Back in Maine

Vacation is over. To my new blog readers, I will write all the reviews I have promised along the way...Redd (unbelievable lobster risotto), Chez Panisse (oh, the olive oil....), La Toque (wine cellar to die for), Foppiano Vineyard (Hi, Shirley!), The Meadowood bar with a fantastic new bartender named Sabrina, and so many more. We had a fabulous week full of adventure, exquisite food, amazing wine and wonderful conversations.

But for now, we are back in Maine, arriving at midnight to a house with no food. So for lunch I ran up to the famous (if you are from Maine) Town Landing Market. A little neighborhood store where the locals hang out and where everyone really does know your name. They specialize in "fresh native ice cubes" and fresh-from-the-sea lobster.

To those who have followed my blog throughout the summer, you know that I have a new-found food passion: lobster. I had my first lobster roll at the Dry Dock a month or so ago and it was divine. But according to many, I haven't really had the best until I have had a lobster roll from the Town Landing Market. Today seemed as good a day as any since we didn't have any food in the house, it was lunch time, we were hungry and the Town Landing is a 30 second car - or 5 minute walk away.

"Two lobster rolls, please," I said at the counter. "Lettuce and mayo?" I was asked. "However they normally come," I instructed. I wanted the authentic experience. Moments later I was home and my husband and I were excitedly opening up the waxed paper that held our rolls. The verdict?

It was second fiddle to the Dry Dock Lobster Roll.

The buns were not buttered and toasted. I find this really makes a difference. The butter mixed with the mayonnaise and lobster creates a richness that just works.

The lobster was not as fresh as it could have been, surprising because I believe the lobster is caught fresh each morning at the Town Landing and sold to the market.

As my husband was working his way through his roll, suddenly I heard a crunching sound. Turns out they didn't do such a great job removing the shell. He thought it was just a little piece and tried to extract it, but he had a whole mouthful. I took very small and careful bites after that. Definitely took away from the enjoyment.

On the plus side, you get your money's worth. The bun was not the traditional soft white hot dog roll. It was more like a kaiser roll - very good quality and a couple of inches longer than a hot dog roll. And it was completely filled with knuckle and claw meat. The mayo is mixed fresh with each order in perfect ratio to the lobster meat.

There are hundreds, if not thousands of places in Maine to enjoy lobster rolls. I've only hit three so far and look forward to continuing my quest for the perfect lobster roll. But based on what I've tried thus far, I'd recommend sitting on the deck overlooking the working waterfront at the Dry Dock in Portland; order up a Lobster Roll with an Iced Tea for a classic Maine experience.

Bon Appetit.