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For the past several weeks, we traded ‘logging in’ for ‘checking out’ under the coastal skies of our recently adopted City-by-the-Sea. However, not uncommon to release our tether and head to other ports of call, we wrapped up summer with a gilded roadtrip to our nation’s Vacationland. Having spent our youth on the shores of New Hampshire, the great state of Maine was a stone’s throw from our beloved Seacoast, and a place still held near and dear. So when a seafood feast popped up on the cross-country tour of America’s beloved culinary bandwagon, it was the perfect excuse to pack up our Boat ‘N Totes, hug the coastline and head due North.
Prior to our golden getaway, we hadn’t spent much time in the city of Portland. In truth, our relationship was merely one of a passing glance as we rolled up I-95 en route to Bean’s L.L. Bean, a petite city tucked along the rocky shore, but never quite worth a signaled departure off the interstate. In recent years, editorial shout-outs for Portland ‘East’ have been fast and furious – a northern New England haven for hipsters, layered with savvy entrepreneurs, skilled artisans and a booming food scene worthy of ‘Top-Ten’ status on the charts of many a seasoned palate.
A native New Englander through and through, (slightly biased, yes, we know), this city tugged at our heartstrings and won over our appetites. The highlights, much like the accolades for this coastal city, were tasty and plentiful. Cocktails at Portland Hunt + Alpine Club, (recently lauded by Bon Appetit as one of America’s best new bars,) served by the reputable mixologist and owner himself. A friends + family opening of the impossibly adorable Tandem Coffee + Bakery, perfectly placed in a refurbished service station, trading pumps for picnic tables and serving up a mean cup ‘o joe. And last, but most definitely not least, an order-to-go, duck fat fries paired with the thickest of shakes. Because, well, it was after all a long drive home.
