Postcards from Vacationland

With sunny skies and warm breezes covering the state of Maine, Adam and I didn't think twice about where we would spend this week of vacation. The answer was obvious: Right here in Vacationland.

Earlier this week we took a trip up to the Midcoast. Our first stop was in lovely Camden, where we relaxed in the park overlooking the harbor. It was a wonderful spot to read the Press Herald and take in the ocean breezes.

But I had an ulterior motive in my visit to Camden. I was after the best hummus sandwich in the entire state.
And I found it tasting just as flavorful as I remembered at the Bagel Cafe. This little gem of a sandwich shop makes all its own bagels daily. I can't tell you how they season their hummus, but it's utterly divine.

Next we headed down to neighboring Rockport to check out the Center for Maine Contemporary Art. Here we enjoyed shows featuring the work of Lois Dodd and William Wegman and a group show titled "The Gleaners." This exhibition on the top floor is quite fascinating as it consists of random objects collected by artists as a source of inspiration. The show was assembled by found-object artist Jesse Gillespie.

A short drive down Rt. 1 brought us to Rockland. Our first stop was at the Good Tern Natural Foods Co-op & Cafe, where we stocked up on snacks for the road. Once we were in downtown Rockland, we parked the car and headed into the Farnsworth Art Museum.
The museum is brimming with work by well known artists, including the lovable Robert Indiana. We viewed a number of new exhibitions, including those showcasing work by Louise Nevelson, Alex Katz and many treasures from the museum's permanent collection. We also checked out the Wyeth Center (showing works by N.C. and Jamie) and toured the Farnsworth Homestead. After popping in at a few local galleries (including the Caldbeck), we hit the road once more.

Our final stop on this coastal tour brought us to Brunswick. Since we were on vacation, we didn't feel bad about having dessert before dinner. And in Brunswick the best place to get a sweet treat is The Gelato Fiasco. All their sorbettos are vegan and they had oodles and oodles to choose from.
I finally decided to go with the strawberry carrot (how could I resist?) and the dark chocolate (you may have heard about my dark chocolate obsessions?). If the sorbetto looks a little sloppy in this picture, it's because I had to have a taste (or three) before I paused to take a picture.

And that strawberry carrot? Absolutely delightful. So good in fact I bought a pint to go.

With dessert out of the way, we headed over to the famed and funky El Camino. Even though my photos were less than stellar, the food lived up to all the delicious hype we've heard.

We started out with the chips, salsa and guacamole. I loved that the chips came with tiny lime wedges (doesn't everything taste better with fresh lime?) and the salsa had a deep, smoky taste. I ordered the vegan Rajas Tacos, which consisted of a flavorful medley of market veggies on corn tortillas and served with a side of beans and rice. It was a perfect finish to a fun-filled day trip and a testament to the abundance of tasty vegan eats in Maine.

5 spots for hummus in Portland, ME

Whenever I need a quick and inexpensive meal, I seek out a hummus sandwich. These puppies vary widely, depending on the quality of the hummus, the type of bread and the choice of toppings. Most often, I go for a whole wheat roll up. I tend to pair it with the standard toppings of the famous Maine Italian: pickles (without pickles, why bother?), olives, onions, green pepper, tomato, salt and pepper. Sometimes I add in lettuce too.

My absolute, all time favorite hummus remains the one from the Bagel Cafe in Camden. I've yet to find its thick, veggie filled match in Portland. But I keep looking. In the meantime, here are five solid choices for hummus fans:

Market Street Eats, 30 Market St.
Go for the Avo Cucumber (with pickles, of course).

Vaughn Street Variety, 235 Vaughn St.
They have a hummus wrap on the menu with sprouts and stuff, but I always go Italian style.

The Works Bakery & Cafe, 15 Temple St.
Go for the organic, whole grain bagel. They make their hummus in-house.

Back Cove Deli, 89 Ocean Ave.
They have yummy Greek olives.

West End Grocer, 133 Spring St.
Again, I modify to fit my pickle/olive needs.