Road Trip up East Coast

[kam0424]

My husband and I are planning to roadtrip from Brooklyn up the east coast to Maine, stopping along the way for the best in foodie offerings. Seafood of course will be the highlight but also looking for quirky suggestions (best donuts, ice cream, pies, lobster rolls, etc.). Any suggestions of best restaurants/road side stands or best foodie towns to stop in would be so helpful. Thanks!

[jdgall]

Several great places off Rt 95 on your way to Maine.

Bar Buchee in Madison is a great french bistro. (Need reservations as it is very small)

Lobster Landing in Clinton for super lobster roll

Liv's Oyster Bar in Old Saybrook, dynamite raw bar and fresh fish

Bee & Thistle Inn Old Lyme, romantic dinner

Hallmark Ice Cream stand in Old Lyme

Cafe Rouiter in Westbrook

Gabrielle's in Centerbrook

Pip's at Copper Beech Inn Centerbrook

Second the suggestions for Portland ME many great places to dine.

Enjoy your trip

[algct]

New Haven, Manchester CT (Reins deli) & keep on driving until you hit Portsmouth NH - or Portland Maine.

Massachusetts is a culinary wasteland (maybe except for Worcester & Coney Island Lunch 158 Southbridge St, (hot dogs) )& the Red Sox are endemic - oh oh - duck!

[CapeCodGuy]

That's too funny (except for the crack about the Sawx). But Reins Deli? It's a horrible recommendation, and a shell of it's former self, say from 20 years ago.

[algct]

Reins is OK if you need a pickled tongue fix & their pickles are good but expensive.
It WAS much better before they got burned out of their old place. Less kitsch.

The Sox are OK too, but only within a 40 mile radius of The Hub.
I do prefer Fenway Park nowdays - the new Yankee Stadium has lost some of its appeal.

[CapeCodGuy]

Maybe, but calling Massachusetts a "culinary wasteland" is not only extremely unfair, it is totally inaccurate. How about trying some world class Ipswich clams, or Welfleet oysters, or may some of the best Portuguese food on the east coast in Fall River or New Bedford. I could go on and on of course, but I've made my point.

[hyde]

im thrilled that someone who suggests Rein's deli as top tier and would rather eat in portsmouth, n.h. (which has its charms but really?) considers massachusetts a "culinary wasteland", this means he will just go home and i will not have to listen to his whining at the next table.

[im hungry]

the city of Portland has some awesome places,Fore st.,Duckfat,Hugos,etc.,Great local beer,its our "foodie"getaway from rhode island.

[mamacate]

I will skirt the lobroll debate and suggest that if you're ready for dinner and want something a little fancy-pants when you're passing New Haven, stop by Zinc in the center of town. We went there for our 20th anniversary dinner last month, and it was one of the best meals I've had, with great cocktails and attentive service. It's far from road food, but it's worth the stop.

[bagelman01]

I heartiily agree with you about Zinc. And after the Yalies graduate and leave town to the summer we enjoy New Haven dining every weekend. But from Labor Day til Memorial Day we avoid downtown New Haven like the plague. Too many ill behaved Yalies and long lines.

It's a love/Hate thing. I'm a born and bred New Havener, but Town and Gown don't mix. That's why I went to PENN.

[SoupsOnCT]

Abbott's in Noank CT http://www.abbotts-lobster.com

[brookerme]

Maine's cold lobster salad rolls are OK but I prefer Connecticut's hot lobster roll http://www.yelp.com/biz/lobster-landing-clinton

and while you're in town try http://www.yelp.com/biz/beach-donut-s...

[Pipenta]

If you are driving up the coast, this would be an excellent time to compare CT-style hot buttered lobster rolls vs Maine's cold mayo version.

Stowes in West Haven also does an admirable lobster roll.

[witchofthewood]

Jacques Pepin, who I think lives in Ct. did both when he was I believe executive chef with Howard Johnson. He may have been the first to do the hot version. I prefer cold lobster rolls. I like hot lobster with clarified butter lobster bib and shell crackers. The whole shebang.

[bagelman01]

Hot lobster rolls were being served in Savin Rock ages before Jaqcques Pepin ever set foot in the USA.

[CapeCodGuy]

Right. And who here thinks you can't get a hot lobster roll in Maine? Maine lobster in ANY form will trump Ct. lobster. It's where the source is, and has colder water thus sweeter lobster. I've never had clams or lobster in CT. that was better than northern states like Maine (lobster ), and Mass (for clams).

[bagelman01]

CCG.....
I was not opining that CT lobster was better than Maine, but merely pointed out that Jaques Pepin did NOT invent the hot lobster roll.

FYI>>>The majority of lobster sold in CT is Maine lobster, not the meager catch from the Long Island Sound.

I will agree that there are some fine whole belly clams fried and served in MA, but having had a home on the Cape for more than 20 years and having gone to Law School in MA as well I can say I've eaten just as good in CT.

Scallops on the otherhand are something else. Nothing compares to Nantucket scallops in season made fresh on the Capes and Islands.

[CapeCodGuy]

Understood bagelman and agree to a point. (My response wasn't totally directed at you to be clear) I guess my point is better said that I would get my pizza in New Haven, My clamcakes and stuffies in Rhode Island, (with a coffee cabinet), a whole belly clam plate in Northern Mass, and Lobster in any form in Maine. There are certainly many other terrific options in each of those areas, but those are regional standouts that I would look at as "must haves".

[hyde]

throw in NY system weiners and a dels frozen lemonade in R.I. and thats a pretty good trip.

and hopefully a side of baked beans somewhere in that mess.

[Bob W]

"It's where the source is, and has colder water thus sweeter lobster."

There is a really long thread on the Food Media board that you might find interesting.

http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/560314

[witchofthewood]

One place which has been a favorite for years is the Clam Box in Ipswich MA

[Science Chick]

Not sure how far up Maine you are heading, but I would highly recommend Fisherman's Catch in Wells, ME. Situated on a lovely marsh (off the main Rt. 1 drag), with viewing binoculars provided on each table! Impeccably fresh fish and lobster...everything I've ever had there is top notch.

[kam0424]

Thank you!

[mmalmad]

New Haven has a number of places. Pepe's for white clam pizza, Louis Lunch is the self proclaimed inventor of the hamburger they do make a very good burger (no condiments allowed) A wide variety of ethnic choices too

[Pipenta]

Sally's for pizza in New Haven is an equally valid choice. (Some of us born and bred Elm City people prefer Sally's). And bar on Crown has great pizza and better hours. And there are those who opt for Modern on State Street, I don't agree with them, but there you go...

[bagelman01]

Another born and bred New Havener who agrees about Sally's and Bar, better no Apizza than Modern.
Also suggest any of the great seafood items at Stowe's in West Haven, Lobster Rolls (CT style, not cold with mayo) Fried seafood. BUT come with loads of cash, NO credit cards acceoted.