Last week I fled the election chaos with a few friends to visit Portland, Maine for a food-centric getaway. Portland provides a perfect balance between peaceful respite and energetic city. There’s a lot to do (and eat) but it’s not so chaotic that you go home exhausted.
Where to Stay
We were hosted by the Portland Harbor Hotel, an upscale oasis located in Old Port within walking distance of the waterfront and some of the city’s best restaurants. The hotel features a restaurant, BlueFin North Atlantic Seafood, and an outdoor courtyard complete with cozy fire pit.
Standard precautions for COVID-19 are being taken, protective plastic shields at check-in, no turndown service, an increased cleaning schedule in the common areas, and hand sanitizer stations throughout the property. Stay tuned for a longer review of the hotel next week!
What to Do
I’m not going to lie to you, we spent most of our trip eating and drinking. But if the weather allows a boat trip is a must in Portland. The harbor boasts a number of lighthouses, including the Portland Head Light (pictured at the top of this post) which is frequently used in movies and TV shows.
We took a trip with Bird’s Eye boat tours and got to see each scenic lighthouse from the water. We went early in the morning and took breakfast sandwiches with us for brunch at sea. It was a delightful way to start the day. Matt who owns and operates Bird’s Eye was very knowledgeable about the history of Casco Bay. As a lifelong Mainer he can also give you tips about the best spot for a local brew or late night bites.
Portland also has a great art museum and a plethora of cool, historic spots. This trip was primarily food centric, but you can read about cultural things to do in my 2017 Portland travel guide.
Where to Eat
While appetizer hopping one evening we stumbled across N-to-Tail, a family run Korean fusion restaurant with a killer cocktail list and endless appealing bites. The Korean fried chicken is a must. You can have it in bao form or straight (both pictured below). I also had the matcha cocktail with bourbon, lemon, and honey.
On the way in we stopped at Quiero Cafe to try the empanadas. I’m VERY particular about empanadas having grown up eating them in my Argentine mother’s kitchen. These were awesome. They’re baked and come in a huge variety of flavors from the more traditional beef and chicken to mushroom, pork and plantain, and tomato and mozzarella. They also have freshly squeezed juices, smoothies, full entrees, and dessert empanadas in flavors like cheese and dulce de leche.
Street & Co is another great spot for either a full meal or a few bites on a restaurant crawl. Located just steps from the Portland Harbor Hotel, they have a great little patio with strong heaters for fall/winter dining. We tried to octopus, which was perfectly cooked, and an artichoke salad with anchovies and winter veggies. They too have a great craft cocktail list for those who love adventurous flavors.
Whether you come to Portland to dine, boat, or unwind, it’s always a perfect New England getaway. In these times, it’s a great option for a socially-distanced trip. What’s more distant than fleeing to the ocean on a private boat tour?