When In Maine, Have a Nosh

You want some of these. Trust me.

I recently heard a statistic from a Congressional Committee empowered to study such things that last year, more money was spent by Americans in restaurants than in supermarkets. That's pretty crazy, considering that what you cook at home is often way better and costs a mere fraction of what you settle for when you eat out.

I certainly do my fair share of restaurant dining, despite being a respectable cook myself and wary of consuming  too much salt, which is what restaurants use to excess to make everything so tasty. But Portland, Maine is nothing so much as a foodie town, winning countless national awards for its growing army of creative chefs, so it's tempting to give in and eat out.

I did so last night at a place called Nosh Kitchen Bar and was more than pleasantly surprised, especially since one rarely runs across Yiddish references here in America's whitest state. Truly an unassuming little place place you might drive by without a second glance, the menu at Nosh is surprisingly more substantial than its name implies. There's real food prepared here, not just snacky chips and dips, although a neighboring diner was seen eating a plate of mac and cheese with a sprinkling of Fritos on the top.

Like that particular offering, most of the selections are unique and unlikely to show up anywhere else, which is refreshing in today's Crispy Brussels Sprouts, Ahi Tuna Tacos and Goat Cheese Candied Walnuts Arugula Salad world. I won't bother to list menu items as they are available online, but if you lose a bet and have to come to Portland, make sure to stop by Nosh; it's located close to the town's only art museum so you'll likely be in the neighborhood. And get some French fries, either their famous "bacon dusted" variety (see photo) or regular. They are among the best I've ever had, and probably way too salty for my blood pressure. But life is short.