Looking Back, Longingly (Maine Foodie Tours)

Stormy weather indeed. Two weekends ago, we shopped for supplies in the morning, then attended a costume party while Hurricane Sandy threatened, looming large into the week up through Halloween. Our area was unscathed, and we spent a couple of grateful days checking in with friends and family and watching news reports of people not quite as fortunate. With leftover candy still in a bowl on our table, we did our best to avoid the flurry of phone polls and campaign ads, voted with our hearts and minds, and watched as the nation re-elected its President. That political storm had barely passed when in blew Winter Storm Athena, dumping five inches of slushy snow onto our leaf piles, mums and jack-o-lanterns. It sure made us miss Maine.

Lobster Salad Pate a Choux and Wine Spritzers at the Cape Arundel Inn,

just across from the Bush Compound

The Cape Arundel Inn Wine Spritzer:

In an ice-filled wine glass, mix 1 part Italian dry white wine with 2 parts lemon-lime soda, and garnish with a lemon slice.

Yes, a mere eleven weeks ago, we were sunning ourselves on the shores of Goose Rocks Beach, just north of Kennebunkport. We ate pounds of lobster and steamer clams, rode around (Roman Holiday-style, natch) on a scooter, went out for ice cream, watched fire works, stargazed, got tipsy in the afternoon, met new friends from Montreal, and enjoyed the relative silence that a beach vacation with Amy's family offers. All that, and we went on a Maine Foodie Tour.

Blueberry Scallop Crostini and St. Germain Cocktails at The Colony Hotel

St. Germain Cocktail:

Mix two ounces Freizenet Brut with 1 1/2 ounces St. Germain Elderflower Liqueur and 2 ounces club soda. Serve with a twist.

How could we be in Maine for a week and not go on a Maine Foodie Tour? The Savor Kennebunkport Culinary Trolley Tour promised all we could ever want in a trolley tour - four glorious gourmet stops, all with tastings of food and liquor in some of K-port's finest historic restaurants and resorts. Sign. Us. Up.

Cheese and Fruit Platter with the Ocean Avenue Spritzer at The Nonantum Resort

Ocean Avenue Spritzer:

Fill a large glass with ice, then add 1 1/2 ounces Don Q Limon Rum and 2 ounces Honeymaker Blueberry Mead (made in Maine). Top with Green Bee Honey Soda. Garnish with a lemon twist, fresh blueberries and a sprig of rosemary.

We met our trolley at the agreed-upon location, were greeted by our gracious hosts and embarked on the tour. The ride was filled with fun foodie facts, historical information about the Kennebunk area, and Maine trivia. With gorgeous old mansions shaded by tall spruce pines on one side and bright blue sky with seaside vistas on the other, we were already enjoying ourselves and we hadn't yet had a single bite. As for the food and drink, the pictures here tell the story better than we can. We nibbled and sipped, chatted and listened, wondered and learned, strolled and relaxed. The drink recipes were emailed to us after the tour by the kind folks at Maine Foodie Tours. Next time you're in the area, we highly recommend taking one.

Raspberry Bars and Choco Noir Wine at The Captain Lord Mansion