Pies on Parade - 2018 Part 2

Rockland ME - We were intrigued by the offering by Maine Coastal Islands Visitor Center, Seaweed Pie.  We were not sure what to expect, come to find out it was a quiche made with seaweed harvested from the Damariscotta River.  The seaweed is dried and flaked, there are samples in the bowl on the left side if the table. I sampled it and it was not bad, as you would expect it was salty.

In front of the 250 Main Hotel is a pizza oven from the Cafe Miranda.  I think the cafe's size does not lend itself to having hundreds of people streaming through it so they setup in the hotel.  Other businesses do the same.  The pizza served was Greek Italian Chicken and Rock Pizza Pies, also Apple Cheddar Pizza with Maple Drizzle.

My vote for the cutest would be these Cream Puffin Sweetie Pies served by the Project Puffin Center.  They are eclair/cream puffs covered with chocolate and a puffin head to finish the treat.

In addition to the sweetie pies, there is live music by the Puffin Plucker Ukulele Group.  When I was there we joined in singing a rendition of "Sweet Caroline"by Neil Diamond.

Unfortunately, there were two locations that we were not able to sample the pies because they ran out...sad.  I guess some people took more than their share.

When you pick up your ticket they give you a plastic badge to display your ticket and a metal fork.  The ticket is so they know who has paid for the event and the fork is so you can eat the pies, you carry the fork to each location.  When you finish with all the locations or when you are too full to continue, you drop off your fork and plastic badge so they can be used next year.  Every location has a drop off point.

Pies on Parade - 2018

Rockland, ME - Yesterday we went to Pies on Parade in Rockland Maine.  This is our third time going to the event we enjoy it so much.  It is put on by the Historic Inns of Rockland Maine as a fund raiser for Area Interfaith Outreach Food Pantry. Twenty-four businesses take part in the event.  Each location will give out "pie" samples, from fruit pies, pizza, tortes, quiche, muffins, and even shepards pie.

This is a "piehead" delivering what I think is quiche to the Rockland Talbot House. Note: he is wearing a "Wicked Pissah" sweatshirt(Maine humor)

In addition to the quiche are these Blueberry and Raspberry pies at the Berry Manor Inn/Rockland Talbot House location.

This is Erbazzone Italian Savory Pie served by Penobscot Language School.

Not all locations are restaurants or inns as you can see from the language school and here, Flowers by Hoboken and Hawthorn Inn.  Which was serving Zucchini , Quinoa, and Goat Cheese Tart, and Drunken Pumpkin Bourbon Tart.

More from Pies on Parade tomorrow.

Osteria Bucci

Damariscotta ME - I visited this new restaurant in Damariscotta a few days ago.  It is a "hole in the wall" in one of the alleys.

I was greeted by Bernie who owns this establishment.  He wanted to create a place with a feeling of visiting grandmother's house in Italy.

To create that feeling he has this table for patrons to sit around and talk.  On the walls he has photos of his grandparents. You can almost hear "Nonna" say, "Stay for lunch, I just made some Eggplant Parmesana".

Prices are very reasonable, a cup of coffee is a dollar.  Patrons are encouraged to stay, sit around Grandma's table, and just talk.

That's a Lotta' Crab Legs

West Swanzey, NH - I was driving down the road in West Swanzey, NH and I noticed this guy, perched on the roof of Nick's Restaurant. Do you think they have crab on the menu?


Nick's sign out front.

Whistlestop Corner Restaurant

Clarendon, VT - Today I took another trip to Vermont. The boys and I went to Rutland and visited with a few blogger buddies. On the way back I took Route 103. I passed this restaurant and then turned around because I thought it looked kind of cool. I decided to have something to eat, so I went in.


The restaurant is in the former East Clarendon Train Station. I was told this is a place frequented by hikers from the Appalachian/Long Trail which crosses Route 103 just south of the restaurant. Hours are Tues - Thurs 6:30am to 3:00pm, Fri. - Sat 6:30am - 8:00pm, Sun 7:00am - 3:00pm. Hours are subject to change due to weather conditions so it is suggested you call ahead 802-747-7070.


In 1998 a caboose was converted into a Ice Cream Caboose; Ice Cream is served there is the Summer, there is seating in the Caboose and on the deck outside.


Here are a few photos from inside the restaurant; looking toward the lunch counter.


This is looking in the dining section. As you can see, the walls are old bead board.


This was my lunch, one of the specials for the day, a Chipolte Burger, tomato, onions, cheddar, on a substantial bun. The burger was hand made, not one of those pre-made skinny burgers, cooked to order. There was plenty to eat, no walking away hungry here.

The Old Creamery Grocery

Cummington, MA - This is THE meeting place in the Cummington area. They seem to have anything you want from groceries, baked goods, liquor, organic fruits and vegetables, sandwiches, even pottery. I was referred to this place by E.M. Smith, the potter I wrote about an few days ago, he was very adamant that I go here...he was right.


View behind the counter, in the back you can see the workers making sandwiches, quiche, and other goodies.


This is the "Little Gallery" where local artisan's work is displayed.


You can see all the people in the restaurant area, some are here just for lunch, others use this area as a meeting place, I even saw a few girls working on their laptops(Wi-Fi?)



This was my lunch, a "When Pigs Fly" sandwich along with a Blueberry soda.

Muddy River Smokehouse

Portsmouth, NH - The last time we were in Portsmouth we stopped into the Muddy River Smokehouse for lunch. I just took a few photos because it was kind of dark and I did not think they would come out as well as they did. Here you can see the entrance to the restaurant.


The inside of the restaurant is quite interesting; it looks like you are outside some buildings in the Bayou.


The menu is this huge blackboard. By the way, I had the Fried Catfish Burrito special, I was pleasantly surprised. The catfish was crispy, rolled in a tortilla shell and just enough salsa and cheese to give it a good flavor but not make the fish soggy. I would definitely recommend this place (I have been here a few times).

Info: Muddy River Smokehouse

Chef Wayne's Big Mamou

Williamsburg, MA - My wife and I were in Williamsburg a few weeks ago and were looking for a place to eat. We saw this place, I thought it was such an unlikely place to have a Cajun restaurant in a small New England village. We walked inside and was surprised by the number of people inside(parking is in back). When inside I found out there is another Big Mamou in Springfield, MA.



On the wall of the dining room is this Mamou mural.



We made our selections and I can tell you we were not disappointed. I ordered the Blackened Chicken and Shrimp with vegetables,jambalaya rice, and corn bread. The Blackened meat had quite the bite, the way I like it. My wife had the Pulled Pork which she really loved. I would definitely refer this restaurant to anyone and I will return for more delicious Cajun Food!



The kitchen is opened to the dining room.



More information: Chef Wayne's Big Mamou

Smokin' Barbeque

West Cornwall, CT - I stopped here a few weeks ago by myself and stopped again yesterday with my wife. I had the Baby Back Ribs each time and was not disappointed. The building is set back off the road behind the converted train station (for people of my vintage it is in the old Mother's Cafe). It is run by two people from down south were they know real barbeque, Texas and Mississippi. At this time of year they are on Winter hours Friday, Saturday and Sunday (call ahead to check 860-248-3127). Note: CASH ONLY. This is a great destination, the ride here is beautiful, and just a hop skip and jump from Mohawk Mountain Ski area and just up from the covered bridge.




This is my half rack of baby back ribs in the silver container is Dangerous Dan's Sauce, there is more on the table. It can also be bought by the bottle. The fries were very crispy and in the short mason jar is ketchup to spoon on your fries.



On a table is this container labeled Dan's Hot Sauce. You can put it on your food or if you have bugs at home I hear it will kill roaches :-) (I was told it really not that hot).

CELERY STALK RESTAURANT

West Springfield, MA - I've been past this restaurant many times but I never stopped. I finally stopped to take these photos but it was closed. I had it in my head that this was a vegetarian restaurant but as you can see from the menu it is a Sandwich, Soup, and Salad restaurant...with and without meat. I would like to go inside one of these days, I bet it has real character.


For those of you outside of this area, a grinder is a submarine sandwich, a hero, or a Hoagie; depending where you are from. I have no idea why we call it that.


I just love this sign, I really like the little guy in the truck. I wonder how many years it has been in the window?

SMOKER PIG

Simsbury, CT - This "Smoker Pig" is out front of the Trumpet Vine Cafe and Gifts. I've never been inside but everytime I go past the pig beckons me in.





The cafe is in the back, notice the smoke coming from the smaoker.

LITTLE CHEF

Stockbridge MA - I saw this little guy standing on the side of the road beckoning people to come to his restaurant, "Once Upon a Table". It was a cold day so it was nice that they put mittens on him.