I found myself in Arlington (God's country) yesterday and made sure to visit the Chilly Cow. Cute name asside, this place serves up some extremely tasty custard. Being a New Englander I don't know much about ice cream's southern brother, but I know a good dessert when I taste one. And the creamy, firm texture of custard is just better than ice cream, spoons down. Closer to gelato in smoothness, custard is really what we all should be screaming for this summer. The Chilly Cow's hard-packed custard comes in vanilla, chocoalte and pistachio (my fav). You can find soft serve, I've heard, but I think the frozen tastes better. Don't know where else you can cop a custard, but I will let you know if I do.

Gourmet Gal just returned from Kentucky and besides losing on my derby picks (thanks Paul Dailey) I also lost out on a weekend's worth of mangia. Food at Churchill Downs is exceptionally subpar. We don't know how good we have it at places like Fenway, or LeLacheur Park for that matter. The barbecue sandwiches they served were a mystery. Sliced pork or beef (both the same pale shade of grey) served on its lonesome on a white bun was lunch. Dinner was not much better. The jumbo dogs are nice and fat, but insipid, leaving us Yankees longing for a Fenway Frank. Because the only other option was popcorn and pretzels, the mint julep serves as the official derby grub. That's why everyone looks so happy in the crowd, they are looped. For $9 you get bourbon, sugar and mint on crushed ice. And it was refreshing. I stopped after one, not wanting to end up like No Biz in the back of the pack at the end of the race. But you don't go to the derby to eat, you go to people watch. You can feed your appetite on the crazy get-ups of the good ole boys in stripped suits and stingy brimmed hats and the women who are decked out like it was 1920. But since this is a food blog I will say the steak at the Maker's Mark Lounge on Fourth St. in Louisville was superb! As was the smoked salmon at The Brown Hotel. And the service is great. I found Kentuckians to be extremely polite. We did dine on the local staple KFC and, while I still feel a tinge of regret, it had to be done. Traveling gourmands have to remember their Street Sense and sample the local flavor when in Rome or Kentucky.

The Vietnamese. Sorry DD South East Asian restaurants make superior iced coffee. Haven't had it? I probably wouldn't have either, but every time I do a story on a Vietnamese restaurant, the owners always ply one on me. "Before you leave let me make you an iced coffee," they say with an air of pride. And since I never turn down free coffee (rule numeral uno), I always oblige. I think poynter would agree w/ me that journalistic ethics end at free coffee. The secret to this ultra refreshing drink? Each cup is brewed individually, poured over ice and condensed milk and brown sugar is added. The results are natural, pure and filled with the caffeine we know and love. Where to get in Lowell? Pho Dalat on Chelmsford and Middlesex streets does it v. nicely.

I've just returned from a culinary tour of Maine. Those Maniacs know a thing or two about true, natural ingredients. They say Portland is a foodie town, but the whole state is eating well. From Rayes Mustard factory in Eastport, to a tiny bakery in South West Harbor cranking out great nutty German bread, town after town boasts outrageous organic fare. Bread to beer, chocolate, to co-ops to coffee, Maine has it over Mass. I thought I was getting away to commune w/ nature and perhaps tackle a lobster or two, but great food kept getting in the way. The best store in New England has to be the Belfast Co-op. Located in the waterfront town that gets (happily) spared by tour buses in favor of Camden and Bar Harbor, this hippie-era shop where a membership is something like $60, has the best of everything. Cheese, organic wine, vats of DIY peanut butter, artisinal bread, and one hell of a beer section (museum is a better word) makes this supermarket a must stop. We always make a side trip when cruising down Coastal Route 1 to shop at Whole Foods w/o the aggressive pricing and condecention. But on this trip I found another great Co-op in Ellsworth, Me. Another cool town that gets passed by the tours. I'll get back to you on the name of the shop, but downstairs is a wine shop/art gallery and upstairs is a luscious trip of the best of Maine purveyors. Massachusetts need sto take Maine's lead. In order to shop local, we need to start producing local. Portland started a campaign two years ago, Keep Portland Local. All the shops have this sticker in the window. Coffee shops are roasting beans right there in the back, not being shipped in over state lines. It's tempting to move to Maine, but why not try to make more edible gems ourselves? Lowell needs a good bakery.

Hey, I've noticed a few cool outdoor cafes popping up this spring in Lowell. Olive That & More turns their Market St. patio into a beer garden at night. Plants, lights, beer and sandwiches makes this a nice alternative if you want to get out of your house and mix it up w/ your neighbors. Also Portuguese restaurant the Four Seasons on Central Street has put tables out too. The food here is authentic, fresh and made by real Brazilians. Another Portuguese spot featuring al fresco dining is Friend's Restaurant on Market. Umbrellas and mosaic tables in the back combine with refreshing and cheap white wine and spicy sausage for a alternative nosh out. In Chelmsford Fish Bones has opened its patio in swinging Central Square. Any others I'm missing?

Just got back from NYC and while I didn't have a weekend like Lindsay Lohan (see the frosting) I did indulge in some great food finds. First off is Tasty D-Light. The soft serve/lowfat ice cream populates the upper west, east and mid-town w/ good reason. It's a smooth frosty blend with amazing texture. Whenever I go I try to nab one. Hazelnut ice cream in cup = happiness. I also (it is summer after all) tucked into some great salads. What is it about Boston that makes us so green deficient? Local chefs don't seem to respect the salad like they do in New York. Arugala is the green of summer and one Italian hotspot Serafina (off Madison Ave,) tossed a killer versions w/ grape tomatoes and balsamic. Sounds basic, but there is magic in a perfectly executed salad. The cobb salad (the mother of all creations) at Le Pain Quotidien Bakery and Communal Table hit all the right spots too. Just the right amount of bacon ( not much) egg slices and yes arugala again commingled to refreshing perfection. Served w/ a plate of not one but two slices of crusty bread made this salad blogworthy. Check it out at www.lepainquotidien.com. Can anyone recommend a good local salad?