the arugula files

Eating Well and Sitting on the Beach On the Outer Banks (Plus "I Forgive the Shark")

Last week I spent seven lovely days in Hatteras on the Outer Banks of North Carolina.  I had never been to the OBX, as the locals like call it.  What a lovely place.  Hatteras surprised me in so many ways.  Unlike most east coast beaches, including the favorites of my youth, it was not overdeveloped.  Most days it was us, the beach, and a few hyperactive sand plovers. 

Oh, and sharks, too.  A week prior to our arrival there was a shark attack on Ocracoke Island, the next "bank" over from us.  A shark ATTACK.   On a small child.  Named Lucy.  Although the shark took a big chomp on Lucy's foot, she's ok and reportedly forgives the shark.  Turns out, she always liked dolphins "way better."   Who can blame her, really.  I'm terrified of sharks.  Usually my love for floating among the waves outweighs my fears.  This time, 8 months pregnant, I felt a little more nervous.  I was swimming for two and found myself defensively covering my belly with my hands and arms while I floated.  In the event of an attack, I would probably lose my hands and arms, but no shark was feasting on my pregnant belly.  Absurd?  Probably.

London: Borough Market, Plus Fish and Chips

After we visited every tourist location in Paris, Marcus and I hopped on the Eurostar for a short, comfortable train ride to London.  $58 bucks and two hours later we were among the commoners, dashing in and out of trains in downtown London.  If Paris is an old school European city, then London  is a modern day metropolis.

We spent most of the time visiting with our lovely friends, Lesley, Rob, and Caroline, but we did enjoy a pint, some fish and chips, and then hop on a double decker bus for a comfortable view of the biggies: the London Eye, Big Ben, House of Parliment, and London Bridge.  We got off at Notting Hill and walked through Portabello Market, which, if you are traveling to London any time soon, is not to be missed.

Paris: Ladurée

Of course the minute I promise more blogging, I'm off to Paris.  Pregnant in Paris.  I could spend an entire post writing about the things I couldn't eat in Paris --runny eggs, hollandaise, bearnaise (any aise, really), stinky cheeese, steak medium rare, cured meats, SALAD--basically there is large overlap between what pregnant women can't eat and what Parisians eat.  But instead of  complaining about my Paris trip, which doesn't really seem fair, I'll focus on what I could eat.  MACAROONS! 

48 Hours in Boston (Sportello + Neptune Oyster Bar)

 

This past weekend Marcus and I traveled to Boston for a wedding and a quick visit with my family.  Before heading to the wedding, we decided to spend a few days in Boston to relax, shop, and eat. 

I went to college in Boston and grew up about 20 minutes outside the city limits.   It was good to be back.

On the first day, we strolled the public gardens.  That park is some kind of wonderful, especially during the fall when the leaves are Monet-worthy.   Then we spent some time in downtown crossing, which just isn't the same without  its soul: Filene's Basement.

 

Garden Snack Club in Hilo

The best meal we've had on the Big Island so far, and by far, was at the Garden Snack Club, a Thai fusion place spearheaded by chef Tina.  As I've mentioned, the food on the Big Island has been a little lackluster: solid meals for a hefty price, but not at chef Tina's table in Hilo.  We came for lunch, not expecting too much - perhaps a decent Thai plate.  We ended up staying for two hours, sampling pineapple curry stir fry, tom kah soup with coconut broth, and steamed vegetables with a secret peanut sauce.  

Hilo Farmer's Market

 

Today we stopped at the Hilo Farmers Market, the biggest on the Big Island. In addition to buying exotic fruit, we tried some snacks unique to Hawaii. Yes I'm talking about spam musubi. I made Marcus taste test this treat, as I do not eat Spam. He said it was salty, but was enveloped in too much sticky rice. More Spam, was the verdict. We also tried taro and coconut rice wrapped in a taro leave, which was sweet and mushy. A bit of a carbo load. I wasn't a fan, but was happy to try it. After shopping for dinner ingredients, we stopped at Akaka waterfall, a 420 foot waterfall about 10 miles north of Hilo. I felt like I was on the set of Lost. Thankfully, there was no sign of the smoke monster.

Teshima's On The Big Island

 

 After a long day of kayaking and snorkeling on Kealakekua Bay, we landed at Teshima's: a Japanese joint that has been around since 1929. I feasted on the "deep sea trio," a bento box-type meal that included fried fish, ahi sashimi, shrimp tempura, pickled cucumbers, and miso soup. Like most of the food on the big island so far, it was solid, but not exceptional. But I came hungry and left happy, and I really liked the feel of the place. It had a local old-school vibe. I imagine this place to be the Japanese counterpart to the Italian red suace restaurants that are sprinkled throughout DC and Baltimore. Did I mention that while snorkeling I swam with the entire cast of Finding Nemo (Hi Dora!), plus I saw a puffer fish. Lovely.

Aloha: Reporting from The Big Island

Over the next couple of weeks, I'll be seeking deliciousness on Hawaii's Big Island. I'm looking forward to tasting fresh line-caught hawaiian ahi; poke, a local fish eaten raw, and, of course trying poi, which, according to my guide book, is best eaten with kalua pork. And, also, the fruit - guava, ka'u oranges, papaya, and freshly picked pineapple. So stay tuned for more on macadamia nuts and whether or not pupu platters, like the ones you can get in Boston at "Chinese food" restaurants, actually do exist.

p.s. posted from my iPhone! Arugula files 2.0!