Stop #35: Cape Cod, Massachusetts, USA

The Breakfast Nook
Tugged away in a small town Wareham, this was a local’s favorite breakfast stop. They served typical breakfast dishes and cooked everything on the well-seasoned grill. Their baked goods were great too.

For more information, visit http://thebreakfastnookandlunchcafe.com.


The Canteen
All the way at the tip of Cape Cod was Provincetown. Walking up and down Commercial Street, there were all kinds of restaurants and shops. So glad we ate at The Canteen.

The backyard seating was too cute.

Crispy Brussels Sprouts in Fish Sauce—I never thought brussels sprouts could taste this delicious. This dish alone was worth the trip. 

Lobster Roll

 Cod Banh-mi

Fish and Chips

For more information, visit http://www.thecanteenptown.com/#about.


Blue Eyed Crab Caribbean Grill & Rum Bar
It was a fun place to stop by while visiting Plymouth. Service was friendly and food was good. They had interesting combination of ingredients.

There was a rave about the corn bread but I thought it was kind of dry.

Lobster and Lump Crab Creole—over toasted bread. I thoroughly enjoyed this dish. It looked creamy and heavy but the taste was refreshing. 

Jibarito Plantain Sandwich—crispy plantains with jerk chicken, habanero aioli, pickled red onions, avocado, greens and farm cheese

New England Clam Chowder

Banana Garlic Chicken Wings—with tropical crème dipping sauce. Yum! I liked the sweetness on the wings, fun twist. 

Coconut Bay Scallops—with orange chile marmalade

The Crispy Crab Burger—This was a seasonal dish. There was also a rave about it, but I thought it was not that impressive. I wanted to taste more crab. I wanted big lumps of crab meat! 

Cuban Pork Sandwich—roasted pork, ham, Swiss cheese, yellow mustard, chile mayo, pickles on pressed bread with coleslaw and fries

Spit Roasted Guava Barbeque Pork Chop—with a cheesy risotto cake, seasonal vegetables, pineapple-lime jelly and black bean cucumber salsa

For more information, visit http://www.blue-eyedcrab.com.


boloco
This was a burrito chain in the New England area, serving globally inspired burritos, such as teriyaki, cajun, bangkok thai, and tikka masala. I also liked that they offered smaller sizes so I could try more burritos in different combinations, instead of one big giant burrito. I also tried the soy berry shake and it was so refreshing and delicious.

For more information, visit http://boloco.com.

Stop #34: Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts, USA

Finally I can cross this off my bucket list. I have always wanted to visit Martha’s Vineyard and Cape Cod and it did not disappoint. The scenery was beautiful and the food made me happy.

The Art Cliff Diner
This retro diner was right next to the ferry stop in Vineyard Haven. Friendly service plus good food, no wonder this place was always packed. They made good twists on traditional breakfast dishes.

Corned Beef Hash

Mr. T Frittatas—chorizo, jalapeño, onion, pepper jack and tabasco

The Green Monster—a spinach egg scramble with a avocado sauce

Trish Breakfast

For more information, visit https://www.facebook.com/ARTCLIFF-DINER-111637175527597/.

Ben & Bill’s Chocolate Emporium
Oak Bluff was a popular area to visit on Martha’s Vineyard. There were many cute and local shops to shop and eat. Ben and Bill’s offered chocolate and ice cream. I tried the lobster ice cream. They put actual lobster meat inside the ice cream. It threw me off a bit but I guess they did make the flavor work together, very interesting.

For more information, visit http://www.benandbills.com/about.html.


Larsen’s Fish Market
What a way to end the day and savor a quintessential Vineyard experience. Grabbed a perfectly prepared lobster roll and walked a few steps to the beach for sunset viewing.

For more information, visit http://www.larsensfishmarket.com.

Stop #33: Providence, Rhode Island, USA

Los Andes Restaurant
If you ever find yourself in Providence, RI, this is the place you want to eat at. The atmosphere was fun. The service was superb. And the food... The food was amazing. The entrees came in big portions so I would suggest ordering several dishes and share. The ingredients were fresh and taste was flavorful, from appetizer to entree to dessert. It was not overpowering but just enough to make me want more.

Ceviche Martini—a delightful medley of seafood consisting of fresh diced tilapia, squid, shrimp, prince edward island mussels, tossed with a cilantro, rocoto and garlic leche de tigre, served in a martini glass, garnished with cancha and choclo

Saltine—authentic bolivian chicken pie

Paella—chorizo, strips of chicken breast, squid, p.e.i. mussels, little necks, shrimp and english peas, sautéed in a garlic butter-wine broth, simmered in saffron rice

Chaufa Del Mar—a chifa influenced medley of seafood, wok sautéed infused with kion, white rice, kiko soy, eggs, and finished with fresh scallions

Bisteca Andina—12 oz angus top sirloin, grilled to perfection, topped with choclo, mushroom, and sundried tomatoes, in a madeira wine reduction, served with mashed potatoes and grilled vegetables

Pudding

Cheesecake

For more information, visit http://www.losandesri.com/.

Stop #32: Rhode Island and Connecticut, USA

Iggy’s Doughboys & Chowder House

Iggy’s is located right on the waterfront with gorgeous view and is a local institution.

I had high expectation but the food was just so-so. They were famous for their clamcakes, but it was mostly dough and not many clams.


At the bare minimum, they should have toasted the bread with butter. There were lots of lobster clumps but they had no taste, such a shame. I wish there was butter and/or mayo on the lobster, even if just a little bit.

The New England Clam Chowder was not creamy enough. Manhattan Clam Chowder tasted better but it was so salty. 

Stuffed quahog (stuffies) is a local speciality and this was not bad. Though again, it was a bit too salty.

The cod saved the day! It was so juicy and fresh. Mmm! Forget the rest of the seafood, just order fish and chips! 

And the doughboys were soft and sweet. I liked them way better than the clamcakes.

For more information, visit http://www.iggysdoughboys.com/.

Belle’s Cafe

This cafe was a gem hidden inside the Newport Shipyard. There were indoor and outdoor seatings. On a sunny and warm day, it must be nice to sit outside and watch the ships go by. 

Fresh catch of the day—swordfish on the greens. The large piece of swordfish was so fresh and meaty, perfectly grilled. 

Their lobster rolls were much better than Iggy’s. The price was better too.

For more information, visit http://www.newportshipyard.com/bellescafe/.

Frank Pepe

Hello New Heave style pizza! 

This tomato pie was amazing. The pizza dough held well with the abundance sauce on top. The crust was crisp, charred, and chewy. I could taste the freshness of the tomato sauce. 

For more information, visit http://www.pepespizzeria.com.