Perhaps the sneakiest of holidays, Valentine’s Day has crept up on us once again and is now less than 2 weeks away! What to do, what to do… It may be the fourth quarter, but this is when you bring your A game. Channel Tom Brady and come up with a hail-mary that will win her (or him) over.

We almost forgot ourselves, but were luckily reminded when Love and Lobster featured us on their blog post about Valentine’s Day getaways. Thanks guys!  (BTW, if you are single or dating and your Valentine’s Day is so successful this year that it leads to something more, this blog about clever coastal New England wedding inspiration may come in handy…)

So what would make a getaway at Captain Fairfield, a Kennebunkport bed and breakfast, a game-winner for Valentine’s Day? Option 1 – a classic Valentine’s Day package with all the details taken care of. Option 2 – customize your stay with wine, small plates, or other items from our a la carte selections. Option 3 – dream up anything, then call or email us and we’ll see what we can do about making it happen!

Kennebunkport, Maine bed and breakfasts and inns are known for being romantic, but what makes Captain Fairfield an especially perfect choice for this holiday?  The boutique experience we offer – which means your special requests will be greeted with a smile, but you’ll also get the privacy you desire.  Help with your dinner plans?  We can help you make the tough call of choosing among all of the fabulous Kennebunkport restaurants.  Then we’ll take care of the reservations for you.  Table for two for our gourmet breakfast?  Done.  Did you say breakfast in bed?  Just ask for our breakfast basket option.  Combine all of this with our boutique style, and you’ve got a game plan for an unforgettable getaway.

PS.  Thanks for indulging the overdone football references.  Must be Superbowl fever.

What was I talking about?  Oh yes, Valentine’s Day…

Dock Square Christmas Tree

2011 marked the 30th anniversary of Christmas Prelude, and as always Kennebunkport’s holiday festival was brimming with cheer.  To say Christmas Prelude is a big deal is no hyperbole; it helped K’port earn the #2 spot on HGTV’s list “Top 10 Christmas Towns.” During the first two weekends in December, residents and visitors mingle at tree lightings, caroling, open houses, craft fairs, public luncheons and suppers, and Santa’s arrival via lobster boat.  Most of the events are inspired simply by the season and are offered for free or for a donation to a local charity.  Set in this picturesque seaside village, Prelude is truly a Normal Rockwellian holiday festival.

Our Kennebunkport inn is located just a short walk to many Prelude events, and our guests soaked up the holiday spirit at many of them.  Here are a few of their highlights:

• Candlelit caroling at the Franciscan Monastery, where everyone received not only a candle but warm chestnuts as well
• Firehouse lobster bake at the Washington Hose Fire Station
• The Dock Square Christmas tree, decorated with lobster pots and topped with a red wooden lobster
• Tour of the 1853 Nott House, elegantly decked to the nines
• Historic trolley rides on an electric streetcar through the Maine woods
• Fireworks over the cove, right in the center of Kennebunkport

Prelude Fireworks (photo by Robert Dennis)

At Captain Fairfield, we want our guests to have a Prelude weekend that is as full and festive as possible.  Our halls are decked in a chic boutique take on traditional holiday decor.  Guests are welcomed with a wine and cheese reception and a roaring fire in the Lounge fireplace.  Before the tree lighting, a Prosecco pour is offered.  Later on, a port pour and chocolate bite might encourage some conspiring.

Whenever you stay at Captain Fairfield, whether during the holidays or another time of year, we believe your stay should evoke a warm sense of nostalgia.  While you’re here, we hope you’ll have the feeling that you’ll be looking back on this getaway for years to come.

All of us at Captain Fairfield Inn were lucky enough to enjoy several events at the 2011 Festival. Here we share with you some of our experiences…

Pop the Kennebunks

As soon as we arrived at the William Farley Estate for Pop the Kennebunks, it became clear that this was truly a celebration of everything that Kennebunkport represents: good times with great food and drink in a beautiful location. This was no ordinary backyard party; crystal chandeliers hung from the sweeping tent’s ceiling, table upon table greeted guests with savories and sweets, and at the epicenter – a large wine bar where Cellardoor Winery was bustling to serve glass after glass of their well-crafted libations. While some guests had donned their finest tuxedos, ball gowns and costume jewelry, others appeared more nonchalant, yet all were wearing the ease of the good life in Kennebunkport. The gala paid homage to all the local treats Maine is lucky to claim, like fresh oysters still salty from the sea, robust wines, and fun music by local band Secret Service. The energy that resonated from Pop the Kennebunks is a great start to the summer and initiates all the good things to come.

- Hillary & Nate

Grand Tasting

That first bite moment. The restaurant everyone’s been telling you to try, an artfully presented dish, ingredients you love, a novel combination or preparation… You take that bite, then pause, then – “Mmm, that’s good.” At the Grand Tasting, you get to experience that moment again and again. On a sunny early summer afternoon on the porch at The Colony Hotel, overlooking the Atlantic, we meandered from table to table, sampling food from Maine restaurants and wine from national and international wineries. There were sixty restaurants and wineries, and although we didn’t have a chance to visit all of them, there are some that still linger in our minds. David’s definitely generated some buzz with their Mushroom Risotto Balls with Lobster and Truffled Microgreens. Several people told me, “You have to try those!” They were right – amazing. The Lobster Cakes from 95 Ocean were also delicious. Hmm – a trend here? But not every restaurant elected to feature fruits of the sea – there were plenty of other choices. Chef Jonathan Cartwright presented the White Barn Inn’s Crispy Braised Beef Short Rib with Sauce Remoulade (ribs from a Maine farm, Archer Angus, in Chesterville, Maine!), and Chefs Mark Gaier and Clark Frasier, of Arrows, MC Perkins Cove and Summer Winter, showed off a steak with Mom’s Sauce (which they are now making available to their fans!). We also enjoyed wine tasting (many of the wines are represented here in Maine by Nappi Distributors), and liked C’est La Vie Pinot Noir/Syrah so much that we’ve added it to our wine list at Captain Fairfield. As the afternoon wore on, we had to make another lap around for some sweet samples. Gelato Fiasco, as usual, did not disappoint, and we loved Academe’s version of “Cookies and Milk.” We were pleasantly surprised to discover Black Dinah Chocolatiers of Isle Au Haut, Maine, and are considering offering their chocolates as an a la carte item at Captain Fairfield. Well, I’ve gone on long enough – but there were just so many memorable moments of sipping, sampling, and savoring at this year’s Grand Tasting.

- Leigh

Brews & Tunes

After enjoying the early part of the afternoon at the Grand Tasting, we headed over to Brews & Tunes, an event new to the Festival this year. The venue – the boatyard next to the Kennebunk River and the Pilot House Restaurant – set the scene for this nothing-fancy, laid-back summer party. Part of the yard was covered with a tent but many people opted to hang out in the late afternoon sun while they enjoyed several local craft beers from Maine and some great live music. We got there in time to catch most of the Gypsy Tailwind set (GT being our favorite Maine band), which was definitely enjoyed by the crowd of a hundred or so. Sadly, we just heard that this great up-and-coming group has broken up to pursue individual projects, so as it turned out we were lucky enough to have seen one of their last shows in Maine.

- Rob

Fall foliage at Captain Fairfield Inn

Autumn in New England is rich; there is so much to experience and savor.  Of course it all starts with the New England fall foliage – vibrant hues of orange, red and gold against skies that are never as brilliantly blue as this time of year.  Enjoying the foliage starts right outside our door at Captain Fairfield Inn, your Kennebunkport inn, as we are surrounded by towering elms and maples.  The last week in September and the first two to three weeks in October are a good bet for peak foliage, but you can get help from the leaf peeping pros who provide Maine foliage maps, Maine foliage reports, Maine foliage blogs, and photos of the Maine foliage at specific locations.

How best to take in the scenery?  May we suggest a good old fashioned bike ride.  Feel invigorated and carefree as you coast along.  We are happy to arrange rentals for you.  Or even better, our Autumn Escape package will turn your stay at Captain Fairfield into a true autumn experience with bike rentals, a gourmet picnic lunch and suggested routes for your ride (just some of the included amenities!).  If you’d rather paddle than peddle, you can try an afternoon of kayaking and enjoy the foliage from the unique vantage point of the Kennebunk River.

After your adventure, you could return to the Inn and lounge outside in an Adirondack chair while enjoying a local apple and cheese board and a bottle of wine from our boutique wine list.  Maybe it has something to do with working up an appetite, but there are few things as sweet and crisp as biting into a McIntosh after a day outdoors.

No doubt that dinner is in the plans during your fall vacation.  If you are staying at Captain Fairfield Inn, you can stroll into downtown, where there are several highly recommended Kennebunkport restaurants to choose from.  Bandaloop, for one, is a great spot in the fall; you can take in the warm, funky atmosphere as you start off with a bowl of Bandaloop soup (changes daily but always delicious).  Walk back to the Inn among the historic homes, with crackling leaves beneath your feet, the smell of wood smoke in the crisp air, the starry sky above.

There is so much of the season to enjoy in Kennebunkport, but if you want to explore more of Maine, Kennebunkport makes the perfect base for day-trips up the coast to Bath, Brunswick and Camden or inland to the lakes region.  You could even plan your trip around one of Maine’s fall fairs or festivals, which show off the proud agricultural traditions of Maine and usually coincide with the harvest.  Check out the Cumberland County Fair, Strawbery Banke Museum’s Fall Festival, the Fryeburg Fair (Maine’s largest agricultural fair), Eliot Festival Days, or the York Maine Oktoberfest – all within driving distance of Kennebunkport.

If you have your own suggestions for “autumny” things that you enjoy, we’d love to know!  Share them with others at our facebook page.  Wherever you are this fall, we hope you are able to take the time to relish the pleasures the season has to offer.

You'll pass by several art and antique galleries along Ocean Avenue as you head towards Dock Square.

When I am looking around online at various Kennebunkport attractions, they are often described as being in or near Dock Square.  But if I wasn’t familiar with Kennebunkport, I would have no idea what this means.  Perhaps because it is mentioned so many times, I might eventually guess it has some significance within this Maine coast destination.

Dock Square is considered to be the center of Kennebunkport.  Located on the Kennebunk River (about one mile upstream from where it empties into the Atlantic Ocean), it’s a hub both on water and on land (well, as much of a hub as you can get in a small Maine village).  It’s home to numerous restaurants, boutiques, antique and art galleries, ice cream shops and a small provisioning market.

I’ve posted some photos and descriptions of what you might see walking from Captain Fairfield Inn, our Kennebunkport Bed and Breakfast, to Dock Square, and then through Dock Square, over the Kennebunk River and into Lower Village Kennebunk. If you are walking directly, it takes about 5 minutes to walk from the Inn to the monument in the center; if you’re meandering, who knows… These photos were taken on a recent sunny Autumn Saturday afternoon, and even though we’ve taken this walk so many times before, we had a lovely time.

This horse-drawn carriage from Rockin' Horse Stables is the perfect way to enjoy a tour of Kennebunkport's historic neighborhoods.

Aunt Marie's and other storefronts, just before Ocean Ave comes into the Square.

Dock Square, Kennebunkport, looking west.

Austin's Alley is home to a small group of shops just off of Dock Square.

Some Kennebunkport shops are on the water (literally).

Dock Square, Kennebunkport, looking south.

Looking down the Kennebunk River from the bridge.

A kayaker looks on as a First Chance Whale Watch boat docks.

The Clam Shack, winner of the Travel Channel's "Food Wars" for best Maine Lobster Roll.

On the other side of the bridge is Lower Village Kennebunk and this perfect spot for a mid-walk respite.

The Maine event at a classic back yard lobster bake at CFI.

We know you know. Maine means lobster. Maine means lighthouses. If this is what you’re looking for in a summer vacation, we at Captain Fairfield Inn, your Kennebunkport Bed and Breakfast, are standing by with driving directions and restaurant suggestions to help you find exactly what you’re looking for in a classic Maine vacation.

But what if whale watching and seeing the Bush Estate just doesn’t float your boat? Should you pass by Kennebunkport and start searching other destinations on Tripadvisor? Let us stop you there for just a minute, because Kennebunkport has another side to offer.

Restaurants: We are lucky to have the White Barn Inn just a mile or so from Captain Fairfield Inn, and they absolutely deserve to be so widely known. But there are so many other Kennebunkport restaurants serving up creative, innovative cuisine along with stellar service and memorable ambiance. We’ve recently written about a number of them, so check out our other blog posts here and here.

Shopping: Yes, there are several t-shirt and trinket shops. But then there are places like Minka – hip, handmade jewelry and apothecary items – and Daytrip Society – where I can’t help buying that very cool little treasure (click here to see examples) and sending it as an impromptu gift to my best college friend out in San Fran. Top it off with an ice cream cone at Aunt Marie’s for lunch (because you’re still pretty full from the creative gourmet breakfast at Captain Fairfield and hey, you’re on vacation!) and your morning’s made.

Sightseeing: You’re thinking you might not need to hit every tourist attraction – you just need one beautiful spot, maybe a book (hard copy or Kindle) and maybe some gourmet sandwiches and you could have the perfect afternoon. Simple, yet so memorable – because

We'll be happy to help you find spots off the beaten path like this anchorage in Cape Porpoise.

although you could do something similar at home, you probably won’t – and that’s exactly why you are on vacation. Visit Market Day for your provisioning needs, Kennebooks for your reading pleasures, and Captain Fairfield Inn for directions to those scenic, secluded spots.

Relaxing: Late afternoon. Forget killing time before that 8pm dinner res. Instead – Captain Fairfield Inn, wine, artisanal cheeses and charcuterie, patio, seabreezes.

The first day of your Kennebunkport getaway has been amazing, and you haven’t even gotten in your car yet.

Maybe tomorrow a daytrip to Portland, or Freeport, or Camden, or Ogunquit, or into the lakes region… Why pack and unpack, check in and check out, when you can get so much of a Maine vacation from Kennebunkport? Whatever your whims, we’ll help you figure out your plans tomorrow morning over breakfast, which will feature such creative selections as a watermelon salad on a bed of arugula with toasted pine nuts, feta cheese and a balsamic drizzle and a black bean omelette with pepperjack cheese topped with sour cream and avocado with a side of local multi-grain toast.

Rachel Room - Bold colors and Rich Textures help this room stand out.

Lastly, we must mention your room at Captain Fairfield Inn: In good weather, you probably don’t expect to spend all day in your room (but no one’s stopping you!). But we want it to be more than just a comfortable home base. We want you to walk in and say, “Wow, this is fun!” We hope our new rooms in particular will do this for you.

So, if you’ve never traveled to Kennebunkport or Maine, consider giving it a whirl. By the way, Kennebunkport is only 1 ½ hours north of Boston, and a half hour south of Portland (the nearest airport).

If you have your own insider tips on Kennebunkport or Maine, and you’d be willing to share one or two of your secrets, post them to our facebook page.

Hope to see you on the Maine coast!
Leigh

Old Vines Wine Bar – Wine Bar and Tapas Restaurant – 10 minute walk from Captain Fairfield Inn, our Kennebunkport Bed and Breakfast

Old Vines Wine Bar & Tapas Restaurant

Old Vines… new vibe. Entering their 3rd season, Old Vines has become a go-to for a great pour and a light bite, a place that’s gourmet but yet so inviting, and one of the few places that serves food late into the evening. This season, they are introducing an expanded menu, adding small plates like Broiled Maine Shrimp and Chorizo to their ever-popular paninis, salads, cheeses and cured meats, as well as debuting a full bar, including cocktails and beer. And all of these enticing selections can now be enjoyed al fresco! Absolutely a perfect spot whether you’re up for an aperitif before heading elsewhere for dinner or just kicking back in one place and noshing all evening.

50 Local – Local Food – 10 minute drive from Captain Fairfield Inn, our Kennebunkport Inn

A downtown Kennebunk restaurant that opened last year, 50 Local enters its second season with popularity that suggests they may stick around for awhile. Priding themselves on offering food prepared with ingredients from local farms and fisheries, 50 Local serves up a nice combination of comfortable and hip, both in fare and atmosphere. Also enticing are the handcrafted cocktails, like “The Jam Jar” (Nana Paul’s homemade strawberry jam, vodka, lemon – served right in the jar) or the savory “Ghost of Mary” (spiced tomato water, vodka, tomolives). Speaking of beverages, this season they are offering complimentary progressive tapas at the bar when you order drinks between 5 and 6:30pm. Yep, that’s free food! Also new for 2011 are $2 Taco Tuesdays. Self-explanatory but definitely worth mentioning. Lastly, 50 Local joins Old Vines in heading outdoors; their new patio, aka “Main Street’s Veranda” seems perfect for sipping one of those Jam Jar cocktails on a warm summer evening.

Bandaloop – Local / Organic / Eclectic (with many Veg and Vegan options) – 5 minute walk from Captain Fairfield Inn, our Kennebunkport Maine Bed and Breakfast

Oh Bandaloop. We have spent many, many a night with you since 2004. Due to frequent cravings for

Bandaloop

the Vermont Cheddar Quesadilla (with sugar-cured jalapenos!) and the Wilted Organic Spinach Salad, we will simply never be able to get enough of this Kennebunkport restaurant. But being a long-standing favorite also means we like to see new things on the menu now and again. This season we are eager to try the small plates like the Sweet Corn Three Onion Risotto and the Maine Shrimp (or Tofu) Taco (with roasted poblano hot sauce and herbed sour cream). They’ve also added a nightly flatbread selection, which fits in perfectly with the Bandaloop concept. When it comes to entrées, diners can keep things fresh by pairing any protein with any sauce. So with the Rosemary-Olive Oil Grilled All Natural Pork Chop, will it be the fire roasted BBQ onion sauce or the caramelized onion-gorgonzola cream sauce? I might have to have another strawberry mojito while I decide…

Cape Arundel Inn – Oceanfront Restaurant – 5 minute drive from Captain Fairfield Inn, our Kennebunkport Maine Inn

Cape Arundel Inn has long been home to a fine dining Kennebunkport restaurant, a choice for elegant evenings and special occasions. Chef Rich Lemoine has made it so. The winter of 2011 saw a changing of the guard for this landmark property, and ownership has been passed from Jack Nahil to our friend and neighbor Rich Malconian and his partner Mike Shea. But Chef Lemoine remains at the helm, assuring long-time fans that their returns visits will be as special as they always have been. Fear not, if you remember fondly the “Sauteed Maine lobster in a whisky and wild mushroom beurre blanc, returned to its spinach-lined shell, lightly broiled, and served with herbed fingerling potatoes” – it’s still being prepared as carefully as ever. However, changes are being made cautiously. For starters, they’ve added a Spring Midweek menu with items like Slow Roasted Meatloaf with Roasted Tomato Gravy and Garlic Whipped Potatoes. Rich and Mike’s vision is to help people create memories, we are eager to see what else they will bring to Cape Arundel.

Decisions, decisions…

With so many outstanding options for dining in Kennebunkport, it may be tough to make up your mind. However, if you are planning to visit Captain Fairfield Inn during the summer or fall, we highly recommend making that call sooner rather than later, as many restaurants are quite busy especially on Friday and Saturday nights. We are happy to make your dinner reservations for you; just let us know the when and where, and we’ll take it from there!

Happy dining!

Leigh

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Butter 8 1/2 x 4 1/2 inch loaf pan. Dust pan with flour. Whisk eggs and oil together. In a separate bowl whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, spices and salt. Stir in brown sugar. Pour the wet ingredients over the dry. Mix until well combined – batter will be really thick, more like dough than batter. Stir in the mango and zest. Scrape the batter into the pan, and smooth the top. Bake the bread for 1 1/2 hours, or until it’s golden brown on top and a knife comes out clean. Let cool for at least 5 minutes before removing it from the pan. Enjoy!

Pedro’s – Mexican Restaurant – 15 minute walk from Captain Fairfield Inn, our Kennebunkport Bed and Breakfast

Pedro’s in the newest venture / adventure for Peter and Kate Morency of Pier 77 and The Ramp. Finally, some good Latin-inspired food in Maine! The concept is based on Peter and Kate’s past experiences in Mexico and Mexican kitchens. Step inside – the décor is rustic casual, with lots of interesting found objects. We are seated next to a large stuffed bull head. Open the menu – margaritas, sangria, tacos, burritos and the like. We are both tempted by the Carnitas Burritos, made with chipotle braised pork. The food arrives – it’s clearly made with fresh ingredients (which is a must in Peter’s kitchens) and the flavors are kickin’. Early indications are that this is a winner – in the first two weeks after opening, it was nearly impossible to get a table (they don’t take reservations). Pedro’s earns bonus points for serving both lunch and dinner and for offering outdoor seating.

Ryan’s Corner House – Irish Pub – 10 minute walk from Captain Fairfield Inn, our Kennebunkport Inn

Yes, we were sad to hear that Big Fish would be closing its doors for good after the 2010 season. Among many things we enjoyed was the warm, rustic character of the space which served as a hip hangout for both locals and vacationers. The good news is that those doors are once again open – this year as Ryan’s Corner House. Ryan’s is being billed as an authentic Irish pub. Being from Ireland, the owners have the qualifications to make this a reality. Enjoy traditional Irish fare like Shepherd’s Pie or Bangers and Mash, washed down with a Smithwick’s or a Guinness, naturally.

Earth at Hidden Pond – “Farm to Fork” – 10 minute drive from Captain Fairfield Inn, our Kennebunkport Maine Bed and Breakfast

Hidden Pond brings a big name to town as they collaborate with Ken Oringer (of Boston restaurants Toro, Clio, KO Prime and Uni) to unveil Earth, the restaurant at Hidden Pond, Kennebunkport’s naturally spectacular

Celebrity chef Ken Oringer's new farm-to-fork restaurant

boutique cottage resort. With the grand opening happening next weekend during the Kennebunkport Festival, at this point we can only anticipate the open-air setting, South American and European influences, and farm fresh ingredients. Maine Magazine reveals menu items like paella with as many as nine different seafoods from less than a mile away, wood-roasted lobster with green curry butter, razor-clam ceviche, house-made pastas prepared with vegetables from the garden, a wine menu of eclectic and off-the-beaten-path selections, and cocktails focused on ingredients from the garden.

Tides Beach Club – Seafood Restaurant and Raw Bar – 10 minute drive from Captain Fairfield Inn, our Kennebunkport Maine Inn

It’s all about the setting at the Tides Beach Club. Overlooking Goose Rocks Beach, the Tides can boast something that few other upscale Kennebunkport restaurants can match – water views. The menu features “fruits of the seas and vegetables of the garden,” while the bar will offer a raw bar with local oysters, little necks, Maine shrimp and lobster, along with specialty cocktails and music. Newly opened as of this past Friday, this could become a popular spot for both dining and nightlife.

If you go, let us know!

For all of us at Captain Fairfield, the buzz gets real when you, our guests, let us know what you think about your experiences at these or any other Kennebunk / Kennebunkport restaurants. With your help we can continually fine-tune our suggestions for future guests. So be sure to share your thoughts with Hillary and Nate or leave a note in our Restaurant Review book during your stay.  Or, you can always send us your feedback at info@captainfairfield.com or robandleigh@captainfairfield.com, or post a message on our facebook page.

Happy dining!

Leigh

While these photos don’t do the room justice, you can see that the previously country/flowery decor has been replaced with cool grey and lavender palette with poppy accents. The room still sleeps 3, please call for details!

Here are a few representational photos that will have to do until the pros come in May to photograph the room!