Tag: https://visitnewhaven.com/

America, Countries, Europe, Food

The history of burgers and it’s not rocket science

funtime65

And on the back of Eddie Rocket’s four-patty Supernova (€18.95) seasonal offer, the history of burgers and it’s not rocket science.

Because for all that 100% Irish beef, American cheese, pickles, onions and smash sauce Eddie’s treat is at its heart a burger.

Now Eddie Rocket’s is something of an institution in Ireland as an American diner doppelgänger.

And in the world of burgers that can mean supersizing.

But it doesn’t have to because the humble hamburger started out as fuel food for the artisan.

All round for the Rundstuck

Burger me: In Hamburg

Whose story, that of the Rundstuck, we traced around the great German port city.

The Rundstuck, the forerunner of the hamburger, being a slice of beef or pork.

Served on ‘Hamburger Rundstücken, round wheat buns, typically then doused with hot gravy.

Which our Deutsche freunde on germanfoods.org helpully shares its recipe for our delectation.

Now the Rundstucken may not roll off the tongue, certainly not an Anglo-Saxon one, although it soaks up the flavours.

And would have stayed a Teuton treat without the great German Diaspora of the 19th century.

Who took their culinary habits with them and would break out the rolls and patties to refuel during a hard day on construction.

Oh, oh, Louis, Louis

Home of the Burger: Louis’ Lunch

All of which is where Louis Lassen enters our story in 1895, which you’ll have worked out is 130 years old this year.

Now as with anything worth competing for there are counter claims to being the home of the burger.

But the Library of Congress, no less, recognises Louis’ Lunch as the Birthplace of the Hamburger Sandwich.

And who are we to disagree with New Haven’s foodie fathers?

And certainly not when we’re chomping into the iconic burger, in the modest but iconic restaurant in New Haven, Connecticut.

Where Louis’ descendants keep it simple and dispense with all the trimmings and supersizing.

Louis’ burgers, they tell us, are a proprietary blend of five cuts of meat, ground fresh daily.

And we are reminded that Louis wants you ‘to experience the meat’s true flavor, so we serve it on white toast and only offer cheese, onion, and tomato as garnishes.’

All of which proves the adage that less is more.

Eat to the beat

Just a filler: Eddie’s eaterie

If, though, you are a supermuncher then you are probably best sticking with Eddie Rocket’s.

And take on their €3k challenge of the Supersonic Supernova eating competition.

On July 12 in South Anne Street in Dublin.

Contestants are encouraged to apply via Eddie’s online form.

And we’re advised that four participants will be chosen to compete live on the day.

Plain and simple: Louis’ burger

They’ll keep us all entertained, of course, with live music to keep the energy high and the crowd buzzing.

And guest judges (including food influencers, local legends, and Eddie’s own) to crown the winner.

There will be branded giveaways too and plenty of hamburger-fuelled chaos.

All adding to the history of burgers and it’s not rocket science.

 

 

America, Countries

Tapping into Platinum syrup in Vermont

funtime65

For those who struggle getting the golden nectar out of the bottle here’s a lesson in tapping into Platinum syrup in Vermont.

Visitors to New England will inevitably tap first into the region in its showpiece city Boston.

And some of us linger for a summer seeing both sides.

Skyline’s the limit: In Boston

Black culture in Tremont Street and working in Irish bars and the historic Quincy Market and Faneuil Hall area.

With the beauty of timeless Boston being that you can return 35 years on and it still feels the same even when they have totally transformed the harbour area.

Of course, once you’ve got a taste for Boston and Massachusetts you’ll want to venture further into New England life.

Dreaming of New England

Hello flower: Providence, Rhode Island

The olde worlde charm and beaches of Manchester, New Hampshire.

Pizza culture and Yale in New Haven, Connecticut and art and Ivy League again with Brown and murals in Providence in Rhode Island.

Got it licked: With Handsome George at Yale

Which brings us to the New England states still on our to do list and a very attendant waitress Kelly who flagged up her own homestead of Vermont.

And how I just must get up there, and especially in the Fall, to tap syrup from the maple trees.

Now we know and have shared the fact that everyone’s idyll of a wholesome rural family settled there when the Von Trapps relocated to the US.

Very Vermont 

Field of dreams: Austria or Vermont

And we just know that they would have tapped into the Vermont syrup.

You’ll stay in the Von Trapps‘ adopted town of Stowe on your Platinum Travel New England Fall Foliage trip.

And in Montpelier visit a maple syrup family where you’ll learn how to tap the golden liquid from the trees.

But as Maria once said, let’s start at the very beginning. 

In Boston on the red-brick Freedom Trail, before moseying through the bronzing leaves of Vermont’s lush trees.

The Maine meal

Life’s your lobster: In Maine

New Hampshire’s White Mountains glisten at this time of year while on a clear day you can see as far as Canada.

While for lighthouse fans there’s Maine’s oldest in Portland.

Where it’s best to go native with a decadent fresh lobster dinner… now if only I had Kelly, the best waitress in New England there to serve me.

With pancakes and fresh maple syrup tapped from a Vermont. tree.

Fall for New England

Chowder cheer: Rhode Island or Boston, take your pick

Your New England Fall Foliage trip will see you leave on September 19, from €3790 per person including flights.

With single supplement €1630 per person and a deposit (including flights) for €650 per person.

You’ll get return flights from Dublin and transfers. and handpicked hotels over seven nights.

There’s authentic dining with seven breakfasts, five dinners and wine.

You’ll travel by customised coaches (twice legroom of standard coach.

And much, much more.

While you’ll return with extra skills from tapping into Platinum syrup in Vermont.

 

America, Food & Wine

Connecticut Ah-beetz the competition for the American pizza crown

funtime65

Now sometimes you’ve got to get in there for a slice of the action… and that’s where they’re at in New Haven as Connecticut ah-beetz the competition for the American pizza crown.

All of which came to my attention as I wolfed down a Burrata cow’s milk cheese and cream primo, or starter.

At Contini in George Street, Edinburgh… while looking enviously at my host’s ravioli.

Too rushed after ah-beatzing about the bush around Edinburgh.

But worth it to meet old friends and new from Boston and New England.

And hear that New Haven’s relentless push to be recognised as the US’s prime pizza spot has taken on a new life.

Now, of course, there is the small matter of a Presidential race this year in the States which the good folk of the Constitution State will cast an eye over.

And for balance it is worth mentioning that both Bushes went to New Haven’s Yale University as well as Bill Clinton.

Slice of the Capitol action

Sprinkle of love: Rosa DeLauro

But most important to New Haven’s politicians thus far this year is their Ah-beetz or apizza.

And that is why Connecticut governor Ned Lamont took the momentous decision on National Pizza Day in February.

To unilaterally declare the university town as ‘the Pizza Capital of America’.

While that was just the appetiser for the Connecticuters who took over Congress recently, all in the name of apizza.

House Representative Rosa DeLauro only took to the floor.

Get to the ah-beetz: Joey

To enter an official statement into the Congressional Record declaring ‘New Haven the pizza capital of the United States.’

The Democrat had led a delegation of more than 100 pizza makers from around Connecticut to Washington DC to showcase the state’s pizza industry.

Now Connecticut has more than 1,300 pizza-making establishments which is the highest portion per capita in the country.

And they produce more than 150 million pizzas, equalling $3.5 billion in sales per year. All of which the proclamation related.

While New Haven’s 75 pizza-making establishments support thousands of jobs and over $100 million in sales, feeding 2 million customers annually.

Taste of New Haven

Sally beat: In New Haven

‘Many things are debated in the Halls of Congress and Washington DC.

But one thing that’s not up for debate is that New Haven has the best pizza in the country.’ reported New Haven Mayor Justin Elicker.

Justin being on the trip along with the Connecticut pizza delegation, including Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana, Sally’s Apizza and a raft of others.

Hat’s-a-boy Colin will take you on a tour

All of which will be music to my old friend Colin M Caplan, of Taste of New Haven

For it was he who turned me on to their distinctive Naples-inspired and infused pizza.

The Ah-beetz is from the Neapolitan accent of those early immigrants to the New England state.

And it is a no-nonsense tastefest, a thin-crust, coal-fired Neapolitan.

Franks for the pizzas

Pepe’s pad: And already a queue

Originating in 1925 at New Haven’s Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana.

And now served at many other noted pizzerias in the area, like Sally’s Apizza.

A ‘plain’ New Haven apizza is typically comprised of crust, oregano, tomato sauce and a little bit of grated Pecorino Romano cheese.

But don’t just take our word for it as to its zing… well, do.

Conan’s smokin: And a big New Haven apizza fan

But Frank Sinatra, no less, and Sir Paul McCartney, Hillary Clinton and Conan O’Brien have all been fans.

And Conan once signed a pizza box for the staff at Sally’s.

And wrote that the shop is ‘not the best pizza in New Haven — the best pizza EVER.’

Flying tonight

A word in the ear: Mascot Handsome Dan IV at Yale

Now we’re well served for Connecticut with the Bradley International Airport connecting to Europe.

So let’s all ah-beetz a path there to sample (in my case, again) the best in the States.

Because Connecticut Ah-beetz the competition for the American pizza crown.

And it’s up to you now, Chicago, where I hope to head next year.

And my old friends and family in New York to prove me wrong.

 

 

America, Countries, Deals

Connecting the Twain and Stowe dots

funtime65

You can only be in Connecticut if you’re connecting the Twain and Stowe dots which helpfully isn’t difficult as they were good neighbours.

And lucky for us literary tourists that they were as visitors to the Constitution State can immerse themselves in Mark and Harriet in the one trip.

And more fortunate still that their hood, Nook Farm, is just a 15 mile drive down from Hartford Bradley International Airport.

Which we all know has the best connections with Aer Lingus flying New England lovers (that’ll be us) to Bradley with the added bonus of pre-clearance.

And coming in at €483.90 for a sample October round trip.

In the pink: Mark Twain’s house

Now Mark Twain, as well as giving us Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn and championing bushy moustaches, is a figurehead of travel and travel writers.

And we could all do worse than follow this sage advice…

“Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness.

“And many of our people need it sorely on these accounts.”

Although even the most travelled of us would do well.

To match his adventures of A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court.

A proud Connecticuter

If the walls could talk: The Twain interior

The long and short of it: Stowe and Lincoln

Harriet Beecher Stowe was well ensconced, having moved into Nook Farm in 1871.

And going on to live here for the last 23 years of her life.

By then abolitionist Harriet was firmly embedded as the most famous woman in America.

On the back of her pioneering book Uncle Tom’s Cabin.

All of which prompted Abraham Lincoln to greet her in Washington DC in 1862 thus: ‘So you’re the little woman who wrote the book that made this great war.’

Student life: With Handsome Dan at Yale

Look out for that reference in a framed photo near the foot of the staircase in the Stowe House.

And seeing you’ll be in Hartford then you’ll be sure to take the Riverwalk.

And dwell a while at the statue of Lincoln and Stowe built by Bruno Lucchesi in 2006.

Of course we’re studied in the state and Yale and New Haven following last year’s drift through New England (Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Connecticut).

But alas not visiting Hartford on our Amtrak tour.

We’ll be back, though, again, connecting the Twain and Stowe dots.