Back on the North Fork, I have just returned from a much needed vacation to a place that holds a special place in my heart - Mt. Desert Island, Maine. We spent over a week in a beautiful, cozy cabin nestled in between tall Hemlock and Pine trees overlooking a charming pond. The view, from everywhere in the cottage, through the large picture window, was breathtaking.
Upon arrival, after an eight hour travel day (even with a stop at L.L. Bean), we were exhausted and starving. We had decided that our adventures in Maine would be to enjoy the scenery of fall colors, the coastal mountainous outdoors and the fresh local fare- all in a new and exciting way.
Thus began our adventure with a dinner at Fiddler's Green, Southwest Harbor, ME. This restaurant receives my emphatic recommendation and took its place as our most favorite place on the island. Chef/Owner Derek Wilbur has an imaginative flare for taking the best of the local resources and transforming them magically into one-of-a-kind dishes. The restaurant decor is modern with a cozy ambiance from its warm-colored walls and dim lighting. The comfortable atmosphere is complemented with the welcoming personality of Manager/Owner Sarah Oneil.
Upon arrival, Sarah made us feel right at home. By the second of the three dinners we enjoyed there, we felt like family. During the week we were there, I dined on decadent three-cheese lobster pot pie; smoked mussels with a red wine reduction; succulent harvest-inspired Cornish hen; smoked fish small plate served with chevre; and a Kobe burger. The wine list was impressive and the local brew on tap both offered perfect pairings with our meals.
The next hot spot of Southwest Harbor that we made sure to visit was Red Sky. This restaurant was up to par with the standards of a Manhattan dining experience. The first-class service, the minimalist, upscale decor combined with the innovative menu, again incorporating local fare with a gourmet presentation. This particular place holds sentimental value for my husband and I as we celebrated our moments-old engagement there three years ago with champagne and fine food. On our return visit, we were not disappointed. The staff was professional and very attentive. I chose a bleu cheese first course that was set with pecans, mesculin greens and a balsamic vinaigrette. My main dish was the most tender, melt-in-your-mouth lamb. The wine paired was a big Barolo that I was so impressed with. The finale was a bittersweet chocolate pudding that wasn't even on the menu - it was that special. Our wonderful cabin hosts shared this excellent tip!
If you haven't noticed the theme of this half of my Maine reporting, the "Wild Side" refers to the unique and unexpected experiences in dining incorporating the freshest ingredients. But I couldn't possibly tease about wild things without telling you all about our brewery-hopping one day in Bar Harbor.
When in Rome....or in Maine...or wherever you might be, you should always try the specialty of the place. In this case, it is local beer. You may have noticed that I am more of a wine enthusiast than a beer drinker. However, I truly appreciate the flavorful, darker brews that are best savored and not chugged- although those are refreshing too. Atlantic Brewing Company really knows how to brew terrific beer!
We started in the wallking village of Bar Harbor and visiting the Bar Harbor Brewery tasting room (sister company to Atlantic Brewing Co.). We tasted their boutique beers in the "Manly Men" collection that were the most unique styles I have ever encountered. They included Sea Smoke, which tasted like a campfire and is perfect for marinades; Blackstrap, which offers flavors of molasses; and El Hefe, made by the top brewmaster with less carbonation and hoppy notes. We were assisted by the friendliest local man that was extremely thorough and helpful.
Our next stop was Atlantic Brewing Co.'s brewery and tasting room. We arrived just in time to join a group tasting which featured their complete line listed at the following link: atlanticbrewingcompany.com . We bought the Coal Porter and the Real Ale, which were simply fabulous. During our stay, I also appreciated the Blueberry Ale served Maine style with real blueberries dropped in the glass. Different and nice with a lunch sandwich.
So what is so wild about beer? Well, we were after all of our tastings and a quick Irish lunch at a local, back door pub. (By Irish lunch, I mean more beer and popcorn.)
This blog post will be the first of two. My next report will talk about the classic downeast that we reveled in throughout our week. Until then...have a wicked good time!
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