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Travel
Cora’s Sustainable Guide to Mid-Coast Maine
When my husband and I moved back to my home state of Maine a couple of years ago, I could never have imagined how many incredible businesses I would find that had been started by conscious individuals who are working in harmony with the local environment, organic farmers and produce whilst simultaneously celebrating what we can import in a sustainable way to result in such a beautiful melding of worlds. There is so much natural beauty in Maine that I would most recommend hitting up the National Parks like Acadia and Schodic, but if you are looking for places to shop, stay and dine here are my favourites in the mid-coast region!
Cora Hilts
Where to eat:
Brooklin General Store – if you are looking for a wonderful breakfast sandwich, conscious grocery staples and a shop that is dedicated to interesting and sustainable finds, Brooklin General Store is one of my go to’s. They are committed to using local ingredients from small producers as much as possible, and it’s a treasure trove for Maine goods!
Primo – one of my favourite farm to table restaurants of all time! Chef Meliisa Kelly trained under Alice Waters, one of our most iconic podcast guests. Of her boss at Chez Panisse, Melissa says, “I didn’t have a style when I got there. By the time I left, I did: simplicity, seasonality, freshness.” The menu changes every day to ensure that the highest quality ingredients are being served. Melissa has spent the last 25 years expanding the farm situated on Primo’s 4.5 acres. What started with a greenhouse, 2 acres of organic gardens, and 2 pigs has evolved to include broiler and layer chickens, ducks, guinea hens and 12 pigs. At peak season about 80% of the ingredients used in the Primo Kitchen are sourced from the farm. The choice to open a restaurant in Maine was driven by the fact that Maine has the largest Farmer and Garden Association (MOFGA) and the proximity to the coast for seafood.
Tinder Hearth: If you are looking for the most perfect loaf of organic sourdough, this is where to go. People travel far and wide for their breads, pastries and pizzas and they were even listed by the New York Times as one of the best places to eat in America. That being said you would never know it when you walk onto the family farm and old barn for informal eating and coffees. Their pizza nights often have live music and children playing whilst people sip organic wine. It’s simply a must for any foodie in Maine.
Where to both stay and eat!
Aragosta: If you are looking for fine dining and fine accommodations with a dedication to the Maine coast, this is the place for you. Aragosta’s expansion at Goose Cove allows for a holistic representation of the ethos that drives Chef Devin Finigan: a Downeast sense of hospitality cultivated in collaboration with local farmers & foragers, in the place she calls home. This is a beautiful place to stay, relax and eat well with an ethos that matches the beautiful aesthetic.
The Lost Kitchen: You have probably heard of Erin French and the Lost Kitchen due to it’s incredible success and the impossibility of getting a reservation…you have to send a postcard and hope to get picked! But wonderfully she has now opened a farm shop, farmer’s market and cottages at the Mill for people to engage with the mission in an easier, beautiful way.
Brooklin Inn: My favourite place for date night of all time. Between the adorable English style pub downstairs that takes me right back to London times, the outdoor setting in the field and the beautiful dining room with a working fireplace there is not a space that isn’t romantic or fun to sit. Their celebration of all things local and seasonal make it a great place to eat, and they have sweet rooms upstairs that are perfect for a couple of nights to explore the area.
Where else to stay:
Sunny Brook Cottage: This cottage has been highly recommended as one of the cutest Airbnb’s in Midcoast, filled with antiques and you get to enjoy the farm life!
Where to stop:
Farnsworth Museum: This is arguably one of my favourite museums as it’s small, hardly ever crowded and filled with many Maine artists and in particular the Wyeth family who have done incredible work when it comes to celebrating the natural beauty of the land here.
Blue Hill Wine Shop: Don’t let the name fool you, even if you don’t drink wine this store is so worth a stop and if you do, you will fall in love! The Blue Hill Wine Shop feels like something out of another time, where store owners actually know their customers, dogs wonder around freely, and on cold and rainy days there is a wood stove burning for comfort whilst you shop. Also, if you are looking for organic, biodynamic and dry farmed wines the majority of their selection encompasses these values. Add on a beautiful selection of local flowers, produce and cider makers – there is something for everyone!
Blue Hill Books: I have always been a reader, and as the world has become increasingly digital and disconnected I find myself craving tangible, physical connections. Blue Hill Books is where I go to find this oftentimes on the weekend. The staff know every book you might be looking for, and if they don’t have something will order it in so you can avoid shopping on Amazon. It’s a serene, inviting place full of knowledge and a wonderful space to spend a couple of hours. There are chairs all around for you to sit in and read, which is encouraged.
Hitchfoot Farm: The beauty of this recommendation is that you can shop online! Bess of Hitchfoot Farm is a dear collaborator for us on sustainable living at Rêve En Vert, and we love directing people to her annual tulip bulb sale in the Autumn, or to stop at her beautiful farmstand in the summer for the most incredible fresh flower arrangements. One of the most gorgeous small businesses in Maine!