Two scoops of Graham Central Station — whose key ingredient is blended into the base and, later, added in bits and pieces — from a recent excursion to the north. The name itself pointed me back south, to New York.
Dunlap's Ice Cream
418 State Rte. 286,
Seabrook, New Hampshire
603-474-7272
www.Facebook.com/Dunlaps-Ice-Cream-115510351856478
Any excuse is a good excuse for butternut squash (doughnut, $1.50). Rockville's recipe uses the farm's own eggs, too.
Rockville Market Farm
Starksboro, Vermont
www.RockvilleMarketFarm.com
At Smorgasburg, April till mid-November
Saturday: 90 Kent Ave. (North 7th-North 8th Sts.), Williamsburg, Brooklyn
Sunday: Brooklyn Bridge Park Pier 5, Dumbo, Brooklyn
Simplicity itself: a steak-tip grinder ($11.95) with mushrooms and onions.
The Barking Dog
21 Friend St., Amesbury, Massachusetts
978-388-9537
www.BarkingDogAle.com/barking-dog-bar-and-grill
(One of several locations)
The "classic" ($7.99), roast beef teamed up with bacon, lettuce, and tomato, American and mayo, doesn't rely on bulk. It's less of a slugger than a line-drive hitter, perfect for a quick lunch.
Major League Roast Beef
503 Washington St., Auburn, Massachusetts
508-832-4300
www.MajorLeagueRoastBeef.com
Why is Red's signature menu item often called a lobster "roll"? Why the quote marks? Not because of the shape of the roll itself — the squared-off, split-top bun, buttered and toasted, is the Maine standard — but perhaps because, from above, you can't see the roll for all the meat.
Each serving (market price, about $17) accounts for more than one whole lobster, including the chewier tail meat as well as the sweeter claws and knuckles. Take a bite end-on, and odds are good that some of the meat will plop down into your butter with a messy splash. Inevitably you'll use your fingers to dunk loose bits of lobster; better sooner than later.
Red's Eats
Wiscasset, Maine
207-882-6128
www.Facebook.com/pages/Reds-Eats/175139778087
Crab melt (about $13.50) on focaccia; umami supplied by bacon, tomato, and havarti.
Damariscotta River Grill
155 Main St., Damariscotta, Maine
207-563-2992
www.DamariscottaRiverGrill.com
Gifford's brand grapenut ice cream ($1.75). Love those little crunchy bits.
Ice Cream Parlor and Sandwich Shop
Town Square, Waterville Valley, New Hampshire
Squamscot brand root beer (12 fl. oz.; $1.25) had little character: a little thin, a little too sweet.
Mischievous Moose Deli
Route 49, Campton Corners, Campton, New Hampshire
603-726-1700
The house brand lemonade (12 fl. oz. bottle; about $1.50) was passable; so was this "bear claw" ($1.75). The number of claws seems to be a matter for the baker's personal preference.
Jugtown
Town Square, Waterville Valley, New Hampshire
This outpost for "Hungarian lunches and dinners" was quite empty early in the afternoon, and the dim interior didn't beckon me to sit down all by my lonesome. To go, I tried a poppyseed roll ($1.25) sweetened with golden raisins, and probably honey. OK.
Lala's
836 Elm St., Manchester, New Hampshire
603-647-7100
Thank you!
