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.

Stop #31: Baltimore, Maryland, USA (Part 3)

Clementine
I really wanted to like this restaurant. It was highly recommended by many critics. But I was disappointed, starting with the lukewarm service and following the mediocre food. For a restaurant like this, I would expect a more attentive service.

Winne’s Delectable Mac & Cheese
It might sound silly but I did not like the plating. I guess I was looking for a cozy feeling on a cold night when I ordered Mac & Cheese. I was hoping it would be bubbling in a casserole dish with a little burnt cheese.

Bone Marrow Bread Pudding - brioche bread pudding, mushrooms & herbs topped with marrow bone & garlic marrow butter
This dish was unique and good.

Bacon Wrapped Meat Loaf - Smoked Gouda mashed potatoes, braised greens, mushroom-rye gravy
Again, I was not sure if it was the plating but the food just felt "cold."

Game Balls - Duo of duck & venison meatballs, clementine coriander sauce, cherry-ancho sauce, Smoked Gouda mashed, spinach
The meat was tough and was not enjoyable.

The only extra point of this place was that it had a play area for kids.

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


Vaccaro's Italian Pastry Shop
Located in the heart of Little Italy, this bakery has been here since 1956 offering mouthwatering pastries.

Cannoli were made to order.

For more information, visit https://www.vaccarospastry.com.


Jimmy's Famous Seafood
Amazing food, great service and nice ambiance.

The Famous Roll - Shrimp tempura, spicy tuna, scallop, cream cheese, avocado, corn, crab mix and Hawaiian BBQ
This sushi roll was above and beyond amazing. How much seafood could they have crammed in there?! No wonder it was the FAMOUS roll.

Soft Crabs - Twin whale soft crabs lightly dusted and pan-fried
This was a dream come true. I always liked soft shell crabs but they were hard to find. The seasoned coating was just right and they were pan-fried perfectly. I really enjoyed this dish.

Seafood Combination - A feast to satisfy all your seafood taste buds. An assortment consisting of a 5 oz. crab cake, fillet of tilapia, fried oysters, scallops, shrimp, and steamed shrimp

Hello, crab cake! It was made with lumps of crab meat, not much fillings at all. It was heavenly delicious!

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

Miss Shirley's Cafe
Considering the restaurant was in the middle of a tourist spot, the food was very good. The dishes had a Southern root plus unique combination of ingredients.

Maryland Omelet - Jumbo lump crab meat, tomatoes & Swiss cheese, dusted with Old Bay
This was Baltimore, of course you needed to have Old Bay on everything. Served with Shredded Potato & Onion Hash Browns and Cheddar, Pimento & Chive Biscuit.

Benne Seed Chicken 'N Waffles - Fried boneless breast of chicken pieces & a honey mustard aioli drizzle on cheddar green onion waffles with peppadew-jalapeño butter, dusted with cajun spice
Chicken was a little dry but waffles were nice with the house made butter.

For more information, visit https://www.missshirleys.com.

Blue Moon Cafe
It was a really small and funky cafe but the food was out of this world. I was not a fan of cinnamon roll or french toast but I enjoyed both dishes thoroughly.

Homemade Cinnamon Roll
YUMMY! You could smell the cinnamon. They really used a decent amount of cinnamon in this roll and put cinnamon front and center (instead of the dough).

Sweet Baby Jesus - layers of hash brown and crab meat, topped with eggs and hollandaise sauce 

The two most famous dishes (this one and the Captain Crunch French Toast) were not on the regular menu. All the ingredients in this dish blended very well together and every bite was tasty. 

Captain Crunch French Toast
Oh my goodness! I never tasted french toast quite like this one. I became a fan of french toast but only of this one! It was crunchy yet chewy at the same time. So good!

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


Dangerously Delicious Pies
I knew about this place for years and always wanted to try it. I finally got a chance to.

Pork BBQ - We slow roast pork butt with onions, red and green bell peppers, and our homemade barbecue sauce then pull the pork and bake it in a pie
The meat was a little dry. The crust was buttery and perfect.

Baltimore Bomb - This pie has quickly climbed to a top selling position. It's loaded with Berger Cookies (a local specialty) that melt down and swirl into a sweet, vanilla chess filling.
This was a bit too sweet for my taste but hey it was still very good. I really liked the crust.

Just a note, both Blue Moon Cafe and Dangerously Delicious Pies served Baltimore's local coffee, Zeke's. Too bad, I did not get a chance to try it.
For more information, visit http://dangerouspiesbalt.com.


Joe Squared
The topping combinations were interesting and adventurous. They had chicken, Corn and Apple and Cumin Braised Lamb. I tried Bacon and Clam.

Bacon and Clam Pizza - Roasted garlic cream, clams, maple smoked bacon, sweet onion, fresh mozzarella, romano, asiago and oregano
The crust was different, very airy and light. Not a fan of clam. If I had ordered the topping I liked, I would have most likely enjoyed the pizza more.


Crab Artichoke Risotto - Crab, artichoke, bacon, arugula, Swiss, parmesan, parsley and paprika 
I enjoyed it except that I thought the rice could be cooked down more.

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

Did I eat enough crab on this trip?



See previous post about Baltimore – part 1 and part 2.

Stop #30: Toronto, Canada

Black Camel

This place was a hole in the wall but offered great sandwiches. I wished I tasted the sandwich fresh, but I had to take it to go. It was still good but I probably missed out on the perfectly warm bun and juicy beef brisket. 

Pulled pork shoulder.

Pulled roasted chicken.

For more information, 

visit http://www.blackcamel.ca/about.htm.

Crown Princess Fine Dining

This place was hyped up. Food was good but not the best dim sum I had ever had. I wasn't sure if it was worth the price tag either. I supposed the food presentation and preparation were delicate. 

BBQ pork pastries; Beef and spinach noodle rolls.

The pumpkin and corn congee was a highlight. Sticky rice was mediocre.

Shrimp and chieve dumplings.

Sui mai (pork dumplings); Beef balls.

My first encounter with BBQ eel in flaky pastry and it was delicious.

The trio of sesame balls for dessert was unique and tasty.

For more information, 

visit http://crown-princess.ca/english/index.asp.

Kao Shan Road

This place offered authentic yet creative Thai food. I enjoyed every dish!

Garlic tofu - tofu, panko crust, garlic, fresh kaffir lime leaf, naam djeem dipping sauce.

Squash fritters - kabocha squash, wild ginger, lemongrass, shallot, fresh kaffir lime leaf, red curry, egg.

Spicy beef salad - beef, shallot, cilantro, scallion, ground toasted rice, mint.

Pad see ew - wide rice noodles, chinese broccoli, egg, garlic, oyster sauce, soy sauce.

Three flavours pad thai - rice noodles, tamarind, egg, tofu, bean sprout, fresh roasted peanuts, shallot, garlic, chive,dried chili, lime.

For more information, 

visit http://www.khaosanroad.ca.

Liberty Noodle

Tried this place at the Eaton Centre. Food was pretty good considering it was in the food court at a mall. 

Shoyu pork noodle soup - light savoury soup w/ bamboo, corn, nori, scallions, and egg.

Bacon kimchi fried rice - with edamame beans and a sriracha-honey drizzle.

For more information, 

visit http://www.libertynoodle.ca.

Urban Herbivore

Their specialty was vegan food. I tried the pineapple lemonade (pineapple, lemon, organic cane sugar, mint) and it was so refreshing!

For more information, 

visit http://www.herbivore.to.

Mother's Dumplings

Hands down my favorite restaurant in Toronto. These dumplings were gold. They were big, juicy and tasty. Every bite was a flavorful explosion in my mouth! 

Chicken and mushroom dumplings.

Scallion pancake.

Beef rolls.

Pork and bak choi pan fried dumplings.

For more information, 

visit http://www.mothersdumplings.com.

Rol San

This was an old school dim sum joint. They offered 24 hour dis sum and you just can't beat that.

Fried shrimp and chieve dumplings.

Sui mai (pork dumplings).

Beef noodle rolls.

Fried chicken wings.

Spring rolls.

Sweet sesame balls.