Maine Adventure: Days 1-3

It’s a rainy day here in Portland, Maine. I didn’t awake until about 30 minutes ago. Maybe it’s this new memory foam bed I’m sleeping on, or maybe it’s due to the lobster pie still settling in my stomach. I’m sitting here watching Martha. I never thought I would regain trust in that clever, refined lady until I realized she’s not only a dog person, but is obsessed with her horses. As the saying goes, if you love animals, you’re more than likely a decent person. Or, I’ll just give her the benefit of the doubt.

Can I move here just to get this plate?

Okay, now let’s talk about Maine – Day 3 of my 10-day summer vacation.

I’m staying on Bramhall Street – kind of in the ghetto, yet kind of in the classy part of Portland. For example, ‘Mr. Muffin and Mrs. Muffin’ restaurant (it’s called something like that, anyway) is smack across the street. Oh, what’s the problem? This is Portland aka lovely, historical coastal town, which should not appear to be located in the ghetto of Harlem. Well, that’s what the facade looks like of the Muffins – an otherwise simple, red brick building that’s been ruined with tacky gangster-looking graffiti. Huh, why? Don’t worry, I will post photo later today. Now about their food? I will never know, since I’m hesitant to go in. Just looking at the front of this place, can be compared to an employer interviewing an individual covered in tattoos head to toe. Do you take the risk and hire this person aka take the risk and eat at this “fine” establishment that claims in graffiti letters to serve Boar’s Head meat flown in from New York?

Sorry, don’t think so. Besides, I want lobster, lobster and more lobster. Not ham.

On to lobster, two days ago when I flew into the Portland jetport (understanding the term jetport implying the tiny size), I immediately smelt seafood. Where was this delightful small coming from? Shipyard Brewing Co. of course! That night, we headed to Linda Bean’s Perfect Lobster cafe for my very first lobster roll. Choosing where to eat your very first lobster roll should not be taken lightly because the first roll sets the tone for all the rolls to follow. The lobster did not disappoint. I ordered a junior-size, about 1/7 of a pound, on whole wheat served with salt and vinegar chips, coleslaw and sweet pickles. We also ordered clam chowder to share. Since I’ve never been a fan of mayonnaise-type dressings, I ordered the special Miracle Whip sauce on the side, which after one try I loved. Fab. U. Lous.

Linda Bean's lobster roll

Yesterday we dinned at Hot Suppa on Congress Street where I ordered the corned beef hash with scrambled eggs and Wisconsin mac n’ cheese. It was hands down one of the best meals I’ve ever had. Then there was that lobster pot pie last night.

The L.L. Bean outlet/factory store in Portland was also a hit for me. Returned and overstock products end up here, which result in customers getting the benefit of some hefty mark-downs. I even was lucky enough to find about five L.L. Bean Signature items – striped shorts, a cargo skirt and a few dresses – that had been returned and now on sale. But since Bean sells a lot of monogrammed items via catalog and regular retail stores, there was a lot of previously-personalized items to be found. This can be quite entertaining if you’re willing to pay 50 percent off the sticker price for a white towel inscribed with “Gisella” or a chrome canteen with “Ryan” on the side. I ended up buying two button-downs – non-monogrammed.

Oh, did I mention everyone and his brother owns dogs here?

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