New England Pollock

I was so pleased to see "fresh unfrozen" fish offered at Stew Leonard's yesterday. I inquired and learned that the fish, a reasonable $6.99 per pound, was pollock from New England. It was a heavy white fish looking a bit slimmer than tilapia so I had to try it. How delicious! When I encrust it with a pecan coating it crisps nicely in the cast iron skillet. The side dish prepared above is red onion sauteed with portobello mushrooms and spinach. I also added french salt my good neighbors brought back for me from southern France, and lemon at the end. Yum. Pecan crusting is just awesome, but the fish has to be heavy.
This was ideal. Good for Stew's!

The Chocolate Shoppe

Nyack, New York
www.chocolaterie-nj.com/

I happened to step into this adorable shop two weeks ago and the wonderful aroma of chocolate is still fresh in my memory. I'll be going back for stocking stuffers. They have these wonderful chocolate and caramel cocoa sticks. You stir the hot milk with the chocolate and.or caramel stick and, voila! hot chocolate.
There is also a wonderful assortment of fresh chocolates as well as imported chocolate bars, which include lavender and earl grey.

For anyone having trouble feeling the joy of the holiday season, a trip to chocolaterie is a sure remedy!

Lanterna Tuscan Bistro

lanternausa.com
Nyack, New York

It is always a special pleasure to be greeted by a proprietor when stepping into a restaurant for early lunch.
Rossano greeted me as I perused the menu outside, and offered me all the answers I sought to whether he is continuing cooking classes, and what could please me from the menu. I chose the Insalata Campagna and was very impressed to find the quality of care at a lunch which could compare with high end dinner dining.
The salad was perfectly prepared, with the chicken grilled to perfection and not too heavily salted. The arugula could have been picked than morning, it was so delicious and fresh. The accompanying portobella was tender and delicious and a perfect complement to the red roasted peeper and goat cheese. The fresh bread and olive oil were both well selected. That perfect combination of a crispy, hearty Tuscan bread, and a quality olive oil win high points with me. But service and a friendly, caring proprietor are the attributes I seek in fine food establishments, so I will surely return. Grazie, Lanterna!

Juniper

Yesterday was my husband's birthday and the joys of Juniper continue to amaze us. My meal offered sirloin steak so perfectly prepared that we spent a good bit of conversation figuring out why our own oven or grill could not create the same. The side was the smoked potatoes infused with olive oil and topped with an herb, I think chives, and course salt. These potatoes are just another world to me. I had them first the last time I visited, and actually tried to recreate the flavor at home, stirring in ham and fresh French salt my neighbor brought me. I enjoyed my own creation, but it could not compare. These Juniper potatoes infused with olive oil are a new frontier to this Irish girl who prides herself on her own mashed potatoes.

In addition to that was the mushroom soup- delectable,  wonderful, another treat to remember. Our neighboring table patrons were friendly and shared their similar regard for the excellent talent of this chef.
Their mushroom appetizer was delicous, and the pan seared cod was devoured in no time at all by our neighbor.

Our conclusion of the meal was, why even consider eating anywhere else in the Metro region for a high end meal? It is never as good. We had a wonderful meal for our anniversary at a romantic high rated place in New York City last week. We had a wonderful time, but all in all, the food was too rich, and none at all compare to the talent of the chef at Juniper.

Table d'Hote Crepes at Hastings Farmers Market

The dynamic duo Fred and Alex strikes again, with yet another wonderful culinary endeavor- the ultimate of weekend morning treats- the Crepe! Little did I realize that their Farmer's Market offerings are not limited to just fruit and chocolate (though we love those, too), but include a ham and gruyere crepes. Yum! I savored this delicious breakfast while rounding the festive market, where a troop of dancers cheered the crowd and a pie contest was about to begin. A fun start to the day!

Cafe Zelda

www.cafezelda.com
Newport Rhode Island

This enchanting eatery boasts itself as the best cafe between Key West and Bar Harbor. The nautical decor is enchanting. I could imagine the rear dining space as part of a ship, with its dark wainscot and deep blue striped wall covering, bench seat and wonderful framed ship picures.

But the food is my favorite part of the experience and the seafood bouillebaise will pull my back on every return to Newport. A generous assortment of seafood and fresh tuna adorned be a succulent broth rich in herbs and spices. For appetizers, we were elated to find the rare tuna appetizer served with a tempurah crust and delicous sauce.

A sure return for us...

Flo's Clam Shack-A Decadent Departure

Middletown, Rhode Isand

There are situations where a note to the regional and fresh warrant a departure from pure health and low salt offerings and Flo's Clam Shack has won me over. Despite my usual rules for quality cuisine, I applaud these clams so fresh with full belly that they melt in the mouth. For me there will be no other clam shack.. No food stupor followed this delicious meal, and the moisture of the fresh seafood secreting its plentiful moisture from a crisp coating was a delighful flavor not to be forgotten. In fact, it compares with some of the best soft shell crabs I have had. The shack is cash only and many tables have partial view of the water... a non pretentious place patronized mostly by returning clientele. No tableside service here. Wait on the line, and take your little numbered lobster to your table and wait for it to beep. Child friendly, and fun.