When we fist got up there we were starving. We checked into our room and then headed straight back out and over to 40Paper (www.40paper.com) in Camden after reading great reviews on the app, for happy hour. Within seconds of sitting down my very protective other half was asking questions about gluten free. I started off with a drink (as it had been a LONG drive) and picked a Honey Lemon Drop. It was exactly what I needed. Then for a tappas I chose Baby Artichokes stuffed with fresh goat cheese and prosciutto bits. This appetizer has stayed with me through the whole trip. I have a feeling I will be attempting to recreate them in the very near future. When we were finished we decided to try another location for dinner since there were so many places and so little time.
We headed to Fog Bar and Café back in Rockland. The atmosphere with the dim lights and playing old Disney cartoons on the back wall was excellent. It thankfully wasn't too over crowded as we were still unwinding from the drive. We started off with drinks again where I ordered a Blackberry Cosmo. Keith was again concerned with the gluten free options but I figured we could figure it out. Since they had specials written on the board I went up and asked the hostess if the one item that stood out to me was gluten free. She was very helpful and went off to ask. She then looked in my direction and gave me the thumbs up. It was a Sweet Potato and Duck Shepherds Pie. This was my first time having duck and my only complaint is that I lost the picture of this savory meal by not letting it fully save to my phone. By the time I realized that, we had left (and I had slipped and fallen on my butt in the snow).
After leaving we went to the local grocery store to pick up a few things to keep in our room. I was shocked to see not only a full liquor selection in the grocery store but that they had the gluten free beer we had been searching for.. Omission. As much as I enjoy the Glutenberg, the Omission surpasses it. Now only if I could find it back in Massachusetts.
The next day we only ate at the resort at La Bella Vita Ristorante (www.labellavitaristorante.com). We started off with breakfast where we met our server Chloe. Nothing against the other servers but in my mind Chloe is such a great asset to this restaurant. She started off working in the health club before transitioning to the restaurant which gave her the chance to learn the ins and outs of how it is run and she knew exactly what could be customized and what couldn't. When we sat down I knew exactly what I wanted and she helped me modify it to be gluten free and even made sure the chefs knew it had to be gluten free. Keith had explained how the tiniest bit of gluten will ruin our whole trip and land me in bed in pain and miserable for the remainder which we definitely did not want. She completely understood and the next time I saw her she was delivering my Lobster Eggs Benedict which was poached eggs, oven roasted tomato, spinach, Maine lobster and basil citrus hollandaise layered on top of gluten free bread and a side of roasted potatoes. That meal was AMAZING! Breakfast will never be the same again (unless I recreate it). We were so impressed with that meal that we even came back for happy hour later in the day. Their drink menu is quite interesting and when reading it you are not quite sure how it is going to turn out. We had 3 of their mixed drinks (spread out through the night), The Tuscan Pear, the Basil Lime Ricky Cocktail and the Bellini Passione. After our first drink we caught Chloe out of the corner of our eye and asked to be seated in her section as the Italian style menu was intimidating not knowing what I could change and what I couldn't. She was working in the lounge section so we sat in an area that was set up to watch items be prepared using a brick oven. Although they were items I could not eat, it was still fun watching them, however it may have made one of the chefs uncomfortable. In the end of finding out I could get almost anything made gluten free, I chose the Wild Salmon Florentine which was made with white wine, lemon, capers and wilted spinach on top of parmesan risotto. Keith ordered the Chicken Parmesan because he could and he was impressed with the pasta and glad Chloe suggested having fresh grated cheese and ground pepper on top. A couple of hours after we headed back to our room we had become hungry again so we ordered room service. Keith had to have one of the brickoven pizzas after watching them be made during dinner and I wanted a lobster roll. The kitchen was more then willing to make it gluten free however they suggested putting it on a bed of greens. I wasn't really for that so we convinced them to toast the gluten free bread and put it on them. It came out perfect and I have now definitely had my Maine Lobster fix for the next couple of months. The food at this restaurant was excellent and we would without a doubt recommend it to any one even if they are not staying at the resort. HOWEVER- we also highly highly highly suggest requesting Chloe as your server, you wont be disappointed.
The next morning we were sadly heading out so we stopped at Home Kitchen Café (www.homekitchencafe.com) also in Rockport as it had also been recommended on my trusty new phone app. Keith ordered an omelet which he enjoyed and I ordered homemade corned beef hash with two poached eggs, home fries and I tried polenta for the first time. Sadly I was not impressed with the polenta however the home fries were awesome!
The food choices we had on this trip were amazing and it gave us a few new ideas. It was a little heartbreaking leaving an area that gluten free food is so readily available and head back to our area of Massachusetts where they are working on it but it's not quite there yet, so we have decided this may turn into one of our go to locations. Can't wait until the next time we are back!
From 40 Paper:
From Fog: (the bathroom walks are chalk boards)
From La Bella Vita:
From Home Kitchen Café:
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