — not the most appealing. And the cost of this lunch (one adult meal, two kids meals, three drinks) was a bit much — over $35. Overall, we still like Cooke’s, but the high cost knocks it down a bit.
• Capt’n Elmers, Orleans – Remember how I said that we changed plans on a whim? That happened the night we went to Capt’n Elmers. Somehow, we drove right past the restaurant we intended to eat at and ended up here … our second choice. Well, let me tell you — it was fate. I had a special called Lazy Lobster, a fabulous casserole of big lobster chunks in a creamy, delicious sauce topped with buttery breadcrumbs. It was amazing — Ah-Freakin-Mazing. My friend said that was the slowest she’s ever seen me eat — and that’s saying a lot. I savored every last bite. As for her, she had a Lobster Roll. That was a little unusual — chunks of lobster in a roll with … globs of mayo. Definitely not the best she’s had. Skip that, and try the Fish and Chips instead. We took some back for my husband (who arrived that night). He ate every last bit of the breaded fish strips and potato wedges. As for the kids, they ordered off the kids menu, which was typical at best. I was disappointed in their kids’ portions and the lack of vegetables … they would have loved a bit of steamed broccoli or something with their meal. But for that Lazy Lobster, I would go there anytime.
• Cottage Street Bakery, Orleans- Last year, this was a favorite stop during our trip. This year, it was just ok. We picked up brownies while there, but were disappointed in the buttercream on it, which was grainy. They were better when chilled for sure, but not the best … However, for breakfast, the kids, Shawn and I had some delightful breakfast sandwiches — egg, cheddar and ham on multigrain bread. The coffee was also pretty good (and I am super picky about that). But I will say that the breakfast sandwiches were pricey. My favorite thing from the bakery this weekend? The chocolate mousse cake we had at the wedding — delish!
• Sir Crickets, Orleans – This little seafood restaurant doesn’t have a website, but what they do have is awesome prices and delicious food. Now, I wasn’t that happy with my Crab Cakes, which were too crunchy on the outside and too soft on the inside. But I can totally forget that after trying my friend’s Fried Oyster Roll — it’s my new favorite clam shack food. Those little crispy, tender, juicy bits of oysters were amazing.  And Shawn’s cup of New England Clam Chowder was superb too — creamy, packed with clams and potatoes and with excellent flavor. Shawn also loved his giant Fish and Chips, which he declared the best of the weekend. The kids had chicken fingers … and they totally devoured them. The only downside? The coleslaw was just so-so.
• Hearth n Kettle, Orleans – After another breakfast restaurant had a 30+ minute wait, we headed over to the Health N Kettle, a restaurant that I went to with my family as a child. It was everything I remembered — cozy with lots of wood and delicious food. My friend and I had the Nor’easter breakfast: a cheddar and bacon scone topped with Canadian bacon, a poached egg and cheese sauce. Delicious, decadent and absolutely wonderful. I need to figure out how to make savory scones like these tender, perfect ones. The whole dish is totally worth duplicating. Oh, and the kids and Shawn devoured their meals too (pancakes, eggs, etc). This is really as good as I remember it being.
• Ten Clams, Mystic, CT – It didn’t occur to us at the time, but this restaurant is all about inexpensive food — and it’s all under $10 (hence the name). We stopped here on the way home and had super buttery Hot Lobster Rolls, which were filled with tender lobster meat. The fries were good too.

Mmm. Good eating.

Do you have a favorite place to dine on the Cape? Share it in the comments!

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Some foods are ubiquitous to areas. Philadelphia has its cheesesteaks. The south has its BBQ. New York has its cheesecake. Boston has its baked beans. But for every well-known regional food, there are dozens of lesser known ones that are just as wonderful — if not more so.

When it comes to greater Boston, one of those foods is the Roast Beef Sandwich. An area favorite, particularly north of Boston, it’s popularity extends across the New Hampshire line and down into Rhode Island too.

Let me introduce you to this glorious sandwich … The Roast Beef Sandwich is typically served on an onion roll, which is a soft sandwich roll that’s dotted with sweet bits of caramelized onions. My husband opts for a regular sesame roll, but you have to ask for that (and unless you are a total onion hater like him, I don’t suggest you do so). Onto that roll goes an eye-popping quantity of thinly sliced roast beef deli meat, which has been warmed on the grill. It’s doused with a spicy, loose barbecue sauce and served hot. The contrast between the sweet onions and the bite of the sauce is amazing.

Excuse me while I wipe the drool from my lips … this is an amazing sandwich.

Since this is one of those foods, of course there are many places to grab a Roast Beef Sandwich in the greater Boston area. But only one hold’s the distinction of being the originator. That’s Kelly’s Roast Beef, which opened in 1951. Kelly’s started as a walk-up beach eatery at Revere Beach. That location is still in operation today.

There are dozens of other places to get a Roast Beef Sandwich and everyone has their own favorite … they’ve even found their way onto the menus of chain restaurants like Roy Rogers (which actually makes a decent one … not as good as the real thing, but definitely a good attempt).

I was introduced to this phenomenon by my husband years ago, and I have to admit that when I heard about these hot, beefy sandwiches, I pictured layers of thick, dry roast beef sogged with gravy. That image obviously couldn’t be further from the truth.

Shawn’s sandwich of choice is from Blue House in Salem, NH (no, not a typo — there really is a Salem in New Hampshire … and it’s not the same as Salem, Mass.). This pizza joint-slash-roast beef house creates unbelievably thick sandwiches and a hearty amount of sauce. I have it on good authority that they use the Ken’s Steak House brand barbecue, which is sadly only available wholesale. Drats.

I’ve also tried Royal House of Roast Beef, which is located in Metheun, Mass., just off of Interstate 93. It’s in a strip mall with a Dunkin Donuts and a liquor store. The cash-only operation has sandwiches that aren’t quite as hefty as Blue House (though they are still pretty big). Ask for extra sauce, as I felt like they were a little light on it. But they still make a good bite.

So, could you make this at home? Probably. But the barbecue sauce is really important to the dish. It has to have the consistency of tomato soup and a definitive bite. I’m not sure of any that fit that bill exactly, besides Ken’s. The roast beef needs to be heated, but not cooked (you don’t want it to get dry!). And the onion roll is probably easy to locate. Really, it’s a matter of finding the right sauce.

What lesser known local favorites are popular in your area? Share in the comments below!

Other Regional Bites:

• Pasties in New Jersey

The post Regional Bites: Roast Beef Sandwiches of Greater Boston appeared first on Sarah's Cucina Bella.

So, what was it? Starbucks has just launched Via, an instant coffee. Yea, I know. You are probably smacking your lips in disgust and shaking your head. I have some wonderful memories of traveling in Europe that are dotted with drinking way too much horrific NesCafe instant coffee … blech. It had this burnt, dirty taste that still makes me cringe.

The strange thing was that when I tried the Via, I actually liked it. It won’t replace the brewed coffee that my husband makes me every morning (thanks, honey!) and it won’t stop me from occasionally feeding my nonfat Caramel Macchiato habit. But it’s good and I wouldn’t hesitate to make it when Shawn forgets to brew me coffee once in a while.

Back to the event. It was held at Craftbar – one of Tom Colicchio’s New York spots. Sadly, I didn’t see Tom, but believe me, I looked. I have a huge chef-crush on that man. Seriously. That smile …

I digress.

The food, which came straight from the Craftbar menu, was out of this world. The mixed greens salad might have looked simple, but the shallot vinaigrette was extraordinary. I want that recipe (Tom, dear, would you send it over? If only it were that simple). I don’t even know that I can adequately describe the flavor — it was slightly sweet, full and salty, in a very good way. I could have stopped eating there and been a very happy woman … but I am glad I didn’t.

For my entree, I had Fried Organic Chicken, Collard Greens, Watermelon and Picholine Olive. If you read New York Magazine with any bit of regularity, you probably know that fried chicken is the “it” food of the moment in New York. Well, I can tell you that this chicken was to die for … Every crunch just screamed with flavor. If I was at home, I would have happily picked up the bones and sucked every bit of breading off. It was just so good.

And dessert … oh, dessert. Olive Oil Cake, Black Mission Fig, Rosemary Ice Cream, Pine Nuts … Swoon. First off, I have never had figs before. Heck, I have avoided them. When I think fig, I think Newton’s and they aren’t my fav. So, I just don’t do it … except today. When it arrived, I nervously took a bite. Then another. Then another. Turns out I happen to love figs. Who knew? As if that’s not enough, the rosemary ice cream tasted of fresh rosemary just plucked from the home garden — and I love that flavor. And the pine nuts? Salted and lovely. The cake was lovely too.

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