September is settling in. Early apples like Zestars and Paula Reds crowd the co-op bins. Sweaters are draped over mannequins' shoulders in retail shops. Perhaps you needed a sweater this morning, even if the forecast predicted sun and 75 degrees by noon.

Tempted as I am by the prospect of mulled cider and whole-roasted pumpkins and beers sipped al fresco as the leaves begin to turn, summer needs a last hurrah. Relish the creemees and the last of the summer farmers markets. Eat outside, even though it’s now dark at 7:30 p.m. And gorge on the late-summer tomatoes.

Because of linguistic differences among East Asian countries, there's some debate regarding whether this is the year of the goat or the sheep. Either way, it's expected to be an auspicious year, prosperous and full of new beginnings. But all this talk of Asian celebration just makes us wish we were full of food. 

There's not much we can predict about this new year, but we can share some of our favorite Asian dishes. If all goes as we predict, we'll be putting the fat back into "gung hay fat choy."

Chicken wings, Dharshan Namaste Asian Deli, Winooski

Most people I talk to discuss Dharshan Namaste as if it's a Vietnamese restaurant. Yes, co-owner Thanh Pham is Vietnamese. But his wife and business partner, Bishnu Gurung, is from Nepal. Their restaurant is a fusion like no other. And the couple's most beautiful love child is doubtless their one-of-a-kind take on the chicken wing.

With the holiday season officially upon us, we at the Seven Days food desk have cookies on the brain. Thus, we kick off our first monthly "Seven Best" list with an ode to some of our favorites in the sweet state of Vermont.

Rather than limiting ourselves to holiday cookies, we decided to take stock of the very best cookies (and cookie-like sweets) Vermont has to offer. From Magic Bars to classic chocolates chips, here are seven exemplary treats to sate your inner Cookie Monster. Just remember what the blue man himself learned back in 2004, "A Cookie is a Sometimes Food." Or not. 

1. Chocolate Chip Cookie, Bluebird Coffee Stop

Burlington's recent chocolate chip history has been a saga of outstanding highs and gutting disappointment. For decades, there was the legendary, melty Fresh Market cookie on Pine Street. A year after that store closed in 2012, Guild Fine Meats cured what ailed us with a nutty, buttery version that we named one of the best new dishes of 2013. Now that Guild is gone, too, Bluebird Coffee Stop has taken up the mantle with an improved chocolate chip that we call our new favorite. At once soft and chewy, the crisp edges crackle with the flavor of butter while dark chocolate works its way into nearly every bite. Our lives can continue normally now with a classic cookie we can rely on. — A.L.