If you are reading this, you will know that there really is no need to leave New York City – or even just Brooklyn – to find the best food on the planet. Any dish, from any region or country, can be found on our local streets, meaning that the best of the world’s cuisine has very kindly come to us.
But there is something about food and drink, and the places they come from, that rewards those who seek out the source. Sometimes we find the local version can be quite different from the one we enjoy in the neighborhood. That is why exploring places and their food and drink should be on everyone’s bucket list.
It is not as though we have to travel too far for good food either. New England sports may be a turn off for many New Yorkers, with many only interested in online sports betting in Massachusetts if that means that they can bet against the Pats or Celtics. But we have to admit, the food from that region is up there with the very best. Here’s a quick guide to what you should be eating and drinking if you make the short trip north.
Clam Chowder
Where else to begin but with the dish that New England is probably most well-known for? You may have seen “New England clam chowder” offered in a local establishment, but we can almost guarantee that it will never be as good as what is served up in small places all along the Atlantic coast.
A hearty bowl incorporating the basic ingredients of potatoes, clams, and milk will warm the soul and fill you up at the same time. Don’t expect to see any tomatoes, as with the Manhattan version of this iconic dish, or be overloaded with lots of other vegetables. Simplicity is key when it comes to the real thing.
Lobster Rolls
They aren’t always the cheapest New England comfort food on the menu, but any trip to this part of the world just isn’t complete if you haven’t eaten a lobster roll, or two. This is another dish that can be found just about everywhere in the region, and you probably won’t be disappointed wherever you decide to spend your money.
It should be noted that lobster rolls are perfectly fine whether they are hot or cold, and both types are consumed in large quantities in New England. Maine locals tend to go with the cold version, served with mayo and lettuce, while Connecticut tends to prefer them warm, covered in butter and garnished with chives or scallions.
Stuffed Quahogs
If the first two must-have New England food dishes might have seemed a little obvious, let’s dive a little deeper into the local culture with our next offering. Fried clams is a really popular choice across the region, but there is a dish that is almost synonymous with one of the lesser-trumpeted states.
Rhode Island doesn’t always get the same love that the likes of Maine, Vermont, and Connecticut do, but once you have sampled “stuffies”, you will never bad mouth the place again. These clams are baked and then adorned with breadcrumbs, spices, and sometimes sausage to create an incredibly more-ish bite.
Boston Cream Pie
These seafood dishes are all well and good, but what is there to be had in New England for those with more of a sweet tooth? Never fear, the Boston cream pie is here to delight your taste buds and give you that energy rush needed for discovering Bean Town. Whether it really can be called a “pie” or not is irrelevant.
Essentially a two-layer sponge cake with custard in the middle and a chocolate ice glazing on top, the Boston cream pie can trace its roots back to the mid 19th century and can still be found all across the city. The sugar will give you a rush, but you may want to take a little rest immediately after to compose yourself before venturing out again.
Apple Cider
Many of us will be making the trip up to New England in the Fall to enjoy the incredible colors that the natural beauty of the region is famed for. If you are lucky enough to visit during August and November, it is very likely that you will, at some point, be offered apple cider – or, at the very least, something made with apple cider.
Apple growing is a big deal in New England, and the cider that comes from this centuries-old tradition can be served hot or cold, and with or without alcohol. Apple cider doesn’t discriminate at all, and although you will be able to find this tipple offered just about everywhere, the best drinks will be found at the numerous apple picking spots dotted around the region.
Explore the Range of Food
It is sometimes easy to fall into easy stereotypes and clichés when profiling the food and drink of a specific region. As with Brooklyn, New England obviously has places with menus full of dishes and drinks from across the world – and much of it is just as good. But there are some iconic food and drink choices that we think just cannot be missed if you are taking a trip to any of the states that make up this scenic and gastronomic paradise.
Seafood is always going to be top of the list for most visitors, but there are places serving up the finest vegan and vegetarian dishes, as well as other options. We are very much of the opinion to try as much of whatever you fancy. Just know that when it comes to New England, you may never think about food in the same way again.
