Bradley Inn Cover

Bradley Inn Cover

Tuesday, June 25, 2013

New Packages!!

We are quite excited to extend some new really neat packages. These are great for families vacationing together, couples, friends vacationing, company outings or team building.  
 
The first is the Lobster Bake - get out on a lobster boat hauling in traps! If you're not up for the high seas stay at the inn and partake in a Yoga class, a massage, or just relax. Then it's off to harvest oysters. Wait 'til the folks back home here about this! Once back at the inn you can help as much or as little with the lobster bake itself. A good time is guaranteed to be had by all and you'll go home with some stories of real Maine adventure!
 
The second package is the Maine Wine & Cheese Tour. Visit a local winery where you will be treated to a lovely lunch, then get a backstage peek at making cheese from an artisan. Return to the inn for an exquisite dinner of perfectly paired wine, cheese and local fare. A foodie's dream getaway!
 
Okay, so based on the number of exclamation points you can see we are really pumped about these packages. Give us a call to reserve yours today!
 
 

LobsterLobster Bake!

Available: minimum 6 people, maximum 20
Package price: $795 (double occupancy)
Package includes: Two night’s New Harbor B&B lodging, dinner the first evening in the inn's Pemaquid Point restaurant, full country breakfast each morning. Your first morning waking at the Inn you will have the choice of heading out on a lobster boat to haul traps or enjoying Yoga in the beautiful gardens.
The next stop is to learn about and harvest oysters! You can also choose to enjoy a massage and sauna at the Inn's Rose Hip Spa. A picnic lunch will be waiting for you to enjoy on the grounds or at the beach.
That evening you can be hands-on during the lobster bake. Learn to steam lobsters, shuck oysters and layout a traditional and delicious New England Lobster Bake!

Wine and Cheese at the Bradley Inn    Maine Wine & Cheese Tour

Available: June 30 - Thanksgiving
Package price: $745 (double occupancy)
Package includes:
Two night’s New Harbor B&B lodging, full country breakfast each morning. Upon arrival you will be greeted with a wine and cheese reception in the Chart Room at the Inn. The next day you will be given a detailed tour including a list of scavenger hunt items to pickup at each location and bring home as souvenirs of your trip!
Enjoy lunch at the Cellar Door and tour the winery and vineyard. Then you are off to visit a Maine Cheese Artisan to get a behind the scenes look at the fine art of crafting cheese. Return for a multi-course gourmet dinner in the inn's Pemaquid Point restaurant, with wine pairings carefully selected by our Chef. End your visit the next day with brunch at our sister restaurant, The Contented Sole.

 

Monday, June 17, 2013

Hidden Treasure



I have been working at the Bradley Inn and Restaurant for a month now. I prepare breakfast for the Inn guests and the desserts for the Inn Restaurant and the sister restaurant The Contented Sole. I haven't eaten at the Inn since 2010 but remembered it being a wonderful meal, the best to date we've had since living in Maine. Having seen the kitchen, the locally sourced foods and care that goes into the menu planning along with the talent saying I was excited to have dinner last night would be a terrible understatement.
 
Making a menu selection for me is a struggle and I usually change my mind three times once the waiter or waitress actually asks for my order. Because I had know the owners would be out of town for the evening and Bitza was Chef I asked his advice on what to order. He suggested that I 'let him surprise me.' Surprise does not describe the meal we experienced for our anniversary. Allow me to walk you through the evening.


The Inn has a dining room, blue patterned carpeting, white tablecloths, formal yet inviting. In a room off the living room is the warmly lit Tavern with a large granite bar, several tables, deep dark wood everywhere, model ships, a ship's wheel and a well-stocked bar. adjacent to the Tavern with two past through is The Chart Room. More warm wood tones, an ebony piano, nautical charts and tables. A few tables in both the Tavern and Chart Room have very masculine camel colored leather wing back chairs fit for a Sea Captain.
We arrived a bit early for dinner and enjoyed a drink at the bar, marveling at the surroundings and the backyard rhododendron  in full bloom. Suzie made our drinks and entertained us with conversation. We made our way to the corner of the Chart Room and selected a table in he corner by the windows. Our waitress Peke, who also works the Front Desk of the Inn during the day, was dressed in white button up shirt, black slacks and a long white wait staff apron. She let us know that Bitza was preparing our meals and recommended the Pinot Noir (my fave!).
The first plate to materialize at our table was an amuse bouche, that is bite sized food meant to amuse the mouth and prepare the palate. A sampling of mortadella, smoked almonds, briny olives, garlic scallions, radishes, Parmesan, crab cakes and house cured duck breast. Bitza was going to pull out all the stops. I will take this opportunity to apologize for any errors in identifying the food, I was having a hard time not passing out from foodgasm delight.

The next items to arrive were Pemaquid Oysters with a prosecco Mignonette, a sauce of shallots, vinegar and pepper and flat bread with mortadella, mozzarella and garlic scallions. The pairing of the mignonette with the oysters transforms what is on it's own a beautiful metallic, plump taste of the sea into something that makes you close your eyes, hum and rock gently back and forth. The flat bread was crisp and airy at the same time with fatty mortadella giving it richness and depth of flavor.
At this point we were in awe at the level of detail and execution and could not wait for our entrees. We didn't realize more courses were coming. Next to arrive were Damariscotta River clams casino, grilled with apple wood smoked bacon, oregano and sweet pequillo peppers. These little gems are smaller but meatier than the oysters and stand up to the pieces of sweet smoky bacon. I became somewhat worried with the amount of food we were having and whether or not I was up for the challenge - I was thankful I chose Lycra spandex for my evening wear. Our silverware was replaced several times during the meal and our crumbs swept away, never a detail missed.

Peke and Mara arrived with two more plates, this time New Harbor lobster fettuccini with house made tender fresh pasta, fire roasted tomatoes and a tarragon cream. This was served in individual tureens, porcelain white bowls on their own lovely stands. The anise flavor of the tarragon in the cream was perfection.

Just when I started considering if I would be stricken with gout on the ride home Bitza arrived in Chef coat with one more plate, our entrée. A locally sourced skirt steak with rosemary crisp fries and a chile glazed duck breast over risotto. The beef was tender and buttery, the duck done perfectly with crispy glistening skin.

Somehow we mustered the courage to order dessert, I had to see how they came out and honestly hadn't tried the lemon pudding myself despite having made it several times. My husband ordered the Espresso Crème Brulee and set about rolling his eyes back into his head. I had the lemon pudding served in a tea cup with Maine blueberries and a sugared pansy. We were treated last with the check and a mignardise or small sweet, two of the caramels dipped in dark chocolate with sea salt that I had made.

The food was incredible, the service - top notch. We talked about how wonderful the restaurant is and how it seems to be a closely guarded secret. I will do my part to get the message out to others. It truly is a treat and while you can sit and have a white tablecloth experience you can also sit in the Tavern and order small plates of any of the above for the pleasure of the food in a more casual 'off with the cloth' atmosphere.

Please go, you won't be disappointed.

Tuesday, June 11, 2013

Destination Wedding

Coastal Maine Weddings at Pemaquid Point Lighthouse        
Wedding Season is approaching and both The Bradley Inn and The Contented Sole have events planned through the Summer and into the Fall, but there are some openings for this year and availability for next year.

The beauty of working with the Inn and The Sole for a wedding is the level of flexibility and attention to details. Let me explain. This week we had two couples come in to go over some details about their wedding food and drink desires. One couple wishes to have traditional Peruvian food and a Peruvian signature drink. The other couple is having a six course French meal with breaks in between each course for guests to play party games. How fun! Being able to sit with Beth and Warren and discuss dishes and customize the food for the couple is a rare find these days.

One bride-to-be explained that her fairytale wish for her wedding, ever since she was a little girl, was a lighthouse and her father walking her down the aisle. The bride will be walked down the grassy aisle by her father and wed at the historic Pemaquid Lighthouse overlooking the awe inspiring rocky coast of Maine. The newlyweds and their guests will enjoy a lively reception at The Contented Sole and then Sunday Brunch the next morning at The Bradley Inn.

Every event detail is carefully discussed with Beth and Ashlee from decor to flowers to timing. Tammy stays with the bride all day to make certain her day is perfection. It is a fairytale setting ideal for starting married life together.

Many weddings held at the Inn and The Sole have been second weddings for some couples who want an intimate gathering with more emphasis on spending time with guests enjoying exquisite food and scenery in a less traditional wedding reception style. These are some of the loveliest gatherings.

If you would like to know more about having your wedding at the Inn or The Sole, please contact info@bradleyinn.com or call (207)-677-2105 and ask for Beth.

Next time we'll discuss Corporate Events and Winter possibilities!

Thursday, June 6, 2013

Sunday on the Dock Farmers' Market!

Sundays on the Dock Farmers' Market - New Harbor, ME                          

The Contented Sole has such an amazing location. Perched in the heart of Pemaquid Harbor on the Fort William Henry State Park, you'd be hard pressed to find a more fitting setting for a festival than this.

Owners Beth and Warren have been 'buying local' for both The Contented Sole and The Bradley Inn and Restaurant for over 15 years. To show their appreciation and support they have decided to host Sunday on the Dock Farmers' Market. Maine farmers and growers are invited (no charge!) each Sunday, starting on June 30th to sell their produce, seafood, cheeses, meats, coffee, fiber, baked goods, etc. We're all down right giddy at the thought of a great turnout!!

www.facebook.com/SundaysOnTheDockFarmersMarket

We would love for folks to spend a Sunday morning/afternoon shopping, eating, visiting the Fort and taking in some of the loveliest scenery in Maine.

Here's the schedule for each Sunday June 30th ~ mid September:

10 - 1pm Farmers' Market Open
  • Space is available on the dock or in the front parking lot (let us know if you are coming as a seller either on our Facebook page or email mjdoele@gmail.com)

10:30 - 3pm Brunch at The Contented Sole

  • Marscapone Blueberry Breakfast Pizzas, Basket 'O Soleful Pastries, Bloody Soles (our twist on the Bloody Mary) and Margarita Ice Cream. Regular menu items will be available as always!
Noon - 3:00pm - Live Musical Entertainment!

Get the word out and be sure to stop by!