LOBSTER ROLL [Irish Phil, this one's for you!]

Dear friend,

As you may have noticed, I love to eat. Not indiscriminately. But I truly believe that food is one of the most basic forms of pleasure. And I enjoy good, tasty food. My answer to "what kind of food do you like?" is the same as to the question, "what kind of music do you like?": anything and everything, as long as it's good.

In the lead up to my arrival to the States, one of the things I was most excited about was the glorious food that awaited in the Land of The Free.

On the pre-arrival list?

1. CHEESEburger, 100% American style

2. Drive through Dairy Queen ice-cream

3. Hot dog

4. Good Mexican

5. Clam Chowder

6. Lobster (New England!)

Visual chronicle:

Seafood chowder in a sourdough bread bowl, San Francisco Airport.

[I wish I had room to eat the bread bowl, but the thing was massive!]

Banana and walnut pancakes with maple syrup, Sunday brunch in suburbia.

Spinach and artichoke quesadilla, lunch in Vancouver.

[Unfortunately, didn't take my camera to our AMAZING dinner at O'Doul's.]

Hot dog, Stanley Park food stand, Vancouver.

The most amazing fries (pomme fritte) EVER from Cafe Campagne, Pike Place Market. I was there for coffee when I was in Seattle a couple years ago, saw the people at the table next to ours having these fries, and have been dreaming about them ever since. And they DIDN'T disappoint! They will haunt me forever. I *heart* potatoes. [P.S. I also *heart* bread baskets!]

Some sort of salad from the same place above; not really much of a salad, but delicious. Baguette, goat cheese, green veggies. Mmmhmm...

LOBSTER ROLL, from Liam's at a beach in Cape Cod. OH. MY. GOSH. Bread; lettuce; lobster, LOBSTER... MORE LOBSTER.

HEAVEN.

Life is unjust, that there are people in the world who can have this at any time during the year. They don't know how good they've got it! It was sooo full, but I ate every last piece. For you, mum and dad!!

Pecan Roll from Au Bon Pain, Harvard Square. Gooey-gooey goodness. Breakfast this morning -- being an adult ROCKS. I thought of you Jane. I'd bring one back for you if I thought they'd survive three months in Africa. :)

AMAZING Mexican food from a small place called Jose's in Cambridge. Dinner with Sean and Elysse.

Beautiful! Followed by...

Fried ice-cream. Yes, fried ice-cream. Not as absurd as I thought it'd be!

My food journey thus far. :)

And just to finish up...

Hello! I'm still alive, see!! LoL Taken from atop our hotel in Vancouver, our amazing balcony on the 31st floor.

Tune in next time for, "Chasing Atul Gawande" and my crazy adventures in Boston's Hospital District! :) [Also, more photos to come...]

Always,

-A