This December 31st, wrap the festivities around a long weekend at the Camden Harbour Inn and plan to wine and dine at one of the best New Year’s Eve restaurants in all of New England—Natalie’s, located right in the Inn. Situated in the seaside town of Camden amongst a breathtaking landscape of rugged mountains and rocky shorelines, you and your loved ones can spend your holiday weekend in comfort at the luxurious Inn. Once you’ve checked in, sit and relax near the fireplace, or go out and explore. You’ll find much do! Camden and all the surrounding communities of mid-coast Maine have much to offer.

Hit the Slopes

Do you like to ski? Hit the slopes at the town-owned ski area, the Camden Snow Bowl. Located on Ragged Mountain, the ski area has a near thousand-foot vertical elevation and over twenty runs that equal some of the best mountains in Maine for alpine skiing—plus stunning ocean views! For cross-country skiers, the Snow Bowl, in conjunction with the Coastal Mountains Land Trust and Mid Coast NEMBA, has miles of Nordic trails in and around the Bowl for beginners and advanced cross-country skiers.

Cozy Up in a Reading Nook

Find yourself strolling through Camden’s vibrant downtown? Drop in the Owl & Turtle Bookshop over on Bay View Street. The cozy neighborhood café and independent bookstore has been a friendly gathering spot for over 40 years. The shop has a good collection of fiction and non-fiction, a great children’s section, and for the culinary-minded, a nice assortment of cookbooks. There’s also a Maine-centric selection of books, and the café has locally-roasted beans from Coffee on the Porch, and an assortment of local treats from area bakers.

A Day at the Museum

In nearby Rockland, in the heart of the downtown arts district, while away an afternoon at the Center for Maine Contemporary Art. The museum advances and promotes contemporary art and artists with ties to Maine. The building, with its iconic sawtooth roofline, was designed by New York architect and North Haven resident, Toshiko Mori. You won’t be disappointed. The CMCA houses exceptional exhibitions and programs throughout the year.

Lights, Camera, Garden

Have you heard about the festival of lights? Less than an hour’s drive south of Camden, experience the biggest holiday light show in all of Maine at the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens in Boothbay. The Festival of Lights runs from mid-November through December 31. The gardens are a festively lit wonderland. With hundreds of thousands of lights decorating the central gardens and buildings, it’s a dazzling light display that leaves travelers and locals alike in awe. The event is wildly popular, if you go, the purchase of advance tickets is recommended.

Put on Your Dancing Shoes

If your interests lean to live music, go no further than the Strand Theatre in downtown Rockland. The beautifully restored theatre is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This December 28, Portland, Maine’s very own, The Ghost of Paul Revere, will be performing there. As the band’s following is grows regionally and nationally, there’s still a chance to see, hear and enjoy the three-part, densely layered harmonies of this exciting band in an intimate venue.

Camden’s Best New Years Eve Restaurants

Finally, when New Year’s Eve arrives, you’ll find the inn and restaurant decorated for the festivities and ready for the celebration. Enjoy a glass of champagne, a selection of hors-d’oeuvres and listen to live swinging Jazz, and then savor a delicious 8-course Celebration Dinner from the award-winning executive chef team Chris Long and Shelby Stevens. The New Year’s countdown party features live music, the Dutch pastry “oliebollen,” hors-d’oeuvres, party favors, and a midnight champagne toast!

If your stay is early or longer than New Year’s Eve, be sure to experience Natalie’s Winter Bistro, a new alternative dining option at the award-winning restaurant. The bistro offers a casual approach to dining with the same locally sourced, farm to table seasonal ingredients.

Whatever your plans, have a Happy New Year!

Camden’s downtown that is known for its charming historic architecture and memorable ocean views. Camden is also home to a highly acclaimed culinary scene, featuring some of the best restaurants in all of New England. Below we discuss fine dining in Camden, Maine and identify the top three dining experiences the area has to offer.

Francine
Set near Camden’s famous Harbor, Francine Bistro is a bustling culinary hotspot known for its fresh, organic ingredients. Chef-owner, Brian Hill, is of the opinion that a restaurant must smell tasty and scrumptious as soon as you set foot in the establishment. Hill accomplishes this feat at Francine with the combination of the local produce, meats, cheeses and seafood of coastal Maine that become part of daily changing, innovative menu. The bread, desserts and even ice cream are all made from scratch. The organic flavor and feel of this restaurant are rooted in Hill’s days growing up on his parent’s organic, Maine vegetable and dairy farm. Francine Bistro has gathered a loyal following, from people near and far, who keep returning for Hill’s fresh and appetizing dishes.

Most Talked About Dishes: Steamed Rope Grown Mussels, Fresh Shucked Pemaquid Oysters, and Steamed Rainbow Swiss Chard.

Natalie’s
Located in the luxurious Camden Harbour Inn, Natalie’s is Maine’s most exclusive culinary destination. Overlooking the Camden Harbor, Natalie’s offers a picturesque backdrop for a fine dining experience. Natalie’s features a menu that celebrates a fresh approach to only the finest ingredients. Executive Chefs Chris Long and Shelby Stevens source the harvest of Maine fishing boats, farms and gardens and transform these local ingredients into magical plates reflecting modern cuisine while showcasing Maine’s bounty.

Most Talked About Dishes: Thyme Butter-Poached Lobster served over Corn, Parsnips, and Mushroom and Curried Lobster Bisque.

Primo
We ventured slightly outside of Camden into Rockland for our final dining experience. Primo is certainly worth the trip. The ultimate farm to table experience, Primo is much more than a restaurant, it is about love and respect for food. Produce is grown and harvested on the property, and so are animals. Each day’s harvest includes honey, fruits, vegetables, eggs, edible flowers, fresh chicken and house-cured and smoked meats. Nothing is wasted, the kitchen savors every piece. Executive Chef and Owner, Melissa Kelly, a two-time James Beard foundation award winner, creates culinary masterpieces using traditional cooking techniques with the self-grown ingredients. The experience at Primo allows its guests to dine on food just a few feet from where it was grown. The menu is authentically seasonal, as it accommodates what comes out of the garden on a daily basis, and changes every day to ensure the freshest ingredients are being used.

Most Talked About Dishes: Octopus a la Plancha and Mezze Rigatoni, Hot Italian Sausage and Eggplant.

Natalie’s, one of the most loved fine dining restaurants on the Maine Coast welcomes both new guests and repeat patrons to explore their attractive new website, which launched this month. The attractive new site was designed with a customized layout in order to provide the ultimate user-friendly experience with features like streamlined navigation and advanced functionality throughout, allowing ease of access to menu information, news and upcoming events, and special offers.

February 12, 2016– Natalie’s Restaurant, located at the Camden Harbour Inn in Camden, Maine is excited to present their new website. The fine dining restaurant on Maine’s rocky coast offers award-winning cuisine prepared with locally-sourced ingredients by expert chefs. The new site was built in an effort to give travelers an inside look at the restaurant’s many offerings, while providing easy access to event and reservation information for returning patrons. The new website features improved functionality and seamless user experience, making it simpler for guests to get an inside look at Natalie’s and reserve their next dining experience with ease. The new site includes access to the restaurant’s menus, wine lists, prix fixe dinners, and seasonal offerings.

Designed to showcase the restaurant’s beautiful cuisine against a clean and modern design, the website features downloadable PDF sample menus and multiple opportunities to make reservations. With an emphasis on user experience, the website was built using the latest responsive technology, making the site compatible and easy to use with all browsers and mobile devices, so travelers can make a reservation on the go. The increased flexibility and highly improved user experience of the new site allow the owners of Natalie’s to do what they do best; care for guests at their boutique bed and breakfast and serve the finest cuisine in New England.

The eye-catching and modern new website reflects the sophisticated and worldly ambiance of Natalie’s. For those who have yet to dine at Natalie’s, the site offers a photo gallery and news section allowing customers to explore what Natalie’s has to offer before visiting. To bring their vision to life, Natalie’s partnered with Page One Web Solutions, a web design and internet marketing company in Portland, Maine. A team of skilled web designers, developers, writers and SEO specialists worked with owners Raymond Brunyanszki and Oscar Verest to create a custom website that truly represents the welcoming atmosphere and luxurious coastal charm of Maine’s most exclusive fine dining destination.

Located in the historic Camden Harbour Inn, Natalie’s has served as a culinary destination for travelers visiting the pristine coast of Maine. As an award-winning, world-renowned restaurant, Natalie’s is proud to offer the finest cuisine in the region. The new website provides an opportunity to connect with food enthusiasts from around the world who wish to visit the area and experience the flavors of Maine at Natalie’s. For more information about Natalie’s, or to make your reservation, call 207-236-7008 today.

The challenge in finding the best Maine lobster rolls is less a quest and more a happy tap dance to food trucks, lobster shacks, and some of the best restaurants anywhere to sample the most delicious lobster in the world. Whether heading ‘upta camp’ or ‘goin’ down east way,’ Maine and lobster are synonymous. More lobster is caught in Maine than anywhere else in the country. There’s nary a restaurant menu without it. Quite arguably, it’s the defining cuisine of the Pine Tree State (along with the wild blueberry and the Aroostook County potato). Lobster is big business—hundreds of millions of dollars worth—and a way of life. In the spirit of healthy competition, subjective as it is, it also provides us with our annual search for the best Maine lobster rolls, summer 2018 edition. You will enjoy the visiting at any of the following 5 establishments … and the lobster even more!

Highroller Lobster Co.

From food cart to restaurant, The Highroller Lobster Co. has come a long way over the past three years. Established in 2015 as a food cart, the entrepreneurial start-up has always been dedicated to bringing Portlanders the lobster roll it deserves. Foodies will delight with The Highroller’s menu of lobster dishes. The key is always serving the freshest Maine lobster and crab and build on what you do best. The Highroller Lobster Co. trademark lobster rolls come on brioche rolls baked daily from Portland’s own Southside Bakery with a choice of 9 different sauces. You’ll find The Highroller Lobster Co. at: 104 Exchange Street in Portland, ME.

Bite Into Maine

Bite Into Maine parked its food truck in Cape Elizabeth near the Portland Headlight at Fort Williams Park six years ago and hasn’t looked back. Living up to its motto of, “Not All Lobster Rolls are Created Equal,” the husband and wife team of Karl and Sarah Sutton consistently serve up what the press has labeled one of the best lobster rolls in Maine and one of the best sandwiches in America (see Food & Wine, USA Today, Yahoo Travel, The Travel Channel, and much more). Infused with a little sass and spice and variety at its three locations, Bite Into Maine’s lobster rolls brings a little variety to an authentic Maine experience. Expanded to three locations now, seasonally at Fort Williams Park in Cape Elizabeth and at Allagash Brewing, 50 Industrial Way in Portland, and year-round at the 12 seat Commissary location in Scarborough, ME (185 US Route One #2).

Five Islands Lobster Co.

Five Islands Lobster Co. in Georgetown is located on what’s been called, “The prettiest harbor in Maine.” Read all about the best lobster shack in all of Maine in Lobster Shacks: A Road-Trip Guide to New England’s Best Lobster Joints. Or come visit Five Islands Lobster Co. and experience what so many others have—some of the most delicious and sought-after lobster rolls anywhere (Food & Wine, Yankee Magazine, and more). You’ll find the shack perched out on a fishing wharf, on the edge of Sheepscot Bay, dishing up exceptional food in a classic Maine atmosphere. Five Islands Lobster Co. is at: 1447 Five Islands Rd., Georgetown, ME.

Eventide Oyster Co.

A nod to Eventide Oyster Co.’s is in order once again. Making the list for the second year in a row, the accolades for the famed oyster bar continue to grow (Bon Appétit, Zagat, Town & Country, Better Homes & Garden, Maine Magazine, James Beard Award Winning Chefs, and on and on). With the sautéed lobster nestled in a steamed bun, its Brown Butter Lobster Roll has become a Portland fixture—so delicious and popular that Food & Wine produced a video on it! Eventide Oyster Co. is located at: 86 Middle Street, Portland, ME.

Natalie’s at Camden Harbour Inn

Book a reservation now!
It’s no secret that Camden is the place to visit during the summer months in Maine. While there, experience Natalie’s at Camden Harbour Inn, an award-winning restaurant featuring Maine Lobster Chef of the year, Chris Long. With views of overlooking the harbor, Natalie’s defines elegance and innovation in fine dining. Known for using the abundance of the Maine coast and farmlands, Natalie’s refined cuisine is an unparalleled culinary journey. Natalie’s is located at: 83 Bay View St., Camden, ME

These days, with the rise of gastro-tourism, people are experiencing culinary journeys to places far and near. With it, foodie vacations are on the rise. That bodes well for Maine. The ‘Pine Tree State’ has long been known as “Vacationland’ for its natural beauty. Glacier-carved lakes, rolling mountains, deep forests, and a majestic, rugged coastline have drawn visitors for generations. Now you can add to that list what Mainers already know. People everywhere are fast discovering the state as a culinary destination—a veritable foodie vacation paradise. Whether you’re a seasoned foodie vacationer or a vacationer in search of foodie experiences, here are five culinary destinations to help in planning an itinerary as you weave your way down east. Bon appétit, and enjoy your culinary adventure!

Elda. Biddeford, Maine.
First up is Elda. Named in homage to award-winning Chef Bowman Brown’s great-grandmother, this gem of a restaurant is located on Main Street in Biddeford. The menu is driven by season and sourcing and draws its inspiration from coastal Maine. Noted for the food, atmosphere, and service, foodie’s will not be disappointed by the variety on the menu that showcases the region. Norumbega Oysters, Grilled Squid, or Rhubarb Mousse, are but a few of the dishes you may find on Elda’s ever-changing fare, along with their craft cocktail program designed to tailor the seasonal menu.

Drifter’s Wife. Portland, Maine.
No doubt seasoned foodies will find plenty of choices in Maine’s largest city, Portland, only a few miles further north from Biddeford up I-95. One recommendation at the top of the list is Drifter’s Wife. You’ll find it on Washington Avenue, a few blocks away from the historic Old Port. Nationally recognized for its excellent wines and Chef Ben Jackson’s imaginative food, Drifter’s Wife was a semifinalist for the James Beard Foundation’s Best New Restaurant award in 2017. The menu changes daily and includes dishes such as Seafood Stew and Poached Tuna, and some of the best pours of biodynamic and organic wine throughout the region.

Taverna Khione. Brunswick, Maine.
The next stop on your foodie vacation is Taverna Khione on Mill Street in Brunswick. Taverna serves authentic Greek fare in an intimate space. Chef Marc Provencher’s take on Greek cuisine is like a culinary tour through the Greek countryside. You’ll find such dishes as cuttlefish stew, or grilled octopus over fava, common in Santorini. Hearty dishes, such as braised goat with molasses, carrots, and couscous, come from the northern area of the country. Baked fennel fritters with feta and mint originating from the Island of Tinos. The menu highlights local and seasonal, and the Taverna Khione wine list is one of the largest all-Greek wine lists in the United States, honored by Wine & Spirits magazine August 2016 issue.

Natalie’s. Camden, Maine.
Book a reservation!
The further down east you travel the more enchanting your food vacation will become. The next stop is Camden, the jewel of the mid-Maine coast. Long known for its rugged beauty, you will not be disappointed by the picturesque harbor town. In Camden, the mountains meet the sea, and it is where you’ll find Natalie’s award-winning restaurant. Located within the friendly confines of the Camden Harbour Inn, Natalie’s is not only one of the best dining experiences in Maine but throughout the entire region. Whether dining on Rabbit Cannelloni or Maine scallops, Natalie’s team of Executive Chefs Chris Long and Shelby Stevens have created seasonal menus infused with a taste of local Maine farms and fishermen, combined with culinary influences from around the world.

Havana! Bar Harbour, Maine.
Travel further down east to Mount Desert Island, and the last stop you’d expect to find on your foodie vacation is a taste of Havana! But there it is—Havana—serving up American cuisine with a Latin flair on Main Street in beautiful Bar Harbor. From the time it opened its door 20 years ago, the restaurant made a commitment to serve organic meats, humanely raised without steroids, antibiotics, or hormones; organic produce; and sustainably harvested seafood largely from the Gulf of Maine. Whether it’s a Seafood Paella of lobster, mussels, shrimp, scallops, chorizo, tomatoes, peppers, and smoked chicken, or steamed mussels in tequila harvested in Frenchmen’s Bay, or a Mandala Farms baby spinach salad, you’ll not be disappointed with Havana’s locally and regionally sourced foods.

In Maine, two there are two universal questions: how much snow did you get? And, where do you get the best lobster rolls? Since winter feels like a distant memory, let’s focus on the latter. Maine is synonymous for top notch lobster rolls. Our restaurants, from upscale brick and mortar businesses to small seaside shacks, have perfected its preparation. Below we list the best Maine lobster rolls you should try this summer.

Natalie’s Restaurant
Enjoy a decadent dining experience with breathtaking views of surrounding Camden Harbor and hills. Natalie’s is an award winning restaurant featuring modern fine dining combined with Maine’s fresh bounty. Natalie’s offers an upscale, deconstructed lobster roll prepared by previous Maine Lobster Chef of the Year, Chris Long. 83 Bay View St., Camden, ME, (207) 236-7008

Red’s Eats
If you have ever driven up Route 1 through Wiscasset, chances are you have seen Red’s. It’s the small red and white shack with the consistent, endless lines. Be warned, you will have to wait a little while to devour your lobster roll, but devour it you will. The quality of the lobster meat is only matched by its abundance, so bring your A game appetite. Red’s lobster roll comes unadorned, so the lobster retains its fresh flavor. The buns are tender, buttery, and perfectly griddled. 16 Water St., Wiscasset, ME, (207) 882-6128

Eventide Oyster
Located in the heart of Portland’s old port, Eventide’s lobster roll wins the award most creative roll. Starting with the bun, Eventide uses a homemade, steamed version, straying from the buttered, toasted hot dog buns. The buns make for the perfect vessel, warm and soft, but strong and sturdy. Eventide serves their lobster rolls with a choice of house-made brown butter vinaigrette, house mayo, or hollandaise. We suggest the brown butter route, which is mixed in with a splash of lemon juice and salt. 86 Middle St., Portland, ME, (207) 774-8538

The Clam Shack
Sitting on the bridge over the Kennebunk River, the Clam Shack provides a classic Maine summer time visual welcome to patrons. The tiny fish shack serves award winning fried food, (the fried clams are a must) along with a lobster roll that will leave you spinning. Served on freshly baked buns from a local bakery with a dab of mayo and a slice of lemon, the rolls taste just like summer in Maine. 2 Western Ave., Kennebunk, ME, (207) 967-3321

Quoddy Bay Lobster
Quoddy Bay Lobster is a charming, authentic lobster shack located in beautiful Downeast Maine. Don’t blink or you might miss it, situated at the end of a dirt road which is literally called Sea Street. Orders are placed at a take-out window and most of the seating is outside on picnic tables overlooking the ocean. The lobster roll is served classic Maine style and comes garnished with a full lobster claw. 7 Sea St., Eastport, ME, (207) 853-6640

Prepare for a vacation that will be sure to delight any foodie! Cities that are voted as the up-in-coming for the food and drink scene are becoming popular vacation destinations every year. An array of five-star spots may come to mind when thinking about the restaurant options while staying in larger cities, but have you ever thought about spending some time in the lesser-known, smaller cities? Give these a try when researching where to go on your next culinary vacation.

Charleston, NC
As one of the oldest, most storied cities in America, Charleston has developed a rich culture shaped by distinct geographic elements (the city is flanked by two rivers and a beautiful harbor on the Southern tip). Due to its small size, it’s hard not to stumble across breathtaking views and picturesque rows of single houses on a post-dinner walk. What’s more, many of the newer restaurants, bars, and shops are housed in old buildings that have been beautifully converted to accommodate modern-day needs—while retaining their old-world charm.
Where to dine: Peninsula Grill, 112 N. Market St, Ansonborough, www.peninsulagrill.com

Portland, ME
Portland, Maine is a foodie’s secret garden. Having won multiple culinary and cocktail awards in the past decade, it’s no surprise that this town has more restaurants per capita than any other small city in the United States. With local restaurants lined up on every street to feed any sort of appetite, there’s no way you can go wrong here. It’s also widely known among the top chefs of the world that Portland is where to go when starting up a brand new restaurant. Some of the best chefs in the world have collaborated on dishes and other restaurant ventures in town. From seafood sanctuaries to artisan Japanese noodles, let’s just say that eating well in Portland is easy.
Where to dine: Tempo Dulu, 163 Danforth St., www.tempodulu.restaurant

Nashville, TN
While Nashville is notorious for country music and small shops that are wall-to-wall cowboy boots, you may be surprised to learn that it’s not a difficult city to eat and drink your way through. The culinary happenings in Music City have been on the rise longer than almost any other city. The talent and creativity of the chefs working in Nashville’s food scene are more than enough to warrant a trip to Tennessee just for grabbing some bites to eat! There’s something for everyone here, but Nashville is most famous for their BBQ, hot chicken, patio dining, and food trucks. Have yourself the perfect date night at any of the fine restaurants this city has to offer. If you want to have the best burger in America, head on over the the Pharmacy where there is always a line out the door. Their classic and creative style burgers are sure to hit the spot, and you can wash them down by drinking a local brew in their beer garden patio seating.
Where to dine: The Pharmacy, 731 Mcferrin Ave., www.thepharmacynashville.com

Camden, ME
Don’t just stop in Portland! Head on up northeast to admire the beauty of New England and the secret places to dine while exploring the Maine coastline. Perfect for any summer vacation and even better for the adventurous ones who enjoy some winter sports, Camden is a great place to let yourself wander both on and off season. Spend a weekend at the luxurious Camden Harbour Inn, where you will find yourself spoiled with superior customer service. Unwind at the Inn’s attached restaurant, Natalie’s, where some of the most renowned chefs from all over the world let their imagination run wild, creating beautiful entrees and specials. Many different packages and specials are available all throughout the year, so you won’t be missing out on any of these unique and local dishes no matter what the season.
Where to dine: Natalie’s Restaurant, 83 Bay View St., camdenharbourinn.com/natalies-restaurant/

Harrisburg, PN
Besides being rich in both history and culture, this capital city is also experiencing a rebirth of culture. This city has been on the rise in for those travelers looking for a new under the radar spot to enjoy fine cuisine, artisan drinks, and eye catching art. Learn about the vast landmarks that any history fanatic would enjoy all within a few blocks from the downtown area where you can find live music on every corner. From the Broad Street Market, Midtown Scholar Bookstore, and Susquehanna Art Museum, there are historical attractions for everyone when the dining is done!
Where to dine: The Millworks, 340 Verbeke St., www.millworksharrisburg.com