One of the things we enjoy most about vacation is eating out at great restaurants. When we get home, I love to recreate the special dishes we had. This summer dinner menu is a collection of some of my favorites from seaside vacations past, with sea scallops wrapped in bacon, a decadent lobster entree, and the best blueberry cheesecake for dessert.

The raggedy peaks on the tops of these buttermilk Drop Biscuits turn golden brown in the oven, forming buttery, crusty crags that contrast with the warm, pillowy-soft insides.

Sweet, briny scallops wrapped in crispy, salty bacon perch on a platform of toast points and wear a cloak of rich, tangy lemon-butter sauce.

Lazy Man’s Lobster is luxurious: a lobster that’s been removed from its shell and gently poached in herb-infused butter and finished with a splash of sherry.

This crispy, sweet Coconut French Toast with its topping of juicy tropical fruits will transport you to the islands.

The easiest, most flavorful fried chicken ever, Pickle Brined Fried Chicken is great on its own but even better in a sandwich that blows the fast food version away.

We had the most addictive, tender, flaky, cheesy little Cheddar crackers in the luxurious cocktail bar at the Goring Hotel in London. Until we can return, I’ll be making this copycat version at home.

Forget dunking your grilled cheese in this thick, creamy, slightly spicy, deeply tomato-y soup – it’s already in there. Cubes of grilled cheese become “croutons” that are much more than a garnish in this warming, hearty soup.

I recreated these beef tacos – salty-crunchy, spicy-saucy, and melty-cheesy – in memory of the ones from a favorite college hangout.

The coleslaw at Shady Glen dairy store is almost as legendary as their cheeseburgers. In this copycat version, finely minced cabbage melds with a smooth, creamy, tangy/sweet dressing.