Just a few blocks back from the touristy Bar Harbor area is Side Street Cafe.


This restaurant made Eater's list for the 16 Essential Lobster Rolls to try in Maine: "This neighborhood favorite in downtown Bar Harbor mixes up the presentation of its roll with a finishing sprinkle of Old Bay. Traditionalists may gasp, but should stop and appreciate the gentle heat the spice mix brings to the sweet lobster."


I ordered a lobster roll with a side of lobster bisque. Because lobster.


I can easily say this was the largest lobster roll I've ever had. It was packed with like two full lobsters. I wouldn't have hated some warm butter over top, but it was tasty nonetheless.

Truthfully, I came to Hannibal's Kitchen to try their famous crab rice, but I was too early.


Instead, I arrived early and looked to see what other options were available.


So I went with sauteed crab and shrimp breakfast, with grits and toast.


This was a new preparation for me - but good!

Kaitee and I took a really neat cruise around Acadia National Park to learn about what kind of wildlife there is and spot some fish in the ocean.


While waiting for our boat to take off, I peeked inside the Sunrise Cafe to see if I could get a bit of breakfast.


They have a menu that consist of breakfast sandwiches, crepes, and lunch sandwiches too.




They had a "Smoked Salmon Bagel - $8.95 (cream cheese, onion, tomato, smoked salmon)" so I went for it.


It was a bit different than I expected, though. It had white onions instead of red. And it had more of a hot-smoked salmon, rather than cold-smoked which is smooth and silky. Not bad, though.

Charleston, South Carolina, is known for a few things: southern charm, great seafood, and coconut cake - OK, maybe that last one is specific to Peninsula Grill.


Peninsula Grill is a high-end restaurant that promises an exquisite experience.



“Peninsula Grill has the sophisticated feel of an urban eatery without losing sight of its Southern charm. The menu is inventive, offering boldly flavored dishes spiced up with Lowcountry accents like collard greens, hushpuppies, grits and black-eyed peas. There’s also a champagne bar menu of decadent little treats like oysters, lobster, foie gras, caviar and duck pâté.” — FORBES TRAVEL GUIDE



I found myself at the champagne bar area and looking over the menu.



But first, some warm bread and incredible butter with salt.


And then, one of my favorite things, a little gift from the chef.




It was a raw fish with fresh herbs and sauce.


And I ordered the - Lobster "3 Way" Lobster Ravioli, Lobster Tempura and Sautéed Lobster with warm Tomato-Basil Beurre Monte.


It's small, but oh so satisfying.


And the main reason for going: The legendary 12-layer ultimate coconut cake.

"Today, Peninsula Grill is famous for its signature 12-layer Ultimate Coconut Cake®, one of the South’s most celebrated desserts. Slices of the cake are served to guests at the restaurant nightly, and entire cakes are shipped across the United States via overnight delivery. This beloved cake that has earned praise from AFAR, Bon Appétit, Conde Nast Traveler, Food & Wine, Good Morning America, Martha Stewart Living, Saveur, Southern Living, The Food Network, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Travel & Leisure, TODAY Show, USA TODAY, and Vogue, among others."

For a nightcap to end our first night in Portland, Maine, Kaitee and my friend Joshua and his friend all ventured to Flood's.

“[Flood’s] is a reference to a writer I’ve always loved named Joseph Mitchell,” Mitchell said (and no, there’s no relation to the author). “He did a lot of fun and poignant writing on fishermen and butchers and fishmongers around New York City. He had a character [in his book] called ‘Old Mr. Flood.’ [The character] wasn’t a real person; he was an amalgamation of characters at the South Street Seaport fish market. It kind of spoke to me, this collection of ideas and characters.” [source]


Flood's is owned by one of the same owners as Palace Diner and features dinner, drinks and desserts - kind of everything the Palace Diner doesn't.


We tried the blueberry-peach cobbler, which was a beautiful blend of homey, warm, sweet treat topped with a cold scoop of ice cream. Always a winner.