As a teacher, I have summers “OFF” (this is really an illusion, as most of us spend summer days at workshops, planning for the new CCSS, reading YA novels — so many books; so little time, and spending money on our classrooms as we travel), so I travel with my husband, a global manufacturing consultant. While his days are spent working as a consultant at different companies, I tour my new surroundings, often on foot so I can walk off the culinary explorations. I love photography and I love to learn the history and culture of a place, which in the summer of 2014 meant Massachusetts and Rhode Island. Lobsters, oysters, clams — okay, fresh, local fish and shellfish. Blueberries, cranberries, craft beers, local wines, and locally grown vegetables are in abundance. So much food; so little time.

With my French-Italian heritage, I unfortunately live to eat rather than eat to live, so I research local chefs and eateries as I plan my daily roaming. I find unique ways to “cheat” on my diet — um, lifestyle change. Lately, I have tried to avoid white carbs and sugars, so I make it a game and I never feel hungry. I try to save the bulk of my calories for dinner, my favorite meal, so I can lead my husband to a fabulous, romantic meal. Some important criteria are ambiance, view (waterfront if possible), beverage choices, service, and of course, local food offerings.

In the current trend of farm-to-table, this has been a rather tasty, healthful way to dine. Local chefs actually list the vendor names on their menus. Not only do you know about what you’re eating, but often you learn what your food was fed! Certainly, price plays a part in my decisions, but we have been known to splurge a time or two when away from home for more than a week at a time. This may blow the “grocery budget,” but I try to record notes on dishes and preparations that I can later try to recreate at home. Since my husband travels so frequently, we try to cook together when he is at home. We enjoy cooking, eating, and entertaining, so for us, this is fun and festive.

On Cape Cod, one can dine and drink at the poshest country clubs, or one can spend a frugal weekend picking up lobsters steamed to order at the local Star market for about $6.00 a pound. Grab a container of lobster bisque from the deli section’s refrigerated aisle, a few ears of corn, salad fixings, local wine or beer, and a family feast can be pretty reasonable. We fed four of us for under $40, and the lobsters were among the freshest we’ve ever eaten, with shells so soft, we barely used the shell crackers or picks. The meat filled the shells, rather than showing tank age by shrinking away from the shells. Make sure to ask your server for advice if you don’t know how to pick out your own live and lively lobster from the tank.

In Plymouth, the famous Wood’s seafood shop and restaurant steamed two lobsters for me and packed them to stay hot for up to three hours. I added a deli roast chicken and slaw, a bottle of Prosecco, and surprised my husband with a gourmet dinner set up in our hotel room. He often puts in such long days, that going out isn’t an option. If I know this in advance, I can be creative and bring in dinner, or we can dine poolside at the hotel, or I can simply eat my main meal for lunch and bring him something light but hearty and healthy if he’s been living on office coffee, bagels, and pizza all day.

One of my day trips led me to the Massachusetts southern coast. I decided to drive east to historic Route 3 and drive south from Hull Village to Plymouth. I stopped for lunch in Hull at a fish market that also contained a cooked-to-order lunch counter opposite the fish counter. They even offer to cook your choice of fish from the day’s catch if you can’t find something on their endless lunch menu. I opted, at my server’s suggestion, for the day’s striper tacos. Normally, I don’t eat tacos wrapped in flour tortillas, but these proved to be an excellent diversion from my rule. The local, fresh-caught striped bass (I also splurged on lightly battered and fried rather than grilled) spilled out of the tortillas in big chunks of moist and delicious goodness. Served with a fresh slaw vinaigrette, it was a perfect lunch as I sat outside at a picnic table near the marina and photographed the scenic view of Victorian homes dripping down the village cliffs like icing on a wedding cake.

June 2016: My husband has been working in Cincinnati this past year, so the food tour is quite a bit different. I will cover it in another post. However, time permitting, we are planning a vacation from Rhode Island to Maine this July. Maine Lobstah actually consumed in Maine! I hope to check that off my bucket list.

ROAD TRIP! SUMMER FOODIE IS BACK!  Rereading this post reminded me to mention the fabulous restaurants on “The Hill” — Federal Hill — in Providence. One night, my husband ordered oysters at The Providence Oyster Bar, only to be offered a selection of over 10 varieties! My oyster-loving husband was in shellfish heaven! Despite some negative online reviews, service was great, staff was friendly, knowledgeable, and accommodating, and prices were fair.

If you love shellfish and are in or around Providence, do not miss Hemenway’s Seafood Grill and Oyster Bar! This is a pretty upscale place, boasting that they are the place for power lunches. However, the service was great, unpretentious, and the cold seafood platters on ice had our eyes bugging, our mouths watering, and our bellies euphoric. An important tip to remember is to order a restaurant’s specialties, based upon their locale. That way, you will be happier with your meals.

If you’re really craving a great steak, try Waterman’s Grille on the Seekonk River. I dined here two or three times, both with my cousin, a local doctor, and with my husband. No disappointments. If you are into presentation as well as quality and a riverfront location, this place delivers. Dining available indoors and out.

I hope we can make it back to The Hill this summer; I’ll keep you updated.