Postcard From Vacationland: I Heart Portland (and some other stuff too)

I'm baaaack! Well, technically I got back on Friday but I've been busy unpacking, not fitting into a bridesmaid dress thanks to my lax vacation eating/drinking, and seeing Soundgarden rock out in Mansfield, MA. But, back to Maine.

James and I spent a day in Portland right at the beginning of our trip and we had a great time. I love Portland. It's the city I wish Hartford could be. Not too big, but not too small with tons of restaurants, bars, and small businesses to keep things interesting. Unlike Hartford, people actually live in downtown Portland. Imagine: Strolling down cobblestone streets amid historical buildings while breathing in the salt air....sigh. Anyways, we started the day at the landmark Becky's Diner on the advice of my friend Elizabeth's mother, both of whom are Maine natives.


The food is standard diner fare, nothing fancy. But it's done right and the ingredients are fresh. What more can you ask for?

Egg Sandwich with Tomato and Homefries

I also kept seeing this sign of the lobster and the Guinness everywhere. I couldn't help but think "That lobster's never going to enjoy that pint because I'm gonna eat him first." Nature is cruel.

Around mid-afternoon we popped into a cafe called Mornings In Paris. Cheesy as that name is, it caught my eye as well as a magazine clip taped to the window with a picture of Martha Stewart claiming "These are the best whoopie pies I've ever had!" Oh really? They also had a Nutella latte that I really wanted to get, but my pants told me no. I regret that decision.

The comforting glow of the display case

The whoopie pies are made by Cranberry Island Kitchen out of Portland and they are indeed, the best whoopie pies I've ever had. (Omg...on their website they have whoopie pie cakes! *ahem* Sorry. Cake makes me excited.)

Here's a picture of some espresso chip and chocolate ones we picked up at a gourmet food store in Raymond later on in the week:

After whoopie pie mania we had dinner down by the docks at Ri Ra, an irish pub/restaurant chain with a distinct foodie slant. This deconstructed goat cheese and roasted vegetable tart with spicy tomato jam is definitely a contender for an at home recreation.

And of course, no summer evening is complete without some ice cream. We decided to get our fix at Mt. Desert Island ice cream which had some lovely signage out front:

When Food and Wine Magazine tells you something, you listen up ok?

I had salted caramel and James had coffee oreo. This ain't your momma's ice cream. Flavors there are intense and feature the traditional (cookies and cream) alongside the experimental (Sherry Catalana).

After a day of gorging ourselves, we headed further into the wilds of Maine to my family's vacation home in Raymond. We didn't do too much, which was perfect.

We enjoyed some wild strawberries...

Went on a pretty, yet buggy evening walk...

Ate outside...(the food was still on the grill. Unless baked potatoes with lemon is your idea of a good meal...)

And made the trip out to The Lobster Shack at Two Lights.

Mmmm shore dinner.

If you go, get ready to stand in line.

But with views like this it's worth the wait.