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Re Best of maine:odds & ends:water

for those in the more southerly environs of our state who wish to sample exceptional waters I recommend the elixir served up in Richmond village by the Richmond Utilities District. These waters were judged the best untreated waters in Maine last year. Interestingly enough the RUD draws its waters from a deep well across the Kennebec River in Dresden. It has always been said that the strata the well draws its waters from originate in Bingham, ME. I guess it really is a small state.

Jay Robbins, Richmond

Re; Best Local Watering Hole

The Old Goat Pub in Richmond is exceptional. After three years in rented space, owner Scott Macintire has beautifully rehabilitated, and relocated to, the 1877 Spaulding & Stuart Block in the downtown. Pints and paninis, pasta and people are all enjoyed here. It is the most likely place to bump into people you care for but haven't seen in a while. All are welcomed as family. The banter alone is worth a visit.

Nicest place to encounter a ghost from 250 years ago.

The 1761 Pownalborough Court House sits on the banks of the Kennebec River in Dresden on the site of the 1752 Fort Frankfort (later renamed Fort Shirley.) It is operated as a seasonal museum by the Lincoln County Historical Association. Until Fort Halifax and Fort Western were built higher up the river, Fort Frankfort served as the frontier watch during the various unsettled times commonly known as the French & Indian Wars. Over the past twenty years, several live-in docents have encountered a sentry from the Fort days. He now walks the old palisade where it once stood, crossing through what is now an ell attached to the Pownalborough Court House. He is said to be very military like in his bearing.

Jay Robbins

One of my favorite spots is Lands' End at the southern tip or Route 24 in Bailey Island, ME. It's a great spot for a visit at anytime of the year, but my favorite season for going there is during the warm summer months.
There are many things to do: go to the small beach and skim rocks across the water; take a quick swim if you dare; walk along the rocks and listen to the waves crashing onto the shore; watch the sailing yachts and lobster boats make their way through the narrow gut to shorten their trip. And as an added bonus for any kids in your group, visit the wonderful Lands' End Gift Shop, loaded with many trinkets that appeal to kids as well as many nice gifts.

And the views while driving there from Cook's Corner in Brunswick aren't too shabby either.

Armand Bouchard
Great Island
Harpswell, ME

My Cousins Place in Norridgewock has the the feeling of "Cheers where eveyone knows your name".A small family diner where the food is home cooked. And the pies are out of this world!

I don't love Francine Bistro in Camden just because I work there -- vice versa, actually. Brian Hill simply makes the most delicious food around. He has this innate ability to blend exciting flavors and textures so you feel you could very possibly eat there every night. And he's funny -- we're always laughing! The atmosphere is alive. The service is excellent. Chip, the bartender, is classic; he and Brian both really know wine, his cocktails are beautiful, and his personality makes you want to linger for hours. Definitely try Chip's cocktail of the evening, any of Brian's soups, salads, or SWEETBREADS(!!), duck or pork if available, a South American red wine, and if you love chocolate, the torte with an espresso. That's my idea of the perfect meal, but everything on the menu is first-rate.

Maine is known for a lot of things: The best lobster, the most coastline, first to see the sunrise and the fall colors.... Last September a little restaurant in South Portland gained world recognition as the home of the World Burrito Eating Championships. This restaurant is Costa Vida Fresh Mexican Grill located at 209 Western Ave, South Portland, ME. Eating there you may run into such well known Mainers like Bob Marley and Tom Chappell. You’ll also find most of the Portland Pirates eating there sometime as often as three times in a week. When Jon Lester of the Boston Red Sox was in town playing for the Sea Dogs he made sure that the team was fed Costa Vida Big Kahuna Burritos. Ann Czaja, Lindt Master Chocolatier USA, said “You make the best fish tacos in the world!” The tag line for Costa Vida Fresh Mexican Grill is “Addictive…Legal!” and once you try their sweet pork you’ll know why. “The key is to make everything fresh and from scratch”, says owner Dan Kenning. And everything is made fresh from their pico de gallo to the tortillas. Another great thing is that this restaurant is fast casual. Fast casual is a relatively new style of restaurant for people who want the quality of full service and the quickness of fast food. Here is how it works at Costa Vida. You get in line and order you food, they make your burrito, taco, enchilada, quesadilla, nachos or salad right there in front of you as you proceed to the cashier. This means you get to see what they put on it and ask them to put extra or don’t put certain things. Teresa Corbett, who needs to eat gluten free, says, “I can have asked the person waiting on me about the food and because they make it fresh they are able to tell me exactly what ingredients are in each food item.” The service is outstanding, the food is great, you get served quickly but there is more. Owner Dan Kenning is dedicated to helping the community, the restaurant gives to many charities including providing dinner to the Ronald McDonald House. Dan is also involved in the Boy Scouts, His wife molly does cancer awareness, and many of the workers are involved in soup kitchens, salvation army, junior achievement and other charitable organizations. Last March Costa Vida dedicated one night to raise money for Savannah Hurly, a little girl with Wilm’s Tumor. Dan wishes he could do more and promises it will come as the restaurant grows.

The Big Kahuna in Bridgton is a blast. Great music, dancing, fun people, our gang had a major party on a number of different occasions. Go Kahuna! Ask for the man himself.

Loved the Big Kahuna up in Bridgeton. I saw a great live blues show in their place last summer and the building just has a good vibe. I was also there just after they opened several years ago and saw a good show then, too. The difference, however, was that whoever is running that place has been making improvements through the years, and it shows. The stage is bigger, the sound is better and the bar is cooler. If only we could all age so well.

I recommend The Big Kahuna Cafe. It is locally owned and operated, they get great musical talent in for live performances, and the atmosphere rocks. There's a bar room, plenty of seating and room to dance. Bridgton's best night life if you ask me.

My favorite place in the winter time is on a sleigh ride at Rockin' Horse Stables in Kennebunkport. The business is family run and they are so nice! The atmosphere is wonderful, with a warm fire in their 'office'. They give you blankets for the ride and great hot chocolate after to help warm you up. The ride itself is also beautiful as it travels over the open field. This is a great things to do to enjoy a Maine winter!!!

Camden, Rockland and Belfast form a coastal arc, which is mirrored by a bucolic inland crescent formed by the Camden Hills' retreat from the coast. Summertime aqueous excursions, autumn hikes, and the thrill of a winter toboggan rush all help make Knox and Waldo Counties quintessentially Maine throughout the year. Don't forget the coffee, Maine roasted coffee is exquisite. Seattle and lobsters can eat their hearts out.

feb. 29,2008 just recieved the magazine started reading it and noticed part of it is missing from pages 113-129 are not in my mag.could i please get those pages

We have been coming to beautiful Maine for several years. We generally fly into Portland and drive up to Boothbay Harbor where we stay. Of course, we do drive up and down Rt.1 to enjoy Camden and Bar Harbor and all wonderful stops in between. While in Boothbay Harbor we have come to love Kalers. Great atomsphere, food, service and wonderful view of Boothbay Harbor. Simply, a "bit of heaven."

We have been coming to Maine from Indiana for several years. Normally we fly into Portland and begin our wonderful journey up to Boothbay Harbor. While there, we have truly come to love Kalers...wonderful atmosphere, food and service, while enjoying the scenic view of the harbor. Of course, we travel up and down Rt. 1, to enjoy Bar Harbor, Camden(love Cappy's), Rockland, and all other outstanding sites in between. Simply, a "bit of heaven."

The drive up to the top of Mt. Battie and the absolutely breath-taking view of Camden Harbor and surrounding coves, islands and lakes has always been a must-stop place when we visit Maine.

My favorite sight is Russell's Lobster Shack just outside of Cape Neddick. Every summer I take a photo of the shack, rain, fog, whatever. I love that shack! Some day I'm afraid I'll drive there and it will just be a pile of splinters. But to me, born and raised in corn country - Illinois, that lobster shack screams MAINE !!!

Ginny Hanson
Darien, IL

We have been to Maine several times over the past 8 years.. Last year we drove from Indiana and it was wonderful. Our favorite place was the Brass Compass in Rockland. They have the best breakfast imaginable - the seaweed omelet (spinach,onions, mushrooms and cheese)is the best omelet I have ever tasted. The place is very cozy and in the summer you can eat outside..

Lisa DeBoer
Lowell, IN

I highly recommend the new sushi restaurant in Rockland - Suzuki - right on main street. It is easily the best sushi in Maine. Downeast recently talked about which sushi was best in Portland. Portland has nothing on Rockland sushi. Suzuki is fresh, authentic, Maine sushi in a great atmosphere. It is a little pricey but well worth it. HIGHLY recommend...

With primo, amalfi, rock city roasters, brown bag, suzuki, and miranda, I vote Rockland for best small food city in Maine. No question. I try to get there whenever i can...

Slate's restaurant in Hallowell burned on February 25, 2007. The owner could easily have retired. Instead she reinvented herself, her staff and her restaurant into an outdoor bistro from June til November 2007. When the weather became too cold, Wendy Larson, owner, moved her outdoor grill into her existing bakery, and operated the restaurant until her newly open restaurant was ready to move into in April of 2008. Despite the many obstacles that she had to overcome, she was voted Maine restauranture of the year by the Maine restaurant association. Ms. Larson has retained 97 percent of her staff despite over a year of closure. Please check out Slate's for yourself, and decide if it is worthy of being considered in next seasons best restaurant's in Maine. Thank you, Danielle

Imperial China, south portland, best Chinese food in the state, maybe the northeast