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Re Best of maine:odds & ends:water

for those in the more southerly environs of our state who wish to sample exceptional waters I recommend the elixir served up in Richmond village by the Richmond Utilities District. These waters were judged the best untreated waters in Maine last year. Interestingly enough the RUD draws its waters from a deep well across the Kennebec River in Dresden. It has always been said that the strata the well draws its waters from originate in Bingham, ME. I guess it really is a small state.

Jay Robbins, Richmond

Re; Best Local Watering Hole

The Old Goat Pub in Richmond is exceptional. After three years in rented space, owner Scott Macintire has beautifully rehabilitated, and relocated to, the 1877 Spaulding & Stuart Block in the downtown. Pints and paninis, pasta and people are all enjoyed here. It is the most likely place to bump into people you care for but haven't seen in a while. All are welcomed as family. The banter alone is worth a visit.

Nicest place to encounter a ghost from 250 years ago.

The 1761 Pownalborough Court House sits on the banks of the Kennebec River in Dresden on the site of the 1752 Fort Frankfort (later renamed Fort Shirley.) It is operated as a seasonal museum by the Lincoln County Historical Association. Until Fort Halifax and Fort Western were built higher up the river, Fort Frankfort served as the frontier watch during the various unsettled times commonly known as the French & Indian Wars. Over the past twenty years, several live-in docents have encountered a sentry from the Fort days. He now walks the old palisade where it once stood, crossing through what is now an ell attached to the Pownalborough Court House. He is said to be very military like in his bearing.

Jay Robbins

One of my favorite spots is Lands' End at the southern tip or Route 24 in Bailey Island, ME. It's a great spot for a visit at anytime of the year, but my favorite season for going there is during the warm summer months.
There are many things to do: go to the small beach and skim rocks across the water; take a quick swim if you dare; walk along the rocks and listen to the waves crashing onto the shore; watch the sailing yachts and lobster boats make their way through the narrow gut to shorten their trip. And as an added bonus for any kids in your group, visit the wonderful Lands' End Gift Shop, loaded with many trinkets that appeal to kids as well as many nice gifts.

And the views while driving there from Cook's Corner in Brunswick aren't too shabby either.

Armand Bouchard
Great Island
Harpswell, ME

My Cousins Place in Norridgewock has the the feeling of "Cheers where eveyone knows your name".A small family diner where the food is home cooked. And the pies are out of this world!

I don't love Francine Bistro in Camden just because I work there -- vice versa, actually. Brian Hill simply makes the most delicious food around. He has this innate ability to blend exciting flavors and textures so you feel you could very possibly eat there every night. And he's funny -- we're always laughing! The atmosphere is alive. The service is excellent. Chip, the bartender, is classic; he and Brian both really know wine, his cocktails are beautiful, and his personality makes you want to linger for hours. Definitely try Chip's cocktail of the evening, any of Brian's soups, salads, or SWEETBREADS(!!), duck or pork if available, a South American red wine, and if you love chocolate, the torte with an espresso. That's my idea of the perfect meal, but everything on the menu is first-rate.

Maine is known for a lot of things: The best lobster, the most coastline, first to see the sunrise and the fall colors.... Last September a little restaurant in South Portland gained world recognition as the home of the World Burrito Eating Championships. This restaurant is Costa Vida Fresh Mexican Grill located at 209 Western Ave, South Portland, ME. Eating there you may run into such well known Mainers like Bob Marley and Tom Chappell. You’ll also find most of the Portland Pirates eating there sometime as often as three times in a week. When Jon Lester of the Boston Red Sox was in town playing for the Sea Dogs he made sure that the team was fed Costa Vida Big Kahuna Burritos. Ann Czaja, Lindt Master Chocolatier USA, said “You make the best fish tacos in the world!” The tag line for Costa Vida Fresh Mexican Grill is “Addictive…Legal!” and once you try their sweet pork you’ll know why. “The key is to make everything fresh and from scratch”, says owner Dan Kenning. And everything is made fresh from their pico de gallo to the tortillas. Another great thing is that this restaurant is fast casual. Fast casual is a relatively new style of restaurant for people who want the quality of full service and the quickness of fast food. Here is how it works at Costa Vida. You get in line and order you food, they make your burrito, taco, enchilada, quesadilla, nachos or salad right there in front of you as you proceed to the cashier. This means you get to see what they put on it and ask them to put extra or don’t put certain things. Teresa Corbett, who needs to eat gluten free, says, “I can have asked the person waiting on me about the food and because they make it fresh they are able to tell me exactly what ingredients are in each food item.” The service is outstanding, the food is great, you get served quickly but there is more. Owner Dan Kenning is dedicated to helping the community, the restaurant gives to many charities including providing dinner to the Ronald McDonald House. Dan is also involved in the Boy Scouts, His wife molly does cancer awareness, and many of the workers are involved in soup kitchens, salvation army, junior achievement and other charitable organizations. Last March Costa Vida dedicated one night to raise money for Savannah Hurly, a little girl with Wilm’s Tumor. Dan wishes he could do more and promises it will come as the restaurant grows.

The Big Kahuna in Bridgton is a blast. Great music, dancing, fun people, our gang had a major party on a number of different occasions. Go Kahuna! Ask for the man himself.

Loved the Big Kahuna up in Bridgeton. I saw a great live blues show in their place last summer and the building just has a good vibe. I was also there just after they opened several years ago and saw a good show then, too. The difference, however, was that whoever is running that place has been making improvements through the years, and it shows. The stage is bigger, the sound is better and the bar is cooler. If only we could all age so well.

I recommend The Big Kahuna Cafe. It is locally owned and operated, they get great musical talent in for live performances, and the atmosphere rocks. There's a bar room, plenty of seating and room to dance. Bridgton's best night life if you ask me.