Monday, November 5, 2007

Maine.

I spent last week on the coast of Maine with my friend Polly, taking a small break
as the wedding season winds down a little. We rented bicycles and rode through
Acadia National Park, where thanks to global warming the leaves were still gorgeous.

We also ate as many lobsters as we possibly could.

I think this was #17 or so. Not Photoshopped at all, I swear.
The color is amazing. Isn't he cute?

The world-famous Clam Shack was closed for the season (boo), but Arrows,
one of the top restaurants in the country,was happy to have us. We skipped
right past the Garden Tasting menu (only six courses?!) and went for the aptly-
named Indulgence Menu: ten courses, not including the incredible little roasted
radish potstickers that were served from an outside grill as we toured the gardens
in the evening light, champagne in hand.

It was one of the best meals ever, even if we had to roll ourselves to the car afterwards.

We also were urged by many Mainers not to miss Pie in the Sky, a charming bakery run
by the talented Nancy Stern.

Check out this space:

It was so warm and cozy - it's her home kitchen, too - in this big barn-y house where they live.
Commercial kitchen rules are much less stringent than they are in California.

Confronted with a dazzling list of pies by the slice, I ordered a slice of pumpkin, Maine blueberry
(of course), and pecan (I'm from the South - how could I resist?). And two huge slab cookies -
ginger and chewy molasses. The pies were all delicious but the chewy molasses cookie was pure heaven.