MAINE MAPLE SUNDAY

This week was the annual Maine Maple Sunday where local farms invite the public to check out their maple sugaring operations, animals, and sample all things maple! Favorites include maple cotton candy, maple whoopee pie, and maple syrup over vanilla ice cream. Although, I did miss the traditional sugar on snow with a dill pickle that Vermonters always serve!

The sunshine made it feel like Spring might really be on its way!

STREET & CO

The other weekend Austin's parents came for a visit! We knew we wanted to go out to eat in Portland and I had been dreaming about having dinner at Street and Company since we moved to the area. Typically you have to make a reservation way in advance, but with a little bit of luck we were able to get in with just a few weeks notice! The menu features fresh seafood prepared in a variety of delectable ways. We started off with cocktails and local oysters, then moved on to grilled octopus and calamari (the octopus was exceptional) I went with a whole Bronzino fish, Austin went with the Arctic char, and his parents both went with the Tuna bolognese. The meal was topped off with creamy panicotta drizzled in black current sauce, which was the perfect complement of sweet and tart. The food was absolutely incredible! We ended the evening with drinks at Central Provisions, one of our go-to spots! My poor iPhone photos do not do it justice...

Thank you Matt and Leslie for a fantastic evening!

QUEBEC CITY

Last month Austin and I traveled to Quebec City for the final weekend of the winter carnival. The weather was frigid and we ended up driving home in an epic blizzard but the weekend was so much fun! One of my oldest and best friends drove up from Vermont with her husband for a night and we tried to jam pack as much good food and fun in before they had to leave. 

Austin and I arrived on Friday and walked around the old city making our way to Le Lapin Saute for a late lunch/early dinner. We snagged a table by the fireplace and thawed out while we sipped on vin chaud. We enjoyed french onion soup and rillettes de lapin.  Followed by delicious poutine and topped off with the maple creme brûlée. 

Our friends arrived on Saturday and we actually ended up taking them back to Le Lapin Saute because it was so tasty! After lunch we made our way up to the carnival festivities. 

Exploring the "old city" with Rachel and Vincent! They are the cutest.

Trying out the Caribou!

Toboggan racing was such a blast we had to try it a few times! The track overlooks the Saint Lawrence and Chateau Frontenac. 

Making maple syrup pops. They pour hot maple syrup on the snow and you wait a few seconds for it to start to turn into taffy. Then you roll it up on your popsicle stick and voila! So delicious.

More Caribou at the ice bar and posing with Bonhomme.

Exploring the ice hotel all lit up at night.

Saturday night we made our way to L'Affaire eat Ketchup, a restaurant that Rachel had been wanting to check out after seeing it on Anthony Bourdain's show. Luckily we made reservations in advance as it was a very small and cozy place! Everything was absolutely amazing. I always enjoy going out to eat with more people because that means more food to try! 

The next morning started off with brunch and La Buche and then walking around exploring the city before we had to say goodbye to Rachel and Vincent. Austin and I decided to make the most of our last evening so we made our way to Chateau Frontenac to enjoy some wine and cheese in the intimate 1608 wine bar where we sank into comfortable chairs by one of the many fireplaces lining the room. After that was a drink in a candle-lit vault, followed by live music and some pints at an Irish pub as the snow started to fall. 

Wine and cheese!

We fell in love with this charming city and can't wait to come back!

Photo credit to Rachel and Vincent for photo 18, 21 & 33 

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