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Kennebunkport Maine Bed and Breakfast Accommodations and Cottages

Posts Tagged ‘Kennebunkport inns’

Cooking in the Kennebunks

Wednesday, March 17th, 2010

On the Marsh Bistro, a fine dining restaurant in Kennebunk’s Lower Village, will be

On the Marsh Kennebunkport

Summer Gardens at On the Marsh

offering two gourmet cooking classes this spring. Join executive chef, Jeffrey A. Savage on Sunday, April 25 and May 2, 2010 for “The Insider’s Culinary Experience.”  After enjoying gourmet breakfast at the Maine Stay Inn, head over to On the Marsh for a four hour culinary adventure – and take home recipes exclusively for attendees.  You will learn techniques for creating an appetizer, entree, and dessert.  After enjoying the meal you’ve prepared, take a sampling home to share with your family!

This incredible culinary opportunity includes food, wine, and class materials.  Aprons will be provided.  On the Marsh will limit classes to six students, so book today.  Class cost is $120.

And, if you invite five friends along, you’ll receive the lesson absolutely free!  So bring along five of your girlfriends for a weekend at the Maine Stay – relax, rejuvenate, and reconnect – and on your way home, indulge in an incredible culinary experience to cap off a fantastic weekend.

Gluten Free Vacation In Kennebunkport

Tuesday, March 16th, 2010

Enjoy gourmet gluten-free breakfast at the Maine Stay!

The prospect of going on vacation can be very nerve-racking for someone following a gluten-free diet.  Will I be able to eat anything?  If there are gluten-free options, will they be any good?  Will there be anyone who can help me figure out how to eat safely?  Rest assured, the Maine Stay is here to help!

The innkeepers of the Maine Stay Inn, Judi and Walter, have over a decade of experience with gluten-free eating, because their daughter, Johanna, also on staff at the Maine Stay Inn, has a gluten allergy. For that reason, guests of the Maine Stay Inn following a gluten free diet can eat without worry – but please let us know in advance!

But breakfast is only the foundation of a gluten free vacation – what about lunch and dinner in Kennebunkport.  Not to worry – we’ve got you covered!

Bandaloop, a favorite of everyone at the Maine Stay Inn, offers a multitude of gluten-free options.  As part of their menu, you can pair any protein source with any of their signature sauces, and most of these are gluten free.  Make sure to ask your server, just to be safe!  My personal favorite “safe” option at Bandaloop is grilled salmon with their caramelized chili coconut curry sauce.  It comes paired with a medley of the freshest vegetables and turmeric rice in a bath of Thai-style curry sauce.  Delish!  But the truth is, everything on the menu is incredible, and many of the options are Celiac safe.  Their salads offer great options for lighter fare.  If you’re looking for something a little richer, try their bone-in pork chop with caramelized onion-gorgonzola cream sauce.  But the gluten-free options don’t stop here – Bandaloop’s Creme Brulee is always incredible, and a recent discovery – their raspberry-lime crisp – is also wheat-free (their oats aren’t certified GF, but if you regularly handle rolled oats, then this is a tasty treat that is normally a no-fly zone).

For more casual fare, try Pier 77’s The Ramp – this small restaurant takes excellent care of all its patrons and is attentive to the needs of gluten-free eaters.  Their hand cut French Fries are out of this world, and their Beet and Spinach Salad is just as delectable.  Add perfectly seared salmon, and you have a healthy meal safe for gluten-free eaters.

But even gluten intolerant people sometimes want ultra casual food in a fun environment. And you normally wouldn’t even consider a Brew Pub, but Federal Jack’s, the local pub (which serves lunch and dinner daily), offers quiet a few gluten-free options.  But the most important thing about gluten free dining there is to tell your server. Tell them what you would ideally like to eat and have them ask the cooks what your best options are.  As a frequent eater at Federal Jack’s there are good options.  Salads, as you well know, are good choices, and they have a variety of GF salad dressings.  They key to eating as safely as possible here is to ask for dressing on the side – that way there is no contamination from crouton crumbs or other ingredients – they’re packaged separately from other foods.  Usually safe, french fries and potato skins are out, but sweet potato fries are in.  Their house rice is Celiac friendly, and a great side to their safe meats – even burgers (not the buns, of course) are safe, as they are filler free.  Looking for something lighter?  Federal Jack’s vegetarian chili is safe and fantastic. Even their dessert menu has choices for Celiacs – check out their Crema (similar to a creme brulee, but no burnt sugar on top, with flavors varying weekly) or even their brownie sundaes – they keep gluten free brownies in the freezer.

Some other area restaurants that easily accommodate gluten free patrons include The Cape Arundel Inn, Pier 77, Mekhong Thai, The Kennebunk Inn, Nunan’s Lobster Hut, and On The Marsh. As with any restaurant, make sure you server knows that you cannot eat gluten and that they convey this to the chefs.

The Maine Stay Inn, with its experience in gluten free cooking, is the perfect bed and breakfast inn for a safe and healthy getaway. So book your vacation at the Maine Stay Inn and Cottages in Kennebunkport, a small town unlike any other, offering a plethora of dining options for those with gluten intolerance,  and treat yourself to a safe and healthy getaway.

Fitness in the Kennebunks

Sunday, March 14th, 2010

The Marginal Way - great for a walk or jog!

We at the Maine Stay Inn regularly suggest scenic runs or long beach walks to guests, but the fitness options available in the Kennebunks doesn’t stop there.  In fact, Kennebunkport is a virtual hub of fitness activities – which is a good thing, considering the incredible dining options that abound here as well!

For indoor gym fiends, you have to head outside of town to Kennebunk for two great fitness center options.  The Fitness Nut House, a rather traditional small-town gym, located on Route 1, offers the basics – treadmills and ellipticals, free weights and weight machines – as well as some great classes like Zumba, spinning and Pilates.  Personal training sessions are also available.  The Fitness Nut House is really more of a “home” because of its non-threatening, laid-back atmosphere and members that feel more like family than anything else.  One sweat session at the Nut House and you’re sure to make a new friend!  Almost directly behind the Fitness Nut House lies Quest Fitness, the mammoth new gym with all the bells and whistles.  You’re greeted by neon green walls and encouraging fitness oriented phrases on the walls and a well-staffed front desk.  They are as high tech as you get – weight machines with built-in computers to track your progress and monitor your form during exercises.  All treadmills, ellipticals, and stationary bikes (no spinning here, sorry!) come with their own TVs, and most with individual iPod docking stations.  Great classes are offered here as well (definitely a good option for all you Yogis-in-training), but the biggest draw is most definitely the indoor pool – so even if it rains, you can go for a dip!  The facility is pristine, although I can’t be certain whether this is merely due to its newness or not.  Either way, there’s always custodial staff present and working – always a good sign!  Their lockers rooms are just as high tech, with individually programmable locks, powerful hand dryers, towel service, and a sauna.  But the best part is that, even without a door, you feel as though you have stepped into a spa, filled with soft music and sweet-smelling amenities.  Of course, though, you’ll pay for the difference – to the tune of $15 for an individual day pass or $49 for a family.

But there’s still more for us fitness fanatics – think kayaking or canoeing on the Kennebunk river, open ocean kayaking, or learn-to sail classes.  For those blessed with hand-eye coordination, there are public tennis courts and private tennis clubs throughout the Kennebunks.

As for golf, there are many great options.  The Maine Stay Inn recommends The Old Marsh Country Club, a rather new course in Wells.  It has been rated as one of the nation’s best new courses and often offers special clinics and packages to our guests.  Webhannet is also a fantastic course in Kennebunk Beach with tidal water hazards and a snack bar. But let’s not forget the Bush Family’s course – the Cape Arundel Golf Course.

Summer surf at Biddeford PoolFor those on bikes, the options are nearly endless.  A short family ride might take you past the Kennebunk beaches or out to Parson’s Beach or neighboring Rachel Carson Wildlife Refuge.  For a longer ride, head out to Goose Rocks Beach, but be forewarned, there are no restrooms out there!  Adventurous riders might choose to explore north from Goose Rocks Beach to Biddeford Pool, another spectacular Maine beach with limited parking (not to mention it requires a town of Biddeford pass).  Experienced road riders should head south from the Maine Stay and check out Wells and York beaches or Ogunquit.  But no bikes allowed on the Marginal Way – foot traffic only!

So while in Southern Maine at the Maine Stay Inn enjoying amazing food and incredible sights, make sure to take part in some of the amazing fitness activities that are just part of what makes Kennebunkport an incredible place to vacation or escape the stresses of everyday life.

Maine Brewery Tours

Thursday, March 11th, 2010

Maine may be known for its bed and breakfasts, beaches, and beautiful antique shops, but it is also home to a plethora of breweries.  In fact, there are about thirty different breweries throughout the state, with a high concentration in Southern Maine.  Kennebunkport, or Lower Village Kennebunk, is home to one – Federal Jack’s/Kennebunkport Brewing Company.  KBC, the original home of Shipyard Ale (with it’s own brewery in Portland), brews seven different blends, all of which get pumped directly to the bar at Federal Jack’s Brew Pub.  Can’t get fresher than that!  And while you’re in town, be sure not to miss a tour of the brewery.  Tours require reservations – let the Maine Stay make them for you!

Kennebunkport and the Maine Stay Inn is the perfect place to begin your exploration of the Maine Beer Trail.  Just a short drive from the Maine Stay is the Run of The Mill Public House and Brewery, located in Saco, Maine.  Continue traveling up the coast along scenic Route 1 to Scarborough for your next stop at the Sebago Brewing Company.  Next up – the breweries of Portland!  While it is home to several small brewing companies, Allagash Brewing, DL Geary Brewing, Gritty McDuff’s, and Sebago Brewing, it is also the current home of Shipyard Ale – the Shipyard Brewing Company.  And at just 30 miles from the Maine Stay, it’s not to be missed!

If you have any steam left, head north toward Freeport – home of the famous L.L.Bean, but also to two breweries!  Leave the ladies (if they’re at all like me) in your life for an afternoon of shopping, and hit the pub – you can’t go wrong at Gritty McDuff’s (a microbewery and brew pub) or at stop at Freeport Brewing Company.

Of course, there are oodles more breweries to visit on the “Maine Beer Trail,” so book your reservation and ask the Maine Stay Innkeepers today to help plan your Maine Brewery Tour.

Kennebunkport Restaurants: Dessert Digs

Wednesday, March 10th, 2010

So you’ve had dinner and just need a little something before snuggling into your cozy bed at the Maine Stay Inn.  Where do you turn?  The Maine Stay has you covered!

Dessert dining can be a huge challenge for visitors, because they may have eaten on their way to Kennebunkport and may be uncomfortable going into a restaurant just for dessert. But an evening just isn’t complete without that sweet treat!Kennebunkport Harbor

So here are some great options in the area for those needing just dessert:

  • Old Vines (This wine bar in Lower Village Kennebunk is a great stop for after dinner noshing – their selection of cheeses and cured meats are great for non-sweet eaters, their homemade desserts are top notch, and they offer a great assortment of after dinner drinks.  The best part? They’re open late!)
  • Federal Jack’s (While we at the Maine Stay Inn recommend this eatery for Maine basics – fried fish, chowdah, and steamed lobster – their extensive dessert menu has options for all tastes (but pass on the bread pudding – they do other things much better).  And like Old Vines, they serve late – in season their “Late Night” menu is available until midnight.)
  • Ben and Jerry’s (I wouldn’t be a true New Englander if I didn’t mention this area favorite.  They’re located just steps from the Maine Stay, so they’re a perfect evening stop after exploring Dock Square.  But they’re seasonal, so winter visitors, don’t be disappointed!)
  • Roly’s English Fudge (Also a short stroll from the Maine Stay Inn, this favorite on Ocean Avenue offers a huge selection of English style fudge – think a bit more crumbly with undertones of caramelized sugar – and gelato.  This is a must-taste for chocolate lovers and those looking for something light and fruity.  Keep in mind, though, that they operate on limited hours in the winter, so check with the innkeepers before venturing out!)
  • The Ramp at Pier77 (At the Maine Stay, this one of our personal favorites for a casual lunch or dinner, but their desserts are out of this world.  You might be most comfortable digging in at the bar if you’re just ordering that after-dinner snack, but their staff will take great care of you no matter the size of your order!)

Even for that little bedtime snack, Kennebunkport offers ample options.  But don’t forget that for just $20, the staff at the Maine Stay Inn will create a homemade dessert and deliver it to your room for the ultimate romantic experience.  Kindly give us a few days notice if you think you’d like to indulge!

Kennebunkport Restaurants: Bandaloop

Monday, March 8th, 2010

Just steps from the Maine Stay Inn’s front door lies a funky restaurant with a name to match – Bandaloop.  And while the atmosphere is rustic and Bohemian chic, the cuisine is anything but.  Located about three very short blocks from the inn in a residential area adjacent to Dock Square’s shopping district, you might miss it, if not for the bright red door.  Walking into this converted barn (that’s how I perceive it, at least), you will find a wide, modern bar and soft lighting, aided by twinkling white Christmas lights along the upper balcony.  The upstairs houses a few small tables and a quiet, intimate atmosphere with great views of the roughly hewn rafters and ample opportunity to people watch.  And while the downstairs is more tightly packed and bustling, you have a chance to watch the amazing skills of Chef Scott Lee, owner of Bandaloop.  Personally, I love an open kitchen – you know the food is hot and fresh, because you see it come out of the pan, onto the plate and into your belly – no waiting under some heat lamp.  That would be entirely counterintuitive here, as “fresh is best” clearly dominates this eatery.  In the past they have offered a covered, heated patio during the warmer months and into foliage season, but a recent dinnertime visit revealed exterior construction for a more permanent addition of seating area.

The waitstaff at Bandaloop Restaurant is cheerful, but not overbearing, and very helpful to those of us plagued by indecision.  But at Bandaloop, indecision must be incredibly common – the menu is just too good!  A two-page menu and handful of specials shouldn’t be terribly troubling, but when you consider the option of pairing any protein source with any of their signature sauces (and there are around 7 of each), the menu seems to grow exponentially!

In all honesty, there is nothing that I wouldn’t like at Bandaloop.  Their trend is toward organically raised products and interesting combinations, many with an Asian fusion flair.  My personal favorite is their grilled salmon or fried tofu with caramelized chili-coconut sauce.  But you certainly can’t go wrong with their spinach salad and Mac & Cheese!  And the menu offers a host of vegan, vegetarian, and gluten free options.

No matter the season, we at the Maine Stay Inn recommend reservations – even on a Wednesday in March.  So let us make on for you, because Bandaloop is certainly not to be missed!

March Getaway: 3rd Night Free!

Thursday, March 4th, 2010

For the entire month of March, enjoy three nights for the price of two at the Maine Stay Inn in Kennebunkport.  It’s like two seasons for the price of one!

Is it Spring?

Experience our charming winter one day and glorious springtime the next.  Although this is how New England weather works year round, March is particularly prone to rapidly changing weather. We’re not even through the first week of March and we have already seen gentle snow with blustery winds and fifty degree days with ample sunshine!  But take advantage of our incredible “Third Night Free” package and you’re sure to experience a little of everything.

...Or Still Winter?

If anything is certain, though, it is that you will want to curl up by our cozy fires at night with your special someone, relax in our jetted tubs, and dig into our hearty gourmet breakfasts each morning.  So join us for three nights this winter (or is it Spring?) for the price of two, because two nights at the Maine Stay Inn just isn’t enough!

Kennebunkport Bars: Federal Jack’s vs. The Ramp

Monday, March 1st, 2010

While Federal Jack’s Brewpub and The Ramp at Pier 77 both bill themselves as pubs catering to sports fanatics, the similarities stop there.  Read on to see how they stack up.

Federal Jack’s Brew Pub sits on prime real estate in Lower Village Kennebunk, right on the river overlooking a marina.  It’s second floor location could be a deterrent to some, but an elevator distinguishes it from most places in town.  And it is huge.  I mean huge. Their dish slide is larger than the entire kitchen at the Maine Stay. During the summertime Federal Jack’s operates five separate serving areas – the main dining room, the bar, the pool room, the outdoor decks, and a smaller dining room.

In contrast, The Ramp barely has five tables!  Okay, that may be an exaggeration, but it is much smaller and is actually one of the smallest eateries in town.  Granted, it’s big sister, Pier 77 (upstairs and closed for the winter) compensates for its small size.  The low ceilings and water level location in Cape Porpoise make it a much more intimate spot, and little space between tables ensures you’ll be friendly with your neighbors by the end of the night.  And for its small size, the Ramp offers a surprisingly diverse menu, especially during the warmer months when patrons can choose to dine off Pier 77’s menu.

Just like it’s floor plan, the menu at Fed’s is astoundingly large.  But your best bets are standard American pub fare – burgers and fried food.  Their chowder is good, as are their salads, desserts, and daily $10 special, but skip the fancy stuff – Fed’s is best for basics.

The Ramp, however, has a phenomenal chef, so don’t hesitate to order the unusual here – it’s all (and always) good.  For the chowdah connoisseurs out there – their’s is of the potato-y variety.

Federal Jack’s beckons sports fans because of its plethora of widescreen TVs, long hours (they’re open until 12:30 a.m. daily), and beer brewed on site, while The Ramp brings out the fan in all of us with its vintage athletic memorabilia and the soft glow of two small TVs.

So here’s the final breakdown:

  • Late-night service: Fed’s
  • Cuisine: The Ramp
  • Prime sports viewing: Fed’s
  • Atmosphere for the non-sport viewer: The Ramp
  • Location: Fed’s
  • Ocean Views: The Ramp

These two eateries are staples for the Maine Stay and all of Kennebunkport, but serve entirely different needs.  So come to Kennebunkport and the Maine Stay Inn to decide for yourself!

Maine Restaurant Week 2010!

Sunday, February 28th, 2010

The much awaited Maine Restaurant Week is fast approaching and two excellent restaurants in the Kennebunks are participating this year!  From March 1-10, 2010, the Kennebunk Inn’s Academe and Kennebunkport Inn’s One Dock are both serving 3 course dinners for just $30.10. These prices don’t include beverage or gratuity but pack an amazing value when considering their menu selections.

At the Kennebunk Inn, choose from their signature salad, incredible butternut squash soup, or lobster croquette to start.  Follow with braised short rib, roast chicken (served with their smoked sweet potato souffle – my absolute favorite thing on their menu), or organic salmon.  And if you can manage to make room for dessert, choose between peanut butter molten chocolate cake, cheesecake, and homemade reverse root beet float.  Talk about value!  They can certainly count on me to take advantage.

One Dock, just a short stroll from the Maine Stay Inn, boasts a similarly exquisite menu. For starters choose (if you can) among crab cakes, crispy risotto balls, or goat cheese and mesclun salad.  Follow with grilled salmon, New York strip steak, or mushroom risotto and finish with your choice of apple brownie sundae, flourless chocolate torte, or carrot cake cheesecake.  Talk about indulgence without the sticker shock (a mediocre three course dinner anywhere else will run you at least that much)!

And while there are only two participating locations in the Kennebunks, there are innumerable restaurants dishing out incredible values in Portland and surrounding communities, including famed Street and Company and Fore Street, both serving 3 course dinners for just $40.10.  This means that early March is the perfect time to plan a short getaway to Maine!  Take advantage of the Maine Stay Inn’s “Third Night Free” package and ring in the savings!

Early Booking – A Traveler’s Best Friend

Saturday, February 27th, 2010

With the advent online reservations, TripAdvisor, and Expedia, it has gotten easier and easier for travelers to book last-minute vacations and weekend getaways.  And while it may be getting easier, it certainly isn’t getting better.  Yes, you can sometimes find “deals,” but most often this is to the detriment of the traveler.  Hands down, the best values can be had by booking early, often, and over the phone.  Here’s why:

  • The best rooms go first (how many innkeepers have their best booking room available for Valentine’s Weekend on the Saturday before?).  And “best” can mean most expensive, but always means the room that packs the best value (maybe it’s the only room with its own porch in the summer, but the smallest room with a jacuzzi and fireplace in the winter; or maybe it just got renovated and the new pictures aren’t online yet).  And at a time when everyone is traveling smarter, those best value rooms are a must!
  • When you book early and over the phone, innkeepers have the opportunity to get to know you and your needs.  That’s because when you’re booking a summer reservation in March, they have the time to talk to you and figure out which room or suite is going to suit you perfectly.  Not to mention that that “perfect” room is probably available.  Booking early means you won’t have to compromise on the amenities that are essential to giving you the best vacation possible.  Not to mention, they may feel more inclined to throw in something special for that anniversary, birthday, or honeymoon celebration.
  • Booking repeatedly at one place makes you special.  You become a guest that we look forward to sharing our renovations with, that we think about when telling stories about favorite guests, and a guest that we check in with throughout the year. But as a repeat guest, you get the inside scoop on special packages, promotions, and steep discounts throughout the year.  Don’t delete our newsletter now, you hear?

So while it may seem passe, pick up the phone for your next reservation, talk to the innkeepers, and let us make sure that your next getaway is absolutely perfect.  And call early to make sure that you get the best bang for your buck and best experience imaginable in Kennebunkport.  Because at the Maine Stay Inn we strive to make your getaway exceed all your expectations!