Food . . . insights from those who know New England grub

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What to eat, how much to pay

As with most things in life, the naive can be taken by the knowing. And so it is woth food. Sometimes it is overrated, others it is overpriced. Sometimes it is just right, and those are the gems among the mere stones.

"Lobster Pound" seem to be everywhere and even associated with conventional restaurants.

Don't be fooled, true Lobster Pounds are most often outdoor, picnic table eateries whose only concessions to civility are paper napkins and plates and plastic utensils. If it has stainless, cloth, a printed menu or a hostess, it is not a true Lobs

In recent years, an increasing number of uptown restaurants have begun adding "Lobster Pound" to their signage. This is an obvious attempt to snag unsuspecting tourists or those who view themselves too refined to eat in a real lobster pound where plastic utensils are considered a major concession to civility.

So, beware of such signage ploys. No self-respecting lobster pound would use fancy paint, weird lettering, designer colors or any sort of design that even vaguely attempts to be artistic. A real lobster pound sign certainly does not look new---even if it is.

Further validation of real lobster pound signage is that it is located very near a soda advertisement or, better yet, it is actually part of a soda sign--usually Coca-Cola.

[In the South, grinning anthropomorphized pigs often indicate the probability of good barbecue. The same generally doesn't apply to the use of humanized lobsters among lobster pound owners in Maine; perhaps Southerners are more artistic; or Mainers are just in a bigger hurry. We don't know. In both cases, however, pick up trucks and very large early model American autos in the parking lot are good indicators. ]

Before you get to Maine

Chauncey Creek Lobster Pier

Finding Chauncey Creek Lobster Pier is the first challenge. But it is worth it.

From I-95, take Route 3 East, or Route 236 East until it merges into Rte. 3. Continue east past the intersection of Haley Road; it will come in at an angle from the left. Shortly, you will find the Lobster Pier on your right, hanging on a small cliff overlooking the creek that feeds into the bay that opens into the Atlantic.

The Chauncey Creek Lobster Pier logo is about as close as you are going to get to humanoid lobsters in Maine; the two out-stretched and open claws form each of the two Cs beginning Chauncey and Creek in the logo. Not bad, guys.

The menu on the wall and a paper flier includes the obligatory chowders, sides of slaw and fries, raw bar items and, of course, lobsters. You can also get Dairy Queen Dilly Bars!

At Chauncey Creek, you can bring your own wine and beer. Indeed, their flier says "please feel free to bring your own alcoholic beverage and any food or drink that is not sold here." And many regulars do so; it is a regular picnic: bring your own salad, side and wine; fill it out with lobster and you've got quite a good and economical meal.

Open in 1950, the establishment has grown and developed a loyal following. Today it has 42 brightly painted picnic tables under shelters, friendly staff, more than reasonable prices and its own hire-a-cop to direct traffic on busy weekends along the tight windy road the Pier calls home.

Chauncey Creek Road, Kittery Point, Maine, 207-439-1030 or 207-439-9024

Now, for our first [and currently only] example of a real lobster pound, that we'd recommend.

Ogunquit

Arrows Restaurant grows their own vergies and recognized as a quality establishment.

Portland
It landed on someone’s 10 Best Place to Live list. Check Zagat or Billy Costa on Boston TV for reviews http://www.boston.com/news/necn/Shows/tv_diner/.

Topsham
Has a good, friendly and clean McDonalds. Staffed by adults. Plus the usual FF suspects.

Wiscasset
Once mentioned in The New York Times, Red’s Eats is on the riverfront and Route 1; manages to maintains lines 20- and 30-people deep around his 10x20 red stand--all for a $12 lobster roll [which means a hot dog bun.]

Damariscotta
Salt Bay Diner. Though it won’t get many stars, it is fairly reliable. The steamed mussels have been good to great, depending on the cook, it seem.

Waldoboro
Moody’s Diner on Route 1, is a traditional greasy-spoon, that is always full of locals. Pie is their claim to fame. Good cheap breakfast special.

Thomaston
Thomaston Café is good and worth a breakfast or lunch stop. It is on Route 1 at the corner with “the” traffic signal.

Rockland
Atlantic Baking Company is good and doubles as an equally good sandwich shop.
Amalfi is a good evening restaurant.
Primo, is good, thinks a lot of itself and is pricey.
Sage Deli and specialty grocery, run by a pleasant young couple, has a nice thought small wine selection that’s cheap.
Wasses, a legendary doggery, and worth a stop

Rockport,
Ingraham’s is a family-run near-fine-dining restaurant worth your money.

High Speed on
The Gulf of Maine

The CAT is a high speed passenger and car ferry operating on two Maine routes: Portland - Yarmouth, NS, and Bar Harbor - Yarmouth,

Carrying up to 775 passengers and 240 cars across the Gulf of Maine, the ship operates from May to October.

In our opinion, The CAT is the best way between Maine and Nova Scotia, and the most fun.