Drive the coast of Maine to visit Lighthouses. Drive the coast of Maine to experience the scenes and vistas that inspired Winslow Homer, Sara Orne Jewett, Rachel Carson. Drive the coast of Maine to restart,revive and renew as coastal villages and harbors take you into a way if life unique to this very special corner of New England. OR..drive the coast of Maine if you are hungry...even if you aren't you will be!! Grab a fork and a bib and come for a Delicious Drive!
Lydia Shire the famed Boston Chef and restaurateur -Biba, Locke Ober... has a new venture on York Beach. Blue Sky is the cornerstone of the revival of this once disheveled beach town. The home to Nubble Light needed a face lift and with the arrival of Lydia that is precisely what this beach area is getting. Situated at the top of the historic Atlantic House hotelthe space is open, contemporary, classic and cozy with cream banquettes, a fireplace, an open wood burning oven and bar area whicj are all welcoming and spending a Sunday afternoon would be easy...especially with menus that feature lobster pizza, omelets with popovers,crab cakes with english mustard sauce....Be sure to leave room for anything from the bread baskets and fabulous pastries -many of which you can take with you from Clara's Cupcake Cafe, named for Lydia's granddaughter. Check the website for great Jazz, Latin and dancing nights!! GO!
Ready for Lunch? When in Maine you need just a picnic table and a few napkins, a view of course...Be sure Fisherman's Catch in Wells Harbour is on your list. Just off bustling Rte 1 and down the road, cute colorful and so much fun, this yummy spot has crispy fresh veggies, amazing sweet potato fries and chunky chunky lobster rolls. Sit by the windows and take a peek through the binoculars at your table and bird watch as you wait for your crab cakes...don't forget dessert-homemade blueberry pie!
Heading to Portland? Fore Street, Duckfat, Cinque Terre...an amazing meal every few cobblestone steps but be sure to travel just to the outskirts-Scarborough is home to Prout's Neck and the Blackpoint Inn for a lovely evening in a gracious dining room or casual pub-peeky toe crab, lobster risotto -a treat! Joe's Boathouse in South Portland right on the dock is a great spot for a late afternoon munch, The Lobster Shack at Two Lights in Cape Elizabeth is an institution and the definition of what a Maine Lobster Shack should be as it is perched between the two famous light houses along the rocks with the crashing Atlantic at your table...go for the spot but go off hours as this is not a secret! I promise once you have brunch at the Good Table on rte 77 in CApe Elizabeth you will be back for Lunch, dinner, breakfast...
For lunch head out of town just down a gorgeous winding road to Southport and Robinson's Sit upstairs overlooking the harbor! For a change of pace and view visit and stay for lunch at the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens. The gardens which were a treat, even in the mud, and lunch at the Kitchen Garden Cafe which overlooks the botanical gardens was a joy - fresh as fresh can be salads, sandwiches and snacks...can't wait to go back!
For dinner in Boothbay its 93 Townsend and their wonderful creative menu-inside out crab cakes, french fried asparagus with Cabernet ketchup, lobster pot salad...
You cannot leave Boothbay,however, without sitting on the famed harbor as the sun sets -the only spot for that is The Lobster Dock Bobbie Flay found it and hosted a a Throwdown from this fun spot that is NOT your average lobster shack--it is a casual, comfortable spot with great views but why people wait in line all the way up the driveway is the food-spicy Maine firecracker shrimp Caesar,lobster fritters, seafood risotto, their famous crab cakes with summer salsa....don't miss!
Camden Maine is considered the "Jewel of the Mid-Coast" and for good reason. Don't miss the sunsets! If you are visiting this town is stuffed with great spots to eat including Natalie's, Atlantica. Staying at the Inn at Ocean's Edge provided an excuse to eat a few times at The Edge Restaurant. A stroll through a woodsy path brings you to this intimate spot with a porch and outside dining overlooking breathtaking Penobscot Bay. The boats glide past as the suns sinks and you will never want to leave. Dining at The Edge is just what you would want with a view that amazing...fabulous---The Edge is original, fresh and made in Maine! Fire roasted Maine Lobster was without a doubt the best lobster ever and do not miss Pizza Night...a huge Caesar salad accompanies a rotating array of pizza tastings-clam chowder pizza!!
Take a slow lovely drive through Rockport, be sure to say Hi to the Oreo Cows-the Belties are happy striped cows-
Rockport is a favorite escape that could easily be home! On busy Rte 1 in Rockport is a beautiful glass gallery that also houses one of the best restaurants in the area--Prism Glass -Lobster macaroni and cheese, Poached salmon salad, lobster salad with apple smoked bacon...go visit the gallery and stay on for lunch in their garden...perfect afternoon!
Sally Caldwell Fisher
