Jay About Camden, Maine

We were in Maine last week and I did not really follow the news at all... so I essentially missed this financial market implosion. That was a nice week. Back at work this week and it is ugly. So let's go back to the good times shall we? My special lady and I managed to get away for an evening leaving our kids w/ my folks and we headed on down to Camden. It is a lovely town on the ocean, well manicured and filled w/ huge old sea captain houses that unlike many other towns are still in very good shape. How many ships were in the mix back in the day and why did these captains need 7000SF houses? And who is buying these intense joints now? Not me. We did stay in a refurbished old house that was turned into a hotel and recently renovated and re branded as a lark hotel property... Whitehall!  My wife found this place on Jetsetter and we got a great deal on a really nice mix of modern and rustic w/ plenty of wood and metal, nice light fixtures, hip furniture, and plenty of porches to sit and read outside. The room was pretty big, clean and comfortable. It was a little hard to get the hot water going, the toilet was too close to the wall and the "smart TV" was not hooked up to the Internet but otherwise I really liked the room.

The restaurant Pig and Poet is run by Top Chef contestant Sam Talbot and was pretty solid. Nice space, good menu. We had drinks and apps early. The bartender Jen made one of the best Moscow Mules I have ever had... must have been the house made ginger syrup. The wings could have been cooked a bit more but the flavor was ok. Breakfast the next morning was much better. Buffet style but served in small dishes to make it feel more personal we both went for seconds and thirds of the well cooked baked eggs, delicious biscuits, moist coffee cake and more. Sam was busy cooking, busing, and serving. Next time we would like to try dinner... several people came for the fried chicken which ran out by the time we came for our night cap in the mid evening hour.

We actually had made a plan to try local darling Long Grain and I stand by that decision. It was packed and had a ton of energy. Our server sucked. They had a pretty interesting beer list and the menu was approachable and pretty darn enticing. We started w/ a green mango salad that was fantastic. Fresh and nice flavor without the heavy handed fish sauce overdose that often turns the dish. We then shared a Pad Ke Mao flat noodle dish that had a touch of spice but really nice noodles w/ delicious tofu, really well seasoned, plenty of basil and just a really nice dish that makes you appreciate what a well done Thai dish can be.We also shared a Thai stew that was off the chain. Spicy, fragrant, and viscous form the ribs swimming in the broth... this dish was really special. You drop some sticky rice in and it was just great, we crushed that shit!  The desert was the cherry on top that really sealed the deal, a coconut custard that was almost like creme brulee topping sticky semi sweet red rice was luscious, flavorful and just enough sweet that you knew it was a treat for after dinner. 2 thumbs up, this place was pretty darn solid (minus our waitress).

Jay About the Shelburne Tap House

So this weekend my family and I moved. Our old farmhouse had closed in around us and we needed a new challenge. Moving is a challenge. A giant sucky challenge. That said we are in and that is great. Our new place is nice and has most everything we want and need (except the grotto and the Fenway picture I want in the mancave). First and foremost I would give a hardy 2 thumbs up to Lowell's moving company. They were professional, courteous, efficient, and friendly. They nailed the quote and then banged out both sides of the move quickly and carefully. I would recommend them without hesitation.

So after unpacking for several hours on Friday we needed a mellow dinner. We decided to cruise to a pretty close spot the Shelburne Tap House. The place that had been in the space was called something like the Shelburne Tavern and was a dump. It felt like you were drinking in a friend's unfinished basement and there was never anyone there.

The new space has been done over and even though it is in a strip mall it is much more inviting, more like a middle of the road tavern/steak house. Wood, darker colors, decent bar area. So apparently Friday was their first night so it was very busy... and very slow. The bar was packed and 80 percent of the tables were full at 7-7:30. I will say that a guy, possibly the owner was keeping an eye on the room and when we were not immediately seated he came to say hello and let us know the hostess would be there soon. Attention to customers is a good sign if nothing else. We sat down and ordered the whole shebang right away. Our waitress was nice but a little over her head. There were large gaps in service and my second beer was not what I ordered and came after I was done eating. First night so I will let that one slip. The food itself was unexceptional. My special lady's salad was Sysco all the way. My burger was fine, I wish it came w/ fries rather than chips. Overall I would say 1 thumb tentatively up w/ a huge caveat... the place is what it is and expectations should be tempered. I think you can take your family and kids will be ok. I also think you can have a decent meal and beer while watching football on a Sunday. And for a local watering hole that is perfectly fine in my book, every neighborhood needs that comfort spot.

Couple side notes... I have reviewed before but the Taverna Khione in Shelburne served up another delicious and inventive meal Saturday night. That is one of the best places locally and woefully under appreciated. Vermonters (or more likely out of towners here for the summer) are terrible diners. They can't get enough of overpriced pub food but anything interesting is met with a "no thanks... I don't like octopus". Sad really.

Avett Brothers put on another solid energy show at the Shelburne Museum. That is a fun venue, well set up, comfortable, beautiful, terrible acoustics. But the Bros. ran though some oldies and newer stuff and just rocked out. It was solid.

Big week for the birds.