To say I’m still recovering from this past weekend would be an understatement. While I wasn’t out drinking or dancing until the early morning hours, I was still traveling all around the Northeast to enjoy a couple of belated-birthday celebrations that consisted of some of the best food I’ve ever in my life. How could I possibly just return to work this morning like normal? I’m doing it, of course – but the point remains!
On Saturday, my mom and I drove North for nearly three hours for a dinner reservation we’d made at the Kennebunkport Inn in Kennebunkport, Maine. This wasn’t just any reservation in a beautiful and historic location, however – but because the inn just brought back their heated ski gondolas for outdoor dining in their courtyard! We had first seen them advertised last year and had wanted to go so badly, but didn’t have the time in our schedules to make a proper trip to check them out. Once we saw the announcement they were returning this year, we jumped at the chance!
There are four gondolas total, three which can seat up to four people and one that can sit parties with more – and each one has a cute name, is decorated adorably for people like me who love to snap a million photos when I travel, and has an adjustable space heater to keep occupants warm and cozy throughout their allotted ninety-minute dining experience. My mom and I were seated in the “Swiss Miss” gondola and where immediately tended to by our wonderful and attentive waiter.
We enjoyed baked haddock served over some of the most delicious seafood stuffing I’d ever had, whipped potatoes and roasted carrots – and finished our evening by sharing a salted caramel crème brulée that was out of this world! After taking in some more of the views around the courtyard after the sun had set and the lights came on, we eventually headed back to Massachusetts so I could prepare for Round II on Sunday afternoon!
Yesterday, I headed to the Salem Cross Inn located in West Brookfield, Massachusetts to meet up with Sean, George, Stef and Andy for our “Belated-Everything-Dinner” (belated Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s, birthdays, etc.) Another historic landmark that is famous for it’s farm-to-table dining experiences, we had made arrangements months in advance to participate in Salem Cross’ “Fireplace Feast” event.
Complete with horse-drawn carriage rides and mulled cider or wine upon entry, this three-hour dinner experience involved learning how to prepare traditional New England clam chowder from scratch in a cauldron over a roaring fireplace, watching our prime rib entrée slowly cook to tender perfection on a spit, and savoring homemade apple crisp topped with big dollops of freshly whipped cream for dessert. The venue was absolutely gorgeous, the service was fast and efficient, and the food was amazing – and I would happily go back for next year’s “Belated-Everything-Dinner” again!
Afterwards, our group headed back to Stef’s house for our annual gift exchange and some more quality hang-out time together before I had to call it a night, head back home, and get ready for work bright and early this morning.
I am so beyond grateful for my friends and my family who made this past weekend so fun, so special and unique – and so filling! I had such an amazing time, and am so looking forward to the next adventure on the docket coming up this Friday night.
A little later on this week, I’m going to be sharing some of my “Favorite Things” from this past month and recapping January in it’s entirety before we dive into February and all things love and romance for Valentine’s Day!
xo
Coffee & Chiffon 