Beacon Falls Public Library

We gave a presentation for A History of Connecticut Wine at the Beacon Falls Public Library this past Thursday, and met some really great people, including the owners of the new All American Valley General Store in Seymour. They sell Connecticut-made products, including Connecticut wine, and that's something we can all get behind. Check it out.

Woodstove Days

A gray day here in Connecticut, perfect for sitting inside by the fire with a good book to read and another to write. All that wood chopping and chainsawing this summer is now paying off. Plus, we're saving money. Our wood stove won't exactly heat the entire house, but it serves for the downstairs quite well.

Ming Tsai's Blue Ginger

Here are some lovely dishes we enjoyed at Ming Tsai's Blue Ginger Restaurant outside of Boston.

The restaurant itself is in Wellesley, and almost hidden in a strange shopping area. But it's well worth your time to ferret out its location and find the East/West delights of Ming Tsai's cuisine.

I mean, look at that lobster. Look at that duck. That is food art, and let me tell you, it tasted pretty good, too. In fact, I am going to go make dinner right now.

Edwin Way Teale Sanctuary

A few years ago we walked the Fern Brook trail at the Edwin Way Teale Memorial Sanctuary at Trail Wood. Teale lived at Trail Wood in the off-season, and in his car traveling the roads of America in the on. He wrote beautifully about the natural world in America, and in Connecticut. Many think of him as our Thoreau, though many don't think of him at all. Go to Trail Wood in Hampton and remember.

Pork Shank at David Burke's

The wonderful, beautiful pork shank at David Burke's Prime Steakhouse at Foxwoods.

Cheesefurter at Shady Glen Dairy Store

Ever have a cheesefurter? Probably. But the one at the Shady Glen Dairy Store has wings! Or at least that's what the pieces of griddle fried cheese look like here. They put them on the burgers, too, of course, and it works even better there. Of course, Shady Glen is also known for its retro waiter/waitress outfits, and its ice cream. We tried "mince" and "grape nuts" ice creams, both good. The photo of the grape nuts will be in A History of Connecticut Food, out in May.

General William Noble

I have another new article up at the Bridgeport History Center, this time on General William Noble. Find it here.

The Merritt Canteen

I have a new article on the Bridgeport History Center website on the Merritt Canteen. Enjoy here

Filipek's Market, Meriden, CT

This is the strange and wonderful Filipek's Market. Located in a residential district (262 Elm Street) in Meriden, this fascinating slice of Americana - a family run market - used to be the rule, not the exception. Now you have to know where to find these little miracles (the sign is barely recognizable). Filipek's has so much to recommend it, but what it is most famous for is kielbasa. The home made kielbasa will greet you as you walk in, tempting and tasty. They have several different preparations...the spicy one is the best. I have a photo of their wonderful kielbasa, but I'm saving it for A History of Connecticut Food, out this spring.

Three Poems by Amy Nawrocki in SNReview

My lovely wife has three poems in the last issue of SNReview. Check them out here, and a taste...from "Embargo," a poem about 'smuggling' - Thinking avant-garde rather than criminal, we snickered to each other when we slid nine dollars Canadian across the counter for the Cohiba, packed Havana leaves away, and sealed our fate as smugglers.

Beef Done Right

Bone in meat tastes so much better than not. Seriously. Look into it.