Maine the way life should be. Or at least that's what they tell you. Personally I love it in Maine, I don't think anywhere is as comforting, relaxing, and well rounded as Portland.
This is a city we visit at least twice a year, you might remember when we were there in the spring
http://findingloveinasize8shoe.blogspot.com/2012/03/portland-maine.html
In that post I mentioned both of my favorite portland hotels, the Portland Regency and the Portland Harbor Hotel. On this trip we stayed at our old stand by the Regency.
The Regency really is a great boutique hotel right in the middle of Old Port. It is a comfortable hotel full of incredibly friendly staff who are really excellent at what they do. Everyone from the Valets to the Front Desk are always available for anything you need, and no request seems to rattle them. The rooms are all very well appointed with some of the most comfortable beds I have ever slept on.
Additionally, one of my favorite things about the hotel is every room you stay in is very different, different furnishings, different layout, different space. The building itself is actually an old armory and a historic landmark.
Finally - the bar downstairs is AMAZING. Like really amazing. I have had everything from dinners to afternoon appetizers and lots and lots of drinks here and I am NEVER disappointed. If you ever go you have to try the Washington Apple Martini - the best RED martini I have ever had hands down. This time we also shared an antipasto plate and it was perfection.
So to recap Service + awesome beds + great drinks and food + location + uniqueness of the space = one really special place to stay while visiting Portland.
Dining:
We like to eat, that is no surprise to anyone. And when we say eat it's usually some great new ultra modern super fancy place that is locally owned and makes designs out of the sides on your plate.
Well this was no exception. We went to a place called "555", or more technically "five-fifty-five" literally located at 555 Congress St. in Old Port.
Freakin delicious. That's pretty much all I have to say. We shared an absolutely amazing heirloom tomato plate with fresh mozzerella chesse and and awesome basil pesto. Even the bread basket here was incredible, not so much for the bread, but for the out of this world butter they served with it. Give me a thyme infused butter (?!) anyday.
Entrees were so good they were devoured within minutes of their arrival. Husband had a very yummy Halibut dish and I dined on some ridiculously good Truffle Lobster Mac and Cheese. so so SO good.
Bottom line - go to Portland, eat at 555, live blissfully ever after.
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!!!!
