I'm back! :-)
I know you missed me. . . don't deny it!
Joel and I had a lovely weekend in Portsmouth, NH. Allow me to share with you the highlights!
We were leaving Friday morning, and we had a new friend to see us off -
Turkey Lurker in the back yard!
I said what I thought was "hey Turkey Man, welcome!" in Turkish to him (sounded like - gabah gabah gobblegaahh) but I guess the translation didn't come out just right, and he booked it out of there. Awkwardly.
And then, we were off!
It was about an hour or so drive, and we arrived at our hotel. We immediately went out exploring. Here's the view from just outside our hotel lobby. . .
First stop. naturally - ice cream!
I heard of this place from a coworker just the day prior, strangely enough, so we just HAD to stop!
On recommendation, Joel got A Mint Summer's Night Dream :-)
I got the sorbet of the day... hand made lemon sorbet. Mmm
It was super cute inside, and so many flavors! We vowed to come back again, but we didn't get a chance.
We walked around the town a bit, hit up some shops and the like. We went back to the hotel and went swimming and in the jacuzzi, which we had all to ourselves!
Soon enough, it was time for dinner!
I had made us reservations at a restaurant called The Black Trumpet.
I don't have any pictures that can do it justice, but you'll just have to trust me... this place was breathtaking. It is dark and broody and romantic. Stone, brick, candles everywhere. The tables were worn copper, with wheat and wild flowers in tiny glass jars. I mean just gorgeous.
I didn't capture all of our food. Despite what you might think, I'm actually not that big on taking pictures! I really prefer to live and enjoy the moment, rather than ruin it with a click and a flash. HOWEVER, I am a sucker for beautiful things, and wanting to share them. So, you did get some pics ;-)
First came : Fried almonds, olives, and garlic. (amazing!) and Garlic marinated shrimp with scapes and carrot harissa (aka, shrimp in a spicy creamy sauce)
Next up : Goats milk camembert cheese with crostini and sour plum sauce
Then, onto our entrées!
Joel's : Herb crusted aged steak with mashed potatoes and chasseur sauce (that is a meat based sauce with mushrooms, shallots, garlic, and white wine)
Mine : Pan roasted veal chop with compound butter, rye berries, fig glace and sautéed mustard greens.
The staff had heard that it was Joel's birthday, so they brought him a complimentary slice of Layered Chocolate Cheesecake with salted ganache and chantilly cream. With a candle in it :)
I had a coffee. And then, I had a big ol' food baby developing in my tummy tum.
Fat and happy, we plumped our way back to the hotel, watched a movie in the bed and slept, blissfully!
The next morning all I wanted to do was hit up the little gym, which I did.
I did an hour work out, 30 min on the bike (I discovered I am now completely spoiled by nice equipment. This stuff felt like Tonka toys) and then a 30 minute upper body and abs work out.
Whew!
Good thing, cause next up - breakfast!
For me, vacation is ALL.ABOUT.BREAKFAST.
I love having a big greasy breakfast at a diner. Nothing better.
And eggs benedict is my FAVE.
We wandered into Colby's for breakfast. And breakfast, we did.
Eggs Irish : english muffins, topped with corn beef hash, topped with 2 poached eggs, topped with hollandaise sauce, side of home fries.
Freakin' A.
This was just as glorious as it looked. No, I couldn't finish it. But damnit, I wanted to!
Joel got Huevos Rancheros. I didn't take a picture. He wouldn't stop eating it long enough for me to snap one! :-)
Walking back I was wishing I'd had a coffee, so we stopped into a coffee shop called Breaking Grounds. It was cute and hippie like, which I dig.
I got a sugar free caramel iced coffee with skim.
Joel got a mint brownie frappe.
After that deliciousness, we walked a bit more, then got the car (from valet) and drove to the next town over to go see Toy Story 3 in 3D. Later, we had dinner at a Japanese place whose reputation pegged them as having "the best sushi on the seaboard" I begged to differ. It was good, but nothing special.
Moving on!
Sunday, we went to Strawbery Banke, which is a "living museum". It's an entire preserved village from the 1600's. I love old stuff!
It was hot as a beast, so we didn't go through the whole thing.
(sigh, I just adore this bed!)
Strawbery Bank was a very cool place to wander in, I am glad we found it!
On the walk back to the hotel, we happened upon an unbelievable public flower garden that run along the dock.
(how is that color possible in nature!? oomph!)
We made sure to hit up my favorite breakfast place The Friendly Toast. It's a cool hipster place, open 24 hours. Known for their super eclectic style and unique, delicious menu!
I got (you guess it!) eggs benedict. But this time it came on wheat bread, with smoked salmon and scallions. Officially the best breakfast I've ever had!
I nearly ate the WHOLE thing!
Unfortunately, I didn't have my camera on me, so you get lame-o iPhone photos.
So, here's the sad part! Sunday evening, I had a BIG surprise planned for Joel... I was SO excited about it!
A hot air balloon ride!!!
But alas, we got to the meeting place, and it ended up being canceled because of the bad winds. Boo!
I was bummed, but its ok. We'll go another time... and it certainly couldn't have ruined a lovely weekend!
The very next day was time for Fatty, Chrissy and I to go to Mohegan Sun Casino in CT for a Meatloaf concert! We ate at Bobby Flay's restaurant Bar Americain which was... you guessed it, out of this world!
So, there you have it! :-) Hope you enjoyed my weekend ;-)
3 refreshing comments:
OMG, loving that restaurant! And I want to go to that Strawberry Bank - I'm going to tell Brad about it right now. Your breakfast makes me droooool. Also, I want to see Toy Story 3 but Brad hasn't seen the first two, dammit (and I tried renting them on Netflix and they are unavailable!) I'm bummed you couldn't go on your hot air balloon ride, but hopefully next time the weather will be perfect! I bet September or October, when they have the foliage change, would be a perfect time.
Glad you're back, i missed the crap out of you, even if it was for only a weekend!
WOW that is a busy weekend!!! I can't believe you saw Meatloaf, how fun! His daughter and I were friends ages and ages ago. What did you think of Toy Story 3? I liked most of it, but thought it got really dark at points.
Looks like a very relaxing and delicious weekend :) Great photos!
Post a Comment