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Posts Tagged ‘Kennebunkport restaurants’

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!

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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!

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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!

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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!

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Kennebunkport as a “Designated Destination”

Tuesday, February 16th, 2010

Last weekend, the Maine Stay Inn and neighboring historic inns of Kennebunkport debuted a trial run of its restaurant shuttle service.  Guests enjoyed a complimentary shuttle to area restaurants on the evening of Saturday, February 13th, allowing those enjoying a romantic Valentine’s celebration to wine and dine without the worry of navigating in the dark.  Overall, it was a great success!  Participating guests were thrilled with the service and didn’t mind waiting a few minutes for the shuttle to arrive at their destinations.  Although this February has been warmer and decidedly less snowy than usual, our guests were delighted to step into a warm van and to avoid the worry of parking and navigating in unfamiliar territory.

Stay tuned for further updates on the future of the “Designated Destination” Shuttle!

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Valentine’s Dining In Kennebunkport

Friday, February 5th, 2010

Valentine’s Day is one of the most romantic days of the year, so we at the Maine Stay Inn want to make sure that your intimate getaway goes absolutely perfectly.  We can arrange for her favorite flowers to be in the room, or for a special bottle of wine.  We can deliver a homemade dessert or fresh fruit and cheeses for the happy couple to enjoy.  But you can’t get that romantic candle lit dinner here for Valentine’s.  We can, however, help you pick that perfect dining experience.  For a romantic winter weekend, here are some of our favorite digs:

  • Cape Arundel Inn Restaurant (This seaside restaurant overlooking the famous Bush compound and vast Atlantic offers fine dining in an airy, comfortable setting)
  • Grissini (Authentic Italian in Lower Village with an extensive wine selection)
  • Joshua’s (Slow-food fine dining featuring organic ingredients in a Colonial home)
  • On The Marsh (Intimate fine dining in a converted farmhouse overlooking a native marsh)
  • White Barn Inn (Five star dining with a fixed price, multi-course menu)

And this Valentine’s Weekend (February 13 and 14), we can even help you get there!  The historic inns of Kennebunkport are debuting their trial run of “Designated Destination,” a shuttle service to local eateries leaving from the participating inns.  The Maine Stay is proud to announce their involvement and look forward to helping provide guests the opportunity to savor their favorite wine or cocktails before and during dinner without having to worry about navigating our winter roads.  We’ll be your designated driver!

Hopefully this sheds some light on our often overwhelming dining scene, but we’re happy to talk with you to ensure you find the perfect dinner destination.  Let the Maine Stay Inn be your personal concierge!

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Kennebunkport Promotes Safe Driving

Wednesday, February 3rd, 2010

Kennebunkport is your Valentine’s Weekend “Designated Destination”

Beginning Saturday night February 13th, guests arriving for a weekend stay at one of the Historic Inns of Kennebunkport have the opportunity to enjoy a complimentary ride to dinner and a worry-free return home afterwards as the group launches it “DesignatedValentines in Kennebunkport MaineDestination” shuttle service. This first of its kind guest service on the Maine seacoast gives visiting guests the opportunity to celebrate the Valentine’s weekend without the stress of driving after dark, in poor weather, or after enjoying a romantic bottle of wine or two.

Developing Kennebunkport as a “Designated Destination” is a much needed solution for both visiting guests and local inns and restaurants. Creating an opportunity for guests to plan – and enjoy – a wonderful evening out at one the excellent local restaurants without worrying about the dark, the weather, or their consumption was the motivation that drove Finn MacDonald of the Captain Fairfield Inn to propose the idea to the group. “This is a win, win, win,” MacDonald says, “This is a unique service that can help my guests enjoy their evening out here. If our guests appreciate this service, that will help my business. And this service really benefits the restaurants because guests can have a worry-free evening knowing the Designated Destination shuttle will take care of getting them back to one of the inns. The service is scheduled for the evenings of Saturday February 13th and Sunday February 14th. For more information, please contact a participating historic inn on the www.kportinns.com website.

The Maine Stay Inn is, of course, thrilled to be jointly debuting this program, as we continually strive for our guests to have the best experience possible.  Winter driving on dark, unfamiliar streets can sometimes deter guests from enjoying certain culinary delights during their stay and the ability to offer this service to our guests is a tremendous step forward. So this Valentine’s Day, crack open your bottle of wine and let the Maine Stay take care of the rest!

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Winter Lunch Spots

Wednesday, January 27th, 2010

While Kennebunkport and its surrounding communities are known for incredible dining, great lunchtime eateries seem a little harder to come by, particularly in the winter.  The Maine Stay can help you figure out how to get the best soup, salad, and sandwiches to get you through to dinner at our many fine dining establishments.  Since some of our summertime faves are closed up tight, here are some great wintertime options:

  • Henry VIII Carvery (known for their hand-carved meats, fresh salads, and homemade soups)
  • Alisson’s Restaurant (a Dock Square staple since 1973 – great for simple American cuisine and Maine staples like lobstah rolls and chowdah)
  • Federal Jack’s Brew Pub (a great brewpub with home brewed beer on tap and excellent daily specials)
  • The Ramp at Pier 77 (a fantastic local spot with views of the Atlantic that makes top notch hand cut fries and a potato-y clam chowder)
  • Lucas On Nine (family run American food restaurant with great personality)
  • Jackie’s Too (waterfront dining on the Marginal Way in Ogunquit)
  • Squaretoes Restaurant (hip diner-esque eatery in Kennebunk)
  • Mekhong Thai (great Thai for those needing something a little different)
  • Atlantic Pizza (awesome pizza and a great Greek food menu)

Clearly the Kennebunkport area is alive and kickin’ (well, certainly, eatin’) during the winter months.  Guests of the Maine Stay will certainly not be left hungry at lunch time! Not that they’ll need much after our hearty gourmet breakfasts!  But now midday options are easier than ever to find.  Bon Appetite!

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Winter Dining In Kennebunkport

Wednesday, December 23rd, 2009

Winter doesn’t really start in the Kennebunks until after Christmas Prelude, so now it’s time to address where visitors (and locals alike!) can eat in the area. Our philosophy at the Maine Stay is that, generally speaking, if they stay open in the winter, they’re good.  Of course, that’s not to say that there aren’t excellent eateries in the area that close for the winter.  In fact, there are quite a few that we hate to see close their doors once the cold weather sets in.  Here are some of our favorites that brave Maine’s blustery winters:

Kennebunkport:

  • Alisson’s Restaurant (a good staple for American cuisine in a casual atmosphere)
  • Bandaloop (incredible modern food with a Bohemian chic vibe)
  • Cape Arundel Inn (fine dining overlooking the Atlantic)
  • Federal Jack’s (a local brew pub serving homemade beer on tap)
  • Hurricane (waterfront dining in the port) – but it closes January 3rd!
  • Kennebunkport Inn (now specializing in small plates)
  • Pier 77 and the Ramp (fine dining restaurant and local sports bar with great eats in Cape Porpoise)
  • Stripers (riverfront dining)

Kennebunk:

  • Grissini (oven fired pizza and Tuscan style Italian food)
  • Kennebunk Inn (great food in a casual but hip setting)
  • Mekong Thai (for those needing a change of pace)
  • Old Vines (classy new wine bar with small bites and desserts)
  • On the Marsh (fine dining in Lower Village)
  • Thai Rose (intimate Thai in downtown Kennebunk)
  • White Barn Inn (five star dining in an elegant converted barn)

Wells:

  • Joshua’s (incredible food with a local flair)

Ogunquit

  • Arrow’s Restaurant (five star cuisine off the beaten path)

Clearly Kennebunkport’s famous dining continues even in the winter.  Take advantage of the quiet streets and Peaceful Season Rates at the Maine Stay this winter to do some incredible eating.  Bon appetit!

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