MetaChat - Cool Things To Do in Portland, Maine....

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13 July 2008

Cool Things To Do in Portland, Maine.... →[More:]

Okay, so - Miko and I had the day off on Friday, and an adventure was in order. SO...we pile in the car and take off to Portland.

Our goal?: A ferry ride to Peak's Island, which is a little funky island town about 20 minutes from Portland.

I heartily recommend this trip for anyone who lives in the area, or if you're visiting from afar. Peak's Island is this groovy little spot (yeah, I said groovy. The place, well, it grooves. Sue me.)

It's filled with tiny, 100-yard beaches, art galleries, and lots of winding, dirt roads and friendly cats. Good place to while away the hours.

Also, we went here for dinner, wherein I had poutine for the first time, accompanied by a chai tea milkshake.

Note to the epicurious: french fries smothered in duckfat, cheese curds and gravy are a perfect match for a chai tea milkshake. I defy anyone up in this hizzy to say I'm wrong.

Note to Metachat Mainers: (Elsa et al..)

Please e-mail me with your digits so the next time we get up yonder we can collaborate on another outing. We thought of you and I didn't have your contact stuff to invite you. :(

post by: Lipstick Thespian at: 08:41 | 8 comments

I was in Portland yesterday, taking my sister to the airport. The big treat for me was stopping at Whole Foods on the way back to gaze in awe at the wine selection and get a couple of new things to try. The food bars there are quite lovely too.

posted by JanetLand 13 July | 09:12

Yeah, JL, we stop there every time we go up to the Grange for swing dancing. (Which is another cool thing to do, actually....)

posted by Lipstick Thespian 13 July | 09:16

Please e-mail me with your digits

It is done. Sorry to have missed you two! But what a lovely day you had!

Mmm, Duckfat. I haven't tried them yet; my partner is a proper vegetarian and thus can't eat anything there, and I rarely dine out alone lately. Now that I know they have poutine, I might need to make a solo trip. (Does the Five Dollar Shake still cost $4?)

Next time, don't forget the fantastic gelateria on Middle Street in the Old Port.

posted by Elsa 13 July | 09:46

I admit, I get envious of friends come into town, stay at a nice inn, and go sightseeing.

Lately, my mother has been antsy for a trip somewhere, and she very generously offered to take me along for company, but I can't get away for the time she wants to travel. I might suggest that she take a vacation here, a ten minute drive from home: book a suite, pack a bag, and do all the touristy stuff. We could still do ferryrides and museums and nature walks, but I wouldn't have to drop everything and go away somewhere.

Hmmm.

posted by Elsa 13 July | 10:27

I got a bottle of wine
(pass it over)
a broken white line
(I'm still sober)
there ain't nothin' but time between this
Silver Eagle and that
New Jersey line

sorry I can't help it, Jackson Browne's Running on Empty is burned into my brain.

posted by chewatadistance 13 July | 14:21

It was a really nice day. I'd like to see some of the other Casco Bay islands.

Elsa, Duckfat was a-MAZ-ing. It had been on my list for awhile and we just never made it before. It's everything it claims to be - cheap and incredibly yummy fresh, real food. Not heart-healthy, but we felt somewhat justified after all the walking we did all day. I had an eggplant/veggie panini and mint-lime soda (which I must learn to replicate very soon). If you need an excuse to go to Duckfat sans SO, we would be happy to provide it!

posted by Miko 13 July | 16:46

sorry I can't help it, Jackson Browne's Running on Empty is burned into my brain.

Aaaaaaand now it's burned into mine.

If you need an excuse to go to Duckfat sans SO, we would be happy to provide it!

That sounds swell, Miko --- anytime!

Is the inside of Duckfat as tiny as I think it must be? My sister and I are talking about getting take-away lunch there this week, and eating it in the park.

posted by Elsa 14 July | 08:53

Is the inside of Duckfat as tiny as I think it must be?

It's pretty small. I think there were 3 or 4 small rounds, 3 or 4 bar seats, and 3 or 4 wall-bar seats along with 2 outdoor tables.

It would make great picnic food, but I wouldn't want to take it too far away. The fries are at their best when really warm. Like all fries, when they cool and start to congeal a little, they're a lot less appetizing.

posted by Miko 14 July | 10:16

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