Portland Maine

Portland Maine, or more specifically "Old Port" in Portland is one of my favorite New England towns.  There is just so much going on within these few blocks that it makes it fun to come back to again and again!! 

Whenever we visit we spend a ton of time walking around to visit the shops (most independently owned) and local cafes and restaurants.  The hotels in this area are generally very boutique-y and full of charm.  We also usually eat at the same places again and again (read: the hotels bar). 

Well my friends, this visit was completely new for us!  We stayed at a new hotel, ate at two new restaurants, and spent some much needed quality time with great friends!! 

Hotel:

We usually stay at the Portland Regency Hotel, a very nice property in a great location with an excellent bar downstairs (20 Milk Street). 

This time we switched it up and stayed at the Portland Harbor Hotel.  This place was also very nice, and in an excellent location, with the additional bonus of a turndown service complete with chocolate lobsters and bottles of water.  I am a sucker for a hotel room with complimentary water!!

Restaurants:

Grace Restaurant

This place was awesome!!  As soon as you get past the fact that you are literally eating dinner inside of a church that was sold and converted into a restuarant complete with 2 bars.  The Pulpit has been repurposed into the hostess stand, and the pews are now seating along the outter edge of the main dining area.  

Dinner here was exceptional, the menu featured local produce, meats and fish, and all were very well prepared.  The wine list, while not extensive, was adequate and had very good wines at price points from $30 to over a hundred.

I would definitely come back here and encourage you to try it if your in Portland!!

Bar Lola:

Another truly amazing dining experience, and even better, the management/owner here is incredible.  First I'll tell you why the food was fantastic, then the management!!

This restuarant also uses fresh local ingredients where possible, and does an excellent job of combining some very interesting combinations.  The menu is also in four sections so you could share an appetizer with the table, then order a "first course" (my friends had mussels), then soup/salad, then entree, then dessert.  

Entrees around our table included the Chef's special (Cod Loin with potatoes and vegetable), Gumbo, and Roasted Cauliflower.  Every appetizer and entree were met with rave reviews.  The flavors and presentation were out of this world.  

Now for why the management impressed me (which is usually pretty difficult!)  We had reservations for 8:45, the owner came over at 8:42 to let us know it would be a few minutes because the table currently seated just got their check.  At 9:00 the owner came back over to apologize profusely, at 9:30 she was clearly mortified that we were still waiting for our table.  She immediately offered to buy us a round of drinks, and sent over a complimentary appetizer of breads and cheese (which was delicious). 

After another few minutes, she asked another table to relocate so we could have their table since it had become clear whoever had gotten their check and was supposed to make room for us wasn't leaving. 

After being seated and ordering a bottle of wine and all of our food, the owner came back to the table, apologized again said the wine was on her, and then sent over yet another complimentary appetizer for me because I didn't order a first course, so she sent over something for me and I shared with my table ;-)

We did tell her a few times that everything was ok, we didn't mind the wait and having the cheese/bread plate complimentary was plenty, but she wasn't having that.  

All in all her restaurant was well worth the wait, but she really went above and beyond to make us happy with the service and the restaurant.  This is another "must-visit" on my list of Portland haunts!!!!