Two of my three sons are visiting. They are craft beer aficionados and, yes, have completed the Maine Beer Trail challenge and have the T-shirts to prove it. This time, they started with the just-opened Mast Landing Brewery in Freeport and sampled two of the 21 brews always on tap. Welcome to Paradise is a […]
Sande’s Picks
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Sande’s Picks: Direct from the farm is best
Farm direct marketing is more popular than ever (especially since the pandemic). It allows local farmers to sell straight to consumers at farmers markets, through you-pick models, CSAs (Community Supported Agriculture), mail order, agritourism and farm stands. Many customers don’t view food as only food. They want to connect with producers and the pleasure of […]
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Sande’s Picks: A smorgasbord of food news
• Pineland Farms in New Gloucester will host Harvest Lunches at the Education Barn from 10-11 a.m. July 24, 28 and 29. Enjoy a picnic on the farm after harvesting your own meal. Tickets are $6/person ages 3 and up, and pre-registration is required at shop.pinelandfarms.org. 15 Farm View Drive, 688-4539. • Stones Café & […]
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Sande’s Picks: Cheers to a memorable wine dinner at The School House 1913
I rarely review restaurants, but I do want to comment on a recent wine dinner at The School House 1913 in Harpswell. The owners themed their five courses around the ocean, focusing on the bounty and images from the sea around the Harpswell peninsula. Each course was imaginatively presented. Portions were small plate-sized so that […]
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Sande’s Picks: Meet the queen of creative cocktails
Angela Miller-Gray is the queen of creative cocktails at Cold River Distilling in Freeport. One of her unique combinations is Cold River Gin with a splash of Fiore Grapefruit Balsamic Vinegar and club soda. Another is made with a blend of Cold River’s Distillers Reserve (vodka finished in oak barrels), cider, cider vinegar and a […]
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Sande’s Picks: Wine and beer dinners are back
Vessel and Vine, 4 Pleasant St., Brunswick, has announced dates for its Porchside Dinner Series, which benefits the Maine Coast Fisherman’s Association. The first menu includes Razor Clams, Monkfish Ceviche, Marinated Mackerel and Hake. Each course will be paired with wine and the $90 cost, plus gratuity, includes a $20 donation to MCFA. Dinner is […]
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Sande’s Picks: Wanted: Readers’ recipes, stories and photos
Margaret Hathaway and Karl Schatz want to hear from you! The editors of the “Maine Bicentennial Community Cookbook” are at it again, compiling 200 more recipes for Volume 2, called “Maine Community Cookbook” and subtitled “Celebrating Home Cooking in the Pine Tree State.” They are also collecting stories and photos from Mainers to be assembled […]
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Sande’s Picks: Food, beverage events are blossoming
There are so many options this month that it is a good idea to mark your calendars. Scarlet Begonias is featuring one of its most popular specialty burgers, Quack ‘n Blue, at various times this summer. It contains a jumbo sunny-side-up fried duck egg from Whatley Farm in Topsham, blue cheese, bacon, blackening seasoning and […]
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Sande’s Picks: Mother’s Day celebration and dining possibilities
The Royal River Grill House is offering three very interesting options for Mother’s “Day May 9: Sunday brunch 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., dinner 4-9 p.m. in either their stylish dining room or outside on the heated and covered patio, or a special takeout brunch for four to six people. The takeout meal includes crab […]
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Sande’s Picks: Don’t get left out in the cold
Ice cream season is here (or almost, in some cases), and there are plenty of chances to cool off and relax at these local shops. Some serve milkshakes and frappes. From what I’ve learned, milkshakes in New England contain milk and flavoring syrup that are shaken until foamy. Frappes also contain ice cream, which is […]