portland

Picturesque Maine /  by Cynthia Catera

Maine has quite the scenic landscape at every glimpse and angle. From the waterfronts, to nature trails, even the breathtaking sunsets. Everywhere you look is picturesque. Here are some of my favs from the trip... 

DOWNTOWN PORTLAND & FREEPORT /  by Cynthia Catera

With the historic cobblestones and endless shops, Portland is a great weekend getaway. Be sure to check out my food post for all the top places to grab a bite :)

A short car ride away will take you to Freeport, home of LL Bean. Which surprisingly, the weekend we were visiting, they were having an arts and craft fair (my fav!) All I want to know is....can I get one of those Bootmobiles?! 


Arts & Antiques in Portland /  by Cynthia Catera

Portland has a vast assortment of art and sculpture in and around neighboring towns. From pieces of the Berlin Wall, painted murals, and conversational sculptures, there's something for everyone here.

 

And with treasures untold, you could spend the whole weekend antiquing....just remember to bring the Uhaul :)

....my favorite, bottom right: The silk printed menu for one of the first vessels to arrive in the new country....truly incredible!!!! 

Eating your way through Portland /  by Cynthia Catera

One of the many things I love to indulge in when traveling, is eating. And when traveling to Maine, I knew this would be a big part of the trip, but I wasn't prepared for what Maine had in store for me. Needless to say, it was all worth it. Here's some hot spots to put on your list:

PRIMO RESTURANT

My favorite place we ate was Primo, which is a great day trip up Route 1 accompanied with quick road stops to pick up some rare antiques. All farm to table, this restaurant is reinventing their menu on a daily basis. Chef Kelly has twice won the James Beard Best chef award, and I'm sure there will be more to follow. Come early to take a look around the farm and garden.

FORE STREET RESTUARANT

With a shot in the dark, this place was filled with reservations, but as soon as we arrived, we were able to sit at the bar. (No reservations....no worries. Try eating a an off-peak time, and you shouldn't have to wait more than 15min) Fore Street's food and presentation is all things decadent. With it's open concept kitchen in the middle of the dining room, your able to catch the magic of your food prep. The love and energy they put into your dish comes through with every flavor on point.

EVENTIDE

Looking for a great raw bar? Stop by Eventide for some oysters, Tuna Crudo, and the hot, buttered lobster roll. Mostly all small bites, this place is great for a mid-day pit stop.

THE HOLY DONUT

And there's the Holy Donut for Breakfast. We had the Chocolate Sea Salt, the Maple Bacon, and the Cannoli Stuffed.

THE RAMP

The Ramp is a great place to catch the sunset and grab some great eats and beer. Try the lobster roll, mussels, and crab cakes!

PORLAND LOBSTER COMPANY

Directly on the Waterfront, grab a quick (and surprisingly cheap) lunch here with a cute backyard bar and a great view of the pier in downtown Portland.

Stirling & Mull

In Freeport, this place just recently opened with amazing eats, live music, a gallery showcasing local artists, annnnnd A BEER WALL where you pay as you go and can taste multiple hops. Saving the wall for perhaps next time, I went all out with BBQ pulled brisket on a pretzel bun with homemade German Potato Salad.