I have friends who moved to Casco Bay for their retirement. They have cultivated relationships with active community members and also with fishermen who they can call personally on the phone to find out when scallops will be just in, and lobstermen at the pier as they pull them out of the water. Their house is cosy and if you're happy inside in winter, the view outside is gorgeous.
I live just outside of Portland, and our food scene really is wonderful! I have a running list of restaurants to try, or would recommend, and currently there are over 200 in the ‘recommended column’. That’s impressive for such a small city! Hope you have a wonderful time! If you have the opportunity, you should try Norimoto Bakery or Belleville Bakery.
Everything I have tried, I have loved. Only one person is allowed in the shop at a time, so if you see a line outside on the sidewalk, don't be deterred! Also, in terms of desserts in Portland, I recommend Gross Confection (great spot for just a drink and dessert, and their desserts are very inventive), or Chaval - one of the owner's is an incredible pastry chef. I love talking about Portland's dining scene :)
Would love to hear what you think about Tandem Bakery. Years later I still think about the pineapple rosemary scone and malted iced coffee I had there.
This was our second visit. I love the buttermilk biscuits with butter and strawberry jam. The drip coffee was disappointingly light. I need my coffee to be STRONG. But in general I really like the place. I will be trying that malted iced coffee when I’m back this summer (love malted anything).
We love Portland and especially the food. Our favorite place is Central Provisions. Hope you got to Tandem - yum! And we had fun eating at Crispy Gai last visit! (Yes, New England spring is a problem, especially compared to DMV...but at least much farther away from the chaos!)
Exactly. Stress level went down immediately being away from all that. We went to Central Provisions a few years ago and really enjoyed it. Haven’t had the chance to go back. I’ll tell my son about Crispy Gai. Sounds like his kind of place!
oh awesome, we had a lot of fun - we got there like 5:30 cuz a line forms! (Re Fore - that wonderful Sam Hayward did a few stories for us (FC) WAY back when. Did you eat anything fun at Tandem?
Wonderful- I see you have made it North! Perhaps a trip up to Brunswick for the Art Museum and Cara Stadler's new incarnation as BaoBao and the ZaoZe market for provisions?
It’s taken us awhile since moving to Midcoast Maine to realize that April doesn’t necessarily equate “Spring”.. like the snow yesterday, (two rounds of it in between rain!)You went to the perfect eateries for comfort yesterday! Love Fore Street and Tandem (those biscuits with their strawberry jam!)Thanks for sharing Quanto Basta.. don’t know it but look forward to it on our next trip to the “ big city”! Hope your sprain is better and don’t let that surprise snow keep you away!!😉
Call me next time you're here. I will fill you in on the delights of Maine, despite this horrible weather. We call it "another friggin snowstorm" and just get on with planting the garden. Seriously, though, do call and come see us in the Midcoast.
May I lobby on behalf of the lovely Northern Virginia region? Mild winters, gorgeous springs and - well, who cares about the summer since you head to Italy!❤️❤️❤️
Maine is so beautiful! Paired with Abruzzo that sounds like your son has a good thought going.
But it would be sad to leave that gorgeous green tiled kitchen behind 💚
We loved Fore Street —twice we’ve been lucky enough to show up and get seated without reservations. So delicious.
Portland has become one our favorite quick getaways, it’s such a great spot.
We have similar taste in restaurants, don’t we?! Also, you seem to have good luck at getting tables without reservations!
We do, don’t we! And as for reservations I put that totally to our willingness to sometimes eat at the very unitalian hour of 530 😆
I have friends who moved to Casco Bay for their retirement. They have cultivated relationships with active community members and also with fishermen who they can call personally on the phone to find out when scallops will be just in, and lobstermen at the pier as they pull them out of the water. Their house is cosy and if you're happy inside in winter, the view outside is gorgeous.
We are headed up that way to drive around.
Check out Brunswick and especially Harpswell.
Will do, thanks!
I live just outside of Portland, and our food scene really is wonderful! I have a running list of restaurants to try, or would recommend, and currently there are over 200 in the ‘recommended column’. That’s impressive for such a small city! Hope you have a wonderful time! If you have the opportunity, you should try Norimoto Bakery or Belleville Bakery.
Thank you for those suggestions, Anik. Putting them on my list!
Just heard about Norimoto and it's James Beard...advice on what to try there?
Everything I have tried, I have loved. Only one person is allowed in the shop at a time, so if you see a line outside on the sidewalk, don't be deterred! Also, in terms of desserts in Portland, I recommend Gross Confection (great spot for just a drink and dessert, and their desserts are very inventive), or Chaval - one of the owner's is an incredible pastry chef. I love talking about Portland's dining scene :)
I’m beelining for Norimito next time I’m headed North/ thank you!
Beautiful and I just saw your biscuit photo!
Thank you, Jolene. Those biscuits 🫠
I heard a little rumor about your possible move north at Kathy’s foodwriting workshop last week…you’ll get no argument from me!
Our son is lobbying hard. Did some early recon this weekend. I may hit you up for some advice!
Would love to hear what you think about Tandem Bakery. Years later I still think about the pineapple rosemary scone and malted iced coffee I had there.
This was our second visit. I love the buttermilk biscuits with butter and strawberry jam. The drip coffee was disappointingly light. I need my coffee to be STRONG. But in general I really like the place. I will be trying that malted iced coffee when I’m back this summer (love malted anything).
We love Portland and especially the food. Our favorite place is Central Provisions. Hope you got to Tandem - yum! And we had fun eating at Crispy Gai last visit! (Yes, New England spring is a problem, especially compared to DMV...but at least much farther away from the chaos!)
Exactly. Stress level went down immediately being away from all that. We went to Central Provisions a few years ago and really enjoyed it. Haven’t had the chance to go back. I’ll tell my son about Crispy Gai. Sounds like his kind of place!
Yay!
Turns out he’s already been to Crispy Gai and loved it!
oh awesome, we had a lot of fun - we got there like 5:30 cuz a line forms! (Re Fore - that wonderful Sam Hayward did a few stories for us (FC) WAY back when. Did you eat anything fun at Tandem?
Just that incredible buttermilk biscuit! Also had a delicious miso tahini cookie at Radial Coffee.
Yeah that biscuit is amazing! I will put Radial on my list for next time!
Always a pleasant read that puts a smile on my face!
As long as you are driving, continue to Bar Harbour!
Acadia Park is breathtaking...in the afternoon, not in the
morning fog! xoxoxo Enjoy.
Love the snow!!!!!
Wonderful- I see you have made it North! Perhaps a trip up to Brunswick for the Art Museum and Cara Stadler's new incarnation as BaoBao and the ZaoZe market for provisions?
We are headed up that way today to explore. Thanks for the recommendations!
StoreBoughtIsFine lives in Portland now. Maybe you’ll bump into him & his puppy
I’m not familiar!
It’s taken us awhile since moving to Midcoast Maine to realize that April doesn’t necessarily equate “Spring”.. like the snow yesterday, (two rounds of it in between rain!)You went to the perfect eateries for comfort yesterday! Love Fore Street and Tandem (those biscuits with their strawberry jam!)Thanks for sharing Quanto Basta.. don’t know it but look forward to it on our next trip to the “ big city”! Hope your sprain is better and don’t let that surprise snow keep you away!!😉
I lived in Detroit and went to college in upstate New York. A little spring snow does not scare me 😂
🤣 Good!
Oh, yes, the food in Portland and really throughout Maine really is wonderful.
You've mentioned two of my favorites.
A meal at Fore Street is always special, and we can't go to Portland without a morning stop at Tandem Coffee.
We have a house in MidCoast Maine, and I admit I've never visited Maine in the winter, despite traveling there for decades now.
I spent four years (college) in Saratoga Springs, so I know what New England winters can be like. Glorious at first but they go on forever…
Call me next time you're here. I will fill you in on the delights of Maine, despite this horrible weather. We call it "another friggin snowstorm" and just get on with planting the garden. Seriously, though, do call and come see us in the Midcoast.
I promise I will, Nancy. Would love to meet, and Nina June is high on my list of must-go places!
A friend of mine who just went to their house on Peak’s Island texted me a picture of the snow! Stick with Virginia!
We have thought about Richmond!
May I lobby on behalf of the lovely Northern Virginia region? Mild winters, gorgeous springs and - well, who cares about the summer since you head to Italy!❤️❤️❤️
Italy is too becoming hot in summer 😅 We love the mid-Atlantic. But I would not mind getting away from DC (😬)
I hear you…