September to Maine - Day 3

Although I really really really wanted to wake up before sunrise and go on another photo trip, the fact that this was a vacation (and my favorite quilt which J2 had very kindly packed and brought along) made it impossible to rise much before breakfast time.  The second seating is at 8:30 at the Peacock House.  We fixed ourselves coffee and puerh tea and got ready.  This time, I had decided to take a few pictures of the wonderful place that we had called home for the last two nights.  We would be leaving today for Blue Hill and homeward bound.  I went downstairs first to take pictures.  I met Dennis and asked permission to take pictures and he very graciously consented to them ...
This is the dining room.  The door straight ahead leads out to the backyard, and the white retangular window is the service window to the kitchen. Straight ahead is also a floor-to-ceiling hutch with a nice collection of china and service.

The table is set and ready for breakfast.

Later, Sue came in from the backyard with a handful of freshly cut herbs which would end up in the breakfast egg souffle created by Dennis.

The Captain, back from his morning jaunt, was safely ensconced in his favorite chair:

After breakfast ended, and we had said our farewells, took a few more pictures of the neighborhood.
The church across the street...

And looking back at the Peacock House from the front of the church:

It was already time for the trip back towards home! We decided to take the return trip on Route 1 - one of our favorite all-american roads with plenty of character all its own.  Lunch would be in Machias.

Through mountainous terrain... and through the woods...

 

and over rivers and streams

 

 Through neighborhoods and farms ....

 Through the mighty industrial complexes of Maine......

 And we even went by Fort Knox!

  Guided by clear signage...

We passed museums and such but Route 1 retained its aura....

 Letting bits of America come through ..

 
Until we arrived in Machias at our intended destination, the Blue Bird Ranch Family Restaurant.

 This, finally, was the place where I was to encounter true Maine food in true Maine manner.  What a glorious experience it was.  J2 ordered a crab roll that was "to die for" (TDF) - totally loaded with fresh sweet tasty crab in a top-open New England classic roll, accompanied by onion rings (although the brown bread in the foreground was mine):

I ordered the much touted Franks and Beans - which came with a piece of brown bread that J2 admitted to liking almost as much as her own.

I wanted to move in and live there forever (the desserts were calling out to me) - but - we had promises to keep and a reservation to fulfill later in the day. 

 And as much as I wanted to, we did not make another attempt at Obadiah's and moved on.  We eventually reached Ellsworth Maine, which appeared to be a prosperous town - made even more imposing by the existence of a very special store:

[This is my second "stitched" picture since the whole store would not fit into one photo frame - I had to take two pictures and then stitch them together - pretty funky the way it turns out].  This store is a fabulous place.  Worthy of being a foodie destination in and of itself.  It has a great selection of chocolates and edibles at the "basement level" and cooking utensils and gadgets on the first floor and inventory reduction items on the topmost floor.  J2 and I spent about an hour here - and it is a miracle that we didn't spend several thousand dollars while ogling everything.  In the end, I bought some candied ginger, several chocolates, a couple of minature bottle brushes and a fabulous soda.  Then it was time to head over to the Blue Hill Inn to get rested in time for dinner.

The staff at the Blue Hill was very friendly and yet very efficient.  They had made dinner reservations for us in Ellsworth - and had a printed confirmation to hand us. I was totally impressed by that.  We were given the keys to the room and went up to #7 (lucky number 7?).
Although a bit smaller than most hotel rooms, this was a very comfortable and warm room.

Private label toiletries

Inside #7

Fluffy robes

Fluffy towels

All the amenities

By the time we were unpacked, I was exhausted and cuddled up with my latest unread copy of Buddha and had a nap.  J2 disappeared to parts unknown with a fresh cup of coffee and all was restored to normal.

Dinner time came, and since this was a dress-up place, we got ready.  I had recharged my camera batteries and was ready to go.  The trip to Ellsworth was about 15 minutes and we arrived a bit early.

A bright welcoming place - even from the road. We were seated promptly and Kara our waitperson introduced herself.  We discussed drinks and she suggested a Manhattan.  My alarms went off. The Manhattan is probably my most favorite drink.  We have one almost every winter weekend - and it is almost ritual in our home.  After long experimentation, we have settled into a standard bourbon laced with Vya vermouth and home-made maraschino cherries (New Hampshire sour cherries, of course - or lacking which, the little jar of Italian Amaretti cherries is a perfect substitute).  Every Manhattan we have attempted at a restaurant has been met with supercilious disgust.  Kara eventually persuaded me to try one and I was thoroughly impressed (the waitress shook the drink - just as we do it at home.  No gentle stirring for us!)

The preliminaries over, we decided on some nibbles.  The white anchovies on the menu looked good to me, and the baby carrots nodded to J2s love for veggies.  They were exceptional.  By now, Kara had our tastes pegged.  She skilfully guided us through the complex menu throughout the evening, suggesting the good things and suggesting alternatives to our incorrect choices.

 The next choice was wine.  The wine list was extensive, varied and well priced.  After more thought, we decided to broaden our horizons and go with the Basque white wine - with the unpronounceable name of Txakoli.  Kara suggested the tomato salad - which the menu promised to be served at the pinnacle of ripeness.  And so it was.

 The tomato salad was as advertised - a perfectly ripe selection of tomatoes in abundant (J2 though it was too much but I thought it was generous) olive oil dressing which paired well with the wine.  The wine was surprisingly chewy and yet bright, and we both enjoyed it.  Kara brought a few more dishes (by now, my camera had been put away - I will learn not to do that sometime I hope - in favor of gastronomy).  Kara suggested the cheese and went so far as to get us a taste from the kitchen because she was sure we'd love it.  We ordered the cheese plate.  That and a port and coffee and dinner came to a wonderful close.

The cheese was served with packaged crisps and apples drizzled with honey.  I am happy to say that Cleonice was an outstanding experience thanks to Kara - and I would venture to say that this place outshines such stars as Fore Street in Portland, and even some in Boston.  We will be back.  It was way past our normal bed time and the 15 minutes back seemed like a decade.