I’ve written three blog posts about three restaurants owned by the same person. These restaurants included Tuscan Table in South Portland. While researching those posts, I heard whispers of a fourth restaurant opening at some point in the future. Recently, I was looking for a place to eat on the internet, and Sicilian Table, the fourth restaurant to be opened by the same owner, had begun serving customers. I knew immediately that I had to try it, so I hurried over and ordered some lunch.
Sicilian Table offers a large drink menu. Cocktails, mocktails, wine, soda, and bourbon populate their drink menu. Sicilian Table has a great food menu as well, offering a variety of food options. There are appetizers like meatballs and mussels, as well as salads like caser salad and a Greek salad. There is a section reserved for pizza, as well for their house made pasta. Finally, Sicilian Table also offers sandwiches like a burger or the chicken parmesan. There are seats at the bar as well as bar seating. There are booths and tables, along with outdoor seating. There is also two floors available for patrons to sit. I had a Caesar salad, along with a bee sting pizza, and both were delicious.
I enjoy these four restaurants, and I’m glad that I was able to try the newest addition. Maine has a great variety of places to eat, so I’ll keep looking for new places to try. If you want to check out Sicilian Table, you can click here. Now that this post is done, where should I go next?
I love steak, though I find myself not eating it as often as I would like. Therefore, I decided to fix that. I visited two steak restaurants, each vastly different from the other. I went to The Steakhouse, in Wells, and Bonissoni, in Ogunquit.
The Steakhouse is a popular restaurant. They’re only open for dinner, and they don’t accept reservations, so be prepared to wait a bit before you’re seated. There is ample parking and two floors available for seating. Despite The Steakhouse’s size, there is still a cozy and intimate feeling to the eatery. There is a massive drink menu available for patrons of all ages. There are draft beers and beer in bottles and cans. Furthermore, there are wines, cocktails, and frozen drinks. The food menu is just as big as well. There are soups, appetizers, salads, steak, and seafood that can be purchased.
On my first visit to The Steakhouse, I decided to sample some appetizers. I settled on having four different dishes. I ordered a cup of lobster stew, steakhouse cheese fries, boneless buffalo wings, and the mussels. For my second trip, I ordered the filet mignon with a side of French fries and Caesar salad. My meals were delicious, and I would recommend everything. The Steakhouse does close down for a month or so, so make sure to check their website before you make the trip.
Bonissoni was a different experience. Bonissoni is a Brazilian Steakhouse, which means that the servers walk around the restaurant with skewers of meat. They place the skewer onto the table and ask if you want a slice of meat. If you say yes, then the server will cut a piece of meat off and place it onto your plate. Bonissoni has a large menu as well. There are cocktails, desert drinks, non-alcoholic drinks, as well as a selection of wines. Furthermore, there are a number of sides that customers can order, ranging from French fries to Caesar salads. Like The Steakhouse, Bonissoni is cozy and intimate, making for a great visit.
My experience eating at two superb restaurants meant that I had a great meal. I’ve spoken before about the versatility of Maine’s restaurant scene, and I know I’m far from finished eating my way through all that Maine has to offer. If you want to know more about The Steakhouse, click here, and if you want to research Bonissoni, you can click here. As always, I have to ask, where should I go to next? As it happens, I know exactly where I’m going.
Living in Portland means that Freeport is a short drive away, and I have written about Freeport before. However, because this quaint town is so close, I’ve never had the opportunity to spend the night. That changed when I booked my room at the Harraseeket Inn.
Located right in downtown Freeport, the Harraseeket Inn is a sizable hotel. Housing a couple of meeting rooms, an indoor swimming pool, and a restaurant on top of a number of rooms is a sizable feat. The room I stayed in was cozy and clean, with a shower and tub combination in the bathroom.
The Broad Arrow Tavern is the restaurant attached to the inn. The food is delicious and fairly priced, and the ambiance is that of an intimate setting. The Broad Arrow Tavern serves a variety of sea food and land fare, all of which looked absolutely appealing. I had the crispy calamari, a cup of clam chowder, a small Caesar salad, and a burger, and I would recommend everything!
While I was researching the Inn, I discovered that the Harraseeket hosted teatime as well! Entry into tea time is included with the room, or if you’re not staying at the hotel, it’s a $10.95 entry fee. Tea and coffee are served, along with finger sandwiches, brownies, scones, chesses and fruit. Teatime is located right off the lobby in a room with a fireplace, adding to the luxury of the event.
The Harraseeket Inn also serves breakfast in The Maine Harvest dining room. While unorthodox, I recommend making a reservation at the front desk, as breakfast can get busy. The breakfast is primarily a buffet style, with a wide variety of food. I ended up having a blueberry muffin, French toast, and bacon, and all of it was delicious as well!
If you want to learn more about the Harraseeket Inn, you can click here.
As my time at the Harraseeket Inn came to a close, I found myself wondering where I was going to go next. As it happens, I know exactly where my adventures will take me, and I’m excited to share it all with you!
One of the benefits of living in Maine is that there are so many options when it comes to dining out. One thing that did surprise me however, is the vast variety of Japanese restaurants to choose from. Sea40, located in Lewiston, is one such place. Sea40 doesn’t look like much from the outside, but when you walk in, you’ll be blown away by the décor. Statues are littered around the restaurant, and the lighting is just perfect. There is plenty of seating through out the restaurant. There is bar seating, tables, booths, and the hibachi available for patrons. Sea40 serves sushi and other Japanese fare, while boasting an impressive hibachi section. Furthermore, wine, beer, sake, and non-alcoholic drinks are available of purchase as well.
During my first visit, I ordered beef negimaki, a spicy tuna roll, and the Lewiston, all of which were delicious. However, my trip did not include any hibachi, so I vowed to return, and return I did. I returned with a group of friends, and we were seated at our table. The hibachi menu is extensive ranging from vegetables to red snapper. Each order comes with a green salad, clear soup, hibachi fried rice, vegetables, and two pieces of shrimp. Furthermore, guests can have a combination meal, which fuses many of the single items together. The hibachi experience was a ton of fun. Our chef had a great sense of humor, and kept us entertained. I ordered the steak, which was cooked to order, and it was delicious. The portions are sizable, so be prepared to take some food home with you.
Sea40 is a phenomenal restaurant, and I highly recommend making a reservation. If you want to learn more about Sea40, you can click here. Whether you’re interested in sushi or hibachi, Sea40 has everything you need. As always, I have to ask, where should I go to next?
When I first started writing this blog, I knew I wanted to go to Bangor. Celebrated horror writer, Stephen King, famously lives in Bangor and one of Maine’s two casinos, the Hollywood Casino Hotel & Raceway, is located in Bangor. After booking my room, I began the two hour drive to Bangor.
The Hollywood Casino Hotel & Raceway is situated on prime real estate. Located right off the highway on Main Street, the facility catches your eye almost immediately. There is a parking garage attached to the casino and hotel, so parking is plentiful. Access to the casino and the lobby can be found on the first floor of the parking complex, which makes checking in and gaming that much easier. The rooms are spacious and clean, and there are a variety of price points for rooms. I highly recommend getting a room with a view of the Penobscot River, as it’s truly a sight to behold.
The casino is located right off the lobby. There are slot machines and tables available for those looking for a night of gaming. There is a bar located in the casino, so one can enjoy a drink while gambling. Maine state law dictates that in order to play the games, you have to be twenty-one or older, so make sure you bring a valid ID. While the slots are fun, I tend to stick to the table games. I particularly enjoy Black Jack, as that is the game I’m most familiar with. Regardless if you win or lose, you’re bound to have fun!
There are two places to eat at the hotel. The first is the Take 2 Snack Bar, where someone can order breakfast items. Take 2 Snack Bar is typically closed for the winter, so make sure you check to see if the snack bar is open during your stay. The second eatery is called Hops House 99. It’s a decently sized restaurant with seats at the bar and tables available. The food is good with plenty of offerings, and an extensive drink menu. The hotel offers a five dollar credit for each night that you stay. You can use the credit at Take 2 Snack Bar, Hops House 99, and the little continence store located by receptions.
As mentioned before, Stephen King resides in Bangor. Furthermore, the town of Derry, a location mentioned frequently in King’s books, is based on Bangor. Because of this, there is a company that does a Stephen King tour of the city of Bangor, and the surrounding area. The tour includes locations from King’s books, and a visit to all of King’s philanthropic endeavors. The tour company picks guests up at a variety of locations, including a number of hotels. The tour lasts three hours, so there is a bathroom break about halfway through the tour.
My travels also took me to the Mount Hope Cemetery. As the second oldest garden cemetery in the country, there is a ton of history here. Al Brady, who was a gangster in the 1930’s is buried here. Local legend states that if you don’t leave a penny on his tombstone, his vengeful spirit will haunt you. Furthermore, a U.S. Vice President, ten Congressmen, two U.S. Ambassadors, four Governors of Maine, and many more are buried here. Additionally, Stephen King found inspiration for two of his characters names here at Mount Hope Cemetery. Those names are Georgie, from the novel It, and Carrie, from the book Carrie.
When I first told a coworker that I was heading to Bangor, she got very excited. She told me I had to see the Duck of Justice. After some probing, I found that the Duck of Justice was a stuffed duck, and it was effectively Bangor PD’s mascot. While the police department’s door is locked, they do have an intercom system. If you let them know that you’re there to see the Duck, they will let you in and show you to the Duck.
Finally, I highly recommend visiting the Paul Bunyan statue. Bangor is the supposed birthplace of Bunyan, and the statue was erected in 1959. Fans of the movie IT:Chapter 2 might recognize the statue as the one that attacks Richie in the park.
I finished up my trip with a visit to The Oriental Jade. If this restaurant sounds familiar, it’s because King based The Jade of the Orient, an eatery in the book It, on The Oriental Jade. There is a massive drink menu, including soft drinks, craft beer, and cocktails. Patrons can eat sushi and typical Chinese fare. Seating is plentiful, with seats at the bar, booths, and tables. There is beautiful décor, with statues and vases scattered throughout the restaurant. I had the Calamari Sesame Chicken with Pork Fried Rice and Crab Rangoon.
Bangor has so much to offer, that I barely scratched the surface. If you want to learn more about the casino and hotel, click here. If you want to book a Stephen King tour, click here. If you want to visit the Mount Hope Cemetery, click here. Finally, if you want to eat at the Oriental Jade, click here. As this post comes to a conclusion, I have to ask, where should I go to next?
As I mentioned in my previous post, I visited three restaurants who are owned by the same person. Therefore, my next trip brought me to Royal River Grill House. Located in Yarmouth, the Royal River Grill House sits right on the water, providing a wonderful view as you eat. Seating is plentiful here as well, with seats at the bar, tables, seating upstairs, and patio seating. Like Tuscan Table, the décor is beautiful and the interior is cozy.
The drink menus is extensive, offering beer, wine, cocktails, and soft drinks. The menu is extensive, offering appetizers, a raw bar, salads, entrees, and an a la carte menu. I decided to sample a wide variety of what the Royal River Grill House had to offer. I had two oysters, the clam chowder, a Caesar salad, and a burger. Everything was delicious, and I even took my burger home with me to have later.
While the Royal River Grill House is tucked away in Yarmouth, this eatery is well worth the trip. Whether you’re looking for a meal with a view, or you’re looking to experience something new, the Royal River Grill House has something for everyone. As usual, I would ask where I would go next, however my next post will conclude the series on restaurants owned by a singular person, so stay tuned.
Whenever I discover a new restaurant, I feel a sense of excitement. What kind of food will they serve? How does the environment feed into the meal? These are questions that I ask myself whenever I go somewhere new. I discovered Dos Naciones when I was on my way to King of the Roll, and I knew I had to give this restaurant a chance. Dos Naciones, which translates to Two Nations, serves Mexican and El Salvadorian food. I admit that I have a soft spot for Latin American food, so I was excited to say the least.
There is plenty of seating. Booths, tables, high tops, and seats at the bar are all available to guests who want a meal. Latin American music plays over the speakers, adding to the ambiance. The food, as well as the service are both great, making this a great place to eat. As I ate my meal, the restaurant continued to fill up, making Dos Naciones a sure-fire hit!
Since Dos Naciones is a new restaurant, the number of websites dealing with this eatery are limited. For the time being, I will link Yelp here, which shows that Dos Naciones with a five star rating. My meal at Dos Naciones marks the end of my Restaurant Week. It was a great experience, and I had the opportunity to try a new restaurant. So now, I look towards my next adventure, completely unsure of where my next adventure will take me. So, with some excitement, I ask; where should I go next?
Freeport, like Portland, has a great restaurant scene. So, it should come as no surprise that my next stop during Restaurant week was Gritty McDuffs Freeport Brewpub. Located on Lower Main Street, this blink and you miss it pub is a great place to stop during your shopping adventure.
Seating is plentiful, and during the off season, guests are able to find a place to sit relatively easily. There are seats at the bar, tables, long tables that seat eight, and picnic tables. The menu is large, with soups, salads, burgers and so much more. Gritty’s has a rotating menu of soup, chowder, and cheesecake.
The service is top notch, and the drinks are absolutely delicious. I settled on the cheeseburger, with a side of fries, which was great, and I also had the cheesecake of the day, which was the peanut butter finger cheesecake. If you want more information on Gritty McDuffs, you can click here. Sadly, tomorrow is my last post during Restaurant Week, but I’m far from done visiting restaurant’s in Maine. As always, I ask, where should I go next?
Lobster Rolls are an amazing treat, but does it get better with an amazing view?
Maine provides its residents and tourists with a variety of restaurants. Some are dedicated to seafood, while others provide a wider assortment of options. This time, I set my sights on The Lobster Shack Between Two Points. As the name implies, seafood is the primary focus here, but don’t despair if a land based diet is more your thing. Burgers and salads are also available for purchase, as well as a small drink menu.
Located in Cape Elizabeth, The Lobster Shack provides guests with two seating options. Patrons can choose to sit outside or inside, with plenty of seating available. Much of the restaurant has windows facing the coast and the walls are adorned with a variety of antiques, as well as some vanity plates. I decided to get a lobster roll, with a side of fries, which was absolutely delicious.
The outdoor seating area is populated by red picnic tables where guests can enjoy their food as well enjoy the natural beauty that Maine has to offer. Furthermore, there are benches where patrons can sit and admire the waves crashing into the coast. A coin-operated pair of binoculars enables visitors to check out their surroundings, as well as the waterfowl that are floating in the ocean. Furthermore, the seagulls flying overhead complete the picturesque view that it coastal Maine.
Despite the amount of time I’ve spent in Maine, I am always blown away by what Maine has to offer. I find myself going to places I’ve never expected, and experiencing new and exciting activities. The Lobster Shack was no different. The food and the view was extraordinary! I highly recommend that if you have the chance, go as soon as possible. The Lobster Shack is not open year round, so make sure you plan accordingly. If you want to learn more about The Lobster Shack, you can click here. As it happens, I’ve already gone on my next adventure, so make sure to check back soon, as I’m very excited about my next post!
Microbreweries are becoming more and more common, with Maine hosting an assortment of breweries throughout the state. In my time here in Maine, I’ve heard people frequently talk about Flight Deck Brewing, so I made my way out to Brunswick to see what the buzz was all about. Flight Deck Brewing is located in a converted small arms range at the Brunswick Naval Air Station. Driving through the compound was a pleasant experience, as there wasn’t a lot of traffic, and I drove past a couple of decommissioned planes. While the brewery is housed in a grey building, there are plenty of signs pointing to Flight Deck. Furthermore, if you miss the first entrance, don’t despair, a second entrance isn’t much further down the road.
As it was Saturday, Flight Deck was packed by the time I arrived. Additionally, the brewery was celebrating their two-year anniversary, which definitely brought in the extra clientele. There are two seating sections within the brewery, with the larger area hosting seats at the bar, high tops, and picnic tables. The smaller seating area has a couple of leather couches, along with picnic tables and a small counter. Its in this area where brewing equipment can be viewed, each named after a “Top Gun” characters. Furthermore, Flight Deck is decorated with model planes, along with flying equipment like helmet and goggles. Flight Deck even provides a TV tuned to the day’s sporting event.
Flight Deck brews their beer in house, and their passion for their beers is evident. According to their website, they are closed every Monday to dedicate the day to brewing plenty of beer. They have an assortment of beers, and each drink is described on their menus. Like many other drinking establishments, patrons can purchase a flight of beers, or a singular beer in an array of sizes. Flight Deck has even bottled some of their beer, so folks can bring some beer home with them.
Flight Deck Brewing is a great place to bring you kids, as there are child friendly drinks available as well. If your kids happen to have four legs, a tail, and an affinity for milk bones, you can bring them along too. There are treats at the bar if your dog needs a snack. The lawn provides a great space for kids, dogs, and grownups to sit and enjoy the day as well. Picnic tables and benches are scattered around the space, with corn hole available for guests. There’s even a fire pit that provides warmth during the colder months, and illumination at night
Since I had yet to eat lunch, I made my way to a food truck called Cooks Lobster and Ale House. With seafood and pub fare, there’s something for everyone. Both the food truck and Flight Deck accept both cash and plastic, so paying is convenient on all fronts. Furthermore, one of the decommissioned planes is close by, providing a photo opportunity for guests. Flight Deck host a whole slew of events as well, which can be found on their website.
As I continue to travel to different microbreweries, I’ve begun to notice to a certain pattern. Each brewery I’ve visited has done something to make it wholly unique. Flight Deck Brewing works to embrace their roots, in their décor, as well as the “Top Gun” references. The fire pit and the food truck were nice touches that added to the atmosphere at Flight Deck. More information about Flight Deck can be found here, while their event schedule can be found here. As I wrap up this post, the ever-eternal question leaps to mind, where should I go to next?
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