Portland, Maine Was FANTASTIC!!!!!

My first trip to Maine was just what I had wanted – full on Fall foliage – chilly but not too so.  Just at the end of the season – so not too crowded.   My new gloves, ski hat & Pea coat were just enough.  (BTW – tried on about 5 new pea coats and ended up getting a decent Black one with removable hood from Walmart on $39.99 that’s right – better than the one from Banana Republic and 1/6 price of LL Bean.  I can’t really compare to the beautiful one from Burberry – $1600) 

Mike and I stayed at the Westin Portland Harbourview   what a lovely hotel – great staff (Dan @ the front desk was wonderful – over and above what we expected)  Close to all the action and they have a shuttle to take you to and from the waterfront and local spots if you don’t wanna walk or move your car.  We flew www.jetblue.com there – easy as pie.  Only 1hr 20 min from DC.  Small easy airport to navigate and a lobster restaurant in our reach as soon as we landed.  The airport was about 12 min from our hotel and we were off the the races.  Got my camera ready and headed to Kennebunkport for our first taste.  Good but not great – OK Maine….. on to the next.  Gilbert’s Chowder House – getting better and right on the waterfront.  People are laid back and very friendly. Haddock stew was a big thing….  So are clams and this girl loves fried clam strips!  However I was informed I could have those or have REAL fried clams – so not wanting to look like a idiot – I had the REAL fried clams – YUMMMMMMMM & SOLD.  I can never go back to those frozen little pieces of whatever they are again.  

Portland has a little artsy edge to it.  College right it the heart of town.  Reminds me how I envision Seattle, Washington to be (whenever I get there – HA) but on a smaller scale.  The food scene is pretty hip too.  We found a super seafood joint called Eventide Oyster Co.  this place has some Asian influence (fine with me!) and the Lobster roll is on a non-traditional butter steamed bun – Whhhhaaaattt!!! So flipping good – no words to express! Put on the top of the list – small joint so prepare to wait but DO IT!

Next just around corner from out hotel we came across the best hot and flipping’ sour soup, dim sum & soup dumplings at Empire Chinese Kitchen – seriously the best we have ever had!  

Then we took a day trip north to Bailey Island and went to Cooks Lobster this my friends was IT.  They are commercial “lobstermen” – no fooling around no little tanks to gawk at – they just get them right outta the bay and steamed up a fat 2 1/2 lb lobster for us.  Outta this world people!  I found my home!  HAHA.  

Mike & I at Cooks Lobster – this is the claw from the 2 1/2 beast!

Fried clams there as well were perfection – coleslaw yummy and the blueberry pie over the top.  Put it on your bucket list!  Over the years I have developed a slight shellfish allergy which has been getting worse but this trip was worth the hives, itching and slight swelling.