Monday, June 4, 2012

Portland, Maine - A Foodie Town After My Own Heart

Hello friends!

I've been so terrible with posting, but I just woke up from the most pleasant food coma ever. How was I induced into such a coma you may ask? It all started with a pleasant vacation to...




Maine!


Portland, Maine, and the surrounding small islands to be more specific. This little city stole my heart this past Memorial Day weekend when I journeyed there with my boyfriend, Josh, and his family. First we spent a day relaxing on Great Diamond Island then it was a fun-filled grub (and pub) crawl through Portland, but not before we enjoyed some fresh, from-scratch sticky buns, prepared with love by Josh's grandparents.



I will have to split this into two posts because I just couldn't help myself when taking photos. So today we will focus on, what else, the two out-of-this-world bakeries of Standard Baking Company and Two Fat Cats Bakery. Now I had already read about Standard in an article on Twitter about "Top Bakeries in the US", so I knew I was in for a real treat. In both taste and character it does not disappoint. With some of the friendliest staff to the most mind-blowing baguettes, I was swooning as soon as I stepped through the door.




From classics like baguettes, focaccia, and croissants, to delectable sweets like vanilla bean madeleines and morning buns with pecans - I just couldn't decide what to buy. I could have just bought one of everything, but I had many more food shops and restaurants to explore, and with my college student budget, choices had to be made. I went with a demi baguette and the vanilla bean madeleine, and I can see how the baguette was voted into that article in the first place. Hard, crusty exterior with a light-as-air interior that melts in the mouth. I am sadly wishing I had one right now as a matter of fact.


Where to next? Well, until recently, the sister bakery of Standard was Two Fat Cats. I heard that it was recently sold to another owner, but it was (according to any and everyone I encountered in my days there) a must-go-to in Portland. So off we trekked to see what Two Fat Cats had to offer...





Do you see those pies? It took all of my self control not to buy one (again - so many places to see, so many foods to eat!) but their scent left me feeling warm and cozy and wanting to curl up with a thick slice and a dollop of ice cream. But I had to buy something that could be eaten (without shame) all by myself, so I settled, as if settling were truly the right word, on this red velvet cupcake.




Note: I am not a delicate eater. I apologize if the way I dove into this cupcake upsets you, but this is how we eat cupcakes on sugar mountain; and I dare you to go into Two Fat Cats Bakery one day and see if you can leave without inhaling something in seconds. Moist and with the perfect amount of cream-cheese frosting - this cupcake lasted even less time than it appears in the photos. Ah, little cupcake, you never stood a chance.


I barely stepped into Portland before I became overwhelmed with just how much they love food there. Dare I say it, could I have found my dream city to retire to, where I can eat and enjoy food to its fullest potential without surprising and/or shocking my peers? The dedication to good food continues on Wednesday, when I share with you gourmet groceries, crazy popcorn flavors, and...

mashed potato bacon pizza.


Until Wednesday my fellow foodies!

~Jess

14 comments:

  1. Great post! looking forward the second part!

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  2. I am loving the looks of those little baguettes. Glad you had such a good time--I missed a family wedding in that area while on vacation and I think it would have been a lot of fun.

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    1. Cucina49

      The baguettes were (I am not exaggerating here) the best ones I've had in the US. If you ever get another chance to visit up there you really should - besides the food its full of great bars, friendly people and beautiful weather during the summer months.

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  3. I'm saving this. We're going to Maine in two weeks. All I can think of is lobster - but now sour cherry pies call to me!

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    1. Claudia,

      Well of course you should totally go all out with the lobster - but the bakeries are really just as extraordinary. The pies can be the dessert after the lobster dinner! :D

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  4. I have not be to Maine in many years. Your blog makes me want to go back real soon.

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    1. Thanks Delia!

      After sampling so much food I think I am one of Portland's number one fans now :D

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  5. Oh, you're making me long for August! We vacationed in Maine two years ago and loved it so much that we're going back this summer. We're not staying in Portland but close enough to make the day trip, just like last time. Cannot wait!!!

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    1. Enjoy your time there Anita!

      I already miss it so much I wish I could go back at the end of the summer too.

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  6. What a gorgeous place!! I have never been to Maine... but it looks so picturesque! I loved the name of the bakery... Two fat cats! Now I would totally go for the sour cherry pie... it's one of my favorite pies around. YUM!! I am so happy you had a grand time!! :)

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    1. Thanks Ramona!

      Yeah those pies were the one item I was sad to leave without - but with so much sightseeing I couldn't carry it with me; and I thought to just eat the entire pie in five minutes may be disconcerting to any passerby ;)

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  7. I am so incredibly jealous of you right now. I mean come on now. Eating cupcakes in front of us like that. In all honestly I give you credit, I probably would have tried to double fist it with the cupcakes.

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    1. Kim,

      Well I had to let you know I really did try the items I said I did! If I could I'd have sent all of my followers a cupcake each :)

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