It's now become our ritual that if we're going to Maine, we're going to Flo's, regardless of how out of the way it is. Boyfriend just recently introduced me to this gem and it is amazing. That's Boyfriend waiting in line for our hotdogs! I stayed in the nice warm car until the line made it inside. ;) Yes, there is a line. It's just the tiniest hot dog shack. Boyfriend's head hits the ceiling inside! If you happen to make it - get the House Special. Delicious!
We stayed at the Portland Harbor Hotel, which was perfectly located. We were right in the heart of Old Port and a mere steps away from Gritty's, which is where we hung out most of our last stay in Portland. We were also right next door to the restaurant we wanted to eat at. Paciarino was booked solid last time we went up to Portland, so we made sure to make reservations ahead of time.
We spent the rest of the afternoon wandering around Portland. We stopped for a beer, where I was too short for the table, and got some popcorn from the Coastal Maine Popcorn Co. and just wandered around taking pictures.
We stopped in at Bull Moose, a cool record store they have in New Hampshire and Maine. Very similar to Newbury Comics around Boston. Only somehow way better. We each bought a few CDs. Boyfriend replaced some old favorites, and I bought 21 by Adele and a copy of Tapestry by Carole King, which I was forbidden from listening to in the car by Captain Grouchy Pants. I happen to like Carole King.
After that we headed back to the hotel to get cleaned up for dinner. Dinner was so, so good. I recommend you try out this place if you're ever in Portland and like homemade pasta and delicious Italian food. My mouth is watering just thinking about it!
We had originally planned on going out for drinks after dinner, but since we're a couple of old farts we collapsed right into bed! We were beat. The hotel ended up being super loud all night. Boyfriend slept through it, but I kept waking up to people talking and laughing and music. I think there may have been a party or something going on, and the walls were not soundproof in the least. It's an old building, so I suppose that is to be expected. But hey! The bed was comfy!
The next day was supposed to be rainy, but it ended up being beautiful! Perfect weather for browsing the outlets in Kittery on the way home, which is exactly what I made Boyfriend do. :)
What are your favorite places for a weekend getaway? Any cool places in New England we should check out? We're trying to plan a New England day trips vacation for this summer!
