I’m going to Maine on Thursday (in and around Portland/Scarborough).
Any recommendations? Food? Shops? Art? Nature? Music? Whimsy?
I’m going to Maine on Thursday (in and around Portland/Scarborough).
Any recommendations? Food? Shops? Art? Nature? Music? Whimsy?
| © 2007 Youngna Park
October 16th, 2007 at 10:49 am
Portland Museum of Art is worth a visit. As for food, my favorites include Fore Street (sort of high end) and Norm’s, and my family has been raving about Bresca. Plus, assuming it’s still running, you’ll love the farmers’ market in Deering Oaks Park on Saturdays.
October 17th, 2007 at 5:17 am
yaaay! ok, i am going to play home town hero here (and oh man i wish i were there!). also, i am going to be in new york next week! are you free tuesday or wednesday (later) night? i’m speaking at the architects + designer’s building. egads!
fore street is delicious, she’s right. but you probably can’t get in on a moment’s notice. if you can, get the mussels. if you can’t, visit standard baking at least, which is housed beneath them. these places are both by the ferry to PEAKS ISLAND! if the weather is nice, you could go out there and rent bikes from brad’s bike shop (and get ice cream down front, etc). actually, you could even use our cottage if you want to spend a night there! let me know– i’ll tell you were the keys are. i think the water is on until nov 1. even if you don’t, flatbread pizza company is right there on the water next to the ferry terminal, it’s a good spot to go with friends.
back in portland– this summer i was really delighted by a spot on munjoy hill called the front room. very cute, very tasty, less pricey than fore street. held up to my spoiled san fran palette. anyway, there are 3 restaurants there now if you go up congress st. i heard the blue spoon is best for brunch (i have always also liked the traditional becky’s dinner on the water too. or marcy’s).
if you’re in the old port, gritty’s is my staple see-everyone-from-high-school-bar. i have also been a fan of sapporo’s on the water for sushi. if you’d like to meet a character, my dad’s chubby and delightful friend jaques runs a wine shop on fore street– the place is in between condom sense and granny’s burritos. basically, just park in the old port (anywhere that’s all brick and cobblestones), and you can walk everywhere you’d want to go.
you’d probably also like browne’s trading company for picnic stuff. and there’s this store “simply scandinavian” that’s kind of fun.
and if you want a trendy-ish bar walk away from the old port-port action up to congress and visit THE WHITE HEART! it’s run by my cousin’s friends. and be sure to pick up my cousin’s newspaper while you’re there! it’s fun and free. it’s called “the bollard”: http://www.thebollard.com/
October 17th, 2007 at 8:55 am
If you have an extra day go to the “The Birches” which is close to the Canadian border. Excellent nature, friendly people and wonderful food!
October 18th, 2007 at 1:02 am
You will love the One Fifty Ate bake shop in South Portland, and anything at SPACE Gallery in Portland. (www.Space538.org). That’s what I think.