I started visiting H Mart stores years ago when they were called Han Ah Reum.  Back then they were exotic, smelly, and such a riot.  I’d take seasoned grocery execs (men) and watch them squeal like little girls at their bizarre finds. 

H Mart

These days they’re called H Marts or Super H Marts and are clean, well stocked, and contain such a splendorous assortment that any chef or home cook should make them a regular stop.  Recently I changed jobs and before I started the new one, I went on a road trip with my dog – home to see my family in GA and FL.  I was thrilled to hear my sister had discovered H Mart on her own.

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If you go, and if it isn’t a new H Mart, be prepared for a bit of odor upon arrival.  They are much cleaner and more pleasant than they were in years past, but an older location may still be a bit ripe to the uninitiated!  You’ll certainly see things you normally buy but many more items will be new to you…..There are fresh seafood tanks bubbling away with all sorts of species – some you may not recognize in your regular grocery store: geoduck, frogs still croaking, shrimp, abalone, carp, narway, mackerel, belt fish, pommfret, king fish, fluke, konchi, and many more.

Similarly the other areas of the store have enormous selection – ever seen black chicken or black goat?  Ever tried durian?  Ever seen a 20 foot wall of soy sauce varieties?  30 feet of kimchee?    In short, complete fun!  Having taken several cooking classes in SE Asia, these stores are the only places I can find the ingredients I need.  www.hmart.com

If you’re feeling adventurous or want to step outside the box of your regular baked chicken and broccoli recipes, you should check out your local Asian or Indian market. They might smell and you might feel uncomfortable, but there is so much to learn!

If you do decide to venture out and try something new, here’s a recipe I got from the Chiang Mai Thai Cookery School for one of my favorite Northern Thailand dishes:  Khao Soi Gai

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Location:Florida

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A local shared this little secret with me.  I was staying in Portland, ME and decided to take an evening off of work.  The jaunt from Portland is longer than expected, but it was picturesque and lovely.  Driving back roads with the windows down, breeze blowing, and Jimmy Buffet blasting was such a treat.  The weather was perfection – high 70’s, an occasionally fluffy white cloud, crisply clean air, and the smell of the ocean with every gust of wind.  As you drive along Rt 24 down to Bailey Island, you wind around gently sloping hills which frame little bays and rivers ringed with craggy rocks softened by tender patches of wildflowers and the greenest of green pines.  It was one of the best drives I’ve taken in a long time.   As you cross over the bridge onto Bailey Island you can see Cook’s Lobster House perched in the middle of the bay.  True to the description the local gave me, it’s a watering hole for area lobstermen as well as a popular dinner spot for both residents and wayward tourists.

I came at just the right time, arriving at 6pm.  There weren’t many people and I had my choice of spots on the Moby’s Deck (attached to Cook’s), perfect for watching the sun set over the water.  I’d had a big lunch so I opted for lighter fare.  The local Allagash brew was wonderfully crisp and cold and the locally harvested mussels were also quite good in a white wine butter broth.  I deferred from much more but the guy sitting next to me insisted I try a bite of his lobster mac n’ cheese and it was divine (thank you handsome stranger guy who kept me company!).

If you find yourself in Maine, don’t miss Bailey Island and Cook’s Lobster.  On island there are a number of small inns and cottages to rent but they’re hard to book in season so plan ahead.

Portland, Maine from the air

Over the last few months I’ve been spending a good deal of time near Portland, Maine.  Although I haven’t had any play time, I have taken a few hours out and managed to uncover a few foodie finds.  One such place is the Lobster Shack in Cape Elizabeth.  I accidentally found it one day when determined to take a break, skip lunch, and wiggle my toes in the ocean sand.  What I discovered was joyous.  Cape Elizabeth is about 20 minutes outside of Portland and is home to two lighthouses.  The Lobster Shack is literally at the end of the road, a haven for tourists and locals alike.  In the summer season long lines abound, so go early or in mid afternoon.  A legendary institution, the shack has a building where you order and a few tables. 

Inside the Lobster Shack Lobster Shack Shoreline

Lobster Shack Shoreline

 Most people eat outside, though, either on picnic tables or on along the rocky seashore.  Located at the tip of Cape Elizabeth, the view from the rocks is nothing short of therapeutic.  Sailboats sweep by, leaning ever so far in the wind, large waves spray across the rocks, and massive cargo ships dot the horizon.  But do watch out for the seagulls they will steal your food!

Lobster Roll, Onion Rings, Fried Clams, Strawberry Rhubarb Pie

I’ve eaten here twice and loved even more the second time around.  Obviously lobster is the main attraction, but you shouldn’t overlook the fried clams!  They’re wonderfully earthy, moist, yet crunchy with the perfect coating on the outside.  The lobster roll is also good, with buttered bread, huge chunks of meat overflowing, a dollop of mayo, and a pickle slice on top.  I recommend getting the onion rings (hey, if you’re going to be bad you might as well go all out, right?) but skip the lobster stew.  It’s watery, plain, and tasteless – the only less than stellar dish I’ve had here.  To finish out your meal, the homemade strawberry rhubarb pie is to die for – even if you don’t like rhubarb.

When you’re done, stop at the Two Lights State Park, the scenery is breathtaking!

Lobster Shack = 225 Two Lights Road, Cape Elizabeth, ME 04107-9515, (207) 799-1677

Two Lights State Park = 7 Tower Drive, Cape Elizabeth, ME 04107-9503, (207) 799-5871

Vinh-Long PhoVinh-Long Pho

Vinh-Long is one of those finds that makes my quest for little known restaurant treasures worthwhile.  During a hectic work trip to Nashville I was staying near the airport, far away from my usual haunts near Vanderbilt and downtown.  Using my Yelp app I found this little hole in the wall which Owen Nguyen opened nine years ago.  He named his Vietnamese restaurant after his wife’s hometown and infused his Japanese cooking background.  According to the reviews I read, the pho and beef with carrot soups were the ticket. 

Hidden in a downtrodden neighborhood and a depressed shopping center, the area was so rough I actually considered not stopping.  I was in town for an important meeting the following morning, and thought, “Dare I risk digestive issues?”  It was nearly 100 degrees out, not exactly soup weather but I decided to go for it.  When I walked in I was greeted with smells wafting from the kitchen that invoked memories of bistros in France that reek of rich, saucy sensations.

Vinh-Long Pho

I ordered a spring roll, beef carrot soup (mi tiu bo kho,  $6.25), and an ice cold Kirin to wash it all down.  The spring roll was delightfully fresh, giving the most wonderful crunch while the sauces made my tongue sing.  Then came the beef and carrot soup, a Vietnamese dish with French influence.  If you’re thinking that sounds boring, boy would you be mistaken. 

I’m not even sure how to describe it or where to start…I wish I had a visual (my iPhone camera was on the fritz).  But with a bit of imagination you can get the gist of it.  Think of a big steaming bowl of beef stew crossed with components of pho (noodles on the bottom, crushed peanuts and chili oil on top) served with a heaping side plate of basil, jalapeño, lime and sprouts. Deeply soul satisfying with its intense depth of flavor – the kind only a well trained chef knows how to achieve with constant seasoning and adjustment – and a surprising crisp brightness one wouldn’t expect (perhaps from a bit of acid?).  I would do REALLY BAD things to get this recipe!

One of the reviews I read on Yelp was hilarious, it compared Vinh to smoking weed for the first time, “soothing, relaxing, refreshing, inviting & fulfilling.”  I don’t know about the weed, but I am addicted to this stew!

Would the gods have eaten ambrosia if they’d known mi tiu bo kho existed?

Tips for visiting:

–          They only accept cash, its super cheap so you won’t need much

–          Hours are limited (they closed at 7, so you may want to call ahead)

–          A Vietnamese couple were oohing, aahing, and slurping over their pho at the next table, so give that a whirl

–          Menu http://www.urbanspoon.com/u/menu/511889

–          Lots of reviews say to try Cafe Da (coffee made in a French press and served with ice and condensed milk)

Burrito Brothers Outdoor Seating

Outdoor Ordering (Guac Sign Lit – FRESH GUAC Available!!!)

Scrumptious Pork Taco, Homemade Guac

Dear Executives of Chipotle and Qdoba,

I would like you to visit the mecca of burrito places, Burrito Brothers in Gainesville, FL.  Granted, this little place was the site of many of my meals throughout my treasured years at the University of Florida, but it is a truly special hole-in-the-wall that shouldn’t be missed. 

What’s so special about this place?  What can you, Mr. Chipotle learn here?  For one thing, its been around since you were probably a kid (I was only one year old when it opened).  Everything they serve is made from scratch (except the tortillas).  They even ripen their own Haas avocados to make sure you only get THE BEST guacamole!   In fact, they don’t always have guac – if there aren’t ripe avocados available they simply won’t serve it.  Their ingredients are of the freshest quality, which comes through.  The outdoor seating is lovely – shaded by trees and so comfortable, it beats your overly airconditioned/freezing indoor boringness.  They also have more interesting food than you do – chorizo and chicken is one of my all time favs as well as the jicama slaw.  Finally, what makes them even more extraordinary are the sauces they serve alongside.  They are so good, I nearly drown my burrito in them.

Mr.  Exec, your food is okay and I’m a regular patron because I like burritos and appreciate your efforts.  BUT you should go see them, there is much more to learn and Burrito Brothers eats YOUR lunch! 

Sincerely,

Burrito Lover Beasley

Burrito Brothers – 1042 W University Ave, Gainesville (behind the Presbyterian Student Center)

BURRITOS

	Pork-  braised pulled pork shoulder with Monterey Jack, green salsa and cabbage dressed with lime     5.40
	Chicken- seared white meat on red rice with Jack, lettuce and green tomatilla salsa     5.40
	Beef- ground chuck seasoned with our unique spice blend, cheddar, lettuce and red sauce     4.60
	Chorizo and chicken- red rice, Monterey Jack, lettuce and chipotle salsa     6.20
	Beef and bean combo-  black or pinto beans, cheddar, lettuce and red sauce     4.30
	Chicken and bean combo-  black or pinto beans, Jack, lettuce and red sauce     5.40
	Chorizo and pinto beans- red rice, Jack cheese, lettuce and chipotle salsa     5.60
	Bean- spiced and mashed pinto or black beans, cheddar, lettuce and red sauce     3.90 ◊●
	Sweet potato-  black beans, Jack cheese, lettuce and roasted corn salsa     4.80 ●

	Pork     9.70
	Chicken     9.70
	Beef     8.90
	Chicken and black or pinto beans     9.70
	Chorizo and chicken     10.70
	Beef and pinto or black beans     8.5
	Black or pinto beans     8.00   ◊●
	Chorizo and pinto beans     9.90

	Cheese     3.60
	Chicken     3.80
	Chorizo and cheese     4.20
	Beef     3.30
	Beef and beans     3.30

	Guac and chips- made every day with the best Haas avocados we can get our hands on     4.40  ●
	Corn chips-  fried fresh in house     1.40  ◊●
	Salsa fresca-  made daily with 3 kinds of hot peppers, tomatoes, tomatillas, and cilantro     1.45  ◊●
	Black bean dip and chips-  black beans, tomatoes, scallions, jalapenos, and citrus, served chilled     3.25  ◊●
	Red rice- our own take on Mexican rice, made with adobe mole and lime  CONTAINS PEANUTS     1.50  ◊●
	Frijoles and chips- black or pinto beans with melted cheese and red sauce, garnished as you like     2.95   ◊●
	Jicama slaw- jicama, red bell peppers, Granny Smith apples, lime and honey     1.75  ●

Fort DeSoto Park

Fort DeSoto Beach

While visiting my family in St. Pete, FL, I took my dog to Fort DeSoto. It’s a huge ocean front park at the end of a string of islands. South of St. Pete Beach and Tierre Verde lies this gem that “Dr. Beach” even named the #1 US Beach in 2005.  In addition to being stunningly beautiful, the park itself has so much to offer…

Below is a comprehensive list and links to the park website. What I went for was the dog beach. Having grown up here, I’m a water person. I think I have water in my veins and I wanted to share the beach with my pup Abby.

Abby Running Wild

Ft. DeSoto has a fenced dog park and a beach where dogs are allowed off leash. It’s unusual to find a dog beach, much less one so beautiful.  We got there early and had the whole place to ourselves for at least an hour!  Abby had a blast running around with other dogs, chasing balls, and napping in the shade. I was thrilled, too! It was 80 degrees, sunny, perfect.

It looks like I might move back home sometime soon and I can’t wait to spend more time here with her. If you’re planning a FL trip, check out Ft. DeSoto and its unparalleled beauty:

– Over 7 miles of waterfront, including almost three miles of the finest white sand beach in the United States.

– An 800-foot-long boat launching facility with eleven floating docks.

– A 238-site family camping area with facilities

– Two fishing piers–one on Tampa Bay (500 feet long) and the other on the Gulf (1,000 feet long). Each pier has a food and bait concession.

– Fourteen reservable large group picnic shelters

– Twenty storm-resistant public restroom buildings

– Dog Park and beach

– A 6.8 mile, 12-foot-wide asphalt recreation trail connects the campground with the North and East Beach Swim Centers and the historic fort.

– A 2.25-mile recreational canoe trail.

– A 1-mile nature trail in the Arrowhead Picnic area, and a 3/4 mile nature trail in the Soldiers’ Hole area provides a glimpse of some the native fauna and flora.

– Quartermaster Museum

– 2,200 foot Barrier-Free Nature Trail is a self-guided interpretive trail providing access to nature for all visitors to Fort De Soto Park, regardless of their physical abilities.

http://www.pinellascounty.org/park/05_ft_desoto.htm

I try to never hate anything, hate is a strong word. When it comes to travel, I especially make every effort to step outside of my comfort zone and open up to different worlds, experiences…but despite my best efforts I could not make myself fall in love with Bangkok.

It’s kind of like the single guy who looks great on paper but when you meet him he’s a dud and there’s no chemistry. I’m embarrassed to admit it, but Bangkok was my dud. Great food, beautiful temples, ping pong sex shows, what more could I ask for?! I just couldn’t get past the smog and pollution (Thais even use surgical masks when they walk down the roads or ride on motorbikes), the dirty squalor, the humid heat with no wind, and the coldness of the people who were only superficially nice. I’m from FL, so I know a little bit about humidity and heat, but Bangkok was simply oppressive. Thailand is supposed to be the land of smiling faces, but that was not my experience in Bangkok.

Chiang Mai, the second largest city in Thailand, is in the northern part of the country and is completely different. I liken it to the difference between New York (Bangkok) and Chicago (Chiang Mai). The people are genuinely friendly, the weather pleasantly cool, the air clear enough to breathe, surrounding nature is stunning, and the food even better.

The next time I go to Thailand, I’ll skip Bangkok and spend lots of time trekking around Chiang Mai (plus head to a less populated island in the south). If you’ve never been, you should definitely go to Bangkok. I just wouldn’t go for more than 3 days.

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The second most beautiful resort I’ve ever been to, the Hyatt Hua Hin is lovely. The lobby is open air and overlooks and enormous elephant statue and the sea. Meandering pools, a slide for the kiddies, and a secluded area for preferred Hyatt guests make it wonderful as well. After a small hiccup or two and a mild complaint by me (which I rarely do), I was upgraded to a two room suite. Lucky girl I am!

The spa, called Barai, is also extraordinary. It does’t surpass my beloved Grove Park Inn Spa in Asheville, NC (due to its stunning views, very comfortable relaxation areas, unmatched stone pool, and fantastic sauna/steam/plunge pool) but it does have the most beautiful architecture and treatment rooms. After walking through the tranquility court, you enter the spa reception. Even the hallways, locker room, and shower areas are interesting from an artistic perspective. Snapping photos all the way, my breath was taken away when I entered my treatment room. I was to have a traditional Thai massage after a milk bath. The pictures don’t begin to even describe how sensational this place was….niches backlit, mosaic mirrors, enormous tub floating in water, stained glass, 20 ft. tall wood doors, even the skylight was art. I’ve been fortunate enough to see many beautiful things in my travels, but I fell in love.

Finally, my last night in Thailand happened to be Valentines. Ooof. I went to dinner for a last hurrah at the McFarland House on site at the Hyatt. Located right on the ocean with beautifully lit columns, tables, jazz music, the sound of the sea was what I wanted. Unfortunately, I was reminded or asked five times by the staff that I was alone on this holiday for lovers…YES, I get it….NO, it did not escape my consciousness.

That being said, my stay was wonderful. The people were kind and accommodating in a way that is rarely experienced elsewhere. I’d love to come back here….just not on the day of love!

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Location:Hua Hin, Thailand

Honestly, by the time I made it to Hua Hin I’d been to so many markets I was pretty much burnt out on them. After a three hour drive from Bangkok, my host told me I must go to this one, a small market just outside the hotel.

If someone tells me something is a must, I usually give it a shot. So after a few hours soaking up the warmth of the sun and breathing in the salt air of the ocean, I meandered up to this spot. It is labeled as an art market and was certainly different than any other I’ve been to.

For starters, it was clean! Open only on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday nights, it was lit with white lights, surrounded with white picket fence, and organized. There were food vendors galore in a fenced area with clean shabby chic tables. AND there was a band. A really good band! They sang both Thai and western classics and it was such a joy to sit outside, eat wonderful food, and enjoy people watching.

In my limited experience, it seems Thailand doesn’t have a lot of venues that offer this type of lovely, relaxed experience. In fact it was so nice I went back Sunday night as well.

Roasting Fish

Food Vendors

 

Northern Thai curry vendor, serving from clay pots

During my tenure here I’ve become addicted to Khao Soi (northern Thai curry) and found it wonderful here, too. Other great things I tried included crab with fried rice, whole white snapper, chicken katsu, cuttlefish, sugarcane juice served in bamboo ‘glass,’ and coconut ice cream with condiments served in a coconut. It was blissful.

My beloved northern Thai curry

Coconut Ice Cream Station

Juices served in bamboo

In addition to the food and music, there were artists selling quite good oil paintings and sketching patrons. There were also the obligatory trinket vendors, but I did find some really good handmade leather items that they inscribed for free.

All in all, I highly recommend heading to this market. It was a great way to end a day at the beach!

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Location:Hua Hin, Thailand