While exploring Portland, Kaitee and I stumbled upon two local groceries.


And, I love a local grocery store so we popped in to check them out.


The first is Micucci Grocery, which is an Italian grocery store.


They have a deli with all kinds of fresh meats and cheeses, wine and microbrews, bakery, oils, pastas and more.


They even have hot slices and ready-made cannoli.


The other grocery we stopped at was Lois' Natural Marketplace.




They had tons of natural and health foods.


Plus some fresh-made options, too.


Kaitee got a portable fork/spoon to travel with - which is genius!

Can you pass up a storefront window with shining caramel apples lined up in a row?


I know that I can't.


Charleston's Candy Kitchen is a magical spot full of goodies.


The shop has even been on The Food Network.


Whether you want gummies, weird suckers with scorpions or barrels full of taffy, this place has it all.


Of course, I went for caramel apple.


But look at all these goodies:

I'm not sure it's a real trip to Maine if you don't get oysters.


Kaitee and I went to Eventide Oyster Co. while in Portland.




"A revival of the great American oyster bar, Eventide offers pristine oysters and shellfish, the famed Brown Butter Lobster Roll, and a James Beard Award-winning take on classic New England fare—in Boston, Mass. and our original restaurant in Portland, Maine."


So,  I knew I wanted to try oysters. But I really know nothing about oysters. I kinda guess on the name and hope it's one that's smooth. But our server hooked me up and picked delicious ones for me.


I got some cocktail on the side, and each of these went down super duper smooth. Delicious, silky and tasty.


But this place is known for more than their oysters. They're also known for a delicious lobster roll.


The "Eventide Brown Butter Lobster Roll" is legendary - and for good reason. It's so, so tasty. Small, but mighty.


Have you been here?

Sometimes, a quiet lunch alone, overlooking a busy street while dining on delicious food is exactly what I need.

At Magnolias, you can experience upscale southern cuisine in a lovely atmosphere.



"In 1990, Magnolias ignited a culinary renaissance when it opened in Charleston, S.C. paving the way for countless other restaurants across the South. Today, led by chefs Don Drake, Samantha Blagg and team, Magnolias remains a forerunner in upscale Southern cuisine, blending traditional ingredients and cooking techniques with modern flair for artful presentations. The soul of the South meets the spark of innovation in dishes such as the Down South Egg Roll stuffed with collard greens, chicken, and Tasso ham, served with red pepper purée, spicy mustard sauce, and peach chutney and Shellfish over Grits with sautéed shrimp, sea scallops, lobster, creamy white grits, lobster butter sauce and fried spinach."


I had two of my favorite of my favorite meals: appetizers and dessert.

But first - there's ALWAYS bread. Always. And you'll never hear a complaint from me.

And then I went with the homemade pimiento cheese with "Charleston" flatbread. It was quite the presentation.

And for dessert, I ordered the raspberry sorbet - perfectly refreshing and a sweet last bite.

The Palace Diner is the oldest restaurant in Maine, and it is well-known for its breakfast and lunch specialties.


The restaurant is small and doesn't take reservations. So, Kaitee and I arrived early, put our names on the list and waited outside for a couple seats to open up.


My buddy Josh works at this restaurant, so it's been on my list to try for years. Not just because of him - though that's a nice benefit - but because it's also well-known for its simple - but perfectly executed - menu.


When we were called, our seat were available right outside the kitchen so I could catch a glimpse of folks hustling around.


And, it pays to have friends in important roles, because Josh sent out some caramelized grapefruit for our first bite. I can easily say this is the best grapefruit I've ever had. I'm not a huge grapefruit person, but this one was delish.


Then, I ordered the fried chicken sandwich (yes that's a lunch menu, yes this was at breakfast time - get over it). Warning: It is LARGE and in charge.


So I cut right into the meat of it to taste that delicious chicken. It was topped with a slaw and sesame seed bun, but I focused on that fried chicken before I got too full. Also, the light was shining RIGHT on me - almost to illuminate the meal.


As if that wasn't enough, Josh had one more surprise for us.


He sent out a piece of French toast  - my absolute favorite breakfast meal. Somehow, it was so sweet all on its own that it didn't even need syrup.