Travel

Farmers’ Markets: Still too early for local crops, but rhubarb is aplenty and asparagus is starting to trickle in

May 16, 2016 / / Discoveries, Travel

At this time of year, the Portland Farmers’ Market display at both Deering Oaks and Monument Square resembles a flower show rather than the source for locally grown vegetables and foods.  Yes, there’s some local food to buy:  canned food leftover from last year; meats (mostly frozen); cheese; some dairy and the great boon in hoop house greens–an essential for the off season. The rest is the leftover storage crops, many of which are getting long in the tooth: woody carrots, potatoes stubbed with ears and blemishes, pretty dull looking cabbages and old beets that take forever to cook.

Crystal Springs in Brunswick is one of the best markets in Maine

Crystal Springs in Brunswick is one of the best markets in Maine

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You can eat local hand-food at various farmers markets if you know where to go

March 21, 2016 / / Discoveries, Travel

Theory has it not to shop for food at the supermarket or other food venues when we’re hungry because we’ll just buy items that we don’t really need.  A bag of chips in your cart or some other easy eatable?  But when I go to a farmers market I like to nibble on local food as I visit various vendors.  The thing is you need to have hand food at farmers’ markets to accomplish this–in au natural fashion, of course.

Baklava at Mulberry Delicacies and cheese at Spring Day Creamery, Brunswick Winter Market

Baklava at Mulberry Delicacies and cheese at Spring Day Creamery, Brunswick Winter Market

At the Portland Winter Farmers’ Market, there’s scant opportunity to nibble while shopping, though maintaining your locavore status is essentially a given. For a snack-and-shop experience, the one exception is at Swallowtail Farm where farmer Lauren Pignatello  features her baked goods at her stand.  This past Sunday she brought giant scones studded with local berries.  But elsewhere that’s about it unless you like eating raw eggs, chickens, potatoes, beets, and more at the market.

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A Tale of Two Cities: Portland vs Brunswick where two totally different farmers markets prevail, pointing to Portland needing to catch up to its nearby northern neighbor

November 16, 2015 / / Discoveries, Travel

Indeed it was a chilly 40 degrees with brisk winds making it feel even colder at Saturday’s Deering Oaks Portland Farmers Market–-or as one farmer put it, “I’m freezing my gahoonies off.”

Still the frosty weather is part of the market shopping scene at this time of year—at least for the outdoorsy hipster crowd resplendent in winter garb ambling along the leafless byways of Deering Oaks.  After all, what’s a week without getting fully sourced up on local Maine food?

Saturday morning at the Deering Oaks farmers market

Saturday morning at the Deering Oaks farmers market

Most farmers markets around Maine—which number over 30–have moved to their indoor locations by now.  But Portland follows its own set of peripatetic rules.  The tradition is to stay outdoors until after Thanksgiving, and the move inside occurs on the first Saturday in December.  However, the winter market location is not set in stone yet.  One thing is for sure, it won’t be at the Urban Farm Fermentory where it’s been for several years.  Unofficially the new space is slated to open in a complex at 84 Cove St., just down from the Fermentory.    I rode by there over the weekend to check it out.  I didn’t see anything remotely being readied for a market space among the disparate tenants in the buildings there now.

Brunswick's Ft. Andross

Brunswick’s Ft. Andross

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To the beach and brunch on a perfect fall Sunday in November, Rudy’s fits the bill

November 9, 2015 / / Discoveries, Restaurants, Travel

Sometimes you just have to get out of Dodge as though counting violets was sheer drudgery.  That doesn’t mean to shun the Ten Commandments to covet an egg roll instead, but rather to take a winter walk on the beach followed by a great Sunday brunch.

And along the beach-front roads of Cape Elizabeth, Rudy’s is front and center.  Since opening earlier this year, it’s become the ultimate roadhouse serving family friendly fare as well as sophisticated dishes, making this new restaurant a coveted addition for Cape residents.

The beach at Kettle Cove, a few streets away from Rudy's; the dining room and bar; chalk board featuring what's on tap (beer and wine)

The beach at Kettle Cove, a few streets away from Rudy’s; the dining room and bar; chalk board featuring what’s on tap (beer and wine)

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The shop on Maine Street: Bleecker and Flamm, a delicious display of local eats, Rockport

October 28, 2015 / / Discoveries, Mains, Recipes, Travel

When Maine Street Meats, Bleecker and Flamm (the names of the co-owners) made some news recently on a local food site–their desultory mention was buried in a story about sandwiches.  Maine Street Meats has an exemplary one, a Vietnamese bahn mi offered on Tuesdays.  But this exquisite delicacy shop also has steamed pork buns on Thursdays as well as thin-crust pizzas daily and stuffed savory breads and double chocolate chip cookies that are popular with the lunch crowd every day.

Maine Street Meats offers gourmet packaged goods, local meats, cheese, breads and house-made charcuterie

Maine Street Meats offers gourmet packaged goods, local meats, cheese, house-baked breads and house-made charcuterie

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Harvest on the Harbor: a stunning crowd pleaser at Merrill Auditorium

October 26, 2015 / / Discoveries, Restaurants, Travel

The week that was Harvest on the Harbor showcased Maine food and dining in stunning display.  But of all the events the one that cast the widest net was the Stage Dinner at Merrill Auditorium.  It’s where some of the region’s best chefs cooked a six-course dinner for a seated crowd–but this time we were not there sitting in the audience but rather participating at tables set up on stage. It virtually allowed everyone to experience the cooking from six restaurants all in one fell swoop.

Top: participating chefs, left to right--Guy Hernandez, Shannon Bard, Josh Berry, Isaul Perez

Top: some of the participating chefs, left to right–Guy Hernandez; Shannon Bard with sous chef;  Isaul Perez with Mike St. Pierre and Chris Basset

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24 Hours in the Mid-Coast for great dining and foraging

October 12, 2015 / / Discoveries, Restaurants, Travel

Since opening in 2013, Salt Warm Farm Restaurant has offered the magic of dining in the heart of picture-perfect-Rockport Harbor to savor the wonderfully creative cooking from the restaurant’s head chef, Sam Richman.  However, the establishment closed abruptly a few weeks ago on the heels of Richman’s departure from the kitchen. One can’t help but to read between the lines for the real story.  According to a recent Eater Maine post, owner Annemarie Ahearn is quoted as saying “We are in discussions with a very exciting and accomplished chef…for next season.” Why when there already was one?

Almost immediately Richman started a series of popups called Salty Soup Kitchen (see various Facebook posts); the first was held two Saturdays ago and the second this past weekend.  When I heard about it I went up to Rockport for one of the events, which featured  Mexican Night held in a stunning red barn on Mill Street in the West Rockport neighborhood where sprawling country estates grace the landscape.

Mexican Night menu and chef Sam Richman

Mexican Night menu and chef Sam Richman

I trekked up on Saturday afternoon, slogging through a 45 minute crawl through Wiscasset during the Columbus Day weekend rush that typified the town’s classic summertime  bottleneck.  Why they voted down the opportunity to create a bypass several years ago remains a big mistake.

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The time is now for compelling Sunday Brunches, indoor farmers’ markets, fabulous autumn skies, fall menus and winter wardrobes

October 5, 2015 / / Discoveries, Restaurants, Travel

October brought in the first fall weekend that seemed like classic autumn in Maine: puffy cumulus clouds hanging from  bright blue skies; the farmers’ markets in full swing with squash, apples, Brussels sprouts and vibrant root vegetables looking as luscious as ever. Even what we eat and where we go to have it takes on the hues of seasonal change.  I made my first meatloaf since last year.  Sweaters were unpacked, socks covered ankles, jackets donned and a wool blazer worn in the evening. Even a stroll through Portland’s Saturday farmer’s market made me think I should have worn gloves since the brisk winds made the 48 degree temperature feel much colder.

Clockwise: cows grazing on pasture at Bisson's Farm and butcher shop, Topsham; farmer's market at Brunswick-Topsham Land Trust

Clockwise: cows grazing on pasture at Bisson’s Farm and butcher shop, Topsham; farmer’s market at Brunswick-Topsham Land Trust

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Summer’s finale: a labor day odyssey on North Haven Island and Casco Bay Dinner Cruise

September 7, 2015 / / Baking & Desserts, Discoveries, Mains, Restaurants, Starters, Travel

By all accounts it was a booming summer season in Maine with the state’s restaurants, hotels, waterways, mountains and coastal plains chock-a-block with the lolling tourist brigade.  I chose to end the summer’s calendar season over Labor Day weekend in the peaceful hamlets of North Haven Island where this coastal idyll didn’t escape the summer crowds basking in perfect weather.

Clockwise, Brown's Wharf, Ames point, picking corn at Foggy Meadows Farm, Main Street

Clockwise, Brown’s  Coal Wharf, Ames point, picking corn at Foggy Meadows Farm, Main Street

Pulpit Harbor was crammed with boaters, both local and summer residents.  The little village of North Haven was a bustle, too.  Of course all things being relative, you could still  hear a pin drop as the typical quiet of island life prevailed beautifully, with pristine weather–a balmy humidity-free 75 degrees.

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The Slipway on the Saint George River in Thomaston is a great summer destination for dockside dining

August 24, 2015 / / Restaurants, Travel

We all have our favorite clam shacks and lobster pounds but one that sets itself apart is the Slipway in Thomaston.  The sum of its parts is so much more complex than the typical fried food havens with their waterfront settings. We set out for it on Saturday morning, leaving behind a sunny Portland only to arrive in Thomaston where the storm clouds hung heavily in the sky emitting a fine mist throughout the day.

On a misty, cloudy Saturday, the Slipway dock is closed

                                                                        On a misty, cloudy Saturday, the Slipway dock is closed

Because of the weather the dining dock, which spans 120 feet into the mouth of the Saint George Giver, was closed.  In good weather during lunch or dinner you sit at any of the umbrella picnic tables; though the choice spots are at the end of the dock where several round tables are set up next to the wet bar. You feel as though you’re about ready to set sail.

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