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| The rocky Maine coastline looking on to the Bush clan's compound at Walker's Point, just outside Kennebunkport, Maine. |
With balmy breezes finally in the air, John and I hightailed it up for a weekend in Kennebunkport, Maine, one of our favorite getaways. I attended Colby College in Waterville, so the state has become something of a second home. We visit whenever we can fit in a few days.
Kennebunkport is the perfect base from which to settle in and explore southern Maine’s myriad charms—from the exceptional dining scene in Portland to the antiques outposts lining Route 1 and the stunning coastline, not to mention L.L.Bean in Freeport and the outlets in Kittery. We checked into The Breakwater Inn & Spa, a colorful, relaxed hostelry overlooking the Kennebunk River. We enjoyed three blissful days of warm weather, good eats and plenty of retail therapy.
We kicked off the weekend at a spirited brunch with L.L.Bean’s superstar public relations guru Mary Rose MacKinnon and her husband, James, at Portland’s Local 188. (Try the Caribbean-style hash with a potent Bloody Mary). Then we hit P-town’s cobblestone byways: Don’t miss Rogues Gallery and Portland Dry Goods for exceptional menswear. I am crazy about the kitchenware and gourmet delicacies at LeRoux Kitchen and Browne Trading Company. From there we returned south to Snug Harbor Farm in Kennebunk. The inspiring nursery overflows with the most amazing topiaries and specimen plants—even in the winter. If you are looking for a standard rosemary or myrtle topiary, this is a great source. In the summer, the farm has peacocks roaming about, and that only adds to the magic of this plantsman’s paradise.
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| Here I am ogling the wonderful topiaries at Snug Harbor Farm in Kennebunk. |
The antiques shops in Wells are not to be missed. We spent hours browsing the eclectic wares filling the numerous emporia on busy Route 1. Among our favorite finds: Vintage lanterns, Italian Majolica-style pottery, a Chinese Chippendale armchair and tole urns.
We finished our adventures with an exceptional dinner at The White Barn Inn. The glorious, big-ticket restaurant is situated in two restored 1820s-era barns with Swiss-trained staff and inspired cooking from Chef Jonathan Cartwright. If you are looking for a magical dinner with spot-on service and an otherworldly setting, this is the place. The 4-course prix-fixe menu is $98 per person. I ate the wonderful pan-seared quail breast with seared foie gras and trumpet royale mushrooms before moving on to Parma ham-wrapped cod filet with rosemary polenta and a balsamic reduction. Of course, I had to end dinner with the cheese selection.
Note to self: The diet starts Monday.
Photos by Jason Oliver Nixon