2bnMaine

Built for speed, these benches, made out of materials meant to blaze down mountains, are now frozen in time.

And provide a pretty cool spot to enjoy fast (or slow) food.

They’ve come to a full stop right in front of Verve, in the University of Maine’s town of Orono. And are the fantastic handiwork of one of the talented employees – - Matt Miller. His raw materials came from friends and the Ski Rack. Sure hope he got a nice raise!

Known for their burritos, Verve is run by Abe and Heather Furth, (UMaine alumni,) and has been reviewed by the delightful MaineMaven.

Don’t waste any time racing over to see what’s cooking.

Verve, 2 Mill Street, Orono, Maine, (207) 866-4004

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So what if Florida has the Super Bowl! We have  our own national sports spectacle – - The National Toboggan Championships, held at the Camden Snow Bowl, February 5-7, 2010!

A mix between Carnival or Mardi Gras, and the Winter Olympics, this event is an example of what happens in Maine when the temperatures get lower and the days get shorter. Winter alters our brain cells and fun breaks out.

If you haven’t been before, here’s your chance. The best part is that anyone can enter!

Here is a link to previous crazy years.

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It’s been a turkey of a year for lobstermen still struggling with the current market and various economic pressures, eventually resulting in scarey stories of shootings this summer.

The lobster story continues as Linda Bean, the L.L. Bean heiress, initiates her new Linda Bean’s Perfect Maine (Lobster) Company. Concerned about the plight of the local lobstermen, she’s invested millions into the company, with plans to open 100 franchises, nationwide, of her version of the lobster shack.

So this year, once again, give thanks to your local lobsterman by treating yourself to the luxury of a lobster dinner!

(A similar post ran last year and it’s still unforutnately appropriate this year. Don’t want to run it next!)

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Treats, are just what you’ll find at this charming, French influenced, shop in lucky Wiscasset. The trick is to go as often as you can.

Treats is a delightful spot to gather supplies, share a meal with friends, or get some work done.

You’ll find an excellent selection of fresh breads, coffees, wines, cheeses, baked goods, and pantry items mixed in with the crowd of characters, both local and from away.

(What follows is a correction. The previous version of this post indicated the owners were the Mrozinskis.) Formerly owned by Paul and Sharon Mrozinski, who own the Marston House across the street, Treats has been in the skillful hands of Ryan and Stacy Linehan for the past 4 years.

Originally from Lake Tahoe, Nevada, and from a long line of chefs, Stacy has been in Maine for over 15 years. She came to Wiscasset by way of Bowdoin and is even a Maine Guide.

While her two lucky children, 2 and 4, are growing up in the kitchen, the lines are forming at the counter.

Their wines come from all over the world, and if you don’t find what you’re looking for, they’ll order it.

Members of the American Cheese Society, their cheeses are carefully selected from speciality suppliers in the US and Great Britain.

Who needs Dean & Deluca? Everything they offer is of the utmost quality and style, and selected with extraordinary care. All the freshly baked goods are prepared with local, organic, ingredients.

Treats, 80 Main Street, P.O. Box 156, Wiscasset, Maine 04578, Phone 207-882-6192, Toll Free 866-882-6192, Fax & Kitchen Phone 207-882-8112

Treats – Food and Wine

Treats – Catering

PS Be sure to visit the Marston House just across the street to visit the former owners Paul and Sharon Mrozinski. If you read Martha Stewart’s blog, you may have read about her July visit to the Marston House, and the lunch she had there. Here’s a link if you missed it.

Marston House, Main Street at Middle Street, P.O. Box 517, Wiscasset, Maine 04578, Phone 207-882-6010, Fax 207-882-6965

Marston House – Bed & Breakfast

Marston House – American and French 18th, 19th, and 20th Century Furniture, Textiles, and Decorative Objects

Marston House Rentals in France

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We’re at the end of the growing season in Maine.

And we’re reaping the harvest of a very rainy summer.

Not too bad.

(Just can’t seem to resist the tasty visuals at Chase’s Daily.)

Chase’s Daily, 96 Main St, Belfast, ME 04915-6533
(207) 338-0555

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Lucky Rockport – - – just around the corner from the new Farmers Fare (see this post below) you’ll find the classic Market Basket on the corner of Routes One and 90.

Soho had Dean & Deluca, Napa Valley had Oakville Grocery, and Rockport had The Market Basket — the quirky pioneers who followed their instincts to satisfy appetites for really fine food. The folks who follow the ‘if you build it, they will come,’ philosophy.

Under new owners, Larry & Lynette Platt, it continues to be a popular purveyor of fine food to mid-coast Maine.

The Market Basket’s known for making fresh bread, pasteries, sandwiches and prepared dishes, on site.

They were one of the first to bring a complete selection of fine wines to the area.

And along with their scrumptious prepared foods, they have a huge selection of speciality food items. A good cook will be able to find just that right esoteric ingredient. They often offer cooking lessons.

The shop’s packed with personality, fun, great food, wine, tourists, and locals. It’s the perfect spot to pick up picnic fare for the boat or hike, a birthday cake, wine and cheese, inspiration, or morning pastries for the office.

The line may occasionally be long, but the conversations are interesting, and the the food worth the wait. But just a warning, you may end up hungry for more.

The Market Basket, corner of Routes One and 90, Rockport, ME 04856, 207/236-4371

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There must be a larger market for fine food than is readily apparent, as even more foodie sources are now available in mid-coast Maine. Just around the corner from the ever popular Market Basket, at the intersection of Route One and 90 in Rockport, you’ll find the brand new Farmers Fare.

It has the spirit of the Market Basket, sans the adirondack chairs, with a dash of Chase’s Daily thrown in.

The owners of Farmers Fare, Teri Thompson-Christie and her husband, Peter, of Camden, aim to entertain, and educate folks about local Maine agriculture. And it looks like they’re having bushels of fun in the process.

The business focuses on Maine agricultural products. Everything, including the materials used to build the building, are from Maine.

A garden to explore, seasonal events to enjoy, a playground to climb, recipes to learn, fresh coffe to sip, and a gathering place to chat, are just a few of the amusements you’ll find there.

You can pick up local meat from a local butcher, produce and dairy goods from local farms, freshly baked goods and other wares all produced in Maine.

They’re even planning to help local businesses manufacture and bring their products to market.

If you went to The Maine Fare, you’ll find many of the same products here, including Dolcelino’s and Matt’s Coffee.

Stop in, amuse yourself with the abundance of Maine.

Farmers Fare, Route 90 and Cross Street, Rockport, ME 04856, 207-236-3273.

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Abundant, and exquisitely fresh fish and produce makes Maine the ideal place to enjoy sushi. At the Maine Fare, foodie event in Camden a couple of weeks ago, the very popular Suzuki’s Sushi Bar in Rockland demonstrated how to roll sushi. Looks really easy!

Suzuki’s Sushi Bar, 419 Main Street, Rockland, 207-596-7447.

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Taste buds, and eyeballs, had a wild romp last weekend at Maine Fare, in Camden. There were so many exciting products — cheeses, wines, beers, honey, soft drinks, fish, etc. that it’s easy to see why Maine’s enjoying it’s spot on the foodie map. It’s not a simple task bringing a new product to market, please support and encourage them.

These are just a few of the treats offered. (Still getting used to a new camera, so not all turned out as planned, sadly.)

Matt’s Coffee, (above) purveyed wood roasted coffee beans, served excellent coffee and demonstrated this very clever item — the Aerobie Aeropress.

Dolcelino’s (above) served bites of their delightful ice cream sandwiches, frozen in Maine. Really, you must try them!

Paolina’s Way, from Camden, showed us how to prepare fantastic, classic, Italian zucchini blossoms.

Borealis Breads (above) offered crunchy bread baked last night.

Suzuki’s (above) in Rockland revealed the secrets of great sushi rolls.

The Garden Institute encouraged home gardens.

And everyone had a great time!

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We’ve been waiting much longer than usual for the tomatoes to ripen due to our soggy July!

Chases’s Daily is packed these days with all their lovely produce, cheeses, baked goods, flowers, and people.

Chase’s Daily, 96 Main St., Belfast, Maine, 207-338-0555.

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An orange sunrise naturally leads to a hot day. And a hot day eventually leads to ice cream.

We’ve had a very soggy and cool July, but August is providing just the right ambience for that icy treat.

The popular Roadfood web site has rated The Best Ice Cream in New England. Just to get listed is a great recommendation. And we’d like you to know that Maine did very well in the results, especially Sanford –

Epic Rating, World Class:

Shaw’s Ridge Farm, Sanford — Map

Tubby’s, Wayne — Map

Worth traveling across state lines:

Round Top, Damariscotta — Map

The Camden Cone serves Roundtop –

Brown’s, York Beach — Map

Toot’s, North Yarmouth – Map

Worth traveling several hours:

Shain’s, Sanford– Map

Smiling Hill Farm, Westbrook — Map

The Daily Scoop, Kennebunk —  Map

Worth it if you’re in the area:

Beals, Portland —  Map

Dorman’s Dairy Cream, Thomaston —  Map

The Chowhound web site has lots of interesting chats about food. Here’s one on an Ice Cream trip through Maine.

And The MaineMaven asked for, and got, lots of comments on her Maine Ice Cream post. Fun to read.

Maine is the perfect place to savor classic summer activities. An ice cream cone is required.

Please comment and add your favorites.

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