Meredith and Erik's early summer wedding brought me back to Maine (for the first time in about eight years) and I rediscovered all the charm this area has to offer all over again. From cute little houses, spas and gift shops to a roadside clam shack and charming lighthouse. Though there was a busy schedule of wedding events and not much time to explore, everyone has to eat! Since it was a warm summer day, when I arrived, and I had a bridesmaid dress to fit into soon, I opted to have a fruit salad for lunch with a strawberry vinagrette dressing that was a nice sweet but tart accent with the goat cheese, blueberries, strawberries and slivered almonds that decorated the top.
(This is an easy one to duplicate at home!)
A few hours later the rehearsal dinner started with a New England tradition-clam chowder.
A little cup of creamy potato and clam heaven with salted, crispy oyster crackers really is a must-have. (Dress issue aside for this meal.)
Since the beginning and the ending are really the most memorable parts of any life event, the finishing dish was appropriate (and delightful.) There's no dessert that speaks summer tradition more than strawberries with their shortcake. It's the most consistently harmonious pairing I've ever seen.
Cheers to you, summer!
This past weekend was quite warm in NYC and the cumbersome vertical a/c unit in my apartment does not have enough of a cooling effect for this Southern girl. (I know it's ironic but I don't handle the heat very well.) So I wondered outside in search of a cafe where I could find Arctic temps, possibly wifi, and a chair and table -not too much to ask for. I went over to 5th Ave remembering there was an art sale at the National Museum gift shop and a cafe right next door. To my horror, the cafe was dark and cavernous inside but wasn't the least bit cold. A quick turn and I headed toward Madison Ave. and a long motorcycle parade. This was the very end of the parade and was not as impressive as the beginning. (Cabs and all other cars were forced to slow down and wait for them to pass as the light changed about 4 times before the waiting cars could pass.) 
After this showcase, I sat down at Yura on Madison. A nice cup of cool cucumber/dill soup and chive biscuit made for a nice lunch. The cucumber was nicely pureed and horseradish was added providing a little extra bite. The biscuit was not as flavorful but had a nice texture and along with almost all the other baked goods was 2 for the price of one. (I think they were all day old goods. There's no tricking me.) As I was sitting enjoying my delicious soup, I spotted a candy from the past-spice drops! Growing up my grandmother always had these on her front room table for visitors. Occasionally, I would eat them just because it was accessible candy, but they were not exactly my favorite. I preferred the rotation of plain gum drops or jelly beans. 
I can even remember the crystal container she'd put them in which I think made me believe I would/should like these spice drops even more, since they were worthy of such fine china. When I encountered them again today, it brought a smile to my face, and a great memory back to life. 
Appropriately on display, we enjoyed a few treats from the sea- including garlic shrimp that were perfectly, simply prepared and scallops in a cream sauce that was quite nice for bread dipping. (Croquetas filled with potatoes and a light white fish were the inspiration for the journey but were not captured on camera prior to consumption..oops!)