Locally Sourced Vacation Meals

As we come upon summer we dream about vacation and all of the delicious meals and treats we will allow ourselves to enjoy while taking time out from our normal routine, as for most people eating is a significant part of the relaxation experience.  Most of us have used the expression in relation to indulging, “I can eat this because I’m on vacation!”  In addition to savoring your favorite foods as a way to unwind on a trip, vacations also give you the opportunity to open your mind (and palate) to the healthy, delicious, and locally sourced options available. As the focus on fresh local food becomes more popular around the world, interesting alternatives to fancy, expensive and touristy restaurants are popping up everywhere you look!  Traveling is by far my favorite pastime and as a registered dietitian who practices what she preaches, I am always on the quest to find delicious and healthy options while on vacation.  I have realized that often my favorite food stops are not the most expensive eateries, but instead places that are frequented by locals, celebrate local cuisine and produce, and are sometimes off the beaten path.  Remember to keep your eyes open for those hidden jewels and enjoy!

Here are a few favorites from my recent travels:

The Scottish Bakehouse, Vineyard Haven, Martha’s Vineyard, MA

This is a bakery and café that offers breakfast, lunch, and early dinner.  They use mostly local homegrown ingredients from the farm located right behind the cafe which is run by the employees.  How cool is that! All the veggies are prepared very simply and couldn’t be fresher.  The baked goods are homemade and delicious too.  You can take out from here or dine at one of the several outdoor picnic tables on the lawn with a view of the farm.  This was the perfect place to take my pup Olive along to!

Oistins Fish Fry, Barbados

This is an active fishing town on the south coast of Barbados and on Friday nights, the big thing to do is go to the fish fry at Oistins Bay Gardens.  You have your choice of excellent local fish, seafood, chicken, etc. served in an extremely informal setting.  Since it is called a “fish fry” I was a little worried that I wouldn’t find anything healthy to eat but was pleasantly surprised to find that most of the vendors offer everything fresh grilled as well!  It's all cooked on the spot in front of you, and is some of the freshest seafood you have ever tasted.   Most of the vendors also offer delicious sides including salads and veggies prepared with simple, natural island flavors.  In addition to the great fresh food there is also live music.  This place is a great deal, casual and so much fun!

FASTVÍNIC, Barcelona, Spain

I stumbled upon FASTVÍNIC during a recent trip to Barcelona.  Immediately I was addicted!  This place’s strong commitment to sustainable development is obvious from the eco design of the restaurant, recycled serving materials and a menu full of local produce.  The space is very casual but has such a fun vibe and is a great choice for grabbing a meal any time of the day.   I was here for lunch and dinner but they are even open for breakfast.  The food, mainly sandwiches and salads, is made from primarily local, organic, and seasonal produce.  Besides the delicious food, the other coolest part of FASTVÍNIC is the twenty or more wines available by the glass every day!  All the wines are local, inexpensive and come out of a do-it-yourself wine dispenser that displays the bottles.   

Henry’s at the Farm, at Buttermilk Falls Inn & Spa, Milton, NY

This is a great place to visit if you really want to feel like escaping to the country.  The restaurant is located on the grounds of a lovely inn but you don’t have to be a guest at the inn to enjoy the fresh cuisine. The setting is beautiful as the dining room overlooks a picturesque pond and the grounds of the inn nestled on the edge of the Hudson River.  This is true farm-to-table dining as a great deal of the food, especially in summer months, comes right from the inn’s own 40 acre farm.  Before you eat you can even take a short walk over to the gardens to check out what’s growing. The restaurant is a little more elegant then some of the others mentioned, but it’s in such a rustic setting that it offers a very relaxed vibe.  The menu is locally inspired and focuses mainly on fresh organic food.   The menu is constantly changing and is on the small side but there are always great meat, poultry, seafood, vegetarian and even pizza options available.   Feels like a vacation even if you are only there for a meal!

Stacy Rothschild, MPH, RD, is a registered dietitian and the owner of New Leaf Nutrition, Paramus, West Caldwell, & Manalapan, NJ www.newleafnj.com (201)870-3765 stacy@newleafnj.com