whole garden dinner | Alden & Harlow

The ladies and I planned our August get together at Alden & Harlow for a Whole Garden Dinner; a summer dinner series which featured a produce-centric menu from a different local farm each Tuesday. The chef's preparations on this evening beautifully showcased the bounty of fruits and vegetables from The Food Project farms. 

Seated comfortably in a gray booth and thick leather chairs set against the restaurants leafy green live wall, we opted in for the wine pairings starting with pink bubbly from France: NV Cote Mas Cremant de Limoux a Brut Rose chardonnay/pinot noir blend. (See the rest of the wines, below)

 To begin the feast: Pickles! Then, plates of Fried Shishitos with anchovy and grated egg yolk and a gorgeous Vegetable Crudite with Bagna Cauda (a garlic and anchovy infused olive oil for dipping.) The Bagna Cauda was a sensational compliment to the french radishes, snap peas, heirloom tomatoes and slivers of summer squash and zucchini. We had so many vegetables between the ten of us, I got to take a large portion of that plate home and I made an incredible salad with it the next evening. Vegetables that beautiful could not be wasted.

Next arrives heaping vegetarian plates of Stewed Pole Beans and Seared Japanese Eggplant which is insanely good with crumbles of sheeps milk cheese, basil, fregola and garlic. The pole beans proved flavorful and hearty with cherry tomatoes and torn crouton hunks. 

After we polished off the second course a platter of Grilled Potatoes smothered in Za'atar aioli with a pickled pepper and corn relish and a Kale Creste de Gallo with egg and fresh milled tomato grace us. The grilled potatoes were tasty but the Kale pasta overcooked and soggy. The latter plates outshined these. 

For the finale a dreamy Apricot Parfait with cardamom cream. It was perfect!  

Alden & Harlow brilliantly showcased the freshness of the farms produce, inventively dressing them up and incorporating flavors that shined. They expertly paired them with delicious wines. Bravo! 

See my first Alden & Harlow post here.

Newry, Maine

We ended our week-long NH/ME summer vacation turned road trip adventure in a house at the base of Sunday River with a small group of friends. We went on a hike that left us breathless from the uphill cardio and from the stunning views below. We explored the step falls, where natural rocks become slippery water slides plunging visitors into deep pockets and pools of crisp (ok, frigid) mountain water. We devoured maple cream cookies and purchased blueberry pie and jam at a roadside farm stand. We cooked some really delicious dinner and brunches. We played with sparklers and danced late into the evening while a giant moose looked on. 

I came home refreshed and so appreciative of the region I call home. I've always been big on taking advantage of what New England has to offer us in the summer, so to have a full week off and not be hopping on a plane somewhere really let it all sink in.

Liquid Riot Brewery & Distillery

It was fun to discover somewhere that was not on anyone's must-visit-in-Portland-list, somewhere that flies under the radar (for now) discovered the old fashioned way - wandering around town. Nearing the quiet end of Commercial Street we stumbled upon this gem on the working waterfront. Liquid Riot Brewery & Distillery features complex and interesting beers, superbly crafted cocktails, a killer burger and Belgian Frites that rival those at Duckfat. The interior is rustic with rich wood booths and a wide stretching bar that overlooks the handsome copper and chrome fermentation and distillation equipment. There's also a back deck where you can watch the lobster boats roll in perched on chairs made of reclaimed barrels. If you're planning a trip, definitely consider making a stop at Liquid Riot.

Boys to the Yard | well...vodka, almond malted stout syrup, cold brewed coffee, orange, egg white

Small Bollox | traditional British porter, dark and roasty with notes of coffee and coco

Burger | local beef, ground in house, slow roasted tomatoes, sweet chipotle aioli, iceberg lettuce, cambozola cheese, house made kaiser bun 

Belgian Frites | chipotle aioli

Moules | PEI mussels with white beer, coriander and lemon

Liquid Riot

250 Commercial Street

Portland, ME 04101

*formerly In'finiti when we visited, however, I've updated the post to reflect the new name.*

Portland, Maine

Favorite places (in order of appearance)

Holy Dounut | yes. worship worthy donuts. we had pomegranate, sin-a-bun (pictured) and later sweet potato ginger glaze and chocolate cinnamon.

Duckfat | popped in for a snack. local brews in mason jars. Belgian fries. poutine with a fried farm egg.

Liquid Riot | unique beers. small batch barrel aged spirits. excellent choice for lunch on the harbor.

Gritty McDuff's Brew Pub | a Maine classic. stop in for a beer or two.

Street & Co. | rustic fine dining. sizzling pans. local sea fare - calamari with linguine in white (garlic, basil, olive oil, shallots) sauce.

Willard Beach | South Portland. a gray and overcast beach day. but we'll always take the beach.

Not pictured  

Bull Feeney's | fun Irish pub. live music. 

Shipyard Brewery | a lively tasting at the bar. sampled lots of terrific beers.