Regards | Portland, ME

I have started writing over on Substack. I'd love it if you subscribed! I was seeking a way to re-circulate my blog and email my community. Perhaps a newsletter of sorts is the answer? What I have found on Substack is a vast community of very good writers that inspired me to write a bit more, too. My hope is that Substack gives me some more visibility. I recently wrote about this very night in Portland, Maine which will publish straight to the inbox of my subscribers. 

I loved our experience at REGARDS and would fondly recommend it!

They have an excellent wine program and (after cocktails at CBG, Paper Tiger and Blythe & Burrows) we went straight for wine by the glass. Our first was from the skin contact or orange wine section: a Bosman ($16) Fides Grenache Blanc from Western Cape, South Africa. Second, from the whites, a glass of Dorcha ($13) Sauvignon Blanc from Lower Styria, Slovenia. 

To eat, some of the most inventive, thought provoking plates:

casco bay oysters ($10) smoked trout roe, bergamot mignonette

scallop crudo ($24) matsutake xo, chile de arbol, toasted jasmine rice milk

birra tacos ($22) preserved tomatillo, queso oxaco

hamachi collar ($36) shio koji x tare, morita emulsion

Regards

547 Congress St.

Portland, ME

Cocovan Airstream Lounge

Cocovan is a terrific spot to visit when in the Grace Bay area of Turks + Caicos! The casual counterpart to CocoBistro (which requires reservations months in advance) Cocovan serves creative tacos, gourmet bites + more out of a vintage airstream. Come on a whim and enjoy your meal al fresco amidst a shady coconut grove. 

Cocovan

10 Oak Avenue,

 Grace Bay TKCA 1ZZ

Turks & Caicos Islands

Glass Hostaria | Trastevere

When there is a Michelin-starred restaurant run by a notable chef at the top of your street, you go! Chef Cristina Bowerman's gastronomic cuisine stands out in a sea of trattorias. It is always preferable to make a reservation at a Michelin star but you wouldn't necessarily need one at Glass far in advance. Contemporary Italian fine dining is not what the crowd in Trastevere leans towards so the sleek glass and gold-accented dining room was not busy. Because we were in town so many nights dining here was a welcome change of pace, the meal certainly noteworthy. Camden slept until dessert, the little angel! 

Dueling amuse bouche to prelude meal were crisp pickled vegetable tacos and mojito globes. Yes, it is liquid inside those balancing spheres! Then, a refreshing tomato and raspberry gazpacho. The Beef Filet Tartare appetizer with celery, nashi pear, smoked Sardinan sauce and quail egg was outstanding!

Our Massolino Barolo was an elegant, savory, refined bottle of red wine. The pasta courses were small but exquisite - Tortelli stuffed with rabbit, coconut sauce, green curry and pine nuts. Gnocci with sea urchin, black garlic bagancauda, salted lemon and truffle.

Dessert + Petit Fours were on another level. The first featured condensed milk, espresso jelly and Baileys ice cream! The second amazed with passion fruit, popcorn ice cream and caramelized popcorn.

I wrote a note with our reservation request so they knew we had a baby in a stroller and to actually make sure it was OK to dine with him. They were more than welcoming and by the end of the night I think every waitress had held and got to know Camden. It was really, really sweet!!! When we were outside at Bar Del Cinque the following evening, our waitress spotted Camden and came over to see him.

Proving you can go all out Michelin Star dining with an infant, Glass Hostaria 10/10

Glass Hostaria 

Vicolo de' Cinque, 58

00153, Rome

Farmstead Table + Parish Café x Baby Camden

Dining out with baby Camden has been a success. He's pretty chill. Above we are enjoying a night out at Legal on the Mystic in Assembly Row. I didn't take any photos of that meal but him enjoying a rare bottle and the fact that I had the photo below ;)

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Farmstead Table in Newton Center is always a wonderful choice. In their clean intimate space we dined early and Camden mostly slept. 

A classic American country kitchen presents innovative plates with the freshest of the season. It looks like I ate a gorgeous crab and avocado dish topped with radish plated to resemble a tartare, plus grilled corn & cabbage tacos with avocado, cotija cheese, a spicy aioli and dusted with fresh chives.

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Parish Café escaped the blog all these years! I love it here for sure. Camden has a backup daycare in Back Bay so we will take a stroll and find somewhere to pop in for a bite. 

Their thing is gourmet sandwiches crafted by local chefs. The Bravas from Chef Cassie Piuma of Sarma Restaurant it INSANE. A grilled sesame torta bun is slathered with sweet onion butter, then layered with prosciutto, chorizo, manchego, crispy brussels sprouts, drizzled in a grand finale of hot sauce and garlic aioli. There are some notable Boston chefs on the menu - you can't go wrong as long as you get a sandwich. The tomato bisque with a deep fried grilled cheese crouton and basil is also next level. When Camden was first old enough to eat, the Baked Mac n Cheese with gruyere, romano, monterey jack and a Ritz cracker crumble got the job done!

Legal on the Mystic

301 Great River Road

Somerville, MA 02145

Farmstead Table

71 Union St

Newton Centre, MA 02459

Parish Café

361 Boylston St

Boston, MA

Charleston (Bachelorette Style!) Eat + Drink

We threw my sister a bachelorette party in sunny Isle of Palms + Charleston, South Carolina. We stayed in a house on Isle of Palms which is a 40 minute drive from downtown Charleston and had SO MUCH FUN. I had been to Charleston before but this time the area captured my affections on a deeper level. Sometimes it takes a second go round to really fall for a place.

I think bachelorette party details can be super helpful to those planning one. If you want to see the itinerary I put together, definitely inquire! Otherwise, most of the recommends below apply to just about anyone planning a trip. 

Friday Lunch: Minero | 153 East Bay Street | Charleston

Minero is a casual Mexican eatery from James Beard award winning chef Sean Brock. We sipped on a Watermelon Margarita ($9) and a Mezcal Marg ($11) and noshed on fantastic Tacos ($4.50) - Fried Catfish, Charcoal Grilled Chicken + Taco al Pastor. Minero was a perfect first stop in historic downtown Charleston!  

Post Lunch Libations: Vendue Rooftop | 19 Vendue Range | Charleston

The Vendue was the only overlapping spot from my previous trip. The double tier rooftop is sprawling and the views are pretty great!

Friday Night Dinner: Long Island Café | 1515 Palm Blvd | Isle of Palms

All the IOP locals will recommend to you this gem. Tucked inside the main shopping plaza, it presents a modest and unassuming front. Enter: a beachy oasis serving local seafood emphasizing classic French flavors with a South Carolina flare. We absolutely loved everything - pictured is the Local Handmade Seafood Pasta. 

Post Dinner Libations: The Windjammer | 1008 Ocean Blvd | Isle of Palms

One hell of a beach bar. There was an awesome 90's cover band. We jammed out until 1:30. Solid first night!

Saturday Pre Dinner Drinks: The Bar at Husk | 76 Queen Street | Charleston

In a rough hewn restored space, The Bar at Husk recalls a bygone era of Charleston nightlife and pays homage to traditional southern spirits. Their cocktails are a revelation. We drank Through the Garden ($12) with rum, Green Chartreuse, red pepper, agave, lime, calamansi vinegar + basil and Don't Call Me Sweetheart ($11) with rum, brandy, strawberry, house rhubarb shrub, mint, black pepper + lemon. Definitely pay a visit to The Bat at Husk when you are in town!

Saturday Night Dinner: The Ordinary | 544 King Street 

 Many people will tell you The Ordinary is the best restaurant in Charleston. They would not be wrong. This is Chef Mike Lata's fancy oyster hall in a restored bank and his food is everything. They also have a phenomenal wine and (Rum only!) cocktail program. 

Ordinary Hawaiian Rolls ($5) sea salt butter
Jumbo Lump Blue Crab Toast ($18) tomato, jalapeno, parsley
Milk Punch ($14) Milk Washed Rhum, grapefruit, lime, Luxardo Maraschino

Snapper Ceviche ($17) cucumber, avocado
Heirloom Tomato Salad ($14) goat cheese, pesto

Steamed Porgy ($20 ) banana leaf, roasted figs

Zucchini Carpaccio ($12) almond, mint, pecorino

Foradori 'Fontanasanta' Nisiola ($95) Trentino-Alto Adige, Italy, 2014 - an excellent and unique white wine - aged in terra cotta!
Spicy Yellowfin Tuna ($15) Sea Salt Potato Chips

Don't even get me started on dessert. This might have been my favorite part and I rarely succumb to that notion. The girls and I will be talking about this meal for a long time to come. 

Carolina Gold Rice Pudding ($8) blackberry, basil

Chocolate Hazelnut Budino ($10) sea salt, caramel

Post Dinner Libations: Republic Garden + Lounge | 452 King Street 
One of the bridesmaids booked us a table at Republic. Having a couch area + bottle service on the patio was the key to a really fun night here. Also, we are wearing all white this evening at the brides request - turns out this is a clever way to remain inconspicuous - resisting the bachelorette party cliches!

Sunday Night Dinner: The Obstinate Daughter | 2063 Middle Street | Sullivan's Island

The Obstinate Daughter is another one of those hot spots on the radar of everyone in Charleston. Eclectic American fare including pizza, pasta and a raw bar are served in an elegant, country meets nautical infused space. This was an impromptu Sunday night dinner after a long day of boating when just three of us remained. Aimée declared it her favorite, ranking it even higher than The Ordinary. Yes, the food was ridiculous, but the service was also some of the best I've received.  Our waitress was laid back and effortlessly enthusiastic at the same time. She 100% made our night. Desserts are on another level. Save room. 

Summer Peaches ($14) prosciutto, tomato, pepper, gorgonzola vinaigrette
Obstinate Flatbread ($6) olive oil, Bulls Bay sea salt, butterbean puree)

Blistered Shishito Peppers ($7)

Catalan Seafood Stew ($27) fish, shrimp, oyster, clam, chorizo, almond

Rigatoncini ($19) fennel and sausage ragu, parmesan

Dark Chocolate Olive Oil Cake | olive oil gelato
Lemon Ricotta Pound Cake | mascarpone whipped cream, blueberry-blackberry sauce (just so good that it deserved two close ups!)

Monday Breakfast: The Refuge | Isle of Palms 

The Refuge is a sweet little coffee bar and adjoining restaurant located in the main IOP Plaza (right next to Long Island Café). We mostly cooked breakfast at home but on our last morning we grabbed coffees and a Greek yogurt parfait to go; then walked the beach one last time before checking out of our rental house and heading downtown to explore The Battery / Waterfront.

Monday Lunch: Caviar + Banana's | 51 George Street

Carviar and Bananas is a gourmet market and café serving sandwiches, salads, sushi, beer + wine. This was the perfect spot to grab a bite and a can of local beer after shopping on King Street and before heading to the airport. Pictured is my Pimento Cheese BLT with applewood smoked bacon and green tomatoes on toasted sourdough. 

In between all this good food we were at 29th Street beach or boating around the gorgeous waterways of the inter-coastal / Morris Island / Folly Beach / Shem Creek. The South Carolina coast is remarkable.