Road-trip Highlights
Planning our road trip along New England’s Coast from Boston towards Maine’s remote Lindenwood Inn on Mount Desert Island, a friend and I figured on a rest stop along the way for some deep stretches and a little respite. Road trips are always a great way to get out of your head.
It’s worth noting that while I am not a big fan of B&B, this was a real highlight. A very hospitable and relaxed vibe.
The northern leg of our coastal journey heading onto US Route 1 bestows a scenic trove of intrigues to behold. Along the highway’s stretch are the Casco Bay Islands which are part of the northeast archipelago of Portland, Maine which looked like a very inviting nautical diversion during the journey north.
The mass of isles extends from the Old Port of the city, tallying at around 130. But that can easily be rounded down to the more inhabited ones for a bit of island hopping, thanks to the Casco Bay Ferry Lines.
Depleted and starved for something to shake off the sedentary tension, Steve and I pulled into the back lot of Gorham Bikes, opting to ditch the driving on such a beautiful day with some outdoor sightseeing along the Promenade on the way to hitching a ride later on the ferry. A road-trip diversion, for sure.
The view in the distance after leaving the port revealed one after another. Some of the islands were just small silhouettes with rustic docks jutting out, and some grand — peppered with houses peeking between the landscapes – while others just seemed mysterious in the misty dusk, revealing a self-possessed peacefulness as our boat passed by approaching Great Diamond Island.
Unique Eats & Libations
Any foodie who knows anything about the restaurant scene knows Portland is well-established on the map, so we were definitely geared up for some good eats after our road trip. A couple of recently opened restaurants caught our eye, including Sur-Lie, in the heart of Downtown Portland.
A much-buzzed-about establishment managed by Krista Cole, Tony Alvarez, and Chef Emil Rivera, Sur-Lie is about redefined wine & tapas and food-inspired cocktails as much as it is about community-oriented sustainability. The idea clearly was born out of detail to menu quality and a passion for being a responsible citizen and business.
“More than anything, we wanted to give back to the community in a way that was integrated with creating a unique dining experience for every guest who comes here,” co-owner, Cole, revealed.
We sat at the grand wooden bar in the elegant, classic yet rustic bistro. No garish TV here.
The menu focuses on a diverse collection of non-traditional tapas. It is not the Spanish lite-bites type one imagines when hearing ‘tapas’. The vegan and vegetarian-friendly menu options were smartly crafted and playful – not like the often predictable and unsatisfying veg offerings – even for omnivores.
The refreshing sweet pea hummus with lemon sabayon, lavash, and mint and the fried milk braised cauliflower with honey soy glaze we shared hit the right notes paired with a rye-based Poseidon’s Wrath cocktail.
The burgeoning food scene also includes Old Port’s Tiqa, a colorful Pan-Mediterranean spot that pulls inspiration from cuisines hailing from the Levant region, Turkey, and Pakistan to name a few which are highlighted on a map illustrated on their menu.
Co-owner Carol Mitchell and Steve bonded over their shared part-Lebanese heritage and the savory influences of their grandmothers’ food.
“My sittoo – that’s what we called my grandmother – is my greatest influence and the food she used to make for our family dinners.
I remember the smells and flavors from my childhood, and then she passed recipes on to my Irish mom, so it’s really a big part of why we were inspired to open Tiqa,” Mitchell told us of the playfully traditional menu as brunch crowds meandered in from the neighboring Saturday farmer’s market.
Not short on flair or flavor, the food is enhanced by the bread and pastries baked in-house in an open kitchen. Fragrant warm pita with Mediterranean extra-virgin olive oil and that Za’atar was just addictive. We actually stopped at their other location when returning home.
With satisfied bellies, we headed towards the ferry on our bicycles and stopped at Liquid Riot Brewery and Distillery on the waterfront to stock up on libations for our overnight stay at the Inn at Diamond Cove on Great Diamond Island.
We watched in the expansive window behind the bar as brewers were at work with the tanks on the latest potions and blends while we tendered our bill for our six-pack of fresh brew.
Tucked Away at Diamond Cove
Once the site of Fort McKinley for the U.S. Army in the early 1900s, the island of Diamond Cove’s history can be discovered with tour guides or self-guided on bike or foot – there are no cars on this island. Once regarded as an artist’s retreat that hosted Longfellow after the war, the private community is not built up commercially, which is part of its charm, by design.
Even the sole little general store by the marina keeps it simple but offers hand-made light bites and snacks. The community hosts picnics and outdoor yoga among other activities in the nicer weather when the Inn at Diamond Cove also opens its doors.
In 2013 the historic Inn suffered severe devastation in a fire. According to one of the stewards, James, “The only remnant still remaining of the century-old structure now is the chimney by the elevator” in the recently opened $12 million rebuild.
The bonfire beside the pool and hot tub was in full glory as guests sat around it with cocktails as we took in the view from our wide balcony chairs and popped open a brew and looked forward to an early start excited to continue our coastal road-trip journey and explore Acadia State Park, tucked away, surrounded by elegant beauty in nature’s peace.
