EatWellsLiveWells

Need to get over to Philippe Levin’s bakery in Paris’s Ninth Arrondissement on the Right Bank to try one of his “traditions” – a ‘baguette-like bread but made exclusively with flour, salt, water and leavening. There can be absolutely no additives. Apparently Parisians line up around the block in order to get their hands on one these breads. 

Finally tried a Dynmaties at the Early Bird in Oakland, Maine. Sort of like a sloppy joe but kicked up a notch.

If you’re up in Winslow, check out Maynard’s Chocolates.  Bob W. says the “Needham’s look great”. Don’t forget their “barks and clusters”.

Here are some of the best restaurants to get lobster rolls in Maine:

www.thedailymeal.com

America’s Best Lobster Rolls, at least according to Food & Wine

Need to try Black Tree Sandwich Shop at 131 Orchard Street between Rivington and Delancey. 212-533-4684.   This is a farm to sandwich place so most ingredients are local and seasonal. And they are open for breakfast!

Has anyone been to Novare Res Bier Café in Portland, Maine?  They have 30 rotating beers on tap + a meat and cheese bar! It’s located located at 4 Canal Plaza in the Old Port District of downtown Portland.  Enter through the alleyway at the Keybank sign on lower Exchange St between Middle St and Fore St. Look for Novare Res on the north side of the parking lot.   

Need to try Ribalta Pizza at 48 East 12th Street for some Neapolitan pizza. 212-777-7781

Anyone try Tres Carnes on 6th avenue?  Suppose to have good Texas barbecue and Mexican food. –  smoked brisket and pork, soft tacos, tortillas, roasted corn.  688 6th Ave @ 22nd Street. 212-989-8737

We had a wonderful meal last evening at Porsena, Sara Jenkin’s trattoria on 7th Street in the East Village just down the street from her Porchetta sandwich shop. .  We sat a long table near the kitchen, with plenty of room for our party of seven.  For antipasti we had crostini mozzarella, beef carpaccio, chicken liver pate, Mangalista ham, flat bread, snap pea salad, enjoyed with delicious olives and super fresh olive oil (pressed on November 9, 2012).  For pasta we had the special of the night which was orecchiette with with earthy morel mushrooms, anelloini with spicy lamb sausage and mustard greens, rigatoni with house made garlic pork sausage, ricotta and black pepper as well pasta with a rich ragu of pork and beef.  All of this was paired with a bottle of 2009 Le Cinciole Chianti Classico (Panzano in Chianti., in the heart of Chianti Classico area).  As if this wasn’t enough we had to try all four of the desserts – olive oil cake, panna cotta, walnut torta and a selection of cheeses.  The food was outstanding and the service was warm yet professional. Just what you would expect from a neighborhood trattoria.  Needless to say, a good time was had by all. Mille grazie!

On the list is Ducks Eatery, 351 East 12th 212-432-3825 duckseatry.com