Kennebunkport restaurants Archives - Maine Stay Inn and Cottages

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Favorite Things About Kennebunkport Maine

May 11th, 2013 by mainestayinn

So while last night’s surprise thunderstorms sidelined my plans for some outdoor fun, a day like today reminded me of some of my favorite things about Kennebunkport Maine. Now, we all know that there are way too many amazing things about this seaside town, so I will do my darnedest to keep this list reasonable. But since I am making this a short one, apologies if I left anyone else’s faves off!

The beach – Whenever. No seriously, in rain or shine, snow covered or so-hot-you-could-fry-an-egg, the Kennebunkport Maine beaches are incredible. Mother nature does such a wonderful job at keeping the coastline exciting, and making sure that you can never get bored looking at it! But fortunately for us, the variety of beaches and coastline in and around town has something for everyone – secluded stretches of
How could you not love this coastline?!

sandy beach, classic rocky Maine coast, slips of waterfront meandering through our quaint village, and even beaches with wide paved paths for those who want to enjoy the ocean without dealing with the sand. Plus, unlike many vacation destinations, you can head there on foot from the Maine Stay Inn or by car and not worry about parking – we’ve got plenty!
The food – Most of you know that enjoying great culinary creations is one of my favorite past times, and fortunately for me, Kennebunkport Maine has eateries that can compete with those from any big city. So whether you’re craving a simple boiled lobster or a stunning five-star tasting menu, we’ve got you covered. Yum!
The shops – It makes sense that my two favorite kinds of shopping are for food and room decor, but that doesn’t do me much good come Christmas and birthday time. Fortunately Kennebunkport Maine makes it so easy for me! The amazing mix of stores in Dock Square means that I can find almost anything for that perfect gift. On the rare occasion when I can’t, I know that I’ve got two world-class Outlet centers barely a half hour away!
The outdoor fun – If there’s anything I love more than food, it’s playing outside. So whether it’s enjoying cross country skiing and horse-drawn sleigh riding in the winter or hiking, biking and running in the summer, I am in. Over the past few years, the amount of conservation land in and around Kennebunkport Maine has just exploded, which means that there are about a gagillion options for peaceful and pristine outdoor activities.

I could go on all night about why I love this town, but you’ll just have to come and explore Kennebunkport Maine for yourself!

Tags: kennebunkport beaches, Kennebunkport Dining, Kennebunkport restaurants, outdoor activities, Shopping in Kennebunkport, Things to do in Kennebunkport
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Celebrating St. Patrick’s Day in Kennebunkport Maine

March 5th, 2013 by mainestayinn

Our local Irish Pub, Ryan’s Corner House, is perfect for celebrating St. Patrick’s Day in Kennebunkport Maine!

While Valentine’s Day seems like just yesterday, St. Patrick’s Day is rapidly approaching, and fortunately there are great places to enjoy the luck of the Irish in Kennebunkport Maine. Just around the corner from the Maine Stay Inn is a local favorite (and not just at this time of year!) – Ryan’s Corner House. This authentic Irish pub opened just two years ago, just in time for St. Paddy’s Day. In addition to some amazing brews, they offer fantastic Irish fare, as well as some more conventionally American options, just in case. But who can resist an amazing corned beef and cabbage right about now? But if you’re exploring southern Maine, you can check out their new location a few towns south in Ogunquit. It’s the perfect spot for a warm-up after a winter walk along the Marginal Way!

But Kennebunkport Maine is lucky to have another great option for St. Patrick’s Day pub crawling – which really is just lingering over indulgent meals for me! A few minutes up the road on Route 1 is Feile Restaurant and Pub, which also offers great music and entertainment. We’re so lucky to have three great places to enjoy authentic Irish food and beverages for this holiday (and throughout the year), but now we’re busy turning our attention to crafting a fun, festive, and delicious menu for St. Patrick’s Day. And thank goodness for Pinterest because we are accumulating lots of great ideas. But if you have any suggestions or favorite Irish recipes, we’d love suggestions!

Tags: Holidays in Kennebunkport Maine, Kennebunkport restaurants
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A Romantic Evening in Kennebunkport Maine

February 27th, 2013 by mainestayinn

On a blustery evening like tonight, there is nothing better than a cozy, romantic dinner before settling in for the night, and fortunately for everyone, Kennebunkport Maine has some great destinations that fit the bill perfectly! Now, I have to admit that sometimes on wintry nights like this one, visitors choose to bring their dinners in, to enjoy before the living room fire (yep, I’ve certainly been known to do this myself!), because it is just oh-so-tempting to hop into bed or slide into a hot bath without having to brave the elements. But when you’re hankering for a romantic dinner out, consider checking out one of these great nearby restaurants that score a perfect 10 for setting the mood.

Just a moment’s drive from the Maine Stay Inn, you’ll find Grissini, an Italian restaurant with an upscale main floor and a more casual lower level, known as the Grotto. And on a snowy winter evening, there is
Enjoy a romantic dinner on a snowy winter night!

nothing more romantic than sipping a glass of your favorite wines in front of their roaring fireplace.
Want a spot that sets the mood that’s close enough to walk to - even in the snow? The fireside lounge style dining and cozy bar area at One Dock is a great choice. Plus, with great gluten free options, it’s a personal fave.
Just a few minutes down the road on the Wells border, you’ll find Joshua’s Restaurant. Set in a colonial farmhouse, you’ll find an intimate dining atmosphere (and yes, it has fireplaces – plural!) with positively incredible concoctions.
But if you are looking for fine dining a little closer to home, On the Marsh Bistro is always a hit. There you’ll enjoy a stellar meal by candlelight with attentive, never oppressive service. And since it’s located about two minutes from your Kennebunkport Maine bed and breakfast, you’ll hardly have time to feel the winter chill before snuggling into bed!

So even though Valentine’s Day has passed, there are plenty of great ways to celebrate the ones you love, and enjoying a romantic dinner on a classic winter evening in Kennebunkport Maine seems tops the list.

Tags: Kennebunkport restaurants, romantic getaways, winter getaways
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Celebrating Thanksgiving at a Maine Bed and Breakfast

November 26th, 2012 by mainestayinn

The idea of celebrating Thanksgiving at a Maine bed and breakfastmight seem like an unconventional idea to some, but for many it’s a favorite tradition. In fact, ten years ago my family had our very first introduction to Kennebunkport when we came to celebrate Thanksgiving. With relatives scattered far and wide, making the traditional Turkey Day feast seemed a little excessive for our family of three, so we decided to kill two birds with one stone and pair a food-filled getaway with a college tour and ended up settling on a Maine bed and breakfast right here in Kennebunkport! What a fortuitous choice! But even before deciding to take up

A gorgeous Thanksgiving Day in Kennebunkport!

residence in town, we made it an annual tradition. And considering that no one in my family can ever agree on what we should cook, going out to eat is the ideal solution! That way everyone can select what they want and none of us has to slave over a stove for hours – but heartfelt thanks go to those in area restaurants who take on that task for all of us!

Even now that we call Maine our home, going out for Thanksgiving dinner is a fantastic treat, and something that our visitors cherish as well. Whether they’re visiting children in New England colleges, finding a fun location for spread-apart family members to come together, or just looking for a relaxing reprieve, folks really embrace the idea of not spending the day in the kitchen. And this year there really was no clear “winner,” as they shared the love between all the restaurants in town, including On the Marsh Bistro, the White Barn, Grissini, Pier 77, and One Dock, among others.

But even after indulging in the afternoon or early evening, more than 25 people joined us in the dining room to enjoy some light refreshments just to take the edge off. The festivities morphed into relaxed hands of cards and a few board games, but slowly “food coma” set in and set everyone packing for bed – myself included! All in all, Thanksgiving was an incredible day filled with food, fun, and family – made even more fun since they weren’t my own!

Tags: Holidays in Kennebunkport Maine, Kennebunkport restaurants, seasons, Thanksgiving
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Wining and Dining in Kennebunkport

September 7th, 2012 by mainestayinn

The weather has been absolutely fabulous in Kennebunkport lately (Mother Nature, keep up the good work!), and a few nights ago was no exception, so we decided to head to Old Vines Wine Bar for dinner. While its roots were originally as a wine bar, featuring a few delightful nibbles, the repertoire has expanded greatly. The assortment of wines has stayed large and excellent, the menu now includes a full bar. And in addition to cured meats and cheeses, you can now order a variety of light dishes. So on a day when lunch happened rather late and a hearty dinner wasn’t required, we ventured to Old Vines to satiate ourselves. Less than a half

The wall of wine at Old Vines!

mile from our Kennebunkport Maine Bed and Breakfast, it is an easy walk on streets that have good sidewalks (though that doesn’t always mean well lit, so check your dresser drawer for the flashlight we’ve left – you’ll likely want it on your trip home). Now that they’ve added a great outdoor dining area (complete with a fire pit!), parking is a bit more limited, but, as is the case for much of Kennebunkport, street parking is pretty easy. So if you decide to go with footwear not conducive for meandering, know that driving is definitely an option.

Old Vines sets a great tone for dining in Kennebunkport right from the second you enter. The lighting is intimate, but still provides enough for some solid people watching (if you’re anything like me, that is!). The walls are lined with the wood from different cases of wine, each emblazoned with their signature logo. And just as important, the seating is comfy, but not lounge-chair-like. While enjoying a beverage, we perused the food menu, starting with salads (which were out of this world, BTW!) and progressing to the tapas and hot sandwiches. Unfortunately, we just didn’t have any room for the beautiful assortment of meats and cheeses. Instead, we watched nearby tables gobble theirs up in a snap. Fortunately for guests of the Maine Stay Inn, Old Vines offers a great opportunity for wining and (light or not-so-light) dining in Kennebunkport!

Tags: Kennebunkport Dining, Kennebunkport restaurants, wine tastinig
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Checking Out Stripers, a Kennebunkport Restaurant

August 17th, 2012 by mainestayinn

Tonight I finally checked off something on my long-term “to do” list – dining at the Kennebunkport restaurant Stripers. It’s barely a half mile from the Maine Stay Inn, but somehow I’ve just missed out on testing it out. Well, mission accomplished! So let’s set the scene… It’s a warm August evening, and the cloud cover from a passing afternoon shower has cleared, leaving the air fresh and the

Check out that view from the dining room at Stripers!

sky stunning. We decided to drive over (even though it would only be a ten or fifteen minute stroll), mostly because it was going to be dark when we would be headed home. And despite being equipped with a flashlight (yep, every single guest room is!), we decided not to take any chances.

Unfortunately, parking is at a premium, but the local lot had plenty of empty spots (definitely a perk for eating later). That said, valet parking is always an option. Walking up, we couldn’t have asked for a better view or service. The staff was welcoming and prepared for us, but who could notice anything except the beautiful painted sky above the Kennebunk River?! Not me! The menu, while a little long, truly offered something for everyone, with an extensive seafood selection and many options for “landlubbers.” During the wait for entrees (we were all saving room for dessert), we enjoyed some bread and deliciously salty, whipped butter, along with a delightful amuse bouche to set the tone.

Stripers clearly is a Kennebunkport Restaurant with a skilled chef (or chefs), because the plates arrived artfully arranged and the combination of flavors was excellent. Some dishes featured more exotic ingredients, while others tested out new versions of old faves. Besides the view, the highlight of the meal, though, was dessert. Their deep chocolate sorbet stole the show and nearly eclipsed the breathtaking scenery as the highlight of the evening - second only to our guest of the evening, a dear friend celebrating a very special birthday. So the overall report? Kennebunkport restaurant, Stripers, is a great spot for waterfront dining – add it to your list!

Tags: Kennebunkport restaurants, rest
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Enjoying Outdoor Dining in Kennebunkport

July 2nd, 2012 by mainestayinn

This evening I received a welcome surprise – a visit from some of my oldest friends – which meant that we just had to pick a dinner locale with outdoor dining in Kennebunkport. Today graced us with incredible weather that, while on the warm side, meant that sitting outside for dinner was absolutely perfect – no sweaters required. But on the stroll downtown from our Kennebunkport Bed

You’ll enjoy seeing row boats like these when you experience outdoor dining in Kennebunkport’s Tia’s Topside

and Breakfast, I realized just how lucky we are to have such a great assortment of spots to enjoy a meal in the open air.

Closest to the inn, you’ll find the Arundel Wharf Restaurant with an assortment of indoor, tented, and outdoor dining options. Its varied and well executed menu mirrors the seating arrangements and the location just can’t be beat! But if you find yourself desiring a bird’s eye view of the marinas, you could check out Federal Jack’s, the local brew pub. With a dining room on the second floor and impressive deck space, it is a great option for outdoor dining in Kennebunkport or just enjoying a beer in the open air. Tia’s Topside also offers deck dining, but instead of checking out the swanky yachts in town, you can enjoy a view of the quiet inlet which is now home to a few gently bobbing row boats.

But if you’re looking for something a little more upscale, you can check out the patio at One Dock. View? Not so much, but the food is definitely something to write home about! But it is still outside, and who can beat summertime in New England? One big perk, though, is that it is perfect for people watching, which is something I really enjoy, and the light veil of potted plants and trellises is perfect for concealing my gawking. But since there is live music here nearly every night of the summer, it’s sometimes not the spot for a romantic outdoor dining experience in Kennebunkport. For that, I recommend heading to Old Vines Wine Bar, whose new patio is just calling my name! And it’s location next to the lush gardens of florist Fleurant definitely helps counteract the traffic noise from its location on Route 35. Plus, after a glass of wine or two, it’s sure not to phase you at all! It’s funny to think that this list doesn’t even cover all of the Kennebunkport Maine Restaurants with outdoor dining, and these are just the few within walking distance of the Maine Stay Inn, but it’s true, so get out there and start eating!

Tags: Kennebunkport Dining, Kennebunkport restaurants, Maine Summer Vacation, outdoor activities
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A Visit to Perkins Cove in Ogunquit

May 19th, 2012 by mainestayinn

A view from MC Perkins Cove

Perkins Cove is a part of Ogunquit, Maine, that is often visited by guests of the Maine Stay Inn, and although it’s just 13 miles south of here, it’s a part of the Southern Maine coastline that I had never seen before. So on a gorgeous evening recently, we decided to check it out. Separated by just a few miles, Kennebunkport and Ogunquit feel light years apart. Frankly, the approach to Ogunquit is anything but scenic, with strip motels, mini-golf courses, and countless nicknack shops lining the road, but as you turn off Route 1 onto Shore Road, the scene begins to change. The establishments get smaller and a bit more charming, and private homes begin to crop up. We continued past the entrance to the Marginal Way (a great spot for a coastal walk, if you ask me) and found ourselves on a cul-de-sac filled with shops and restaurants. Even in mid-May, the place was teeming with people and cars hunting for parking (especially the very limited free spots), but we scored one just around the corner from the restaurant we had chosen for the evening. MC Perkins Cove is owned by the folk who also own Arrows Restaurant, regularly listed as one of the top 50 restaurants in America, and boasts a much less formal ambience. The facade is unimpressive – a narrow cape with weathered grey shingles – and the decor is kept understated so patrons won’t be distracted by the view. It’s situated on a craggy outcropping, and the oversized, undraped windows allow for panoramic views, with Kennebunkport visible in the distance. Once inside, the hustle and bustle outside faded away.

The entire menu is built around the “farm to table” concept – with local seasonal products utilized throughout. My roasted summer squash and zucchini salad was an absolute stand out, with the fresh basil vinaigrette perfectly coating the fresh baby greens, and the Caesar salad followed suit. Despite being initially turned off by the fact that a helping of veggies would cost you a whopping $8 more, I quickly realized that the generous portion sizes meant that adding to your order was either unnecessary or the ideal way to make sure you’ve got leftovers for lunch. But everything about the main courses was fantastic! And the fact that you could choose your own “evil carbo” (read: starch) and your own sauce meant that the small menu had infinite possibilities!

The only disappointment of the evening was that it had to end, as the view eventually faded into darkness. For that very reason, I will definitely encourage guests of our Kennebunkport hotel to try MC Perkins Cove in Ogunquit for lunch and enjoy a stroll along the Marginal Way.

Tags: dining, Kennebunkport restaurants, Things to do in Kennebunkport
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Great Casual Kennebunkport Restaurants

April 21st, 2012 by mainestayinn

Today, as I was discussing Kennebunkport restaurants with a new employee, I realized that it might be helpful to share some of the insights. Fortunately for us, and for all visitors to our Kennebunkport Bed and Breakfast, this community is filled with great places to dine, and not all of them call for snazzy outfits or result in astronomical bills. And even in April, before 100% of restaurants have opened their doors, there are lots of places for a good casual meal.

Quite a few are just a short walk from the Maine Stay, meaning on warm nights light tonight, you’ll be just as content meandering out to dinner as hopping in the car for a meal. In Dock Square you’ll find Federal Jack’s, a brewpub, which is also home to Kennebunkport Brewing Company. Best known as the largest craft brewery in the state, you’ll enjoy beers tapped directly from the

Pedro's bright blue sign is hard to miss!

holding tanks to the bar – you can’t get much fresher than that! But their food is excellent as well, with a large menu sure to please anyone in the family. And with a large gluten-free menu, even food allergy sufferers will find something satisfying. Diagonally across the street, you’ll find Ryan’s Corner House, an authentic Irish pub serving up traditional fare like bangers and mash, corned beef and cabbage, and shepherd’s pie. Though you will find seafood on the menu, it’s great for visitors of our Kennebunkport Bed and Breakfast who are ready for a break from lobster and clam chowder. Still walking distance from the inn, but located in the heart of Lower Village Kennebunk, you’ll surely stumble across Pedro’s. This Kennebunkport restaurant is hard to miss with its oversized metal rooster outside and great patio complete with fire pit. But you’d really be missing out by not trying one of their incredible margaritas with homemade syrups or their authentic Mexican cuisine. Under the same ownership, you can enjoy a great casual meal at the Ramp at Pier 77. This vintage style sports bar offers incredible harbor views and great food. Plus, you might even catch a glimpse of local lobsterers hauling in their catches on the pier. But whatever you choose for a casual meal, these Kennebunkport restaurants have got just the thing to satisfy your cravings!

Tags: gluten free dining, Kennebunkport Dining, Kennebunkport restaurants
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Bandaloop Restaurant Reopens in Kennebunkport!

April 18th, 2012 by mainestayinn

While this week was notable for lots of things in Kennebunkport, the reopening of Bandaloop Restaurant topped the charts of many locals and visitors alike. Last night marked the restaurant’s reopening after a nearly eight week long hiatus, and with temps

Bandaloop and its red doors

well into the seventies when its signature red doors opened at 5, it felt more like summer than the start of spring! Despite the fact that no one at our Kennebunkport Bed and Breakfast has given its new menu a test run yet, three couples decided to head over. And guess what? There were six glowing reviews this morning around the breakfast table! Now while that’s not really a surprise, it is always nice to hear that nothing’s been forgotten after a long vacation. But because we always test out the restaurants in Kennebunkport and the surrounding towns (just to make sure that we are appropriately guiding our guests to place that suit them best), I am now looking forward to my first spring dinner at Bandaloop even more than ever. However, since we just dove headlong into a living room renovation project, this meal might just have to wait a few more weeks. Don’t worry, though, this project is being done in stages to avoid disruption of the guest experience. Yes, we’re all very excited about to have them serving again, but selfishly, I am glad to have another great option for gluten-free dining close by. Even more important, though, is the fact that the reopening of Bandaloop is a big milestone in terms of restaurant availability in Kennebunkport, because now over 75% of eateries in town are open. Now, not all are operating at their height of summer hours, so be sure to check with innkeeper or staff at our Kennebunkport Bed and Breakfast just to be safe!

Tags: gluten free dining, Kennebunkport restaurants
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