This post was rather difficult for me to write. In June we had a lovely little getaway with Porscha and my parents. Unfortunately, an experience we had at lunch stayed with me for the rest of the weekend and still causes me sadness. Portland Maine is a wonderful city, filled with sights, restaurants, hotels, and good people. We will definitely visit again and still recommend it to you.
We checked into the Hilton Garden Inn Portland Downtown Waterfront. Only one of our 2 rooms was ready but that was fine. We booked a king bed room for my parents and a double queen room for us and Porscha. We brought up our luggage and settled in Fred. My mother and Fred were hot and tired so they decided to relax at the hotel while we went out for a drink and some lunch. Vena's Fizz House is a gem! The staff, store selections, and beverages are all wonderful. The 4 of us sat at a hightop and ordered a mixture of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. We did order a snack but the staff forgot about (we were probably better off without it anyway).
We ended up bringing lunch back to the hotel for my mother and all hung out together for a little while. Once the weather cooled down we went shopping and enjoyed a nice stroll through the city. Back at the hotel, we weren't able to sit in the bar area with Fred but the wonderful bartender said he would bring us drinks into the lobby area (where Fred was allowed to be). The front desk staff also offered to turn on the fireplace for us to enhance the ambiance. A Shirley Temple for Porscha, wine for my mother, and Manhattans for the rest of us were all perfectly made. For dinner, we opted to order food to go and watch a movie together. My dad and Greg walked up to The Thirsty Pig to pick up the order we called in. My favorite items from the Thirsty Pig are Matt's BBQ Banh Mi, Icelandic Hot Dog, and the Potato Salad. For a casual, balanced, and delicious hot dog or sausage definitely try The Thirsty Pig. The next morning we woke up early and walked around Portland and enjoyed the quiet. For breakfast, my parents popped over to Standard Baking Co but we headed to The Holy Donut (yay vegan donuts). Porscha is also obsessed with cannoli's so of course, she loves the holy donut's cannoli donut!
After checking out of the hotel we headed back to Kittery Maine. We stopped into When Pigs Fly Bakery once more for a loaf of sliced sourdough bread to enjoy during the week. Luckily, traffic was light and we made it the rest of the way home easily.
2 Comments
At 3:30 a.m. the alarm is not a happy sound but up we went. We quickly dressed, grabbed our bags, and checked out of the hotel within a half an hour. Thanks to our early departure we made it to Boston in record time. My family wanted to do lunch together since my cousin from California was visiting so Greg and I stopped for take-out.
We parked and walked over to the Gourmet Dumpling House in Chinatown. I placed our order and had a 20-minute wait. The creature of habit that I am I crossed the street and ordered a bubble tea at Tea Do and then picked up desserts for everyone at Bao Bao Bakery. Our lunch was a lot of fun and I was so happy to see my cousin before she headed home. Finally, we made it home and started to unpack and get ready for the week ahead.
We skipped lunch so we decided to have an early dinner before checking into our hotel. We decided to try The Vault Kitchen & Market for our meal. We were seated close to the bar area and our server was warm, offered suggestions, and very professional. My perfectly balanced and refreshing cocktail was the Thai Margarita. I ended up ordering a 2nd one throughout our meal since I enjoyed it so much. For food we ordered the grilled calamari, seared shumai, duck dumplings, lao sausage, and chicken claypot. The grilled calamari was cooked well and had a gentle seasoning. We both loved it. The dumplings were kind of a hit and miss for me. The first issue was it's the same dough and shape. The shumai was fine but the duck dumplings were too finely ground for my taste. Greg enjoyed his lao sausage entree and the flavor was bold which I liked. My chicken claypot was outstanding. The dish was comforting, warmly spiced, and the chicken was tender.
We slept in, which for us is 7:30 a.m. and stopped in the lobby for coffee. Greg enjoyed a hot coffee while i opted for a caramel iced coffee. The Kimpton Brice Hotel offers an adorable selection for their guests. We continued our sightseeing of Savannah with a morning walk around the historic district. We love the architecture, parks, churches, and cemeteries.
After a short rest in our hotel room, we decided to take another evening stroll down River Street. We enjoyed watching the riverboat dock, purchased pralines at River Street Sweets, and tried to find a spot for drinks and snacks but nothing seemed to work for us.
We headed back to the Kimpton Brice and decided to order drinks and appetizers at the bar. My cucumber collins was refreshing and well balanced. Unfortunately, the staff was a bit frazzled again and Greg's Manhattan ended up as an Old Fashioned. Greg enjoys both drinks and didn't really complain. The octopus we ordered was very tender and seasoned well but the potatoes weren't cooked fully. The brussels sprouts were crispy and slightly sweet. Finally, the fried baby artichokes we ordered were delicious. These were the closest I've had to fried artichokes in Rome Italy. The artichokes were crispy, salty, and the dip was a good accompaniment. Before heading up to bed we ordered a Manhattan and a Bourbon and again there was a mistake and we both got Manhattans. Not a huge mix-up but a little annoying to get two drink orders wrong.
For my birthday my friend booked an appointment for a massage at the Mandara Spa at Disney World. I opted for the first time of the day so that Greg and I could spend the rest of the day together. Greg and I both drove over to the Dolphin hotel and valeted the car (which was validated by the spa). I checked in and a staff member showed me around the spa. Once inside you will find a men's and women's changing room with lockers, showers, steam rooms, and other amenities. The next area is a relaxing area for before treatments. I sat back and relaxed with a nice cup of coconut hibiscus tea. My masseuse welcomed me and showed me to my room where I enjoyed a light Balinese massage. After my massage, I was given a complimentary glass of champagne and shown to another relaxation area. To continue the celebration my husband booked us a cabana by the pool at the Waldorf. The staff showed us to our assigned cabana, showed us the stocked fridge, menus, and helped settle us in. The cabana was relaxing and I loved being able to get some shade since it was a hot and sunny day. There were a few things that I feel could be improved upon. The first thing is that the fridge comes with complimentary soda and 2 bottles of water. Once you drink those waters the staff bring you tap water. For the price of the cabana, I feel like bottled waters should be given throughout the day. A staff member asked us when we would like to receive our fruit plate. I don't know if he didn't tell anyone or what happened but 11:30 a.m. came and went and we ended up having to ask someone else about it after 12:00 p.m. The poolside restaurant staff are wonderful. The server was always coming by the cabana area for drink and food orders. For lunch, we enjoyed a couple of different cocktails, the Asian salad with shrimp, the edamame, and the peel and eat shrimp. The drinks and food are pricey but we couldn't complain. We made it inside the hotel to relax before dinner right before a pretty strong rain shower.
Room 925 is a Disney View Suite with a large king bedroom, living room, and dining area. The four of us went to check out our room and wait for the luggage before heading out to an early dinner. The room was very clean and mostly kept up. The living room couch was a little sad looking and could use a replacement. The view was terrific and let us watch multiple fireworks from the park during our stay.
Our friends dropped us off at the Waldorf before heading home for the night and we made plans to get together again tomorrow. After unpacking some of our belongings we decided to take a sunset stroll along the golf course. The weather cooled down slightly, the golf course was empty, and we had a relaxing stroll with plenty of spots for pictures.
To end the night we enjoyed a glass of wine on our balcony and watched the fireworks from Disney World. Our alarm went off at 3:30 a.m. and we pulled ourselves out of bed to finish packing and to load up the car. Once fully awake we drove to my moms where we settled Fred in for his week's stay with grandma and grandpa. We hopped back in the car and began our drive south to Florida. I kept myself awake by snapping pictures in NY, DE, and MD. Today's drive wasn't easy at all. We hit traffic entering Delaware and tons of traffic in Virginia. Our 16-hour drive ended up being a little over 18 hours. After shopping at Target for a few forgotten items we opted to eat lunch at Five Guys. Five guys make simple but good burgers and fries that are save for those with a gluten and/or dairy allergy (lettuce wrap). We had plans to stop at Sweatman's for our usual BBQ fix but we knew we would either get there after closing or after all the food ran out. It was 11:00 p.m. when we pulled up to the Hampton Inn in Brunswick GA, our hotel for the night. The staff simply handed over our keys and our waters rather than a warm welcome. Our room was very clean however it was in desperate need of updating. The furniture was a little beat up, the air conditioner extremely noisy, and the bathroom was outdated. In addition to all of that the area was busy and the walls thin so we heard everyone who was coming and going. We've stayed here in the past but now agree that we won't return.
We each enjoyed a nice glass of Matua Sauvignon Blanc before getting to bed so we could leave early for Orlando in the morning. We were supposed to be on our way to Ireland tomorrow but unfortunately, life had a different idea for us. Our plan was to visit Dublin, Northern Ireland, and then hike Wicklow Way. Sadly this trip has now been pushed off until October. 6 weeks ago I went to the podiatrist for some foot pain I've been struggling with and the response I got was quite unexpected. I assumed I had plantar fasciitis or a pulled tendon. The X-rays showed that I actually broke one of my sesamoid bones. My Dr. suggested a short walker boot for 2 weeks and then to try sneakers. When I switched to sneakers and still had pain I was put back in the boot for another 2 weeks. Last week I went back and the X-rays still confirm the break. Needless to say, I'm back in the boot. My Dr. did come up with a game plan to try and get me through the hike but with no guarantees. I haven't been able to work out for 7 weeks, I've been in this boot for 6 weeks, and I can't imagine trying to hike 5-8 miles a day in a couple weeks from now. In addition to my foot not being a 100% healed, walking in this boot has affected my knees, hips, and back. When I'm out of the boot for a little while I end up in a good amount of pain the next day. The lemons didn't easily turn into lemonade but we have found a brighter side to the story. We were able to (at a cost) change our flights, change our hotels, and thanks to Hillwalk Tours change our hiking plans. Considering we already had the time off and in need of some R&R, we decided to go on a relaxing road trip. We'll be loading up the car and heading south to Florida. Our first destination in Florida will be Orlando so we can visit friends, say hi to Mikey, and relax at one of our favorite hotels. Our second destination will be Savannah Georgia for unique sites and southern hospitality. Our final stop will be in Washington D.C. for either a view of the mall or a museum as well as a nice dinner. We're grateful for these opportunities and can't wait to share our adventures! On Saturday morning we woke up early, dropped Fred off at my parent's house, and headed north to Portland ME for the day. We're obviously creatures of habit because whenever we head to Maine our first stop is in Kittery ME. Kitttery is probably best known for their outlet shopping. We stopped into Starbucks for coffee, tea, and my matcha lemonade. At 10:00 we popped over to When Pigs Fly Bakery and purchased some bread. I opted for the raspberry, blueberry lemonade bread while Porscha chose the apple cinnamon bread. Back in the car we munched on our bread and finished our drive to Portland. As we were nearing the Portland Head Lighthouse we started to notice a lot of foot traffic. Once we pulled into the parking lot we realized that it was the family fun day. Somehow we were lucky and scored a parking spot right at the lighthouse! If we hadn't found that spot Greg would have had to drop me off and park pretty far away due to the crowds and activities. The weather was absolutely perfect for walking around the grounds, taking photographs, and watching the ocean. Sadly, with my foot in a boot, I'm pretty limited and we had plenty of walking to do in downtown so we cut our visit a little short. Walking around downtown Portland we popped into Vena's Fizz House for some adult beverages (mocktail for Porscha). We chose a high top table rather than the bar so I would have somewhere to put my foot. Man, this boot is a pain! The owner came over to welcome us and we chatted about how we briefly met him years ago during a visit to Portland. We were reminiscing how at that time they didn't serve alcohol and how we loved the inventive flavor combinations. We ended up ordering a virgin Blackheart, Grandma's Bourbon, and I wish I could remember the name of my drink! We enjoyed the cool vibe of the bar, the air conditioning, and the delicious drinks! For lunch, we decided to visit The Honey Paw. We opted for 3 seats at the bar and our server brought over waters and took our drink orders. Here's where we over ordered! We decided to try the lobster wontons, the chicken wings, and the fried oyster ssam appetizers. The lobster wontons were tender and came in a savory broth. The oyster ssam was bold, crispy, and also came with delicious kimchi. The chicken wings are unique, crispy, and a great mix of sweet and savory. For entrees, Porscha and I ordered the ramen while Greg opted for the banh mi.
I'll start off by saying that I did enjoy my ramen and others will like it. I'm pretty particular with ramen and I would have preferred my egg to be cooked longer. I also felt the noodles were on the thick side for a ramen. Both Porscha and Greg enjoyed their dishes and we were full. On the way out I popped into the women's restroom and I just loved the natural looking sink. Very cute touch! We wandered around Portland a little more looking for some unique pieces of clothes for the fall. Before leaving the city we grabbed a dessert to go at The Holy Donut. I ordered the vegan lemon and triple berry donuts while Greg and Porscha ordered a variety. The donuts are cake-like donuts (made with potato), aren't overly sweet, and are topped with delicious frostings. The lemon donut was a bit tart but still delicious. The drive home was pleasant and hardly any traffic. We picked up Fred, finalized plans for Father's Day, and then headed home to relax. I've spoken about her previously by my teenage cousin Porscha is coming to stay with us again this summer and we can't wait! I have been working on a list of things to do while she's here rather than going away for just a weekend. My list includes some of our past favorites, some new places, and some that are just new to her. All are within 3 hours from Boston and are great for couples, friends, and families. Boston Area (short walks, train ride, or taxi ride) The Patios on Government Center Freedom Trail Faneuil Hall Boston Public Market (Excellent for foodie finds and gifts) Museum of Fine Arts (Everything from Degas to Chihuly) Institute of Contemporary Art Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum Castle Island (Walk along the ocean, peek into the fort, and enjoy lunch at Sullivan's) Shopping on Newbury St Mccrea's Caramel factory (Delicious caramels that we gave as thank you's in Paris) Taza Chocolate Factory
Sunday morning we were ready to try somewhere new for breakfast. We decided to try Project Social. Our party of 6 were the first table of the morning and were given a high top. We all ordered coffee which was fine for me but others found it to be a bit too strong (slightly bitter). For entrees we ordered the Basic Breakfast, 3 Pork Belly Benedicts, 2 Brussels Sprouts Hash, a Classic Crepe, and an Apple Crepe. My pork belly benedict was delicious. The pork was tender, the eggs runny, and the bread thick and crusty. The basic breakfast with blueberry sausage was also enjoyed. Unfortunately, a few dishes weren't what we hoped they would be. When we hear hash we think of crisp, browned, and melded. The brussels sprouts hash offered boiled brussels sprouts, large chunks of potatoes, and topped with an egg. The dish wasn't visually appealing, nor satisfying. The apple crepe was also not to our liking. The filling states roasted apples however they tasted as if they were poached in wine. The flavor combination was tart and unappealing. Our breakfast was split 50/50 and so I would try the restaurant again but I would probably return to try out their dinner menu.
While we were at lunch Fred was resting at the house. We picked him up and decided to drive around Acadia National Park again. We ended up driving through the whole park stopping for pictures all along the way. The scenery was beautiful and we were nice and relaxed.
Monday morning we all woke up early and finished packing. Before leaving the house we stripped the beds, piled up the towels, wiped down the kitchen, and took out the trash. On our way out of town we stopped for breakfast to go. Thrive Juice Bar & Kitchen offers juices, smoothies, bowls, as well as snacks. I opted for the Quinoa Beach Bum Bowl (minus banana and adding in strawberry). The fruit was fresh and flavorful however I don't think they rinse their Quinoa before cooking as it had a bitter taste.
Greg chose the PB&J Smoothie which he enjoyed. I did have an impulse buy at the register. I ended up adding 2 vegan peanut butter cookies to my order. Back in the car we ventured south with all the other cars. We did hit traffic home but the 4 hour drive ended up being only 5 hours. Not too shabby! Another successful family getaway in Bar Harbor! Looking forward to next year!! |
Categories
All
Archives
January 2020
|