Harry's Place in Colchester

Amy and I stopped in Colchester yesterday to stop at Harry's Place, one of the classic road food joints in Connecticut. Operating since 1920!

We had a lobster roll, a bacon cheese hot dog, and some jalapeno cream cheese bites. The cream cheese bites were my favorite - some of the best of their kind I've had. However, their baker (from Windsor, Connecticut) is the real marvel - the rolls they use are amazing. Really the best top-loading hot dog rolls I've encountered. Find out more in the Insiders' Guide to Connecticut!

Trumbull Library Presentation

It was a great pleasure to once again appear at the Trumbull Public Library, this time for the Insiders' Guide to Connecticut. Our great public libraries are treasures...for America, and especially for our state.

Avon Old Farms Hotel

The Farm Restuarant at Avon Old Farms Hotel is a lovely place, with some delightful dishes.

This is a classic place for weddings, but don't ignore it just because it is in a hotel. Find out more in the Insiders' Guide to Connecticut!



Connecticut Cabbage Rolls

Fry up a little ground pork with onions and sun-dried tomatoes. Add cumin, paprika, a tablespoon of red miso, rice wine vinegar, and whatever other spices you like.

Wrap the result in cabbage leaves and hold them together with toothpicks (note: use non-colored ones). Steam them about ten minutes in a Chinese steamer and enjoy!

Oh...why "Connecticut" cabbage rolls? Well, I could say because they used local ingredients. But really, I've noticed that many people simply add the name of their state (I'm looking at you, Texas)  to the beginning of a recipe. So, I'm adopting that method. Connecticut everything.

Barnum in Bethel

While giving a presentation for A History of Connecticut Food in Bethel, I visited my old friend P.T. Barnum at the center of town. "The noblest art is making others happy." Indeed.